Process vs Product

I really think I'm behind the times here...I've lately been reading and hearing about "Process vs Product" knitters, something I've never thought of before and it seems this discussion has been going on for months now! Where the heck have I been? So...In thinking about this I believe I'm both. And for those who are new to this concept (as I am) here are the definitions:
Process knitter is one who enjoys the act of knitting, whether or not something comes of it...just enjoying the zen of stitch after stitch being created.
A product knitter is more concerned with the end result, and giving as gifts or proudly showing off the end result.
I LOVE KNITTING...I LOVE GIVING GIFTS I HAVE MADE!
I ask you to think about this and let me know what kind of knitter you are...??

Now if you attribute this to spinning I would say that for right now I'm more of a Process spinner...the feel of the fiber in my fingers...seeing a bobbin fill up...stroking a finished skein like a kitten! As you have probably read in my blog I'm currently knitting a sweater using my own handspun yarn, and my progress is slowing down since warmer weather is here. I've placed the body on a holder (as directed in the instructions) and I've almost completed 1 sleeve! I'd say I'm 2/3 of the way finished! I'm also still working on my son's Durrow from MagKnits. I'm also working on some cute little sandlesocks for the same son's girlfriend. Just something that looks like Jessica...not really functional more fashionable. I've learned the hard way to only knit for those who appreciate it and speaking of which, last night I started a new project for my FAVORITE (only) niece! Pictures and details to come later...so you'll have to check back for the updates! No...I'm not going to give any hints (Jennifer)!


We are getting ready to leave this Friday for our first Colonial event of the year, Fort Frederick in Maryland. And, of course, I've scoped out all the knitting and fiber shops in the area! One that I didn't find last year is in Winchester called "Frog eye Fiber Emporium" When we returned home I mapped it out and found that we only missed it by about 5 miles...it's, apparently, very off the beaten path. There are also a couple of knitting shops in Hagerstown. I find that when traveling I may buy a magnet for the fridge of where I've been but I tend to buy yarn or fiber as a souvenir! Anybody else do that...or am I just the wierd one? The weather is going to be unfavorable at the event (just like last year) so I don't think I'll take my wheel but I WILL have knitting with me. Colonial women always had "busy work" unlike the 19th century when women (usually of middle to higher class) would be sitting around "fanning" themselves on the "veranda" while the children romped and played! Pioneer/Colonial women worked HARD and so did the children...sun up to sun down. I'll (hopefully) have pictures to post when I get back...

Happy Knitting and Spinning Everyone!

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter Everyone...


Mark 16:6 NIV

Don't be alarmed," he said. "You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him.

Sedalia Spring Fiber Festival

The very first Sedalia Spring Fiber Festival got off to a rocky start, considering the weather we had on Friday night, but faired well! A couple of vendors lost their tents and the BBQ vendor had it the worst...their tent blew over knocking over the BBQ and burning all the meat! I hope each and every year this grows and grows into an event of great proportions! Now I don't want it to get too big for it's briches but I like having an event so close to home...no motel room...no 3+ hour drive.
Hubby went along and took some great pictures for me, I wish I could post them all. The Alpacas posed, the lambs romped and played or they may have been dancing to the celtic music playing in the background. (Okay Jennifer here are some pictures!)
Babies...Babies...everywhere!




Even baby Emu's (I think they were Emu's)




The Llama's had a lot to talk about!









I imagine it had to do with "who was next!"
The shearing demonstrations were very interesting and this gal was very cooperative!




I spent a little time chatting with the Llama's...the Alpaca's were being unsociable when I visited...possibly because of the number of children around.



This BEAUTIFUL 1800's Barn Loom from North Carolina was on display, the gentleman standing to the right found it in pieces! All the pieces were there except for one (on the back side) which he replaced with a piece of wood to match the rest.



All this while the band played on! And what a wonderful band they were...they even slipped in a little Spanish tunes on us! I believe their name was "Riddle on the Harp"




Now...after all this you ask..."What did she buy?"



I was very proud of myself...held back because I know in the months to come I'm going to have more opportunities to BUY! The big bag was caused by my enabler Tanya...who found this great deal! The whole trash bag of relatively clean Alpaca/Llama (the owner didn't really know much about it...??) for $5.00! I went through the bag and figured for 5 bucks it's something to spin! Tanya has already started on hers and very happy with it! I bought 2 spools (only 1 is for me) 2 balls of Trekking XXL sock yarn (I enjoyed my other so much that I decided maybe for Christmas presents?), 1 skein of Koigu (I'm planning something for my sons girlfriend) and a 1 oz. bag of Cashmere Top...that I plan to blend with some New Zealand Alpaca I bought years ago...that should be enough to make me a nice pair of gloves or a warm hat?! I saw several ladies from our Spin/Knit group; Rae, Jane, Tanya and Jennifer eluded my vision (I guess she didn't want me to be her "enabler"). I also ran into a couple of ladies from the Fiber Network group that meets at Hawk's Nest; Claudia and Lawrie.
The Jacob sheep were from Maple Hollow Farm in Moneta, VA, Joyce Branson was very nice and helpful. The lambs were only a week old! All in all it was a great time! Forgive me if there are any grammar or spelling errors...my allergies are effecting my brain!

Here's something interesting!

Well...I always knew that I'm an "old soul" (I've been told many, many times) but I had no idea it's true! When I took this little "test" to see what decade I lived in it came back telling me I'm a '50's kid! NOT...so I took the real one so I don't seem as old! Maybe this is why I enjoy living in other centuries!




what decade does your personality live in?


quiz brought to you by lady interference, ltd


TAKE THE TEST...SEND ME A COMMENT ON YOUR DECADE!

PLAY BALL!!!

Finally...Opening day has come! Yes, I'm a Birds fan! I can spin and knit while watching baseball, unlike during football season when I can't spin at all while watching a game...I tend to"run" with the plays and over twist my yarn...not a good thing! Really makes for a wasteful mess! On the Knitting/Spinning front: I'm looking forward to Saturday (4/8)...Sedalia Fiber Festival in Bedford...I just hope I don't get this nasty stuff (bronchitis) going around, currently hubby has it and it's not pretty! Since this is the first year of it I'm hoping for big show in attendance, with each year growing larger and larger! Bedford is only about 30 minutes from me, it would be nice to have a large fiber event close by! I'm still working on my Moorish sweater although I should have toted it along with me on Sunday...Jack was given free tickets to the Martinsville race and my brain wasn't in gear, we waited an hour and a half before atempting to leave because traffic was so bad and I didn't have my knitting with me...stupid! There was a time when I would try to go to as many races as possible during the season but know that I'm older...I hate the crowds, drunks (now I like to have a drink but I know my limit, others haven't yet grasped the consept) and traffic! But being given free tickets (and really good seats at that) we weren't going to turn them down! This week I'll be watching from the couch AND I'll have my knitting with me! Thursday is Knit/Spin night...I can't wait I miss all the girls! I've missed the past 2 meetings! HAPPY KNITTING/SPINNING TO ALL!

As Promised!

As promised here's my latest project...MY sweater I started on our Florida trip (notice the oranges)! I'm using Knit Picks Merino and my very own handspun. It's very exciting to see something I've spun going into a sweater, of course, this is not going to be the last time...I have others planned out and in the works! And as always the picture never does the piece justice.

OH--HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD!!

Home again—Home again! Thank goodness!

Our trip was filled with being on the “go-go-go.” From the time we left the driveway on Wednesday (3/15) afternoon at 3:45 until we pulled the truck back in the driveway at 5:30 on Tuesday (3/22) we were non-stop in fact we logged 1999.2 miles! Now that I’ve had a chance to catch my breath and rest up a little I can finally give “blogland” an update! My MIL had our days planned for us each day (no tan for me), BUT I was able to get my plan to hit a knitting shop in! On Thursday we spent the day on Sanibel Island and while there I visited their little knitting shop called “Geez Leweez” they had a lot more in the way of needlepoint canvases, some were very tempting! I haven’t worked any needlepoint in about 20 years. Their yarns focused mostly on felting wools like Galway and novelty yarns. I did find some purse handles and bought some yarn (of course) for a purse! MIL didn’t seem to impressed by the shop…in my opinion, the Island is still recovering from Hurricane Charley and though they may not have had a large selection of what I was looking for I bought something to do my small part in helping out the community…sounds good huh…makes my excuses for adding to the stash sound like community service!
I didn't try to get to the one in Fort Myers because traffic and the driving down there were HORRIBLE. While on Sanibel we went to the Ding Darling Wildlife Preserve where we got some pretty good pictures, then drove on up to Captiva (one of the hard hit areas of the Island) many of the houses are either not there anymore or are in the process of being rebuilt! On the drive down we saw a “FEMA community” along the side of I77 near Punta Gorda…and people are still living there after 2 years! On Sunday we went to Babcock Ranch and took a swamp buggy ride through the swamp—a dry swamp! We had no idea that we were there during the “dry season” so the swamp was not a swamp! But of course, I still encountered the mosquitos and lost a pint of blood! My husband says he doesn’t wear bug repellent anymore…he just stands beside ME! On the ranch they had 2 panthers (cougars, pumas, mountain lions—all depends on what part of the US you are from)…UP CLOSE! Then our nice tour guide brought a small (3 ft) alligator on board with us…at this point my daughter ended up in my lap! Needless to say she wouldn’t touch it!
The highlight of my trip was not planned—on Tuesday my Mom had called to give us a weather update…we were in Mooresville, NC so we decided to stop for a stretch and to eat…(for those who don’t know this about me I’m a huge sports fan including NASCAR—my family and I spent 9 years in the sport—and my favorite driver was Dale Earnhardt Sr. and now Dale Jr.) So we find the NC Motorsports Museum and several of the Team shops—I found a map that located DEI (Dale Earnhardt Inc.) so…we took the side trip to DEI! One word—MAGNIFICENT! I was fortunate enough back in the early 90’s to meet Mr. Earnhardt on several occasions—I just wish he were still with us! When I got home I wanted to check something on their website only to find out that even though we spent almost 3 hrs there we still missed an opportunity—American Idol star Bo Bice and his band arrived shortly after we left to tour the facility! DARN IT!



ON KNITTING: I was successful in getting a lot of knitting done—I finished the back of the “Durrow” that I’m making for my son for Christmas (that’s off to a good start maybe I can get it done by December).
I finished 1 Kitty Pi bed.
Worked a little on a sock.
And…I started a sweater for me that I will update the pictures on later!
Oh…I finished 1 book and got about 1/3 of the way on another!

With 14 hours of driving time you can get a lot done but boy does your butt get
tired!!!!

PS--

Now...this is the cuttest little critter! I call him "Sarge". He's called a Burrowing Owl. They are indangered species in Florida and out west in New Mexico and Arizona. They either take over other burrows left by other animals or the burrow their own...and he stands guard over the nest. You can get within 3 feet of them before they warn you "you're getting too close" usually they perch on one leg but we happened to get him standing at attention!

You've been scanned!

Well...I'm getting ready to leave for Florida so I probably won't be updating until I return next week. I have all my knitting ready to go, seeing as how we are driving I will have plenty of time (14 hrs ONE WAY) for possibly compeleting a project or 2...or 3! I also have my list of yarn shops to visit while on the trip! I don't make pee stops...I brake for yarn shops! Hey...now there's an idea for a bumper sticker!

I found this little kitty on another blog and thought I would test my friends! If you are knitting....you're ALL ok!

The two things I'm going to miss for the next 6 days is my spinning wheel and my kitty cat!

Goodbye for now....and I'll catch up next week!

So...You want to see the new additions?

Okay...so you want to see what I bought? The pictures truly don't do the "fluff" justice! The 2 skeins of brown (sorry they are hard to see) are alpaca purchased from a very nice young lady who attended the event for the first time (moving clockwise), all of the roving is 75% Merino 25% Silk (and all available at Simpson & Co.)--the darker blue is called Stardust, the peachy/sage is called Silk Road and the turquoise is called Dolphin Dance. Not all these can be seen on David's website but he is in his studio by appointment or you can phone him if you have more questions. I just wish I could have spent more $$! His colorways are so unique and beautiful it's very hard to choose. The skeins in the lower right hand corner is what I completed while at Hawks Nest with fiber I purchased from Simpson & Co. last year.

I'm Back!!

Attending Hawks Nest was FANTASTIC! Anyone who lives close enough or can plan their vacation around it should do so! This Spinners Retreat happens twice a year, March and September. This year’s fall event happens September 28-October 1...so mark your calendars! I met many new friends and a few old friends. People came and went, a few of us stayed for the entire 4 days, there were those who came for the day and others who stayed only for one night. The lady who I give credit to for teaching me how to use my wheel was there, by surprise! I had no idea she was planning to attend! What a reunion! Spinners of all skill levels were there; I was even given the opportunity to use a “Journey Wheel” and loved it! Everything one needs is right there but, there are places to go and things to see! My hubby Jack went with me. He spent his time touring about “The Midland Trail” (Rt. 60) and taking pictures. We were able to get out on a hike a take some pictures together. I did get a lot of spinning done, got a lot of tips and ideas AND spent $$!

Here’s the man himself…Mr David Simpson of Simpson & Co. who brought lots of goodies to tempt us with…and tempt us he did. I don’t think anyone left there without making a purchase!


Here are a couple of shots from different vantage points of the conference room. Friday morning was particularly beautiful looking out the window over the Gorge…it snowed!

Hawks Nest Spinners Retreat

I'm leaving in the morning to attend my first "Spinners Retreat" and I can't wait! Since competing in the Knitting Olympics I neglected my poor spinning wheel and this is one way I can make up with it! Four (4) wonderful days of spinning and meeting other spinners...tips...tricks and buying FIBER! Now don't get me wrong...I'm still traveling with some knitting as well! If you have never been to Hawks Nest State Park in Wild and Wonderful West Virginia...you should! Overlooking the New River just above the New River Gorge. I hope to have plenty pictures to post.

I've stepped up to the podium!

Today I stepped up to the podium and received my Gold Medal! Thanks Yarn Harlot for your inspiration...and the fun I had participating in this event. I'll be in training for 2 years and hope that the Summer Olympics of 2008 will bring yet another "together" time for all us knitters if not I have 4 years to train for the Winter Olympics of 2010! I know there were thousands of knitters out there participating and would love to be able to see, feel and congratulate everyone on their endeavor! Keep checking back...I'm going to post pictures of my Celtic Cardigan soon...I didn't like the picture my hubby took the other day, the detail wasn't visible (not to mention I was in the picture).

I FEEL LIKE A CHAMPION!

Show me the GOLD! I finished my "Olympic Knitting" projects and then some! Here's my list: Maggie's Poncho and a felted purse (late entry...a precious request from my niece that I couldn't turn her down), A recycled silk shawl (sort of) for me...AND a UFO! I've been working an Oat Couture Celtic Cardigan since June at the time of the opening ceremony of the games I had both fronts and back completed and 3/4 of the sleeves (I knit both at the same time). So I finished both sleeves, both front bands, cast on the neck AND the biggest challenge for me...sewing everything together! You would think that for a seamstress the sewing together part would be the easiest...NOT ME! Sewing together is my greatest challenge! More pictures to come later...

Maggie's felted purse!

Let The Games Begin!

Okay...needles ready...get set...GO! I'm ready as soon as the flame is lit! I didn't know I'd be this excited about the Knitting Olympics! I love the Olympics anyway and always look forward to them, have I mentioned I'm a 'sports nut'? So, of course I love the Olympics. I found this Pledge on Yarn Harlots Blog: The Knitting Olympics Athletes Pledge
I, a knitter of able hands and quick wits, to hereby swear that over the course of these Olympics I will uphold the highest standard of knitterly excellence.
I will be deft of hand and sure of pattern, I will overcome troubles of yarn overs and misplaced decreases. I will use the gifts of intelligence and persistence (as well as caffeine and chocolate) and I will execute my art to the highest form, carrying with me the hope for excellence known to every knitter.
I strive to win. To do my best, and to approach the needles with my own best effort in mind, without comparing myself to my fellow knitters, for they have challenges unique to them.
While I engage in this pursuit of excellence and my own personal, individual best, I also swear that I will continue to engage with my family in conversation, care for my pets, speak kindly with those who would ask me to do something other than knit, and above all, above every stitch thrown or picked, above every cable, every heel stitch, every change of colour, I swear this:
That I will remember that this is not the real Olympics, that I'm supposed to be having fun and that my happiness and self-worth ride not on my success....
but on my trying. Happy Knitting One and All....may we ALL finish our chosen events!

BEWARE! I'm gettin' ready to RANT!

Okay! Now I'm mad! I've had people tell me some things about this list but I didn't listen (and I'm not the only one who has left the group under similar circumstances)...I've been a member of Yahoo's Knit-List for about 6 months now. Not a regular contributor but I have learned a lot from some of the other listers. I'm not saying that I haven't made some contributions, frankly I'd rather be knitting! Well, today was the last straw! I had been trying to respond to a question...2 times I posted my response when I contacted the ListMom about my post not showing. She responded to say it all looked ok that there was no reason why it shouldn't be there...So, I tried again...from home (my AOL id has an instant signature that has my quote under it) only to be told (by the same person) that I needed to edit my signature and remove my quote before it could be posted! Because of it's "Religious nature"! I can't believe this! Other listers have quotes from famous authors even celebrities! In a day and time when people are so worried about civil rights and freedom of speech...AND I'M BEING CENSORED! Are you wondering what my quote is? "She selects the wool and flax and works eager hands" "In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers. Proverbs 31:13 & 19 (NIV) Why so harmful? Why offending others? What about my rights? Needless to say I'm no longer a part of that "group" and would caution others to take into account they only want certain types of people in their group...clique. This is only my opinion, and those who want to read it can....others can move on to the next blog!

Super Bowl Sunday!!

It's finally here! For those out there who don't know...I'm a sports fanatic! I follow everything except for NBA and Soccer (just never able to "get it"). My menu is planned...my knitting is planned (I can't spin while watching football...I tend to get excited and OVER TWIST my yarn)...I'm READY! And who am I pulling for? Since my team didn't make it, there's always next year...GO Big D!) Well then I guess it's ...Pittsburgh! GO HEATH! (We are HUGE UVA fans!) What am I going to do after football....I'll be depressed until RACING starts! Well...better run for now...lots to do before I get settled down on the couch! Happy Knitting Everyone!

Drum Roll Please!!!!

It's complete...The funning sounding stuff (as my spinning/knitting friends call it) is ready for the next step. Llanwenog...what a wonderful fiber to work with! Springy, soft and with wonderful memory. This picture does it no justice at all...you need to feel it! I don't spin with a project in mind...while I'm spinning the fiber I find out what 'IT' wants to be. And this Llanwenog wants to be a....shawl! I'm very proud of my self...not only for completing one more project but for posting to my blog on a regular basis! I hope that anyone who reads my posts will leave me a comment and let me know what they think, sometimes I feel as though it's just dribble. Happy Fibering!!

I made a promise....

I made a promise to myself that I would not buy anymore yarn (notice I didn't say roving or sliver) until later (a date yet to be determined)....so....I bought 2 old sweaters at the Goodwill and reclaimed the yarn! The Purple (approximate yardage of 900 yds), which is for my Knitting Olympics entry, is a nice wool that I'm going to make my neice, Maggie, a poncho out of. The Filatura Di Crosa Baby BonBon is for the trim at the neck and bottom of the poncho. The Turqoise is an 80/20 blend of Lambswool and Angora fingering weight yarn unless I ply it later. This is going to be nice for a shawl maybe (I have not totaled the yardage). One tip to anyone who is going to frog one of these sweaters...after you separate the pieces put them in the freezer! For some reason it makes the ripping process smoother and prevents the yarn from breaking. I had a few breaks but I don't think it's going to interfere with whatever I decide to make. I'm one who likes to begin and end a new strand at the beginning of a new row anyway.

I DID IT!

Socks...I finally made it! I've been bucking the idea of making socks for the longest time. Well, obviously I gave in...and I LOVE THEM! Now I'm planning my second, third (I think you get the idea), I think the next pair are going to be Jaywalkers (I can't believe I'm following trends). You can tell these are my first because the stripes don't match...right now I don't care I'm just glad I did it! There is a bit of an optical illusion, the stripes make one look a bit longer than the other, and there exactly the same. I made these from Trekking XXL I bought at Earth Guild in Asheville. I'm so happy with myself....big pat on the back!

Cat denial???

Cats!?!

Who can figure out cats....too cool to enjoy something WE know they will LOVE!

Last year we bought our "Little Buddy" a new cat bed which it took him almost a month to get in...and once in it he doesn't leave...unless it's dinner time! So...with the rearranging the living room furniture last spring I placed the couch just under a heat vent. Mr. Ace found he had 2 favorite places to sleep...anyone ever heard a cat snore? Well, when he gets in one of his favorite places...let me tell you he can cut some zzzzz's!
Since he loves sleeping under the vent, of course, it left a lot of hair...that I should collect up and spin but I'm not ready to go there yet...I decided to make him a "pad" to put under him. Instead I found felted cat beds at Wendy Knits so I made him one! It's taked 3 weeks for him to even begin to show some sort of enjoyment from it. Now "Fat Cat" hasn't yet fully enveloped himself in the bed and I'm not so sure that he will but at least he is laying ON it!

Changes...

Okay...so I'm changing my event! The idea for a recycled silk shawl has turned into a project I'm sure I can't finish in 16 days, partcially because I've decided to make a cuff to cuff "Best Friends" jacket from "The Knit Stitch" by Sally Melville, with some modifications of my own...SO with that in mind I've decided to make my neice a poncho (in purple, the color she has requested) with recycled yarn and some really cool Filatura Di Crosa Baby--Bon Bon mixed in.

If I wasn't working during the day I probably could finish my original project in time!

(Thanks for the button Mysterious K)

COUNT ME IN!

I can't believe I'm doing this! Oh yes I can!

I bought some recycled silk and have been trying to decide what to make...so why not use it for this project!
I'm going to make a shawl with it...at first I wanted to make a jacket from sleeve to sleeve but I can't find a pattern that suits me (in other words I'm going to have to draft the pattern myself).

I have so many project in the works I really had a hard time deciding what to start...but since I'm allowed 16 days to start and complete the project I don't think the Aran sweater is the thing to start!

Anybody else game?? Chicken??

I'm still here!!

Okay…so I’ve been lazy about blogging these days…BUT I have been busy!

I’m so proud of myself, the one item I’ve been going on and on about NOT trying is socks…well, I have one sock completed and one halfway finished! And I must say that it’s not so bad, in fact I’m planning my next pair.

I’m still working on the felted backpack (all I have left are the straps and an inside pocket), my Oat Couture Celtic Cardigan is almost complete…I’m finishing the sleeves now.

Next on the list is to make my ‘Rogue’, do something with all the recycled silk I bought and make a sweater for my youngest son…who by the way has gotten his first apartment!

I’m so very proud he has grown into quite a nice young man. I see great things in his future. I guess all parents do…In the last year Chase has lost 4 friends he went to school with, recently 2 of them within one week, both in car accidents. As a parent you always want to keep them under your wing and protect them…they are a gift from God and he has a plan for their lives, though we may not know what that is and even may have to give them up from this life. Trust in the Lord! My sympathies go out to the Burns and the Miller families.

About my spinning…I’m working on the last of the ‘Llanwenog’ and it’s telling me it wants to be a shawl! So beautiful and lofty! I’m not sure that I’m going to dye it. I really don’t like dyeing my roving before I spin…since I allow the fiber to tell me what it wants to be! I have plenty of fiber so I’m not sure what I’m going to spin next…merino, wool/silk blend, mohair or Jacob. I need more hours in the day to complete all my STUFF!

Well, better get back to work…before someone catches me on the internet (Ha! Ha! That’s a story in itself) To put it briefly…I work part-time (5 hours a day) and the entire time I’m at work my supervisor is on the internet, while the work stacks up around her! So maybe it’s not so bad that I post to my blog…what are they going to do? Fire me? Something tells me...I don’t think so!

Happy Fibering!

What Kind of Knitter Are You?

You appear to be a Knitting Guru. You love knitting and do it all the time. While finishing a piece is the plan, you still love the process, and can't imagine a day going by without giving some time to your yarn. Packing for vacation involves leaving ample space for the stash and supplies. It can be hard to tell where the yarn ends and you begin.http://marniemaclean.com
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Merry Christmas one and all...
Yes, I'm a few days late in posting this but as we all know the build up to the holidays leaves some things on the back burner!
Santa was very good to me, of course...I got things to promote my hobbies...a brand new spinning stool and a beautiful wooden swift (now Jack's arms are free to persue his hobbies..HaHa!). Being the Dallas Cowboy fan that I am I received a "Roger Staubach" jersey...#12!!, XM Radio, a book that we can use to enhance our travels, a beautiful sweater with matching turtleneck, Jack made me a beautiful salad tong set from Dogwood, there are many other things that are just as wonderful...there's just not enough time to list each and every one of them. I hope everyone else had their wishes and dreams come true. We have family coming in tomorrow, this is the first time since our wedding that they have been here. They've never come for this Christmas before so we are both really excited about this time with them.


Again...Merry Christmas to all and have a Happy New Year! I need to start thinking of my New Years resolution (besides losing weight).

Great Holiday Cartoon!

Our cat Ace would do this if he could!

Wristwarmers made from my own handspun North Ronaldsay wool. Now...these are for ME!!

Christmas is Coming! Christmas is Coming!

Okay...all completed Christmas gifts are being posted! I'm not naming who they are all for since family may see this!

I love this time of year. I love making gifts for those I care about. Some are easier to make for than others…the men in the family are a little more difficult, so I usually go ahead and buy for them. I’m still working on some gifts for those last minute…OOPS! I have so many things I want to make for myself…I need more time! Funny how work gets in the way of those important things in life.

Rant:

Yes, Christmas time is here and more and more I see the TRUE meaning of Christmas being removed from every aspect of the season. Here lately it’s the controversy of whether it’s a “Holiday tree” or a “Christmas Tree”. There are people out there who want to remove every shred of moral foundation out of this country.
Our country was founded on Religion, prayer and freedom. I don’t need to give a history lesson on why the Puritans left England. In recent years the prayer has been eliminated from our schools (which I understand the separation of Church & State BUT there should be a choice for children to make a choice to pray or not), the Ten Commandments have been removed from courthouses…now, they want to remove “In God We Trust” from being printed on our currency. What next remove all related words from The Constitution?
When I was a child (and I won’t say how long ago that was) my Grandparents pointed out the fact that on Christmas tree stands in order to make a “condensed” sign they would write “Xmas Trees For Sale” taking Christ out of Christmas.

My statement is: *****JESUS IS THE REASON FOR THE SEASON*****

Wristwarmers made out of Peruvian Alpaca
Thanks to "Indigo Muse" for her pattern taken from the Irish Hiking Scarf design.

Felted Tote bag

Merino & Fluff Scarf

Red Hat Society purse

Felted purse

Maggie's Sweater design by Maggi Jackson...yes, I stated who this gift is for! I don't think my 3 year old niece is going to be on the internet.

Felted Clogs

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Giving Thanks....I'm so thankful for my wonderful husband, 3 beautiful children, 2 great step-daughters, and my family & friends and good health. Oh, and I can't forget my little buddy...Ace, our 13 year old cat...very spoiled cat I might add.

This is a time for family and togetherness BUT, (I bet you knew that was coming) there are certain family members who one just seems to not be able to get along with or does everything in their power to irritate the crap out of you, it would be hard for me to believe that there is one person out there who can say "I get along with everyone in my family!"
When we lost my beloved grandmother this past February my dream was for each individual "sept" of the family to do their own Thanksgiving...nope. There is that one who scopes out the free meal! I know, I know this is Thanksgiving and you are supposed to help the undepriviledged...believe me that is NOT the case here.
SO...I will have my knitting in hand, pun intended, while watching football (which she doesn't like) so as to ignore her.

I'm still working on my Christmas presents...getting closer and closer to getting them finished. It's probably the first time in my life that I have more than one project going at one time. In the past I have always tried to complete what is on the needles before I start another. This method is kind of fun...when you get tired or stuck on a particular pattern you can change to something else. My spinning has been a little ignored lately, I miss it too...another reason to get all these projects done.

Our trip to Asheville was wonderful. I found 4 knitting shops and bought yarn from all but 1, I have a personal protest that I make when I'm ignored upon entering a store. Now, I don't like getting mobbed and followed either but, it's a simple acknowledgement of my presence and wanting me to know that if I have any questions they will be available to help. I am this way because I used to work at a yarn shop that treated people this way, and I'm very proud of the fact that when I began working there I gave customer service! This yarn shop was started by 4 rich businessmen looking for a tax right off and a way to get their wives out of the house. So they would knit all day and could care less if someone came in or they sold a single skein of yarn. This yarn shop is still in business today and the only one in our town...I refuse to go there, I'll buy mailorder first.

Well, this is taking away from my knitting time so again...HAPPY THANKSGIVING...and Remember Our Troops!

Countdown to Christmas begins...

The countdown begins...I'm only counting in weeks for now...6 weeks...and my needles are going faster than I ever imagined! Last night for the first time in a couple of weeks I had to spend a little time with my spinning wheel, it was feeling a little neglected! We are getting ready to go out of town for a few days so I'm busy getting all my projects "ready for travel" making sure I'm not without something to work on AND of course, I've mentally marked all the fiber shops in the Asheville area! My books and camera will be along as well so I hope to have pictures posted later on.
It's very hard to believe how Christmas is pushed further and further ahead of Thanksgiving every year. My father plays Santa at the local mall and believe it or not he started a week ago! I can remember as a child it was the big thing to go the day after Christmas to see Santa ride in either on a helicopter, fire truck or horse carriage...now days it's no big thing. The day after Christmas is 'The Big Shopping Day' which I could do without. Having worked in retail before...it SUCKS! I won't even go near a mall for at least a week after Thanksgiving...my own way of boycotting. The sales don't get any worse...in fact, I have found some things at the same price or better than the "Day after Thanksgiving." The real meaning of Christmas has been forgotten, our societies values are crumbling.

And for more ranting...(just something I need to vent on)

For the most part children are not being taught values. My daughter works in a local retail store...a young lady she goes to school with was hired 2 weeks ago, she was fired Saturday for not showing up to work on 2 occassions. In my opinion this reflects on the fact that children are given everything these days and not taught to work for things they want. I was not given a car...nor has any of my children, they have had to buy their own...and you know what! They have appreciated that first car, so many of the kids these days will wreck their first car because "mommy & daddy will get them another one." I better quit while I'm ahead....Okay, enough of that rant!
Better get to knitting...

Colors of the Rainbow

Dyeing the Rainbow

Okay....finally some pictures of what my blog is all about! Yes, I'm "digitally impaired" I take photos the old fashioned way...film! I just picked up some of my pictures and this is the one I was hoping for.

Taken during the weekend of the Appalachain Folk Festival September 24 & 25th of this year at Virginia's Explore Park (http://www.explorepark.org). I put on a natural dyeing demonstration and learned a few things in the process...I always learn something when participating in these events. On Sunday Kimberly showed me the process of Indigo dyeing, which of course, I have never done. On Saturday I dyed using Osage Orange and Madder, then on Sunday I top dyed a few skeins with the indigo.

Fantastic Fall Weekend

I wanted to post this before I left on Friday but with all the preparations for our camping trip there was no time!! What a wonderful weekend! The weather was beautiful…the leaves were at peak color…the camping was perfect! I was able to get a lot of knitting (and reading) done, I wish I could be two people at once so I could do both at the same time. I found out just how out of shape I really am! We attempted a hike to Molly’s Knob in Hungry Mother State Park…well, we didn’t make it all the way. The direct hike was 1.8 miles and rated a HARD hike, so we decided to take a round about route giving ourselves time to work up to the HARD part. After hiking (me almost losing a lung in the process) the Moderate trail to the junction of the Molly’s Knob trail we found out there was a mile left! Oh well, we were able to get some great pictures along the way so it wasn’t all a loss.
So far I have finished a Maggi Knits sweater for my little 3 year old niece (pictures to come later after it’s sewn together), a mobius wrap, and 2 felted purses. I have a couple more felted purses left.
I have been reading about this recycled Sari Silk, so I bid on some on Ebay and won. It's beautiful I plan on making me a jacket out of it I just need to get past Christmas first. There are so many projects I want to knit...I just need to find the time to do more!

Till next time.....