IT’S HERE—IT’S HERE!!!

Wahoo—Yipee—My SP package arrived!! And wait till you see…





Lammi Ewejean and Mr. Ace couldn’t wait for me to open it…SP told me that there was something for Lammi with this package.













And when I did…










My Secret Pal likes playing tricks, each individually wrapped item had a number…and yes I opened them in order!













The contents (in case you missed something) are:

2 (not 1 but 2) Diana Gabaldon (she’s a popular Scottish writer who I’ve been wanting to read) novels—Cross Stitch and Dragonfly in Amber. I’ll be taking one of these to Richmond with me…since I’ll have plenty of reading and knitting time on my hands.

Highland Fudge---and YES it’s delicious—Of course I ate some, does no good to just look at it! No Lammi this is not yours!

A very precious lamb bookmark…which will go with my novels!

A pencil—which will go to work with me—WITH MY NAME ON IT—but if anyone takes it I’M the only one with this type of pencil—HA (get your own—It’s MINE)!

AND….(drum roll please)…for Lammi (I’m pretty sure this is her’s) a pet lamb--If you don't see it right away--look on her head! I’ve already chosen a name (Austin Powers fans will know this one)---Mini Me! Yes, I have a ‘sick’ sense of humor!

Mini Me may have to go to work with me to sit on my computer…that is if Lammi will let her go.

Secret Pal---You’re the best! Thanks so much!

Amendment/correction--I should have done my research prior to posting...it was pointed out to me that Diana Gabaldon is American...she lives in AZ! OOPS! And Cross Stitch is the UK title of Outlander! One should never assume anything---

LOOKIE--LOOKIE!!

A VERY good friend let me borrow this…so…





Guess what I did all weekend! Well, not all weekend but for a good portion of it at least. Back when I first started spinning I won a bid on Ebay for a small 4 oz bag of a beautiful chestnut colored alpaca from New Zealand, at that time I had no idea what I was getting for that amount. I put it with the rest of my stash waiting for the day…I’d really do something with it…That day has come! This past Spring when I attended the Sedalia Fiber Festival I purchased some Cashmere top to blend with the alpaca…then came a stash of Angora! So…I now have Al-Cash-Gora or Cash-Go-Paca! I had so much fun using the drum carder…carding everything in sight…the cat ran and hid! I do have some MORE angora to play with then I have to give the toy back!

About the STASH—I’ve been reading other blogs where there is a lot of “Stash-Flashing” going on. I’m really afraid to flash mine—shame-modesty-fear—who knows why. Maybe I’m just afraid of the reality of it all! I have yarn from 22 years ago (I also have fabric that old too). Yes…I’m a fiber HOG!

The knitting continues…working on the same ol’ things! I’m halfway up the back of the Drops sweater and worked a couple of rows on the Moorish sweater last night—the weather finally cooled off some.

I also worked on some spinning too! I finished about 500 yards of mohair for my Secret Pal’s next package. Started on some of my “luscious” Simpson fiber—the color is called “Dolphin Dance” it’s a beautiful turquoise blue mix (I’m really stuck on this color this spring)…don’t know what I’ll do with it yet!

My secret pal received her first package and she seems very pleased with all her goodies! I made her some stitch markers, sent 3 magazines; Interweave Crochet & Spin Off (the enabler in me did that one) and Vogue Knitting, 4 skeins of Lion Wool, this took me back because I asked her if there was anything from the states she would like to see and this was one of her responses…which surprised me because of all the beautiful fibers they have in Ireland something we take for granted as being so common place! I added some self-striping sock yarn too! I also sent her some Bath & Body Vanilla shower gel & lotion.

I’m anxiously awaiting the arrival of my package from Scotland!!! I just hope it arrives before Wed…I’m having to go to Richmond for a class that will keep me there for a couple of days…and if it doesn’t arrive in time—well, I’ll just have to console myself with visiting a few knitting shops! The mailman is hating me right now…everyday I’m like a kid…you know the one from the movie “Christmas Story” running to the bathroom with his “secret decoder ring” from Little Annie Oakley! I’ll run to the “stash room” with my package drooling and snarling at the cat! Who will (just like when I’m “busy” in the bathroom) sit outside the door and dig & meow till I open it!

ONE MORE WEEK—and my baby graduates High School! Unbelievable, what will life be like not having a child in school anymore? Well find out—well there is college next so I guess that is considered school but you guys know what I’m talking about!

What a WONDERFUL Weekend!!!

Hungry Mother State Park is one of Virginia’s PREMIER state parks! We were there last fall when a lot of the amenities were closed. All you really had to enjoy was nature itself…and that’s not bad at all! This time…what can I say…It’s the best park we’ve been to in along time. The peace and serenity is still there and why…because gas powered boats are NOT allowed! Only canoes, paddleboats and electric motorized boats! I hate going to Smith Mountain Lake because you cannot enjoy anything with out the noise! We fished, and I only caught “bait” (a 5 inch perch was the maximum), we went to the beach area…which there were hundreds of people at and yet you were not crowded at all! There is a trail (just over 5 miles long) that encircles the entire lake which you can hike, run or bike.


Here’s a picture from the top side of the dam…I have another but I need to edit it. This one seems a little dark I may have to edit it further once I post this to see how it translates (click on the picture to enlarge it). Our campground—Camp Burson is in the background. This is the newest addition to the park, there are a lot of plans they have in the works for this being the 4th campground but I have no complaints!
The Canadian geese flew in each afternoon…





Julia and I took a paddleboat out…and when I got off my legs felt like rubber bands! Across from the boat rental there is an amphitheater where during the summer they have live music on Saturday nights from June-Sept (yeah, we just missed that one by a weekend). Everything about this lake is so wonderful! Our campground (which there are 4 total) was filled to capacity but while you sit at your campsite…you feel as though you are alone…peace and quiet!






On to the Knitting:
Yes, of course, I took my knitting with me! But Lammi Ewejean didn’t come along…she said “I’m not camping material” Whine…Whine…Whine.
So the WINE became the picture model! Notice the bottle is empty! Hey Lammi—want some cheese with that WHINE? I had some and it was good!!!
Here’s the front of my DROPS sweater I’m making with Classic Elite Silk. Our neighbors camping next to us noticed me knitting and were quite intrigued! Funny how knitting and spinning in public can draw a crowd! Anyway she asked me to knit her a sweater! Non-Knitters are always blown away at the cost of having a sweater hand knit…so my usual response is to offer to teach one how to knit! Well, I took her name and address just in case I can do something for her. No promises made!
It’s been too hot (95 degrees) to pick up the wool sweaters I’m working on finishing even though I only have a short way to go on the Moorish sweater.

Katrina, hurry up and get well soon! Jennifer…my deepest sympathies.

Till next time…

FINALLY....

I bet you thought I was going to post a FO....No, Memorial Day weekend is upon us and I'm going camping! I plan on working on some knitting by the campfire and hopefully have a FO to blog about...if not...I'll just keep working on it! I was trying to find a picture like this showing the mother knitting...maybe I'm the only one?! I hardly think so!
We're going to Hungry Mother State Park, about an hour and a half away from home...so we can get there quick, set up and enjoy our weekend more! I have this rule that for a weekend camping trip we can't travel more than 3-31/2 hrs from home...otherwise I feel like we set up stay one night and take down!
We have many wonderful parks within that range to choose from...but If you've been following my blog since the beginning we stayed there in October and really enjoyed it--there are some pictures posted from that trip.
On Knitting:
I'm about 40 rows from finishing the Moorish sweater...Yippee! Cause I really need those needles for the Classic Elite silk I'm working on. Oh, I love my Lantern Moon needles I'm just so used to using the circulars that the straights seem to get in the way a lot! The turquoise silk sweater is wonderful...I really like that yarn.
On Spinning:
Still working on the mohair...but the "fluff" I got from Mr. (David) Simpson is calling out to me! For some strange reason this year I'm stuck turquoise and ice blue! Last year it was reds...what next? I have two different turquoise colorways I bought from David. I'm talking myself out of taking my wheel camping...but how neat would that be to sit by the campfire and spin?! But also Mr. Ace would get very upset with Mom for taking the wheel and not him--though I don't think he would enjoy it too much. Knitting is a little more portable...for now, I'm dropping my hints about the Lendrum folding wheel for my birthday!!

SECRET PAL NEWS CAME TODAY---AND I'M SO EXCITED!
Secret Pal emailed me to say that my first package is on its way....the mailman is going to hate me! I'll be camped out by the mail box like some crazy person! And with my luck it will probably be the week the regular guy goes on vacation...who always is promptly delivering MY mail at noon...the "replacements" are never there before 4pm...GRRRRR! Since I work part time at the library (7am-noon) I may have to leave early to catch him--DAILY!
I have the most wonderful Secret Pal...and with each email it seems like we've known each other FOREVER! So many really spooky emails have been exchanged! Thanks Roberta...you did a PERFECT job of pairing us!
Now, for my spoilee--I have her package together...I have one more thing I want to buy for her...I specifically asked her if there was anything in the States she longs to see...things we just take for granted...Cascade 220!

Okay...that's all for now---I'll be back on Tuesday of next week and hopefully with some great pictures!

Have a great Holiday weekend...and if you don't celebrate any holiday....MAKE UP ONE!

Show the World your Sticks!

Knitters Unite! Mark your calendars for June 10th...World Wide Knit in Public Day, of course I show my sticks and knit in public all the time...good thing they don't arrest your for that!
Many places have venues to meet at for this occassion...for me I may just take mine to the park!

Happy Knitting!

Adventures in Knitting...

Okay--As promised here are some pictures I promised of the latest projects! Sunday, though very windy I was able to convince Lammi Ewejean to venture out for a while---all the while she complained about her "fleece" getting messed up! There were a couple of times when she thought the wind was going to blow her into the pond. She's seen what I can do with the wash machine and is fearful that I put her in peril on these photo shoots!

Here's my Norah Gaughan-Moorish sweater from Interweave Press Winter 2003 progress...



This is a very fun sweater to knit...just enough color change to keep it interesting and it's KNIT IN THE ROUND!!! No seams to sew up--except the underarm!! You would think that someone who is a seamstress by trade would not mind that part of knitting but I HATE SEWING UP SWEATERS!! I don't know why--I just don't! I don't mean to repeat myself but since it has been a couple of months since the last picture--I'm making it from Knit Picks Merino and (drum roll please) my very own handspun merino/silk blend! I've been spinning for about 4 years now and this is the first thing I've made with my yarn! Like I've said before--I mostly pet the skeins! Oh--I have plans for all my handspun--I just need more time to knit!

Here's my slow progress on the Sari Silk...(displayed on my new "period" wheel barrow hubby made me for toting my wheel at living histories!)




This is one sleeve and I've cast on for the body...and I'm getting board with the garter stitch! IF I frog this thing I'm going to change a few things--#1 being the stitch pattern!

KOOL AID DYEING--




My latest dyeing project--I love this kool-aid dyeing! Unpredictable...(Think of Forrest Gump here) "Like a box of Chocolates"!




My latest Yarn Shop visit was a pleasant surprise...now I had a heck of a time finding it because it's in the basement of a gift shop and not well signed. This was my second time trying to find it...the first time we drove past it 3 times! This time I told my husband to park and we'd walk the block in which it was to be located...when we almost decided to go on to our other engagements I SAW THE SIGN! This shop has recently changed owners...one of the new owners Ute Grzanna along with an employee Ann (sorry I terrible with last names). They were very nice to me and helpful, I explained that going to yarn shops is a hobby in itself when traveling...and I always have to buy something--souvenirs! They have a lot packed into such a small place. A very large book/pattern section and a very good selection of basic, sock and seasonal yarns. Though they didn't have what I had asked for they were quick to tell me where I could find it--You wouldn't get that here locally!
Here's my loot--Lammi Ewejean is beginning to wonder where else I'm going to put all this!



I bought Classic Elite Classic Silk and Louisa Harding Flotsam to make this -- Now, there are those out there who know this about me--I NEVER follow a pattern the the letter! I'm always on my friend Nancy about "knitting outside the box"...she's not there yet...I will NOT give up though! Love Ya Nancy!

On Knitting...

Well, no pictures to post at this time but plenty of knitting going on! I'll try to get pictures to post this weekend...the weather has been so crazy here lately--cool, windy & off and on rain. Lammi Ewejean doesn't want to go outside to model for me--what a Prima donna! I'm currently working on my Moorish Sweater (look at my post back in March) the sleeves and body are attached now and I've started the yoke design. As for the Durrow, the front and back are finished--I'll start the sleeves soon. As I mentioned in my last post I also started the Best Friend sweater from Sally Melville's Knit Stitch book using my recycled Sari Silk...this is going to be interesting--we'll see if I frog it! One of the girls at work is expecting her first baby...so of course, I'm planning something for the little one. I'm just not sure whether to make a sweater and booties or an afghan?!
I'm having so much fun with the SP8--it's kinda eerie how much in common I have with both my pals! I can't wait until August--I feel that we will be friends for life! I'm working on my first package to send to my spoilee--there's so much I want to send to her, I know I can't do it all at one time...anyone who knows me I love to give gifts! And when I make something for someone I must make sure that it's going to be completed real close to the event or else I give it to them early.
I'm also working on some spinning--some of my loot from David Simpson and some mohair (for my secret pal). There is also a "Traveling Afghan" project being planned out---I'm going to Richmond tomorrow for a couple of "family" things...maybe I can get to Lettuce Knit and The Knitting Basket while I'm there! I know hubby is expecting me to "make the suggestion!" Till next time...keep those needles moving!
Check back for pictures!

Time Travelers...

I know this is a knitting-spinning blog but it’s also a place where I can talk about my other hobbies—to which I try to either knit or spin while participating! So—here are some pictures and information on our latest time travel.


WARNING--If history doesn't interest you this may bore you to tears!

The time was 1775 on the Virginia Frontier…my persona for this particular event is that of my ancestor, Catherine Rutherford…now, I add my modern name of Ferguson but during this time period it’s a very BAD name to have. Major Patrick Ferguson caused a lot of grief for the early settlers of this era and brought on his own demise when he offended and challenged the settlers who in turn eventually killed him at the Battle of Kings Mountain in 1780. So, as Catherine (and let me tell you that it’s very hard to learn to answer by someone else’s name) I lived in Essex Co., VA where I met Mr. John Ferguson by way of my chosen profession…a seamstress…when he commissioned me to make him a new weskit (waistcoat—or modern day vest) and breeches. We married in June of 1750, with the looming tensions with Great Britain and upon hearing of the new land in “Kan-tuck-ee” we headed west to the frontier. Mr. Daniel Boone led many early settlers through the Cumberland Gap into the new land. We stopped off at Martin’s Station. Here we sought the safety of the forts walls…there were many Indian raids that have been taking place; many had already been captured or perished.
For the journey we were only allowed to take only the essential needs…my two luxury items are my spinning wheel and the china tea cup my mother gave me. I’m only hoping to keep them safe until we find our land.

Now…as for the pictures because I’m participating in the raid I didn’t get any pictures of the event but I hope you enjoy these relaxing shots from the weekend. I spent all day Saturday at the Station (Fort) spinning with the other ladies…that is until the savages showed up! The weather really held out for us, it only rained a little on Saturday night after we had gone to bed.



Friday night…enjoying the campfire with an old friend.




Sunrise on Saturday morning…unfortunately I didn't get to enjoy it. It was so cold I didn't move from under the wool blankets until later...and coffee was ready!












This area is so picturesque...simply breathtaking! This one is even kind of somber knowing what the day will bring!


I did get a lot of spinning done, I worked on spinning up my Jacob I bought last October...and on the drive down I was knitting up a storm! As soon as I get the sleeves and body connected I'm going to post an update on my Moorish sweater. I also started the Best-Friends sweater using my recycled sari silk I bought a while back...the only problem is I think it's going to be one heck of a heavy sweater. I might just end up frogging it! Those pictures yet to come!

One more picture of Martin's Station...

I Have Happy Feet!

My Celtic Soul is dancin'! Secret Pal 8 is here and I'm so excited...This is my first time participating and I can assure you it's not going to be my last. I love making new friends...especially those from places in my heart! I received my first email from my Secret Pal and judging from her email she's in Scotland!! There are so many things I want to ask...but I don't want to spoil the surprise for myself. I'm one of those who patiently waits till Christmas morning to find out what my gifts are...I'm not a "peaker"!

Gosh...I guess I'm going to have to start my Celtic Poncho from Lisa Lloyd Designs. But I can't do any "modern" knitting this weekend. We are getting ready for our first event of the season, Martin's Station. I didn't get my Wensleydale in time so I'm taking some Jacob to spin and some blue face leicester yarn for knitting. Maybe I can sneak my modern knitting and knit it in the tent!?!
Yes, I know it's Mother's Day weekend...but the kids know Mom will be home early in the afternoon on Sunday. And my Mom knows we do wierd things like this! Hopefully, which I'm sure we will...get lots of good pictures to post.
Well, I'm at work so I guess I'd better get busy before I'm caught...Ha!

Oh...Happy Birthday Nancy!

Secret Pal 8 Questionaire

This is the first time I've ever participated in the Secret Pal...
I'm so excited! I'm ready to spoil and be spoiled!
I received an email about answering the Questionaire so here are my answers to SP8:

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not*
like?
I love natural fibers; wool, silk and linen are the best! I might be
considered a yarn snob…but I can’t stand red heart acrylic or anything similar to it.

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?
I display all my straights in an old antique pottery pitcher, I just hang my circulars to keep them fairly straight.

3. How long have you been knitting? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?
I’ve been knitting for 35 years and I consider myself advanced (there’s nothing I won’t try).

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
no

5. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.)
fresh, organic clean scents. I don’t care for perfumy or intense flowery fragrances.

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?
Yes…chocolate!

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?
You name it I do it or I’ve tried it! My favorites are sewing, quilting and yes, I do spin!

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s?
(if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
I like all kinds of music…except for Hip-Hop or Rap! I love Celtic music
and bluegrass. No, I do not have an MP3 player

9. What's your favorite color? Or--do you have a color family/season/palette
you prefer? Any colors you just can't stand?
I’m very versatile…I like all colors, I guess my favorite is blue's and greens.

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
I’m married with 3 kids (1 is still at home, she’s 18 and graduates
High School this year), I have one very spoiled cat who I hand raised from
3 days old he’s now 13 years old. He thinks he’s a dog…

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?
Yes!

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
I just love to knit! I always have several projects going at once...
something mindless I can knit when in company or the car and something very
involved that requires my attention.

13. What are you knitting right now?
A sweater for my son…the Durrow from Magknits

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?
Yes

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
I love addi turbos and am in the process of replacing all my old yucky
aluminum needles. I like both bamboo and metal
16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?
Yes, I own both.

17. How did you learn to knit?
My grandmother taught me when I was very young on pencils.

18. How old is your oldest UFO?
2 months (I finished the oldest one during the Knitting Olympics)

19. What is your favorite holiday?
My anniversary…the day I finally said "I do" to the man I Love.

20. Is there anything that you collect?
Yes! Lighthouses, tea cups, wine glasses, antique buttons

21. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get
your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
I’ve recently seen this new book called “Knitting Nature” by Norah
Gaughan, as long as the yarn is beautiful…I love it, patterns…hard to
say there are so many! I subscribe to Interweave Knits and Spin It.

22. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?
I’d love to do a Fair Isle, Intarsia and Entralac (I know I can do it
I just haven't tried it yet)

23. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?
Yes…I wear a 7 ½ shoe, my foot measures 8 ¾ at the ball of my foot
and 9 ½ in length

24. When is your birthday? (mm/dd)
August 7th

Where are my manners?

Where are my manners? I forgot to introduce you to a new member of “Blogland” so let me delay no further…While we were in Florida I brought home a new mascot…I’m pleased to introduce ‘Lammi Ewejean’.

She will help me with modeling and introducing new purchases and finished projects. She has already aquainted herself with my stash; she’s been to one group meeting already and life in the Ferguson household. Lammi loves the backyard particularly the pond!
So…here’s the latest of the finished projects! Are you ready (Jennifer)? Miss Maggie gets another gift! There were a lot of projects in Vickie Howell’s “New Knits on the Block” but I chose the “Twirly Tank” for this one. Maggie has seen my son’s girlfriend wear “belly shirts” and so she’s getting out her old t-shirts that are way too small for her and wearing them saying she’s “Jecisa” (Jessica). So when I saw this pattern I knew it would be the one to make for her.

I used Moda-Dea’s Beadnik for the tank and the trims are various “fluffy” yarns I had in my stash. I’ve got to start making my own buttons…they cost me more than the yarn! When Maggie finishes growing she’ll get something made from more expensive yarns but for now I’ll stick with the cheaper stuff…so long as it looks and feels good—I hate crappy yarn!

Now…this past weekend was the Fort Frederick Market Fair…we went…we shopped but we didn’t dress out for the event. We took all our clothing but when I woke up on Saturday morning I had such a bad allergy attack there was no way I could have enjoyed myself. We didn’t even take our camera’s in…can you believe that! There were so many people…heck we didn’t even get past the first few tents till we had to make a run back to the truck to empty our arms!

I’m borrowing this birdseye view of the fort from the State Parks of Maryland site…there’s no real good way to take a picture of this fort so you can get a good idea of how immense it is! The walls from the outside are 23 feet tall and from the inside they are 17 feet tall and 3 feet thick!
There were hundreds of tents and two-three times as many people!

There were hundreds of tents and two-three times as many people! The Indians would make you “scream like a little girl” as one of our friends put it. I bought fabric (of course) and we found a beautiful 12 qt cast iron dutch oven…which I have been shopping antique stores for months now and found no cheaper than $65 bucks…for $35.00!!

Jack always knows when we go somewhere that at some point I’m going to bring up the “Yarn Shop” idea…and as it happens I did this time too! Now I didn’t get to Frog Eye Fiber Emporium like I wanted to because by the time we came through Winchester they were closed! I had my list of potential candidates with me and when we were finished at Fort Frederick I called them to see who was still open (this was about 4:00)
So here’s my very brief “Yarn Shop Review”.
I first called the “Knitting Cottage” in Hagerstown (well this was a little confusing because it’s located on Rt. 60 just past Leitersburg—but they have a Hagerstown address) the lady there was VERY nice on the phone and said she closed at 3:30 but if I would come on she’d be there for me. Now we did take one wrong turn and it took us about 30 minutes to find her…she was still there waiting on me! This nice little Mennonite lady, Susan Hostetter, stayed open for ME! She had a wonderful selection; the old farmhouse was turned into a really well stocked yarn shop. The main room carries all the yarns, there’s a local lady, Beth Skroban, who sells her yarn there--pretty much a generic yarn but would be good for sweaters, the colors were a little muted (for my taste). She has a great book and pattern selection. One room is devoted to machine knitting another room is the “social” room; it has a huge farm table where you and several friends could spread out and spend the day. On June 17th she’s having a KNIT IN on the lawn of the cottage from 9-4, bring your lunch, your chair and of course your knitting and spend the day! She offers knitting classes, workshops and group projects…the next project is the Einstein Coat.
I wanted to buy more but knowing that David Simpson is coming this Thursday night I needed to be reserved! So I bought some sock yarn and some baby yarn…

Boy Lammi seems a little surprised! I don’t know whether it’s the sock yarn or the fact there’s more going into the stash. It will be used…I’m buying up for Christmas projects!

The other shop I called “Y2Knit” in downtown Hagerstown was closing at 4:30…so I’ll save that one for later.
Well…that’s all for now! Happy Knitting/Spinning!

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!