Slow blogging month

March was sure  a slow blogging month for me.  Accept my humble apology please.

What has been going on since I last blogged three weeks ago? 

• I have finally gotten two patterns, that have already been test knit, sent off to a tech editor and returned with edits. The patterns are destined for kits that will be sold in my Etsy store. One pattern is for the knitted Morticia's Cuff that I showed in this blog post.  The other pattern is a scarf designed in collaboration with the knitting mermaid who was introduced last year in this post.  The patterns are in queue to be revised after the next item is completed. I'll post when the kits hit the store.
• I have been working on last year's books in order to get my tax returns done. The biggest challenge in completing the books was reconciling last year's inventory transactions. That was accomplished yesterday so in a few more days I should be able to cart the shoebox to the CPA office for tax preparation.
• March saw the official completion of the Knitting Guild of America, Master Knitter Program, Level I.  Hooray! Soon, in an April blog post, look for photos of the two annoying swatches that have been kicking my fanny for the last six months.
• I finished a beginner's spinning class and created two wonderful bulky weight yarns for some hats for winter. The very next post will show you some photos.
• Valerie has been spending inordinate amounts of time browsing wig supplier catalogs and pining away for hair. She is desperate to go out shopping to try on some hair, and I will need to take her soon.
• A new line of bead crochet jewelry was designed.  Expect photos in April and product to hit the store right after the post.
• I knit a lovely big cotton scarf that may or may not block out to be a summer wrap. Photos soon.
• I started an intermediate tango class on Monday nights and for which I need to leave right now.

So please forgive me for slacking off. I promise to return to a serious blogging mode.

Two Favorites in the Spirit of the Day

Irish Proverb the first:

May the light always find you on a dreary day.
When you need to be home, may you find your way.
May you always have courage to take a chance
And never find frogs in your underpants.


Irish Proverb the second:

May those who love us love us.
And those that don't love us,
May God turn their hearts.
And if He doesn't turn their hearts,
May he turn their ankles,
So we'll know them by their limping.

Best Regards!

Twisted, Blue, Dreams

If you happen by today, you can check out my latest treasury. There are some absolutely amazing works of art here in this dream theme.

I'm sure it will inspire me to dream up some new designs! I hardly ever work in blue. Maybe it's time.

Spinning Day 2

Don't you think fiber is just yummy? It's hard to keep your hands off it! How about this hot pink sample of some miscellaneous fiber that my spinning teacher handed out? It wasn't begging me to spin it, but it sure wanted to be photographed. I'm thinking it'll get blended in with something else.

Now in this photograph, the red merino wool seems to be floating in midair. No, I did not have it sitting on a piece of glass. No--it is not levitating but just sitting in the lightbox on a piece of white posterboard. It looks like a hovering mother ship of roving. The next photo shows what I made of some of it. (These two photos are not to scale--of course the ball of red "stuff" is way smaller than the mass of red roving. The close-up photo below just makes it look the same size.)

There sure is an unplanned "thick n' thin' issue going on with this stuff--not sure you'd call my output "yarn" just yet.

Only my second time ever at spinning--so even the unruly red stuff did not discourage me. I headed to the stash for that jacob sheep roving I bought last fall at the Oregon Flock and Fiber Festival.

Finally! Something resembling yarn is happening here:

What's that old saying about every journey beginning with a single step? It's the same with a dance. Believe me, I'm dancing around for joy with this stuff--I mean yarn.

First Spin-Ugly Yarn

I needed an orifice hook for spinning, so that was the excuse to make this one from some wire and beads that had been lingering in my stash. It just needs a ribbon or cord attached to the end and it will be ready to hang from the spinning wheel.

Wednesday night was my first attempt at making yarn in the introduction to spinning class. Yikes! You have to keep that wheel turning with your foot (or feet, depending on the wheel) all the while drawing, pulling, stretching, pinching, smoothing, and cursing at the fiber as the wheel pulls it into the orifice either too fast or too slowly.

The first night was frustrating but I am so encouraged.

Here are some beauteous locks that we used to practice carding during the first class. Some of this material appears embedded in the stuff in the final photo. I call it stuff because it may not be quite up to the category called yarn.

Here it is--my first ball of stuff. Ugly, but spun.

March Madness Hat Sale!

It's time to start looking ahead to Spring, so I've put my winter hats on sale at the Etsy store. All hats have been reduced by 15%. Stop by to get yours--supplies are limited!

Valerie is all excited because she sold this hat today and it means she has finally earned her hair. So I guess I'll have to take her out wig shopping. Sure hope she doesn't want to try on everything in the store 'cause things are sure busy around here.