Ewe N Me

2007-09-28T11:04:00.000-04:00

Wow!!!! I did not realize it has been so long since I last wrote in my blog.

What a year I have had so far. Health problems have really impacted in all aspects in my life. But.... I a dealing with things as they continue to be a concern. And I feel I am handling things fairly well for the most part.

This year.... my youngest daughter and I participated in the GREAT LAKES FIBER SHOW in Wooster, Ohio. This is always held Memorial Day weekend of each year. We had a GREAT time and we hope to continue this as our Annual Mother/Daughter weekend getaway.

This year we stayed in a hotel that had a Jacuzzi in the room. We really needed this to soothe our aching muscles. We plan to reserve the very same room for next year!

This year..... I introduced some of my new hand-dyed sock yarns and sock knitters/spindlers bags. These were a HUGE success!!!!

My husband even made me new displays..... for displaying all of my new knitting bags, felted purses/totes. These really enhanced how our display space looked this year.

This year.... I also opened an Etsy Store. And it is very slowly introducing customers to ALL that I have worked on for quite some time prior to opening this store. I hope this will be successful in regards to generating more sales for me.

Take a look at my new Etsy Store:

www.ewenme.etsy.com

I continue to add new items in my store each week.

Last week.... my Etsy Store was promoted through Lime & Violet's Chum Blog Site. I am so thrilled to have been chosen for a write up about my Etsy Store. I am hoping this will help with more people discovering my Etsy Store.

Please take a few minutes to read this wonderful write up about my store.

http://www.limenviolet.com/blog/?p=757

Well.... for now.... this is as much of an update I can write.

I hope to start writing more and also want to try to figure to out how to add photos.

My Favorite Coffee Mug

2007-01-22T10:45:00.000-05:00

My favorite Coffee mug is one that my husband bought at an Art Show several years prior to us meeting. It is one made of pottery and has a matching creamer and sugar container. We have two of these mugs... but through the years of use.... one of the handles broke so it is no longer used even though I have superglued the handle back on several times. I continue to use "my" mug from this set.... and have replaced Fred's mug.

I can describe this mug and the sugar and creamer. These are all handmade, by a potter using a potters wheel. Is a nice size, with a large handle. Painted with a white glaze/paint for the background and a couple "splashes" of color of two shades of turquoise glaze. If I could figure out how to add a photo to show this set, I would.

It is similar style as the set that Margaret shows a photo of of her own coffee mug and set.

I also have a tall Cappocinno mug that I made when I had my "Paint your Own Pottery" shop several years ago. It is tall, with mauve glaze sponge painted all over the mug. I used to drink coffee or hot chocolate from this mug every day when I owned my store.

Sharon

Ewe N Me

2006-12-06T08:40:00.000-05:00

This morning while trying to post an entry for the Feet to Prayers blog for our Christian Artisans group.... I found that my post actually ended up in my own blog! LOL!!!

So..... I decided maybe it is time to update my own blog and possibly start writing on a regular basis again. I noticed I have not written to my own blog since April 2005! Wow!!! Has it really been that long?

Alot has been going on in all that time. So, where to begin. For now..... I think I will keep with just what is going on in the present and possibly someday catch up with writing about things prior to today.

I don't even know where to begin. Yes, it has been that long since I have written and it seems to leave me with what to write about first.

I guess I can share about what projects I have been working on and what I have recently finished. Yes, that sounds like a great idea.

I have been working on a sweater for myself for many months. It started out with falling in love with two gorgeous sweaters that a friend of mine made several years ago. This friend wore these while working at the local yarn shop earlier this year. And seeing this sweater inspired me so much. My friend told me she would share the pattern with me so I could make one for myself. It is a diagonal knit sweater, uses various shades of colors in one color of many shades of multiple colors. I chose to use all my own handspun yarns in various shades of purples. I have been spinning for over 2 years various yarns that I only bought 2-4 oz. of each color. I saved up all these skeins and had no project in mind until I saw this sweater. These yarns seemed to be perfect for this project. So, I began knitting this sweater 2 months ago. I finished most of the sweater within less than 3 weeks and only working on it minutes and sometimes an hour or two at a time. Once I was where I picked up to begin the sleeves I had various obligations to tend to first. One of these being the Art/Craft show I am a vendor in each November. I also had some spinning to do for a couple of people that needed to be completed and shipped out. Once I was caught up with these commitments I could finally get back to to knitting the sleeves and bands of this sweater. It is now complete and it has turned out GORGEOUS! If I can remember how to add photographs to my blog, I will add them soon.

I also have recently finished up a sock for the Feet to Prayers exchange with the Christian Artisans group. Finally mailed out the package to my exchange partner this week. I am praying she will like the colors and yarn I chose for her socks.

I have several socks that I found were stored away that I started many months ago. These were for myself and other projects for others had to be completed before I could get back to these. I have finished 1 sock of one pair and almost finished knitting the matching sock. I have 1 sock to another pair finished and have not begun the match. Another sock on the needles and will start working on this one soon.

I am trying to decide on what my next large knitting project will be. I am torn between making a diagonal knit vest or starting a lace shawl. I have all the yarn for the vest. Still searching my yarns for something suitable for a shawl. I may have to spin some yarns for a shawl.

Several months ago..... September or August..... I finished a knitting a vest which was made from handspun. This Superwash Wool is various Autumn shades. This gorgeous wool was part of an exchange with a friend this past spring. I knew right away that I wanted to make a vest with this as soon as I started to spin this wool. This is another photo I would love to post here.

Another project I started and recently finished is another shawl for my Mother. I made her one last year for Christmas and she requested another one for her Christmas gift for this year. I started this shawl for her in August while waiting for my daughter during her Cross Country practices.

Well, for now..... this is all I have time to write. I hope to write more often as time allows.

Feet To Prayers

2006-12-06T08:09:00.000-05:00

Feet To Prayers

I have received the gorgeous sock, hand-dyed yarn, crochet bookmark, Hershey's Chocolate bar, pattern and a box of inspirational sayings, all from my secret sister..... Charlotte. The pattern and colors she chose for my sock is beautiful! I am looking forward to knitting the matching sock after the holidays. Thank you Charlotte.

I also have sent out a package to my "Feet to Prayers" partner. She may have it as of yesterday or today. I was a bit delayed getting this to the Post Office but.... she should have it this week.

I also received my "prize" from Eve. Oh my goodness..... what a gorgeous hand-dyed sock yarn. The colors are perfect as it signifies my recent scare with what was thought to be breast cancer, as well as my youngest daughters recent breast tumor which was found to be benign. Making socks with this yarn and wearing them will remind us how fortunate we have been and how we fully support research to hopefully someday cure this awful disease. Eve also sent me the cutest little sock blocker key chain with a pattern to make a tiny sock to fit this. Cute! Eve remembered how much I loved the photos of her "Rose of Sharon" photos on her blog and sent me seeds to start growing my own next spring. Thank you Eve!

This has been a fun exchange. Thank you Cary for organizing this for us.

Sharon

(I hope I have finally figured out how to blog to this site.)

Ewe N Me

2006-07-10T14:06:00.000-04:00

Hi everyone. It has been over 15 months since I have written an entry to my blog. Alot has been going on with my health and I have not felt like writing about it all. However..... I have filed for disability last August and still working on getting this approved. I am on my 2nd appeal and needing to hire a new attorney. Should not have hired the attorney that I had since he was not really my first choice. Now I must recontact another attorney and praying he will take my case.

Anyways..... so much all of that.

I have continued to try to work on knitting and spinning. I have not been able to continue with the farmers market as I have in the past and quit last year. However, I do continue to make soap and send these to a friend to sell at her farmers market in Michigan. This has worked well for both of us. I love making soap and with what we have worked out, it provides me ability to continue to do something I thoroughly enjoy.

Since last year we have 2 new bunnies and another cat. We brought home our white english angora bunny from the Fleece Fair from Greencastle, Indiana last year in April. Our newest kitty came home with us from Great Lakes Fiber Show, Wooster, Ohio last year in May. This year from the Great Lakes Fiber Show we brought home a miniature Jersey Woolie bunny. We are really enjoying the new additions to our family.

Last year I began teaching my daughter how to spin. She has her own spinning wheel and is making beautiful "designer" yarns. She is really enjoying it but does not have much time to spin or knit because of her busy school, sports and now work schedule.

My daughter and I are enjoying the summer together. I am not able to do as much as I would like to go out and do. But, we do what we can, when we can.

Spring is finally here! Or is it?

2005-04-03T20:15:00.000-04:00

It is supposed to be Spring. But yesterday we woke up to snow. It snowed all day. Did not stick to the roads but at one point early to mid morning the snow was accumulating on the lawn.

Today.... the sun is shining and it is in the high 50's - low 60's.

Crazy weather this year. Makes me wonder if we will jump right into summer.... hot, humid weather. I hope not.... I want to enjoy the nice cooler spring days for awhile.... with lots of sunshine!

I have been feeling better each day. I still have some difficulties with the asthma when I try to do more than I should in a days time. But atleast I am getting better and I am able to get things done that have had to be put on hold for awhile.

I have managed to get most of my soapmaking caught up and also have been dyeing ALOT of wool to sell on my online site. I have a online photo site where I am listing dyed wool and will soon be adding dyed handspun yarn also available for sale. I also have a site where I have loaded photos of my knitted/felted purses and scarves which are also items I sell.

This week I have been busy dyeing wool, spinning more yarns, photographing wool and planning what I will work on for this week.

Here are my photo sites for the dyed wools and handspun and the other site for my knitted items.

http://shoefelmeyer.photosite.com/handspundyedwoolandfibers

http://shoefelmeyer.photosite.com/knitting/

This past week I sold some of my very first dyed wools that I just created this past week. This sale has been very encouraging for me and hope to see more sales soon. I will continue to work on new things to add to my photo sites. So.... if you take a look at these now.... bookmark them.... I will add more each week.

I have not been knitting much for the past few weeks. Too busy working on other things and catching up with work that I have needed to do. I also have been washing fleeces and doing some drum carding/blending of dyed/undyed wools.

Last weekend was Easter and we went to visit with my family. My oldest daughter and my grandchildren, my sister and her family all joined us at my parents house. It was a nice to see everyone. And of course.... Grandma (me) was so happy to see my newest grand-daughter again. I have been trying to get myself well enough to go down for a visit and finally I was able to go down for a visit.... even though it was only for a few hours on Easter. Time just flew that day and I really miss my family.

My daughter had both of my grand-daughters dressed in matching dresses. They were so adorable. And of course I took lots of photos of them.

We had such a great time visiting and wish we did not live so far away so I could see everyone more often.

The sad news from the weekend.....of course... again.... I became sick after our visit with my family. And found out that I definitely have an allergy to one of the food dishes my mother prepared. Monday I almost had to be rushed to the ER due to my throat swelling and choking. I had been having allergic symptoms since the visit to my parents house. This was the first time this has happened with this particular food dish.... but was the worst reaction. This is really sad.... because I LOVE this food dish my mother prepared..... but can't eat this one ever again. It took me until late Wednesday to things under control from this allergic reaction. But I am OK now.

This past week my youngest daughter has been on Spring Break from school. Even though they were on spring break..... her track team still had daily practices and three track meets. We managed to still find some time to enjoy quality time together. Rented movies and went shopping also. Tomorrow..... she goes back to school.

This week I had more fleece arrive and some dyes. I want to order more dyes for dyeing wool, silk and mohair. I also want to order Tussah silk and mohair to dye and blend with the wool.

I also want to find a couple of books I need/want. These books are called, Yarns to Dye For : Creating Self-Patterning Yarns for Knitting by Kathleen Taylor. The other book is called, Color in Spinning by Deb Mentz. I have added these two books to my Amazon wish list. Hopefully soon I can get these.

Also on my wish list are two circular size 3 Addi Turbo needles. I want to be able to knit socks using two circular needles. A group I belong to called Christian Artisians (Yahoo group - for spinners, weavers, knitters, crochet) has started a sock knitalong..... knitting socks from the toe up. I have not begun my socks yet. Also.... another knitalong that is about to begin is for making a scarf using stash yarns (handspun and/or store bought). It is made length wise, instead of width wise. The stitch pattern throughout the scarf is a very simple seed stitch. Most are adding fringe at each end as they change yarns with each row. I won't be adding fringe to mine. I don't have quite enough of the handspun I am using to add fringe to my scarf. I think the yarn I have spun will really look so pretty for this scarf. The yarn is my own handspun and plyed with one strand of lace weight mohair yarn. Really turned out so pretty. It is in shades of purple and just a hint of light turquoise.

Well.... this is all the news for now. I will try to write more often. For now.... I am just trying to get caught up with things and don't have alot of online time.

I am still here!

2005-03-24T09:47:00.000-05:00

Hi to all that may read my blog.

I apologize for no recent updates to my blog. But.... I have really been having a rough time with the severe asthma and then my husband brought home a bad cold from when he was away on business travel. This hit me directly in the lungs.... causing bronchial problems, fluid build up and more asthma difficulties. It was bad.... very, very bad. My doctor finally put me on some very potent antibiotics to try to knock this right out of me and more steroids.... in addition to the daily asthma meds I have to take. Finally..... within the past couple of days.... I am regaining my strength and I am beginning to have some relief. This is far from being under control... but with each day it is better.

In the midst of all of this.... my step daughter contacted us suddenly.... while my husband was still away on business. She needed a place to go to... she was leaving her husband and filed for divorce. She "needed" to come here (they live in Michigan and we are in Ohio) for a week or so.... until her Mom could fly up to help her drive back to Texas. Anyways.... with being sick for so long... the house was not in the shape I would have preferred for family visiting. And with my husband away.... no help to get it into shape. He was due to arrive home the very same time she was to arrive here. So... I did the best that I could.... but not exactly how I want things to look. The house was clean.... just a bit disorganized due to not being able to do much since early January. My step daughter told me not to worry.... she really did not care about a little disorganization... she just wanted to spend time with us.

So.... she arrives.... and no help with even the daily things that need done.... this is a grown woman that should know to help out when visiting. Even helping with meals, clean up of dishes after meals, etc. would have been helpful. But no.... that did not happen. It was nice to have her here.... but the timing was not good to have someone extra to care for. I did enjoy having her here. She asked before she arrived I knew how to sew with a sewing machine... now she knows I do..... I have several machines and have sewn all my life. I also do machine embroidery. So... she asked if I could teach her how to use her machine that her Mom had given her. I told her yes.... and we could come up with a simple project for her to learn on. So while she was here.... we chose to make a purse. Turned out to be a very good project for her to learn on. She really is excited about sewing now and plans to continue with more projects once she is back home and settled in. The day she was leaving.... she presented me with the sweetest card and such a precious note inside. It brought me to tears. Here I was.... sick... not able to do much with her while she was here.... and she gave me such a wonderful and loving gesture of how much she appreciates me. Wish she lived closer to us so we could enjoy more things. I would love to share what I have learned to teach her. More for other visits in the future.

Since I have felt a little easing of asthma symptoms this week I decided to get back to the reorganizing I had started in early January. I figure with each day.... do a few things... then work on my preparations for the farmers market. I am very behind on making more soaps. I have plenty to start off the season and more in reserve for someone I am waiting to trade fleece for soaps. Aside from that.... I really need to get more inventory prepared for when things sell out that I will have more in my reserve stock again.

So... yesterday I made several batches of soap. More to be made within the next week or so. I will have more than enough now to be prepared for the market which begins in 7 weeks.

I also washed raw fleeces this week. And dyed some wools on Tuesday. These all turned out lovely. I tried Wilton icing dyes this time for dyeing. Works wonderfully! Love all the colors and also some colors will split... which I was aware of and wanted. Gorgeous colors. I have a nice selection of wool roving all dyed and ready to sell now. Also some dyed wool locks that I will blend on my drum carder into colorful batts which I will also offer for sale. Some of the dyed roving I will spin to make more handspun yarns to offer for sale. Some for gifts also.

My secret pal enjoyed her handspun that I created.... I have plans to create a few more for her.... since I know she will enjoy more and it is something she can't find in a local yarn store. I love one of a kind type of things to send out as gifts. And I love receiving that same. In fact..... raw wools, dyed wools, mohair locks or raw mohair, tussah silk roving, dyes are all things I would love to have. Unique handspun yarns and unique novelty yarns are also favorites of mine. I love the unique novelties for making scarves and adding accents to my purses. Anything spinning or knitting related is fun to give and receive. I really am enjoying coming up with ideas for the gift package for my secret pal. I need to get another one out into the mail soon. May be a bit delayed though due to being sick.

Well.... can you believe it is SPRING? It still feels like winter here. Last week was nice.... almost in the 60's and the sun was shining. But now... cooler temperatures again, grey and dreary. Had some rain the past few days.... off and on. Today we should have a little sunshine later on today. It could be alot worse..... look at what some of the other states up north of us are getting.... SNOW! And lots of it! So... I am not complaining much about the cooler weather and rain. I am really ready for spring weather, sunshine and flowers blooming. Hope we don't skip over Spring and the weather become unbearably HOT all of a sudden. It has happened before.... not very pleasant at all. And it ruined all my flowers that were newly planted that year.

It is time for me to get a few things accomplished today. I plan to work on washing more fleece today and possibly may get more dyeing done and finish spinning yarn for another skein.

Wishing everyone a great day! And if for some reason I can't get back online by the weekend.... Have a Happy Easter!

Thank you Secret Pal 4

2005-02-17T15:54:00.000-05:00

My daughter brought in the mail when she arrived home from school. She handed my mail to me and I had a mailer which I thought may be wool samples I have requested. But when I saw it was postmarked in Utah I knew it was not wool samples. But then I wondered.... hmmmm.... what is inside and whom is it from.

So, I look inside.... and I find 2 gorgeous skeins of Home Spun Thrum yarn. It is made by Spinderella's Creations. So soft.... and a beautiful cranberry wine color with specks of blue and angelina spun throughout this yarn.

My secret pal also enclosed a card which told me that this yarn is made by a local spinner where she lives in Utah. This yarn is sold in the local yarn store where she also teaches. Oh how I would love to see more of this yarn and all the fibers this spinner has on her website. I looked up the website on the yarn label. This spinner makes such beautiful things. Very talented and also sells wools and also cards, spins wools for others. Very impressive and a true inspiration since I am working hard on creating my own handspun yarn and fiber business in addition to the handmade soaps, lotion, etc. that I sell.

Receiving this package today was very uplifting and I want to Thank You secret pal for sending such beautiful yarns to me. I may have the perfect knitting project for this yarn..... a scarf.... using a seed stitch pattern which will show off the various shades of color and fibers. I could also make a Sophie purse.... but this really is too pretty for making something I would felt. Or.... this could be the perfect yarn for the design work in a sweater I have plan to design and make for myself.

Now to update all that know me..... I really had never intended to write about my health in my blog or other personal things but to be quite honest this has become a great way for me to keep track of how often my health issues continue. I am being persuaded by family to consider filing for disability for the past few years and I have refused with reluctance. But I am finally realizing that my hopes of returning to work in mortgage finance, management level is probably never going to be very possible.... atleast not on a full time, permanent level as I once used to do for a living. So, I am blogging about my health for the past year so that I can look at how often I have been ill and the degree of how serious things have become.

What I have dealt with now for almost 6 weeks is severe asthma. It has been so severe that I have required weekly visits to my doctor, change of meds each week and increasing my breathing treatments in addition to adding new and increased meds. Also had to go through tests last week. The doctor was worried that it could be possible that my heart was also causing me problems as it has in the past. After all.... last January I was hospitalized for heart problems and a blood clot that thankfully was dissolved due to immediate medical care and rushed by life squad to the hospital ER and then hospitalized, tests were run for two days, my blood pressure was extremely low but was told to keep a close watch on it and I finally was released. More tests continued and finally found that the clot was not longer a problem, it was dissolved by meds. Anyways..... with this recent severe asthma nothing has helped much..... until yesterday. I finally see some easing of asthma symptoms. Today I am am feeling even better. I know from past experiences.... this does not mean I can go do all the things I want to do. I still need to continue to rest and have family help with all the daily chores, etc. And I still can't drive until the meds are completely used to continue to get better and asthma episode completely under control. I am almost there.... but not quite.

So.... I apologize to those that read my blog and read about the health issues. But, as I mentioned..... I write about it only because I want to see how often and how severe the health issues are. So, I mix lots of other GOOD things with this also.

On to the GOOD things.......

Since I could do little of anything other than rest in bed..... I have been able to do things I normally never have time to work on for myself. I always make things for others as gifts and to sell..... never much for myself. So, I have taken the past 6 weeks to work on knitting 4 pairs of socks (2 pair for myself, 1 pair for my husband, 1 pair for the sockapalooza sock exchange), continuing to knit a shawl and a cardigan sweater for myself, 2 pairs of slippers using my handspun (1 pair for me, 1 pair for my youngest daughter), spinning yarn for my cardigan, a pair of slippers for my oldest daughter and more yarn for other projects not yet determined, 2 scarves, finished a purse and felted it yesterday. I have many projects planned to begin working on soon.

So see.... there were some really good things that came about all due to me having to rest for all these weeks. Very productive.... but yet..... it really is very boring for me to rest.... regardless of how productive I have been.

More good news..... my wool picker arrived yesterday. I bought this at a great price. I found a listing on one of my Yahoo spinning groups where a vendor was offering through the end of January 10% off and free shipping on all their products. I had been wishing for a wool picker.... from another vendor but theirs cost almost double what I paid for mine. So, when I found this one and still had Christmas gift money to spend.... I thought.... why not buy this one. I ordered it and it arrived yesterday. Very well made and it included alot of things that the other wool picker did not include. Things I would have had to buy extra. I am so impressed with this wool picker, I used it to test it out last night. I love it! This will definitely speed up the process of preparing wool for carding. Just one swing of this wool picker and the wool is fluffed up ready to card.

Guess what I plan to work on next..... picking and carding wool for spinning. I also need to get some dyeing done soon. Maybe if I continue to feel as well as I have today.... I can possibly work on this tomorrow. Now that sounds like alot of fun doesn't it?

Last week I also worked on wrapping and labeling soaps for the farmers market. I need to get all the soaps off the curing shelves to make room for new soaps soon. Yes, it is that time of year when I need to be busy working on inventory for the upcoming farmers market season. I had also planned to participate in a fiber event in April. But.... that may not work out for me now.... I am behind in what I had planned to have ready to sell for that event. So, I may go as a customer again. I am already wondering if I should get myself another angora bunny also. I am still thinking about that one. I have read that the German Angoras produce alot more angora fiber than my English Angora. I would love to have white one. And Charlie would probably enjoy having a friend. I am not sure about breeding....but who knows. That would be a huge commitment I am not sure I want to take on at this time. But having another bunny for a companion for my other rabbit and more angora fiber would be nice. Plus the kitties would enjoy another bunny to play with their toys with. The kitties and our rabbit do get along really well together. They are such fun to watch as they all play together.

Well.... I need to run.... have a few things to finish up with before my husband arrives home from work.

Wool

2005-02-07T13:18:00.000-05:00

This morning I received a phone call from my youngest daugher from school. She has had some difficulty with muscles in her leg since track practices have already begun. I talked with the nurse and we decided it may be best for my daughter to come home, rest her leg, ice it and take some ibuprofen for inflammation. Also use some muscle rub to help with reducing inflammation and pain. Hopefully by tomorrow she will be feeling much, much better. She will need to miss track practices this week until this inflammation and pain has gone away.

After picking my daughter up from school I decided to go to the local wool place near our home. I have been wanting to go there for more raw wool. The samples I have washed.... are beautiful!!! So, I decided that this would be a great place to buy wools I want for my business. I just wish they had some long wools..... such as Lincoln, Shetland, BF Leicester. What they have the most of is medium wools and some fine wools such as Merino/Rambouillet. These are all perfect for what I want to work with. I also found out that they have some colored fleece. So, I picked through these fleeces to find some ligh grey for a felted purse design I have created.

My daughter and I had fun going through the fleece finding the perfect wools for my spinning. We were laughing and having a good time pulling out fleeces and looking at them. One was HUGE!!!! No kidding.... this fleece must weigh atleast 10 lbs. or more. So, I bought that fleece and other wool was just a bit of what I could find that I liked. This fleece should keep me busy for awhile.

I have plans to dye wool this week. I have been washing wool all last week and finally have enough to card and dye. I carded some last week and blended with some dyed wools. Really created a pretty carded batt.... just a bit of lilac color dyed wool with some natural white wool. It is spinning up beautifully. I plan to make a pair of slippers for my oldest daughter with this wool.

I am almost finished with knitting another pair of slippers.... these are for my youngest daughter. I showed off my pair to the woman at the wool place today. She was very impressed that these were made from the top wool I have bought from them. I told her I used Koolaid for dyeing the wool for those slippers. She loved how they looked.... kind of varigated, self striping effect in various shades of pink to burgundy colors.

I also spun more of the dark blue merino wool last night for my cardigan I have begun knitting. I only have about 8 oz. more to spin and then all the yarn is spun for this cardigan. I had hoped to get this cardigan finished before Spring.

Since that local yarn store went of business and cancelled their sale..... I have been so disappointed that I was unable to do a little "stash enhancement" for my spinning and maybe a few new yarns and/or books. Going to this local wool supplier today was just as much fun!!!! And I did not spend as much as I would have at that closing sale. And I can actually create my own colors and types of yarns. I still need some real dyes though.

Well.... time to get off line and soak/wash some of this beautiful wool I bought today. And I also need to check on my daughter to see if the muscle pain is improving or not.

Oh.... I also have an update on the Sockapalooza swap socks. I finished the socks a few weeks ago. Now I wondering if my pal may appreciate a nice, warm pair of these slipper socks instead. She lives somewhere that has cold weather. I know these slippers socks would probably be very appreciated also. Now to decide..... send her socks or slippers socks. I may have to send her an anonymous email to find out which she would prefer. I would love to send her something I have prepared wool, dyed and spun the yarn instead of the socks I made with sock yarn I bought. Decisions, decisions..... I am not sure what I will choose to send.

Yarn store closing sale..... cancelled

2005-02-05T14:48:00.000-05:00

I had a true disappointment today. The local yarn store that was closing.... they cancelled their closing sale. The owner sold her complete inventory to another yarn store. I am happy for the owner that she was able to work out a sale for everything to one buyer. But so sad that there is not a 40% sale after all.

So.... my long wish list..... went poof! Oh well.... that is just how things go at times. And this was one of those times.

I had pretty much decided that I needed to focus on what I "needed", not "wanted". So, my plan was to buy some dyes for dyeing wool, dyed wools and other spinning supplies. The Rowan 35 Book with the Audrey sweater.... I had plans to buy this today. I would have bought some glitzy novelty yarns for the felted purses I love to make. Cascade wool yarns in a large variety of colors would have been nice. And now my dreams of having Brittany Birch or Rosewood knitting needles.... poof... gone! I had wanted one pair.... size 13.... 10 inch long for knitting scarves.

Since I did not go to this yarn sale.... what did I do today? I washed some of my handspun yarns to set the twist, soaked these in conditioner to make a nice soft yarn to work with. These are hanging to dry. I also am soaking/washing the remaining portion of another fleece.

Last night I spent some time spinning a 2nd bobbin of yarn and plyed it with the 1st bobbin of yarn. Started spinning some wool that I had carded earlier yesterday. This yarn is turning out lovely..... I blended a natural white with a pretty lilac dyed Romney wool locks on my drum carder. This blending created beautiful batts of wool for me to create a pair of bulky slippers for my oldest daughter.

Started another pair of slippers for my youngest daughter also. I plan to surprise both of my daughters with these slippers. I know they will love them.

Today is a beautiful spring type of day. The sun is shining.... and the temperature is close to 50 degrees outside. The snow is finally melting also. I am ready for spring to arrive. But.... winter is still here with us.... I know this spring type of weather will not last for long before we get another snow storm. Soon though.... Spring will arrive..... all the flowers will be in full bloom.

Local Yarn Store Closing

2005-02-03T09:10:00.000-05:00

Yesterday I received a notice in the mail from the one and only, somewhat local yarn store is closing. Today and tomorrow they are closed for inventory. Saturday begins the big closing sale. I plan to be there when they open on Saturday morning to try to get the best pick of things before their inventory is wiped completely out. Everything will priced at 40% off!!!! I have a list..... a long list of items I would LOVE to have. I am not sure what I may actually be able to buy from this list.... depends on what is still available.

This was the only store I have shopped in since I found it a year ago. It is about 45 minutes from my home. This store has been in business for many years and always very busy. The owner is retiring. Also.... this store is the ONLY store that had any supplies for spinning. This is a HUGE loss for me since I began spinning last year.

I contacted a friend about the closing of this store. She had just gone there last weekend and there was no mention of the store closing. So... this seems rather sudden for the store to be closing. But.... maybe the owner wanted to keep it a secret while having her after Christmas sale so that she could clear out some inventory at less of a discount and then announce the closing, larger discount with the closing sale. Who knows.... but it really is a HUGE loss to all in our area that would go to this store for all our knitting, spinning, crochet needs.

I think the one thing I really would love to buy when I visit this store...... Rosewood knitting needles. If that is the only thing I buy.... I would love a pair. Or Brittany Birch. A nice pair.... 10 inch..... size 13 for knitting scarves. I love the way these needles look. And for other things.....more 5" sock needles. Wool yarn (Cascade 220 is my favorite) and a variety of novelty yarns for my felting projects. Noro.... Silk Garden and Kureyon. Sock yarns also would be nice. Patterns, books and back issues of magazines for knitting and spinning. Anything for spinning (dyes, stretchy drive band for my spinning wheel, carders, Nostespine, mini niddy noddy, roving, raw fleece, dyed wools and other fibers..... also nice spindle would be wonderful to have. I don't have one.... yet. Oh and all the beautiful yarns they have.... oh my.... Manos and so many more gorgeous yarns. Handpainted yarns are my favorite. And all types of little knitting gadgets.... stitch markers, row counter.... various things. This is a long wish list..... probably won't get fortunate enough to find or buy much. But.... if I had to choose only one thing.... Rosewood knitting needles or Brittany Birch would be my purchase of choice.

I have recently heard while at a local knitting meeting that there is another store about an hour drive from where I live. I may have to go check this store out in the near future. I have been told this store is large.... has ALOT to choose from.

OK..... what have I been working on one may ask? I have almost completed the shawl I have been knitting for myself. I am almost to the bind off row. Then will either fringe or create a decorative edge. I am not sure yet.

I also have a pair of socks I am knitting. Using Lorna Laces sock yarn. I love this yarn. Nice to work with. I have to try to find more of this yarn.

A project I started on Tuesday night I finished working on yesterday morning. I used some of my very own dyed, handspun yarn to make myself a pair of slipper socks. These really turned out nice. The yarn I dyed in various shades of pink.... ranging from light pink to a darker reddish pink. The cuff around the ankle, stitches are picked up and knitted with handspun and pale pink eyelash yarn. I love how these turned out. So soft and very warm. I used a free pattern I found online to make these. The pattern is from Crystal Palace. I plan to make more of these.... for gifts and maybe sell a few.

I finally finished washing an entire Shetland wool fleece. It turned out beaufiful. So soft and fluffy once it is carded. The locks of wool are so long. Must be 6 inches in length. This fleece weighed almost 6 pounds prior to washing it. I am not sure yet how much the weight is after washing. Have not checked the weight yet. I have another fleece I am now working on. Put some in the washer to soak/wash this morning. It also looks lovely. I have contacted the person I bought these from to buy more from her. These were well skirted and not very dirty with vegetable matter. Very clean fleece compared to others I have seen.

My new drum carder.... it is wonderful! I can card wool so fast and easily with this. Last week it arrived here..... a Fricke Petite with brush attachment. If anyone ever wanted a recommendation for a drum carder.... I would recommend this one. Very nice and well made. Now I have been searching for a wool picker. I found a vendor that had her products on sales with free shipping until January 31st. I have ordered one. This will help me with picking wool to prepare for carding. I hope to have this arriving here soon. It will help speed things up with preparing wool for carding or creating "clouds" of dyed wool to be spun from directly. I think I am about set for all of my tools for my "fiber business". Now I just have to get busy working on things for the upcoming fiber shows and farmer market season.

I have been working on ideas of what to knit for my new grand-daughter. I have found a cute pattern for a sweater, hat and booties. These will match the blanket I made for Lyndsey and she was brought home in it. I need to get busy working on these things. Probably my weekend project. I have the yarns for this..... just need to get busy.

Well.... I need to get back to working on washing the raw fleece which is soaking in the washer. Have a great fiber filled day!

Secret Pals 4

2005-01-31T13:00:00.000-05:00

I am participating in Secret Pals 4 and here are answers to questions.

1. Are you a yarn snob (do you prefer high- a nd/natural fibers)? Do you avoid Red Heart and Lion Brand? Or is it all the same to you?

Yes, I do prefer natural fibers and other high end type of yarns. I love handspun and natural fibers for spinning also.

I will however buy novelty type yarns for scarves, felted purses and tote bags, etc.

2. Do you spin? Crochet?

I started learning to spin last April. Bought a spinning wheel and love buying beautiful, dyed rovings and other fibers. In fact.... now I am enjoying working with raw fleeces and dying my own.

I love beautiful dyed rovings to spin with. Also love all the gorgeous varieties of fibers available for carding with wool.

Crochet.... I do some crocheting. Only for edging or for making blankets.

3. Do you have any allergies? (smoke, pets, fibers, perfume, etc.)

I am very allergic to smoke. Allergic to some floral scents also.... such as Gardenia and Magnolia.

4. How long have you been knitting?

I began knitting, crocheting and other needlework when I was 8-9 years old. Could be earlier.... but this is the earliest I recall. I am now in my late 40's.

5. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?

No.... but today I did find a book I wanted and have plans to start a wishlist on Barnes & Noble website.

6. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.)

Not too picky. Some florals I can't tolerate due to blending with magnolia and gardenia scents. I love Crabtree and Evelyn products and Bath & Body Works.

7. Do you have a sweet tooth?

Yes..... love dark chocolate.

8. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do?

Machine embroidery, machine sewing, porcelain dollmaking, ceramics, spinning, painting, jewely making, decorating.

9. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)

Soothing, relaxation type of music.

Yes, my computer can play music through the cd drive.

10. What's your favorite color? Or--do you have a color family/season/palette you prefer?

Pink, purple, blue

Jewel tones, pastels, vibrant colors.

No browns or drab colors for me.

11. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?

Married. 4 children..... 2 grown, 2 at home. Grandmother to 2 beautiful little girls. 7 cats, 1 angora bunny.

12. What are your life dreams? (really stretching it here, I know)

To have a successful business where I can spend lots of time with my family.

13. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with?

Lorna Laces, Koigu, Noro Kureyon and other Noro yarns, Manos, Opal sock yarns, Cherry Hill, Rowan, Cascade 220..... many more.... too many to list.

Anything handpainted, hand dyed.

Handspun yarns - ones I create or by others

Nice dyed, wool fibers to create my own yarns

14. What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?

Anything that is itchy. None of the Acrylic Red Heart yarns and other yarns comparable to this.

15. What is/are your current knitting obsession/s?

Felted knits, socks, lace, shawls

I am wanting to make felted slippers and clogs soon.... I do have these patterns.

16. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?

Felted purses and tote bags. Sweaters, tank tops, socks, mittens, hats, scarves.

17. What are you knitting right now?

Lace shawl, socks, felted purses, scarves. Also working on a sweater that I have created handspun yarn for.

18. What do you think about ponchos?

I don't like them at all. Did not like them years ago either. Would not waste good yarn on making any of these..... even if someone paid or begged me too. I figure it is alot of yarn to waste on a short term trendy item. Would rather invest my yarn spending on other things.

19. Do you prefer straight or circular needles?

Circular. The only exception is double pointed.... which still means knitting circular.

20. Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?

Bamboo and wood

I also love my Denise knitting needles for the variety. I could use more of the plastic cables for this set. I seem to always have a project using the cables that came with the set and could use more for needles that are not in use for new projects.

21. Are you a sock knitter?

Yes. Only have made 5 pairs of socks since I began knitting these last year. Knitting my 6th pair at the moment. 1 pair out these 5 are for a sock exchange, another pair were a gift to my husband. Only made 3 pairs for myself..... so far.

22. How did you learn to knit?

I was watching my grandmother and wanted to learn when I was a little girl. She showed me the basics when were visiting on vacation. I taught myself the rest by reading books my grandmother gave me and on my own through the years to follow.

I also had a babysitter that lived across the street when I was younger, that would help me when I would have some difficulties.

23. How old is your oldest UFO?

Not knitting related...... a latch hook rug, several porcelain dolls.

24. What is your favorite animated character or a favorite animal/bird?

Nemo - favorite animated character

Cats - favorite animal

Angora bunnies - favorite animal

25. What is your favorite holiday?

Christmas

26. Is there anything that you collect?

Angels, anything with cats on it, Boyd's Bears

Yarn and fibers too!!!!! Unique beads for jewelry making.... such as lampwork beads, crystals, etc.

I guess that about sums up a little about myself. This is fun! I can hardly wait to begin gifting my own pal too. Let the fun begin!!!!!

Lyndsey has arrived!

2005-01-30T10:31:00.000-05:00

Hi everyone...... On January 10th my new grand-daughter, Lyndsey arrived. She arrived 5 weeks early but very healthy. We are truely blessed to welcome such a precious little miracle into our lives.

While I was in Cincinnati for the labor/delivery and several days after.... I had a sudden severe onset of asthma that required for me to go home and not to remain where I had hoped to help out my daughter and family for awhile. At first I was not certain if this was a cold or asthma. Turned out to be severe asthma and still was best for me to go home, visit my doctor and pick up prescribed meds, get lots of rest. I was so disappointed about the timing of this.... but, I realize I have to take care of myself also.

So.... the last 3 weeks I have been struggling with trying to get this severe asthma episode under control with no success. I have had to go to the doctors again, more meds and still having difficulty. This flare up appears to not want to settle down and it is getting very nerve wracking to not be able to do things as I normally do as I am a very active person.

The good side to all of this..... lots of completed knitting projects. I managed to make 3 pairs of socks, working on a 4th pair. Also almost completed a shawl for myself. Started a cardigan sweater from a Philosophers Wool pattern. I am using my own handspun for this sweater. Really is a pretty sweater..... using my own handspun Merino wool yarns. Knitted several more scarves for to sell at shows. I am now planning more projects, using some of my handspun yarns.

Spinning..... I am working on more yarns for the sweater I am knitting. Also started spinning some of the dyed wools I bought from past fiber events.

My husband bought me a belated Birthday gift..... Fricke Petite drum carder with brush attachment. I love this drum carder! It arrived last week and I recarded some wool into lovely fluffy, soft batts. I managed to get to a local supplier this past week to pick up more top wool for dyeing and spinning. Also picked up a sample of raw fleece to "experiment" with. I washed this sample up and carded it. Lovely! I need/want to go back to the supplier this week to buy more of this wool. Very soft, clean, no vegetation at all. I "must" have more of this wool. I wish this place had soft, blueish grey wool.... they only have white/cream wools. I am not complaining.... I would love to have a blueish grey fleece for a project I designed this week. So.... I am on a search for this and hope to order something this week.

I am planning to start working on a pair of knitted/felted slippers soon. I need to either spin wool yarn for this or buy some of my favorite wool.... Cascade 220.... for this project. I have a pattern..... just need the wools. I love wearing slippers around the house and thought it may be nice to make myself a new pair.

One of the pairs of socks I completed are for my sockapalooza pal. I hope she likes them. I have to graft the toes shut and these will be done.

I also joined Secret Pal 4. I need to write another blog entry for answers to the survey questions. I will try to do this soon. Yesterday we received our pals names. I already have ideas of what to send to my pal. These types of exchanges are so much fun. I love putting gift packages together for others. It is especially nice when we are participating in these types of things with others that enjoy knitting, spinning, etc.

Happy New Year......2005

2005-01-06T00:09:00.000-05:00

Hi everyone.......

I wish everyone a Happy New Year.

I am very happy to have 2004 behind us. It was a very "eventful" year.

2005 will hopefully be a much better year for everyone.

I have been busy after the holiday. I finally have time to work on projects for fun. And this time of year I look forward to so much to be able to do things for myself as well as others.

Knitting projects that had been pushed aside for the past several months so that I could finish making gifts, finishing orders, etc. I finally have finished a pair of socks I was making for my husband. Started a pair for myself and almost done with the first sock for this pair. I also have been working on spinning more wool for a sweater I plan to make this winter for myself. I had bought several pounds of wool for this sweater and I am more that half finished with the spinning. I hope to begin knitting this sweater within the next few weeks.

Today I signed up to participate in a sock swap and also Secret Pal 4. These swaps will be alot of fun. I have yarn from my sock yarn stash wound and ready to begin knitting socks for the sock swap. I figure if I start working on the ribbing and heal of each sock.... once I get the measurements.... it won't take long to finish the socks for this swap.

I have been busy this week with doing some reorganizing. I work on these types of projects throughout the winter when business slows down to a halt for a few months. I look forward to this time to do things for myself and family. I also work on inventory and begin preparing for the shows and farmers market season which will start later on this spring. I have already started making more soaps for inventory..... early.... prior to Christmas. So.... for that part of my business.... I am already ahead.

Yesterday.... I had great plans to visit a yarn store about 45 minutes away. I had received a card in the mail announcing a big sale. While I was getting dressed to go.... I looked at this container in our room that has some yarn for a couple of projects.... then realized.... I have some patterns and yarn I have not had a chance to use yet. Why do I really "need" to go to this sale? I realized.... it was not a real "need".... it was a "want". So.... I did not go. I really don't have the extra $$$ to go shopping anyways. Yes..... there is the credit card.... but when I use that.... along comes guilt for not paying cash and the interest paid on sale yarn.... is not really a savings.... it ends up costing more. So..... realizing that.... I knew that I needed to stay home.... away from that sale. But.... I kept thinking..... there are a few patterns I want, and there is this book that I also want..... "Best of Lopi"..... I want to get this book to make a few sweaters from the wool yarns I have spun. I will wait though.... maybe I can order this and use my Barnes and Noble membership card and one of the coupons I receive occasionally for a discount. Anyways..... I feel proud of myself that I resisted the urge of that yarn stores sale. And who wants to go out into the pouring down rain to go shopping?

So.... what did I do instead of shopping? I worked on the socks I am making for myself. I also spun more yarn for the sweater I hope to begin knitting within a few weeks. I also talked to my oldest daughter on the phone for awhile. She is still hospitalized and won't be going home until after the baby is born. She and her husband's baby is due on February 8th. Lindsey will most likely arrive a few weeks early. For now.... she is staying where she needs to be.

Merry Christmas, Happy New Year to all my friends

2004-12-29T21:14:00.000-05:00

Hi everyone.......

It has been over a month since I have written. I know, I know..... shame on me for not writing.

I have been so busy with Christmas orders. Finished the last order on 17th and delivered it. Thank goodness I had all orders completed by then. On Tuesday.... my oldest daughter went into pre-term labor..... again.... for the 3rd time within the past few months. This time though.... it looked like "Lindsey" was on her way and there was no stopping her from arriving. But.... with much prayer Lindsey has remained inside for a little while longer. Thank goodness. My daughter is only in her 34th week as of this week. I now pray that Lindsey can remain inside for just a few more weeks..... until her planned delivery..... at 38 weeks when plans are to induce.

I have been out of town all last week to be with/near my daughter in the event that she definitely would deliver. Cincinnati was hit hard by the winter storm last week. What a mess. The entire Tri-State area was under a Level 3 emergency until late Thursday. Friday we were able to go to the hospital to visit my daughter and visited again on Christmas. My husband and son arrived at my parents on Friday afternoon so that we could share Christmas with my parents. I had planned to go home that afternoon.... but stayed with my daughter since she was so upset with her husband not coming to see her at the hospital on Christmas. And of course.... labor started back up again. I could not leave her and hoped that if I stayed we could help relax her and labor would stop again. It worked. So... the new plan was for me and my youngest daughter to go home on Sunday afternoon after sharing Christmas with my sister and family at my parents.

It has been a very eventful month and half. And also filled with finishing Christmas orders, finishing Christmas gifts, shopping, etc. Busy, busy, busy.

Now that the holidays are winding down.... I can get other things caught up and begin to relax again. I look forward to the winter months following the holidays. I take this time to do inventory, make new things for the next years farmers market, shows, etc. Also.... this is the time I work on major household projects..... such as organizing, trying new things and picking up other hobbies I enjoy doing..... such porcelain dollmaking, sewing, embroidery.... in addition to knitting, soapmaking, etc. I bought several fleeces this fall with the intention of working with these over the winter months. I can hardly wait. I also have a sweater to begin knitting for myself. Made with handspun merino wool. I have been spinning the yarn for this project for several months. I also have several pairs of socks to make for my husband and for myself. These are projects I plan to take along with me to the hospital for my next visit with my daughter.

Oh.... and I can't forget all the knitting projects I have started for my grand-daughter. I also crocheted a beautiful light lilac baby blanket with a scalloped border with varigated contrasting yarn. I finished this last week while I was snowed in at my parents. I found this is one way to get knitting done..... get stranded inside because of the snow. I managed to finish this blanket, work on socks for my husband, knitted 3 scarves, started another one. I was beginning to worry that I did not bring enough yarn to work with. I was wrong though.... I had another bag filled with more yarn that I packed with the Christmas gifts. So.... I was all set for alot of knitting.

I have been doing very little spinning this month. Too busy with other things. I had been working on spinning the yarn for my sweater. It is almost all spun. I hope to begin this sweater within the next week or so.

Christmas was wonderful..... with my family and parents. It was memorable..... in so many ways. Especially with the weather we have had here.

Our weather last week...... 4 inches of snow and 2+ inches of ice here where I live. In Cincinnati..... 20+ inches of snow. Where my daughter and family live..... 27+ inches. And here where I live..... the electric was out for more than 12 hours. Some families did not have electric for several days. And other areas nearby.... power has remained off until today. A week without power..... that is horrible.

It has been a very memorable week for the holiday season. I wonder what New Years will bring? A new baby..... soon...... but not too soon.

Wishing everyone a Happy New Year.... for 2005.

Beautiful Day

2004-11-13T20:19:00.000-05:00

It is a beautiful day and had to get out of the house to enjoy it.

I had made plans to take my youngest daughter out for the day to a few craft shows. These are shows I have considered participating in and wanted to check these out. One was a show I had considered and then decided to pass on it for this year since sales have been down this year.

It was fun to visit these shows and saw a few vendors I have made friends with. One was a vendor that was set up next to me at my show last weekend. She told me they have done well today and wished I had decided to do this show. There is always next year and I am happy with my decision to take the remainder of the year off from the shows to enjoy family time and the holiday season.

I also had a few nice size order emailed to me yesterday and this past week. So.... staying home from this show is just fine. I have plenty to keep me busy for awhile.

At the first show I attended there was a no kill animal shelter organization selling items to help raise money to care for the animals. They had these really cute fleece blankets for cats to sleep on. I know I could have made these myself..... but..... I knew the money went to a good cause. After all..... I have rescued 7 precious kitties this past year and know how important it is to find good homes for animals that no one else wants. So.... I did my part in helping out today to provide for homeless cats and dogs. And.... they told me what I paid is also tax deductible. That part really did not matter to me. I loved the fleece blankets I bought and know my kitties will love these also.

I did not find anything else I really needed at the first show and the second show.... nothing there either. However.... it was nice to visit these shows and get a feel for if these were shows to consider adding to next year to participate in. Maybe.... maybe not.

The next thing my daughter and I planned for today was to go visit with my son. He moved in with a few friends last week and I had bought a few more groceries to try to help out. Also my son needed to use a vacumm cleaner so I brought over the extra one we have for them to use. We had a nice visit and had a chance to get to know his friends a little better. I feel more comfortable knowing that things are working out for my son and he will be OK. I miss him.... but this is really good for him and for myself. Time to let go and see him grow up as an adult should.

I realized yesterday that with my son moved out of the house that it really is not all that bad after all. I am looking at his room and planning how I want to organize it as my "craft" room. I figure if my son is still living out of the house by the end of December.... I will then organize it as my craft room. For now.... it remains intact as is with my son's bed and most of his other belongings. But.... the end of December..... that may all change. I will be moving his other things to the basement, stored in Rubbermaid containers and move more into my new craft room. I also plan to set up an area as a sales area for customers to drop by to buy things. The more I think of these things.... this all feels much better. I really do miss my son alot though and would gladly have him back home at this very moment. But reality tells me.... he may finally have moved out for good and will come by only for visits.

Today has been such a nice day. I enjoyed getting out of the house, going to the shows, enjoying spending time with my daughter and also our visit with my son in his apartment.

My daughter has another cross country team event to attend this even which will conclude the season. The team is having a bon fire and party at another team members home. Should be a fun evening for everyone. Each team member is encouraged to invite their friends and others that may be interested in participating in cross country or track for next year. This party will allow others to see and feel how nice it is to be a part of this team. They are all very close and have such a great time together. And the team is top ranking for the region also.

This evening.... again..... it will be a quiet evening in our house tonight. I plan to work on some spinning and possibly work on a few other things while watching TV with my husband. Or.... going out to a movie or renting on would be fun also.

Still trying to catch up.......

2004-11-12T12:37:00.000-05:00

I have been wanting to try to keep this blog up to date. But.... the last several weeks have been hectic.

So.... I will try to update all that has been going on over the past few weeks. I will start from the most recent happenings and work back to where I last posted.

This week I have been busy trying to catch up on things at home. Since the weather is turning cooler it is the time of year where I give the house a deep cleaning by taking down all the drapes, shampooing carpets, etc. I try to do this several times a year. So... all this week that is what I have been doing.

Last week was a very sad week for my youngest daughter..... she lost a very close friend to suicide. It was such a shock to everyone. This beautiful young girl of only 14 years old took her life for no apparent reason. It is so sad. My daughter was a good friend and they were Biology lab partners, in the choir together and at one time her friend was in her Girl Scout troop for a few years. They shared the same friends. My daughter was so shaken up by this that she spent the entire day at school in counseling, that night she could not sleep at all. The next morning I went into my daughters room to wake her for school and she was so distraught and had not slept much the night before. So.... I told her that she could stay home and try to get some sleep. By 11 AM I decided it would be best for her to get up, go out to lunch and try to do something to help lift her up.... so we went shopping for a few new outfits. That night she did not sleep well.... went to school the next day though to be with her friends that also were all grieving over the loss of their close friend. Thursday night was the viewing. Hundreds of friends showed up. It was so heartbreaking to see all of them so torn up over losing their friend. Friday was the church services and funeral. I was not certain about going to the cemetary but my daughter and friends wanted to be there for the services there also. I knew it was best to do this if they wished so that they could try to have some closure to this tragic loss of their friend. Again..... another very sad day. The church services were beautiful. There were a group of friends that sang and gave some very touching memorial speechs. This was a very moving service for all that attended.

All last week was so painful and really gave me things to think about in regards to my children and how I have always worried so much about them. I can't even imagine what my daughters friends parents are going through to lose their daughter at a time in her life when she had so much more to look forward to. We don't know why she took her life but we know that she is in a much better place in Heaven.

I had plans to work on a few new things for my last art/craft show of the year. But under the circumstances.... I went with what I had already made. I had worked all summer on new things for this show so I was well prepared. There were several things I had wanted to work on though that did not get completed. That is OK though since I did very well on Saturday with my show sales. I came away from this show very happy. My knitted/felted purses were a success. Also the scarves sold well in addition to the handmade soaps, lotions and many other items I create.

I had planned on atleast one more show for the season. But decided a month ago that with sales being down all year it was best to stick with the show I commited to a year ago. As this is my last show of the season. I am happy with making this decision and now have time to work on other things for next year and to enjoy the holidays.

This week I received a large order for the remaining portion of my soaps so that is good. This same person ordered my entire inventory of soaps last year also. I am thrilled that again.... I have this opportunity to help out another soapmaker have inventory for her remaining shows of the holiday art/craft show season.

I also have a large order from a friend I have made at the farmers market I participate in. She is ordering for Christmas gifts. Not just soaps.... but other items I make also.

I had an email yesterday from another woman that is interested in buying my handmade soaps to resell at a market next year. I am thrilled to be asked and she also is interested in bartering wool for the soaps. I asked if this was possible and she accepted this offer in addition to buying.

Aside from all of this..... I have not been too busy with much other than catching up on things at home.

Oh... yes... there is one more major change going on in my life.... my youngest son came to me on Friday and told me that he wanted to move in with friends. I have been worried about him lately and so stressed. So... maybe this will work out for him, maybe not. But... he is giving it a try. I took him to his friends apartment with a few of his belongings on Friday and was called this week to bring over more of his things. Since he does not drive.... I packed up what he wanted, brought him some food to try to help out since he had lost his job a few weeks ago and now trying to find a new job. I really have my doubts about this arrangement working out so I won't take apart his room because I know he may come back home within 2-4 weeks. I could be wrong. Only time will tell if this will work out. I figure by the end of December if he has not returned home..... then I will take over his room as my craft room. That would be nice to have an actual room to put all of my crafty things into. A place to store my things for the shows and maybe make a display area for customers to visit my home to buy things. I am beginning to really like this idea alot. But..... would rather have my son home instead of having this room as a craft room. We will see how this all works out.

This week the used drum carder arrived. It is a Fricke drum carder. I am so excited about having this and looking forward to carding all the wool I bought at the fiber event in September. This will keep me busy throughout the winter months. I am really enjoying spinning my own yarns and dying the wool. I have had quite alot of interest in my handspun yarns and have been selling some of it. I am so thrilled with my handspun selling. Over the winter I have plans to build up my inventory of handspun and will be participating in several fiber events which begin in the spring. This is a nice addition to my handmade soaps.

On the home front..... last night was my youngest daughters Cross Country teams award banquet. What a wonderful group of athletes. They have done exceptionally well this year and I am so proud of all of them. My daughter has had a great year as a Freshman. Her coach has been very proud of her with how well she has done. She is running well enough to be on the Varsity team. So.... next year.... she will most likely be on Varsity and will do well. Training begins for the track team in a few weeks. She also participates in track. This will be her third year for Track. I know this will be a great year for her.

Since today is Friday..... tonight my daughter will attend the football game. They are in the finals. Should be a fun evening for her. Tomorrow we have plans to go to a craft show that I had been invited to participate in but declined because I felt that this year with sales being down and the expense of this show was too much of a gamble. I will give it a try possibly next year when things hopefully will turn around again with sales. It will be fun to go visit this show though to check it out. I know it is a good show and well attended. We can go and enjoy the show, maybe do a little Christmas shopping. Tomorrow night is my daughters cross country team Bonfire that brings the season to a conclusion. Should be a fun evening for the team members and friends.

Well.... I have a full day of work ahead of me. I have to work on a few orders that I mentioned earlier and alot of work to get done around the house. I hope to possibly squeeze in washing some fleece today if I can get most of the work I have planned to do.

Catching up

2004-10-25T12:10:00.000-04:00

It had been over a month until yesterday since I wrote to my former blog site. So now.... it is time to catch up on more news.

I have to thank my secret pals from Secret Pal 2 and KR Secret Pal. I have received such beautiful gifts from each of them since I last wrote. My KR Secret Pal has also revealed whom she is and I want to thank her again for putting together such wonderful gift packages for me over the past several months. It has been so much fun to participate in these types of swaps as a secret pal..... both on the giving and receiving end of things. I have such fun planning and giving gifts to someone so I have really enjoyed this alot.

This week and next I need to finish working on a few things for the upcoming show on November 6th. I have several scarves that need finished and also need to felt a few more purses that I have finished knitting.

I managed to get out shopping Friday and found some purple dye for dying wool. I want to try to dye more wool roving this week while we have some warmer, sunny weather. I also should try to get the fleeces washed that I bought last month at the Wool Gathering. I will then have enough wool to keep me busy for the entire winter for spinning, knitting, felting and also creating dyed roving and yarns for selling online, fiber events, farmers market and art/craft shows.

There is so much to write about but so little time right now since I have fallen so far behind on things here at home over the past month. No time to spend online right now since I have so much work that needs done first.

Ewe'n Me has moved

2004-10-24T18:12:00.000-04:00

Hi everyone.....

Ewe'n Me has moved to a here as a new location so that I can share not only what I am busy creating but finally share photos also.

I plan to try to get all the blog posts from my other blog moved over here and into the archives if at all possible.

It has been awhile since I have written to my other blog. All due to a severe bout of asthma. But.... things are getting under control again and I should have more time to write.

If I had only listened to my doctor in early September.... I would not have had such a horrible time with this. But.... I went against his orders and continued to do the farmers market to finish out the season for this year. I also had signed up for Apple Butter Day Art/Craft show and that is what really made things worse. Not good! Shame on me for not listening and doing as I was told...... to stay indoors, in bed, doing nothing. I think I may have learned my lesson though. As a result.... all things came to a complete halt for over a month and now I am trying to catch up. It is a slow process but have managed to get most things caught up and back to normal.

Also in September before all of this really became bad.... I went to another Fiber event. It is called The Wool Gathering in Yellow Springs, Ohio. Not too far of a drive from where we live. About an hour drive. The first day my husband and I went together. I made sure I told him that I planned on spending the entire day..... open to atleast 3 - 4 PM. It closed at 7 PM and new I would not stay that long. We had such a great time together. I had already contacted several vendors for fleeces and a few other things. I met with these vendors first thing that morning and paid for my orders and my husband was happy to take everything to the van for me. Once we had those orders out of the way and paid for we were able to visit each vendor to look, buy, become inspired. I managed to find alot of beautiful dyed roving, fleeces, alpaca, beautiful yarn, hand made needles, handmade buttons, patterns and much more. During out time there we fell in love with this adorable little English Angora bunny..... named Charlie. He was 3 months old and so adorable, so loving and we knew we wanted to bring him home once the vendor told us that her bunnies are raised with her persian cats. I have stopped myself from buying an angora bunny the past few fiber events because of my concern about how my cats and a bunny would get along. I just pictured it being something that would not work out well. I guess I was very wrong. Atleast with this womans bunnies I was wrong. So.... yes.... we bought our bunny, Charlie and the vendor held him there until we were done with our shopping and looking around for the day. When we were ready to leave she gave us a book she created and a sizable bag filled with food for Charlie. I always keep a collapsible pet cage in the van because of rescues I have helped with over the past year. So, I was able to put him into the transport cage for his trip home with us.

While we were at this fiber event I took a few photos and watched sheep sheering, talked with several vendors I have made friends with from the other events. They all have wanted to see what I am creating with my spinning wheel that I had bought in April and also wanted to see the purses I have designed, knitted and felted. So.... I brought these to show the women I have made friends with. They were so wonderful.... they along with other vendors want me to consider participating in the fiber shows starting in the spring. And some also make handmade soaps and encouraged me to bring my products also. With this encouragement.... I am definitely planning to begin participating in these types of events. I really have missed being around other fiber artists over the years.... since 1991 when I stopped designing. Now things seem to have made a full circle and I am now back to doing what I truely love and enjoy. The nice thing about spinning and knitting.... it also fits right in with me participating at the Farmers Market also where I sell my handmade soaps, lotions, etc. I had already started bringing these things to the market and customers have loved these new additions.

For the past several weeks since I have been forced to take it easy, stay inside at home.... this has actually given me time to work on other things that can do while resting. I have been spinning, knitting more purses, socks, scarves. It also has given me time to begin the planning process for next years fiber events and farmers market. I also have learned to dye wool.... using Kool Aid. This so much fun and so easy. And the results of the dyed roving to how it spins.... gorgeous. I had to share some of this with a couple of secret pals and yesterday received such a nice email from one of the recipients that received her package yesterday.

Oh.... I still have more to share regarding the Wool Gathering fiber event. I had so much fun at this event that my daughter wanted to go the following day. She usually goes to all of these events but she had an out of town cross country meet on Saturday that she participated in with her school. She was so disappointed that she could not go so I told her we could go back again on Sunday. So.... we were up early on Sunday morning and drove to the fiber event. It was fun to go and look at things again. I had bought all that I needed the day before so this day was for looking and showing my daughter things. When I arrived.... I was so moved by several vendors that I had bought fleeces from the day before. They came up to me and thanked me for my purchases from the day before and we visited for awhile on this second visit. I made sure I went to the vendor I had bought Charlie from to let her know that he is doing really well with our cats. They adore him. And he really is enjoying the cats also. They really are cute to watch as they play together.

When my daughter and I were ready to go home from the fiber event we went over to the dairy restaurant on the same property as this event to have homemade ice cream. It was sooooo good! It is worth a drive just for the ice cream.

Not much else is going on lately..... So by not writing for the past month in my other blog.... no one has missed much.

I have one more show to do this year and had another one that I still can't decide if I will participate or not. It has been a very slow year for sales so by not doing an additional show.... I am not missing out on much. I think my time is probably better spent on preparing what I need for the one show and start focusing more on getting things made for the fiber events for the spring.

Once I figure out how to add photos to this blog I will begin sharing what I am busy creating.

Have a great day. Enjoy the beautiful fall weather and all the gorgeous colors of the season.

2004-10-24T15:28:00.000-04:00

Purse that I made for my niece.

Local Yarn Shop envy

2004-09-14T16:14:00.000-04:00

After visiting one of the not so local yarn shops over a week ago..... I realize that I really envy those that have such wonderful, larger local yarns shops that they can shop at.
Even though I live just outside a major city.... we really lack a great yarn shop. Don't get me wrong.... atleast we do have a couple of yarn stores to shop at.
When I read others blogs and see all the beautiful photos of yarns bought, yarn store photos of displays of yarns I begin to envy and wish I could also shop those very same shops.
Some of my favorite stores I would shop by what I have seen photos of would be..... Threadbear, Art Fibers, Patternworks, Webs..... and the list goes on. What can I say..... I love variety, volumes of beautiful yarns and fibers to choose from. A local store which also carries a large variety of supplies and fibers for spinning would also be nice. One of my out of town favorites.... which is moving into a new location.... which will be very large.... is Lambikins Hideaway.... in Hamilton, Ohio. I am really looking forward to visiting this new location soon. I need to plan a visit to my parents... and take some time to visit this new store. I really wish I lived closer to this store. I loved the other location.... the owner is such a sweet, personable woman and so helpful. This weekend is their grand opening of the new location. Wish I could go to this store and also go to the fiber event we plan to attend this weekend. Hard to do both since the store and event are several hours away from where I live.
So...... this weekend to get my fill of fiber, yarns and much, much more...... my husband and I are going to a fiber event in Yellow Springs, Ohio. This event is called "A Wool Gathering". Here is the link to take a peek at this event http://www.awoolgathering.com/ . I can hardly wait to attend this event. I like to go to these events first thing in the morning when the event first opens to be able to get first pick of what the vendors have brought to sell. This means I have to miss going to the market this Saturday. But.... that is OK. Sales have been very sluggish at the market this year. So, missing a Saturday is OK with me just so I can attend this event.
Next week I will fill everyone in that reads here what I found at this event and give a review. I really hope to find ALOT of roving to buy and stock up on for the winter spinning I plan to do. I also want to look at a few drum carders. I am considering buying raw wool and processing my own. I finally had a chance this past weekend to work with the raw wool given to me to try from a local supplier. I now see why it is best to find wool that is from blanketed sheep. So... that is also something I hope to find at this event..... raw wool from blanketed sheep. I am not spinning lace weight yarns yet so I am hoping to find some lace weight yarn for a shawl I want to make. The pattern is from the Fall Interweave Knits magazine. I know I could also use some the wool I have spun that is heavier than lace weight. But, I don't have any wool in a colorway I want.... yet. I could however find something at this event. So... I am on a search for either fiber or yarn for that project.
I don't have alot to share regarding knitting projects. I have finished a few more purses for the market. I now have one that needs handles made, another purse I have begun and have an order for more cotton dishcloths and embroidered kitchen towels. I need to get these all made and out of the way. I really want to work on a few new projects..... for myself. I have wool that needs spun for the sweater I plan to work on this fall/winter. I also have plans to make the shawl from the recent fall IK magazine. I have been delayed a bit this past week or so because of a severe flare up of asthma that developed into what affected my entire body system.... again. This really knocks one down a bit and it is a battle to get to feeling better when this happens. All of this came on due to the "GREAT" plan to clean out the entire garage on Labor day.... in 90 degree heat, with all the pollens and dust in the air. Not a great plan after all. Heck.... when I went to the doctor on Friday.... he ordered me NOT to do the market on Saturday. Of course.... did I listen.... NO. I worked around that order by having my daughter and husband do all the lifting, etc. I was there only to sell, talk to customers, etc. Now I understand why the doctor said NOT to even be outdoors. I think I will listen next time. I usually do... but this time.... because of not having a great sales season.... I did not want to miss out on any sales.... no matter how low or big they may be. I am glad however that I did go. Sales were not that great.... but I did get a sizable order. I am doing better.... slowly getting a bit better each day. But.... not doing much of anything.... other than knit and a load of laundry or two each day. The family can help with the rest of the household chores. Sure.......
My question that I leave here today is.......
What is your favorite local yarn store..... or better yet..... what is your favorite online yarn store which has yarn and/or fibers? I would love to find a few more that sell yarns on cones. Any suggestions. I have bought from Webs for many years. One of my favorites.

Fun day in the City........

2004-09-03T16:13:00.000-04:00

Today was the day that my husband decided to take a day off from work to add on to the long holiday weekend. We have planned a fun day together while my daughter is in school and my son is asleep. (My son has been working 3rd shift) I really don't get out much...... so doing something fun for the day, I have really looked forward to all week.
My husband has just taken up woodworking again since he bought his Shop Smith woodworking system last month. He has been working a few hours each evening after work for the past few weeks on a beautiful oak quilt rack for me.
I had sent him a link to a few photos this week while he was at work. And in his spare time he did a search for instructions to make me a yarn swift. He found that Ohio State University (OSU) had a book in their Fine Arts library which had instructions for creating a swift.
So.... he decided this would be a "great field trip" for him and I to venture out to early this morning.
We first had to stop by one of my husbands friends house early this morning around 9 AM. I met this friends wife for the first time today. She was real delight to visit with and we found that we have so much in common. She wished I could stay a bit longer to visit. I promised we would visit again soon. We said our goodbyes and parted our seperate ways.
On to OSU....... we found a place to park in a "nearby" parking garage.... not really.... we had to do a bit of walking and find the Fine Arts Library on campus. The walk on campus was really enjoyable. I have never been there and it was nice to finally visit.
We find the Fine Arts Library and the book is pulled that has the plans for the yarn swift. Also has plans for another type of yarn swift that is a vertical floor swift. Really neat!
Next.... knowing how close we are to a yarn shop that I have only been to once or twice since we have lived here in 7 years. I hoped that I could somehow coax my husband into taking me there. Ahhhh.... the coaxing worked..... but..... he tells me we can only shop around for 5-10 minutes since we are meeting up with a group of friends for lunch that we used to work with. So..... once inside..... I found the new issue of Knitter's and the premier issue of IK Crochet magazine (not the correct name but... it is for crochet). I did not even have a chance to look at them when my husband is already telling me...... don't linger.... we are only going to be in the store for 5 - 10 minutes...... sure.... yeah right.... me only spend 5-10 minutes in a yarn store that I never get to go to. I proceed to look inside the store..... I find all kinds of lovely novelty yarns for the purses I design. I just adore all the beautiful colors and types that I found for the new purses I have been working designs for. I have several that I really want just for me and really have wanted to find some very unique, vibrant novelty yarns.
So.... today..... I felt like I was in a candy store with LOTS to choose from. I had grabbed a large wicker shopping basket when I entered the store in anticipation of buying lots of unique yarns. I loaded up this basket with more room for possibly a few wool yarns in colors that I did not have at home. I only bought 4 of these. (Cascade 220 - aqua, burgundy, royal blue), Cascade Quatro (various shades of purple). At this point..... my husband had asked where to find sock yarns.... he wants to find some colorful.... not drab gray.... yarns to make him a few pair of socks. So.... I point him into the direction where all the sock yarns are found. Ahh..... finally..... he is off on his own.... in search of yarn for socks he wants me to make. Perfect.... I can hopefully make a pair or two for him to give him for his birthday the end of October. Wait a minute.... my birthday is before his.... October 3rd to be exact.... I start thinking.... I wonder what I can find that is extra special just for me. No.... the gorgeous novelty yarns.... these are not what I have in mind. I continue on my search..... at this point is becomes a rushed search.... my husband comes back to me with sock yarn.... enough to make 3 pairs.... I check these out for yardage, for dye lot matching.... ooops.... need to find one to match one of the dye lots and sent him back to look again. I quickly move through more of the store to see what else I may find.... I met up with a couple of women that are looking at another wall display filled with more gorgeous novelty yarns.... found a few more that were added to my basket. The women saw the handspun yarns I had brought in to show the owner to get her opinion on how well I am doing as a new spinner.... since April. These women spot the handspun and immediately want to know where I found this yarn in the store.... I explain to them that I also spin and this my own handspun. They were both in awe. I was given a huge approval of how nice the yarns are. We shared ideas for scarves they are creating and matching up yarns, etc. Really nice to have met them. Thanked them for their compliments on the handspun and we all went on our way to venture further into the store. I came to the last section.... now my husband is really ready to go. He has found his sock yarn, has the correct dye lots and is telling me we need to leave so we can meet up with our friends for lunch. Just when we were walking through the last area of the store my husband notices a yarn swift... just like the one I have been wanting.... a table top model. Not a clamp on style. I thought for sure as I asked him to take it down from the shelf that it would be out of the price range I have found online recently. I was wrong.... very wrong.... I actually saved.... about $20.00 + shipping cost. I told him..... forget making me one..... I am buying that one.... I want it and need it. He tried his best to talk me out of it.... no way.... I want it.... I am buying it.... can't talk me out of it. I told him he could still make me one if he wanted.... but I wanted this one. It was a great price and I did not want to walk out of that store without buying it. I knew I would go home and regret it. So.... as I realize now..... this is my special early birthday gift..... just for me. That just made my day complete. Next stop..... I glanced over all the gorgeous roving.... not priced... I did not want to push my luck any further by asking pricing and delaying our departure from the store. Oh.... I also did find a few more felting patterns. One is the new Fiber Trends The Sheep Tote pattern..... it has the sheep on it. I really wanted this pattern since my business name is Ewe'n Me Country Crafts. This is the perfect purse/tote bag for me. I also found a simple crochet pattern for making felted crochet purses. This company name is not familiar to me at all. It is called Hook What's New..Crochet Design - Triple Delight.... Crochet Felt Purses. The pattern is for a small purse that I thought my daughter may like. I really would love to find a few more crochet patterns for making purses. One that I saw is for a purse similiar to the Booga Bag. I think I could design a crochet purse which is similiar. It really is not that difficult to design a purse if you have an idea what you want, know the basics of how you want the purse or tote bag to look and how to constuct it. So..... I may play with a few ideas this weekend to see what I come up with. I meant to buy the one that is similiar to the Booga Bag.... not the one I ended up with. Oh well.... that is OK. I will use it.
Now.... I am finally done with my shopping.... and no.... all of this shopping did not take only 5-10 minutes..... more like 45 minutes. Oh well..... as I mentioned..... I have not been to this store but only 1-2 times within the past 7 years. It is on the other side of the city which I don't care to venture to.
As I paid for all the wonderful, colorful goodies which I found in this store.... I show the owner my handspun and tell her that never did get the hang of the drop spindle I had bought earlier this year in her store. I did however attend a fiber event in April and still could not get the knack of spinning with the spindle. I did not give up though on the thought of learning to spin....... eventually. So... I bought a bunch of roving and decided to keep trying. I spotted a spinning wheel at this April event that I fell in love with immediately..... I bought the Ashford Traveler spinning wheel. And I managed to learn spinning very easily once I went through a few failed efforts at first. I kept trying..... I finally managed to get a nice yarn spun and plied. I had to have more.... much more roving and made plans to attend another fiber event in May of this year. I stocked up on roving and now needing more.... much more. I hope to buy either raw fleece and do all my own dying, carding, etc. or find more dyed or undyed roving. So.... another fiber event in my future..... in two weeks.... Yellow Springs, Ohio. I can hardly wait!
OK......Back to the discussion with the yarn shop owner whom also spins and teaches...... She gave me wonderful compliments on my handspun and approval of how well I am doing. Wow..... that really made my day! Another woman working in the store had to take a peek.... she agreed.... I have done very well and was very impressed. I told them that I am working towards selling my handspun and they both were very encouraging, telling me that from what they see.... I would be successful.
I had to leave the store to go on to lunch with our friends. I will definitely go back again..... someday.
So.... that was my adventure into the city. We live out in the suburbs.... away from the city. I don't get the chance to venture out that way often. But.... when I do.... I make the most of those visits. I find such neat things also. I guess I am very much the stay at home type of person.... and I love every moment of it.
We met up with our friends for lunch. A bit late.... but we did make it. We had a nice time visiting and enjoying our time together.
Upon arriving home.... my husband checked on the last finish coat he had put on the quilt rack he made for me. It was completely dry.... so, my husband brought the quilt rack inside and put the quilts on it. Really turned out beautiful. Now he is ready to start on his next project. A workbench for the garage and then will start creating a Oak Pie Safe or a display cabinet for my porcelain dolls that I create.
Since I have been home I have been winding up alot of yarn using my new swift and yarn winder. The swift has made a huge difference compared to using the skeiner with the winder. The swift makes things wind alot quicker. I now have several balls wound of wool for making more felted purses.
I have been busy all evening..... being Mom the taxi..... again. The usual take daughter to the movies, pick up, bring home, go back out, take my son to work, go to the grocery store. And just think..... in just a few hours..... I will be getting up, picking my son up from school and taking my daughter to school to catch the bus for her first away Cross Country meet. So.... I am off to get just a little sleep.
If I don't have a chance to get back online over the holiday weekend..... Have a safe and restful weekend. I have the weekend off..... no farmer market tomorrow. What a nice weekend this will be..... not having to work..... I can do things around the house, relax, knit and anything else I desire to do with my family.

Summer is nearing an end.......

2004-08-31T16:11:00.000-04:00

Today I decided I needed to take some time to do some writing.
Summer is nearing an end. School has begun and fall weather has arrived.
Last Tuesday school began. My daughter is a freshman in high school. It is very hard to believe that my "baby" will graduate in 4 years. Where did all those years go? She is my youngest..... of 4 children. She is enjoying high school, making many more new friends and also busy with her cross country team. Last night was her first invitational event. There must have been more than 20 schools that attended this event. There was a HUGE crowd of people from all over that attended/participated in this event. My daughter did very well at her very first cross country "meet". I am very proud of her and the entire team. One of the team mates came in 2nd on the girls team. I made sure I had a chance to tell this young woman how proud we all are of how well she did for our team and our school. The coach was very proud of her also and told us how far she had come from when she first started 4 years ago. She passed out at her first meet. Not uncommon from what he has told us. The coach told me that he is very impressed with how well my daughter is doing as a freshman. He can see that she will be a front runner if she continues with the team throughout high school. That really made me feel even more proud of my youngest daughter.
Since school has begun my youngest son (graduated high school in June) and I have some time to go out and do things also. Unfortunately.... lately.... he is needing to sleep until afternoon due to working 3rd shift. But.... we still manage to squeeze in some time to get out of the house and do things together. My son is working on saving up money to help out towards his college education and also buy a car. I am encouraging him to consider atleast taking a course or two now instead of waiting until next year to go to college. I am not going to force the issue though. He really is not ready for college full time.... yet. So.... working is a good thing. Saving up for a car and work towards more independence is also good.
I managed to get some of the reorganizing using the "Space Bags". Unfortunately.... the ones that are used for hanging clothes.... don't work. These bags will be returned this week. The other bags.... they did make a huge difference and have freed up some space, making things more organized. I think I will exchange the ones that did not work for hanging clothes for more that I can store linens and blankets.
I have tried to squeeze in some time for knitting. I finished knitting a few more purses and felted them. I am now trying to work on scarves since the customers at the market are wanting these now. I only had a few left over from last year. I finished up a few more of the fuzzy flip flops also. Sold a few more pairs on Saturday and sold a few of the purses I have designed. I had several requests for more so I really need to get busy this week finishing up what I have been working on.
The market sales on Saturday were very bad..... only sold a $2.00 item until the last 45 minutes of the sales day. Then all of a sudden...... I had sold a total of $90.00 during 45 minutes. That made the day alot better..... considering I was fearing that my sales were only going to be $2.00 for the day. That does not even pay for my gas to drive there. $90.00 is still not my usual sales for the day. But.... it is better than nothing at all. Market sales have been down for all the vendors this year compared to previos years. We just have to try to hang in there and realize that we are not always going to do well. That is just how sales go for businesses.
I am working on a few new soap scents for the natural cold processed soaps that I create. I have a few new ideas for the lotions also. I need to get busy with making these for the fall art/craft shows season. I will need these by October.
A few weekend ago was the fiber event in Michigan. I had considered going to this but decided since there is one coming up within a hour drive from here in September.... that would be best. I would not have to pay for lodging, etc. since this could be a day trip. However.... I do have to give up one of my Saturday market days to attend this event. Well.... I could wait and go on Sunday.... but I really prefer to go to these types of events early in the morning when they open on the first day to get the first choice of items being sold. I want to stock up on more fiber for spinning over the winter months. I also want to check into doing this show possibly next year to set up/sell as a vendor possibly next year. I would have loved to have been ready for this event this year. But.... I don't have enough inventory ready for this type of event. I do have one in April that I can plan on doing. I just need to get busy creating over the winter months to be fully prepared. I met so many nice people at that event last year. The vendors were so helpful, kind and very informative. That event is very small.... but they had anything and everything someone would need for spinning, knitting, felting, etc. It was alot of fun also. My daughter was begging me at that event to allow her to adopt an angora bunny. I did not think it would be a good idea...... we have cats.
Last week while preparing wool for spinning..... I was fluffing up some Roemey wool. I really would like to buy a drum carder for preparing wool. I am researching and hoping to possibly try a few at the fiber event next month. I also would like to have a yarn swift. I have a yarn winder which also plies. I bought this in the 1980's. A really nice one. I don't even see this type being sold anywhere. I have a skeiner.... which is nice. I orignally thought it not only would be nice for using to create skeins from the yarn I am spinning. But also thought it would work well for holding the skeins when I am winding into yarn balls with the winder. But..... this does not work as well as a swift when winding skeins into balls. So.... I now want a swift. A wooden one. I am trying to decide if I want one that clamps or a table top model. I think the table top model would be nice since it would not need to be tightened constantly. I did find that JoAnn Fabrics online website has the clamp on style and I can use the 40% and 50% off coupons to purchase it. My husband is telling me that he can make me a yarn swift and has managed to locate a book that he can check out from the local library. So.... he is going to check this out over the weekend and attempt to make me the yarn swift. He is having fun working with his woodworking tool system lately. Giving him another project will be fun for him. He has also made me a few yarn trees to store cones of yarn and also skeins. He is working on ideas to make me a few table top yarn trees for displaying yarn also. These could be used for displaying yarn at the market when I start taking the handspun to the market to sell. I am even considering having him make some birch knitting needles to sell at the market. Both straights and double pointed. I have made my own knitting needles in the past when I could not find the sizes I needed. They really are nice. The double pointed needles I made were made in the 1980's. It was impossible even then to find the more popular size needles. I decided to get creative and make my own. They turned out well.
The needle idea..... I plan to make handmade knitting needles and create knitting kits with the needles, handspun yarn and patterns. Kind of a learn to knit kit. Customers at the market have been asking if I would consider teaching knitting. With these kits.... that would be possible. And I really enjoy teaching. I really miss teaching from when I had my store a few years ago. I taught children ceramic painting on bisque. They all enjoyed coming to my store and I also had a summer program that I offered before the store hours during the summer vacation months. I still have former students that come up to me and tell me how much they miss taking the classes that I once taught. That just warms my heart to know that I truely had students that enjoyed the time they spent in my store. I also used to have Mom's night out painted sessions each month. These women also miss those nights.
The doorbell just rang...... a UPS delivery man just delivered a box.... from my Secret Pal.... Secret Pal 2. I opened the box..... inside I found.... a gorgeous Burgundy tote bag and pencil case that is perfect as a take along project bag and cute case that will hold double pointed needles and my little container for stitch markers, yarn needle for stitching and small scissors. Also..... inside the bag I found.... Debbie Bliss Cotton Angora yarn. I beautiful shade of Fuschia. I think I may use this to make a nice soft scarf for myself for winter. I truely love this color. In fact..... this is one of my favorite colors to wear.
Thank you Secret Pal2 for the beautiful gifts that you sent to me. I love everything. And also thank you for the very thoughtful card.
Regarding the secret pal exchanges I am participating in..... I am also working on a few gifts for my secret pal(s). I am almost done with creating the gifts to go along with things I have bought recently. I hope to get these gifts mailed later on this week.

Thank you to Secret Pal(s)

2004-08-18T16:10:00.000-04:00

Yesterday was a busy day. My youngest daughter is participating in Cross Country running with the high school. Every morning for the past several weeks she is up early and I am taking her for practices.
Also yesterday my son had tickets to attend a concert. Tickets he won from a local Radio Station. He was thrilled to win these tickets, managed to get a day off from work and had an extra ticket to take a friend along with him.
So.... alot of driving yesterday. After dropping off my son at the concert, my daughter and I decided to visit a local shopping mall on the way home. We spent the entire day at the mall. What fun we had. Mostly looking, not much buying. We did however have some fun buying some neat organizing things from the Container store. I found some of the "Space Bags" to put extra seasonal clothing in. These are hanging bags and will help make space for hanging clothes. I had to give these a try. Also found some other sizes for storing away extra winter clothing, comforters, pillows, blankets, etc. I also found a sweater drying rack for drying washed fleece. I needed one of these since I plan on buying some fleece from a local supplier that is in the "raw" (means that it is unwashed). My daughter found some organizers for her locker to maximize space with some organization.
We arrived home after a fun day of spending time together, shopping or shall I say for the most part..... looking and not buying. Upon our arrival my husband informs me that I have 2 packages. I had no clue what I may have arriving in the mail. Then it hit me.... maybe suprises from my secret pal? Yes.... it is!!! I am in two secret pal exchanges.... KR Secret Pal and Secret Pal 2 exchanges. I received packages from both of my secret pals yesterday. What a joy and surprise to receive these packages.
So.... first of all.... let me thank my secret pals. You are both very thoughtful and I love what you sent to me.
From my KR Secret Pal I received...... Chocolate and mints...... Specifically.... dark chocolate Hershey Kisses and York Mint Patties. Both are my favorites! As soon as my husband spotting the Kisses.... he was putting out his hands for a sampling. I shared a few with him.
I also found in this box of goodies...... a pattern for the Shapely Tank Top. I have wanted this pattern and have some light pink yarn that may work well with this pattern.
A silver heart shaped box with more Hershey Kisses and a package of beautiful stitch markers and row markers. I love these too. I really needed more stitch markers for the Charlotte Web shawl I am planning to make soon.
A notebook with a pink pen. Really pretty.... black with a hot pink heart. The pages are hot pink. Great notebook for Knitting notes for when working on projects, design ideas, etc.
A box of cute notecards. These are really, really cute. The envelopes are lined with a vibrant purple, the note cards say imagine and have a cute little shear bow on them.
Yarn.... 2 skeins of beautiful, vibrant eyelash yarns. I may add these to a felted purse for myself of add to some yarns for a nice winter scarf. I love lots of color.... especially in the dark, dreary winter months when everything is so gray and gloomy. Vibrant colors lifts me up to escape the dreary months of winter. I have never seen these colors or this brand of eyelash yarn at the only 2 yarn stores I have found this past year in our area. I love to try new yarns and wish I lived closer to some of the larger stores with more selections to choose from.
My secret Pal from KR attached a card on the outside of the box..... What a thoughtful message and such a cute card with a puppy and kitten on it.
I am looking forward to making things with what you have sent to me. Thank you so much for creating such a beautiful, thoughtful gift for me. (((HUGS)))
The next package is from my Secret Pal 2. She must have read my blog.... She has sent me a card with a very touching note along with a book to make my grandchildren some beautiful handknitted hats, mittens and scarves. All of the patterns are fair isle designs based from nursery rhymes. The book is called "Nursery Rhyme Knits" by Theresa Boyer. I have never seen this book anywhere. What a beautiful book, filled with alot of patterns that I plan to make some gifts for my 5 year old grand-daughter and for another grandchild due in February. My oldest daughter will love these when she sees what I am going to make. I can also make things for my nieces and nephews.
This book will be treasured for many, many years. I can see making all my future grandchildren lots of beautiful handknitted things. There are alot of tips for each pattern. And since these are fair isle.... this will give me more ways to use up odds and ends of fleece left over from larger items that I sew and machine embroider.
Thank you so much for selecting this book for me and thinking of my grandchildren. This will be fun to create things for them. (((HUGS)))
I see that I have some catching up to do with my writing......
The past few weeks the farmers market sales have started to be increasing. That is good. This money that I earn go towards what I use to buy Christmas gifts. For several months I have been very worried that I would not have money saved to shop with for my children. But... that seems to be changing..... thank goodness!
I have sold some of the purses I have designed, knit, felted. I have a few more customers planning on coming back to buy this week. So.... I am busy creating more purses to replace what I have sold. I felted a few more purse last night.... one of the purse felted a bit smaller than I had hoped.... kept in in the wash too long....oops.... but it will sell. Of course it will.... it is the Ohio State University colors. I already have a few women that were watching me make that one that wanting one. Reminder for myself.... must buy more red wool yarn and more gray fuzzy yarn (eyelash). These will most likely be a hot selling item this fall.
I see that I need to get busy with making more embroidered items, more soaps and lotions for the fall art/craft shows in addition to this market. Also have some other items that are running low in inventory. So.... next week.... when my daughter is back in school..... it will be time to get back to working full time on making more inventory to have available for fall sales.
Last week.... while my youngest daughter was at her cross country practice.... I made a visit to the local wool co-op store to buy more dark blue merino superwash top wool for a sweater I am going to make for myself. They also had a gorgeous golden color merino top wool (superwash) that is perfect for the star design work on this sweater. While I was there.... I bought some natural off white top wool.... not superwash.... for dying. I want to experiment with dying soon. And also I was given a tour of the area where all the unwashed wool is stored that comes in daily. I was able to take home a bag of "raw" wool to wash and spin. The price for this is very, very reasonable and I plan to stock up the next visit I make there. I can hardly wait to go back again. The best part..... I can choose what I want, no shipping and choose to buy 1 lb. or several pounds. I see more fun with dying and spinning in the near future.
I managed to buy 2 more spools for my spinning wheel also. I have found out recently that having only 4 spools is not enough for all the spinning I have been doing over the past few months. It is nice to have 1 extra spool per 2 spools so that once I am done spinning 2 spools or yarn I have an empty spool to do the plying.
I have managed to get a few skeins of the dark blue merino that I bought last week spun. I bought 2 lbs. and hoping this will be enough for the sweater I plan to make. According the the pattern as a bulky weight wool I should have more than enough to make this sweater. But.... I like to have a bit more.... than not enough. I may have to go buy just a bit more to finish up this project.
I mentioned that I felted 3 purses last night. These are purses I have recently knitted. I have another on the knitting needles to replace the red one that shrunk a bit too much. Hopefully I can have it done by Friday.
Along with the things I normally take to the market I have begun bringing some pickles I have recently made. My youngest daughter and I are also planning to make handmade cookies. A past vendor that used to sell cookies and pies has urged me to make cookies because she knows I will sell out each week. I am trying to come up with a few more ideas of handmade goodies. I am thinking dip mixes, drink mixes, etc. Maybe even handmade breads.
I have been asked how I am feeling lately.... Here is the update..... I am doing better. I have fully recovered from the severe reaction to anethesia. My doctor felt so bad about that.... he should.... he did not give me what was needed to counteract this reaction. He knew and has always known that I have problems with anethesia and/or anything that is strong on my system. Now he knows why I push for this.... and he is feeling pretty bad. The little "talk" I had with him prompted him to make sure he made note on my charts to not forget this in the future for any other procedures. Same with antibiotics prior to "ANY/ALL" procedures. He took a huge risk.... and I don't take risks when it comes to my health. Anyways.... it is all OK now. I am better than I was and the meds he has increased are helping. The procedure has helped also with the severe choking I had each time I ate anything. He told me that biopsies came back all OK. I did have some constriction in the esophogus which caused the severe choking. He was amazed that I was not having even more serious problems from what he saw when he scoped. He promptly told me that it was too the point that the constriction he saw would cause even more serious problems with my breathing. Hmmmm..... makes me wonder if this is what was causing some of the serious asthma problems for several years. Who knows.... but..... atleast the constriction is broken and stretched out to prevent choking. It could need stretching again but.... let's hope not. The severe bleeding was from the stretching of this constriction. That is what prompted the xray immediately following the surgery procedure to find out if something else was going wrong. But all was good. So... to my friends that have been very worried..... don't worry.... I am all fixed up and OK once again. You all know that I don't let these types of things slow me down much. This little inconvenience though... really knocked me down for a week or so. But.... I am up and catching up on all things I normally do. You all know me well.... busy, busy, busy..... nothing slows me down for long. A week seemed like a LOOOOONG time.... but really it isn't if you really look at the whole spectrum of things. No need to get into a tizzy and worry. LOL!!! And just so you know..... this should be all I need to go through now for the remainder of the year.... it has been a very trying year with all this stuff.... but I am all patched up and good as new again.
OK.... enough said...... I just wanted to make sure that I wrote to my friends that read here that they really don't need to worry so much. Close friends and family..... see.... I told you that I am doing much better.
Well..... time to get to work on seeing how these "Space Bags" are going to help me maximize space by shrinking things into these bags. If they don't appear to do what they claim..... I am taking these all back to the store. Too bad we can't fit an entire household of "stuff" into these "Space Bags". Now that is a novel idea isn't it??!!! I am purging things as I am organizing and I really have created more space. I see that the real problem is..... I have so many hobbies.... and not enough space to store it all in without doing some reorganizing. It is looking much better though. And I am really amazed at how much space I am freeing up as I work on this each week. The biggest problem I have found is storing things in boxes instead of Rubbermaid containers..... boxes are all odd sizes and take up too much room. Rubbermaid maximizes storage space by getting rid of all of the boxes and restoring the contents in the plastic containers instead. Everything in Rubbermaid is so much healthier also. Boxes seem to attack or make dust, absorb moisture and this then eventual leads to other problems. So.... I am purging all boxes.
I need to run.... to have some fun with the reorganizing and purging.

Secret Pal2

2004-08-08T16:09:00.000-04:00

I am particpating in a couple of Secret Pal swaps and one of these swap groups has sent out a questionaire to help our secret pals learn a little more about us. So.... here are the answers to questions. 1. Are you a yarn snob (do you prefer high-end/natural fibers)? Do you avoid Red Heart and Lion Brand? Or is it all the same to you? Yes, I would probably be considered as a yarn snob. I love all the finer yarns. I am not very fond of acrylic. It is too harsh on my hands to work with. I would only use acrylic now for making baby blankets or other projects where machine washing/drying is a must. I love natural fibers - both for yarn and fiber for spinning. Handpainted, with lots of color. The only other yarns I enjoy are novelty type yarns for accenting items. I love eyelash yarns, other novelty types to blend with other fibers for scarves, felted purses, slippers. Anything unique for the projects mentioned. 2. Do you spin? Crochet? Spinning I have begun to learn. I bought my spinning wheel (Ashford Traveler) in April and attended 2 fiber events to stock up on lots of beautiful fibers for spinning. I am now in need of more fiber. I love lots of vibrant colors, jewel tones. I am doing well with the spinning and really enjoying it alot. So relaxing to sit and spin. Eventually.... I would love to acquire a nice fleece or two for spinning. I have recently bought an alpaca prime fleece from the first shearing of a cria. Really a lovely fleece that I look forward to spinning soon. Crochet - I only crochet edging on projects and have made some crochet blankets in the past as gifts. I really prefer knitting. 3. Do you have any allergies? (smoke, pets, fibers, perfume, etc.) I'm extremely allergic to smoke. I am not allergic to cats.... I have 6 precious cats. 4. How long have you been knitting? I began knitting when I was only 8 or 9 years old. So.... over 37+ years ago. 5. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list? No. But, I do have a wish list.... not online though. And I buy most of my books and magazines from our local Barnes & Noble store. 6. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.) I love a variety of scents. Fruit scents, perfume scents, herbal scents, etc. I don't really care for food type of fragrance scents. 7. Do you have a sweet tooth? Most definitely!!!! Love dark chocolate and also mint. 8. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Soapmaking, lotion making, candlemaking, glass jewelry making, machine embroidery, sewing, porcelain dollmaking. Love making all types of arts and crafty type of things. 9. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if you want to make her a CD) I don't own a MP3. I love soothing, relaxation type of music. Classical also. I also enjoy some country music from various artists. 10. What's your favorite color? Or--do you have a color family/season/palette you prefer? Vibrant colors - Pinks, purples, blues.... jewel tones also. 11. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets? I am married, have 4 children. 2 are grown, 1 just graduated and one starting high school this year. I am also a grandmother. I have 2 step-children. We have 6 precious kitties. They are very spoiled and pampered by the family. Exactly what they all deserve.... each of our kitties are rescues and really needed someone to love and spoil them. 12. What are your life dreams? (really stretching it here, I know) I life dream at this point in my life is to be able to travel once my children are all grown up and out on their own. I would love to spend the winter months in Florida and live here in the north during the warmer months. I would love to have with our next house a seperate building where I could keep all my art/craft supplies, have space to create and also teach classes again. I hope sharing these answers to questions in additon to all that I write on my blog will be helpful for my secret pals.