Did You Know?

1. That a full can of shaving cream can be fully dispensed in about a minute? 2. That two dozen eggs is very hard to get out of a carpet? Ask me how I know. Howdy folks! Long time, hasn't it been? With the Georgia heat I haven't had much desire to knit. I spent much of my free time this summer spinning. Although about two weeks ago the sudden urge to knit struck. I ordered yarn for the first time in months! Dolores Park Cowl Malabrigo Chunky, Paris Nights A nice quick knit to get me back into the rhythm of knitting. It's destined to be a gift for someone this holiday season. I've also casted on for a pair of socks in some lovely Colinette Jitterbug. Though at the rate I seem to knit nowadays it might be awhile before they're finished. Of course I've been dyeing up a storm. It's all I seem to think about. Color combinations pop into my head all the time and unfortunately many are lost by the time I get a chance to write them down. Wanna see some of what I've been up to? These are from this week's update. I've finally decided that semi-solids and overdyes are going to be my main focus as far as yarns go. I just enjoy them so much more and love the way they knit up. Oh, and did you see? I'm the Featured Artist of the Month over at Yarn4Socks! Yay! She has some colorways I don't foresee doing in the near future, so you should go over and check them out. :) Well, children and housework are calling... Funny, I keep asking the hubby that since it's the weekend, when do I get to enjoy it? Ha! Until next time!

Energized

Yeah, so my last post wasn't all that inspiring or upbeat. Really, I'm not depressed or am I deserting my blog. I think I needed a bit of a time out to focus my energies in other aspects of my life and hobbies. When I first started dyeing my efforts were on sock yarn for myself. Then when I decided to open an Etsy shop, I went with a focus on spinning fibers and handspun yarn. Mostly because I thought there was a need to help fill this niche. Other reasons were that I hadn't found base yarns that were within reasonable prices to ship overseas. Now that I'm back in the States, I have sourced out two base yarns that I'm really happy about. Last month I rolled these out with unenthusiastic fanfare. I'd love to hear from my readers what makes them buy a sock yarn over another. Also, do you enjoy the gentle color changes of an almost solid or the spiraling nature of a hand painted? Thanks! Anyhoo, I dicovered a few months ago a fondness for something else. This is two pounds of suri alpaca. The other assorted fleeces will be here very shortly. I guess it's good that I decided to venture into this now, since it's shearing time. Oh, I have so much planned for myself, I'm not sure when I'll get anything done. I'm having fun so I guess that's what matters. Way back when we were still in Germany, I had ordered some delicious top but just got around to dyeing it up. I'm not sure what the holdup was because it's gorgeous! I'll be sure to get some more when I order again. These are both Alpaca/Merino/Silk and they're in the shop! Speaking of the shop (really, hasn't this entire post been?) I'm having a May Celebration Sale all month long. 10% off all regular prices and there may be a few extra specials thrown in every now and then. Psst! I almost finished a sock and started two new ones! Those I'll post about next time.

They're Done!

I finally got my taxes done this weekend, so I'm throwing a little celebration at the shop. 15% off most items, including these new yarns:

Uninspired

Way back when, this used to be a knitting blog. Technically it still is. What else can I call it when the title has knitting in it? My point being I haven't knit in almost a month. A combination of general busyness, warm weather and focusing on my other woolly activities help contribute. Do miss it? No, no I don't. I think I miss the idea of it more than anything. Several evenings I've thought that I should go find something to work on, but it never happens. Likewise blogging has lost much appeal for me. I know this has been discussed on other blogs. Between Ravelry and Flickr, most days I'd rather not even read a blog. No offense to anyone in particular! Heck, I just checked my Bloglines and it's scary; I'm that far behind in reading. Will I quit? Right now, no. I guess it' going to be focused in a different manner and infrequent at best. So, what have I been up to? Well, lots of things. Spinning still is going strong. I just finished some really cool yarns, but of course haven't taken pictures yet... I've also gotten a ton of new superwash rovings in tons of colors and bamboo for blending this past week. I made some really pretty batts and can't wait to play some more. I call this one "Tigerlily" Of course there's been a bunch of dyeing. I hope to hit the pots again this week, although Reilly is home on Spring Break so we'll see how that works out. These are all at the shop Hopefully my little funk will be over soon! Until then!

Long Overdue Hello

Well, we're here in Georgia! Actually we've been here for over a month, but with the house hunting, unpacking and general business of moving this is the first time I've even thought of updating the blog. We found a lovely little house to rent with plenty of room. Well, plenty of room for everything except the rather large stash I seem to have accumulated. So I've been doing a bit of a cleaning out of sorts and posted a bunch of stuff on my Ravelry sell page. Feel free to wander over there and see if you can't help a lady out. The only problem with the house we picked is that the school is horrible. So horrible that it's been on the No Child Left Behind list for a few years now. Thankfully the district allowed us the opportunity to transfer Reilly to another one. In the end, he's now in a great school and I get to drive him every day(not so good). Before our stuff got here I did manage to finish quite a few socks, but since I just unpacked my camera, I haven't had a chance to take pictures yet. Soon... Well, it's almost time to leave for the nice trek to get the boy from school. Not to leave you pictureless, I leave you with one of the latest batts I made up for my shop. It's one of my favorites!

Bye For Now

It's been pure craziness in these parts, I tell ya! I hate moving, but am so glad to be doing so. I miss home terribly and after nearly four years it is time. The movers start coming tomorrow and we will have them until Thursday. We won't be leaving until the end of the month and then taking a few weeks of leave to visit family. I won't be around until sometime late February. Until then, I wish everyone well!

A Bright New Year

Happy New Years everyone! I can't believe it's here already yet I'm very happy to have it here. 2007 was a somewhat dark year for myself and 2008 only promises lovely things. I finished a few more hats for the holidays. About a week before the big day I decided that all the boys need a new one under the tree so I quickly knit some up. Pattern: Norwegian Star Earflap Hat by Tiennie Yarn: Knit Picks Wool of the Andes in Coal and Mist Pattern: The Player Yarn: Elann Highland Wool in Tuscan Green and Knit Picks Wool of the Andes in Natural Pattern: Karlchen (yes, another) Yarn: handspun/hand dyed Columbia/Dorset in "Connor" Pattern: Koolhaas by Jared Flood Yarn: Knit Picks Andean Silk in Hollyberry This one is for me and it fits great! Please excuse the horrible photo since my husband had no patience for taking them. I have one more hat on the needles, but haven't decided if I'm going to finish it or not. The pressure of packing is taking effect and have been spending some time ripping unfinished knits. I'd like to finish what I can before the movers come in two weeks and have nothing waiting for me when I unpack. Wishful thinking! I've got to keep this post short, since I've got too much to do today. I received a wonderful birthday and Christmas present this year, so I'll have to unveil that later on. Oh, and just wanted to let you know that everything in my shop is on sale. I kept meaning to let you know, but it's been crazy and I forget things easily. As a special for my blog readers, I'm offering an extra 5% off the already 10% sale plus free shipping over $60. Just include the code "blog5" in the comments to the seller when checking out and I'll send you an invoice with the correct price.