TWISTED IN TEXAS

Summer revisited: Fiber, friends, frivolity

2011-10-06T08:16:00.001-05:00

Yes, I have been AWOL for, I guess, three months steeped in the joy of a glorious summer in Northern Michigan enjoying old friends and making special new ones. Before I left Dallas in May, I connected on the internet with some special women on a Michigan spinners group on Ravelry, an on-line community of fiber nuts.
I trooped over to meet them the first Weds. night I was in town at Knit Night at the Dutch Oven, a yarn shop that is adjacent to a bakery. That was all it took. Meta and I hit it off as we confessed our spinning addiction and it's necessity for a fleet of wheels. Dot was one of the first contact and is a steady, lovely, talented person.

Here are Meta and I in her studio getting ready to get wild with some artsy batts. That place is amazing; customized dye kitchen and large work surfaces for carding, blocking and painting fiber.

Sandy was at Dutch Oven very soon after that first night. She spins, knits and keeps us laughing. Heck, she invited Meta and I to stay in her condo down in Holland, MI, when we attended the Michigan Fiber Festival. She had met us maybe twice!!! That was a blast.

I saw the Mimi Shawl by at Cynthia Too's shop in Petoskey. I felt like it would be perfect for some of my hand spun yarn. One of my summer goals was to use up quantities of my mounding hand spun yarns. Here it is on the blocking boards. It's soft and cozy when not stretched and pinned to death.

The lace pattern kept my attention for sure.

Does it look like hawk-wings-in-aqua here?

Then I got tripped up on Madeline Tosh yarns that Cynthia started adding to her shop.

Meta brought her finished Stephen West Spectra scarf and I HAD to do one.

Here is the start of mine. I am almost done with it now and have a second one planned.

I have knit prolifically this summer and done some spinning. More posts on that and on a Knit-A-Long I am doing with a group from Cynthia Too.
I have goodies for the shop in the way of luscious Leceister Long Wool lamb locks and Wensleydale lamb locks that I have found from a local Northern Michigan farm. Look for that in late October, I hope.
I think I'm glad to be back to the blog. So much to share.

Up North Floral Abundance

2011-07-10T07:22:00.001-05:00

Part of the summer glory up in Northern Michigan includes amazing, bright flowers. The grand porch above wraps around a rambling manse on Beach Drive. There are about nine of these boxes adorning it.

Ok, this is not a box, but a garden that I gravitate toward every year. Great perennials mixed with annuals to enjoy all summer

Even the storage shed up at Three Pines Gallery in Cross Village gets it's own dash of color. I love the gate leaning on the side.

A big yellow house on Beach Drive sports four of these patriot boxes. Love to have wine here with my friend and watch the boats on the bay.

In Harbor Springs, one of the galleries has these geraniums with all the trailing white blossoms.

My favorite knit shop anywhere, anywhere, Cynthia Too/Two in Petoskey has all of this floral glory out in front just drawing you into Cynthia's shop. She has tempting yarn and unbelieveably cute gift ideas all over the shop. I go here twice a month for Open Knit day.

Harbor Skies

2011-07-03T07:37:00.000-05:00

Thursday night Harbor Springs hosted a Gallery Walk that included ten or twelve art galleries serving up great art, blown glass and sculpture. But, to me the great art was upstaged by the cloud patterns that night accented by the quaint architecture of Main Street.

How can you not love the festive evening with a stage set such as this?

Or this? Oh, and did I mention it was a perfectly delightful 75 degrees as we strolled with streets with our glasses of Chardonnay?
Blissful evening.

Dyein' in the Woods

2011-06-26T07:53:00.000-05:00

New Michigan fiber friend, Meta, invited me up to her studio at her home in the woods near Carp Lake. What an adventure! Her driveway winds through tall, tall pines and then opens up into a magical clearing with her home, gardens, her husband's shop and her to-die-for studio. ( I resisted the obvious pun there.) It's a precious house, really, with a porch, little garden with sunflowers sprouting up and then a big room with big windows and everything a dyer, spinner, carder a fiber freak could want. Gasp! I loved it. These coiled rovings were just artfully placed about.

Meta is super organized and precise. Her color book has all her dye formulas with fiber swatches. Makes my seat-of-pants method look beyond sloppy. I only occasionally mix my own colors. I just buy more dyes. Her colors are all custom mixed, lovely and subtle.

I brought Bombex and Tussah silk to dye to use in my art batts. I got to select colors from the formula book. That was hard! I couldn't decide. Then Meta carefully did some caluculations in metric measures and mixed the dyes which where then put in squeeze bottles ( she has a million).

We snaked the wet silk out on a length of plastic wrap. I then donned plastic gloves and began squeezing dye onto the fiber and tamping color through the silk with my finger.

Love the results!
After we got my fiber in the dye pots, we rinsed her Romney curls "casseroles". Yum. I got to take some of this dreamy stuff home.

And, best of all, I got invited back! Next time we are going to do casseroles of charcoal grey Wensleydale locks from Spring Trail Fiber Works. They are in the mail.

What's not to love?

2011-06-23T07:40:00.000-05:00

Each morning Trinket and I stroll along Beach Drive on our walk. We are watching all the preparations for a full summer: docks are being put in, flower boxes filled, porches scrubbed and styled with gobs of wicker.

Later on Wednesdays and Saturdays, I ride my bike into the Harbor Springs Farmers Market. This time I snagged these gorgeous lupine and peonies for a bouquet in the condo, along with fresh eggs, lettuces, broccoli and gourmet vanilla extract. I think the base for it is vodka! The vender grows the beans and then ages the vanilla.

After a little fresh salad dinner, I sometimes find myself on Pat's porch with a lovely glass of syrah and little bits of brownies made from Barefoot Contessa recipe. Chocolate and red wine. What's not to love? Bliss!

Batt-y Spinning

2011-06-16T08:31:00.000-05:00

Last week we had some chilly, rainy days that were perfect for setting up my Louet carder on the kitchen counter. I shipped it up here along with a wild assortment of fibers for carding crazy artsy batts. Well six batts later, it was time to start spinning.
Each summer I get reacquainted with my trusty Ashford Tradional wheel with it's single treadle. I thought I would miss double treadling since my Dallas wheels are all outfitted as double, but years of spinning my grand Rio Grande wheel stands me in good stead with the Traddy. I put on the jumbo flyer and began spinning two purple-ish artsy batts. What fun!

Now I am waiting for some shimmery Sulky rayon thread I ordered from a little shop on Etsy to ply this whimsically crazy yarn.

I'm hoping that thread shows up at my door this morning. I will have two big skeins of purple/pink/ you-name-it art yarn!
P.S. Oh, and can you see my shiny new cup holder on my wheel? I love FBN Plastics on Etsy.

Three Pines Studio for Knit-in Public Day

2011-06-13T09:06:00.000-05:00

Where did you KIP on Saturday? I got to knit in the gorgeous environment at Three Pines Studio in Cross Village, just 20 miles from my condo here in Harbor Springs. Gene, Joann and Linda set us up in the studio of this gorgeous gallery.

Dot, decked out in handknits of sweater, vest, fair isle socks and wrist warmers, spun away on a two-ply yarn she plans to use in a fair isle bag. Jeez, she actually spins for a specific project. Such a foreign concept to me.

Meta brought her electric Hanson spinning and was spinning lace weight coral loveliness from rovings she had blended with angora, silk, and merino, I think. She quietly brought out a basket of her hand spuns. Wow!

Her little coils in these add texture and magic.

The little colored bits in this one are silk noil. I love the boucle' look of it.

I just love this photo with the spotlight on the skein.

Doesn't this lace shawl blow you away? Karen, the lace guru designed and knit this number. I am going to take a class from her later in June to see if I can overcome my resistance to charts, tiny yarns and having to THINK when I knit. Don't look for this kind of work from me though. I like the phrase, "simple" chart.

For me, an inspiring, friendly afternoon up here in the north woods just confirmed how fiber friends are a source of artistic inspiration and companionship wherever you find them. Ravelry rocks! I found Dot and Meta there and the rest is history. And, I get to head up to Three Pines Studio each Tuesday afternoon this summer to knit on the porch.

Kicking back Up North

2011-06-05T08:01:00.000-05:00

Yes, Up North, is the way Michiganders refer to northern Michigan. I am almost feeling guilty to be enjoying the cool, even breezy cold, weather here as Dallasites suffer with 100 degree heat already in early June. I think the summer there could be a b@3%h. I love wearing sweaters and light weight jackets. Wish I had brought more flats and not so many sandals. Oops, am I rubbing it in?
So much to do here. Friday night we cruised around the sidewalk party in Petoskey. I got to visit the precious Cynthia2 knit shop. They have knitting gatherings on certain Saturdays this summer that I want to frequent.

Also got to visit Fustini's in person. I have been ordering specialty olive oils and vinegars online for them. In the store you get to taste all the products. Fabulous. They are temporarily discontinuing Porcini Mushroom Oil so I selected Lemon instead to companion with my fave vinegar, Lavender.

Yummy choices to add to my big full meal salads.
The Harbor Springs farmers market should be starting soon, so uber fresh lettuce and tomatoes will be just a bike ride away. I'm telling you, this is Camp-for-Grownups.

Shop News: FREE SHIPPING until who knows when...

2011-06-03T07:34:00.000-05:00

Yes, Because I love you guys, I am doing FREE SHIPPING in the shop on all domestic and Canadian orders. AND if you are a repeat customer, let me know and I will have an extra discount for you. We LOVE our repeat customers!

I have brought all my rovings, spinning-with-locks kits and drum carded art batts to my summer digs so I can keep Cordova Studios up and running while I am "summering" away up here by Lake Michigan.

Also have my carder and spinning wheel here, so will be adding new stuff soon. Look for more funky art batts loaded with goodies, and art yarns of all types.

Queueing up Projects for the summer

2011-05-19T08:34:00.000-05:00

As I prepare for departure to my summer digs, I have fight this great fear of not having enough projects with me to knit. God forbid! I know, I know, I could buy something, but this year I am promising myself to use my handspun and knit up lovelies from this. It's a bit of a trick to have the right yardage for the right project as I can't just go "buy" an extra skein or two. With the help of my Wednesday spinning buddies I have lined up three more possibilities from Ravelry. Beth, the forever librarian was a huge help on this.
I have some bulky handspun in apple greens, taupe and rust tones that I think this "Faraway, So Close" shawl will work with. It's on #10 needles or so and has interesting patterns and waves in it.

Faraway, so Close

BFL hand spun plied with apple green merino

Then for some sport weight to fingering weight hand spun I think I will do this charming Pamuya shawl:

BFL Handspun plied with aqua merino

Pamuya

Another choice would be for a rectangular shawl, this Fleece shawl should truly challenge my lace knitting skills. I will be texting my mentors a lot on this one.

This one is done by elsbethr on ravelry. I think it is stunning. Still deciding on the yarn for this one.

Back in the Blogasphere, Finally

2011-05-16T08:29:00.000-05:00

I have seriously neglected this space. I love blogging, so I am at a loss as to why I have avoided writing and posting here. I have had an exciting and full spring with lots of fiber fun, family and some travel.

Two weeks ago I flew to Baltimore for the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival, which is purported to be the largest of it's kind in the country. What a blast! Hard to see the whole thing in a day. I went with two fiber friends so it was a party. I loved seeing Lexi Boerger of Pluckyfluff fame. She was there selling the new Majacraft wheel, Aura, and just generally being here warm, welcoming self.

The Aura

One of these came to my house in March. What a wheel. I love all the possibilities for art yarn.

the RoadBug

Sunday, my friend, Terri, and I were sorely tempted by the Merlintree RoadBug spinning wheel. Such a cute, functional, truly portable wheel, that will truly fit in the overhead bin of an airplane. I am now lurking in their Ravelry group. I mean, I had to walk away for a minute, or I would have handed the man my credit card and run with my new little wheel. But, since I have a gorgeous new Aura wheel, I don't think I can justify it right now. Maybe next month! I am so bad. You can get it with a colored wheel; pink, purple or teal.

Back here at home, I have been dyeing scads of roving to have in my inventory this summer along with mohair locks, mulberry silk, Firestar. I have introduced Art Yarn Spinning-with-locks kits to the shop. These have been a hit. I love spinning art yarns so it seemed natural to share the fun.

Tide Pool Art Yarn Spinning-with-locks Kit

I also am carding art batts with new ease on my Big Tom electric carder. Friend Mary enabled this acquisition by saying I was going to have shoulder problems with my manual carders. Well, we can't have that! So I sold my Fancy Kitty carder to friend Terri. Saved her having to buy one off of Ravelry.

The Blues Artsy Batt

Toast and Marmalade Artsy Batt

The Louet Classic carder is packed up to ship to my summer address so I can feed my fiber frenzies while I am there. An Ashford Traditional wheel already lives there along with a bulky flyer for art yarns. I am set.

Writing again feels good. Now I need to get that sketching journal cranked up again. The fun never ends. Life is good.

More on-line Addictions

2011-03-04T06:13:00.001-06:00

As if Facebook, Ravelry, and even my Google Reader, don't suck up time, now on-line bargains hit my inbox every day with super deals. Who else is hooked on Groupon, Living Social, Haute Look, Rue La La, Zulily and Gilt Groupe? These hit my inbox daily with temptations. And, Yes, I have succumbed mightly. I have gotten coupons for piles of gourmet cupcakes, sloppy decadent burgers, now two movie tickets, a trip to Amazon's store, puzzles from Barnes and Noble. I'm heading to Redenta's for organic gardening supplies. What's not to love about getting half off on compost? Those are some of the coupons.

I will just confess the most ridiculous first: Not one, but two Pillow Pets for the kids' guest room here at my house. Not saying that they wouldn't be great pillows for occasion "Mimi" naps on the sofa. Trinket is pretty sure I have lost my mind.

Plenty of other merchandise has tempted me. I just opened a big box from Rue La La with a new Victorinox suitcase. Thought I would go with a color this time so I can fine it easily on the baggage carousel. Green is nice, don't your think?

Some things you have to buy quickly as they sell out. Snagged my mighty little Cusinart electric handmixer as soon as the sale opened. It sold out within an hour. Whew. I, of course, desperately needed it.

Speaking of grandkids, there is a whole other justification. Hip boy clothes for Charley with roller blades, dragons and superheros in cool graphics are his taste. Got some loafers cum driving shoes for soon-to-be eight-year-old Zoe. Who knew those would come back around. I love KissyKissy baby clothes. Those showed up when I needed a new baby boy gift. Bang! I scored those quickly.

So far, only two things disappointed me. Two Furla faux reptile skin handbags just didn't meet my quality control. I swallowed the return shipping and will await a credit on that.

Now, since I have bared my retail soul, who else out there has falling down this dreadful rabbit hole? Please, make me feel better and let me know.

Out of the Box

2011-02-28T15:36:00.000-06:00

(Disclaimer: this is a totally fiber geek post. Just a warning.)
Yes, Pluckyfluff workshop this weekend put my brain on "explode" with new ideas, techniques, and color possibilities. Lexi Boerger came to town to inspire eighteen or so of us for two full days at The Shabby Sheep shop in Uptown.
This tumble of crazy skeins is my source of new inspiration. First we carded crazy batts by NOT planning a thing, grabbing colors and sparkle unfamilar to sandwich in between layers of lightly drafted roving.

Then we spun it into skeins that express the wild abandon of the whole thing. If that wasn't enough, we then Navajo-plied the lumpy bumpy skein for this result below. Note: The batt above was not the start of this skein. I'm not that organized.

The next favorite thing I learned was core spinning. I so want to master this but I am not a natural. It will take time in the chair. This was core spun and then that core spun again around a thin strand of commercial mohair. This little skein has lots of "energy". That's Lexi's deplomatic way of saying "over twist".

The batt below sits on my studio work table asking me to spin it into a core spun piece. I just have to get up my nerve for that humbling experience again.
My carder is all clamped back down on the table just waiting for me to toss crazy materials into it's coarse teeth. This week should be fun.

On the porch : Puzzles and presents

2011-02-14T07:10:00.000-06:00

Packages! Who doesn't love finding packages on the porch? I shop compulsively on-line and cannot always keep track of what's coming when. Well, Saturday a.m. I headed out to grab the paper off the driveway and there they were! Two boxes from UPS. One was a total surprise. My Michigan buddy, Judy, sent me goodies from our favorite bakery in Petoskey: their decadent granola and a little bonus bag of biscotti. Yum! That granola is good just as a grab-a-handful snack before it ever gets in a bowl with milk. Judy arrives today for a week of crazy fun. She gets to help me whittle this tub of sin down a bit.

Do you like puzzles? Our family loves them. I've had one out on my big square coffee table most of the winter. The whole crew comes over most Sundays for supper. The puzzle is magnetic. We all end up there visiting and solving. The other porch box had these two 500 piece puzzles that I ordered from Amazon with a Groupon coupon. Groupon, Zulily, Living Social, all those on-line discount deals are a new deadly obsession, but that's another blog. I'll let the crew decide which one we do first.

This could be the sentimental favorite. "Say Cheese"!

Edgy! Yeppers, got this one as a funky homage to Valentine's Day. I might want to insist on it as being first.
Tell me what you think about puzzles? We really prefer 500 pieces to the huge 1000 piece ones unless we have two weeks of blissful vacation in my Weque place. The kids can do 150 piece ones, especially if they are Disney related.

P. S.: This just in---Judy called and has the flu. She has had to cancel the trip. We are so disappointed. Get well, girlfriend.

Storm Retrospective

2011-02-06T10:17:00.000-06:00

Dallas has endured a week of the coldest temperatures in years accompanied by treacherous ice that immobilized the city and the a combo of snow and ice that applied the coup d' grace ( or Ice??).
My little lake actually froze.

Can you see it through the trees?

Schools were closed for a record 4 days sending mothers into bouts of insanity and desperate searches for yet more videos and movies for the kiddos. My kids and grandkids migrated here on Thursday. We slid up to Starbucks and the donut shop, then brought the yumminess home as both establishments were packed with desperate cabin fever victims. There is some complaint from my kin that I keep my house too cold. Witness the bundle-upness of these sissies. I think Zoe is under the lavender blanket. Charley ate is Yogurt-and-honey in his parka.

The Super Bowl is today, finally. Poor Jerry Jones couldn't have had a worse nightmare that this horrid weather and the accompanying bad press. Businesses who anticipated record revenues have big losses as the city was immobilized. Here by the lake, though, it's been a week of super contentment time. Homebodies love this stuff.

Shallow Gal

2011-02-05T13:47:00.000-06:00

If my TV viewing is good, I am good. Shallow, huh? I have subscribed to DirecTV for thirteen years but have been hearing the siren call of AT&T Uverse for about a year from my kids and neighbors. Two weeks ago I got on line, worked with on-line chat guy and signed up. He/she patiently took over an hour with all my senior lady questions such as "will my internet speed be really that much faster? The ad says so". "Will I be able to truly have five TV's that are all watching something different?" These are all "duh" questions but he/she patiently answer them and then stayed with me until I completed the order. Again, "duh". They want the $$.
Anyway, install was done yesterday with a timely technician even with Dallas's dicey, icy streets. Big ole bubba of a guy just methodically lumbered around my house for 5-6 hours setting everything up. And I LOVE IT!
Here is the detris of DirectV:

My goodness, that is a ridiculous amount of remotes. I think I will harvest the batteries. That sounds like organ transplanting:
. .. Sorry.

Bye, bye clunky DVRs. I have turned my back on you. I am swooning over the user-friendly, smaller remotes and tidy little receivers for U-Verse. I am amazed that I am actually liking an AT&T product. Again, with the shallow thing.

Now if you get stuck in the house long enough, and you are me who hates, hates paperwork, bills and taxes you finally are faced with this:

I spent three hours on this mess yesterday waiting for my Shrek-sized AT&T tech. Silly me has no "after" photo. Shallow me hates the mature approach to business and paper work. Give me a dye pot or drum carder or spinning wheel any day.

Cabin Fever or Cabin Ferver

2011-02-04T07:11:00.000-06:00

Ok, I know I am stretching with the attempt at a catchy title, but crazy winter weather has completely socked the DFW metroplex. Temperatures in the single digits ( for a minute) and then in the teens, turned rain into sleet and ice. But then you know that, as the weather folk are saturating the whole nation with reports of the uber crazy winter weather. It's almost like "weather porn" as my witty neighbor, Marta, quipped. Then last night, these brilliant professionals "oop-ed" again and forecast a dusting of snow. Uh huh, woke up to 5" here. Trinket had a blast plowing her way through the back yard before dawn. Yes, dawn, I sleep maybe six hours and then hit it.
The "fervor" part of the title refers more to me than the silly weather folk. I have loved being here with no interruptions. Have not left the house since Monday afternoon. Well, one quick run out with daughter, Jen, to grab some prescriptions. We just hit the drive-up window and then Starbucks. I never got out of the car. My children are worried I will break. But I digress.
I have been in a creative blast: dyeing rovings, mohair locks, silk, silk throwster, rovings again,

carding art batts,

planning funky art batts for upcoming Pluckyfluff workshop here in Dallas at the Shabby Sheep, and then allowing myself to sit down at the spinning wheel to whiz through some art yarns spun with kid mohair locks and sparkle. My fave is black mohair merino top. I have spun two strands and then am plying silver mohair locks into it. Dreamy. Got the shiny silver locks in my share from Fancy Fibers 2010 CSA.
Oh, and I listen to books from Audible.com while I work.
Right now it is Wench, by Dolen Perkins-Valdez.
Rivitting story of black slave mistresses and their secret lives. The reader is superb.

Then at night I am reading a real paper book,
The Art of Racing the Rain, by Garth Stein. Sweetest story told through a faithful dog's view. I've had it in the queue for a couple of years. Next up in real paper, Penny Vencenzi's
No Angel. Still deciding on the next audible book. Maybe the new biography of Cleopatra. Or for complete hilarity, maybe The Pioneer Woman: Black Heels to Tractor Wheels - A Love Story, by Ree Drummond. And, SHE reads it. I could be stuck here for weeks and be completely entertained.

Launching New Spinning-with-Locks Kits

2011-01-21T08:11:00.000-06:00

Ok, I love, love to spin art yarns with a scrumptious roving as a base and then dye up kid mohair locks, mulberry silk, Firestar and Angelina for sparkle, and then maybe grab some milk fiber just to top off the mixture. Next I put a mix of this stuff in my lap and start spinning.

This Aquarius art yarn came from a merino batt I bought from Stonehedge Farm in Charlevoix, Michigan, last summer. I added gorgeous kid mohair locks in aqua and green from Lisa Shell at Kai Ranch mixed with Angelina, of course.

Here is one of my own BFL hand-dyed rovings mixed with locks from my dye studio and angelina to create Tide Pool Art Yarn. Yummy, huh?

Sooo, I thought, maybe others might like to have kits of this stuff all preselected. Yesterday I listed the Strawberry Gelato BFL Spinning-with-Locks kit in my shop.

And, here is a preview of the next roll out: uber soft Polwarth in Fall Colors2. Hint: the olive green dye did all kids of crazy good stuff on the locks, silk, and Angelina. Yum.

Back to the Real World

2011-01-07T07:15:00.000-06:00

...from this. The fam and I just finished eight days down in the Yucatan for some family fun at the beach.

I did alot of this on this marvelous beach beds. I could stay out of the sun and enjoy my book or play Scrabble with the girls.
I returned ready to gear up for a cozy January of spinning my handspun, dyeing rovings and mohair locks and carding artsy fine fiber batts for my Etsy store. It has languished over the last few months. Can't tell you why.
Tomorrow I head down to Lancaster for an expanded Roc Day celebration hosted by the Sassy Spinster. We will be in the Methodist church right off the darling little square. Homemade chili and lots of potluck yummy-ness will be there to tempt us.
I am taking my trusty Kromski wheel and mounds of aqua merino to spin. Heaven.
Still, these memories are forever:

Party time

2010-12-23T12:30:00.000-06:00

Well, it's not smocked dresses and Eton suits anymore for my more- than-hip grandkids, Zoe and Charley. Truth be told, Charley never wore Eton suits, but his Uncle Jim did. Uncle J despised them, BTW, but that is another story. Anyway, They are going to an annual holiday party tonight. Their mom dropped off their party clothes for them to slip into when we get home from see the new Narnia movie this afternoon. Zoe has this bright new outfit complete with new shiny boots.

This is Charley's go-to "going out" outfit this fall. He loves his boots, all three pair.

He gravitates to this totally hip shirt every party.

Can't wait to see the pics of them all decked out and charming the room. What, me prejudiced?

cookie buckets

2010-12-22T07:43:00.000-06:00

Ten little buckets, each packed with about six kinds of tiny cookies ready for friends and neighbors. Wish I had a catchy way to say that, but I'm about out of sparky words right now. I don't know how I let myself get on this holiday rush train. I am waking up each day with a list in my head.
Today I get to take a break and go spin with my friends. Oh, and deliver a few buckets.

First Day of Winter: 78 degrees here but...

2010-12-21T07:33:00.000-06:00

My Colorado family is having a different winter. Abundant snow has given son, Jim, a glorious playground for his high back country skiing on his telemark skis. Here he slogging through the trees at Berthound Pass, altitude 11,000 feet plus. That looks like nothing but torture to me.

Granddaughters, Sophie and Stella look frozen to me on their first day of skiing last week. God love 'em. They are becoming little whizzes on the slopes.

Meanwhile, a friend sent me this shot of my condo in Harbor Springs, Michigan. They are getting hammered with snow and cold there. Dallas, however, cannot decide on balmy, silly spring weather, or blustery cold. Today, 78 to 80 degrees. Christmas eve, maybe 50 with lows in the 30s. I think I will take the latter.

Cookie Blitz

2010-12-20T09:15:00.000-06:00

Shifting gears from madly knitting fingerless mitts for Christmas shipping, Jen, Zoe and I hit my kitchen to knock out two of six kinds of Christmas cookies we have planned for holiday parties and gifting. First I made Helen Corbitt's Sand Tarts, little balls of butter, powdered sugar, cake flour and chopped pecans. Melt-in-your mouth sweetness. My mom used to make these as little crescents, but my current family prefers little balls.

Then on to the decorated sugar cookies pictured at the top. I found these tiny little Christmas cookie cutters of trees, candy canes, ornaments and stars which Jen decided would make perfect little bites for her Christmas Eve Tasting Party with everything small scale. Wow, a doubled recipe for "Rich Roll Cookies" in the trusty tome, The Joy of Cooking, p. 711 made acres of cookies! We were icings and sprinkling toppings for what seemed like hours. Oh, and the kicker is, the icing needs to set for 5 hours before you stack them in a tin. Guess who got to do that at 10 P.M.??

Zoe loved really helping this year. She manned both the big KitchenAid mixers with ease. Jen's newer model blue baby is much less libel to blow flour around as it is added to creamed butter mixers. Just FYI, folks, if you are in the market for a new mixer.

Jen kept checking our math. We've been off sometimes in previous years with hilarious results.

Zoe loved scraping the dough off the beater.

These are tiny little 1 1/2 inch cookies. So pretty!

Next up, Rachel Ray's fudge ring and Aunt Betty's shortbread.

Catch Up

2010-12-17T10:56:00.001-06:00

FIBER: dyed, spun, knitted. I promise it's been happening in the studio, but, yikes, it has been almost two months since I posted here. I have no explanation but am determined to get with it again.
My makeshift garage dyeing studio was a favorite hangout during the mild days of fall. This skein of hand spun evolved from the Heirloom Tomatoes colorway of superwash Blue-faced Leicester roving below. One of my twisted spinning sisters bought it, spun it and let me photo her gorgeous work.

Keeping rovings dyed with crazy Olive colorway in stock as been hard. They are snatched up before I can get them in the shop.

This bobbin is Kate's plied version, spun with kid mohair locks.

I have been experimenting with unexpected colorways of warm and cool colors mixed as in the Accent 1 BFL roving here.

I spun and plied it on itself, never got the skein photographed before I took it to Arkansas Fiber Extravaganza at Mt. Magazine where it sold! There will be more of this look. One is already in the wings. Stay tuned.

I am a shareholder at Fancy Fibers farm. Part of my share was a batt of Border Leicester wool. I carefully tore it into roving, dyed it with salmon and ercu. After it was spun, I had about 210 yards of two-ply yarn, more than enough for at least one pair of fingerless mitts.

I love that they are co-ordinating but not matching.

I think I have enough to even make one more pair. Love that!

I'm back into fingerless mitts again this year, big time. These two pair are headed off to my SIL in Connecticut today. I think they are meant to be gifts. Wish I had time to make dog sweaters, too. Those are about sold out of the shop.

This lavender-and-pearls number has been one of my faves. It's being mailed out today. Love Christmas shoppers!

Dye Day Zone: color and books

2010-10-23T09:37:00.000-05:00

Part of what I like about dyeing here in my makeshift dye studio in the second half of my garage is setting up my IPhone speaker deck.
I listen to audible books. Right now I am loving the readers at Audible Books. I am a big fan of Phillipa Gregory's historical novels. I have read about five. Most noted by her is The Other Boleyn Girl. Yesterday I finished The Red Queen, about Lady Margaret, the mother of Henry VII. Bianca Amado made it come alive with her reading. Of course, you can get the book at Amazon. I read the first four.

I was so into the book that I only took one photo. Even then I didn't remember to take pic before I sealed sock blank in plastic wrap. I am excited to do black on socks for first time.

Now I am reading/listening to Sarah's Key by Tatiana de Rosnay. It's been recommended my numerous friends. So far, it holds my attention.

Back to the dyeing: First off I dyed some larger eight ounce BFL superwash rovings. Here is my version of Cornflowers on the drying rack this morning.

It's a Wrap!

2010-10-20T09:25:00.001-05:00

Sorry, I couldn't resist the flimsy pun. My Wrap-Me-Shawl/Scarf is finally finished. I blogged about it way back on August 28. The finished piece really can double as a light shawl or a substantial scarf. I used Chris de Longpre's addendum for converting shawl into scarf. It ate yarn. I used about three and a half skeins of Noro Silk Garden sock yarn in two colorways and then a solid mocha sock yarn and a coffee sock yarn. I would guess about 1500 yards of fiber knit on #4 needles. I LOVED knitting this thing. Every block was an adventure. I really didn't want it to end.

My KnitPicks add-on needles really saved the day when I was knitting the garter stitch on the long edge. Here it is in full length. Wish it were a bit straighter but won't matter when it's on.

Added this last block of wager welt pattern per Chris's suggestion for a scarf. Then added my own touch of a random bobble band. I loved doing the picot edge.

The multi-directional piece in the upper right top is knitted separately and then attached with the 3-needle bind off. Best to do this with a needle several sizes larger to keep the flexibility in the scarf.

Having the ruffle running through vertically adds such a whimsical touch.
I am already planning my next one. Wonder if I have enough handspun of the same weight to give that a try? Off to check my growing/groaning stash!

Heirloom Tomatoes

2010-09-21T07:10:00.000-05:00

Whole Foods had a huge bin of these right smack in front of the door when I walked in yesterday. I discovered these last year. "Heirloom" says I'm way behind, but nevertheless they are the best tomatoes of the season: flavor, texture and eye appeal with their color. I personally love the purplely-red ones and the yellow ones. I make big tall tomato sandwiches with tomato slices, slices of iceberg lettuce, whole grain bread, light mayo and Country Dijon mustard. Lots of chewy yumminess!

Super Warm Dye Days: Part 1

2010-09-18T08:32:00.000-05:00

Wonder what the neighbors think? The mailperson (she's a very nice woman) stepped around it. It's not sun tea for sure. It's still so hot here, I decided to try putting water, vinegar and about 1.75 ozs. of Romney roving into this jumbo jar. Then I drizzled Violet, Cherry Red, and Salmon dyes into the jar. ("Violet", "Salmon" and"Cherry Red"-Jacquard dyes). The fiber went in dry so that it would absorb the dye unevenly.

This is what it looked like about six last night. I think I will use less water next time for more more uneven-ness. I haven't checked it this morning.

I loved knitting sock blanks that I dye. After the blank is soaked in Dawn and water, I squeeze it out, thread lace stretching wires through all four edges, then lay it out on plastic wrap. I apply the dye with 60 cc. syringes, then carefully mop up excess moisture with paper towels. Next I place a top layer of more plastic wrap on top, seal it up, fold it up and place on wrap in roaster oven that I have rigged up as a steamer.

Main color is Jacquard "Violet". The sidebars are ProChem "Key Lime" and "Apricot".
I think this one is going to be great fun to knit.

Dye Day: Part 2 coming soon. Lots of wacky rovings and a little silk, locks and Firestar to show you.

Lovin' my Kindle

2010-09-14T06:54:00.001-05:00

I decided this summer would be the real test for my Kindle which I have had since Christmas. I was blissfully away from the heat at my condo in Harbor Springs, Mi. Verdict! I loved it. Travelling with it was great. Tucked into it's lime green case it slid into my computer bag. Once there I ditched the cover and just had the slim device to take out on the porch or put on the nightstand. One drawback for air travel is the device must be turned off during take-off and landing.

The next cool thing in the Kindle App for IPhone. This thing blows my mind. It syncs up with the Kindle to the exact page I was reading on the Kindle. So, if I am stuck waiting in a doctor's office, snuggled up to my latte in Starbuck's, I can just pop out your phone and read a bit. Right now I am following Lisbeth Salander in Larssen's third novel, The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest. This is complete magic to me. Gotta love technology.

Dodged a Bullet

2010-09-09T07:41:00.000-05:00

Yesterday afternoon tornado sirens started blaring about 5:30 p.m. Hard to hear over the air-conditioning, but I went outside to confirm the sound, then looked at the TV. "Take cover now, go to a safe spot in your house." Yikes! The live radar showed this monster headed to my area of Dallas. I grabbed the laptop, IPhone, knitting bag(duh), and Trinket, and trundled down to the studio which is bunkered into the slope of my lot. Joey and Marta, my neighbors, and Pikawa, their tiny, shivering Yorkie joined me. We watched the news on-line as the twister lifted and headed north. Whew!
Outdoor check showed only a little damage to landscaping. Even the persnickety satellite never lost it's signal. Hermine's wind are headed north. Take cover, folks.

Serenity at Silver Creek

2010-08-30T06:58:00.001-05:00

Saturday Bee and Cap decided to slip off to Silver Creek so Cap could fish. Bee invited me to tag along with her to knit on the porch there. Gorgeous, quiet, green, all this at this lake.

Jim heads out to cast his line.

Michigan birches framed every view.

The reflections of the trees was almost perfect.

Can you feel the quiet?

Look closely. These big trout slowly and constantly cruise the dock.
My Michigan summer is almost over. I like the idea of taking memories of quiet minutes back to the "real world".

Wrap-Me-Up-Shawl adventures

2010-08-28T07:14:00.000-05:00

Betsy found the pattern for the Wrap-Me-Up-Shawl by Chris de Longpré at the Fiber Festival in Charlevoix, Mi., the end of last month. Since then she has been working as a woman obsessed on her version.

These are actually pics of her second version. She frogged (ripped out for the non- knitting savvy) the first one. Noro Silk Garden in soft creams and mochas made the cut for this version.

I liked Betsy's choices so much that I basically copied her, except I am doing mine in Silk Garden sock yarn in 2 colorways and and two solids on #4 needles which should make a scarf. I don't really care. Learning new stitches and seeing how the textures work out is hypnotic. Matter of fact, I'm off to steal a few minutes to work on Block 7 right now.

Here are a view finished versions I found on Ravelry or the web:

Porchin' it at Camp for Grown-ups

2010-08-23T07:20:00.000-05:00

Summers in Wequetonsing and Harbor Springs are all about porches. And, porches are key at Camp-for-Grownups, as I like to call it Most afternoons I end up on someone's porch with my knitting bag. Betsy's porch is a magnet for folks. Here we are with Jim in attendance after his golf game. Shortly after this pic, he went inside to pour up a little wine for us. After all this is "Camp for Grown-ups".

Betsy is trying to learn "knitting two socks at a time" with the Magic Loop. Judy is cranking out prayer shawls. She can't bring her needlepoint to the porch as she can't see it without her magnifier lamp. Age-appropriate handicaps are such pain.

Barb is dealing with a bird's nest tangle of yarn she hopes to make into socks. Barb's yarn seems to always be in disarray, but she is undaunted. After porch time, Barb headed out to do a little kayaking. See, it really is Camp-for-Grownups. We are so lucky!!

Products from the Porch

2010-08-11T12:10:00.000-05:00

Multidirectional Scarf.

I really have been doing something with all my porch time here in Harbor Springs. I used Noro silk Garden lite in a funky colorway that I just love for this scarf. I plan to start another one from some of my own handspun BFL.


Crazy fuchsia socks from sock blank

I'm ready to shape the toes on these wild socks. Dyeing sock blanks is a new passion. I have another one to start knitting when I finish these tonight. Anybody else love picking colors for their socks?

Morning on the Porch

2010-08-10T07:06:00.003-05:00

morning on the porch
Originally uploaded by cordovastudios

Trinket and I are all set up on the condo porch this a.m. Three more weeks here in Wequetonsing/Harbor Springs. Still so much fun to be had. I don't want to squander it but want to stay with a balance of activity and easy-going times. Love the morning porch time with coffee, my Mac and the Trink. Today will be a warm one, upper 80's. The locals are complaining but wlll hear nothing from me. My Texas friends are languishing in the 100+ inferno heat down there.

I hope to maybe kayak today, do a little condo embellishing with antique treasures I picked up yesterday, throw a few ready-to-bake cookies in the oven for a weenie roast tonight and then, of course, knit a little bit on my crazy socks.

Still not liking what Flickr did to photo up-load. Much harder to transfer pics to blog. I really like to include multiple photos, but I will have to edit size first before they go to flickr now. Ugh!

beach chairs

2010-08-02T08:19:00.002-05:00

beach chairs
Originally uploaded by cordovastudios

Cloudy day yesterday for the big "Ugatta Regatta" in Harbor but at least there was some wind! Saturday the race was cancelled due to complete calm with not even a hint of a breeze.
I love these beach chairs. I see them on my walks down by Roaring Brook homes.
Kat arrives today for a week of chill time. Bikes, walks, shopping, exploring are all possible agenda items. We might even borrow some kayaks and head out for a tour of the harbor. These are pedal, not paddle, kayaks, my definite favorite. Less exerting!
Not missing the extreme heat in Dallas. All 100 degree days expected this week. Ugh!

Mayberry, Michigan

2010-07-23T06:01:00.000-05:00

That 's what you might as well call this place. You can ride your bike everywhere; to town, to the beach, to the woods, to dinner. I love it. The "cottages" are to-die-for. I am a new transplant to a condo from our family cottage of thirty-three years.

I walk everywhere. This is in Wequetonsing.

The kids learn sailing early and get out in the smaller boats on the left about the second day of camp. What a thrill.

This is my friend, Barbara's house. It's actually new but built to look in keeping with the older "cottages". She has a fabulous view of the lake from her porch and her bedroom up there with the round windows.

The is the "cottage" we sold this spring. See, no streets in front of houses in this association. All cars are in the alley or parking lot. I have only been down this block once this summer. Still a little hard to go there, but I am loving life in the condo..

I found this cluster of "lady" bikes on the lawn outside my condo "cottage". I like saying that better than saying, my "unit". Eweeee!
(photos #1 and #2 by Eliza).

Funky Handspuns

2010-07-02T08:55:00.000-05:00

Wacky? Spontaneous? Distracted? Easily amused? These are some things I have in common with these yarns I spun this month. Above are three kinds of moss greens in merino left over from plying projects. I plied them with some of the eternal (read huge) bump of corriedale/merino morrit-colored roving I bought at Kid N Ewe last November. This stuff just won't go away. I have dyed it as roving and now am spinning it uber finely to use in these crazy projects.

Below is the wackiest.

I took the huge bag of detritus left from the licker-in of my Fancy Kitty Carder and started just spinning it as it came from the bag. I reached down and grabbed a fluff, so it is all kinds of thing; merino, alpaca, silk noil bits, silk, BFL, random wools, and bits of sparkle from angelina and Firestar. I have 3 big skeins of this stuff, or 396 yards of chunky, funky yarn. I'm thinking funny hats this winter.

Camp Mimi Trip to Jacob's Reward Farm

2010-06-23T06:59:00.000-05:00

Ms. Cindy has one chicken you can pet. Z, C, S and S got to feel the texture of feathers of Ms. Rachel, the hen. Chickens are just part of the animal component of Jacob Rewards Farm, a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) venture. We drove a short 30 minutes out to Parker, Texas to check out this sweet farm.

The alpaca, below was a gorgeous model. Great head shots from him.

We ended up in the air-conditioned little Red Barn to try out drop spindle spinning. Zoe let Sophie have a turn, as she had already gotten the hang of it in another session with Ms. Cindy.

Mary Elizabeth, the lone ewe sheep, was taking in the shade as we drove out the drive and headed back to the HOT big city.

From the Dye Pots

2010-06-10T16:22:00.000-05:00

This week I have been dyeing stuff here at the studio, out at Fancy Fibers Farm and then back here to set up a long table in the garage to do some painted rovings for the shop. The first four above are from my loosely titled Sea Shore collection and are mostly pale and cool. If the weather won't be cool, then at least the colors I work with can!

The last two, Pinwheel and Koi Pond, are back to the brighter colors. Koi Pond was painted, and Pinwheel was control dyed in my big giant turkey roaster. I have some super elegant dye pots. You should see the collection of crockpots. But, hey, they work!

After the Dyeing...

2010-06-06T07:59:00.000-05:00

Pretty regal, in homely sort of way, huh? This Cashgora ewe was a great model. I was able to take abundant head shots. After we dyed all the available fiber we could find in the dye shed, Mary, of Fancy Fibers, took us on a brief, as it was a cool 100 degrees outside, tour of the farm. This Cashgora is one of the herd below that Mary acquired from Terri B. who was getting out of the goat business.

The smaller three on the right are a set of triplets. I think their fiber will be delicious colors.

Mr. Rooster, here, is king of the hen house. He shows no agression but keeps a careful eye on his girls.
Having had my time in the farm/ranch world when we did horses in a big way, I can appreciate all the work that goes into keeping Mary's farm running. AND, I am so glad to be able to say, "loved seeing your place, gotta run!"

Fun with Fancy Fiber Kid Mohair

2010-06-03T06:33:00.000-05:00

Monday Mary of Fancy Fibers Farm brought me some luscious clean, clean, clean mohair locks to play with in the dye pot. When I it comes to dyeing I am like Peter Rabbit, "please, throw me in the briar patch". Soft peach and pink tones have been eluding me, so I went after it. I am still not totally satisfied, but what comes from the dye pot is never wrong, just maybe not quite on target. I still love these colors and love them together.
Look for these to show up at Cordova Studios in little one ounce packs for you to play with. I think I want to use them to do some more lock spinning like I did with my "Clementine" yarn.

Below is a shot of what the locks looked like spread out on the drying racks. That hot pink is a bit of mystery wool I dyed in a mystery pink dye pot. Love the surprises.
What colors would you like to see next???

Wow! Endless Summer Hydrangeas

2010-05-30T06:24:00.000-05:00

Here is why I focus on flowers more that veggies in my garden. This year my faithful hydreangeas by my front door are getting more faithful care and nourishment. I trotted out to the garden center and bought 8 two pound bags of aluminum sulphate, the silver bullet for achieving maximum blue blossoms. I think it worked beautifully. I apply the granules very liberally around the roots and water it in. Caution, though. I did put too much on a miniature variety of Endless Summer and killed it. That's a first for me.
In the alkaline soil of Dallas, aluminum sulphate has to be applied several times throughout the growing season but it's worth.
What are your experiences with hydrangeas?

PS Elements 8: Tutorial for Me by Me

2010-05-29T06:38:00.002-05:00

Photos: I am determined to become much, much better. Last week I sprang for a special offer on Amazon for Photoshop Elements 8 for my Mac. Well, it's here, the rebate is off in the mail, and I need help! For me Photoshop is remarkable unintuitive, but I hear it's better, so I trotted off to Border's last evening after a noisy hour by the pool with kids and grandkids ( note to self, don't ever go again to pool on afternoon of last day of school. Total zoo.) and one margarita-rocks, found this hefty volume, Photoshop Elements 8 for Windows: The Missing Manual (Paperback), plopped down my 40% off coupon and purchased it.
I am prepared to read, study and practice. Note all the study tools.
I'm a big fan of markers, highlight tape and all kinds of post-its.
Oh, and, People, I am open to any and all tips, suggestions, shortcuts, etc.

Coffee Break, Treasury screen shot practice

2010-05-27T06:38:00.002-05:00

Ok, Main Etsy Treasuries are a little easier to snag these days with the opening of Treasury East where the treasuries can stay up indefinitely. I seem to be stumbling on the Main "T's"easily recently.
I love exploring Etsy this way. Type in a key word, say "coffee," or an Etsy team name, say "Etsy Knitters," and see what you get.
I think my screen shots are improving too. This a keyboard feat for me try to hit command, shift, 4 and then move the mouse down far enough to get the desired area in the shot. This time it took eight tries to get it right. Practice, practice, practice. Thanks for indulging me.

Accessory Indulgence

2010-05-26T07:29:00.001-05:00

Yes, that is a custom beverage holder on my Kromski Sonata Spinning wheel, and I love it. I can see my spinning sisters turn a little green with envy when they spy it. I found it on Etsy at FBN Plastics. They make them to fit many wheels but still don't have one for my Symphony wheel. That's ok. I never take her away from her spot in the studio. I am busy spinning up more yarns for the shop here. Cordova Studios needs more handspuns!

Chickens and Dolls

2010-05-25T06:54:00.000-05:00

Yep! I loved the gorgeous hens at Jacob's Reward Farm. These ladies were peacefully pecking about their pen yesterday. Isn't this gal regal?

Something happened to this girl's crest, but I don't think she minds.

This hen is a picture of serenity as she sets on her eggs maybe?

And then their were Gail's wacky, crazy, amazingly detailed dolls. This is Land Shark.

This pirate looks only medium friendly.

She's my favorite. Look at all the tiny detail: her facial details, boots, and green hair. I bet she has on a fancy petticoat, too.

Amazing!

2010-05-24T07:56:00.001-05:00

Thanks to follower Paradise Purls,
LOOK! A screen shot:

Here is the tip she left in the comments:
"Ok, I have a mac, too, and this is how I get my screen shots. First, hit command, shift, F for a full screen. Then position the treasury pic on the screen so you see the whole thing. Then, hit command, shift, 4 which brings up the crosshairs. Click and drag to highlight the treasury. Let go and voila, screen shot perfection!"
Works like a charm. I am so excited. Even the guys at the Apple store couldn't tell me how to do this.

Sunny Day Treasury trials

2010-05-23T16:28:00.002-05:00

I am failing miserably at getting screen shots off my Mac, but here is a portion of the Etsy Treasury I created today.

I love composing the treasuries but hate the part about sharing them, as I am such a klutz with the screen shot tools. And, no, I don't have the GRAB tool on my Mac. I want the whole treasury but can't get it to scroll down and get the bottom part. Ugh. Help out there, people, people???

Sock Dorkdom

2010-05-23T07:40:00.000-05:00

Remember these? The sock blank and the two-at-a-time socks?

Ta dah, here they are all finished and ready for my clogs next fall. They turned out to be quite subtle. The merino blend sock blank was a good size. I had about two inches left over. The bright orange ones below are from Spinderella's Shop. Oh, and these are both superwash which is now the only way to knit socks as far as I am concerning.
Coming soon: an ultra bright pair from a crazy sock blank.

spinner's basket: Take 2

2010-05-20T09:35:00.003-05:00

We got this far yesterday by 3 or so in the afternoon. I have to say basket weaving is great fun, and something I want to learn more about. We have made a date to return next week and finish with edge and weave the upper baskets.

Here is my basket with purple and green accents and a straw braid in the middle. The corners are rather wonky, I must say.

Edie, ont he other hand, nailed it. Her basket is very square and precise. She was a great coach.

Here is the fun stuff we had to play with for color. I want to snatch some more bright stuff for my top edging.
Joanne's smile says it all about how we felt about our day.

Dare I Say "Basket Weaving"?

2010-05-19T06:10:00.000-05:00

My kids just cringed when I told them I was going to learn to make this basket in a "basket weaving" class. Something about senior citizen centers was mumbled. One had no comment. Personally I think this "Spinner's Basket" is not just your basic basket. Spinning friend, Peggy, has arranged for her friend, Nancy, to teach about ten of us how to make this beauty. We will be in her backyard today twisting and turning wet reads to make our own. I am definitely taking the Canon SLR to document this adventure. It could be hilarious.

Sun! Another Garden Digression

2010-05-17T07:52:00.000-05:00

Sun! I now have a sunny place in my yard for perennials, more roses and flowering vines. Dallas's crazy heavy winter snow storm took out a tree that was shading this part of the yarn. I had gorgeous azaleas and hydrangeas in the shade there. Well, all those had to be relocated to more friendly shade sites, and I got to plan with Peggy, of Peggy Tapp Landscaping, a whole new bed. The collaboration has been a blast. With her design sense and fabulous crew I now have this new garden feature to feed my lust for hardy perennials, Knock-out Roses, iris, and even colorful annuals.

Collages, at Last!

2010-05-16T07:36:00.000-05:00

I have been trying and trying to figure out how to make photo collages for here, Ravelry and Facebook. Finally got a tip from a friend on Ravelry about Photobucket. Photobucket is the ticket for sure and it's FREE. You will be not be disappointed.

Here you are seeing my hand-painted rovings of Gelatos and Heathers that I have done so far for Cordova Studios. The heathers are dyed on corriedale/merino morrit (taupe) rovings I bought at the Kid 'n Ewe last November. The Gelatos are dyed on lofty, dreamily soft superwash merino. I am striving for paler, softer colors for summer. What do you think? Paler? Too pale?

Oh, I have not figured out how to center this on the blog yet.

Two Treasuries

2010-05-14T08:02:00.000-05:00

Sometimes I venture out and create Treasuries on Etsy. These are promotion tools but as a bonus I get to discover all kinds of nooks and crannies on this huge site.
Color always has me. I love it, sooooo here is a treasury I created yesterday with just that theme.

Then, on Etsy I belong to this very energetic team, ESST, Etsy Supply Street team where you can find any and all things to implement any craft of which you can dream. This Treasury is just a tiny peak into what they have to offer.

Of course, I always get to add an item or two from Cordova Studios. That's the point after all, isn't it? I am so bad.

Garden Diversion: Peonies, Iris, roses, hydrangeas, clematis

2010-05-08T08:56:00.001-05:00

I love spring and all the fresh green colors and shades, but mostly I love all the blooming beauties in gardens here in Texas before it gets' hotter than the hinges of h---.

This week I went with six dear old friends (read from high school) down to a friend's amazing ranch in Central Texas, near Hico. Before we got there, we stopped at to walk the amazing garden's of Ellen McS. The peonies were glorious and abundant. Her iris come from an iris farm in Hondo, New Mexico, down near Roswell.

This "Beverly Sills". Isn't she stunning?

Here is the perennial bed full of Dephinium and Foxglove. Heaven.

I wish Foxglove wasn't just an annual in sweltering Texas

My ranch friend, Janet's, Penstemons are a prize that are difficult to grow in Texas, but she did it.

And now to my backyard by the lake: here is my Jackmanii Clematis and red Knockout roses.

To die for!!

First "Endless Summer" hydrangea of the season. I'm mad for the blues in these.

Daughter, Kathleen, gave me this little "Fairy" rose for Mother's Day about six years ago. I dig it up and moved it from that house to this house four years ago. It's thriving beautifully here by the lake.

Shelter Pets get there own Stamps

2010-05-06T17:27:00.002-05:00

My daughters and I devoted five years to our animal rescue, Pic-a-Pal, here in Dallas so I have a soft place in my heart for abandoned dogs and cats everywhere. The US Postal Store released these stamps April 30. Truly easy for you to buy on line here.
I'm placing my order now.

A Mother's Day Slide Show to Share.

2010-05-06T07:06:00.001-05:00

Personalize a greeting

Team ESST (Etsy Supply Street Team) has super talented folks with a plethora of items for supplementing your craft ideas or for just great gift giving. Enjoy!

P.S.: FancyFibers from Farmersville is in it!

Socks: a New Way for Me

2010-05-01T08:28:00.000-05:00

I think I have mastered two-at-a-time socks with the Magic Loop method. Sorry if that sounds like some uber secret knitting code. It might as well be, as I cannot explain how to do it. I just figured out a way to make it work for me. Anyway, the next step into today's knitting geek-dom was to dye my own sock blanks. Joanne T. buys the wool, Liz, super geek of everything, knits the blanks up double stranded on her knitting machine, then I dye my own. As you can see, I have a ways to go with that technique. Right now I could be a 70's hippie tie-dyeing t-shirts. However, I am rather liking how subtle the socks are turning out. This may mean I never buy commercial sock yarn again. Well, maybe never, anyway.

What happened?

2010-04-24T07:57:00.000-05:00

Last fall I was on a determined path of sketching almost daily.
Now this box of pencils lays dormant in my studio. I am re-dedicating myself to them and their watercolor friends.

I am off to find the sketchbooks, pens and erasers right now.

Matisse art roving does alpaca roving & more

2010-04-23T07:42:00.000-05:00

Last spring I subscribed to an Art Roving club at Taossunflower Too. Finally a year later I spun up the "Matisse at Notre Dame" Falkland roving as finely as I could. I'm still working on my fine yarn spinning. Anyway. It turns out I had dyed an alpaca roving with approximately the same colorway. Total serendipity, for sure. Short story is I plied them together to get this yarn. The alpaca softens up the Falkland nicely. Think I will list it in the shop. I ended up with almost 400 yards.

Remember this? I think this "Mermaid" "spinning with locks yarn" might be gorgeous in a project with the Matisse. I have a theory that your taste prevails when you are picking color, and it will co-ordinate with what one already has. What do you think?

Spring Lilacs makes Etsy Treasury

2010-04-21T06:21:00.001-05:00

I still get excited when one of my Cordova Studios items make an Etsy Treasury, and it's backflips when it's a main treasury. Please excuse the shameless self-promotion. I love this roving and can't wait to spin this colorway.

The super-wash Blue-faced Leicester spins up like a dream.

Cathie bought one of these last week. She spins beautiful fine yarn. Hope she finishes it soon.

Mardi Gras3 become a totally playful yarn when it was all spun and plied. I will post the yarn in the shop later this week.

Long Live Rock & Roll-Pirate Radio

2010-04-17T07:22:00.004-05:00

What a blast! I know I am months behind on catching this flick, but I slid it into the DVR , grabbed the little dog sweater I am knitting, and sat down for a blast from the sixties. The music makes you want to get up and dance, at least if you were grew up in the 60's. Phillip Seymour Hoffman's talent as an outrageous rogue disc jockey had me laughing out loud. Trinket thought I had lost it. I mean, he can do the measured, creepy priest in Doubt, and then go to this guy. All the characters on this ship out in the North Sea are wildly wonderful. They broadcast rock and roll to staid and stuff British Isles in the 60's where all radio was state controlled at that time. Rent it, snag it on pay-per-view, but don't miss it if you need to laugh out loud. Pirate Radio rocks.
Let m know what you think.

Arabella, the grand lady

2010-04-15T08:31:00.003-05:00

Arabella1
Originally uploaded by cordovastudios

Have a look at her delicate castle and bobbin. Can you see the wrought iron findings? Laurie lucked into this lovely lady from the past, took her home, cleaned and oiled her and then tried out her magic.

Here is Joanne giving Arabella a whirl. She drafts quite quickly so you have to treadle ever so slowly.

Early Morning Respite

2010-04-14T08:18:00.005-05:00

My back porch is a haven in the early morning. Until it gets too hot to enjoy, I try to take my coffee etc. and some reading out there to start my day.

The azaleas are late this year. See how quiet our little lake is?

Quiet, wonderful shadows from the still rising sun. I just love the wildness of this right in the middle of the city.

Delicious Kids: NM Style Show

2010-04-13T12:54:00.006-05:00

The C-man strolling down Commerce St. to the store.

They can't find my outfits. Bummer.

Maybe I won't have to do it.

Zoe got to have some time in the make up chair.

"Hmmmmm, should I get some makeup? Nah!
Charley rocking it in the Burberry shorts and shirt.
This precious angel was breath-taking.
Miss Zoe had a bag of accessories hence the shades. Swing that ponytail, girl.

"I just had to vamp a tiny little bit"
"Am I done yet? Is this the last one?"

Again with the accessory bag.

This time the beaded mask and a big strawberry colored ring.

Momo picked out trendy shoes for the second outfit. Wowser, zowser.

Testing New Photos of Hand-carded Batts

2010-04-12T17:50:00.005-05:00

What do you think? Does this tempt you more than this?

How about this?
over this or both?

I like this one, but...

I like this one too. Feedback, please, people. I would love it.
Check them out at the shop also. These are soft, artsy batts full of luxury fibers like merino/silk, alpaca, Wensleydale locks, sari silk, tencel, bamboo, Firestar and bits of angelina.

Bright Roving Dyeing Follow-up

2010-04-12T17:19:00.007-05:00

Remember Pinwheel in the dye pot?

This bright, happy super-wash Blue-faced Leicester roving resulted from my experimental yarn placement.
This was the first time I had tried the yarn this way. I will definitely do it again.

Here is Mardi Gras3. I have dyed this colorway again, so I could have more to ply with the single-ply yarn I have already spun. I listed one in the shop also.

"Spring Lilacs" has a more sophisticated look with the lilac, soft gold, and bluebird bird combination

"Fun with Fuchsia" is a sassy roving with aqua, lime green, and yellow combined with fuchsia. I find the fuchsia mellows out as the yarn is spun.
I am getting these listed at Cordova Studios as quickly as I can.

Bright is "IN" at Cordova Studios

2010-04-10T07:17:00.008-05:00

Pinwheels! I decided to try another arrangement of yarn into the pot. Tomorrow I will post the dried results. Today I did all super-wash Blue-Faced Leicester. I think I prefer it to the super-wash merino.

Loved my last Mardi Gras 2 Roving as I spun it. Here is another batch dyed in my big turkey roaster so I can have some more for plying it.

Aqua to fuchsia in this pot remind me of a Mexican fiesta dress.

Wish this was a better pic, but I adore this bright golden color I cooked up. It pairs well with so many colors like the bluebonnet and lilac here.
Next up are some sock blanks I got from Terrific Creations and some merino yarn left from my weaving days.

French Kitchen ala Byrd

2010-04-09T07:03:00.001-05:00

Yesterday I finally made it to the JL Stitchery Group full of knitters, crochets,quilters and needlepointers. I lost my heart to this "French Kitchen" needlepoint canvas Byrd was working on. Handpainted, it is petit point (read tiny, tiny canvas mesh=dense stitches per inch). She has done incredible color shading and added a variety of stitches to add texture to the piece.

The color cards of yarn are intensely shaded colors and kept on rings by her work. Her scissors hang from a beaded ring to make them easier to find in her tote.

The roosters forage on a textured rug.

Texture has been built up and overlaid with many stitches on the basket. Makes you want to touch it.
She hopes to enter it in the State Fair of Texas this fall as one of her entries. Yes, she will have others besides this extremely detailed piece. I would give it a blue ribbon right now.

TA-DAH: Two-at-tim Socks Two ways

2010-04-06T08:25:00.000-05:00

Liz taught a class at the Fancy Fibers Retreat in February on knitting socks two-at-a-time on two needles or on one long circular needle using the magic loop method. Now, I consider myself a seasoned knitter, but this new skill almost had me in tears. It was so frustrating and confusing, but I made myself do it. I have graduated from the two needle method and am no knitting these orange-y brown socks on one 40" size one needle. I think I prefer this to the two circulars method.

These are the finished socks from the two needles. Well, almost finished. They are waiting on double points for me to "Kitchener the toes". This is two Claudia hand-painted yarns.

Yes, I ran out and had to dig around for something to finished the toes with. I hate it when that happens.
Next, I am going to use the magic loop to knit socks from my own hand-painted sock blanks. I've been missed the dye pots with all the Easter distractions the last few weeks.

The Finery Thing

2010-04-04T08:22:00.004-05:00

Each year I treat the family to a toney Easter Egg Hunt and Lunch. Right inside the front door temptation presented itself with this cupcake tree. You could select a cupcake and then decorate with icing and all kinds of candy.

Zoe did as many as she could. This is her first.

The Easter Bunny was outside waiting for kids to swing with "her".

Here Zoe and Charley are waiting for the countdown for the four- to -six age group. Charley stalled out and melted into tears with the crowd, so he didn't get any eggs. Zoe was a pro in her group and scored a respectable amount in the seven-to-twelve age group.

She was a doll all day.

He's still my little man. What's not to love?

True Chaos: the egg dyeing experience

2010-04-03T07:54:00.007-05:00

Daughter Jen braved the egg dye kits and set up an Easter egg dyeing activity for Zoe, Charley and their New Orleans cousins, Lilah, Hampton, and John Henry. The five of them range from seven and a half to four, so a kinda wild group.
Zoe and Lilah are "helping" dissolve the dyes.
I'm not sure what is happening here, but I'm thinking Lilah is telling John Henry not to touch the wet eggs.
Somehow Charley thought a black cowboy hat would be proper attire for getting the perfect purple egg.

It worked!!
Who knew you could glitter and tie dye eggs? These are drying and waiting for more embellishment with stickers and decals. I didn't stick around for that.

Happy Easter Slide Show

2010-04-02T06:10:00.003-05:00

Just try to keep from smiling while you view this cute slide show from the ESST Team ( Etsy Supply Street Team). Give it a minute to load. It's worth it. BTW, Cordova Studios is in this one.

Enjoy your family this weekend It's not just about the Easter Bunny.

Another free picture slideshow by Smilebox

Truckers: among the Knitting throng

2010-04-01T09:46:00.006-05:00

Check out the tattoos on this guy. Knitters' Review had a link to this Wall Street Journal article. Seems the economy is giving these guys more down time. This is Mr. Banks working on a sweater for his wife. Already finished are scarves and socks.

Other truckers are clandestine quilters with sewing machines tucked away in the sleeping compartment of their cabs. Who knew??

Pied Piper Uncle Jim's Visit

2010-04-01T09:08:00.004-05:00

I can't believe this is the only pic I have of our visit to Six Flags on Saturday. The restrooms, pls, ugh. Son Jim and granddaughters, Stella and Sophie were in town for 6 days and we never stopped. Eight of us hit Six Flags in spite of the 40 mph. winds. That night we had a sleepover at Mimi's for all 4 kiddos. Jim fixed dinner, got baths/showers organized, read stories and got all munchkins in bed. I was flopped in my recliner completely pooped from the day. He then proceeded to go "out". I think I remember having that energy.

Six days is the longest visit I have had with the girls in Dallas. I think Mimi's house is getting much more familiar to them. The three of them will be back in June for Camp Mimi and Sports Camp at the club. I will be resting up until then.

Artsy Batts Morph into Gorgeous Hand Spun/take 2

2010-03-22T07:30:00.005-05:00

This, "Dreamin'" of Spring Artsy Batt...

...became this on Terri's Louet Spinning wheel. Terri has been spinning for less that a year. Isn't she amazing? I love the shiny rayon or silk thread she chose to ply it with the yarn.

Makes me want to head down to the studio right now to card few more for the shop. Color and texture are like drugs to me. I have to have them!

SNOW: Dallas got hit overnight

2010-03-21T09:21:00.005-05:00

All I can say, is I feel sorry for the people set up for the art show at the Dallas Arboretum. What a shame!
I woke up to this heavy wet snowfall. I can't ever remember this happening this late in the year. I have to say, it is beautiful.
Off to get dressed and get outside with my camera.

P. S. Look what I found. Just came back in so I could add this.: peach blossoms in the snow across the street from me.

New Pattern Launch for Joanne T.

2010-03-20T07:15:00.005-05:00

Yes! Joanne T. of TerrificCreations.etsy.com has created this Trinket Scarf and Shawl pattern. It has ruffles and a super soft drape thanks to the dropped stitch element. Details are here on Ravelry.

I have knit two scarves, so far, as test pieces, and now am ready to do a shawl with the handspun. The teal greens one is a Paton sock yarn. The yellow one was knit from natural dyed (marigolds) merino from Cerro Mojino Ranch. Two mismatched rovings from Taos Sunflower (see last post for this fingering weight yarn) should make a whisper weight shawl for cool summer evenings.

It is a blast to knit. Dropping the stitch and watching the ladder slip down the piece is almost a fiendish delight since it is on purpose. I think a finished shawl or scarf may just show up in Cordova Studios. I mean, how many shawls can a girl wear???

Plying experiment

2010-03-18T08:45:00.004-05:00

Two painted rovings from Taos Sunflower's Art Rovings subscriptions had been languishing in my "to do" spinning basket. I finally spun each of them, Pondered what to do about plying each of them and then just went for it, and plied them together. I love it! I now have two skeins totaling about 4oo yards for a "Trinket Scarf", a pattern to be launched soon by Terrific Creations. It's a drop stitch pattern with a whimsical ruffle. You' ll want to knit it up.

Spinning Time Trials!

2010-03-14T08:25:00.001-05:00

Seriously! Cindy of Jacob's Reward Farm spins like a bullet train, runs a 4-minute mile-spinning version. She spun and plied this Cordova Studios Paprika super-wash merino batt in less than one hour and fifteen minutes on her Louet S10 wheel.
She decided to spin it thick 'n thin and then, plied it with lustrous green thread. I watched amazed.

I was over on the warm-up track just jogging along with Mary Cassett, "Mother and Child" inspired roving by Taos Sunflower. More on it tomorrow.

I left Cindy last night at 10:30 (yes, I know, waaaaaay past my bedtime) planning on how to ply this Cordova Studios Forest Glen Artsy batt which she spun up, again in record time. I just gape at her spinning alacrity.

Artsy Batts Morph into Gorgeous Hand Spun

2010-03-10T16:25:00.006-06:00

I treasure my talented friends. Laurie, Kate and Barbara have bought some of my artsy batts when I shared them at Wednesday Texas Twisters spinning. Today I got to see their interpretations all spun up. Laurie spun her up and then plied with a soft, subtle aqua.

Kate spun her Forest Glen batt ever so finely and then plied with a light neutral thread.

Barbara took the bright red "Lava Flow" batt and softened it with a ever-so-thin pale pink mohair that she dyed especially for this project.

These batts are a delight to create. I make it a reward during the day after I do mundane tasks. I just let the colors take me. To then see how others "let the colors take" them is a great payoff for me.

Garden Digression

2010-03-10T07:42:00.003-06:00

I wish this was a better photo. Remember our big record snow storm here in February? Well, I lost a tree on the other side of the yard that shaded azaleas, hydrangeas and ajuga(that stuff is expensive). Anyway, the loss of the tree changed up the whole micro-climate so we are moving those plantings to more hospitable locations around the property so they can escape the brutal Texas summer sun.

We decided to embrace the newly sunny location and get some great color going. First thing will be to install a fence on this side to correspond with the one already in place by the driveway (seen in photo). Climbing Pinkie roses have loved it there for two years. Big variegated privets will anchor the bed and after that we'll just see what would be fun for perennials. Flexibility is the name of the game here. Got any ideas?

Friendships that "take"

2010-03-09T06:44:00.006-06:00

Suzy and I have been friends since we were ten years old and lived across the alley from each other in University Park. That would be almost fifty -five years ago, for the tacky few who are counting backwards right now. Without sounding cliche' or soupy, I treasure these really old friendships that survive the years. She and I don't talk every day or even every week, but there is never a strained minute or hard feelings. She's been to all of my weddings, listened to me as those dissolved and been there with dinner for 25 when my beloved father died five years. ago.

Today I am taking her out for her annual birthday lunch. We try to give each other really special presents. Suzy is tiny so it's fun to shop for her. Of course, I secretly marvel that she is still a complete beauty even as the mother of five and grandmother of seven, almost eight and counting grandchildren. She missed the wrinkle gene.

Four years ago I had my last really big Christmas open house. Here we are then.

Retreat reprise

2010-03-07T06:08:00.003-06:00

Fiber, fiber, fiber has been my focus since the Fancy Fibers retreat in early February. Gosh, that was a month ago. I have finished spinning the Easter Basket superwash merino roving I dyed in Mary's dye class.

It's actually a big, big bouncy skein that I think I will knit into a Trinket shawl (more on that pattern later).

Below is the finished Mermaid yarn spun from a handpainted roving and then embellished as I spun, with mohair locks, angelina and whatever ended up in my lap.

I have two huge skeins of this to play with. Now I think I need to get out in the world and see what's going on. I hear the Academy Awards are on tonight. I want to see what everyone is wearing.

Etsy Treasury - Great Takes

2010-03-05T07:55:00.003-06:00

Ok, I did do a Treasury, Etsy Treasury - Great Takes, this week pulled from my Etsy Favorites list. I am struggling with getting a Print Screen" option to work on my Mac. I can't remember the commands. Anybody, anybody?? I would love some help with this. Meanwhile please click on the link and enjoy.

Featured Friend, Joanne of Terrific Creations, is selling little blue baby sweater patterns like mad.
Etsy Treasury - Great Takes

Alpaca Gold

2010-02-26T10:39:00.002-06:00

I love this color of gold/yellow. It adds such punch to the batts I love to card. I got it the other day in the dyepot/crockpot by just pouring "apricot" and "maize" Pro-Chem dyes into the pot indiscriminately. Of course, this means there is no assurance I will ever get it again, but this bit of alpaca roving will be hoarded for the carder.

On another note, this bad boy, the big black electric roaster, got added to the dye stable of work horses. I can do an 8-ounce batt in it ever so gracefully. I will have pictures this week.

It's late for me after a super busy, but good weekend. Nitey night, John Boy. Mimi is hitting the hay.

SALE: Cordova Studios 20% off Sale

2010-02-26T07:19:00.006-06:00

Yep! We are joining the ESST team for this weekend sale.

Everything in the shop at CORDOVA STUDIOS (except artsy fiber batts): 20% off. Lots of handspun, hand-dyed yarns, shawls, scarves, Trinket doggy sweaters. See Shop for further details.

Beginning on 12:00 AM EST February 26 and ending 12 pm Sunday - Etsy EST February 28, the Etsy Supply Street Team (ESST) will be holding its Semi-Annual Supply Street Team Promotion.

This sale exclusively features the members of the Etsy Supply Street Team! Crafting supplies for most any project you may have.

Team members will be offering specials like free shipping, discounts, extra goodies, and everyday fabulous prices.

For more information please check out our team blog:

http://teamesst.blogspot.com/

And for a look at the Team members promos checkout out Team ESST Promo blog:

http://esstpromo.blogspot.com/

Search TEAM ESST for all your supply needs!

http://www.etsy.com/search_results.php?s....m+esst&ref=auto

Also, check out our Promo thread in the Etsy Forums

We will be featuring the latest:

*Deals

*Sales

*Bargains

*Great Every Day Prices

*Supplies for the Talented Artist in You!

Dye Party

2010-02-23T15:23:00.008-06:00

Nope. No fancy dresses here. Nothing elegant about dye gear. This is the line up in my utility room: three 4 to 6 quart crock pots, two of which I bought with serious coupons from Kohl's and one handed down from a friend. The rovings are curled up in these wrapped like sausages in plastic wrap.

This is a fuzzy look at the pot. No water goes into it. Just the sausage roll of damp fiber. I let it cook on low for three hours, then rinse in tepid water, carefully squeeze the water out. and then snake it around on my drying racks.

I just got these and love it. The fan at the back blows a gentle breeze over the fiber a much accelerated drying time.

Here is the pay off!

Color freaks just love this!

AND, today I am hoping to pick up a electric roaster oven so I can do obscene amounts of roving at once. It's the little things that turn me on these days.

Spin til you're dizzy

2010-02-21T06:12:00.005-06:00

That's Joanne's slogan and just look at her wheel go! And it get's better.

Her husband bought this Ashford Kiwi wheel, and then had her sister-in-law paint it before her surprised her with it. Makes me want a little Kiwi just so I could try to cajole that woman into painting one for me.

We Wednesday girls are pretty much color freaks. Just look at these rovings.

Peggy did this one.

Liz is spinning this one up to make a sweater. She has mounds and mounds of it.

Blogger just let's me upload about five photos. This is just a few of last week's joys of show 'n tell. So glad show 'n tell isn't just for first graders.

Really???

2010-02-18T17:44:00.005-06:00

I am going to felt these strange looking shoe-boats today. I am using Melynda of French Press Knits, pattern for these slippers.

I put my little crocheted slippers from Cintia beside them to show how huge they are now.

If they turn out well, I am going to make some more with my natural handspun churro. These are done with pale peachy-pink natural dyed churro double stranded for the tops. I decided to vary from the pattern and use another color for the bottoms: triple stranded with 2 strands of handspun dark grey churro and one stranded of random grey worsted. I think it will be better for not showing dirt.

This is what we are hoping for. Cross your fingers.

Sassy Spinster Star

2010-02-14T06:52:00.004-06:00

I know, the title shows my prejudice. And, ok, I had to have this picture first. I never thought a trip to Second Saturday at the Sassy Spinster in Lancaster with Zoe would mean she got to sit at spinning wheel.

Saint Susan had two nice ladies getting their first spinning lesson on their new Kromski wheels. Zoe was fascinated and looked on. Pretty soon Susan had grabbed this little Babe wheel, found the perfect little child's chair, and had Zoe learning to treadle. Here she is after working with getting commercial yarn on to the bobbin. Who cares if it went both directions? Then Susan gave her this roving. It was a little ropey, but hey?

She was multi-tasking toward the end of the afternoon. I think she also polished off a granola bar while she worked on her rope.

Here is the line up of ladies. Lori at the top, is an accomplished spinner who shared with the newbies.

This was in the getting-yarn-on-the-bobbin phase. I think Zoe was checking a bird's nest of yarn that was forming in the floor.

Such a full day of friends, fiber, food and just plain fun. Zoe's six-year-old self was asleep before we made the turn on to the highway.

Snowiest Day Ever

2010-02-12T10:19:00.003-06:00

The snow fell all day yesterday. Can you see it in this picture?

Pretty snow sculptures showed up in the backyard this morning.

And then I found this destruction in the front yard. This was a darling, funky, old tree that now is on the firewood list. boo hoo.

Patient Zoe scraped together two little snow guys. Charley entertained himself throwing snowballs at her work. He's FOUR.

Snow guy got a carrot nose for a brief minute. Then Charley ate it. Yes, he is FOUR

Look what woke up at my house

2010-02-12T08:02:00.003-06:00

Dallas has been hammered by a heavy, wet snowfall. It is a record snowfall for Dallas. Anyway, Daughter Jen's house is without power so we had a sleepover here last night. Charley padded into the kitchen with these slippers as I was making coffee. Grandchildren are a gift.

Felting class Flock

2010-02-08T06:49:00.001-06:00

Felting class
Originally uploaded by DreamspunFarm

Peggy Lathrop is a magical felter. Look at these cuties they made in class. I was soooooo sorry I didn't sign up for this one. Terri B. took this great photo of the "flock" and bunny friend.
I hear she's making yellow baby chicks next. I told her I wanted to buy one.

This and That from the Retreat

2010-02-07T06:51:00.003-06:00

First of all, I want this golden color for my carder. I want it in some batts I am dreaming of making. Rita wouldn't share but would let me take this photo.

Can you see how fast the bobbing is flying on Liz's wheel? She is completely amazing with her spinning and speed. Her yarns are gorgeous.

I walked over to the dying room (that sounds bad!) before breakfast yesterday to see the painted roving all dried and fluffed out. What colors. People are spinning them up now.

See these cool drying racks? They are really for sweaters. The have a vertical fan behind them to accelerate the drying process. Home Shopping network got my order. I had to have one. I'll even use it for sweaters sometimes.

I have to end with a pic of the final bobbin of the lock enhanced Mermaid roving. Now I am off this week to find a rayon thread to ply it with.

Retreat report: Day one

2010-02-06T07:29:00.004-06:00

I drove through hellish Friday afternoon traffic to arrive at Briarwood Retreat snuggled back into a woodsy part of Argyle, Texas. Twenty years ago I used to fox hunt up here with the Hickory Creek Hunt without seeing more that one or two little houses. Now, cookie-cutter urban sprawl has arrived. It's not pretty in my opinion, but this little retreat stays quiet with all its' little paths through the woods.

Anyway, I was spinning away within 30 minutes of my arrival with 20 other spin-oholics. Grabbed a few snacks for dinner, instead of the pizzas, and headed for the roving dying workshop. Mary had super-wash merino soaking in tubs for us. We squeezed the some of the moisture out of it, laid it out in tight zig zags, picked out colors and began painting it. I chose violet, golden yellow, yellow green. Next we put the tightly plastic-wrapped coils into roasters to steam and set the dyes. Can't wait to see it today.

Then it was back over to the lodge for more spinning, dorking out on the computers, and chatting up a storm until 10ish, which is late for this pumpkin.

Today Liz is going to demystify knitting two socks at a time for me.

The Canon DSL will be out today for sure. Pictures will be up tomorrow.

The only thing missing is my little pal, Trinket. I agree with Edith Wharton,

"My little dog- a heartbeat at my feet" .

Rocker Chic Feet

2010-02-04T07:15:00.007-06:00

Ok, so they are clunky. But have you tried them? Unbelievably cushy. My feet love them. Trinket and I are big walkers, so we are anxious for our first trial walk. It's still raining this a.m., but hopefully this afternoon we will be able to get out.
You need to buy them a half size up as they run small. My spinning friends kept raving about these. Some have black Mary Jane style ones. Others have black lace ups. I selected these silver, white, and blue numbers to simulate my current walker look. I can see a black pair next winter if I like them. These are now in my shoe stable of comfy favorites: Ugg boots and slippers, Dansko clogs, Birks ( all kinds and colors), and FitFlops for summer.

Pushing the Envelope re: Spinning Painted Rovings

2010-02-03T07:15:00.004-06:00

I have loved spinning hand-painted rovings I buy, sometimes at fiber festivals or on Etsy. But, after I had so much fun spinning with the luscious mohair locks, spinning the rovings as-is seemed a bit dull.

Sooooo, I started with this merino roving I bought from My 8 Kids Mom in Charlevoix, Michigan at last summer's fiber festival.

Then I went snorkeling into my stash of dyed locks - mohair, Wensleydale, whatever. I grabbed some shades of angelina. After all, one has to have bling.

This is the first jumbo bobbin of this painted roving/dyed locks experiment for me. It is loads of fun with a whimsical, no-rules result.

I think I need a bit more of the gold in the locks but the enhancement of the roving is to my liking. I will ply it with some sort of glorious thread so all the texture remains the focus.

Have you seen this cake?

2010-02-01T15:15:00.006-06:00

This blows me away. I want one for my birthday. Pay attention, kids. A friend shared this on a Yahoo group today. Louise Willer Dueholm has it up on her Cake Journal blog. I can knit all kinds of complicated things, but this would have me in the culinary weeds. I truly respect this level of pastry talent.