Gratitude Continues

Not that I was at a loss to complete the list, but John and I have never had this much time together and we have been making the most of it with crazy weird holiday togetherness. Now time to get back to the business at hand...Continuing to make my happy list.

11. Opera Man. Those of you who live in South Granville may be familiar with him. Hands in pocket, twice a day he may wander by your house belting out his best aria. This was Christmas Day and he sang a Christmas carol as he went by our house.

12. Asia. Four years ago when she came into our lives I thought, oh my God...I'm one of THOSE people now, but our lives have been enriched by this plucky little bundle who stuck her tongue out at me the other day. The other two cats have made the adjustment and we are one happy furry family.

13. My first balanced single. Since I have spent so much time Plucking and Fluffing, I have not spent any time working on an actual well spun yarn. This is a 50/50 batt of BFL and kid mohair.

And this one....Merino, kid mohair and BFL.

14. Continuing Education. This year I was fortunate enough to attend two workshops that have really enhanced the approach I take to my work. This photo is from a Prudence Mapstone workshop John surprised me with in July including two days in Sechelt and studying in a yurt. The hands of a true artisan.

15. My first hand knit item for John in 13 years. I have been promising him a sweater since we first met. Since I've been knitting for a living, gift knitting just wasn't possible. This year has been full of possibilities.

I want to make sure I finish this list before the new year (as I know I am guaranteed to have so much more to appreciate).

Still Feeling Grateful - The Next Five

6. Living on the West Coast of Canada. It is a move that 5 years ago changed my life in ways I would never image. This includes Whistler in the summer, Comox Valley in the Fall, Grouse Mountain in the Winter and Vancouver proper in the Spring.


7. The Drum Carder. Infinite fibre possibilities are now in my grasp, due to a simple tool that prepares fibre for spinning.

8. John. When your better half really inspires you to be better and can take the journey with you. This is something rare indeed.

9. Not taking things too seriously. I laugh at myself at least once a day. I laugh with John and least once a day and share a laugh with a friend as well. It's working the facial muscles, keeping the wrinkles to a minimum, and giving my soul an equally youthful workout. This crocheted ham designed by my friend Leanne says it all.

10. The people who have been so kind to comment on my blog. Who have taken time out of their busy days to read my ramblings, share a bit of themselves as well. It helps me feel connected to others on the days I am drowning in fibre with no hope of escape.

Enjoy the rest of your day. It is my Christmas Trekathon, emergency scarf finishing day and let's see how much tea you can actually drink in a day type of day. Lazy and wonderful.

The Twenty Things I am Grateful For (in no particular order) The first five.

1. A Christmas Tree that comes in a small box and looks so good that you don't take it out of the box.

2. How white Hadiya's white fur is. (and that she is no longer allergic to the raw fleeces)

3. Really good friends whether they knit or not. This was hand knit by Toni..You've already seen the clogs from Pearl.

4. Wonderful, wet snow in Vancouver.

5. People who appreciate hand made and make it possible for my free form thoughts to take physical shape(and pay a few bills).

Stay tuned for part 2. Enjoy the holidays with those you care about most and I will be doing the same.

Ode to a Sweater and Plurkie Good Pals

When I started this sweater,
I should have known better.
Time was getting shorter
To take on this custom order

The sizing was off.
The wool not enough
And where were those buttons
I huffed and I puffed

The more I knit
The more I felt choked
It was almost Christmas eve.
Was this a joke.

Some young little lad
Was waiting for this
His perfect Christmas sweater
Eyes filled with bliss.

Could I make it in time
Could I finish the work
Yes, and only because of
my cool friends on Plurk.

Thanks to my plurkie friends who talked me off the ledge with this one. Seriously. Thanks. Mission accomplished - sweater picked up at 10:30opm December 23/08.

So Who's Not Knitting Today (and other ways to be snuggly warm)

Home sweet home, and in this weather, where else would you want to be? Vancouver seemed more gray today than ever.

And this was the best place to stay nice and cozy, but alas, I ran out of decaf and had to make the trek. Being only 5 ft tall is a definite disadvantage in this weather(as well as short boots). Thank God for high quality knit accessories. This is directly in front of the house.

The snow was so heavy that it took down some pretty serious tree branches and landed them right in the road. As if the snow wasn't obstacle enough for the challenged Vancouver drivers today.

I've been getting a bit tired from the custom knitting. They are some pretty late hours and I felt like I was starting to lose steam. I went for a much longer walk than I needed to and realized that the weather was actually refreshing and it was nice to step away. I stayed out until I was just too tired and wet and then turned back.

The best part about coming home soaking wet........putting on your new felt clogs from your good friend Pearl, plopping yourself in front of the fire and getting back to the job at hand. Knitting in house seems that much cozier after the morning outside. The clogs definitely changed the day from gray to yeah...

Stay safe and warm today. Knit lots.

The Bounty of the Season (and I hope Santa has a sense of humour)

Okay, so things haven't slowed down yet like I was hoping they might. Full throttle, needles and spinning wheel at the ready, I answered the call of the last farmer's market of the season.

This was my first time at Wise Hall. What an amazing venue. And what hustle and bustle for the season. Since this market is really intended only for consumable goods, I brought yarn instead of my usual collection of finished goods (and the finished goods I brought, I wore in layers and lent to vendors) It was freeze the t..ts off a bull cold.

So here is some of the seasonal bounty....

The market went really well and I was pleased with how well received the yarn was. It was hard to believe that the hall was as cold inside as it was outside. And the advantage to outside was that they had heaters....

My favourite spin on the season, because I always like to have some weird little holiday thing was this yarn which I call "Santa in a Blender"......oh get over it, it's funny and I'm sure Santa has a sense of humour.

It started with this batt and morphed into this...

Please notice the wensleydale beard bits and the sparkly goodness that it santa (slightly rearranged).

To add insult to injury, I decided to hang his doppleganger by the fireplace along with the stocking which will certainly now only be filled with coal.

There is a sister yarn called Peppermint Twist which is only the red and white. Both yarns are silk, kid mohair, BFL and merino....Oh the drum carder has truly made my year this year and I can't imagine spinning anything less than these wonderful custom batts.

Just a few more views of yarns...


I promised John a fancy breakfast today for all the snowy driving and set up at the market yesterday before checking the refrigerator for food.....so I am out to forage on food. Oh what a $$ Meinhardt's breakfast it will be...I'm thinking buckwheat pancakes and some nice Canadian Maple syrup. If I'm not back in an hour send out patrols. I will be the short woman in a puffy coat with the ridiculous hat on...

Ain't Feedback Grand --oh yes, and photos.

This week, as I've been scrambling to get the last few orders out, my Outlook has been receiving the most amazing e-mails. It's nice to receive something other than offers for low cost anti depressant medication and pills that will enhance other attributes.

Most of the excerpts come with photos. I hope you don't mind, these kids are good lookin'.

It's Kevin and Paula from Nanaimo -- we see you every summer at the Filberg. Attached are two photos for you to use of our youngest boy and the devil hat his Grandmother picked up for him. Everyone loves it, and we always say he comes by the horns honestly .....

I bought a fabulous yarn from you at the Circle Craft fair in November: it was a really funky purple and green skein. At the time, you mentioned you could send me a hat pattern - I'd love to take you up on that offer if you are still willing.----Kim.

Well, Kim the pattern has been sent, please let me know how you make out with it. Since the pattern isn't quite tweaked, I'm hoping I haven't confused you too much. Let me know how it goes!

I purchased this gorgeous little toque from you, and you asked for a picture of my little fellow wearing it, as you had just completed it that morning and hadn't had a chance to take a photo yet. He has a huge head (he just turned one), and the hat fits perfectly...... p.s. he loves the hat! wears it around the house, when he can find it!.

More comments from Circle Craft.

You and Vanessa Cunningham were my top two booths at Circle Craft this year! You are a true artist and I am inspired by you. I'm a little afraid to come to the Farmer's Market this Saturday because I've spent all my Christmas money and I don't think I would be able to resist! {:-)

Cheryl

Cheryl, since you are such a sweet talker, I'm putting you on the family plan. We'll talk ;).

The Dervish in Me.

When you don't know what to do, spin. Really spin, with your whole heart, empty your mind and pour everything into the wheel. It will free you.

Now I have managed to collect enough for the market this weekend. The first time I'm actually selling primarily yarn. I think it's the right time of year for people to want to cozy up with something fantastic to knit.

I have held back a few skeins and a few sold this morning when someone came by to pick up a hat. Gorgeous BFL in white with grey and camel merino and just a bit of glitz. Boy, do I wish I had more of that (or had taken a picture of either of the skeins).

But for now, my favourite.....Harmony....See what happens when we all get along.....

This is everything from the studio carpet, blended together, possibly a little Asia in there as well but mostly kid mohair, BFL, merino, glitz and wensleydale. It is plied with a fine purple shiny rayon thread, just enough umph to let you know it's there.

Now the stats on the yarn....

125 grams
50 yards
super bulky ...I mean let's talk 15 to 20mm folks...

$40.00 U.S
GST applies to Canadian Residents and 6.00 for shipping is expedited, trackable and insured Canada Post shipping. Local pick up can be arranged.

SOLD

Now back to the spinning...I have a few of these batts just in time (well not really) for the holidays. I am thinking Santa drowning in a sea of candy canes. (possibly peppermint hot chocolate)

Tonight is the Weavers and Spinners Guild pot luck and gift exchange...I'm offering up smoked salmon pesto dip and a free form fern scarf....Hope they like it. I'm trying to make a good impression you know.

Why I Avoid the Mall

I had to go, I needed things that could not be purchased at a craft show. Staples, ordinary things. The mall was almost empty due to our current weather (beautiful, wonderful snow), which was a bonus for me. At least I would be able to see what was on the shelves.

All I saw was gigantic 50% off signs everywhere, before boxing day. Is this really a sign economic downturn or a belief in the machine that says there is economic downturn. My personal experience from my shows this season was an increase in shopping, not the other way around.

I decided to try on a ski jacket, since I only have one coat and I do not want to spend another season falling on my ass on the ice rink in the cashmere coat. I had to divest myself of all my hand knits while I tried on the 6 different coats and decided what I wanted ---plain, practical and affordable. Once my decision was made, I turned around to gather my things only to find that there was a woman wearing MY hand knit scarf.

Let me explain. Since the scarf was more than 8 ft long, I hung it on a hanger while I was trying on coats. I guess that made it fair game. I had to explain to her that it was MINE, prior to coming into the store and not some scam to get her to drop this great scarf with no price tag on it.

The whole exchange got me slightly overheated so I took my wonderful scarf and rolled it up and stuck it in my bag and continued around the store. I felt something a bit off and realized that I was being followed by an overzealous store employee who felt that she was about to foil the crime of the century.

I ask you, does this look like something that Old Navy sells....Before you answer, let me say hand spun blended kid mohair, silk and merino....If your answer is yes, I don't think I like you anymore.

In my altered state, I inadvertently purchased the wrong size coat. I am sending John back to the mall in my place. I just don't think I can do it again.

Fibre Mountain and a Trekathon

It's been almost 3 days and I've just now managed to dig myself out from under a pile of fibre...I am trying to finish several projects at once and can't get up without getting caught on something.

As far as I know, all the cats and John are accounted for. I can hear them, so I'm not alone in this mass of fiberous matter. Bits and pieces of the things that are occupying my time and my mind.

Don't be alarmed if you don't see your hat/scarf/yarn in here. It is coming. If you've sent an e-mail, it will be answered. I have one more show this weekend, the bulk of shipping has been done, but there are a few local orders straggling behind.

There has been a lot of traffic at chez MelonHead. People who saw things at shows, but couldn't commit and friends offering support. It's nice to have the company while I sort through everything. I'm even managing to fit in the guild pot luck this Thursday and still need to make food and a gift for the gift exchange.

Can someone tell me what was I thinking. The rest of the house is quiet and I've committed to just one more hour of work before I hit the sack. If I'm lucky I'll organize the outstanding issues in my sleep (and still remember it in the morning)...

I'm looking forward to Christmas this year in a big way and not for the reasons most of you might think. It is Trekmas this year on the Space Channel. Every single Star Trek movie starting at 6:00am until the final conclusion...Imagine the amount of knitting I can get done watching 12 movies....??

Anyone else up for a Christmas Day Trekaknitathon?

We're Coming in to the Home Stretch

How could it possibly be December 14th? How did that happen. Please do not explain the concept of the Gregorian calendar or lunar cycles or whatever would logically bring us to today.

I want the full science fiction definitely of how an entire month of my life vanished in a vortex of custom orders and craft shows. I have no memories of the past month (and I know it's been a month because I have at least that much worth of roots to be dyed) and it appears my toenails seem to be snagging my socks...

Crudulla...and there is more knitting.(still) I have some vague memory of a foodie friend of mine throwing bags of herbs at me while I was packing up my inventory. There was dinner, some chanting (the singer at the restaurant, not me). And a fireplace and Celine Dion on Youtube. That I refuse to explain.

And the knitting will continue. I am down to a handfull of orders. A sweater, the tail end of a pirate scarf, a felted hat to be shipped, 2 more hats and.....EEK>>>>I have a show at the Farmer's Market on Saturday..

I believe this would be sung to the tune of the Little Drummer Boy....

I will call it Ode to Handmade Christmas Gifts

Come they told me, pa rum pum pum pum
Custom orders to be done, pa rum pum pum pum
The finest gifts they'll be , pa rum pum pum pum
But can you finish for me, pa rum pum pum pum,
rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum,

So to keep your word, pa rum pum pum pum,
When will they be done.

Little knitter, pa rum pum pum pum
I'm lacking sleep as well, pa rum pum pum pum
Those new born hat to knit pa rum pum pum pum
So no one has a fit., pa rum pum pum pum,
rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum,

You promised oh so much, pa rum pum pum pum,
When will they be done.

The customers nodded, pa rum pum pum pum
With gift cards as back ups, pa rum pum pum pum
I knit my best for them, pa rum pum pum pum
I seamed and wrapped and pinned, pa rum pum pum pum,
rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum,

Then they smiled at me pa rum pum pum pum
My work was done.

This is dedicated to every knitter out there that will still have something on their needles on Christmas Eve....

Needless to say, my own shopping has fallen by the wayside. I am grateful that this seems to be the season of forgiveness. We'll break even in January everyone! I promise.

Custom ORDERS vs. custom requests

I have spent the season picking and choosing custom commissions. I don't have time to do it all and some things I just don't want to do. Don't get me wrong. To be able to earn a living this way is incredible and I am grateful for it, but am also an artisan and can't make 50 of something because someone wants me to. It crushes me.

The commissions are from thoughtful people who appreciate the artistry and the hand work and are wanting something unique and truly theirs. So my hands and heart are full. I have just finished my most exciting piece of the season. Something that had already been started and then altered for the wearer....a vision we both shared.

I don't want to give it up.

I love the way the camel fleece smelled when I spun it. I loved the feel of the angora as it passed through my fingers. I laughed every time I dropped the crochet hook because it was just so tiny to hang on to. I treasured wrapping it up and taking it with me to work on small pieces when I could...

Yep, I'm really going to miss this one.

What happens when you don't listen to the yarn

I don't want to brag, but I just never frog (to the uninitiated, this is an evil process wherein you knit something forever, realize far too late that you've made a mistake, and then have to undo it).

Since most of my work is free form, I just get to go with the flow. For the work that is a bit more organized, if something does go wrong, it gets tossed into a pile of stuff that I will just make something else out of in the future...ie: felt and then turn into brooches.

But for the first time, I had only a specific amount of hand spun in just the right colours for just one design. I was trying to knit a scarf. What's so complicated about that, you ask. Good question.

I was commissioned to knit a scarf for an older, stylish woman. I felt I had a good sense of her, enough to spin something thick and thin plied with kid mohair and silk. I wanted something that would be rich in colour and luxurious next to the skin. Again, no big deal.

But once I started knitting, the hand spun betrayed me, at every turn with each design, the character of the thick and thin spin did not sit in the right place. My scarf was starting to look just like an ordinary scarf. One, two and three times carefully undoing the wool so as not to felt it. (this has been going on for two days)

And finally this morning it occurred to me. This was meant to be crocheted and not knit. Why I didn't listen to the yarn the first time around? It was so obvious.

I am so pleased with the flow of this piece. It curves, it has an organic warm feel to it. I enjoy the colours of the hand spun and I'm glad I finally listened to the wool.

Now the Fairmont knows how to Deck the Halls

Wandering through the Fairmont yesterday before I hooked up with Jan, I managed to snap a few pics of how the other half does the holidays. So fancy....

Jan brought her hat knit from my hand spun she picked up over the summer. It's a gift. And then I gave her a hat for her birthday...I know, like she couldn't knit her own!

P.S. The weather outside was frightful, but the fire was so delightful.....