A Mountain of Fibre

and none of it for me....Okay, I confess that I snagged two rovings.  I swear I am only doing that for quality control.

My final class with my intermediate group finished yesterday.  Bittersweet, I would have to say.  This group was a joy to teach.  The yarns that came out of last night's class were positively stunning.  And I must confess --I enjoy the largess teachers collect.  I had food, wine, a super sweet card, chocolates and absorbent J Clothes....(obviously from someone who has been in the studio on dyeing day!)

The monthly carding group will give me a chance to check on their progress but I'm not sure it's going to be enough.  Hopefully a few studio visits will fill the gaps.

Much thanks this week to Kristin and Becky for the fibre assist.  The rovings we cannot spin are  being tagged right now for their long trek to the Arctic Circle.

The focus tonight is on 3 ply yarns...Gotta love a nice bouncy, round, lofty 3 ply...Yeah...

Enjoy the Pretty.

So much of the focus on the 355 makes me forget the pure pleasure of knitting the hand spun.

Baby Cakes blended with lace weight alpaca.

This is something for Gabi so you know that much better pictures are forthcoming.  For those of you hoarding your hand spun, get knitting it.  That is all.

The Cost of Procrastination

equals one return ferry ticket to Nanaimo......Considering the weather and the road adventure, I'd say the  price was well worth it.

Ferry terminal at Horseshoe Bay

A bit too chilly to be outside, John and I had our traditional backgammon tournament on board.  I got my ass kicked.  Touring the gift shop eased my pain.

Gift shop monkeys.

Since we had timed this event to the second, we opted out of the more scenic Island Hwy drive.  Since we missed the Fanny Bay view we made sure not to miss the oysters themselves.

Pan fried, herb crusted goodnes

Comox Valley is a beautiful Vancouver Island destination and the Filberg Lodge looked so oddly gorgeous without all the crafters.

The Teahouse

Naked grounds

Proof of other last minute crafters.

The times they are a changing

There was a great deal of car knititng accomplished (one hat and scarf set) to match the new coat I got this year.  I'm holding off on that picture until I can get the pattern finished.  It's a fun one.

Dog Gone

but the fur remained.  Becky spent most of Wednesday cleaning her Chow's fur and it is now just waiting to dry.

I'll be keeping some of what is carded for this...What's the point of having a yarn project and not including some spun dog fur, or other fun project.

On the other hand I don't think I ever posted a picture of the locks that Jennifer and I dyed together...

A few singles have made it to the 355.  Will quickly post those and then on the road.

Just got back from Whistler and on the way to the Island.  Love a good BC adventure.  The snow in Whistler yesterday was wonderful.  The Indian food from Tandori Grill, even better.

Painting with Wool

Having this idea of Koi in my mind has been sticking with me for weeks.  I know that I am working on a yarn a day, but this is a yarn that I am going to want to spin, card and dye for over and over again.

Creating the batt for this yarn was like layering paint on a canvas.  I am hoping to post a short video of the creation of this batt.    More photos on the 355 Project page.

Serenity

Yeah......love you space channel...Tonight's jury piece knitting brought to you by Serenity and Nathon Fillon.  Where's my Jayne hat?

Listless

Still working on my list.  I am determined to cross most of the issues off today.The 355 has been coming along nicely.  I'm pleased to say I've amassed quite a collection of hand spun.

Back to the list.

Studio Visit

Gabi was at my studio yesterday.  Here is a small sampling of some truly lovely photos that she took while there.  Now she knows exactly how disorganized I am (and it appears she is not going to hold it against me)

Stop Thief

A visit yesterday to one of Steveston's many coffee shop turned into a giant knit fest.  Kim, Jennifer, Nancy and I settled in for a nice long knitterly afternoon.

I did something unusual, I frogged the cowl I was knitting in a gorgeous purple Malibrigo.  I just couldn't get the look I wanted from the thick and thin yarn.  Frack...While I was watching everyone else's projects grow, my shrunk, then altogether disappeared.

One highlight in our afternoon though.  Check out this little 15 month old thief taking off with my new Jordana Paige bag.....so gorgeous even a child wants to steal it!

Back to my evil "to do" list.

Running Away from "TO DO"

How did this list get so long.  Really.  It's unfair.  Grossly so.

• Exchange of a hat to be sent out.
• 3 felt hats
• 2 ginseng hats
• finish stack of pirate hats
• agenda for VAC meeting
• find questionnaire for WFM board
• purchase and understand new accounting software
• loads of laundry
• clean house
• buy groceries
• tune a kromski mistral (return a sonata)
• dye more yarn to finish jury piece
• finish and submit jury pieces
• print and mail application for other shows
• clean house
• buy more cat litter
• banking
• bathroom
• clean studio
• cancel Monday's class due to over committing

I'm sure I could add more things to this list, but I'm thinking I really shouldn't be blogging until I can say I'm caught up.  With the exception of the 355 Project which is the bright spot in my day.  I need clown pants yarn!

Production Fridays Begin Again!

I am thrilled. Claire and I are starting so much earlier this year....She's picking me up in a few minutes and then off to Dressew and back to her place for an action packed afternoon....Crafting with others excites me.

Will post any great finds (I'm thinking buttons) and the results of our first "work day".  Cheers.

Blue Eyes Outshine

Gabi sent me this last night and I almost fell out of my chair.  I know this sweater very well.  I gave it great care. (hand dyed and spun the wool as well as designed and knit it).  So you think I'd be familiar enough with this that I couldn't possibly be surprised.  Wrong.

Those blue eyes completely outshine my design.  Are all the children in the Sea to Sky corridor this gorgeous?

Twisted

Just when I think things get figured out and settle into a nice calm.....things change.(again)  An opportunity (bigger than me) has presented itself and I just don't know whether I'm ready to take that next step.  I definitely can't do it alone and I'm not sure how many of my friends I'll need to coral into this crazy scheme.  Although I'm sure most of them would be game.

I know a pretty supportive and adventurous group of people.  Some even a bit more twisted than me.

Something with a unique twist, hmmm, and to keep it from unravelling---well, isn't that just the mystery of all spun fibre?