It Doesn't Really Madder

School was fun today. Other than running late as usual and stabbing myself in the knee with the doffer, it was a fairly regular day. Our premordanted fibre was ready for dyeing. Thank goodness for not having to grind the madder roots myself (and for Maiwa).

Washed and now drying in the backyard, I think it was a success. I can hardly wait for it to dry so I can see the subtle differences between the seacell and silk blends. In the meantime teaser pics of my latest project.......


Nothing to get excited about......just more yarn..But when I'm done....

A Day Off.

I decided to take a day off and spend it with Pearl...No wool, no knitting, no fibre...just a nice walk around Granville Island, some thrift store shopping, maybe lunch...nothing complicated or wool related. And you know that any day that starts like this is going to be a good day. I heart pumpkin spice lattes.

We ended up taking a lovely walk around the Island and "accidentally" ended up at the happiest place on earth. Maiwa is the penultimate fibre experience. If you make your way to Vancouver, this is a must do. Now, we just went in to have a peek since we were in the neighbourhood...first foul up on my no fibre day.

Yes, dyes and a dozen silk scarves. Charllotte has created an amazing oasis of colour and texture. A shrine, if you will.

Since it was only one little hiccup, I forgave myself and we headed off to the next destination. Unfortunately for me the thrift store had this right at the front door, basically jumping into my lap. On the left I have an Incle Loom and the right is, we believe, a ridgid headle loom. (thanks Irene)

Since both items were only $5.00, how could I say no? Oops, my 2nd fibre experience of the day on my non fibre day...BTW, it's only 11:00AM.

Then a little walk on East Broadway and lookie....

I loved the display and of course we had to go inside...Damn, only jewelry. Based on this, I don't understand the display....but it did get us in the store. No fibre slip ups here.

We headed our separate ways and I had to cut my losses. I decided to get together with Mike. He doesn't even like yarn, it's not on his radar (and yes we are still friends). Oh, now I remember, we have this is common. And he doesn't like olives!

I did not spend the evening knitting. The forced break felt weird, but I was spinning this morning before I had fed the cats or made a pot of coffee. Normalcy has been restored.

A Model Citizen

I am going to be 46 soon, and therefore not the best model for my own hats, seriously, I am looking tired a great portion of the time...Most of my friends are my age which means.....

Gorgeous teens to model my stuff. So you get to meet Joan's daughter first....She has remained unnamed to protect her from all the unwanted paparazzi attention.

My plan is to hit up Toni next so that her daughter can model the knitwear. And I'm thinking one of Toni in something as well (haven't asked her yet) Oh, and Pearl's daughter....things are looking up. I'll have a finished porfolio by the end of February if I can keep up the momentum.

Aren't kids great?

Loud and Clear

After a few phone calls and visits from people reminding me of a few things about myself....it is over and I am back on track. Thanks for the kick in the ass. Y'all know who you are....

Just finishing the buttons this morning and we are good to go. A hat on the blocks, another secret project finally realized in felt form. We'll see how it goes.

Thanks to the cats I was up so early this morning and without caffeine propelled out of bed and out for a walk. It's amazing how fresh air clears the head...

Oh, and I found a pile of cashmere...Can't even talk about it, hard to breathe, might faint....yep, piles of cashmere! There is a plan and the world is a beautiful place with cashmere in it.

Due to the jury season being an ongoing concern, I will not be posting pics of any of the jury pieces in advance of acceptance into the shows. Deliberate copying is NOT the sincerest form of flattery and I apologize for not being able to share as I go (which would be my preference), but it seems that I have to adjust my blogging habits. 'Nuf said.

No Knitting

None - No knitting at all. I keep looking at the yarn and waiting for it's secret whisper and.....
nothing. I feel like I am being given the cold shoulder. The wool is not loving me. It is teasing me and spinning easily through my fingers, but is keeping secrets as well.

It feels empty, cold. It scares me like a world without chocolate would scare me. Here is the pretty wool, aloof and distant.

I think I'll go for a walk. Throw some hand spun in the bag and walk in the direction of water.

Here's to coming home with more than a tangled bag of yarn.....

Now We're Cooking.

John is gone. He has up and left town and has the nerve to be on vacation. Now this should be upsetting and I should be missing him like crazy, but.....

The first day he left, I got to play window display. While I was napping on the couch to recover from having to use my brain and crawling around the window ledge the buzzer rang. It was JP at the door with all of the ingredients to cook me a fabulous dinner.

Now believe me, for him, this was a very simple thing. I gave him some challenges because we have no salt, sugar, butter,cream or cheese in the house. This was simply not acceptable for this French man (I think butter and cream are as necessary as oxygen). However he made do, and then made this.

The chicken is cooked with several different types of olives, spinach and asparagus. The salad on the right is fennel with grapefruit.

Great company and conversation coupled with good food. His business is called Maison Cote. On top of creating the most amazing spice blends, rubs and oils, he also give cooking classes on how to use them and has a million good food and entertainment ideas. His product list will have you drooling.

A note to JP....many thanks, Toni and I enjoyed the left overs for a fabulous lunch on Monday.

Window Dressing

911 - Hello, emergency services, what is the nature of your emergency?

Caller - I am a yarn store without a window display for the month of February and today is February 1st.

911- Well, what took you so long to call. This IS an emergency. We'll have someone right over, stay on the line with me, we can talk you through this. Is the emptiness overwhelming....

Caller - It is, there is no yarnie goodness in the window.

911- Hang on, keep talking, envision colour and texture and we'll be there in just a few minutes.

At least that's how it played out in my dream.

I was ready for the store opening this morning. A bit of this, a bit of that--some rustic shelving and it was a go. I love solving a problem, playing dress up and giving Gertrude her first formal outing. Even when I was coveting and buying the mannequin, in the back of my mind I was thinking I could probably do without her. The fact that she got me a working gig 2 days into ownership validates this purchase.

Isn't she exquisite?