Satisfaction

The spinning class tonight was full of rock stars.  I am deeply humbled by this shared love and passion for all that is fibre.  Whle I watched each student find their own rhythm, I thought about how not so long ago it was when I took the same journey.  Amazing.  Now I can't imagine a life without being surrounded by mega fluffs of free floating fibre.

And to come home and find this in my inbox.....well, I'd call this a near perfect day.  Thanks Gabi.

It Takes a Village

Today was the first day of 355 days of yarning.  In order to fully apply myself to the task, I called in the cavalry to get me through it.  Toni, Mariegold, Jennifer and even Paul cheered me on, and photo documented the process.

While I was working on my second single Toni was prepping me for the day of organization tomorrow.  Yes, I gave up part of my studio space to another textile designer.  I felt I needed all the space, but really I was just greedy and inefficient with the space I had.

The streamlining should be good for me and it gets me in the studio tomorrow.  I'll have to remember to bring the hitchhiker home so that I will still be able to stay on point for my spinning project on the days I don't make it to the studio.  Must also remember to stuff a few batts in my purse as well then.

Can't Help Myself...

MelonHead unwritten law...

You must knit your first hand spun of the year.

Next rule.  Immediately spin more.  I have decided to spin one yarn a day for the rest of the year  Who wouldn't want their stash enhanced by 355 skeins of yarn.  Yarns will be posted in the new Project 355 tab.

All New all the Time

Coordinating hand spun and hand dyed wool for your knitting pleasure.  Want to know more.  Stay tuned.

Happy New Year

Wishing you all warmth, love and the satisfaction that only comes from completed knitting and spinning projects.

Disappearing Act

The last few weeks have been busy, but frightening.  I don't know a single crafter who doesn't get their aches and pains over the crunch season and I've spent more than a few days, icing, heating or elevating some part of my body that suffered absolute breakdown from getting ready for a show, but this.....

Well I thought I wasn't going to knit or spin again.  Unbearable pain making knitting almost impossible   This is the first time in my life I cried and knit at the same time.    Everyone knows how much I appreciate knitting and I would never take my craft for granted.  I am always grateful for the gift and the skill of hand work, but one thing I have abused all of this time was my body's ability to do this work non stop.

I would like to thank all of my well meaning friends who humored me every year as I joked about "sleeping being overrated" and /or "January is for sleeping"  Also thanks to the ones who did not and gave me the dire warnings that I did not heed---I did hear you though.

I haven't even begun to assess how this will impact my business model for next year.  It's hard to think about another season of shows while the radiating pain in my shoulder, neck and fingers is just starting to subside.  I have worked through most of my custom orders with just a few remaining,  The last orders to be mailed will go out today.

More than anything I think next year will be about collaboration.  There are a few in the works (still secret) but the not so secret partnering has been with Gabi.  She has pushed my work, provided me with the most amazing photographs and given me new eyes to see the work with.  So because of Gabi (and with a bit of work on my part) I leave you with this photograph.
  

So Many Gifts

On the heels of my first seriously out of town show in awhile, I have landed back on snowless land  intact.  Our instant gift upon arrival ---hugs and cuddles from our three fur children.  Thanks Kim for keeping them alive in our absence.  No small feat since two are elderly with a myriad of medical conditions.

Elated rather than tired, I headed to the studio immediately after a good night's sleep.  Jennifer surprised me by offering to go to the studio with one pit stop.  We visited with Sheryl.  OMG, I can't remember the last time I laughed this much.  Some of the humour, a bit twisted --granted, but so necessary.  I need to make this more of a regular thing and find a way to get Pearl into the mix.  Sheryl.....let me know when you are ready for another visit.

I had some hand spun alpaca resting in my bag and gave it over to Sheryl.  I know how much she loves natural fibres and all the colours were undyed.  I have access to the fibre in the studio and nothing would make me happier than spinning another pound of it.  Sheryl then gave Jennifer some Madeleine Tosh that she had been coveting....Yummy - fabulous.  Then back at the studio Jennifer hands me these.

Jenkins, hand make size 50 needles...Yes, 25mm.....I have been wanting these forever and have held off ordering them.  It's amazing how generous knitters are.  Things are coveted, loved, passed on, treasured and then passed on again to be loved some more.  I can't think of any more generous group of people.

One word regarding an inadvertent give ---- my brand new issue of Interweave that I left at JJ Beans ......boo...To the next knitter who picks it up, please knit something fun from it.  I thought Mariegold took it, but I left it by the fireplace.  Sorry Kim.  I'll pick up another copy for you.