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 ;).