Been a long time, again

I've been swamped with flying and working on getting the inventory that I've added to my internet and ebay stores up and running! But thank you Veronica, for reminding me that I had not updated my blog in pretty much forever! My current projects shown are a pair of socks that I have one completed of, a pair of dropspindles on which I'm doing about 2 oz each of "Baltic" Multi-colored Merino, and one dropspindle (this is my purse project) on which I'm spinning an organic cotton and merino lamb blend. I also have been volunteering at the Carroll County Farm Museum where I've been spinning Dark Green Multi-colonial Wool for a pair of socks that I'm planning. I did 2 bobbins the last time I was at the farm, and now I'm finishing a third, it'll make up into about 3 skeins of 2 ounces each so hopefully it'll be enough for a pair of beautiful socks for the winter. I'm going to have to think about spinning something naturally colored in the future while doing reinactments, it's ok to talk about natural dyes grown on the farm, but I think I have a nice Shetland Fleece in the basement that I could get carded and spun while acting "Victorian". Lol!

My current projects 6/13/05 

The "leaf" shawl is done. TaDa! 

Socks AND shawl: Finished!

Well, in a flurry of activity, I got my striped socks finished. And tonight, while hubby was driving us out to dinner, I got the casting off done on my shawl. Here's a picture of the socks...the yarn was a "fortissima" or something to that effect---I don't have the wrapper sock yarn that I bought at the Mannings in January. It was rather thick for sock yarn, I used #5 needles (I stich tightly so it probably called for #4's) and they were the first pair I did on small circulars. Wow. that went quickly! I'm working on another pair already. The shawl is great, very beautiful fiber but I'll get it blocked in the next few days and get a picture up. Sorry it has been so long between postings, glad to say the business is doing pretty well, and certainly keeps me busy...I hope it continues! :)

Finished socks 

One done, one begun

It seems to me that I rarely get anything done. I have a bunch of unfinished projects but finishing one seems to elude me most times, I get sidetracked to the allure of starting yet another new project and don't get back to the ones that are sitting around here. But progress is being made: I got one sock finished in this pair (I probably have enough yarn in my stash for 5 more pairs or more) this morning, and cast on the other one, and that feels good. Of all the socks I've made for samples or while writing a pattern, I only have 2 pairs (2 1/2 with this one) for me to wear myself! I love the sock yarns that are out now, this one is a little bit dark for my usual colors but hey, I'm stepping out of the box! Now to work on the other one and have something positive to show! :)

One Finished Sock 

Finally, the shawl yarn is finished!

After spending a lot of time working on my taxes, the bookkeeping on the business, revamping the business website to add better pictures of the fiber, and flying around 100 hours in the air (read that 50 hours duty time plus a week) the last couple of months, I finally made the time to spin the rest of the Merino/Mohair for my shawl. I got the yarn knitted into the pattern and I'm nearing the end of the shawl. I've enjoyed working on it when I've had the time to sit down and work on it.

I realized that the merino/Alpaca yarn I hand painted would sit in the house for years before I got to make anything from it, so I put it up for sale on ebay. It's in my store: Kendig Cottage.

My dh's granddad passed away in February so we all went to the family home for a week. He was 96 and had led a rich and full life with many grandchildren and greatchildren that he doted over. I had the flu the entire time I was there so I didn't get anything fibery done, but before I got sick, I managed to start a striped sock. I just love the wonderful sock yarns that are out there, I think I have a good selection in my own stash, and I'm trying to use up some of the stash. I'll post a picture later on as I get somewhere on the socks.

The shawl continues to grow 

Hand Painted Yarns 

Been awhile! Whew!

I've been so swamped with flying over 100 actual flight hours last month and then this month as well. I'm tired! And the fiber has been flowing in, and thank goodness, flowing out via the ebay store. I have been working on my shawl a little here and a little there, started another sock (I know, I have way too many things started). Mostly I've been processing in fiber for sale, with nothing done for myself. My spinning wheel is definitely feeling lonely, and since I'm getting to the end of my last ball of yarn for the shawl, I'm going to have to get spinning again. I did get some fiber hand painting done last weekend, these are 50% Merino/50% Alpaca, handpainted by yours truly. I can't decide what to use them for, maybe socks, maybe scarves, but I definitely like what turned out and will be doing more in the future!

the view out of my hotel window

Some of the most fabulous troops on earth

The absolute best Crew in the world! 

Greatest Trip ever

What's not to love, great crew, great airplane, eating German food and drinking German Beer right there in Frankfurt, bringing real German Gummy Bears home too. The only slightly negative thing is that my circular needle came apart again so I wasn't able to knit on my trip. We met some incredible people, took some troops to, uh, well, can't tell you that, but they were fantastic people. Now if I could only get un-jetlagged so I could function better! lol. I'll get knitting soon so I'll have something new for my blog.

The scarf gets started, finally

Today I had a bunch of on-line learning activities to do for work, and I sat and worked on those activities as well as on the scarf I'm making from that "Flower garden/spring flowers" hand dyed fiber I spun over the holidays. I think it's coming out pretty well. I am going to Europe for work later in the week to Germany and points beyond, wondering if I should dare to take my shawl to knit on...I guess I can break off the bamboo circulars if they give me any grief at security on the way back. I hope everyone is doing well in the new year...so far I haven't made any fiber purchases except for the business, so I guess the diet is going ok. :)

Beginnings of the flower garden scarf 

DS's photographic skills

Jon took another good animal picture, this one was taken last night through the window and had to be digitally enhanced, but the little racoon was so cute I just had to share it...especially with our DD who checks the blog regularly (Hi! Jenn! :)} We live in the woods and peacefully co-exist with the little friends around us.

One of our adopted kids :) 

Spring Flowers Yarn

"The" Shawl 

Progress, well, a little

Over the past few days I've actually gotten a bit of the "Spring Flowers" Roving that I dyed a couple of weeks ago spun up. I think it will make a beautiful scarf to go with a dark colored coat (not that I'd wear it with my uniform coat or anything...lol). I did a little bit under 4 oz and plied it, now I'm waiting for it to dry so I can play with knitting it. The lace/leaf shawl is progressing, still all scrunched up until it gets blocked, I think I'm about 25-30% done so far. I have to get spinning on that fiber so I have enough yarn to keep going with the knitting! I'm knitting the last skein that has been spun. Still, I have plenty of the fiber and it spins so nicely that I don't mind.
Today I did no knitting, the kids wanted to go to Hampden and look at the antique and retro shops, they bought a bunch of LP's (that's right-records!) :) and not one of those is newer than 1980's. Both teenagers got some seriously classic rock, and my son has requested that I will all my old LP's to him...I had to keep telling him "I already have that one" at the shops! They're downstairs listening as we speak, and I'm enjoying the sounds of the Beatles, Moody Blues, Hair, etc.

DSD and DH

DD

DS and the Granddog :)