Simple

I am a total homebody and being in transition these last three months has been challenging. I still have a couple of more weeks to move, but I am working it all out.

To much of my time has been devoted to non-essentials. I have over worried, over thought and I even over did. (Never carry large pots of tomatoes after abdominal surgery.)

Simple, is good.
So are good drying days!

Seriously, who doesn't like slipping into their dreams on freshly laundered sheets drying in the summer sun?

But with each tick of the clock, summer is slowly giving way to fall. Football is back (yay) and The Knotty Sheep is open once again ... time to stock up on delicious hand spun yarns!! (The hand blended fibers will be in stock soon.)

And knitting? Check out the lovely progress on the Mariner's Scarf for the Christmas at Sea program. Love it!!

Feeling Blue?

I am feeling a little 'blue' of late. I recently changed my whole BloG template so others could get a 'feed'. My older, 'blue background', blog, had been in service for approximately seven years. Due to the advances in blogging - I figured these feed things would be easy. I was wrong or I *am* incompetent. I am going with the latter!

I still can't figure it out - and I have spent way to much time trying to get that orange "B" on the blogs that I read/follow.

It would be so '21st century' to see the updates on *my* blog as opposed to tabbing onto theirs. Call me old-fashioned, for now, that tabbing will have to suffice.

So, onward & upward. I can't sit on my bum all day trying to decipher codes I do not understand. This whole template, HTML stuff, has had me 'blue' long enough!

Sometimes we find inspiration in the weirdest places & situations!
"Patched Knees", handspun swalesdale yarn is the result!

What will inspire you today?

Facebook is my Friend

I have been enjoying Facebook lately! Not only is it a 'quick' tool to keep in touch with friends & relatives from near and far .... it is a great way to find homes for animals in need; a fabulous resource to recommend books, music & other artistic endeavors; and a GREAT way to market an Etsy shop! (OK - shameless plug!)

I have started The Knotty Sheep page. It will provide the shop's fan base with the latest inventory additions (right when they happen), sales ... and COUPON CODES! That is right - this weekend, (Jan. 29 & Jan. 30) ... I am offering 10% off *if* you know the coupon code. EZ PZ! More on said code in a bit!

I am trying to decide if I should list this Wensleydale skein. I *just* might as a second quality - the plying is wonky!

Seriously, how did *that* happen?

The Knotty Sheep would love to get YOU inspired this weekend! The current KNOTTY code is: 10314J
N~joY!!

It's November!

WOW - I am ashamed to admit that I have not posted in months. Just when I thought that "Life" was slowing down - it didn't. Come to find out that once again, I am my own worst enemy when it comes to Demands & Stress. I am working on it - Demands & Stress are death to the Creative Muse. Time to kill the demonic twins and place the Muse back in front of the easel (or spinning wheel or loom or knitting needles!)

Actually, 'killing' them isn't the proper thing for a lady to do: it is time to tame them and their nasty family members (---> enter procrastination & self-pity / clutter & disorganization!) In order to tame we must nourish the Muse.

Like a garden, the Muse needs constant cultivation & nourishment. Self destruction is the quickest way to implode Her.

Of course clutter and disorganization doesn't make The Knotty Sheep a happy little sheepie. As we prepare to move from one location to another, boxes and bags around the house make me a little nutty. In my effort to reduce - I started weaving squares from odd-ball yarn. I am double stranding for warmth as it is to become a blanket. Both handspun & commercial product is being used. Yes - totally one of a kind! Should be interesting to watch it grow.



Of course, I haven't thought how best to sew them together .... THAT, my friends is for another post!

Feels GREAT to be back!

Ah .... September

It has been ages since I last posted. I have become exhausted from the curve balls of Life being lobbed at my head. It isn't anything that I haven't been able to handle ... just bunches of stuff on a consistent basis.

The weather has turned, the temperatures are more comfortable & it is time to move on. Sometimes *things* hold us back - whether those *things* are tangible or intangible ... it doesn't matter. Being held back means that we don't grow.

Let the sunshine, Baby ... I have lots of growing to do!

We choose to be in the Dark or in the Light. My choice is always the latter. There is much darkness in the world today. That is one unfortunate fact! But, if we all try to shine a little brighter: give a little more, do a little more, love a little more & pray a little more - darkness begins to fade. Not a hard concept.

As Fall begins to make herself Welcome - it is time for more spinning and knitting (especially for Charity!)

I recently turned my "Sleepy Cloud" battz

into "Sleepy Cloud" skeins!

Jaeger continues to do well ... he is an amazing boy who has gone thru much! We think he loves being with us - except when we wake him from a nap to snap a photo!;

Knitting for Macuwita sni has been first and foremost on my mind! If the weather is starting to change here - I know it is changing even more rapidly in South Dakota!

See that ball of white handspun?? That, my friends, is icelandic wool I handspun in the grease! I used some left over sock yarn for double stranding purposes!

This week, I have already done three pair!

TRES cool, if you ask me!

As I said, Life has been lobbing curve balls of my head - but it is OK ... I am now wearing a helmet! Shine on baby - I am BACK!

Languishing

I know my BloG has been languishing.

Part of me has a ton to say - the other part is just to exhausted to post about my Life ramblings. Yes - I am tired.

The week after next - things should ease up a bit. My job is finished for the summer next Monday. I am excited as there is much I need to get 'caught up on'. Hmmm - shall I announce here that the garden still isn't planted? Will be working on that this evening & tomorrow.

One of the things that has been a focal point for me this week is Mary Jane Farm! I love the "I can do it" mentality. I also like the "I can LIVE without it!" attitude as well. Yes - being a farm girl is about caring, doing, creating, and living. I am a few shy in these departments, but I am trying.

Given that, The Knotty Sheep has been busy once again!! "Naked Seaweed" is ultra soft & ultra lustrous! Don't you agree??

I love the colors of these batts! I would spin finely/tightly ... I am thinking some wonderful sox could be knit out of yarn created from them!

While dyEing & carding is once again the order of the day ... so is my Jaeger! He has been with us for a little over a month and is still draining from his surgery. Compression wraps have slowed it, but it will be 2 weeks ago tomorrow, that he had surgery to remove an implanted microchip that his body rejected. We have the 1 in 1 million dog! (My stats ... I am just sayin' .....!)

He has been a trooper & tomorrow he has another DR appointment. Please send good energies to him. Seriously, how cute is he??

Back to the dyepots & carder .... Jaeger is also our "1 Million Dollar" dog!

Time to start knitting .... again!

Jaeger is celebrating his first week with us! When I think about the last month - it is all kind of overwhelming. Things are settling though, and Jaeger seems to be enjoying his new digs! I can not begin to describe how happy I am that we were able to give this wonderful dog a forever home!

Now, it is back to knitting. As thing calm down and Jaeger & I get adjusted to Life with one another - I decided that he needed a Christmas stocking. Both Motu & Diesel had one ... now it is his turn. (Although, I am think that I need to make new ones for them, too, posthumously.)

I am loving the colors of the Reynold Candide I chose for it. I am also thinking that I *might* just have enough to make another!

It is a nice little pattern from Designs by Louise. Hmmmm .... I am working on the 'dog bone' now. I wonder how much I will be able to do on what is turning out to be a rainy day??????

I do have to card & add inventory to The Knotty Sheep! - never mind groceries & a host of other errands. Did I mention its Cinco de Mayo?? WhEEEEEE!

Time to run .... I need to get a bunch of stuff done today!

Life goes on.

Life has a way of jumping right into your face and frightening the fiber right out of you.
It also has a way of embracing you and guiding you gently into your next day.
It also has a way of ending - sometimes abruptly.

Suffice to say - this is why my posting has been non-existent.

Life also goes on - and for that, I am grateful.

Memories are captured moments in time that live forever - that is so cool.

I have been busy, occupying both my head & my hands! Sleepy Spring Flowers would be a great addition to any spinner's stash!! Featuring mohair & camel - these babies are super soft & the luster on them is nothing short of pure "WOW!"

Also ... my Diesel is hounding me to get him more votes in the
HSUS Spay & Neuter Photo Contest. I keep telling him that he must pose for some seriously cute photos so those who do not know him can appreciate his heart & soul. He looked at me indifferently, than gave me this:

.
Diesel ... rule #1 - 'don't look bored!'

Ah - men!


VOTE for Diesel!

I Have been spinning a storm

January is a month that most people don't seem to like. It is cold & quite dark, but I find it energizing!

I get much done during the winter months! One of the 'goals' for the New Year is to spin a ton of wool. I have been doing a pretty decent job of it too! I just added some new inventory to the shop ... Studio Samples!

These handspun beauties are comprised of those snippets that I find in the studio ... little bits that I have savored; colors that I have loved; special fleeces that I have hugged!! Yep - I love these fun skeins .... I think they are so pretty!

Of course, since January is coming to a close, Diesel is still hoping that you will
VOTE for him in the Humane Society's Photo Contest. (His grandmother just did tonight!!) He is pretty happy about being in the contest - but a little anxious too - he would like more votes and is pulling out the cuteness to get them!

When you make a contribution in the voting process - you are helping the Humane Society lessen pet overpopulation with the all important 'spay & neuters'. Contributions are tax deductible too!! (US residents!!)

Vote for Diesel! Vote for Diesel! February is Spay & Neuter Month!!

HaPpY 2009!

I truly can not believe that I have yet to post in 2009. YiKeS!

Well - onward & UPward I say. It is time to get busy & be productive. Creating is one of my top priorities this year. Since it is easy for me to get distracted I am truly trying to spin, knit & draw more. Sometimes it *is* very hard to get all of that in - with household chores, animal care, outside the house employment - but things are working out. The more I wrap myself around my priorities - the more I will get done.

Of course, I want to raise more $$ for Pittie Love Rescue this year. In 2008, the donation from The Knotty Sheep totaled $137. Not bad - but not great!

To my customers ... thank you SO much for your purchases!! In 2009 - look for even MORE goodies as I plan to 'knock your knitted sox' off! Hoo-RAY!

So - there is my incentive to DO MORE this year. I am accepting the challenge to get out there and show the world my WOOL-BLISS! Wish me luck! There have been many animals forced into shelters & unfortunately - on to the streets due to the foreclosure crisis. So - if you are feeling like you need a little wool-boost in your life .... how about some Green Beer with Foam!
Seriously, green beer isn't just for leprechauns anymore! WhEEE!

What to do next??

I haven't been an active Blogger. Most of that stems from the fact that THE election is over , the global economy is a mess, Christmas is coming and I am just exhausted!

All is good though! As the old saying goes: "Everything happens for a reason." I couldn't agree more.

Sales have been slow at The Knotty Sheep. Again, the market *is* flooded with those who dye, spin & card to 'eek' out a modest paycheck. AND ... handspun yarn is a luxury during this trying economic time. I feel a tad despondent though ... meager sales mean a meager donation to Pittie Love Rescue.

I will persist though ... with one exception. I hope to spend MORE time drawing/less time playing with wool. The choice is a difficult one ... but - as 'everything happens for a reason' ... this just might be my wakeup call to do more ART. Please wish me luck ... and (shameless plug ----> ) Let's keep the economy going ... do Shop! WHEEEEEEE!

Back to Painting - support EFA!!

As you know -- I am trying to get over my 'fear' of painting again. I am unsure what made me feel so insecure about my art ... but, slowly - those fears are subsiding. It is a constant battle.

With Life being what it is - it is hard to cram everything into an already jam-packed day - let alone make time for something that you fear. That is why if you surround yourself with like minded (creative) people, they help to stretch your imagination and break down those walls that you have built around yourself.

Take Etsy for Animals or EFA for short! They are a group of artists on Etsy who donate time, $$ or their artistry to help animals. I am honored to be a part of this wonderful team!!

Which gets me back to my point on fear, painting & surrounding yourself with like minded (creative) people. Our August challenge became "C is for ..." . Cows, cats, crows, cougars came to mind ... but I was thinking more in terms of collard greens, cabbage, carrots, cantaloupe & cherries. Me, being the little environmentalist that I am, saw those images on a canvas grocery bag .... after a deep breath, VOILA ... I came up with this hand painted OOAK bag! - and pardon while I pull on your heartstrings a bit - BUT 5% of all purchases goes to Pittie Love Rescue. They help one of *the most abused* dog breeds of all times.
Comments?? I would love to hear what you think of this functional piece of art!

A FABulous Day for Pit bulls!

Faitful readers of this BloG know how much I love dogs!

Seriously, my life would not be as JOYful if these 'in the moment' creatures suddenly vanished. I LOVE all dogs! And while it has been 8 months since my senior girl passed - my rottie x, Diesel, still remains an only dog child. There is no replacing my Motu - and I think Diesel is just fine with that.

Over the last several years - I have donated a portion of my sales to different animal organizations. Not only do I feel compelled to give something back - it is totally good Karma!! It does a body good to get (as I like to describe it) ... "One's head out of one's bum." Yep - think of the visual & you will know what I mean!

Why is this a FABulous Day for Pit bulls? The Knotty Sheep has just surpassed the $100 donation mark!! I am tickled - tickled - tickled!! So - to the folks at
Pittie Love Rescue a check will be coming your way this week!

Thank EWE all SO much .... now, being the goal oriented person that I am - I am seeing the next $100 coming VERY soon ..... Be ShoppiEE!!

BUSY! BUSY! BUSY!

Yep - I have been a tad busy!

First, there is the new hand spun yarn available for purchase! Christmas maybe over - but Frosting on the Christmas Tree remains an irresistible confection!

Then, there is the completed "Whitney's Hat" for Macuwita sni! While an interesting knit ... I am kind of glad that it is finished. The pattern doesn't seem to be available as I googled it & came up empty - but, it is warm, warm, warm. My GYnormous head squeezed into it - but, if I made it for myself, I would have to do the (gulp!) adult XL!

Last but not least ... do you love FREE Prizes?? Well, Etsy for Animals is running a FUN contest. Prizes have been donated by EFA artists, including MOI! Do play - it is EZ, FUN, FREE & you get to see some terrific shops!! Rules may be found
HERE!

Yes ... busy, busy, busy!! Now, I am off to do laundry & make dinner. O BOY!