The First Snow

It seems a little strange to post about snow & not show photos. I will save that for a later date ...... seems we will move beyond the 8" we received yesterday afternoon as early as tomorrow.

I don't mind. This day is being spent seeing Diesel having a blast in the snow ... and then retiring near the wood stove.

It is a day to wrap gifts while listening to familiar Christmas songs. It is a day that I will prepare a small turkey dinner for me & hubby ... to eat it in the dining room, on 'the good stuff' - just because today is a JOY!

This is part of the magic of the season!

It is also a day to knit & spin. Recently, it was MINUS 20 degrees on the reservation of the Cheyenne River Sioux, South Dakota. Both school & work were closed as the wind chills made the temps even more frosty!! Yes, I must knit faster for Macuwita sni - warm wool items are so needed this time of year!!

But, I will also take time to do some spinning in front of the wood stove too (move over Diesel!) I love the rhythm that the wheel produces - and with the warmth of the stove, it brings me to a simpler time. I love that!
My latest creation: Christmas Trees in January! After the snows of this weekend, I think the trees will be covered with snow for quite some time! WhEEEEEE!

10 days til' Christmas

The fact that we are 10 days from Christmas is ..... WOW!

My tree is up and the music is playing. Lights are blinking and the woodstove is roaring. The Spirit of the Season is here .... it is a time to share & love. It is time to give more than we can ever dream of receiving.

My scarf for "The Giving Tree" has been finished a placed under the Church tree. I am glad that it will warm someone soon.

I immediately casted on another for the Cheyenne River Sioux. Macuwita sni is warming many a resident on the Rez!

Also, this year, many of my gifts will be donations to causes & charities. Most of the people I buy for need absolutely nothing. I hope they don't mind if the fist full of dollars I usually relegate for them - goes to an animal in need. A few of my favorites:
German Shepherd Rescue League of NE; Pittie Love Rescue; The Elephant Sanctuary; and Greyhound Friends. And trust me - there are many others organizations who could use donations too.

I look forward to giving & sharing this Christmas!! In fact, I hope that over the course of this coming year - I can give my most precious gift .... a gift of time. There are people to visit, neighbors who need assistance, and animals who need love. There are strangers who need a kind word & a hot meal. Yes ... Christmas is a time give ... I do hope to keep Christmas in my heart all year long!

Catching up with Christmas

One of the things I love most about this season is all the fun mail one gets: richly colored Christmas cards, cheery holiday notes, on line purchases delivered by the UPS man & fabulous surprises from loved ones. I do love happy mail!

One of the things I always do - is save my Christmas cards from one year to the next. After I review the previous year's collection - I cut them to make *this* season's Christmas tags! Ah ... recycling at it's best!

Here are some prior to cutting:

Here is some examples after they had their snips:

Fun, easy, good for the environment & a nice project to keep the kids busy (if you trust them with scissors!)

Moving on to 'fun mail' .... my ornament project for an Etsy BBEST team pal is finally done. This sheepie is totally free standing ... I used wool from a real sheepie named "Maude". Of course her little red & green scarf was handspun by moi!!

(Shhhh .... this Christmas sheepie is going into the mail tomorrow ....WhEEEE! I hope my pal loves her!)

Slow & Steady

Christmas is in 20 days! I am just SO EXCITED! Soon - my tree will be UP - but until then, I feast my eyes on the corner of my dining room table. Who can resist a very large Santa??

As an adult, there is no other time of year that one can just be JOYous & giddy without the folks in the white coats being called in. I am *that* delighted that it *is* Christmas!

Sure, the economy is tough - sales are down everywhere. My "day job" is still in existence and I am grateful for that. I am also coming to realize 2009 will most likely steer me down a new path. While a tad fearful - I do trust myself to always use common sense. Got to love a new adventure!!!

Anyway - this past weekend - I selected a card off the "Giving Tree" at Church. Naturally, my eyes quickly focused on a card that read 'woman's scarf.' Once home, I climbed the Stash Mountain to see what I could find.

Interestingly - I found a hank of lace weight merino that I dyEd as well as an 'eyelashy' wonder. They will make for a fun yet functional beauty! Yes - I am aware that I now have limited time to create it ... but I also know that maybe, just maybe - this might be the only gift that this person receives. I am honored & blessed to think that my handiwork will be worn on Christmas Day.

Well - off to knit. Did I mention Christmas is in 20 days?? HO HO HO!

Busy Izzy

I know a little girl who is as cute as can be. She is a wee 'toddler' and like most toddlers, she knows what she wants, when she wants it!! But, also like a toddler ... she has an attention span that flickers in nano seconds. I call her "Buzy Izzy".

"Buzy Izzy" is also my new persona. I have been trying to get tons accomplished - and, hopefully, I am succeeding. (Will let you know more how that is working for me *after* Christmas!)

It is hard to believe that mighty holiday is right around the corner. That said, I need to turn my eggnog into a few jumbo shots of espresso to kick some elf-butt. "Buzy Izzy" needs to up-her-game: I am playing Christmas music ... thinking thoughts of red & green ... and knitting like a banshee on a sweater that I wanted to wear on Thanksgiving.

Just so you know - that isn't going to happen. Please see my photo - may I present *The Back*:

All is not lost though ... my friend Joan, AKA Six Sisters creates wonderful art. Her talent is amazing - and I was lucky enough to be the recipient of one of her pieces ... a fabulous mixed media angel ornament. Yes ... this precious angel was all I need to get back on track - to pick up my sagging candy-canes, brush my tinseled hair and jingle my bells and say .... "HO HO HO!" Diesel is NOW pretty festive about the season too!

Thanks Six for this wonderful piece! I love her!!

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!

Starry Night Lover

Ah ... it is Friday!
The end of what feels like a very long work week. I have been battling bronchitis this week as my dad battles pneumonia. It is tough not being able to visit him ... he isn't the MOST healthiest branch on my family tree at this stage in his life. Unfortunately, the 'apple doesn't fall far from said tree!"

Today, I discovered a local radio station that is already playing Christmas music! Yes - I listened for several hours. I don't think Diesel will take to kindly to 7 weeks of Christmas carols ... but, he survived almost 2 years of listening to political campaigning on my radio & tv ... I think HE will think that the music is much nicer.

This weekend will be spent finishing my first Amaryllis mitten and spinning!! It is supposed to be a wee bit dreary in these parts .... perfect weather for creating with wool!
Starry Night Lover would make for good spinning .... but, of course - YOU may have first dibs at spinning it! WhEEEEEE!

The Fair Isle Continues!

The weather has chilled a wee bit - finally, it seems that all those outdoor bugs have either buried themselves for the winter or they have been released from their Earthly existence.
I like that - so does Diesel. Seriously, this dog makes my heart glow!

Tonight, as I watch the election results - I hope to finish the first Amaryllis Mitten! I am pretty sure that I will .... I don't really have all that much left!

SO - for those of you who are registered to vote in the US ... GET OUT THERE TODAY and VOTE!! In fact - it is an incredible KNOTTY thing to do!

The Fair Isle Bug has bit!

Once again, the fair isle bug has bit!

For some reason, as I closed in on the 'applied I-cord' of the German Shawl ... I was hopelessly dreaming of colorwork. I needed a fix - and fast!

That shawl was no sooner off the needles when I cast on for the Amaryllis Mittens!

Mittens are a relatively quick 'fix' ... and these babies had been marinating in my stash since Mary Ann Stephens published the design.

AAhhhh .... I am going to LOVE these!

Vacation is Over ....

It is true that all good things must come to an end!

Vacation is over and there is no other looming on the horizon. It is all good though ... I have already returned to work and fell right back into the grind. Actually, it feels like I never left!

I managed to hit my 4th repeat in the German Shawl. (YAY!)

I managed to spin over a POUND of wool! (YAY!)

I managed to get a photo of Diesel enjoying a twilight sky with the sea below him! (YAY!)

And I managed to relax & regroup. (Double YAY!)

But the TRIPLE YAY is this: with all the nuttiness in the world, stuff means absolutely nothing. My week was great because I got to spend time with my husband, my dog & my parrot. We didn't do anything out of the ordinary - we just did something special: we were able to spend time together and just BE!

A Revelation

I am not living up to what I *can* do.

This is just a revelation that I made this week. I have known it for a while - but things like this are always more honest when shouted out to the World!

So - in that regard - I am taking a few days to actually do something! I hope it means that I will be creating ... and learning. I hope it means that I will walk for miles with my dog and appreciate my husband with zest. I hope it means that I will judge less and help more - whatever or whoever needs it. I hope it means that I will learn to accept me and find me - all at the same time! Oh ... and I hope to have photos too!

I think being totally absorbed in the dailies - I have forgotten how to BE. (So much for my time management skills!) I am just SO excited for these next few days - I truly think my head is going to BURST (in a good way though!!)

Funny that this quote just found its way to me:
"Plant seeds of expectation in your mind; cultivate thoughts that anticipate achievement. Believe in yourself as being capable of overcoming all obstacles and weaknesses." - Norman Vincent Peale. Hmmmm ......

So ... I will leave you with my latest creation (yep - I believe in myself ...ggg!) Blue States - it *is* almost election time!!

Can you Click for a pup in need??

I have been so incredibly busy of late ... that now, my body rebels with it's first FALL cold.

We are just 24 hours into this new season ... and well, I suppose I let myself get run down. Mom was right, I can't burn the candle at both ends. Sigh ....

One of the things that keeps me going is working for causes I believe in. There are many ....
That being said, today, I want to highlight one that is EZ PZ to help. No money is involved ... and *that* is SO cool in this trying economic time. This local dog rescue has the opportunity to win money from Care2. I do mean a LOT of money .... 10k to be exact.

The German Shepherd Rescue of New England helps this large breed of dog find their forever homes by carefully placing them with wonderfully matched families. Large breeds have a tendency to be over looked - it is fabulous that this rescue assists these beautiful animals!! Check out the beautiful dogs ... you will want one!

Money is tight for all of us at this time ... please help this rescue win funds so their wonderful work may continue! Please click today!

Ready to SAVE 20%??

I mean really, with the stock market falling, the housing crisis and gas/oil prices SKY high ... saving 20% on anything seems like a Gift.

And when one celebrates a Birthday ... Gifts are abundant!!

Etsy For Animals (EFA) is celebrating it's FIRST Birthday. 180 members are participating in this glorious Festival of Savings ... and The Knotty Sheep is a typical party animal!!

Just use the coupon code " SHEEP " in the notes to seller section when you purchase any of my yarns and fibers! BAA-DA-Bing ... you will save 20%!! *You may request a revised invoice OR I will refund the difference bing-o bang-o!*

But...the cool thing is ... it doesn't stop there!! You may use that coupon code, "SHEEP" at any of the 180 shops!! Those Holidays are coming .... and take a peeky at all the FUN shops YOU can save at!!

(Yep ... I humbly request you use "SHEEP" as I would love to win a prize!! He/she who has the most coupon redemptions wins!!) So ... Be Knotty and Be Shoppie!

Yarn Collections

This weekend was a retreat of sorts. It was just me & my dog and a tropical storm called 'Hanna'.

I was expecting the worse ... and I was pleasantly surprised to find Miss Hanna a shy visitor. Rumor had it that she was to be a blow-hard and unfriendly - kind of like the mean girl on the play ground.

Instead - she announced her presence like a Hollywood has been and quickly retreated into the 'wings' once she had her say! "Au revoir, Mademoiselle Hanna!"

I was lucky. There are so many people in the Carribean, Mexico, Cuba, parts of the US and more - that have felt the force of Nature. She comes in different forms: hurricanes, tornadoes, wild fires, earthquakes, blizzards ... there can be such devastation & loss.

Pray for those in harms way & and do be grateful for the opportunity to offer those prayers to the Heavens while Mother Nature does her thing. Faith & Hope are nice ladies to keep you company. Charity is too. And I must say, I am so proud that when there is a need ... most people truly deliver.

Knitting for charity has been an important part of my life. It allows me to do what I love & to allow those who are struggling to receive some warmth and the notion that someone, somewhere cares for them deeply.

I recently began spinning for charity too. And while I wish I could give buckets of yarn away ... that will have to wait for sometime in the future. (O Powerball, where are you?) For now, I am offering "Yarn Collections" at a truly reduced price!

"Turning Tides Collection" is 3 skeins of handspun "Maude" ... a columbia, romney, coopworth sheepie. 7 ounces of yarn for $24.44. (Don't ask about the weird amount, I thought it might be FUN!) Seriously ... I would charge pretty much double that if I hadn't been bitten by the charity knitting bug!
Like Autumn colors ... do check out the Fall Collection too!

Here in the US - summer storms are still around and winter storms are on the horizon - as I said: Faith, Hope & Charity are nice ladies to have around. Love is too - let's not forget to invite her.

VOTE for ME!! VOTE for ME!!

It is September - WOW!! I am having a hard time believing it! This month will morph quickly to the next ... Halloween will be here ... then it will be time to VOTE for a US president ... then it is the Winter Holidays ......

WHOA Nellie!!! Did I mention voting???

I did - AND I need yours!!

I know I ask a lot of you in BloG Land ... shop my store ... sign petitions ... knit for those in need ... etc, etc. MoM always told me "I never hurts to ask" & recently I read someone that "Can't never did" (love this!) ... so, today I ask for your vote!

Being an Etsy member is grand - I have met many wonderful artists & animal lovers who are part of Etsy for Animals (EFA.) 28 of us are participating in a challenge to celebrate EFA's birthday. The challenge is - the item with the most votes wins!! AND I would love to win that $50 donation to my favorite animal charity!

My handpainted, "EFA Birthday Celebration" canvas tote is OOAK!

Visit this LINK! This Etsy forum thread will connect to to the voting booth - I am listed as ' theknottysheep ' ! If you do vote - please go back to the thread & leave an "I voted " comment - then you will be eligible to win a prize too. You do not have to purchase anything (unless you find said bag, and/or my yarns & fiber totally irresistible!)

Once again - I know I ask much of you ... I will try NOT to ask for anything else ... for at least 24 hours! Please vote ... this election runs thru 9/4!

5 POUNDS gone!

I did it! I did it!

Lost 5 pounds! Nope, don't mean weight ... I mean stash! Remember when I said I couldn't treat myself to any new yarn-yummies or patterns until I unloaded 5 pounds of stash? ... AND this could mean both from knitting yarn odds & ends as well as spinning some of the flock of fleeces I have snoozing in the studio ... just waiting to become something grand??

Well --- 5 pounds has been USED! Most of it went to charity knitting ... some ended up in skeins ... but either way - it does a body good to help others as well as to destash. Like losing any 5 pounds - I feel like I can move a lot easier - more lightly.

My last spinning endeavor went to my new "Yarn Collections". Geared towards the charity knitter who wants to dabble in handspun without emptying the piggy bank! Check out Fall.

AND - I did start a lace project too. This yarn came to me via another project - but, that project will come in time as they all do. After a slow start ... I am loving the German Shawl.

As the US winds down to Labor Day ... I just can't wait to just spin & knit in more comfortable temps!

Nothing new in my world - You??

This week has flown by - I am not sure where it went. That troubles me as I am truly trying to savor the moments ... but this week, I don't remember them.

My mind is fuzzy with a cross of a 'summer cold' & allergies. DH is feeling the same way - so we are stumbling thru the daily jobs, chores & animal care. I am happy to report that at least I did some dyEing & I completed a pair of sox for Macuwita sni!

This weekend - it is supposed to be HOT once again. I am in the process of starting a shawl .... only if my fuzzy brain can figure out what ' 2 left twist (knit the last stitch from behind, leaving it on the left needle, knit the second to the last stitch & drop both stitches off the left needle' means. I am thinking that the last stitch should be knit thru the back loop?? Anyone??

Sock Yarn Diet

I started & frogged the lace shawl I was working on. Guess after all my 'worstedness' - my fingers just didn't want to play with lace weight at this time. Of course, watching the Olympics out of the corner of my eye didn't help. Oh well ....!

Stasia recently sent me a link to Sparkpeople (clickable link on my left side bar.) What a FABulous FREE resource of all things diet & exercise! I have already lost 2 pounds ... and hope to lose MUCH more!!

Of course, this means I share my excitement! For me ... a "Sock Yarn Diet!" Until further notice all my Painted Toes Sock Yarns are 10% off. Hurry ... these yarns are part of my "Spots & Shades" study - and, as always, they are one of a kind!! AND this sale can end at ANY time!!

So... do shop - and do join Sparkspeople .... it is a great day to treat yourself to OOAK yarn and to grab hold of your Life! WhEEEEE!

Shelter Dogs are the Best!!

Shelter Dogs are the Best!!

But, what they go through, the stress they deal with, is truly h*ll on Earth.

My mind can not grasp the fact that someone would 'throw their dog away' - because it has become a chore, or an inconvenience. It gets back to what I said in my last post ... moments are either a chore or a gift, it is all a matter of perspective & attitude.

I recently purchased 2 books: "Shelter Dogs by Traer Scott & " One at a Time: A Week in an American Animal Shelter" by Marilee Geyer. Not for the faint of heart or those that believe that their disposable pet will find a forever happy home. Geyer's book notes that only 20% of those who enter the shelter system get adopted. Somehow, I feel *I* have a better chance of winning "Powerball" than most animals do making it out of a shelter alive.

As I continue my journey on this Planet ... I am beginning to realize that shelter dogs are playing an increasing importance in my Life. At this time ... only the Universe knows why. I know my heart will be broken, I know tears will be shed ... but, maybe, just maybe a few dogs & cats & all the others who make their home at a shelter ... will find their forever families soon if I work harder.

Which leads me to how YOU can help!
** Don't purchase a cat or dog from a pet store. Puppy Mill Awareness Day is September 20th. Yes ... those little kittens & puppies are adorable in those windows ... but, stop & think of their mothers ... who have to produce litter after litter and live in conditions that are just plain wretched.

**Volunteer at a shelter ... socialization is key to the animals ... see what is on their 'wish lists' ... is it food, $$ for medical treatment, toys, blankets??

**Shop at establishments that give back. There are plenty of artists on Etsy that do ... search EFA (Etsy for animals) in the 'tags' OR go directly to the EFA Shop! Not only are the artists fabulous - they also work long & hard to fight for & protect animals around the world!

EFA will be celebrating their first SHOP Birthday in September!! Do stay tuned - it is going to be a blast!

Jump start my week

This is a bold statement: "I have decided to change my life."

The craziness still exists but instead of fighting it - I accept it. Yes - you heard me right, I accept it.

There is no 'slow down' in the near future, there is no 'extra hours' in which to 'fit in' something/anything. There is only 24 hours in a day (or 1440 minutes or 86400 seconds.) Each hour, minute, second - can be a gift or a chore - it is all a matter of perception & attitude.

My attitude embraces the craziness ... I just hope my body can keep up!!

I started the Faceted Gem lace shawl this weekend. I haven't used such skinny yarn in such a long while ... should be an interesting journey!!

I also carded Clouds in the Tides - super lustrous spinning batts blended from dorset wool & mohair!!
Seriously ... these babies are pure luxury at an affordable price! Woo-WHOO!

So - while my world keeps spinning along .... I accept the pace at which it twirls ... being Dizzy is going to be fun!!

Accept your day today ... with all its craziness. I just *know* there is a lesson to be learned for each of us!