One of the really neat things about being a spinner is that you not only meet the nicest people - but - enabling runs rampant! New fibers, spindles, dYes - they are more than retail therapy - they are an addiction!! I take it as a compliment that Karen chose to reserve a fleece from Redbud Wool Farm!! Afterall - someone posted on Spindler's how wonderful these fleeces were AND I just HAD to HAVE one!! (OK - two!!) Like I said, it is one of the neat things about being a spinner ... sharing a good source! It is below normal temperatures here today - and I am invigorated!! I wrote all 3 of my sponsored children today and sent them each a decoration that I made. I keep peeking at all the others who need sponsors at Childreach and I am thinking about sponsoring one more. I already introduced you to my 2 little girls Ana-cecilia and Jealousy. Now, I would like you to meet Cesar - my little boy!! I am hoping maybe I can enable ... again!! TAG ME ... you are it!!

One of my goals for this year was to reduce my fiber stash by one rubber maid bin! HA!! I laugh!! This weekend was a GREAT fiber weekend for me!! I spun ever so merrily!! Yarn was niddy-noddied!! Twists were set!! AND fleeces ordered?? Yep!! Fleeces were ordered!! How could I resist when someone on the Spindler's List posted of remarkably clean, wonderful fleeces from sheepies with such names as Bari, Diamond, River & Bernadette?? I had to peruse the Redbud Wool Farm web site as quick as I could! "River" is coming to live with me this year and "Bernadette" will be living with me next! WOO-WHOO! Do take a peek at Linnet's (she is the sheepie's human Mom) farm!! These fleeces look gorgeous and they come HIGHLY recommended by some very discriminating hand spinners! I will let you know when I meet "River" in person. Now, will I process this fleece myself?? Absolutely ... NOT!! "River" will be whisked away to visit Gail at The Ozark Carding Mill. She has bailed me out in the past when I realized processing fleece was not a talent I possess. I also feel the need to purchase some of Margrett's wonderful GCNI fiber again. Running Moon Farm has some of the best dYed fibers I have ever seen! Margrett is a true artist and the Gulf Coastal Native Improved batts are a marvel to spin. So much for losing one rubber maid bin!! But - what a way to go .......... TAG ME ... you are it!

Each day, something always happens that amazes me. I find both inspiration & consolation in that fact. Every night ( OK, not EVERY night!) I write in a Gratitude Journal. I list 5 things that I am grateful for on that particular day. It could be something as simple as putting my feet on the floor in the morning, a warm meal at night or something totally mezmerizing as a swift sale of my artwork or a new found fiber!! Being grateful came about from my friend Stasia. She is both an inspiration - look at her weaving!! AND a consolation as she consoles MY soul knowing that she is just an email away. So - yes!! Each day, something always amazes me. Today - I mailed out my 4th & 5th pair of slippers for The Ships Project. By the end of this month - they will have hoped to collect 25,000 items for our armed services since the Project's inception a year ago. 25,000 items! I am amazed!! AND consoled, knowing that there are so many people willing to help each other out!! Hmmm.... one of the things I am grateful for tonight is my woodstove. I love it and tonight, I am lucky enough to have a skein drying right near it. I thought I would share it with you - as it was a perfect fall day today AND there may be a hint of snow in the air tomorrow. Stas - this one is for you .... TAG ME ...you are it!!

Even though I started my day with good intentions - while I was spinning in the wee hours, I began to feel 'un-well'. Every once in a while I see squiggles in front of my eyes. Not to worry - my eyes have been tested, and an MRI done - the squiggles just upset me & my stomach enough to throw me off center for the rest of the day. (Theresa - remember what I said about the car wash thing!!) Sometimes I think it happens when I am not performing at 100%. Or when I try to take to much on. Although I am not diagnosed with any particular malady - I know me well enough to know that I can't push myself the way I used too. Such is age. I thought wisdom came with age - not squiggles! Sigh ... But, I have been thinking about my new sponsored children and children who are neglected. I have also been thinking about animals - those that are unloved. I ponder about what the world would be like if every child had food & hugs! And every animal had food & hugs! Then I ponder about why the world isn't like this. I have started visiting a site on Theresa's BloG (see her link on left). It feeds Animals. I can do that - feed animals in need with a click!! Thanks Theresa!! Then maybe there is a way to combine the two ideals. Enter The Heifer Project!! How cool to give a family a sheep!! Hey - if I can't have my very own sheepie .... :) We will see. Until then - this is a photo of my Love Muffin "Diesel". He is half rottiweiler - not sure what the other half is!! We rescued him from a shelter at 12 weeks of age - he is now 4, almost 5!! And yes!! He gets food & hugs everyday - and PLENTY of both!! TAG ME ... you are it!!

It was wild weather here in the Northeast today!! An offical "Nor'easter" decided to visit - complete with drenching rain & gale force winds! Ok - I don't know if they were really gale force - but that is what the TV said MAY happen. I am so thrilled to be sitting here in my shearling slippers with the wood stove crackling away. It isn't that it is cold out - just damp. It was a great day to post a new Klaudette!! This little sheep is my alter ego!! It brings such joy to my heart that others love her as much as I do!! I feel very fortunate that I can do what I love to do. Today is "World Food Day"!
Childreach sent this information to its sponsors today :"Currently, more than 800 million people do not have enough to eat. What can you do? Locally - donate to local food banks and shelters. A gallon of water makes a
difference. Food banks and shelters are always in need of food and financial donations. Globally - support initiatives that build wells and provide access to safe,clean water. Around the world, Plan makes access to water a top priority. " Makes me really realize how lucky I am!! On that note - the little girl from Malawi who has been calling my name since Monday became my second sponsored child! So - in one week's time - I am a sponsor-MOM to 2 little girls. I feel very fortunate that I can do what I love to do! Please meet: Jealousy! TAG ME ...you are it!

Today, I became a MOM! Now, there is an eye-opener! I did not give birth or adopt ... I became a 'sponsor' mom. Well, my husband & I became sponsor parents thru Childreach!! They are based in Rhode Island and I have actually visited & volunteered at their home office. This is not our first sponsored child, we have done it before and it is an exhilarating experience! In perusing the website - it is difficult to choose - I found myself wanting to sponsor all the children!! But - when I saw Ana-cecilia - I knew she was an 'old soul' who touched mine. Serendipity!! I LOVE it!! She is 10 years old and lives in Columbia! I also found this website today - Erika - has created this website so others will know more about sponsored children. If you have the means to involve yourself in the lives of others - I urge you to do it. You may never know how you have touched someone, but if it 'feels good' to you - imagine what the recipient of your deed feels!! INTOXICATING!!!! On a fibery note - I plied almost 200 yards of a pygora blend and set the twist. It almost dried under the most perfect fall day!! I *think* since we *might* get a frost - the wood stove needs to be lit and they will finish drying there! But - I am a MOM tonight and I thought I would share a photo of Ana-cecilia. I took it from a sheet of paper - so it isn't the best photo in the world, but who cares!! I am a PROUD NEW MOM!! TAG ME ... you are it!!

It was damp & rainy here today - and after completing morning errands - I sat down to spin!! I finished the second bobbin of the romney x / alpaca blend from Sheepy Thyme Farms. It begged to be left in its natural state .... maybe because I think that it is the closest thing I will ever spin to a cloud. It is such an incredibly soft roving! I will ply it tomorrow as I like the singles to set a bit. It seems to take the wind out of their sails! (Or the curl out of their tails!!) Of course, I will be watching football as I ply!! Now, the NE Patriots are playing the Green Bay Packers - I say go "PATS!" My dear friend Stasia will be routing for the Packers. I hope the PATS win - but it is nice to know that my friend will be watching the game too!! (Hey Nancie, is KC playing tomorrow??) I also tagged & 'skeined' my cvm yarn from The Bellwether. It is 2 ply, 14 wpi and a total yardage of 318. I have no plans for it as yet - but it will speak to me eventually! It has to!! The wool was provided by sheepies "Romeo, Betty, and Red # 0101". I think "Red # 101" speaks the loudest! Have a great weekend and "GO PATS!" TAG ME ... you are it!!!

The last few days have been extremely productive for me!! FINALLY!! I finished plying the "My Girls" CVM roving from The Bellwether. This is yummy stuff. I was hoping to snap a photo for you see the wonderful colors of these 2 skeins, but they are drying as I type. Maybe tomorrow. This was the first time I have spun pure CVM - got to love those springy fibers and the fact that these are rare breed sheep - well - that just makes it MORE special. I also have begun spinning an alpaca/romney X roving given to me by my friend Nancie. This is from Sheepy Thyme Farm. I have one bobbin of singles done and I hope to start my second bobbin tonight. PLUS - I have finished my 4th pair of slippers for The Ships Project. I encourage anyone who has a spare knitting/crocheting moment to help in this worthy cause. Seems like we need to be caring for those that are protecting us more than ever!! I am getting all these things accomplished because I am using "micro-movements" - the tiniest of baby steps! These "micro-movements" are courtesy of SARK. She is one of my all time favorite inspirational writers/artists. Should I mention here that I also drew my last 4 sketches and dropped clothes off at the Goodwill stop?? "MICRO-MOVEMENTS"!! One thing I forgot to do today was call for my yearly mammogram ... you know - to take care of "My Girls"! October is Breast Cancer Awareness month - so, please do what you have to - to take care of yourself!! NOW - here is a picture of my latest fiber acquistion. It is a 'chocolate' thel/alpaca/silk blend from The Lavender Fleece. I THINK this is what I will make my shawl from ... once, I spin it - then knit it ... hmm - "micro-movements" - Stay Tuned! TAG ME ... you are it!!

Today was a glorious fall day! The sun was shining, the leaves were falling, and I was knitting outside under the now barren cherry tree. OK, I wasn't directly underneath - but I was close. I am on my second slipper for The Ships Project. This will make my 4th pair and I must say - I am quite addicted to making these slippers. My wheel - spun yarn seems to 'fit' perfectly! On this slipper, I am using shetland (from a sheep named Ebony); romney (from a ram named Million); and some left over GCNI from MY socks!! It contrasts with the romney wonderfully!! Another NEW addiction I discovered is weaving on a Weave-ette. These little looms are EZ-PZ and so mobile!! I made my first really good square on vacation. I had tried several times previously - but the Fiber Gods hadn't chosen the 'right' time for me to learn until I was sitting by the ocean. Funny how that happens isn't it?? I used spindle spun 2 ply made from FREE fiber samples that I had received with orders placed from fiber vendors!! Now - instead of making socks for Christmas, I am thinking a least one set of mug rugs/ coasters. Lord knows I have enough fiber to choose from!! Hmm - I wonder what else I will be addicted too in the near future?? TAG ME ... you are it!

The last few days have left me technologically deprived. No computer, no phone, minimal TV. It was wonderful to enjoy the sounds of nature! To have 'real' conversations with people! To bask in the glory of my husband fishing! To meet up with friends I see twice a year! I think everyone needs to 'get away'. While I did manage to be 'away' from my home - I think it is more important to break the normal routines of day to day life. I know I get stagnant if I don't break free of the daily chains and challenge myself to new surroundings. No wonder my artwork took a beating in recent weeks!! I still have a comission project to complete and new ideas to get to paper - but I have been rejuvenated!! YAY!! I did get to spin and try my hand at weaving. I love it!! (Thanks Nancie!!) I made about 6 squares on the Weave-ette and I think I will join them and make a small pillow top. I also started another pair of slippers for The Ships Project which I hope to complete by weeks end! Tomorrow - is Football DAY!! Go Patriots!! Until then - TAG ME ... you are it!!

My chicken book arrived!! CLUCK-CLUCK!! I did not know there were so many different types of chickens in the world!! Some are truly striking while others .... suffice to say - are a tad 'unsual'. I have only begun to read it and if I have a 'light bulb moment' concerning raising these fine creatures, I will report in. I did take a spindle to an "Oktoberfest" last night. I received the usual looks, and the 'what are you doing'?, and the 'why don't you just buy yarn'? type of things. In some ways - it drives me nuts - in other ways, maybe if we spun more in public - it would not be so unusual for people to see it happening. It is something to ponder anyway!! I will be taking a few days to rejuvenate my creative juices. I need to re-charge my batteries - so - no distractions (tv, computer, etc.) for me. I look forward to catching up with you in a bit!! TAG ME ... you are it!

Thank you everyone for your kind wishes on my day of celebration! Stasia YOU are a wild woman!! Thanks for writing such a great story about my parents. I will admit that my parents are the coolest people I know. They are my inspirations - and I only hope that I may mirror their energy when I get to be their ages. That means - I have 4 decades to find this energy!! I fear that won't be enough time!! Currently - they are in Las Vegas - if you see them, (Dad might be wearing his Lester the Llama Tshirt) - stroll on over and say 'hi'!! I did treat myself to some goodies this birthday ... I think I may have lived on a farm somewhere in a previous life! Not only do I love sheep - I also have been fascinated with chickens. Not your standard, white feathered ones - but exotic, rare breeds!! When I saw Extraordinary Chickens I knew I HAD to have this book. I have placed my order and hopefully, I will be receive it soon. I also decided I needed to make a shawl for myself. I probably won't get this done for this winter season - but hopefully by spring! I ordered some icelandic thel/alpaca/silk rovings. While I have ordered from The Lavender Fleece before - this will be my first FIBER order with them. I do look forward to receiving it!! Do I feel a year older? - nope! Do I CARE that I am a year older?? - nope!! I am pleasantly blessed with the knowledge from all my previous mistakes... TAG ME ...you are it!!

This weekend - I decided that I was moody when it comes to fiber. There are certain times when my fingers just can't handle the fine stuff. This Saturday - it was merino. It wasn't the fiber or spindle - it was ME. While I was spinning - I knew it didn't 'feel right' - but I forced it. I thought that I could over come the feeling and MAKE it work. Valuable lesson - most times - you can't MAKE things work if it isn't "their" time in 'the Universe'. So - I ditched the whole thing. Normally, fiber ends up in my compost pile - but not Saturday - in the trash it went. I truly believed - 'out of sight / out of mind'. So much for that philosophy - here it is 2 days later and I am still thinking about it. SIGH.... Also - someone recently asked me how I started painting on canvas bags - truth be told - I started painting on canvas sneakers first. Since I work in a pre-school, it wasn't difficult for the kids to love my shoes - the bright colors! The different designs!! I take pride in knowing that some of my sneakers have been to Bermuda, Las Vegas, Thailand, and Bora Bora. I should mention Block Island too - but, then again - you would know those were mine! Enough of my ramblings for one day ... TAG ME ... you are it!!

Random Acts of Kindness totally fascinate me. These acts are heart driven and heart felt. Kindness could rule the earth if we allowed its wings to spread and fly into our hearts & souls. Sometimes we are SO side tracked with LIFE - that we miss the Kindess Angel's kiss caressing our cheek. Kindness doesn't have to be huge or heart-stopping. Just a whisper is all it takes to bring glad tidings of joy to those we love, those we could love and those we forget to love. I am blessed with SO many wonderful friends that I try to pass their examples of kindness on to others. To honor their lives with the practicing of good deeds. They say imitation is the best form of flattery - well, it is to YOU (and you all know who you are!!) that I strive to do MORE Random Acts of Kindess! Thank YOU for teaching me so much about Giving! Yesterday, I treated myself to an aroma jar from The Body Shop . I chose a Lavender Oil and I have had it 'on' while in the studio. The essence is heavenly and it makes me feel wonderful!! I love The Body Shop as they are very pro-environment and they do not use animal testing! We love that part!! I also finished my 3 pair of Slipper Sox for The Ships Project. They will be mailed tomorrow - and I am so excited to be sending them. Again - Random Acts of Kindess - just makes one's heart SING!! TAG ME ... you are it!!

What a gorgeous fall day today!! I actually wore my handspun / handknit GCNI socks with my Birks. It felt wonderful and I think I had a smile from ear to ear just because of my happy toes. I am tickled that I could wear my handspun! YiPpEE! Now - I am still on my second pair of Christmas GCNI socks as they have taken a back seat to my slippers for The Ships Project. I am in total awe of this project & I have decided to mail a box o' goodies out on the third Saturday of EVERY month! So - that way - whether if I have one project done or ten - the military will still get the warm woolies that they so richly deserve! On another note - I have a challenge for you!! I recently read in the local paper that the golden $1 COIN is not being used enough. This is sad - not only is it a great coin - but it is estimated that it would save us TAXpayers about $500 million (oh ... I hope my memory is serving me correctly on this sum!!) if we were to use this coin instead of the $1 paper bill. WOW!! My challenge - use at least 5 in the coming week. It is great fun to watch the looks on people's faces when you use these at payment. The gauntlet has been dropped - TAG ME ... you are it!

Hello everyone! Sometimes LIFE gets in the way of all the things you meant to do. Sometimes I just feel OVERwhelmed for no particular reason - other than being a creative soul - I think clutter can be an art form! I also hold onto things a little too long - and sometimes, whether you like it or not - it is just time to let go. This weekend my Church closed. This magnificient building was built in 1857. In my attempt to bring you my most favorite stained glass window - I ruined it. It was beautiful - and it is my dream to meet the angel pictured in the window one day. For now - being grounded is a day to day task for me. As an artist - I get extremely frustrated at the 'little things". My 'drawing' isn't on demand. I have to 'feel' it in order to 'do it' and - unfortunately - I haven't been 'feeling' like drawing/painting recently. This will pass. My friend Stasia recently posted about the Simple Abundance book. I purchased & began reading it today. I think this book will help me to sort out some issues I may have. I hope so anyway. Actually - I have already poured as glass of cabernet for myself in a GOOD glass!! This was in the first few pages of January!! Might as well start at the beginning!! I would also like to remind everyone that it is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month. This is important for our health. I hope you have a wonderful day ... I am sad that I ruined a picture I will never see again ... but I guess that is LIFE. TAG ME ... you are it!

I have decided that I need to write my BloGs earlier in the day. My time management skills seem to be lacking of late. I know it is because my morning time tables have to be adjusted to meet new time goals for both myself & my husband. No easy task to create a 'new' routine. We will get there though - it just takes time. Thanks for all the wonderful comments re: my noste winding!! I am finding this to be wonderfully relaxing. I even took a skein of wool to work today - just to 'noste' wind it! YAY!! . But - I need to start managing my computer time better. See? Time Management!! My artwork has suffered and I just received another commision!! YAY!! So - here are 2 of my completed projects - on the left is a pair of slipper sox from wool & llama. These are for The Ships Project I completed one whole sock watching a 9/11 documentary! On the right - is one pair of Christmas sox in GCNI. So - I have been busy - I just need to focus more!! TAG ME ... you are it!!

Today is a 'day of days'. It is extremely windy here - maybe it is a passing storm off the coast or maybe it is just because it is Wednesday - who knows?? But - the wind is enjoyable after the HOT weather we have been having. Tonight - for me - will be a time of reflection. And during this time - I will be working on some slippers for our brave soliders overseas. The Ships Project deserves to be mentioned once again on this day. I will be knitting feverishly while listening to the memorials/documentaries on TV. Today is also a day to celebrate friends & family! New friends! Old friends! Cyber friends! Thank you all for walking beside me in my journey thru life. I am who I am because of you. Now - would you take a look at my third noste attempt .... I think it is pretty darn good!! TAG ME .... you are it!

The HOT weather popped back into my life today. Much to the chagrin of myself and a ton of others who were in a backyard sweltering at an outdoor party. I melted! But - hey - my Weather Pixie still looks cheerful. As far as fibery projects - I am to the 'heel' portion of my plum GCNI sock #1. I hope to complete turning the heel tonight while relaxing either in the backyard or in front of the TV. I also wound a second ball of yarn around a nostepinde. This nostepinde was made from a branch of a red cedar tree - it is so smooth! I dare say - I am getting the hang of this thing as I accept it as a challenge to eventually make a stackable 'ball'. This llama / wool blend yarn was purchased a while ago - but I will add another strand to it to make slippers for The Ships Project. This will be an easy carry around project. What can I say?? - socks for me still require my undivided attention! So - check out my noste and apple-shaped 'ball' ... pretty cool, huh?? What are you working on?? TAG ME ... you are it!

It is Friday!! YiPpEE!! I love Fridays - but - then again - I love all the days of the week. I don't have a favorite as I feel each brings its own 'special - ness to my life'. Monday is made up of beginnings & 3 day weekends! Tuesday it is the day I usually grocery shop & make appointments. Wednesday is middle of the week - day. Thursday is a day off. Friday - well - it is payday. Saturday & Sunday - 'nuff said there! I am also realizing that if I look forward to a certain day or event - it makes the time go by slowly. Which isn't a bag thing - but- when the day / event arrives - it is almost a 'let down' when it is over. I am trying really hard to live in the moment. Each day is a day to be blessed - not a day to be taken for granted. Today - I received 2 new spindles in the mail. One from my friend Stasia - the other a gift from ME to ME. Both from Grafton Fibers!! Stasia gave me a POD swan. I gave me a camphor swan. Both are beautiful. I started with the camphor as I had some alpaca/silk waste rolags handy. It spins like a dream!!!! I also tried to use a 'noste'! This will take practice - as my stackable ball of yarn looks like any other ball of yarn!! AND - I started my plum GCNI socks! See - I am trying to live in the moment and not waste precious minutes!! I am also trying to focus on the activity/event at hand. To many times I do not pay attention as to how I got from point A to point B! Concentration is difficult when there are to many distractions. Now - if I could just figure out a way to spin & type at the same time!! TAG ME ... you are it!