Winter 2003 will certainly be remembered for a while. Here on the East Coast - between snow & rain - I am nothing short of soggy. I feel like a duck! Not going to complain TOO much as I am sure this will benefit us all this coming summer. Our water supply should be VERY adaquate. YAY for all those thirsty trees, flowers & vegetables. It is nice to think of warmer weather, of being/playing outside! Of dogs sleeping in the sunshine and birds singing in the trees. Yes, spring & summer will be here very soon. Today, I started spinning the yarn for the border of my sister's Christmas afghan. It will take some time amongst all the other things I want to do - but hey, least I started it!! I also finished my 16th pair of slippers for The Ship's Project !! We still could use all the help that we can get - so once again, feel free to join if you can. It is a great way for me to use my handspun AND what incentive to do MORE fiber shopping!! (Shopping is always more fun when it is for a good cause!). I will start another pair this week ... just in honor of the fact that I can!! TAG ME .... touche!

As I type this morning - I am looking out the window waiting patiently for the first flakes of THIS snowstorm to fall. I *think* this will be our 100th snow storm of the winter. Yes - that is an exaggeration, but it sure does feel like it. Spring is in 32 days and while I look forward to more sunshine and blooming flowers & birds singing - I will miss the peacefulness that a winter snow storm envelopes us in. Today will be a great day for pastels and fiber! Especially since my DH ran off with my Jeep - Ok. I admit - he has to work on this holiday & I don't! Some one has too, right??? But - in all fairness, I did get to post 3 new KLAUDETTES this weekend. One of which already sold and the other 2 have bids! Plus, there was a special order too!! So - I think I am earning my keep just fine!! If you could take a moment and help "The Ship's Project" - it would really be appreciated. The Project's website is involved in a competition - the more clicks it gets -the more exposure! Therefore, there is a greater chance to reach more people to knit / crochet for the US military. You can VOTE once a day! Just scroll down to until you see "The Ship's Project". Then click away.

Finally - after a month of sketching & planning - I released my first "Klaudette" of the year!! The item itself, is called The WOOL Room. It is a roomy satchel that can pretty much accomodate - well, a lot of your wool room! Spindles, needles, dpn's, pocket looms - all the FUN stuff!! Of course, roving, wool and hand cards (did I really say that??) fit nicely too - with room to spare!! Creativity comes in bursts for me. I find the more I create - the MORE creative I am. So - look out! I will be spinning and or knitting tonight. The temperatures are still VERY cold and it is nice to have my fingers running thru some fiber - it is very comforting in this wacky world. I hope that you continue your journey of creating your masterpieces. After all - you are the only one in the Universe who can create something from your heart & soul. Please don't deprive all of us of your glorious wonder! TAG ME ... you are it!

Today - I mailed off my 15th pair of slippers for The Ships Project. I am excited about completing so many pair for such a worth while cause. I am REALLY even more excited as I have gotten several other people interested in the project! Word of mouth (AND email) is an invaluable resource. Yesterday - I actually used a spindle. It was the first time in a few days that I had spun anything. My time is being spent playing with my pastels & trying to learn French on my own. No easy task - I dare say! I have a tendency to 'flit' for one project to the next. I am not sure if this is more lack of concentration or focus. I will try to get better at both as I know it will help me in the long run. I hope you are having a productive week ... let me know!! I would love to soak up some creative energy from you! TAG ME ... touche!!

Bonjour!! Suffice to say - I have had a lot going on in recent days. Knitting, spinning, reading "The Artist Way" and "Simple Abundance", plus drawing!! I finally finished my first pastel and thought I would share it with you here. I am not sure what to call it - a drawing or a painting - oh heck!! I will just call it a "masterpiece". (Can you tell that I am pretty proud??) I have been drawing for as long as I can remember - which is actually longer than I have been knitting. I do have an amazing teacher who I *think* brings out the best of my style. This is actually a Bosworth spindle. I liked to draw the 'roundness' of the whorl and their craftsmanship made my job EZ-PZ! Let me know what you think - I am looking forward to my new career of 'STAR-ving Artiste' !! TAG ME ... touche!!

YIKES!! I can't believe all this time has passed since my last post. I know the Superbowl was last Sunday (yes! I was glued to the TV) - and that is the day I usually report my fibery happenings of the week. Well, life has gotten in the way - and I have decided that I will report fun, fibery, artsy 'doings' as I 'do' them. More fun, less 'reporting'. My pastel art classes are going well. I hope to post a picture soon. It is still a work in progress and I have promised my instructor that I would not touch it until my next lesson. It is a spindle with roving. Hmmm ... that would make quite a title! My instructor Kim, is AWESOME!! She opened her store after following her path set forth by "The Artist Way" (Julia Cameron). It is a phenomenal book pertaining to a higher level of creativity. I am reading it too, and, so far, I have yet to uncover any major items in my life. I will continue the journey - looking forward to every twist & turn. I also mailed out my 14th pair of slippers today for The Ships Project. I am so excited about this organization!! Please think of joining if you spin, knit or crochet! The military personnel really appreciate these warm woolen hugs from home! Tonight, I am not sure what kind of fibery adventure I will embark upon! Tonight just might be a great night to curl up under the handspun afghan and dream ... TAG ME ... touche!

Suffice to say: It has been VERY cold !! With the wind chill - it is brutal. Nothing warms the heart faster than a 'Happy Mail Day' !! The yarn I ordered as a belated Christmas gift to myself arrived .... yarn and sock pattern from Joslyn's Fiber Farm!! How I wish these socks were done NOW. I chose the 'Sammy Socks' pattern as the yarn is derived from samoyed rescues. It is a 50% samoyed/ 50% merino blend. Can we say W-A-R-M!!?? The colorway is called 'Moonbeams' - isn't that great?? I *think* 'Treebark' will be next on my list. I have used this yarn before ... 2 years ago, I made several warm scarves as Christmas gifts and heard nothing but compliments as to their warmth. ......... "Something for ME ... please!" My inner child has been screaming to get my attention ... well, she has it! Not only am I spinning a vest for myself - but I will also be knitting these socks. WOO-WHOO!! Come to think of it - the 'Treebark' colorway would really compliment the fiber for the vest - now - my inner child is screaming "CHARGE"!! Stay warm & wooly!! TAG ME ... touche!!

With all the football fun yesterday - I neglected Ol'Betsey!! (My name for my computer!) I am still weeding my way thru all the lists & emails ... it will probably take me sometime to do it too. This past week, wasn't overly fibery. I am reading both "The Artist Way" and "Simple Abundance" books and following their recommendations to living a more simple, creative life. I would venture a guess that would mean less TV - which would mean less football - but heck - the NFL games end next weekend anyway. (Then I will admit the thought of Arena football intrigues me!) Anywhoo - last week I completed a 2ply, 173 yard skein of a Cross Patch Creations colorway named "Victoria into the Woods" from The Bellwether . My friend Nancie was nice enough to let me have the last package that Amelia had earmarked for her ... thanks again Nancie!! I will now be working my way thru 5 bags - in the hope that it will become a vest for me!! I also completed my 11th pair of slippers for the Ships Project. With so many of our military deploying - seems like the need is great. I have included a photo of my latest pair (# 12) - I use the 'Favorite Slipper' pattern and I wanted to show you what they looked like prior to sewing. What is great about these slippers is they are knit with 2 strands of yarn on size 11 or 13 needles (they go quick)!! And they make great use of my spindle skeins. These slippers actually are made up of 5 different yarns - I do have a 'constant' 100% wool, commerical yarn running thru the whole slipper - but what a great way to use hand spun!! TAG ME ... touche!!

Lately, my mind has been on Spring! I had received some 'paper-white' bulbs for Christmas. They were planted (in a pretty container!) last week - and they are currently residing by my kitchen window - slowly soaking up the sun. Each day, they turn a little greener and a little taller. I look forward to drinking in their beauty and perfume when they bloom - but for now - my thoughts turn to the new beginnings that this change of seasons will bring! Don't get me wrong - I know Spring is still is the not to distant future -and I am still enjoying the snow & cold!! But - I do love the 'new beginnings' aspect of Spring! The days have already started to get longer - the seed catalogues are here and the studio cleaning has begun. Since my thoughts are racing around preparations for my outside gardens - I thought I would share with you a new book I just bought. It is called Fairie-ality. I have always loved the thought of fairys (or fairies) popping around our woodlands & gardens. I think that they protect our flora from the ill advances of human-kind. Elizabeth Kubler-Ross, the noted doctor, states that she had actual photos of fairys that she had taken! (This revelation occurs in her book "The Wheel of Life" - a GREAT read!!). "Fairie-ality" is for those who love nature: flowers, feathers and a bit o' whimsy! AND with the approach of Spring - seems like fairy-dom has its wardrobe all set .... now, if only I could say the same thing!! TAG ME ... you are it!

I missed my Sunday confession! Sigh ... I guess that I was TOO involved with football. The season is all to quickly coming to an end. I am sad about that - as Sunday is 'my day': to rest; relax and regroup. I have always felt this way about Sunday - it is kind of a family day, just my husband & I , puttering around the house doing things separately, but yet 'together' if that makes sense. I do get a lot of fibery stuff done while watching/listening to sports. AND the really great thing is - if I happen to miss an important play - they always show it again on re-play!! That is pretty cool!! My fiber week went well, again all yarns completed are 2-ply: brown shetland, 34 yards; spring green bfl (the Copper Moth) 108 yards; GCNI 'Intrigue' (Running Moon Farm) 155 yards; oatmeal shetland 105 yards; black shetland 118 yards; and I completed my 10th pair of slippers for The Ships Project. Once again, I encourage one & all to participate in this worthy project - it seems like these hand made items are a real boost to those stationed far from their loved ones. I do have time to make someone else happy!! Speaking of being happy - The Daily Zen offers some great insight each day!! Try a random act of kindness each day this week - but Saturday, I am sure you will be positively GLOWING!! TAG ME ... you are it!

It's SUNDAY!! That means ... fiber 'Fession time!! This week was a rather productive one - given it was New Year's Eve / Day and it was UNdecorating time. So - I am pretty proud. I completed 2 FO's!! Hip Hip HOOray!! The first being my 9th pair of slippers for The Ships Project. These knit up SO fast that I have to slow myself down. If I knit to quickly - my hands start crying in agony. Sigh ... My second FO is a scarf for my 'Secret Santa' from work. (Our celebration is THIS month as everyone was just to tired to do it last month.) It is a superwash merino, hand spun yarn which I had purchased a while ago. I LOVE the stitch - it is called 'the purse stitich' - AND it is really EZ - PZ! I did it on size 5 needles in the hopes that it would make my yarn last as I only had one skein. The stitch itself is incredibly stretchy and it is perfect for a 'lacey-type' scarf. My spinning netted 2 skeins of 2 ply: a shetland / southdown blend, 29 yards and 'skunk' (a black & white layered roving) , 36 yards. Both these spindle skeins will go towards SIS's afghan. I hope you are having a great weekend! Let me know what you think of the scarf! TAG ME ... you are it!

HaPPy WHOLE Year - 2003!! I kind of shy away from the 'New Year' theme as I feel it suggests best wishes for just one or 2 days! I want to CELEBRATE the whole year ... as each day / season brings new opportunites to love; to create; and to work towards peace. The first 2 being really important for the third to happen. I will do my part this year ... please join me! I have been working feverishly on slippers for The Ships Project. See, love (for fellow human) + creating (knitting slippers) = peace. It may not be the world peace that we are all looking for - but I know it CREATES LOVE & PEACE in the hearts of the military personnel who receive them as well as THEIR family members who know that this one American appreciates their valiant efforts in defense of our freedoms! I have also decided, with the help of OPRAH - to do more for MY health this year. Not necessarily a diet - but just to watch what I eat & drink, and the portions to which they are given. Each time I DON'T have a snack or a second glass of wine or eat after supper, etc - I will reward myself. Hmmm - what I mean is - I will put $1 in an envelope that I will give to charity at the end of the month! Could be $5 - could be $50!! The way I look at it - I spend the $$ now or later ( medical bills, larger clothes, more food, etc). Seems like NOW is the better choice! I donated to GreyhoundFriends last month - this month, I think it will be ChildReach. LOVE + Creativity = PEACE. Maybe I should say - HaPPy WHOLENESS Year - 2003! TAG ME .... you are it!

Happy New Year to one and all!! It seems weird to think that this is the last day of the year 2002. Where is all the time going too?? It was a year marked, for me, with new beginnings and eventful ends to certain things in my life. I hope that 2003 is one filled with peace, love, health and some time management would be nice too. This last week has proven to be quite interesting - computer crashes really do create chaos!! I have missed NOT being on line and visiting with my cyber-friends. Which leads me to say that my cyber-friends have truly become part of my heart and I treasure them dearly! Now - since I was not up & running on Sunday - here is my fiber week in review! All these skeins are 2 ply. (I honestly don't think I would ever use a 1 ply hand spun - would you?) A lincoln / shetland skein, 111 yards; 'forgot' wool, 34 yards; white shetland, 21 yards; shetland/southdown X , 15 yards; and 'mystery' wool, 12 yards. These smaller, spindle spun skeins will be used for SIS's (matching) afghan for Christmas 2003. YAY!! I am tickled that she liked mine so much!! I also started a scarf for a secret Santa swap for work which will be held sometime in January. I am using an interesting stitch and I will go into more detail (with photo) when completed!! I hope that this message is the first of many ... I am fearful that ol' Betsey, my computer, is still not 100%!! Sigh ... I hope that 2003 serves you well!!! Stay safe & celebrate responsibly tonight!! TAG ME ... you are it!

Happy Day After Christmas!! I hope all those the celebrate the holiday - did indeed enjoy it! I also hope that Santa was good to you & yours!! Even though I wasn't in possession of the 315 million dollar Powerball ticket - I did perfectly fine!! Hazel Rose Looms!! A Bosworth spindle in grenadilla!! The Sock Calendar!! Soaps from Goodies Unlimited!! Bruins tickets!! HO! HO! HO! But - the fun didn't stop there - today I ordered a sock kit from Joslyn's Fiber Farm!! OK - I had asked for one - didn't get it - so in the patriotic spirit of things (buy! buy! buy!) - I did!! I ordered the basic sock kit in Sammy yarn / color 'Moonbeams". If I enjoy doing it - I think I must also have the colorway "Treebark"!! ~~ Christmas itself was spent with family! It was a grand time - in a good old fashioned, New England snowstorm! Kudos to the people of 'JEEP' for making remarkably durable vehicle!! Thank-you!! ~~My MOM also gifted me with 'THE AFGHAN'!! She crocheted this Granny Square afghan!! It has taken a year to complete. It is also totally hand spun by MOI!! Completely all natural sheepie colors - all but the border was drop spindled. The border - a BL / coopworth X named 'Heady" was wheel spun. It fits comfortably on a twin sized bed - but it will be used in the den when a chill is in the air! My SIS wants one next Christmas - same colors - I will just need to find a grey fleece for her border!! AND - I have already begun spinning for it!! Christmas 2003 - will NOT catch me unawares!! Check this out: Christmas Countdown Clock!! I will keep it as a link in the side bar ... just to keep ME on my toes!! TAG ME ... you are it!!

Only 3 day until Christmas - OK - 2 shopping days ... boy, time DOES fly when one is unprepared. I am not saying that I am a total lost cause - but I do vow to start thinking of Christmas 2003 on January 1, 2003! That should give me plenty of time to get things completed, wrapped and sent out in a timely manner. More importanly - I want to ENJOY the season. This is the most magical time of all and everyone around me is stressed, unfocused and uncentered. This disharmony spreads havoc & chaos like a disease. That is why I vow to manage my Christmas-EE 'self' better next year. I spun a great deal today - and will continue tonight as the Patriots play a must win game against the NY Jets. Go PATRIOTS!! Anywhoo - in my 'fibery confession' segment, I completed a 112 yard, 2 ply skein of "Heady" , a BL/ coopworth X for the now infamous and yet to be completed afghan; 68 yards, 2 ply merino which will be used in a pair of slipper for The Ships Project and last but not least, a 25 yard, 2 ply skein of coopworth which I spun on my hatchtown production. I love having these little skeins around!! I also painted my holiday KLAUDETTE studio pillow - which I hope will arrive at its destination before Tuesday. I hope that everyone is able to relax and enjoy the abundant miracles of the season!! TAG ME ... you are it!!

I have been very remiss about posting of late!! AND I feel as there is no particular cause of the 'blog hiatus". Sure, I can blame work or Christmas or illness or 101 other varied excuses. But, excuses are what they would be!! I *think* that I just needed a few mental health days to concentrate on ME & MY things. 'My things' are laundry & grocery shopping! House cleaning & dog time!! Christmas shopping & Klaudette drawing!! All take time & energy - and a few days here and there are definitely warranted!! I DID break my 'fiber hiatus'!! I made 30 days without buying fiber. I cracked when a fellow spindler started her own dYe shop! Alice's 'Wonderland dYeworks' is open for business and the BFL batts are just beautiful! .... my 2 colorways arrived today! "Just before Sunrise" and "Forest Rainbow". She doesn't have her website up yet - but I will post it when she does!! The batts feel heavenly / the colors to dYe for!! - and maybe I will play with them on the wheel tonight. We will see - I am not making plans just yet! I will post my fiber confessions THIS coming Sunday! There wasn't to much to post about last week - and unless I go gangbusters tonight & tomorrow - there won't be too much fiberness to discuss THIS Sunday either!! And Christmas is less than a week away!! Are YOU ready?? TAG ME .. you are it!!

Fibery 'Fession Time!! And I must say - I am not overly proud of my lack of production this week. I DID complete a KLAUDETTE, which sold in one day on eBay!! YAY!! I DID complete and mail my 8th pair of slippers for The Ships Project!! I absolutely LOVE making these things!! AND I am glad that some wonderful member of our military is able to keep their feet warm because of my handspun!!! I DID also finish a 2ply, 123 yard skein for the afghan my Mom is making. Last week I incorrectly stated that this afghan was a 2 year work in progess. It has actually just been a year!! Seems like it has been forever!! I *might* even suggest to my sister that Mom & I collaberate on another afghan for her family for NEXT Christmas!! Sigh .... projects! Projects and MORE Projects!! This week - I hope to do more. I still need to Christmas shop - but our tree is UP!! No small feat considering all the STUFF we had to move out of the way to get to the attic 'crawl space' door!! Did I mention this door is in my studio???? TAG ME .... you are it!

COLD! That is the best way to describe today ... I mean, this is like January COLD! What is a girl to do except laundry & shop! Hey, with Christmas just around the corner - I must start!! But, today was also a day of gifts!! In the mail, from my friend Stasia I received a wonderful box of goodies!! A statue of the Southeast Light on Block Island (how cool is that??), stickers, a spindle holder for my Klaudette bags!!, hand lotion , a little bit o'beach and a cookie mold in the shape of lighthouses! How could I be cold after remembering all the fun I had in the surf & sun just a mere 2 months ago?? Boy - does time fly. This box really & truly boosted by spirits. Thanks Stas!! BUT - I still HAD to shop. It was a retail therapy kind of day. Chuck, if you are reading this **STOP**!! warning Christmas gifts for me ahead ......... first, I ordered myself some new soaps!! Aubrey of Goodies Unlimited makes the best soap in the world. My favorite - the Stress Free, Green Tea soap. Those antioxidants work wonders!! I also ordered myself the new Sock Calendar . Doesn't it look like FUN?? AND - maybe, just maybe a spindle or 2 - but that remains to be seen!! Still - no fiber!! Today, I celebrate my 29th day! It has been hard - but things are looking good!! Hope your day was as wonderful as mine!! TAG ME ... you are it!

The long week end is over. I will be glad to slow down my life again - living at the speed of sound is not my cup of tea. For the next three weeks - it will be more of this hectic pace which utterly DRAINS me. My spirit weakens - my soul collapses. Then - I get cranky! It is cold here - and they are predicting colder weather for this week. Wood stove time!! Woo-WHOO! It is usually lit everynight to take the chill off the house and us. It warms the heart, soul & mind! It is truly one of my favorite things that I love about our home! It is confession time for me ... and I actually DID get a good amount of spinning accomplished!! Here goes .... (all are 2 ply skeins) greeen corridale, 91 yards; a finn X & alpaca blend 32 yards; a corridale & GCNI blend, 15 yards; a wool & angora blend, 15 yards; a coopworth, BL X , 93 yards; and shetland, 25 yards. You can pretty much tell what I did on a spindle! All of the natural colored skeins were given to my Mom as she is crocheting an afghan for us. This afghan has been in the works for 2 years. It would be nice to have it for THIS Christmas, but I don't thing it will happen. I can dream though!! What did accomplish this week? TAG ME ... you are it!

It was our first official snow storm today!! Sure - we have had flakes here and there ... but today it SNOWED!! When I first awoke at 4:35 am (thanks to one of the dogs who needed to 'go out') it was snowing. When I left work at 1 pm - it was still snowing! When I shoveled the driveway - it was STILL snowing!! YiPpEE!! Everything looks "OH! So PRETTY!" Tonight will be one of those incredible nights spent in front of the wood stove - contemplating life while spinning!! Tomorrow is Thanksgiving - I prefer to be Thank-FULL everyday!! I think it would be wise for all of us to stop and take stock of our daily blessings. Some blessings are small. Others are in-your-face-huge!! While still others are wrapped tightly - waiting to be opened & acknowleged. Each blessing needs to be 'thanked' for entering into our lives - for each blessing has a name & a reason. This year - I have become extremely aware of the blessing of CHOICE. So - tomorrow I will celebrate & be thank-FULL for all the choices I face each day. The right to choose between right & wrong. The right to choose good over evil. The right to choose between hope & despair. The right to choose between love & hate. Some choices are difficult to make - some choices are easy. But it is the PRIVILEGE of choice that deserves recognition! ..... It has finally stopped snowing - and the sun made a CHOICE to say "hello & goodnight" in a quick breath. I thought you might like to see his whisper! TAG ME ... you are it!