Once again, I have fallen behind in posts! Could it be because I am trying to keep up with outside adventures?? OR maybe it is due to my current 'Featured Vendor' status on Spindler's List! Maybe it is because the socks I am knitting are actually 2 different sizes ... NOT on by choice! Could be so many different things!

So, here I am - posting today! I would like to pass on some interesting tidbits ... all on eBay!

First, I placed a bid on this wool! Not that I need it - but, to read the snippet of info re: this wayward sheepie - any 77 year old who can shear a sheepie with an attitude deserves a bid! Feel free to out
BID me.

Second, visit my friend Marcia's
cyber-shelves!! Aren't those the coolest bags ever??

Third, it is my unabashed plug for my own stuff! Yes - I have been working REALLY hard carding these last 2 weeks and I would love for you to take a peek at some of my Kitchen Sink Batts
- of course I would like you to bid too - but, I think you know that!

Lastly - my hats off to all veterans who help make & those who continue to keep this country free. During this Memorial Day - may you remember those you have gone but should not be forgotten! TAG ME ... you are it!

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I found an interesting link recently that I would like to share! At the North Shore Animal League - you can SPONSOR a
dog or cat in need. These are animals which, due to circumstances beyond their control, may never find a loving home. Therefore, individuals outside of the League may assist in their care! How cool is that?

And, since I am on the subject of animal friends ... I am determined more than ever to keep those shephards who care for their flocks, humanely & with love, in business more than ever! If you are looking for some wonderful, raw wool, visit Sandy at Homestead Wool & Gift Farm. She does love her sheepies!

What are you up to?? TAG ME .... You are it!

Spring is here ... the RED SOX are in first place in their division ... life is pretty sweet!

As always - I have been busy dyEing, carding & spinning. But, now I must add gardening & lawn chores to my daily repetoire. I LOVE being outside and since my husband & I try to live as organically as possible ... I feel my efforts help the Earth. I don't mind being busy - I just have a problem with wasting time.

Part of my time wasting has to do with photographing fiber. I NEVER knew how hard it was until I tried capturing the correct colors of skeins & batts in a digital format. Since I sell the stuff, it is VERY important to capture the colors as best I can! Sure, listing colors is helpful, but my idea of 'celery' is totally different than someone elses!

So, I have a tip! Photograph your work using its complimentary color as a background. White or black backgrounds are nice - but they may distort the exact color you are trying to capture. Using a simple color wheel - often available at craft stores and a staple in art stores ... you can decipher complimentary colors. If all else fails this CYBER COLOR WHEEL shows the complimentary colors if you scroll down a bit.

Hope this tidbit of info helps someone! TAG ME ... You are it!

See? I told you I would post more .... wheeeee! Today, I was able to complete a hat that I had made for Prudence Mapstone's Cyber-Gallery . I call it "Head Chick"!

Suffice to say - it came out 'large doll head' size. Maybe a child could wear it, but alas, not jumbo headed me. I suppose this might be a 'good thing'. TAG ME ... You are it!

NBC's "THE APPRENTICE" is over for the season. Sigh ... This was a 'Must See TV' show - one of the few reality shows I have ever watched and suffice to say - I was hooked.

I think what separates this 'reality' show from others is that you can actually pick up tidbits of business advice from 'The Donald'. Knowledge is a powerful tool and whether or not you are in high stakes real estate or a small, independent fiber biz - tidbits of information from a rather successful individual should not be taken for granted. I was slightly 'WOW'ed with Trump's lifestyle - and pleasingly voyeuristic when those snippets of his life appeared. Not to say that I would want to live that lavishly ... but I would like to try it for a month (or 2)!

Me?? I am glad that Bill won - although Kwame is no slouch. I would hire both in an instant if I were a mogul. Can't see either of them carding wool ... let alone washing it - but, heck! I don't wash it either!!!

I have decided to update my BloG more often. If you scroll down - on the left, I have a list of books that I have finished. This is HUGE for me as I am not a big reader. I figure if I document them - it would encourage me to read more. Notice - I have even read one of Mr. Trump's books! Weeeeee! TAG ME .... you are it!

I am PSYCHED!!

I am like Bill -- "I'm a trained killer - in business."

Bill was the Project Manager for the Celebrity Auction Challenge, the Pedicab Challenge, was in Interview Round for the Final Four and the final Golf Tournament Charity Event Challenge.

Which Apprentice are You?
brought to you by The Apprentice Blog and Quizilla

OK - I know I haven't posted in a REALLY long time. Once again - life is getting in the way of BloGGing! C'est la vie .... I will try to do better!

I have been busy spinning and carding for THE KNOTTY SHEEP . I am delighted that the response to my products has been SO favorable. YiPpEE and Thank EWE!! I am still in the stages of finding a balance between making sure everything I need to do gets done. One thing I know for sure - the whole fiber process takes time! Thankfully, it is time well spent!

I also purchased the best earrings from my friend EVE! I purchased a pair for myself and a pair for a (belated) birthday for a friend. Notice the art work at "Spinning Karma"? I did that!!

Well, in short - that is my life! Boring as it is - it makes me happy! My only current WIP is a pair of Joslyn socks. I have about 3" to go on the first sock. I am in 'sock phase' right now ... don't know why - but it is fun! Tag me ... You are it!

Spring is finally here - although you would not know from the temperatures outside. I had actually turned the heat in the house down a few weeks ago ... today, I turned it back up. Weather in New England!! Got to love it!

I have been busy dyEing, carding and spinning. This past week - I received my 2 beautiful shetland fleeces from Lael at Maplewood North. Check out the site & look for Daisy & Simba ... they both came to live with me. Isn't Simba's fleece GORGEOUS?? I honestly don't want to let it out of my sight ... but off to the processor it must go. Yes ... I am THAT bad at washing fleece.

My other 2 fleeces should be coming back from Wooly Knob any day now! I can't wait to see them and I am itching to play with them!

All in all - I have kept myself out of trouble being fibery! Oh - I should mention ... the dubblmossa never even got started this winter ... let's see how long it takes for me to get the socks I have on the needles completed!! TAG ME ... You are it!

Where OH! Where is the time flying??? I have made some fine progress in completing tasks - but no where near where I would like to be! My knitting sits in it's basket - unloved & untouched! My spinning wheels have had some exercise - but not enough. My carder .... Ah! Now my carder has been busy!

I truly enjoy blending the expected with the unexpected! Pushing the creative envelope always does one's muse good! I think this is how we grow artistically ... When we do the unexpected. Such happy accidents can occur not only in our creations - but life in general! When we break free of our confines - that is when we truly become who we were meant to be!

Off to go create ... I am working on a pastel landscape ... Something of a different genre for me! AND - more carding! Do you need to exercise YOUR wheels & needles more ... Well BUY ME !!! TAG ME ... You are it!

Well, while I have been patiently awaiting ALL my fleeces - one did manage to pop in to make my acquaintance ... a beautiful California Red Fleece. It's stay was short - it rested here only for a few days before it was out the door again - on its way to the processor.

Truth be told - I haven't been idle while waiting for shearing day (s). No siree Bob! eBay is a great friend (or foe depending on available fiber dollars!). I received 2 boxes today - one containing the most exquisite silvery white WASHED romney! The second, washed suffolk. I am re-washing as the ends were a bit gnarly - but check out this staple length! MOMMA MIA! TAG Me ... You are it!!

I have been tremendously busy spinning & carding of late. I enjoy the process and I love to watch what 'blends' actually develop on the carder. Even though I spend most of the time frolicking amongst natural colored fibers and adding color ... I am also trying my hand at dYeing. It is a calculated science to say the least! I don't know how far I will progress and I am quite limited by space - but the journey is fun! The batts I created last week - I just put in MY STORE ! If you are feeling shoppie ... Don't let me stop you ... I have 7 (yes! You read right!) SEVEN fleeces coming ... gulp! How can one resist these tantalizing morsels??? Sigh ....

DH & I watched a program about Grizzlies on PBS last night. (Nope - no Academy awards here - like, I really care who is wearing what! I have all I can do to match DH's socks!) CHARLIE RUSSELL is truly amazing. He will be getting some charity dollars from us! To live amongst the grizzlies and to see how these animals commune with him & his wife is AMAZing. Hats off to you, Charlie! I salute your hard work!

What have you been up to?? TAG ME .... You are it!

No news flash here: I HATE washing fleece. I am no good at it and I never want to do it again! PHEEWW! That feels better. Feels like a weight has been lifted as it seems everyone I know in the fibery world has no qualms about washing fleece. Truly - I am NO GOOD at it! AND with 4 fleeces coming as soon as their respective shear dates are over .... Look out!

Since today is Thursday - it is my ARTIST DAY! This is time that is set aside that I go in studio and play with pastels. I finally finished "Marcus" (side note here - I began in November 2003!) . Marcus lived on Redbud Wool Farm and Linnet ... His person, was kind enough to let me draw some of her sheepies. This is for her ... and Marcus! TAG ME ... You are it!

Things have been busy in my studio since the new carder arrived! I have been having a ball creating lovely batts of wool. Of course they are FOR SALE! Feel free to place a bid ... My husband would be delighted if you did! :)

With the new carder came my INSANE desire to purchase raw fleeces! WHY???? I HATE preparing my own fleeces - but things change as we grow! To ease into the process, I am starting with 2 pounds of raw Suffolk. I ordered it from Abi at High Prairie Fibers ! Got to love a shepherdess who also does parrot rescues. Hats off to you, Abi!

Then, there are 2 coming from Linnet at Redbud Wool Farm , and 1 from Bonnie at Sheepy Thyme and then today - I found out that I am getting a hogget fleece from my friend Alicia who named a churro after me! Woo-WHOO! I am so excited .... REALLY SCARED .... But excited!

So as I said .... Feel free to buy or bid at The Knotty Sheep - I need the room! TAG me ... You are it!

The Superbowl has come and gone and I will not be complaining as the New England Patriots won!! For those of you who love QB Tom Brady, his popularity increased a MILLION fold. To bad I am married or I am sure he would be banging down my door! C'est la vie!

I recently ordered a Fricke Petite drum carder! The time will tick slowly by until it reaches me. I hope to create some really interesting blends - but as with any new tool , test drives will be important. Hope I don't hurt myself - those things look sharp!

But, what is a girl to do during the recent colds spells? (I would say - long, dark days - but it *IS* getting brighter out there daily!) The answer of course is to SPIN and draw!! TAG ME ... You are it!

SUPERBOWL SUNDAY! It is here! Can YOU believe it?? I am just so excited - that I think I will burst! I am planning on bringing my Ship's Slippers to knit upon while at a friend's house. I am not one to care that corporate America is spending 2.3 million on a 30 second ad (don't really know if that is an accurate figure, but I know it is close!) - so I will sneak a row in here & there. The mailing period is this week - so they MUST be completed!

My creative juices were flowing ... I have been pushing that proverbial 'creative envelope' and LOVE BUGS
was the result!! I had a ball (HA! no pun intended) doing this skein and I look forward to expanding my 'novelty' yarn inventory. I really like the fact that the sky is the limit when it comes to imagination!

GO PATRIOTS!! Tag ME ... YOU are it!

Still more than a week to go for the Superbowl! Can YOU stand it?? I can't! My husband would have us flying to Houston in a heart beat - just one small problem ... game tickets! Realistically, how can one spend several mortgage payments on one game?? But, we will be cheering the The New Engalnd PATRIOTS on to victory! No foam fingers for me ... how could I spin or knit??

Drum carders have been weighing on my mind of late. I don't really know if I need one - but I am thinking it would be fun to create 'interesting' batts of 'GOD knows what'. The one decision I did make is that I must sell enough stuff to purchase one! So - if you are feeling shoppie - stop by The Knotty Sheep ! Yarn collectors can revel in the unique inventory! (Interesting side note: 10% of my sales will be going to Heifer International to buy sheepies!! Scroll down to see the totals on the left side bar!)

I have managed to finish a handspun cashmere & silk scarf! Came out quite nice and oh, so soft. Now - it is time to sit & spin as well as knit a pair of Ship's Slippers! There is still 8 days to the Superbowl! TAG ME ... You are it!

It has been SO cold here these last few days! I mean - temps, with wind chill, that surpass the 20 degree BELOW mark! BELOW 0 that is! Now, I am pretty hardy - being of Lithuanian descent & living in New England all my life - but this is just plain cold! Perfect weather to play with wool! AND I have indulged this passion quite intensely this last week.

I have been attempting to spin funky yarns of late. Yarns that would make fun trims & embellishments. Miss Robin isn't really up to the task as the orifice is rather small and the hooks are a tad tiny & close together.

BUT - experimentation is good. While playing one night with some extra fiber I had on 2 bobbins - I created the below squiggle yarn. First I S'd, then Z'd, then S'd again as it was REALLY over spun. I set the twist and hung the small skein with a weight ... something I don't usually do. (I feel the weight of a wet skein is sufficient.)

What do you think of my squiggles?? TAG ME ... You are it!

I have been having these last few days - making room for the new things that a "New Year" brings. With every new year, promises of organization, weight loss and de-cluttering are renewed. I decided it was time to sell off some of my 'children' ... Not literally as I don't have children - but skeins of yarn that have been spun with love & patience. Good karma abounds with these babies!!

Some are harder to 'let go' than others. Seaweed is such a skein. So - if you are in the market for a wonderful, handspun skein of corridale - that reminds this soul of long walks on the beach, salty breezes in your hair and sand tickling your toes ... Then please bring this baby home to live with you. TAG ME.... You are it!

2004 is here! YiPpEE!! This year is going to be great - I can truly feel it. I have done much spinning ... And while I am still knitting away on a handspun cashmere & silk scarf - I have thoughts of other projects swimming in my head. Needle felting is on the top of my list . I am seriously trying to spend at least 4 hours per day being creative. It is a challenge, but I find if I make time in my life for the creativity to flow ... It 'creates' more inspirations! How cool is that??

Today, I posted my first Klaudette design of 2004. The NFL football playoffs have commenced and shall we say that I found my inspiration?? Klaudette has joined 'The NFL'!! TAG ME ... You are it!

I am quite amazed that 2003 is coming to an end. Seems like just yesterday I was in a whirl wind - spinning up a storm for SIS's Christmas afghan. Thankfully - it was completed, with time to spare & treasured on Christmas morning!

With 2004 just around the corner - I hesitate to make 'resolutions' due in part to the inescapable failure of NOT doing them. Seems weird - I can honor marriage vows but not one of losing weight, less yarn & fiber stash, less alcohol & more exercise! Hmm ... I guess in the scheme of things, my priorities are on target.

So - in thinking of this glorious year awaiting all of us - I do resolve one thing: to live more gently upon the earth. It shouldn't be THAT difficult ... I mean, to bring less packaging into the house ... No problem! To eat less meat ... EZ PZ! To walk places instead of always driving, to give more of myself as opposed to 'things', to spend more time making my little corner of the world AND myself the best it (& I ) can be. To cultivate peace & love to all that I meet .... No, these aren't resolutions - just me trying to 'pay my rent' for my space on earth. (Did I mention spin & knit & draw more too??) Happy New Year! TAG ME ... You are it!

Christmas is fast approaching & I am pretty much FINIS!! The cards are almost completed, the gifts are bought and those that were intended for loved ones far away are zooming to their destinations as I type. Some have already landed......which is phenomenal!

The REALLY spectacular thing is - I have already made notes, quotes & recommendations for NEXT Christmas. Gifts I thought about making certain individuals - but just never got around to it. OR - ideas that blossomed due to some unexplainable reason. I am just psyched that I will be prepared - and being prepared takes the pressure off. No pressure - No stress.

This weekend - I knit this really cool
FRONTIER HAT for myself. It went extremely quick and I look like I belong in "Dr. Zhivago". Pretty cool stuff!

I also recently spun a wonderful dorset x rambo roving. Then I Navajo plYed it. I LOVE using this technique and have found myself on occasion purchasing roving just so I may indulge myself!! What do you think?? TAG ME ... You are it!