November - finally!

It seems like today I am finally back on track. While the move still isn't totally finished ... I am feeling like I am now home. It has been trying to say the least ... but, I am no worse for wear AND I finally (and I do mean finally!) - have both a fast & reliable internet connection!

I am looking forward to spinning more, knitting more, drawing more & blogging more! I dare say .... I am excited to do it all!

After visiting with my sister's family over Thanksgiving .... my niece has decided you wants me to knit the Eliza Shawl. Being almost 17 ... she was kind enough to give me a month ... I quickly stated a year. I will look into it ... but, I am hoping that this isn't just a teenage whim. I know **I** would look fabulous in it!

Just to let you know - I have been spinning a bit. While the outside temperature is screaming "Spring" ... I am still thinking "fall into winter." Sixty degrees is way to hot for me this time of year! So ...I am thinking Snowcap! Seriously ... Christmas is fast approaching!

Moving ... On!

Moving from one state to another is challenging. I haven't moved locations for 17 years, so the accumulation of 'stuff' is shall we say ... 'huge'.

Knitting/spinning & art supplies alone constitute an "18-wheeler." But, little by little, they are making their way across state lines.

Most of my fiber books are already nestled in their new home.

My pattern collection takes up some space too.

Since the yarn/fiber stash is extensive - I have decided to record how much I knit (and its weight) until our present house is sold. The house is not on the market as of this writing & I am unsure as to when it will be ready to list! With that being said ... my first items are finished and ready to mail to the "Christmas at Sea" program. These 2 scarves weigh 8 oz! I probably have 80 pounds left to go! WhEEEEE! This is going to be fun!

September

September is one of my most favorite months. I am quite confident that I repeat myself yearly on this fact. I think for me it is a time when I get a ton of stuff done. My way of celebrating cooler temperatures & 'fallish' colors. I think I am thanking God for them both as well!

It is also a great time of reflection. My daily routine relaxes the tiniest of bits as I rejoice in morning coffee in the sleepy sun. The dogs rest comfortably on cushions after their walk instead of panting on cold tile in efforts to cool down quickly. Yes, September is an awesome month!

Of course, knitting takes center stage. A few weeks from now, woolies will be needed for those dog walks; trips to the bus stop; raking of leaves; football; and all those fun activities enjoyed only in the fall. If you could just stop for a moment and realize all those in need who could use a warm scarf; a pair of mittens; a hat or socks ... you would be overwhelmed.

One of the many things I LOVE about knitters & the fiber community is their commitment to share. I have just completed 2 scarves for the Christmas at Sea program. These were knit out of handspun & will be mailed out early next week.

I am currently in the process of knitting another scarf for Outreach to Appalachia.

Whatever your fancy - I do hope you will take a moment to knit something for someone somewhere. This world sure could use YOUR talent & YOUR good vibes to make a heart warm & a smile shared.

Good Night, Irene

Any natural disaster is scary. I have been fortunate, I have never honestly been front & center to witness one. Hurricanes, fires, tornadoes, floods & tsunamis ... I have seen the devastation by way of TV & those images hit the both the heart & the head.

This past weekend, my husband & I (with our animals) were asked to leave the property we have just renovated. The renovation has been years in the making - and it was hard to leave it behind. We were fortunate - we had some where else to go. We were *really* fortunate in that nothing happened.

Prayers go out to those who lost loved ones & lost property. Natural disasters are scary stuff but at least with hurricanes, there is a prolonged warning. I packed a crate of treasures: my cremated pups, Motu & Diesel; my father's Bronze Star; a vase & a sculpture from my mom; a book from my childhood and my yarns.

If you are a weather stalker (yes, I am becoming one!) ... a most excellent resource is StormPulse.

I am hoping that this family weathered the storm too ...

Thank goodness for knitting, cell phones, good friends ... and wine! This is one weekend that I hope doesn't repeat itself anytime soon.

You Have Mail

Since child hood ... I have always loved mail. Growing up, I had an assortment of penpals ... I still do - waves go out to England & France! Nothing like pretty envelopes & cards in the mailbox - complete with beautiful stamps! Given the state of the US Postal Service - I am on a one woman mission to keep them in business!

One of my latest fascinations is Postcrossing. I am receiving & sending postcards from all over the world! To date, I have sent to Russia, Germany, Poland & the US. I have received lovelies from US, Taiwan, Germany & Canada. Seriously, who doesn't like to receive something other than bills in their mailbox?

I think that this is a perfect school or scouting project. What a neat way to learn about different places!! My latest received:

I have never been to Alaska .... but, I am sure glad this person is trying to keep the US Postal Service up & running too!

Simple

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

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

Simple, is good.
So are good drying days!

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

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

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

Charity knitting, once again!

One of the things I have really missed is the 'knitting for charity' portion of my creative time. I have not been focused enough to even give it a second thought. Shame on me!

There are so many persons in 'need' out in the world. The news is full of horror stories on a day to day (if not minute by minute) basis. It is sad, really, that the good stuff is hard to find. Time to step out of cardboard moving box and pay attention to somebody else.

Whilst on Ravelry, I came upon a group devoted to those on the sea. The Seamen's Church Institute. It is inter-faith and has been around since the late 1800's. Really ... how cool is that!

Scarves are needed and you can use wool as long as you label it as such. It must be marked as 'hand washable' too. If you have the inclination, you can find a wee bit about knitting for the "Christmas at Sea" program here.

What will *I* be using??? This handspun!! I think the green is befitting Christmas ...

Hopefully, this yarn will make a FAB scarf!!

Time to get BAAck on Track!

I find it curious the way things come & go. The way that some things are important and then, in a blink of an eye ... other things take their place. Or feelings for that matter. We can have deep feelings for something and then decide it didn't mean anything.

These past couple of months have been interesting. Things & feelings have come and gone. A major surgical procedure was done, and thankfully, I am no worse for wear ... better actually! And now, my family is slowly transitioning to a new state.

The latter has been a lengthy process - but a total learning one! Just recently, the dirt & mud has been scraped off my creative soul... and I am coming back! I have both painted & spun this week. Seriously, could I ask for more?? O yes!! I am blogging once again!

So ... this fabulous wool & sea cell was just finally plied and it is now finis!

Of course, I don't have that photo ... that would make things much to easy!!

But ... off to pack a little more. Things are really good!

Sunday ... might just be my favorite day!

Out of the seven days of the week, I think that Sunday gets a bad rap. As a child - your mother rousted you away from your bed or TV to attend Church. Then, it was a myriad of things after that ... a few chores, some relatives drop by, a family meal and a final check of the homework. Then, it was bedtime - with the school week starting a few hours after your eyes closed.

Now, Sunday for me is spent relaxing. Yes - I still go to Church (it IS one of my favorite things to do!), still do a few chores, might see more friends than relatives, *I* am the one who cooks the meal and granted, there is no more homework ... only endeavors that I wish to pursue.

Yesterday was a fine, sunny day! The wind was chilly off the water, so 'outdoor' time was relegated to dog walking. After a robust walk, it was time to spin!! The dogs decided that they needed to be 'right there, too.' I love that they love to be near me when I spin. While Moonshine & Jaeger are technically not relatives ... they sure are family! Maybe my Sundays aren't so different after all.

A belated holiday ...

By recent posts, you can deduce that my Life has been chaotic. Not in a bad way - just in a crazy, "Calgon-take-me-away" kind of way. Things are better, I am adjusting more readily to life's surprises: thank God for the wonderful gift of 'The Rosary'.

This weekend, my sister & her family will be visiting. We will be celebrating a very belated Christmas. Miles, snowstorms & surgery played into this delay! I am truly looking forward to their visit.

On that note ... my amaryllis finally bloomed - see?

Keeping calm

Life is insane. There are ups & downs / trials & tribulations / hills & valleys. However one looks at 'Life' - so goes their attitude.

I am Catholic - have always been, will always be. I am not a *good* Catholic - but I hope to be, in time. My interpretation of being *good* means: no judging, more loving; more giving, less receiving; less whining, more offerings.
Suffice to say, I hope I live a mighty long time. I will need a long, long life to accomplish being *good*.

Recently, I have been diligently praying with my Rosary. I love the 'calmness' it brings me. The utter serenity I feel while reciting the prayers accompanied by the smooth beads running through my fingers is 'simply divine.' No pun intended here. I think we need to pray more: for each other & for those who have left us.

I have a several rosaries - most coming to me by way of friends. (Yes, I do have *the* best friends!) But, recently I purchased one from Jeanine/HeartFelt Rosaries. Awesome, yes?

I am at a loss for words over its beauty. Lapis lazuli & white turquoise amidst bronze metal work! A true stunner! AND - I love the fact that this is hand made by an artist who works as a hospice nurse.

Praying the rosary is the best way for me to de-stress & to do *good*. You just have to love that!

A month gone?

I seriously do not know where time goes. Here it is - a month since my last posting! UGH!
Apologies. I do not know how time escapes me. But, now that it is 'Ash Wednesday' - and time to reflect on God and spiritual matters - I am slowing down & enjoying 'quiet' time: my knitting, my spinning, my prayerful life and my dogs! All good!

The weather is slowly changing too. We have had some warmer weather and actual sun! Yesterday, Moonshine ran & ran & ran. And then, she 'passed out'.

Didn't I say I am enjoying my quiet time?

I managed to knit a few rows on the Azani shawl too. I *must* finish it as there are so many things that I want to knit! And, not to be the bearer of 'bad' news - but winter for those that have little, will return in the blink of an eye! Yes ... I must knit faster!

On that note ... a small, shameless plug for The Knotty Sheep! Through Thursday, 3/10/11 - save 25% with coupon code: FATCAT ! Knitting is so meditative ... plus, it keeps those hands busy (just in case you gave up chocolate for Lent!) Wink, wink!

Feeling Blue?

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

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

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

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

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

What will inspire you today?

I have been a busy sheep!

Ah - I have hot coffee in front of me & as I gaze out my kitchen window - the snow is falling once again. Yes - it must be Tuesday!

While complaining about the weather is fruitless - I have taken the last few weeks as opportunity to spin, spin, spin! Need I remind anyone that shearing season is right around the corner! I will admit that I have several fleeces flying to me ... including one of my favorites: a romney/montadale/suffolk x!

So - the wheel as been turning! I just finished these shetland skeins!

Notice the fine 'heathered' look of the dye process! I am pretty excited about it! This fleece was given to me - so all that I spin is destined for charity use. Karma: it is a great thing!

I have also spun & dyed a lovely churro skein too! I love churro and I do feel like this wool gets a 'bad rap'. I would not knit undies out of it (suffice to say, I will never knit undies at all - but, I digress!)... but depending on the fleece itself - it spins up to a lovely & sturdy yarn! Here it is in it's 'after dye bath':

I love being a busy little sheep! Don't know what today will bring, yet ... but I am betting on something wonderful!

It's Friday ... time to save $$$$

On the weekends, things slow down. It is "good" to distance ones self from the hectic pace that is 'the work week'. In this area, commutes can cause one's blood pressure to rise - just in anticipation!

So - The Knotty Sheep is offering a coupon sale! It is time to enjoy some handspun yarn!! The winter has been long - and I don't care what the ground hog says ... we are due for more snow and ice = winter is leaving anytime soon!

I hope you are feeling shoppie ... because this weekend's coupon is for 25% OFF everything in the shop. And the (not so secret code) is: 06074M

Be Knotty!

Chanel in the Storm

Living near Boston, I am no where near the tundra of Siberia. Images of Dr. Zhivago are popping up all around me. I seriously think that the snow has melted my brain. Boston averages approximately 43" of snow a season - the city is now over 70". Not that I take to much stock in the ground hog - but I am hearing Spring will arrive early.

Recently - while avoiding shoveling, I was perusing the forums on Ravelry - and someone posted, "What is your favorite smell?" OK - I'll bite, I mean - who wants to shovel?? I have seen 70" fall from the sky - I wasn't in a hurry!

My response: "Chanel #5". Growing up, it was my mom's signature scent. As Serendipity would have it ... I visited mom before the snow started to fly this week & look what I came home with:

Thought for the day: "Put it out into the Universe .... you just never know!"

More snow ... here we go ...

Living in New England all my Life - I am used to cold weather & snow. If Winter didn't have snow - it wasn't a real Winter!

If friends & neighbors complained about a few flakes - they were wimps! Seriously, MOVE if you are going to 'b*#!&' about snow covered trees & a few snowmen.

This Winter - all heck is breaking loose. I am pretty convinced that Al Gore has the Global Warming thing wrong (just kidding!) ... and imagine I will be seeing Santa & his reindeer going down my street at any moment! They will be the only ones who will be able to go to WalMart.

Since snow is predicted through Thursday - I thought a couple of snaps of my picnic table would give some perspective on what will be happening in the next 48 hours. Truth be told - I don't even think that the yard stick is touching the table - but it is in 'as far as it can go' without breaking it in two. So - Wish me luck. Wish me hot coffee. Wish me a good time running the snow blower. This will be memorable!

Facebook is my Friend

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

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

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

Seriously, how did *that* happen?

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

Time to KREATE

Here I go: Making up for lost time. In these days of technology - I find myself with even less time than a decade ago. My extended family dynamic has changed; the house renovations continue & health issues have arisen. And while there are ipods, ipads, laptops, cell phones, smart phones and social networking sites: these things are draining instead of empowering.

Admittedly, I had an addiction to FarmVille - but, again, there just isn't enough minutes in a day. I need to spend time with my real-live dogs - not my virtual one! So ... it is time to regroup & reconsider what *is* important.

I think it is weird that reality shows have made celebrities out of (how do I put this politely?) - those individuals who haven't succeeded at anything except to *be* on reality TV. Sigh ...

So, I am back to knitting & spinning! More meditative endeavors - more time for *me*!
I am currently working on the Azani Shawl.


I have also been dYeing & spinning .... love the process of both! Watching color explode and wool being spun into yarn ... yes - these are both my reality! Check out my Frozen Rose Petals Considering the sub-zero temps & 50+ inches of snow this season ... nothing beats playing with wool!


In the coming days - shut out the noise and enjoy your reality!