Knit Mitts!

It is hard to believe that in these first 2 weeks of May, I am thinking about mittens! 250 pair of mittens to be exact!

Macuwita sni members recently voted upon this goal to help warm the Cheyenne River Sioux in South Dakota this UPcoming winter. You KNOW heating a home will be costly in the colder months - so, we might as well throw caution to the wind and start knitting those mittens NOW! Do join us for "Mitten Quest 2008 - 2009 ... we love welcoming new members!

Of course, even though I have been knitting like a fiend to finish up The English Rib Sweater - I also had time to play in the dye pots. Look at these Scrumble Skeins. Perfect for stripes - don't you think?

Time to go peruse the mitten patterns ..... WhEEEEE!
Remember .... Inspire Art! Create Art! Buy Art! Be ART!! Comments, please!

A FABulous Day for Pit bulls!

Faitful readers of this BloG know how much I love dogs!

Seriously, my life would not be as JOYful if these 'in the moment' creatures suddenly vanished. I LOVE all dogs! And while it has been 8 months since my senior girl passed - my rottie x, Diesel, still remains an only dog child. There is no replacing my Motu - and I think Diesel is just fine with that.

Over the last several years - I have donated a portion of my sales to different animal organizations. Not only do I feel compelled to give something back - it is totally good Karma!! It does a body good to get (as I like to describe it) ... "One's head out of one's bum." Yep - think of the visual & you will know what I mean!

Why is this a FABulous Day for Pit bulls? The Knotty Sheep has just surpassed the $100 donation mark!! I am tickled - tickled - tickled!! So - to the folks at
Pittie Love Rescue a check will be coming your way this week!

Thank EWE all SO much .... now, being the goal oriented person that I am - I am seeing the next $100 coming VERY soon ..... Be ShoppiEE!!

Diesel waits ....

So today is April 25. By my calculations - April 27 is in 2 days ... gulp. The 27th is the day that I proclaimed that the English Rib sweater would be completed for Macuwita sni. Alas ... it won't be happening.

Try as I might to work a few rows daily - it has been a struggle. I am thinking that it isn't so much my busy schedule - but more the fact that I don't like ribbing for an eternity. I am happy to report that the front is almost done. That just leaves 2 sleeves, the neck, and the seams. NOT *so* much to complete ... but I have mittens & sox & hats & Lopi sweaters to knit!! Never mind all the spinning that I must do.

Just about a month left to my silly schedule ... I do feel the end is in sight! Until then, Diesel waits .....

Of Patti Larkin & Earth Day

This weekend, DH & I were lucky enough to see Patty Larkin in concert with friends who are FUN! A picnic was packed into a wicker basket - libations were stored in a cooler ... and we were treated to great music with terrific company.

I have been SO busy that I haven't taken to much time to relax. Saturday night reminded me that inspirations happen all the time - that sometimes we need to forgo the mundane and break free from the chains that sterilize our minds. The creative process doesn't lend itself to crabby people & daily chores that become robotic. The MUSE needs sparks ... it needs laughter .... it needs beautiful music ... it needs FUN (and a good guitar rift with a respectable sauvignon blanc doesn't hurt either!)

The organic nature of Patty's music reminded me that Earth Day is right around the corner. I decided to be inspired .... here is my interpretation of Earth Day 2008!

I hope you celebrate the Earth - everyday!

A time for Sleepy Clouds

I wastrying to be realistic when I said I wanted to finish the "English Rib" sweater for Macuwita sni by
April 17th. Truth be told, it isn't going to happen. It is possible if I knit day in & day out for the next 6 days - how realistic is that??

I will work my fingers off, instead, to get it completed by the 27th. That is a more appropriate time span. Spring is popping out at the reservation, luckily, the coldest of days are behind the Cheyenne River Sioux for a bit!

On the business front .... The Knotty Sheep has yarns in a boutique right on the corner of Newbury Street, Boston! How very, very cool!! Isn't OAK just SO incredibly Bostonian?? If you are in the area ... do stop by and pick up some of my one-of-a-kind handspun goodies and tell Keara (the owner!) - I said "hi"!

I did manage to squeeze in a little time at the carder while listening to the Boston Red Sox on the radio. Sleepy Clouds has fabulous dollups of cotton .... one terrific textured yarn will be created once these babies are spun!!

Pretty, yes??

Well, must go 'ball up' some Peace Fleece for the 'English Rib' - yep - the 27th will be here before I know it! WhEEEEE!
Remember .... Inspire Art! Create Art! Buy Art! Be ART!! Comments, please!

A Sweater for Macuwita sni

I recently selected a Yankee Knitter Design pattern for my next Macuwita sni project.

It will be a fine looking sweater when completed... the pattern is called "English Rib". Yep - rib, as in ribbed, as in RIBBING. I don't know why I chose this ... I have to ask myself, "what was I thinking, a whole sweater in ribbing?" But, I digress ....

I console myself knowing that it will keep someone warm - the Cheyenne River Sioux saw temperatures in double digit negative numbers this past winter - who am I to complain of a little K1 P1? So, here is a photo of the 'almost completed back'. I post it here so I will complete it post haste ...... Wish me luck!

The Beat Goes on ....

I have been really busy. If you know me at all ... you know I am not good at being busy. I kind of roll on thru life - with coffee or wine in one hand and fiber and a dog in my other. In being busy - I find my hands are holding other things - things that I am not used to holding for any duration - I am trying to hold on to everything at the moment. Sometimes it works - sometimes, not so well.

One thing I made time for today is *Oprah*. I hadn't viewed her TV show in quite sometime. (See above paragraph.)~ ~ But today was a must see ... it was about
puppy mills. Suffice to say, NEVER purchase a pet thru a pet store ... check out your local shelters and pure bred rescues. NO dog ... NO LIVING THING should ever, ever live in conditions such as those found in puppy mills.

On a brighter, fibery note ..... Barnyard Chicks anyone?? WhEEEEE!

Swan Kissed Sun

I love the fact that day by day the colors of the Earth are changing. Spring does that - it is her job to brighten our days.

I am finding that colors are usurping my dye pots. How can they not?? The Sun shines longer & brighter these days ... the crocus have been waving at me for a bit and the robins play - looking for juicy somethings that have survived under the thin layer of frozen soil. Life is good!!

Swan Kissed Sun has a pale beauty that I love this time of year. Something gently pleasing that gets one's eye ready for the full force of Nature's springtime beauty.

I suppose Spring's arrival will not be today ... when I awoke - it was 18 degrees F! Did I mention that "Swan Kissed Sun" could be spun to make a nice pair of mittens??

Remember .... Inspire Art! Create Art! Buy Art! Be ART!! Comments, please!

Where are the daffodils??

I don't know about you, but the weather here is nuts! One day, up in the 60's ... the next 20's .... some snow, some rain, some sun. It *is* New England - is anything goes this time of year ... but, it is nutty all the same.

Some small crocuses have poked their wee heads to greet Spring with a smile. Haven't seen a daffodil (out side of market vases) as of yet - so, I created my own!!

Frosted Daffodils is my entry for the Etsy for Animals April Challenge. We are thinking Spring while helping animals!!

If you are looking for daffodils too ... look no further than these babies!! 5% of my sales goes to Pittie Love Rescue !! I am totally GIDDY as The Knotty Sheep's total has just cracked the $90 mark!! Woo-WHOO!! So .... here is a wee bit of Spring for all you spinners!!

UGH - way busy!

I have never been good at being busy. I don't like the hectic pace ... I feel not only do I not have a chance to think - I really feel like I don't have a chance to breathe.

Work outside the studio has become an 'all day event'. I admit to liking the larger paycheck in this 'unappealing' US economy - but a price is always paid on the creative front. Playing Easter hostess with over night guests attached and you have a recipe for 'really busy'.

As of today - I hoping that things straighten out and I can return to my fun loving, creative self. I feel like I am breathing already!

Of couuse - there is nothing like a good shot of color to get those creative juices flowing!! I did manage to work on more wee skeins - why dye eggs when you can dye yarn??

Did I mention that The Knotty Sheep will soon be in a Boston boutique? Well - more on that in a bit ... I must go breathe so I may create! WhEEEEEEE ..........

An Etsy Life

This past weekend, I took a look at my bedroom only to discover that most of my artworks & 'pretties' have been purchased from members of Etsy. That brings me incredible JOY to have someone's hard work; their talent; their God-given gift; present in my daily life. I celebrate each piece, knowing that a part of their grace has entered into my home.

I like selling my yarns & fibers there too. The Knotty Sheep had a banner weekend ... it was record breaking! For that, I am extremely grateful! $86.90 has been realized thus far, from sales, to donate to PittieLove Rescue - thank YOU dear customers ... I just tingle knowing that these funds will benefit dogs in need.

So many wonderful people on Etsy make up what Etsy is all about! Pam at Bags & More by Pam is one such person! She, like I and many others, are members of the BBEST team. We are very chatty AND recently, we had a goodie swap. Today, I received my swap gift from her ... and dear Pam - thank you!! It is a beautiful crocheted bag in red!! I love red!! Not only that, but as some of you know - I carry a small basket to work which houses a spindle ... Pam's bag HOLDS not only the basket & spindle & wool - but there is plenty of room for my notebook too. (Just in case I get a creative inspiration ... I can jot it down!) This bag is more than perfect as I have started to walk to work and now, I can carry my spindle basket easily. I LOVE IT!! AND thank YOU, Pam, for a most perfect gift!

Do visit Pam's store ... I think you need one of these hand crocheted, LINED bags too! Did I mention that it is perfect for carrying your knitting project too? WhEEEEEE!

Little Wee skeins!

I love little skeins. I have been known to take snippets of yarn, ply them, and have teeny-tiny wee skeins just an inch or two long. They are fun to make ... wonderful to view in a small vase ... but, difficult to put into skein form. Ah ... the challenges of the fiber arts!

I just finished a batch of what I call "Scrumble Skeins™" I love their colors and the fact that for short money - you can have a brilliant bouquet of hand spun lovelies is a delicious bonus! Perfect for stripes or weaving or freeform crochet ... they truly jump-start the Muse! What do you think of Lot #5? WhEEEEE!

Remember .... Inspire Art! Create Art! Buy Art! Be ART!! Comments, please!

The 'Gapish Scarf'

If you are like me ... you have 101 little balls of remnant yarn that sit in a collective basket just waiting for some love & attention. There isn't enough of any one color to do a whole hat or scarf. I think that is why 'stripes' were created. Call them whimsical, call them bold, call them trendy - I call them a necessity in the world of knitting.

Behold ... my 'Gapish Scarf' (think Big Store Chain) for Macuwita sni. It will take me some time to complete it as I decided that it needs a crocheted trim. I think that will tie everything together nice and neat. Not that it looks fragmented by any stretch of the imagination - but a crocheted edge would soften it as well as make it look 'UN-Gapish'. You know - like someone actually took the time to create a masterpiece and not some mass-produced piece of 'eeewwww' for "$$$ OUCH!"

I will keep you up to date of said "Gapish Scarf" and it's long journey to completion. That being said ... the kicker is - I don't crochet! Wish me luck!!
WhEEEEEE!

Going to the Post Office

Ah ... it is Friday!

Today - I get to make a trip to the post office. Yes - a bill or 2 needs to be tossed into the mail box, but, I also get to mail some handspun/handknitted warmth to a few kids on the Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation. What *could* be better?

I don't know about you - but I am SO tired of hearing about the bad stuff. The news is filled with gloom & doom ... people seem to be frightened of the environment, the economy and even their neighbor. I say ... get your head out of your TV and make a difference! You want the World to change ... change it!

You want the environment to get better ... carry your own bags to the grocery instead of using those AWFUL plastic things! You want the economy to get better ... purchase from a artist instead of cheap, big box discount stores! You want your relationship with your neighbor to get better ... say "HELLO"! ~ I don't get why we make it so hard ... but, we do. Sigh .... Time to jump on the "HaPpY Bus" and make a difference.

Since we are always looking for new passengers to take a ride - here is the link for Macuwita sni O - in my box to the reservation?? 2 hats / 2 scarves.

Remember .... Inspire Art! Create Art! Buy Art! Be ART!! Comments, please!

Stop the World - I want to get off!

Yes ... things have been that crazy & hectic.

It is all good though ... I have been spinning up a storm and drooling over new yarns to make a zillion pair of fair isle mittens. Suffice to say - I must work through some of the stash first. :)

That goes for the fiber stash too. You know when you have wool, yarn, needles and pattern books in every room of your house - it is time to implode the stash mountain!

So - here is my latest carding adventure ... Cheap Sinks #2! These would be AWESOME spun finely & knit into sox!!

Off I go ... the World is still spinning .... and I need to spin some more too! WhEEEEEEEE!

Do SHOP at - &hearts 5% will be donated to Pittie Love Rescue!! &hearts

Gone Battys & FOs

I have been trying to get things accomplished this month!

So far, so good - but there is always room for improvement. This week alone, I have sent 4 fleeces to the processor. These fleeces are from last year's shearing. Doesn't that kind of peak your curiosity has to how many I actually own?
Ah-hem!

The Gone Batty Battz have reappeared & are available for purchase. I love these beautiful bumps of fiber. They are so fun ... they are 'Thelma' to your 'Louise'! Wanna see?

Of course, Finished Objects are the creme de la creme of accomplishments. I was hoping to dry these babies out in the sunshine - a little to cold and a little to much wind. I made do by keeping them in the breezeway where that got snippets of sunshine when it broke thru the clouds. Here you will see a lovely assortment of hand spun skeins ... "Fontina" - one of Stasia's beautiful shetland sheepies! "Eunice" - an awesome black icelandic! Plus 2 miscellaneous colorful skeins! 2 handknit scarves for Macuwita sni! And last but not least ... a pair of hand dyed, hand knit sox! (Well, those just needed to be washed .... sigh!)

February is turning into a grand month to get things done! I still have a long way to go ... but things a looking better around here already.

Remember .... Inspire Art! Create Art! Buy Art! Be ART!! Comments, please!

Hearts the size of Elephants!

Today is February 14th.

It is a rose scented - chocolate covered - diamond sparkle - heart shaped holiday. While some who are single may long for a date this evening ... those with significant others cringe at the thought they they *just might* NOT bring home the perfect gift.

To much pressure - to much money wasted.

While anything above 1 carat is grand - imagine receiving something 'elephant-sized' ... imagine receiving an elephant!!

The Elephant Sanctuary is located in Tennessee. It is a place where elephants who lived the unnatural life as circus/petting zoo entertainment - can live out their lives with their elephants friends: free range amidst beautiful forests, clean pasture & sparkling, fresh waters.

Queenie is now my sponsored elephant. I chose her because after Queenie was abducted from Asia as a wee babe - she spent a good portion of her early years in NH - not even 20 miles from where I grew up. I am sure I must have seen her several times during the course of my childhood as my parents took me to "Benson's Wild Animal Farm" on more than one occasion. Funny how things come full circle, yes?

If you haven't purchased anything for your sweetie as yet - consider sponsoring an elephant. You can also feed an elephant for $30 (Queenie's favorite treat is bamboo!) or contribute to one of the elephant's endowments.

The Elephant Sanctuary is a 4-star rated charity. Donations are also tax deductible!

Thank you DH for this most awesome gift .... you are Queenie's & my Super Hero today! For those of you who haven't really thought about the beauty of these magnificent animals - please watch this & HaPpy Elephant Sized Valentine's Day!

Time to Save the World

Someone close to me has stated more than once, "You can't save the world."

My answer has always been the same .... "Why not?"

Seems kind of defeatist to believe that one can not make a difference on this GYnormous planet. We make a difference daily in the way we speak and act towards others. Being nice doesn't cost anything. Picking up a piece of litter on a sidewalk and throwing it in a nearby trash can makes the world a wee bit more beautiful, yes? (Please note ... I do carry Purell in my purse for a reason.)

I finished the pink scarf for Macuwita sni and started another from my handspun.

The autumn colors of the yarn are so pretty! My friend, SallEE, also known as knitnana wanted me to share the stitch pattern ... well, OK, it may be found Here!


It is so delightful to know that this scarf as well as so many other woolies will be sent to warm the bodies and souls of those who make the Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation their home.

Yep ... it is pretty cool to save the world. It is like you get to be a Super Hero everyday!!

(I am a hero to Diesel ... well, at least I think I am!)

Remember .... Inspire Art! Create Art! Buy Art! Be ART!! Comments, please!

More Knitting & wee skeins

So, what is in your knitting basket and on your spindle??

Recently, I showed you "Kos" - a rare Navajo churro that I had been spinning on my "Stasia #33" spindle ... ah .... the fruit of my labors! I love these wee skeins!

The knitting basket is teaming with activity as well! This past week, an informative article on Macuwita sni
appeared on the front page of the local Eagle Butte, South Dakota newpaper: The West River Eagle. It does a body good to do something for others.

So, in currently in my basket is a scarf being knit from some of my own "Kitchen Sink Battz". The colorway is 'Madame's Slippers' and it was spun by my friend Veryl.

I am loving the way it looks!!

What is in your knitting basket?
Remember .... Inspire Art! Create Art! Buy Art! Be ART!! Comments, please!

Project UPdate

Now that it is February ... I truly feel compelled to finish up 'stuff'. Whether it be UFO's or organizing - I feel like it all must be done 'NOW'!

My thoughts are turning to the vegetable garden and the planting of tomato seeds. Of yard clean up and flowers waiting to be born. I know winter will still rage on - but, my thoughts are somewhere in the future. They have to be .... Easter is very, very early this year.

On that note .... my current works in progress are:

** A Child's Watch Cap made from destashed yarns for Macuwita sni!

** The spinning of "Kos", a rare Navajo churro sheepie on my "Stasia 33" spindle!

** The
Sea Mineral Mittens! - love the colors!

So - yes, I have been busy - but I am looking forward to actually doing more!!
How are your projects coming along??