FUN WITH FIBER

2012-01-31T15:31:00.002-05:00

I'm busy spinning a 50/50 wool - alpaca blend I bought from Jody at Prairie House Yarns. This roving and the two others I bought are so very soft and easy to spin. Jody is now selling "Greener Shades" a non-hazardous, non-chrome dye for use on silk, wool nylon or any animal fiber. She's offering nine different colors.

Ya. Finally finished this scarf. It's been off the loom and washed just not pressed and trimmed. I don't know why I hate finishing things but once they are finished I'm so darn proud of them. I almost have another scarf ready to come off the loom and hopefully I won't be so lazy about finishing it. This is another one of my sock yarn scarves. They have such a nice drape to them!

2012-01-12T12:32:00.003-05:00

My cousin, Dorette sent me this place mat. Its adapted from the drawing of a rug design for the living room of the B. Harley Bradley House, which is widely recognized as Frank Lloyd Wright's first Prairie Style design. Kankakee, Illinois, 1900. She bought it for me when she was visiting Fallingwater.

My friend Joy sent me this really cool hand woven bag she made. As you can probably tell she hasn't quite decided what to call it or put into it but I love it. Oh, she did tell me I could possibly put all my diamond tennis bracelets in it. Right!

First it's an envelope shape tied with a hand made cord. This woman is amazing she even makes her own cord instead of buy a ribbon. Opened one time.

Opened twice. Don't you just love the colors??? I do.

This is the last picture. The double pointed knitted needles I put in it for this picture are to long so only short ones would actually work.

HAPPY NEW YEAR

2011-12-31T09:36:00.003-05:00

Happy New Year to all my blogging friends, their family and friends. Have a wonderful healthy 2012.

2011-12-28T13:56:00.004-05:00

It's the day after Christmas and what's there to do? I know we didn't want to sit around the house and the mall was out of the question. So off to Lewisburg and the Famous Street Of Shops. I didn't see anything until I came across these wraps at the Olde Ivy Cottage.

This is a Davenport Wrap by Noelle.

This wrap is from Riverton. I didn't look to see how much they were but both are just lovely.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

2011-12-24T14:16:00.003-05:00

I WISH YOU EVERYONE A VERY

MERRY CHRISTMAS

2011-12-02T17:54:00.002-05:00

I did my bit to help out the local small business. I think they are so important and offer some of the most unusual items. I found a nice Polish Pottery pitcher at a consignment store. Anyone who has read any of my posts knows I love Polish Pottery. This one is a beauty and very reasonably price too.

I also found this at the same store. The stocking is made of overshot material and filled with little goodies. I like how they turned the hem out instead of trying to sew it down on the inside which is always so hard to do.

I found this set of ornaments at the Brick House. I also bought a set of lights Patti makes and you can go to her blog to see all the really cool things she has which are all made in the United States and many locally as well.

New yarn displays are finally here. Actually they came about a month ago it was the 9 inch hooks I was waiting on. I love them!!! Because they fold flat they will be so easy to transport and save on space.

As you can see I can put something on the tops but I know it would be something light. These heads of made of plastic. They also rotate which I think is pretty darn cool.

2011-11-16T13:18:00.002-05:00

Wow, its been awhile since I've last posted to my blog. Funny when I start I though I would do this at least once a week but sure hasn't happened lately. I've been busy but mostly I'm trying to finish project and hopefully can post them shortly. For now I'm sharing some Christmas things I bought from LTD. Ok, I know they are made in the USA and should be ashamed of myself but they are so darn cute I just had to buy them.

Each is suppose to be a ball of yarn. Last year I did buy some balls of green balls of yarn with sparkles on them at Wal Mart for $1 a piece.

Snowman is my favorite. Someone sure did give him a goofy smile. I can't believe the holidays are almost here. Next week is Thanksgiving. I don't know what everyone else is doing but Bill and I are going to our son's home. On Black Friday our daughter will be visiting so I'm sure I better have something for her.

SNOW

2011-10-29T14:10:00.006-04:00

October 29Th. I don't care what any one tells me its to darn early for this much or any snow. I took this picture shortly after the snow started falling.

Within a couple of hours we have this much. In the first picture you can see the road that runs in front of our home but not in this one. There was a craft show scheduled today at a local winery I was suppose to set up at. I'm sure glad they canceled it!

2011-10-22T13:11:00.005-04:00

Seems like I have to go a couple hundred miles to run into a good friend I haven't seem for quite a while and lives about 20 miles away. I also ran into someone I know who lives less than 10 miles from me and haven't seem in a coupe of years. My friend Kate Otto knit and felted this pumpkin for me. I just love it!!! Its an original pattern designed by Katie Startzman. The pattern is free on Raverly. Katie who's blog is duofiberworks has a wonderful eye for all things crafty.

We're home from the New York Sheep And Wool Festival. What a wonderful time we had!!! Another weekend where we met so many nice people and sold so much of the inventory we had. Now back to work creating more things and ordering more yarn.

When we came home my cousin Dorette Kerian and her friend David Vorland were here for a two day visit. They left Minnesota toured the northern states then took in the New England states to check out the scenery and autumn leaves. Dorette and I were not just first cousins, we went to a very small school and actually there were three of us first cousins in the same grade, but very good friends. David took the picture of Bill and I. He's an amazing photographer!

2011-10-05T11:28:00.002-04:00

I finished my purple hat last night. I had to find a button this morning and I think this one looks fine. Any way it has to since I have a limited amount of buttons.

New table from Jane. She's such a sweet heart!!!! She wanted to know if either of my kids would needed an extra table but once I saw it I knew they weren't getting it. He mom and dad bought it in 1933 and its in beautiful condition and looks great in my studio. Thanks Jane I will love and take care of it as long as I have it.

A couple of weeks ago I needed a new chair for my desk in my studio. I also bought a new lap top computer and I couldn't reach it with the kitchen chair I was using at that desk. Of course someone else also enjoys sitting from time to time. This cat gets by with more than I ever let my two kids.

2011-09-30T11:19:00.005-04:00

A few more items finished and priced. I love this hat and now knitting one in deep purple using Amherst Valley Yarn.

I had four more skeins of Henry's Attic Texas so I dyed with Yellow Buttercup. I was amazed at how pretty it got. If not one wants to buy it I'll sure find something to make with it.

Personal note. I've got to a orthopedic doctor had some x-rays done and found out I have arthritic in both of my knees. I'm not surprised at all they hurt so bad when I walk down the stairs. I got a shot in them and they do feel a little better. After all the testing I've had done the doctors have decided I have Idiopathic Peripheral Neuropanthy in my feet. That's no big surprise. A year ago I started with tingling and has gotten worse. Horrible burring, to stabbing and the feeling like I'm wearing tight boots and now I'm getting muscle cramps at night. Nothing can be done so something I just have to live with. I am taking Lyrica for the pain and sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. I've been told this happens to quite a lot people in my age group. If so you'd you think know someone else with this problem?This is also I've been weaving a lot on my table looms lately.

I'm getting things ready to take to New York Sheep and Wool and have decided to sell my Ashford Joy and a 7 foot triangle loom, stand and a baby loom. I need to start down sizing now while I still have an outlet for the things I can no longer use. I know my floor looms will have to go but I'm not dragging them anywhere. Who ever I sell them to will have to come here and get them.

New Tree

2011-09-12T16:39:00.003-04:00

This is what you get when you let your husband go to a nursery auction without you. Its a very beautiful Zebra Pine Tree. After he planted it he finally admitted that we don't have any more room in our one little acre for anymore trees. Gee I wonder what we're going to do with the two that are in planter that we raised from seedlings.

View from the back of the house. We actually have corn fields on three sides of our property this year. The other is an over grown pasture. Not nice!!!!

Alfalfa field with an Amish house in the distant. I love our little valley. So many pretty shades of green and very nice people.

2011-09-07T14:46:00.002-04:00

The difference in these two scarves. The right one I used sock yarn for both warp and weft and the one on the left I used the sock yarn every other warp thread. The other yarn was a deep purple wool. I also used the purple yarn for the weft. What a difference in the two scarves. Boy, I got a lot of use out of a single skein of sock yarn.

Another rainy day so I got some more dyeing done to this morning. Odd color of green but I like it. Just a few more batches to do then I think I'm ready for the New York Sheep And Wool next month. Now to start pricing things. I hate that!!!!!!

It's been a busy couple of weeks getting Bill's mom settled into a nursing home. We know it won't be easy for her but we all, her children and grand children only want her to be safe and taken care of. Thank goodness it's only five miles from us so we can go see her a lot. So many papers to fill out!

I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE

2011-08-20T09:26:00.002-04:00

Turns out I'm not the only one using sock yarn to weave with. Weaving Today

has a pattern for one in their free e-books for a scarf woven with sock yarn. Again I'm using Cherry Hill hand dyed yarn. I still have enough left to mix with a solid green for the next one.

Finished scarf. My instructions are very simple. The set is 24 epi how ever wide you want your scarf I had a total of 122 ends so my scarf was about 5 inches wide. 1 2 3 4 through the heddles and woven in a twill pattern. The two extra ends are floaters. I always use floaters when I'm weaving in a twill pattern. I have a dummy warp on the loom I'm using so that's makes weaving these scarves a little faster.

2011-08-16T17:58:00.003-04:00

More sample scarves. I love how this one shows the colors of the yarn it was knit with. Very interesting!! I knit one of the simplest patterns ever. Row 1, Knit across Row 2 K 1 warp the yarn around the needle twice K 1 to the end of the row. Row 3 is K 1 drop the two twist K1. Repeat row 2 and 3. I knotted the end of the scarf but you don't have to. The yarn was a wool and mohair blend dyed before it was carded and just happened to turn out this way. I used size 11 knitting needles to knit this scarf.

This is a picture of the yarn I knit the scarf pictured above.

I found a recipe in this issue of Whole Living and we almost finish with 9 x 13 inch pan. Do I dare give away the recipe? I don't know but as you can see there are fresh tomatoes, potatoes and yellow squash arranged on a sliced and sauteed onion. I topped it with 2 tablespoons of grated Parmesan cheese and 1 tablespoon fresh thyme and drizzled some olive oil over it. I baked it covered at 375 for 30 minutes and uncovered another 30 minutes. Yummmm!!!

2011-08-06T17:50:00.002-04:00

New yarn winder from eBay. I sure hope this one lasts!!!!!! My last one was a Babe and didn't last very long before it completely fell apart. I should have know better then to buy something made of small PVC pipe. Maybe if I would have just put on a few ounces but I need something a bit larger so it could be my fault too.

I've been knitting up samples for my yarn. I dyed wool a few weeks ago and knit this up so people would know what it looks like all knit up. I kind of like it and I sure do hope others do to.

On a very good note. We're finally getting some much needed rain of course it had to happen on the day we went to a truck show our son had his first International Scout entered.

2011-07-27T15:00:00.003-04:00

Two photos of my latest sock yarn scarves. I used yarn from Cherry Hill and unlike the one I posted before I set the warp at 24 epi. I don't feel much difference at all. Same lovely drape. If you haven't tried using sock yarn for weaving scarves should think about doing it. I have another on the loom right now. Picture as soon as I finish it. I was asked how much yarn I need to weave one scarf. I only needed one 4 ounce 996 yard skein of yarn and still have some left over to mix with another yarn to weave more scarves.

I don't know about where you live but its been so hot and miserable I haven't don't a thing especially outside. The flowers and gardens are a mess!!!!

2011-07-16T12:10:00.002-04:00

I've wanted Bill to build me an Inukshuk for a long time. Regular readers might remember when I posted about my Inukshuk jewelry on my 2010 Winter Olympic's posting. I fell in love with them when we were on vacation at my sisters summer home on Lake of the Woods and took a trip to Kenora, Ontario. I found this fountain at a garden center and could not pass it up. I have it on our front porch. My attempt at taking a video is very short but will give you an idea of how it looks and sounds.

NEW SOCK YARN PROJECT

2011-07-09T16:22:00.002-04:00

My latest sock yarn project. This scarf is warped and woven with Supersock Lace from Cherry Tree Hill. The set is 20 EPI. The drape is amazing but I think I would like it set at 24 EPI just because I think it would wear better.

The color is Wild Cherry and I just love it. I'm putting a dumby warp on the loom now to weave three more scarves.

New yarn display. I needed something to put yarn in that will be "Sale" items and came up with these baskets. They are nice and deep so I can put quite a few skeins of yarn in each basket.

2011-07-05T15:47:00.003-04:00

New business cards from Zazzle. I couldn't believe it when I found business cards with spinning wheels on them. I used the large wheel but they do have the small too and many more things to chose from. This is the front.

And of course this is the back. I'm very happy with the quality of the paper, color and price. They came in about 10 days. For years I made my own and printed them off on the computer. These are much more professional. Just wanted to share how happy I am with them.

I don't have a title for this posting. Just some pictures of things I enjoyed seeing. This coverlet I found at a flea market. The tag had the name of the pattern but like so many things these days I completely forgot it. I do know it was woven by Family Heirloom Weavers.

I took a picture of this felted hat at the Alpaca back in April and forgot to post it. I just love!!! The tan is so pretty with the peachy around it.

I would wear this pretty white apron if I would be giving a formal dinner. No problem there I don't even have the dishes or formal dinning room to do that but I still fell in love with this lovely apron. I was amazed that the price was only $10.

My last picture is of a cute little crochet purse. It has a plastic bowl inserted in it to hold the form. I remember when these were popular. Is that giving away my age??? A lot of fine work.

SUMMER HAPPENINGS

2011-06-27T13:36:00.003-04:00

I found this at a flea market and couldn't pass it up. You can't see the back but its suppose to be a can of peaches. It's a goofy little can someone like me buys just to keep around for its looks. I'm sure if it were actually full of peaches it would be the last thing I would buy.

One of the things I'm doing with some of my sock yarn other than knit socks. Hopefully my next posting will have pictures of what else I'm doing with sock yarn. I didn't think I would ever finish this scarf. I knit it on size 6 needles and used more than one and a half skeins of sock yarn. My friend Greta, Persimmon Tree Farm, gave me this Rotini pattern.

I just hung this alpaca yarn on the wash line so it still is a very dark emerald green. I'm sure it will lighten up a but when it dryes. I've been busy dyeing yarn but I just need to down load some picture of them.

I've also had some problems commenting on some of my fellow bloggers postings. I don't know why but I am reading as many as I can and look forward to them all.

GETTYSBURG

2011-06-08T11:00:00.004-04:00

Yesterday Bill and I met up with my cousin, Dorette and her daughter Kara in Gettysburg. I hadn't see Dorette in over a year and couldn't wait to see her!! Then there's Gettysburg. If you haven't been there its hard for me to explain the feeling you get when you walk on the ground where so many men died for what they believed in. This statue of president Lincoln is in front of the Visitors Center.

There are so many monuments in the park. This one is the only one that has an American Indian on it and is dedicated to the Tammany Regiment from New York State. We took a bus tour of the battlefield which was so interesting and found out most of the soldiers from the North were from Pennsylvania and New York.

We are so lucky to live so close to so much history. I think sometimes we take it for granted because its been many years since we've been to Gettysburg. The more often you go the more you learn. If anyone were to go to Gettysburg it would pay you to read up on the battles because it can be confusing since they took place over a three day period.

This is a picture from Big Round Top one of the most important advantages the North had during the fight at Gettysburg. I didn't take any pictures of the National Cemetery where so many of the graves are marked only with numbers. So very sad!

SUMMER

2011-05-26T13:32:00.003-04:00

Summer is here. Last year we planted three lupin plants. They didn't do a thing but this year they are showing off their lovely blooms.

After looking at the pictures Google has in its images I wish I would have planted more. I wonder if its to late in the season to plant for next year.

The rose hips we planted three years ago are doing great so much so we got runners off each one to plant in two different places in our garden. Also keep a nice runner to send to my sister in North Dakota this fall.

Of couse nothing says summer like a beautiful peony. Our plants are from Bill's grandfathers home and are so pretty.

The clematis has grown so much you can't even see the bird house that's under it.

We have a robins nest out side our bedroom window. The babies just hatched this week and I would say they were cute but at this stage they sure aren't. I'll try getting a picture when they get a little bigger.

2011-05-24T11:11:00.002-04:00

I've never tried to work with beads so when I tried making beaded shawl pins it took me awhile to get it even half way right. So far I've only gotten two that I would consider worth using or added to my inventory. As you can see pretty shades of green.

And this one as an assortment of gold beads. All of the beads I'm using are glass. There are so many pretty ones out there its hard to decide which ones to buy.

Awhile ago I joined a Shawl Ministry. We meet at one of the local churches once a month and I enjoy it so much. The shawls are kept at the church but anyone is welcome to them for anyone who is sick or just in need of a warm hug from one of our shawls. They are also there for our two local nursing homes for their residences.

I got the pattern Splendid Triangle Shawl for this shawl from Lion Brand and used their Homespun to knit it. It worked up fast and I like the pattern.

2011-05-12T10:41:00.000-04:00

A couple of weeks ago I walked into our Goodwill store and these wonderful pieces of Polish Pottery were in the bid case. I don't know if any of your Goodwill's do this but the high end things are auctioned off. I couldn't believe it. Yesterday they went off. There was another couple interested in them but in the end I got the bid. All the way home I'm thinking I might have paid to much for them, 17 total, but after looking at the Boleslawiec's website knew I got a real bargain.

We don't have many iris but they are so pretty!!!!! Very royal shade of purple.

PURPLE

2011-05-05T14:00:00.003-04:00

You would read this posting and think maybe I like purple which I do not but it seems like almost all the spring flowers are some shade of purple. I think I got sick of purple when one spring when I was in high school it was the in color and everyone wore everything including me in it. But I do like our lilac bushes and wish I could get my hands on a white one.

Our purple phlox grew into the shape of a heart this spring. Green is a pretty background for purple.

I had a couple of spare skeins of hand painted yarn and wove this scarf, yes the warp is shades of purple and brown but the weft is all white.

I just took a rhubarb pie out of the oven and my house smells so good!!!! I can't wait until it cools a little so we can eat it. First harvest of the season. I'm hoping to put some in the freezer this year so we can enjoy pies in the winter.

2011-04-30T15:30:00.002-04:00

No pictures. We've been busy with all our yard work and have little time or energy to do much else. I came this quote which I would like to share with you.

"The world's favorite season is spring. All things seem possible in May". Edwin Way Teale

Isn't that the truth? Seeing the plants pushing up through the ground and the trees turning green is amazing wonderful.

SPRING

2011-04-18T14:33:00.003-04:00

I knit this little swirl hat in Lion Brands Amazing yarn. It's so soft and easy to knit. I love it.

Its an wool and acrylic blend which lends it to be much easier to take care of. I used to be a complete yarn snob then Lion Brand came out with some very nice blends and I've changed my mind.

Did I need to buy these cute little Gobel Friar Tucks? No but I've always wanted one so finally just bought a sugar and creamer on a dish. They're so cute!!!

One of the signs of spring at out house is laundry on the line. I will not hang wash out in the winter but love to do it come spring, summer and fall. Comes in a spells so fresh, unless the farmer is spreading his field then its back in the washer to get the order out. Yes, its happened at least twice. Forsythia is blooming in the back ground.

DELEVERIES

2011-04-15T13:42:00.002-04:00

I love getting things in the mail or delivered as in the case of these two rovings from Jody. Not only did she deliver the rovings we had a great breakfast too. The one pictured above is Shetland Wool. Until I asked I didn't know she had any for sale. Wonderful wool!!!

As is this one. It has such a nice hand a beautiful gray brown color. I can't wait to start spinning it!!

I forgot I ordered this wool from the the Bemidji Woolen Mills until it arrived. I'm so happy I put my order in because they won't be processing gray until August so I should have it in time for the New York Sheep And Wool Festival in mid October. Beautiful natural yarns!!!

ALPACA SHOW

2011-04-09T10:23:00.002-04:00

Yesterday we spent the better part of our day at the Mid-Atlantic Alpaca Association show in Harrisburg. I don't think I've seen so many cute animals under one roof. And colors. I never realized alpaca come in so many colors. They're were some that were a deep chocolate brown. I wouldn't mind spinning that fleece up. I came home with this fleece. Pretty medium tan. I'm sure it will take me a whole year to spin it up and have something knitted out of it. There were vendors but what I found that I fell in love with was the shawl Michelle, Friends Thru Fiber was weaving. 100% natural alpaca. Beautiful!!

2011-03-29T12:55:00.002-04:00

Its been quite awhile since I've added any posts to my blog. Winter blues. Hopefully they'll go away as soon as I can get outside or open the windows and let some fresh air in. I just finished a Turtleback Sweater designed by Sue Childress. She has a book out but I got this pattern on Annie's Attic. It worked up quickly in Lamps Pride Super Wash Bulky. While I was working on getting this picture off the camera I kept the sweater on and it just kept nice and warm without being heavy. I think it would be great for an in between seasons sweater. The picture on the link is much better then the one of me. I'm to short for these things.

I bought this Noro Kochora for a pattern that called for just one skein of it to knit a slouchy hat. I had to decease quicker than the pattern wanted me to so I would have enough yarn to finish but still think the hat is cute. I love this blend of Noro!!!!!!! It's well worth every penny I paid for it.

Bill and I were cleaning up and getting ready for an auction three weeks ago. We're in our storage shed lifting all sorts of things around and I happen to grab a folding table which slipped out of my hands and landed point side on my big toe. You can imagine the words that came out of mouth. Not nice at all. I didn't go to the doctor for over a week thinking it would get better but never did. Yep, you guess I broke it or should I say the table broke it. Not much they can do for it so I am trying to keep off it a little but it still wants to let me it's not happy and gives me a shot or two of pain. This is what happens when you clean up but the first of the two auctions we are having went very well.

2011-03-13T18:49:00.003-04:00

Framed and hung. Could it look any better? No, and that's thanks to Deanna and Jeff Wiseman at Wiseman Graphics located in Herdon, Pa. Deanna is a wonderful artist and Jeff a graphic design and framer. Both were so helpful when it came time to pick the right frame and it's perfect. That little blondie is having a lot of fun with her mom's cone of green yarn.

Getting to be spring I took this picture of our daffadils yesterday. Days are getting longer and warmer. I can't wait until I can open the windows and let some fresh air in.

2011-03-05T13:04:00.002-05:00

Look at what the mail man bought me today. A small but beautiful vase. Something I've always wanted. This is the how it was described on eBay: This vase looks as though it just came out of the kiln. It's a 5" high & has 4.5" diameter at the widest point. The semi-gloss glaze is a uniform blue. The base is incised Steen-Huck-2150. This indicates it was molded from a piece originally thrown by Steen and glazed/finished by Flora Huckfield, sister of Margaret Cable. The base is stamped with the standard NDSM seal including the date 1930. What this mean is it isn't the orginal vase but an exact replica made in a mold. That's ok my me since I know I could never afford one anyway.

Bottom showing the seal. Now to find a nice place for my little vase. One where I can see it every day but some place safe where I won't knock it down.

I just finished listening to I Dream Of You by Fannie Flagg. If you can try to get an audio copy of this book do. It is so FUNNY!!!!!! At one point I was laughing so hard Bill came in to check on me. I think one of the reason is because its read by the author and she know how each of her charters.

2011-02-13T17:04:00.002-05:00

Wow, I can't believe its been so long since I sat down and posted to my blog. Could be it's winter and not much going on???? I came across this bag a bit ago and have been wanting to share it with everyone. I bought it for two reasons. First I will buy something from a fellow craftsman or shop owner even if I don't want or need it. Why you many ask. To keep them in business. No, I don't know if any one's done it for me and that's not what counts. Reason number two, I like the design and thought I might make some bags like this some day. As far as I'm concerned it's been woven with some pretty terrible yarns, but that's only me. They are cheap and shiny. But the weave is a circular with no seams. It's just sewing across the bottom and the top is turned over and hemmed. It does have hand woven handles so that is a plus.

I found this puzzle in a Mary Maxim catalog and fell in love with it. It's A Helping Hand by Morgan Weistling Bill just finished it and needs to be framed before I can get a really good picture of it. Bill saw the print of at all place, The Sportsman Show. Do you think mom knows what baby is up to?

I finally got some towels off the loom. They're washed ironed and just need to be hemmed. I'm not sure I'm going to making to many more of these. How much can you get for one towel that it can justify all the time it takes to make it. I've been charging $15.00 for them and people look at you like you're crazy for asking that much for a cotton towel. And then what do you actually make on a $15.00 towel? Nothing, I'm sure I go in the whole every time I sell one. Guess I'll gather my yarn together and put it on eBay.

COOKBOOKS

2011-01-28T11:33:00.005-05:00

Two piles of cookbooks and some on the sofa with Chub along side them. I kept the pile on the right and the pile on the left will be sold along with some I've already purged. I decided to keep the cookbooks that meant something to me. Church groups, gifts from good friends and family and the books I actually got something out of. I gave my books from culinary school away a long time ago.

I was to ashamed to take a before and after photo. This is it. Notice the two little wooden recipe boxes. One was my moms and the other my sister gave me as a Christmas gift when she first got married and had little or no money to spend on gifts. All the cards in it are hand written and its one of the most precious things I own also use it all the time.

CAT IN A BOX

2011-01-27T15:37:00.003-05:00

Why is it every time you open a box and set it down your cat has to claim it as its own? Chub has made a home in our new dehumidifer box. I couldn't believe we had to buy another one. Our basement where my work space and shop are is undereground on three sides of our house. When we moved here it was a basement so where our big windows are there were garage doors so that section of the down stairs is open to the outside. Thankfully in the summer I can open those windows and get some wonderful fresh air in. Besides running a dehumidifier I have three ceiling fans I keep going all day long. The one thing I don't want on my fiber or finished items is the dreaded mildrew smell.

I handpainted some of my wool from Henry's Attic blue and used it as my warp. Mohair is the weft. I should have put two on the loom but that would be to easy.

This scarf is the same as the blue one only red. Both are very soft.

Very busy night tonight. Bill and I cleaned out the pantry and I promised to cut my cookbook collection at least in half. I know I have well over a 100 books to go look at. This could take days. When we moved here from our last home I sold over 20 boxs at our auction sale. How do I get so many????

OUTING

2011-01-18T10:09:00.002-05:00

Yesterday I met up with Jody at Gurdy Run Farm And Woolen Mill . Jody needed to drop off some of her fiber for process and I just love looking around at all of Lydia and John's fiber and yarns. There were other customers dropping off and picking up their orders so we didn't get to talk to Lydia to long. I must get over soon. It's not that we live to far from each other. Maybe all of 15 minutes.

Jody and I then stopped in at Denny's Lennies Restaurant for lunch. I love walking into a diner!! The smell of coffee brewing, food cooking, the noise of pots and pans rattling, waitress shouting orders and people talking. Add some good food and a good friend in with the mix and it was wonderful place to be. Yesterday was just that and more!

2011-01-12T12:52:00.002-05:00

In my last post I uploaded a picture of the fiber I spun into yarn. This is the same yarn now woven into a scarf. I just love how the colors interact with each other and the mohair has enough shine to make the yarn shimmer.

We don't exchange large gifts for Christmas but do manage a small one or two. Bill got me Blue Lady to go along with Red Lady and Yellow Lady. She needs a hat and scarf to keep her warm.

Speaking of cold. I believe over night winter has arrived in the form of snow and now blowing winds. Good day to be in with a cup of tea or hot coca.

2011-01-05T13:39:00.002-05:00

I bought some lovely fiber from my friend Jody at Prairie House Yarns. It's a wool and mohair blend and spinning up so nice and smooth. Jody is one of these extremely talented people who manage to make everything look so easy and turn out beautifully. She also had a link to her blog where she shares her everyday life and some wonderful recipes. Oh, did I mention she's also a very good cook?

On a previous posting Herbs And More I wrote I was going to knit a pair of socks with Tofustsies. Well the yarn had been sitting around long enough so I decided to weave it into a tie. Wove up very nicely with a soft drape. I might do that again if I could find the yarn a whole lot cheaper than I did.

My friend passed along this really cool link. I think everyone will like it.

http://www.ardmediathek.de/ard/servlet/content/3517136?documentId=6138126

MRS SANTA SPINNING

2010-12-24T12:50:00.002-05:00

MERRY CHRISTMAS

I've been waiting to post a picture of my new Mrs. Santa. Years ago I saw this Mrs Santa at a Sears and at the time we were still paying mortgages on two house so there was no way she could fit into our budget. We sold one house shortly after Christmas and I was planning on getting one of these the next Christmas. Yep, you guessed it no spinning Mrs Santa anywhere. Last year I miss a couple on eBay and just the other week found another and made sure I got it. Unlike my knitting Mrs Santa's this one is run my electricity and does not play any music. Her hands turn the wheel. She's a cutie!

AWESOME

2010-12-22T09:26:00.003-05:00

I can't believe I was lucky enough to win this Turkish Spindle from Threads Thru Time It is so beautiful and well balanced. My photos don't do it justice so you'll have to head on over to Threads Thru Time to look at this one and the others Barbara sells on Etsy. Barbara's husband, Dale makes the spindles along with other fiber related things like inkle looms and can be seen at Thomas Creations. I finished a hat from the pattern I got from a Fons And Potter's Love of Knitting. The pattern is written for two needles and there is no way I'll use two when I can use a circular one. I wish I would have made it a little larger and will with the next one. The one thing I don' t like about fold up rims of hats it takes much more yarn to knit them and long too. Notice the lamp in the back ground. Flea market find for half price the other day. I can always change out the colors just by winding different yarn on the bobbins.

Finished my inkle band and if you look closely you'll see it in my hedder picture. Turned out nice. And what am I going to do with it???? That's anyone's guess.

INKLE LOOM

2010-12-08T15:39:00.006-05:00

In one of my November posts I described a belt I was working on woven with crochet cotton I found at Walmart. A new yarn shop has just opened in Millersburg, Wetzel's Haus Of Threads & Yarns. Wendy the owner leans toward crocheting and has a wide varity of crochet cottons. Her yarns are mostly man made fiber and being a yarn snob I didn't think I would like her shop. Boy was I wrong!!!!! She has an amazing wide range of colors and her prices are equal to Walmarts. She also has a lot of books and notions and everything is so well displayed and organized. Wendy doesn't have a blog or website but I've received two interesting newsletters from her this week with links and list of new things she's gotten in her shop.

In setting up my next band project I decided to use the floor inkle loom I have. I was thinking about selling it but might change my mind since I think I might like it more than the old table one I have. I had to made heddles for it. I look every where and finally came across warping pegs I bought when I first started weaving. Pays not to throw a thing away. They work great for making heddles.

My band on the loom. When it comes off the loom and I take a picture I'll also include the pattern. I'm using DMC #10 for this band and like it but think I'll try thicker yarn for the next one.

GUESS I SHOULD HAVE READ THE SMALL PRINT

2010-12-06T10:33:00.005-05:00

I fell in love with the yarn and pattern for this hat and scarf from Fons&Porter's Love of Knitting. I found what I thought was the pattern and yarn on sale on their web site and when I got my package from them I was disappointment when it only included the yarn and not the pattern. After re-reading the description of what they were selling it never said the pattern was included. I called the company asking if I could still get the pattern. A very kind woman offered to send me the magazine the pattern was in for only $3.50, which is less than the original price with no shipping. I got the magazine yesterday and hope to start the hat today. Hopefully pictures of it will be in my next blog posting.

Once a year there is a very large Christmas Show at the Farm Show Building in Harrisburg. When it first started there were quite a few locale crafts people unfortunately most of the spaces are now taken my retail vendors but one of my very favorite craftsman is Peach Michael from Hats By Peach We were lucky to find this large handmade storage basket. Even has a solid wooden bottom.

I couldn't resist getting a couple of pieces of Polish Pottery. Snowman is actually a candle holder but I think I like him without it. They also had a large deep dish to match the shallow one of a cabin and pine tree. Maybe next time.

I don't always remember to listen to Cast On but I do like it and have been trying to catch up on the ones I've missed. On Episode 95 Brenda posted a link to feitcamao. If you get a chance take a look she's posted 43 pages of old and unusual pictures of knitters and other fiber related things.

NIDDY NODDY AND NEW BELT

2010-11-26T18:48:00.002-05:00

New yarn. Sort of chocolate and teal. I ply my yarn so it does give it an interesting twist.

I'm sure everyone has their favorite niddy noddy. After buy and using many other ones I found this one several years ago and love it. It comes apart for easy storing and to be truthful I think that was one of the reason I bought it. Top section goes into the bottom one and click into place to form a very tight fit. Also it's very light weight.

After it's together this is what it looks like. I don't know what kind of woods it's made from or who made it. Maybe someone out there might know.

Next belt experiment. Last week I was in Wal Mart's yarn section when I noticed crochet cotton. Since I didn't like any of the yarn I have at home I took down a ball and found it might work. So I picked up a couple of balls of #3 Red Heart brown and white. Believe me my selection was very limited. For this project the #3 works wonderful!!! Now I just have to find some in other colors. I've been looking through Inkle Weaving by Helene Bress and she suggests getting crochet yarn at my local "dime store". I know I remember what that dime store was but does anyone else??

2010-11-22T13:14:00.004-05:00

My blessings are to many to count but I am thankful for everyone of them. May you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving with family and friends!!

I just realized that it's been awhile since I've posted anything to my blog even so I have been busy starting projects and getting others finished up. I've been looking at my yarn and have decided to use up as much as possible this year instead of buying more so with that in mind I decided to weave a wool stripped wool scarf.

I'm also spinning yarn with the hopes of using it to knit up some colorful hats.

I came across this bakelite belt buckle I've had for years. As you can see the band I put on the loom is to narrow. Next one will have to be a little wider and in the mean time I have a couple of new book markers.

I posted a picture of my new TV a couple awhile ago. My idea was to bring in Bill's grandfathers rocker in and sit in front of the TV and knit while Bill watched the many football games he does this time of the year. Once Chub found it I could not keep her off of it. Honestly I mean it. She was upstairs eating so I took decided to sit and call my sister. She meowed so loud Annie could hear her. Not only meowed but kept pawing me until I got up. Up she jumps circles around lays down and falls asleep.

Dawn had her last radiation treatment on Friday and other than being tired is doing very well. We're so happy!!!!! I went with her one day for one of her treatments and am so happy I did. The people at York Cancer Center WellSpan Health are fabulous!!! I've gotten the results from the tests they took at Hershey Med Center. Other than my seizures there is nothing else wrong with me neurological and they still don't know what's causing my neuropathy not to mention the pain I'm having in my muscles. What next? I sure wish I knew.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMBER

2010-11-08T19:29:00.002-05:00

Sunday we celebrated our granddaughter's 21st birthday. It's so hard to believe she's 21. Where does the time go. This is Amber with her parents. Dad Bill Baer and mother, our daughter Dawn Wittmer. Would you say she has her mother's natural curly hair. Amber is doing her clinical to be an RN at the Lancaster Hospital and works part time at the Harrisburg Hospital.

This is a picture of Amber and her "little 16 year old" bother Aaron. Like our two children they look nothing alike.

This is Amber with her grandpa. He's probably telling her to be a good girl and she is. We're so proud and happy she's in our lives!!!!!! Happy Birthday Amber we love you.

THINGS I WISH I COULD DO

2010-11-06T19:42:00.003-04:00

I was tagged by Leigh at 5 Acres & A Dream to come up with "Things I Wish I Could Do". So here I go.

1. I wish I could work with color. I've gone to workshops and spent a week at Harrisville Design to learn to work with color. I can't decide if its a natural gift or if I haven't worked at it hard enough to be good at it but either way it's something I wish I could do at least better than I do now.

2. Like Leigh I would love to be a master herbalist. I'm on my second herb garden and have read several books but I sure don't feel I'm anywhere great at growing and using herbs. No matter I still love them.

3. I've always wanted to learn how to be a potter. I love pottery!!! I can't imagine how much fun it would be sitting at a wheel with clay forming something I would use or give away.

4. I'm extremely jealous of artists!!! I've worked my way through "Drawing From The Right Side Of Your Brain" but to get pencil and paper and actually draw or paint must be wonderful.

5. My next one is photography. I don't have to tell anyone who reads my blog how sad my photos are. I marvel at those who can pick up a camera and know what to take a photo and how to take the picture.

6. Write. I have all these thoughts in my head but when I put them down on paper or on a computer screen the words fail me. As you can tell I don't get to involved when I write my blog but admire all of you who do especially Leigh. I love reading her blog especially when its about her animals.

Well that's it. Tonight when I'm laying in bed I probably will think of a dozen more things "Things I Wish I Could Do" but no use boring everyone.

NOVEMBER

2010-11-02T15:45:00.005-04:00

November already????? Unbelievable!!!! I finally broke down a purchased a new TV for the studio. My old was getting just that "old". The remote didn't even work anymore. This is digital so off I go to the Comcast office today to get a box to hook it up in order to get the higher channels. Not complicated at all except we have a long extension from the wall to the so the connection on the end of this long extension is wrong. I love Comcast's advertisements. They almost make you believe when you call they will come out and help you. Will ok they do come out but two weeks after you call them. The box I got today will cost me $10.00 a month. I figure I'm worth that right? We also had to get a box for the TV in the bedroom just to get their service but at least that one won't cost us a penny, yet anyway. Am I the only out there that remembers when TV was FREE??? I do admit we've come along way from the three or four channels we got but honestly don't you think its just getting a little crazy?

I'm just recovering from all the work I did getting ready for the New York Sheep and Wool the time it took setting up selling and breaking down, unpacking and setting up at home again. I haven't been doing much more than spinning. I can't remember where I got these rovings but I do love how they turned out. Nice colorful and soft. Can't ask much more than that.

Dawn asked me knit her a pink scarf. I found this yarn, Debbie Macomber's Rosebud

at Knitters Day Out and feel in love with it. With lots of luck it will be finished before Christmas. By the way she starts her radiation treatments in a week and has gotten great results on all the tests that she's had.

OCTOBER

2010-10-24T12:39:00.004-04:00

We are lucky enough to have a nice farmer's market about six miles away from us every Friday. Everything from fruits to nuts, homemade pies and cakes, any sort of vegetable you can imagine, full meat cases with customers standing in line to be waited on, food vendors that sale everything from fish sandwiches to french fries, flower and plant vendors and last be not least the assorted stuff vendors. I love apples but this time of the year there is not way anyone can pass up them up. The apple aroma alone when you pass the farmers stand is enough to draw you in then you take a look at the many colors and there is not way you can pass them up. Friday I couldn't pass up acorn squash, tomatoes and onions and cabbage for a recipe I found on Pat's blog Hook, Hand and Heart.

I was taking a walk around the yard this morning. We only have an acre so it's not a long walk but as I'm walking under the pin oaks my feet kept crunching and it took we awhile to remember that I must be stepping on acorns and sure enough its load. We don't have any squires or chipmunks to eat them. To bad.

Some mums that are still hanging on. Well, not anymore since I cut them and brought them in the house.

Pretty tree turning colors.

On a personal note. Meet our daughter Dawn left and granddaughter Amber right. Last Saturday they walked together along with a group of Dawn's fellow office workers in the Breast Cancer Walk. If you'll notice Amber is wearing a ribbon with "Mom" on it. Dawn had breast cancer surgery on Monday. Dawn is doing well and the prorogues is good. They took out a lump and the tissue surround the lump and her lymph nodes have tested cancer free.

NEW YORK SHEEP AND WOOL 2010

2010-10-21T08:46:00.003-04:00

This year my post about the New York Sheep And Wool Festival starts with old friends. Not that we're old, just friends who have known each other for a long time. This is a picture of me (left) and Kate Otto. We live less than an hour from each other but have to all the way to New York to meet up. Kate is a fabulous fiber artist. She does everything and was my first spinning teacher. Notice our felted acorn pins. Yep, she made them.

One of my displays. Hats. I think I sold all but maybe six hats. Right now I'm so tired I can't even look at a ball of yarn. The customers never stopped coming which is a good thing but sure does tire me out.

I had great plans on putting my yarn colors just so but Bill put them up and they hung very randomly. Who knows maybe doing it that way cause people's attention because I sure did sell a lot of it.

I set up my display like I have it at home and seems to work here too. We had a great time and are so thankful to the Dutchess County Sheep and Wool Growers for putting on such a great festival!!!!!!!!!!!

GETTING READY FOR NEW YORK

2010-10-09T16:34:00.002-04:00

I can't believe anther year has rolled around and I'm packing up to go the New York Sheep And Wool Festival. This is some of the yarn I've dyed recently. I only have two white skeins of yarn left and I think I'll keep them that way just in case I want to knit or weave something in white. We spent the whole day taking all the displays apart and packing up the yarn and hand woven and knit things I have to sale. We haven't finished getting everything together and I have no clue how Bill's getting it in the pick-up but he assures me he can. We'll see. This morning I had to run off more business cards. Does anyone else do this or do they get theirs printed? Its easier to make them myself and I use them as price tags too.

Speaking of Rhinebeck. Raverly is hosting its fourth annual party. Wish I could attend but we're always to busy setting up. Cat from Lets Knit2gether is also have a get together with her fans on Saturday at the picnic tables outside building A at 3:00. Join both if you can.

If you happen to be at the festival please stop in and say hi. I'll be be at 37-A.

THIS AND THAT

2010-10-04T10:53:00.003-04:00

Sunday we did one of our usual things, go to antique markets. Unlike the last time I was out and about I did not find another spinning wheel but instead an old wash basket. Take notice on how user friendly the handles are on this basket. I've often wondered why basket makers put the handles on the long end when most women use them and have short arms.

Anyway I thought my 8 oz bags of roving would look nice in the basket and they do. Of course not all of them fit in it but I like it.

My dear friend Patsy and I went to Knitters Day Out last Sunday and when I was going to leave her house she surprised me with this hand made garden ornament. A couple of weeks before I noticed hers in her garden and admired it so her friend Gerry made me one. Honestly aren't there some wonderful people in the world? Much to pretty to put outside so...

I'm using it as a display piece in my studio. Nice. Thanks Gerry I love it!!!!

We had high winds and lots of rain this week. I know we're lucky that we only lost one limb of our mamosa tree but I love that tree and hope it's not permanently damaged.

KNITTERS DAY OUT

2010-09-25T17:29:00.005-04:00

My dear friend Patsy asked to me to go Knitter's Day Out on Saturday. She didn't have to ask more than once. We didn't sign up for any of the classes but hit the vendor's market and had a ball!! The first booth we stopped at was Bearlin Acres and talked with Linda. Seems like hairpin lace is back. Linda was working hers up on a wooden frame she had made special.

We checked out all the yarn. It was the first time I felt corn yarn. Nice. Wonder how they do it.

Loads of different knitted projects. Aren't these Christmas Socks great?

Lots of kits are ready for the knitter to knit up or give as gifts.

And many many fun ideas. This one is from Linda at Bearlin Acres. Cute Linda!

So what did I buy?? I bought a spiral tube sock pattern from Phylleri Ball owner of Steam Valley Fiber Farm. A lace shawl pattern from Knit Wit Knits and a ball of yarn from Flying Fibers. The yarn I bought is Petals Socks from Debbie Macomber's Blossom Street collections. Lovely!!!

NEW SCARF

2010-09-15T07:20:00.003-04:00

With all the running around we've been doing lately I finally got this scarf woven, washed and blocked.

I dyed some of my white Jagger Spun with dye I found labeled Opal. This isn't to far off the marked at least nothing like the yarn I dyed with some dye labeled sage in May Actually quite pretty and again I do love Jagger Spun yarns.

We haven't been to any auctions in a long time but Saturday morning off we go to look at a print Bill's been wanting for a very long time. It's titled Deep Woods Drummer by Ned Smith. Ned Smith is an artist from Millersburg known for his wild life paintings. Bill has two of Ned Smith's prints framed along with the Pennsylvania Game News on which they appeared and Pennsylvania Game patch, a white tail deep and wild turkey. He's had the Pennsylvania Game patch and Game News for a long time and just hasn't been able to find the print so Saturday he was lucky enough to get it. Yesterday we took it to get re-framed to match the other two he already has. Oh, goody some more wild life to adore my walls. What you do for love!!!

GREEN - GREEN

2010-09-04T14:47:00.007-04:00

Two green scarves knit with green alpaca dyed lime green. I made this one to match the hat I posted on July 4Th and it matches the spiral pattern. Why does it seem to take forever to knit a scarf??? After this scarf I still had yarn left so---

I knit a knit a small shawl or neckerchief depending on how you wear it. Would you believe I still have some of this yarn left? I liked this amazingly easy pattern of which I got from The knitter's Bible Knitted Accessories by Claire Crompton.

I wove a scarf from some of my hand dyed variegated wool yarn. Again I'm surprised that I have some left since I used it for both warp and weft. I love how the colors seem to interchange so easily.

I'm back and forth to Hershey Medical Center for all sorts of neurological tests this month. Everything from blood work, MRI's, EEG, and probably a lumbar punch. Hopefully I'll get some sort of results!! And in the mean time I'm just plugging along.

SPINNING WHEEL AND SUNDAY

2010-08-23T19:33:00.005-04:00

Late Sunday morning Bill and I decided to take a run to The Old Sled Works in Duncan. In the second row of antique vendors we spotted this spinning wheel. We both checked it over and found there wasn't anything missing and it just needed to be cleaned up but decided to walk around and see what else they had. As it turned out they didn't have anything else so we went back to take another look. Bill lifted it up so I could see the bottom and The Country Craftsman J Franzel, Jr 4-21-88 label was on it. The price was way more than right so home it came with us.

Bill got some tong oil and cleaned the entire wheel.

Here it is after a good cleaning. The worst part for me is always attaching the drive band. This one only took me five times. This is the information I've found out about the wheel.

Joseph Franzel, Jr worked for Jerome Rooney founder of The Country Craftsman from 1972 until Mr Roony retired in 1981. In 1981 Mr Franzel took over the business and his wife Cindy was in charge of the distribution until 2003 when Mr Franzel retired from making spinning wheels.

It's a heavy well made wheel that spins beautifully. I'm adding it to my inventory and plan on taking it to the New York Sheep And Wool Festival.

I ran across this bag at the consignment store in Millersburg last week. I know its officially not a vintage needlework bag but don't you just love the 50's bling and decoration on it? I do and its in perfection condition.

SOME NEW HATS AND RUST YARN

2010-08-19T14:49:00.004-04:00

I knit a couple of hats for sample made out of Bemidji Woolen Mills Homespun 100% Natural wool yarn. It knits up so nicely and I love the finished hats.

I think scarves to match the hats are next on my knitting list.

I'm still dyeing. Yesterday I put a large skein of Henry's Attic Kona Sport in the dye pot. I had a deep consecration of a rust dye base and put some in my trusty turkey baster. I then squirted it randomly into the skein. I added water to my dye base to thin it out and squirted it on other sections of the skein. I ended up diluting the dye again and just added it to the dye bath.

Finished yarn. I wish I would have had more yarn. I love the color of this yarn!! Every once in awhile things do turn out.

BEFORE DURING AND AFTER

2010-08-12T10:01:00.002-04:00

I've been dyeing yarn. This dyed job started out as Henry's Attic natural alpaca. Beautiful soft yarn.

So in the in the dye pot two pounds when along with Ashford Red dye.

After it cooled and I rinsed it I hung it out on the wash line to dye.

Finished product. I know red means different things to different people but is it just me or does this look orangish to anyone else? Doesn't matter even if its the the exact red I was looking for it's very pretty.

One of Cabal's wild life exhibits muskox. One of the few natural fibers in the whole place. Now I'm not saying I don't like Cabals because I enjoy going there and almost always end up buying a little something but when I was look at the clothing I found nothing made in the USA and almost nothing had natural fibers in it. I think my most disappointed company was Woolrich from Woolrich, Pa. I know at one time they made everything they sold there and made of wool. I have a couple of jackets that are quite old I'm still wearing made of wool and made in the USA. Whatever happened to us anyway??

BUSY

2010-08-03T10:02:00.003-04:00

I've decided to knit some sample scarves or hats of the yarn I'm selling with the hope of if some one sees how nice the yarn I have for sale knits up they might buy it. I bought this wool/mohair roving last year and posted about it here. The yarn knit up so nice and after my scarf was washed and blocked turned out even better than I expected.

I took a good look at my yarns and saw I didn't have any blues so back to dyeing again. This is some Supper Wash Merino from Henry's Attic. According to the dye packets left is sky blue and right bright blue.

Next week I'm going to be working on dyeing alpaca. I think I'll dye it in autumn shades.

I just finished this scarf. Almost like the one I woven my niece. I'm still trying very hard to work through the yarns I have before buying more. Wish I lived near a group that has a "trading night" so I could get some new colors. Oh, well the fun of living in the middle of nowhere. Does anyone else have the same problem I do?

2010-07-23T11:34:00.003-04:00

I couldn't decide what to title this blog posting so I just didn't give it a title. I found this sampler of a spinner last time we went antiquing. I know it's not to old but I liked it and the price was right. Looks nice on my wall too.

I like to think the next two pictures are brother and sister. I think they may be Scandinavian but who knows? It really doesn't matter as long as I like them and I do.

What a pretty little girl!!!! Walking around knitting socks. Can you imagine any of our children doing this today? Who is the sock for her brother with his books going to school?

New mannequins. My old ones wobbled and were hard to take to apart for traveling. I found these on sale and couldn't pass them up.

I have always been jealous of my sister's butcher block. My very kind and loving brother in law gave this one to me this summer. We just got it off the pick up and into the house. These things are not light and has been on the pickup riding all the way from North Dakota to Pennsylvania. I love it!!!!!! Chub just had to stick her nose in while I was taking pictures. I put our two butter churns next to the back door. One of them is a new to us one again that's to my brother in law and is a Red Wing Pottery. We also now have 28 pieces of Red Wing to sell but will not ship so if anyone locally is interest give me a call.

TABLE LOOMS

2010-07-15T11:57:00.002-04:00

With the problems I'm still having with my feet, ankles, legs and back I've been using table looms to weave on. With my up coming appointment at Hershey Medical Center I hope to have some help and diagnosis. I made the appointment in February and was suppose to see some one in July but they changed it until August. I don't know what I'll do if they push it back another month. I've seen several doctors and so far nothing. So frustrating!!!

Sorry I got off the subject of this posting. Do you see anything on this table loom that a floor has it does not? It took me awhile to figure it out.

What's missing is the race. It's not to much of a problem when I'm weave narrow scarves but with this 24 inch shawl it is. I'm weaving on Ashford looms and I have checked others and they all are missing a race. Wonder why????

I've been spinning, with my electric spinner. I don't know what I'd do with out it. Ashford 80 merino 20 silk. Its a dream to spin and knit with.

I love this roving and yarn!!!!! So soft and dreamy!!!!

VACATION III

2010-07-09T12:28:00.003-04:00

Fishing on Lake of the Woods, Northwest Angle, Minnesota is one of the best thing about going on vacation. Here I am with my legal walleye catch. More fun and good to eat then you can imagine. My brother in law Edmund takes the catch to the fish house and fillet them my sister Annie drenches them in a mixture of egg and milk and coat them in crushed Corn Flakes and fries them in melted butter. There isn't thing better in the world to eat!!!

And here I am with the smallest catch of the whole trip. I couldn't figure out why everyone but me was getting bits. Turns out I already had a fish on my line. Poor little thing was only about three inches long. Let him go and he was fine.

This is one of the barges that run goods out to the island on the lake. They carry everything from food to tankers of oil. I am amazed why someone would want to live out so far away from everyone but there are those that do.

One of my buys. Yarn from Bemidji Wool Mills. I have no idea what I'm going to do with it. It's so nice!!!

On the deck over looking the lake I was teaching my niece Beck to knit. She's a very fast learner and on our trip into Warroad I bought her enough yarn and knitting needles to practise knitting by making dish clothes.

VACATION II

2010-07-06T18:13:00.004-04:00

Becky likes the scarf I wove for her. I'm so happy!! She's just graduated from Ave Marie College and starts her new job in Grand Forks, North Dakota at St. Michael's the middle of July. Way to go Bec!!!

We stayed at my sister Annie and her husband while in North Dakota. Why they put up with us is still wonders me. Annie is one of these people that can make anything and everything look great. Our room looked like we were at a country style bed and breakfast. They yard looks as great as the house does. In Annie's garden shed she has it decorated with "A's" Crazy as it sounds it looks wonderful. I asked Pati to make me an "A" to take home for her. Tim cut out a heart and Pati painted on the "A". This is Annie hanging her new "A" which Pati she loves and you were so right she didn't have any lower case ones.

Just one of the view of her garden shed.

A picture of some of the garden and side of her shed.

A view of Edmund's pond. It's much larger than it looks in this picture. We could sit on the back deck and listen to the water fall. So nice and relaxing until the mosquitoes come that is for a few bites.

VACATION

2010-07-04T14:27:00.003-04:00

On June 23rd we packed up the pick up and headed to North Dakota. Driving on Route 80 across northern Pennsylvania is so beautiful! Onto Ohio and Indiana with their rolling hills and fields of corn and grain. Traffic picks up but the roads are good, despite on going construction, and there are plenty of well maintained rest stops along the way until Chicago. We get there right around the rush hour along with a horrible rain storm. The toll system is so confusing!!! In every other state you got a ticket when you got on the road and paid when you got off. Not around Chicago. Every so often you had to go off and pay any where between $.3o and a dollar. Along with the rain, heavy traffic and us being total confused we're sure we missed at least three and will probably be fined for it. We were never so happy to see Wisconsin where we spent the night. Wisconsin is a beautiful state!! Everything from the rock out crops of the Dells, rolling hills and some of the best rest area along our drive. I took one picture of the rock out crops but would love to see the Dells one of these days. After going through Minnesota we finally got to Minto on the second day around 5:30. Never so happy not to be riding in a vehicle.

Along the way I had to do something with my hands so I the day before granddaughter Amber found some yarn and a hat pattern she like so I knit a hat.

. We drove for a few reasons one of them was so I could pick up this Canadian production spinning wheel my sister gave me. I have the best sister in the wold!!! Isn't see beautiful??? I have a few other things to share a later but I'm still very tired and have loads of things to do.

NEW ASHFORD ROVING

2010-06-21T12:29:00.003-04:00

New display in my shop with some new yarn and Ashford roving.

I've added some beautiful Ashford roving to my inventory. Bright yellow, soft yellow and peach. I had a hard time getting theses yellows right but I think they are pretty much true to the product.

Deep red and Rose.

Light lavender and deep purple.

Denim blue and ice. These roving spin up beautifully and can be used for needle felting. Check them out on my web site, Fessler Spinning And Weaving.

PURPLE

2010-06-19T19:59:00.004-04:00

I wove this scarf in two different shades of purple then added beads in another shade to give it some depth. Like most pictures they color and effect doesn't do it justice but it ended being exactly as I pictured it in my mind. Believe me most of the time that doesn't happen. This is for my niece Susan. I sure hope she likes it!!!

Scarf on the loom. It was fun and easy so easy there's another on the loom only this time I'm going to use the lighter shade of purple for the weft.

Clematis whent crazy. You can hardly see the bird house under the plant. Isn't purple and greeen nice together? I don't know why I don't use it more in my spinning, knitting and weaving more.

2010-06-16T14:24:00.002-04:00

It's finally home. I took my computer in to the shop last Thursday to get cleaned up and new anti virus downloaded. Completely unexpected but needed I also got a new hard driver installed. I have to admit that I haven't realized just how much of my time the computer takes away from my studio. I got so much done without it and only missed it when I went to look something up or email some and it wasn't there. I hope to catch up on all my blog reading and commenting soon. A new picture of my sign. The lilies are so pretty this year!!!

I finished a new Damson Shawl. This time in Jagger Spun red.

I had my shawl bocking in Bill's hunting room and when I went to take out the pins found Chubby laying on it. She hardly ever goes into that room and I had a heck of a time getting her off the shaw. Cats go figure!!!

Elizabethville, nearby town, had a community yard sale once a year. I found this wonderful piece of Polish Pottery for only $1.00. Amazing!!!! I have it all wrapped up and am giving it to my sister and she'll think I paid a whole lot more for it.

ARTFEST II

2010-06-03T10:35:00.004-04:00

Just a few other things I found interesting at Artfest on Sunday. Very colorful pottery. Just made me happy looking at it.

This is stain glass with a horse being the main image. Picture does not do it justice. The horse looks like its coming right at you.

Just a painting I found kind of fun and colorful. Most of the artist had signs posted asking the viewers not to take pictures of their work. I can understand that completely.

Look at the center of these pieces of glass works. They are all shallow bowls or glass plates. What a clever idea!!!

A very large pottered gong. I love the soft natural colors and the deep sound was amazing!

43rd ANNUAL ARTFEST

2010-05-31T10:50:00.005-04:00

\

Yesterday we took in the 43rd Annual Artfest held in Harrisburg with our friends Jane and John Lippert neither of whom look to happy that I took their picture. It was the end of the day of being in and out of the sun with the temperatures in the high 80's I'm sure if anyone took my picture I wouldn't be to happy either. Notice what's on Jane's lap, goodies. We ate our way though the festival and every thing we ate was great.

It wasn't until we were in the last aisle that we found what Jane and I were looking for - weavers. We came across two fabulous ones. Meet Pat Beard form Pat Beard Handwovens. Amazing handwoven garments!!!! So well woven, and sewn and so pretty.

And Pam Bartl of Jesamie Handwovens. Pat is holding up a sweater she knit for her first grand child. Another amazing weaver and knitter. Her garments are light weight and airy. Both of these wonderful weaver are also associated with the Pennsylvania Guild Of Craftsman. This guild is known for its extremely high jurying standards at both chapter and state level. The only

reason I know is because both Jane and I were members. I'm now just to far from a chapter to belong.

At Mimi Hay Design some one, wish I would have gotten his, was demonstrating shibori dyeing. I order to get the colors and pleating for their scarves process takes four days.

The end result is these beautiful silk scarves. Please visit their websit. The kimonos and wearable art are is beautiful.

MAY COLORS

2010-05-25T11:31:00.004-04:00

Honestly this was suppose to be at the bottom of my post but as you can see it isn't. I made our favorite bread this morning. Banana bread. My mom made it for us and I make it for my kids and grand kids. Simple but good.

3/4 cup shortening
1 1/2 cups sugar
4 eggs
1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
3 cups all purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
1 cup chopped walnuts
5 large mashed bananas

Cream the first three ingredients together and add vanilla. Add remaining ingredients and poor into 2 well-greased and floured loaf pans. Bake in a 350 pre-heated oven for about an hour. I used glass pans and lower the temperature to 325.

I can't believe its the end of May and also my grandson's 16th birthday. We bought this Mock Orange two weeks ago. It's so pretty.
My third year rose hip plant. I have two I can't believe how they have grown. I need a third one but around there they are hard to find. Suppose I could check the Internet.

Potentilla. We had this in a pot for at least five years before we moved here in 1999 which makes it about 15 years old. Never fails to have pretty little yellow blooms on it every spring.

Chive flowers. I took this picture then proceeded to cut them all off. What I don't need is an infection of chives. I let that happen once and am still weeding the babies out of my garden.

We just put this lena broom in this spring. It has the most amazing fall colored flowers. Hope it doesn't die this winter!!!

We dug these up from Bill's grandfather's garden some time ago. We figure they must be well over 70 years old. Old peony's are so beautiful!!! And the family connection is nice too.

MUG MATS

2010-05-21T13:10:00.005-04:00

Last week Hilary from Crazy As A Loom was giving away a set of her mug mats and I was the lucky winner. I asked Hilary to pick out a color for me and you'd think we've known each other for ever she picked out the perfect color for me and as you can see my favorite mug. Thanks so much Hilary!!!!!! Sorry about my lack of photography skills.

Theresa from Camp Runamuck asked about my mug. I got it from a friend for Christmas. I'm almost sure she got it at the Maryland Sheep And Wool Festival. It's made by Great Bay Pottery. I love it for a couple of reasons. It has a wide bottom so it won't tip easlie, thick enough to keep my coffee nice and hot and most of all the sheep is so cute.

Isn't this the truth? A cat that thinks like me.

NEW LOOM

2010-05-20T10:21:00.003-04:00

I fell in love with this little loom as soon as I saw it on multi-talented Melisa's blog Tangible Daydreams. She has some great pictures of it on her blog. It's completely made of wood. No even one nail or screw and it works great. Like Melisa I did purchase a 12 epi heddle from Paradise Fibers. This little loom is perfect for travel and I'm planning on taking it on vacation with me this summer.

Every time I make something for the first time I call it my practice piece. This certainly qualifies for a practice piece but that's ok my next tape will be a little better. At least I hope it will.

I love decorating my studio with bits and pieces of odd things especially those made with fiber. I've found this bag made with beads and colorful fabric at our Goodwill store and just fell in love with it.

This little bag was given to me by a dear friend. I find both of these bags inspiring and just plain fun to look at.

PROJECTS

2010-05-12T17:31:00.002-04:00

Did you ever wonder what you'll be getting when you read the name of the dye on the package? I've had some dye for quite awhile with the name sage. I don't know why I was thinking sage would be a dull shade of green but I did. I think I expect sage to be the around the sage color as a sage plant I suppose. Well as you can tell the above yarn is certainly not any thing near green more teal I'd say. I started by putting four skeins of my hand spun white 2 ply mohair yarn in the dye pot then waited for about 10 minutes and added four more skeins of the same yarn. Not the color I expected but I sure do like it.

It's been a week of "things that didn't turn out like I expected them to". Neither of these two hats where suppose to look like they do. I was hoping for a cloche style hat but this one was to long so I folded the brim up a little in the back.

Well you can guess that this one ended up being to short and felted more than I expected. Again not what I wanted but ok.

I finished my great niece Becky's scarf. She wanted a black scarf with teal fringe. I couldn't add teal fringe and of course couldn't find teal beads so I used blue and green beads. She just graduated from Ave Marie University in Florida and is moving back north to cold winters and needed a nice warm scarf. I can't wait to give it to her when I see her next month!

MOTHER'S DAY

2010-05-08T15:56:00.003-04:00

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY

Happy Mother's Day to everyone who's taken care of or been responsible for the well being of another person. I believe at some point in all our lives we've been in the position for "mothering" someone else and it doesn't necessarily have to be a child we've given birth to or a child we've chosen to care for through adoption or for those who don't have either taken care of their husbands, parents or friends.

My Mother taught me much more than I even realize. One of the things I remember most was when I was in about fifth or sixth grade and came down from my bedroom dressed up for school in plaid slacks and a flower blouse. I was sent back upstairs to change because I looked "too busy". Lesson learned, I never wore flowers and plaids again.

My Mom is gone now and I still miss her dearly. The picture above is left to right, Annie, me and Mom all dressed up for church. It looks like I might be between one and two so it was taken either 1948 or 1949.

TOM TOM

2010-05-05T07:38:00.003-04:00

Like a lot of other we decided since we do a lot of driving around and are planning on driving to North Dakota this summer it might be a good idea to buy a GPS unit so we bought a TomTom. On Sunday we hook it up feed it the information needed and low and behold it mapped out the route we always use to go the the Roller Mill in Lewisburg. The next day I fed in the information to take me to the gas station we use in Elizabethville. I followed it exactly and went on roads I've never been on. After six and a half miles I got to my destination and only one a half miles out of my way. I need to share this picture of a doll knitting I saw at the Roller Mill. I named her "Bad Hair Day".

Also a cupboard of cool fabric. I noticed the sign "Sweet Annie" as I uploaded this picture and wished I would have seen it while I was taking the picture since my sister's name is Annie and she sure is a sweet heart. Maybe I'll contact my friend Patti at The Brickhouse Craft Shop and see if she can make me one before I go and see this summer. Are you reading this Patti?

Our next outing was on Tuesday to Roots Country Market near Manheim. Hooked up the TomTom and it gave us directions we would have never used. Not only were the directions for Manheim out of the way it kept telling us to turn around in a not so nice voice. I had to take this picture of a doll quilting. Notice the cigarette in her mouth. Sure do hope she doesn't drop any ashes on her quilting.

This is what I bought. Polish Pottery Salt and Pepper shakers on a tray to add to my collection.
Cute!

OUT AND ABOUT

2010-04-27T14:22:00.003-04:00

Last Sunday we were "out and about" to some antique and flea markets. I was very lucky to find two more bags for my inventory. The one on the right is not vintage but it's well made and I like it.

First time I came across a child's hat display and its white glass. I suppose now I'll have to knit more children's hats.

I can across this Structo table loom sitting on the floor in the corner of a market. I think the price is $325. As far as I'm concerned that's way to much money for this loom. But it was a fun find.

Coverlett. I have no idea if it was old because I didn't care for the colors so I didn't take a very close look.

We bought a crock butter churn for our kitchen. Fits in nicely with the other two we have. Am I going to use it? No, just for "pretty".

COLORS OF APRIL

2010-04-24T14:25:00.003-04:00

These are my colors of april. Our lilacs are in full bloom. We planted two different shades together and hope to get a white one too. I cut some and brought them in the house. They smell so good!!!

I have several pictures of the tulips. They got so pretty this spring and are just about done blooming. Clear yellow against the rich green with a red one just coming out.

Many shades of red, orange and yellow with some pink in the back ground.

I took this picture in the fog. The fog makes everything look so soft. I love foggy morning especially when I don't have to go out.

The picture of the azalea was also taken on the same foggy morning. This one is on the field side of our garage so we can't see it from the house.

EARTH DAY 2010

2010-04-22T10:33:00.003-04:00

TWILL SCARVES

2010-04-15T17:26:00.004-04:00

We have a visitor right outside our kitchen door. We're patiently waiting for the birth and first flight of the baby doves. We haven't used this door for over two weeks. How long does it take to hatch dove eggs?

The beginning of March I posted about the above scarf. I didn't mention that the finished scarf was 7 1/2 wide. Since I had a dummy warp on the loom I was planning on weaving more scarves in same weight yarn but couldn't find any yarn I like in my stash. Isn't that the way things go? At least for me it does.

I decided to weave a black scarf using Jagger Spun 2 x 8 and set it at 13 epi. This scarf ended up being 6 3/3 inches wide.

This green scarf was woven with a much finer yarn Brown Sheep fingering weight (2500 yards per pound) which I set at 15 epi and is 4 3/4 inches wide.

Last scarf is woven in a sunny Jagger Spun 2 x 8 yarn set at 12 1/2 epi and is 5 1/2 inches wide.

I haven't given myself a weaving challenge in a long time and enjoyed this one a lot. It was so easy since I was using my Ashford table loom and just needed to change the threading through the reed different for each scarf.

NEW ADDITIONS

2010-04-08T08:37:00.005-04:00

I went to visit a friend last week and look what followed me home. I call her Jane after the friend who no longer can use her. When I first started selling for Ashford I wanted a 16 inch 8 harness table loom for samples and workshops. This loom came Bill and I put it together and I didn't realize it was a 24 inch until I started to warp it a couple of days later and found the center was 12 instead of the 8 inches I was expecting. You've got to be thinking we're both crazy but we fully expect the loom we were putting together to be 16 inches. Lucky for me Jane was looking for a 24 inch 8 harness table loom so I could sell it to her and get the 16 inch I wanted. You'll notice she left the bound weaving she was working for me. Oh, and it also has a second back beam. Something I probably will never use.

I put a scarf on Jane and as you can see I still can't find the middle of the loom. To be truthful I didn't even notice I hadn't found the middle until I upload this picture. Some times I do wonder about myself. Notice the pink and blue note holders. I posted about how much I love these waxed backed note holders.

Bill has been getting mulch from Mr Zook all week but I haven't had the time to go with him until yesterday. I love redbud trees but didn't want a large one so we got this minute shrub. Pretty.

And something I've wanted for a long time a Harry Lauder's Walking Stick. It's suppose to get 10 feet tall in 20 years and I did plant it in my herb garden but the way I look at it in 20 years I really won't care. Good thing I didn't go to Mr Zooks every time Bill did or I'd have a whole lot more shrubs or trees. I have my eye on a pine tree I fell in love with but it'll have to wait until next week.

ANIVERSARY AND MO ROCCA

2010-03-29T16:26:00.004-04:00

For those of you that read my blog on a regular basis you might remember that I bought a new display a couple of weeks ago. I had a hard time deciding between two so I went with Lola on the right. Bill came home the other day with the other display I liked so much for our wedding anniversary. Believe me this was one heck of a surprise!!

Back view of the sisters. New one is name less. The painter did such a wonderful job at painting these displays!!! Fun and interesting.

I've tried to upload this video but can't so just click on Mo Rocca to watch it. For those who listen to NPR's Wait, Wait Don't Tell Me you might remember when Mo Rocca commented on hand knit sweaters for chickens. I'm not going to say any thing else just watch the video clip.

NEW AND OLD FRIENDS

2010-03-27T11:42:00.005-04:00

Patsy Buck author of Basic Soap Making stopped over to show me the socks she's knitting for F.I.R.E.'s Dulaan Knitting Project .

They are so cute!!!! She's one busy lady and giving of her time to knit socks for charity is on the top of my list of great things to do. Way to go Patsy.

Yesterday afternoon Pat, Hook, Hand And Heart and her husband Zip stopped by. What a thrill is was to meet them!!!! Pat is an extremely talented spinner, weaver and rug hook. Check out her blog to see all the wonderful things she's made and place her a Zip have been. We then headed to the Pottery Shed and enjoyed the open house Tara was having. Her husband makes all the beautiful pottery and Tara makes really cool rugs. Just in case you can't get to the Pottery Shed the pottery is also sold at The Brick House Craft Shop Wonderful shop!!

New friends and old friends I'm so privileged to know both Pat and Patsy.

POT HOLE GARDENS

2010-03-22T17:48:00.002-04:00

For anyone who likes gardening and hates pot holes check out The Yellow Brick Road. What a clever idea!!!!! This blog is from the UK but it could be anywhere. Love it!!!

On my travels this morning I ended up at the local Goodwill. One of my very favorite shops!!! One of the things I found were these magazine holders. Seven single and one double. The singles were $.97 and the one double was $1.97. What a buy!!!

My idea was to put my Handwovens and Spin Offs in them. As you can see they are full but only with Handwoven. I couldn't believe I had that many!!! I know I've been getting them since I've been weave and picked up a lot more of the earlier issues, late 70's and early 80's. I also have a large ring binder with 24 issues in. Notice the yellow tabs. Projects I haven't gotten to yet and that's only from these magazines. I get these all put away and wouldn't you know the new issue came this afternoon.

Also found these place mats. Not exactly my style but I love the colors and pattern. If I do nothing more than look at them I've gotten my monies worth.

COLORS OF MARCH

2010-03-21T15:16:00.003-04:00

When looking for my colors of march I kept looking up. Up at the trees and the sky. It wasn't until I helped Bill hook up the water hose that I saw some thing other than green since now of our spring flowers are blooming yet. Little blue weed flowers.

Right next to them were pretty little white ones. Please don't ask I haven't a clue what they are although I do see clover so is that their flowers? Pays to look down sometimes.

A red bird, Cardinal I think was just sitting in the tree. Today, first full day of spring, and for the first time this year the chirping of birds got me away. Nice!!!!

I'm not sure but I think this is Bill's crooked tree. He planted it as a stick only three years ago and its taken off. I love the shape and the olive green is pretty too.

Meet Barb. Yesterday when we were at Lowe's we came across small Austrian Black Pine for only $6.95 and couldn't resist and since its so close to our anniversary decided to get two and named them Barb and Bill. The hope is when we're long gone they will be waving in the wind and their branches will be touching as if we were holding hands. Ok, silly dream but what the heck. Long green shiny needles.

SOME SIGNS AND COLORS OF SPRING

2010-03-16T17:29:00.003-04:00

I couldn't wait for my forsythia to bloom so I brought some in the house. It's so nice to see some spring flowers even if they are forced. I love forsythia! We don't trim our bush and it just has a free form beauty to it.

Our tulips are just now coming up. I took this picture so show the green and purple. Nice even if it's not bloom yet.

My favorite. Bill out doing some weeding. I have a miserable cold so I just went out long enough to take his picture. I had better get over this cold we have so much to do!!!!

Another sign of spring for me is hang the laundry on the wash line. I love doing that when it's nice but don't bother during the winter months. Also saw some robins and a ground hog that needs to be done away with. We also filed our taxes and are happy to report we don't own Uncle Sam anything this year. Just filled out and have our 2010 census ready to go into the mail box. We've been busy little beavers.

I found some of my spring decorations. Meet my happy lamb with socks on his feet and hands. I suppose he's happy because his feet and hands are nice and warm. Some times I amaze myself at all the dumb things I have. Sheep seem to be one of my favorite collectables.

OLD SLED WORKS

2010-03-05T15:29:00.005-05:00

Instead of sitting around the house this morning Bill and I decided to take a drive to The Old Sled Works in Duncan. I didn't see to much to even take a picture of but thought this advertisement was interesting. Who would ever think there would an advertisement for "Diet For Invalids" not to mention it being associated with a pretty young Red Cross nurse knitting.

This display with the painted maniquins has been at the Old Sled Works off and on for quite a while and every time I look at it I think "one of these days I'm going to find one of them I would like to buy". Well, today was the day. I fell in love with this pretty red head.

Very pretty but sassy looking at the same time.

I can't decided if I like her best in a red hat and scarf set or

the yellow one. Either way she sure does make a statement. Lola, that's what I named her, is everything I am not.

HAT AND SCARF

2010-03-03T13:37:00.003-05:00

I knit another spiral hat this time in Noro Kureyon I bought on eBay. Is it just me or is the yarn getting more expensive on eBay? Oh, well guess nothings cheap these days.

Back view. I love the colors of this yarn!! I find Noro yarns so colorful and interesting.

I ended up uploading these pictures completely back words so we start at the finished product.

This is my scarf on the loom. Nothing to exciting that's for sure but I do like the end result. I found some Lion Brand Fishermen's Wool at one of the craft stores and bought two skeins with nothing in mind when I purchased them. I've been away from my looms for various health problems and it has been driving me crazy so I decided to use my eight harness 16 inch Ashford table loom.

I love this loom but have only used it for sampling and workshops and would believe I've had it for over 9 years? This is the first time I actually wove a "real project" on it and didn't know what to expect. I love it!!! In fact I'm warping it for another scarf.

This pattern was so simple: 1234 1234 21 4321 4321 43 - tie up 12 23 34 14 - treadling 4321

I did use a floating selvage.

Another birthday for me. I can't believe how fast the years go and each year is happier than the one before. Unlike a lot of people in the world I've never gone hungry, always had a warm bed to sleep in and plenty of family and friends who care about me. Can't get any better than that. I am blessed!!!!!

SNOW SCULPTOR AND HATS

2010-02-26T11:56:00.002-05:00

Did I say something stupid a week or so ago about the snow melting??? I'm afraid I spoke to soon. I woke up to this very beautiful snow sculptor out side my studio window and it's still growing. Bill opened the door and the snow tumbled in. Spring is when?????

I found this spiral hat pattern a couple of days ago on Raverlry I first knit it in with a solid color yarn. This is a photo of the top. Love how it ends in such a cool spiral pattern.

This is a solid side view. I love how the spirals just go along side of the hat. Looks dressy but sporty at the same time.

Top of the hat I knit in a variegated yarn. Looks like a flower.

Side view of the variegated yarn hat. The hat is a free download and so easy to knit. It's what I've been knitting while watching the exciting Olympic Games. How about that great hockey game yesterday afternoon between Canada and the USA. Congratulations to Canada!!! Those gals are supper hockey players!!!

COLORS OF FEBRUARY

2010-02-22T11:47:00.002-05:00

Daffodils are just peaking out of the ground along with some weeds. Snow isn't even gone and the weeds are taking over.

I can't remember the name of the shrub but it has the most beautiful red bark. Also nice small leaves in the summer.

Why am I showing you the stones in our drive way. Smow is finally melting and we can get around without slipping and slidding on it.

Good old tough yuka plants. They stay green all winter long and its nice to see them peaking out of the snow. We're suppose to have bad weather again tonight into tomorrow. Hopefully it will just be rain. Can't wait for nice warm weather!!!!!

2010 WINTER OLYMPICS

2010-02-14T12:17:00.004-05:00

The 2010 Winter Olympics held at Vancouver, British Columbia are AMAZING!!!! The host country, Canada has out done itself. The opening ceremony was breath taking!!! I can't imagine how wonderful it would have been to be there. As usual all the sports events I've watched and believe me I can hardly get away from the TV these days are so thrilling. The photo I've included in this post are my Inukshuk ear rings and pendent. Years ago when we went to Kenora along side the road there are stone Inukshuks. I've always wanted my husband to build me one and every year he says 'Ok' but ask me if I have a stone Inukshuk. No!! So my sister sent me some Inukshuk jewelry and I wear a lot. Those of you who are not watching the Olympics might ask why I'm bring up my Inukshuk jewelry. Well, if you will notice on the Olympic logo there is a Inukshuk. I'm not even going to attempt to tell what the symbol means but letting the YouTube presentation explain it. I realize mine isn't an exact Inukshuk but a person one like the Olympics logo.

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY

2010-02-13T15:19:00.002-05:00

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY

BERNARD

2010-02-10T17:57:00.003-05:00

My daughter sent another picture of Bernard. Poor little fellow isn't to happy with all the snow that's been dumped on Pennsylvania. Can't say as I blame him. We can just get out of our drive way thanks to Bill shoveling and blowing the snow all day. Of course once we're out of the drive way there isn't anywhere to go since our roads are a mess and barley passable. The wind is howling and we're just hoping we don't lose power.

SNOW AND SHAWL

2010-02-06T17:25:00.006-05:00

I just had to add this picture to my blog. Our daughter, who lives in Dover, Pa, sent it us this morning. They got more snow then we did on Saturday and they have to clear a section of their for Bernard the long hair chiwawa. He's so darn cute but a biter so she has to pen him up when anyone comes around.

Well we finally got some snow and boy did we ever get it along with wind. According to my husband about 20 inches of the white fluffy stuff. This picture is of a shrub to my left as I leave the front door.

This beautiful snow sculpture is to my right as I leave the front door. Are closest neighbor is picture across the street.

The pine trees we've been planting directly to the west of the front of the house. You can see why we can hardly wait tell they get a little large to help block some of the wind we get.

I've been working on a triangle shawl since floor loom weaving is on the back burner for now. I like using my triangle loom but I'm always fussing with the warps to make sure they are in a straight line. Does anyone else have this problem?

I'm using two different wool yarns. The light blue wool is something I bought at JoAnn's and tried to use it but even if it looks thick in the photo it really wasn't when I wove it so I added another strand of thinner yarn from Jagger Spun. I like the effect and hope it even looks nice once its off the loom as washed.

HAPPY GROUNDHOG'S DAY

2010-02-01T15:07:00.002-05:00

What we don't do to amuse our selves during the long cold winter. At least that's the way I've always though of Groundhog Day and I hope we all get an early spring. Happy Groundhogs Day.

Has anyone had a problem with Iliotibial Band Syndrome? One of the things the doctors have diagnosed me having which I'm doing doing PT for. It's mostly found in runners but once you read about it you can see why a weave would have this condition too. I'm not getting to much relief but I have my fingers crossed. This is one of the reason's I haven't had to much to post about and haven't done any weaving in ages. I am working on my triangle loom and will post some pictures of the shawl I'm weaving when I get a little more woven. I can only stand at the loom for 15 minutes at a time then need to rest. At least when I'm resting I can use my electric spinner to spin and get some knitting done.

WINTER WALK

2010-01-23T14:14:00.004-05:00

It was a beautiful sunny January morning so I decided to take a walk around the yard. We only have an acre so it sure didn't take long but I found some fun pictures. This is one of our pin oaks. They were here when we moved in. I like how they keep their leaves all winter. There are three across the back of the house.

This ornamental grass was also here when we moved in. It got the tallest it's every been this summer. I'm actually looking up at it.

A two year old birch. I love the bark on these trees. The background of this picture is one of the Amish fields that surround our house.

My good old Orange Berry Bush. Bill was not happy when I bought this so he stuck it in the back of the house under our bedroom window. I'm not happy with it there I would have love to have it either on the side or front of the house but it most love where its because it keeps growing like crazy and we keep cutting it back.

One of our Golden Arborvitaes. We have an assortment of arborvitae edging our property. The tall ones make a great wind break and help define our property lines. We have one problem we've been dealing with for the last couple of years with all our evergreens bagworms. Last week I found four. We keep on the look out for them and did spray last summer. Just hope we got them all.

My rose hips. I still haven't done a thing with the berries but don't they look nice in just the way they are? Background is what's left of the snow we've received all year.

HELPER - MILLERSBURG FERRY

2010-01-17T17:32:00.005-05:00

Pat from Hook, Hand and Heart asked if I was from the Millersburg that has a ferry. Yes, Pat I am. Millersburg is a lovely town complete with a town square with a large gazebo, friendly people, good school system, many churches, grocery stores, doctors, banks and everything else you would find in a small rural American town. Millersburg is also home to the Millersburg's Gallery On The Square and Ned Smith Center. Ned Smith is a famous wild life photographer.

We've lived in the Millersburg area for about nine years but so far have not taken a ride on the ferry. Since we're retired and our time is our own maybe we'll get to give it a try this summer.

My helper was working at my loom the other day but didn't get much weaving done so she decided to check to see if the tension was even. There's no use worrying about the tension or trying to keep Kat off the loom.

HUDSON BAY POINT BLANKET

2010-01-11T17:52:00.005-05:00

We went antiquing on Sunday and found this Hudson Bay Point Blanket that needed a home. I realize this is not a old blanket and probably a repoduction but since I've always wanted one I'm very happy with it. I can understand why the trappers would want one of these blankets. This six point one is very large and heavy.

There is only one small repair on the edge of the blanket which I plan on redoing.

I also came across a vintage needle work bag in perfection condition for inventory. I have some handles and should sew some myself especially since I'm no allowed to weave for awhile but I'm not a very good sewer so they could look pretty bad.

DAMSON SHAWL

2010-01-07T10:22:00.003-05:00

Since a couple of back and related issues I've been putting up with lately have prevented me from doing any weaving I've been working on some knitting and not much of that since some of my problems are preventing me from sitting for any amount of time. Hopefully after an MRI and more doctor visits along with more PT and an epidural I should be on track again soon. This is a photo of the Damson Shawl
blocking.

I knit mine in navy Jagger Spun Yarn with size six needles.

It is so light weight and fits so nice around my shoulders. I got the pattern idea and pattern information at My Knitting Gallery.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

2009-12-23T12:11:00.003-05:00

May you all have a very Merry Christmas filled with joy and peace!!!

CAT AND A BEAR AND OTHER THINGS

2009-12-21T17:52:00.002-05:00

We went looking for the Cat the other day and finally found him all cuddled up on Bill's prize bear. He might have wanted to be with a fellow animal even if it was a dead one. Who knows. After all it is a cat we're talking about.

Something I wove years ago. Our guild had a workshop on woven transparencies and this is what I ended up with. It's my interpretation of the pine tree design used in coverlets. After taking a good look at it I can spot several mistakes but if I threw out everything that I made mistakes on I wouldn't have a thing.

I can't remember why I wove some white textured yardage but found it quite a long time ago and made some simple snowman out of it. I don't even think I used a pattern. Just cut, sewed it up, stuffed, sewed some buttons on and knit a scarf and hat. This is my only remaining one. Sort of frumpy but cute.