Test knitter, please?

Hi!

Okay, so I've got these kits (pattern + yarn)...about 30 of 'em ready for Renegade...refresher on the Monkey Mitt can be found here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/thespunmonk

ey/3611338056/

Before I go a-label-prinitng, will someone pretty please test out the pattern for me? I will send you a skein of corespun yarn and the pdf of the label with the pattern...it's a project that should take less than two hours to complete.

If you wanna, please comment on this post. If there's more than one interested party, then at the end of the day tomorrow, I will pick a name out of a hat (or perhaps just use a random number generator) and send a kit to the lucky winner. :)

The catch:
You don't get to pick the yarn. I have a very textured, silly yarn to send you, so that we can see how the pattern works with a lumpy, bumpy, lock-y yarn.
I'd rather you not commit if you're not sure you can finish the project within a week. I need to start labeling soon for Renegade and want to make sure the pattern reads well.

This is what you get to work with:

Bright!

Thanks yous.

Stuff and Nonsense

So...the move:
-Plan A: Santa Cruz, CA
-Plan B: Humboldt, CA
-Plan C: Eugene, OR

We've picked it. The spot. Apparently, The World's Greatest City of the Arts and Outdoors. Anyway, third plan's the charm. Right?

So, next step...find a place to live and job/jobs and stuff. No problem, right? Seeking reassurance here, people. Oh, and if you know anyone in the area we should hang out with, let me know.

When not in a knot (ha!) about impending major change in my life, I've been working on new goodies for Renegade:
Monkey Mitt Knit Kit:

Tea not included. Just some yarn and a pattern.

Maybe yarn that looks like one of these:

Or maybe not. Whatever tickles me. Don't worry, there will be a color you like.

Am actually feeling rather hopeful today. In fact, I'm going to make rhubarb sauce to celebrate. Lots of ginger and love, people.

Oh, and PS: there is this downtown.

This week...

*I made things.

*And ate things.

*And my baby turned FOUR.

( Birthday stuff and FooooooD )

The first question out of his mouth this morning was "How do rocket ships go up in the sky?"

Whoa. How did we get here.

I put the house in his birthday ring to represent the journey to our new home...he's getting really excited about it (as are we)...and much of his imaginary play is centered around going to California. He got a pail and beach tools from his Nonna and spent much of yesterday "digging" on the bed beach. "When will it be summer?"

If only there weren't totally overwhelming preparations to be made before we get to a California beach or I would be frolicking in imaginary sand right along with him. We were hoping for a POD for moving our stuff ('cause I'd really like to take the train across), but it seems that, even though they service 48 states, Vermont isn't one of them. Another option we are exploring is a freight car...this seems so ridiculous, but we are bringing building materials and insulation materials and a cookstove and and...much more than we would normally move...so things get BIG and heavy really quickly. Plus, we'll need storage when we get there because the place is not exactly move-in ready. Basically, we need to be able to put our stuff in a box, move the box, and then keep the stuff in the box for a while after we get it there. Must be a way...

Back to taking the train across...looks like we can stop in NYC, Kansas City (

insubordiknit : hang out for a day or two at the end of May, bake things and knit things?!??), Santa Fe and then San Francisco. However, Amtrak website is not helping me figure it all out. Will talk to a human on Monday. Same for the Pod People. There just must be a way...

Alright, now he just asked, "Can you drink blood?"
It's time to go have breakfast.

Wow.

For many reasons.

Firstly, THANK YOU everyone SO VERY MUCH for all the well wishes. They worked! I am feeling tons better this weekend...still taking it easy, but starting to eat more than soup and smoothies, and just overall feeling like an almost-normal version of myself.

Secondly, the new camera came while I was in hospital and I played with it a bit yesterday. Hello learning curve! Whoooooooo...but, when I get my SLR legs back, I know I'm going to love this thing.

Thirdly, SPRING IS HERE. Like, in an obvious way. Proof:

Romping animals. Notice there is one dog digging, another rolling about and chickens just plain chickening all over the place, pecking at dirt! and dead vegetation! (read: stuff that ISN'T COVERED IN SNOW).

And there's been some of this;

And this guy:

It went like this:
(on phone, Me in the hospital bed, C on the phone at home)
Me: Will he talk to me?
C: I don't know...let me check...(to little guy) Do you want to talk to Mama? (can be heard in background: Where is she?) She's still at the doctor's...want to talk to her? (little guy: No.) He doesn't want to talk on the phone. (little guy to C: Are there toys at the hospital?) I don't know...Shannon, are there toys at the hospital?
Me: Why don't you have him ask me?
C: Why don't you ask Mama that? (there is a pause. and some shuffling about)
LG: (reluctantly) OK. (a pause) Mama, are there toys at the hospital?
Me: No, sweet pea. Are yo- (stops herself as she realizes phone has been dropped. breathes long sigh.)

But he was very glad to see me when I got home. Really.

On their way...

...to Stitches:



...and that's where my stuff will be. Come and play, West Coasters. Wish I could be there helping out at the booth, but the stars weren't properly aligned for a visit to the Homeland. But, please say hello to Jamie and Blas of Urban Fauna Studio...they are awesome!

Here are some things I sent out for the show:

All manner of goodies. Hard to put several weeks worth of work into a box and send it out into the world. I put a great deal of love into creating this round (as I do every time I spin or felt), and will get to work again this weekend preparing a shipment of felt for the Quilt Show the following weekend. I will be offering more pieces of fabric in my shop, as well. Any input on good sizes for craftspeople to work with are welcomed! I'm just sort of winging it and offering random sizes.

I'm feeling a bit more relaxed since my last emotional post...especially taking to heart something mbernadette said in her comment...that (and I'm embellishing a bit here) it's just not worth it to make myself miserable in the present over a past that no longer exists or a future that hasn't happened yet. Right now I am surrounded by good friends, good food, a beautiful roof over my head, swirling snow flurries dancing outside, warm tea in my belly, and more ideas in my head than I have time to bring to fruition. As confused about the future as I am, as much as I can glorify the recent past, thing right now and right here are just as they should be, comfortable and full of blessings if I just allow myself to see them.

And mbernadette , darlin', here is how Rapunzel spun up:

Soft, squishy camel. Yum.

And sarahcoyne , I almost named this one after you, as it screamed "SARAH'S COLORS!"...perhaps a bit more teal-y and green-y in real life than in the pic:

It's time to go back to the "house" the Little Guy built for us behind the couch. It's cozy and warm and safe from the gale a'blowin' outside. Complete with a comfy bed (a big piece of wood with a small pillow), a potty (ottoman) a roof (chair) and a place to keep my tape measure.

Happy Friday, all.

Feeling Festive

Hi!

I made a set of Halloween yarns a couple weeks ago, and it's taken me this long to finally put them up on Etsy. So much for following the retail guidelines for holiday products. Oh, well. It will still be pretty after Halloween. And it will make stripes. I love stripes.

Sorry for the bad pic, but the camera is DYING and I don't feel like spending twenty minutes trying to get a decent photo anymore. Post Baz Biz I am investing in a new rig.

And I couldn't resist making another Button Hat. This one is more of Pillbox style, made with a very coily yarn:

Tooooooooooo much going on. But, I have my weekends back until the end of November. Well, sort of. No market, but I am working some short shifts at the LYS, which I LOVE.
More later.

Oh, and I feel like I hardly post at all anymore, but the Diva of Embellishment herself nominated me for an award...thanks, Cosy!



“As with most blog awards, this one comes with a “to do” list. Here’s how it works. I must answer a list of questions with one word…on the surface that sounds pretty easy, but I’m not so sure. Here goes…”

The questions are as follows:

1. Where is your cell phone? shrug

2. Where is your significant other? sleeping

3. Your hair color? mouse

4. Your mother? crazycatlady

5. Your father? adorable

6. Your favorite thing? wool

7. Your dream last night? empty

8. Your dream/goal? joy

9. The room you’re in? warm

10. Your hobby? making

11. Your fear? loss

12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? woods

13. Where were you last night? home

14. What you’re not? confident

15. One of your wish-list items? loom

16. Where you grew up? burbs

17. The last thing you did? uploaded

18. What are you wearing? wool

19. Your TV? never

20. Your pet? weirdo

21. Your computer? portable

22. Your mood? yawn

23. Missing someone? always

24. Your car? old

25. Something you’re not wearing? watch

26. Favorite store? outdoor

27. Your summer? wet

28. Love someone? absolutely

29. Your favorite color? aster

30. When is the last time you laughed? today

31. Last time you cried? recently

I think I'm supposed to nominate people now...
But, I'm not very good with blogging rules, and I have trouble picking favorites when it comes to anything. Except colors. And dinosaurs.
Anyway, can I pick all my LJ friends? Because I love you all

punkins, punkins

Publish Post

I hauled a few hundred pounds of pumpkins in a wheelbarrow today. I had to move the harvest so's we could actually mow the backyard (in the process, mulching most of the squash vines). I have no idea if any of these are going to be edible, but they sure are pretty. Our soil was a little lacking in richness, but we're sheet mulching and manuring before the snow comes and it should be much better next year.

Speaking of harvests, we'll be apple-picking as soon as the weather allows. I'm hoping for a few bushels for the basement. And now, I have a sparkly new pile of apple recipes to play with. THANK YOU carryboo !!! I'll be apple-ing all winter (and I think I'll start with the "Cake for Elves" and not just because it's for elves and maybe they'll come and have dessert with us if I bake it).

And because there's nothing purple in this post:

Basket Flower

I received a seed packet of Basket Flower as a bonus in our Spring seed order a couple years ago. This year, I finally decided to plant them, and now I want a whole field of them. They are madly beautiful. I brought in a few as cut flowers, and each day they open more, completely changing shape over and over again. The color in the yarn aren't right-on (the purple isn't quite pink enough), but the white on purple is what reminded me of the flower.

overdue plug...

...for Von Allen, of the dynamic duo vonandmoggy and his new book, Li'l Kids! Available for purchase HERE and as a free pdf EBook HERE! Read it, love it!
Notes from Amazon:

"Li'l Kids: 'road to god knows.' adventures" are three short stories that feature the whimsy and wonder of being a young girl. From meeting new friends, dealing with an ill mom, or triumphing over a nasty super villain in a dream, "Li'l Kids" shows a unique side of being a child. A short story collection told in comics form, the stories all feature Marie, the protagonist from the original graphic novel "the road to god knows." In addition, this collection features all the scripts plus conceptual writing for each story and also background and concept art. Recommended if you've enjoyed Terry Moore's "Strangers in Paradise", Jeff Smith's "Bone", and Mark Crilley's "Akiko."

I've enjoyed following the road to god knows at GIRLAMATIC, the web-comic that introduced us to Marie. So, go meet her if you haven't already, and you will be charmed.

And here's a plug for me: I am starting, finally, to add things to my Etsy shop again.
Just a wee bit at a time over the next little while, as I usually only have small chunks of time on the computer to load up a listing or two.

Twiggy is my favorite Twist leftover. He needs a home!

I was jazzed to see there's a knitter's weekend at Green Mountain Spinnery, not that I could really go, but it's a nice thought. Then, I saw that most of the weekend is focused on SOCKS, and became very NOT sorry that I will miss it. Am I really the only knitter that thinks knitting socks is a form of torture??? Whatever happened to sweaters?

FO

Here's the aforementioned shawl:

Having my husband take pictures was excruciating. I prefer to be the one behind the camera, especially for self-portraits. Anyway, as soon as I can manage to find a moment (or three) to type up the pattern all nice and purty and create a pdf, I will have it available in my shop and on Ravelry. I used two skeins of corespun for this piece and was pleasantly surprised at how far those two skeins went. I'm planning on knitting up a whole bunch of examples in different colors.

Today, however, is all about the felting. I had an amazing market day this past Saturday, and I can tell already that it's not the yarns that will be my bread and butter this fall. I am shifting my focus for fall and winter shows to handmade felt. Of course, I will still be spinning plenty, but my scarves are becoming my signature item, especially at the farmer's market. I should have known I needed to build up my inventory of these after December's Baz Biz in SF. I'm setting my goal to getting ten scarves completed each week, which is a bit lofty, but I'll do my best. I am worried about sourcing enough humane merino, as now I have two distinct styles...the pieces that are made from locks, and the pieces made from roving. The locks felt is very freeform and funky, thicker and with raw edges, while the roving scarves are smooth, with clean lines, and can be made paper-thin. There are no local sources of fine merino fiber that I can find, and it's really important to me that the wool I use for felting also be as humanely-sourced as the wool I use for spinning. I suppose getting myself to one of the fiber festivals this fall will be the key to finding some small-farm merino. I can't believe I haven't been to the Vermont fest or Rhinebeck, and I've lived here for almost three years. This fall I plan to change that!

On an entirely different note...I think I've changed my mind. It IS necessary to have a vehicle when one lives 40-minutes drive from pretty much everything. The car has been officially dead gone broken crumbing-in-the-yard for two weeks and I'm already getting stir-crazy. I have a three-mile round-trip walk to the post office, and twice yesterday I attempted it, only to get completely drenched in a sudden downpour 1/2 mile from home. WITH the kiddo in the stroller. Definitely need to score, at the very least, a bike with a kid seat to get us through until winter. A good entrance to play in the river is a 20-minute drive, and I just don't think I can spend the hottest months of the year baking in our backyard. As much as I would love to hang out and watch the garden grow, there are times when one simply must have a thorough dunking in cool water. Anyone wanna barter for handspun? Ha.

I will admit, though, that yesterday's drenchings felt pretty amazing. Kiddo even fell asleep, soaking wet, in the stroller on the way back, probably because he was finally cooled down enough to relax. I was just as soaked, when we made it back to the house, as if I had taken a dunk in the river. :)

Off to play with hot, soapy water! Happy Wednesday...

I something you...

I really do, LJ (and Blogland).

Things have just been...challenging.

So I have been silent.

Once the fabulousness of spin camp was done with, and all the great folks went on their merry way, the loneliness of this house and this town really closed in around me. I felt totally inspired, yet strangely paralyzed. I think the impending 30th birthday is also contributing to the heaviness in my heart right now. I have been brutal with the self-evaluation...what did I think I would be doing and where did I think I would be? Certainly not where I am, but at this point, I just feel muddled and confused and have no clear idea of my goals and desires. Most of the time, I just want to sleep.

Which is bad.

I do know that I feel at peace when I am spinning, that I can relax and slip into meditation and start to breathe a little. I just don't know how realistic it is to continue trying to eek an income out of this quiet place. Maybe it's not good for my soul. Then again, maybe I just need to make more of an effort to put myself out there. I get amazing, encouraging feedback for my work, and that, surely, is good for my soul...I guess I just need to find a balance.

So, for the sake of cheering, here are some pictures of my favorites from camp:

Fae

Curly Clouds

Envy, who is now a scarf.

Well, I am off to pick strawberries with the lad. It is peak of the season this week, so am also picking up some pectin and new jar lids. Last year we made a case and a half of blueberry jam, and we just now finished off the last jar. It will be nice to have a different kind of berry jam in my life this year. Especially for it's usefulness in filling chocolate cupcakes. mmmmmm....

ABC Meme-ness, and...stuff

Accent: um...northern California girl?

Breakfast or no breakfast: Always. Lots of it.

Chore I don't care for: Cleaning bathrooms. Really, any cleaning involving sponges and water.

Dog or cat: Cat. A fluffy one that leaves dreadlocks all over the house.

Essential electronics: Laptop and the stereo. Yes we live in the dark ages and still use CDs, records and...cassettes.

Favorite cologne: What's cologne? Essential oils I use: sandalwood, vetiver, black coconut.

Gold or silver: um...steel?

Handbag I carry most often: What's a handbag? I carry a Timbuktu messenger bag (from back when they used to let you design your own)

Insomnia: Yes.

Job Title: Artist? Mama? Neither of which I get paid for.

Kids: One three-year-old crazy bean.

Living arrangements: 200-year-old farmhouse.

Most admirable trait: Resourcefulness. Without it, we'd be starving.

Naughtiest childhood behavior: Stealing, although I hate the term "naughty," (in reference to children, anyway).

Overnight hospital stay: Never.

Phobias: Elevators.

Quote: "The snow goose need not bathe to make itself white. Neither need you do anything but be yourself." Lao-Tse

Reason to smile: My boy. Our garden. Good friends. Hope. (I suppose that would be reasons).

Siblings: 2 step-sisters, one a Mofo Maven, and the other a Roller Derby Queen.

Time I wake up: Between 5:30 and 6AM. I wait as long as possible to get out of bed, though.

Unusual skill or talent: Lately...hoeing. Yes, my back hurts. Usually, thought, it's turning a pile of fluff into a beautiful piece of functional art.

Vegetable I refuse to eat: Cauliflower. I'll eat it, but I think the stuff is awful. Besides, I think white vegetables are creepy, unless they're roots.

Worst habit: Internet.

X-rays: Mouth.

Yummy stuff: Chocolate. French indigo lentils. Pecans. Kombucha.

Zoo animal I like most: It's a tie between the Sun Bear and Otters.

I post this because I have too much to say right now, too much I've been thinking about, to make a real post. The state of of things (in this country, in the world) are weighing heavily on me and I'm in the midst of major life decisions that terrify me and give me hope all at the same time. We have had two glorious days of rain, thankfully, and all is dreary, wet and gray. In the moment, I can be happy. When I think outside of it, I feel paralyzed.

I carded the wool for this yarn, infusing it with Prayers for Rain. They were answered, and my seeds are happy:

Prayers for Rain corespun bits of everything, including wools, flax, sari silk and easter grass.

Market tomorrow. Off to spin.