tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86850922024-03-13T04:46:15.561-07:00Yarns N ThreadsWhere respectable women never make history, we Knit, crochet,weave,and hand spin!Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00051854713418281603noreply@blogger.comBlogger274125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8685092.post-60059784948743873492012-08-30T15:09:00.002-07:002012-08-30T15:09:48.772-07:00Gansey #1I finally have my gansey finished. Although I probably wouldn’t call it a traditional gansey for two reasons. First it was knit with a 2 ply yarn and second it wasn’t knit at a really fight gauge. The reason for this was more practical then tradition. After I gave it some thought. I don’t think I would wear a super heavy sweater so I make it more wearable for me. None the less I am pretty happy with how it came out. My next one I think I will make the gussets a bit smaller. After knitting for years and years this is my first real attempted at knitting a sweater without a pattern or even a clear idea of what I was going to do when I started. I was really hoping to have it completed by the end of the Olympics but it was so hot here (108 for several days) that I wasn’t able to even touch it.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/10573021@N04/7896546066/" title="IMG_1220 by yarnsnthreads, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_1220" height="332" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8457/7896546066_5f95cd9d3a.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/10573021@N04/7896540744/" title="IMG_1221 by yarnsnthreads, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_1221" height="375" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8295/7896540744_e230a25852.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
Now I just have to have the weather cool down a bit more so I can wear it.Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00051854713418281603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8685092.post-72984398913357867822012-06-09T20:37:00.002-07:002012-06-09T20:37:35.602-07:00Another crazy idea or two<br />
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<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Sometimes I stop and think to
myself, “What the heck am I thinking?” Have you ever done that?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It all started with the idea of knitting a
gansey. This year my fiber arts have the theme of getting around to it. This is
the year that I get around to making all the projects that I have always wanted
to get to be for some reason or other I have never been able to get to them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the list is to knit a gansey.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From there the idea was to spin for that very
gansey. From there the thought well it’s just about time for the Tour de Fleece
so I think I will spin for the gansey during that. Well a week later the
Olympics start so hey I can knit my gansey during that. Not a problem. Right!
In the mean time I have signed up to attend<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>SOAR, so again the thought came to me that I could wear said gansey at
the fashion show.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because of weird events (space being open,
like who wouldn’t want to attend a 4 day retreat with Judith) I have the opportunity
to attend a</span>nother <span style="font-size: 11pt;">fiber retreat a week
before SOAR. The topic is designing with</span> Judith Mackenzie<span style="font-size: 11pt;">. </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are
to have our yarn all spun up or at least mostly spun to bring to the class. <span style="font-size: 11pt;">So my next wild idea was to spin for a Fair Isle
sweater, another one of those get around to it on the list. </span>Then I got
to thinking heck I seem to be working my way around the British Islands, so
maybe I should knit and aran,too. In the mean time I have been working on getting
a website built to start promoting my fiber arts. So I have been busy working
on samples and designs to get the website up and running by Aug. 1. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Again I am thinking what the heck! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So today I have been working on my yarn for the Fair Isle
sweater. I would like to have it all done before the tour starts (2 pounds). I
was gone for most of the morning teaching a weaving class, so I wasn’t able to
get as much as I wanted. The fiber is Falkland that I had in my stash for a
while. I think I bought it from Spunky Eclectic. It’s spinning like a dream.<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Cn31kBGmQ94/T9QV9FannyI/AAAAAAAABJU/5BIhRCaQpxg/s1600/IMG_0944.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="217" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Cn31kBGmQ94/T9QV9FannyI/AAAAAAAABJU/5BIhRCaQpxg/s320/IMG_0944.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00051854713418281603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8685092.post-89235899963993127852012-06-07T19:33:00.000-07:002012-06-07T19:33:03.038-07:00Now for something a bit differentI thought I would pass along a great interview from an author I found. Please check out her books.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iW_5OoyHZl8/T9FkEpkuG3I/AAAAAAAABJA/kJme0FTkfb4/s1600/eleanor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iW_5OoyHZl8/T9FkEpkuG3I/AAAAAAAABJA/kJme0FTkfb4/s200/eleanor.jpg" width="141" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-65zSo6YVZIE/T9FkHpAX9-I/AAAAAAAABJI/dZ1JzsuBcVs/s1600/mary+elizabeth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-65zSo6YVZIE/T9FkHpAX9-I/AAAAAAAABJI/dZ1JzsuBcVs/s1600/mary+elizabeth.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The Eleanor Series<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Eleanor Clark, author<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><a href="mailto:mail@eleanorseries.com"><span style="color: blue;">eclark@windstream.net</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://www.eleanorseries.com/"><span style="color: blue;">www.eleanorseries.com</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Leaving a Legacy for Your Children</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">People
from north to south, east to west are celebrating the summer months in a
variety of ways: leisurely days at the neighborhood swimming pool, a family
vacation to the beach, camping out with loved ones. In the midst of this fun
season, don’t forget to give your kids the very best sort of vacation—the kind
they can take in their imagination!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Today
I’m interviewing octogenarian, Eleanor Clark, a vibrant woman in her golden
years who has written a lovely series of books for girls called <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="http://eleanorseries.com/"><span style="color: blue;">The
Eleanor Series</span></a></i>. The books released a few years back in hardback, but
she’s in the process of putting them out as e-books. Exciting news for parents
on the lookout for great literature for their kids!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Eleanor, welcome! Can you tell us a little about
yourself? <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Perhaps I should start
by telling you that I just celebrated a very important birthday—my 80<sup>th</sup>!
And yes, I’m still very active! I’ve spent years researching my family’s
lineage. After discovering some exciting stories, I decided to write them down
in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="http://eleanorseries.com/"><span style="color: blue;">The
Eleanor Series</span></a></i>. I spend every day telling others about my books and
sharing my love of faith, patriotism and godly character. What a wonderful life
I lead! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">So, the
stories in this series are based on real-life experiences? <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Yes, loosely based, anyway! I’ve fictionalized several very real
stories, going back to my 8x great-grandmother! My family instilled a wonderful
legacy in me and I want to pass that on to my children, grandchildren,
great-grandchildren, and to all of my readers, as well. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Can you tell
us about the book you're featuring today?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Today I’m featuring the first book in the series: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Mary-Elizabeth-Welcome-America-Eleanor/dp/0975303678/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1338948849&sr=8-1"><span style="color: blue;">Mary
Elizabeth, Welcome to America</span></a></i>. I’m so tickled to announce that this
book is now available in e-book form! I’ve waited for this day for some time,
so I’m very excited. Here’s a little tidbit about the story: </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana;">Mary Elizabeth's life undergoes a dramatic change
when she leaves the only home she has known for another world far away in a
place called America. The journey aboard the ship not only teaches her about
perseverance but also that making a home in a new world has its share of
challenges. Join Mary Elizabeth as she lives one of the greatest adventures of
a lifetime and learns the importance of family and the value of perseverance.</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">So this book
is already out in print?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Yes, the <a href="http://eleanorseries.com/"><span style="color: blue;">entire series</span></a>
released in hardback a few years back. Hardback copies are still available. All
seven books are available at <a href="http://amazon.com/"><span style="color: #114ee6;">Amazon.com</span></a> or by contacting me through my <a href="http://www.eleanorseries.com/"><span style="color: blue;">website</span></a>. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Will the
other books in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="http://www.eleanorseries.com/"><span style="color: blue;">The Eleanor Series</span></a></i> release as
e-books as well?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Yes, and I'm so excited about the adventure ahead! The books
will release one per month over the next six months with the final story, a
Christmas story, releasing in early December. Here's a list of the titles and release
dates:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Welcome to America (June 15<sup>th </sup>)<o:p></o:p></span></b></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: #202020; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;"><b><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Times","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Victoria Grace: Courageous Patriot (</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">July 15<sup>th</sup>)<o:p></o:p></span></b></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: #202020; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;"><b><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Times","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Katie Sue: Heading West (</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">August 15<sup>th</sup>) <o:p></o:p></span></b></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: #202020; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;"><b><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Times","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Sarah Jane: Liberty's Torch (</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">September 15<sup>th</sup>) <o:p></o:p></span></b></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: #202020; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;"><b><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Times","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Eleanor Jo: The Farmer's Daughter (</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">October 15<sup>th</sup>) <o:p></o:p></span></b></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: #202020; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;"><b><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Times","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Melanie Ann: A Legacy of Love (</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">November 15<sup>th</sup>) <o:p></o:p></span></b></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Eleanor Jo: A
Christmas to Remember (</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #202020; font-family: "Times","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">December 1<sup>st</sup>) </span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Times","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></b></li>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">What sets
these books apart from the American Girls series?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">The American Girls series is a wonderful collection for girls, but
my stories have something those books do not: faith elements. The salvation
message is evident in every story, as well as a deep love of God and country.
Not only will children get a comprehensive history lesson through the exciting stories,
they will also receive a greater understanding of the role their faith plays in
modern-day life. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">I seen the
book is intended for girls. What about my son? Well he enjoy it too?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">I’m thrilled to report that some of the series’ biggest fans are
boys! And adults, too. I’ve been tickled to see people young and old, male and
female, enjoy these stories. Here’s what one reader had to say: </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: "Times","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana;">We purchased four of the Eleanor Jo
books for Christmas gifts for little girls on our list and after reading the
book, we intend to order several more. We will be proud to give this book to
any young children. We began reading the book, just to review the content and
could not put it down. (</span></i><span style="color: #181818; font-family: "Times","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana;">Ella & David Lott, A reviewer,
11/07/2006)</span><span style="font-family: "Times","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">How do I order
a copy of the book?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Mary-Elizabeth-Welcome-America-Eleanor/dp/0975303678/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1338948849&sr=8-1"><span style="color: blue;">Mary
Elizabeth, Welcome to America</span></a></span></i><span style="font-family: "Times","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"> is immediately available on <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Mary-Elizabeth-Welcome-America-Eleanor/dp/0975303678/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1338948849&sr=8-1"><span style="color: blue;">kindle</span></a></i>
or in hardback (through my <a href="http://www.eleanorseries.com/"><span style="color: blue;">website</span></a>).
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">What are you
offering my bloggers today?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">One lucky person will have an opportunity to win a hardback copy of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Mary-Elizabeth-Welcome-America-Eleanor/dp/0975303678/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1338948849&sr=8-1"><span style="color: blue;">Mary
Elizabeth welcome to America</span></a></i> when they leave a comment at the end of
this blog!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">You’ve been
a delight to interview, Eleanor! How can we stay in touch with you?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Thank you so much for having me! Readers can reach me at: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">My website: <a href="http://www.eleanorseries.com/"><span style="color: blue;">www.eleanorseries.com</span></a>
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">My facebook page: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/eleanor.clark.50"><span style="color: blue;">https://www.facebook.com/eleanor.clark.50</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">My Eleanor Series facebook page: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TheEleanorSeries"><span style="color: blue;">https://www.facebook.com/TheEleanorSeries</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/Eleanor_Clark"><span style="color: blue;">https://twitter.com/#!/Eleanor_Clark</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Friends, please check out Eleanor’s series. I think you’ll love it. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="http://www.eleanorseries.com/"><span style="color: blue;">The
Eleanor Series</span></a></i></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">
will be a wonderful addition to any library. It will also inspire parents and
grandparents to research their family’s history. So, this summer, as you’re setting
your sites to the school year ahead. . .take a moment to look back at where
you’ve come from. Then, be prepared to leave behind a legacy of love!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">About the
Author: <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana;">Eleanor Clark lives in central Texas. She is the matriarch of the
family that includes 5 children, 17 grandchildren, and 5 great-grandchildren.
Born the daughter of a Texas sharecropper and a child during the Great
Depression, Eleanor was a female pioneer in crossing economic, gender,
educational, and corporate barriers. Eleanor was an executive for one of
American's most prestigious corporations and founded her own highly successful
consulting firm. The appreciation of her American and Christian heritage comes
to life along with her exciting and colorful family history in the youth
fiction series, The Eleanor Series.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana;">About the
series: <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #181818; font-family: "Times","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana;">There are seven books in the series that highlight the
lives of young girls throughout American history. The stories are based on the
true-life accounts of author Eleanor Clark’s family history. Each book focuses
on a particular character trait and is laced with the pioneering spirit of one
of Eleanor’s true-to-life family members. Twenty-first century readers are sure
to relate to these amazing, character-building stories while learning Christian
values and American history. Modern parents will be blessed as their children
learn countless lessons from the pages of each book in the series.</span><span style="font-family: "Times","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00051854713418281603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8685092.post-49709558419637271102012-05-14T14:55:00.001-07:002012-05-14T14:55:21.946-07:00Spring time in the Rockies<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PzznzNvy4KM/T7F9knIC2QI/AAAAAAAABI0/vH3-B8e0-xE/s1600/IMG_0870.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PzznzNvy4KM/T7F9knIC2QI/AAAAAAAABI0/vH3-B8e0-xE/s320/IMG_0870.JPG" width="307" /></a></div>
Well I spent the afternoon getting all the kits together for the classes I will be teaching at the Snake River Fiber Fair this next weekend. My tatting class is fill to the brim. We will be learning how to make this card. We will also talk about how to buy threads and shuttles. I will also be teaching beginning knitting and rigid heddle weaving. There is still room in those classes and I'm sure if you showed up on Sunday you can join in on. For more info check out the web site. <br />
<a href="http://www.srfiberarts.org/fiber_arts_fair_2012">http://www.srfiberarts.org/fiber_arts_fair_2012</a>Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00051854713418281603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8685092.post-23705073393699743992012-05-13T19:13:00.001-07:002012-05-13T19:33:16.659-07:00Liney-woolesy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bWG7rc2QbQU/T7BkninLLpI/AAAAAAAABIo/rFXV5Wqf_wI/s1600/IMG_0899.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="249" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bWG7rc2QbQU/T7BkninLLpI/AAAAAAAABIo/rFXV5Wqf_wI/s320/IMG_0899.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Wikipedia defines <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Linsey-woolsey</span>
as a coarse </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twill" title="Twill"><span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">twill</span></span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> or </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plain_weave" title="Plain weave"><span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">plain-woven</span></span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Textiles" title="Textiles"><span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">fabric</span></span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weaving" title="Weaving"><span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">woven</span></span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> with a </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linen" title="Linen"><span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">linen</span></span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">
</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warp_(weaving)" title="Warp (weaving)"><span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">warp</span></span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> and a </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Woollen" title="Woollen"><span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">woolen</span></span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weft" title="Weft"><span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">weft</span></span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">.
Similar fabrics woven with a cotton warp and woolen weft in </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colonial_America" title="Colonial America"><span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Colonial America</span></span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> were also called linsey-woolsey or wincey.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I define is as fun. So yesterday I spend a couple of hours playing around
on my loom. I had it warped for finger towels but after I got started I found I
had a major threading error and it really wasn’t easily fixable so I decided to
just weave off the warp in plain weave. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Last weekend I spent a day demonstrating spinning. I had 4 ounces of
Cotswold wool in a light grey that I was spinning as a singles at about 40
wpi.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was able to get about 560 yards
out of the bump. My warp was about 6 yards, so I just sat at the loom and wove
plan weave.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have to say there is
something to be said about plain weave. There is such a calming rhythm to it. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Linsey-woolsey was used during the Colonial times and even through the
Civil war and later part of the 19<sup>th</sup> century as a basic cloth for
clothing and household needs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When linen
was not readily available cotton or hemp was substituted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In my case I used 10/2 cotton from Henry’s
attic as the warp. I really love this yarn and how the fabric turned out and plan to make more of this cloth
for a pair of pants for my husband as some point. Because the loom was set for
finger towels the piece is a bit wide for a scarf and maybe a bit narrow for a
shawl. But for an afternoon of just playing around on the loom it’s pretty
cool.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00051854713418281603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8685092.post-72178690539799122202012-05-13T16:19:00.000-07:002012-05-13T16:19:18.758-07:00Looking towards the new
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It’s been a super long time since I have had them time to
blog. For the past couple of years I have been really busy with life. I basically
took some time away from most things fibery. I stopped teaching and working in
a yarn store. I think I needed the break but I am happy to say I am back and
what I love to do. Although I am not teaching as much as I did before and I'm
not sure I will ever teach every week like I did before but it’s enough to keep
it fun and keep the creativity going. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I am also happy to say I have started to design again. A few
years back I did a lot of work for a local yarn store and sold some of my
patterns in the store to later find out they were making copies and selling
them without paying me. I must say when I found out I was really hurt and burnt.
So I stopped designing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think that was
about 5 years ago. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This time I plan to
keep control a bit better on my patterns. I will be selling them on Ravelry and
on a new website I plan to launch later this summer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So please stay tuned to announcements on
where and when it starts. I also plan to sell handmade items and hand dyed
fibers. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I also plan to attend a few events through the summer and
fall where I will be demonstrating the fiber arts in some manner. Below are the
events that I will be at during the rest of the month of May.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">May 19-20 the Snake River Fiber Fair in Idaho Falls. </span><a href="http://www.srfiberarts.org/fiber_arts_fair_2012"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">http://www.srfiberarts.org/fiber_arts_fair_2012</span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I will be teaching tatting, beginning Knitting and beginning
rigid heddle weaving. I will also be judging the skein contest. If you are in
the area please stop by and say hello.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">May 27 the Fiber Train in Nampa Idaho </span><a href="http://www.fibertrainfestival.com/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">http://www.fibertrainfestival.com/</span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Even though this will be a two day event I will be able to
attend only Sunday. I will be in the Puffy Mondeas booth weaving, so if you are
interested in learning to weave please stop by and say hello. By the way my
husband will be attending the same event blacksmithing. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I do plan to attend the memory yarn class on
Monday night. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Coming in June I will be attending the ye olde renaissance
faire in Eagle Idaho. Please check back for more information and what Items I
will have items for sale and will be donating some things totally cool to
raffle off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><a href="http://www.yeolderenaissancefaire.org/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">http://www.yeolderenaissancefaire.org</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">
</span></div>Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00051854713418281603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8685092.post-84073845288994673292011-06-08T12:39:00.000-07:002011-06-08T12:39:44.204-07:00Summer Fun!I know in some places it doesn't really seem like its summer but here in Boise school is out, so I am on summer vacation. Although there are no plans to take any trips. So I will have to find some fun things to do around here. Its kind of funny when you only work a few hours a day you would think you would have all the time in the world to get things done. Not so. Now that I have the month of June, July and bits of August to fun things to do. I have made a long list of TO Do's<br />
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*Dye and knit a natural dyed tam <br />
*Natural dye Saxon green hat<br />
*Knit mariners socks<br />
*Knit Tamarack socks<br />
*Knit blue hand spun socks<br />
*Spin and weave natural colored shawl<br />
*Weave organic cotton towels<br />
*Weave Huck lace shawl<br />
*Make bobbin lace for Civil War dress<br />
*Spin BFL scarf<br />
*Spin Angora samples<br />
*Write up three patterns that have already been designed.<br />
*Spin for sweater ( Tour de Fleece)<br />
*Knit socks with self striping yarn<br />
*Spin for sweater from Tour de Fleece roving<br />
* Knit cable shawl collar sweater<br />
* Tat some snowflakes for Christmas gifts<br />
*Crochet a doily<br />
*Weave coaster sets for Christmas<br />
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Yes, Yes I know its a long list. You will have to keep checking back to see how much I can get done before I go back to work. I will let you know that I have a few of these things either almost done for at least half done. Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00051854713418281603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8685092.post-90846804696981546382011-04-12T18:39:00.000-07:002011-04-12T18:39:06.965-07:00I did I just see a UFO?Call me crazy but I have a plan. OK more like a goal! <br />
I am now working on finishing all my UFO's ( unfinished objects). <br />
For the past month or so I have been diligently working on getting everything off my needles, wheels, hooks, and looms. <br />
What I want to do is get everything all done before school gets out so that I can start with new projects for the summer. <br />
So far I have finished <br />
a crocheted afghan, mini pillows to match. <br />
My February ladies sweater<br />
placing a zipper in hubby's sweater<br />
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Things to be finished<br />
Lent scarf KAL<br />
needlepoint seat cover<br />
towels on the loom<br />
gold knee high socks<br />
cream alpaca/silk sweater<br />
green lace weight yarn on spindle<br />
multi color socks<br />
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I am really hoping to get this all done by May 20. That day I am leaving to teach at a fiber fair and I would like to go shopping for a new project to start. <br />
So yes I have and will be busy for the next month or so. <br />
Stay posted for progress and pictures.Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00051854713418281603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8685092.post-30271704040000728062011-04-03T16:37:00.000-07:002011-04-03T16:37:06.261-07:00Spring Break?<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XSLNiyfGejo/TZkBQr8fvcI/AAAAAAAABH0/mZghaxa5s0w/s1600/IMG_0612.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XSLNiyfGejo/TZkBQr8fvcI/AAAAAAAABH0/mZghaxa5s0w/s320/IMG_0612.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Well as I write this blog update its Sunday evening of my spring break. I have been off along with all the kids this past week. There are some really cool reasons to have a job at a public school. Spring break being one of them. So you might be asking your self what did she do or where did she go for spring break? Well sad to say I didn't go anywhere. With hubby being unemployed for 8 months there just wasn't money to travel to the other side of the valley let a lone some where warm. Happily hubby is now employed with a really good company. So while the kids and I stayed home he went off to work. So now you are asking what did I do for the week. Well I busted out as many UFO's ( unfinished objects) as I could. I am happy to say I was able to clean out my knitting, spinning and weaving bags. I am now down to just three things to finish up. My plan is to get them finished up in April so that I can start on something new. I have no idea what the new things will be. I'm not looking at pattern and I am also trying to not think about it until they are done. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This past week I was able to finish:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> a sweater for my hubby ( put the zipper in)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">my February Ladies sweater</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My spinning for my stash down ( see above)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">get caught up on my Lent scarf KAL</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">weave some towels</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">make 2 bobbin lace books marks</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Spin a skein of cashmere to replace a cowl I knit last year</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So now I am down to finishing up an afghan and pillow that was start two years ago for Christmas. A needlepoint pillow and a second knee high sock.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So I guess you could say I really didn't have a break this week, but the good news is its spring anyway.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00051854713418281603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8685092.post-56428408087304484432011-03-02T16:25:00.000-08:002011-03-02T20:31:58.844-08:00I need a new hobby like....<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Really I barley have time to do all the things I want to when it comes to spinning and knitting and crochet. So what is a girl to do. Learn to Weave! I recently took a class on double weave with my local weaving guild, and totally fell in love. So I was fortunate able to purchase a baby wolf loom from Schacht. I decided that I would go ahead and get the 8 harness. Other then its a be heavy I am so glad Idid. My weaving guild is hosting a weaving workshop in a week with Robyn Spady. The workshop is called Extreme Warp makeover. The real reason I want to take the class is to learn to make corduroy. Not to say I won't enjoy all the other things I will learn over the three days. As a matter of fact my husband and I just checked to see if the loom would fit in the car. It did. Yea! </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Because a Baby wolf is a bit pricey, when it got here I decided that I would wait until my workshop. I thought I should see how it works. So here is my first project. The yarn is hand spun, I'm not sure what it is. I know the red is wool and I think it comes from Ashland bay. The grey I think is angora and wool. Because its grey I'm sure the grey angora is from on of my bunnies. I'm not sure if its from my current rabbit or the last one. The pattern or draft comes from Handwoven May/June 09. The pattern called for alpaca but I found something from my stash.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Dyubpl1s7Uw/TW7aRHpVZsI/AAAAAAAABHk/SVDwS79rxUE/s1600/IMG_0599+%2528800x600%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" l6="true" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Dyubpl1s7Uw/TW7aRHpVZsI/AAAAAAAABHk/SVDwS79rxUE/s200/IMG_0599+%2528800x600%2529.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">My next project that I just finished was face cloths. I used pearl cotton and some thick and thin cotton. As I am writing I washing them to see how they hold up. The pattern came from issue 3 of Weaver's Craft.<a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-T_PixpNt0ao/TW7aUbI4rJI/AAAAAAAABHo/Y5AoCewSw5E/s1600/IMG_0598+%2528800x600%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" l6="true" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-T_PixpNt0ao/TW7aUbI4rJI/AAAAAAAABHo/Y5AoCewSw5E/s200/IMG_0598+%2528800x600%2529.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">I know its seems like all I have been doing of late is weaving but I have also been spinning and knitting. For my February stash down was what might look like a bit of under achievement. But really it wasn't. I chose for this month to spin pagora. I have never spun this fiber and I have to say I love it. I don't really like mohair so I wasn't sure how I would like it. The grey is 100% pagora and the blue and pink is a mix of pagora,glitz and alpaca. I plan to knit cowls with each of the. They are lace weight and only an ounce. I ended up with about 200 yards each.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-NDF-nXg-BWI/TW7d02vXoSI/AAAAAAAABHs/QyFuZNqHnXE/s1600/IMG_0597+%2528800x600%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" l6="true" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-NDF-nXg-BWI/TW7d02vXoSI/AAAAAAAABHs/QyFuZNqHnXE/s320/IMG_0597+%2528800x600%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://beebonnet.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8345158f769e2014e5f93c8b0970c-pi" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="103" src="http://beebonnet.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8345158f769e2014e5f93c8b0970c-pi" width="200" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">I am also doing so knitting. I have finally started my February sweater. I have had some shoulder pain for the pas few months and haven't really done all that much knitting. I did finish a basic sweater for my hubby and its now waiting for a zipper. My February sweater is being knit with red nearly sold handspun. As a matter of fact its the yarn I spun for my stash down in Jan. I am hoping to get this finished in the next week or so. </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-NgkFb5m1S18/TW7e1bdMAaI/AAAAAAAABHw/oS_-r_Lm0v8/s1600/IMG_0600.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" l6="true" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-NgkFb5m1S18/TW7e1bdMAaI/AAAAAAAABHw/oS_-r_Lm0v8/s200/IMG_0600.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">My plan for the March Stash down is to spin some of my current bunnies wool. He is about to get another hair cut so I'm thinking its time to spin some for myself. I also want to get started on a sweater I have been wanting to spin for. </div>Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00051854713418281603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8685092.post-64946339559715069352011-01-30T18:46:00.000-08:002011-01-30T18:52:41.764-08:00Stash Down and a bit of the other<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_oick70iqKLM/TUYjXfWQYEI/AAAAAAAABHc/mC_FZ0mI_J0/s1600/stash+down+Jan.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" s5="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_oick70iqKLM/TUYjXfWQYEI/AAAAAAAABHc/mC_FZ0mI_J0/s1600/stash+down+Jan.bmp" /></a> Yea I met my first goal! Spindlicity stash down for January!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oick70iqKLM/TUYe4yx5_II/AAAAAAAABHU/leFDF2EC6j4/s1600/0130111157a_crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="161" s5="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oick70iqKLM/TUYe4yx5_II/AAAAAAAABHU/leFDF2EC6j4/s200/0130111157a_crop.jpg" width="200" /></a></div> I know I know this picture of my finished yarn its horrible. But I have a reason. My camera is on its way back to the maker to get fixed so I have to use hubby's cell phone to send a picture to my computer. For some reason I can't send pictures on my phone, which by the way has a much better camera. Anyway the finish yarn looks more like what's on the bobbin. I ended up with 1100 or so yard of a 2ply. My plan is to us it to knit the February sweater. Yes this is my first stash down fiber, and it was complete with time to spare. I have been having all kinds of trouble with my hand so I am just glad I was able to finish it before the month was over. I bought this fiber at SOAR 09 form a vendor that I don't remember who it was nor do I know the breed of wool it is.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oick70iqKLM/TUYe-4XYAaI/AAAAAAAABHY/KSZFviz3qqk/s1600/IMG_0568.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="103" s5="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oick70iqKLM/TUYe-4XYAaI/AAAAAAAABHY/KSZFviz3qqk/s200/IMG_0568.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>I can't wait to get to the knitting part of it, but I first have to finish a sweater that I have been working on like forever. OK its just form November but it seems like it anyway. I am really hoping to get it all finished before my new toy comes in a couple of weeks. I will tell you that its a loom but I'm not saying anything more until it gets here. <br />
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The whole weaving thing started when I was having lunch with Sarah Lamb at SOAR 09. We were talking about weaving and I was stating the case that one I don't have room for a loom nor do I have the time. Well needless to say I have been thinking about it ever sense. I took a class a couple of weeks ago. Really it was an intensive with my local weaving guild and I woven on the loom of my dreams. So I now plan to order it in a week or so. I have also signed up to take a extreme warp class from Robyn Spady in March. Well I figure if I'm going to buy a loom I might as well learn how to use it. So stay tuned to find out which loom I bought and how its going with the whole weaving thing. <br />
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On another note I found out this week that I will be teaching a couple of Knitting classes at the Snake River Fiber Fair in Idaho Falls. So if you are in the area of Idaho falls round them please sign up or stop by and say hello.<br />
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By the way I am still working on what my goal for February will be I am thinking something exotic keep a look out in the next day or so to find out what it will be.Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00051854713418281603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8685092.post-4181941649044143042011-01-24T13:48:00.000-08:002011-01-24T13:48:03.907-08:00My 3 day weekendSometimes it pays to be a lunch lady. Case in point, three day weekend. Yes no school today so I decided to be totally lazy and spend the weekend knitting, spinning, weaving and watching DVD's. Not all in that order. I did with the help of daughter number 1 and 2 clean out my studio in hopes that I could make room for a new toy to come. Well after hours of cleaning moving and putting away. Still no room for new toy. So I must now come up with plan B. Not sure what that will be, but something will come up. <br />
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I also found out that I sent my working copy of my class list to the Sock Summit committee. So now they know I can't spell or use proper grammar. But hey you all already know that. Anyway I did make the proper corrections and submitted a list to Snake River Fiber fair. If you have been a long time reader of this blog you know I have attending for several years. So I think it would be fun to teach there. So we will see how that turns out. <br />
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On a other note I have been trying to get my fiber spun up for the Stash down challenge that Janel Laidman of Spindlicity.com put to all of us. The idea of The Spindlicity Stash down 2011 is to pick some fiber from your stash and make it into 12 kits and spin each kit during each month of the year. I am about 2/3 done for the month of January. <br />
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While I am spinning I have been watching some new DVD's that I have picked up from Interweave. They are How to warp your loom, Spinning for lace and In praise of simple cloth. Look for reviews later this week. <br />
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Well as you can see I have lots to get done on my 3 day break so I am off to spin.Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00051854713418281603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8685092.post-39432079653441823652011-01-13T20:56:00.000-08:002011-01-13T20:56:22.618-08:00Stash down 2011<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oick70iqKLM/TS_XMCd0BxI/AAAAAAAABHQ/gfKI2JMSmHQ/s1600/IMG_0568.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="165" n4="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oick70iqKLM/TS_XMCd0BxI/AAAAAAAABHQ/gfKI2JMSmHQ/s320/IMG_0568.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>So I just found out about the big stash down at <a href="http://beebonnet.typepad.com/spindlicity/">http://beebonnet.typepad.com/spindlicity/</a>. The whole idea is to pick fiber from your stash and put them in baggies. Then pick one and spin it during a month. If you are able to reach you goal for the month you then post or success and you are entered into a drawing. If you reach all 12 goals then you are entered in to a super duper prize drawing. I have January's pick out. Its a 1 pound bag of really neat fiber I bought at SOAR 09. I have no idea what the wool its but I'm thinking it will be perfect for the February sweater. So as then say I'm off and running, or spinning as the case may be.Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00051854713418281603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8685092.post-71942335183123902012011-01-11T17:51:00.000-08:002011-01-11T17:51:15.305-08:00Inspiritation!There is nothing better then taking a hour or so to clean up one's studio. Not only do you find things your forgot you had but now you can look over all the cool things you bought a while back. Now I can sit and listen to TV while I weave, or look at patterns. Now if only I had more hours in the day to get more done. <br />
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Now to get work, spinning, knitting, crocheting and weaving oh my!Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00051854713418281603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8685092.post-73184974344700409912010-12-30T12:57:00.000-08:002010-12-30T12:57:37.202-08:00New sock yarnI know I have talked about how great Spunky Eclectic fiber of the month club is. http://www.spunkyeclectic.com/<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> I think I have been a member from the start. So for quite some time I have gotten some really cool fibers. December 2010 was no exception. This month was called David's gift and it was 4 oz. of super wash Corriedale. The color progression was really neat. They were very long and very earthy. David for those who don't know lives in Australia so these colors really speak of the area. When I first saw it I knew it was destine to be socks. So what I did was split the roving down the middle and spin two separate bobbins of yarn. I then chain plied each bobbin to come up with about 300 yards of 3 ply which is great for long wearing socks. </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_oick70iqKLM/TRzxsY_2N1I/AAAAAAAABHM/jpPQ5PF222A/s1600/IMG_0566.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="161" n4="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_oick70iqKLM/TRzxsY_2N1I/AAAAAAAABHM/jpPQ5PF222A/s320/IMG_0566.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">I haven't decided on a pattern yet for the socks, but I am thinking about something lacey. I would love any ideas.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"></div>Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00051854713418281603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8685092.post-21978202401456750032010-12-28T17:09:00.000-08:002010-12-28T17:09:10.222-08:00A little bit of knitting and a little bit of spinning well sort ofEven though its the busy season I have been able to get a few things done. <br />
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First up a Hemlock tam. This was the Oct. 2010 Fondle this spinning kit. The yarn is 100% Cormo. Which is one of my favorite breeds of fleece. The good news it does fit.<br />
Love it.<br />
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Then I did some spinning type of things. OK so I got my Abby on. At my spinning group's Christmas party we have a fibery white elephant gift exchange and I usually end up with something fun. This year was no different. I came home with a basket full of assorted fibers, in all kinds of jewel tone colors. There really wasn't enough of one thing to make a project with, so I ran it all through the drum carder and this is what came out. It was mostly wool but there was some nylon, and I added some angora and glitz for good measure.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oick70iqKLM/TRqJbm1b2oI/AAAAAAAABHI/J43Wt_5-STg/s1600/IMG_0565.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oick70iqKLM/TRqJbm1b2oI/AAAAAAAABHI/J43Wt_5-STg/s320/IMG_0565.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00051854713418281603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8685092.post-194901503422566162010-12-28T13:31:00.000-08:002010-12-28T13:31:04.722-08:00The year of Fiber<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I know its been a really long time I stopped to post what's been going on in Idaho. To say a few things have been going on is an understatement. So here it goes in a nut shell-</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In July hubby was laid off with a whole bunch of other Americans and he is still looking for a job. So to say the fiber buying has slowed is another understatement.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I found a job as a part time lunch lady. I really like it and the pay isn't all that bad. I work 3 hours a day at a really fun school and work with some really fun people.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I haven't been teaching knitting or spinning classes for the months of Nov. and Dec. I am not sure if I will be going back to the yarn store in the new year.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Of course we have been busy with kids and all their events, parties and games.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now that Christmas is over its now time to start to think about goals for next year. I am taking a page from the Knitmoregirls and came up with a theme for the year . 2011 is going to be the year of fiber. I have been teaching crocheting, knitting, and spinning for over 18 years, which means I have spent most of the time working on samples or thinking about each project I have worked on as possible class. Well this next year I want to work on whatever I feel like. Design some, make things for the fun of it not just for a purpose. In other words have fun again.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So here are my goals for 2011 in no particular order.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1.Keep a journal on what I make and finish so that at the end of the year I can look back and see how productive I have been.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2.Get back to my fleece study. I started it last year and had to stop to work on other things.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3.Do a much better job of keeping up with my blog , facebook and twitter. As I have sent it up I will have family stuff on facebook, so that the family will see I'm not dead but just busy. Twitter will be where I talk about my daily fibery things and this blog will be were I post pic's and other information about projects and events I attend this year.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> ( by the way I am yarnsnthreads on twitter)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4. Read through the Bible in the year.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">5. Do some type of giving back each month. Over the past few month we have been so blessed by all the giving we have received that I really want to give back to others.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">6. Get healthy again. The stress of having hubby out of work has caused me to stress eat so I have not felt as well as I should and can so I want to eat better, exercise and generally feel batter. Loosing a few pounds would be a bonus.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">7. Learn to weave.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As you can see I have all kinds of things planned for the new year. So please stop back by and see what happening.</span>Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00051854713418281603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8685092.post-17712369286214927562010-07-04T21:59:00.000-07:002010-07-04T22:34:30.003-07:00My Black Sheep odyssey- part 1On June 17<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">th</span></span> I left Boise for the Black sheep gathering in Eugene Oregon. This was my first trip to the gathering after years of hearing how wonderful an event it was I decided that this was the year. I was not disappointed. Over the next few posts I will talk about what I saw, learned and bought. Then I will talk about the next two week that I spent in Oregon.<br />On the 17<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">th</span></span> the plan was to have everyone that was in our group meet at my house at 8 AM. because I live so close to the freeway. The trip normally takes about 8 hours. Ours took much longer and for half the group it really was an odyssey. There were 4 in our little group, two in each car. Well my ride arrived on the dot of 8, the other two not so much. So we waited and waited and waited. Thankfully we live in an age of cell phones, so a call was made. The hold up? a bad zipper on a suitcase. We will be there in a minute. So we waited and waited. they must have gone on with out us, so lets go and catch up to them on the freeway.<br />The trip began.<br />Now I have been to many fiber fairs and events with my car partner so we got into the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">rhythm</span> of the drive. Surely we will meet up with them in Burns. Not so much. After another cell phone call with no answer, we figured we would meet up with them in Bend, so off we went again.<br />On the drive finally a call from car number 2. We are a bit behind you we will meet in Sisters at the Stitching post. We must be ahead so why not stop at Trader Joe's and eat lunch. By the way the Cesar chicken wrap was wonderful.<br />At the stitching post another cell call. We are a bit lost we will meet up with you in Eugene.<br />A small note about the Stitching post. If you ever get the chance to visit do stop. If you are a quilter you will love it, if you are a knitter you will love it, if you are a gardener you will love it. I did happen to see the newer book The Alchemy of color by Gina Wilde, and low and behold I am in the credits as part of the knitting team. Way cool. So if you have the thought to give it a look over there are some great patterns.<br />So after many many miles several stops and a few phone calls car one arrives at the fair grounds at about 5PM one hour later then planned, but after all we did spend an hour at the Stitching post waiting for car number 2.<br />Well lets go find the hotel I will be staying in with those in car number 2. When we arrive a call comes in from car number 2. We just got to Sisters, go ahead and check in. We will be there soon. Yea right. So off to diner car number 1 goes. The good food was great had a bit of trouble with figuring out where and what to recycle. Back to room to rest and wait for car 2 to arrive.<br /><br /><br />10:30 Car two arrives. Oh what a day they had seen way more of Oregon then first planned Baker City was not in the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">original</span> plan, but still nice to see. Pooped! So off to sleep and wait for the gathering to begin.<br /><br /><br />Cryptic post card arrives at my house days later, family confused. It seems Lewis and Clark have gotten a bit off track and will see me in Eugene. Thank goodness The real Lewis and Clark didn't get so lost and we can all see the humor in having to wait for the gas truck to stop and gas up car number 2. And the Black sheep gathering hadn't even begun. More to follow.Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00051854713418281603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8685092.post-12017484458365926292010-05-05T09:50:00.001-07:002010-05-05T09:58:57.601-07:00Just a Civil War weekend<div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_oick70iqKLM/S-Gh_ZDO7kI/AAAAAAAABE0/9XFYpu3gIZs/s1600/IMG_0117_crop.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 251px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467829533032771138" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_oick70iqKLM/S-Gh_ZDO7kI/AAAAAAAABE0/9XFYpu3gIZs/s320/IMG_0117_crop.jpg" /></a> </div><div>So this last weekend, well Thursday through Saturday the Idaho Civil War Volunteers went to Eagle Island State park for an encampment. On Thursday and Friday we invited area 5th grade classes to come out and see what it was like to live and fight during the Civil war. We had what I would guess some where in the neighborhood of 4200 people come through. On both Thursday and Friday it was very cold so cold that I could barely get my fingers to work. My part in the encampment is to teach people what it was like to make their own cloths and fabrics with the spinning wheel. On Thursday and Friday because we had about 3000 kids we had 10 minutes with each group so I would hold a tin cup of hot water to warm my fingers so that I could show them how my spinning wheel works. It was great fun but I have to say I am still a bit tired from the weekend. By the way I really like how this picture came out of me standing on a hill in the park. I edited out most of the modern parts, as you can see it was windy but I do look skinny don't I.<br /><br /></div><div></div>Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00051854713418281603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8685092.post-48454399620262186762010-03-30T11:23:00.001-07:002010-03-30T11:45:43.427-07:00March in with spring yarns<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_oick70iqKLM/S7JB6VAxy7I/AAAAAAAABEs/JQvad_8M8Ow/s1600/IMG_0043.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 275px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454494569027718066" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_oick70iqKLM/S7JB6VAxy7I/AAAAAAAABEs/JQvad_8M8Ow/s320/IMG_0043.JPG" /></a><br /><div>Well for most of the US spring is here. In Boise its raining but I'm not surprised as long as I have had kids going to school we have had a rainy spring break,which is this week. One good thing about it being rainy outside I have more time to spin and knit. I have been working on socks , socks and more socks of late. I am also working on basic fingerless mitts. The reason, I'm getting great for our annual Civil war reenactment, that is coming at the end of April. Each year we set up a camp in a state park just out side Boise and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">invite</span> 5<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">th</span> grade classes from the area to come and see what life was like during the Civil war. My husband is the Blacksmith and I am the resident spinner and knitter. Last year we had 2700 5<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">th</span> graders come and visit us on the last Thursday and Friday of April. This year I think there will be something like 3500 5<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">th</span> graders. We also encamp on Saturday where we <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">invite</span> the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">public</span> to come and see what it was like to live during the war. This year I plan to sell socks, mitts and shawls that might have been used during the war. So I am knitting like crazy to get some stock ready. </div><div> </div><div>I have been taking a bit of a break here and there from knitting to do some spinning and this is some of the fruits of my labor. The roving is this month's fiber from Crown Mountain Fibers. Its <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Shetland</span> and I love the colorway, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">Bannockburn</span>. I can't tell you how wonderful the fibers have been from Crown Mountain and I highly <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">recommend</span> all their fibers.</div><div>Again my plan for each month's fiber is to spin a light weight 3 ply so that I can knit socks with each hank. I want to see which breed of sheep will wear better for socks. I'm <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">tyring</span> to spin about the same yarn for each. They are all chained plied and this month I got 288 yards. So far I have been able to keep up with the spinning but I have yet to knit any into socks. I'm hoping I can get started in a month or so, but we will see. </div><div> </div><div>I have also signed up for a couple of classes at the Black Sheep Gathering in <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Eugine</span> Oregon in June. I am really looking forward to learning some new things. I am taking a class on dyeing with mushrooms and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">spinning</span> angora. There are 4 of us going together this year. One is a teacher and has been to a few herself. Us other three have never been and we can't wait. So now you know why I'm <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">knitting</span> a ton of basic socks so that I can hopefully save some pennies and add to the stash at <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_13" class="blsp-spelling-error">Black sheep</span>. </div>Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00051854713418281603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8685092.post-78821618093967801472010-03-25T21:10:00.000-07:002010-03-25T21:38:31.668-07:00How to knit a love song.....<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oick70iqKLM/S6wzz-sjlJI/AAAAAAAABEk/8GyWlhikbTw/s1600/Rachelsigningsm.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 241px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452790216935052434" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oick70iqKLM/S6wzz-sjlJI/AAAAAAAABEk/8GyWlhikbTw/s320/Rachelsigningsm.jpg" /></a><br /><br />OK so I am a real nut sometimes. Today is a perfect example. I herd that Rachael <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Herron</span> of the blog <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">yarnagogo</span>.com fame was coming to Boise to do a book signing for her first book <em>How to knit a love Song</em>. So I went as fast as I could to amazon and ordered the book so that I could read it in plenty of time before she was going to be here, so that I could maybe sound a bit smart as I met her. Well She came to Boise today at a local yarn store called Fuzz. But like most things the timing was terrible. She was at the store at 2PM when I am stuck in my car picking up kids from school. So I wasn't able to go meet her. So now you are asking how the heck did I get her picture. Well I hurried up and read the books so my friend Lynn could take it to the store and get it signed for me. What's even better she did. Oh yea! So I'm not sure who was more nuts me or my friend. Oh well. I really did want to meet her but I figured it was better to go pick up the kids instead.<br />I do want to tell you all that I did read the book and really did enjoy it. I'm not much for reading romance novels, OK so I really would rather read a good mystery, but once in awhile I do need to branch out. Most romance books have the same old form and there really isn't much of a story to it but I did find that Rachael has a story with romance in it instead of romance with a bit of story,<br />As a long time mystery reader I did see some of the events coming in the story, but that's OK. I don't want to ruin the story for you but I can spend hours thinking about what it would be like to find I am now a owner of a house full of wool and spinning wheels. If only I knew someone who would leave all that to me. Oh well, I guess I will have do my own collecting.<br />If you get a chance to ready How to Knit a love song by Rachael <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Herron</span> please do I think you will enjoy it as much as I did. She will have two more books coming in this series and I can't wait to read them. By the way <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">Racheal</span> has a pattern at the end of the book that is a huge part of the story which I think I will have to knit. I love a good <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">gansey</span>, now I have to figure out if I will make it for me or the DH.Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00051854713418281603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8685092.post-85278073468075382332010-03-18T12:13:00.000-07:002010-03-18T12:23:47.236-07:00With spring come thought of fiberIts hard to believe that spring is just around the corner, well at least in some places around the US it is. I can't really complain a whole lot as Boise has had a very mild winter. We did get about an inch and half of snow last Saturday but on the whole not much. I think we are in for a long hot dry summer. But lets think of the coming spring. I really enjoy spring time for several reasons. First its the season that my birthday fall in. I do also enjoy all the new growth, as plants break through the grown with promise of beauty to come. Its also the time when sheep get sheered and fleece come available to all us <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">spinners</span>. So my thoughts are <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">beginning</span> to go to what fiber fair to attend what fleece to look for. I am planning on attending the Black sheep gathering in Eugene Oregon this year for the first time. I have always wanted to go even as a teen living in Oregon but for some reason or other I never went. I will be attending with two other friends who have never been either. We can hardly wait. Sign up for classes is coming soon so I will update on what classes I get into.<br /><br />Spring is also a time for me to start thinking about what plants do I want to try to grow. This year my focus is more on to dye plants. One of my things to try this summer is to dye with <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">natural</span> dyes. So I am planning to grow <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">goldenrod</span>, weld, and maybe a few others. Of course I have all kinds of grand idea until it get to be around 100 degrees and then I totally forget about it. Maybe this year will be different.<br /><br />What are your plans for spring and planting?Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00051854713418281603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8685092.post-911440730120837172010-03-09T16:15:00.000-08:002010-03-09T16:27:08.737-08:00Do people really think?<div><br /><br /><div>I sometimes wonder if people really think, or has greed just <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">taken</span> over. I have been watching <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">ebay</span> as people have been bidding on vintage weave-it looms. On a normal day you should be able to pay anywhere from 5 to 10 dollars. But because Interweave <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">press</span> magazine Piecework has an article on the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">weavette</span> looms. Everyone seems to be going crazy. They are now selling for over $200. Yes I did say dollars. Are you all crazy or do you think you can get your money back.This really isn't the way to save for retirement you know. I have been told that if I wait for a few months I will once again be able to pay near the 5 and 10 dollar range. So I will wait. Its like the Beanie babies all over again. In the mean time I visited a local <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">antique</span> store and found this today. Now its not a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">Donnor</span> Weave-it loom but the idea is the same. <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_oick70iqKLM/S5bmHr5spdI/AAAAAAAABEE/_ql5foqy-HE/s1600-h/IMG_0036+(640x480).jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 280px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446793819069392338" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_oick70iqKLM/S5bmHr5spdI/AAAAAAAABEE/_ql5foqy-HE/s320/IMG_0036+(640x480).jpg" /></a> </div><div>Along with the loom it came with the box, a pattern book, some squares already woven, 41 to be exact, extra yarn to sew them together. A letter letting the owner know that a certain color of wool was not longer available. The letter was dated March 31 1954</div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_oick70iqKLM/S5bmIAKpl2I/AAAAAAAABEM/eBW5DAdayfE/s1600-h/IMG_0035.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446793824509204322" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_oick70iqKLM/S5bmIAKpl2I/AAAAAAAABEM/eBW5DAdayfE/s320/IMG_0035.JPG" /></a></div><div>The bag of goodies were for sale for 8 dollars and it was even on sale so the final price was $6.29. yes six dollars and 29 cents. That's what <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">everyone</span> should be paying not $200. I'm just saying.</div></div>Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00051854713418281603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8685092.post-26813330977268471502010-03-01T16:28:00.000-08:002010-03-01T17:43:06.122-08:00I am Golden! I almost feel Canadian<div><div><div><div> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oick70iqKLM/S4xmG89H6mI/AAAAAAAABDU/5JG9tv6DaN0/s1600-h/4354396434_0105c2ee1f_o%5B1%5D+(2).jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 175px; HEIGHT: 100px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443838319211833954" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oick70iqKLM/S4xmG89H6mI/AAAAAAAABDU/5JG9tv6DaN0/s320/4354396434_0105c2ee1f_o%5B1%5D+(2).jpg" /></a> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_oick70iqKLM/S4xmC73E-vI/AAAAAAAABDM/-V03RUmRKlk/s1600-h/4353988613_7c25b38d97_o%5B1%5D.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 175px; HEIGHT: 100px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443838250198563570" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_oick70iqKLM/S4xmC73E-vI/AAAAAAAABDM/-V03RUmRKlk/s320/4353988613_7c25b38d97_o%5B1%5D.jpg" /></a> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oick70iqKLM/S4xmKKaC7LI/AAAAAAAABDc/SIf78LTYYcM/s1600-h/4354734726_93b94882a5_o%5B1%5D.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 175px; HEIGHT: 100px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443838374362410162" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oick70iqKLM/S4xmKKaC7LI/AAAAAAAABDc/SIf78LTYYcM/s320/4354734726_93b94882a5_o%5B1%5D.jpg" /></a></div><div>The <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Ravelympics</span> are now over and I am GOLDEN, and yes I almost feel Canadian. Wasn't that the best Olympics in a long time. It was so <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">great</span> to spin and knit and watch all the great <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">competition</span>. I do feel a bit sorry for the Russians they really didn't do all the well did they. </div><div>As for me at this Olympic competition I was able to win or I would more say earn three Gold medals. </div><div> </div><div>The first medal I won was the Flying Camel Spin and I have to say I really feel like I was flying there for a bit. I spun 1700 yards of a 3 ply in Shetland roving that I got from a friend of mine. It took me 6 days to spin and ply all the yarn and then set the twist. I bought a bulky <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">flyier</span> for my Sonata thinking it would help me ply faster. The <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">flyier</span> arrived on Wed. right when I had finished up the last bobbin of singles. There was a bit of a mishap. I received the bulky bobbin, the piece to hold the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">flyier</span> in place but by some odd reason ( Maybe it was from an opposing team) I received a regular <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">flyier</span>. But never fear I decided to forge ahead and use the regular <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">flyer</span> to continue to ply. By the way the Bulky <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">flyier</span> arrived on the day I cast off the sweater. ( definitely a plot to slow me down from an a opposing team)</div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oick70iqKLM/S4xnZu-w_7I/AAAAAAAABD8/CNTAys3GjUU/s1600-h/IMG_0021.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 177px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443839741389766578" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oick70iqKLM/S4xnZu-w_7I/AAAAAAAABD8/CNTAys3GjUU/s320/IMG_0021.JPG" /></a></div><div>The second medal was for the not only spinning but knitting a sweater. My Fleece to <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error">FO</span> ( Finished Object) was this cardigan. Even though it was a fairly easy knit it was all garter stitch. I have to say it got a bit boring on the light color parts. Once I was at the color changing and the shaping it got more interesting.<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_oick70iqKLM/S4xmdh4ZJpI/AAAAAAAABDk/9x5DLbHHIkY/s1600-h/IMG_0024.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 216px; HEIGHT: 198px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443838707081225874" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_oick70iqKLM/S4xmdh4ZJpI/AAAAAAAABDk/9x5DLbHHIkY/s320/IMG_0024.JPG" /></a></div><div> </div><div>I have to add a close up of the sheep buttons. I think they make the sweater. I finished the sweater and had it on the dining room table drying on Thurs. the 25. About a hour before the bulky <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-error">flyier</span> came. Oh well. I think I know how Apollo Ono might feel. Did he nor did he not get cheated out of the 500m race. He didn't make that guy fall. Not to say the South <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Koreans</span> pushed China out of the way for the silver in the relay. OK I get off that soap box. </div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oick70iqKLM/S4xmmM8ZmII/AAAAAAAABDs/BjQObMY4TBI/s1600-h/IMG_0026.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 229px; HEIGHT: 225px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443838856079710338" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oick70iqKLM/S4xmmM8ZmII/AAAAAAAABDs/BjQObMY4TBI/s320/IMG_0026.JPG" /></a></div><div> </div><div>For my last event I entered the Hat half pipe. The reason My husband has a friend who is battling most likely for the last time cancer. Her name is Beth so I'm sure she would love all the prayers she can get. The pattern comes from the Spin Off web site and is turning into one of my favorite hat patterns. The yarn is I love this cotton from Hobby Lobby. Which is a new store to the Boise area. I have herd so much about how great Hobby Lobby is for years. I am so pleased that they just opened a store in past few weeks here in the Boise area. As far as I can see the yarns that they have seem pretty nice for basic low cost yarns. I plan to try their wool yarn on a hat to see how it holds up. Not to worry I don't plan to start knitting and crocheting with acrylic any time soon. I still am a yarn snob but it is still OK to find new basic yarns. The more options the better I say. My family says I have yet to find a yarn I don't like. Well I can only think of one. I really hate Lion Brand Homespun. To expensive for crappy yarn that falls apart while you knit or crochet with it. I will get off my soap box for now. </div><div> </div><div>I hope if you entered the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" class="blsp-spelling-error">Ravelympics</span> you were able to gain GOLD if not the summer Olympics are just 2 years away, so start planning now.</div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_oick70iqKLM/S4xmuzg1RoI/AAAAAAAABD0/vk8QjFCMovA/s1600-h/IMG_0027.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 198px; HEIGHT: 160px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443839003872020098" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_oick70iqKLM/S4xmuzg1RoI/AAAAAAAABD0/vk8QjFCMovA/s320/IMG_0027.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00051854713418281603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8685092.post-73727627408004343542010-02-20T20:10:00.000-08:002010-02-20T20:18:55.983-08:001 Back 1 Gold and next 2 sleeves<div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oick70iqKLM/S4Cyo-033RI/AAAAAAAABBs/NtiY5rky2JM/s1600-h/4353988613_7c25b38d97_o%5B1%5D.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 175px; HEIGHT: 100px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440544766992833810" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oick70iqKLM/S4Cyo-033RI/AAAAAAAABBs/NtiY5rky2JM/s320/4353988613_7c25b38d97_o%5B1%5D.jpg" /></a></div><div>Well I have <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">received</span> my first GOLD in the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Ravelympics</span> for spinning this! <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oick70iqKLM/S4CypLfd1hI/AAAAAAAABB0/7Hb9ZVqYk_U/s1600-h/IMG_0021.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 177px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440544770392708626" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oick70iqKLM/S4CypLfd1hI/AAAAAAAABB0/7Hb9ZVqYk_U/s320/IMG_0021.JPG" /></a><br /><br />So I am on to the knitting. As of Saturday night I have finished the back. I really love how the color <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">progression</span> is working out. </div><div><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_oick70iqKLM/S4CyqLlUuaI/AAAAAAAABB8/d6ljxQdn-eM/s1600-h/IMG_0023.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 314px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440544787597146530" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_oick70iqKLM/S4CyqLlUuaI/AAAAAAAABB8/d6ljxQdn-eM/s320/IMG_0023.JPG" /></a><br /></div><div>Next I plan to do the sleeves. When I knit a sweater that has to be sewn up I usually really hate the sleeves. Not sure why I just do. So this time I'm thinking if I do them next I will knit them faster and then when I get to the two fronts I will be excited for the finish. </div><div> </div><div>So far I am a bit ahead of where I want to be so as long as there isn't any <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">energies</span> I should be able to finish in time. So far I have had some <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">serious</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">shoulder</span> pain while I was spinning. Its better now but I am being more careful to take breaks in the knitting. </div><div> </div><div>Stay tuned.<br /></div><div></div>Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00051854713418281603noreply@blogger.com0