Desparatly Seeking..........

Well you know they always say to make sure you have plenty of yarn here's a good example of what not to do!! I have 90% of a summer top done awaiting buttons and 1/4 part of the top front part and what do ya know!! YEPPERS!! I 'm in desparte need and hope that some older knitters may save there extra little ends, balls, sks of old yanrs that possible someone outt here maybe aboe to help me out!!! I'll even dance in the street naked if I have too!!!1    LOL Now that'd be a site a frightening one at that!!!  LOL

I do know what it is It's Berroco Tribeca, it hasn't been around in about 10 years I'm guessing!!! So please please if you have a little in your stash. Please check you may and not realize it!  ;o))). Please contact me ASAP!! I so wanted to wear this top  when I head on out trip to the midwest next month!!  I can't even find something close enough to replace it  ;o(

Actually I had enough according the to pattern and the gauge but apparently not!! I wonder if there was a typo on the pattenr booklet!  I've already spoken to the company and they don't even have a yard  anyway. They checked and double checked for me and this was my best bet to ask other knitters!!   SO now I'm begging, pleading, OH NO will be whining possible crying over this! Anyway out there please can you help!?? I'd be happy to buy it off you, swap for something else that I may have that you may like even a bar of handcrafted luxury soap or cream?? Anything! Of course I could include some chocolate if you like!!  ;o)) Trust me that means ALOT I dont' part with chocolate once it's in my hands. This will defiatetly be a special occasion

This is what's is looking like (view previous post)

 

 

Am I NORMAL & my Personality!!?

Well look I took the TEST!! YES I AM! check out my results

Now I wonder how normal some of you maybe??

You Are 60% Normal (Really Normal)

Otherwise known as the normal amount of normal You're like most people most of the time But you've got those quirks that make you endearing You're unique, yes... but not frighteningly so!

How Normal Are You?

Your #1 Match: INTJ

The Scientist You have a head for ideas - and you are good at improving systems. Logical and strategic, you prefer for everything in your life to be organized. You tend to be a bit skeptical. You're both critical of yourself and of others. Independent and stubborn, you tend to only befriend those who are a lot like you. You would make an excellent scientist, engineer, or programmer.

Your #2 Match: ISTJ

The Duty Fulfiller You are responsible, reliable, and hardworking - you get the job done. You prefer productive hobbies, like woodworking or knittings. Quiet and serious, you are well prepared for whatever life hands you. Conservative and down-to-earth, you hardly ever do anything crazy. You would make a great business executive, accountant, or lawyer.

Your #3 Match: ENTJ

The Executive You are a natural leader - with confidence and strength that inspires others. Driven to succeed, you are always looking for ways to gain, power, knowledge, and expertise. Sometimes you aren't the most considerate person, especially to those who are a bit slow. You are not easily intimidated - and you have a commanding, awe-inspiring presence. You would make a great CEO, entrepreneur, or consultant.

Your #4 Match: ESTJ

The Guardian You're a natural leader and quick, logical decision maker. Goals are important in your life, and you take many steps to acheive them. You enjoy interacting with others, mostly through work related activities. Your high energy level means you are great at getting things done! You would make a great teacher, judge, or police detective.

Your #5 Match: INFJ

The Protector You live your life with integrity, originality, vision, and creativity. Independent and stubborn, you rarely stray from your vision - no matter what it is. You are an excellent listener, with almost infinite patience. You have complex, deep feelings, and you take great care to express them. You would make a great photographer, alternative medicine guru, or teacher.

What's Your Personality Type?

What kind of American English do you speak?

Your Linguistic Profile:

50% General American English

35% Yankee

10% Upper Midwestern

5% Dixie

0% Midwestern

What Kind of American English Do You Speak?

Take the test! It was fun!! I know people in Massachusetts are lazy with pronounciation so thought this was interesting for sure!! I have spent some time living in another state New England of course, , college otta state, even out of the country for a couple years but always came back to being a yankee girl as some would call us Dam Yankee gals!

Click on the above link and have a little loosie yourself.. Who are you but the way you pronounce words or sayings??


Now if your lcoal check check this out!!!! heeeheeeeheeeeheeeee

You Know You're From Massachusetts When...

The person driving in front of you is going 70 mph and you are cursing him for going too slow. When ordering a tonic, you mean a Coke...not quinine water. You actually enjoy driving around rotaries. You almost feel disappointed when someone doesn't flip you the bird when you cut them off or steal their parking space. You know how to pronounce the names of towns like Worcester, Billerica, Haverhill, Barre and Cotuit. You have driven to New Hampshire on a Sunday in order to get beer. You know that there are two Bulger brothers, and that they're both crooks. You know what they sell at a packie. You know at least one bar where you can get something to drink after last call. You can actually find your way around Boston. Evacuation Day is a recognized holiday. You know what First Night is. You know at least one guy named Sean, Pat, Whitey, Red, Bud or Seamus. You think the rest of the country owes you for Thanksgiving and Independence Day. You have never been to Cheers. When the words 'WICKED' and 'GOOD' go together. You knew that there was no chance in hell that the Pats would move to Hartford. You have gone to at least one party at UMass. The curse of the Bambino is taught in public schools. You own a "Yankees Suck" shirt or hat. You think Doug Flutie is the greatest athlete ever. You remember exactly where you were when the ball rolled through Buckner's legs. You pray for the Red Sox to win the World Series not this season, but in your lifetime. You know how to make a frappe. You know that "Big Dig" is also a kind of ice cream you can get at Brigham's. You actually know how to merge from 6 lanes of traffic down to one. You never go to "Cape Cod", you go "down the Cape". You think that Roger Clemens, Wade Boggs and Derek Jeter are more evil than Whitey Bulger. You went to Old Sturbridge Village, Plymouth Plantation, or both, on field trip in grammar school. You're aware that there is a town, somewhere in Massachusetts, named Brimfield where they have the biggest outdoor antique market in the world. You can drive to the mountains and the ocean all in one day. You know that the Mass Pike is some sort of strange weather dividing line. You know that P-Town isn't the name of a new rap group. You know that Ludlow is 90% Portuguese and that Fall River is 90% Lebanese. You do not recognize the letter "R" as a part of the English language. You've called something "wicked pissa" You have driven to either Rhode Island, New Hampshire or Vermont for a tattoo. You see people like Steven Tyler (Aerosmith), Dicky Barret (The Mighty, Mighty Bosstones), and Evan Dando (The Lemonheads) in the local supermarket and it doesn't phase you. You've slammed on your brakes to deter a tailgater Know at least three Tony's, one Vinnie and a Frank(ie) Paranoia sets in if you can't see a Dunkin Donuts, ATM or CVS within eyeshot at all times. You keep an ice scraper and can of de-icer on the floor of your car...year round You still try to order curly fries from Burger King You order iced coffee in January You know what candlepin bowling is You drive 45 minutes to New Hampshire to save $5 in sales tax You've pulled out of a side street and used your car to block oncoming traffic so you can make a left. You've bragged about the money you've saved at The Christmas Tree Shop You know what a "regular" coffee is You actually get these jokes and pass them on to other friends from Massachusetts.

Get Your Own "You Know You're From" Meme Here



More cool things for your blog at
Blogthings

Have fun!

Blogger SP5 Ideas

1. Are you a yarn snob (do you prefer higher quality and/or natural fibers)? Do you avoid Red Heart and Lion Brand? Or is it all the same to you? Well, I have to admit that yes I think I crossed over to become a snob, never used to be......I think it'a all the stuff I've been learning about fibers, yarns and spinning in the past year.....I've just recently learned to build a stash, I used to buy as I go but not no more! I want more all the time. Think I'm addicted... What will my dear sweet husband do with all my stash both yarn & fiber. Althoguh I probably knit alot faster then I can produce my handspun


2. Do you spin? Crochet? Yes I spin & I can crochet but prefer knitting


3. Do you have any allergies? (smoke, pets, fibers, perfume, etc.) whiners and cold weather


4. How long have you been knitting? about 15 years self taught, my grandmother showed me when I was very young under 10 but at that time I prefered crocheting had quicker results, over the past 10-15 years I took up the love of knitting! All self taught and some make fun of me at times but it's all fun! I JUST HAVE MY OWN STYLE AND AT TIMES JUST WING IT! LOL

5. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list? yes, michellelmf@yahoo.com or soap fiber gal


6. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.)I make my own soap & bath products and like most fresh, clean, STRONG & fruity but not to many florals


7. Do you have a sweet tooth? ABSOLUTELY! Chocolate any way type or form


8. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? making those dangling type of pretty stitch markers with the glass beads mostly but really need to find a pair of I think there called needle nose pliers or bead tool or something better to bend the little metal thingys. Been using the flat screewdriver which isn't always a good thing. beads and even vintage/custom jewerly that can taken aprat to use the beads for markers


9. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD) I think so, pretty sure yes! ~ rock & roll, oldies but mostly country, I do listen to lots of varieies but no hip hop, banging or rap type kinda stuff!


10. What's your favorite color? Or--do you have a color family/season/palette you prefer? Any colors you just can't stand?
I'd have to say a cross of nautical and country but yet more comtempory type style. Spring when we ever have one again!!

11. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets? married to a wonderful patient man with 1 teen, 2 young children a husband and a small kitty


12. What are your life dreams? (really stretching it here, I know) hmm to have a yarn, knitty soap bath shop of course with teas and chocolate from around the world but not really a dream I think I stopped dreaming a long time ago, I'm more of a realistic down to earth person who lives for the moment not on what if's

Oh and as my lovely DD tells me I really need to get up to date with my styles and colors besides natural, plain and dull colors, but I don't do flashy or glitsy well since I become an grown adult with kids...I must admit I still like some 80ish styles that I need to get over! I need a fashion make over!!!
What are we not allowed to wear socks over bottoms of pants any more or socks with sandels???


13. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? finer types and mostly very soft & luxious. Silky soft


14. What fibers do you absolutely *not* like? cheap ones that pill or itch or shed or dry feeling while kniting! ewwwwww


15. What is/are your current knitting obsession/s? socks and tops, felted bags or other items


16. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit? felted bags


17. What are you knitting right now? socks, tops, sweaters, socks, bag, felted clogs, kids cardigan, adult cardigan, summer top, tank, xback just to name a few in no specific order,


18. What do you think about ponchos? I don't just the flash backs fo granny square pom pom and right colors just kill me!


19. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? circular or double points short and long. I have most sizes but none of the very large types over 15 or 17 or higher and always need dpns in all sizes espceially the smaller ones


20. Bamboo, aluminum, plastic? Bamboo,other woods or addi turbo


21. Are you a sock knitter? Yes most defiantely! Just wish I knew how to use blockers and where to get them


22. How did you learn to knit? self taught all the way


23. How old is your oldest UFO?5 maybe 6 months tops


24. What is your favorite animated character or a favorite animal/bird? sponge bob, I think the prettiest birds are rainbow lorys aka lorikeets from Austraila


25. What is your favorite holiday? halloween through new years, everyone is much happier but July 4th is up there as a tie!


26. Is there anything that you collect? yarn, lighthouses, yarn, chocolate, fiber, and did I mention yarn oh and books, sock patterns, bag patterns, knitting magazines.....teas from Adagio there absolutly wonderful, there teas, tea pots, everything, I just love them!


27. What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have? spin off, interweave knits, Debbie Bliss club, memory makers which I don't even read


28. Any books out there you are dying to get your hands on? modular knitting, any Rowan, Jaeger or Debbie Bliss except books 1 & 7, last minute knitted gifts, bobbi bear patterns, defiantly am looking for more modern styles.
I'd like to try out some fair isles easy ones I never liked it much so stayed away but see some doing more simple fairisles. I can never corrdinate my coloring right thoguh LOL
Of course I'd love to have my own PIPSQUEAKS by Kim Kargreaves (a Rowan book)I'm working on 2 sweaters for my kids and wnat to make more but feel like I've borrowed it for way to long form another knitting friend, I really need to give it back soon.....Such wonderful patterns for kids up to 10 y/o I need to kit them all pretty much!! LOL

Chocolate!

Chocolate!
Originally uploaded by soapfibergal.

Just arrived today all the way from Australia! What a wonderful RAK from Kate westozcatt from the coffeeshop knittyboard. Beautiful scenery stamps and enclosed was 5 packages of flake Chocolate! YUMMY!! She enclosed a wonderful card that had this little book of chocolate attached on the inside
'Chocolate for Chocoholics'
insides reads:
To the Chocciest Chocoholic in the whole world....

The very first Chocoholics were the Mexican Aztecs who used to drink chocolate flavored with chillies or pepper.

"I think I've scratched the surface after 20 years of marriage. Woman want chocolate and conversation" Mel Gibson....very perceptive!

The Americans are so obsessed by chocolate that they actually have a theme park dedicated to it. Sweet!

Chocolate Fondue
* slowly melt a 400gr bar of chocolate with 4 tbsp milk,
* Add 4 tbsp whipping cream,
* serve with strawberries, bananas, meringues, marshmellows and anything else you can think of.

Christopher Columbus was the first to bring cocoa beans back to Europe (thank you Chris!) but no one was particularly impressed at the time.

Theres only one thing better than a best mate....
and that's a best mate bearing chocolate!

Did you know...

that 50% of women would rather indulge in chocolate than make love.

Chocolate melts in your mouth at 34 degress C. That's just below body temperature and that's why it melts immediately and gorgeously in your mouth.

English company JS fry and Sons made the very first chocolate bar in 1826.

They advertised it as "a pleasant and nutritious subsititute for food while travelling or when unusual fasting is caused by an irregular period of mealtimes."

Chocolate: contains an amino acid (called 'phenylethylamine'!) that has aphrodisiac properties and can help ease hangover symptoms.

Life is like a box of chocolates....you never know what you're gonna get. Forest Gump (Tom Hanks) in Forest Gump

More about chocolate!

www.herchocolate.com

www.hotelchocolat.com

www.thechocolatesociety.com

www.wonka.co.uk

www.virtualchocolate.com

May chocolate always be with you!

Knitting Frustrations!

I have given this alot of thought over the years and I've knit alot but still never seem to find that perfect pattern that can be flattering on people that are full figured and have larger bra sizes especially for summer tops! tried many different yarns styles but to find that perfect top that doesn't make you look bigger then you are and fatter at the same time! Most of the even more slimming effects without cable or diagnals they still seem to make you look like your HUGE!

My latest attempt will be the xBack still lots of frustration yet I will not give up! still knitting and purling away well see what happens next!

So much easier to knit biogger and looser and where bigger clothes but who wants to look baggy, saggy. Stinks having to wear a bra all the time. big chest & chicken legs with larger material! ekkkks!
Now if I could design the perfect designs or someone else wooohooo! We sure could be milionaires!! not everyone is so fortunate to have a chest and don't' give it much thoguht or maybe don't knit for others who do, who knows!! What about pregaunt women and those who aren't who still need to make those increases for things that make them look like they are............Does the frustraion ever end or just knitting the same old styles all the time!
What's a woman to do?!!

Booga Bag

I finished my Booga Bag last night , felted it this morning and it's blocking at the moment. I used 3 sks of Noro Kureyon color #115 Took about 4 washings at 15 mins each but felted nicely. Wish I made longer straps but ran out of yarn used every last bit of it for the handles as it was.
I want to make more now... It was fun, quick, easy project. After felting the colors were much more vibrant then I expected!!

Ramblings about a RAK

After dinner I went to the store to pick up some kool-aid & chocolate for a person in the UK for a swap and extra rak and a nice older woman in front of me had a stash of chocolate. When she opened her wallet at the checkout she was searching high & low for cash, lots of EUR monies but she was so excited that she found $5 bill is US... Her candies rang up to over $8 she didn't understand that the cashier couldn't take the EUR for the difference. So I knew that was why I was there for a euro friend. So I gladly pulled out the cash and paid for it for her.. She was surprised I think and running around looking for her husband or friends she was traveling abroad with. It was my turn I paid grabed my stuff and was heading out. Saw she forgot her bag at the cashier, so as I turned to head out I saw her, gave her bag of goodies to her and said I hope enjoy all your candies and have a safe trip home!! Her and another woman and man stopped me trying to scrap up enough in US $$ pay me back. I kept saying over and over no! no! ReallY! She was persisitant then I turned to her husband and said please really tell her no just enjoy! I was just being kind is all! They were so amazed and giving me hugs and kisses!!!
Do people not ever see RAK or what?? Maybe just far and few! It felt good to help someone out especially who didn't really speak all that great english and being in abroad. They were so sweet and cute. I felt them calling for help!!! Candy Chocolate!! What was a gril to do!!
I managed to get myself some echinacea tea and chocolate to help me fight this awful held cold!! Sipping my tea, enjoying my chcoalte hoping they enjoyed they stay here and hope they know that there are good hearted americans still here!! ;o))

Merino/silk spun

I did take a couple pictures of this and this was the better or the two...Ok I had a play day for myself today!! a skein 3 ply of merino wool with silk thread though out of pink/yellow/blue. Approx. 48.5 yds I have more to spin but not sure if  I'm going to use it or what???!!  I do need to start measuring WPI now that I have a little stick

Dyed Roving Today

Was a busy little beaver today and dyed some roving!

used jaquard acid dyes in blue, purple & red

Perfect day to hangout and dry.

NH Spinning Demo Friends!

 

Today the New Hamphire Sheep & Wool Festival 3 of my friends are spinning at the spinning demo 1-2pm in honor of them and me not being able to attend this year I was there with them in mind, spirirt and spinning just not in person!  ;o) I just finished spinning some llama & llama/silk blend that was given to us at our local guild meeting this past Monday. So ladies I spun the lighter color 100% Llama and triple plied got approx. 17 yds/18gr and the darker one 50/50 blend of Llama/silk approx. 28yds/15gr both are very soft and absolutely lovely!! See I was spinning with you Charice, Lin & Maggie!!!  ;o))

We are all proud members of the NETA group! Now I'm looking forward to hearing about al the fiber touching and fun you had as well as whatcha's spun today!

Hope you gals had lots of fun!!

My White Romney Roving is home!

I just received my rovings from all the fleeces I sent to the proccesors a couple months back! WOOOHOOO!! Roving heaven!! It's a fine white romney... Very nice! This is one bag can't fit them all into one photo and really no one needs to really see how bad my addiction really is!!!!!!!!!! It's really packed in there as you can tell I pulled some out so you can see the fiber.  I have so much I don't think I could possible spin it all this year or next..............;o) Now I can spin spin and spin some more to my hearts content....Now to find the time! Anyone have any time that I can use????  heeeeheeeeeheeee I do plan on using some of those dyes I found to play... I'm so excited I don't know where to start!

Pretty Petals Socks

Well finally that 2nd sock was completed!! I made these from Jeannie Townsend knit-a-long. She has wonderful patterns and designs. this is the latest deisgn that was posted. These were a little different to knit up after workng the cuff & leg you have to turn the sock in a different direction so the pattern is shown evenly on your leg. So just reshifting the heel stitches basically. Was alot of fun!

I used size 1 dpn using Lana Grossa yarn meilenweit fun & stripes 1 ball and still have plenty left over

I found them in a box of soap!!!!

WELL LOOKSIE here at what I found last night finally!! YEAH! My Jacquard dyes in a box of soap on the top?? hmmm now what was I thinking putting them in there I thought??! I must've brought them to my spring lfing fair last month for some reason, for the life of me I have no clue why or what I was thinking at the time?! I use herbs, oxides, ultramarines for colorants for my soaps.............I was just so excited tickled pink to find them at all! It sure was a GREAT find on Mother's day for sure! Now to get mixing I have crimson, purple, gun metal, lilac, jet black, royal blue, brt yellow. I'm planning on mixing a bunch of different colors and color blends ahead of time and keep store in mason jars. I'm goign to be doing some handpainted skeins from my hand spun.. Will post my results of course.

Cleaning more fleece today and need to close up a toe on a second sock Pretty Petals! Will post a picture later this afternoon!

Mother's Day Tea Party

My daughter came home with an invitation for a Mother's Day tea party at her pre-school the other day and during the tea party all the kids presented their Mom's or grandmothers with a present.... so cute!!!!

 

The invitationa nd card are below I couldn't get them all in one picture.

The lady bug card and the vase with flower photo of her face is so adorable! Then the teacher read a story about moms to evryone we had hot tea, iced tea, muffins, cookies, biscuts, and turnovers. Solailzed, etc.... She was so happy that I went and without her little brother and Daddy.... daddy gets a Father's Day ice cream party so he wasn't complaining......lol She was so happy to have just some mommy & me time.. It was nice!

New Threading Hook!

Finally after my hook has been missing for several weeks and can not be found I ordered one online to replace mine. Guess what???

It's to wide and doesn't fit into the orfice's on either of my wheels!!!! UGH!!

Now what in the world will I do with this thing?? it's cute and looks great hanging off my wheel for a decoration but other then that I don't have any purpose for it... Someone with a larger orfice and different wheel shouldn't have and trouble with it.. hmmmmmm

Red Heart Yarn! Want it??

 

There must be at least 17 or 18 proabbly 20+ or more full skeins of Red Heart yarn HUGE skeins........along with another tote of even more., then a box approzimatly 7 or 8 pounds of misc balls, odd balls,  1/2 skeins, new skeins from wool to cotton, novelity but mostly arcylics, polyesters and other blends. Sad to say there the labels are missing from the red heart skeins, but no need to worry no dye lots with Red Heart! Great hats, scarves, mittens, small sweaters, large sweaters whatever your heart desires, my obsessions are overgrown and I really need to clear it out before DH notices the HUGE stash not moving and treatens  my stash!!!!!

Anyone who'd like to trade, swap or make a deal email me and make me an offer I can't resist! I need the space and totes and need to move it on out otta here! PLEASE!! Anyone someone! PLEASE PREETY PLEASE!!!!  I know begging doesn't work. I can take more photos and give you better details and weigh it if you'd like. Let's make a deal!  ;o))

 

Newest Fibers in Stash!

Taadahhhh! here they are...

Whole fleeces from

top left side: beautiful black shetland! (so very fine and soft), top right die: corridale/dorcetX???maybe somehting else long long staple absolutely beautiful!, bottom left side: very old rare breed horned dorcet and very large! great color, great staple and more soft then med, bottom right side: merino that was washed Saturday at the Soule homestead a s a demo.. Boy did I luck out 10+# after spinning merinos what a huge difference then from commerically bought merino yarns....wooohoooo! These are all very large fleeces and should keep me away from all the spring shows this year!!! ekkkks! (I hope so anyway) ;o)) I'm not going to MD because I do have at least 15# coming home from there of romney rovings from some 20# fleeces that I sent to the processor a couple months ago from fall shearings at a local farm... Fiber heaven I guess!! ;o)))))

can't forget the cashmere & lambswool roving I'm spinning up for a nice long sweater jacket I think????? I'm always good for changing my mind constantly... A womans perogitive (sp) isn't it???? I always thought it sounded like a good excuse anyway..... colors ercu, blue & of white varigated tweedy type of fiber absoluety soft!

hmm don't forget these lovely batts from Abi over in IA at Prairie Farms and of course I can't find all the wonderful dyes I purchased from her earlier this year...... errrrr! I've been tearing through all my boxes, totes, bags, laundry baskets and can't find a trace!!!! I need top find them I want to DYE!!!!


Last but not least some more indulgence fawn alpaca see the nice long staple! ohhh laalaalaa! Absolutely nothing even compares to the luxury and softness of all these fibers in natural form even after washing, combing and spinning there really is NO comparison in any LYS anywhere!

Cleaned all the alpacas actually got 4 or 5 boxes greys, silver, cream, brulee, fawns and off white... wonderful, wonderful, wonderful! I couldn't just decide on one.........you know how the addiction is!!!!!
I want to try dying some of the greys for a nice tweedy effect I guess. The pigments will definately be unique as to dying all the white. These are only some of the latest, some already washing/drying

Spinning & FeltingToday!

spun up some superwash fine wool for a pair of socks I've been trying to get done last time I did 2 balls of singles, this one I triple plied for the heels and toes. took a close up

spun more of that cashmere & lambs wool blend. Maybe I'll make a bag with this..... blue, red & green.... It will felt beautifully I'm sure.. hmmmm What to do??? Spin more.. I've been neglecting my spinning becuase I got so caught up with knitting

I did make a new pair of felted clog slippers (Fiber Trends) for my son, his spider man slippers wore and he was demanding I buy him another pair which of course I'd never find those particular ones again. So I told him last night that I'd make him a pair. I used 2 skeins from Knit Picks, Wool of Andes , 1 blue bonnet and 1 stream (which is more like a tealish type of green) , double strand throughout. The double soles I used the blue bonnet on one and stream on the other, so he can tell which goes on which foot.... I finished them this morning and felted them today for him, He was so happy and proud of them!!! ;o))) He defiantely is mommies best customer!!!

Oh back to spinning more of something.......

Sheep Shearing at Soule Homestead & wheels

Christopher dying to try out my newest wheel from Poland! It finally arrived safely at home! Thank you so much Lin for picking it up in Poland

Now I have a brother and sister team to drive me crazy spinning my wheels!!! heeeheeeeheeee

hmmm Surprise Charice will be getting one soon too! ;o)))) shhhhhhh! She knows about it but hasn't seen the pretty little thing yet!

My Lucet arrived yesterday with a handpainted sheep on the handle, now to figure out for the third time on how to use it!

Kids at the sheep shearing today at the Soule Homestead Sheep day fair! A little blurry and not all of them staying still of course. We were in/out of the barns trying to get dry we kept getting caught in the rain but had a fun day anyway with Lin and her son Lukas

Here's my fleece getting sheared, it's a horned dorcet about 10-12 pounds! Wooohoooo! I'll be spinning her for a while. I'm going to be doing a project on her for rare & unusual breed project for our guild project later this year. Each of us get to pick either a rae or unusual breed and make a page baout it, have enough for all of us to smaple like an ounce or so I guess, the page have a pice of it's fiber staple raw, washed spun yarn, etc along with all the information we can gather about our breed then have enough copies for all of us to put into a binder so each of us will end up with a nice book. later in the year will be able to add domestic breeds and so on. So if anyone has some helpfuil info they liked to share with me please forward them to me...

Here's another view of her being skirted and sheared.

Also picked up some more fleeces couldn't resist they were so friend, we got up close and personal with them, the sheep cried to me take me home! Take me home! Take me home!....;o)))

horned dorcet, corridale cross/cheviot?? or dorect?

jet black shetland & a HUGE beautiful white merino that they happened to use as a demo and even washed it for me! Looking forward to next shearing....lol

we did enjoy the sheep dog demos, sheep shearing, rug braiding demos, spinning and Katie had a free lesson on a little babe petite so natural wish I had taken a picture of that, children's crafts, plants, washing wool, felting . Kids had to come home bathe and nap, LONG day in the damp rain and running around on a farm in the mud not to mention wet through & through

It was nice to see some familar faces, play with fiber, get yoruself right into it. VERY kid friendly!

Warm Snowdrops

I learned a valuable lesson with these socks, when you knit with alpaca you have to knit it to exact fit! Alpaca has no give , no streatch, ribbing doesn't help it! Only took me three times but I finally did it and got them right. Thereon my feetsie as I post this.....

Warm Snowdrops is form the SOTMClub though The Fifth Stitch wonderful patterns and lucious yarns. Worth every penny. These are made from cascade indulgence 70/30 superfine alpaca/angora in a beautiful shade of purple

Shawl for MIL

Finally!! It's been a couple months in the works... I missed my mil birthday this month so at least she'll have it for Mother's Day! It was a beautiful yarn that Lin gave to me she collected in Taiwan in Feb.30 I started it in the end of March so really it only took about a month to knit up it's huge! I ripped it several times then finally decided to go with cast on 4 sts then knit 2 yo knit across each row until 200sts where completed! Very lacy , beautiful drape and already bordored buy the pattern.

here's another view, it comes across my arms down shoulders and back the point is past my buttlocks just a few inches into the thighs

Well since my mil likes the color ecru I thought this would be perfect the yarn is laceweight with little loops thoughout, just perfect. Will be wrapping it and shipping it to her in OH on Monday. I hope she likes it....

Plantation Lace Square

Our local guild assigned a project that everyone present was giving some raw fleece (cotswold) to clean, spin and knit up 10x10 squares in a lace pattern of your choice. I wasn't at that meeting and offerd to knit a square from it so our project can be completed soon becuase we needed a certain amount of squares which we didn't have. Ben also is knitting a square to complete the project and was gracious enough to do all the finishing touches. After blocking ironing it may have shrunk but I knitted a little bigger and crochet a little border to allow for this anyway. I knitted a pattern called plantation to go along with our town's Plimoth Plantation dating back to the 17th century. it's been decided that everyone's squares will be placed on some black material and mounted so it can be displayed at different events. I think you can see the pattern with the little hunts in the photo. I didn't care much for the cotswold kinda sticky to work with from the lanolin. Some like it that way I guess. I'll have to take picture's when the project is completed. I have to clean my needles there icky......

Picking Llama Fleece!

It's such a beautiful day today just about 70 degrees and the sun shining! I've spent most of the morning picking through my newest fleece. It's a beautiful llama from a local woman who has a few she raising herself after working for a llama farm for many years. More like her babies I should say. She also has a LYS in her barn as well! Her animals are very friendly and the kids love to go there, they get llama kisses. This is the last I need to pick through and pull out all the guard hairs.. The birds are swarming around my yard now..Chirping away, I wonder if there calling other birds...... They'll be busy for a while. I'm taking a break and will be washing some today. It's a lot of work but I'm sure it'll be very rewarding once I spin it up and make something. It's definately quite the experience picking out guard hairs from a whole fleece. The hardest part for me is trying to find soemhitng to knit up with it afterwards.. I get so flustered and undecided I'll put it off and off then I'll start and probably change my mind several times.... errrr! Then do I keep it or give it away as a gift?? hmm? So undecided and such a soft, beautful fleece.

Spun Cashmere and fine wools

The top knity knoty (PVC) is with a blend of fine wools dyed Dark Navy Blue navajo plied. Thin fingerweight

the wooden knotty is cashmere/camel/lambs wool blend in different shades of blues that I tried to spin a bit on the bulky side also navajo plied. Thick, thin bumpy novelty. I have this fiber in 6 colors couldn't decided which one I had to have so I had to get some of them all! !!
Not sure what to do with them yet have lots more to spin up. These are only about 1 - 1.5oz each skein. These skeins are very soft.. I can't wait to spin more so I can start another new project

Organizing Yarn

Today I spent the morning organizing yarn, balls, skeins, end, etc. I have totes boxes, wicker baskets, bamboo baskets, a handy wicker box I bought at someone's home party...LOL
Now to make sense of it all.. hmm Where to start??? Home spun in baskets all set. Fine yarns here, sock yarns in a basket and bag. Found a couple more started projects for the life of me I can't remember where in the pattern I left off... YIKES!
Received a package in the mail of some beautiful wool rayon & cotton skeins.. What to do! Where to start first? I don't think I'll get it all organzied, under the bed, in closets, in the basment, on shelves, in the living room, by the fireplace... What is one to do... Between fiber and yarn I don't know where to start. I guess just spirng cleaning and organizing. It's a beautiful day and thought it should get done. In between I'm trying to vaccum everything from ceiling to floors, and shampoo the carpets in-between stashes. Found some things I had no idea why I bought them. Maybe I'll put them in a pile and put up on Ebay. Defiantely on my list of things to do, take pictures! Doesn't look like I'll be playing today or tomorrow. Back to work

SUPER HIGH Level of Stress

well after a very long week or two of "extremely SUPER HIGH level of stress" as my doctor put it has offered some assitance to help me relax and possibly get a restful night sleep! YAHOO!! I came home after a very long stressful day and to my surprise was my tea order! YEAH!! I'm having my 3rd cup already and WOW what a difference from the local grocers varieties of herbal & green tea bags... Anyway, I'm finally trying to take care of myself catch up a little with emails and enjoy a cup of tea without any interuptions. I love my new little handy contraption from Adagio Teas I even got a music CD with catalog to continue to get the addiciton.. I have to keep making more tea because I was so memorized by the loose dry leaves expanding and dancing as they do... Being new to loose teas I was amuzed or maybe just all the HIGH stress and anixity and caios going on in our lives I know feel like a little child. I mean the littlest thing as steep tea is amuziing me a tthe moment...............hmmmmmmm

I have to come to realize the past couple weeks more so on what goes along with parenting a teenager! the real meaning and how no matter what WE as parents are totally repsonsible no matter what until there 18 years of age as much as they think there adult enough to be on there own. I do know that's it the most challenging experience and trying times to go though. At times I wonder if we'll get through this and survive as a family. At the moment I don't see the light but I do know that with all the testing that someday hopefully soon well be stronger, closer and more solid..... So I hear, from family & friends anyway, that the day will come!!???????? It's so hard to see or picture that day right now. It couldn't come sooner that's for sure in the mean time I'll have my tea & meds.......... and of course stand on my own two feet and hold my head up high. I'm almost convienced that I'm NOT the only one that feels so out of control, lost confused!! I'm the type of person that usually always has an answer or solution for everything! ;oi) But now more then ever I've never felt more lonely confused and totally speechless to stop me dead in my tracks!! YIKESSS!! I think my poor parents would roll over in there grave. God Bless my father's soul I hope and pray he's not watching! Boy do I miss him dearly it's been just over 3 years that he left us!

Got a Chibi!

I finally got my chibi the lys always seems to be out. ( I really wanted the pink one but I was lucky to have gottten this one I guess) It came with 2 darning needles and plenty of room for my yarn needles for sew up ends, seems, toes, etc. I also bought more yarn (only a couple skeins of galway to make a felted purse, will post it as soon as it's felted).. I also won a few auctions through Ebay so that will make me feel better looking forward to receiving a few packages within the next week!! YAHOO!! Yarn tea, always makes you feel better when your down and it really does seem to help. Now to find the time to knit more. I haven't been spinnign lately or even making any soap. Good thing I'm pretty well stocked up for now. My first fair of the season was last Wed. which was very slow so I still have a good selection left. I need to get myself organized soon before the tourist season thats for sure!!

I place an order with Adagio Teas this morning.. I ordered a ingenuiTEA set as well as a couple 1 oz tins and some suger shot. It should be here in a couple of days.. So excited!! Already scoping out what I'm going to order next.. There's so much to choose from and so hard to decide on what to get!! I hear that there really good teas. I've always used tea bags so the loose tea thing with the strianers is a new thing for me. I'm sure I'll enjoy them all!

I got RAOK'd & went to my LYS

Well I had a very long heated stressful sleepless weekend to say the very least. (Teenage DD, need I say more!) So late this afternoon I had a few moonets of things a little calmer and off a LYS I had to get more sock yarn of course.... Not such a good thing to go to a LYS when your stress, tired, confused, hurt, emotional.. You just BUY MORE!!!! LOL This will make me feel better looking at it since I haven't been able to concentrate on knitting, spinning or anything for several days now. Not looking forward to the next couple days or so. Going though alot at the moment not sure how I'm going to handle it or where I'm going to get the stength to get through it. Now that I had some time to get online my mail was flowing with warm

welcome's from several RAOK women!! I have some wet eyes now. Someone must be watching over me because this

ramdom act of kindness couldn't have been timed any better! I'm overwhelmed! ;o))

thought I'd share a photo of my neglected rogue in progress, we sure missed each other the past few days or so.... I was hoping to be finshing up the sleeves and on thehood by now. Oh well such as though, but when life throws curves I seem to get the neverending HUGE one's with a BANG!

Hopefully I'll be back soon to post. Thank you so much and I"m looking forward to recieving my tea order from Lu at Adagio Teas
Much appreciated

Katie's 5th Birthday Today!

We off to start decorating for her special day she wants pizza and cake, be a princess and has been asking for a walking dog for several months now........will she get it?? hmm I don't know.....;o)) So I thought we'd have some balloons and princess decorations and princess hats I think my DH found a little princess tiara. So off I go to blow balloons! YUK!!! lol

Here's Katie's Cake


Waiting patiently for the candle to be lit


Just after she blew her candle and the light turned back on


Christpoher just waiting for a piece of that cake oh so tempting to just dive in.....;o))


Licking his lips now of course still wearing his princess party hat for that cake..........


I bet Christopher is thinking 'can you believe what I have to go through to get some cake around here'.....



Over all the kids had fun, had some cousins over and run wild inside outside long night but they had fun.. I asked Katie what the best part of her day was and of course hse said getting her walking dog! (she's been asking for a gigi walking dog since before the holidays, Mr & Mrs Santa couldn't find them anywhere at all!) Couldn't find any this year either until last night Daddy found one! Thank God!! I was giving her a bath and gettign them ready for bed tonight, the doors where closed and house was quiet except the runnign of the water, all of a sudden I heard some noises like screaching... I open the bathroom door and the dog was sitting there barking!!!! ROFL!! I guess it must have a sensor for noise or something because we left it in the living room???? ( and I thought it was my 16 y/o aruging with my husband at first??) I did have the bath water running so the noise was distorted.

Way past my bedtime and I wanted to get a little more knitting time in, maybe a couple little small rows on something.. What should I do??? Sleep or relax & knit??? KNIT!!!

More finished socks

Westport Waves (Jeanie Townsend Knit a long) made of a wool/nylon blend mostly wool

kool-aid dyed romney spun then navajo piled (triple plied) and knitted into these wonderful socks for my friend Lin.

I sure her toes are kept warm and cozy. Enjoy! Working on some for myself ;o)

My Crown stitch socks (Jeanie Townsend knit a long) are made of a swedish superwash wool and I also used coordinating reinforcement thread on the heels & toes

Chocolate & Ketchup Chips

Just have to tease ~ someone neener~neener~ neener............ I got my chocolate from Canada & the only chips I eat Ketchup!! Wish they sell these in the states!!! ;o((((( Sorry I ate them all now or I'd share, need to lick my fingers again......ROFLMAO!!!! My very nice neighbor came home for the weekend to watch the red sox opening game and has left this morning back to her Moms' in Montreol so I'm sure I'll be getting more when she retiurns home.. Her DH is remodeling the entire house so she's visiting her Mom for a couple weeks... a very nice treat for me, too!! ;o)) I want to do something special for her when she gets back. Maybe a basket of goodies soaps, sprays, creams all I have made some teas, cookies, candles, maybe a pair of socks or scraf but winter is gone for now I hope????? Who know's it is New England and we've been known to have snow in May even! I'll surprise her with something just haven'd decided. One ramdom act of kindness always deserves another ;o)) Any ideas out there??

Pretty Petal socks

Close up of the Pretty Petals Jeanie Townsend knit along

Turned the heel & working instep gussets

Thought the coloring was nice touch of petals and the added green strips ;o))

here's some photos close ups of the pretty petals socks on the needles from a couple days ago. I'm actaully working on the toe now and will post a complete picture soon. The yarn was brought back from Germany 'Meilenweit Fun & Stripes' by my dear friend Maggie

Last night on the roof

Well yes my husband just had to get on the roof to see if he could take care of the noises in the chiminey.

Well between 9-10pm he went up on the ladder with a blow torch and flashlight. What a sight for me to watch him hanging his feet from out the chiminey... he didn't really see much of course I tried to tell him hello it's dark out!! Let's call someone to take care of it. He insists that he can take care of it. The only thing he could find is what he beleiives to be is racoon [aw prints from the cimminey down the roof and even down our freshly painted molding on the the corner of the house. White of course now with sut black prints all the way donw to the back deck.. Needless to say I won't be going ouit back alone for a while. I think we really need to call someone to deal with this but he said if anything jumps out at him he'll blow torch them....
Early in the morning and late at night we continue to hear all kinds of restling noises in the chimeny boy am I glad that the flute is broken and the kids can't get it open at the fireplace!!! ;o)
Can only imagine myself sitting on the couch late at night with everyone in bed knitting away and having a visitor come done the fireplace!!! I'd be certain it wouldn't be a santa clause!
Men are sure stubborn and hate to admit they need help for anything! I hope he relizes this soon. Even though he thinks it's a racoon stuck in there and can't get up the chiminey. It oculd very well be a very large shirrrel or some big birds??? Still frustrated though! Anyone want to rent a hubby????

Spiral Socks

Well here's my spiral socks that got around took a while one ran away and was lost for a while but made a safe return home.....;o)) My first pair without heels but they are comfortable, about 15-16 inches long made from a beautiful wool yarn a friend brought home from Germany a couple months ago.

I've been offline for well over a month or so now. Boy did I never realize how much I really used my computer until it wasn't available. During the last storm we lost signal from our cable company and after 4-6 weeks of service calls and techs coming in/out and all around the neighborhood trying to get me online. They did manage to get our TV signal back but only after we bought new TVs then I bought a new computer thinking it was the putter, nothing! The cable company just couldn't get it back for me so I canceled all their services and got direct tv installed right away and DSL which took a couple weeks to get but at least we had tv to watch while awaiting. I did some spinning and knitting actually lots of knitting. I'll be uploading more photos soon! I did pull out a sweater again and again! Now working on a couple other and started more finsihed one, another was almost done just need to do the sleeves and a hood then BAMMMM!!! I had to pull it out about 1/2 because I missed something!!!!!!! I don't even want to talk about that one!!!!!!!!!!! A different one then some might think though. I think I just might have to keep this one once I get it finished after all the hours I 've put into in I could've made 3! Oh well.

Now my DH is up on the roof with a blow touch and flashlight I need to go outside and watch out for him. He makes me nervous!!! We had a racoon on the house eariler this week and now lots of noises in the chimminey! Pretty freaky when I'm sitting here at night knitting and everyone's in bed and early in the morning.......

I gotta go for now be back with more later