First let me wish a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to everyone! The holiday season seems to go so fast and before we know it, we are so busy that we often don't get back to our work whether it be computer or crafting.

Most of my shopping is done and wrapped and all the cards are in the mail. I still need to finish braiding a strap for the amulet bag that I made for my oldest son from wolf fiber that I spun over the summer for a friend. She let me keep some of it for myself for all my work and I will spin more for her when she sends it to me over the years.

I was off to a sock knitting retreat as well as a spinning retreat recently and enjoyed both very much. I don't get the chance to meet with those friends except at retreats so it was especially nice to do so.

What have I been spinning lately? Merino and yak mix which is turning out to be a coal gray--very pretty and oh so soft. Next I will be working on some pencil merino that I received at a Christmas gift exchange and then onto some cashmere and later some camel fiber. Lots of work ahead of me.

Be sure to check out my web site at  http://www.fromewetoyou.com

We have lots of fiber as well as yarn and hand knitting books.

Spin happy and knit without fear!

Bumble

......and before one knows it, the days and weeks have slipped into months and only then does one remember to get back and post a blog. For some this posting may be an everyday thing, but for me it is not. I think of it, but only after I have put away the computer with a "dang it, I forgot again!" But here I am and I didn't forget today.

The Spring Puyallup Fair was nice as always and I did remember to get my scones--just love those. Had to go a day early so I didn't get a fleece as I usually do. On Fridays the fleece are judged and not up for sale. I did get some already dyed fiber and that will be fun to work with.

It is still rainy and a touch of sun every now and again around here. Typical spring weather, but not doing anything good for the garden as the nights are too cold for the seedlings to be growing as we would wish.

Haven't gone camping as yet, but hope to before the end of the month. We have a large dog pen to set up and leave as a permanent enclosure to keep the dogs and grandkids separate. We have cattledogs and they are a bit much for kids to be around until the grandkids are old enough to understand how to act around dogs.

A friend of mine has been knitting sweaters for my store you can see them at:

www.fromewetoyou.etsy.com

Here is one of them. It is mohair and goes from daytime to evening with the change of accessories that are included with the sweater.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/75430493/mohair-sweater-with-attachments

Spin happy and knit without fear!

Seems I seem to have been "lost" from Blogdrive for a bit, but my account is still here and all is well in blogging world. I've been with them for years, so I'm not sure how they thought I had left.

Anyways, as usual I have been busy and am almost finished knitting a very long scarf of the most beautiful blue color--peacock bue they call it, but it is deep blue and the fiber is wool/mohair. Very nice and will go into my store. I'm also planning on knitting a shawl for my daughter in law for Christmas and it will be started as soon as the yarn arrives. It will be a ribbon yarn in the color of ink--looks black to me, and many of her dress up clothes are black so hope it will match up nicely.

Planning on a camping trip with the grandkids some time this month and have a retreat in July. I'm thinking of using that retreat time to do some spinning and working on the shaw.

Spin happy and knit without fear!

and no true sign of spring as yet. Bulbs are starting to pop out, but no flowers and even seeds planted in the hot house are failing to do much more than peek out from the earth.

Have been busy with spinning and a bit of knitting but it is hard to really get going when the weather wants one to cuddle up with a good book instead. Wednesday is my day for flicking fiber and getting it ready to card so I have tried to keep up with that but it is still too cold to go down into the basement and work with the carder.

Spin happy and knit without fear!

This morning I awoke to find that one of my rovings had been included in someone's Etsy Treasury! What a delight it was and the roving is one of my favorites, one that I had hand dyed and has lots of beautiful subtle colors. Inexpensive as well so you should check out my etsy store at:

http://www.fromewetoyou.etsy.com

Etsy folk are so nice and I've done trades with many--still do. Receive many wonderful items in return that make great presents for myself and others.

Grocery shopping day but I'm not going, it is just too cold out for me with my Raynaud's Syndrome so the husband will go it alone. He doesn't mind the cold and likes to get out and about. I'm more the home body but I do like to travel if I have someone to "dog sit" for my dogs.

Now here is an purse that I hand wove on a little square loom. So tightly woven that it does not need a lining although you could give it one if you wished:

http://www.etsy.com/listing/7780982/olive-green-purse

Spin happy and knit without fear!

We missed out on the heavy snows, but we did get hail that lasted through the night and into the next day. Very cold, but we were spared the horrid weather that many back were and are still experiencing. I feel for those folk for I have gone through such myself and it is no fun whatsoever.

Joined a cowl exchange and have started my cowl. It is of a beautiful peacock colored thread with a white thread throughout. Very pretty and soft as well. I do hope my exchange partner likes it!

This cowl is most of what I have been working on as I want to get it finished as soon as possible. I have two months so that is enough time. I have eleven inches of it done and need a total of thirty-four inches in all. It will then be doubled and the seam sewn.

Here is a beautiful scarf that I have in my etsy store. It is looking for a home.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/5443347/handknitted-scarf

Spin happy and knit without fear!

Indeed the Holidays are upon us! I think I slept through Thanksgiving. We were all  down with the horrid flu virus that many folk across the country have experienced. Hope all of you are feeling better as we are now.

Still have a minor cough, but it will go away soon--I hope.

Haven't done much lately as too much exertion brings on the coughing, but beginning to be able to do a few things. I'm currently working on knitting a hat from my homespun wool. I always use the knit 2, purl 2 so that it is comfortable. The knit 1, purl 1 does not have as much stretch and can be tight and those who do not usually wear hats just go without because of the lack of comfort. My hats can be worn all day without the discomfort and folk like 'em.

Our weather has been rainy and some of the rivers have flooded their banks. We are fine although we did have our downspouts back up and there was a bit of water in the basement. Nothing more than putting a few towels down and then running a fan for the day. Everything cleaned up fine and no damage was done. We didn't have a power outage of any kind and we were prepared for such.

Spin happy and knit without fear!

went over splendidly! We had kids of all ages watching and taking their turn at the loom! For most, weaving was a totally new experience and they enjoyed it. Others did a row or two and left it at that but still they put their efforts into it and that is what mattered.

We had some nice folk donate small balls of yarn--those end pieces that are too small to knit with, but still useable for the kids to use in weaving. How thoughtful and quite useable.

At the end of the day, we took the weaving off the loom and put it on a board for hanging. Donated the weaving to the school. Kids were running up and showing their parents/friends what part of the weaving they had done. How adorable!

I have a retreat this weekend, so must get busy with moving things so as to find my antique sock knitting machine. I know where it is, but must use it and make sure it is up and running for the retreat. It is probably thirsty for oil! <laugh>

Spin happy and knit without fear!

for this Saturday's Craft Fair. We are, for the first time, bringing a huge weaving loom for all to take a turn at weaving if they wish. Kids and adults will be able to come up and weave for a bit and see what this marvelous craft is all about. The loom is a floor loom and stands upright. I've spent hours getting it warped and ready and even longer getting balls of yarn prepped and ready. I think I've cleared at least one box from the basement, but that still leaves lots of yarn. <lol>

We will have our tea for sale, as well as our tea supplies such as vintage tea pots and tea cups. Lots of weaving items and our Journey Looms.

Not sure if any of our readers are within our area, but shoot me an email if you want directions/information--Seattle area.

Spin happy and knit without fear!

And time to fire up the woodstove.Trying not to let the husband stock the stove up as he has a tendency to put too much wood in at one time. Nice and warm, but hard on the stove.

Winds are only supposed to be up in the 20s, but with the rain pelting down on us it feels like more--sounds like it too. I have some fleece still drying in the kitchen. The husband forgot it was out on the porch and when he was cleaning off the roof and gutters, getting ready for winter rains, he thoroughly wet down that almost dry fleece. Not a problem with it other than the need to get it dry and I can't put it outside in this type of weather so I use a fan instead. But for now the woodstove is plugged up to that wall socket so as to have the fan on the woodstove turned to blow warm air throughout the room. Will be a bit of a problem with flicking out all the debris, but I'll just take my time.

Ain't life a doozie? <laugh>

Today I want to get back to a bit of cleaning and rearranging. Can't do much at a time because of my back, but yesterday I did clean out one box and rearranged about a two foot space in the livingroom. Not bad but still needs a lot of work.

I have so many books and magazines on knitting and weaving and many of them are going downstairs to file cabinets until I finish the ones that have projects I want to work on, after I catch up with the ones I am working on.

Thank you to all who checked out my Journey Looms. These looms are just grand and so easy to learn and use. Remember, they aren't just for beginner weavers, experienced weavers will enjoy them as well as you learn new techniques in weaving.

Spin happy and knit without fear!