Sunday Fun

Sunday was spent with Karen and Katie first at the Museum to see the Latvian exhibit before it closed the next day. That was my fifth time! Every time I went I noticed something new. Afterwards we went to the Fiber Gallery for some fiber therapy. Of course I didn't need anymore yarn but I couldn't resist Lavold's Silky Wool in a stunning red color.
On another note - thanks Katie for your fundraising efforts for Obama !!

Click on pictures for a closer look






Later Karen and I went to see "Mamma Mia" which was hysterical ! It's so campy it's fun. Some of the singing was pretty bad which caused us to break into a fit of giggles every time this person opened their mouth. You'll have to go see it to find out who !

Fiber Heaven

Last weekend I went to a three day workshop on Spinning for Aran, Gansey, and Fair Isle taught by Carol Huebscher Rhoades. I loved it ! It was my first such one so I was rather nervous about my lack of experience. It was a pretty relaxed atmosphere so nothing to worry about. I loved hearing all about the traditions, histories, breeds of sheep, and techniques. Some of the lovely samples knit from her handspun.
















Carol also handed out wonderful fiber samples which had me drooling. As one of my classmates said it makes you want to jump into a swimming pool full of wool - without the water of course !

The dark is UK BFL and the white US. Heavenly soft.



4 samples of Shetland. Other sample fleeces included Cheviot, Scottish Mule, Galway, and primitive Shetland.

This was held out in Preston at Suzanne Pedersen's house which is lovely and she provided such lovely meals and refreshments. Wish I had taken pictures of her home and garden.

The Latvian Exhibit is ending this Sunday. I've seen it four times and will be seeing it again this weekend ! I was given permission to take pictures which I'll try and post a few at a time. These textiles are stunning.







I can't describe how much joy these forms of textile "art" bring me no matter the country. The beauty, love, and care that seems to come to the surface when I look upon them and think of the generations that went before amazes me.

Summer Roses

Your hands hold roses always in a way that says
They are not only yours; the beautiful changes
In such kind ways,
Wishing ever to sunder
Things and things’ selves for a second finding, to lose
For a moment all that it touches back to wonder.

Richard Wilber



It is a quiet weekend. The kids left over a week ago for their annual 4H trip to San Juan Island. The sun has finally decided to shine more than one day in a row. The temp is perfect with a slight breeze. Went about the yard this morning taking pictures of some of the roses. If these roses can grow in this very neglected yard with little care they have to be some of the hardiest ever for this area.





Inga still makes me smile. She was in the shop for some major overhauls but she sounds and drives alot better. Between two cars there has been around $7,000 (choke) in car repair bills in the last six months. Just when you think there can't be any other major thing to go wrong it does :(
Driving around with her I've had people flash peace signs, honk and wave, call her a classic. With the "Slug Bug no hits back" when kids see her they start pummeling each other, here in the driveway or out on the road. I have never named a car before but here she is. People at work think she's very cute and ask about her almost daily. Just had to buy this license plate holder at the museum. I'm nuts over Sweden !


Mari, our eleven year old Lab/Whippet mix. I picked her up at the pound when she was around six months old. She was emaciated and shivering in the corner with her sad brown eyes. The vet figured she'd been abused,abandoned, and had resorted to eating manure to survive. She was very sick. I used to say she would be the best dog ever if no one came to visit. She was very nervous and unpredictable when anyone came around. She has mellowed quite a bit the last few years. It took almost nine years for that to happen. She loves "her kids" and is ecstatic when they wake up in the morning or come home from being out and about. She still plays like a puppy despite the gray around her muzzle. She takes after the Whippet side, certainly not the Lab side. She's very ladylike and water is only fit to drink, not to play in. Her silly names are - Mari Woof, Martita, Mari Woofer Woof, and Mars Bars.

The latest skein using BFL from :) Kristin.
I was up at 7AM and after making coffee headed right to the wheel !

I have not done much knitting. I am so embarrassed by all my UFO's that one day will pull them all out and count to perhaps, shame me into finishing them. My next life I'm coming back as an organized person

Finally

It's been the dampest, chilliest June I've ever remembered. A few weeks ago the news said it was warmer in Siberia than it was here ! Finally it's beautiful, sunny, and warm. The sunlight shining thru the leaves in the garden gives the plants a wonderful bright glow.

I was contacted by Pam Allen, now at Classic Elite Yarns, about some pictures of Sirkka Könönens work I had sent her while at Interweave. She loved the colorwork, as do I. She sent me some samples of their new Fall yarn "Fresco" created especially for colorwork. It's a blend of 60% wool, 30% baby alpaca, 10% angora and will come in 35-40 colors ! It feels wonderfully soft and I can't wait to find just the right project for it. It's my favorite shade of blue and natural.
Thank you Pam !!!











Thank you Barbro for arranging to buy and ship these books for me. I seriously have a problem here ! You are my personal Swedish enabler !

All things fiber

An idyllic scene of Freisian sheep grazing in the pasture.
A few weekends ago an afternoon was spent at the Fiber Frolic at Gretchen's Wool Mill.
Women spinning on the back deck, the whirl of wheels, the exchange of gentle conversation, and the sharing of ideas all made for a lovely day.














A month ago my two fleeces arrived from Wee Croft Finnsheep As soon as I opened the box I dove my hands into the lovely lanolin fiber and the scent made me miss not having sheep.


They are GORGEOUS. I love the silvery bits in the light fleece "Lilac"
"Sadie" is the other.





















It's hard not to be self critical of my early attempts at spinning. Don't look too closely ! I'm not usually an orange person but I was drawn to this cherry/orange combo from Allspunup

Stop and smell the flowers

The thoughts we choose to think are the tools we use to paint the canvas of our lives.

Louise Hay
Ryan set up the waterfall for me yesterday. The sound of trickling water is so soothing as I sit here and type.
Thank you Cindy for being so kind to take me to Flower World yesterday and plant up my pots.


Was up at Cindy's a few weeks ago. Sammy in his new cut getting ready to go to the trainers.
Their newest unnamed colt who's adorable.


I love barn swallows.




Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see the shadows.

Helen Keller


Very cute bag I bought on Etsy. Only $12 and Swedish colors to boot !
Little Sisters Creations

Earlier in the week met with Kristin and Tuulia. A fun morning of spinning, knitting, dyeing, and talk of Mr. Darcy who makes at least two of us drool !



Thanks Kristin for overdyeing this tweedy alpaca for me. Love the electric blue.

Life in general

The sun feels so good today. I have five days off to revel in it. For whatever reason my nerves are shot and the last few days even Inga couldn't make me smile. Sunshine should help though. Tried to putter outside this morning and groom DC and Sherman. Cheery Welsh poppies are blooming all over the backyard. My landscaping plan is the "Back to Nature" look !


Took a great mitten class from Tuulia
at the museum.

Aili's mittens
It's a fun and fast pattern. Used my all time favorite general purpose yarn Berocco Ultra Alpaca. It's heavenly soft and I didn't realize until I got to class that I chose Finnish colors !

Some of the samples she brought to show us.

My favorite- Kainuu mittens