Winter has Arrived!

I find it hard to believe how quickly December is speeding by. It's looking like we will have a very White Christmas. I have spent a lot of time in the last few days shoveling. Today it took me almost 2 hours to shovel the driveway and front walkway. I was so proud of me-I even managed to shovel the end of the driveway after the snowplows passed by several times. It helped that it was relatively light snow. I'm looking forward to a nice soak in the clawfoot tub later.

By the end of the winter this pile of snow will be my nemesis (a formidable and usually victorious rival or opponent). The end of the driveway becomes narrower and narrower as the winter progresses and this pile gets higher and higher and it is harder and harder to throw the snow on top of the ever growing pile.

Here's a view of my winter garden. This is a chair that was not put away when all the other outdoor furniture was put away (why would that be Tim, Travis and Caitlin?) and it was lying down under the snow. I was able to extricate it and it has been safely stored, so it will see another summer. I don't think it could have survived a winter outside.

I had to shovel so I could get to the post office to mail my very late samples for Phat Fiber. This month the theme is "The Music Box" and I chose one of my favorite songs by Gordon Lightfoot to interpret called "Song for a Winter's Night". I dyed merino/nylon superwash sock yarn and created a batt from alpaca, merino, wensleydale, romney, tencel, superwash merino and angelina. I am loving the batts and think I may have to spin one myself.

The batt is black with some midnight blue and gold with dark blue angelina. The yarn is dyed in shades of midnight blue, sapphire, denim blue and gold. They will be available in my Etsy shopthis weekend following the box drop.

I had so many people at the Craft, Food and Wine show ask me where they could get my yarn and fiber locally that I have decided to set up a little shop in my front living room. (It's convenient to have three living rooms.) This is how it looked in the beginning.

As usual, I had a cat helper, which made it so much easier to accomplish my task and get the living room looking like this.

A visit to the shop will be by appointment-just send an email and a time will be arranged. This will also make filling Etsy orders easier-to have everything out and easily accessible. I filled an order this afternoon and it was lovely to just go the basket and pull the yarn. The yarn is already on it's way to California.

I'd better go and check to make sure the dastardly snow plows have not blocked me in . Stay warm!

It Looks Like I Lied

It seems that I wasn't really back when I said I was on March 16th. I apologize, and hope that there are one or two people still checking this old, sad blog. It's been a difficult few months. I'm hoping the arrival of spring and some sunshine are going to be helpful.

I have been doing a lot of thinking about this blog, and I have missed writing, but felt blocked from writing. This is supposed to be a knitting, spinning and dyeing blog with bits of my life thrown in. Part of what has inhibited me and stopped me from writing is those constraints I have place on myself. I am removing those constraints, so when you check in here I can't guarantee what you will find. There's no question there will still be dyeing, spinning and knitting but I have a feeling more of my real life will be sneaking in, I've also changed the name of the blog to Moonlight and Laughter, but the address is still the same-www.dyeingtospin.blogspot.com.

That being said, lets talk about dyeing. I have been busily dyeing fiber for the monthly Spindies Artists' Paintbox and Complements Box. The colors this month are still a secret but they both remind me of the ocean, and make me miss New Jersey. Travis is in Atlantic Highlands now visiting, and I am envious. I need to get down there before I have to start that stupid full time job that is looming in my future.

I will be making batts for the Phat Fiber Sampler box today at some point. The fiber is all dyed and ready to blend into batts. The theme this month is Blossoms and Bark. I dyed some worsted weight yarn in pretty blossom colors inspired by apple blossoms and gerber daisies, and now am making a bark batt inspired by a walk Travis, Cailtin, Conor and their friend Brian and I took into an old growth Adirondack forest a couple of years ago.

It was an awe inspiring experience, seeing these giant trees that had withstood all the harshness that is a part of the nature of the Adirondacks for hundreds of years.

Iit was hard to take photos that could show the grandeur and immensity of these beautiful, ancient trees. I think showing us standing beside one helps a little in showing their size.

It was a day I will always remember-a beautiful, crisp fall day in the Adirondacks, sharing it with my children and their friend and being totally awed by nature once again. I feel so fortunate to live in an area that has such beauty, and I truly am inspired by that nature when it comes to the fiber colors I create.

It's time to go and have some coffee. I am also inspired by Tim's great coffee. It helps keep me going and is so delicious that I have been spoiled when it comes to drinking other coffee. And some very exciting news is that he is buying a coffee shop and is going to be adding a bakery too. I can't wait-it's going to be so much fun.

A Time For Dyeing

I keep forgetting this is Memorial Day weekend.  Conor has strep throat, and somehow his being so sick has made me forget that this is a holiday weekend.  Antibiotics are a wonderful thing, and he is feeling better this evening. This means that he will be in rare form tomorrow night and will be mightily lobbying to be able to stay out really, really late to make up for not having been able to go out last night and tonight.  If you look up the word persistent in the dictionary you will see Conor's picture.  It amazes me that he still hasn't figured out that I am not going to suddenly change my mind and say "Sure,  honey.  Stay out as late as you want. " 

On the dyeing front, I spent yesterday and today dyeing several pounds of fiber and yarn.  I dyed my first milk fiber and it is very soft, not just in feel, but in the way the fiber takes the dye. This is my "Marilla's Flower Garden" colorway and it looks totally different from the way it looks on any other fiber or yarn I have dyed in this colorway.  That's what is so much fun about dyeing!  It's a constant surprise how things are going to turn out.

 I dyed a lot more "Rainbow Connection" sock yarn also, which was the sample that I sent in for May's Shower and Flower themed Phat Fiber box.   I am also working on my Phat Fiber Sampler box samples for June. The theme is Oceanic, which is a theme that encompasses a large number of possibilities.  I'm just not sure what direction to take.  I have been  thinking of only sending in fiber samples, because fiber seems to be the thing that people are most excited about when they receive the boxes, but I have received more positive responses to my yarn samples for May than for my fiber samples.  I'm so confused-a not unusual state for me.  Here's some more of what I dyed yesterday.  Tomorrow morning I'm looking forward to rinsing what I dyed today and seeing what emerges.

Tomorrow we had better spend a little time on outside chores.  There is a lot of weeding to do. Plants are growing like crazy.  It hasn't been that warm yet, but we have had a lot of rain.  I have some wildflowers which have come back this year-very exciting.

We need to get the pool open, but that requires pumping out the pool cover, which requires removing all the leaves from the fall.  I think Conor has done a pretty good job of removing them, so we'll be borrowing my brother's pump and getting the water out.  The cover is also a massive mosquito breeding place, another reason to get it off the pool.  The weather has been so chilly that there hasn't been much motivation to get the pool open, but I want it to be ready on the off chance that we actually get warm weather.  I live in the land of optimism.

Thinking about all that needs to be done tomorrow is making me think I'd better get myself to sleep, so I have lots of energy to accomplish my tasks.  I think I may have promised the boy a trip to the mall too.  Silly me.

Lambs, Dyeing and Milk Fiber

Posts  two days in a row-the stars must be in alignment, or maybe it's because I am once again able to write a post while sitting in bed.

I went to visit my friend Andrea on Friday, who very kindly gave me some perennials for my garden, and also gave me the opportunity to visit with two newborn lambs-two little boys-one black and one white. At this point, their names are Salt and Pepper.

The Mom was not very happy with Andrea's dog which had come into the stall.  The sheep kept stamping her foot at the dog, to warn her to stay away from her babies. 

I spent some time last week dyeing, partially to get ready for the Phat Fiber May Box, whose theme is Showers and Flowers.  I dyed superwash merino fiber for the flowers part of the theme, using one of my favorite garden color combinations of purple and orange, with a little bit of green for the foliage and some brown for the earth in the garden.  I cleverly named the colorway Marilla's Garden.  Sometimes the hardest part of creating a colorway is the naming.

  

Here's the roving drying in the back yard.  It was a great day for drying fiber-sunny and windy. The only problem was that the wind kept blowing over the drying racks, but I eventually made a barricade with patio furniture so that the rack stayed upright.

I also sent samples of a sock yarn in the colorway Rainbow Connection.  When I first began dyeing Conor requested that I dye rainbow yarn and make him a pair of socks from the yarn. I have dyed several rainbow variations, but I am happiest with the sample for this month's box. I thought I had a picture to show you, but when my computer crashed I lost a lot of photos, and pictures of the rainbow yarn must have been in the group that was lost.  I have them on a memory card, but I have spent the whole day searching and can't find that card.  I am sure I put it in a very safe place, I just have to figure out what that place is.

The other exciting fiber event for me was the arrival of milk fiber, which I listed in my etsy shop today.  It is a fiber which has been around for a long time, made from casein, which is a milk product.  Milk fiber has the same PH as human skin, is anti-bacterial and has wicking properties similar to wool, so it is great fiber for making socks.  It is really, really soft, and a beautiful creamy color.  I can't wait to start dyeing it, and to use it in the creation of some of my batts.  Do you like my artistic photo of the milk fiber?

Tomorrow Andrea's husband John is coming to put an outlet in my basement so I can use my old stove for dyeing.  The stove has been sitting idly in the basement since I bought a new stove last summer.  I will be able to do some kettle dyeing now, which up to this point,I haven't been able to do, and I am looking forward to it.  It is a technique that is quite a bit less time consuming than hand painting the fiber and yarn, and it also will allow me to create a different type of look for the fiber.  Fun, fun, fun!

I had better go to sleep, and tonight I have to be sure to set my alarm.  I overslept this morning,  I would swear I set the alarm.  Sometimes I think Seamus and Gerard go for walks on my bedside table at night and turn off the alarm.  They deny it though.

Knit Night at the Library

Despite the continuation of my sickness, I have been instructed that I must come to knitting at the library tonight.  I think I can handle it, a two minute drive and sitting in a comfortable chair knitting dishcloths, because that is all I seem to be capable of knitting at this time.  And since I have about 100 skeins of dishcloth cotton, it seems like a good thing to be doing.  I have been making a circular dishcloth pattern and am trying to figure out why it is so much faster to knit than a square or rectangular cloth of the same size.  

I also started a kitchen hand towel from a pattern in Mason Dixon Knitting Outside the Lines.  It's fun and going quickly.  I think I might draw the line at making a Swiffer cover though.  Although it would be a money saving thing to reuse instead of throwing away the pads.  It depends on how much longer I am enamored of Peaches and Cream dishcloth cotton.  I have also been contemplating using some to make a string bag for shopping.  For that project, crocheting would win over knitting-lots faster and only one huge hook to hold instead of two giant needles.

Want to see a picture of my granddog? Begonia and Travis came to visit me at Caitlin's apartment.  She is HUGE! and only 8 months old.  She is very sweet as well, and loves stuffed animals.  Every fifteen minutes or so she would disappear into Caitlin's bedroom and come out with a different stuffed animal or cat toy.  I wonder how Caitlin's cat feels about having her toys slobbered on by a huge Newfoundland.  

Isn't Begonia cute?

Here she is modeling a scarf I made for Catilin out of Noro Yarn.  It's good to know my knitted gifts are appreciated.

And here is Begonia with Travis.  I think this picture gives a sense of what an immense dog she is.  Travis is 6 feet tall, to give a size reference.   It will be interesting to see how big she will be when she is full grown.  

Since this blog is not just about my state of health, or the animals in my family, here is a new colorway I dyed recently.  It reminds me of springtime in the Adirondacks, and is called Trillium.  It is part of my contribution to the Phat Fiber Sampler box this month, which goes on sale on the 17th, I believe.  There is a lot of anticipation building once again for the release of the box.  I hope people are a little more understanding this time around about the limited availability, and that they play nice when talking about Jessie and the box.

Is It Really Wednesday?

Wow, that week went fast.  Here we are back to spinning Wednesday.   That week just flew by.  I was able to go to spinning today, since the car had oil in it, I believe, even though the oil light comes on whenever I start the car.  I'm sure that is not a problem though, right?  Because after driving for about a mile, it goes off.  

Spinning was fun, as always.  A friend of Andrea's gave her some old knitting books, and Andrea brought a pattern book from the 1950's to show us, which used potholder looms and loops to make beautiful hats, slippers, and purses, as well as other accessories too numerous to mention. I think it is an awesome thing that one can not only wear an attractive hat, but if wearing it while cooking, it can do double duty as a pot holder if the need arises.

Do you remember the potholder looms?  We still have a two of them, along with some cotton loops, on the third floor. And I am pretty sure that there are a couple of potholders at camp made by either me or one of my siblings which are still keeping our hands protected after many years of service.  

I took these pictures on the way to knitting at the library.  This picture is looking to the east-

And this picture is facing looking to the west-

I found the sky to be very foreboding, which is why I stopped to take the pictures.  I find inspiration for my dyeing in the colors that  appear in the sky, not only at obvious times like sunset and sunrise, but with different weather conditions too.  I am challenged to attempt to recreate the colors I see in fiber.

It is really windy here tonight, and I am unnerved by the howling I am hearing.  I used to enjoy listening to the wind, but since shingles have started blowing off my garage and house, I have a different viewpoint.  I am looking forward to better weather so I can get the missing shingles replaced, both on the garage and the house.  One of my least favorite ways to spend money, on household repairs, but it must be done.  I would much rather buy fleece or yarn.

Speaking of yarn and fleece, I received an e-mail today from one of  my etsy customers, who is stationed in Europe.  She was very happy with her purchase and said "you've succeeded in your quest, soft, wonderful wool in wonderful colors at great prices. I'm just thrilled.  Be proud, your yarn has hit Europe & will be shown off here shortly!!'   

How awesome is that?  It did make me feel quite proud of what I am accomplishing.  And I just purchased more roving, so am looking forward to getting back in the basement and getting some dyeing done.  One of the reasons I am hesitating to dye is that it is very cold in the basement.  Another reason to be glad spring is coming.

Once again, Trina and I were the only knitters at the library.  I took a picture of the fireplace, in case that might entice someone to come and join us.  It is very warm and cozy, and it would be nice to share some of that warmth with some other knitters or crocheters.  The chairs in front of the fireplace are quite comfy as well.

I finished the socks I started on Saturday while knitting at Mountain Gift & Powder. 

 They are made from a Fleece Artist kit holding a stand of mohair and a strand of wool together.  They look so soft and warm I want to put them on, but I can't because they are part of my Christmas gift stash for next year.  I am making progress on my sweater also.  I only have a few more rows to knit on the front, then I will do the sleeves and I will be done.  I've been slightly nervous that I wouldn't have enough yarn to finish the sleeves, but it looks like it's going to be alright.  I will be very happy to finish this sweater and move on.  

It's getting close to Phat Fiber Sampler Box time for March.  We were mentioned in the issue of Knitty which came out today, and it's very exciting to be a part of this endeavor.  For those who don't know, "Phat Fiber is a mystery box of awesome samples for the yarn and fiber enthusiast in us all. With a focus on the independent artisan, this box is a super grass-roots treat for the senses. When your box arrives, chock full of samples, expect to be overwhelmed with the sight and feel of artful yarns, bits of roving, small batts, stitch markers, original patterns, valuable discount coupons and much much more. Inside, you could find anything that yarn and fiber enthusiasts would love...even an herbal tea or two! Phat Fiber seeks to bridge the gap between talented online artisans and consumers hungry to support the independent small business."  

And finally, here is a picture taken over the weekend of my granddog Begonia, who is getting bigger by the day.  She is very sweet, and as you can see, still thinks she is a lap dog. That is Travis she is sitting upon.  I was standing up and she came and sat at my feet and leaned on me, and she almost pushed me over, not an easy thing to do.