MIA

No, I wasn't swallowed by my stash. Work has been a little unsettling with staffing changes and impending deadlines. That rolled right into Thanksgiving, which was quite lovely at my grandmother's house. I was extremely thankful for the wonderful family I had and glad that I only had to bring a dish on Thursday instead of cooking and cleaning (because, wasn't I originally planning to have my house reorganized and flooring installed by last week?).

Oh well, there is always next year!

So, back to my weekend! Some shopping was done and improvements were made to the studio closet reorganization before a crashing migraine basically sucked the life out of me. Two and a half days of eyeball crushing pain followed. A shot from the Drs, new meds, and a whole lot of eyes-closed time and I'm a new woman!

Today was my first day back at work and it continues to be hopping. But deadlines are almost here and then it will be Christmas.


(insert scream here.)



Just kidding. It's not that bad. I've pretty much figured out what I'm getting folks and since I'm not knitting much - none of the gifts are knitting! Actually I'm considering doing some premie caps/blankets for a charity drive that work is doing, but the current state of the wrists is arguing against it.

My biggest trick will be to get leave the week before Christmas so I can have a mother-daughter day to celebrate my mother's birthday. I'm thinking manicures/pedicures for both of us and then maybe a massage for mom?

Today's blog inspirations.... I've found Leigh's fiber blog, where she is currently doing a few posts on twills. And Sweet Georgia seems to be back in the blogsphere with knitting and weaving goodness as well.

Is is a surprise that the loom is calling to me? Time to play!


PS, I'm not really sure why a lot of my posts are centered. I must have zigged when I should have zagged on the template. Love it or hate it?

A Fibery Wishlist

I've been trying to put together a wish list for myself, partly to address questions about Christmas, partly to try and structure myself a little bit. Because let's face it, I'm a little all over the place right now. My decluttering is a bit at a standstill at the moment and its hard for me to even think about bringing one more thing into my house.

So to help me plan for the future, I'm brainstorming and have a challenge to all...what's on your list?

1. Schacht Matchless. I haven't actually spun on this thing, but it really is one of my dream wheels. It is definitely on the long-term list. I'd also love a Saxony style wheel but the space requirements are a little too much for me at the moment.

2. Flip rigid heddle loom. Another long-term item, I really need to spend some time on the equipment I have!

3. Strauch Drum Carder. Since I will likely be doing mainly fiber blending with an occasional fleece, I could get by with the Petite. The Finest is very nice looking though.

4. Bobbins for my Joy, both standard and for the woolee winder.

5. Indigo Hound Viking Combs. More fiber prep tools. Could be kinda dangerous for me though, but FUN!

6. Books, Books, Books, and a DVD or two

7. Yarn. Methinks this is self-explanatory. Paula knows what's on my wish list these days. While not the best idea (since I'm not knitting so much these days), one day my hands will be better. Besides, I have some cashmere there that is waiting for me right now. (Why, yes, I do have more projects that I will finish in a lifetime, why do you ask? Besides, what better way to live for forever?) Surprisingly, weaving yarn is not on the wish list right now - I have a bunch of 5/2 and 10/2 that I working through. I want to try more, but I need to get a little more learning on this hobby before I am ready to branch out.

8. Pretty much any stitching gadget or a chart by Mirabilia or Teresa Wentzler. (yeah, the project list is long here too, but it just wouldn't be right to not include it)

9. New ipod. My old 40 GB ipod went toes up a few months back. Not so fibery, except that's my access to Syne, Miss Lime and Miss Violet, Kelley, Brenda, and the rest!

10. KnitPicks Harmony Needles. A girl can never have enough needles yanno? These look soooo great and I've heard great things about them.

11. No wish list would be complete without a wish that others receive. They even offer a knitting basket.

Whew! Weekend wrap-up to come, but for now, I've gotta get some laundry done!

Plans and progress, or lack of both

It's hard to post about project progress when you aren't making any progress!

OK, slight exaggeration, but I'll be back soon with some pics and plans.

Mixed bag

Well the yard sale did not get a lot of traffic, which was fairly frustrating. But some things went home with others and I learned a few things from the experience. I also put several inches onto my "car" project (sugar n cream washcloth).

A little yarn stash enhancement and time with friends lightened my mood though. Malabrigo laceweight, Fleece Artist BFL 2/8, and Handmaiden Lace Silk to the rescue!



Indoor shot today, sans the handmaiden lace silk, with Clara Parkes' new book and some lantern moon needles. The backdrop is my renegade fluffy shawl which is a ultra comfy thing for me and this guy on a cool morning:



While he is a major fiber fiend, he's not fond of being a model. I try not to tempt him too much as it ends up with him trying to eat something and me getting upset. But since he is the lap cat, he tends to get stuck with modeling occasionally:





And then I get a face like this



His sister tends to be more photogenic,
but she doesn't tend to cooperate for the camera



OK, enough rambling about cats.....Today, I am supposed to go to a Weaver's Guild meeting. But I also need to take care of lots of stuff around the house and do some work to prep for meetings I have tomorrow. So, the meeting may be out, in favor of being both prepared and appropriately dressed for tomorrow's meetings! But maybe I can sit in front of the loom for a little while today!

Committed, as in "I am" or "I should be"?

Today I made an executive decision. I'm having a garage sale.

I've actually been thinking about this for the last few days.....I'm just feeling so overwhelmed by my stuff. And having trouble with this whole, "I have to declutter the house by thanksgiving so I can have my family over and not feel I have to close doors." So, I'm grabbing the stuff that is currently in sight and in my way and offering it up to complete strangers for pennies on the dollar.

So, the ad is in place and I am trying to figure out how much I should price things for and what else I can separate myself from. And trying to keep my momentum going to let go of things, since I am far too sentimental about my stuff.

I know, it is just stuff. And I am so not the person I was when I bought much of it. So why keep it? Time to move on.