Neighbors of all kinds

So, as I packed my vehicle for my trip to Convergence I had an opportunity to chat with my neighbor. We did that neighbor thing, me letting her know I was going to be gone for a few days, her letting me know that there is an alligator in the lake we both live on.

Let me repeat that.....there's an alligator in my backyard. Still havent seen it, though it explains the big splash I saw by the edge of the lake before I left town.

This is a month after finding out that there is a beaver living on that lake. Haven't seen it either. Though I came home to find evidence of its existence.



That would be a sweetgum tree in the backyard. The chicken wire is courtesy of my neighbor, their porch overlooks this particular tree and they noticed the damage this morning over coffee. Not being sure when I was coming back, they were kind enough to go get this and to try to fence off my tree in case the beastie comes back tonight to finish its work. I have really lucked out in the neighbors department, this family is so sweet and has been great to know.

Apparently sweetgums are a delacacy for beavers....and "our" beaver had already taken out another one of these on the other side of the lake. The tree is about 12 inches in diameter, and that little section of bark on the right is pretty much the only bark left at that level. Good thing I'm off next week, I have to make an appointment with my tree guy to see how much the tree will be hurt by this.

Ah, the joys of homeownership!!!

Convergence Recap

I headed off to Tampa on Thursday to get in a few days of Convergence. There was a lot to see and buy! I wasn't as social as I had planned, but it was good to get a couple of days of quiet....I didn't take any classes, just spent a couple of days in the vendor hall. While there, I also spent some time working on my sample and proofing notes for an upcoming lace class. The sample has to be done for the shop in the next few days, so pictures of that will follow soon. Meanwhile, here are a couple of candids from the vendor hall.







All in all, it was a nice collection of vendors. I wish I had remembered to take a picture of Jason Collingwood's booth...very wonderful rugs there!

And here are the goodies that I brought home with me!!!



Starting at bottom left, several scissors (some for me, some for gifts!), frajolous fibers merino, support spindle, blocking wires kit, redbird camel/silk, bluster bay shuttle, Handweavers Pattern Directory, Peggy Osterkamp books 1 and 3, habu silk/stainless steel, cherry swift, habu silk, fiberlady bamboo. Not pictured are 2 wood shawl pins from knitting notions that are currently holding my hair back.





The trip down and back were great! It was great getting to know my travel companions and I'm looking forward to more trips in the future. When I got home, this greeted me, my fiber of the month from Spunky Eclectic....Merino with Mohair in the Flower Weeds colorway.

Summer Goals!

Ali at Skeins her Way is having a contest.

Being the eternal list maker, I just had to join in!! So here are my summer knitting goals:

1. Finish Feather and Fan Comfort Shawl.
2. Finish Clapotis.
3. Finish developing/prepping class projects for the summer.

Other crafting goals:

1. Get something on and off the loom!!!
2. Make progress on the Thanksgiving Tablecloth.
3. Grid my Nativity project.
4. Spend some time stitching Iris Windowgarden.

Other Goals:

FINISH REORGANIZING MY HOUSE!!!

Wish me luck!

Of sheep and fibercats

I'm home sick today. I started feeling bad at the end of last week, pushed myself through the weekend and started feeling worse yesterday afternoon. This morning, I was no better, so it seemed a good idea to stay in today and rest up. I still feel pretty bad, so the jury is still out on tomorrow.

So I thought I would catch up on my blogging! Less than great pictures, since I haven't moved much from my bed, but hopefully my male model (the fibercat) helps. His technique is a little frightening sometimes, but he is my sweet boy.

Anyway, when I finished my clutch, I found this cute little sheep pattern on Ravelry. I have no idea why I get so enamoured with toys, but I do. So I again broke my yarn ban and whipped up the various pieces and parts over the last few days. Between naps and a quick trip for some fiberfill, I ended up with a faceless sheep (that looks slightly like a pig!). I originally planned to embroider a face, but I'm not sure I will.









The fibercat moved too fast for me, so I wasn't able to get the shot of him biting or licking the sheep. Can't blame him, he has several toys made out of lamb's pride worsted and loves them. Judging from his actions around the ozark handspun in the ball, this little guy will definately have to be moved to a safer location.

Anyway, this pattern worked up very quickly and was a lot of fun. I definitely want to do another on a smaller scale.

Lack of planning on my part

Note to self, when you leave for work in a hurry and forget your knitting, its pretty much guaranteed that you have a sit and knit planned that night. I tried to be a brave soul, rearranged the front cabinet at the LYS, ate dinner, etc.....but those needles flying around me were just too much. This



became this headband in short order:



I'm also doing a quick scrunchie in this same yarn. At the sight of it, my model quickly turned on me and decided that he needed it more than I.

Challenge Follow up

So far so good. No yarn purchases so far, though the LYS is doing its job!!! She's got some lovely stuff in this week. Please go buy it!