Happy Thanksgiving!

I'm giving thanks for all my many blessings.

Catching Up

Yikes! It has been a week since I arrived home from Retreat and I'm still playing catch up at home and at work.

Retreat was wonderful. Hanging out with my sisters. Visiting with old friends and meeting new friends. Went for a walk around the grounds with Ally (5 yo granddaughter of Conni from Missouri). We graded the leaves for crunchiness as Ally jumped on them .. the crispy one won. =) Ally was such a good girl. She entertained herself and us too!

I made a few pairs of earrings and a fob to hold the latch on my laptop case closed. I also finished two hats and a scarf, all commissioned pieces. I planned to work on two child sized sweaters but there was too much distraction for a first time pattern.

Christine, Phyllis and I went to Sheep Street on Saturday. I bought oil for Jezebel and a cone of slubby linen/rayon to use on a weaving project this winter. It was so nice to visit the shop with like minded folks. Angela is getting better but unless DebJo dozes off in the car she still whines a bit if I go over my one hour limit. (smile)

Better close now and go do laundry ... part of that catching up business don't you know.

Packing for Retreat

My sisters and I will be attending a quilt retreat November 10th -November 14th. Angela is the hostess so we will be there early Wednesday to set up and have everything ready for the ladies. This time there will be a mix of old friends and new friends. Several of the first time attendees are from Indiana which is a little different and very cool.

The photo I have posted is of the conference center at Camp Camby. The front part of the building is the kitchen and restrooms. The round barn-like part is our "sewing room".

Sister DebJo and I are the non quilters attending again this time. I plan to take Jezebel and wool so hopefully Christine can help me figure out why I can't get the spun yarn to take up on the bobbin. I have been commissioned to crochet two child size sweaters and three little boy hats so they are going with me. I told DebJo I would take my jewelry stuff so we can make earrings together. I think Angela plans to take mostly handwork too. She still isn't feeling up to par. =(

Time spent with my sisters and friends is something I've been looking forward too. Our meals are catered and everyone brings their favorite snacks. We will talk, work, eat and relax ... not necessarily in that order. ;^)

My neighbor, Nicholas, and niece, Heather, will keep the farm going while I'm away. Daddy will be periodically checking in too. It is so good to have family and neighbors you can count on!

Indiana Fiber & Music Festival

Angela and I have been accepted as vendors at the Indiana Fiber & Music Festival. This is a new festival and we are excited to be vending in a new area.

April 30 to May 1, 2011, Clark County 4H Fairgrounds, Charlestown , Indiana

Last Day of Market

Yesterday was the last day of the 2010 Market season. I had mixed feelings about the day. I was sad that I wouldn't be seeing the vendors and customers I came to enjoy visiting with every Saturday. On the other hand I look forward to sleeping in a little on Saturday mornings and need to be refreshed with that extra rest. Market was great but I'm worn out.

With the change in season Angela is having trouble with Lupus and we would covet healing prayers. She was unable to attend Market the last two weekends and very disappointed to miss the last day. She was particularly sad to miss baby Viola the Market baby and a special favorite. I was told there is a get-together planned for the vendors in February so that is something to look forward to.

Talking with customers has given us ideas for next year so we will be busy over the winter knitting and crocheting.

Wishing us all a blessed week!

P.S. I appreciate the compliments on my hand-dyed yarn!

Handpainted Yarn

I thought I would share a photo of some of the yarn I have been offering at Market. Most of the yarn is Merino or a Merino/Silk blend. I mainly used acid dyes but also a small amount of Kool-Ade in some cases to get a particular colorway. Some of the yarns are indigo dyed and vary in blue tones.

Angela took photos of our offerings to send with our 2011 show applications. We are planning to attend two shows before Market commences next Spring.With Market beginning just a few weeks after the last show we will need to work hard over the Winter months. [smile]

The Drought Continues.

We haven't had any significant rain since the first week of July. It was a few days after that rain when I planted the new front garden ... not the good timing I thought it was.

A week ago I planted my nectarine tree and truly longed for a pickax of my very own. The dab of rain the day before showed in the one half inch of slightly damp top soil. I have never dug into soil so dry. It was crazy! The hole should have been a little deeper but I wasn't woman enough to make it happen.

After the tree was placed into the hole I poured in a gallon and a half of water. While the root ball soaked up the moisture I carried over some of the good stuff from under Sunny Bunny's hutch. I mixed the "stuff" with a bit of the soil and back-filled the hole then watered again. To mulch around the tree (and to also keep the feral cats away from the loosened soil) I used the top and bottom from a pizza box. A slit went from the edge of the cardboard, then a circle was cut from each box and then they were placed around the base of the tree. It has worked well.