Posted by: Mare F | April 12, 2015

Time to step out through the door.

This has been a very long, cold winter and I don’t think that it’s just been because I’m getting older. Yesterday we reached 53F, but the wind was battering the house all day long so while the sun was shining it really wasn’t very pleasant outside. On the plus side there is only one small island of snow left in the back (quite an accomplishment as we haven’t any trees in our yard) and I can clearly see all of my garden beds. The down side is that now I can see just how much clean up there is to do yet, but it will be rather enjoyable, I think, to be outside again doing some mindless physical activities. Fresh air is good!


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On Easter I couldn’t just dye eggs…I’ve been itching to dye for quite some time, but didn’t trust the temps in the mudroom to not wreak havoc with the jars. It’s warmer than outside in the mudroom, but not as warm as inside. Miss Kitty and Callie tend to get into everything so I try to keep the toxic stuff locked well away from them. I used up the rest of the mystery fleece and some Rit dyes that I was given to set up this batch which I hope will become felted beads soon. It worked out well – I used up some fleece, some dye, cleared up another bag of stuff from my stash room, and it will turn into stock for the shows…I’m feeling rather good about it. Oh, and we had a very good time dyeing the eggs as well.

 

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So, today’s plan, tentatively, is to go outside and begin the bed cleanup. I really did get sidetracked last fall with orders and was somewhat amazed at just how weedy, now dead weedy, the beds are, but it shouldn’t take too long to tidy (optimistically thought) them up and lay out the bricks for the mulched area around the flowering shrubs. This is to cut down the toing and froing with the mower in the summer and to cut down on raking in the fall….self-mulching you might say. In any event, it’s time to get out of the house and back into the dirt. It also helps a bit to have a wee one winking and waving at you from the debris, don’t you think? Do you have any gardening changes in mind for your yard this year?

 

 

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Posted by: Mare F | April 9, 2015

Reading Corner Thursday returns

As I’m certain I’ve commented every time I’ve returned from an absence it’s been a very busy and interesting time here in northwest CT. I don’t quite seem to accomplish as much as I’d like to do, but there has always been something going on. Since it’s the end of March and a particularly wicked winter my thoughts have moved on to the backyard and some of the planting I hope to do in a couple of months. This leads me to the book I’d like to talk about today.

 

harvesting color

This book has been my companion on several dreary winter afternoons over the past  month. I’ve used some of the information at my dyeing parties last summer and I look forward to actually adding some of the plants to my garden beds this year. The pictures are inspiring, the information easy to understand, and I think it makes a lovely addition to the library of anyone interested in natural dyes.

Posted by: Mare F | February 22, 2015

Crazy winter and wool

This year is speeding past me at an alarming rate of speed. It’s hard for me to believe that it’s almost March and I’ve been sidetracked from my path already. There has been much knitting and crocheting going on in my corner of the world, but life has also once again stepped in to trip me up. It still surprises me that this situation still surprises me. You’d think by now….But even though it’s already been a year of losses it has also been a year of gain as I believe most years end up being.

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My big soft scarves knitted up out of Bernat Blanket chenille on size 13 needles are proving to be rather popular. Now that I’ve gotten used to working with the chenille they are quite relaxing and they work up rather quickly. Plus they are warm sitting in my lap…always a bonus during a New England winter.

 

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I’ve started a Mermaid’s Tail afghan, by Susan Carlson,  for a friend’s granddaughter. She fell in love with the pattern so I’m working it up now. What a fun idea even if I’m not a fan of piecing things together. It has an interesting look to it and kudos to Ms. Carlson for her ingenuity.

 

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And I can’t say enough nice things about Knitpicks Billow cotton. It’s been a pleasure to work up and I love the Harris  Tweed Mobius scarf design I came up with for this project. It’s a brilliant alternative for people with wool allergies and I’m a bit ashamed that I didn’t think of this sooner. Thank you, Eileen, for bringing this to my attention and being such a wonderful source of inspiration. So how many different projects have you got going right now?

 

 

Posted by: Mare F | January 11, 2015

Fresh start

 

 

My goal for the beginning of this year was to not only try new patterns, but to make up stock items as well and so far it’s been going as planned. I’ve taken a hard look at my stash and, after the decision not to buy any more yarns unless it’s for a specific order, I’ve managed to resist all of the wonderful sales that have been going on at my favorite shops. It’s been tough! The inbox is a dangerous place for me. WEBS and Paradise Fibers are the most hazardous, but so far I’ve managed to stay on course and just head to my drawers of yarn when I want to play with something different.

 

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A friend was kind enough to measure her granddaughter’s head and neck for me so I could start making the children’s balaclavas that I’ve wanted to make for some time. I plan to have a good supply of them in a variety of colors and colorways. I think that the bright colors will appeal to children and possibly prompt them to dress for the weather….or at least not hate dressing for the weather.

building up the stock again 001I’ve also filled a big bag with some of the single skeins I’ve amassed that are fun or interesting colors and textures. These are the start to my keyhole scarf selection and of course, the flower pin finishes up the skein. These pins have been such a hit that I’m still a bit surprised. I must admit that they are rather fun to make.

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And I can’t forget the dish cloths. It was such a surprise to discover at the Vo-Ag Christmas fair that I had only blue and blue & white dish cloths left that I’ll be making them for quite some time. It seems to go much more quickly, though, when I don’t try to make a certain number of them all at once, but rotate through a few different pieces at a time. Not a hard concept, but one I’ve clearly missed for many years now. So long story short (I know, too late) my resolution to approach my studio work in an orderly manner with the emphasis on creation and a break on purchasing is going well into this second full week of the new year. How are you doing with your resolutions so far?

Posted by: Mare F | January 4, 2015

New Year’s Resolutions

 

Last year was a very hectic year for me and I fear that it’s because I let my organizational guard down. I changed my routine this year by playing with patterns and fibers earlier in the year and then got caught up in quite a few orders. I love that I have the orders – I get to design new scarf patterns for each person who orders them – but I didn’t get any additional stock made for the fall craft show that I do every year and to add to the madness I picked up 2 new shows. I decided last year to start doing more local shows again and I can’t imagine why I thought that all of the organizing and work would just magically happen. I’m brighter than that!

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Then I spend a wonderful summer dyeing wools and making crocheted flowers for my son’s wedding in September. 160 flowers to be exact. Why I never really factored the amount of time spent on these flowers into my studio time I will never know, but I can now see in a very big way just how much time was involved.

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And then off to Rhinebeck where I got some fun toys that I still haven’t had the opportunity to use. I have vowed to spend the time I have for my crafting in a much wiser manner this year, but still work in some new things while maintaining the old. Oh, and as for my stash….I’m going to tackle it with a single-minded determination that will see me in a much better place come summer. Have you made any resolutions or promises for this new year?

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Posted by: Mare F | December 18, 2014

Reading corner Thursday

The book I would like to talk about this week is to be published by Storey also. The Knitter’s Answer Book, 2nd edition by Margaret Radcliffe really is the answer book. I like that questions are simple, filled with commonsense, and the rather comforting feeling that I am not the only person to ask these questions – even after knitting for as many years as I have done. Again the directions are clear and the graphics are simple so using this book is a pleasant experience.

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Yesterday I was approached by a woman for whom I had knitted several scarves and she asked for a book for her daughter-in-law to use to move beyond her basic scarf knitting. I told her about the current edition, but also let her know that this one is to be published on Feb. 1, 2015. I know it will be on my shelf as soon as the mailman delivers it. I highly recommend this book for both the novice and the experienced knitter.

Posted by: Mare F | December 15, 2014

Reading Challenge

I’m signing up for the 2015 Witches & Witchcraft Reading Challenge at Melissa’s Eclectic Bookshelf because I enjoy paranormal books and this will inspire me to read more of them this year. Plus there are some wonderful knitting and weaving series with magical overtones…as it should be.  There is definitely something magical about working with fiber and I want to share the information with you!

 

2015 Witches &  Witchcraft Reading Challenge

Posted by: Mare F | December 14, 2014

Christmas Craft Fairs

Three weeks ago I attended the Christmas Craft Fair, hosted by the Northwestern Regional 7 FFA Chapter, and as usual I had a very good time. The crowds were steady throughout the day and I was lucky to be able to get to the FFA booth to buy some of their marvelous cider. There were almost a hundred vendors there, but because I got to meet so many wonderful people who stopped by my booth I saw very few of them and didn’t get to do any of my own Christmas shopping done. I’m not complaining, it was a very nice day, but I had hoped to bring home some of the gifts on my list from the show.

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This year I brought my hats back and I’m very glad that I did. It’s been a busy fall for me working on orders so I didn’t have the stock that I would normally do for this show and the hats fairly flew out of my booth. One young lady wore her hat out and only her grandmother and I got the reference to Minnie Pearl when I removed the tag! I also took some orders for tea cozies in colors I didn’t have made so I will  be able to get back into making them as well.

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Last weekend I was a vendor at Christmas in Riverton for the first time. It was a lovely 2 day event in spite of the dreary, rainy weather. I again met some lovely people and I really hope to do it again next year. We were set up in the show rooms of the old Hitchcock Chair factory and they decorated the space with trees, wreaths, and lights ahead of time. It was truly lovely. The only regret that I have is that by being a vendor I couldn’t go on the wine tour that they held on Friday night. Do you do any of your holiday shopping at Christmas fairs?

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Posted by: Mare F | December 11, 2014

Reading corner Thursday – in between

This week I would like to talk about the second edition of  The Crochet Answer Book by Edie Eckman. I received an advanced e-book copy to review and I must say that I am very impressed with what I read. It is a very comprehensive edition with clearly written instructions and nice, crisp graphics.

 

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I plan to add the print edition to my library for a couple of reasons. Occasionally I need a refresher on a stitch I haven’t used in some time plus I know that there are a few techniques I have yet to master. This book will cover both of these situations for me and I can also see this as an idea book for those rare moments when I can’t quite decide what to make next. There is so much information to be had in this book that it would be a shame not to have a copy on hand whether you are a brand new crocheter or you’ve been crocheting for years.

Posted by: Mare F | November 13, 2014

Reading corner Thursday

This week I want to mention Sally Goldenbaum’s Seaside Knitter’s mystery series. It involves a yarn shop, some fascinating people, a lovely setting, and a fine set of mysteries to enjoy all the while.

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The first book, Death by Cashmere also introduced me to Handmaiden Sea Silk yarns. The colors are truly breathtaking and the texture is delicious. I have only made one project with it, a lovely scarf for a dear friend, but it was a delight to knit.

 

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This book also has a beautiful lacy scarf pattern in it along with a bit of inspiration to make it. I highly recommend this series for an enjoyable afternoon with some engaging characters.

 

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