Geesh......I have been under the weather for a few days...normal for me. I have good stretches and bad... Life in the food chain !
I HATE SOCKS!!!!!!!! Well at least I hate wearing them.. I am an old hippie ( according to my youngest kid ) and love the feel of my bare tootsies ! Au naturele..all the way. The first thing I do after walking in the door at home is to kick off my shoes. I even take them off at work, as I do not share an office with anyone. My feet and ankles swell as the day wears on any way, so I delay putting shoes on until I have to leave for the day.
I sometimes take them off on my commuter bus and when I am driving. One of my ideas of maximum comfort !
I LOVE MAKING SOCKS !!!!!! Any pattern, size, shape you name it . They are "almost" the perfect thing to take on my commuter bus. As I mentioned before, in a previous post, it is a long three hour round trip ride. However, as we do not always get the same bus, I say "almost" because, as Guido says in his song " if the bus stays steady", it can be a somewhat dangerous proposition whenever we have to come to an abrupt stop on the NYS Thruway. Your needles poke into such things as the fabric of the chair in front of you or, saints preserve us, living flesh !
Yes, I use double points as I really like them. I know how to knit all the various ways, top down, bottom up. Two socks on two circs etc... but I just like double points. Maybe it puts me touch with the ancestors somehow ;-)
I like to refer to socks as a functional way to swatch. Very quick and easy. Oh by-the-by, I do make two before setting off to work on something else, correcting a bad, long term habit.
ON TO PODCASTS- glad to see (or hear) fibercast is back again. The host is located in New England and talks about our area a lot, so it is nice to have someone close to home.
With the long commute I have, it is a perfect time to listen to podcasts. I have a Motorola cell phone that has an I-Pod installed in the phone. Even though it only has 512MB of memory, it is sufficient to download enough podcasts to keep me entertained for the long ride.
Some of my favorites are:
Cast On - I am not always interested in some of the information Brenda Dayne shares with her audience and I'm not wild about music included on some podcasts, but I do enjoy her approach to the subject of knitting and spinning
Its a Purl Man- I have to admit Guido brings out a maternal something in me when I listen to his podcast. OK.... momentary pause for all of you to gag.... He just seems to be the "genuine article" and not put on and I enjoy the people he interviews, more grass roots if you will.
Besides how can you not love someone who is attempting to knit his own huppah !?!
Britknit Cast and Lixie knits - They are british....and as I am 1/2 a brit what more do I need to say. The accents alone make me feel at home ...but thats a story for another time.
Sticks and Strings - love the idea of podcasts from other countries. Sharing a world wide interest is great. I just wish more people would join in from other areas. I know, the language barrier....
The Kniting Cook - Fun concept and some good recipes. Besides, she is now living in Germany and does go into her travels as part of the cast.
Weavecast - Good interviews and good info. I think this is the only weaving podcast, which suprises me. Correct me if I am wrong.
I do enjoy other casts that have good knitting, spinning and other craft content. I don't enjoy others that are too focused on the hosts rather than the fiber content. Enough said.....
Tug on the left ear ;-}
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
WHAT DO YOU KNOW !
What a hoot ! One of our sort of local newspapers came last night to cover our pillowcase making marathon. I think most of us were so busy we did not notice. Our president e-mailed us today to let us know that it did make today's paper. Nice to see a positive article in the paper for a change.
Our local ,very small town, newspaper apparently didn't find it newsworthy...need I say more ?
Just received the latest Spin-Off magazine in the mail. I always find something in this magazine that revs up my fiber head !
I was inspired by Peter Teal's article "The Spindle Box". I do know how to turn wood, so I am psyched to run to the nearest Lowe's or Home Depot ( nearest is a relative term given where I live ! ) to start collecting "stuff" for the project. I always make-do with other items when plying off my spindles, but this will be a good challenge for me.I have made spindles before.. dowels, toy wheels that I decorated with paint or carved or wood burned, but this will be the first attempt at turning whorls...wish me luck ! I will post my progress/process as soon as I get started.
I am also so happy to see the article about Tom Forrester. I have collected his spindles since about 2000 and they are some of my favorite. Most of mine came from French Hill Farm in Maine. www.frenchhillsheepandwool.com I have larger and smaller whorls and all different weights. They are a delight to spin on. A far cry from the older bottom whorl drop spindles that one could find in the '60's.
Still working on getting a better digital camera, as I do enjoy blogs that have relevent pictures. that is as long as it isn't overkill !
Tug on the left ear,
LRW
Our local ,very small town, newspaper apparently didn't find it newsworthy...need I say more ?
Just received the latest Spin-Off magazine in the mail. I always find something in this magazine that revs up my fiber head !
I was inspired by Peter Teal's article "The Spindle Box". I do know how to turn wood, so I am psyched to run to the nearest Lowe's or Home Depot ( nearest is a relative term given where I live ! ) to start collecting "stuff" for the project. I always make-do with other items when plying off my spindles, but this will be a good challenge for me.I have made spindles before.. dowels, toy wheels that I decorated with paint or carved or wood burned, but this will be the first attempt at turning whorls...wish me luck ! I will post my progress/process as soon as I get started.
I am also so happy to see the article about Tom Forrester. I have collected his spindles since about 2000 and they are some of my favorite. Most of mine came from French Hill Farm in Maine. www.frenchhillsheepandwool.com I have larger and smaller whorls and all different weights. They are a delight to spin on. A far cry from the older bottom whorl drop spindles that one could find in the '60's.
Still working on getting a better digital camera, as I do enjoy blogs that have relevent pictures. that is as long as it isn't overkill !
Tug on the left ear,
LRW
Monday, March 19, 2007
WHAT LIFE SHOULD BE ALL ABOUT
I just got home from my quilt guild meeting. We did not meet, instead it was a very well attended work detail.
Our guild was called upon, several years ago, to make pillowcases for the pediatric oncology unit of the largest hospital in the northeast section of NY state. We made many that year and the unit head has now asked for more. The children get to take these colorful, themed cases home with them when they leave the unit. What we didn't know, until now, is that many of them bring the cases with them any time they need to go back for more treatment. The cases have made a small but positive impact on the children's lives.
About forty of us worked, from cutting all the way to labeling and packaging. We we able to make 150 + in about 2 hours, even with a quick dinner break.
We all agreed at the completion, that, even though we jumped to the call, we hope we are not called on again for quite a while.
tug on my left ear ;-0
LRW
Our guild was called upon, several years ago, to make pillowcases for the pediatric oncology unit of the largest hospital in the northeast section of NY state. We made many that year and the unit head has now asked for more. The children get to take these colorful, themed cases home with them when they leave the unit. What we didn't know, until now, is that many of them bring the cases with them any time they need to go back for more treatment. The cases have made a small but positive impact on the children's lives.
About forty of us worked, from cutting all the way to labeling and packaging. We we able to make 150 + in about 2 hours, even with a quick dinner break.
We all agreed at the completion, that, even though we jumped to the call, we hope we are not called on again for quite a while.
tug on my left ear ;-0
LRW
Saturday, March 17, 2007
SNOW, ICE AND COLD ! OH MY !
Yes, the weather is being typical for March around here. Last week one day that reached about 65* and then by the weekend another Nor-east er!
We didn't get as much as eastern NY, western New England and the Catskill mountains, thank goodness !
That would have been too much on top of the three + feet we got about a month ago in one storm ! Yup...love that lake effect snow.
Not really complaining..just hard to get home last night. It adds one and 1/2 hours on to an already very long commute. I'm just glad it was Friday night.
I was also glad we were not snowed in. because we wanted to get to a Jo-Ann's fabric store to take advantage of their 50% off coupons. I have been on the mailing list for a long time and use coupons to buy " big ticket items".
Because there were so many of them this week ( plus one of my kids had some as well ) I was able to buy:
A fabric Calculator for quilting ( A big help, as I was never good at math ! )
The largest Olfa deluxe rotary cutter, plus a pack of five blades
The Sculpey oven, pasta machine and bead rack ( kids will "play" with this stuff for jewelry making ) ;-)
No I don't indulge this way very often, but these were things I have been needing/wanting for a while. I usually spend my coupons on reference craft books, but they didn't have any decent books this time. Ah well................
We also went to the best ( in my opinion) library in the area ( about a 45 min. drive) as we do once every couple of months. We usually get many books out and then slowly return them to our small "local" library. The larger branch will come and do a pick up each week. Our system is great and we can renew online and now have access to an audio books program online as well. This is a wonderful resource and I always vote yes to any library requests in our school budget votes. This may seem "old hat" to some of you city mice, but for all of the country mice it is a treasure !
Reading: Barbara Kingsolver , Jodie Picoult ( she came and gave a talk and signed books for
a fundraiser at our wonderful library)
I usually take out craft books although it is hard to find any library in my area with what I consider an adequate collection. I probably have a larger collection of some craft books than any library around here has.
The hardest visit today was to visit the former owner of the painting shop where I learned how to paint quite a few years back. She had to finally sell the shop due to her cancer diagnosis. She asked her most frequent/enthusiastic, customer/friends to her home to see her new studio. She "signed us up" to come and paint with her during the week. As she said, she wants company, it will inspire her to paint and it will take her mind off of her illness.
We do not know what the future brings for her or how long she will with us, but we want to make sure we share some time with her. She is a very strong special person.
tugging on my left ear,
LRW
We didn't get as much as eastern NY, western New England and the Catskill mountains, thank goodness !
That would have been too much on top of the three + feet we got about a month ago in one storm ! Yup...love that lake effect snow.
Not really complaining..just hard to get home last night. It adds one and 1/2 hours on to an already very long commute. I'm just glad it was Friday night.
I was also glad we were not snowed in. because we wanted to get to a Jo-Ann's fabric store to take advantage of their 50% off coupons. I have been on the mailing list for a long time and use coupons to buy " big ticket items".
Because there were so many of them this week ( plus one of my kids had some as well ) I was able to buy:
A fabric Calculator for quilting ( A big help, as I was never good at math ! )
The largest Olfa deluxe rotary cutter, plus a pack of five blades
The Sculpey oven, pasta machine and bead rack ( kids will "play" with this stuff for jewelry making ) ;-)
No I don't indulge this way very often, but these were things I have been needing/wanting for a while. I usually spend my coupons on reference craft books, but they didn't have any decent books this time. Ah well................
We also went to the best ( in my opinion) library in the area ( about a 45 min. drive) as we do once every couple of months. We usually get many books out and then slowly return them to our small "local" library. The larger branch will come and do a pick up each week. Our system is great and we can renew online and now have access to an audio books program online as well. This is a wonderful resource and I always vote yes to any library requests in our school budget votes. This may seem "old hat" to some of you city mice, but for all of the country mice it is a treasure !
Reading: Barbara Kingsolver , Jodie Picoult ( she came and gave a talk and signed books for
a fundraiser at our wonderful library)
I usually take out craft books although it is hard to find any library in my area with what I consider an adequate collection. I probably have a larger collection of some craft books than any library around here has.
The hardest visit today was to visit the former owner of the painting shop where I learned how to paint quite a few years back. She had to finally sell the shop due to her cancer diagnosis. She asked her most frequent/enthusiastic, customer/friends to her home to see her new studio. She "signed us up" to come and paint with her during the week. As she said, she wants company, it will inspire her to paint and it will take her mind off of her illness.
We do not know what the future brings for her or how long she will with us, but we want to make sure we share some time with her. She is a very strong special person.
tugging on my left ear,
LRW
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Tired but creating
This time change gets harder each year ! Just want to sleep at work which is not productive and makes the day intolerably slow ! Funny how I seem to get a second wind at home. Maybe because like most of the rest of the population, my job is not rewarding ?
Put up my new work/craft table last night. I am not lucky enough to have a studio even though I own the property I live in/on. Other people have monopolized the available spaces. So I work in corners. I did take over a small part of one of my offspring's rooms as a sewing space ( out of the kindness of an enormous heart) when they departed for college, but it is not enough. I still have to pack things away.
I have a walk-in closet space for material/yarn storage etc.. and a homemade cutting table. I am 6ft. tall so I was tired of bending over to cut anything and slapped a table together out of 2x4's and plywood. I currently have it against a wall. It would be even better if I could maneuver all the way around it.
Lets see...Jewelry making goes on in an very narrow hallway (enough room for a very small table) except for the soldering that goes on in the unfinished basement of my 18th century house. But I just don't look up very often, so I don't notice the spiders and other critters who are looking over my shoulder to learn from a master ! HA!
Painting is in the bedroom....my sheets/coverlet etc... have various colors of paint splashed on them in random order...quite lovely.
Weaving goes on in the Dining room...Spinning wherever and dying in the kitchen or outside.
Ah yes, you say...she is lucky to have what she has...and you would be correct. Compared to what I used to have ..this is a palace ! But dear universe...couldn't I just try for once to have a studio loft with lots of room ?? I could dance and wind my bobbins and paint with my toes all at the same time !
Nirvana !!!
Left ear tug,
LRW
Put up my new work/craft table last night. I am not lucky enough to have a studio even though I own the property I live in/on. Other people have monopolized the available spaces. So I work in corners. I did take over a small part of one of my offspring's rooms as a sewing space ( out of the kindness of an enormous heart) when they departed for college, but it is not enough. I still have to pack things away.
I have a walk-in closet space for material/yarn storage etc.. and a homemade cutting table. I am 6ft. tall so I was tired of bending over to cut anything and slapped a table together out of 2x4's and plywood. I currently have it against a wall. It would be even better if I could maneuver all the way around it.
Lets see...Jewelry making goes on in an very narrow hallway (enough room for a very small table) except for the soldering that goes on in the unfinished basement of my 18th century house. But I just don't look up very often, so I don't notice the spiders and other critters who are looking over my shoulder to learn from a master ! HA!
Painting is in the bedroom....my sheets/coverlet etc... have various colors of paint splashed on them in random order...quite lovely.
Weaving goes on in the Dining room...Spinning wherever and dying in the kitchen or outside.
Ah yes, you say...she is lucky to have what she has...and you would be correct. Compared to what I used to have ..this is a palace ! But dear universe...couldn't I just try for once to have a studio loft with lots of room ?? I could dance and wind my bobbins and paint with my toes all at the same time !
Nirvana !!!
Left ear tug,
LRW
Sunday, March 11, 2007
Finished !
Done with retreat. Got a lot done, will post pictures when I have time.
Bought spring Interweave Knits yesterday. I am not sure I like the new format. They claim it makes more room for more projects.... we will see. I do not like the photos ! They lack character..same old-same old. The "models" look like real models and this I find boring. I know we are supposed to pay attention to the designs, but Interweave had its own look and that is why I purchased their magazines...because they were not the usual design and were not "high fashion".
Sigh....I do support almost any of the knitting/fiber magazines however, because if we don't...they will disappear. Many of my favorites from the past are no longer being published and when the current craze dies down, I hope some are left.
My kids found some of the my magazines in the attic last summer and were very excited about the designs. I look at them and laugh at some of the designs as they are from the 60's and seventies. I guess the kids consider them retro, but I would be embarassed to wear them. Not to mention I don't have a prayer of fitting into even the large size....GACK!
Ta ta for now, pulling on my left ear, LRW
Bought spring Interweave Knits yesterday. I am not sure I like the new format. They claim it makes more room for more projects.... we will see. I do not like the photos ! They lack character..same old-same old. The "models" look like real models and this I find boring. I know we are supposed to pay attention to the designs, but Interweave had its own look and that is why I purchased their magazines...because they were not the usual design and were not "high fashion".
Sigh....I do support almost any of the knitting/fiber magazines however, because if we don't...they will disappear. Many of my favorites from the past are no longer being published and when the current craze dies down, I hope some are left.
My kids found some of the my magazines in the attic last summer and were very excited about the designs. I look at them and laugh at some of the designs as they are from the 60's and seventies. I guess the kids consider them retro, but I would be embarassed to wear them. Not to mention I don't have a prayer of fitting into even the large size....GACK!
Ta ta for now, pulling on my left ear, LRW
Thursday, March 8, 2007
UFOs
Yeah...it is hard to do this each day !
Almost finished with the work week. Then more time with kid #1 before break is over and then the quilt guild retreat over the weekend.
We are a very small guild and members just don't sign up for outside workshops any more, so we do our "own thing". We rent our usual meeting space and bring food, cloth , accessories etc.. and immerse ourselves in UFOs. A very good way to stick a pitchfork in the rear to get us going.
I have been trying to get a log cabin quilt ( batik fabric in magentas,oranges,yellows )together for awhile but with my machine problems over this last year it has been a problem.
I finally bought a small Bernette for traveling and leaving the 20YO Bernina home !
I will post pictures when I get the top assembled.
Otherwise, I started spinning some locks I prepared about a year ago using my old Golding Ring Spindle. However, the whorl has now separated from the shaft ! I had another problem with it last year, sent it back and they fixed it. But this is discouraging as I really love the spindle but.....
and for any of you thinking I am a novice and it has been dropped....... wrong ! I have been spinning since 1968 !
I guess I am ready for spring because I want to find three fleeces this year :
1/ BFL
2/BL
3/ Cormo
I have to get all the plans together to prepare all of this because I want to get all of these done from fleece to dyed yarn. Luckly, I have lots of space outside to do all of this so it is just time.
Ta Ta for now...LRW
Almost finished with the work week. Then more time with kid #1 before break is over and then the quilt guild retreat over the weekend.
We are a very small guild and members just don't sign up for outside workshops any more, so we do our "own thing". We rent our usual meeting space and bring food, cloth , accessories etc.. and immerse ourselves in UFOs. A very good way to stick a pitchfork in the rear to get us going.
I have been trying to get a log cabin quilt ( batik fabric in magentas,oranges,yellows )together for awhile but with my machine problems over this last year it has been a problem.
I finally bought a small Bernette for traveling and leaving the 20YO Bernina home !
I will post pictures when I get the top assembled.
Otherwise, I started spinning some locks I prepared about a year ago using my old Golding Ring Spindle. However, the whorl has now separated from the shaft ! I had another problem with it last year, sent it back and they fixed it. But this is discouraging as I really love the spindle but.....
and for any of you thinking I am a novice and it has been dropped....... wrong ! I have been spinning since 1968 !
I guess I am ready for spring because I want to find three fleeces this year :
1/ BFL
2/BL
3/ Cormo
I have to get all the plans together to prepare all of this because I want to get all of these done from fleece to dyed yarn. Luckly, I have lots of space outside to do all of this so it is just time.
Ta Ta for now...LRW
Monday, March 5, 2007
Me...out of the box!
Yes it's true....I have been a blogger for a long time. Just never did anything about it. But after 57 long years I should have something to say !
"They" say blogging is " going out of style " but I don't pay attention to what "they" say...never have.
Let's see ...I live in the foothills of the glorious Adirondack Mountains ( the real upstate NY for those of you who are geographically challenged ! )
We have chickens, alpine goats, dog, cat, mice, rats, chipmunks, weasels, deer, all the things rural farm living provides. Used to have sheep.....but that is another story.
Oh...on top of this I have a full time job with a round trip of three hours to the nearest city where my job is located.
Mom to two wonderful, great, stupendous kids. Yeah..I don't love them too much !!
One is away at college, the other is a freshman in high school.
"They" say blogging is " going out of style " but I don't pay attention to what "they" say...never have.
Let's see ...I live in the foothills of the glorious Adirondack Mountains ( the real upstate NY for those of you who are geographically challenged ! )
We have chickens, alpine goats, dog, cat, mice, rats, chipmunks, weasels, deer, all the things rural farm living provides. Used to have sheep.....but that is another story.
Oh...on top of this I have a full time job with a round trip of three hours to the nearest city where my job is located.
Mom to two wonderful, great, stupendous kids. Yeah..I don't love them too much !!
One is away at college, the other is a freshman in high school.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
