Another wool scarf!

Child size, and fun too boot!

UFO Surprises Me!

Dragging my feet, I half-hardheartedly pulled the Mother Goose Rhymes UFO out of its storage bag. Low and behold, it was already pieced into panels!  Good job, Lindy! I must have done that much at art camp 2 years ago! Definitely perked my interest up in finishing it.
And I do remember planning to make 2 separate quilts from all the rows, then thought I would make a two sided quilt, because the 2 panels together were so TALL! And skinny...that is how I got the original thought of making Hickory Dickory Dock panel to go the whole height and widen the quilt. Now that I have re-opened this Pandora's Box I think I like that option the best. Let it be huge!
So, by the end of next week the goal is to build the clock. Once that is done it is just a matter of completing the top, quilting and binding it and put a pocket on the back to hold a Mother Goose Rhymes book from when my children were small. Since they are in their 30's now, that makes the book a 'collectible'!
Yay! It's a great start to the day! Have a good one yourself!

My latest playtime activity...

Black Merino, natural Shetland, crocheted together into a scarf. Spun the yarn my own little self and it makes me so happy! I have also been whipping out crochet hats from my Funky, Chunky, Thick and Thin Art Yarn. I will do some photo ops tomorrow and show you the fun results from that yarn.

Update: Pix of my UFO will also be posted tomorrow. I have taken the first step and found the project bag in the jumble that is my quilt shed. (I SO need to spring clean it again!)

AND-the very, very nice owner of Hidden Talents Art Supplies in the little town of Tonasket just 10 minutes from my house has taken in a bunch of my art for sale, lots of my wool balls, basic felting supplies, all my kits and we are in the process of getting a slew of classes lined out! I love to teach! I am so very excited by this opportunity!

Life is looking pretty frisky at the moment!

Educational Moment re:Soybean Silk

Soybean fiber was invented by Henry Ford in 1937, and was termed as " Soy Wool". Until 1960, soybean fiber was being manufactured in Poland. This fiber was reinvented in 1998 and was promoted in 2000. At present, it can be made from waste products of the soy bean food industry.

The advantages and wearing values: Firstly, soybean yarn has cashmere-like handle - it is naturally soft, smooth, and lustrous. Then, it has good draping properties, excellent moisture absorption, and natural permanent bacteria resistance. Also, plant protein of the soybean fiber can be absorbed by the human body more easily and without any side effects. While in contact with the skin, amino acids in soybean protein fiber active skin protein and coruscate the skin's energy. Therefore garments made of soy silk are very comfortable to wear and feel like a second skin. 

Wikipedia, so it has to be true! 

The article says it blends well with other fibers, so I will be adding it to wool, to help 'calm' it down so I can spin it thinner than my first attempt. Practically spun rope my first try tonight!

Spinning Soy Bean 'Silk' !

Just had to try such an 'exotic' fiber! So glad I had read the reviews suggesting a spritz of water to tame the static! Otherwise it behaves very much like Himalayan cat fur. Fibers flying everywhere, clinging to clothes and doing a fair job of heading straight for my nose!

Oh, but I love the luster!

And once I have Soy Bean yarn, ummmm, what do I make with it?

UFOs...

in 2012 I signed up for an UFO group online. I have many, many Un-Finished Objects in regards to quilting. I was truly inspired by the thought of being held accountable to finish something, anything, once a month. And what a super nice, extremely supportive and encouraging group I found. The only problem is, even the moderator's 'threat' of getting the big boot out to kick my patootie into action didn't get me sewing and checking off more than a couple things all year. I had too much fun with wool and made such nice friends on that site that I didn't have the heart to quit them! So, of course, when people started posting in January regarding their continuing and new goals to finish UFOs I jumped right in.
As January is speeding toward its finish line I have yet to  take a single stitch on the quilt I dedicated to completing this month. One of those ECards online really hit home with this insight from a non-quilter to a quilter, "I understand it takes a REALLY LONG time to finish a quilt you are not even working on..." Mea culpa!!!
So, bloggers, I am now going to commit to YOU that I will at least make progress on the one quilt, my Row Robin Mother Goose from about 10 years ago. My first thing will be to dig it out of the mess in my Shed and put pix on here. In the two weeks left of January I could finish it if I just would!
Deep breath.
I will try-no, I WILL sew on this, I will sew on this, I will sew on this, I will finish this one thing, I will...

Wow! Russia!

As bloggers know, we get to see the stats on what is being looked at on our blog and who is doing the looking. I have been watching Russia turn dark green on my map and creep ever upwards in the listings of 'most looks' by country. Today Russia had twice as many page views as the U.S., was top in page views for the week and the month, and is up to 3rd for all viewings ever! Just below the U.S. and Canada!
Thanks for all the views and interest. Can someone from Russian leave a comment letting me know how the word has spread, and why? Very, very curious!

Living With Loki

You will find a new tab on my blog as of today. My husband has oh-so-badly wanted a Mastiff. Must be a guy thing...anyway, we now have his heart's desire-and I have lost MY heart to this breed, and this dog in particular. He is a gem! We are working our way through the getting to know you stages. He is three years old and a perfect (and handsome!) gentleman. So, say Hi! to Loki and enjoy his adventures!

Issaquah Quilt Show

I took many, many pix at the Issaquah Quilt Show...and one day you and I may get to see them. Right now they are sitting like so many mini van Goghs on my cell phone. You see, I am only partially computer literate. I thought I could take pictures with my phone, go home and plug it into a UBS port and share the incredible art work this group produced. Ancient dinosaur that I am it was a disappointment to find I have to be on the  "connected to the internet" plan and email them to myself or someone. And this ancient dinosaur refuses to spring for the extra bucks that privilege requires! A good reminder to remember to take my camera always and every where. Meanwhile, keep checking BPQ's website for the 2012 Show Pix here- http://www.bpquilters.org/quiltshow/quiltshowpastwinners.html

I have been prepping and prepping for this show. The main theme has been kits. Many, many kits!  There is my 'Grandma's Rainy Day' kit, which would be pretty much the norm on the West side of Washington State...

Of course there is a dye kit!

Then there is the-

and you KNOW I had to have a wooly kit!  And a needle felting kit.

And today I found a way to package that spontaneous urge that over came me the last time I was ordering online...

So, all kitted and packed up. My poor Subaru is riding low...may it be riding much higher and lighter on my return! Wish me luck!

I'm checking to see if your store is up and open today.
D D