by carmen | Mar 4, 2010 | Uncategorized
I had no intention of going to the studio today, but there was yarn drying and I had to get there to see it with the twist set….
From this….
To this….
and this is also dry. Yummy.
Also managed to spin a few more skeins while Jen and Paula were there, but I was so aware of the you know what and where I was supposed to be to work on it that I headed home. How much longer can I put this off?
Due tomorrow……what do I not understand about this deadline????
THIS IS THE LAST TIME I WILL FIGHT WITH A PAPERWORK DEADLINE. You heard it here folks…Remember this, quote me and if I complain about this in my blog again, I will give you fibre. I am not kidding.
But isn’t the fibre pretty?
by carmen | Mar 3, 2010 | Uncategorized
No sir, it does not. Consequently, my attractive magnetic board at home, the chalkboard in the studio, my Rumi daytimer and iphone calendar cannot help me keep it together. At the sign of newly dried fibre or a new wheel, I completely become unglued.
I stopped by the yarn shop today to spin a skein on the new wheel (heavenly) Ashford Country Spinner. Imagine, a wheel that holds 2.2lbs of yarn on a bobbin. And while I was enjoying a few quiet moments with Pearl and the wheel, all hell broke loose. The store was a fantastic madhouse. Fleece Artist skeins were trading hands and colours being discussed.
I was teaching a customer some fancy crochet tricks, Pearl was selling up a storm and it was impressive, but in the scuffle my plans for the studio and my paperwork went right out the window. I’m not complaining. I just wish I knew how to make a plan and stick to it.
Can you see the problem. I am so screwed.
I finally cast on for my brother’s cashmere hat. His birthday was in December. No, that wasn’t on my list of things to do today either. I am getting another batch of pirate hats ready for Barefoot Contessa……in spring colours, also not on my list for today. An suggestions for how I can stay on track?
by carmen | Mar 2, 2010 | Uncategorized
Wowzer…..I sold a hat kit on Saturday and I received this on Sunday. Just moments after the closing ceremony of the Olympics….
Needless to say I am as proud as a peacock….
Hi Carmen – Yesterday I bought some grayish-green wool & a hat pattern from you at the Farmers’ Market for a closing ceremony knitting project. I just finished stitching the hat together – it’s great! Good fit, nice and soft and cozy! The instructions were very clear – a perfect project for the occasion. Thanks! Sarah
It was sweet to help someone with their closing ceremony project. Mine was much less exciting. Paperwork…No knitting, but this e-mail made me feel like I was a part of the action.
by carmen | Mar 1, 2010 | Events
The prettiest thing at the market yesterday….Anne’s Red Pepper Jelly
The most patriotic and tasty item available………Debbie’s Go Canada! Pie
And the boutiquiest shared booth…if I say so myself…Joan and I rocked the display.
Don’t even get me started on the rovings….
What a great day! It’s a shame our next market isn’t until April. Thanks to my friends who stopped by ;).
by carmen | Feb 27, 2010 | Uncategorized
Ready or not….I knew the day was coming…I’ve been puttering in the studio, playing with new designs, but ramped up production has not been my focus. But here it is, already market season again.
So here I am, in the office, trying to get caught up on paperwork, with a basket of fibre still to be tagged for the show and I am feeling it. The work is good, it came from a studio full of inspiration, great collaberations and partnerships, loving support and all that is good with the world—because it is a fibre world.
Did I say lots of tagging?
by carmen | Feb 26, 2010 | Uncategorized
As I suspected, most of the rovings were still wet. Frack…I wanted to spin them all. I suppose it was good that they were still a bit damp because I need them for the market on the weekend, not to enhance my own personal stash.
Yep, still damp. Tomorrow morning my pretties, you will be ready for braiding, and then new ownership and then spinning….
Suzie is now part of the Thursday spinning group. I’m impressed by her ability to acquire new fibre and her prolific rate of spinning. Truly a girl after my own heart.
And in case you aren’t in Vancouver……Spring has Sprung…100 g merino and tencel plied with baby alpaca.
Back to the Olympic highlights for the day. No television in the studio.
by carmen | Feb 24, 2010 | Uncategorized
The girls are leaving town today with a bit of extra knitwear. Rox looks amazing in her new MelonHead scarf and hat. And she’ll need it. Snow in Toronto. Well our 10 days of viewing the city as tourists is over. But I will keep watching the games. Yes, I have the fever.
Now it’s back to work. I have a bunch of rovings in the studio that need tending to and several more to dye. It’s not going to be easy to have them ready for Saturday based on the rain, but I think today’s will be okay. Pics to follow.
I’ll be at Wise Hall on Saturday. Stop by if you can, say hello and fondle some fibre. I’ll give you some privacy.
by carmen | Feb 24, 2010 | Uncategorized
The blossoms are out in full force…Gorgeous. no waiting until mid March like last year.
This made me hustle my butt to the studio to make my bouquet skeins. I had a chance to hang the whole day with Joan and it made for a very creative day. I stuck to spinning (the most gap in my inventory) and I could see Joan working her clay from where I was. I’m so glad that my studio mates had me tear down the wall.
Cherry Blossoms on a gray day. It spun beautifully and I am definitely doing more of this colourway. Plied with baby alpaca.
And this little lovely. Hand dyed BFL plied, 100 grams, 118 yards. Chocolate covered strawberries.
Gotta go, have custom knitting and watching the hockey game.
by carmen | Feb 21, 2010 | Uncategorized
but downtown Vancouver was magical last night.
What was less magical was a line up to get into the Bay. Seriously. We were thrilled to go with our friends for some late night wandering and trinket shopping, but a line up?
I first sought out the “real” Cowichan sweaters and was disappointed by the sad messed up pile of 4 sweaters. There was a display of designers who had made coats from the Point Blankets and they were gorgeous. In between every few aisles was the much coveted little creature key chains. Something in a price range for everyone willing to part with their money. No, we didn’t buy anything.
I did receive an Olympic pin from the grocery store last week for buying a litre of milk from an Olympic sponsor dairy company. It’s in my purse somewhere.
Out to Deep Cove today to get away from all the “fun”.
by carmen | Feb 20, 2010 | Uncategorized
While John and Alicia watched Canada mop the floor with Denmark…..I had a little noncompetition. Watching highlights of the games and enjoying a great Turkish coffee and some knitting before Roxie and I headed out for some Olympic shopping.
She picked up some amazing gear and my shopping (since I never really shop) took on an entirely different twist. A new piece of Lagostino cookware, some funky mixing bowls, a cat bed and bamboo salad forks. Having live in guests has made me realize that I have the kitchen gear of a starving university student.
I had an order of fleece arrive yesterday. So I will definitely be at the studio spinning while the girls are at hockey today. Tomorrow’s a free day and we are looking for something to do..Any suggestions? We’ve already ruled out traveling to the Island.
Also managed to spin a few more skeins while Jen and Paula were there, but I was so aware of the you know what and where I was supposed to be to work on it that I headed home. How much longer can I put this off?
