Owning File Folders Doesn’t Make You Organized

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?

Closing Ceremonies

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.

First Market of 2010

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?

Dying for the Drying

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.

Photo Finish

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.

Olympic Blossoms

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.