by carmen | Apr 30, 2009 | Studio, Uncategorized
I’m off to see the studio this morning and I can’t help it…I’m excited. I just found out that there are no windows, but this is Vancouver. I intend on biking to the studio so I’ll have enough sunshine and view there and back and it has a small kitchen, common area and a full bathroom and shower. In case I feel like working all night (which happens) and no one at my house needs to be tortured by my working hours.
The yarn is being reskeined now, I love the colours (and the cashmere—sorry it’s all spoken for). However the sock yarn is up for grabs. The only thing I will not make, except for my test pair for the yarn.
And the rovings dried so quickly that I had no excuse not to spin them. I realize I didn’t have to spin them all, but what the hell…..
I seem to be consistent at 125 yards plied for 100- 105 grams giving me somewhere between a sport weight and an aran weight.
I just figured out why I spent so much time on the wheel yesterday…..This thing…honestly, I wish I could say that I was a swift cookie with the paperwork, but it overwhelms me and actually makes me a little sick. GST isn’t a difficult calculation, but this form makes me all sweaty..
Here’s hoping that the studio is all that I need it to be. I am bringing Joan for an objective 2nd opinion. I would be inclined to love it, even if it was a dungeon.
by carmen | Apr 29, 2009 | Uncategorized
there’s this representational skein of yarn. How appropriate. With a million things to do to get ready for the next show, this is what I was consumed with yesterday. Grey alpaca, silk noil, mulberry silk and merino and corriedale. It smoldered in my mind and on the wheel for the better part of the day.
My moo cards arrived yesterday. One of the photographs was not cropped properly so I have several lovely pictures of Sophie and what appears to be the brim of a hat. Crap, but even more wonderful was how Canada Border Services deemed fit to charge GST, PST and duty on my business cards. I have a number to call them to appeal the charges. Given I only have a few days left before leaving town, I am quite certain this is not going to happen. Lately, I am given to weighing decisions over how much it costs of my time per hour to fix them rather than the “principal of the thing”.
And yes, I am able to let go whatever the wrong may have been. Time to move on.
The laundry list is huge today. Reskeining, pick up at the post office, scheduling an appointment to look at the studio and finishing the scarves. I would love to spin the rovings I dyed yesterday, but that may have to wait, unless I am rescued and taken to a gorgeous destination to spin.
It would not be that hard to convince me.
by carmen | Apr 28, 2009 | Studio, Uncategorized
And it’s about time. The dyeing has taken over, the rovings are insurmountable and there is no room to move in this place.
Wow……I wonder what it would be like to have a small bed, a chair and table for reading and the laptop in the spare bedroom…..hmmm. Yep, it’s time to take this show to it’s own little space. John will be pleased. The cats will be pleased. I will be delighted.
MelonHead is growing up.
by carmen | Apr 25, 2009 | Uncategorized
I consider that the market season is in full swing. Starting tomorrow, I am pretty much booked for shows until December. Tomorrow you can find me here.….then again in 10 days in Calgary, then Vernon, then Whistler, then…….The blog will keep you updated on the full season and if you need tickets for Portobello West, then just send me an e-mail with your address and number of tickets and I’ll send them to you.
Since it’s a spring thing I’m finishing up the blossom scarves. They are my signature piece as well as my favourite for this season.
Hope to see you at the market tomorrow. Stop by and say hello if you get a chance.
by carmen | Apr 24, 2009 | Uncategorized
Sun brighter than ever, breezy and fabulous. Chest congestion be damned….out into the world I go. On Pearl’s suggestion we hit the $2.00 store on the outskirts of Chinatown (lots of great little finds there) and then into Chinatown looking for watercolour and calligraphy brushes.
It was like a second childhood rummaging through all the fantastic stores(once you get passed the Hello Kitty stuff that you can’t seem to get away from) The colours were fantastic and I took them all in. BTW, what do you think of my new yarn colourway – Chinatown.
My apologies for such a photo heavy post. But, I need to show you how Toni and I spent the afternoon.
Here is the entrance to the Dr. Sun Yat Sen Chinese Gardens nestled in downtown Vancouver
And this photos shows the city skyline creeping in to our paradise. Even cast in the shadow of the pond.
Note to Pearl ….(wish you could have called in sick today)
Toni sewed labels and I worked on a cherry blossom scarf. We chatted with complete strangers who didn’t find it all odd that we had set up shop in the gardens. Agreed that we are coming back, but this time —-I will be bringing the wheel.
by carmen | Apr 24, 2009 | Uncategorized
No one enjoyed the sunshine more than Asia on the back porch today. Her fur was glowing, certainly worthy of spinning. (Where’s that brush)
I was utilizing the fine weather so that the yarns could hang outside. The hand spun is in the basement (just due to the volume of it).
All of this is pretty much earmarked for projects. The seacell is beautifully accepting of the dye and gave me exactly what I wanted. Now if I can just hold on another day I can start using it..Yeah for me.
I have some decadent alpaca in my possession. How to spin it, how to spin it….I have half a mind to card it with my silk and the tiny bit of camel I have left over…..not sure. I have some Jacob fleece as well. Hmmm. Slow down sister, what about that knitting you were supposed to do today.
Oh, that.
And the rovings dried so quickly that I had no excuse not to spin them. I realize I didn’t have to spin them all, but what the hell…..
I seem to be consistent at 125 yards plied for 100- 105 grams giving me somewhere between a sport weight and an aran weight.
I just figured out why I spent so much time on the wheel yesterday…..This thing…honestly, I wish I could say that I was a swift cookie with the paperwork, but it overwhelms me and actually makes me a little sick. GST isn’t a difficult calculation, but this form makes me all sweaty..
Here’s hoping that the studio is all that I need it to be. I am bringing Joan for an objective 2nd opinion. I would be inclined to love it, even if it was a dungeon.
