Smidge & Boots

Thanks to Kat at Smidge, I have my little piece of internet promo. She highlighted my felted vase as the People's Choice. Thanks Kat!

Other things happening here in the sticks of Southern Vermont, I have finished a demo at the local Deerfield Valley Fair. It was lots of fun. There were many folks I have caught up with. And as usual, the folks that got turned on to the traditional form of felting! It is so amazing to me how such a vibrant tradition has gotten lost. I am sure that there are many others that are floating around out there that are going unnoticed as well. With this culture of computerized outputs and let's see how fast it can get done attitude, I am grateful that we can hang on to any traditions that we have.

At the fair, I had many things on display, featuring the different techniques of felting and how they can be used together. My boots have gotten a lot of attention. They always do at these things. If I were to take a waiting list for them, I would be set for life! The thing is, they are very labor intensive and so custom, that they would take up all my time. But with all the comments and folks that would want them, maybe I should start considering...... hummm, will think about that one. Let me know what you think, really!

Scoutle Troubles

Ok, so I joined Scoutle to help with networking and I get connected to some sites that are, let's say, not what I want to get connected to! So I have gotten rid of my account there. Maybe I will start it again, but for now, I want to stay away from that attention. Bummer how people can mess up a good thing.

Thanks to those fellow fiber folks who added me as a friend. Hopefully I will see you again later;

New Neat Sites

So I have found these really neat tools to help get the word out about your blog and website. One is called StumbleUpon and the other is Scoutle. These tools will get you to see other sites that may tickle your vice fancy. As we know, mine it fiber....felting, spinning, preparing wool anything! Give them a try. It is fun. It may take a bit to figure them out, but if I can, so can you:)

The Dye Pot

Figured I should update my blog since it is Friday and that means Fiber Friday is here! Lately it has been dye pot dates and getting ready for shows. Here are some pics of what has been going in and coming out of the pots. Pics were taken when I thought of it. More to come in flickr...maybe when I need a break:)

Good news....the addition is almost done. That means my fiber spot will be here. Bad news....we just got our visa bill! Might have to put it on hold a tige more:( Maybe if I drive my husband nuts with dye pots and wool all over the house, we will get a little creative in the finance area!

I am still looking at pics on the internet and the daunting instructions for my knitting looms. Looks like I might just continue on my path of making up my own things!

New Book

Well, they let me loose in the 'big city' of Keene, NH yesterday. I had an oil change due and since it is a little trek from home, it always turns into a day out. So what is a girl to do, but shop?!

Keene has our one and only craft store, so obviously that is where I was headed. Haven't been there in a while. I was on the look out for a new felting needle holder, since they are all over the place. Well, as suspected, they did not have any such thing. So, that will have to go on the 'list' for my next internet shopping day.

There was this book that caught my fancy. It is a loom knitting book called, Loom Knitting Primer, by Isela Phelps. So, since spinning has caught my time these days, and I don't knit or crochet, I bought it. Remember all the looms that are littering my house, just sitting there? Well, here is my chance to use everything. I read the beginning diligently, ready to dive into some project. Well, when it came to reading the charts, it was all down hill from there. Why cant charts just read like we talk? I was following the book wonderfully, then it goes into these formal knitting terms/lingo. UGH! So, off to the computer I go to see a you tube video. Still searching.....

Done

Here is the felted soap . The soap is from Sappo Hill. I am getting ready for the local Deerfield Valley Fair here in Wilmington. Also, preparing for the Vermont Sheep and Wool!

I spun the yarn that is on the pink. So much fun. This soap is great because it hasn't any corners. Such a joy to felt. I think this is my new gig for a while. A few soaps were tried, but this is the winner. For now anyway.

Good evening all. So here is the dyed texel in blues that I have talked about yesterday. It was carded once, so there is still some crimp in this that is visible. Great for spinning with chunks, bumps and nubs. This will also be great for needle felting and giving texture to your piece. Let your mind go wild.

(Pic updated 8/8/08..truer colors outside)
Well, I had an interesting phone conversation this evening. I will not divulge all the info yet, as I am still floating on cloud 824,777,777,700,000,678,912! Once it sinks in I will share. This way the tiny details wont get in the way. All that can be said is felt, BIG, possible travel.

Found!

While putting an order together today, up pop these locks:) They were dyed with another batch a while ago, and somehow these were hiding. So here they are. As usual they are navajo angora. It is just the tip of the ice burg. There are more to be washed. The weather just needs to cooperate. They will make their showing on Etsy later tomorrow.

Along with the locks was this pile of texel. The colors are great. I am happy with these.
AND, along with the above texel, was a carded batch of a neat blue color, carded texel pile. Hum, maybe this will be mine to spin?? This batch was camera shy. It will go on the infamous 'list' for tomorrow.....note to self, take pics.

Ok, so my night must end. The old eyes are tired. The day at the lake with wind today, was a bit much. I had to be vigilant on-land eyes to watch the kids on the sail boat. Doesn't this just look peaceful? The blog of babble has ended for today.

I have finally joined the blogging world. Wow!

Well, here I am, writing away on my first ever blog. Hopefully it will be a fun and useful thing for those who visit....hello, anyone out there??? Blogs are certainly fun to make...so far. If I can do it, it must be a breeze. Computers are NOT my thing.

As some of you know, I have been spinning recently. There was some baby alpaca that I have purchased a while ago from North Star Alpacas. I just discovered that a smaller and lighter spindle was the way to go. Little did I know that the spindle weights had a purpose. I would have never known. Enter the Greensleeves spindle, purchased at the one and only Margie's Muse. The project is coming out nicely. The inevitable question now is...what to do with it?? A knitter or crocheter I am not. However, there are many knifty knitters of all shapes and sizes lurking around. Is this cheating? They have hardly been used.

There is a companion piece to the spindle called the butchers crown. This covers and protects the hook when not in use, so the spindle stays balanced. You know, for those days when the spindle goes bump/thump/drop/bang! That is next on my 'list'.

Hum..I must really get to work now. The blog of babble must end. The fiber is calling, along with the laundry, dog, dust bunnies etc.