Fab, Fun, Fibers

==Change in Adult Fiber Camp==

2011-07-31T11:46:00.001-04:00

The Adult Fiber Camp will be Monday, Wednesday, THURSDAY. It originally was Friday. Aug 15,17 and 18.

Day 3....Half Way....Fiber Camp

2011-07-13T19:20:00.003-04:00

Today was very productive. Lots and lots of elbow grease...wet felting!(My speciality!) We used every fiber available to us today. It was a mecca of yarns, fibers, angelina, and whatever was around. We incorperated needle felting today too. So everything we learned this week was used today. Very creative little artists wow-ed me. It always warms my heart to see what these kids come up with. I guess it helps too, that we live in the most beautiful, inspiring environment around! Just look at these photos and the creations. Some have mentioned they want to enter some pieces to the Vermont Sheep and Wool Festival. Yay! Exposure, now everyone will see how great they are. Bravo!

Day Two Fiber Camp

2011-07-12T21:23:00.002-04:00

Wow, wow, wow! These kids are worker bees. Today we carded (combed/blended) the wool that they dyed yesterday....so all the wool you see, the kids colored! Actually, there is more that we will use tomorrow, so all that you see today, is only part of what they did yesterday. Also, today we learned how to needle felt. Some projects are still a masterpiece in the making and some are complete. We had so much fun, we almost forgot to stop for snack. Long day, but fruitful. Cannot wait until tomorrow......

Day One Fiber Camp

2011-07-11T20:48:00.001-04:00

Today we had our first day of Fiber Camp at Maybelle Farm! What a wonderful bunch of kids. On the agenda for today was dying. We used food coloring, Easter egg dyes and kool-aid. Wonderful fun with color. The older kids also were able to blend some nice fibers with the carder using wool, alpaca, mohair and sparkly angelina.

Print Chicago Cultural Center Hosts THE MUSIC NEVER ENDS July 24 - Printer-Friendly (Chicago)

2011-06-28T09:38:00.000-04:00

Print Chicago Cultural Center Hosts THE MUSIC NEVER ENDS July 24 - Printer-Friendly (Chicago)

My Uncle Joe still making headlines. Only he can do that from where he is now. Miss and love him so much.

Finally Here!

2011-06-18T07:31:00.002-04:00

Yes, it has been a while. Life changing events abound....good and bad. But, I am back with a summer schedule:) Yay!

July

4th Wardsboro, Vt
Annual Parade and all that goes with it!

11-15 Fiber Camp for Kids
It is back! Join us for another week of all things fiber. Maybelle Farm, $75 for
the week! Click on Maybelle Farm for info.

17th Wool Dying Workshop 10 a.m -3 p.m. $45 per person. At Maybelle Farm,
Wardsboro, Vt

31st Felted Bird Homes 10-3 $40 Maybelle Farm, Wardsboro, Vt

August

8-12 Fiber Camp for Kids
It is back! Join us for another week of all things fiber. Maybelle Farm, $75 for
the week! Click on Maybelle Farm for info.

15,17,19 Fiber Camp for Adults!! Yes that is right. Adults have been asking for this
class, so here it is. We will dye, spin and blend fiber on the 15th. On the
17th we will learn to Needle Felt. For the 19th we will Wet Felt! Learn how if
you dont know or learn new tricks if you already do. $75 for the week (includes
all materials) 6pm-9pm Maybelle Farm, Wardsboro, Vt

21st Felted Bird Homes 10-3 $40 Maybelle Farm, Wardsboro, Vt

Spring Classes!!

2011-02-05T15:42:00.007-05:00

Here is a start of a schedule. If you want to register or need more information, email me cherylavenue@hotmail.com or call 802.464.0638. I can now take all major credit cards...wwwweeeeeeee.

April

Saturday 2nd, Felted Flowers on a Vine, 10-4, Springfield, VT, Gallery At the Vault

Sunday 10th, Felted Eggs for Easter, 11:30-3:00, $35 at Maybelle Farm, Wardsboro, VT

Saturday 30th, May Flowers (think Mother's Day), 10-2, $35, at Maybelle Farm, Wardsboro, Vt

May

Sunday 15th, Spring Landscapes, 11:30-4, $40, Maybelle Farm, Wardsboro, Vt

Saturday 21, Jamaica Fiber Festival....Jamaica, Vt

Saturday 28th, Bird Homes, 10-2, $30, Maybelle Farm, Wardsboro, Vt

June

To Be Announced! Check often.

July

Monday 4th, Wardsboro Town Hall....fiber demo and sale

Fiber Camp for Kids tentative dates July 11th and August 8th for the whole week!

Wardsboro Town Hall Fiber Demo

2011-01-22T21:04:00.003-05:00

Well, today the newly dubed 'Fab Fiber Five' have left their mark at the Wardsboro Town Hall. We had a demo day and added a few sales too. This was all to benefit the Wardsboro Library. Margaret Silva was weaving, Kathy Meeks needle felting, Jenna Konesko drop spindle, Alison Shantz wheel and Cheryl Flett wet felting. It was a super fun day to play and show adults and children the world of fiber.

Kathy and I have penciled a few classes. Very soon, a schedule will appear....promise! New things on board....that is all I am saying. Can't give away all the surprises:)

Fun Class...angels and snowmen

2010-11-28T18:49:00.005-05:00

Today there was a class at Maybelle Farm...angels and snowmen. The results were great and a fun time was had by all. Here are some pics.

Winter/Spring Classes

2010-11-08T19:40:00.003-05:00

Winter classes are usually at a minimum due to the wonderfully unpredictible New England winters. Kathleen and I are going to pow wow soon for the early Spring classes. So in the next few weeks, a schedule of sorts will be drawn up. If you know of something you particularly are interested in for a class please do not hesitate to contact either me or Kathleen with your ideas. After all, these classes are for you, not us:)

Northeast Handspinners Association Gathering

2010-11-07T20:53:00.002-05:00

This weekend, Friday-Sunday, was the NHA at Mt. Snow. I was a vendor there along with Margie's Muse, Maybelle Farm, and bunches of others. It was a fun time, just being able to be with other fiber lovers and sharing ideas and companionship. It was a flurry of energy. I have met many wonderful new people...and have my eye on a new wheel! Hopefully Kathleen and I will go up to Brigid's Farm in Peacham, Vt soon for a little fibery road trip:) The pics are me at my table...raw fiber, dyed fiber, finished product!

Pumpkins With Attitude!

2010-10-25T20:59:00.004-04:00

Well folks, Sunday we had a class at Maybelle Farm...Pumpkins with attitude. What a blast this was. The class learned how to make needle felted pumpkins with fun faces. Thanks to Kathleen, our eyes got a wonderful lash overhaul:) This was a buddy class, so the kids brought their 'buddies' with them to craft together. Hey, those that play together, stay together!

Vt Sheep and Wool...plus some.....

2010-10-05T09:01:00.005-04:00

Well, well. What a wonderful time I had. The sheep and wool festival was a super day for me. I went with 2 good fiber friends....and we encouraged each other to buy, buy, buy. lol Half of a icelandic baby fleece came home with me...oooh so yummy. It is a tawny fawn color. That was the highlight... There were also some cotswold locks that found their way into my bag. Hum. Too many other things to mention.

Kathleen and I took a nuno felting class. Just curious how others teach and what their techniques were. Very interesting to say the least. We ended up with wonderful felted scarves.

Also, yesterday, Monday, I taught another class at Maybelle Farm. I think there are 2 little girls addicted to spinning now! They were the best and quickest learning little spinners ever. AND they loved it. One was just becoming one with the wheel and stated that she 'has to get one of these things'. It was so cool to watch. They just picked it up like kids in a candy shop.

Hopefully pics will follow......

And, I am working on a winter schedule...stay tuned. LOTS of new things and a new venue too!

New Carder!!!

2010-09-01T19:21:00.003-04:00

Yay! I just made the last payment for my new carder.....cant wait!!! Strauch Finest Chain Drive!!! WHooooo hoooo!

Final Day:(

2010-08-13T21:48:00.005-04:00

Today was the last day of the Summer 2010 Fiber Fun Camp at Maybelle Farm! Sad to see it go, however, very hopeful and looking forward to next year already:) Thank you to all the families who drove their cherubs to the farm. We had a wonderful time. The laughs, learning and good times will be remembered for a long time to come.

I was so proud of all the kids. They worked very hard and I hope we have developed some fiber fiends. There will be many classes to come this fall and winter. Any thoughts, suggestions or wonderful comments, just let us know. We are pretty open for classes you would like to take. Remember.....s p i d e r w e b s!

Day 4: Wet Felting!

2010-08-12T19:50:00.006-04:00

What a day it was. My favorite today....wet felting. The kids did a wonderful job. The littles did better than I have ever seen this age perform. Amazing! Their geodes were wonderfully colorful and felted amazingly firm. The olders felted flowers and soaps. Super outcomes where effort was put forth. Wet felting is hard work, but the super projects produced were incredible. Just LOOK at these pics! Great effort everyone.

More Fiber Camp!

2010-08-11T20:24:00.008-04:00

Day Three: Ok, so you ask, "where is day two"? Well I forgot my camera. Yea, I know....well what is done is done. The kids learned how to use a drop spindle. What tremendous success. I have never seen a group catch on so quick!

Now day 3. Learned how to take off the yarn from the spindles. We used niddy noddys, friend's hands and chair backs and legs. Now there is no excuse to not spin. lol They have done it all. So proud:) Then, we learned how to needle felt....felted angels and techniques for making eyes, hair and armatures for arms, legs etc... We aquired 2 more students for the afternoon class today. Hopefully they will join us for wet felting tomorrow!

Round 2 Fiber Fun Camp

2010-08-09T21:52:00.013-04:00

Ok folks. Second round of Fiber Fun Camp! There are 10 total this time, just one shy of the July class. Looks like this will be a dusey week. Loads of fun. Today we dyed wool with kool-aid, food coloring and easter egg tablets. We also used the sun to heat up some pots. Then we spaced dyed along with tye dye methods. Too much fun to mention! It is drying as I type this and hopefully will be dry in the morning, because we have some spinning to do! Day two is drop spindle. WEeeeee.

Class Update for Fall and Winter...yippee!

2010-08-01T22:08:00.011-04:00

So today at Maybelle Farm, we had a Grandma and Me class. It was a totally wonderful time. Alison taught drop spindle, Kathleen taught needle felting and I taught wet felting.

Then....we sat down and hashed out a schedule. Take a peek! All classes are for 7yr olds - adult, unless specified. Contact Maybelle Farm or Cheryl at cherylavenue@hotmail.com to register.....or you can just reply to the blog with your email and I will catch ya!

This is a schedule for classes at Maybelle Farm and The Gallery at the VAULT.

September

Saturday 11th, Fiber/fleece prep with Alison, 10am-3pm, Maybelle Farm

Sunday 12th, Felted flowers on a vine, Cheryl Flett, 12:30-4, Maybelle Farm

Saturday 25th, Open house celebration, Make and Take workshops, Chery Flett, 12-5, VAULT

Monday 27th, The start of a 4 week adult Fiber Fun Camp! Mondays 5:30-8:30, Cheryl Flett, Maybelle Farm

October

Monday 4th, Week 2 Fiber Fun Camp for Adults (see above)

Sunday 10th, 'Legend of Spooky Hollow" felted diorama! Cheryl Flett, 11:30-4:30, Maybelle Farm

Monday 11th, Week 3 Fiber Fun for Adults (see above)

Saturday 16th, Needle Felt Pumpkins, Cheryl Flett, 12-2, VAULT

Monday 18, Last week Fiber Fun for Adults (see above)

Sunday 24th, (Grand)Mom and Me Felted Pumpkins With an Attitude, Cheryl Flett, 1-4, Maybelle Farm

November

Saturday 13th, Wet Felted Scarf, Cheryl Flett, 10-3, VAULT

Sunday 28th, Angles and Snowmen, Cheryl Flett, 12-4, Maybelle Farm

December

Sunday 12th, Needle felt Santa, Kathleen Meeks, 1-4, Maybelle Farm

Fall/Winter Class......

2010-07-29T19:32:00.001-04:00

Kathy and I are currently working on creating a winter/fall class schedule. I just have to breathe and sit down with my calendar. So it will be just a couple days still. But do stay tuned:) We have some really nice things lined up.

Class!

2010-07-24T22:33:00.007-04:00

Great class. People of all ages....little ones, teenagers and adults. Beads, beads and more beads. Tons of fun:)

Wild and Wooly Class at Maybelle Farm

2010-07-19T13:11:00.003-04:00

Fabulous class taught by Patricia Blomgren at the farm. Greaaaaaaaaaaaat fun. Lots of new learning!

Revered accordion, piano virtuoso Joe Vito dies :: CHICAGO SUN-TIMES :: Obituaries

2010-07-13T17:51:00.001-04:00

Revered accordion, piano virtuoso Joe Vito dies :: CHICAGO SUN-TIMES :: Obituaries

Yet another posting about my Uncle Joe. This was from the Chicago Sun Times. Nice write up. Click on the link to view....

End of camp!

2010-07-13T09:19:00.001-04:00

Well the end of Fiber Camp was a sad day. Sad to see the kids leave, but very satisfying to see the look of accomplishment on their faces. Let's hope this has planted a seed for a fiber fixation! lol

Hump Day! Bummer, that means we are almost done:(

2010-07-07T19:41:00.009-04:00

Just pure amazement as these sponges learn. Look at these faces. Accomplishment. LOVE it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wowsers Ville!

2010-07-06T19:07:00.001-04:00

Day 2 of camp and still standing:) What a joy. This group of kids really want to learn. I just love to see their faces while they soak up all this knowledge, then I hear, "I love doing this!" Nothing can make me feel much more useful. Priceless. Take a look for yourself.

Fiber Camp!!

2010-07-04T19:51:00.003-04:00

So I just got off the phone with Kathleen Meeks from Maybelle Farm and we are set for our first official Fiber Fun Camp. There are children for both morning and afternoon classes. Stay tuned to see great pics of the kids in action, furthering knowledge and keeping the fiber arts alive:)

I am off to finish preparing for the fun!

Mourning My Uncle

2010-07-04T18:25:00.002-04:00

The last few posts are tributes to my late Uncle Joe. He was truly a legend in the Chicago music world and a hero at the family level. Take the time to read about him and marvel at his talent. Growing up with Uncle Joe was just that. Uncle Joe. Not realizing what a legend of history was being made.

Fierce Wolf Howl: Joe Vito: An Appreciation

2010-07-04T18:14:00.000-04:00

Fierce Wolf Howl: Joe Vito: An Appreciation

Tribute to Joe Vito

2010-07-04T17:50:00.000-04:00

Tribute to Joe Vito

Jazz | AllAboutJazz.com

2010-07-04T17:47:00.000-04:00

Jazz | AllAboutJazz.com

R.I.P. Joe Vito, Chuck Hedges: two more losses shake Chicago jazz community

2010-07-04T17:45:00.000-04:00

R.I.P. Joe Vito, Chuck Hedges: two more losses shake Chicago jazz community

JAZZzology: Joe Vito Funeral / Wake / Memorial Services Info: Chicago Jazz/Caberet Pianist Dies At 79

2010-07-04T17:40:00.000-04:00

JAZZzology: Joe Vito Funeral / Wake / Memorial Services Info: Chicago Jazz/Caberet Pianist Dies At 79

I caved!

2010-06-14T06:41:00.002-04:00

Ok, so I have caved in and joined Ravelry. Why not? Well I absolutly love it! Still feeling my way around. The feeling is like when Etsy first started. Supportive and fun. I love Etsy still, but the atmosphere has DEFINATLY changed.

Fiber Fun Camp...Kids Only!

2010-06-08T17:52:00.001-04:00

I will be offering 2 fiber camps this summer for kids. This will be offered at Maybelle Farm. The kids will learn lots and lots about all aspects of fiber. Email or call to register or for questions: cherylavenue@hotmail.com or 802.464.0638

July 5 - 9 or August 9 - 13
Kids ages 7-10 ~ Daily 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Kids ages 11 - 13(and older) ~ Daily 1:00 - 4:00 p.m.
$50 per student for 5 days (includes supplies!)

The only things students will need to bring is a snack and a beach towel, which will be used with some of the felting projects. All projects and supplies will be yours to keep when the week is over.

The Week at a Glance:

Monday: Learn about wooly fiber and what to do with it. Dye wool with Kool-Aid.

Tuesday: Prepare dyed wool by carding. Spin yarn from a homemade spindle, which you can keep to take home with you.

Wednesday: Learn to use your wool to wet felt - a vessel, a pouch, beads, etc...

Thursday: Begin needle felting. We will learn how to safely use this special needle to create a picture, landscape, etc..

Friday: Finish up projects and start more if time permits.

Notes:
Each camp session will begin promptly at 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. Please be on time in dropping off / picking up students. There is much work to be done before and after classes, so we appreciate you being timely to help us keep to our schedule.

It is encouraged that all students bring a snack and a drink (if you tend to get hungry between meals). This will help keep our "motor" going throughout the class time.

Each day please bring a beach towel to be used with projects. This should be an old towel.

Please do not wear your best dress clothing. Dress comfortably in clothes that you won't mind getting a bit wet or dye on them.

Maybelle Farm Play Date

2010-06-07T16:29:00.009-04:00

This past Sunday was a fun play date at Mayabelle Farm. Kathy, Alison and I got together at the farm to demonstrate for those who were willing to battle the storm and take a tour of the farm as part as the Strolling of the Heiffers weekend. While waiting, we made scarves, flowers and Alison felted her first project. Not too shabby. Our little visitors were excited to be at the farm and see how all the fibery goodness comes to be.

All sorts of things happening!

2010-06-02T18:43:00.008-04:00

New things up on Etsy yesterday and today! Take a peek. New felted scarves. This is my new technique aquired from books, internet and trial/error.

Getting ready for my class at Maybelle Farm....Mom & Me Felting on June 6th.

This fall I will be doing a talk and demonstrations at The Gallery at the VAULT in Springfield, Vt. Check it out.

Jamaica Fiber Festival

2010-05-16T08:19:00.008-04:00

Great day was had! The famous Jamaica Fiber Festival was a sucess as usual. Thanks to Margaret Silva and all her hard work! Margie's Muse Check it out! Thanks to all my faithful followers!

I'm baaaaack!

2010-04-26T17:13:00.002-04:00

Ok, so life has gotten away from me, again! I have caught it by the tail and am ready to run.

I have a huge summer lineup for classes. Some of them are listed to the right column. Stay posted, there will be more! Promise.

Smidge & Boots

2008-08-25T09:22:00.005-04:00

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

2008-08-19T10:35:00.002-04:00

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

2008-08-18T10:41:00.003-04:00

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

2008-08-15T11:40:00.005-04:00

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

2008-08-13T08:32:00.003-04:00

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

2008-08-08T13:48:00.006-04:00

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.

2008-08-06T22:51:00.004-04:00

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!

2008-08-05T21:44:00.016-04:00

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!

2008-08-04T14:43:00.006-04:00

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.