Yarn Stash!

Here is the inspiration for my next series of circular needle scarves. Can't wait to get started! I should probably be knitting up more of my handspun, but I can't help myself- I'm surrounded by fabulous yarns and the temptation is much too great. Featured here are Victoria ribbon from Anny Blatt, Ishia Silk from Bollicine, Gatto from Skacel, Glitter Alpaca from Cherry Tree Hill, Quatro from Cascade and one more I can't remeber at the moment- its the sparkly ball of fur on top...

Child's Play

As promised, here are photos of the other half of the shop- dedicated entirely to creative play and childhood imagination. We stock products from eeBoo, Jack Rabbit Creations, Haba, Viola, T.C. Habbermass, Sarah's Silks, Tree Blocks, Ravensburger, Spiel & Holz Designs, Under the Nile, Chelona and many wonderful pictures books- including books by Elsa Beskow and many titles from Bare Foot Press. In 2006 we will be introducing products from Mudpuppy Press and Holtziger.

Northern Lights Project

Hard to see the sparkles in this batt, but here it is. This batt was worked up on a drum carder and has yet to be spun. I have to do a little experimenting with my plying before I spin it up, so the stuff on the bobbin will be used for trying out some of the techniques I have in mind.

Uninspired Spinning

This is the yarn I was in a hurry to get off the bobbin so I could move on to the next project: my interpretaion of the northern lights. I had planned to make more of the yarn in my last yarn post, but just couldn't muster up the enthusiasim- not with visions of the northern lights dancing in my head! I've started the northen lights yarn and will post pictures of my progess soon. I'm having loads of fun with this project and have some experiementing to do to achieve the results I'm after. More soon....

Nodding at the Needles

Here are two of the scarves finished. There would have been a third, however due to some freak accident as I was binding off I ended up having to rip about half of it out. I just couldn't pick up the stitches properly- too many yarns, too many fuzzies and loops... needless to say, I haven't touched it since. I know, thats what I get for nodding off at the needles. It was way past my bedtime and I should know better than to knit late at night. I'll get it finished before the year is up, I promise... And no more late night insomnia knitting projects, I swear!

Weekend Knitting Frenzy

I went nuts this weekend with my circulars. Started out working with these yarns, but ended up adding d'Anny Blatt's Batik ribbon on this project- just a little. Once I finished it I started another but started working in black eyelash and boucle and more of the Batik ribbon. I'm now on a third using these colors but all three scarves look entirely different. I love working with the Fiamma from DiVe. It's 100% wool but extreamly soft and has wonderful texture when knit up. I'll have photos of the finished peices to share soon.

Beautiful Bags

Here is a sample of Sally's felted purses and bags. I'm very pleased to be able to showcase them in the shop, as her work is simply beautiful (sorry if I'm redundant here, but they are!) Like many of the items posted here- these are for sale.

Bartering Bag Ladies

Sally Troxell brought her felted bags into the shop today. I really admire her work- some of which you can see on this blog (look for the fiber art show in the archives). Having expressed my admiration, she proposed a trade: one of her felted bags for one of my handwoven bags. Deal!
I had a hard time choosing, but this is the one I settled on as it looked the least like a purse. I'm not a purse person- I'm more into totes and backpacks, so this one had definate appeal. I'll post pictures of the others though, as they are definately wonderful to look at.

Off the Needles

Here's a peek at what I've been knitting. The first scarf was knit with Shira by Curious Creek Fibers in the color Rock Grotto along with handspun silk in the same colorway. The purple scarves were created with several different yarns: Victorian Boucle from Halcyon, Brilloso found at Webs, Victoria Ribbon from Anny d'Blatt, Babalonia from Skacel, Zebra Windsong from Cherry Tree Hill and a yarn I can't remember the name of from Diakeito. I have enough to have another go at a couple more scarves (with the addition of one more ball of Babalonia). The Babalonia really makes the scarf. Its so incredibly soft and lends a nice drape. All were knit on 60" circulars. Have a few loose ends to weave in and fringe to complete. I really like the addition of the fringe to showcase each individual yarn used in the scarf.

Sprucing up for the Holidays

Starting to re-organize the shop for the holidays. The table has since been cleared and is slowly being reworked into a new display. I'll post photos soon of the other half of the shop. I haven't mentioned that part before, but we stock some beautiful things for children. If you are familiar with Magic Cabin you'll have a good idea of the kinds of goodies we carry. More on this coming soon.

Skein of the Day

My yarn is plied at long last! I started this ages ago. I still have quite a bit left on the bobbin to ply, but I won't be adding the mohair locks and sparkle (which I love). Instead I'm using a different color viscose thread for plying. At this stage I just want to get this stuff off my wheel and move on to the next project, so I'm keeping it simple. The next yarn project is commissioned work: my interpretation of the northen lights. I can't wait to start spinning! The fibers are carded and ready to go. I just need to color match some tule... Hey, check out the latest fiber art poetry magnets from Interweave Press! (I know, there's an "n" missing but you get the idea). These are great tucked into a Christmas cards for the fiber enthusiasts you know.

Spinster in the Spotlight

Started spinning again after what seems like months... I'm plying actually, and can tell its been months. Had my wheel spinning clockwise trying to figure out what the heck was going on with my yarn twisting all out of whack- why it wouldn't ply properly. If you're a spinner you'll know exactly why.

Check this out... I'm featured in this months Arts Council newsletter! Not sure if this will be readable on the blog, but thought I'd share. Recognize the pictures? I've only recently discovered photos can be copied from my blog, so I guess I need to let everyone know that all photos of artwork featured here are the sole property of the artist- thats me- and if you would like to use these photos elsewhere on the web, etc. please contact me. I'm pretty good about sharing... most of the time.

I have a mailing list in the works for The Rookery so I can update folks on the arrival of new products before they hit the shelves, featured works of local artists, upcoming classes and workshops as well as special offers and discounts for subscribers. As soon as I finish getting it organized I will post a link here on the blog.

Recent Works

Feeling a little burnt out after the art show and gearing up for the holidays, hence the lack of creative enthusiasim as of late. These peices were part of a show at The Fly-By which ran the month of November. The scarf was knit with the handspun yarn featured in my post Autumn Leaves. I combined it with Antonia from Skacel using a 60" circular needle size 11.

The felted peice, Fire Dance, was needle felted- incorporating tule, cotton string, novelty yarn, mohair locks, silk, wool and a bronze petroglyph button from Worldy Goods. The small felted vessel was created with similar materials and has a few buttons stitched into the sides: two silver fish, a large clam shell and a couple small nautilus shells. The photo does it zero justice. All three can be seen at The Rookery.

Current projects: several scarves on circulars, handspun on the bobbin waiting to be plied, quivit waiting to be picked and carded and spun (one bobbin down, one left to go) and another wall hanging in the works. I've been playing with the angelia fibers and am working with needlefelting, quilting and beading on this one- if I can find a way to work in knitting I will...