Remembering a Friend

Ditched work early today due to feeling a bit under the weather and not having had a single customer- the joy and dispair of being your own boss... Picked up my daughter from school and drove around town soaking up the sunshine. Had to enjoy it from inside the car- its freezing cold outside. Drove out to visit the Big Valley memorial. If anyone has seen Deadliest Catch on the Discovery channel, you'll be familiar with the sinking of the Big Valley. Skipper Gary Edwards was a good friend, and I've been thinking alot about him lately. Hard to believe it's been a year already. I still can't get my mind around the fact that he's gone and never coming back. Gary was for me such a huge part of what made Kodiak such a cool place to live. Words can not express the loss this community has felt. Gary was one of the most unique individuals I've ever met- a rennaisance man, ecclectic, bohemian all the way, artist, tag sale junkie, total ladies man ( yeah, he knew how to work it!) and the biggest heart this side of the equator. A man with major class. He loved the arts and threw fabulous parties. He always wore his trade-mark white shirt, thin black tie and black cashmere cardigan- usually paired with a ragged and frayed pair of slacks. My wedding dress was found in his attic- a 1950's creation from San Fransisco still in the original box. Anyhow, I miss him heaps and wish he could have seen my shop and the artwork I've been doing- he was always one for pursuing one's dreams and know he would have approved...

The View From Here

Snapped this photo several days ago. The sky cleared, the sun came out and mist started rising up from the trees. This is the view from my house- part of it anyhow. There's another mountain to the right. This group of mountains are named Three Sisters. In the summer the sun sets right behind them. In the winter however the sun doesn't quite make it over to this side of the island, so it can be a bit dark and dreary when there isn't any snow on the ground to brighten things up.

Norolicious!

Here are the latest additions to the yarn shelves at The Rookery- Kureyon 100% wool by Noro. This stuff is gorgeous! I love the color combinations found in Japanese yarns. Diakieto is another that simply makes me drool. Not many commercial yarns inspire me like these... Gotta put Japan on my list of top 5 places to visit. New Zealand is #1, though I think I'd actually like to live there rather than just visit. Everything I've encountered from New Zealand ( people, photos, films, fibers, my spinning wheel, old coins, etc.) really strike a chord in me. Japan tempts me also with its animation, street fashion, sushi and attention to detail. I wonder if I could pimp my handspun on the streets of Tokyo?

What Kind of Yarn Are You?

You are Merino Wool.You are very easygoing and sweet.
People like to keep you close because you are so
softhearted. You love to be comfortable and
warm from your head to your toes.

Can you believe this!??? I thought for sure I'd score somewhere in the novelty yarns... Man, this really destroys my punk spinster image big time!

What kind of yarn are you?

Slacking Off

Feeling a little guilty, as I have been procrastinating big time on my year-end paperwork. I've been wildly spinning and carding away the hours this past week. Now I've got myself several spinning projects lined up. Yeah!

It hasn't been all play though- I have even been re-organizing down at the shop to give myself some much needed work/studio space. I'm even taking on the cash register! You have no idea how huge this is... I've been intimidated by this thing for a year now, so its been parked on my desk collecting dust in the back room. Now that I actually NEED to use my desk for my laptop and actual book keeping, its time to bring out the cash register, get it programmed and phase out the long receipts...

Lots of parcels in the mail today- Noro yarn is here! Its gorgeous. Brittany and clover needles have arrived, angelina fibers, UV threads, Bo Dash and other fibery art goodies, and ( what I've been waiting forever for) the alpaca fleece I sent off to be processed. It has finally arrived!!! LOTS of alpaca roving- 5 big boxes stuffed full!

"Swizzle"

I've loaded this photo 5 times and managed to delete it 4... wound this off the bobbin last night before heading off to bed. It measured in at 125 yds. This yarn was really hard to photograph in terms of capturing the color. Had to use the flash to get the magenta to show up- otherwise it looked grape soda purple. The other thing that doesn't show up is all the magenta flash carded into the wool. I'll add a photo without the flash as the magenta flash might show up better...

Yarn Hottie!

I'm really pleased with the way this skein turned out- definate yarn hottie in my book! It measures in at 146 yds. This yarn should stripe as it is knitted up. I alternated between the blue (heavily carded with blue flash and plied with orange mohair locks) and the multi-colored heather(spun with sparkley blue pompoms threaded on to magenta fun fur). The yarn is plied with a canary yellow viscose thread. Yum!

In the Spin

Here's a peek at what I've got whirling on my wheel. It's going to get even louder in color when I start plying in the mohair locks...

Fish Tales and Superstitions

My friend in Finland knit up this beauty with yarn I sent her for Christmas (Mountain Colors aplaca/wool blend). I knew it would tempt her away from her studies! I'll let her explain the pattern and such (hope she doesn't mind!)

"As promised, a picture of the scarf I knit out of the yummy yarn you sent me. The picture is not really showing of the structure of the scarf very well, but it is a sort of fishtail pattern. I don't know the name of it, I took it from a German magazine, and it was not specified with a pattern name. But it reminds me of fishtails, and since the yarn is from you, living in a fishing community I find the description suitable. I chose the pattern based on my desire show of the colour changes that happen in the hand dyed yarn. I tried a more elaborated cable pattern, but it ate up the colours completely. The scarf is about 2 m long, and took almost all of the yarn."

Beautiful!

Anyhow...can you believe it's Friday the 13th AND a full moon... how cool is that!?

Yummy Yarns!

Wanted to share pic's of these scrumptiously soft Italian wool yarns from De Vi. Two of the colors I already had on the shelf, and have now added four more. There are so many colors to choose from its hard to pick, but I'm happy with my selection of the top three (yellow, yellow/green/orange, black/red/yellow...) and the one on the right in the second pic- (purple/blue/green). This yarn is a dream to knit with and its thick and thin spin adds wonderful texture. I had another color that I sold out of and re-ordered, but its on back order...a gorgeous flaming red/orange/yellow combination. I still have to break the news to one of my customers who is waiting for this yarn so that she can finish her scarf.

Northern Lights

Here it is off the bobbin... It measured in at 186 yds- my largest skein to date.

Sneaky Peek

A quick break from spinning to share a peek at my northern lights yarn still in the works- and the colors chosen for my next spinning exploit. Pretty loud! I still haven't figured out what little bobbles and bits I'm going to spin in to it, but do have my eye on the last of my orange mohair locks. As for the northern lights yarn, I think this skein will have the most yardage of any other novelty I've spun. My longest to date is "Retro Confetti" at 129 yds. We'll see how this one measures up when I'm finished. It's spinning up finer than the last yarn, but I attribute that to having hand carded the first batch and using the drum carder for the second. This yarn is not as flashy as the last, a little more subtle and delicate, which I really like, but still very sparkly.

Flickr!

Check out my new Flickr badge! This is one of the coolest sites I've come across for creating, managing and storing photo albums- and for checking out photos by other folks. Its a very visually oriented website and some of the pic's there are simply stunning. Click on the badge flashing under my profile and it will take you to all of my photo albums. There are lots of pic's there that have never made it to my blog- especially in the handspun yarn album. The slideshow option will give you a more detailed veiw of everything. Enjoy!

124 Yards of Bliss!

Finally got to ply some yarn! The close up photo looks much darker for some reason, but the picture of the skein is fairly true in color. I plied with a lime green sulky holoshimmer thread, sparkly fun fur, purple tule and fused angelina fibers. This is much darker than the northern lights yarn I have planned. With the northern lights yarn I'll spin the sparkly fun fur into the yarn instead of plying it in. Also I plan to spin in some threaded sequins that I dyed and load up some lavender sulky thread with beads for plying, adding in a soft shimmering pale seafoam green tule as I ply. Thats the plan anyhow. Don't know if I'll incorporate the fused angelina in it or not- haven't decided. Now, back to the wheel for more spinning!

Keeping my Sanity, Stitch by Stitch...

Well, I finished the scarf before the end of the year as promised, amidst the holiday frenzy, but I haven't given up an inch of my insomniatic knitting habits. Here are the results of of a recent episode of knitting into the wee hours... So far I have NOT been able to work on my northern lights yarn or a wall hanging I have in the works- much to my frustration. Knitting has been my fix for the time being... more work, less play these days. I've a date with quickbooks this friday and LOTS (and I mean LOTS!!!) of data entry to do- not to mention a busy class schedual at the shop starting up soon. Throw two small kids in the mix, a heap of housework, five chickens and a husband who's work has taken him off island since October and you'll start to understand why I've got a death grip on my knitting needles.

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...