What's New

Yeah, I know I'm a terrible blogger. I've been busy going back to college, yet again, and getting the museum into the world of social media. So if I haven't done anything here, you can find me at the following places:

Twitter- blksheepspinste, KVMMUMMY, KVMPlanetarium, and KalamazooMuseum

Facebook - Kalamazoo Valley Museum group and fan page



If you want to see me in action, I'll be at the 30th Annual Antique Engine and Tractor show. Once I find the cord that connects the camera to the computer, I'll start posting some pictures again.

What's this?

Yes, I kow that it has been quite a while since I last updated this thing. Here are all of the socks that I finished for the 2008 Summer of Socks. The winner made about 30 pairs.

I also was sent to a conference in Traverse City on Michigan Museums. I learned all about intergrating Web 2.0 (which blogging is part of) into my museum's website and culture. Still working on that one. Just recently, they have decided to go gun ho and the whole thing so I will be keeping folks informed on the Kalamazoo Valley Museum on a blog, Facebook, Twitter, wiki, MySpace, etc.

The main reason for the delay on updating was George. Meet George.

George was a golf ball benign cyst in my left boob if found when I got back from Traverse City. He has since been drained, but the month of doctor's was oh so much fun. I have two more at least on the right side almost as big. The surgeon couldn't find them at the time of George's removal. I have been have lots of pain lately so I will probably be going to have a follow up ultrasound to see if George is coming back or the twins are growing.

I also started back to school, again, this winter. My job at the museum needs to change if I'm going to keep one. Right now I schedule schools who aren't coming to visit. The web can and needs to take up more of my time.

I got a new toy.

I got a new spinning wheel. No, I don't really need one, but I got it anyway. It is a real Rick Reeves spinning wheel which aren't made anymore. Maybe now Thing #4 will fix my Ashford Traveller before it falls apart.

Thing #1 inspecting Thing #2 inspectingThing#3 inspecting

Summer of Socks 2008 update: I'm way behind. Right now I only have 9 pairs done and 6 pairs on the needles. The person in the lead has done 20 pairs. Even if I only size 4 or bigger needles, I don't know if I will ever catch up.

Horcrux Socks (worsted weight version)

Blueberry Waffle.

If you look at my Ravelry profile, they are the shut him up socks. Thing #4 thinks that all socks should be his. There isn't any such thing as too girly. He says he is man enough to wear anything or he'll wear boots. Any and all comments will be passed on to him.
Broadripple.

The yarn for these is a 3 ply handspun from a Sheep 2 Shoe kit. If I see anymore, I do believe I will pick up a couple.

Springtime socks. Okay it is a basic sock pattern, but the colors are springy.

Circle Socks

Relay for Life socks for Jen.

These aren't part of the Summer of Socks, because they were started before June 21st.

Easy Aran socks - Another pair for Thing #4

This Week in Socks

Only two more pairs done, but there are about 7 pairs on the needles. What can I say. I get bored easily plus changing it up keeps my hand from completely failing.

The first sock is a basic toe up sock made from Patons Decor on size 3 needles. The helper #4 decided this pair needed a long term test of about 24 hours before I pried them off his feet. Yes, he is on probation. He only gets to try one sock on at a time.


The second pair is Brigid from Goddess Knits made with Sugar'n Cream Confectionary Colors in Caramel on size 4 needles.


Here is a preview of a couple of the other pairs I'm working on.

First Pair Done

I have finished the first pair of socks.

They aren't pretty, but done. They are made out of Sugar'n Cream yarn on size 3 needles. Just a touch too small of a needle. The socks are for Dave the almost brother in law who claims he is allergic to wool. This was the first time that I have attempted a peasant or afterthought heel. I'm not to taken with it. I think I will stick with the basic Dutch heel that I usually do. I would have been done sooner, but there are so many patterns I want to try. I'm going to try to limit myself to 3 on the needles at any time: one cuff down, one toe-up, and one other technique like modular or sideways.

Oh the 4th helper wanted me to mention that he claims he is my offical sock tester. Back to knitting, maybe I'll finish a toe-up pair before the day is done.

Summer of Socks - The Helpers

I started on the Summer of Socks on Saturday. I'm so bad. I already have casted on 4 different sock patterns and have only finished 2 socks that aren't even from the same pair. Anyway while I focus on finishing a pair, I thought you might want to meet my helpers, the cats. All three are essentially strays and have their own special needs.

Thing #1 - Pepper Anne
She is the oldest of the three cats. Her main assistance is to keep my lap warm and to distract me from time to time. She is also known to have seizures which is another distraction. The seizures are that bad. She is the second cat that I've had that has had them. I adopted her because of the seizures. Yep. I'm a glutton for punishment.




Thing #2 - Tubby
He truly lives up to his name. The boy weighs in at about 16 pounds and we dread going to the vet because we get the cat is fat lecture. We could control his food all we like, but he has snacks when he is outside. He was born with 4 legs, but at slightly over a year old some (fill in the blank with word of your choice) shot him. He really doesn't think that he only has 3 legs sometimes. He can still bulldoze you over when he is running full tilt. His main job is to keep my lap warm and to cut off the circulation in my legs.


Thing #3 - Violet
This is the newest edition to the family. She is reliving her inner kitten. The baby of the family was an indirect Christmas present. Indirect, because we were just going to watch her until the folks Troy got her from came back from a trip. They really didn't want her in the first place, but she ended up in a live trap they had. She was pretty messed up and underfed. Her job is to annoy the heck out of me, which does very well. Any and all balls, yarns, and needles are hers to be played with. Plus she has to be with me all of the time. The worst of it is that she doesn't really meow. She squeaks.

This is a posed shot, but it is cute anyway. From the top is Pepper, Violet, and the Tubby.

Thing #4 - Troy
I still haven't figured out his purpose is. Probably never will.

Inquiring Minds Want to Know

What have I been doing for the last couple of months? Taking pictures and knitting, silly.

In April, Troy and I were at The Fiber Event in Greencastle, Indiana. I tried to sell fleeces, roving, yarn and cross-stitch kits.

Troy brought one of his braiding machines. The big seller was the britch wool roving. Who knew butt wool would be so popular. Fleeces, roving and yarn are still available if anyone is interested.

I finished the nephew's hockey stick cozies, aka the kilt socks. They are huge. Each one measures 34 inches long. The socks were suppose to be for the prom, but the date didn't want him going in his kilt. I said, very colorfully, to get a new date.

I made a few dishcloths.

The LYS had a Build-a-Bear Party and sweater contest. Meet Prudence Charity. Her intials are PCB. Had Troy liked the other name I was going to go with, her intials were going to be PMS.

He got PMS either way.

I was test knitting the Ivy Shawl by Jeanne Townsend. There is a Yahoo group KAL for it.

a little better detail

Spinning with the Back Row Spinners. There is even picture proof I was there.

And spending way too much time surfing Ravelry. If you aren't there, invites are down to about a day.

Now, I'm going to pick up my CSA share, go home, and work on a star afghan. So there Michelle.