The Black Sheep Spinster

Social Media is driving me insane.

2010-06-29T20:48:00.003-04:00

What was I thinking? I'll team up with a former coworker and come up with a proposal for the Michigan Museum Association Annual Conference on Social Media. No way will they pick an underling to present.

WRONG!!!!!!!

I've been accepted to speak at the conference which is in Kalamazoo in October in the hotel right next to the museum I work at. Now I have to come up with a presentation on what to do with Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, blogs, etc. after you sign up for an account. I'll be discussing fun thinks like strategy, return on investment, influencers, fundraising, and policy. What the heck was I thinking. Now I'm reading all sorts of books on the subject and trying to figure out how to create podcasts.

Yes I am insane. Yes, I know I'm a bad blogger so I won't use that as an example, but I'm also starting a blog for my museum.

Did I say I was insane? Nope, that isn't strong enough. I should be committed. I'm hopeless. I'm am so screwed. Better get back to the books.

I'm Back

2010-04-02T12:16:00.002-04:00

I've been fighting remembering the password to get back here. I have way too many accounts. Anyway here is the basic updates. I currently still have a job. Troy is laid off. The cysts on the right side are causing problems and are probably ready to be stabbed. George has a sister that is starting to form. I'll probably wait until it gets bigger and get all three done at once. I'm getting my spit genetically analyzed by 23andme for heritage and medical information. I bought a Jensen Gossip Wheel (pictures when the camera plays nice). I can ply off of both flyers, but not spin.

What's New

2009-06-24T16:30:00.003-04:00

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?

2009-03-06T08:07:00.003-05:00

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.

2008-07-29T13:43:00.003-04:00

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

2008-07-09T11:36:00.003-04:00

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

2008-06-28T11:08:00.002-04:00

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

2008-06-25T13:35:00.002-04:00

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

2008-05-27T16:44:00.004-04:00

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.

Beware I have a camera

2008-03-28T14:13:00.002-04:00

No the Easter Bunny didn't bring me one. I had to go spend my own hard earned money. Anyway, here are a few pictures of the over 70 ducks now nesting at my desk at work.

The Duck Choir

My duck rockers

More ducks

Her Majesty

It's a Girl and another girl

2008-03-01T22:12:00.001-05:00

The first lambs arrived today. Twin white BFLs.

Sheep Shearing Party

2008-02-05T10:20:00.000-05:00

The new shearer just called last night and moved up shearing a week to Saturday, February 16th. I'm not ready. I was going to use that weekend to get ready! Needless to say he isn't scoring points in my eyes right now. Also, the list of reserved fleeces has disappeared. I remember a few, but there were so many. More panic. Now I'm just trying to let everyone know the change. Even more panic. This will teach me to plan ahead.

So with that, everyone is invited to our annual sheep shearing party on Saturday, February 16, 2008. We have purebred Shetlands and Blue Face Leicester. We will be starting at 10 am and going until all 62 sheep are naked. The farm is at 3031 102nd Avenue; Allegan, MI 49010-9734. There will be spinning, knitting, crocheting and visiting. Please send me a message if you need a phone number or directions. It would be swell if folks brought a dish to pass. The guys from Wooly Knob are coming up on Sunday, February 17th if anyone has fleeces to drop off. They are usually at the farm around 2pm and leave about 5pm.

One victim down

2008-02-02T17:53:00.000-05:00

I've killed my first victim in Death by Socks and she was nice enough to send me a picture of her demise. I'm waiting for the next victim's socks to arrive. I think I will give up on the camera fairy and go buy one myself. I just became a part of Raverly.com and pictures of projects would be a really good thing. If you aren't part of it, you should check it out. Its a dangerous place really. All sorts of patterns and groups to get a person in trouble. And here I thought I would do some stash busting this year.

We have a new cat, even though the boy friend keeps saying she's temporary. I've named her Violet Temperance and she was rescued from Bowen's Mills. She is a cute grey and white little girl with thumbs (extra claws). I think that she is starting to settle in and the other two are tolerating her existance.

I've gone back to school and I can say that I'm not impressed with my instructor. Both of my classes are web based, which I think is the way to go. My instructor has discussion questions in one of the classes and so far they have been watch tv or the Superbowl for the commercials and discuss them. I'm trying to severely cut back my tv viewing. I'm not a big football person either. At least she could have given us the option of the Superbowl or Daytona. I would much rather watch Daytona. Better for projects anyway. The local embroidery shop had their annual Superbowl sale and I think that I got every pattern that had a sheep on it. Now just to find the time to work on them.

Death by Socks starts soon

2008-01-12T19:52:00.000-05:00

My second round of Death by Socks starts on Tuesday. I'm spinning some lovely bright green wool/mohair from Jehovah Jireh Farm for the occasion. My next victim lives in New York. I'm afraid she might not make it to the weekend or at least that is my goal. It all depends on the pattern which is a surprise.

I finally went to visit my lastest grandsheep. I have no excuses not to as she and her mother live down the street. She really cute and small, even for a Shetland. She even let me pet her. No name for her yet. Marilyn, the mother, stood a way aways and glared at me, as usual. It looks like I am getting Isabella's fleece, though it doesn't really matter which great great grandsheep's fleece I get. I just like her name.

Look, Darlea, a new post!

2007-12-10T12:00:00.000-05:00

I get harassed by certain friends for not keeping the blog up. I'll admit that after dad passed it has been hard. One of the reasons I started the thing in the first place was to let him know what I was up to.

So on to happier news. The ducks have bred again. Now I'm up to about 60 of the things. They really multiplied around Halloween when I began to "store" some for the programs department. It has been almost a year since they started with the reindeer duck.

I've begun picking out my fleeces for next year. First there is Hildegard.

Then there is Onyx Velour, a spotted gulmoget.

Then there are Justinian and Snowy who I don't have pictures of, yet.

From Crosswind Farms, I'm getting Rock Star's fleece and one of the offspring. I'm hoping for Isabella.

And of course I have to get Marilyn.

Lots of Cotton

2007-11-06T09:00:00.000-05:00

I just got a bag of cotton from my friend Lisa in Georgia. She said she would send some. Some equals almost 2.5 pounds. I was expecting a few ounces, not pounds. Lisa is one of the people I knocked off in Death by Socks in the beginning part of the year. She is the only one of my many slain that I have been keep in touch with. I think that I'm going to ply her cotton with some naturally colored Cotton and make myself a summer sweater. It is spinning up fine. I don't think that I'll have to send it to the mill for further processing. I'm all done for shows for this year. Next year is already starting to fill up. Shearing will be the last Saturday in February. That will probably be my first big event of the year. I'm trying to decide what I might want to work on if there is a Knitting Summer Olympics next year. A lace shawl is definitely out. I want to pick something that is challenging, but I won't do any more injury to myself. I've decided not to tell the doctor that I'm going to be doing Christmas knitting. It is going to be a sock year, plus people that I work with want hats, mittens, socks, scarves, and sweaters to give for their families. At least, I will be adding to next year's fiber fund.

I think I have the picture thing figured out. No the camera fairy hasn't cooperated yet. I'll just use pictures other people send me. I'll be hopefully posting pictures of the fleeces still on the sheep that I'm considering.

Happy Birthday Daddy. I miss you

2007-09-20T08:43:00.000-04:00

Today would have been my dad's 75th birthday. Below is a poem from sheep friend's service by his kids. I had to read it at the service and thought it would be good at my dad's. I never thought I would be needing it so soon. Too soon.

Dad
A Poem From His Children

Dad, So many things come to mind, whenever I speak your name.
It seems without you in my life, things will never be the same.
Dad, If I could turn back time and you could once more hear my voice.
I'd tell you that out of all the other dad's you'd still be my choice.
Dad, Please always know that I love you and nobody can take your place.
Years will come and go but your memory will never erase.
Dad, Your life has been full and rich with love; friends have been many warm and kind.
Enriched by the example you have left behind.
Dad, Go with joy to a better place and a new beginning.
Dad, Go in peace and know that you've made a difference along the way.
Dad, Go in comfort, for all you've been will always stay.

It's Duck Season

2007-02-21T08:01:00.000-05:00

My rubber duckies have been breeding. I now have about 16 two inch high rubber duckies. The duck fairy has left me a full set of fairy tale ducks, a full set of pirate ducks, and a full setof rock and roll ducks. They have also left me one shuck (sheep duck). I'm going on vacation soon. Who knows how many ducks and where they will be hiding when I get back. There is even a Queen Elizabeth I Celebriduck out there that I have dropped hints that it would be a nice addition. I have also suggested the biker ducks, a few devil ducks, an I-duck, a full set of reindeer ducks, and basically any duck that is made. The messengers of the duck fairy have also been told that the over the hill ducks won't be appreciated until next year. I haven't ever actively collect ducks. Pigs, sheep, and llamas yes, ducks no. I always wanted a real duck, but I lived in the city.

The wars went badly. I lived a lot longer than I thought I would. But I'm dead in both wars. I have put up my needles for a week to rest up for the International Knit Off. It is from the same person that started Sock Wars and is guaranteed hurricane/blizzard proof. I'm not sure how well I will be doing. It is going to be done in rounds. The winner is determined by posting a picture to the yahoo group.

Between Battles

2007-01-13T20:18:00.000-05:00

Head Games hat knitting war started on Wednesday. I was able to get the hat finished and in the mail today. That will give me a day to rest before Death by Socks start up on Monday. Both of my targets live in Georgia this time. Sometimes I get a twinge bit of guilt for knocking them off so quickly, but that quickly fades. I was actually giddy leaving the post office. Target #1 will be DOA by Monday at 3:00 pm or so I'm told. It took about 5 to 10 minutes to explain to the nice postal worker what a knitting war was. The easiest way is to say that it is Highlander for knitters. There can be only one. As I'm of the MacLeod clan, it should be me. Both Head Games and Death by Socks are far smaller than Sock wars, only about 30 in each group. It should be over quicker. I'm in it more for bragging right than anything else. One of the few things I overachieve on. I'll have to stop warring until fall when these are done. Sheep and embroidery season will be starting soon.

The farm where I claim sheep will be shearing the last weekend in February. If you are near Allegan, Michigan, you are welcome to come. Then I get to skirt or pick off the nasty bits off of 100ish fleeces to get ready for Fleece Event in April. There isn't much on their website yet. I'll be selling raw fleeces, roving, and hand spun yarn. Most of all the stuff will be natural colored Shetland. I'm getting spoiled. I only want to work with Shetland. Not to mention that there are 33 ewes due to lamb and I said I would help with the lambing.

As for embroidery, I'm working on my EGA Master Craftsman in Counted Thread and need to get the first step done. It is going to be a sampler with parts of Proverbs 31 on a virtious woman. I pilot stitch for the Posy Collection. She sells kits at historical and natural landmarks. The only one I really ended up not liking was the one for Crater Lake Lodge. Too much detail in a small space. She only uses 18 count Aida fabric. I'm getting to be embroidery snob. I prefer linen. She seems to send me kits to work on this time of year. I'm done stitching for Williamsburg, Jamestown, Mount Vernon, and the Grand Tetons.

Since it is a new year, I have made some resolutions.
1. Spin or felt what I the wool I currently have before the end of the year. Some say that this is impossible.
2. Lose weight. I've entered a weight management program at work. If nothing else it will help the insurance go down.
3. Clean the house.

Duckies Everywhere

2006-12-21T08:23:00.000-05:00

Christmas themed rubber duckies have been mysteriously appearing on my desk for the past week. The first one was a reindeer duck. I have named him Ralph. He was to go with all of my llamas. To truley understand that meaning you have to hear the llama song. The next one appeared yesterday morning. It is an elf duck, yet to be named. This morning Santa came as a duck. I looked online to see how many different types of rubber ducks there are, and this could go on for a while. I'll be interested in seeing how many duckies appear while I'm gone for Christmas. I have all ready dropped the hint to the rest of the office that I should have duckies for all the major holidays.

I have finished the family's Christmas knitting. Just in the nick of time, too. His family is doing Christmas tonight. I don't have a clue on what my family is doing. I know that I'm not going to my sister's. Neither one of us want to drive that far just for a free meal. I still have both sleeves, the front bands, and the neck band to do for the entralac sweater. It is looking like it will be a late Christmas present for someone. I'm still going to try to finish it in time.

New year will have new wars. Both have their sign up cut off dates coming up soon. The first one will be Head Games. It is all about making hats. I know that it will have cables and will use size 7 dpn. It is suppose to start on New Year's Day. If my intended victim is reading this, I have that whole week off from work and have nothing better to do than to knit, knit, knit. The second war I'll be in is from Death by Socks. They will be doing multiple wars in a year. When one war is done, then the sign up for the next one will begin shortly after. The only thing I know about the first one will be that I'll be using fingering or sock weight yarn.

Christmas is when????

2006-12-07T07:14:00.000-05:00

I am up to my eyeballs in holiday knitting. I shouldn't be. Some of it I started to spin for back in April. And what was I thinking when I took a Christmas entralac sweater order. It is a good thing that I'm not a social butterfly. Still the boyfriend's family party and the sweater are all due at the same time. Much chocolate and caffine will be needed to get everything finished in time.

If that wasn't bad enough, I have signed up for two knitting wars. One starts on New Year's day. I will probably be huddled in a corner somewhere screaming no more knitting, no more.

Hey, I finally updated this thing!

2006-11-11T07:06:00.000-05:00

Really, I have ment to update the blog soonner, but I never really seemed in the mood. Not much has been happening. I'm pretty much done with shows for the year. I am up to my eyeballs in projects mainly for Christmas. I made and sold my first pair of hand spun 3-ply socks. I have an order for an entralac sweater. Okay, I told the guy that it was going to be entralac, because I wanted to try the pattern. I have never made a sweater that way. I'm knitting a pair of socks with pencil roving. They are going to be really warm. That will be good for me since all of my toys and supplies are in the part of the house that isn't heated in winter. There are several pairs of socks to be made. Some in handspun and some in the other stuff. I'm looking for a wrist warmer pattern I like for someone else.

I was hoping to go to Frankenmuth for a day or so. Apparently, someone has forgotten they agreed to it. My classes are done for the semester. I took six online computer classes. Really that was too much. I passed all of them, but not as well as I would have liked. My highest grade was 4.0 and my lowest was 3.0. Most of the grades were 3.5. I haven't decide what I'm going to take next semester. I'm leaning towards a marketing class. It is nice when your employer is a college and they let you take any class for free. Now if they would only pay for books.

Oh no. I see another project I need to get done before the end of the year that I keep forgetting about. I better get back to work then.

Sock Dead, but Not Forgotten

2006-10-07T08:10:00.000-04:00

I have died in Sock Wars. I have been dead since Tuesday. Killed by The Tooth Fairy in Alabama. The socks are red and black. They fit really well in my clogs. Before I died, I killed Hollyspinner in Michigan and Toes-ty in Kentucky. Toes-ty as it turns out is a Michiganar as well coming from Grand Rapids orignally. Since I'm dead, I have decided to join Socktoberfest. It is a month long celebraton of socks. I probably will try the double knitting technique I saw on Knitty after I get the 7 or 8 other pairs in progress done.

This weekend is Mountain Man and Fiber weekend at Bowen's Mills. Or as I like to call it, The Open Bar. It isn't that we drink heavly while the public is there. We just highly imbibe once they all leave. Mostly, it is a comparison of what we all brewed during the year. Besides my own brew, I am quite fond of Apple Pie. It combines cider, spices and rum. It tastes like an apple pie. Reg is trying to figure out how to add a crust to the receipe. We have suggested a bit a Amaretto. I'm going to try camping out up there. We have a converted box trailer that isn't too bad as long as we don't have house guests.

Sock Death to Come Soon

2006-09-26T19:26:00.000-04:00

I just received an email from my assassin in Sock Wars. She is on my second sock. At least I got one "kill" in before my demise. Maybe if my victim's unfinished socks get to me before my socks arrive, I can knock someone else off. It sounds like my target was almost done with her pair. Or maybe I'll get lucky and the Tooth Fairy will be knocked off and I will get a brief postage repreive. It figures that I would get killed by a fairy. My rennie character is deathly allergic to them. My assassin's relative went to Austraila and brought back yarn. My socks my be made from it, so even though both of us are in the US it will still be an international event.

Hey Marilyn and Sue, see I did update my blog.

The First Victim

2006-09-23T21:07:00.000-04:00

I've gotten the first pair of socks done for Sock Wars and I have my victim with their email. Due to a hurricane and other things, I don't have an address where to send them. So Hollyspinner should you be reading this, please kindly send me your mailing address. They were ready to be mailed on Saturday. Come Monday morning, post offices around the world are going to start to wonder at all of the socks being sent off. In the meantime, I'm resting my hands. They didn't hurt when I took my nap. They sure did when I woke up. People tried to warn me that would happen, especially after my Olympic experience.

I cooked a whole pie pumpkin for the first time. I've cooked squash before, but never whole. My friend Steve K gave me a bunch of pumpkins. This one is going to be a pumpking deluxe cake for my friend Kaylan's birthday. If there is enough, it might also be some pumpkin bread. I need to cook more of the pumpkins down and freeze them for future use.

Tomorrow is Sunday Spinning at other friend Steve's house. I know too many people named Steve. It is the first time we have gotten together since his friend Bill passed away. The spinning group always has a good time. There is lots of food, friends, and fiber.

Sock Wars

2006-09-21T21:25:00.000-04:00

The war will begin soon. I've changed my mind several times on which yarn I'm going to use. I don't even know if I can sleep tonight. I can't get started soon enough. I almost feel sorry for the first person I knock out of the event. Maybe they will get a skein of my handspun as a guilt bonus.

All while the sock war is going on, I still need to knit several pairs of socks for other people not in the war, spin and knit a couple of sweaters, finish a couple of sweaters and shawls, and make a couple of blocks for the Post Office Quilt. It is a neat idea. All of 490 and 491 zip codes (southwest Michigan) will be represented. It is going to be raffled off, but I don't know what for. There is going to be a book that the local Post Offices will carry. I get Kalamazoo (they lumped all the zips together) and Hickory Corners. I also found out that they are going to do a second quilt for the Postal Museum in Marshall. I'm in the museum biz, and I didn't know there was a Postal Museum in Marshall. There is a really cool Magic Museum in Marshall.

Speaking of Museum's, this week's event is the Otsego Creative Arts Festival. I'll be there spinning, weather permitting, down by the Otsego Historical Museum or the antique tractors. Right now it doesn't look like the weather is going to co-operate. That's okay if I can't go. It will give me more time to get ready for Cider Time at Historic Bowens Mills over the next four weeks. More on that later after the first victim of Sock Wars.

There was a purpose to this

2006-09-15T19:36:00.000-04:00

The main reason I started the blog was so folks would stop asking where my next spinning (that's as in yarn, not the silly name for an exercise)demonstration was. As this is my busy demo season, I might want to start announcements now. The next spinning will be at the Tiller's International Community Harvest Festival. This organization teaches almost lost skills of blacksmithing, horse plowing, and more to anyone, but mainly to take back to less developed nations. They are going to be processing sorghum. I've never seen that done before. I'm already planning on buying some and making cookies.

Sock Wars begin in a week. I almost have my arsenal assembled. I just can't decide on bright obnoxious acrylic or purple cotton. I can't quite get the exact gauge no matter what I try. I have some plans of attack, but I'm not foolish enough to voice them. I just found out there there may be another warrior in my town. I'm told she knits fast, but then the person who told me thinks that most everyone knits fast. The boyfriend is very supportitve of the war. He thinks that it should take awhile before someone kills me, and he thinks I knit fast. He should know fast as his mom knitted fast. I will say one thing to my fellow warriors who might be reading this - I can knit 8 inch long ribbed cuff and a 12 inch long foot sock in one day. Given enough pain killers, you're going down. Bring on your size 11 feet!

I'm Back

2006-09-06T14:50:00.000-04:00

I know it has been awhile. Stitches Midwest took some recovery time, and then it was time for the Michigan Fiber Festival. Yep, I spent way too much money. I got these cool light up knitting needles. The don't just light up at the tip like some on the market. The whole needle lights up. I was into exotic, luxury spinning fibers like alpaca, quivit, and cashmere. I also got stuff to do breed samples with. I want to make a blanket or something with all the different types of fiber labeled. I wasn't any better at Michigan Fiber Festival. I got the first place dyed adult mohair fleece. It is a pretty blue ribbon color. I'm going to ply it with a lighter blue. I think it will become a mitered sweater of some sort.

On to the news - I've entered Sock Wars. I probably didn't do enough damage to myself when I was in the Knitting Olympics earlier this year. Folks can sign up until September 8th. If I understand it correctly, you receive information on your target and have to knit and mail a pair of socks to them to "kill" them before the person targeting you sends you a pair of hand knit socks. I have a nice stash of sock yarns so the arsenal is ready. As someone I work with says, if it envolves knitting, competition and killing, it is up your alley. I'm off to finish stuff so I can focus my knitting on socks when the war begins.

It's My Birthday

2006-08-11T03:20:00.000-04:00

Today's my birthday. Normally, this wouldn't mean much. It never has. But this year, I have gotten myself on a bus trip to Stitches Midwest. I've never gone before. I just hope I don't spend too much money. I mean Michigan Fiber Festival is next weekend and I know the damage that will do to the funds. I've decided to make a three generations shawl. Two of the fleeces that I have been spinning really thin are mother and daughter. I have the grand dame, so that would be three generations. It will go white (Sheltering Pines Fiona), light brown (Sheltering Pines Marilyn), and brown (Sheltering Pines Diva). I haven't decided yet on the pattern. Probably, something round. I don't think the birthday fairy will be bringing me that digital camera.

Please Let It Rain

2006-08-02T17:26:00.000-04:00

It's been hot here, just like every place else. It has been too hot to do much of anything. The air conditioner hasn't been working real well either. All of my projects are in the part of the house without the air. I managed to smuggle out one of my Russian support spindles and the camel and silk roving I got last year at the Michigan Fiber Festival. I'm spinning even thinner than I have been on my wheel. So thin that I'm amazing myself. I've asked the birthday fairy for a digital camera, but the fairy seems broke right now.

It's a Start

2006-07-27T08:31:00.000-04:00

Well, I finally went and started a blog. I don't know how frequent the posts will be or if they will be interesting for anyone. I should probably explain the title. I'm the black sheep of my family and I'm a spinster in every sense of the word. I keep trying to convince the boyfriend that the spinster part he could help with, but he wants nothing to do with it. I also prefer to spin naturally colored Shetland fleeces. The latest things I'm working on is the a historic knitted sampler, lace stole, baby sweater, cross stitch sampler, bookmark, and probably a bunch of other UFOs buried someplace in my room. No wonder my carpel tunnel is flaring up badly.