Long Overdue

Ok....so I thought I had posted the Canadian Christmas Visit pics, but I was reminded I had not.  So it's a little Christmas, a little late. Here are just a few.

New Stuff

Ok...snow day weaving....playing with stash fibres....

Please note, the Nashville Public Library is taking food in place of dollars for payment of fines January 10th - 20th....good time to help out and pay off your fines.  I couldn't believe the numbers I was hearing while waiting in line today....seriously $123.00 in fines...seriously, you can't take your books back for that long?  And why does the library let him keep taking books out....clearly there is an issue.  But really....the program is great...if you have fines....wipe them out with some canned goods.

On another note, I heard from Anna Marie of the Martha's Vineyard Fiber Folks and the hospice sale was a success.  I believe they sold almost everything and mine did go.  I'm so glad.  I'm going to start putting things away for next year.

Lagniappe

Ok....so it's a snow day here in Nashville.  Love it.  I know that most of you southerners would rather not, but I love the snow....now it seems like winter.  And the light in my house is amazing reflecting off the snow.  What a beautiful day.

Ok....this has to be said....I don't care if you're a southerner or a northerner...if you have to drive or just want to in snow, you MUST clean the snow off your windows.  This should be a ticketable (is that a word?) offense.  Clearing off what you can reach in front of your face is not enough...you have to clear off the back and side windows too....yes you...the idiot who's yelling at the driver you hit because you couldn't see out your window.  Come on people....

Another thought....have any of you seen all the gulls that hang out in the Kmart parking lot at the Nolensville Road/Harding Place intersection?  I feel like I've missed something.

So Saturday whilst spinning with the gals, Bonnie told me about this concept that we all actually know about, but I think it's worth a reminder here.  Also, I knew of the concept but not the word.  And you all know how I love words and sounds.

A lagniappe (pronounced /ˈlænjæp/ LAN-yap) is a small gift given to a customer by a merchant at the time of a purchase (such as a 13th donut when buying a dozen), or more broadly, "something given or obtained gratuitously or by way of good measure. The word is chiefly used in the Gulf Coast of the United States, especially Louisiana.

I love this.  I know that merchants do it  so you will remember them and go back to purchase more....but for me there is something bigger in this ritual/tradition....seems a little like, pay it forward.  I love surprises and to me this is just another way to put a smile on someones face.  Basically doing something or giving something unexpected.  Not only does it feel good to get it....it feels amazing to do it.  So, for 2011...how about a little lagniappe....a crackerjack prize....a blue moon....a little something extra from me to you. 

On that note, the loom is on it's way.  Not a huge surprise for me since I ordered it, but most certainly a great prize.

PS.....Superwash BFL...JanRoving....love it!

A Spin of the Irish

Ok....so back in November I did a swap through Ravelry that hooked me up with Hazel in Dublin...what a great surprise and gift to be doing a swap with someone international.  I received some beautiful aran yarn, a spindle and 4 bags of roving.  One you've already seen....the fiesta colored pencil roving, here are the other three; natural BFL, natural black welsh and a funky green mesh of wool with specs of fibre color.  All were different and fun to spin....what a great opportunity to spin something different.  And, I'm learning that I can learn and go with the spinning flow.

Spinning into the New Year or What I Learned in 2010

Ok....so these are the hanks I finished over the new year holiday...the spinning is holding me and I'm so excited about the natural roving I got while away.  More to come on that soon. 

So, 2010....I learned to drop spin, to ply, to weave, to wind on a nostepinne (just barely the last day of the year), to knit socks toe up, to continental knit, to felt a little better, to identify more sheep and fibre bearing animals, there are really no moose in Vermont, Ben & Jerry's is fattening, I love dirty martinis, I am a Godmother (I know...images of a wand with a star on top and me singing, "Bibbity, Bobbity, Boo" are freaking you all out....but I do look good in my tiera don't I?)......  What a wonderful year of learning and experiencing for me....

For 2011, I would like to learn to make tea from leaves that I can actually drink, weave patterns, spin on a wheel, dye fibre, rid my yard of moles, oh the list is too long......the projects too many...  I would also like to go to more fibre festivals and knit more for charity.  So much to do, so little time.

Here's to 2011....a year filled with learning, fibre, friends and my family.

Christmas Crafts

Ok....so although I took knitting with me to Michigan, I spent any free time I could for spinning and weaving.  the weaving really took me by surprise and I'm pretty happy with the result.  The spinning....well, it just relaxed me and I actually got a lot done.  So, I wasn't sure about spinning in front of my brother and cousin because they're boys and actually they have to have a laugh about everything...so I could only imagine what the spinning would set off.  It wasn't as I expected, actually it was just the opposite....as we were all (6 adults) sitting together and I was spinning...everyone was staring...everyone was mesmerized...including the boys. 

I found that every time I sat down to spin, everyone stared and it got quiet.  Ok...this goes right back to my theory of meditation spinning.  I know it has that affect on me, but it also seems to have that affect on the observer.  Everyone loved what I was doing.  The comments (from my brother of course)....why don't you have a wheel yet (I was expecting....seriously, that's what you do in your free time, can't you just buy yarn).....and I think it's trying to escape (when the roving pulled apart)....that's it....seriously, that's it.  I think it's interesting that my brother thinks I should get a wheel.

They were also interested in watching my weaving too.  My brother even helped warp the loom with me.  These are activities that I thought would draw many comments because of my obsession and all the fibre, but my family....my very cool family (boys included) loved what I was working on.

Kathy....well, let's just say the spinning had her in a trance.  Perfect...... 

Ok...now I'm wondering if I can hypnotize someone?  I'm wondering if I can help people quit smoking or diet?  I'm wondering if I can just help people sleep better?  I know I do.  The possibilities......the infinite possibilities.