tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7296462422575212024-03-05T12:54:04.002-08:00Knitting & Other Domestic Diversionslesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07971118413451764816noreply@blogger.comBlogger33125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-729646242257521.post-12422644584850217362015-07-22T14:23:00.002-07:002015-07-22T14:23:21.592-07:00Tour de Fleece 2015It's the 3rd week of July and that means lots of spinning time with the Tour de France, better known to Ravelers as the Tour de Fleece, spinning every day the Tour de France rides, resting on the rest days and participating in challenges on challenge days. It's a grueling 3 weeks of fiber immersion for spinners everywhere. This year it kicked off on July 4, when we were at our favorite local getaway with a group of friends who originate from France, Germany and here in the US:<div>
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(we decorated)</div>
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There was paella for 40:</div>
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(no one went hungry)</div>
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and enough crabbing, kite flying, swimming, boating, laughter and me, spinning through it all:</div>
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It's now day 18 of the Tour and I've since completed 3 spins using 3 wheels and spun on most of my tools. </div>
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I have spindled, traveled to the East Coast and back and will end the Tour out-of-town. This year's TDF will be remembered for the places I was able to spin at and the people I visited with at the same time.</div>
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A couple short video clips and sunset from the beach until my next post:</div>
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lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07971118413451764816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-729646242257521.post-80394500220409369602015-06-04T12:18:00.000-07:002015-06-04T12:18:04.262-07:00Summer is coming!!Greetings to all!<br />
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June has sprung and we are in the last push in school, boys baseball, summer trip planning and gearing-up for various fibery pursuits.<br />
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School for my tribe ends in exactly 2 weeks and it feels like it. The sunny days outnumber the cloudy ones now and there are field trips, sports tournaments and thankfully longer, warmer days. <br />
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I love baseball but I don't love adults who make it joyless for kids. My youngest's baseball team suffered 2 losses yesterday and is now eliminated from further playoff action...there was a huge controversy with the first game two days earlier that ended in suspended play, in the bottom of the last inning, and then a very late ruling by the league that the teams needed to play a continuation 2 days later and right before my son's 2nd game. My son's team (last in the regular team play standings) was winning by 3 over the 4th placed team and could taste victory. In the end, Goliath won this game but my son's team played with honor and heart. I consoled my 9 year old boy as only a mom can do after a few late night tears were shed and a brave, smiling face greeted me this morning. It helps that today is a class field trip to the pool! The team will be back stronger and better than ever next year.<br />
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I had hoped that I could attend Black Sheep Gathering in Oregon this year, but instead will be traveling to visit friends across the country that I only get to see virtually (thank you facebook!) and maybe once every 5 years or so. I am looking forward to seeing them and having some me/girl time.<br />
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To keep my fiber-thirst quenched I have signed up for several Tour de Fleece, not to be confused with the Tour de France, teams on <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/groups/tour-de-fleece" target="_blank">Ravelry</a>. <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/invitations" target="_blank">Join Ravelry here</a> to see the linked pages in this blog post. I am spinning for wild card teams: Team Southern Cross Fibres, Team Bosworth, Team Jenkins, Team Schacht, Team Ashford and will likely add one or two more. The goal is to spin fiber every day the Tour de France rides, this year from July 4 through July 26. There are standard teams like Peleton, Rookies and Lanterne Rouge. Come join me!<br />
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I am also participating in <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/discuss/the-knit-girllls/3196700/1-25" target="_blank">Stash Dash</a>, hosted by The Knit Girllls. I'm going for the 3K but there are 5K and 10K options. The goal is to reduce your stash by using it.<br />
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This month I am going to put a plan in place to organize my house. I've let things go and it's starting to wear on me and the family. My fiber stuff is now taking up prominent space in more of the common rooms than ever before. I think a mid-summer destash and yard sale will be in order.<br />
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I've been busy spinning and finished an 8 ounce progression spin with a semi solid and a variegated braid of fiber from <a href="http://shop.southerncrossfibre.com/" target="_blank">Southern Cross Fibre</a>. It's VERY hard to catch an update from this shop, the best way to get SCF fiber is to get it through a destash on Ravelry - it's worth it. Get on the wait list for the SCF Club. Now . Go!<br />
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You can see more progress pics of this spin on my project page <a href="http://ravel.me/tinkerer/leb" target="_blank">here</a></div>
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I am knitting slowwwwwly on my Meilenweit stripey socks and today I will experiment with a new tool I picked up during the LYS Tour at Tolt Yarn and Wool:</div>
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It's the Stash Buster Loom, a small hand held, all wood loom made by Purl & Loop in Texas. Find it <a href="http://purlandloop.com/collections/weaving" target="_blank">here</a>. Tolt Yarn and Wool carries just the loom; Purl & Loop carries them in a kit form with a nice carry bag and yarn snips.</div>
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I often have leftover singles after spinning a project and I have taken to chain plying them to clear my bobbing. I get small skeins of worsted or dk weight yarn. This loom is the perfect way to use those bits up and perhaps make a bag or scarf with all the woven squares:</div>
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One more reminder that summer is just about here, fresh from the garden this morning:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8-a9A3SmfWF8J5_A8GQgyWl-NjXUD0zRSVGdcS9IfyQ_AEgfeebXihYbIksalP4jSMC80tYXKADghGEsRvavRElCbKxRvn0R6J1m6mm5F0rbOb7k0qtnlo96tBOTU7c3HhGKm3EEziZg/s1600/Photo+Jun+04%252C+9+07+12+AM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8-a9A3SmfWF8J5_A8GQgyWl-NjXUD0zRSVGdcS9IfyQ_AEgfeebXihYbIksalP4jSMC80tYXKADghGEsRvavRElCbKxRvn0R6J1m6mm5F0rbOb7k0qtnlo96tBOTU7c3HhGKm3EEziZg/s320/Photo+Jun+04%252C+9+07+12+AM.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Happy Sunny Days to you.</div>
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lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07971118413451764816noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-729646242257521.post-67751759934704015252015-05-26T13:28:00.000-07:002015-05-26T13:28:08.985-07:00A Little Knitting and a Lot of Lacrosse...Memorial Day weekend just ended and was a good busy one for our family. The holiday is always on a Monday and it's a day to honor those who have given their lives to maintain our freedom. It also marks the beginning of the summer season for most here in the States and celebrated with parades, parties, gatherings, etc.<br />
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This year, instead of sleeping in, visiting a local military cemetery, relaxing around the house and barbecuing on Memorial Day, we were in Lake Oswego, OR for The Battle of Lake Oswego lacrosse tournament (BOLO) with these fine young men and their families:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9XMOEyq3_MpQexO4Y7gWYB1ReMAg1nE6zkyf8A0FW-uhZr6JNuDcbSXLtHwF34M9TdSYNO7JwSP4uFnqhR1z158SxY1wWZ65FGyw0znAI-0vpIg_Le9r-PujB_xf4l9Q7F-2jAwRLRWg/s1600/Wolfpack+Team.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9XMOEyq3_MpQexO4Y7gWYB1ReMAg1nE6zkyf8A0FW-uhZr6JNuDcbSXLtHwF34M9TdSYNO7JwSP4uFnqhR1z158SxY1wWZ65FGyw0znAI-0vpIg_Le9r-PujB_xf4l9Q7F-2jAwRLRWg/s320/Wolfpack+Team.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The team played 7 games in 3 days and had the most exciting, nail biting finishes! They ended up in the pursuit for 3rd in the Championship, losing the chance to go for 1st or 2nd in a tied game causing double overtime. The first overtime is sudden death: whichever team scores during an extra 4 minutes of play, wins. If it's still tied after that, then they go Braveheart. 3 players from each team are on the field trying to be the first to score - kind of mano-a-mano. Such a rush for all spectators!</div>
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The team finished 3rd in their bracket, a great accomplishment. It was the 7th and last game that really tested their abilities and hunger for the win. Two players were out with injuries but the team played their hardest in that game and won by just one goal with under 2 minutes left to play!</div>
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It was cold while we were there so I got some yarn and needles to make a <a href="https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B3gT0CEIE-HxUVF2X25mSWg3VVE/view" target="_blank">Man Hat</a> for my husband who has taken to practically shaving his head these days. I started it on Friday and he was wearing it on Sunday morning:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRmM6QCSOf38lfZAmuxpjQLNqh5-FCoc1pjFnE83_R61DCaDZ66Z1E7WFlBW4ltHhM0BKpjiIEgpcHx-jnm1-2sbEisLL7UES7aWseggzI6XYdrqdaXSK8SYKYyaKFARCTLEnJUpFcXaQ/s1600/Man+Hat+5-2015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRmM6QCSOf38lfZAmuxpjQLNqh5-FCoc1pjFnE83_R61DCaDZ66Z1E7WFlBW4ltHhM0BKpjiIEgpcHx-jnm1-2sbEisLL7UES7aWseggzI6XYdrqdaXSK8SYKYyaKFARCTLEnJUpFcXaQ/s320/Man+Hat+5-2015.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqegnZwLLvNluL5qnPeCmX27D90jKZwc61PC3vRW79EfIOpDOlQQJO5RwAbRvpmw9vVBngxY1bRorB__q7jOEj29IlnQv38dov3ynjMGAsioN1l00Dddd4mzjPXhdaJ5-0eOjm8WrgppQ/s1600/Man+Hat+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqegnZwLLvNluL5qnPeCmX27D90jKZwc61PC3vRW79EfIOpDOlQQJO5RwAbRvpmw9vVBngxY1bRorB__q7jOEj29IlnQv38dov3ynjMGAsioN1l00Dddd4mzjPXhdaJ5-0eOjm8WrgppQ/s320/Man+Hat+2.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Malabrigo Chunky on size 8 dpns</div>
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I did some knitting on a sock:</div>
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Meilenweit Merino on 1.5 dpns</div>
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And some more on the Blossom Poncho:</div>
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Week 3 of Paleo eating continues and I made paleo banana bread and it is YUMMY!</div>
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Almond meal, honey, eggs, water, baking soda (not paleo but only 1 teaspoon so I don't think it's a show stopper), cinnamon, bananas, vanilla and almond extract - no fats needed except to spray the pan with some coconut oil. I may eat the whole thing before the kids get home!</div>
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Next up is chia seed chocolate pudding...</div>
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I hope your holiday was spent doing whatever moved you; freedom comes at a cost and I am forever grateful to the men and women and their families who paid for mine.</div>
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<br />lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07971118413451764816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-729646242257521.post-47773488132368577682015-05-20T13:20:00.000-07:002015-05-20T13:20:42.402-07:00Starting something new...Today is the start of my 3rd week of taking care of myself. My first 2 weeks were consumed with a long list of to do's. My LIST was how I always operated but that LIST continued to grow and began to devour this precious time I need to regain health and inner strength. I have decided that the LIST must go...and I am submitting myself instead to a less formal daily routine that includes a good dose of exercise, meal preparation (I've gone Paleo), mediation (really just quiet time with my own thoughts) and much needed rest/sleep.<br />
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This new routine is not an easy one for me to embrace. I am used to producing, solving numerous problems, managing projects, working through lunch and needed bathroom breaks and, in general, I don't feel that I've done a good job until I fall into bed exhausted at the end of the day with cross-outs on my LIST. The LIST days are gone and I am undergoing what I call "reprogramming" to ensure I don't completely burn out and leave my family & friends high and dry.<br />
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Part of what I have realized is I have not experienced true joy for a very long time. I have an incredible family, full of funny, sensitive, sometimes annoying but always loving and supportive people. I should be taking joy in their accomplishments, laughing with them much more and in general sharing the love they share with me. I get so caught up in the LIST, that I forget the reason behind the LIST and start moving through things just to get them done.<br />
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So, I vowed to start enjoying things more each day...and fortunately our local LYS Tour (Local Yarn Shop Tour) was celebrating 10 years this past week. I visited some new and some favorite shops over 3 days and truly enjoyed being immersed in these creative environments with other creative folks. I took long drives in the country, a ferry boat to an island and in general disconnected for a several hours each day. I really needed this to get my mind off the LIST. Here's a shot of all that was acquired and while it seems like a lot, each item represents time I spent with my creative thoughts about what these would eventually become. I can't wait to get started!<br />
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Exercise has always been elusive, but under Dr's orders (and because I know I need it) I am working it in every day by walking my youngest to and from school as much as possible. I am finding that he's a keen observer of all things. Questions come up that spark conversations I would never have had and that keep me smiling all day long. He let me know today that there are always earthquakes happening but we are just not sensitive enough to feel them all - could he have been channeling my own struggle or did he just see this on a PBS Kids episode? I don't know, but it sure did resonate with me. He also knows that you can't have a huddle on the baseball mound with more than 3 players (I didn't know this, did you?) Earthquakes and obscure baseball rules...I can't wait to see what comes up on our walk home from school. We may take a slightly longer route...<br />
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My bigger challenge is connecting with my teenager...I haven't figured that one out yet. So far I am pretty sure that I need to learn a new language called "texting" because that seems to be the only way I can talk with him. I'm pretty sure that it's a language where brevity is king. Why type "OK" when "k" will do? Sometimes I get a "Ya" in response to a question and then I feel like we've really connected. <sigh></sigh><br />
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The longest text so far is the one I got last week letting me know he hit his head in the school yard and would I come get him because he didn't feel so good. That one was ACTUAL full WORDS! If I hadn't been so frantic about his hitting his head I would have realized he was fine because he was able to type coherent sentences! <breathe></breathe><br />
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I am off to get some provisions for tonight's meal from this book:<br />
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Thanks to the awesome staff at my LYS who recommended this to me when I mentioned I am going paleo and having a tough time missing my pasta and bread...We'll see what can be done with cauliflower as a rice substitute...<br />
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I'll leave you with these shots from some of my favorite shops and wish you happy knitting and days of joy:<br />
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Tolt Yarn and Wool, Carnation, WA</div>
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Churchmouse Yarns and Tea, Bainbridge Island, WA</div>
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Acorn Street Yarns, The Fiber Gallery and Bad Woman Yarn, Seattle, WA</div>
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<br />lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07971118413451764816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-729646242257521.post-14626478187609378562015-05-08T15:34:00.000-07:002015-05-08T15:34:14.487-07:00Back at it again...After a very long break, I am back to revive this blog....I had to figure out how to sign in first...<br />
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So much has happened in the last 2 years. Spinning takes up more of my time, I think I am obsessed with it, in a good way. I have fiber all over the house and I see colors in a more pronounced way and think "how can this be captured in fiber?"<br />
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And so it goes....<br />
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Some pictures of my recent spinning:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5P31uUbdTTAm81aUfbCyIyCabbYXrKAmkYKK9H229XU9zYFxKrbP3tTvy9h1C5BQi57cFVkbFleCu4JB0KXirQpLpV4ozEMhB8DrCDBNu21vwOYAqcHczNcbnqyWu4-tJj2fYwFOedzc/s1600/Photo+May+08,+2+40+02+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5P31uUbdTTAm81aUfbCyIyCabbYXrKAmkYKK9H229XU9zYFxKrbP3tTvy9h1C5BQi57cFVkbFleCu4JB0KXirQpLpV4ozEMhB8DrCDBNu21vwOYAqcHczNcbnqyWu4-tJj2fYwFOedzc/s320/Photo+May+08,+2+40+02+PM.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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I have acquired tools for spinning which, much like yarn stash, takes on a life of it's own.</div>
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My go-to wheel is a Schacht Matchless: </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6S8-1KNWQaykD9BYLAKuNZnaz2WCylLm2py1mkHHI0VVyvF9lkNS_LKUVBvb8sb0zTyYgR95_HC56IUmHFm6I5olbwXeBkQMAPY_hh9WqN0HHFT_NbM18x6ECtO8gqO8cV1JtK2zlONM/s1600/Photo+May+08,+2+49+24+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6S8-1KNWQaykD9BYLAKuNZnaz2WCylLm2py1mkHHI0VVyvF9lkNS_LKUVBvb8sb0zTyYgR95_HC56IUmHFm6I5olbwXeBkQMAPY_hh9WqN0HHFT_NbM18x6ECtO8gqO8cV1JtK2zlONM/s320/Photo+May+08,+2+49+24+PM.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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I was fortunate enough to find this used wheel in great condition from a local spinner who sold it to me for a fair price. It was LOVE at first treadle! I sold my first wheel to make room and help offset the cost of the Matchless. That first wheel (I purchased used off of ebay) was an Ashford Traditional, which was a good wheel, but the Matchless is simply Awesome! </div>
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My travel wheel is an Ashford Joy (I/older one):</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuRtnPz13Hsu64Pa8sHAWEPObYf3AJLZZyhtoMbYgV-lYpzcZsTMULUDWVCWa_r774ge5MHnEKngXMZ-Kvz5amYPgv2iD4hjds0rLxUCOzwULJGr0QvNbSDs52sXC4tyNH7Nb1ilaQmhI/s1600/Photo+May+08,+2+49+53+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuRtnPz13Hsu64Pa8sHAWEPObYf3AJLZZyhtoMbYgV-lYpzcZsTMULUDWVCWa_r774ge5MHnEKngXMZ-Kvz5amYPgv2iD4hjds0rLxUCOzwULJGr0QvNbSDs52sXC4tyNH7Nb1ilaQmhI/s320/Photo+May+08,+2+49+53+PM.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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It took us some time to build a good working relationship and at one point I was going to break up with it, but I learned it's ways and now we work pretty well together. It's super portable and great for when we go on car trips, camping or if I go to spin-ins/festivals. I don't think I'd take it on a plane since I'm not sure it would fit in the overhead.</div>
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I have some spindles as well which are great portable spinning tools at weekend lacrosse and baseball tournaments where there's lots of standing around...clockwise from upper left: Jenkins turkish drop spindle (Aegean), and top whorl spindles by Bosworth, including a moosie (made from cast off moose antler), Spindlewood, love the square whorls and Tracy Eichheim's Woolly Designs with cutouts have found their way into my home and spinning toolbox:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgooqjn50drFcpbtvy9YxDItvzCorTtDbmZTiSKPIiFhDcOfYqgcFfS1XxvQR5EEubZQmlA5WkHi1_Vx-O1WVMZhAJJ3RfQrjl3DYMyC8tq9aE-GWJ3JW7HE5wAp8sLIEwAfgKcmHHqk7o/s1600/Photo+May+08,+3+14+42+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgooqjn50drFcpbtvy9YxDItvzCorTtDbmZTiSKPIiFhDcOfYqgcFfS1XxvQR5EEubZQmlA5WkHi1_Vx-O1WVMZhAJJ3RfQrjl3DYMyC8tq9aE-GWJ3JW7HE5wAp8sLIEwAfgKcmHHqk7o/s320/Photo+May+08,+3+14+42+PM.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I have more to share but mom duty calls...school bus is running 120 minutes late so Mom-bus has been called.</div>
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Happy creating! knitting, spinning, crocheting, felting, crafting, sewing...whatever floats your boat</div>
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<br />lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07971118413451764816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-729646242257521.post-32734622092274205592012-10-24T12:57:00.003-07:002012-10-24T13:09:24.102-07:00Fiber Fiber EverywhereThis past weekend I attended <a href="http://www.fiberfusion.net/" target="_blank">Fiber Fusion Northwest</a> in Monroe, WA the second year of this festival. It was a low-key, yet content rich event for fiber and fiber-animal lovers. There was spinning, weaving, felting and a good sized market with something for everyone. There were representative alpacas, pygora goats, sheep and llamas from local farms and knowledgable farmers. There was alpaca fleece judging, daily fleece sales and end of day equipment & fleece auctions to round out the day.<br />
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I purchased this 4.5 pound fleece within 5 minutes of walking in from <a href="http://home.earthlink.net/~mattsonr/reflectionfarm/index.html" target="_blank">Reflection Farm</a>:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2LXPgKLIkI_wxZw6fr1CXR2Ul2KQUIVwhexaiG5qUCoDugybWrK7DMVh12CHCF2lHg1u8q32ZHb9zYEi2-j1G6-owhBnu9aUtP0KfKv9XzBDmUHfsdSlaSPK52NMe6KZqApxE1_EmX0w/s1600/fleece.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" oea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2LXPgKLIkI_wxZw6fr1CXR2Ul2KQUIVwhexaiG5qUCoDugybWrK7DMVh12CHCF2lHg1u8q32ZHb9zYEi2-j1G6-owhBnu9aUtP0KfKv9XzBDmUHfsdSlaSPK52NMe6KZqApxE1_EmX0w/s320/fleece.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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It's from a Romeldale lamb and is mostly white with gray and dark gray/brown spots. I will separate the colors and process in small batches. Someday it will be a great natural colored sweater...a cozy raglan pullover or cardigan...No veg. matter and although it's greasy, it's very clean.</div>
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Here's a close up of the crimp and staple, 3 to 3.5 inches:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4EGT_GMoFiOUGqkYG_eU2oMGzCyroC67aa5hiUhZsFb3mBChKpN9rjZ7XGZQYATm5vc7OitJyFkxhsa0wrXNg76PkN30-RzhP7PhUyiDEqxklv9sF_6LGyRN5t2UWJW0c7b4-22bjur4/s1600/locks.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" oea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4EGT_GMoFiOUGqkYG_eU2oMGzCyroC67aa5hiUhZsFb3mBChKpN9rjZ7XGZQYATm5vc7OitJyFkxhsa0wrXNg76PkN30-RzhP7PhUyiDEqxklv9sF_6LGyRN5t2UWJW0c7b4-22bjur4/s320/locks.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
This will keep me busy for a long time.<br />
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I did a little damage at <a href="http://www.woolgatheringsfibers.com/" target="_blank">woolgatherings</a>, <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/GreenwoodFiberworks?page=2" target="_blank">Greenwood Fiberworks</a> and <a href="http://www.oneofakindbuttons.com/" target="_blank">One of a Kind Buttons</a><br />
And althought I missed out on going to OFFF this year, Fiber Fusion was a good substitute only about 40 minutes away.lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07971118413451764816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-729646242257521.post-74685211270299540622012-10-16T22:55:00.001-07:002012-10-16T22:56:42.774-07:00Catch UP!Busy is an understatement...summer came (finally) and went just a couple weeks ago thanks to a mild start to fall. We had camping and cabining trips and long days of sun. Kids are back in school and I am welcoming some semblance of a routine. The weather is now good for knitting and spinning and I am trying to complete a few projects:<br />
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Some Suffolk fleece I received from friends who have meat sheep. Lots of dirt, vm and grease but after washing and carding (blended with some mystery wool I dyed) it's a nice fluffy batt.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBN68D0iuwJHm2UdR4DbOAJvy7BiS3eYKB99rGG9SdQuXz6KU7E4MLxkBQM7G3iExHHZBFM5uX2VVooJQocFzmVlrntNHmarehw4Qc_eCRJvO1E8IHE5BXtMUS3GH-9xq9gzjbiIw-uDA/s1600/suffolk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBN68D0iuwJHm2UdR4DbOAJvy7BiS3eYKB99rGG9SdQuXz6KU7E4MLxkBQM7G3iExHHZBFM5uX2VVooJQocFzmVlrntNHmarehw4Qc_eCRJvO1E8IHE5BXtMUS3GH-9xq9gzjbiIw-uDA/s320/suffolk.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEOMu6cxx69o39EHGqQq5984VoOVwrjAfneE5hETMfZslU0dRcpdZrXpPl27XDp3DAsfR6xOxomygaVcAINtLGvo-CzNKTpkqosyj4jn7P78ye3He65DHSGU5_eaHSnJUQRLH4zgLrUy8/s1600/suffolkcarded.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEOMu6cxx69o39EHGqQq5984VoOVwrjAfneE5hETMfZslU0dRcpdZrXpPl27XDp3DAsfR6xOxomygaVcAINtLGvo-CzNKTpkqosyj4jn7P78ye3He65DHSGU5_eaHSnJUQRLH4zgLrUy8/s320/suffolkcarded.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Some socks I am trying to finish by end of October:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivxvwERMmP6l-g7PZbuOfd_BVtMoXCcOO9EOp617uOg8BTWsDxcqanGeGHn00WTIx66YQUaCVolMMPYU0T0IAMj9PUiBjNPwQNY3YW_V3DINSwIQUlqFvZRfqCKyB8uow2zsq0edToZrk/s1600/stripe+socks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivxvwERMmP6l-g7PZbuOfd_BVtMoXCcOO9EOp617uOg8BTWsDxcqanGeGHn00WTIx66YQUaCVolMMPYU0T0IAMj9PUiBjNPwQNY3YW_V3DINSwIQUlqFvZRfqCKyB8uow2zsq0edToZrk/s320/stripe+socks.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
And I started knitting the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/creature-comforts-cardi" target="_blank">Creature Comfort Cardigan</a> from Madelinetosh in Vintage, Firewood. A super yarn to knit with.<br />
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We had our annual dyeing day in early September:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjQTPboOlt7qs4GacmJCA2NjltLh8knZhiGtEZ2Z84lUsCpi4DP15x08kBbXoyAb1p8Ab8S_cCq2zDuVz8Mcc3mb47HQ423AnZ6gEJJwlthruuG-cMcKY2BFwPvLoxojqmIr8nR4c3EAY/s1600/IMG_3592.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjQTPboOlt7qs4GacmJCA2NjltLh8knZhiGtEZ2Z84lUsCpi4DP15x08kBbXoyAb1p8Ab8S_cCq2zDuVz8Mcc3mb47HQ423AnZ6gEJJwlthruuG-cMcKY2BFwPvLoxojqmIr8nR4c3EAY/s320/IMG_3592.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlUS0oSna7nloR8h3Eo7QzuC1NGyEwazoQEZ8LneSYC-tnUV_arJzpVbk4cjSf9niGf02NMV9Ce_w0FFEFiDT8cIgvCKDuAQBO435l_nleYj5SHeuAUkMZbUJskKX5OKvGa7E1MY8mVvs/s1600/IMG_3591.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlUS0oSna7nloR8h3Eo7QzuC1NGyEwazoQEZ8LneSYC-tnUV_arJzpVbk4cjSf9niGf02NMV9Ce_w0FFEFiDT8cIgvCKDuAQBO435l_nleYj5SHeuAUkMZbUJskKX5OKvGa7E1MY8mVvs/s320/IMG_3591.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlpg8VkwL4lcOaHgXEKudnPUMN-G9JSlNihiab1rTtDojZ_3YdltL_wBaAbA0cvYgnF9JCaIipFilFbx5xk2CVDJGbHfEovLfeSABAM1vTCi85zIGcR6bOHGj1JNR9eobYEEpkoYItQ5o/s1600/IMG_3598.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlpg8VkwL4lcOaHgXEKudnPUMN-G9JSlNihiab1rTtDojZ_3YdltL_wBaAbA0cvYgnF9JCaIipFilFbx5xk2CVDJGbHfEovLfeSABAM1vTCi85zIGcR6bOHGj1JNR9eobYEEpkoYItQ5o/s320/IMG_3598.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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And finally, I will be heading to Monroe, WA Oct 20-21 for Fiber Fusion and looking for a sweater's worth of fiber to spin then knit. I think I'll be busy this winter...especially playing with this:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmmE8w1SNxah-HH9y-ufL6I03ZhWveqJ3QhbQ2UP59p-bB0rcRy0ed1uK2ZzlLcFDVIefkzsAqXyHJcu_HI50KyTl11z2ftmhvXYeLwgiPsM6jcAGgLU3LyGyaKCP7_8aBTFwbct5dm_Y/s1600/StrauchDC.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmmE8w1SNxah-HH9y-ufL6I03ZhWveqJ3QhbQ2UP59p-bB0rcRy0ed1uK2ZzlLcFDVIefkzsAqXyHJcu_HI50KyTl11z2ftmhvXYeLwgiPsM6jcAGgLU3LyGyaKCP7_8aBTFwbct5dm_Y/s320/StrauchDC.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Here's hoping your fall and winter are full and fulfilling too!lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07971118413451764816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-729646242257521.post-55286671199723902552012-05-25T14:29:00.001-07:002012-05-25T14:29:19.683-07:00Spring Has Sprung!April and May have gone by too fast! The smell of lilacs and splashes of bright colors from flowers popping up all over is almost a distant memory. Lush green trees, impressive rhododendrons and azaleas are in their prime now. We did venture north last month to the Skagit Valley to see the fields of tulips:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIQMHpZ4uVpyKkGVExsJiBk8adVKk_lKzBp9th_FwAl7cTxz2ngDziZ7ZzSTHo_qofi13wIBji3TPyFUqLJq2KrLjk7ZJzKJI-G5ply6v_t36BLstosKZBZ0Iblnj5M0MMXwcHdSxS6FQ/s1600/skagit+valley+tulips.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" qba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIQMHpZ4uVpyKkGVExsJiBk8adVKk_lKzBp9th_FwAl7cTxz2ngDziZ7ZzSTHo_qofi13wIBji3TPyFUqLJq2KrLjk7ZJzKJI-G5ply6v_t36BLstosKZBZ0Iblnj5M0MMXwcHdSxS6FQ/s320/skagit+valley+tulips.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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And while in Mount Vernon, I stopped at <a href="http://www.wildfibers.net/" target="_blank">Wild Fibers</a>, a wonderful shop in the downtown area. They had a large stock of Madelinetosh and Hazel Knits so I picked up just this one skein (quite proud of myself that I did not walk out with armloads of the pretties): in the colorway Carnelian</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSxy2a2BrDrEyLWV5vwhJ3M8NhlvtROyl37DLDCzzO1soOJeqyIDmBKZnln05W-MEyiVeZ1bRlDRmGCVczoImUZNyE6Ry7W8V4n3ozobc6SCSn4d9dJTjUQMGmSfkUtM_b-w9_V6dkJj4/s1600/hazel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" qba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSxy2a2BrDrEyLWV5vwhJ3M8NhlvtROyl37DLDCzzO1soOJeqyIDmBKZnln05W-MEyiVeZ1bRlDRmGCVczoImUZNyE6Ry7W8V4n3ozobc6SCSn4d9dJTjUQMGmSfkUtM_b-w9_V6dkJj4/s320/hazel.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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The picture does not do it justice, no idea yet what to make with it...socks yes, but what pattern is worthy of this beautiful yarn?</div>
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On the needles is the second of my <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/ribbelmuster" target="_blank">Ribbelmuster Socks</a> in Lorna's Laces Zombie BBQ for my husband, a simple 2 row repeat with 1x1 cable (done without cable needles). I have been spinning up a Loop Spontaneous Striping Bump for a spinalong on Ravelry and have done a couple washcloths for the <a href="http://knitabullspodcast.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Knitabulls</a> Washcloth KAL that will make nice teacher gifts. </div>
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This weekend, before the parties and chores, take a moment to honor those who have fought and died for our country and their families who have sacrificed so much.</div>
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Happy Memorial Day to you all! And Happy Knitting/Spinning/Crafting!lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07971118413451764816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-729646242257521.post-89158809443364444092012-03-31T14:49:00.000-07:002012-03-31T14:49:15.760-07:00Spinning Rules!I am totally bitten by the spinning bug... have just finished washing and drying my <a href="http://www.etsy.com/search?includes[]=tags&q=Edgewood+Garden" target="_blank">Edgewood Gardens</a> Corriedale in Clematis and will be casting on a shawl this evening. About 630 yds in a (mostly) fingering weight. <br />
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Now to choose my next spinning project... I think a gifted Christmas batt will be my next spin.lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07971118413451764816noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-729646242257521.post-85370927842807549312012-03-25T09:40:00.000-07:002012-03-25T09:40:39.014-07:00Enabled!!I was going to resist, really, I was.... and since it's a blood sport on Etsy to get one, I was going to resign myself to never getting the chance to spin one of these:<br />
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The update came and went earlier in the evening but just before bedtime I thought I'd check my favorite shops to see if there was anything to dream about...<br />
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Boy was I surprised when I saw this Sahara Sunset, a <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/loop" target="_blank">Loop</a> Spontaneous Bullseye Bump was still there at 10:14 pm my time! And since my iphone app makes it <b>way too easy</b> to shop, I went ahead and gave in. Yesterday, it arrived, a beautiful combination of white. various shades of pinks, orange, and a little dark purple for contrast. Even better, my youngest son, picked flowers and arranged them in a bowl of water - They are a perfect match to the dark pink in the bump. Merino, Corriedale, nylon and angelina for sparkle.... Now my fiber diet can begin!lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07971118413451764816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-729646242257521.post-31655943322519362922012-03-19T18:35:00.007-07:002012-03-25T09:28:42.764-07:00Too sick to knit...We did not escape the winter without the entire household catching a nasty stomach bug. The last few days have been interesting to say the least. The kids rebound so much faster than the adults, who are still struggling to get upright.<br />
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Been too sick to pick up the needles, not sure where the current project bag is...<br />
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The mailman brought me something that lifted my spirits & got my blood pumping. Three beautiful batts from Inglenook Fibers, 2 in Susan Pevensie (Queen Susan in the Narnia Chronicles) and 1 in Leatherbound.<br />
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With a little luck, I'll be spinning and knitting again soon.lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07971118413451764816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-729646242257521.post-70340556873766363572012-03-03T09:34:00.000-08:002012-03-03T09:34:00.063-08:00ProgressHappy March! Yellow crocus' are popping up, but we all know that there'll be more winter-like weather for a while... in the meantime...<br />
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My <a href="http://ravel.me/tinkerer/lf" target="_blank">Lillian Fay Cardigan</a> is soaking in a nice bath to be blocked and buttoned this weekend. I'll be wearing it on Monday! Yay!<br />
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I also completed a sock with Nalani self striping yarn in the Perry the Platypus colorway: <br />
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Love this!<br />
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Back to some spinning for TheKnitGirllls Feb/Mar Shetland wool spin-along and also the Completely Twisted and Arbitrary Spinning group on Ravelry.<br />
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A good start to March - hope yours is off to a good start too!lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07971118413451764816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-729646242257521.post-47198543983868437122012-02-21T12:03:00.000-08:002012-02-21T12:03:44.643-08:00Magnificent Madrona!A quick update on my recent splurge to attend Madrona for 4 days. I was under the weather but managed to pull it together to attend my 2 days of classes (with plenty of sleep between). I took Deb Robson's Survey of Wool Breeds for Spinners - a whole new world has opened up for me; and Beth Brown-Reinsel Stranded Knitting Techniques, a challenging class but so much information - I now know how to Norwegian Purl which will make any ribbing or seed stitch pattern fly!<br />
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A pic of my stash enhancement, I was very restrained this year and I won the book as a door prize!<br />
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Pilchuck Sock Yarn from Rain City Fiber Arts, mixed and beautifully dyed fiber pack from Dicentra Designs, Raku Pottery buttons, a mixed wool batt from The Artful Ewe and my sampler packs of raw fibers from the spinning class.<br />
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Missing is my last purchase of 4 beautiful enamel buttons from Gita Maria. I will now need to decide which ones to use on my almost completed <a href="http://ravel.me/tinkerer/lf" target="_blank">Lillian Fay</a>, the raku pottery or the enamel ones...<br />
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Thinking of heading to the Whidbey Weaver's Guild Spin-In on March 31-April 1 this year...to keep the creative stuff flowing.lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07971118413451764816noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-729646242257521.post-1244764043940911032012-02-06T21:41:00.000-08:002012-02-06T21:41:01.832-08:00Sweater #1 - seeing the lightMy personal challenge to start and complete a sweater in one month is progressing nicely. Completed the main body and one sleeve of my <a href="http://ravel.me/tinkerer/lf" target="_blank">Lillian Fay</a> as of today! Cast on 2nd sleeve and if I can get that done by the weekend, I will be feeling very confident about completing this by Feb 16 in time to wear it at Madrona Winter Retreat!<br />
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My Nalani <a href="http://ravel.me/tinkerer/ps" target="_blank">Perry the Platypus</a> socks are still in the ribbing stage of sock #1...unlikely that I will complete a pair this month, but will fill in my Retreat breaks by knitting on them so should get at least one done.<br />
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Have been watching knitting video podcasts and I really appreciate the podcasters - it takes time and commitment to tape on a schedule and keep it interesting for the rest of us. <br />
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No spinning for the past couple of weeks but looking forward to a class with Deb Robson, co-author of The Fleece and Fiber Sourcebook in a couple of week.<br />
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Happy Knitting, Happy Spinning to all.lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07971118413451764816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-729646242257521.post-44578619127125079882012-01-27T21:30:00.000-08:002012-01-28T14:10:37.550-08:001st Sweater of 2012We're finally caught up after the BIG snow closed down Seattle last week. Good knitting time and a little spinning. I cast on Lillian Fay by Ellen Mason a week ago with the personal challenge of getting it done in time to wear at Madrona Winter Retreat. Using stash yarn, Jamieson's Shetland Heather and am tracking progress here: <a href="http://ravel.me/tinkerer/lf" target="_blank">Ravelry - Lillian Fay</a> . So far, so good. A little more than 4 leaf motif repeats completed so far. I like it and it's fairly quick knitting, when I have the time. <br />
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My "reward" for finishing the sweater is to knit socks from this:<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22121590@N06/6765814391"></a><br />
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Perry the Platypus in 2 different bases from Nalani Yarns. Top is 80/20 merino/nylon blend, bottom is 100% superwash wool. Can't wait to see the stripes in these! Thinking of doing <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/tectonic">Tectonic</a> by <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/designers/lorraine-ehrlinger">Lorraine Ehrlinger</a><br />
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Oh, if you live in the Seattle area, Weaving Works is having a 25% off any yarn or fiber that contains wool ends tomorrow 1/28/12. <br />
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Happy knitting!lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07971118413451764816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-729646242257521.post-53741826627327209232012-01-13T21:13:00.000-08:002012-01-13T22:03:04.018-08:00Distaff Day Done<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtaPjatHy_JsaG6WgXdtnaKUautBRuVz6L7YmnMd6q35J2OQ7f0UV1evaLe9msD9WLe3RUurmUSKoxFRi478cgKXNzIimMcGfa7c1M1sgQMCnOPXMQACfNdWfXrv0J8X2c-aRUl7FAhTo/s1600/distaff+day+2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtaPjatHy_JsaG6WgXdtnaKUautBRuVz6L7YmnMd6q35J2OQ7f0UV1evaLe9msD9WLe3RUurmUSKoxFRi478cgKXNzIimMcGfa7c1M1sgQMCnOPXMQACfNdWfXrv0J8X2c-aRUl7FAhTo/s320/distaff+day+2012.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Last Saturday I attended St. Distaff Day Spin-in with fiber friend & enabler, Johnna. The event was sponsored by the Northwest Regional Spinners Association in Lake Stevens, WA. Well over 100 spinners set up in the hall and spinning was all you could see. The event made the news on our local <a href="http://www.king5.com/video/featured-videos/Hundreds-of-yarn-spinners-gather--136886693.html">KING5</a>. <br />
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About a dozen vendors provided plenty of eye candy and I fell for some lovely 50/50 Merino/Bombyx Silk in a copper brown & shiny golden yellow; 85/15 Pollworth/Tussah Silk in green patina/bronze; some incredibly soft baby huacaya alpaca in a chocolate brown from <a href="http://www.crownmountainfarms.com/">Crown Mountain Farms</a> <a href="http://www.blogger.com/Www.crownmountainfarms.com"></a>and a couple ounces of shiny silver gray mohair locks from Taylored Fibers in Quilcene,WA who offer processing services. The silk blends were from Barbara J Seeler in Monroe,WA who gave me some great tips for spinning silk since this would be my very first. A warm and generous woman, she will give a spinning silk class on Whidbey Island at the Whidbey Weavers Guild Spin-in 3/31 & 4/1. $15 donation for 2 days, $10 or $15 for optional fiber packets.<br />
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One of the highlights happened just as we were leaving. I had the great fortune to meet Ilga Jansons, spinner and dyer extraordinaire and all around delightful person. I found her etsy shop, Edgewood Gardens Studios and purchased several braids in stunning colors just before the holidays. We have communicated on etsy and that's how I found out about the event - the rest is history! Check out her shop, you won't be disappointed! <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/EdgewoodGardenStudio?ref=pr_shop_more">Edgewood Gardens Studio</a><br />
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And for something totally off topic... if you have 10 and 6 year old rough and tumble boys in your life, a good round of nerf gun action is a sure way to gain their respect and admiration!<br />
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'Til next time.lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07971118413451764816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-729646242257521.post-72903523723031635532012-01-04T16:56:00.000-08:002012-01-04T16:56:10.280-08:00Dessert!I just discovered <a href="http://tastykitchen.com/recipes/desserts/my-grannye28099s-chocolate-cobbler/">Chocolate Cobbler</a> and it was devoured by my family. Thanks to Tasty Kitchen! So simple.lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07971118413451764816noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-729646242257521.post-6729899323348653932012-01-04T12:12:00.000-08:002012-01-04T12:12:43.456-08:00Divinity is...I don't often gush but when someone does super special things for you, it's hard not to share the love. My husband of 22 years has been the Divine one behind my crazy fiber obsession for over a decade now. He puts up with random skeins and fiber invading precious counterspace, floorspace and every storage receptacle we have, drying fiber hung in the bath, dyeing days, knit nights, fiber retreats and my general never-ending prattle about yarn, wool, knitting, spinning, etc. He obligingly shipped yarn overseas and back again and waits patiently while I search for car projects for the 5 minute ride to the grocery store. And he does all of this with a smile.<br />
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For the holidays, he joined Ravelry so he could stealthily look at my queue and purchase a pattern for me. He joined Etsy to find me an art batt and then supported my search and purchase of a new wheel.<br />
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This year, he gave me the best present ever and became my friend on Ravelry. Find me, "tinkerer" then see if you can find and friend him. Go on, share the love.lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07971118413451764816noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-729646242257521.post-14567688384272803802012-01-01T12:53:00.000-08:002012-01-01T12:53:56.055-08:00Endless PossibilitiesA new year has begun with a late wakeup and some knitting progress on a lizard ridge blanket destined for my 11 year old for his freshman year at college. That's a good <b>7 years</b> to get this one done, which is about the pace I'm on with this project. I have a problem completing things started as pleasure pursuits when they start to feel like deadlines, so seven years is a good time frame to work on this between my current projects. <br />
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The start of a new year is just like the start of a new project...unspoiled & full of potential. The trick is picking the projects, especially if you have 10 or more on the needles that really should get completed! Having a queue on Ravelry with over 200 projects is also daunting. How do you to choose your projects? <br />
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Happy New Year & Happy Knitting!lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07971118413451764816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-729646242257521.post-18136969392297171262011-12-29T17:38:00.000-08:002011-12-29T17:38:40.640-08:00A New Year and a new obsessionA new year deserves a new craft obsession, doesn't it? I have been spinning every spare minute these last few weeks. I love spinning, but sometimes the result was less than great. I have a terrific single treadle Ashford Traditional, but after 15 minutes spinning, my back would ache and I would have inconsistent single ply's. I'd stop, adjust my chair, re-orient myself to the wheel and start again. The aching never stopped. I recently sat down with a castle wheel, double treadle and miraculously, my back did not ache! Something to be said for trying new things.<br />
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As much as I love the Traddy, I quickly swooned over a double treadle Schacht Matchless and also gave the Lendrum fold-down a good once over. New, these wheels are pricey, so I made a deal with myself that if I could find a used one for a good price, I'd buy it and sell the Traddy. After all, there were health risks of continuing to use the Traddy.<br />
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After finding a rare posting for a used Schacht Matchless for about half the price of retail on Ravelry, I thought for sure that I'd be happily spinning pain free before the new year. That Matchless was not going to be mine since another spinner got there before me...<br />
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Fortunately another Raveler saw the discussion thread and offered me hers as a backup option. And she was local! And the wheel was newer! And after giving it the first spin, I knew I'd be taking it home and bidding the Traddy a fond farewell.<br />
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It was love at first sight (sigh)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpq_zAA2SWH53eQGdEtIZQ3lyzhwJGiB77cUmjnuP2H9eT9Br-7-Om0cvmMYMsrwCUTs_5jRTtPNB89uO4xSiFnbseJOPdahZmuAQIDBunbftZuLwSp5FKE6rLOLl2XztFj8-JIvvGzZ8/s1600/schacht1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpq_zAA2SWH53eQGdEtIZQ3lyzhwJGiB77cUmjnuP2H9eT9Br-7-Om0cvmMYMsrwCUTs_5jRTtPNB89uO4xSiFnbseJOPdahZmuAQIDBunbftZuLwSp5FKE6rLOLl2XztFj8-JIvvGzZ8/s320/schacht1.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Wishing you all a Happy New Year!</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07971118413451764816noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-729646242257521.post-61961908826048752092011-11-16T14:07:00.000-08:002011-11-16T14:07:00.412-08:00Anything is possibleI happened upon this tutorial: <a href="http://www.thezenofmaking.com/2011/08/tutorial-make-your-own-wooden-buttons.html">make-your-own-wooden-buttons</a> and needed to share it! If you haven't checked out the Zen of Making site, you need to. As crafty people know, there is always a way to make something out of almost nothing. This site has a lot of good ideas and a section of tutorials...although I think I'll pass on the rainbow sundress, I like the yarn project bag, especially the snap together yarn guide.lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07971118413451764816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-729646242257521.post-6788166204614539302011-11-15T11:47:00.000-08:002011-11-15T11:47:30.585-08:00It's November already?!I was ok just before Halloween, having a nice relaxing run up into prime knitting season, then whamo! It's now one week to Turkey and then not much more time until you-know-what...<br />
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Someone said there's only 6 weeks left and my heart skipped a beat! I find I love and don't love this time of year more and more. I love the spirit of people, the kindness of strangers and the general electricity in the air (plus the OTT house decorations!). BUT, I dread the lists, the crowds, the (gentle) pressure from distant loved ones ("what can we get you and the kids this year?"), knitting on a deadline and the cards...Oh the cards.<br />
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Almost every year, we make cards - with ink stamps and a handwritten greeting on each one, to get the kids involved and have a crafty night or three or four.... this year, I am taking the path of least resistance and will be going to an online photo site to produce picture cards, complete with a pre-printed greeting inside.<br />
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This year, we will slay our tree and decorate it and the house the day after the turkey is cooked. We will bake until sugar and flour come out of our ears and give most of it away. I will spend less time in stores and more time at home and with friends and family.<br />
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I will spin more of this:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjcYD3T2_ID8Nxa8OfEWbb84Q9OCw-gUohaohTkePBIyRALsc5MTl-mjwhkO4xGozGiT3bpSnSR2MoKWSMyN_ScqdOFJCckces5Xd_nQSqRZI9URTWMBqJATBbGxFhvCPlwexYhHLtvLo/s1600/spun+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjcYD3T2_ID8Nxa8OfEWbb84Q9OCw-gUohaohTkePBIyRALsc5MTl-mjwhkO4xGozGiT3bpSnSR2MoKWSMyN_ScqdOFJCckces5Xd_nQSqRZI9URTWMBqJATBbGxFhvCPlwexYhHLtvLo/s320/spun+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
And knit when I want and not because I have to.lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07971118413451764816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-729646242257521.post-51717078638748032462011-10-06T12:49:00.000-07:002011-10-06T12:49:12.559-07:00A LONNNNNGGGGG Time ComingLife gets in the way of doing everything you want to doesn't it? And can throw you curve balls when you least expect it.<br />
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I was sick over Christmas, 2010, which was the start of a journey I'd never expected to be on. The remodel was still going on and finally, beautifully completed over the summer. Vacations were taken and family and friends visited. Work was good and busy, but all the while, I was on a parallel and stealth ride of tests and visits to doctors and more tests and research and questions. Things are good now, I have my priorities straighter than ever before and I am knitting, cooking, working and momming with a renewed sense of purpose and commitment. Sometimes life's hiccups are just the thing to get you going on the right path again.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-y-VX-9Wnewpw5lhZQY6rjFBoWV9Es-ZPAZ4Sb3rn60Zc2t7agLMfguvg_pP811hKIKcyLn0GCovE97kKZG3aMjm6UpVwke6eHq1Uow4vrFIWfK_2t1Hu1tBsUGvO1qmpeZS4aqXZGlU/s1600/IMG_0953.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-y-VX-9Wnewpw5lhZQY6rjFBoWV9Es-ZPAZ4Sb3rn60Zc2t7agLMfguvg_pP811hKIKcyLn0GCovE97kKZG3aMjm6UpVwke6eHq1Uow4vrFIWfK_2t1Hu1tBsUGvO1qmpeZS4aqXZGlU/s320/IMG_0953.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>Some pics over the last 6 months: Stripe Study, Pont Du Gard, Rousillon FR, fromage!, Circle Socks, Puget Sound Summer Sunset, Kids on vacation<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1tiRo0iEoW7oRdPQJlpPWDgWINmVg1P5v5LxPpduN-o4yEbuRytF6e09yGqE6iisURIArUU8y_bkFY91x9XrmRQr5oFH16_ev03HY6x-desFI71QTEFUU1Emx2dx1LV41RlvCSI7BJFk/s1600/Stripe+Study.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1tiRo0iEoW7oRdPQJlpPWDgWINmVg1P5v5LxPpduN-o4yEbuRytF6e09yGqE6iisURIArUU8y_bkFY91x9XrmRQr5oFH16_ev03HY6x-desFI71QTEFUU1Emx2dx1LV41RlvCSI7BJFk/s320/Stripe+Study.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhww5_xRwOqeOMsAn3dO6ZvyOV4Qd6eZ8AS4Q4dPfHGt_W1OvqLFXSZYhZd9kuq6MU0QL4KEDLIN68pzsk9rnnREvy1zIsn_p-XgIBggZxpOAYu2rip8U_ePnpHWPDJob7nFpr3P4nVpZ8/s1600/IMG_4424.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhww5_xRwOqeOMsAn3dO6ZvyOV4Qd6eZ8AS4Q4dPfHGt_W1OvqLFXSZYhZd9kuq6MU0QL4KEDLIN68pzsk9rnnREvy1zIsn_p-XgIBggZxpOAYu2rip8U_ePnpHWPDJob7nFpr3P4nVpZ8/s320/IMG_4424.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
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<br />
And completed remodel:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaS4BcOWfLwvKs_2Pe3I1jhEYAkM3pO_CGHukKKOUyBKJDl2iDDS4vyOIoHSrfPp_XpJN1GLyjmga9cCjLlbtmzREoBwRHUCTJQ1E3xcBEvMa1L5OGa2534bBBOTkrfCuMoIX5xPscyEs/s1600/Kitchen+2" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaS4BcOWfLwvKs_2Pe3I1jhEYAkM3pO_CGHukKKOUyBKJDl2iDDS4vyOIoHSrfPp_XpJN1GLyjmga9cCjLlbtmzREoBwRHUCTJQ1E3xcBEvMa1L5OGa2534bBBOTkrfCuMoIX5xPscyEs/s320/Kitchen+2" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjif2nVue9AI-ykmzoJEE9SLAGQAgi5idN01DUgRtTEg9MUUIjKTHlYWx15V0Hpq9YyYGwyDAWjjASUqiaG9OY15IjtY-gEja4U8dHst52fGLl0fapL70wEDO34chKwwaIUHRFxdu_rQE/s1600/bath1" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjif2nVue9AI-ykmzoJEE9SLAGQAgi5idN01DUgRtTEg9MUUIjKTHlYWx15V0Hpq9YyYGwyDAWjjASUqiaG9OY15IjtY-gEja4U8dHst52fGLl0fapL70wEDO34chKwwaIUHRFxdu_rQE/s320/bath1" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU02AgNnXTHqDiIB8CNqgFJ0_gQVQH1Om0rPp8TAtvWVnAi2KQC8U959621mcR6WLe_N7EtnUUJTikMdV17iDPgvRrcc6Otxj3TXjuRdxpkd12EnTl3oBQ0hQvX-bH7jqc4Z0hmQKJtLA/s1600/bath3" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU02AgNnXTHqDiIB8CNqgFJ0_gQVQH1Om0rPp8TAtvWVnAi2KQC8U959621mcR6WLe_N7EtnUUJTikMdV17iDPgvRrcc6Otxj3TXjuRdxpkd12EnTl3oBQ0hQvX-bH7jqc4Z0hmQKJtLA/s320/bath3" width="240" /></a></div>lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07971118413451764816noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-729646242257521.post-87896067998451164212011-03-18T22:07:00.000-07:002011-03-18T22:51:30.712-07:00A Tale of a Kitchen and Bath Remodel...3 weeks ago we had a tired old kitchen and a very green bath, a dining room...<br /><div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOTxkp8TXYP0omX8tT7lHCb0tVyfhGWimNgCVCFgffXWU-rgOaLLc82vxRhSj4H8Hl6IwXXhSH-hFmbRaGedYMUHafp8RWZLY-1uy59x1SZ2ZN9Y5rz3tJvGnAzvrYTxfkB0kR_QRI_Oo/s1600/old+kitchen.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 113px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585653867479692946" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOTxkp8TXYP0omX8tT7lHCb0tVyfhGWimNgCVCFgffXWU-rgOaLLc82vxRhSj4H8Hl6IwXXhSH-hFmbRaGedYMUHafp8RWZLY-1uy59x1SZ2ZN9Y5rz3tJvGnAzvrYTxfkB0kR_QRI_Oo/s400/old+kitchen.jpg" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ_bXYDwn3xY-8VNC8Xi8nZk2_6fCmKt43CPd75ascS4sgJH2w8qOdWBc5JW7MpXOh4-ZTKRsdq__diprlYPlKUNmaD-cMhQJD3uFaW2ZNr5VE0vLFgIzgq3DuQSn36IZL_JQyb3zasgE/s1600/old+bath.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 113px; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585654327733582114" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ_bXYDwn3xY-8VNC8Xi8nZk2_6fCmKt43CPd75ascS4sgJH2w8qOdWBc5JW7MpXOh4-ZTKRsdq__diprlYPlKUNmaD-cMhQJD3uFaW2ZNr5VE0vLFgIzgq3DuQSn36IZL_JQyb3zasgE/s400/old+bath.jpg" /></a><img style="WIDTH: 113px; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585657562483610498" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-fkpa7PcXPrplJAE9AZjxuWLo3jov0_1nLWmk3tmx_SZjwFPkmQE06no4Swa-CKWlZ0jKQVib1KlbFmeB6hC7TiPuGhZ3wcmWxAYmuIMtrmS15mimvHI_9A1N7lOx9CrkXinV6VnxEKc/s400/old+wall+2.jpg" /></div><div> </div><div>a pantry and a wall...</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguTpx8wQ5G97hqQ-pokR6PG10Rqfp8neVPGz2xYNjc6-vBw0aRoBPaN5k5ZNlA5VA0LB2O99RJj5gF9-00rzhbSh5b-LkSEJACP-T-2P8SkgxwGV52pKIqp3Vtt_W4F20yoo4GwpUFhtc/s1600/old+pantry.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 113px; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585657566317502722" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguTpx8wQ5G97hqQ-pokR6PG10Rqfp8neVPGz2xYNjc6-vBw0aRoBPaN5k5ZNlA5VA0LB2O99RJj5gF9-00rzhbSh5b-LkSEJACP-T-2P8SkgxwGV52pKIqp3Vtt_W4F20yoo4GwpUFhtc/s400/old+pantry.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-p12X4xCTfTfIF3-Vu5twmBmllXNmmWqw7FmTRmsDsymLFtYcs3Ek2waXELp0Ty-14dX9oy02Kvxyz3i_nbmFB2RBu6lm1rhJQuzFSPsdXsiDtbCWu1lbNEMAWVA53PAzU_GWEak-nCM/s1600/old+wall.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 113px; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585657568152847922" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-p12X4xCTfTfIF3-Vu5twmBmllXNmmWqw7FmTRmsDsymLFtYcs3Ek2waXELp0Ty-14dX9oy02Kvxyz3i_nbmFB2RBu6lm1rhJQuzFSPsdXsiDtbCWu1lbNEMAWVA53PAzU_GWEak-nCM/s400/old+wall.jpg" /></a><br /></div><div><div><div>They are now gone and in their place we have a gutted kitchen, a gutted bath, cool solar tubes, & a beam where there once was a wall.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWXjGfAg_8-360Ig7UP8FcGEMctnJKr7ygU3mTogPPE04A89-p4S-MFvx4-QLbAVJgKHpIyiVzvXqNGlCA0PWrcS-xjoMAsNxBA1sg1YSg4crHDzWBGtZKUEOmAJHt8RcTtd_ALvFCqCM/s1600/gutted+kitchen.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 113px; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585656813047342610" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWXjGfAg_8-360Ig7UP8FcGEMctnJKr7ygU3mTogPPE04A89-p4S-MFvx4-QLbAVJgKHpIyiVzvXqNGlCA0PWrcS-xjoMAsNxBA1sg1YSg4crHDzWBGtZKUEOmAJHt8RcTtd_ALvFCqCM/s400/gutted+kitchen.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpCNdIKcnvBSaIMUiy2d71eSh3g9_C-RZXSONS7OLXCHs672GlMhVJGhuclO5aUiq1zrw3etJL-ehIrzKCt7Yjp5pj8aBvjRPu3Pz8sv7cNiArr4xHqB_JtbbM9ecBxaKQWA5WZGtmw2Y/s1600/solar+tubes.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 113px; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585660265506146562" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpCNdIKcnvBSaIMUiy2d71eSh3g9_C-RZXSONS7OLXCHs672GlMhVJGhuclO5aUiq1zrw3etJL-ehIrzKCt7Yjp5pj8aBvjRPu3Pz8sv7cNiArr4xHqB_JtbbM9ecBxaKQWA5WZGtmw2Y/s400/solar+tubes.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIx3VE7XnaGsiPgFWfPCXEfy7_VYsYp6CEvPBbT-z4t6l4Bn773vQ_nZURv6rs-c-jDTU4xJK72gfpweZXgvX3gZ7xkpQGVQM_QklT0GSnHNIcfM0RPOEpQtMTEcI7Qf4zRmRBw0isG3w/s1600/gutted+wall.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 113px; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585656814576242530" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIx3VE7XnaGsiPgFWfPCXEfy7_VYsYp6CEvPBbT-z4t6l4Bn773vQ_nZURv6rs-c-jDTU4xJK72gfpweZXgvX3gZ7xkpQGVQM_QklT0GSnHNIcfM0RPOEpQtMTEcI7Qf4zRmRBw0isG3w/s400/gutted+wall.jpg" /></a><br />new plumbing and electrical<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA7db-O3eNQ0RC_SF95D7lPCZgBGDR-1UsyDMJPJbfJOxN9qoyZyMUmw8atfP4jmcGrNgNPcpvKejZra4Bd3mTiRC9d_pu0cup9VpPzZYm-ti3rcoVvm-pXCmBRX0MZ9sqK9biIZ2CWc8/s1600/header+and+beam.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 113px; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585656824567632994" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA7db-O3eNQ0RC_SF95D7lPCZgBGDR-1UsyDMJPJbfJOxN9qoyZyMUmw8atfP4jmcGrNgNPcpvKejZra4Bd3mTiRC9d_pu0cup9VpPzZYm-ti3rcoVvm-pXCmBRX0MZ9sqK9biIZ2CWc8/s400/header+and+beam.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlB17OeJLnB9wBORmeIYQiiaiW7zE7br8AP0q-uDTNCUT68WSg9lwI08cfVANHTLB9mANrMb-hc8AV9Gyd6bxg0oeFZdsl21JZxiiqxWdcNo4JZ7tx2Syfxl01x6XlAbiXUdpLiQUZcJ4/s1600/bath+sink+plumbing.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 113px; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585660269599727042" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlB17OeJLnB9wBORmeIYQiiaiW7zE7br8AP0q-uDTNCUT68WSg9lwI08cfVANHTLB9mANrMb-hc8AV9Gyd6bxg0oeFZdsl21JZxiiqxWdcNo4JZ7tx2Syfxl01x6XlAbiXUdpLiQUZcJ4/s400/bath+sink+plumbing.jpg" /></a></div><div> </div><div>While this is going on, we have turned our half finished basement into a cozy kitchen, dining, laundry, family room. So far, so good...</div></div></div></div></div></div>lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07971118413451764816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-729646242257521.post-71779375506845121232011-03-05T20:29:00.000-08:002011-03-05T20:47:07.883-08:00Madrona Winter Retreat<div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeO1fgqvEw6YkIh_mlbhnFTXeNETvK0dXI7uMUR9ZEcNvdyobTgQdg8UcQFVAMRnECGUzaMPuQlBSyL07ryKzHQMOovmiwwmbzio4cdamdkCZ8aeaapE3tLZ_bEK-4MowUz5q9RDZnOWo/s1600/yarnharlot.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 113px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580822208255275650" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeO1fgqvEw6YkIh_mlbhnFTXeNETvK0dXI7uMUR9ZEcNvdyobTgQdg8UcQFVAMRnECGUzaMPuQlBSyL07ryKzHQMOovmiwwmbzio4cdamdkCZ8aeaapE3tLZ_bEK-4MowUz5q9RDZnOWo/s400/yarnharlot.jpg" /></a><br />I was fortunate to attend Madrona winter retreat this year and take classes from The Yarn Harlot (Stephanie Pearl-McPhee), Jared Flood (Brooklyn Tweed) and Judith MacKensie<br /></div><div> </div><div><span style="font-size:78%;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-size:78%;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-size:78%;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-size:78%;"></span> </div><div> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga0x1ZtB6Os0FIW7eiIF0FHj6o-9cz18VLGm2_jbvUFOjPvH6Iya_0EGX0OtqQouDP1Bx03e48i7yFzCjzto79itDtwgJidoTZWm5G4JbzcFlVoUesIWgUQS8l8aXGWOzbOcuzjhm_sS4/s1600/Jflood.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 113px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580822207199458082" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga0x1ZtB6Os0FIW7eiIF0FHj6o-9cz18VLGm2_jbvUFOjPvH6Iya_0EGX0OtqQouDP1Bx03e48i7yFzCjzto79itDtwgJidoTZWm5G4JbzcFlVoUesIWgUQS8l8aXGWOzbOcuzjhm_sS4/s400/Jflood.jpg" /></a></div><div>I love that this gathering is 1) close to me 2) there are so many artists and other fiber afflicted people who come from all over to enjoy the camaraderie and reative environment and 3) the market is not too overpowering as to make you want to take a nap after making the rounds.</div></div><div> </div><div><div>Have you attended Madrona? What's your favorite part?<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmZJ3WjXUOJRFRzjPlsb7hVnMg4v6QU1yCgj9e-djg-xYWy44QyOWRHmPLsPgOjXM1VT-iEYxFKrwgIzE6ceVuKy9ljbenYmlJVh5RvfkrI8CTOfI6OVLi2_hIvKDQEihI8_V_THeStZM/s1600/madrona.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 113px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580822210830503346" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmZJ3WjXUOJRFRzjPlsb7hVnMg4v6QU1yCgj9e-djg-xYWy44QyOWRHmPLsPgOjXM1VT-iEYxFKrwgIzE6ceVuKy9ljbenYmlJVh5RvfkrI8CTOfI6OVLi2_hIvKDQEihI8_V_THeStZM/s400/madrona.jpg" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">knitters lined up for dinner<br /></span><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /><br /></div><div></div></div>lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07971118413451764816noreply@blogger.com2