Keith To The Rescue

Today, Keith had the shop open with the big fan going as he was spray staining some moulding. There's a large red knob that hangs down from the garage door and he saw a hummingbird just trying his darndest to get something out of that knob.

A few minutes later while I was sitting outside knitting, I heard Keith say 'Oh' and the way he said it I knew something was wrong. Thinking that maybe he'd heard on the radio that somebody died, I just stayed outside. All of a sudden he comes walking out of the shop with something in his hand. I thought maybe it was a mouse and he was going to show it to the dogs and tell them 'no, don't play with, kill, eat, or anything else'. It wasn't. It was the hummingbird. Keith found him on the floor and we're thinking that the fumes got to him. So we sat outside and watched him as first his eyes opened. Then there was some movement with his chest. Feathers. Then his beak started opening and closing.

After holding him for a bit, Keith decided that it might be a good idea to put him on a tree stump and as soon as he did the bird flew away. We watched for a bit as he flew in a few lopsided circles and then flew off as if nothing had ever happened.

Dusty

Well, Dusty got claimed today by his 'supposed' owner. The lunatic next door called the Sheriff's Department and said that we had his dog. Said that last night was the first time he'd seen him, which is a bald faced lie, but we can't prove anything. So, of course, there's going to be the mess of every time he comes over here because we're certain he will. Oh well, I guess that's where the ADA comes in.

I'm having a very difficult time dealing with this. I just can't figure out what it is that God's trying to show me in all this. If it's tolerance and patience, I'm failing miserably.

Addition to post: It's 1:55 and Dusty is already back over here. Steve left home and didn't put him on a leash, rope, take him with him or anything. This won't be over anytime soon, will it?

Next addition: 5:10 p.m. Spoke with the ADA and she said that as long as Dusty isn't tied up he can't say we're keeping his dog. We also called the SD, per her instructions, and made a report of what was going on and that the dog was back over here.

May PhatFiber WOOOOHOOOOOOO

For anyone who knows me, I don't spend much time outside, so when I was out burning off a pile of wood scraps to clean up my garden area, it was a welcome few minutes relief when my May PhatFiber box came.

Man, oh man, is it great this month.......???!!!!!

The first thing I noticed when I opened it was this FABULOUS knitting needle/notions keeper from Jessie. I thought I had finally gotten organized by using my needle size markers, but now they are absolutely stupendous. Even though now I need one specifically for DPNs. LOL

Isn't that so nice and neat looking?

Inside the bag were the ever exciting non-fiber goodies.

Great, great coupons from

http://www.twistedfiberyarn.com/

http://www.my8kidsmom.etsy.com/

http://www.silversunalpacas.etsy.com/

http://www.theyarnside.etsy.com/

http://www.wooliebullie.etsy.com/

http://www.summersstudioetc.etsy.com/

A coupon and pattern bookmark from

http://www.greenwoodfiberworks.etsy.com/

A spinning wheel photo charm from http://www.designsbytami.com/. This will go on my drop spindle bag. ;-)

A beautiful white glass rondelle lampwork bead w/flowers stitch marker from http://www.babydragonjewelry.etsy.com/

Yes, I was excited to snag yet another handmade stitch marker in the shape of a smiling flower from http://www.yarndemon.etsy.com/

2 wonderful beaded stitch markers from http://www.4stitchmeknot.artfire.com/

Something I got really excited about was fiber gift tags from http://www.fibergifttags.com/ Since starting PhatFiber, I've made several items from different yarns, etc. and wasn't sure how I was going to tag it all for the recipient. These tags are going to make it easy for me as it allows me to show if it is a hand knit, crocheted, spun, woven, etc. item; who it was made for; who it was made by; fiber content and care instructions. These are the greatest idea. Matter of fact I'm using one this weekend for a wedding gift.

Teri from Matilda's cookies sent in some doggie biscotti. I can't give you any real details as I didn't get to try it. lol I have 2 garbage disposals who woofed them down very heartily.

In the upper left is some gorgeous burnt orange recycled yarn in cotton/rayon/nylon/angora/lambswool. Does that sound soft or what???? This is from

http://www.twiceshearedsheep.etsy.com/

Upper center: Jacob/Merino wool mix in black/brown/white color variety from

http://www.fromewetoyou.com/.

Center: Rose Garden colorway of squishy merino/nylon from

http://www.knit.etsy.com/.

Upper right: Hand dyed, handspun baby alpaca plied with rayon from http://www.plumcrazyranch.com/ The colorway is a mix of pastels that remind me of a giant swirl lollipop. mmmmmm.

Lower left: From http://www.theyarnside.etsy.com/ in colorway Wild Flowers. 100% Blue Faced Leicester.

Bottom Center: an alpaca/nylon blend in colorway Tulip from http://www.serendipitousewe.com/.

Bottom Right: Lilacs and Roses from http://www.coolclimates.etsy.com/

Upper Left: from http://www.pumpkinmama.etsy.com/ Fool in the Rain mini batt of wool/bamboo/nylon icicle.

Upper Center: From http://www.bohoknitterchic.etsy.com/ is Romney Locks in blues.

Upper Right: http://www.sevenyaks.etsy.com/ Gorgeous deep pink/rose 100% silk noil in a cute little white shopping box/bag.

Center: Fiber in colorway Hyacinth of merino/firestar from http://www.corgihillfarm.com/

Center right: http://www.moonwoodfarm.com/ batt in Dusky Rose of alpaca/bamboo.

2nd from botton: http://www.greenwoodfiberworks.etsy.com/ Merino roving in Fields of Flowers colorway.

Bottom: Garden Variety colorway of superwash merino from http://www.welovethor.etsy.com/

I love to get patterns. If I started now, all of my patterns wouldn't get done by the time my gggrandkids have grandkids.

This Garden Bracelet pattern by Katherine Vaughan Designs is so neat. My daughter loves wristlets and fingerless gloves, etc. so this will be fun to make for her. Actually her hubby is wanting to learn to knit and this may just be the ticket for his first pattern. The pattern is on a postcard so it'll be easy for me to send it to them.

http://www.knitwithkt.blogspot.com/

I'm so looking forward to playing with my new purties.

Keith and William got to go fishing together for the first time in several years last week. Having a friend with a pond can be a great asset. LOL They caught a nice mess, mostly catfish, YAY, and oh, they were DELICIOUS. I do not care for leftover catfish but I ate on those things for 2 days. Woo hoooo

Got The Pic

That second word is supposed to be obese. If I couldn't spell any better than him, I dang sure wouldn't advertise it. Oh well, the pic's been sent to the ADA, so we'll see what she decides what, if anything, can be done. In a holding pattern again.

Steve still

And I woke up to this this morning when I was letting the dogs out....... He's such an idiot. He was painting something on the other side of the sign. The A.D.A. wants Keith to take a picture of it and told him to take 3 steps on the other side, but when we went out to do it, Steve was home so we'll do it another time. And since the D.A.'s office told us to, we're protected about trespassing onto his property. AND the D.A. says I/we have their full support if I feel the need to 'protect' myself/ourselves.

I'm posting this stuff to give people an idea of what kind of nutjobs are out there, but also if something happens to my computer, camera, memory cards, etc., this will still give us a record of photos.

The Steve Situation

Well, the moron is at it again. Here's pics of when he broke in back in January and threatened to kill us.




































Tuesday of this week William and Keith were using our sawmill to cut a 6x6" post and Steve kept coming in and out of his house and watching them. And this is what we woke up to yesterday morning. And he trespassed onto OUR property to put the sign up. So a report was filed for harassment and trespassing and a felony charge of victim intimidation may be added.

After the deputy left, our new little addition decided to play it safe. He climbed on a shelf with some of Keith's jeans and laid down next to the pistols. Smart dog. He knows a psycho when he sees one.

Dozier and the little guy

On May 1, 2009, we were all 3 in the shop doing various things and we heard what sounded like a puppy crying. This little guy is what we found under the house. He wouldn't come out for us, but would for Dozier if we weren't around. We put food out for him. He ate and ran right back under the house. William put Dozier on the leash, took him to the edge of the house and when he FINALLY came out, Keith scooped him up with a fishing net. We brought him in and I gave him a bath. William put him down and he ran under some equipment in the shop and came out dirtier than before. We believe he was/is someone's pet and I've put a sign out on the mailbox, so we'll see if anyone claims him. He's partially paper trained. He found a tiny receipt from Lowe's about 1 1/2" x 4" and pooped on it. It was really funny/cute. And the other morning Dozier got really excited when he found that a treat comes in the dogfood bag now......

I posted on April 5 about Michelle Tom and NeedleFood in New Zealand. Well, now I get to post about her delicious yarn. Pun definitely intended as the green one is in the colorway "Eat Your Greens" and the reddish is "Espresso". Being a GRIT (girl raised in the south) from Georgia, eating my greens has never been a problem. I can hardly to wait get started using one of these (yes, I can only make one pair of socks at a time). They're both 80% Merino/20% Nylon. Super soft, hand dyed and inviting. So check out her stuff. Place an order with her and you may even get some of my stitch markers. LOL She's also starting a sock club in June, but her spaces are limited to 25, so hurry and write her.

http://www.needlefood.co.nz/Default.aspx

http://www.pumpkinmamma.etsy.com/ AKA Vines has some of the most gorgeous, softest looking rovings. However, I have fallen in love with her yarn Phoenix. It's black with red glitz and in my mind there is a pair of handknitted socks with a CC at the cuff. Check out her store and see if you don't agree.

Meredith Knitting

You have GOT to check out Meredith's baseball socks. Meredith contacted me several weeks ago about making a purchase from my Etsy store. And boy did she order. And impress me. OMG!!!!! This woman is amazing. You need to read her story at her regular website. She recently returned from a VACATION to watch baseball spring training in Arizona. How dedicated a fan is that??? The baseball socks she makes are incredible and won her a national competition. But go to her site and read her stuff or I'm gonna wind up putting it all right here.

meredithknitting.etsy.com
www.meredithknitting.com

April's Phatfiber Box

#1) Woohoo, April's box came. Look at all the neat stuff..... the theme was EcoGreen....

#2) Yarn, beautiful yarn.......

#3) Giffordables.etsy.com - way cool abstract/folk/novelty yarn called Green Piece. It's described at Fulled Dreadlocks in bfl/corriedale, ice-blue merino and tussah silk. Feels so neat and soft despite the fact that it looks like it may be rough.

In the top left is a mini skein from http://www.theuniquesheep.com/ called Evergreen. It's organic sheep wool in sport weight. There's a free mini sweater pattern on the site to make out of my mini skein. That's gonna be cool.

In the bottom left is a way cool sample from (HAHA) Coolclimates or Rachel at http://www.coolclimates.etsy.com/. The colorway is blues/green/purples called "the Lilac Festival" and it's mainly wool with small amounts of mohair and some synthetic thread and the sources for this nifty yarn are from trips to the Yarn Tree in Brooklyn, the Brooklyn General Store AND fiber stores in Iceland and Norway, Peace Fleece, Mielke Fiber Arts and some Etsy artisans. Now this is a diverse yarn.

#4) At the top is a pastel mini skein in fantastic Spring/Easter colors called 'Welcome Spring'. this yarn from http://www.my8kidsmom.etsy.com/ is 100% merino. Super soft.

In the middle is a really neat sample from http://www.katsarayarns.etsy.com/ in a pale earthtone colorway called "Palouse". It's organically grown bulky cotton yarn. Sofffffttttttttttt.

On the bottom is from http://www.twiceshearedsheep.etsy.com/. A mini skein of extra fine merino lace weight reclaimed/recycled yarn in a pale blue/gray. I'm thinking a crocheted blouse collar here.

#5) FIBERRRRRRRRRRRRS

#6) The top left is from http://www.natchwoolie.etsy.com/. A dreamy roving (in her words and I agree) of 90% wool and 10% mohair in the colorway PEEPS. And it does remind me of peeps.

At the top right is a sample from http://www.corgihillfarm.com/. Merino, silk and firestar in Green Eire colorway. It's got the neatest shimmer to it. Oh, and Anna sends the most delicious maple leaf shaped maple candies. I may have to try to get some of these.

The bottom left shows 2 samples of handspun from http://www.enchantedyarn.etsy.com/ These two are Sparkle Fiber samples in Sea Glass and Pink Grapefruit. Can ya tell which one is which? They shimmer like glass.

http://www.infinity.etsy.com/ in the bottom right. Random samples in blue/green/brown and steel gray/blue/mint green colors. Soft, soft, soft.

#7) Huge cushy soft 'Bronze Green' merino from http://www.smokymountainfibers.etsy.com/. It says it's about 1/2 oz. It's HUGE.

Below that is a roving from http://www.lotusjulie.etsy.com/ called Breeze. 80/20 Merino/Bamboo. Super soft and no splinters.

Off to the right is a sample from http://www.knit.etsy.com/. It's 50/50 Merino/Bamboo in colorway Tabbycat. It's in one of those neat little plastic envelope/boxes with a note on it suggesting it be used as a notions keeper for your knitting bag. Great idea.

#8) I must admit I was a little taken aback with this next sample. I opened the little brown bag from http://www.farmgirlchic.etsy.com/ and thought 'holy cow, I got a bag of trash'. But it's not. The colorway is Ticking, like a pillow, and it's called Spinning Fixins containing wool, mohair, vintage cotton. This is going to be FUUUUUUUUUN to play with.

#9) These are the extra goodies. The big brownish bag with the leaves on it is so neat. It's an envelope bag with http://www.phatfiber.com/ ironed onto the front bottom. Jessie commissioned a local girl in her area who is legally blind to make these. So impressive.

The pink bag is a KIP (knitting in progress) Bag from http://www.ruddawg.etsy.com/. It's lined on the inside with a drawstring at the top. Superduper. I'm a bag FANATIC so these 2 items are so perfect for me.

A heavenly smelling and very large sample of Peppermint Sea-You-Later Old-Fashioned Soap from www.hyenacart.com/smokymtnsapothecary. It also lists the ingredients so you'll know ahead of time what you're getting and won't have to worry about allergies, etc. Great item.

The yellow square to the bottom left of the pink bag is an Art Pendant from http://www.designsbytami.etsy.com/. I can see this now on my KIP bag or as a great stitch marker or the bottom dangly of a row counter.

A simply gorgeous stitch marker from http://www.dlynndesigns.artfire.com/. Even though I make stitch markers, I still love to get and use other folks' stuff. It's kind of like eating your own cooking all the time.... sometimes it's nice to do something different.

An absolutely marvelous button from http://www.wildharefiber.com/ that shows a pic of 'samples' for Phatfiber and says 'shop 'til you drop' 'www.phatfiber.com'

And last but not least the wonderful coupons from http://www.platformnine.etsy.com/, http://www.wooliebullie.etsy.com/, http://www.wcmercantile.etsy.com/, http://www.danidocrafty.etsy.com/, http://www.slvfest.etsy.com/.

I get more and more excited each month with the neat things in the box. So many talented folks in Phatfiber. I just love being part of it all.

I Did It

Well, I finally did it. I managed to knit a 2 yarn project. I had never knitted with 2 yarns before while carrying one yarn behind the other. It was a challenge but I got them done.

The pattern is called Under The Rose and is from Ganiggle Knits who can be found in PhatFiber.

The pink yarn is 100% silk that I reclaimed from a sweater I bought at a thrift shop. I got that idea from Jags at JagsFunkyFibers who can also be found in PhatFiber.

The bluish yarn is from fiber that I got in my first PhatFiber box called WasteNotWantNot2 from Misty at DesiredHavenFarm, also in PhatFiber. I spun the fiber into yarn on a drop spindle that I made from 2 CD.

This project was an experience and they may not be the greatest looking fingerless gloves, but I am very proud of them.

Drop Spinning

I WON!!!!! ZebIsisDesigns did a giveaway on Phatfiber and I WON. So, now I have one of her wonderfully delicious drop spindles and a HUGE amount of 100% silk roving that came with it. I've been spinning on it and my plan is to make a small doily for a couple getting married next month. With money tight, I don't think that I could find anything else that would have more of 'me' in it than a handspun, handcrocheted doily.

I'll post a pic after the project is completed.

Well, I've fallen a bit behind on my blog. Most of you know about the ice storm we endured in January/February 2009. I'm finally getting around to posting some pics from it.

Needle Food

Michelle Tom in Christchurch, New Zealand approached me thru my etsy store several months ago about purchasing stitch markers to give as tokens of appreciation with sales of her yarn. An activity of which I'm most grateful. Since then she's been able to get her site up and running and has GORGEOUS yarns for sale. She also has a free pattern or two and sock blockers. Her colorways are just beautiful and have some of the neatest names like Rosehips in Autumn........ Check out her site. Her shipping is very reasonable as we both found out shipping stitch markers over to her. She's a wonderful person and will get back to you ASAP if you have any questions. She also had an etsy store but her regular yarn business has taken off so well that she pretty much just goes thru her website now.

http://www.needlefood.co.nz/Default.aspx

Desired Haven Farm

Misty at Desire Haven Farm has some of THE most gorgeous yarns and fibers. I got some of her WasteNotWantNot2 thrums in my first PhatFiber box. I spun it on my little cd spindle and am using it in a project right now.

The first time I visited her shop I fell in absolute love with Ocean Dapples. She's had several skeins of this and I want them ALL.

Misty is a sweetie in her emails and is a very hard worker according to what she writes. There's always so much to be done on her farm that I don't see how she has time to do anything else. Go visit her shop at http://www.desiredhavenfarm.etsy.com/ and see what you find to fall in love with.

northernlightsfiber.etsy.com

Kelsey has the most gorgeous sock yarn called Solar Flare. This colorway reminds me of Christmas and at first I couldn't understand why. Then I got to thinking that since I get such a warm feeling at Christmas, Solar Flare is the perfect name. I think this yarn is so gorgeous and I can so see me wearing a pair of these socks on Christmas morning. Go visit Kelsey's shop at http://www.northernlightsfiber.etsy.com/ and see for yourself.

Shopping for a drop spindle?

Zebisisdesigns on Etsy has me drooling already this morning. She has a Brazilian Red Agate Stone drop spindle with a gold filled hook. Sounds heavenly just to read about doesn't it? Yes, I have a drop spindle made out of 2 old cd's and a dowel rod. It gets the job done for my playing around, but this one just looks like it'd be the ticket to getting this new hobby off the ground. Did I say new hobby? Ok, don't tell my husband.

Go see Maiysha's shop at http://www.zebisisdesigns.etsy.com/ just to ogle if nothing else.

Lazy Day

Talk about a lazy day. Me and the dog haven't done much but lay around. I got up and got started on some stuff and he's still laying around. Keith is in a certification class for a CCW license and William is milling around antique and thrift stores in town.

I'm working on getting my samples out for the next PhatFiber box. Planning my trip with William to Tunica, MS next week to see my parents. Keith gets to stay home and take a firefighter training class on using a chainsaw to cut wood/trees 'under stress'. At first I thought 'well, he's cut down trees and after the ice storm there were plenty to cut up so he knows how to do it', but when he was talking to the firechief he mentioned that there were several that cracked on him so it wouldn't hurt to take the course. And I remember seeing several trees that 'flew up' after getting cut and some of the ice weight coming off them, so I can understand it now.

Not really a lot going on here so I'll get back to my samples.

YAY!!!!! I got my PhatFiber box today. I have to admit I wasn't real excited when I first got it. I've been in such a blue funk lately. But as soon as I opened it EVERYTHING changed. This month's box is better than the first 2 and those 2 were stupendous.

In the first two pictures is a neat manilla envelope with an Irish recipe for Colcannon. I'm dying to try it.

In the upper right of the second picture is a little lucky lamb from MyFairbagLady at http://www.myfairbaglady.etsy.com/ He's so sweet and innocent. I've gotta find a very special place for him. Maybe as a brooch.

A wonderful bookmark from Becky's Paper Creations at http://www.backspapercreations.com/ . The bookmark says Knit Happens. It's cool.

A fantastic handmade stitch marker from http://www.yarndemon.etsy.com/ . I was so excited to get this. I've been admiring them in her store.

A gorgeous stitch marker from Vickie's Knitted Things at http://www.vbarton24.etsy.com/

2 beaded charm stitch markers from Princess Emma's at http://www.sparkleshan.etsy.com/

A beautiful shawl pin from http://www.wyrdingstudios.com/ I really liked getting this as I'm working on my very first lace shawl.

Lavender mini-sachet (my FAVE scent) in a hand-painted and stamped, unbleached muslin bag from Ambrosia and Bliss at http://www.ambrosiaandbliss.etsy.com/ I'm going to put this in my pillowcase since lavender helps to relax me.

And a SLEW of discount coupons from different contributors.

This is where the yarn is. But first, a neato scarf pattern entitled Stargyle by Michelle Miller the Fickleknitter at http://www.fickleknitter.etsy.com/

Nora at http://www.simplytwisted.etsy.com/ sent in a nice, soft variegated purple/yellow/cream/green, etc. handspun.

I blogged earlier this week about Woolyhands after I saw something in her shop that I crave and now I got a sample of her Celtic Path. A really thick, soft handspun in green/grey. Erin's STORES are http://www.woolyhands.etsy.com/ and http://www.idyllhands.etsy.com/ and the sample says it was dyed by www.cloudlover69@etsy.com so you'll get a combo treat on this shopping trip.

Celtic Tuxedo from Corgi Hill Farm. Wow, this sw merino and firestar is black/blue/purple/sparkly and I'll definitely have to go to http://www.corgihillfarm.com/ and shop.

Apple Blossom is 70% baby alpaca, 20% silk, 10% cashmere and is so super soft. Variegated pinks/whites/creams from http://www.theyarnside.etsy.com/

I already have a project in mind for the bulky, novelty/art green/beigne/brown yarn spun with BEADS from Laura Murphy at http://www.wildethyme.etsy.com/

I love worsted weight yarns because they make great socks for my menfolk. Fireweed worsted is merino in colorway Eire from http://www.aurorafiberarts.com/ and the green/yellow/orange/red reminds me of one of those allday suckers we used to love as kids.

Desert Garden Farms at http://www.desertgarden.etsy.com/ is so crafty. Her samples came in a little brown cardboard box wrapped on the outside with a LARGE business card. It's soo neat. I got a sample of 'Darby O'gill" (one of my fave movies when I was a kid and still today). It's a hand dyed mohair/wool blend in green/yellows. 'Blarney Stone' is a homegrown, handspun 3-ply in a tree bark colorway. It's such a natural looking color. Plus I got a discount coupon. I said they're crafty, but they're busy, too. They raise angora goats, assorted sheep, llamas and angora rabbits, so you're such to get a diverse treat from them.

oooooooooh, fibers!!!!!!! First, there's the heavenly soft Suri Alpaca locks from Moonwood Farm at http://www.moonwoodfarm.etsy.com/ Shades of brown. I can't wait to play with this. ;-)

Next is a blend of blueface leicester, mohair and silk in a tartan colorway from http://www.libertyfibers.com/ So soft and fluffy.

Jordan from http://www.punkjordane.etsy.com/ sent in a roving called Chocolate Covered Strawberries. Sounds good enough to eat. It's a blend of domestic wool, angora and alpaca. She also sent a sample of Full Bloom scent bath salts that she makes. I received an order of plant seeds from Jordan last week and she'd included a different fragrance of bath salts containing vanilla. She's gonna have me being the best smelling female on the mountain here. I may have to chase the bears off with a stick. And it's about time for them to start showing up.

This one really got my attention. 100% Mulberry Silk in Traffic Jam colorway from http://www.hedgehogfibres.etsy.com/ It's unlike any of the other rovings I've gotten, which isn't saying much, as I'm an extremely novice spinner. It's so soft, silky (no pun intended) and shiny. The colors are natural earthtones of browns/greys/creams/beiges, etc., etc. I'm so ready to see if I can do this any justice.

Last, but not least is a sample that deserved a picture all its own because there are so many samples in it. Easy Kentucky Fibers at http://www.sarahwood3587.etsy.com/ sent in a variety of rovings. They're blended rambouillet wool and merino. Each little bag has a 3 digit number so you can find that colorway on her site. Really neat and inventive in my opinion.

Well, I know this sounds greedy, but I'm already looking forward to next month's box. But I'm so excited to go play with this month's stuff.