A bit of this and that

 I'm working in Santa's workshop when I get free time so I can't really show what I'm working on but here's a glimpse of some sewing going on. I have a stash of lovely ribbons I'm putting to use.  After the holidays I'll show complete pictures of what I've made.

And here's some knitting - I'm coming down the home stretch on knitted gifts for a few family members. During our trips back and forth to the coast I work on the hexxie quilt squares, very fun project for down times like riding in the car. Some ask me how I do that kind of work riding in the car - I couldn't if I didn't wear Sea-Bands for motion sickness - they're great, I can stitch, knit or read in the car wearing those puppies.

Where did the year go?  I've made our holiday cards and am now working on gifts but the first part of the year seems lost, not much accomplished. Too many appointments for us and other family members......what happened to the days when I spent all day in the studio creating???  I thought I'd get back to that this year after the move but it still hasn't happened. There's always hope for next year......

Another project crossed off the list......

We've crossed another house remodel project off the very long to-do list. This room is actually kitchen dining nook but I've taken it over for my office, orchids and pottery......we have bar seating and a dining room, we don't need a third eating area. The before picture isn't the best since our old chair is right in the foreground, this pic was taken months ago...…...I didn't take it, I forgot to take a before picture so this is one Sam had taken early on.

See that drop tray ceiling?  It's a monstrosity. All the ceilings in the house are 11-12 foot except for here. What possessed the builder to put in that heavy drop ceiling???  We knew it had to come out.

Just a couple weeks ago Sam, a friend and my cousin took that drop ceiling out - it was built so well the house could have fallen down around it and it would have still been there. Here it is with new insulation before drywall and texturing. Unfortunately I didn't get an in process photo - plastic hanging down with around a foot of blown in insulation and drywall trash laying all around.

And here it is finished - it looks so much better. I have since put décor on the desk shelves, I decided it should be handmade baskets for the time being....not sure if that's what will stay. I even question if I want to keep the hutch on the desk or put art on the wall above the desk instead. I've also given thought to painting this furniture. No need to decide now.

Next project up - new gas fireplace and mantel. The old gas fireplace puts out 0 heat, zero, nada, nothing. This winter we'd love to swivel around in our recliners to read or knit (me) in front of a cozy fire.

Last week's spinning......

The county fair is over for another year - we had the best time spinning everyday and visiting with the public...…and chatting and chatting amongst ourselves.  It's amazing that we never run out of things to talk about after spinning together all day long. 

I was close to finishing up spinning some other fiber so didn't want to take that as I'd have to ply and didn't feel like plying the entire time.  This is the last of my hand-dyed roving in my stash, it's a merino/bamboo/nylon blend in a colorway I call bandana. I am ready to ply 2 huge bobbins I spun on my Hansen (electric) mini-spinner which was so easy to roll in and out each day in it's Zuca rolling tote. I have no clue what it will grow up to be, it may have to sit on the shelf and marinate for a while until the perfect project comes up. I wasn't sure what it would look like spun up, I really like it. 

Ice dyeing.....

 I finally got out the dyes to do some ice dyeing so I could show a neighbor how it's done. We each dyed 2 scarves and a pair of sox.  I love the way my sox came out although they are a bit lighter now that they're dry. I can't wait to try some more sox.....also have more scarves, shawls and a few tops in the queue to dye...….maybe next week......

 I love to watch the dyes migrate as the ice melts - it's always makes such interesting patterns on the ice.

So much more fun to see on full size cubes rather than crushed ice.

It's that time of year again......

It's that time of year again, county fair time. This morning we put up our spinning display - come Wednesday we will be sitting in front of it in a big circle spinning the days away. Always fun to visit with the public but by the time the fair is over I'm exhausted from being 'on' for days on end. 

Shameless plug......

I entered a tea cozy contest and voting is now open.  If anyone likes my cozy they can go vote for me at The Larkin Tea Co website. There are lots of other really cute cozies too but I obviously am not plugging those.  Mine is called Happy Dancing Sheep.  Click HERE to vote.  I probably won't win but I'm a winner regardless as they sent me a bag of loose leaf tea and a subscription for an online tea magazine just for entering.  I may have to think ahead in case they do this contest again next year.

The cozies all had to be knitted.  Mine was knit out of handspun yarn and felted, then I needlefelted the dancing sheep and flowers on it.  I use it all the time.