FELTING CLASS

I went up to Visalia early with Ruth Northrup and took a felting class with Sharon Costello. This is the result. The bag was done as a resist from my own design and has an interior pocket. It was hard work to finish in the very short time of the class--one day 9 to 4 but has renewed my interest in felting. The pictures are of the four stages of the bag--pattern--laying down of fiber, still wet and no handle or trim and the finished product. I still have to make the button. Bought some fiber at the
marketplace for the next bag and can't wait until I have some time to get going on
this. Just to have enough time to play!!!

ASCH CONFERENCE

The conference was an amazing experience. Everything was fantastic--teachers, friends everything. I just got back and have not even unpacked, so this report will be in installments.

The new LAF guild had it's first booth ever and will be meeting next Sunday so the ball is finally rolling. There was lots of interest at conference in this group so it should be fun.

BIRTHDAY TEA

This lovely tea blooms when hot water is added and was a birthday gift from granddaughter Zora. The tea is a very nice jasmine and when you are finished drinking the tea there is a bonus. The flower stays lovely in cold water. Too cute!

CHAMELEON COLORWORKS

The March sock of the month arrived today from Chameleon Colorworks, the company of very talented fiber artist and friend--Janel Laidman. The pattern is lacy and the blues just my shade. Can't wait to get started.

Still slugging away on my STR sock and am finally up to the leg. My head is banging away today so knitting is hard but I would love to get this sock done!

WOOLIE BUNS

The princess Leia wig was designed and knit by Ansley, my niece, and is featured in the latest issue of Craft magazine. It has gotten a lot of press and a friend of Carrie Fisher even had her knit one for the actress. Wish I could take credit for teaching her to knit, but can't. Tried to when she was in high school but it did not take.

SOCKS THAT ROCK

My package finally arrived last Friday. Most of the participants got their's at least a week ago. The yarn has a nice feel to it, but the colorway is a little unsual. The photo makes it look green and purple, but it has more grays and brown in it. This is my first attempt at a toe up sock and while it doesn't seem very difficult, the pattern needs a bit of editing. Fortunately there is a blog where other knitters discuss the problems they have encountered, so I guess that there are some advantages to starting last. The instep is knit tightly as it is supposed to be "supportive." I have some wool socks that I wear when trekking and they are snug around the instep and feel great, hope that these do as well. It is so warm here today that wearing a wool sock or a sock of anykind is not something I want to think about.

THE FAMILY GROWS

I'm still having lots of fun with the pine needle baskets. Have found a source for nice thin bendable needles right in front of the library. It is so much easier to gather green ones but it has been two weeks since I hit the trees and while the needles are dry they have not turned brown.

My current project has a walnut slice in the center and after looking at it for a bit It looks like a top, so may be trying to match it up and make a bottom with a traditional coiled start. We'll see...