ANOTHER FLOOD IS ON THE WAY

The postman's bag is getting heavier again. The first of the bounty o' books (there are at least three more on the way) arrived last week but Internet problems at home make it hard to post.

I have long been a fan of Jane Slicer-Smith, though have never made any of her designs as they seem to be available in kit form. This book was worth the wait and more than passes the "three items I might knit" test. She has designed a gorgeous collection of drapes that would be lovely in many of the handspun yarns in my collection. I can hardly wait to tackle them but still have the Halloween costumes to finish!

Packing for SOAR starts this week. Wahoo!

IT'S UP!

The latest installment of Spindlicity is up and includes an article by me on my trip to SOAR. Lot's of good stuff including my fav, more Maggie videos. In this one she is demonstrating how she makes her special batts.

Working like a mad woman trying to get my projects ready for the Conference Gallery Showcase. This conference has been a big two-year project and we are almost there. Check this out:

Along with classes there will be exhibits of guild members spinning, knitting, felting, crocheting and, of course, weaving. You don't have to sign up for the entire conference to enjoy the vendors, guild booths and Galleries. Come to Riverside for the day and hang with the fiberistas!

YET ANOTHER HOMAGE TO VIVIAN

Another SOAR project finished! My goal was to finish this before Thanksgiving and I actually did but because of the baby didn't have time to take any photos. This is her Abstract Stole from Knit To Be Square. It really deserves a much better photo as it is lovely but it was pouring out the day these were taken. What passes for purple (Stephanie Gaustead would be thrilled) in these pics is actually gray. Those energy saving light bulbs really mess with color. It felted up nicely and only required a small bit of stretching to get into shape. I still need to really steam it and as soon as the current project is off of the blocking table, will do so. I love knitting her patterns!

GO-FELT-A-FISH

Another SOAR workshop. this one was with Sharon Costello who I had taken a class with at the ASCH conference in Visalia two years ago. Learned how to set stones in felt. Tres fun!

I'VE BEEN TO CARDING COLLEGE

Home, back at work and having major SOAR withdrawal. Forgot to take the camera with me so have to take pictures now that I am at home.

My first three days were spent in Deb Menz's carding class. We spent a lot of time carding batts to her specs--complimentary colors, analogus colors, triads. The first day I was exhausted as I had been on my feet for six hours turning a drum carder. Eventually my body adjusted and it was not so painful. She had us matching a color swatch through carding. The results were the lovely batts in the picture (When I was finished with the class I went straight to the Post Office which was located right in the hotel and sent the biggest priority mail container home full of them). Deb was very generous with fiber.

The final day of the class was spent in carding batts and then spinning. My multicolored yarn should yield a scarf. I didn't ply them per her suggestion and will experiment knitting them up. I did process the yarn a la Katherine Alexander and they are now balanced singles and may produce some interesting results. Stay tuned.

Every day at SOAR there were so many things to learn whether from a teacher or a fellow student that my head is still reeling for the experience.

ELEVEN DAYS AND COUNTING

The count down begins! I am very excited about going to SOAR. I got into the Deb Menz drum carder workshop which should be a good one. I still have my camel merino to spin and some lovely new fiber from Chameleon Colorworks--Briar Rose to take to spin. I am working on a shawl from a Hoxboro pattern in handspun (Figgy Pudding). Now all I need to do is throw some clothes in a bag, board the plane and hope that the sciatic problem that has made my life hell for the past month holds.I will be traveling with a friend to Philadelphia, spending the night and then off to the Poconos for a week of fun.

Hope I remember the camera (seems to be a mental block with me) so that I can share lots of pics when I get home!

IT'S OFFICIAL

I threw caution to the winds this morning and registered for SOAR. I have never been to Pennsylvania before and am excited to visit the Poconos. My first choice for the workshop part of the retreat is Deb Menz's carding class and my second is the Estonian lace spinning and knitting with Judith MacKenzie and Nancy Bush. Vivian Hoxbro is also going to be teaching there and I hope to be able to take her class for the second half.

This has been/is going to be an exciting year for attending retreats. The dye retreat is coming up in June as is the ALA conference and Book Expo. Between retreats, day job and conference planning it's a busy year.

ALMOST TO THE END

Finally got the photos off the camera. The dolls were for the LAF charity and made to fit wooden cradles made by another group. The scarves are the Christmas output and done in the summer's qiviuk purchases. I still have some for my self and will have to come up with a plan for it. The socks are twelve of the thirteen pairs I did this year (one left to live with my sister).

Working away on the Modern Quilt Wrap from Folk Style and then on to finish the Kathryn Alexander scarf from last year. I am going to Madrona in February! Yeah me and will spend three days in classes with her and one day in with Lucy Neatby. I am really looking forward to this.

Work gave me a merit bonus and which I am still in shock about but if I work it right could end up at SOAR this year. Lovely prospects to end the year on and start the new.