Bummed, but not defeated

Good morning, everyone. It is unfortunate and displeasing to note that I have dropped out of the Tour de Fleece. It is to no one's fault, but my own. I've over booked myself, which means dates with my Kromski Sonata are suffering. She sits in her case at the foot of the bed all folded up with some fiber I was meaning to spin into a 3-ply sock yarn. Seeing her sitting there at night evokes the feelings of the spouse who continually comes home late from work and never calls. I wonder if she thinks that I'm cheating on her. If so, it is only for a short period of time.

This past Monday began a new era in my education. I am going back to school, again. This time it is for a Bachelor's of Business Administration specializing in Marketing at American InterContinental University Online. Each class is five weeks long. There is a paper due every week by Sunday and discussion board posts throughout the week. I'm also learning to write in the APA style, which is a little tougher than MLA to grasp. Then again MLA style has been beat into the children of Alden-Hebron High School since the fifth grade.

Overbooking is the mother of all my problems.  I am responsible for the following things: cooking three to four days per week, cleaning, weeding, watching my stepdaughter, chair of the church's monthly flea market, attending confirmation classes, occasionally watching dogs, and my business. It's a bit on my plate. Now, let's add everything for just this week alone. My sister-in-law had knee replacement surgery on her left knee, which resulted in being at the hospital for a while on Monday. Courses started on Monday as well. Co-chairs need to be assigned and money deposited for the flea market. Last night we had our confirmation classes. This weekend we are driving up to Steven's Point, WI, to visit my uncle and his girlfriend. Also, we are taking my niece, Izzy, with us because she rarely gets to see Uncle Glen. Keeping in mind that Peter has been working his normal four day and twelve hour shifts plus two more nights just to be back again on Sunday for another three day work week. Yes, the pay check will be fantastic, but I need him here to deal with his child when I'm trying to do school work. There are a lot of things left to get done before Friday afternoon, including laundry.

This blog and the studio are sitting unattended. It adds to the depression. Right now I find it hard to work down in the basement because it is a mess. Peter thinks it's a catch all for the things he doesn't want to look at or put back in the barn. I had to rearrange down there because my parents decided they were going to get a larger freezer. They decided against it in the last few days. Due to lack of time or Peter asleep during the day I have not had a chance to get in there to organize everything. Very soon there will be a mad destash of all sorts of things that I do not use regularly. It's either that or I need to get crafting.

After this weekend I can start to plan some quality spinning time with my gal. The studio will be organized and perhaps even ready to work in. Next Friday, Stephanie leaves for Ohio. There will be one responsibility gone for a time. Duties in the garden and flower beds will still be there, but at least they will be winding down as fall comes into play. Maybe, just maybe, old girl and I can work out an arrangement to be together in the fall and winter. Then she can have some rest and my garden can be my summer lover.

Depending on how school goes, I may have to tone down some of the voluntary things going on. We'll see. I am hopeful that it will not be anything to do with the studio or this blog. Where there may be less postings, at least they will be long and more meaningful posts.

Ta ta for now!
<3

Someday A.D.

I'm gearing up for the Autumn Drive.

That means three days of dyeing on a gorgeous weekend. 

Will I ever see the light of day from my kitchen? 

Of course! 

Saturday, I have plans to meet up with Carissa of Bumblebee Acres at the Woodstock Farmers Market. 

I hope to accomplish some spinning and much needed down time. 

Then it's back to the dye pots.

~*~

Thus far the day has brought some nifty little colorways. 

I mixed all the dyes for my Hallucinogenic Lipstick! 

Doctor Who fans will love this colorway. 

Everyone loves a woman described as "hell in heels"! 

The remake of Morgaine, Lady of the Lake, did not go so well. 

The blue was not nearly pale enough for woad, and the red is deeper.

The red actually looks like blood as intended, yay!

I'll still mark it as this colorway, but issue a disclaimer to anyone who bought it previously.

Isla Tropicana, is a new colorway that turned out fantastic and amazing! 

Has anyone ever seen the Glade Relaxing Moments Island Escape cans? 

That is where I got the inspiration. 

However, it doesn't quite look exactly like it. 

There are two more colorways to come tomorrow.  (That's 2.5 pounds)

Then I'll be dyeing up close to three pounds of loose fleece and small bits of roving. 

These will be for carding or for sale by the ounce. 

~*~

Things I love about this business: 

1. creating something new
2. exploring and experimenting
3. sharing
4. creating something from a creation (spinning and knitting)

This business makes me feel alive because it is full of passion for creation!

Through this I feel like a deity and creator of my own destiny. 

It makes me who I am! 

I love myself, and therefore I love God! 

~*~

Have a happy weekend!

<3 

Ask. Believe. Receive.

Shop Talk

It's time to talk shop! 

On Monday, March 21st I'm having an anniversary sale! 

It's going to be huge!!!!

We're talking about up to 50% off! 

All yarn, except kits, will be 50% off. 

All roving, including SALs, will be 25% off

All scrap sets will be 10% off. 

To apply the discount please use the following coupons:

'50foryarn'

'25forroving'

'10forscraps'

at checkout time. 

All US and CA orders of $50 or more will receive free shipping!

Shipping will be refunded through Paypal. 

For this huge sale, I'll be doing a shop update tonight. 

It will include stitch markers and handpainted combed top/roving.

This week...

• It's been a rather interesting time as I headed back to work for the first time in two weeks. My vacation was very rejuvinating. More things seemed to be easier and doable since returning to work. 
• Thursday, was Stephanie's (stepdaughter) first day back at school. She is happy to be back, too. Her instructor started them immediately on reading 25 minutes a day. Homework on the first day! She's giving the kids a taste of what the real school world is going to be like. Hooray! 
• Yesterday I decided to scrap working on the Lady Sunshine Cardigan for now. My goal was to have it made for a Christmas present. Instead, I'm going to spin some new yarn for a cowl and headband. However, I did finish Isabella's (niece) birthday sweater. Uncle Glen's socks are coming along quite nicely as well. The heel has been turned, I'm working on the leg portion. It's my first pair of toe up socks. :)
• I am reading a few books for some independent study. The first is "Feeling Good," a self-help book for mood disorders/depression. It's reshaping the way I think about myself and the world around me. "Classical Mythology" is a Hellenic book I'm reading for a required book review on hearth cultures of the Indo-Europeans. The third is a writer's companion book. The book contains information on writing composition and grammar. Somehow I missed some of these crucial bits of information in high school and/or college. Either that or they simply didn't teach all of it. Both situations are highly likely. My secondary school was underfunded with a ciriculum that stunk worse than fresh skunk spray.
• The medications prescribed for shoulder tendinitis are kicking my butt! The muscle relaxer makes me sleep longer than needed. The anti-inflamatory also makes me tired. Missing a doseage is not a good idea either. The pain comes back and allows my migraines to sneak into the picture. Bleh, migraines! 
• Sneak attack food cravings came into play about five days ago. I wanted peanut butter cookies and/or Softee doughnuts. They have both been quenched, but now I want pancakes from IHOP. ::sigh:: No, I'm not pregnant. 
• I've begun playing World of Warcraft again. Greymane is my Alliance server. I'm thinking of going to another server for Horde characters, but not quite sure. It's not that I need it because my play isn't very often. Two of my characters were deleted for non-usage on Wyrmrest Accord. Either way my Draenai Paladin is now level 20! Hooray!! 

I've gotta get back to knitting some socks. Have a good weekend!!

Busy Busy...

It just continues, but in such a great way! Laundry finished and put away, produce shopping done, dishes put away, the back half of Izzy's sweater knitted with front half being worked on and all destash boxes are packed awaiting labeling.

In the background I'm working another give-away opportunity for you all. Stay tuned for amazing details! Think Spongebob Squarepants and fibery goodness. Imagine it. :)

Then out of the blue I got a convo via Etsy regarding the second part of the sillylittlelady collaboration. Here is a sneak preview of the fingerless gloves to go with that fantastic Pagosa Slouch brimmed slouchy beanie. Isn't it lovely! Even better, sillylittlelady has made the length an option you the knitter decide. How cool is that?

So now here I sit at my computer relaxing for the first time. Praise the gods for air conditioning! It's after 8:30 PM here and it feels like 93 degrees outside. The wind is blowing, which is our only saving grace at this point. The weather is going to be even worse tomorrow, but alas more air conditioning. Praise the air conditioning gods! Hail thee "A" and "C"! Praise the electricity gods, as well. For it is they Com and Ed who provide A and C with the power to bring such wonders to us. They who graced Mr. Edison with the holy concept of electricy are great and masterful. Yeah, I've lost it. Must drink more water and get to some dishes and garbage/recycling collecting. 

Slacking

Yes, I've been slacking on the blogging front. There aren't any images to show you, either. ::sigh:: So what am I blogging for? The past weekend has been rather slow, yet busy. 

First, I opened a bank account for L.M.S. Studio Arts, which includes my current shop. With that I applied for a business credit card with that bank. Right now we're just waiting for everything to come in the mail. 
Next, I finished spinning all the yarn needed for some personal projects. Late last night I started spinning a reserve braid of Magrathean in merino wool. That will be some of the handspun for a shop update later next week. There will be some Sleep Dep, Moonstone and Brass Petals for this week's update. 
Yesterday before heading home from the day job I spent some time in Jo-Ann Fabrics and spent $35 on fabric. What for, you might ask? Have you ever spun a great roving or batt to have most of it end up on your clothing? Do you have pets or small children that love your works in progress a little too much? Does anyone else have the mad hunt for your orifice hook, scissors or oil every time you want to start a project? I've got a handmade solution for you, it's a spinner's mate. This is a no tie apron with saddle bags. One end has up to 3 pockets to hold your scissors, orifice hooks, oil, lotion, tv remote or your phone. The other is a single large pocket to hold the fiber you're working with. It keeps it up and away from dust bunnies and pet hair. Each one is made of 100% cotton and hand stitched with my White sewing machine. The first one I made to my original specifications was way way too big. After sizing it down I have one at 11.5" x 31.25" (28 cm x 79.5 cm) and two 10.75" at x 28" (27 cm x 71 cm). I have enough fabric to make four more tomorrow. Hopefully they will be about the 11.5" x 31.25" size. Wednesday I will have those in the update as well. 
Also, the weather has been nice enough between rains to spend some time outside. We've been doing some outdoor things with family. 
I've been very busy and there are always more things being created and dreamed up. Oh the ideas I have waiting until Peter gets more jewelry making things. If he doesn't want to exploit this idea, I will. Muahahaha...wait, that's not supposed to be an evil laughter. Oh well...muahahahaha! 


Things to expect : 
* more handspun yarn listings
* Spinner's Mates listings
* Custom Order Reiki Distance Healing Doll listings
* pictures!
 

Another busy day

Today was just one of those days that had you hopping from one thing to the next and no breath in between. Before I even got moving around we received quite a few phone calls before 9 a.m. The first, being Peter's work calling about working certain dates and overtime. Then my mother-in-law calls because she is so overly stressed out about what is going on in her home and her boundaries not being respected under her roof. Mom was in the hospital previously with a brain hemorrhage and any sight of a spike in blood pressure could send her back into the emergency room. I took off for the day job and asked to get out as early as possible. They needed me to stay until I couldn't anymore. We arranged to get me out in time to pick up his daughter from the bus stop. That way he could stay up with his mom. Well he did and decided to help her out by mowing the lawn. I was in the middle of helping a lady with a coupon when my partner at the self-scan machine tells me it's Peter on the line and is hysterical. Apparently there was an accident with the mower and they were headed to the hospital. Keep in mind he is crying, in pain and not making a lick of sense. Mom drove him to the nearest hospital. Trying not to freak out at work ::didn't happen:: I passed the torch to Natalie and then immediately left. 
He was howling like mad when I showed up. Of course, he was in pain. Once I got his phone there was much coordination via his phone. Had to call my mom to pick up Steph from the bus stop and keep her away from the situation. Then had to call the school and have them let her know she would be picked up by Grandma Peanut. Then to call Sam and let her know we didn't get her stuff put away and brought to our house because of the situation. My mom kept calling back and forth. After the x-rays were taken they shot him up with Novocaine and gave him a narcotic. We had to wait for everything to kick in before cleaning him up and stitching him. Turns out he fractured his first two fingers and cut into his index finger. The tip of the index finger has some bone loss. Not good at all, however he did come away from the incident with minimal damage for a lawn mowing injury. 
After that I met up with my mom and niece to pick up Steph. The girls played a little while Mom and I talked. Shortly before Peter arrived Mom left. Stephanie and I got in a little snit because she didn't follow directions as to what she was supposed to be doing, cleaning her room, listening in school and wearing the clothes set out for her. So there was a bit of talking back, you know the usual thing kids do. Eventually I told her what happened to her dad and explained that her dad doesn't want to hear about her talking back. We wouldn't tell her dad about the talking back part if she got majority of the picking up before he got home. It was a good deal. Then we sat for a few minutes while waiting for the prescription to be filled, ran out, got it, got stuff for dinner and well here I am. 
It has been so busy. 
Good news!!! Everyone is doing okay thus far! Yay! More good news!!! Drop spindles came in today, too. When Peter heals up a bit he can do a couple decorations. He's excited. 
They are 1.8 oz top whorl drop spindles. They aren't meant to handle a lot of fiber, but it's a great learning tool. Eventually when the line of credit pops into place I'll be purchasing some Babe spindles. :) they have some neat stuff. 

I'm about ready to pass out after some tea. Have a great Monday!

Busy Busy

Last night I experimented with the att U-verse Video on Demand service. There was a free Cardio Hip Hop and a 10 minute ab program. I tried the Hip Hop program, but never found the rhythm. The 10 minute ab one I could do in my sleep. It's a bunch of the things we did in the military with a few more twists. It really worked, too.

This morning after some much needed Spongeboob Squarepants I did 30 minutes of free step aerobics and the 10 minute ab work out. The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy was a great movie for the background. It gave me some more colorway inspiration for today.

After loosing steam for two weeks my body volunteered to start building the dye day set up around noon-thirty to one o'clock. (Yes, noon-thirty. O'dark-thirty is 12:30 a.m.) I've got 4 new colorways coming to the shop on either Monday or Tuesday evening. It all depends when the roving has finished drying and when I'm working the day job next week. Here are the colorways:

1. The Magrathean - Slartibartfast's cloak/coat has been a favorite of mine for quite some time. So I wanted to make a colorway to match.
2. Boudica - She was the Queen of the Iceni Tribe during the Roman invasion into today's United Kingdom. Queen Boudica was the only woman to ever stand up to the Romans and win. She had some big balls!
3. Capital Offense - The gnome race of World of Warcraft is a peculiar one indeed. That is all I have to say regarding this explosive colorway.
   
4. Love & Beauty Shock - My favorite cartoon growing up was Sailor Moon. Now I'm not a morning person, but I'd wake up at 5 a.m. to watch that show. The title of this colorway is the name of an attack Sailor Venus uses in the end of the SuperS and throughout the Stars Season.
   

One of the Magrathean batches were screwed up. I've got to come up with a name for it and come up with a new way to dye it with Superwash roving. It'll probably kept in my screw up pile. I'm hoping to have more in Rambouillet. There may be more colorways tomorrow, too. So far it's been 3 lbs of wool dyed. (Merino 64s, SW Merino and SW BFL)

My hands are drying out from all the acid in the presoak. Hooray for the Bee Bars! Wednesday will be the last day for the raffle for one of those little beauties. So if you haven't found something at the site, keep an eye out for Monday and Tuesday.

Have a great night and stay tuned for another photos Friday.