Happy New Year

Gene and I are settled in for the evening, all the animals are fed (none were talking). We may watch the ball drop in New York. Above is the new and larger one described in all its glory with history included on Times Square Alliance website.

What we won't be doing is going out to celebrate. Although 2008 had its share of downs, for me personally, it had more and higher highs and I am looking forward to the surprises of 2009. We do wish all of you the best for the coming year.

Brrrr - Ready the The Anne Wrap

Many months ago I wrote about kniting The Anne Wrap, a pattern from Kalamazoo Knits. I finished it early summer but never got around to photographing it for you to see. Well, now I am really enjoying being wrapped in this nice design and here it is.


Friday evening, Dec. 19, I will be displaying some of my hand dyed yarns and hand felted hats at the resurrected Baker Furniture Building located in the Historic Milling District of Downtown Allegan. About 2 years ago, Deb and Joe Leverence of Dearborn Michigan began the revitalization of this century old building, now known as Baker Allegan Studios. Acting as their own general contractor, and doing nearly all of the building themselves, the Leverence’s have worked tirelessly, making the drive across the state every weekend to put their heart and soul as well as their life’s savings into their dream. The newly restored, and handicap accessible building provides 6 working artists studios for rent in the lower level. The main floor has a 1000 sq. ft. Art Gallery, and the 2000 sq. ft. Fiber Arts Studio of Sow Spun Silk, the weaving and spinning shop belonging to Debbie Leverence. The top level will eventually become their apartment.

If you are near us, plan to stop by, more than a dozen artists from Allegan, Detroit and Grand Rapids will be featured.

Gifts for the Holiday Season

The economy is making the holiday season difficult for many so I tried to come up with some unique and less costly items to give to those who knit, spin or felt. A 100% cotton Canvas Tote is one item that anyone can use to carry or store their projects, of course it makes a great shopping bag as well.This one I needle felted the design on the front and then lightly wet felted the inside design part to make it smooth. It really holds alot.

The Tote Bag is one of the items on our new Gift Page. I also listed the new collapsible Umbrella Swift and Yarn Ball Winder, really great for all the indie dyers, as well as, knitters, spinners and crocheters. For those who would like to knit, we have the set of 4 Round Looms and a really nice kit for kids that includes some yarn, needles and little pattern book. The other item I listed is the Locker Hook, this is an old craft but often unknown yet it can be a great way to use leftovers of yarn, roving and quilters fabric strips.

I like to think our standard items, like Marr Haven Yarn, books and patterns would all make great gifts, too. Those items can also be included in a Gift Certificate.

Winter Wonderland 2008

Our first accumulation of snow for this winter season. There is about 5 inches on the ground now, you can see how it has piled up on the old iron wheel at the shop door. This is what is known in Michigan as "lake effect", the water of Lake Michigan is picked up by the cold air crossing the lake from the west and all along the state shoreline - about 15 to 20 miles inland can get quite abit of snow. At mile 21 or so the sun can be shining.

We had a couple of "dustings" of snow last week, where it stays on the grass for a short while but melts immediately on walks and roads, those don't count as snow to me. The hunters will be happy as deer season opened last Sat. and the deer who hide behind our old barn will be happy because the heavy snow will bring down some more of the winter keeper apples that are still hanging on the tree.

I am happy because I love to look at it and snuggle more deeply into my wool sweater.

Lambswool Limited Yarn was Lost

While doing some shop rearranging today I found a 10 # bag of Lambswool Yarn. I am very embarrassed since I have been telling everyone for months, it was all gone. Well, for awhile it is back again. This is the same and only lot of Lambswool Yarn that we had earlier in the year.

The title links to the page which tells all about this limited yarn along with a close up picture of a washed and unwashed knit swatches. There is also a link to a photo of my 'lazy moebius' knit with this yarn.

2 Blessings - 1 week, God & the Yarn Harlot

I knew it had been awhile since I wrote, didn't realize it had been a month. September is always busy getting the farm, gardens, barns, animals and me ready for winter. This year I had a new curve thrown at me, an emergency gall baldder removal at the end of July exposed a spot on my kidney so the end of September there was surgery to cryogenically remove the spot. Both of those episodes were ' a piece of cake', I was back up and running in a couple of days. But, the Sept. event found the lymph nodes in my lungs were enlarged. Yeah, that put a real downward spiral into motion.

I really surprised myself after a few days that I was able to tell myself - and believe - God wouldn't have put me through the earlier experiences just to bring me to this. That and a lot of prayers by wonderful friends and friends of friends were answered last night with a late call from the pulmonolgist who performed a bronchoscopy this past Thursday. No cancer cells in the lymph nodes, the enlargement is probably due to an infection I had years ago. Still have some follow up that will be determined but the big question is answered for now.

As if that blessing wasn't enough, the knitting community came through for me BIG TIME when the Yarn Harlot mentioned our yarn on her blog "Yarn Harlot" last Tuesday, Oct 28, 2008. Just about the time I could have panicked about the Thursday procedure, the orders from her fantastic readers arrived and I no longer had time for any pity party.

I really thank God for giving me this great author to write about our yarn at such an appropriate time for me. I have a couple of finished items to show and some great ones from customers, will try to make them sooner than later.

Fall is coming???

As of this morning we are out of the heat and humidity, August held on for a few extra days it seems. September usually means cooler temps and some rain, and we generally need more of both at this time of year.

The Allegan County Fair begins this Friday, it is the largest county fair in Michigan. I love to go to see all the animals, watch the harness races and of course, eat the 'food'. When we were raising Registered Rambouillet Sheep and Registered Alpine and Oberhasli Dairy Goats for breeding stock, I would live at the fair in our travel trailer taking care of the animals there while Gene tended the flocks at home. I don't miss that much although it had it own perks.

Now my pre-fall schedule is to get the shop ready for the coming season of more knitting, spinning and felting. Two new hand dyed batts, Sapphire 'N Azure and Autumn Green 'N Gold, are on the website and in the shop. Plus we have a new supply of Merino and Silk top and synthetic sparkle, Firestar, both of these just pop with shine when used for hand spinning or felting. I am ready to do some felting and knitting of my own so I know many of you feel the same way.