tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47639850137255656412024-03-13T20:28:37.833-06:00Needles of Iron(What I see, what I've been taught, what I've learned, what amazes me...)Iron Needleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04848627330939129750noreply@blogger.comBlogger781125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4763985013725565641.post-10746226578229455182017-01-05T08:53:00.002-07:002017-01-05T08:53:30.829-07:00New Year Blah Blah BlahI had the best of intentions. Some fall activities happened that I wanted to share, but the election got in the way, then left me completely gobsmacked. I am still struggling to put it all together and do what I can.<br />
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And yet, here I am.</div>
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In no particular order...the Guy and I took another marvelous vacay with the Eldest. This time we drove through New York in October. We did some hiking, saw some leaves turning, and Niagara Falls, which are pretty spectacular. And also, we spent a day at Rhinebeck, the New York Sheep and Wool Festival.</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/kZ0FzgT58VTDLU4ySCyvnqVlhA0DfjPVaREPXmESfbu82ztYNi9jpG_92fJEbYJEg-sj0R38R6TewwF7aK7g7-F_H1NK-JGmQqIChuPLdr2a0dAK7rj_bpTR2277_Nw6MZjz3Zl-UOm-oE4hkdYNlA_Um3aC-No7iVWj43IgrEbgD_QkPS4nc3G7VW1D8np7Nmma2oh0QY7LOs1yFC20is86fBO2Tmi-maUNTG1ZNq5qm6AwnxFTRAH4g21TVJPu16rdtABsRv2f1a46gO-n4bf_S0xd5rTBLa2UJRNc_j2qn96cIOtK7IW5fI0qs32VX9fqE-Zdbk3YZGOVPTCgVBML6_HzxXq8H7Qf6yJiSlhnpnZUIkwMSQpWgoN4SJ6loie5JsitSAHDojpt7CPqctz8U1SGEb42RxPebLLmHLcLlgaD7ksaHh7rs6aSGZKMYp2BbsD7JxRJ2-HzI0gm6oTbD-zPfLaMhIvK6kV0TE22QHU4JUno41tTaKe4Rq1-5M9UtuB9qy_1VsJJb1mGcNvpdIsS30YzVylVyo6DgT9AqiYk4oJaEzwfG_2hhtBTZyLrLKG96s64VXLEQ_nsPdpfv2xh6fC7tTscqQ8-sv4-oTOgikzmOw=w689-h918-no" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/kZ0FzgT58VTDLU4ySCyvnqVlhA0DfjPVaREPXmESfbu82ztYNi9jpG_92fJEbYJEg-sj0R38R6TewwF7aK7g7-F_H1NK-JGmQqIChuPLdr2a0dAK7rj_bpTR2277_Nw6MZjz3Zl-UOm-oE4hkdYNlA_Um3aC-No7iVWj43IgrEbgD_QkPS4nc3G7VW1D8np7Nmma2oh0QY7LOs1yFC20is86fBO2Tmi-maUNTG1ZNq5qm6AwnxFTRAH4g21TVJPu16rdtABsRv2f1a46gO-n4bf_S0xd5rTBLa2UJRNc_j2qn96cIOtK7IW5fI0qs32VX9fqE-Zdbk3YZGOVPTCgVBML6_HzxXq8H7Qf6yJiSlhnpnZUIkwMSQpWgoN4SJ6loie5JsitSAHDojpt7CPqctz8U1SGEb42RxPebLLmHLcLlgaD7ksaHh7rs6aSGZKMYp2BbsD7JxRJ2-HzI0gm6oTbD-zPfLaMhIvK6kV0TE22QHU4JUno41tTaKe4Rq1-5M9UtuB9qy_1VsJJb1mGcNvpdIsS30YzVylVyo6DgT9AqiYk4oJaEzwfG_2hhtBTZyLrLKG96s64VXLEQ_nsPdpfv2xh6fC7tTscqQ8-sv4-oTOgikzmOw=w689-h918-no" width="239" /></a></div>
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I entered some skeins, received some pretty ribbons, the day was gorgeous, I met Casey and Mary Heather from Ravelry, and all was right with the world.</div>
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October slipped into November, the election happened, and all went to shit. I have been so pissed off since that night at everything, and do not understand how people who can read words and hear people speak with any discernment could have let this happen. Well, I am not sitting back. Every week my senators (one red and one blue) hear from this white hair 61 year old, and so does my ultra liberal congressman from Boulder. My small effort.</div>
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Suddenly the holiday lights were up, and I realized certain motions needed to be gone through. I have offspring and grandgirls, after all. So I did. Went through the motions, that is. I had some knitting already put aside for giving, and cranked out felted slippers for three,</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/dJ_OhJdYPnU8NiK55IHjsxvhWRfgGi1JpY8qCUUsAIbFx_6xBvM_Ds1ECoIKHZoLqQTHnLVkD5aeRgm_oP-5KqlZgni0xRmwU0YsvcvIQoQZ8MvFHYA-jpoY7tWayEJj-C1WrnaZad3RoQ1FHICe3PBG4Q0f2xyQjqQpmeB9gsIno6IrFYTJArN7cNJXRQdi1znsApCxYenyQJoI6J-nyF660rXMlkn49ej7z2V8Emn4VwV_YKHOEldnfgGbuMSoalavFs_E22YQ17FkHa3MAtxgYNN_JxR6LzVykJJSmH2i6jkDPfGg7LsJ1GyEsPVXUuz57kPkVxiOWl5j7rZIwWX9Iw8txXXOnUOSr0teVos_EOnw1rwcyr_d4eBjPiPeg2sm4xxWaguHrqTUXyIw20DJegOQL4wM3QSy3huALLVz8IS9b3-Oxi20uEUYyZWuFch_up-JPDv7iP3ycJMZJ2snHhAyd8hj49Bmw2910v8kSn56om9gnhtyn3vl69nWkKCbbibb8aR3gs2iIDsutAQEC7CW9A8g4ubA1ugLCBRQF3o-ekg0vCAqredksuVaUEwuvry36LpJ_e7JCyWTTlMcuIRQJWvMihMch1C5hMPgg19d8q3IrA=w1280-h720-no" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/dJ_OhJdYPnU8NiK55IHjsxvhWRfgGi1JpY8qCUUsAIbFx_6xBvM_Ds1ECoIKHZoLqQTHnLVkD5aeRgm_oP-5KqlZgni0xRmwU0YsvcvIQoQZ8MvFHYA-jpoY7tWayEJj-C1WrnaZad3RoQ1FHICe3PBG4Q0f2xyQjqQpmeB9gsIno6IrFYTJArN7cNJXRQdi1znsApCxYenyQJoI6J-nyF660rXMlkn49ej7z2V8Emn4VwV_YKHOEldnfgGbuMSoalavFs_E22YQ17FkHa3MAtxgYNN_JxR6LzVykJJSmH2i6jkDPfGg7LsJ1GyEsPVXUuz57kPkVxiOWl5j7rZIwWX9Iw8txXXOnUOSr0teVos_EOnw1rwcyr_d4eBjPiPeg2sm4xxWaguHrqTUXyIw20DJegOQL4wM3QSy3huALLVz8IS9b3-Oxi20uEUYyZWuFch_up-JPDv7iP3ycJMZJ2snHhAyd8hj49Bmw2910v8kSn56om9gnhtyn3vl69nWkKCbbibb8aR3gs2iIDsutAQEC7CW9A8g4ubA1ugLCBRQF3o-ekg0vCAqredksuVaUEwuvry36LpJ_e7JCyWTTlMcuIRQJWvMihMch1C5hMPgg19d8q3IrA=w1280-h720-no" width="320" /></a></div>
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Duffers, by Mindy Tallack</div>
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and stranded colorwork hats for five.</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/shXH_Kt4sVxfoZrr_rdugDavKjcdAor21NyaOsSvl8Dqo0yN-xfKiEF1OJVYD7dn7rw0TA19FhtSfh4ZvzyLvX2I45bSI9eYZ1ovN5uwxVe5OYiFC_gVb-scvaHpHCaLD7Ux5bpf8CoEBKBGLpT-oq3y5SajB8NTR68Cuq7tI4AvYm3EmYJI5b5vgZNtIoqIaNtykQbDF6FsWlbcVuMGJjbxW1QxiyRLGoIytcR20QjtQO6xhLWH50HjdhdIjU4qOBvayLrheWhARDvye4dRcV6PWl6q9Ow5cSykOPNP3pudX4fPOEicfnuufXc4T7sLHj7CxjzuDSUgIPcHC9oAFdd9RnDUrjfD3_4d5EaIZsFgipH4OLJPwHEHaihiKiLKQtBQ-dqdJKjXW3TEeMBQCjRc9IWXdkEmOOTxaptt4DvKp3rTalDDlDcLndk_I2TMDFKBjCVtVA_5DTrtDeML85KN0tfA97JguZa_M26dNyZXgbrYaGvUooYGJCzpeNt-QHwKzwjdXXVMfD7LSIe_7VW-CmUlQVut57OO3Ygp3LcRwyT0Qbf9SEIErUxv71V0aeHE4VDu4BdgDfVXdRxCmPe0UMxokCCXXNI-mTCOa4GBOwDac-zqWg=w772-h918-no" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/shXH_Kt4sVxfoZrr_rdugDavKjcdAor21NyaOsSvl8Dqo0yN-xfKiEF1OJVYD7dn7rw0TA19FhtSfh4ZvzyLvX2I45bSI9eYZ1ovN5uwxVe5OYiFC_gVb-scvaHpHCaLD7Ux5bpf8CoEBKBGLpT-oq3y5SajB8NTR68Cuq7tI4AvYm3EmYJI5b5vgZNtIoqIaNtykQbDF6FsWlbcVuMGJjbxW1QxiyRLGoIytcR20QjtQO6xhLWH50HjdhdIjU4qOBvayLrheWhARDvye4dRcV6PWl6q9Ow5cSykOPNP3pudX4fPOEicfnuufXc4T7sLHj7CxjzuDSUgIPcHC9oAFdd9RnDUrjfD3_4d5EaIZsFgipH4OLJPwHEHaihiKiLKQtBQ-dqdJKjXW3TEeMBQCjRc9IWXdkEmOOTxaptt4DvKp3rTalDDlDcLndk_I2TMDFKBjCVtVA_5DTrtDeML85KN0tfA97JguZa_M26dNyZXgbrYaGvUooYGJCzpeNt-QHwKzwjdXXVMfD7LSIe_7VW-CmUlQVut57OO3Ygp3LcRwyT0Qbf9SEIErUxv71V0aeHE4VDu4BdgDfVXdRxCmPe0UMxokCCXXNI-mTCOa4GBOwDac-zqWg=w772-h918-no" width="269" /></a></div>
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Baa-ble, by Donna Smith</div>
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Along with miscellaneous other sewing and knitting projects. All were received well and with gratitude by the knitworthies I am blessed to have in my family.</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/uhv1kEHH4Bo52tzDmXwpkLi7AmbA-DqD6iKY4iF1qF9yqn5EOiyCzPfNruzIQBU1EM1J3c72DISW-kiCfqMempY9cHtA9IWQjW2nZZI7mzOPgG2MGovWbY9fM6Pi4J8IM0_tgZwVDp-LStv7At9rMIcW7QCcy0-p_vXSxRK4X8EMqJqP4z6Up4KFVzPlNSlqm0ia1Bx5HUnukNs8VpJ4UFDXjvrRUJI2F8Vdd4wmk9xkDYYDuhLFm31Ek7-hB7tXWcyauliUJcS58jlEbygGaG2Vy2NOkiDszn3YxWLwT4DAKNvb7EkDI9cnTfHsmuWLypkupWMGKOULMUaOzJeGZMzo6S2TKVDwSLqmDLxOv3HZz6BkkoPWzuCkDcMA_e9bEOryZ1asojnDMSMIaToVih14WfMLymI_FWdgN6QDRSB_P4wMZWCJyojOYQVDBc6sDJRl8UrbtWCjwnOu_WlU2ySnPKqskdRdnyGmPexUEiD6VoAvaO-YuruZ1UAZP6zZ40USZoMibKkKPRg-oU5otif5JrTqQf_00aWvfCypiWAAFt3Di9Nb2xsUQMvrKwqb54arxnEJK_7Iqw7In66h3J32QSkqILWJcGskntp5gLSrXl4MEYF_ag=w518-h918-no" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/uhv1kEHH4Bo52tzDmXwpkLi7AmbA-DqD6iKY4iF1qF9yqn5EOiyCzPfNruzIQBU1EM1J3c72DISW-kiCfqMempY9cHtA9IWQjW2nZZI7mzOPgG2MGovWbY9fM6Pi4J8IM0_tgZwVDp-LStv7At9rMIcW7QCcy0-p_vXSxRK4X8EMqJqP4z6Up4KFVzPlNSlqm0ia1Bx5HUnukNs8VpJ4UFDXjvrRUJI2F8Vdd4wmk9xkDYYDuhLFm31Ek7-hB7tXWcyauliUJcS58jlEbygGaG2Vy2NOkiDszn3YxWLwT4DAKNvb7EkDI9cnTfHsmuWLypkupWMGKOULMUaOzJeGZMzo6S2TKVDwSLqmDLxOv3HZz6BkkoPWzuCkDcMA_e9bEOryZ1asojnDMSMIaToVih14WfMLymI_FWdgN6QDRSB_P4wMZWCJyojOYQVDBc6sDJRl8UrbtWCjwnOu_WlU2ySnPKqskdRdnyGmPexUEiD6VoAvaO-YuruZ1UAZP6zZ40USZoMibKkKPRg-oU5otif5JrTqQf_00aWvfCypiWAAFt3Di9Nb2xsUQMvrKwqb54arxnEJK_7Iqw7In66h3J32QSkqILWJcGskntp5gLSrXl4MEYF_ag=w518-h918-no" width="180" /></a></div>
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Mesa, by Yumiko Alexander</div>
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And today, this is being mailed off. Out of handspun, from a bond fleece I bought at the wool market in Estes Park. Scoured, carded, spun 2-ply. I had to mail it quickly before I kept it to enter in the July fairs.</div>
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Keeping busy, to keep it together.</div>
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Iron Needleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04848627330939129750noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4763985013725565641.post-69786449380092588142016-09-13T12:21:00.000-06:002016-09-13T12:21:02.921-06:00Some Finished ThingsI am winding up 4 weeks of recovering from a bike tumble in which I sprained some ribs. All else is good. No hitting of the noggin, no scrapes, and the bike is fine as well. But as I went west when the bike went north, I twisted more than my old-ish body forgave. I have been back on the bike (that felt great), and back doing yoga (albeit slowly). All's well that ends well.<br />
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I was able to finish up a few things though, while not vacuuming. I have used some single skeins of handspun to knit up some small triangle scarves, and one big toasty shawl.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wR3Ai0mRtzk/V9g7LEmOTRI/AAAAAAABGqo/A8BV09260X8jIZJ-ZjRUKPX_8oTjMhGSwCKgB/s1600/IMG_20160820_143917833.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wR3Ai0mRtzk/V9g7LEmOTRI/AAAAAAABGqo/A8BV09260X8jIZJ-ZjRUKPX_8oTjMhGSwCKgB/s400/IMG_20160820_143917833.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
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In the beginning, a novice spinner is often taken in by the lure of the colors of these lovely braid of dyed fiber sold by retailers or indie dyers. They mostly weigh around 4-5 oz. and often can cost between $22.50-$35.00. One usually thinks to afford one, but not two...or one is buying a souvenir while traveling, and only one will do...<br />
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Consider 4 oz of yarn. Unless it is lace wgt or fingering, generally speaking, one has less than 200 yards. What does one make with 200 yards?<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">198 Yards of Heaven (Verity Knits)</td></tr>
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These little triangle scarves, or "shawlettes", fit the bill. at least for the merino and silk (ABS) and the merino/shetland (198 yds). The one below is used up 4 skeins. Those were of smaller yardage, and I actually broke some rules, using a skein of superwash, 2 of an alpaca/silk/merino blend, and one of a merino and silk. I am sure the knitting police will come arrest me anytime.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boneyard (Stephen West)</td></tr>
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It really is wonderful, though. I used it when I demonstrated spinning at the Estes Park Scottish Highlands festival this past weekend. It was perfect to have on my shoulders when there was a breeze, and to shrug off when the sun warmed us up.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-awyiKEVk6pU/V9g7LLdsXeI/AAAAAAABGqo/iz2zZrvoUFcEEbuKfx5aX1q8RlvieLqXACKgB/s1600/IMG_20160831_103417.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-awyiKEVk6pU/V9g7LLdsXeI/AAAAAAABGqo/iz2zZrvoUFcEEbuKfx5aX1q8RlvieLqXACKgB/s320/IMG_20160831_103417.jpg" width="241" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Devil's Backbone (Nicole Tavares)</td></tr>
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I liked the name of this (We have a defining geographical formation with the same moniker). It was suitable to use some yarn that I wanted to get out of the stash. And it worked. I even added some extra repeats to use up more yarn. Unfortunately the yarn seems to be never-ending. I have knitted a poncho/cowl thingie.</div>
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Iron Needleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04848627330939129750noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4763985013725565641.post-26712297463660933202016-08-30T11:08:00.000-06:002016-08-30T11:08:40.169-06:00Feeling SheepishSometimes I crack myself up!<br />
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There's a place around here that sells fleece. Actually, there are many. That sells many kinds. Sheep, alpaca, rabbit, goat. There are even bison and some yak lurking about, I have heard (or herd...). Haha!<br />
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But I am talking sheep and their wool, and one place in particular that sells extraordinarily clean and well-skirted fleece for a premium price. They have a booth at different shows, markets, and such places where I have also been demonstrating spinning, taking classes, or just shopping. I have bought good fleece from them, and some of their "naughty" fleece, which is what they call the ones when the sheep have wriggled out of the coats they wear that keep the fleece so clean. On occasion, they offer classes on scouring fleece, or talks on the breeds they raise, which are many, from rare Karakuls, long wools like Lincolns, Wensleydales, Teeswaters, and BFLs, and finally CVMs,<br />
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I have mentioned to the shepherd and her person in charge (PIC) if they ever need any help, I would volunteer my services. I would love to learn how to properly skirt fleece.<br />
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Well. A couple weeks ago, the PIC called me and asked if I had some free time. I was so excited. Especially after I found out that it was going to be a paying gig! At least starting out, I am working one day a week out at the farm skirting sheared fleece, and getting it prepped for sale.<br />
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What exactly is skirting a fleece, one might ask? It is removing the undesirable parts from the prime wool. The really bad bits is removed in the shearing barn, so we don't have to deal with that. Also the "undesirable parts" are graded from stuff that goes on the floor to stuff that are made into bird balls (nesting material) to fleece that will go to the mill for yarn and/or roving (not prime for sale to handspinners).<br />
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After that is done, we pick out all the obvious vegetable matter (VM). The two of us just walk around the table picking out what we see. Because these sheep are coated, their fleece are very clean. If I would purchase a fleece from this shepherd, I would only have to wash the fleece to get out the lanolin, then comb or card, and spin. Of course, one pays a premium for this privilege!</div>
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The first day we only skirted CVMs (California Variegated Mutants). The second day we worked on Wensleydales and Teeswaters. Some were crosses with BFLs (blue-face Leicesters). (Perhaps another day I will extol the virtues of the different breeds.)</div>
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I must say that the heady fumes of fleece might have overtaken me, but I repeated the mantra, "there will always be another fleece...there will always be another fleece..." along with "remember how much uncarded wool you have at home...remember how much unspun wool you have at home..." So far no fleece has made it home with me. So far. But it has been close.</div>
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Iron Needleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04848627330939129750noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4763985013725565641.post-11869368996851452522016-08-14T10:10:00.001-06:002016-08-14T10:10:24.821-06:00Judging JudgesHaving the opportunity to listen to judges comments and/or actually watch the judging at the wool market and the county fairs this year gave some insights. Which is always good, I suppose when one puts goods out there for comparison. Too bad I couldn't have picked up on some of this at a younger age.<br />
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Judging Judges have their own personalities and preferences and no matter what, are subjective. Even in the perfectly objective part of the judging, I saw preferences! For instance, skein tying...I followed a print out from Interweave Press, put out by SpinOff, written by a local judge, to the letter.<br />
And one judge made negative comments about the way it was tied.<br />
<br />
Whatcha' gonna' do?<br />
<br />
There are some chancy bits and pieces to these contests. For instance, how many entries in the different classes will depend on the level of competition. Typically, blends of protein fibers (like wool and silk and stuff, without glitz and sparkle and stuff) have more entries. Also medium spun sheep's wool have several entries. Classes like spindle spun yarns, or finely spun wool, or exotics like llama or dog/cat, not so much competition.<br />
<br />
In addition, the organizers seriously want entries. So when I show up with six or seven different items, a little abashed by the number, it makes no difference to the superintendents (the people in charge of receiving entries, organizing the display, helping the judge, and getting the entries back to the right people). One local fair had one entry last year. One. Entries are their life's blood.<br />
<br />
The Judging Judges are not known in advance by the entrants, but they tend to be local. And also there are a relatively small circle to choose from. I, myself, who have only been entering handspun for maybe five years, am beginning to know some of them! One also begins to recognize the other entrants, more or less. I recognize fellow guild members, at least.<br />
<br />
Circling back to what I heard in the judging...<br />
I am very glad I went, because with the exception of one fair, the written comments were very minimal compared to what the judges said, and that is unfortunate. At that fair, the superintendent wrote on a 3x5 card everything the judge said, and stapled it to the judging sheet. Excellent.<br />
Some of my skeins consistently rated highly, but perhaps because the competition was slim. Or maybe it was because the fiber was awesome!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KpHI1p63ljs/V7CV5NgjFCI/AAAAAAAARE4/JuUUm8Ww5gUsAsYEB75FhaIwCNuyyJowgCLcB/s1600/file0_medium2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KpHI1p63ljs/V7CV5NgjFCI/AAAAAAAARE4/JuUUm8Ww5gUsAsYEB75FhaIwCNuyyJowgCLcB/s320/file0_medium2.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Llama</td></tr>
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I had a judge comment at one fair that a particular skein "seem heavy", that it could be spun finer. She had a bit of a leaning toward finer yarns, I think, because that yarn won the big ribbons at another fair, and a prize at a second.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JMqRCRdHuBg/V7CV-z2P_1I/AAAAAAAARE8/1NNTUR5MAu8--7t4pvkrMTYEIq8HvfNkACLcB/s1600/file0_medium2%2B%25281%2529.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JMqRCRdHuBg/V7CV-z2P_1I/AAAAAAAARE8/1NNTUR5MAu8--7t4pvkrMTYEIq8HvfNkACLcB/s320/file0_medium2%2B%25281%2529.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yak/Merino/Silk</td></tr>
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There was another skein that could not get any love any where! Until with the last judge, who had obvious tendencies toward crazy, colorful, artzy yarn.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Merino/Silk</td></tr>
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This particular judge picked up my chunky alpaca (which previously had been judged to be<br />
heavy, and could have been spun finer, guess who by...) and said "sometimes you just know when you see something that it's going to be first!"<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">3-ply alpaca</td></tr>
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So. What I learned is this<br />
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<ul>
<li>Know what I am spinning, and think about the intent, if not at the start of the project (because REALLY WHO DOES THAT!!!), then when I am writing it down for the judge. That makes a big giant difference in judging.</li>
<li>Write down all the info I want about breed, staple length, and way I spun the yarn and why. Might make a difference in judging or not, but it will explain why I did what I did. I will have thought through what I did, at least.</li>
<li>Spin the best I can spin, and spin what I want to spin, Judging Judges be damned. They aren't going to be the ones knitting with my yarn.</li>
</ul>
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<br />
I may or may not enter next year. A two sided coin, as it were. While I want to support the local fairs, I don't want to be the one that everyone sees and thinks..."omigawd...she wins everything!" Then again, I wasn't. My friend, Gina, was that person! Haha!<br />
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<br />Iron Needleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04848627330939129750noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4763985013725565641.post-10702823558420369512016-08-10T07:59:00.000-06:002016-08-10T07:59:22.348-06:00Tidying Things UpWhen DSis came to visit, we had a list of things to do. Or rather, things we didn't want to forget to do. We accomplished almost all of the list. (How I love to mark things off a good list!) Many of the items involved visiting quilts stores in and about the vicinity, and while doing so, we picked up their free <a href="https://www.rowbyrowexperience.com/">Row By Row Experience</a> patterns.<br />
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Now here's the thing. This wasn't even on my radar until DSis showed up. I have four (4!) quilts of varying sizes requiring quilting, and two (2!) more planned and ready to cut. I suppose that is beside the point because after we collected...I don't know...<u>18 patterns</u>, DSis reminds me to not stash them too far back in the closet.<br />
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Fast forward to the end of our visit. I return home and it is county fair season. Being retired now (WooHoo!) I am taking other's entries to the local fairs, and also able to watch the judging, which is awesome, but also time-consuming. I have those four quilts mentioned above to sandwich, one of which is a oversized monster. And then DSis starts sending me photos of her Row By Rows (RXR), which are looking awesome.<br />
<br />
Again, here's the thing. These are cute little projects that are mostly easily done with small amounts of fabric (scraps!) and also a good way to learn a technique. Like fusible applique. Back in the day, there was only needle turn applique which is pretty limiting. New fangled fusible bond makes applique magic and new machines have control and fancy stitching that even the Rocketeer can't really match. (Or I haven't figured how to make it do so!). And I think...I should try one or two. They really are addictive.<br />
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So here's this other thing. When DSis finished hers, and then won the prize at her LQS, I WANTED A PRIZE, TOO! (Competitive, much? I have never denied that. Well, actually, I tried to, but gave up in 8th grade.) I kicked into high gear, and seriously did not much else but that damn RXR for four days. I was super focused. And a little bit crazy, I will admit, but finished it up on a Sunday morning. We took it to the LQS in Estes Park, and I won a fabulous stack of fat quarters.<br />
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Since then, I did the grocery shopping, since according WonderGuy (who was a PAL through this), we were down to CRUMBS in the pantry! I have picked up fair entries. (More PRIZES!!) The 110 degree sweater is done blocking (And is pretty darn awesome, too).<br />
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I have blocked a pair of socks and taken photos of the sweater, the socks, and two hats for Ravelry. The garden has started producing. And the house has been cleaned. and two small knitting projects almost complete.<br />
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So all tidied up, right?<br />
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Now I can start on the four quilts, and I have put patterns to yarn for (I am not kidding you) three sweaters and five shawls (of varying sizes).<br />
<br />Iron Needleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04848627330939129750noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4763985013725565641.post-47458797855842707542016-07-29T08:26:00.001-06:002016-07-29T08:26:29.414-06:00Playing Yarn Chicken<br />
The first sheep's fleece I bought at the wool market was a huge 5+ lbs of corriedale/CVM. I question whether it was a covered fleece, but it wasn't the worst I have seen since.<br />
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I cleaned it, and carded it. I knitted a big infinity scarf, hat and mittens from it. I knitted a cabled vest from it...<br />
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and determined to finish it up with a simple oversized sweater. I still had plenty of yarn.<br />
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DSis came for a visit which was finished with us taking a roadtrip to visit our elderly aunt. This was the perfect travel knitting - nothing but stockinette in the round except for some waist shaping. I figured to get through the body on the trip with the yarn I had, and maybe a sleeve. I would finish the other sleeve and the neckline when I got home with the last of the yarn. On the flight home, I reached the length of the body, which is tunic long, with most of the rest of that ball and one more left. Ribbing, and two sleeves, and the neck ribbing left.</div>
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Well. Guess what? No more yarn. Well. No more of THAT yarn.<br />
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No sweat really. I put the body on a stitch holder. I picked up the first sleeve, which is now finished.<br />
<br />
I think I will get the 2nd mostly done with the yarn left. I will unravel from the bottom to finish sleeve #2 and the inch of ribbing around the neck.</div>
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So it won't be a booty covering sweater to wear with leggings. Maybe I am too old for that anyway. And there won't be anymore of this yarn in the stash!</div>
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Iron Needleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04848627330939129750noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4763985013725565641.post-80330256505543732592016-07-16T14:13:00.001-06:002016-07-16T14:13:50.457-06:00Quilting In These Modern Times<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Back in the day, when the day was about 9 years ago, which is when the oldest grandgirl was born, my dearest sis and I embarked on the tradition of making the grands quilts. I had learned to quilt in 1978, and was all about the scissors and templates, hoops and hand quilting. That stuck until the the fifth quilt. A few things happened. The quilts started stacking up. DSis bought a Bernina, helped found the Modern Quilt Guild in Las Vegas, and subsequently retired.</div>
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I will be honest here. I didn't know modern from schmodern. Quilts are quilts are quilts...and are mostly for covering up with. So anyway, back to DSis retiring and leaving Las Vegas and moving into the hot bed of America's quilting heartland. Her mad skilz took off like a rocket, and she was all...maybe we should look at some of the more recent innovations in the quilting industry. I was all...this was how I learned to make quilts and this is how I am going to die making quilts.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hn_q1LbwbMc/V4qHulQQBsI/AAAAAAAARCg/KU1xPz_W2sQ-B_1qEDXmVdTxeIqlmFoQQCLcB/s1600/30s%2BCardTrick.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hn_q1LbwbMc/V4qHulQQBsI/AAAAAAAARCg/KU1xPz_W2sQ-B_1qEDXmVdTxeIqlmFoQQCLcB/s320/30s%2BCardTrick.jpg" width="295" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Variation of Card Trick with 30's reproduction prints</td></tr>
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And then I got laid off again, and picked up a part time job at a LYS that was opening an fabric side. I needed to let go of the past, all be it kicking and screaming, and let myself get dragged into these modern times. I had fun for the few months I sewed for a living. My mother's legacy lives on, and I am truly grateful for the life skills she taught me. Also, I honed those rotary cutting and chain piecing skills!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Sisters" with 30's reproduction prints</td></tr>
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Grandgirl's six and seven quilts were cranked out lickety split! I even machined quilted, although it was simply quilting in the ditch. The intricacies of free motion still elude me, but as many things, I am sure it's just a process of learning.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rEiMJsVNXAQ/V4qHqU3iUGI/AAAAAAAARCY/UOpsfhE0wEgWxokAeCft6s9pr5T0F9-3wCLcB/s1600/16-patch_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rEiMJsVNXAQ/V4qHqU3iUGI/AAAAAAAARCY/UOpsfhE0wEgWxokAeCft6s9pr5T0F9-3wCLcB/s320/16-patch_1.jpg" width="237" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">16-patches from FCMQG block bee and hour glass block</td></tr>
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I still sew with my mid-century Singer (the Rocketeer) but I bought myself a Janome, too. (By the way, save yourself embarrassment. Jay No Me. I asked the man in the store about the Jaynoms. Oops.) I joined the local MQG. I even met DSis at QuiltCon in Austin for fun, amusement, and education in what the heck Modern Quilting is.<br />
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The photos are of a few of my recently completed quilt tops. The top two are throw sizes, the bottom is now larger than the photo shows, more of an oversized queen. I cranked these out in the last week. Fast as lightening! Quick as winks! Goodbye to the olden days!Iron Needleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04848627330939129750noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4763985013725565641.post-79185008055818003062016-07-13T08:58:00.000-06:002016-07-13T08:58:00.086-06:00<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am not starting by making excuses. Life changes. Life happens. Life evolves.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have updated the layout. I haven't been reading any blogs for a while so deleted all the 'what I have been reading'. Maybe I will add some back, if that changes. Seems since retirement, I have been doing more and more, and on the computer less. Somehow there is this pull to the blog, and I am not sure what that is about. So I am going to give it a go and see where it takes me. That is all.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">First things first. I am retired, for over a year. Work is done and that is that. It is good to done with work and that is that. I love having my time be my time. I do whatever I want when I want to do it. Like I haven't EVER. I spend my time in the yard, creating fibery things, trying to stay fit, traveling a bit, with the grandgirls (which number seven now) and with the husband (who is still a wonderful guy).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Right now I have a pair of socks, a pair of mittens on the needles. I also have 3 quilts in process.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am loving life.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dYEqso61sVI/V4ZWKeNAjrI/AAAAAAAARA8/UfShGGDyRi4h1yG5zTPQ0x9rWWfPOYoxQCLcB/s1600/IMG_9713.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dYEqso61sVI/V4ZWKeNAjrI/AAAAAAAARA8/UfShGGDyRi4h1yG5zTPQ0x9rWWfPOYoxQCLcB/s400/IMG_9713.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I won Reserve Champion at the Estes Park Wool Market for some llama.</span></td></tr>
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Iron Needleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04848627330939129750noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4763985013725565641.post-65182902250207463792016-07-08T09:57:00.001-06:002016-07-08T09:57:19.382-06:00Hello Again<p dir="ltr">I might be back...</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FmC3yQSHMeo/V3_NXopbQEI/AAAAAAAAQ_U/RL5FSkkvvBg/s1600/1467993300598.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FmC3yQSHMeo/V3_NXopbQEI/AAAAAAAAQ_U/RL5FSkkvvBg/s640/1467993300598.jpg"> </a> </div>Iron Needleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04848627330939129750noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4763985013725565641.post-70218679209724624692013-04-21T13:20:00.003-06:002013-04-21T13:20:57.130-06:00What's Goin' OnA few interviews...<br />
A couple never made it past the HR screening phone interview, but I made it to the third elimination round for one position. I am not too disappointed. It was for third shift. Yes, I am applying for just about anything that comes close to fitting the bill.<br />
Is it close? Does it come close to paying what I made? Is the position halfway close to what I have done? Is it permanent and regular hours? 75% gets an application...<br />
<br />
Knocking down the to-do list...<br />
The house is cleaned like I haven't cleaned it since we started using cleaning people. I have been baking bread and cooking most meals at home. The home inventory is juuuusssst about wrapped up. I have gone through and sorted out for the upcoming community garage sale. My baskets have been dusted (don't laugh, that is no small matter!). My basement has been cleaned.<br />
<br />
Spinning...<br />
The Estes Park Wool Market released the hand spun skein contest rules, and one of the surrounding counties has already put out their county fair rules, so I am spinning to that end, keeping in mind that I am also practicing for Sheep To Shawl.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--LIu9g5qWDo/UXQ4nZNdGfI/AAAAAAAAK0Y/OOD0zD-ayF8/s1600/merino+alpaca1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--LIu9g5qWDo/UXQ4nZNdGfI/AAAAAAAAK0Y/OOD0zD-ayF8/s400/merino+alpaca1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Merino/Alpaca, 50:50. The dark is the merino and the white is alpaca. I spun the singles randomly on one bobbin. The next bobbin, I tried to sort of stagger the colors opposite. Turned out sort of crazy and pretty cool.<br />
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<br />
50:50 camel and silk. This is really sleek. Only 145 yards.<br />
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Knitting...<br />
I have finished up a couple of requests from Middle Daughter and Precious Niece., a pair of slippers (my family goes through slippers like Sherman went through Georgia!) and a circular scarf (out of my handspun, which was nice as it was a choice on her part).<br />
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On the upside of not working, while Spring took a backseat to 22 inches of snow this past week, I could take my mornings easy, and stay inside.<br />
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<br />Iron Needleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04848627330939129750noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4763985013725565641.post-74505426354095304312013-04-09T09:33:00.001-06:002013-04-09T09:34:03.712-06:00Spinny StuffI made mentioned <a href="http://ironneedles.blogspot.com/2012/12/continuing-on.html">back aways</a> that after my handspun fair entries did (amazingly) well, that I was asked to be on a Sheep to Shawl team at the Estes Park Wool Market this year.<br />
<br />
Briefly put, a team of five take a clean fleece, and from 9-2:30, card the fleece, spin and ply it into yarn, and weave the yarn into a shawl, take the shawl off the loom, give it a quickie rinse, towel dry it, and let it be judged. And also interact with the looky-loos.<br />
<br />
The loom will be set up with the warp (the longish bits). We have already carded, spun and plied that part so the weaver will have that set up. Only the weft (the crosswise parts) will be what is woven the day of the contest.<br />
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It's doable, but we will be busy for that five hours...or so I am told. I have never really seen this sort of thing happen. Turns out I am the least experienced on this team. I listen to the conversations of my fellow team members and find out they have taken classes with some big names and gone to some highly acclaimed retreats. Our alternate has previously JUDGED Sheep to Shawl contests. Pretty humbling.<br />
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So far, as I mentioned, we have washed the fleece. We met and sort of test spun to establish what we wanted to spin our singles to so we would be spinning consistently. We have carded what is going to be used for the warp, and we each took about 2 oz to spin into singles. We brought those singles together last Saturday and we traded off plying parts of each others bobbins, so the warp yarn would consist of every one's singles plied with everyone else's.<br />
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I was very surprised at how consistent the yarn turned out. It was really pretty cool. I am going to learn so much from these people, not to mention getting to know the women themselves.Iron Needleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04848627330939129750noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4763985013725565641.post-89034036476552947072013-03-28T07:29:00.000-06:002013-03-28T07:30:05.788-06:00No Negative Waves, Moriarty...In an attempt to stay positive, and also keep my head busy, I will speak to the accomplishments of the last month, and not that I have been out of work for exactly that long.<br />
<br />
Oops.<br />
<br />
There has been a whole lot of knitting going on. And none of it is being worn by me. Which I think is absolutely out of this world. My people are knit worthy, and I am so grateful that they are so grateful.<br />
<br />
Eldest took these socks that I finished on the plane on the way to see her right after I was let go. (Yep, I got a trip back east for a consolation prize...deets will follow.) <b>Crosshatch pattern from More Sensational Knitted Socks, by Charlene Schurch</b>, out of Araucania Itata Solid. This is a great pattern for a solid color that I will knit again.<br />
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A shop sample knitted up for a local LYS. Knit Hedgehog by <a href="http://purlbee.com/">Purl Soho</a>, out of Cascade 220 and Eco Cloud. That Eco Cloud was divine to knit up. Too bad the project was so small!<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BukHDq44-Bk/UVQ-M3fUoaI/AAAAAAAAKnA/K-g-yh2dT-4/s1600/hedgehog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BukHDq44-Bk/UVQ-M3fUoaI/AAAAAAAAKnA/K-g-yh2dT-4/s400/hedgehog.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Class examples for an upcoming class on felting/embellishing techniques. Felted Woolly Eggs, by <a href="http://www.woollysomething.com/">Marie Mayhew</a>, out of Red Heart Wool among other things. All that Red Heart I got from my aunt's stash in vintage colors were perfect for this.<br />
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A seamed sweater for the expressed purposed of practicing seaming. Pattern: <b>Even Daniele Did It Again, from The Yarn Girls Guide To Kid Knits</b>, out of Pingouin Acrylic I found at the thrift store.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-u6f_00i5NA0/UVQ-v_7TNTI/AAAAAAAAKno/C_JDwEDoTDk/s1600/seamedbaby1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-u6f_00i5NA0/UVQ-v_7TNTI/AAAAAAAAKno/C_JDwEDoTDk/s400/seamedbaby1.jpg" width="283" /></a></div>
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Bartered felted mats for Precious Niece's new NY digs. The <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/40-years-felted-platter">40-Years Felted Platter by Katherine Vaughn</a> (Rav link) out of Patons Classic Wool, my go-to workhorse felter. Also an above shot of the hedgehog, which was a really cute little guy.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6vqykaDMz2Y/UVQ-3INOOTI/AAAAAAAAKnw/qN2p5A3aREA/s1600/feltedmats.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6vqykaDMz2Y/UVQ-3INOOTI/AAAAAAAAKnw/qN2p5A3aREA/s400/feltedmats.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Bartered felted slippers for Dearest Sister's cold midwestern toes. <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/duffers-19-row-felted-slippers">Duffers, 19-Row Felted Slippers by Mindie Tallack</a> (Rav link) out of Bear Brand Four Seasons, another bit of Aunt Cissy's vintage haul.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T9leJsyIaK8/UVQ_KDMrM_I/AAAAAAAAKn4/MwnMkG9vpt0/s1600/jansduffers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T9leJsyIaK8/UVQ_KDMrM_I/AAAAAAAAKn4/MwnMkG9vpt0/s400/jansduffers.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
And a simple hat to replace the one Only Step-Son has worn since 2008 and lost this year. He felt very bad, but I say hey! If you weren't wearing it, you wouldn't have lost it! He was very impressed that I could make another EXACTLY like the one he loved. Thank you, Ravelry, and my compulsive note keeping. My own beanie recipe out of Patons Classic Wool.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ThBC8NGvJXk/UVQ_TqD4t4I/AAAAAAAAKoA/jq_oEqfanHM/s1600/Steves+Hat2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="352" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ThBC8NGvJXk/UVQ_TqD4t4I/AAAAAAAAKoA/jq_oEqfanHM/s400/Steves+Hat2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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On the needles right now are 2 projects... a pair of socks, and a circular scarf out of handspun (another barter effort with Precious Niece I will speak to later), along with 'decorating' the last of Woolly Eggs.<br />
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My mother would be proud!Iron Needleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04848627330939129750noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4763985013725565641.post-81272497184940663162013-03-26T11:02:00.001-06:002013-03-26T11:02:29.410-06:00See, It's Like ThisAbout a month ago, I was told, 'the company was going in a different different direction, and the 28th (of February) would be my last day.'<br />
<br />
One would think there would be ample opportunity to write posts, wouldn't one?<br />
<br />
One would be correct, and yet, what does one say about it and remain even-handed? It takes time. This is the second time I have been laid off...in February...at that place...by those people.<br />
<br />
Today, I have bread baking, and cookies dough in the fridge...ready to eat. I will exercise later, keeping the phone close by. I had a couple of screening phone interviews last week, and thought I had a real chance for a call back from one. Today is probably the outside of the timeframe, so it behooves me to stay busy. Busy keeps the mind from dwelling.<br />
<br />
In the past month, I have gotten through the unemployment maze, organized my kitchen cabinets, cleaned my own house, cleaned out my closet, and made a run to GoodWill as well as many more things off 'The List'. I have more things to do. There in the neighborhood garage sale in June, and the basement is calling. As is the home inventory.<br />
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I have tried to look at the opportunity in this. I am going to teach a class at an LYS in May, and have offered to knit some shop samples. I am also considering offering some of my award winning handspun skills for sale in the dormant Etsy shop, but haven't made that progress. I have been able to demo those spinning skills for the pre-school and kindergarten classes of the grandbebe girls, which I think was awesome to do. In addition, the Sheep To Shawl team I have been asked to participate with has ramped up their organizational duties.<br />
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I have made myself a DIY lightbox to play with my fancy camera, too. I would really be enjoying myself if this had happened on my terms, and the financial piece wasn't an uncertainty.<br />
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Going forward and onward and trying to see that it's all going to be just like it's suppose to be.<br />
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<br />Iron Needleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04848627330939129750noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4763985013725565641.post-48387316909065820612013-03-03T06:00:00.000-07:002013-03-03T06:00:06.455-07:00Drum Roll, Please...Presenting...<br />
<br />
Grandbebe Quilt Number Four!<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2KfFLEe4c_w/USP8B8JDtrI/AAAAAAAAKlU/RA_XvfQQemo/s1600/quilt7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2KfFLEe4c_w/USP8B8JDtrI/AAAAAAAAKlU/RA_XvfQQemo/s400/quilt7.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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In Blue and Red vintage (mostly), fabric collected (mostly) by Dearest Sister.<br />
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Embroidered by DSis.<br />
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Patches cut and assembled by the both of us.</div>
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9-Patches machine pieced by me.<br />
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Handquilted by me.<br />
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Supervised every step of the way by Boy Kitty.<br />
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Quality tested by the Cousins.<br />
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Made with all the love grown-ups have for their little ones.</div>
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<br />Iron Needleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04848627330939129750noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4763985013725565641.post-28353352030344606092013-02-27T06:00:00.000-07:002013-02-27T06:00:04.330-07:00Strange and Stranger<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I
have mentioned that I have been going through a stack of old quilt magazines
forwarded to me by Dearest Sister.</span><br />
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The
first several I looked through were from the 90’s and had some interesting
articles and patterns, and I found some things that I flagged with post-its.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The
next several were from the 70’s. These were…interesting. Paper quality not near so good, and aging
poorly and rapidly. Very few color
photos, and the black and white photos were taken with less than stellar care. I imagine some copywriter being told to ‘get
the camera and go take a photo of so and so and their quilt’…not professional
at all!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Apart
from how far we have come in the publishing sector, the articles and columns
are enlightening. There is poetry
submitted using patterns in the poems. Quilters write in wanting to be penpals
still in the 70’s, and wanting to exchange patterns. One wrote complaining that she takes time to
copy neatly and exactly her patterns to exchange, with labels, etc, only to
receive in turn slipshod efforts.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RDv_QK7MIaE/USP23cbV7uI/AAAAAAAAKkU/l2XSR2vrN8Y/s1600/letter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="331" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RDv_QK7MIaE/USP23cbV7uI/AAAAAAAAKkU/l2XSR2vrN8Y/s400/letter.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">I
feel chastised.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">But
today, I looked through some from the 80’s, and the post-its came back
out. In just two issues, I came across
articles about the LQS where I took my first class (Quilt Country), and about
the quilting lady at Shakertown in Harrodsburg, KY, where I use to take my
Brownie Troop, and everyone else whoever came to visit me when I lived in
Kentucky.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">And
also this, which I may just have to try.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BqBzxjZPzB8/USP3GDHiL7I/AAAAAAAAKkc/iKyhxTErfCQ/s1600/BaaBaa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BqBzxjZPzB8/USP3GDHiL7I/AAAAAAAAKkc/iKyhxTErfCQ/s400/BaaBaa.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Baa
Baa Black Sheep<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
Iron Needleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04848627330939129750noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4763985013725565641.post-20533849329528656862013-02-24T06:00:00.000-07:002013-02-24T06:00:05.298-07:00More Found Objects<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Super
Bowl Sunday, Wonderful Guy and I got the heck out of Dodge, our guys being
knocked out of the running a few Sundays earlier and all. I probably could have
stayed home and made some progress on some projects, but I could tell he needed
to get beyond the four walls.</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">I
suggested a drive towards Lyons, where there is a quilt shop. Works for me!
Apparently it worked for him, too, because that is what we did, and
while he went for a cuppa’ joe, I looked around Quilting Hands. Found some fat quarters on sale, along with a
book (of course), then met up with him across the street. As he was finishing his coffee, I said I am
going to run through the thrift shop next door, as he usually isn’t interested
in such places, but he chose to come along.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">There
wasn’t a whole lot there, but sometimes that is okay. Stuffed full can be overwhelming. I saw yarn, some mohair and some acrylic,
which I passed over, and continued through the store. As I came back to the
front, the Guy was still there looking at books, and asked if I saw the
knitting needles?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Huwah??<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">There
were a few pair of pretty neat vintage straight needles for $2/pr, and one was
10” sz 7, of which, for some reason I seem to have gone completely through. So
…I NEEDED those. As I was finding out
how much the needles cost, the yarn was mentioned, and I succumbed to 3 balls
of acrylic. It was very nice for
acrylic, and also foreign. And very
inexpensive.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jiwHl3Uumq4/USP1l8xOzHI/AAAAAAAAKj8/QUpZrDbbFR8/s1600/IMG_0780.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jiwHl3Uumq4/USP1l8xOzHI/AAAAAAAAKj8/QUpZrDbbFR8/s400/IMG_0780.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Enough for a baby sweater!</div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">
We then moseyed down the street to the next place which is a consignment store. There was lots of fun stuff there (more mohair!) and we each went our own ways
looking at what interested us, then showing each other the stuff that catches
our eye. And what caught my eyes was a
very nice quilt. As I looked it over,
though, I got very confused. The top was
obviously old, and handquilted, but the backing was a bit off. The shopkeeper came over, eager to tell me
about it. She said she had it appraised, and the top was from the 1880’s, but
it was quilted in the 70’s.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-542UkekyukI/USP1sAY9lQI/AAAAAAAAKkE/XAtNir0CKVA/s1600/Lyonsquilt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="370" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-542UkekyukI/USP1sAY9lQI/AAAAAAAAKkE/XAtNir0CKVA/s400/Lyonsquilt.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--O2IhUEK9NA/USP1tZ3EEXI/AAAAAAAAKkM/6O5TjAezNJw/s1600/Lyonsquilt1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--O2IhUEK9NA/USP1tZ3EEXI/AAAAAAAAKkM/6O5TjAezNJw/s400/Lyonsquilt1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Her
story rings true. The top fabric is old (but in excellent shape), and there is
attached documentation relating to the quilting of it (and the price for
materials and services!) from the ‘70’s.
Regardless, I think it’s a great quilt, and I got it for what I think is
a good price.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">When
we got home with my booty, we had ham, beans, and corn bread I had fixed that
morning, and saw the most interesting half of the game anyway.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Iron Needleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04848627330939129750noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4763985013725565641.post-38637266431932410272013-02-22T06:00:00.000-07:002013-02-22T11:15:03.294-07:00Found Objects<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Back
in the day, way back, I took my first (and only) quilting class at a local
quilt shop on the Country Club Plaza in Kansas City, Mo, called Quilt
Country.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">It is no longer in business,
but I learned much in those six weeks back in 1977.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Kansas
City and quilts are linked together historically in the patterns published in
the Kansas City newspapers through the first half of the 20<sup>th</sup>
century. One of the newspaper artists
responsible for the publishing of these weekly patterns was Ruby McKim. These patterns were collected by many quilters. I am sure many were used in quilting, but I
am positive they were collected. In the stacks
of magazines Dearest Sister forwarded to me from her finds that I have been
going through, I have stumbled across two groups of these collections.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">One
group is about 2 dozen of actual newspaper clippings of the mid-70’s reprints
of the original 1930’s publications.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BrYmPl0InYU/USPyqJZ-33I/AAAAAAAAKjo/vFfKG86gs8s/s1600/patterns2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BrYmPl0InYU/USPyqJZ-33I/AAAAAAAAKjo/vFfKG86gs8s/s400/patterns2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The
other group is a partial collection of about 35-40 patterns, copied, as in mimeographed, collated, stapled, and then offered, if you send a SASE to a woman at such and such an address in Cherryvale, KS. So did she collect them,
copy them, and sell them to those who didn’t receive the paper? I am wondering about copyright issues!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gu1QVmYtgJU/USPyqMmtfzI/AAAAAAAAKjk/4KQo4OgLwIk/s1600/patterns1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="370" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gu1QVmYtgJU/USPyqMmtfzI/AAAAAAAAKjk/4KQo4OgLwIk/s400/patterns1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I
have read that Ruby McKim was a newspaper artist and not a quilter, at least at
first, and </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">often the designs published were </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">not exact, perfectly
sized, and template ready.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Sometimes, the
space allowed for the weekly pattern was smaller than the weekly pattern, and
adjustments had to be made. I also know that the women, mostly Kansas women,
who were receiving the paper, were an adaptive group, and that didn't stop
them.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Quilts </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><u style="font-weight: bold;">were</u> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">made from these patterns!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Back
when I took my quilt class, I started my quilt book library with, among other
books, Ruby McKim’s 101 Patchwork Patterns.
Unfortunately, it and several others were on the bottom shelf in the
basement when the waters rose.
Fortunately, I found a copy at the Friends of the Library booksale a few
years back. More fortunately, I found
another copy for Dearest Sister at another FOL booksale a few years
later! I replaced in the same way a
copy of <b>Marguerite Ickis The Standard Book of Quilt Making and Collecting</b> which I had also lost at the same time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Then
something jogged my memory this past month of another book lost. I bought it right after I finished the class. It was relatively new, all color, and
therefore, expensive. I may have spent
$8.00 on it, so it took some considerable rationalization at the time. I could not remember the name, just what I
have already mentioned, and that it was paperback, and the cover mostly blue. I was successful one other time finding an
out-of-print book at biblio.com so I went there and searched with tags
quilting, patchwork, and a publication date from 1970-1980. As the titles came up, I went to Amazon to
check out the covers, as biblio.com didn’t have many of them photographed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Well, I found
it. Primarily Patchwork, by <b>Marjorie Pucket.
</b>I just love it when I am have carried off a successful plan!</span>Iron Needleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04848627330939129750noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4763985013725565641.post-80303079983763383432013-02-19T13:28:00.000-07:002013-02-19T14:51:14.403-07:00A for Effort<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I
also don’t believe February is too late for yearly goals.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Waiting a bit has a couple a benefits.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I can sort of see how the year is beginning
to go.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">And I can put a couple of
January</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">accomplishments on the list of
goals, only to see them marked off ‘toot sweet’!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Look
at meee! Already the whiz!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">So
anyway.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Under
growing and learning and increasing
skills,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">1.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Learn
and hone new knitting/spinning skills.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">a.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Take
seaming classes<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.5in; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo1; mso-text-indent-alt: -9.0pt; text-indent: -1.5in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span>i.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> <strike>
</strike></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><strike>January (MSK)<o:p></o:p></strike></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.5in; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo1; mso-text-indent-alt: -9.0pt; text-indent: -1.5in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span>ii.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> <strike>
</strike></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><strike>February
(FiberFest)</strike><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.5in; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo1; mso-text-indent-alt: -9.0pt; text-indent: -1.5in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span>iii.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Knit
seamed things<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">b.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Take
spinning workshop at EPWM (?)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">c.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Enter
handknit skeins in:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.5in; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo1; mso-text-indent-alt: -9.0pt; text-indent: -1.5in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span>i.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">EPWM<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.5in; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo1; mso-text-indent-alt: -9.0pt; text-indent: -1.5in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span>ii.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Larimer
Co Fair<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.5in; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo1; mso-text-indent-alt: -9.0pt; text-indent: -1.5in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span>iii.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Boulder
Co Fair<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">d.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Take
dyeing classes<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.5in; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo1; mso-text-indent-alt: -9.0pt; text-indent: -1.5in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span>i.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">February
(Lambspun-fair premium)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.5in; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo1; mso-text-indent-alt: -9.0pt; text-indent: -1.5in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span>ii.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">May
(NCWG-natural)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">e.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Learn
to blend fibers with drum carder<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">2.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Household
inventory<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">3.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Participate
in neighborhood garage sale (June)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">4.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Increase
photography/photoshop skills<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">a.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Figure
this one out<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">5.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Quilt</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> a. <strike>#4</strike></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> b. #5<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">6.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Renew/learn
new quilting techniques<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">a.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Doll
quilts for Grandbebe girls<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">b.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Machine
quilting<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">c.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Ornaments<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">7.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Yard<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">a.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Raised
beds<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">b.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Cold
frame<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">8.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Health<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">a.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Exercise
more often than not<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">b.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Ride
to work starting in May or sooner<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">c.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Get
some hiking in this year<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">d.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Get
a grip on this post HRT wgt gain.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">So
I am going to figure out how to post this as an additional page over there in the margin </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">and
hopefully we will see how far we get this year.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">
</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">If nothing else, I will be well on my way for a list of goals next year!</span></div>
Iron Needleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04848627330939129750noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4763985013725565641.post-37210981210221112762013-02-14T05:19:00.000-07:002013-02-18T08:44:47.496-07:00A New Baby<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I have been really really really wanting really really really badly to get to some closet cleaning and organization. For a really really really long time. Really.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">My reasons are that I occasionally watch part of an episode of Hoarders and it freaks me out just a little. When work is frustrating and I don’t feel productive, home takes the brunt and I get ALL productive there. I have had on ‘THE LIST’ a home inventory since a couple of my knitter peeps lost their home to fire, and then a whole lot of Larimer County residents did likewise last summer. That is an overwhelming task without some clearing out and organization of closets and drawers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Any of those are sure and adequate reasons by themselves. However. It took all of those….and THIS! To get me moving.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OojmcE4rSuI/URRJJVRRT4I/AAAAAAAAKis/I3PlrNNdvSY/s1600/carder.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OojmcE4rSuI/URRJJVRRT4I/AAAAAAAAKis/I3PlrNNdvSY/s400/carder.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Fricke Signature Drum Carder</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I found a screaming deal on one of the used equipment forums on Ravelry, and decided to buy my very own drum carder. Obviously I needed to find a place for it to live in the Craft-tudio. One thing led to another and before I knew it, this had happened.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F91zmz5Ta04/URRNCtWpv8I/AAAAAAAAKi8/NyXQBkVwB-M/s1600/Closet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F91zmz5Ta04/URRNCtWpv8I/AAAAAAAAKi8/NyXQBkVwB-M/s400/Closet.jpg" width="271" /></a></div>
</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I love me an organized linen closet. Especially when it’s mine. (camera phone...it was handy...)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">I admit that I have slowed my pace. Only the upstairs has been marked off ‘THE LIST’. And only the cleaning has happened. None of the inventorying has occurred. But progress! Which is good!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">And my new baby? She purrs! Being a belt-driven model rather than like the chain driven one I rented from the guild, there is a much different sound when operating. The whole gizmo has much more wood and less metal, so I told the Guy ‘She is just sounds more…organic! Come see!’ And of course, because he loves me, he obliged, and pronounced the sound produced as ‘purring’.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Now, timing is everything. I bought Drummie (yes, I named her.) (yes, she’s a she.) after I had the guild carder for 6 weeks, and most of the fleece I had on hand, was in fact, carded. I only had about 1/3 of my last alpaca fleece left to card. Hardly enough to play with, I should think. So I will just have to see if maybe there might not be something to buy at the upcoming Fun Fiber Fest. </span>After all, Drummie and I are still getting to know each other. I claim necessity!</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Iron Needleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04848627330939129750noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4763985013725565641.post-62722944082506638492013-02-10T05:16:00.000-07:002013-02-10T07:59:35.146-07:00Speaking of Progress<br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Once
I made a statement.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I stated that the
grandbebe quilts weren’t ‘<b>late</b>’ until after the grandbebe’s were two years old.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Well. Fine.
It’s not like either the quilt or the grandbebe’s are going to go
sour! And there is nothing like a
deadline, or past due date to get me moving.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Anyway. Grandgirl Four turned two in December. Therefore, I ramped up the quilting in January. I have made grand progress. Truly. In the
four short weeks since really starting to crank it out, I am almost past
the point of being able to use the hoop and will be moving to the outer edges for quilting.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">I
am pleased with my technique (mostly), and really pleased with Dearest Sister’s
embroidered parts, and super pleased with our choices of materials and patch selections. We definitely will have to do the same team
activity for Quilt Numero Five. (See
<a href="http://just-a-mere.blogspot.com/2013/01/my-pinkest-project.html">here </a>for the down-low on that one.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">Anyway
#2. As part of the Great Closet Clean-Out, I came across a stack of old quilting
mags DSis came upon through some "opportunity", and gave to me. And because of this recent quilting time, I
have been thinking that maybe I can diversify and/or upgrade some of my
piecing/quilting skilz along with my other fibery interests. Therefore, I have been perusing some of these
old ‘zines. I have remembered
some things that perhaps I knew and forgot, or perhaps I </span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">didn't</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"> know at
all. I am not sure where I will go with
my new ideas, but do believe technique will be improved in the piecing of the
fifth quilt.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Anyway #3. The Boy
Kitty thinks the quilting is the best thing since canned cat food.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span>
<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-S3GlOVVrxS4/URWU_NDMUGI/AAAAAAAAKjM/Ij_x_1F6jn4/s1600/Apollo2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-S3GlOVVrxS4/URWU_NDMUGI/AAAAAAAAKjM/Ij_x_1F6jn4/s400/Apollo2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EjUEoPxAkX0/URWU_QO_pTI/AAAAAAAAKjQ/MIKoJN7Sqew/s1600/Apollo1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="301" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EjUEoPxAkX0/URWU_QO_pTI/AAAAAAAAKjQ/MIKoJN7Sqew/s400/Apollo1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">These are not constructed or posed photos. I am constantly removing him from the quilt. Fortunately, he does not shed, and I like to think he has excellent discernment.</span>Iron Needleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04848627330939129750noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4763985013725565641.post-13480501750132433582013-02-07T17:29:00.003-07:002013-02-07T17:29:58.309-07:00New Experiences<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">After
living in northern Colorado for 16 years, Wonderful Guy and I seized the
opportunity to go to the National Western Stock Show last month.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">My cousin came from western Kansas to
attend.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">He is a farmer/rancher sort, so
was going …you know…as a professional.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">
</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The Guy and I were rubberneckers mostly, but also wannabees.</span></span></div>
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</div>
<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5VzHTFnEW9M/URRD2YvrQMI/AAAAAAAAKiQ/Cj5JFMK2uGA/s1600/NWSS1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="302" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5VzHTFnEW9M/URRD2YvrQMI/AAAAAAAAKiQ/Cj5JFMK2uGA/s400/NWSS1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">The outside of the expo center. </span>There are other critters on the other side, horses and cattle and such. This was my favorite.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">You
see. I put the idea in Cousin’s mind that he might raise some fine fleece
sheep, and he is okay with that. Really he is. His plan was to work in attending some of the sheep shows, and with him in tow,
my plan was to check out the fleeces. I educated him on what a spinner looks for, or at
least, what I look for. We chatted up
the tenders of the fleeces, and he talked up some of the sheep people when I
wasn’t around.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We
spent some time in the evenings looking at my <a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Fleece-Fiber-Sourcebook-Fibers/dp/1603427112/ref=sr_1_sc_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1360281128&sr=8-1-spell&keywords=fleeece+and+fiber+source+book">Fleece and Fiber Source Book</a> (Deb Robson and and Carol Ekarius) checking out the really handsome breeds, the stylin’ breeds with their fine
wool, and the ones that we thought might best survive the predators Kansas
offers. Otherwise known as the ones with horns and/or the sheep with muscles....<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">What
we figured out is that we have more to figure out before the decision is made and
sheeps are purchased. That is
good. I prefer prudent decision making
to rash rushing off.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Then
he spent the sheep money on a couple of Scottish Highland cows…which I do
believe is his first love!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">However. We drove to Denver for the show on two
separate occasions, one with the two eldest Grandgirls in tow. Omifun!
(And also exhaustion) There were
stories to tell the parental units about pony rides and petting zoos and foot long hot dogs and funnel
cakes and ice cream and cotton candy and Cousin getting his boots shined, but
the story that got told first? ‘There
was a buffalo with blood on his horn.’
Yep. Blood and gore. It could have been poop.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tz8gP1MoICg/URRD4oYdCpI/AAAAAAAAKiY/7HjUbBPUJwY/s1600/Footlong.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tz8gP1MoICg/URRD4oYdCpI/AAAAAAAAKiY/7HjUbBPUJwY/s400/Footlong.jpg" width="321" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;">Here Grandgirl #1 is detailing the footlong hotdog she shared with her sister for lunch to her parental units.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5eiVsO9Hc-c/URRD1qsMboI/AAAAAAAAKiI/dTY8pEW2Q0Y/s1600/Tuckered.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5eiVsO9Hc-c/URRD1qsMboI/AAAAAAAAKiI/dTY8pEW2Q0Y/s400/Tuckered.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;">Grandgirl #2 took about 4 steps to each one of ours! She was zonked within 10 minutes of starting the car.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;">(Both of the above photos are with camera phones. No apology, only explanation)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">What was a non-event happened at the learning center on the kid's floor. Members from (I think) the Rocky Mountain Weaver's Guild were demonstrating spinning and weaving. My grandgirls were all whatever...spinning wheels and wool...seen that....ho hum. A woman was handing out little tufts of alpaca and telling the observing children that the ladies 'were spinning this alpaca fiber into yarn.' And my girls handed it right off to me. Here, grandmama, this obviously is for you.</span></span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4p4OU4twZMI/URRD48LKTyI/AAAAAAAAKig/bEY4qOkpRD0/s1600/GenOpal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="372" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4p4OU4twZMI/URRD48LKTyI/AAAAAAAAKig/bEY4qOkpRD0/s400/GenOpal.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;">This is just because. She was having fun, and I got a genuine smile from her.</span></div>
Iron Needleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04848627330939129750noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4763985013725565641.post-22984835438534410112013-01-25T09:12:00.000-07:002013-01-25T09:13:08.752-07:00Working for a LivingStill here...still working....still not a permanent employee after almost four years. Which is longer than I was a permanent employee at some most of the positions on my resume. Including one of the stints I worked here before, and quickly closing in on the second.<br />
Ah, irony!!!<br />
After our recent yearly financial check-up, it seems that optimum security will be achieved if the Guy and I can contiue to contribute to The Retirement Accounts fully for another four years. It also seems that can best be done with my continued employment, so rather than the freedom to believe that we could possibly do without my income, I am thusly obligated to continue.<br />
Taking the long view. Looking ahead. Planning for the future.<br />
Gritting through each damn day with no incentives, no growth opportunity, no raise, no bonus, but putting it out for for everyone else's...<br />
And counting down the pay periods.<br />
And building up my fabric/yarn/fiber IRAs. You better believe it. Oh, not it big giant ways, and always with an eye for the bargain, as that is my wont and need. But it is also my little reward.<br />
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I believe that it's an age thing, not being put on permanent. That is a difficult thing to come which to come to grips. There have been times that my sex has brought me lower paychecks, and it was said to be due to experience. And I found myself helpless to fight that. But angry nonetheless. Now I feel that there are hungrier, cheaper, younger bucks that are eager, and I find myself too tired for the fight.<br />
Again, I find myself a bit ragey at being put on the back burner. Punks. I helped fight the fight that gave them their damn smart phones! There's a chain of thought there, but I stopped my HRT in November and it's a little hard for me to connect the dots. Something about breaking ground in a non-traditional field for women, learning Windows 3.1 when people thought computers were 'hard', and in general...looking forward and being willing, dammit!<br />
Trying to keep the positives in the fore front. Trying not to whine. It's a paycheck, not a bad one, and the best I can do right now. After all...I do not have retail, service industry, or admin experience. My options are limited. So I keep on keeping on as long as they will keep me on.Iron Needleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04848627330939129750noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4763985013725565641.post-26266788054152555802013-01-20T07:38:00.000-07:002013-01-20T07:38:59.126-07:00See 'Em Now!Last August, The Guy and I met Eldest and Her Guy for some vacationeering in Glacier National Park. A fine time was had by all every single day we were there.<br />
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There were bears and mountain goats. Huckleberry 'something' everyday and also pie. Lots of pie. Even if it was the tail-end of beargrass, there was some and there were plenty of other wildflowers. Mountain peaks at sunrise. Beautiful lakes, creeks, and rivers. A bit of canoeing.<br />
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And glaciers.<br />
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The Guy and I were last at Glacier in 2005 a few months after I had an ACL repaired so did not do a lot of rigorous hiking. At that time, the story was that the glaciers would be gone by 2035. The rangers this time around were saying it seemed they were going faster, and would probably no more in 8 years. Well heck! Do the math. We were last there seven years ago. If we make it back there in another seven...<br />
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It seemed important to make the effort. Now this effort required some logistical planning as there are bears in Glacier. Big hungry bears. We prefer to hike with rangers there, and the ranger led hike to the Grinnell Glacier was on the other side of the park from where we were lodging, leaving about 8:30AM. We were going to have to leave WAY early to get across Going-to-the-Sun road, with construction, with minimum coffee, to catch the boat across the lake...yeah, logistics, but GLACIERS! MELTING!<br />
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So we tried it. We made instant coffee with hot tap water (better than it sounds). We ate breakfast bars in the car. While stopped at the construction, we caught morning alpenglow on the peaks. We got to the boat dock in plenty of time....and the line for those hoping to get on was way way long...(yeah, we didn't have reservations, another story).<br />
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After some head huddling, we decided to take the next boat across, and hike on our own, without the protection of fearless rangers. We determined this hike is well traveled, and probably bear free. And if not, we had bear spray. And GLACIERS! MELTING!<br />
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So off we went. For me, it was probably the best day of the time in Glacier.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-amjf9JdnicA/UPv8OvAVzbI/AAAAAAAAKhA/tiPJPqBjAqU/s1600/Glacier1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="290" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-amjf9JdnicA/UPv8OvAVzbI/AAAAAAAAKhA/tiPJPqBjAqU/s400/Glacier1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Cooling our heels waiting for construction wasn't all bad. We watched the sunrise on the mountains.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-27HKAdIFhNI/UPv8O4VfgSI/AAAAAAAAKhM/SX6Axg6Y0O8/s1600/Glacier2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="342" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-27HKAdIFhNI/UPv8O4VfgSI/AAAAAAAAKhM/SX6Axg6Y0O8/s400/Glacier2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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We weren't imagining things. Bears everywhere!</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4Y1OQp1G7Xw/UPv8PML3myI/AAAAAAAAKhI/Uv4RRRnKI-M/s1600/Glacier3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="260" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4Y1OQp1G7Xw/UPv8PML3myI/AAAAAAAAKhI/Uv4RRRnKI-M/s400/Glacier3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">The glacier melt shows in the run-off lakes a turquoise color. That's not Photoshop.</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8OrY2oM7Ods/UPv8PRZV3AI/AAAAAAAAKhQ/WRQF1zFx3G4/s1600/Glacier4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8OrY2oM7Ods/UPv8PRZV3AI/AAAAAAAAKhQ/WRQF1zFx3G4/s400/Glacier4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Beargrass. Lewis and Clark named it beargrass, not because they eat it, but because every time they saw it, they saw bears.</div>
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Grinnell Glacier, with Salamander Glacier above. Used to be one glacier, but with melting, has separated into two. Look <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glacier_National_Park_(U.S.)">here </a>(about half way down the page) for photos from 1938 to 2009 of this particular glacier showing how it has decreased in size.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PAtPDJ7g-ng/UPv8P-43xpI/AAAAAAAAKho/2QzMMNdTzls/s1600/Glacier6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PAtPDJ7g-ng/UPv8P-43xpI/AAAAAAAAKho/2QzMMNdTzls/s400/Glacier6.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The change in hue of the color of the run-off lakes is evident as they descend.</div>
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(3.8 x 2) + 1.5 (the little hike between the two ferries) = 9.1 miles. Yes. She is leaning on the pole for support! But in a good way.</div>
Iron Needleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04848627330939129750noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4763985013725565641.post-7309706283799456292013-01-17T09:30:00.002-07:002013-01-18T10:52:04.340-07:00Picky CatThe Boy Kitty gets about a third can of canned food each morning, with some meds. I would say it's his favorite part of the day, but one doesn't know for sure. He has many favorite parts of his day. Sleeping in the sun with Best Dog Ever. Laying on the Guy's papers while he is working. Climbing into my lap while I am knitting/quilting. Hanging out on top of the fridge. Watching the backyard. Watching the frontyard. His whole day is favorite.<br />
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But I digress. He does love his morning feeding. And should whoever gets out of bed first forget, or delay, or be off the routine, Boy Kitty reminds by various means. Loudly talking. Weaving in and out of the legs. Stretching to reach the kitchen counter as if to say 'Hey! Forget your lunch! What about my breakfast!?'<br />
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So we prepare his bowl. And take it to his feeding station in the laundry room. Where he dives in and finishes in short order.<br />
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Unless we have chosen the venison flavor.<br />
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Last trip to the pet and feed supply store, I picked up a couple cans each of of the different varieties of the brand we started a few months ago including a couple cans of the 'venison and green pea'. It's not the green pea. He eats other varieties with that. But the cans of venison? Each time we have sat that down for him it is tasted, and walked away from. The remainder is left to be thrown away the next morning.<br />
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Boy Kitty has no truck with deer meat.Iron Needleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04848627330939129750noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4763985013725565641.post-848491271389909722013-01-13T16:59:00.000-07:002013-01-13T16:59:35.823-07:00Tee Tiny SocksAlong the same lines of the last post, I made 11 tee-tiny Christmas Stockings as gifts for my Bunko buddies to give during our annual gift exchange.<br />
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Our gift exchange requires that we bring one gift of worth a small amount, which I did, but also brought the little handknit socks for all of them as a bonus.<br />
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They have come to realize my knitterly tendencies, and generally are complimentary to the handknits I wear to our gatherings. A couple of them are crafty in their own rights, and one has joked in the past when we have exchanged gifts about looking for her handknit socks from me. The idea of knitting them ornaments had been percolating in the back of my mind, and I determined last December that this was the year I would do it. And so I began.<br />
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About Thanksgiving.<br />
For the get-together that was the 1st week in December.<br />
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Nothing like a deadline.<br />
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I used the '<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/mini-stocking-ornament">Mini Stocking Ornament</a>' (rav linky) pattern by Mara Jessup. The cuff is a seed stitch rather than a rib which I think works better for a smallish object like this. For material, I went through my tail-ends, and pulled out all the ones that were of holiday colors in the weight range of fingering through worsted. I used needles sized 2 (fingering and sport) and 6 (worsted), and magic-looped them all.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZqTJIPPgrig/UPDc2K--L0I/AAAAAAAAKgQ/6OKhE-wjmCw/s1600/bunko+sock1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZqTJIPPgrig/UPDc2K--L0I/AAAAAAAAKgQ/6OKhE-wjmCw/s400/bunko+sock1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I hung them on the edge of a gift bag toward the inside, and let them all pick one as it was their turn to chose a gift. It was a surprise, and they were tickled , comparing each to the other.<br />
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When we met for January, the tee tiny socks were made mention again. Definitely worth the effort.<br />
(But I am not sure I am a production knitter!)Iron Needleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04848627330939129750noreply@blogger.com5