Who needs a clean room anyway?

As I was attempting to clean out my craft room yesterday I got frustrated because it seems to be taking me forever to get it in order. I told myself I wasn't going to make anything until it was cleaned up. After all, I do need supplies to work and if I can't find my supplies how can I work right? Well, I figured I needed to stop and work on at least one project to get me motivated to finish up the room. So this is what I came up with, a metal wall hanging that my needles are supposed to hang from with magnets. I wonder if it will work or not? I'll let you know in a few days :)

Summertime...

Summer has arrived.... at least I thought it had. Yesterday we spent a great day at the beach with Lisa and her girls soaking up the sun, playing in the sand and of course lots of knitting was done. It has been really nice for the last 3 days or so and then I wake up this morning to gray clouds and sprinkles. Summer in Washington sure can be draining on the soul. Maybe it's time to rethink our decision to move back here. We must have been crazy :) I'm still keeping my fingers crossed that Mother Nature will decide we NEED that sun!

Stitch Markers

My popular stitch markers, that are perfect for sock knitting, are now available on my blog. Just click the "buy now" link to purchase. Included is a "begin round" marker perfect for knitting in the round. I love using these markers when I make socks. After I complete a decrease I flip the marker to the back side (as I slip it) and it reminds me that the next round is a non-decrease row. Simply flip the marker back to the front to remind you that the next round is a decrease row. Never forget what row you are on again. Markers will fit any needle up to size 9.

Long time no blog...

Absent blogger I have been for the last month... it's just been crazy. Between school coming to an end for the year and my brother's wedding in Arizona, I haven't had much time for blogging and even knitting for that matter. Boy, life sure can interrupt a persons knitting can't it?

My daughter Hailey and I had a fun trip to Tucson, AZ for the wedding. One of the highlights of our trip was visiting Unique Designs by Kathy (http://www.uniquedesignsbykathy.com/ and http://www.uniquedeisgnsbykathy.blogspot.com/) and her farm (which she took us on a short tour of). Some of the animals we saw were alpacas, llamas, sheep, ducks, angora goats and angora rabbits. After the quick tour we got to hang out in her shop/studio. What an artist she is... she has amazing custom yarns, lots of roving and wonderful felted and knitted designs on display in her shop. She customizes in unique yarns she creates and spins herself. I could have spent hours in there looking through every single strand of yarn she had. Since I was with family though I had to cut it short. But I didn't get out of there without buying some wonderful yarn first.

Kathy also let us take a look at her studio... I was in heaven with the overwhelming amount of roving that was waiting to be spun and in awe of her giant machines (see pictures). It was truly inspirational to see the artistry behind the yarn and to hear her story. If you get a chance, check out her website and her blog and consider making a purchase from her (you won't be disappointed). Summer in Tucson and 100 degree heat, well let's just say they don't get too many visitors this time of year and the animals still need to be fed and kept cool. My purchase covered the cost of feeding her animals for only one day.

My next trip to Tucson will definitely include another stop at her shop. On top of selling her amazing yarns, she also offers classes and even offered to teach me how to use a drop spindle for free. The roving I bought from her is really beautiful, I'll have to wait on posting a picture until I can get a good shot outside to show the true color. It is a beautiful green with other colors mixed in. If you ever get to Tucson make sure you have this farm on your list of stops. It was really fun!