Time to get organized...

Time to get off my butt and get re-organized. At one point last year my craft room was looking pretty snazzy but now it's back to the same old cluttered mess. I'm taking baby steps and starting small... my needles. I bought this Nameste needle organizer last month in Tucson, AZ. I love the purple color and it matches my purple room. I was wondering if this small bag would be able to hold all my needles. Surprise, surprise, it really holds more than I thought. Most of my needles are in there now with the exception of the really BIG needles. I was happy to be able to fit so many needles and even happier when I was able to just pull out a needle for my latest project without having to determine what size it was. It's such a small thing but organized needles makes me smile :) Get yourself one, you will love it.

ZOO Wool?

I forgot to show and tell my new yarn I purchased at the Woodland Park Zoo. Yes, you heard me right, from the ZOO. Can you believe that? My daughter's class went on a field trip in June and towards the end of the trip I got a phone call from best buddy Lisa Ellis (who was also on the trip) asking me if I had been by the yarn. I thought she was joking... but she wasn't. Over by the snow leopards was a display of yarn. So, you know me, the mere mention of the word "yarn" put me in a frenzy to find it. She was told there should be some in the gift shop so off I went (tyring not to run) to the shop. I had to see this yarn for myself. When we finally reached the shop I was pleasantly surprised at this gorgeous hand spun camel wool yarn. I found a color in a pretty shade of brown that I just loved. It wasn't cheap but I talked myself into it anyway. After all, my purchase did help support the snow leopard conservation and "help improve the livelihood of the impoverished nomadic herding women and families". How could I say "no" (as much as my husband probably wanted me to). I can't wait to knit this up... maybe a gorgeous hat or mittens? We shall see!

This last week the kids and I tried to escape the Washington summer grey skies by heading to Eastern Washington for some fun, summer camping. We did get some sunshine, along with some pretty strong wind and a little bit of grey skies. But, for the most part, the kids were able to be in the water everyday. After 3 days of bonfires, jet skies and tubing we took off for home with a stop at Grand Coulee Dam. On the way there I happened to notice a small little shop called Needles & Hooks and of course I had to stop. It was a cute little space that doubled as an antique shop. The yarn selection was not huge but I was hoping to find something different. I found that in this pretty, soft, "cabernet dream" yarn by Karie Ann (she can be found on Etsy). The yarn is actually a bit darker than in my picture. It is really pretty, kind of wine colors (worsted, 100% wool). Can't wait to make something with it, perhaps a nice hat. I also found a needle guage by Skacel. Now I can properly figure out what size my turbo's are. It's so fun to find these little yarn shops out of the blue. I think I need make a goal of visiting as many yarn shops in Washington as I can. Better start making my list, I wonder how many there are... check Needles & Hooks of that list!

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!