Archive for June, 2007

Estes Park Woooooooool Market

It’s only taken me a week to get around to writin this, and then it takes me two days to put it all together…………..

I’ve heard about the Estes Park Wool Market back when I first learned how to spin. And that was a long time a go, my friends. It took me a really long time to get out there. Last year was my first year!! I had sooo much fun, though, we went again this year. Regardless of the fact that I am 7 months pregnant and had to tote around an 18 month old toddler because dad was up to his eyes in stuff. Thanks a bunch to the Krises who took turns amusing kids- both theirs and mine. Lady Kris also took photos. Which I will now dump on you.

I didn’t buy anything, but that didn’t stop me from looking and wanting and making a list of things to get when I have a little more $$.

For instance: these dragon patterns. Holy cow, that dragon in front is the BEST knit dragon pattern I have ever ever seen. I kept petting and playing with him.

DRAGONS!

Patterns can be purchased at Ellens Wooly Wonders and she has TONS of really cute patterns! Buffalo hobby horse anyone?

I totally oogled at these felt dolls:

felt dolls

(and it seems I wasn’t the only one.) It was great for me to see how someone else does their felt dolls. I get in a rut of my own creativity sometimes. Lovely beautiful things. No website but she does have an email address. An it’s on the photo. 8-P
And I didn’t take a picture but I need to order the “Glitten Move” kit from Handspun by Stefania because they were just beautiful. Though I don’t see the pattern on the site…..
Any one want to buy some handspun yarn, pretty spinning batts, or drop spindles? 8-)

Tiny spend most of the morning in the stroller because she was happy and contained in the crowd of people. By afternoon whe wanted out for a walk so we went through the animal tents. About 10 feet into the tent she discovered the ground was all made of DIRT. Oh and does she love dirt. We had to side track her with and animal or two to keep her from plopping her butt down in the middle of the isle and digging.

tiny sees alpaca

“Oo,” she says. She looks up at me as if to ask “Mommy, can I PET it?” “Of course you can,” I reply, thinking  ‘YES!! Touch the alpaca and come to the darkside my young one!!!’

tiny pets alpaca

She is a fit of happy giggles petting the alpaca. And it all went down hill from here. Anything fuzzy was pet.

goat

A fuzzy goat.

alpaca

A bag of alpaca.

SURI!!!

A bag of Suri. That’s my girl. Feel. Smell. Touch. LOVE IT!!!

(and yes, she is wearing a POTC shirt.  For one, it’s just an awfully cute shirt. For two, I will not loose her in that shirt!)

The Wool market left me with a great desire to spin up something pretty. I promptly dug into my stash and pulled out some roving I got about this time last year and spun it up. It needs to be plied, and you know, USED, but that was enough for now.

pictures, finally!

Reasons not to take photos when the LO is up and running around.

-What ever she is working on /playing with becomes dull the moment the camera is whipped out.

-She likes to play with the yarn, resulting in hands or feet in the shot.

-She likes to help (read: pull on my arm) resulting in blurry photos.

Five shots later I have nothing and so I decide to wait until nap time. Nap time rolls around and with one shot each I have each of these pictures. Things to do while tiny is up? READ. 8-)
So I give you: some progress shots. 8-)
Easter egg roving:

Easter egg roving

Easter egg yarn:

easter egg yarn

about 190 yards. No idea what to do with it yet. Everything says ‘soaker’ to me right now…….

The Batts that Would be a Soaker: (from a craftster.org swap)

pretty batts

The yarn all spun up:

yarn

Aprox 230 yards. I think it was about 5 oz but I could be wrong.

The soaker in progress:

soaker

I’m making a hybrid pattern for this soaker- I like the ‘ribbed’ idea- a little more absorption where you need it (between the legs). I’m making it in the small size- 3-6 mos. I keep looking at it thinking “My baby is not going to be THAT tiny!” Erm, yes, babies start out tiny! Those are my Denise knitting needles. I do like them- they are really light weight and never get cold.

whoo! That’s enough for now. Other things to do while tiny is alseep? LAUNDRY. 8-)

Easter egg

In four days, the pile of roving I had dyed with easter egg dye went from a pile of roving to yarn hanging in my bathroom. *blinks* whut the heck? That is a cotton picking record, ESPACALLY with pregnant hands. I have no idea how I got it done so swiftly. It was a full four oz, which is my usual pile of roving. I’ve been spinning 5 or 6 oz of a belnd for the sprout’s soaker- and it took me MONTHS. ok, I had a swap and a trip to florida and knucks in there, but really. I’m just boggled. It’s also pretty yarn. I must take a photo when it dries.

My tiny was helping me spin yesterday. Helping the way toddlers to. She’s very good about not grabbing moving parts on the wheel, having been taught the wheel is mommy’s at a very young age. Yesterday she decided to put her foot on the treadle and help me a long. *smiles* If she treadled down low, I dodn’t notice, but she spent most of the time with her foot up high. And she really doesn’t get how to pivot her ankle yet, so in reality it was like a dead weight on my tredle. I didn’t mind, it was really cute. Once she gets that ankle pivot and learns that sometimes you need to stop treadling, I may have a spinning buddy.

I started the soaker- yea! I’m making a small one and I keep looking at it and thinking “Is the baby REALLY going to be this small?” uh, ya, or you’ll never get it out………..

Mom’s SNB is the greatest invention in the world. I’m glad Marly started one. It’s a great cross between play group and SNB. Which means everybody is happy. The kids get to run around and the moms get something done. Sort of. Even if it’s just gabbing. I will have to pack up some handspun yarn to show off this week. he he he.
Current Finished objects:

-um… er… *looks around embarasedly…*

Current works- in- progress:

-Sprout’s soaker-Ren fest costumes. In progress as in I did some renderings and sorted through some former costumes. Recycle costumes! Houray for a huge chemise to go over my big belly!!

-Husband’s knucks

-My tardis apron *snorfle*

Current planning:

- Sprout’s blanket

-Tiny’s baby doll