the yarn grove antics: April 2007

Monday, April 30, 2007

Under Cover Totes

Well, tomorrow is the day the Under Cover Club's initial mailing leaves The Yarn Grove for new destinations. For all of you who signed up for the Club, thank you from me. Although Debby has worked very hard on this Club, she has enjoyed it every step of the way. I have only worked on it a little - I embroidered the tote bags. Oh yeah, and ironed them, fed them, watered them, and loved them... So I guess my involvement is more than I think?

Here's a sneak peek - They are all different (I believe) but since there are 16 color changes in each embroidered one, I can't be positive there are not two similar. Of course today Debby says, I want one... So here I sit, embroidering another one for her whiny self. Just kidding, my friend. Oh yeah, and I did the mailing labels, got the boxes, let the dog out, fed the cat ...

Now, on that ironing board is my trusty EuroSteam iron. Let me just say, it has the equivalent of a car radiator. Yep, that's right! I bought it at the Sewing Expo in March of 2006 and I have loved each and every moment spent with it. It will iron out every wrinkle you can think of ... I just don't know how the get the iron hole marks off my face (hehehe). Of course I am just kidding, DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME. Now I am reminded of a girl I worked with years ago. She came to work one morning with a huge patch on the side of her face. She walked into my office and asked for the name of a local doctor. Seems as though when she was ironing her britches for work that morning, her phone rang and she answered the iron. Yep, she thought it was the telephone. This is the honest truth. I saw the holes on her face. Thank goodness she had no "visible" scars from it..

OTN = Woolley Boulley socks (still), and just begun yesterday using Natural (main color of little dress) in O-Wool's new Balance yarn is Monica is http://www.knitty.com/issuespring07/PATTmonica.html . Simple, fun, and a nice change for me from socks. I'll post picture later...

Thursday, April 26, 2007

Oh Cinderella... Where are you?

No, I am not expecting any kids / grandkids that I know of. But I couldn't resist this pattern from Fiber Trends when it arrived at The Yarn Grove to make these Felted shoes. I got a ball of Kraemer Mauch Chunky in Pink Lemonade and in one evening, had them knit up. The felting took place the next day and of course, finding the perfect "tie" for them took even longer. But here they are and now all I have to do is wait for a baby to come along ...

Busy goings on here at the homestead. Mom went to NC for a month so I am catching up on my stuff. Dental appt, etc. I am terrified of the dentist. Have been since I was 10yo. Talk about going back to childhood? Oh yeah. I love Annie who works in my dentist office and she is a dear friend. When she calls to remind me of my appts., I always remind her to meet me in the parking lot with oxygen and nitrous gas. It's quite embarassing actually. But my dentist just smiles through all my apologies and excuses for my behavior and puts the gas mask on me. Night night.

As for The Yarn Grove, we anxiously await another enormous shipment of Nature's Palette fingering weight, Lorna's Laces Sport and more sock weight, Woolley Boulley yarn (new indie dyer for us) and more... And we're going to TNNA in June to find some more loot for you! This June it is in Columbus OH - never been there - don't know what's there. Any help from the audience?? Let me know if there is something special I should take in, etc.

Tuesday, April 24, 2007

Design Decisions!

Here is my baby dress!! Yay! The Oat Couture pattern calls for sleeves, but I think its cute as a tank. If I decide to do sleeves, should I make them yellow or purple? What kind of buttons should I use? HELP! The biggest question is...which baby gets the dress??

I think I've been inspired to begin a new project. I have a basket full of wool I dyed with Kool Aid, all different colors and sizes. I think I'm going to make a funky striped beach mat. Chris and I recently set a date for the annual Bruno beach trip, and ever since, I can't stop thinking about new flip flops, hats, beach totes, skirts, and tank tops. I think a big project like this will keep me from cleaning out the mall!

Friday, April 20, 2007

New indie Dyer ...

Scrumptious, decadent, brillant. No, not me, well maybe the brillant part, but a new indie dyer whose sock yarns will arrive soon. And the dyer is ... the fantastic fiber artist / writer, Jenny of Wooley Boulley yarns. Jenny's colors for many of her yarns are inspired by lines in her poems and prose. Amazing ... and you will LOVE this yarn ... Stay tuned ... I LOVE LOVE this yarn. Shown here in Neopolitan.

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Just arrived to The Yarn Grove the ever delightful stitchmarkers from KnitWit Momma. We have knitting themes, cat and dog themes, unique glass beads and rubber beads and more. Great for lace knitting too.

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J.Knits arrived yesterday for a refill in her amazing colorways. We carry J.Knits in Superwash Me Sock and Superwash Me Light Sock. Also in and up yesterday, KnitKid Kits. Quick, easy to stitch up hats for gifts. Use the polka dot project bag that is included with your kit as a gift bag for giving when done.

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The Under Cover Club tote bags are done. Whew... I have been working on those like mad. Finally finished the last one last night. No I did not hand make them but I embroidered them myself. I have a kick-ass embroidery machine (Husqvarna D1) so it was a lot of fun designing it as well. Picture soon of a sample of a bag that will be going out in the first shipment to Debby's Under Cover Club. Debby has worked very hard on this club for The Yarn Grove and it will show...

Hmmm, what else... much coolness coming to The Yarn Grove ... another indie dyer ... organic stuff ... such as ...

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On a personal note. My heart breaks for Va Tech victims . As a parent of 2 fabulous kids, I absolutely cannot possibly imagine the pain of those VT parents. I wish there was something I could do. But they are all in my thoughts ... daily...

Monday, April 16, 2007

Oh Baby

I can't wait to see one of my new little nieces in this dress. I mean, with the right shoes and hair bow, I think it will make quite an outfit!

I'm already excited about my next project. I have 2 skeins of the Euroflax linen I'm dying to use! I just can't decide if I should make a top or a skirt. I guess I'm not in the right mindset for summer, considering it was 40 degrees all weekend. I'll just wait for inspiration to strike!

Thursday, April 12, 2007

Money DOES grow on trees...

Well, maybe not quite, but it does grow in the Grove! As in ... The Yarn Grove. Announcing Yarn Yen. What ? you ask... Yarn Yen is for you. For every $200 (excluding shipping costs if you live out of USA) you spend at The Yarn Grove, you will receive $20 Yarn Yen off your next purchase. Pretty cool, eh? We think so.

And to start it off, all orders since April 1st are counted. So some of you have already earned your $20 Yarn Yen! And Debby will be notifying you with a special code. Others of you are close ...

I am still knitting on my Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sport Envy socks. I went for the second time to my new knitting club at our local Barnes & Noble last night and it was so much fun. Great company, great drinks (from Starbucks) and new friends!

Speaking of money, nature is such a wondrous thing. Here is a picture of the awesome Money Plant that is growing all over my yard. It blooms this beautiful little purple flower then transforms into the "green" coin. After a couple of months, the green coin transforms into a "white" coin. You then rub gently the "coin" between your fingers, the outer layers fall away and there is (what I call) "seed money" and this lustrous, translucent coin. This plant is bi-annual so once it has changed to the white coin, it is done. I still have some from years ago and I have given so many seeds and plants away to neighbors, family and friends. It never ceases to amaze me... I will take a photo for you in a few months once it has transformed.

New happenings at The Yarn Grove. We are always, ever evolving... just like nature...

Monday, April 09, 2007

Vintageous Dresses and a Baby Boom

I wouldn't call it a slump. I'm still knitting nightly, I'm just not craving it like I usually do. For me it rotates from knitting to sewing to vintage. Now I'm in a big vintage craze.

For those who don't know, I sell vintage clothes on a website called FashionDig. My shop is With A Twist. (Go on, go take a look- There are several vintage knitting magazines!) I'm re-reading Alligators, Old Mink and New Money by sisters Allison and Melissa Houtte, recanting Allison's adventures in opening a vintage clothing store in Brooklyn. It gets me all jazzed up! My best finds recently include a yellow and blue shift from the 60's with the tags still on, a Halston dress from the 70's, a pink, yellow and blue MOD mini dress from the 60's, and a precious straw hat with flowers from the 50's.

I need to get back with the sticks though. In addition to my friend Angel, who is due in July, Chris's stepsissies had girls (within 24 hours of each other!) last weekend. My Mom called two days ago and said "Guess who's pregnant??" "TARA???" I squeeled! Tara is my cousin. Nope, its my childhood friend Jessica. Mom calls yesterday with more news. Tara is, in fact, pregnant. I knew it!!!!

Thats 5 babies! I'm way behind! I did pick up an adorable Oat Couture pattern from the Yarn Grove for two baby dresses and some Lorna's laces in purple and yellow, so really there's no excuse. I must get clicking!

Friday, April 06, 2007

Zero Knitting

Well, zero knitting - not exactly true. I knit a little tonight on 2 different socks. Since my niece is visiting, I haven't had a lot of time and when I have, I've been too pooped! Today was the Georgia Aquarium which was quite cool and quite packed. I actually got claustophobic in one exhibit. I'll set the scenario... dim lights lead into this "tunnel" where there is water and fish on your right, left and above your head. The "tunnel" is approx. 12'-15' wide. Oh yeah, and LOTS of people. As I looked forward, I could only see water... and Fish ... Whew, my chest starting getting tight and beads of sweat were dancing on my forehead. Wow. It reminded me of the time my daughter and I, years ago, went to one of those spook houses called Netherland or Neverland and I had to leave through the first emergency Exit. I did make it through this particular Exhibit but barely... Neat fish though...

We have Balance yarn in from O-wool. Balance is their new line of 50% organic cotton and 50% organic wool. It has an earthy / heathered look and I love it. It will knit up into great lightweight sweaters and also great for baby items. We have more colors coming in that are currently back ordered. Check it out !

Also in, but not up yet is a new color in the Namaste Needle Binders. Hope to get it up this weekend on the website. These needle binders are a great way to organize your needles and a great carryall for a project or two!

Tuesday, April 03, 2007

No more naps? or Barbies?

My 11yo niece Kaitlin from NC flew in today to spend some quality time with Aunt Jane on her spring break. Even though she is 5' 7" tall, I had to ask the question, honey - do you still take naps? She giggled loudly so the next question I asked, do you still play with Barbies? She rolled her eyes on that one. I played with Barbies until I was 13!

Never mind that I have new yarn boxes stacked up and pictures to be made and orders to ship (but don't worry, your orders are my top priority) ... it's all about the good memories she will take with her. The first thing she said when we got home was ... what are we going to craft while I'm here? So I got her scrapbooking some pictures I found from her last extended visit with me during the summer of 2005. As they say...

if it's not in the scrapbook, it didn't happen!

Since I arrived so early at the ATL airport, I sat and knit. Socks... remember? they are portable... This is after Junior chewed up 2 sets of my DPNS. No sympathy from hubby - he said I was asking for it leaving my WIP on the sofa. I actually am starting 2 pair! Zowee! I haven't had 2 projects going in a long time. One sport weight from Lorna's Laces in Envy colorway and the other pair in .... oh wait a minute ... we are auditioning a new indie dyer...

But I did want to show you the hat I finished from our new line up of kids hat patterns - Corkscrew Hat. It was fast and fun! Made with Peaches & Creme yarn. Who is it for? Well, it sure won't fit my grown-up niece...