I guess it's about time I posted again. I've had a busy summer. The retreat center (where my husband and I are on staff) was down to a staff of 4 - which means - my husband and myself plus another couple (who are the directors). Along with a few groups of volunteers, we've had to keep the retreat center going during the busiest time of year. So, now that busy-ness has tapered off. We've gotten some more staff members. My family and I have taken some time off.

The past few days I've finally had time to do some "fibery pursuits". I did some spinning on my drop spindle. I finished knitting a dishcloth. I taught myself how to Navajo ply on the drop spindle.
My family and I went to our county fair - which has a big wool show. That was lots of fun. I love to see all the animals, especially. I saw lots of goodies I wish I could afford! Lately seems like I'm interested in books on natural dyeing. So we'll see how that interest progresses.

Well, guess that's all for now. Have a great day!

I've been knitting dishcloths lately.
I found a new pattern I really like - even better than the Peaches and Cream Ballband pattern. It's a waffle stitch pattern. I like the way these dishcloths come out a bit thinner. When I wash dishes, I personally like a little bit of a thinner dishcloth. I love to make dishcloths as gifts, and I actually have never used a handmade washcloth, but these ones are tempting me to keep some for my self!
The last one I made with orange yarn and a yellow/white ombre yarn, alternating to make stripes. The striped look really appeals to me - I'll definitely be trying that again.
It was fun when I was looking for my needles to make dishcloths again- (I hadn't knitted any since February)I found a complete dishcloth and an almost finished one that I'd completely forgotten about - so it was kind of like a bonus to have more finished dishcloths!
Here are some pics of my dishcloths and also of something with strings of a different kind - my mandolin! (I play guitar and mandolin)

Koolaid and Easter egg dye fun!

These are pictures from a few weeks ago. Dying with Koolaid is fun, and it smells great too! The colors were actually more vibrant in real life than in the photos! The red and the orange/red pink stuff is KA, and the bright orange, the green, and the blue are Easter egg dyed. (The EE dyed fiber reminds me of Muppets!) There is also some handspun yarn I dyed as well.
After the fiber dried, I carded it - some with hand cards, and some with my drum carder.

What have I been up to lately?
Well, last week my family and I took a 4 night "vacation" to another town. We had lots of fun going to thrift stores and a flea market. (my all time favorite activity) The kids got to play in the pool at the hotel, which is quite a treat for them. We had a lot of fun. I was able to find some crafty goodies, which I am looking forward to making something with soon! At the flea market, I found what must have been someone's entire bead stash - and got it for quite a steal. So lot's of beading fun in my future! (That is if I can stay off the internet long enough to get something done...)

I really wanted to post some pics of what I did this past weekend, but I couldn't upload them onto my computer. I need to get the software, or upload them on a different computer then put them on mine.
Well, anyways, I've really been enjoying being on Ravelry. I enjoy reading all the stuff on there. I find it very inspiring to have a community of like-minded fiber lovers!
So I guess I'm going to have an excuse from now on called, "Ravelry made me do it!" Ha Ha.
I was reading messages about dyeing with Koolaid, and also Easter egg dye. I got out some singles I'd spindle spun, and some carded batts, and even some uncarded, but washed wool, and had some fun. Back in 2006 or so, I tried dying with Easter egg dye, but just kept the colors straight from the package, no mixing. This time I tried combining a few colors. I was pretty pleased with the experiment. I liked how the ee dye colors were more toned down, rather than the neon-ish colors you get with the straight-from-the package dye. Next time I go to the grocery store, I'm going to stock up on lots of Koolaid for more dyeing fun in the future! Yay!

Hey, I joined Ravelry. Looks like it's going to be a fun place to hang out. I hope I don't get too addicted! It's almost too much of a good thing. Ha ha. All those knitterly type people all in one place! Kind of like an online knitters Disneyland.

Haven't been blogging much lately. Truth is, I really would rather read everyone else's blog in blogland, than to write in mine. Ya'll are so interesting!
As far as the hat I started in my last post, well, I never really got anywhere with it after that. But I have been doing some other creative things - mostly non-fiber related. I've been painting small paintings on 5x7 inch cards to give out to people. I took an entire day last week to make a collage. I also recently made a beaded necklace and matching bracelet. Yesterday I skirted and washed wool. So that's all the latest with me.

You Are "delete"

Some people might try to say you're standoffish and aloof. You prefer to think of yourself as a person of few words. You like to live simply, speak simply, and act simply. It's all about editing. No wonder you're the first person your friends call when they need a mess cleaned up!

What Keyboard Key Are You?

Last night after my last post, I actually started a project. I started a hat in the round in blue Lion Brand Homespun. Something easy and mindless....works great for me. (We'll see if I actually finish it, or if I decide to rip it out, he he)

Not much fibery goodness at my house lately - just haven't been inspired to knit lately - but I did spend a little time today sprucing up the blog a tad, and reading several blogs that I enjoy.

I read on Joanne's blog (http://www.joanneseiff.blogspot.com/) that she has a book out called Fiber Gathering. She is currently on a book signing tour. How exciting is that? I'm looking forward to reading this book. I'm looking forward to attending a fiber festival someday.

Our local county fair has a  wool event every year, and I've been to that once.

I'm BaaaaacK!

Loooong time no post heh? Probably thought I fell off the end of the earth, or at least the cyberspace...

Well, to make a long story short - my family and I set out on an adventure. We left our big house and got rid of lots of stuff and took a trip. The trip took us all over the country and eventually to a beautiful place on the Pacific Coast. (that we'd never heard of prior) I have to say that God led us here.  We live and work at a Christian retreat center. And this part of the world is so incredibly beautiful. We are just amazingly blessed.

I tried last year to get back into this blog, but I couldn't remember my password, so I created a new one and made about 2 entries. I didn't have a computer readily available - so it was really pointless for me to try to blog.

Someone recently gave my family a computer, so I may have more time and ability to blog, plus, I just (obviously) was able to get into this old blog and restart! Yay!

So, hello old friends and new!

God bless! 

PBnJ