I do. I swear.

I am wondering if the lawyer next door or the artist on the other side of my studio think so too. Like, how many times can the dorky new girl play the f’in cast recording to RENT?

Umm… hate to tell the neighbors, A LOT.

This building is a place that is electric (not just in the voltage/current sorta way). I mean, the convergence of folks that work here is amazing. There is the yoga teacher/massage therapist, the ultimate fighting dudes, the lawyers, the computer guys (Hi Honey!), the artists, the girl that plays the RENT soundtrack and does something with yarn, the crack-o-practor, the Meals on Wheels folks, etc.

So, there is this energy here that is totally refreshing. It is exciting… and I feel more creative then ever. I figured out a new dye technique (new to me maybe) that I am doing on merino top. I had such a hard time letting a lot of them go to Cloverhill. I actually kept 24 oz for me (that NEVER happens…. if I did that on a regular basis I would be more buried in fiber than …. well I am now. ‘Nuff said)

Here is my new roving:

I am loving spinning this. I love merino… sigh.

These are not the greatest photos. I love the very short and subtle color shifts.

So, I am a bucket full of crazy. Overflowing with creativity. And… my attention span, regularly that of a gnat, is much, MUCH more so. The only thing I can keep thinking about are colorways, and more colorways. And knitting lace…. if I ever get back to the melon scarf. See… proof positive of the attention span thing I mentioned.

I am aching for some balance. Well, I am a Libra. But like that balance of work/play/creative time. I know that the mommy of a pre-schooler really doesn’t get that much. But I am hoping. Well, praying really. If I only did not need to sleep……

.

This is the first square for Project Compassion. Thank you, Tracey.

We have over 40 squares pledged. I am so grateful for the support of this project. My square is almost done!

This beautiful bag is a gift from Sarah. It was a studio-warming gift. I love it so much. Go get one from her! They are beautifully (and meticulously) lined with coordinating fabric.

Jolene felted this bowl for me. The picture is a little blurry, but it has sweet detail. It is the perfect bowl for my teas. Thank you friends!

The latest cowboy and mommy picture:

The cowboy, a full-fledged little boy, loves the camera. He asked me to take a picture of “da two of US, Mommy!” Not my best photo… but he looks cute.

He loves to come to the studio with mommy. Tonight we went to check out this:

My electrical work is complete. Finally. No more blown fuses! No more workmen. They did a fantastic job.

I have the window treatment almost ready to hang. Then, viola! She is done!

Should it scare me that I have plans up until October 2007? Well, I do!

Here are some of them:

The Fall Fiber Frenzy has changed in agenda. We are now leaving from NYC on September 3rd, 2007. The price has also changed. 600.00! That is it!

We leave from NYC and stop in Boston, St. John’s, and Halifax. Then back to NYC! I am so excited.

Kate Gilbert will be teaching on board. The first folks who sign up for the cruise will have the option of purchasing an intimate design session with Kate! I wish I could take that class!

Amie and Marie will be teaching spinning, Kate knitting, and I get to do more on color theory and possibly dyeing. We still need to work out the logistics on the classroom space for that.
200.00 reserves your cabin! Go get yours now! I am so excited for these cruises! I promise… I can be a LOAD of fun!
Classes Anyone?

I am firming up a great new class!

Anyone interested in “Dyeing to Spin“?

This class is scheduled on March 3rd from 10 - 5 and is in two parts. The AM session will feature a dye session where you learn to dye your own spinning fiber! The PM session is a lesson on drop spindling! Stay tuned for more details. There are only 5 spaces available in this class.

Edited to Add:

Marie Carney, Ms. Brooklyn Handspun herself, will be teaching with me for this class. This is an excellent opportunity for folks who are interested in both spinning and dyeing to get a hands on experience with both. Please email me for more details. The class is limited to 5 participants and will not be repeated in the near future.

With the class fee you will receive 4oz of fiber to dye (with the option to purchase more), a beginner spindle with beginner fiber to learn with and a project bag.

This will go fast!

Do you need to have a hands on finishing workshop? An intro to dye class?

I am also firming up some intensive classes on finishing your knitted garments and more intro to dye classes.

I will be updating the Warehouse the first week in February.

THANKS FRIENDS!!

Thanks friends!

The Warehouse hosted the first series of dye classes that I have ever taught.

Here are the students from the first class:

Shelby, Amber, Sarah, Jodi, and Jen
Check out their flickr group.
These guys were so cohesive as a class. They were really open to new ideas and really dug in. & hours and (on averege) 12 skeins later… these guys really kept up the pace.

Here is a sample of what they did. Amazing! Now.. I must credit Amber, super-blogger picture taker, for the photos. She really documented the day.

I, sadly, did not take pictures on day 2. Kathleen, Laura, Jolene, Jen, and Gin were equally as amazing as the group that went before them. I am so proud of their work. They all were really open to pushing themselves outside of their “color comfort zone” and did so much work!
The ladies braved the cold and snow to the bitter end. A lot of learning occurred this weekend. I learned so much from them all and I am so excited to teach again! I just need to digest and mull over the experience.

I also have to thank my D for catering lunch (both days!) and being such a huge support!
Thanks to all who came out! Keep those photo’s coming!

It is so funny. When I named my e-store “The Warehouse” I never,in a million years, could have guessed that it would become a real, brick and mortar workspace.

I have always believed in intention. Putting things out to the universe and such. It is so crazy when you see it all unfold.

This has been an exciting time for us. My little family. We have all contributed to the effort significantly. D has busted his ass for the last week with heavy carpentry work and moving to get the space functional.

Remember this?

It now looks like this:

Big improvement, eh?

And this?

That now looks like this:

My Amazing husband built those workspaces for me! There is enough space for 5 people to take a class. Amazing! I love it so much!

Wanna see the floor color?

The studio is my blog colors. Woot! I love the floor. It still has one more coat to go, but the electrician has to do some work and I figured that could wait.

The studio has been a group effort. My cowboy contributes by sweeping the floor and by asking to go “mommy’s studio” to work. My D found the place, did the carpentry, put up with my anxiety about the process, and has busted his hump in every imaginable way to make my dream a reality. I have had friends pick up paintbrushes, listen to my whining , (apparently,whining is not just the quality of a 3 1/2 year-old), leave supportive comments and send amazing emails. I am indebted to each and every one of you. Thank you so much.
The Warehouse is open friends. Now, let’s get to work!

Hi Everyone,
I am so excited that today is the launch of Project Compassion! It is only fitting, as Americans remember Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday, that we announce the start of something that I hope will become a lasting movement.

The project  is dedicated to creating acts of kindness and organizing the fiber/crafting community to join together, project by project, to show compassion and care to folks in need.

Michelle, my good friend from the Sweet Sheep  and the person who conceptualized this project, and I have teamed up to form a compassion alliance and to help spearhead some fibery acts of kindness.

Our first project is posted on the blog.

It is a heart-breaking story of a mom and daughter who survived a car cash that took the lives of the rest of their family while on a trip to visit family for Christmas. Michelle wants to “cover them in kindness” by having as many knitters and crocheters as we can muster make 8″x8″ squares for blankets to be given to their family members.

Please friends…. find this on your to-do list.  Put us out there on your blogs and your podcasts. This movement is not about our individual selves. It is about the power of connection, creation through compassion, and the healing force that kindness is.

Thank you Friends.

In the words of Dalai Lama: “Compassion makes one see the picture clearly; when emotions overtake us, the lack of seeing clearly clouds our perception of reality and hence the cause of many misunderstandings leading to quarrels (even wars).”

Regarding A) WEEKEND:

How much time can you spend agonizing over work tables? My lovely D has helped me so much by spearheading the table thing. I have the vision… D has the skills. We went to the Loading Dock and found a great corner cabinet unit and counter tops (2-8′ sections and a corner section) for under $100. Awesome. And.. all recycled materials. Good for my pocket and the environment!
The hairy part was having the cowboy with us for the entire process. Poor guy had the most BORING weekend of his 3 year old life. I felt bad for him… I bought him new CARS toys out of guilt. The tables are 3/4 of the way there. I more to set up and done.

Regarding B) FOOTBALL TEAM:

Now… we love some football here in Casa de’ Mama. We love some football in Charm City. There was this feeling for the last 2 weeks that we all were together on something. As stupid as that sounds… the city was purple. People changed their porch lights and put purple bulbs in them. The skyline was lit purple. City Hall? purple. The neighborhood square? Purple.

I was in the grocery store before the game and it was a sea of purple Ravens jersey wearin’ folks stocking up on frozen appetizers and chips all the while the store staff were yelling “GO RAVENS” on the PA.

So.. needless to say… we are all a little sore here in Charm City. I won’t even go into the whole Colts trauma. I will go on record saying that I do like Payton Manning and Tony Dungee… but that is all I have to say about that. But, folks are grumbling where they once were cheering. Life is off kilter in the big city. It is 70 degrees in January and we have 6 weeks until pitchers and catchers report.
What was my consolation? Thinking the Eagles (my other favorite team) may have pulled it out. Umm… that was a no-go. I am down with the Saints winning now. That city deserves some hope. I hope they bring the championship home.

Regarding C) MY SANITY:

How do I go there? I am busy… in that very great, very harried busy way. I have no complaints other than I wish that I could be a little more organized and need a little less sleep.

I am so pleased to say I have one space left in the PS sock club. I am so excited! Thanks everyone. I am not making any last minute exceptions like last year. I have decided that 15 is the number that is manageable for me.

My first dye classes are this weekend. WOOT!!! Pictures of that on Monday.

Happy Monday Folks!

Oh… the finish line is in sight.

Install sink CHECK!

Paint walls CHECK!

Paint floor  Check!

Install lighting  CHECK!

Figure out work tables: almost there … lumber and a trip to the home depot required.

Window treatment: needs hem

That is all that is left. Really.

I think that I am in as of Saturday and working.  Wow! I can not wait to move in and to be working. Awesome!

I will post pictures soon.

In other news… like knitting…

I have actually been doing some. I bought Victorian Lace Today and am working on the melon scarf as modified by Grumperina. I have a lot of seasilk and need to use it!
Little known fact about Mama? I am pretty math impaired. So…lace baffles me. But I am working, slowly yes. But working.

I have also bought some yarn at a big box crafty-mart . Patons soy/wool blend. I really like it. Crazy… but I was in NJ with no open yarn store in sight on New Year’s Day and made the 3 - skein purchase. a hat and my So-Called Scarf is in the works for my sister bird.

Off to work now……

That’s right!!! It’s here!!!! Go Lolly!!

And guess what else is back????

The Project Spectrum Sock Club!!!

SOLD OUT!
That is it!!! No exceptions!!!

Here is the skinny:

I am creating 1 colorway for each of the bi-monthly themes.

Winter’s End : Sending February 14th

February / March
Blue, White, Gray

Spring’s Beginning: Sending April 1st

April / May
Green, Yellow, Pink

Red Hot Summer: Sending June 12th

June / July
Red, Black, Metallics

Forever Fall: Sending August 15th

August / September
Brown, Orange, Purple

Cost: 110.00. That’s it!!! Come and get em’…!!

I have some new announcements in the works….. but this is it for now!!

Knitting implements.

Why you ask?

Well… I have been thinking. How do I make all of you, near and far, a part of the new home of C*EYE*BER Fiber yarns? You all are the reason why I have a studio. So… even if you can’t stop by or take a class… I want to take you all with me.

I have a secret project for my studio. Kind of a gift for me… but really to honor you all. A way for me to remember why I do what I do.

So here is the all call:

If you have any mis-matched, or old knitting implements you can send them to me. That crazy extra needle that is kicking around… the colorful aluminum needles that we all use ( or used in my case) before I found the joy of an addi, whatever!

And… if you feel like it…  I WOULD LOVE, LOVE, LOVE any words, thoughts, quotes, pictures, etc. that you find inspirational… send them. I would love to include handwritten notes in this little art-piece that I am creating.

Email me if you would like to participate… I would love for each and every one of you to be a part of this!