The Homespun Yarn Party was officially a great success! Thanks to my girlie, Javajem for her support and optimistic, cheery, yarn lovin’ self! Thanks to everyone for coming out and saying such nice things about my yarns… I love to see the girls make it to good homes!

I have been hinting around about things to come in regards to C*EYE*BER Fibers… and here it is!

Meet Dawn, my gnomey.

Dawn is the creative genius behind her stitch marker gnomedom, the Knitting Gnome. You know the ones:

Well, there are two of us that make C*EYE*BER Fibers, instead of one. And I am joyously, deliriously, out of my mind, beyond OVER the moon, happy. I have found someone to match my creative crazy, and feel that I may get more sleep in the process.

What does that mean for C*EYE*BER Fibers?

• We are going to re-open the warehouse for regular updates! Go register for the mailing list to receive update information, special discounts and promo codes!

• You will actually SEE us! We will have a comprehensive list of events we will be attending this year!

• I can start my pet project! Go check out the MOBTOWN FIBER CO-OP!!! Comprehensive, arts based classes in fiber. I am so excited!

Thanks for all the love and support over the last 3 years…. I can’t wait for you all to meet Dawna! Show her some love and say Welcome on board, hon!

I can’t believe that I have neglected the ol’ blog for more than 10 Days!

That would be due to SPRING BREAK (aka known as ANNUAL HAZING WEEK FOR MOMS) . Not only did my boy almost never go to school in February… he has enjoyed the last 10 days off and is attached at my hip. He is at the “go crazy every minute of the day” part of our program. The poor kid is loosing his brain.

We spent a couple days in Ocean City, MD courtesy of  our Gnomies . The kids had a great time and the moms had time to watch grown  up movies, eat apple pie ala mode, and do general preparing for this weekend’s Homespun Yarn Party. You coming? We have TONS of yarns and fibers at lower than retail prices! Accessories, spindles, the whole 9 yards! Come say hey to me and Dawn, would ya?

We have some VERY GOOD news to tell you…. but that will have to wait until after the partay. If you want EXCLUSIVE, 1st dibs offers to the info please sign up for the mailing list.  OK… I am off to make or tag something!

See you tomorrow!

Photo by Jody Scofield

Look at what I dyed and Jacey spun… stay tuned!

Seems like I have had a lot of requests for T-shirts lateley…

if you would like to order a womens or mens  long (or short) sleeved ( white or pink) t-shirt with this logo:

email me here . Sizes range for both men’s and womens from s - 2xl.

(edited to add pictures)

I can not begin to describe the welcome that I have gotten here in Winston-Salem.

Last night, I arrived (slightly tired) to Knit Picky. I was greeted by Laura and promptly started to eye up the shop.

My word! I can not tell you how amazing this shop is! The shop is housed in a quaint one story cape cod style home with a screened in porch and a back yard. Hardwood floors, a huge (and very comfortable) red couch, a kitchen.. and a living room full of yarn. I threatened to move in and sat on the couch for quite some time.

In came Jo, the heart (and owner) of the shop. She is the sweetest, most loving person that I have met. (don’t get me started about how much I adore her husband). Jo’s mom and Susan (who resembles a very close family friend) came in with a big “hey y’all!” and I knew I was in a really special place.

Niki, my friend from SeaSocks ‘07 and introduction to the wonderful world of Knit Picky, met Jo, Laura, and for dinner in downtown Winston-Salem. Niki was seated with Kim, who also works at Knit Picky. Niki presented me with the most beautiful pair of hand knit socks!

I could not have been more tickled and grateful! They were my colors, garter stitch toes and heels, perfectly knitted and could not have fit me better. Thanks Nik!
Now, the restaurant we went to, 6th and Vine, was a great little place. It was my type of place. Great food, better wines, and good friends, old and new. After a night of “getting to know you”… I turned in to be ready for the next day.

I taught a full day of classes and headed back to the hotel to get in my PJ’s. Not to stay in my hotel. I left to go party with the girls at Knit Picky. That’s right. Jo arranged a party for me to get to know the local knitters.

Sidebar for a second. I feel, that it is very clear that I am a northern girl. The party started at 7pm. I left my room at 6:55 (PRIME GOING OUT ON THE TOWN HOUR) and got on the elevator with a group of appropriately dressed folks headed out for a night on the town. I was in my pajamas with the French poodles and Eiffel towers on them. I said “hey” to the folks on the elevator (pretending to be as fully dressed as they were) and acted like everyone wore pink pajama bottoms with poodles on them and Eiffel towers. Let me tell you, I rocked those pajamas as much as my flight attendant, Jonathan, rocked his safety demo.

I arrive at the PJ party to be greeted by the most amazing foods, wine, and two massage therapists that were giving seated massages. OMG! If you are ever on a business trip… get a massage. How amazing. We settled in for the night and chatted and knit and I really felt so welcome. I mean, I really felt like I got to know something about everyone. And everyone was ever so polite while I talked incessantly about the cowboy and D (I do miss them terribly!)

If you are ever here in Winston-Salem, you NEED TO GO TO KNIT PICKY. They were clients on Thursday and they have become friends this weekend. Thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. I have gained much, much more than I have given this weekend. And for that southern comfort, I am ever grateful!

and yes Ms. Louise … I shook a tail feather on the bed this evening!

Airline blogging at its best today. I am on the plane en route to Charlotte, NC, with a final destination of Winston-Salem and KNITPICKY. I was very tempted to upgrade my seat to business class, but opted not to. What is one hour and 20 minutes between strangers smashed together in a tri-fecta of seats? (For the record, I had the middle seat. Who would not want to sit on either side of me and have access to my knitting prowess and sparkling personality?)

I boarded the plane. Ahh… first one in the seats. Everyone is boarding. No one coming to aisle 25. Huh, that’s odd. I showered and put on lightly scented lotion today, dammit. I smiled and seemed friendly (cannot mess with my karma at the beginning of a trip where I am going solo. No sir-ee, bob.)

To my great surprise and delight, I got all 3 seats to myself! I set up this mini knitting/ mobile office and, in the words of the very wise and immortal Tow-Mater, “I’m GOOD!”

Now, when you have an entire isle free (no one is in seats 25 a – e. I am alone in f) you can do all manner of crazy stuff. No one is really paying attention to you other than the flight attendant. My flight attendant is Jonathan. He really rocked that safety demo.

I was tempted to strip down nekkid and jump on the seats as per Jody’s idea of a good time alone in a hotel. But, I thought that the restraints from the TSA may chaff my delicateness if I was nekkid. But, Jody Jodster, I did think about it.

I started knitting on my sock with some shiny Innox DPN’s and decided to try it on. Jonathan was quite puzzled by the almost intensively surgical look of the sock and the DPN’s sticking out all over the place. Maybe it was the fact I was taking pictures of it? Maybe it was my foot (again… the shower, the lotion, AND the pedicure should rule that one out)? I am willing to bet $100.00 it was the knitting/sock wearing surgically scary looking picture taking that threw him.

About Jonathan, he has STYLE. I would dare say fierce. He was VERY animated in his safety demo and beverage distribution. I would give him a score of 10 for execution and beverage distribution, and a 12 for artistic merit. I think I will tell him that (when I leave the plane)

On to adventures in rental car pickups and hotel check-ins. Winston-Salem here I come!

I am sitting in my studio… looking out a beautifully sunny window. Tagging yarn, listening to Dave Matthews Band, and aching for Spring.

I am feverishly preparing for my classes in Winston-Salem, NC. I am so excited to get on the plane and travel somewhere new. I also have a secret… promise not to tell? I have never slept in a hotel room by myself. I am giddy beyond belief.

I have other secrets this fine Wednesday afternoon. I am working in partnership with some friends of the fiber persuasion to bring you some incredible happenings. Multiple happenings…. lots of plans here at the ol’studio.

So, today I leave you with a list of 10 Things that Make me Happy:

1. My husband.
2. My son.
3. YARN.
4. My friends.
5. Sunny, yet slightly chilly late winter days that are lightly scented with the promise of spring.
6. Creativity.. the possibility to create everyday.
7. My new Levenger planner.
8. Lists (checking off lists)
9. Dave Matthews, Natalie Merchant, REM and (JT)
10. Quiet

Be happy y’all. See you in North Carolina!

Have you heard????

There is going to be a Homespun Yarn Party on March 30th in Tacoma Park, MD!

Check out local yarn vendors, sit and knit, meet new people!

Who’s Gonna Be there??All your favorite local yarn dyers and spinners, plus some extra crafty goodness! And all our knitting/crocheting/spinning friends (you!) of course!! I will be there with yarny, fibery, and fun goodness!

Where: 7500 Maple Avenue | Takoma Park, MD | 20912 — Metro accessible, plenty of parking!

When: March 30, 2008 - 2 PM to 6 PM

Why: Who needs an excuse to get together and craft?! We wanted to get together and spread some fiber love! There will be vendors with lots of stuff (because really… WHEN do you get that many yarn folk together that are so talented?) and who needs an excuse to accumulate MORE STASH?!

Come one, come all!!!!

If you have ever met my boy, you would know a few things about him.

He is very, very energetic. He really does not stop moving (unless in front of the TV). He has a pretty vivid imagination and high level of creativity. He is extremely polite without prompting. He enjoys all manner of gross, fart-like, silly preschool antics and he makes friends really easily.
He has found a soulmate in Ms. Rosemary. He has found a “Fairy Godmother” in Ms. Rosemary’s mama, and I have started what looks like to be a long and wonderful friendship. Stay tuned…..