Out for a Sunday Drive

So, most of you know that Kevin and I have a farm. Well...it's actually his farm, I'm just the rake girl. This Sunday was part of a beautiful stretch of Fall weather which means it's time for second cutting. So, I figured I'd show you all how I spend many a Sunday in the summer and into the fall. This is my rig, which when driven right, makes those pretty rows below... which Kevin is gobbling up in his baler. Doesn't that look like fun???

So far we've baled 775+ large rounds bales this year. It takes a lot of hay to feed 100 head of cattle!

Now onto customer show and tell...

This is Sally's scarf made from a Woodstock Knits kit. It's so nice and soft...just lovely!

Look at all these Aviatrix hats. Aren't they adorable? I'm sorry, I'm not sure whose they are though. Anybody?

Here's Sue Z's KGA's Blooming Felted Bag made during a class at the shop. It's just great. Love the button too! You can learn to make a button like that next Saturday 10/1 in Karen's class!

Cathy's Noro Striped Scarf and Noro leaf hat. Just beautiful.

Take a look at Allison's knitted cuffs with the needle felted embellishments. Aren't they cool?

And her knitted gauntlets with those fabulous ribbons.

And Kathy L's been up to her ears in knitting again! The slippers were made during Trudi's class here at the shop and the hat is made out of the new, wonderfully soft Eco Duo. Sorry...I forgot what the scarf was made out of but it's so beautiful.

And Mari's top down sweater also made here in class. My picture of it doesn't do it justice. The color of it is just great for the fall!

99

This is a picture of my Grandmother taken by my cousin Carin, the photographer extradinare. My Grandmother died this week at the tender age of 99 and 7 months. My family will miss her and I want to thank you for all your kind thoughts and words this week.

The last two weeks have been very long for me between Kevin's parents being flooded out of their house because of Irene and the death of my Grandmother. Hopefully we'll get caught up this week and maybe start some kind of routine.

So, if I haven't posted in a while, it's in part because of my crazy life in general. But, people have been knitting around me so I do have pictures to share below. Everyone just amazes me with the lovely work they do.

I'll do my best to keep up with the blog but it probably won't be as frequently is Miss Liz did so bear (bare? which word should I use here English teachers?) with me.

So...on to some customer show and tell...

Jana's Blue Lace Shawl. I think the name of it is Eilli...that's what I had written down anyway. She knitted it with the Peace Love and Yarn. It's absolutely beautiful.

Heike's Morning Surf Drop Stitch scarf made with Tussah Silk. It's lovely and she was so excited to show it to me.

Kathy's mits made during class here at the shop. She made them with two colors of the new Cascade 220 Sport.

Laurie and Kathy's Leaflet Cardis, knit during the knit-along at the shop. There are still some more of us hoping to finish soon...me included!

And...Kathy's Mukluks...she's been busy as usual.

Annie's slouch hat made out of Cascade Eco-Duo. Have we mentioned how soft this yarn is???

Sheila's Gilet vest made out of the new Nadeshiko yarn from Noro. It's just beautiful.

Libby's Lana Grande Hat. So soft and squishy and is a very quick knit...

Needle felted flower from Trudi and Karen's class. Not sure who made it but it's very pretty.

Needle felted dog. How cute is that?!?!?

More hats from Annie! She's on a roll!

Busy, busy, busy

Hi everyone. Sorry it's been so long since I've posted. It's been a very busy 2 weeks. I'm still getting my feet wet and I appreciate your patience. I also appreciate it when you come in and I still don't remember your name and you don't get mad at me. I'll get them eventually...

If you haven't seen the weekly newsletter then you'll be surprised to find out that we'll be opening on Sundays again in the Fall. Beginning September 11, we'll be open Sundays 11 - 3. And, on 9/11, we'll be giving 10% of our sales total to the local Altamont Fire Department and Ambulance Squad in memory of those that lost their lives 10 years ago. So please join us that day for some friendship and knitting.

We have gotten in many new, yummy yarns and are expecting more at the beginning of September. Check out the website for updates on new things to the shop and also new classes. We've added some new October classes with more to come.

I was also fortunate enough to be asked to give the prizes for the Spinning Bee at the Altamont Fair this Saturday. It was a hot day but all the spinners looked like they had fun. We also have a Grand Champion in our midst. Stephanie took the top prize at the fair for her lovely beaded shawl. There is a picture of it below but it really doesn't do it justice. The BEST part about getting to see the shawl is that when Liz and I walked in the Sheep Barn, Stephanie had JUST found out she had won. It was so great to see her and her family so excited!!!!

So, below are some pictures of the Spinning Bee and then some customer show and tell. I apologize for not knowing everyone's name. Like I said above, eventually I'll get it. I also plan on getting a list of all the winners from Jaye and will post them here.

Here is Liz spinning on her Louet and a drop spindler whose name I should know but can't think of it right now...sorry.

And Stephanie spinning on her drop spindle.

Jaye, Heather (I hope that was her name) who won the Spinning Bee for wheel spinning, me, Deb Guard who won the Spinning Bee for drop spindlers and Deb Anderson...the MC at the Sheep Barn for the day and also the designer of all those great Noro patterns we have at the shop.

Stephanie's shawl in the middle. Take a look at the HUGE ribbon to the right of it. Isn't that just the biggest ribbon you've ever seen?!?!?!?

Now, some customer show and tell...

Laurie's Crocheted Bolero. This picture doesn't do it justice. It was so nice and matched her outfit perfectly.

Karen's Budding Apple shawl in the Perwinkle Sheep's Watercolors II that she made during our KAL this summer. So lovely.

And take a look at all these stockings that Florence made for her grandchildren, also a KAL this summer. They are all just beautiful and big so that they can be filled with a lot of loot!

Sheila's vest and mucklucks. I believe that this is the vest that won a First Place ribbon at the fair. Good job Sheila!

And, that's Lois behind the very cute toddler dress.

Have a great week everyone! Hope to see you at the shop soon!

What a week!

Well...I made it through the week and so did the shop. It was a very hectic one for me and I want to thank all of you that made it fun and successful. Some of my family made the trek over from Pittsfield, MA to spend the afternoon with me on Tuesday and I received some beautiful flowers and that very large glass bowl full of candy. And the champagne is still in the fridge so if anyone wants to toast...let me know. (HA HA!)

So, here is a picture of all my lovely flowers... and some customer show and tell.

Here are Allison's needle felted dogs. They are of Karen's dogs Boo Boo and Beula. Aren't they adorable??!?!?!!

And the after shot of KGA's Blooming Felted Bag. The before shot was on the blog a week or two ago. It's just beautiful! There is still one spot left in this class this weekend. Call the shop if you are interested!

This is Eleanora's sweater that she made for her husband...that's why it looks SO big on her! She modified it to make the cable go all the way down the front. He's going to LOVE it!

This is Kathy L.'s Tiny Tea Leaves sweater made during class at the shop. I forgot to ask what yarn she used...oops.

Yvette held a wet felting class on Saturday morning and she wanted to take a pictures of all the bubbles!

Mary Kate...don't worry. It's not going to fall!

Can't wait to see what those projects look like when they are dry!

And, Libby's Feather and Fan scarf made with the Baby Bamboo. Just lovely!

The REAL last post

Ok, so I lied. That last post wasn't my last post. This one is!

Had to post this picture of the quote that's on the wall in the shop for my end-of-the-day crew on my last day at the shop:

Appropriate, no? It was a very exciting last day that I certainly won't forget. Tomorrow Deirdre takes over and there will be many more exciting things to come!

Also, had to show you the latest customer show and tell before I hand the camera over to Deirdre:

But, ugh! I forgot whose these are! Linda's? Sue Z's? I know they are made with a very pretty color of Periwinkle Sheep Watercolors sock yarn.....

Jan's Mukluk slippers made with Encore chunky:

She made both pairs between one knit-in and the next (that's only a week!)

Alison G's, now Sue Z's, In the Land of Oz shawl made with Periwinkle Sheep w i n k:

Sue commissioned Alison to make this for her, which she will wear when she goes on her cruise!

And here are Bonnie (I think?) and Tanner, Sue Z's dogs that Alison needle felted!:

Stephanie in her Brigid Jacket which she made during the knit-a-long:

Janell's most recent finished Christmas projects:

Traveling Woman shawl made with Periwinkle Sheep w i n k; Cedar Leaf shawlette made with Malabrigo Silky Merino; Multidirectional scarf made with Noro Taiyo

And finally, Karen with her "before" KGA's Blooming Felted Bag:

This class is being held in August is you are interested!

And, because it bears repeating and can be applied in so many ways:

The week of lasts

This is the week of lasts - my last weekly email, my last Tuesday, my last knit-in, my last Thursday... you get the idea. And so, my last blog post.

Once again, I want to thank you all for your support of me while I've owned the shop. It was a fun, crazy, wonderful, rewarding, scary, rewarding, stressful, rewarding, rewarding, rewarding experience. I've met so many wonderful people, learned so much about knitting and knitters, knitted A LOT, had many many laughs (and a few sad times too). While I have decided to move on, which is the best thing for me, I will certainly miss many things. I'm glad that Deirdre wants me to come back and teach classes so that I can still stay in touch with my knitting peeps (I hijacked that term from Joan). Most of all I want to thank Paul, who has been so incredibly patient with and supportive of me while I took on this endeavor. I'm happy that I'll have some more time to spend with him. (He will be reading this, and you'll see why below, so, thank you Sweetie Pie. I love you very much!)

Now, on to my "regular" blog stuff...

Paul and I went to Red Robin (YUMMMM!) the other night because he had a gift card. Love that place. Especially the onion ring tower. Of course, we ordered that and when it was delievered to the table, I started laughing hysterically because this is what my view was:


I couldn't see Paul at all! It was so funny. I immediately got my phone out to take a picture, and Paul rolled his eyes and said, "Is that going on the blog?" (OF COURSE IT IS!)


Meanwhile, at the shop, Florence and Linda were taking the drop spindle 101 class!
Here is their yarn pre-steaming:



And post steaming:



And here is the progress I have been making on my knitting:
I finished the Christmas in July Knit-a-Long project, the Christmas stocking:

Love it!


And here is my progress on the Summer Wind pattern I told you about in the email:

I am using the Cascade Heritage 150 Paints. SO. So. so. EASY. And it's coming out quite lovely I think. And while this is the week of lasts, this is nowhere near the last of my knitting! Stay tuned... maybe I'll create another blog!

CUSTOMER SHOW AND TELL:
Linda's gorgeous woven shawl:




And her woven placemats:





Darla's ankle socks made with Encore:

And her hand spun, hand dyed yarn:

Christine's felted wine box cozy:

How cool is that?????

Florence's 2nd of 5 Christmas stockings:

You can see the 3rd one in progress in the upper right hand corner!

I've loved being able to showcase all your projects on the blog - you are all such inspiration for each other!