Keeping with New Year's Resolutions

Dear Readers,
How are you doing with your New Year's Resolutions so far? I want the record to show that I have been dedicated to my basement lately. Yes, in keeping with my list, I have cleaned the basement and even made room to move my weaving supplies from the over crowded loom room. So by getting one item done, I was able to get another done as well!
This is why I have been absent from the blog for the past couple of weeks. Just busy, busy, busy. Now I have a sinus infection coming on, I'm afraid. We'll see if I can nip it before it gets too bad.
I will be dedicated to weaving for the next few weeks, however and not much else. I pulled some cotton tonight for two rugs I have planned. I will try to get a photo of my Union once I get it dressed.
And look, I figured out how to get a photo up here again.

This is the very first thing I ever wove. Can you see my mistake? It is hemp warp with jute weft which I dyed blue on a woodburner. I was very thrilled that I actually wove something. It's a table runner by the way.
I made this on my little HD which is my first loom. I don't use her as much as I should anymore since I make mostly rugs, but have some plans for her in the near future. She is lonely in the corner with Eunice (the Union) getting all of the attention most of the time.
But what can I say? The sweet little HD is just not made for rug making.

Until next time,
All my best.
~Vickie

Just A Quick Update...

I just wanted to drop in to let all of you lovely readers know that I have not forgotten about you. I have been a busy girl the past two weeks and this is the first chance I have gotten to get online.
We spent the past couple of days cleaning the mill and making plans for some upcoming shows.
In April we will be on the Spring Bag Lady Tour again. I will try to post some more details next week including dates and a list of shops that are participating.
We will also be at The Great Lakes Fiber Festival in Wooster, Ohio again this year. As always, this show takes place on Memorial Weekend. Again, I will try to post more information next week.
I am having trouble posting photos but hopefully next week I will be more able to do so.
I would also like to send a warm welcome to all of you new readers from France!
That's about it for now.
Until next time,
All my best.
~Vickie

Happy Valentine's Day!

Boy, I almost forgot to wish all of you a Happy Valentine's Day!

Not much going on here accept that Scarlett, our carder is giving us fits. She is very temperamental and we do our best to keep her happy. This time she is getting a new belt and pulley that runs the main drum. I really need to get some photos of her up here! I will try to remember to do that soon.

Meanwhile, here are some flowers for you.

And some sweets!

And just something because I like it and to some, this is exactly the perfect representation of Valentine's Day!

By the way, those cookies did not last very long. Ah-hem.

Happy Valentine's Day to all of you!

~Vickie

OOpsy!

I just wanted to say thank you to all of you who have posted comments and sent me emails. Unfortunately, I have accidentally deleted all of your comments and can't seem to figure out how to get them back! I am still working on this but am not sure if I can do it or not.

Also, I would like to welcome my new readers from Germany. Welcome!

I am still working on the St. Distaff's Day post but it should be done next week some time. I hope you all like it. I think some of you may be a bit surprised with what I have uncovered.

US 10 Knitters Stitch Markers

Meanwhile, here are some of my stitch markers that I make and sell on Etsy. They are glass beads and silver wire. I found I really enjoy working with the beads! I was surprised.

US 10 Knitter's Stitch markers

In blue glass beads.

Crocheter's Stitch markers

These are also of glass beads but with a lobster clasp for crocheting and little brass bells on the ends!

And of course, a little something just because.

Thank you for stopping by.
~Vickie



Rooftops, Holidays and a Passel of Kittens!

     Hello Everyone and Happy Holidays. I hope your Christmas brought you loads of joy.
     I must first start off by apologizing to all of you for not posting in such a very long time. I see it was August when you last heard from me. Did you think I fell off the face of the Earth? Well, not quite but let me give you the quick update on what's been happening.
     Between eye surgery (mom's), injured animals and two weekends of the Bag Lady Tour, the spring was off to a hectic start.
A Passel of Kittens!
     Now, back in May during the Great Lakes Fiber Fest, we had several kittens and two mother cats show up. To make a long story short, we ended up with a total of 11 new kittens and two female adults (who have produced all of said kittens). So far, all except the two littlest kittens have been spayed and neutered and the one mother who is still nursing one of those kittens. We don't know where they came from, but we have taken them in.
     Then, during all of this, mom's cat Annie went missing. Here is a photo of her. If you are local and happen to see her, please contact me. She is sorely missed.

Annie is a small cat but was very filled out. She is a real sweetheart but not likely to be too friendly to strangers. She has been spayed and is about 6 years old. She went missing in August 2012. Please let me know if you have seen her. Mom would really like her home.

   
Rooftops
     Now, in 2011 I lost a lot of shingles off of my roof. So, I decided to change my roofline as long as I had to re-roof. In short, the original contractor I waited for 7 months for, was replaced with a new contractor who did a wonderful job.  I have now had a new metal roof for two weeks and couldn't be happier with the whole thing.
     Now, to just throw out a little buzz for my contractor, I used Diamond Gutters and Windows, who came highly recommended to me by someone I trust. I am so glad it worked out the way it did in the end. Danny and Brad went above and beyond getting this job done quickly. I can't say enough about them. Thank you again, guys!
     Now, that should update you on what I have been doing and why I have not posted in such a long time.  
     I did manage to open an Etsy Store in Nov. though. I will post about that later.
     Well, there you have it. Again, I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and I wish you all good health and happiness in the coming year.
     So, Merry Christmas to all of you and a Happy New Year.

~Vickie (and the gang)