Actual Knitting Content

That's right, I actually finished something. It is warm and soft and cuddly.

My version of the Danish Tie Shawl. I didn't have the correct Spin Off (Spring, 2008)where the shawl was featured, but I found a similar one on Ravelry here. I didn't stop when the directions said, I just kept knitting until I ran out of yarn. I used two skeins of natural Kimmet Croft Softie that I got at the Textile Center Garage Sale and dyed myself.

Here it is as intended to be worn. It crosses in front and ties in the back, leaving the hands free to do whatever. No fussing trying to keep the shawl on.

I finished it just in time too. There has been a marked change in the weather, so this will come in handy at the Threshing Bee next weekend. I'll be doing spinning demonstrations. If you're near St. Charles, MN, stop by and say hi!

Camoflage

I went out to pick some cucumbers for supper, and found this little guy sitting on one hanging from the trellis.

I didn't pick that one.

I pulled out Mom's recipe for fresh cucumber pickles, and cried a little when I saw her handwriting. When is it going to get easier?

On the Fiber Front

I can't fool you guys for a second! That's right, I have a floor loom. She is a Union 36" rug loom. She is in very good condition considering how old she is. I should replace the heddles, although they actually still work fine. Mostly, she just needs cleaning up. Until I get the Art Shack up and running, she'll be in the house in my office. The photo shows her still all bound up and partially taken apart for transport/getting through the door. My goal is to have her operational before the snow flies.

A couple of months ago, I came to the conclusion that I probably wouldn't weave any more baskets, and gave all the reed I had to a basket weaver in my spinning group. She stopped by the other day and gave me this!

It is perfect for carrying fiber or yarn to spinning meetings.

I like the little bump out. A good place for tools or water bottle when demonstrating at the fair, like we are this weekend.

I have about 450 to 500 yards of this llama/mohair handspun. I think it needs to be a lacy shawlette, but nothing has been decided yet.

Update

Hey, about time for an update! I discovered that I was even luckier than I realized with that tornado. I've found that the southwest corner of my barn shifted about 4 inches on the foundation. I'm lucky the whole thing didn't come crashing down on all my animals!

After over a month of rain every two days, we finally were able to get a second cutting of hay. We loaded the last of it into my barn around 8:30 last night. This morning it is raining. I probably already have enough for the year, so I may end up being able to sell some hay if we get a third cutting.

Kora has fit in really well with my other dogs, and has brought a lot of laughter to my world. She is just so dang entertaining.

We are two weeks into our intermediate agility class. She could be an excellent agility dog if she had a better handler! She catches on quickly, it is I who needs to practice. I knew I was in for trouble when the instructor said that agility is a dance between you and your dog. I can't dance to save my life! Oh well, we are having a lot of fun with it. We are getting into some more technical stuff now, where the position of your shoulder by just a few centimeters can make a difference. I've been watching some agility videos on youtube, paying more attention to the handler than the dog. I get all excited when I see a move that we just learned in class. With her long body, Kora looks like a snake when doing the weave poles.

Based on this photo, would anybody care to take a guess about my big news on the fiber related front?

Tornado

One of the many tornadoes that came through my area lifted just before it hit my farm, according to the firemen/search and rescue people that came by to check on me. It still took some tops off the majectic maples that are the namesake of the farm though.

I'm lucky it wasn't 50 feet north. The house and buildings would have been directly in the path of the branches it strew about. Some of them took down some fencing, but all the animals are present and unhurt. I was able to close the gate to that pasture before they realized the fence was down.

This one doesn't look that bad from a distance.

Then you get closer and realize, crap, I'm going to need a bigger chainsaw.

Future Home of the Maple Corners Fiber Arts Studio

I bought this building today.

The price includes delivery

I still have to prepare the site for it, but I have to figure out exactly what I need to do for that first.

This is the inside, looking to the right from the door.

This is looking to the left. Those cross beams are only about 5 feet off the floor. They were used to prevent the sides from bowing out from the weight of the grain. Did I mention this was a granary? The cross beams will provide stability for the move, then I should be able to remove them once the building is in place.

I am already plotting out a dyeing station over here, a felting station over there, maybe a loft area over part of it for storage. Any other ideas? If you had a 15 x 20 building, what would you do with it?

So Excited!

I wasn't going to mention anything until it is a done deal, but I can't help it. I am going to look at a granary building later this morning. A nearby farmer needs it gone so he can put up a grain bin. It is 15' x 20'. It is already on a flat bed, and he will deliver it. It is a wood building covered in tin, with a wood floor. I might just get my dye/weaving/fiber studio yet! I have been so excited I couldn't sleep last night.

Speaking of sleep, yesterday morning I woke around 5 am. There was a tree frog croaking nearby. By the decibel level, it sounded like it was on my window. That thing was loud! It reminded me of a Mom incident, so I had a good cry and then couldn't get back to sleep.

Mom and I were walking around the upper pasture. I think I was trying to cut down some burdock while she wandered nearby. Although I never could find it, there was a tree frog near the fence, low to the ground, and it sounded very sad. The croak had a whimpering/crying sound to it. Mom stood nearby, and kept saying in that comforting Mom voice, "Oh, what's the matter? Are you ok? Don't cry, it's ok." Mind you, she had no idea what was making the sound, she just knew it sounded sad and needed comfort. I miss her.

Ok, so I'll update later with details/pictures of the building if it gets to be mine. In the meantime, I was playing with Photoshop Elements the other day, and this is what happened.