Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Music

This week's Corner View is titled "Music". My son, Ben, has been making music since the age of 11. He is an accomplished brass musician as well as being able to play a variety of stringed instruments, too. Oh, did I mention he also sings? I am so proud of him, and his sweet music has been the soundtrack of my life for a while. Corner View is hosted by Francesca at FuoriBorgo. Go check out her blog for her CV, as well as links from all over the world for other Corner Views.

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Corner View....just beginning!

I am just now beginning to participate in a weekly blog event, Corner View. It is moderated by Francesca, over at FuoriBorgo. I read her blog on a regular basis. She has wonderful pictures and I just love visiting her blog. There is a different theme each week and to participate, you post a picture that fits with the theme. This week, the theme is "silly".


These pics are all kind of silly. It's what happens when you let a 3 year old boy loose with the camera. The last two pictures were taken while we were camping out in the back yard, which my husband thought was silly as well. But we didn't, we just thought it was fun!

Saturday, July 23, 2011

Attack of the killer crustaceans...or what I am crocheting now.

So, okay, I was recently chastised at a stitching group by Lisa, that I needed to do a new blog post. I have been so. freaking. busy. But, today marks day one of a much needed and much longed for 2 week vacation. I will be having shoulder surgery this fall and didn't want my vacation to consist of recuperating from THAT. So, next week I will be in Minneapolis at the Knit and Crochet Show to attend the National Chain Link Conference. I am so excited! I have been 3 of the last 4 years and I always have so much fun. There are people there who get me...really.
My crochet repertoire has been pretty extensive over the years, but one thing I have avoided up until now is making amigurumi.

 AMIGUR-WHAT?
 Okay, for my friends who DON'T really get me, amigurumi are little crocheted character dolls. I just was never interested. But let the 12 year old granddaughter visit, and suddenly I have become an amigurumi-making machine.
 Also, I have been reorganizing the studio. My work table had disappeared under a fiberstorm. So now I am able to wind yarn, which I have been busy with and making handmade clay buttons. I have a lovely friend who is going to teach me to fire and glaze these buttons, so hopefully this fall I will have some pretty buttons to share with you! Hope you are all having a great summer! Keep cool!





Wednesday, May 18, 2011

News Flash!

Okay, the fact that I am WOEFULLY  behind on my blog is not the news flash, folks. The news flash is related to what showed up in my mailbox a coupla days ago.
Yep, that's my design on the cover. I screamed when I saw it. Out loud...really! Anyone who knows me very well knows I am not given to such over-exuberant displays of emotion, but....I was just. so. excited! Then, as if that weren't enough, while thumbing through the book, I also found this:
I did both of these designs for Caron Yarns, International some time ago. I wasn't sure exactly where or when they would turn up. I am told (for anyone who might be interested) that this book will be available at Joann's craft stores. Get yours now! I will have to see about doing a giveaway for a signed copy soon, but you can't have my copy! Until next time, keep those hooks flying!
Renee'

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

NATCROMO!!!!!!

I recently agreed to participate with several other indie artists in the Crochetville NATCROMO giveaway. What, you might ask, is NATCROMO? Well, it means National Crochet Month, which happens to ge going on all. month. long! These pictures show what Crochet Renee' has donated for the big prize basket. The first is a skein of handpainted sock yarn, the second, two skeins of handspun natural colored alpaca and the third is a luscious 4 oz crazy spinning batt containing alpaca, mohair, hand-dyed angora, recycled Sari silk thread (that's the hot pink you see) and just a touch of purple and green glitz for a bit of bling! When I got done mixing this batt, I was actually sad that I wasn't keeping it. But, alas, it could become yours! How do you enter to win? I am very happy you asked! Visit each of the artists' websites below and find the Treasure Chest for Crochetville, post the URL where you found the chest on the entry form, and when you have found them all, submit the form, and bam! You're entered. To find the form and all the rest of the particulars, visit Crochetville. Now, for more particulars...
National Crochet Month Treasure Hunt 2011
 
Win a Fabulous Crochet Gift Basket!
 
In honor of National Crochet Month 2011, Crochet Renee' is partnering with Crochetville and a number of indie designers, spinners, dyers, and hook and toolmakers for the Crochetville NatCroMo 2011 Treasure Hunt.
Each indie business has donated one or more special items for a super-special crochet gift basket that will be presented to one lucky winner by March 31.
The following contest logo has been hidden somewhere on each indie business's website:

Contest participants will have to find the logo on each indie business's website. Entry forms may be submitted from March 8 through 11:59 PM CST March 25, 2011. Participating businesses will hide the logo on their site by March 8, so please don’t begin searching until the evening of March 8.
Click here to visit the Crochetville site for complete contest details and an entry form!
 
 
 
 
List of Participating Businesses
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

What are you waiting for? You can't win if you don't enter!
 

Thursday, February 10, 2011

Yarn, beautiful yarn- How a pile of dirty animal hair becomes a creative delight.



 Yarn. So many of us use yarn. Some of us even make yarn. "Why?", you might ask, to which I would reply, "Why not?" I began spinning about 4 years ago, and have been making alot of my own yarn ever since.
 This is raw alpaca fiber. Raw means it has been sheared off of the animal and nothing else has been done to it.

Next the fiber is often washed before carding. In this instance, I have chosen to card and spin, and then wash. When I work with sheep's wool, I typically wash first and then card, because of the grease in sheep's wool. 

After the carding drum is full, I carefully remove the batt from the carder.
Sorry, I didn't take a pic of the spinning; it's hard to focus a camera while you are spinning! When the yarn has been spun and plied, I wind it into skeins from the bobbin on a "shoebox Kate" onto my antique skein winder. Once all of the fiber has been turned into yarn, all of the yarn gets 3-4 good soaks in warm water; first with soap, then in the last rinse, a "glug" of vinegar is added to acidify the pH, as animal fibers tend to be more to the acid side of things. Plus, it cuts any soap residue that might be left. Then all the lovely yarn is hung by the fireplace (outside in nice weather) to dry. 

And that is how a pile of dirty hair becomes a luxury yarn! Any questions?



Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Baby, it's cold outside!














 It was about 6 degrees (Farenheit) this morning. I think it warmed up to almost 20 at one point. I have been keeping busy, though. Crocheting a design that I plan to put up for sale on Ravelry....


Hunkering down with one of the pups....

 Mixing up some fresh rub for our roast beef tonight....
And feeding the woodstove! How are ya'll spending your indoor winter time? Stay warm!