Getting caught up

Now the hard work begins.....
These are two pictures of two pairs of socks. The toes are Alexandra's (in Super Wash Merino), the long almost finished socks are mine in Cashmere/Silk both in the same color-way Northwest Winter,



Alexandra and I went to hear Dr. Elizabeth Barber speak, but before that we went to dinner. This is Alexandra's Endive Salad

And this is my Butternut Squash soup with Creme Fresh it was heavenly


Dr. Barber signing books for me (If you haven't read Dr. Barber's book Woman's Work the first 20,000 years and you are at all interested in knowing how and why women have been making textiles you should read this book)


Dr. Barber confused, but a good sport about holding the sock for me to take a picture. I'm going to attempt to send this picture to Yarn Harlot, my sock, I made this sock!


This is a beautiful coat is from Eastern Europe and worn by a lady that has a vintage clothing shop, but I don't know where the shop might be as her friends were tugging her away, just as Alexandra was trying to focus me!


Yesterday was my "Princess Day" I went to the beauty Parlor with Mom whom said "if I was a Princess then she is the Queen" so I got her to wave like THE Queen, doesn't she look great!

After the whole hair thing Mom was pretty tired and I had to go get some things, like cat food. I kidnapped Steven and we went out to lunch and then went shopping, and shopping and shopping. He had many, many and by the way he had a lot of gift cards to spend.
Now Steven has lots of new things like sheets (Bamboo!!) and Comforter, and shirts for going to school styling wise.... and looked at Leather jackets, during this shop-a-thon I began to feel faint with lack of tea (not to mention the stress of spending so much money, I didn't have any gift cards and only a few coupons), so Steven took me to a REAL tea shop, no fancy sandwiches, just tea and a plate of cookies, and chocolate. It was really good tea, then back out again to face more shopping. The leather jackets were a bust, as down here in LA it's spring. Even though it was (Ok for LA not Oregon or Indianapolis) cold out.

When I got home my husband had a present for me a little rose bush.... there is a story, but bottom line I have a new mini rose!
Diane says I have to work now so off to make some beaded yarn!

Here today gone on Tuesday

I had a fab time at my class with Sally Melville, and gave her a skein of yarn that she says she will make gauntlets out of. I had no idea that there would be so much math involved with sweater knitting, and while I enjoyed the heck out of the class the likely hood of me making a sweater now goes pretty much to 0. Lots of great information though and boy does she know things.

Tonight Alexandra and I went to Dr. Barber's(author of the book "Women's Work the first 20,000 years) lecture about Textiles in the really old days, again so much good information, too bad the LA traffic made us late. I dropped off more yarn at Knitters Studio, so if you want good yarn.....

I got to visit with Mom, whom wants me to move in with her, and while I would love to sit and knit all day with Mom, there are a lot of new Yarn shops waiting for yarn.... so torn. Tomorrow we go to the beauty parlor together!

I've realized that I have to start packing again to go North. I'm driving (which means an enormous amount of stuff will be hauled and needed to be packed) so I'll be hitting Knitterly and staying for a "George Day" then going and having some quality time with Pat (Don's Mom) and probably going the Coast road to avoid any unpleasant driving conditions. They've had snow again in St. Helens and yesterday the streets were white again. Becky is very ill and so stayed home and made yarn instead of potato chips, (umm yarn/potato chips, yarn/potato chips hard choice isn't it)

Friday is Mark's first Birthday, can you believe it?? No I can't either.... just think a year ago we were waiting for Henley Hornbrook to turn from Henley to Mark. I just can't believe he's a year old and that I haven't snuggled him since Thanksgiving.... Oh my heart, I miss him so

I plan on attending Newport Spin-In on Feb. 7th and Madrona Fiber Arts Winter Retreat Feb. 12-15th.

Talking about dates I've learned how to work I-Calender. Not one weekend is safe, So here are a few of the events that are going on with Tanglewood Fiber Creations.

Feb. 20th will be a Trunk show at Knit Stop and 21st will be a wild event called Late Night with Tanglewood Fiber Creations, GREAT knitting fun to be had that day. Sunday will continue the Trunk Show....

March is sort of empty but Mike is coming to "do" things like fix the water heater, cut up downed trees, make another drying rack etc. Diane will have the office completely organized and I'll be making a lot of beaded yarn. I'm attending Camp Burton on Vashon Island March 12-15th for a retreat.

April 26th is a Tanglewood Fiber Creations Tea Party at Knitters Studio/ Knitting Culture in West Los Angeles talk to Liz about the details

May 9th is a Princess Party at Knit Affair in Corona Ca.

May 14th-17th is Workshop in the Woods were I am teaching a 3 day workshop on dyeing, spinning and knitting the yarn for desired effect. I'll explain the color wheel, we'll be trying different dyeing techniques and then the next day spinning that fiber in all different ways to explore how that changes the look of the fiber, then the next day we'll be using different stitches and knitting processes to change or explore how that changes the look of our newly dyed and spun yarns. If you want to be creative and learn how to get a predictable yarn for the type of garment you want to knit, this is the class for you......

June 19-21 s Black Sheep Gathering, start your projects now for the Spinners Lead! I'll be hosting the event again this year hopefully this year I'll have an intern to share the fun with!

July 11 is a Tanglewood Fiber Creations Pajama Party at Loops! in Tulsa OK talk to Shelly about the details.....

There are a few more dates in the air but for now that's where I'll be and when!

Breathtaking

One of my very favorite things is to see what wondrous things people make with their special skeins of Tanglewood Fiber Creation yarn. Nancy from Knit Stop sent me this lovely picture of a shawl one of her patrons knit out of Merino/Silk beaded Newport Rocks



Another huge THANK YOU goes out to Francis, a patron at Knitting Central. Francis wove a spectacular shawl from Newport Rocks Beaded Cashmere/Silk AND knitted a throw out of natural colored textured Cashmere, Chocolate and Snow. Cynthia (owner of Knitting Central) wore the throw on the plane from CT. and the shawl was packed really carefully in her carry on luggage, so that they could be shown in our booth at TNNA. I haven't pictures of either of these wonderful creations, but I'm hoping that Cynthia does.....

Today was amazing! I went to GLASG guild meeting (and spun almost 2 oz.'s! I love spinning) and then delivered yarn to Knitters Studio and sat and knitted on my socks. I talked and knit with great people, Zoe (11, whom has a skein of TFC yarn!?) and her Mom! We are thinking a tea party about April 26th at Knitters Studio, talk to Liz about your thoughts

Tomorrow is a knitting class with Sally Melville and then off to be with Mom whom isn't feeling very well. Knit long and prosper

Catching up or I still love you

There have been complaints about the lack of photographic documentation of the goings on of Tanglewood Fiber Creations...I've been snapping but the cosmos hasn't been favorable to publishing. I've also been getting calls from friends and family claiming that I don't love them anymore. I do, I've been a little distracted and trying to balance has never been my strong point. If I haven't called you, call me, if I haven't been to see you, set a date and I'll come. I still love you.......

The only yarn I was able to make during the holidays, it was all family business and taking care of personal things...


Here is "The Bag" Tanglewood Fiber Creations being loaded onto yet another airplane....... A knitters dream suitcase


After returning to the Pacific Northwest a quick trip to Jan's this is her Pocket Wheel which she painted purple, a color we share a passion for....


Alexandra has the greatest Lazy Kate, Jan is fine tuning the purple color to match the wheel


A Lantern Moon bag to hold the Pocket Wheel


I returned home to find some snow and lots of bushes and plants down here are the bushes outside the front window


18 skeins of Newport Rocks in Cashmere soaking in their wash bath next it's Lavender Bath


The production room in full swing


Becky and I plied 180 skeins in one week, here is one day's production drying waiting to be reskeined


Another goner, The Curly Willow is no more this frost/snow damage is too much to recover from, pieces of firewood waiting to be stacked


More damage




Ms. Audrey is selling this wonderful Rick Reeves Wheel contact me if your interested...



My new wheel, It's so cute and spins like a dream, I love it



Slight pause here as I'm taking out Mom for a Girls Day, I'm going to post incomplete and take it up when I have a free minute....

(Time passes quickly)

Ok back again. Mom and I went to a yarn shop where I gave Mom Carte Blanche and she bought all the sale yarn.....ummmm? it was in fun colors and she is knitting blankets. After a half an hour she was done. Hey that's all right but I have to go shopping and I get lunch. After having done all that it was kisses and I'm back into the car. Back to the grocery store for ingredients for "Date Night" with Mike. I rented lots of movies, Wall-E was the winner.
However we still are working out how to make the TV work, and sat through an entire showing without the "center channel" working. Only at the end I found the magic button to make everything work. We watched a little of the movie to get the feel of the real thing, but Mike declared Bed time after about 20 mins. (he does get up at 4:30 am) amd off to bed. Today I'm going to GLASG (Greater Los Angeles Spinners Guild) and then delivering yarn to Knitters Studio......Tomorrow I have a date with Sally Melville (whom I love) for a fun class then off to Mom's for lunch. Now back to pictures glad you waited!



Here is Tanglewood Fiber Creations waiting to be unloaded. At the Convention Centers you aren't allowed to unpack yourselves, Union persons do it for you (for a price) totally worth it too! Especially with a heavy oak couch and coffee table.


this is what we start with



Beth and Steven moving into TFC's booth 534



This is Tanglwood's new Office Manager Diane, I love Diane, she isn't only a great spinner, weaver, knitter but also has an organizational style that I can work with. She likes Excel and is thrilled about Quickbooks. We needed her. She is getting ready for her first TNNA and trying to get me to look at paper.......


Now at the Hotel Room we unpack further


As soon as we started to hang yarn they came, people who love yarn, they touched, fondled, tried to take, and then my good friend Leigh Radford came and I showed her what she inspired me to make~ beaded yarn, see there in her arms..... Leigh is creative and likes TFC yarn!


After a long day at the show it was time for fun. The crew and I went to the Gas Lamp district and I found the good shop!


In the parking lot at the Hotel we found an interesting challenge~parking, this was one of the problems


The view out our Hotel window


A closer view of our view of the Star of India.


Outside is hot and dry and inside was hot and dry, see the fringe of the shawl that Diane wove


Steven wearing my favorite hat in "Fireworks", he liked it and wants one. This nearly knocked my socks off and I'm looking forward to knitting him one


The last day we had to take the Anglelator to the front of the Convention Center.


The Sun sets on Our 2009 TNNA



Now you say What Happened to pictures of the BOOTH? I don't know, we never had time to go to the bathroom, never mind find the camera and take pictures. Sorry I really am

Tuesday was our Disneyland day, plan B was implemented and we went for a drive along the coast of Palos Verdes.

A blurry view of the Hills of Palos Verdes


Yarn, this is one of the three baskets of yarn we brought home with us. Somewhere there are six skeins for Knitters Studio..I have to find them this morning before I go to the GLASG meeting


This is the sunset Beth, Mike and I viewed and here is where I say good-bye for today. If you want good yarn See Knit Stop, Knitting Central, Knitters Studio and several more yet to named

After The Ball

There is only so much energy and Beth and I have exceeded the amount two people have.

We are home, well I am, just now in Lakewood CA. Beth has just called and she is getting on her plane now (which was delayed) and making her way home to Walla Walla WA. We didn't make it to Disneyland, we couldn't stay awake long enough yesterday.

Diane went home late Monday in a rush of papers, yarn and books. She has even been to TFC headquarters to get the new orders into production.

Steven is at school and has done some laundry and lots of homework as his new semester began last week.

The trailer we used went back yesterday, after Beth and I unload in 90 degree temps. The couch nearly killed us as we were so sore from walking and standing on concrete in the San Diego Convention Center.

We have several new friends, and our new yarn shops will be listed on our web-site as soon as I find all the paperwork. The box of books we received is massive, the most exciting is that our yarn is on the cover of Lorna Miser's new book soon to be available. Along with One Skein Wonder's Luxury Yarn, makes for lots of excitement.

We have lots of work to do, as soon as I find the paperwork and look and see the new accounts we have and what they have ordered.

Mike is out of "whites" and I have to change the sheets as we are expecting an unexpected house guest tonight. Cleo and Cyrus (Ozzie went outside in the back yard this morning while we were sipping our tea, and I'm not sure if he came back in) are sleeping next to me while I veg for a few more moments....... Then I have to tackle the unpacking, laundry and find the important paper work.........

The National Needle Arts San Diego Show

We are all here safely and mostly set up this fine Saturday morning. Diane was the last to arrive at about 11:00 pm. I will post pictures when I have a better connection, but wanted to drop a line about what's going on.

Beth, Steven, Diane and I are all here in San Diego (where the temp is going to be in the 80's, not really good yarn selling weather) to show Tanglewood Fiber Creation yarn to prospective yarn shops (if you want your yarn shop to carry our yarn call and tell them we are booth 534 and we have snacks and tea). We have set up the hard part of the booth and now have to place yarn. Last night we bought lots of baskets as the amount of yarn brought exceeded the amount of containers we had.

Things are calm and I'm peaceful, Beth and I had a cup of Glenlivet last night to insure a night's sleep. Wow the beds here are comfortable and Beth said I only snored a tiny bit.....

Well off to work! Hay go look at the web-site it's really taking shape.

The Exciting flight

I haven't used drugs to fly in awhile but I wished I'd had some today! Blogger is having trouble so there aren't pictures but WOW the flight from Seattle to Portland today was too exciting (partial side-ways landing), between the rain and the wind the little turbo prop did it's best but we were all over the place. I have pictures of yarn drying and such but they will have to wait for another day as I'm going to the land of no internet. I'm going home!

Even though it is just for a week I'm going to be really glad of the uninterupted work and sleeping in a huge bed all by myself. Although I will miss Cleo and Ozzie, having two young cats in bed at night is not good for sleep. Cleo is so big and must weigh at least 11 pounds, yet she still likes to crawl on top of me like she did when she only weighed 4..... Ozzie though little is in the "must kill everything" stage and no one is safe including Cleo.

I met my third fellow flying knitter, she is a customer of Churchmouse Yarns and Tea's and it was nice to talk about that lovely store. I also cast on the first pair of socks in years. I've made a small pair of baby socks, but this pair is for ME. I'm using Cashmere/Silk in Winter and will be making Sheep socks. I'm almost finished the Shoulder Candy in Katie's Painted Hills (Merino/Angora/Cashmere) but really wanted to cast on the socks now I've found the yarn (which has been lost for about a month)
It is really warm here (55) but raining, really raining, steady driving rain. This afternoon I'm going to see my lamb and then meet a spinner to pick up yarn then off to Becky's to spend the night and (pick up yarn) then it is to WORK.

If you want to visit, watch out you'll be put to work but your welcome to come! Hopefully Blogger will get things straighten out by tomorrow when I'll try and get to town. Happy days I'm in Oregon

Back to our regular schedule

But before I can get back to making yarn a few housekeeping items....

This is a before shot. Mike wanted to do some clean-up in the back yard


After





Our Holiday gift.. This is the before


This is the after, it's taken me days to learn how to turn the TV on and off, The Geek Squad has to come back to make it go from TV to DVD


I'm going to make yarn today, as much yarn is needed....12 days to TNNA
Wednesday I fly to Portland to get back to headquarters for some serious yarn production...

Welcome Back

Wow what happened? Suddenly my life was not my own. Making yarn was grossly delayed by pressing holiday family fun and visiting friends. Aging parents and two new kittens, Cleo you know but our new baby Ozzie a joy yet OHG kitten fun, Becky made it out of Portland and back again, Kim my long time friend from Texas made a surprise visit, shopping, cooking, laundry, wrapping, going to Disneyland, and grooming the backyard, all under the Crud's control. WOW here is a very short pictorial view of the last week or so....


Mantanu and I went for some luxury and got our toes decorated for Christmas....


Here is Cleo having a good time in the Aprium tree? It has been cold in Southern California (ok everyone else stop laughing) and notice that the tree is almost bare of leaves. A lot of our more tropical plants have really been hit by the frost.



A quick job.... On Christmas Eve it was clear that Becky was going to make it for Christmas and so we needed a tree fast. Mike went to Home Depot (where we usually get a free (discarded unsold) tree, but Mike wanted a live one, of which the selection wasn't great. A wise choice it turned out as it had a very heavy base. Good thinking I decided to only have non breakable ornaments. This tree was high entertainment for the kittens......


Cleo hunting Ozzie under the tree


Cleo enjoying a cuddle with my brother Pete


Exhausted Cleo and Ozzie taking a nap, now that Cleo has decided that Ozzie is fun!


Cleo had her own Christmas Cracker


Ozzie finds a quiet place for a nap


Now we are at California Adventures as Disneyland was so full they offered us a free ticket. We took avantage of this offer and had a really good time with the rides, but it was cold, really cold. So cold especially after the Grizzly Rapids ride where we got soaked. Steven found a great seat for our dinning and while we ate Clam Chowder out of sourdough bowls his sweatshirt dries


After having gotten somewhat warm and dry, we went to Disneyland, and yes it was crowded, but beautiful


I'm not usually invited to go on the trip to Disneyland as there is a misconception that I won't be able to keep up. While I do get distracted I'm usually the most cheerful and not bothered by crowds or children. My young children decided they were tired and cold and wanted to go home before they closed the park.... notice the huddled figure walking towards the exit...come on Mom! yells Becky


The next day I woke to say good bye to Becky, but look whom was in bed with me....


Cleo has Ozzie's toy



Back to work today, although Mike took my car so that it would give me more time to get things done ("I think you need to update the blog rather than....") I'm kinda excited not to have to cook today or make anyone happy except those whom happiness is only to cuddle close.....

TNNA 14 days and counting.....