in which I learn I need a small vacation. and maybe strong drink. not in that order.

There seems to be a trend happening. Open one Saturday, Closed the next. Apparently, the trend will be continuing this week as well... I cannot be in 2 places at once and the store will be closed on Saturday. I will be somewhere in roughly the 16th century where they frown on time/space manipulation or the creation of timeline paradoxical issues. I choose the 16th century this time around, and I've had my vaccines so I should be all set for a little time travel, because I have had a small nervous breakdown and need a little vacation.

I've suffered this week with a deadline for the website. A complete overhaul involving something called 'frames' and the purchase of new software... and the occasional sacrificial chicken & the lighting of a few candles (who is the patron saint of web design, anyways? I seem to have pissed him/her off somehow.)

I finished the site in the new software... and made the command decision that 'I knew what I was doing' and 'I've done this a dozen times' and so boldly (stupidly) uploaded the new & improved website... and overwrote the original without a backup. Or putting it in a test location. And then? Then I went to bed after patting myself on the back for a job well done. Then I made the mistake this morning of checking my email. After several frustrating hours learning that most images were missing from the domain, making the new pages pretty boring (as in, missing any images), I gave in and called the hosting company.

They saved me by restoring from a backup, and I, who (long ago) in a dazzling career path, went from pc helpdesk support tech all the way up the chain to IT Manager... listened to a speech from tech support about 'test environments' and 'backups'. (I think I wrote the speech he gave me when he was still in grade school.)

Moral of the story children, is to backup your original data, put your new data in a test directory, and have your friends test things on 4 different browsers before you overwrite ANYTHING. And go with a Linux server for your hosting service. The restore was free - a windows server would have cost me $150.00 for a restore. So after a stiff drink and a visit to the 16th century, I'll try again on the web stuff.

In the meantime, here are some of those updates. New yarn colors, anyone? Bunches. How about some Roving?

Yarn - Jen's Dragonfly

Roving - Empire Apple & Woodland Forest to start things off.


Go for it.

P.S. Please remember that the store is not open on Mondays!

Mass Festival & then some. (aka the post that just keeps going.)

I said I'd get to it, didn't I? Well. Apparently, I had an imaginary booth at the Mass Sheep & Wool Festival, because I cannot find a single photograph of it on my camera. (warning - apparently, I make up for it elsewhere- this post is image-heavy.) Others did a better job of bringing my imagination to life, and so at this point I steal blatantly from Jesh: behold, The Booth.

I did have to stop this gal so I could take a picture of the socks - dig the toes on this kid:

This guy was hanging out at the hotel with us:

I love the teeny tiny bit of blue at the bottom inside of the wings.

It was the anniversary of our meeting Dan aka BrewerGnome, aka GnomeSpun, and he has come a long way in a a short year:

He's become a part of the family (so much that we make him stay and help break down the booth at the end of the show). Patrick was with us as well from West Elm Farm, and alas again, no camer-ic proof. So, all in all, not much in the way of picture-ness from Mass. Festival. I might have picked up some Sari Silk for the carder, as well as some dyed Banana fiber for same... and probably some Angora Mohair locks (I blame the carder for everything now). Moving on.

After Mass Festival, came another festival of sorts - you know, the one where you convince your husband to drive 5 hours each way to go visit the local yarn store? You know, the one where you call and have lunch delivered from the best Bar-B-Que joint in the country (Dinosaur Bar-B-Que) ? And get to dye some yarn, and hang out for the day? Wait, you haven't done that? Well give me a call because apparently, it's the thing to do this year. Club-Member-Extraordinaire & her Excellent Husband drove all the way from Connecticut to visit the shop and hang out for the day. It was AWESOME. I even have proof she was there (cuz I wouldn't have done this): 'Herding Cats' via last year's Tsock 6 of the 2008 Tsock Club - the 7 Chakrahs. all KINDS of crazy. This is the one that went out little bit at a time throughout last year as the Tsuspense Project. Can't wait to dye this one when it goes public (funny, we thought it was a great plan at the time...). Ok, really it's an awesome Tsock - Tsee for yourTself:

She also brought with her, the official 'Manly Beer' Oktoberfest Tsock. Lisa gave her an alternate Barley Corn stitch for the Oktoberfest Tsock - a more 'manly' version for her husband.

So, they came - they impressed - they dyed yarn (I have no proof, I know) - they went home.

Last Friday night we had our li'l ol' knit-in here at the store. From 4pm to 8pm, come hang out with us. Enter the drawing to win fiber or yarn... (and yes, this is a blatant pitch for you to join us this coming Friday night) a good time is had by all.

Laurie is modeling a lovely jean-jacket with custom crocheted and sewn-in cuffs she made herself. I think they're awesome.

On Sunday, I had 2 girls in the knitting class, who did some excellent & fine knitting. One of the gal's mother showed me this crochet hook that we're going to call 'vintage' in age for lack of an actual date. My apologies for the lack of a better photo. She was wondering if I could help give a purpose to this thing. It's a crochet hook at one end, and at the other, there's a red 'knob' and a silver wire folded into a tab for lack of a better description. If anyone has a clue, I'd like to pass it on to her - what the heck is this thing for??

So, the only thing left is under the category 'New Stuff'.

I was dyeing the other night (big surprise) when the urge to dye some of the Fat Sheep Worsted weight yarn came over me. (I dye other yarn, did you know that?) I had it in a ball, and so I dyed it as it was in a 2-tone colorway 'Jen's Dragonfly' (not on the website yet, I know - full of fail). The worsted is 4 ply, not nearly as tightly spun as the Sock Yarn, and is not superwash. The dyes take to it completely different. Because it was also wound up when I dyed it, the center of the ball did not dye as dark a shade as the outside of the skein, and so the variegation starts lighter and graduates darker through 2 colors (remember - this is a 2-shade colorway that would be self-striping in sock yarn). I absolutely love it and want to make a Baby Surprise with it starting with the lighter color to cast on. It's a little more than 460 yds and 8oz hanks of wonderful hand-dyed-ness, for $20.00. I have 2 left on the wall now. (If you want one or both, first to email me wins - club discounts apply, I'll invoice you appropriately.)

Also got these back in stock - very popular Circular Needle Keepers. Made from recycled blue jeans, and backed with flannel. They come with the hanger they're on for you to hang up just about anywhere. Help get that needle collection under control (stop laughing. it IS possible.) $20.00 - email me about one you see here, I'll let you know if it's still available and invoice you.

Into the Future (To Infinity - and Beyond! there's a line from a kids movie for every situation in life...)

This Saturday it's most likely that the store will be closed. I will be on my way to Squam Lake for the Ravelry meet-up, vending the wonderful items above and more. As mentioned before regarding Saturdays when I'm away.... "The sun is shining. We can't spend all that time indoors." So, come play with us at the store on Friday night, and in fact, come in at 11am and do a little dyeing with me! Then, on Saturday, go outside and play. (But watch out for my daughter on her bike, would you?)

Is it Thursday already?

Well! How about that. Go away for the weekend to a fiber festival, and an entire week is gone in a blink.

As tomorrow is Friday, come hang out with us again! From 4pm until we close at 8pm. There's a drawing for something free... and if you came in last week you picked up a coupon - it expires this week, so bring it with you! And if you missed out on that one, come in and get next week's coupon.

Class list for June (so far - more being added):
Dye it Yourself Workshop: Saturday June 6th from 12pm - 2pm. I lied. I can't have a Dye workshop that Saturday.... schedule conflicts. Let's do this on the following Saturday the 13th from 12 - 2pm. 2 skeins of superwash FlockSock Sock Yarn for you to paint - all the dyes & equipment are here. $45.00
Sign up now for Kids (7-13) Learn to Knit class, and the adult Learn to Knit class starting soon. Needles & hand-dyed yarn, instructions and pattern, all included. You'll knit a hat, and start your 2nd by the end of class. $65.00 adult or kids.
2 start dates for kids & 2 start dates for adults:
May 31st: 1pm - 2:30pm, kids learn to knit - 1 of 4, meets 4 weeks.
June 1st: 6pm - 8pm, adult learn to knit - 1 of 3, meets 3 weeks.
June 2nd: 5pm - 6:30pm, kids learn to knit - 1 of 4, meets 4 weeks.
June 3rd: 1oam - 12pm, adult learn to knit - 1 of 3, meets 3 weeks.

Learn to Spin - Drop spindle, fiber & 3 weeks of classes all included, $75.00. Class scheduled for Thursday June 11th from 10-12pm.

I'd like to add toe-up socks on 1 circular needle - how does Friday the 12th from 12-2pm? 2 weeks, one for the toe & one for the heel. $45.00
Must have some sock experience. Bring with you one set of size one circs at least 29 inches, and sock yarn for your sock (fingering weight - at least 200 yds, for at least one sock). (*yarn and needles available for purchase here.)

That about sums it up for now. Updates from the Mass Sheep & Wool Festival are on the way.

Changing the Look of Things.

First, a Store Update:

Classes! Sign up now for Kids (7-13) Learn to Knit class, and the adult Learn to Knit class starting soon. Needles & hand-dyed yarn, instructions and pattern, all included. You'll knit a hat, and start your 2nd by the end of class. $65.00 adult or kids.

May 31st: 1pm - 2:30pm, kids learn to knit - 1 of 4, meets 4 weeks.

June 1st: 6pm - 8pm, adult learn to knit - 1 of 3, meets 3 weeks.

June 2nd: 5pm - 6:30pm, kids learn to knit - 1 of 4, meets 4 weeks.

June 3rd: 1oam - 12pm, adult learn to knit - 1 of 3, meets 3 weeks.

Now. On to other Things.

So, last Friday night we invited folks to come hang out for a bit. While Laurie was here with us, knitting loverly socks, Nora was coloring with markers. She colored a sunset with neon yellow, and went over it with neon pink to get a brilliant and beautiful orange-red. I looked at that, and had an idea about Mint Mojito... Now I have this red dye that I swear has neon in it due to it's exceptional hot-pinked-ness. So with Laurie looking on, I took a skein of Mint Mojito off the peg and overdyed it in a good strong hot-pink.

What do you think of the Change?

Recently, I bought some 50/50 silk & cashmere for teh dye potz. This stuff is mighty purty in it's current state, I must say:

(More proof that I do know how to spin - and on a drop spindle no less.)

(Spindle by Jesh and we carry them in the store, dime by my pocket, spinning by my own wee little hands.)
The big 'Change' question here, is what color shall we dye some? In what amounts? 1/2oz? 1 whole oz? Your thoughts are appreciated.

Herder Extraordinaire:

So, though we are still sheepless here, we've added a new Border Collie of sorts to the store. Nora has named her Oscar in honor of our 'real' Border Collie no longer with us but without whom, we never could have moved 300 sheep and their lambs grazing across the farm.

dig the peppermint candy tucked into her collar ;-)

Hot Date in Syracuse

(that subject header should up the hits from the crazies, eh?)

Are you busy Friday night (May 15th)? Come hang out with us! Bring your current project, your wheel, your spindle and join us for the evening. There's a drawing, and the obligatory prize associated with the drawing for those who come on out - yarn or fiber depending on your mood ;-)

(translation: come hang out with us, enter your name, and you may win yarn or spinny-stuff.)

Enter the drawing beginning at 4pm (we close from 3pm to 4pm). The drawing will be at 8pm (you don't need to be present to win), which is technically when we close. The mall closes later and I'll stay as long as you do, or until 9:30pm.

Eye Candy of the Day:

New Hampshire Sheep & Wool Festival.

It all began the normal way... load van - the new van! Not vanagon... serious woot. Turns out, there's enough space for TONS more stuff in the new van (mental note for upcoming Mass Sheep & Wool Festival in a couple of weeks).

So, Friday I set off on the most direct route known to AAA. Used the AAA 'TripTick' which includes the most up-to-date construction and advisories (this part is important to the story). The new van scores serious points here because we get to take that most direct route that crosses Vermont to get from NY to NH. Couldn't do that last time as there was no possible chance the vanagon was going to make it over hill & dale for that long (yes, the long way is longer and less direct - by about 3 hours by way of Boston).
I would like to point out here that while AAA tries it's best I'm sure, they do not have the most up to date construction and advisory information. Like, when a bridge is under construction and NOT THERE. For a while it would seem from the debris - this wasn't thursday's new project, as evidenced by the detour directions taped to a barrier in a ziplock bag as you turned around to head back, bewildered. I obviously wasn't the first person to be unbelieving of signs saying 'bridge under construction' etc. oh well, mischief managed.

Ok, NOW the bad news. Bennington VT is a lovely place to visit, get rear-ended, and chat with the officer there. They were so nice! No one hurt, going next to no speed at all and the motorcycle behind me tapped the bumper. He did the most graceful handstand on the handlebars though, before coming down next to his bike... he hadn't noticed me stop. He's perfectly fine, offered to buy me lunch, even. Anyways.
The worst part of all of this is the car rental while they fix the bumper... it buckled slightly and the rear door won't lift properly - the 'buckle' of the bumper is in the way slightly. The car rental is something called a 'compact'. Evidently, this means 'absolutely nothing useful' by way of automation. Well, I'm not pedaling to go, but it's close. I would think that by now, power mirrors would be a safety requirement - making it easier to be a safe driver just seems logical somehow, but what do I know. At least it's a compact so it wasn't to far of a crawl to adjust the passenger mirror... 7 times. I'm also not clear about why the seat is also angled so that while my mid-section is sitting back, the chair curves as it goes upwards so that by the time it reaches my shoulders, I'm leaning forward in an almost hunched position... oh well again. Removed the headrest completely because it leaned forward enough with the shape of the chair to actually interfere. But who's complaining. (It's fine. Really. I'll just sit here in the dark....)

ANYWAYS again! We shall now move on past my car ''issues' and into better things. Like the Festival!

Couldn't make it? I took pictures of the important things for you.


Like the Booth (which they moved to a different space in the same building at the last minute but oh well):


And the most absolutely wonderfully cuddly baby Mohair goats EVER.

And also, this fellow who wanted nothing more than for someone to scratch his nose.



I made the mistake of asking these 2 for directions. They're still trying to decide which way to go.


Enigma (do you have a blog? I couldn't find one.) brought us homemade Ice Cream! The look on Lisa's face translates to 'ohmygawdthisisawesomesticecreamever'. The handsome gentleman giving he a moment to enjoy & savor that ice cream, is none other than BrewerGnome a.k.a. 'Naked Guy' in-fully-clothed-cognito. (I have some of his roving and handspun here in the store. Just lovely stuff.)


Enigma also brought us homebrewed beer! (which I may have forgotten to share when it came time to pack up & go home. Lisa, I'm so sorry. I will be unable to save one for you as you have previously met my husband.)


Liber brought us cookies! I have next to no proof but an almost empty container and I'm refusing to take a picture as that will show someone how many cookies were consumed.

We met lots of our imaginary friends from Ravelry and from the TsockClub - but they remain imaginary as I have no proof (picture = proof). I am a marginal blogger. mea culpa. Some of them may have been better and gotten evidence - if you are one of them, let me know, eh? I'd like to see :-)

I actually did a little shopping, which is rare. I got my mother her mother's day gift, from here as she's an avid hooker, this might be a new twist for her. (Mom, don't click, ok?) I also got a pound of the softest mohair locks, unwashed. Those are for the Build-a-Batt corner in the shop, so I'll dye the locks in lots of different colors, maybe an ounce or so per color for blending. I somehow found some cashmere when I unpacked, but I have no recollection of going to a cashmere booth. There are vague recollections of Brewer Gnome getting some amazing cashmere at an awesome price, and then there was some dizzyness, and then I blacked out for a moment. When I came around, I had vague recollections of dreams involving money being passed to Brewer and him heading back in the direction he'd come from with the cashmere... I dunno. It's all a blur. I need to finish putting things away now, and work on the website so Georg doesn't nagnagnag me to death and you all know what's going on for real around here.

What are you doing Friday Night?

Come Dye with us! May 1st, from 6pm - 8pm you can come in to the Holiday Yarns Fiber Arts Center in Shoppingtown Mall and dye your own yarn. 2 (two) 400 yard skeins of superwash treated FlockSock Sock Yarn just for you to do as you please. You'll paint your yarn, and then we'll steam it, rinse it, and you take it home that evening. 2 skeins all your own, in your own colors, never to be repeated (unless you take notes).

RSVP by 4pm Friday the 1st - space is limited. Cost for the 2 skeins of yarn and access to all of the dyes: $45.00.
Questions? Just ask!
Want to set up a time for you and your friends? Let me know and we'll arrange it.

Open For Business

Wait. First you have to take down the window covers.

Ok, NOW you can come in.

Check out the pottery!

Salt & Pepper Shakers in sheep and alpaca. Each curl on the sheep? Hand made and applied, one at a time.

A little yarn graffiti on the wall o' yarn...

and lots of dyed roving.

And there are handspun yarns, felted bags, purses and hats, Icelandic pelts, hand-carded batts, needles & notions (including The Knit Kit), hand-dyed worsted weight yarns and lace yarns, Tsock Kits by the Tsock Tsarina... and even a place you can pick your own fibers to be blended for you into custom spinning or felting batts.

So, Saturday the 25th we opened and it was a wonderful day. We met lots of invisible friends from Ravelry, and had tons of fun dyeing yarn. We had a couple from as far away as Ohio - Thank you Miss 'Cubed for making the trip, we were glad you made it - and I'm glad you brought Miss Swords with you. (her new hubby made no-bake cookies to take to the party. we love him.)

Special thanks go to Twiggi and Georg for helping out in getting things ready and running on Saturday.

I think all of those who dyed yarn can agree with me on the need for more 'containers' though - and so I've stopped by the dollar store for trusty measuring cups for the next go-round.

Thank you Enigma, Maker-of-Excellent-Beer for the Excellent Beer, Awesome Homeade Ice Cream AND toppings (cherries... chocolate... nomnomnom) and thank you for putting the dye-day idea in our heads.

I leave you with this important and thought-provoking question:

deadlines.

So, I'v spent the day at the store with family, working out where to put everything. Big stuff was easy to figure out, and I felt like progress was being made every few minutes. Looms go there, yarns hang on that wall, kits go over there... easy-peasy.
Then things slowed down a little. Put up pegs, decide in what order to hang the yarn... by color family? by patterns? 'Donkey-on-the-tail' throw it on the wall version? What about the kits? Medium vs large? all the mediums on one side, and the larges on the opposite side? Would the customer understand it? In a couple of days, the basics had been established.
Then the little things. Where does the shelf of soap go? What about the Lavender Tea? Buttons? Does all this stuff have price tags yet? argh. Woven Scarves. Those should go by the looms... no rack by the looms. hmm. Rearrange fixtures... oh look! New fixtures we bought from another store! Swap fixtures, rearrange more... argh again. Where's the drill? Flat head screwdriver? Those are both at home. With the stapler. double-argh.

Anyways, things are progressing, pictures in the next day or so. Tomorrow I'm not at the store, I'll be here with Twiggi getting some multi-tasking dyeing done, so I'll have some pictures of that as well. There are several new yarn colorways ready to go, and tons of roving.

And, if you haven't heard... we're having a party for Ravelers at the store on Saturday the 25th which maks the 23rd my 'deadline' date for being ready to go. If you Ravel, and you'll be in the area of ShoppingTown Mall on April 25th after 2pm, stop in for a visit and say hello!

There have been Rumors...

...and innuendo. I would like to take a moment and give some credence to those rumors. Some fire, with that smoke. Put on something a little more.... revealing.

How does this grab you?

That's the quick & dirty 'Coming Soon' window display in what will be a brand new Fiber Arts Center here in Syracuse, NY at Shoppingtown Mall.
Nora took my picture out in front. You know, she's always said that she wants to have a store next to mine because we're both dyers and that way we can visit each other...
But, it's a pretty big space. We've decided to share.

Monsters vs Aliens

Top movie of the weekend. Did you see it? I didn't get a chance - we were busy working on what will be the next blog post I make when I'm done editing pics & figuring out how best to describe things.
In the meantime, I see it made it to #1 in the box office... I find it serendipitous (fun word to say) that I have yarn called Monster Mash. I think in honor of the movie, we'll put that one on sale 10% off.
Monster Mash was the brainchild of a good friend Twiggi who came over for a dye-day. I gave her color cards and roving, she gave me Monster Mash. More serendipity (still fun to say). Twiggi is also who gave me this 'Knitter's Treasure' box for Christmas. Very cool, with stitch markers, tape measure and ribbon be-decked chart keepers, all color coordinated to the tin (except maybe the tape measure) and she has some on her etsy site for sale. Great bonus gift for swap packages!
Well, I've got to get back to work. Pretty in Pink calleth, and miss woolybrains, that is a very good idea on the Pretty in Pink with the Cafe au Lait. I think we'll give that a go today as well.

Found the camera...

Cafe au lait - 2 shades of a rich brown, knits up in stripes (I still like the stripes)

Monster Mash (Nora approved this one but is not the dyer - she says it looks just like 'Sully' in Monster's Inc.) Random bold 'spots' of bright green and briliant violet.

Also, not a new color but it makes me think of spring, and so it's 10% off right now until I get tired of dyeing it. It's sweet, simple, and spring in shades of pink tulips.
Pretty in Pink:

Go buy some! I'll wait here.

random list.

20 skeins of bacon: check. (Faith! Incoming!)
dyed roving: check.
plum shadows in new bamboo to test: check. (Pat! Incoming!)
1 scarf woven, 2nd scarf started: check.
22 skeins of Claret: check.
36 skeins of cuff for 9 Tailors Kits: check.
150 bars of soap including 48 frogs in 2 shades of green and 6 dragonfly bars: check.
New colorway (picture as soon as I find the camera) designed by guest artist and approved by Nora, called Monster Mash: check.
Began sorting Yarn Fairy skeinletts (picture of some of the yarn somewhere on this post) into 4oz grab-bags to post on website: check.
1 out of 3 rugs felted: check.
2 loads of laundry: check.
today's 'to do' list written including Roxie, more roving, and felting 2nd rug): check.

sleep:
sleep:
hello, sleep? hmm. I knew I forgot something.
snore.

I've been busy, how 'bout you?

Tsock #1 has left the building (ok, this announcement is a few days late, but better than no notice at all...)

There are actually still a few spaces left in the club. How do I know? I dyed some extra. Once those are gone, the spaces are full. Here's tsock #1 to intice you:

The shepherd had a birthday recently. When he asked me to pick up beer at the store, I couldn't help but laugh when I found these:

I am particularly fond of the one on the right - black wensleydale. Now if only they came with a 4 oz ball of roving.... guess you can't have everything perfect.