Crafty Color Predictions for Fall & Winter

Recently, I was asked how I pick my colors for the skeins of yarn or roving. I find inspiration in the world around me and am inspired by words and even an occasional cartoon. There is also a bit of science behind my madness. I wanted to share the color forecast for Fall and Winter of 2008/2009. These colors are from an article written in Handwoven Magazine by Daryl Lancaster. The Mosaic below is the combination of four color schemes highlighted in the article: I adore them all together. One of the dye companies I like to use has them listed under four colorway/scheme names. The schemes are: Quiet Simplicity, Autumn Patchwork, Theatrical Fantasy, and Classic Architecture. The above Mosaic could be titled "The Architecture of Classic Simplicity in a Quiet Theatrical Autumn Patchwork Fantasy".

I see loads of yummy colorways and skeins of delicious yarn coming out of this color forecast. Hope it can help you in all your crafty planning for this upcoming Fall and Winter. ♥

Knit 2 Together

On Tuesday night, Jeanetta and I made a short trip over to Russellville to attend the new yarn shop's knitting night. This is an absolute must for any yarn-aholics anywhere!

The shop is located in downtown Russellville, click here to see the map to their shop.

OK, so I have to admit, since I really started getting into the production of yarn, I have become a total yarn snob. I scoff at yarn sold at Walmart, I barely want to reach out and even touch the yarn at Hobby Lobby, and in recent excursions to certain yarn shops I rarely see anything I find worth of taking out my wallet to purchase. I feel very strongly about yarn made here in America and also even more strongly about yarn WELL created. Now you know my dark secret...I am a yarn snob. Being a snob, I only like the best, and only approve of the best.

With all that being said, Knit 2 Together is exquisite. A majority of their yarn is handmade and if it is not handmade it is well worth knitting or crocheting with. I wanted to touch everything! They had this amazing baby alpaca that I just squealed over. It was the softest, yummiest fiber ever. I had to buy some and am in the process of knitting a pillow for my couch so I can curl up with it anytime I like. They also carry some very unique handspun yarn from Ozark Handspun. I am very impressed with the two ladies who own the shop, Stephanie and Kim. They are not the typical yarn shop owners. When you walk into their store, you are made to feel welcome. They have an excellent eye for yarn and fiber and this will be a store I frequent for many years to come.


Lastly, my sheepish feeling is passing. My computer depression is lifting and I am starting to feel like getting back into the swing of things. Last night there was a silver lining in my rain cloud. Don't you just adore the picture above? It's Truman from Martha's Vineyard Fiber Farm. He is napping and enjoying the sun. This picture really sums up my sheepish feeling today. ♥

Feeling Sheepish

With the computer crashing and learning all types of new software, I have to admit, I have been going through quite the computer/internet/technology depression. Hopefully, I will get back in the swing of things soon.

Here are a few of my favorite "sheepish" things from etsy:

Etsy Shops listed from top right to bottom:

1) buckscountyframes

2) GretchenKramp

3) AudreyHeffner

4) bonnesinger

5) NatureMandalas

6) lulunjay

7) BethMillner

8) vickifredricks

9) nakedtile

Thanks to all these Etsy Sellers! Be sure to check out their shops. ♥

One of Those Weeks

Aghhhhhhhh!!!!

It has been one of those weeks. One of THOSE weeks, where you get out of bed and think, what the heck is going on here? Then, you just get back in bed and cover your head. The above freaky picture was taken by me, a few years back, on a trip to Wild Wilderness Drive Through Safari, located in Gentry, Arkansas. The place is a trip...it's a must if you want to really mess with your kids. Ha! It is really a must, your kids AND you will love it. It used to be a favorite trip to take with my friends when I was in college too, so there is really no age limit.

Back to this week, nothing has gone right. Not to bore you with tons of details, but simply, everything I have attempted to do online has gone horribly wrong. I tried to post the chat notes for the AREtsy team chat and it vanished. I upgraded my website so I can sell directly from the site with ease, and it erased my previous website. I worked an entire day on the AREtsy website and it's gone too. I am slowly relearning the new software to update my website and hopefully will have it all back in working order soon.

On a cool note, I have been getting ready for camping next week. It should be a blast! I also started knitting a sun hat to hang out in during the summer. It feels really good to be knitting again, I will post pics later. AND lastly, the yarn shop in Russellville, Knit 2 Together, is OPEN!!! I am planning a small road trip tomorrow. They have contacted me about carrying my yarn, which is very exciting! Will post more later....off to learn a new program with a better outlook! ♥

Day Three- The Tortoise and The Hare

This morning, I opened up the front curtains and peaked in on the baby birds. To my surprise there was a turtle sitting right under the tree. The funny thing is, we have been looking for a turtle forever. In California, they sell box turtles for enormous prices. Like $40 each! Seriously! In moving to Arkansas, we always hoped to find one in our yard. And here it is: Being that we are from California and all, we decide to "tag" him. "Tagging" means to put graffiti on something.
Not really! Come on, we are not THAT strange.

But really, to our shock, the turtle turned around and I saw a peace sign on his back. I was stunned. From inside the house, it almost looked like his shell had formed the sign on its own. I ran outside and picked him up and noticed he had lots of "markings" on him...poor little guy. Seems whoever "owned" this turtle named him Speedy and wrote it right on his shell. I went ahead and put him down so he could be on his merry way.

After a quick refill of coffee, I had another look in our flower bed and there was another surprise. A baby rabbit. It was our very own version of the tortoise and the hare. Quite honestly, my money is on Speedy.
Here are the baby robins today. I am a bit afraid there are only two. I could not get the best photo today, but what I did get, looks like there is only two. Maybe tomorrow, a better view will provide us better insight.

A quick favor to ask, please keep the Hennel family in your prayers. A dear friend of ours passed away from a massive heart attack last night. He has two young kids, who are struggling to deal with this tragedy. Thanks so very much! ♥

Day Two

Here are the three babies today. The Mama Bird has been coming and going and from our dining room table we can see a couple months pop up and get their meal.

I read a little about Robins and learned they only lay one egg a day and only up to four eggs. Rarely, they will have five. So I am thinking the bird underneath is a day behind the other two or just the runt. It looks a lot less developed then the two. I hope it's just a day behind! We shall see with tomorrow pictures. They are totally strange to peak at for sure! I can't wait until the have feathers and look a bit more bird like.

Above is some handspun yarn, I adore it. Totally girly pink and great. It is the next thing I have planned to list on Etsy. Hope you all have a wonderful Friday evening. ♥