The Art of Yarn

A Knitter or an Admirer?

2012-02-09T15:46:00.002-07:00

There are three winners from the drawing held at the Girl's Day Out event last Saturday at the Gering Civic Center.

3rd place goes to: Erin Stinner. Erin will receive $5.00 off class tuition.

2nd place goes to: Nancy Mignerey. Nancy will receive $10.00 off class tuition.

And the grand prize winner of The Art of Yarn drawing is:

Marianne Relker!

Marianne will receive FREE class tuition.

Congratulations to all three of you!

The booth was so busy throughout the day and I had a chance to speak to many people. There were lots of great questions and many good conversations for sure!

My daughter helped me set up the evening before, and my mom, who has recently moved to the area, kindly volunteered to be in the booth to greet people and give me a breather throughout the day.

Something new to my booth this time around was needle felting demonstrations. I enjoyed showing participants exactly what needle felting is and what it can be used for.

All the fiber and tools are set up and ready to go

Adding designs to felted hats

I also had examples of class projects from upcoming classes displayed for viewing and of course touching! There's just something about a colorful, knit item that makes you want to reach out and FEEL it. The sweaters, the yarn, the clogs, oh my! Almost every single person that stopped by picked up at least one or two items and gave them a squeeze, a pat, or a light caress.

Cabled bags, socks, felted slippers and hats, plus lots of lovely Brown Sheep handpainted yarn!

Baby sweaters from Knit Your 1st Sweater Class & Cable/Lace Cowls, one of my original patterns


Fun headbands are the project for the Finessing Fair Isle Workshop and a digital frame showcasing projects, classes, and students

There were free patterns given away as well for a little bag that I often use to teach beginners the basics.

One of the most asked about display items was this felted hat:

Conversations all day long went something like this:

"A work of art," someone commented.

"How nice, thank you," I responded.

"Isn't that cute!" many others said.

"It IS fun, isn't it?" I'd say.

But most commonly asked, "How much is it?"

I would say to them, "It is not for sale, but I will teach you how to make it in my Fabulous Felt Hats class! In the class you will learn how to knit, felt, and embellish your own hat to create a one-of-a-kind accessory."

"So it's not for sale?"

"No, I'm sorry, it's not."

"Well, can you make me one then? How much would that cost?"

"Actually I don't do custom knitting anymore."

"That's too bad!" said with a dejected look on their face.

"Have you ever tried to knit or been interested in learning?"

Said with a long gasp and/or sigh, "Oh, I could never do that! I am not creative at all and I am so not coordinated."

I would gently smile and say, "You might surprise yourself. Many, many students of mine have started off feeling that way, but quickly realize ANYONE can do this, if they have a desire."

If they have a desire...hmmm, well I believe those are the key words that stand out in that statement.

If the conversation continued, the person would at that point say one of two things typically:

1. "Well, yes, I might like to learn" AND "I HAVE thought about it before."
OR
2. "No way! It's just not for me, but I do think your work is beautiful."

If someone realizes that indeed they do have a desire to learn, well then, we are off and running in a new direction before they even know it! This is the spark that I am looking for and the next step is to plant a little seed that says, "YOU can do this!"

(Yes, I teach knitting classes and knitting techniques, but what I most often do when I teach is help build confidence. That is always the focus. First there has to be a desire to learn something, and then the courage or motivation to try, and then the confidence to keep going.)

If on the other hand the person's response is NO WAY, well then I say, "I do understand. You are an admirer!"

A grin appears on their face and they realize that yes, in fact, that is what they are, an admirer of handwork and the fact that someone out there does it...and I am here to tell you that's OKAY!

They may never be a student of mine, but we just connected nonetheless.

Fiber art in all its fabulous forms: knitting, crocheting, quilting, felting, spinning, weaving, and more, is meant to be enjoyed, period, whether you create the art or you admire the art.

As a fiber arts teacher, I have learned over time that not everyone loves it like I do (of course not) and even though I do say often that my long term goal, my highest purpose in life, is to get the whole world knitting, I really don't mean it quite that literally.

My goal is to connect with as many people as I can and share fiber art.

Girl's Day Out gave me an opportunity to do just that! I met and chatted with many knitters, wanna-be knitters, and also a great many admirers.

Which one are you?

Many thanks to those who made the day such a successful adventure.

Knit on (or admire on!),

Donna

Stepping Out

2012-02-04T06:23:00.000-07:00

I am up early this morning, coffee in hand, and looking forward to the day! The Star Herald is hosting an event at the Gering Civic Center:

Girl's Day Out!
February 4th, 2012
9:00-5:00

The Art of Yarn booth is set up (well, almost) and ready to greet everyone. (Pictures coming!)

This is the first event, other than the Scotts Bluff Valley Fiber Arts Fair, that I have participated in and I have to say, it feels just right.

What a trip it has been over the last 11 months since stepping out on my own. Hard work and more than a few sleepless nights, yes, but well worth it I know.

I have many thoughts to share. I have written dozens of blog posts in my head since my last one in July...

2012, here I come!

Find Your Zone

2011-07-02T13:02:00.000-06:00

I ride my own.

I find myself saying this a lot.

I smile when I say it.

It's a standard response to questions like:
"You have a motorcycle?"...
"You don't ride on the back of your husband's bike?"...
"That's yours?"

Yep, I am a motorcycle mama...a biker chick...a knitting biker or a riding knitter.

I smile because of the labels and the images this brings to people's minds! I can just see the wheels turning as they try and piece it together...as they size me up and try to make sense of it.

It's the same when I am in social settings and the standard question that everyone feels compelled to ask is "So, what do you do for a living?"

"I knit. I teach knitting and I am working at creating and publishing my own designs." That alone always garners a mixture of curiosity and condescension. When someone sees me getting off my bike wearing leathers and a bandana and watches as I take out my knitting...well...let's just say I get some unwanted, but no doubt understandable, attention.

For many, in their minds, there couldn't be two worlds further apart than motorcycles and knitting, but I am here to tell you they are as much a part of me as breathing these days.

I am one happy girl when I get to do both. Knitting in my saddle bags seems the perfect juxtaposition and represents me in such a satisfying way.

I ride a Kawasaki Vulcan 900. It's silver. The pipes are loud and the chrome is shiny. It's low to the ground and wide. The seat is cushy and comfy. It fits me like a glove. It rides smooth and handles like a dream. My arms and the handle bars move together, pressing and straightening as the road demands. My legs hug the bike on turns and I can feel the wheels rolling on the pavement. It has become an extension of my body.

This is the perfect bike for me. I know this because my first bike turned out to be not so perfect. In fact, I felt uneasy and unsure of myself to the point I thought maybe this riding thing really wasn't for me.

Well, that all changed when I changed bikes.

Finding a motorcycle that I could become 'one' with was definitely similar to finding needles and yarn I could become 'one' with. (hang in there with me...I'll get ya there)

Think about it. Ever held a pair of needles in your hand that felt clunky, uncomfortable, and downright foreign to you? Ever picked out a yarn that you ended up hating because it felt sticky or rough or too smooth for that matter...just something you wouldn't want to feel through your fingers for an entire project? Ever found a pattern that you thought was going to be so enjoyable to knit but you ended up ready to poke your eyes out with the knitting needles because it was so poorly written, so frustrating, or so boring of a knit that you couldn't bring yourself to keep going?

I know you've been there.

So have I.

I am also going to guess that you probably continued to work with those needles and that icky feeling yarn and that awful pattern because you were determined to get your money's worth, but you couldn't wait until that project was done. In fact, you found that you had to force yourself to pick it up and keep going.

Granted, the needles and yarn I choose to work with aren't a matter of life and limb, like being comfortable on my motorcycle is, but if you take the safety factor out of the equation, in my mind they are very closely related.

I can't imagine going through life on a bike that I hated to get on. I can't imagine going through life with needles and yarn and patterns that weren't 100% pure enjoyment.

No really. Why would I?

My needles come in all shapes and sizes and I have accumulated many over the years...single points, double points, and my favorite, circulars, in metal, plastic, and wood. Some I spent next to nothing on. Some were a serious investment. I choose which ones I use according to the yarn I am working with, my mood, and of course the project.

I don't use the straight, single points much anymore, but a lot of these are from my Grandma Betty's stash and I cherish them and display them in my studio.

For example, if I am working with wool (which I am almost always working with wool these days) I want a needle in my hands that matches the warmth of the wool fiber. I tell my beginning students that the yarn and needles should feel good together. There should be a flow. Natural fibers tend to go well with natural material needles. Synthetic fibers tend to work better on synthetic material needles. These are my guidelines. You need to find what works for you.

Bamboo is my go to needle for almost any yarn however. It comes in many shades ranging from very blonde to a dark caramel. It is smooth, but has a little bit of grab to help control tension. It warms to my body temperature and just keeps getting smoother the longer I work with it. I love projects on size 7, 8, or 9 especially. They fit me like a glove. They become an extension of my hands and arms.

You see how I make the connection between needles and motorcycles? Why does it matter so much?

Because a great ride begins with knowing your bike and your abilities, being prepared and comfortable, and having the proper gear. Starting a knitting project is similar...know your knitting and your skill level, be prepared (read that pattern over and over to be SURE you understand and really want to make it), and choose materials that are right for you.

What I am really doing, in either case though, is trying to find my zone. That's the goal. That's the goal for my riding, my knitting, and my life actually.

Let me describe for you what it's like when I hit my zone:

The sound of the engine, the wind, the vibrations, the sights and even the smells all become one moment...all become effortless and connected. Even though I am concentrating and focused on the road and the ride, my mind lets go, my body relaxes, and I am soaring. My posture is easy and solid. I lean back and feel the stretch in my arms. It feels like flying even though I am on the ground. And for a little while nothing matters but that moment, that ride, that feeling.

Freedom.

The familiar feel of the needles in my hand, the very slight sound they make when they connect to form a stitch, the beautiful, soft yarn...all become one moment...all become effortless. The stitch pattern is memorized and I don't have to look down. The textures, the colors, seem just right. Somehow my hands know what to do. My mind lets go, my body relaxes, and I am soaring. The work is flying through my hands. I feel like an artist. I see the work growing from the needles and I don't want to stop until it's done. For a little while nothing matters but that moment, that process, that feeling.

Freedom.

The sound of my own voice is familiar and comforting. I feel loved and wanted and needed. I trust my instincts. I speak only when I really have something to share. I am totally comfortable with the silence and the task at hand. Minutes flow effortlessly into hours and my place in the world seems confirmed. Somehow there is a point to it all. I know my purpose, I know myself. Compassion, respect for others and their journey...even conflict and pain, do not seem a match for the calmness I feel inside in those moments.

Freedom.

That's what it feels like to be in my zone when riding, knitting, and living.

The zone isn't always easy to find. It by no means comes over me every time I ride, every time I knit, or every day of my life. Not at all. But it is what keeps me going, keeps me moving forward.

The pursuit of that feeling is a huge part of my journey.

The knitting and the riding help me to evolve spiritually. Truly.

Why? Because they make me feel passionate and alive.

Tapping into your passions is tapping into your spirit. You open it up and begin to explore who you are and who you are becoming. Without passion and creativity we would be stagnant beings just taking up space on this planet, going no where, contributing nothing, learning nothing.

It seems the more often I can find the zone on my bike and with needles and yarn in my hands, the more often I find the zone in my life.

Challenge is the other word that comes to mind. Riding, knitting, living...all require me to challenge myself, if I really want to evolve.

Last weekend my husband and I rode to the Black Hills with 4 other friends. 600 miles and over 20 hours on the bikes in just 2 days was my most challenging ride to date. Beyond the challenge of the miles and the time was the terrain.

We went through Custer State Park, Needles Highway, Deadwood, and Sturgis the first day. (For those of you who have not been there, Needles is a winding, twisting road with curves and switch backs that seem to go on forever.) Throw in several one lane tunnels and narrow bridges and you have the makings of a wild ride. I have heard other bikers talk about it for years and wondered if I ever got the chance, would I be able to do it?

I didn't think it would be this soon into my riding that I would be presented with that choice. I have always had a fear of heights. Curves haven't been my favorite thing either. Tunnels? Bridges?

Needles and the Black Hills in general was all of that and more.

Here's where riding and spiritual lessons come together for me.

I am a firm believer that our deepest fears, worries, and anxieties show us where we need to be most gentle with ourselves and at the same time come face to face with, if we want to move past them. It is in understanding and conquering those fears that we have the most to gain. In other words, my fears are my greatest teachers about myself. I can choose to ignore them, hide from them, or meet them head on.

This is all the more reason why I NEEDED to do this run. Combining curves and heights and long distances with much more experienced riders all in one ride seemed the ultimate 'walk your talk' challenge for me.

It left me feeling spent, exhausted, fatigued, proud, empowered, and grinning from ear to ear!! It was exhilarating and freeing. I wanted to do it again!

The next day we headed back home by way of Keystone, Iron Mountain Road and the Wildlife Loop.

These guys were really close during the Wildlife Loop...right on the road sometimes

Taking a corner, loving life


Phil and I on the Wildlife Loop

Did I find my zone the entire time? Nope. Not even close. I was thinking about too many things (as I should have been:) But in order to get there I knew I needed to just ride. Being on the right bike (for me), being selective of how I spend my time, my money, my moments, all made a difference that weekend and every time I ride.

My knitting is the same. In order to get there, I just need to knit.

Finding my zone in knitting and finding my zone in life seem to walk hand in hand these days. I will do it on my own terms, my business and my life. Everyday I get a little more comfortable in my knitter/biker 'skin'...everyday I find that I can talk with ease about who I am and what I do.

I do not let those thoughts in nearly as often, as I have the past few months, that say I am not making a difference in the world.

The process of putting my own designs down on paper, working through all of the things that I don't know yet, don't understand, and some days don't want to, is definitely my challenge. Teaching others, sharing what I love in hopes they will find something they love and bring moments to their life, make me feel like I am making a difference.

I have set my sights on designing patterns that help other knitters find their zone. I seem to have a vision now. I have been able to start putting it down. Sometimes being on my bike I can plan out a whole design or project in my mind. Again, these things just seem to be working together for me.

I want you to work with materials you love. I want you to spend time making patterns you can't wait to start...and to finish. I want you to find your passions and challenge yourself. Some things we don't have the luxury of choosing, This is not one of those things. You choose. You enjoy the process. You find your zone.

Donna

My Words...Your Story

2011-06-20T15:16:00.001-06:00

In an interview I recently watched, Maya Angelou said, "Words are things."

She was speaking of the power of words to hurt, help, inspire, heal, soothe, aggravate, incite, disrespect, and liberate ourselves and others. Words are not just something spoken and floating around in the air.

They take hold in your head and your heart. They become a part of us.

They are powerful indeed.

Encouraging words to another can move them towards a path of self-confidence and contribute to their self-worth. Critical words spoken even just one time can leave a scar that lasts a lifetime.

I've given much thought to Ms. Angelou's statement of late. I've given much thought to this blog as a vehicle or a platform for my words.

I simply am not able to sit down every single day and put down words here that don't come from the deepest part of me in some way. It takes time for a post to build in my mind. But, when it finally comes to me, it 's like a compulsion until I get it all typed out.

What a strange thing blogs really are to me.

The longer I continue to publish one as a means of sharing my life, my work, and my creative endeavors, the more I realize I am simply putting out my personal diary for the entire world to read (that seems to be MY writing style). When I think of it that way, it leaves me feeling very vulnerable, but that's a good thing. Years ago I could have never imagined sharing my journals with whomever chose to read them.

Times have most definitely changed, for me and for the world.

It seems everyone has words to share and the means to do so these days. I read blogs, newsletters, and articles online everyday. The internet is an amazing thing. I am always struck by the amount of content out there that is not so much informative or educational as it is negative and even hateful.

Purposeful hate? Yes, it's out there. Freedom of speech? Absolutely. I believe in it with everything that's in me and therefore cannot do anything but make my observations, but I don't have to read it.

I don't have to let those words into my head and heart.

I have the same opportunity here as anyone else. What I do with it is entirely up to me.

My intention, or what my intention has evolved to in writing this blog, is putting out words that are constructive, not destructive.

If I am telling you something about myself, my family, my knitting, I am ultimately hoping that my words will be a reflection of something in YOUR story, so that we might find a common ground and learn from each other. Isn't that why we share information in the first place?

A knitter's journey is about more than knitting, just like a mother's journey is about more than her children, an accomplished athlete is about more than her sport, a beauty queen is about more than the pageant, and a doctor is about more than the patients she sees.

Each person has their story. The words they choose to tell that story are up to them.

My words, your story. Is there a connection? I certainly hope so. Otherwise I'm quite sure I would have no reason to write.

Choose your words carefully, to YOURSELF first, and then to others. Words are things. They are powerful indeed.

Knit on,

Donna

Coming Up for Air

2011-05-17T16:25:00.001-06:00

Soft music fills my little studio right now as I sit back and type from my big, black office chair. There are sounds of the ocean coming from the speakers and the melody is, honestly, very soothing to my somewhat frazzled soul. But as I take a breath and look around, I realize that I am slowly carving out space and time in which to do some hard work of the heart.

Slowly.

It has been two months (this Saturday) since I first turned my days, my work, my family, and my fairly predictable schedule up side down. Eight weeks doesn't seem that long, but to me it has felt like a lifetime already. I am measuring that by the amount of thought, joy, anxiety, fear, worry, change, and general confusion and self-loathing that has consumed me over the last 60 days.

It has always been helpful for me to look back and take inventory in order to get an accurate assessment of where I am at this moment in time, so I am taking a much needed break from the above laundry list of emotions.

I am coming up for air. I need to get some perspective.

Since March 21st I have knit and organized, moved and grown, dreamed, procrastinated and planned in some combination. I have to confess that there have also been plenty of times over the last few weeks where I have sat still and silent staring at a blank computer screen or an empty pair of knitting needles and a brand new, untouched skein of yarn. My design notebook has often been laying open in front of me telling me that I am supposed to be accomplishing something, but I don't seem to get past that point.

Many sleepless nights have been a constant reminder as well that my brain is working over time. Everything has felt overwhelming and even the smallest tasks seem monumental at times.

That's the truth of it...the truth and the downside of my decisions. The consequences of change.

But there is another truth on the flip side.

There always is.

That truth is that I have been moving along every day in the direction I need to grow my business and my self and that I have been pretty hard on myself.

This is a journey of a different kind; unlike any other in my life.

"It's an invitation to do the real work. The kind that doesn't pay a dime, but leaves you with a sturdy shelter by the end. It's your own sweet self with whom you must rendezvous."

It's like trying to combine two worlds.

Does that resonate with anyone else? It sure did with me when I read it. It was advice for someone, from a columnist that I read religiously, and it hit me in all the right places.

The real work?

I thought I had been doing that much of my life because I absolutely put myself into whatever I was doing 100%, no matter what. I owned the job, the tasks at hand, the purpose and the positions I have been in. I felt a part of the work and the work came from a part of me.

But I think I know one of the reasons now why it is so important that I get this one right, and that reason occurred to me during one of those sleepless nights.

She is 19, tall, brunette, talented, intelligent, and gorgeous inside and out.

My sweet and amazing daughter is just finishing up her first year of college. She is an art/photography major. She has been wrestling with the decision of what she wanted to go to college for since she was in 8th grade (no really-they, the school, started pushing her for those answers way back then).

Kendall is an academic and soulful combination of left and right brain thinking. She has been equally interested in math and science as much as painting and taking pictures. That's just who she is; always has been.

Is there a way to combine the two? Well of course there is. What would that job or career look like? I have no idea. It's really hers to own and decipher and plan. I simply know that she did not come to her decision lightly about her course of study and ultimately about following the work of her heart and soul.

I recently asked her to take some 'artful' pictures (well, my business is The Art of Yarn after all) of some finished knit items that I might use for patterns, business cards, a website, and logo. I carefully explained my vision to her and how these pictures would be used. I handed over a dozen finished projects in a variety of colors to get her started. I needed to see if this was what I wanted my business image to look like. Pretty important stuff actually. I completely trusted her and I was not disappointed.

In what seemed like no time, she was sending me a sampling of the photographs she created based on what I had asked her to do.

It was simply amazing to me. I could stand over my knitting with a camera all day and not even come close to the beauty and quality of the images that she produced. It's not just that she has a great camera and is learning all of the technical foundations that make a great photographer, but she has the passion to match.

Kendall has watched and listened to her dad and I over the course of her lifetime. In fact personality-wise, she is very much like her dad. However, whether she realizes it or not, there is no doubt she has internalized much of what she has seen in me and the work I have done and the examples I have set, both good and not-so-good.

This most recent venture of mine is no exception. In fact, it may just be the most meaningful one yet because it seems we are walking parallel paths right now in so many ways...at least from where I sit.

She believes in me. She believes in who I am. I do not for one second take that lightly or without regard. Oh how grateful I am for her love and acceptance. I want to continue to show her that her self-awareness and courage will take her where she needs to go. Life will rise up and meet her if she is willing to put in the time and do the hard work.

It's not just about making the decision. That really was the easy part. It's living it that will be the real test.

She is preparing to go out in the world and do things on her own terms. Living a creative life is not necessarily at the top of the easy to do list, but this is what she has chosen. Why? Because, like I said about myself in this post, no one told me I couldn't, and the same is true for Kendall. Her dad and I never told her she couldn't.

The self-doubt and frustration that I am dealing with right now comes from living almost 43 years to her 19. I have had more disappointments and heartache. Life has left more of an impression on my soul. But as always, she has more to teach me in any given moment than I do for her.

All I have to do is look at her art and I am reminded that a beginning is a beginning, no matter what age, no matter what the circumstances.

Buck up! Take heart. Show courage, even when you aren't feeling it. Be sincere. Own your truth.

All lessons I hope that my daughter has learned from me. She is now reflecting them back to me and I absolutely have to take the challenge, for both of us. The details are sorting themselves out, even as I type this...we will both get there, wherever 'there' is for each of us.

All I know is that seeing my knitting and her photography combined made me feel like all was right with world, at least for the moment. And that's saying a lot these days.

Knit on,

Donna

Wordless Wednesday

2011-04-20T06:39:00.000-06:00

While not entirely wordless and not entirely my original idea, sharing something other than my OWN thoughts and words that will convey a message nonetheless...a picture, a video...struck me as a great concept.

I offer this wise, gentle voice today:

Simply exquisite.

Knit on,

Donna

'Growing' a Garden

2011-04-16T13:48:00.002-06:00

From left to right: Esther Warren, Cyndi Johnson, Debbie Sulzbach, Jan Johnson, Lori Karpen, Karrie Gillam

The Knitted Flowers and Embellishments Workshop was a ton of fun yesterday! Sadly I waited until the last few minutes of class before I started snapping pictures, but there are a few to share.

I loved Cyndi's laugh (on the right) and Lori's expression (on the left) in this one!

Esther Warren's embroidered flower on a stockinette background. So cute!


Lori Karpen's purple flower with the orange center is awesome. She added her own flair to the pattern by crocheting a border around the petals. Karrie Gillam did a great job with the chain stitch and lazy daisy stitch!

Cyndi Johnson and Debbie Sulzbach concentrating!

Lacy Leaves pattern that can be made in different sizes and with or without an i-cord stem

Pretty little 5-petal flower. We all agreed that the rolled edges give it character and make it seem more like a real flower.

Felted and un-felted version of the basic stockinette stitch flower.

3-petal flower made from variegated ribbon yarn.

Makes a cute coaster, don't you think? This was just a class sample I knit, but will write it up and include the very simple pattern with my next post.

The 'Petite Flower' pattern on the left makes a great bookmark and I love the button center on this garter stitch bloom. Wouldn't that be cute pinned on the side of a hat?


And of course I had to have some real flowers on the table for a little inspiration.

I have such spring fever and this class was just what we all needed, I think, to inspire a little gardening of a different kind.

Knit on,

Donna

Drive-by Postings

2011-04-01T08:20:00.000-06:00

I began blogging in November of 2009 and my first post was about the Scotts Bluff Valley Fiber Arts Fair. It has been interesting to go back over the archives (found in the right-hand column about half way down) and to see how my personal 'style' of writing and posting has developed. (and is still evolving, of course...I really have many things to work on!)

No doubt I like to write. No doubt I love to knit. No doubt I have a few things to say! And no doubt my style is to try and tell a story. That is the kind of writing I love to read, and so it's not surprising I choose to write in the same manner.

I have potential blog posts running through my brain day in and day out. Thoughts and ideas hit me when I am driving, eating, laying in bed at night, showering, and of course, knitting! I compose things over and over in my mind until I believe I have something worth writing down. And then I can't get to my laptop fast enough to get those phrases out of my head and saved on the computer before I completely lose them.

In fact, one of the reasons I have only been posting once a month on average is because I do work at those posts, tweaking, adding, editing, for a few weeks. It's time consuming and a labor of love. Every time I click the button "Publish Post", I get a little thrill and also a pang in my stomach.

It's the combination of the excitement and the vulnerability of putting my thoughts out there for everyone to read and critique that keeps me coming back for more.

Recently I realized that not all of my ideas are based on a detailed adventure or profound epiphany though.

A little snippet of information, an interesting thought or quote, something beautiful, something inspiring, something silly, a quick tip or technique that just might make your life easier, a noteworthy piece of news...

Knitting related or otherwise... these are all things I would term perfect for a drive-by posting! Drive-by posting? Yep! Just a little something I want to drop in your lap and then run away and leave you to it.

Last June I shared this post with you about art and knitting. As I look back over those pictures I am reminded of the amazingly diverse world of fiber art and I fall in love with it all over again.

And this morning I came across an article that reminded me of of that topic.

Masterpieces reimagined. How lovely. How inspiring.

Take a look. It's worth it!

A happy Friday to all! Get out there and get your hands busy. There is a whole world of creativity just calling your name!

Knit on,

Donna

Growing Pains

2011-03-24T17:36:00.002-06:00

Security is mostly a superstition. It does not exist in nature,
nor do the children of men as a whole experience it.
Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure.
Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing.
To keep our faces toward change and behave like free spirits
in the presence of fate is strength undefeatable.
- Helen Keller

I am about the business of building a business. And I am going to be honest here. I am elated...and I am struggling. Not so surprising, is it?

For those of you I haven't communicated with recently, here it is. I took the big leap, once again, out into the world I simply call 'on your own'. Anyone familiar with that world? Believe me, I am. I have been there a few times before.

The particular 'on your own' I am referring to is the one where you decide to muster all of your courage, pull together your best ideas, put one foot in front of the other, and bank on the notion that you can be...(insert dramatic music here)...self-employed.

If you know me at all, you will know this isn't a totally foreign concept. It's always there, just under the surface, wanting to come out. It's in my blood. No, really. This is not just another cliche. It's part of my DNA composition, I have come to realize, and fighting it is pointless. Eventually that's where I end up, every time.

I come from a strong, courageous line of entrepreneurs, even though they may not have looked at it that way while they were in the process of working their own businesses. They were guided by their desires to care for themselves and their families, but also by something stronger.

Somewhere at the core of their being they believed they could make a go of it.

My maternal great-grandfather, Austin S. Gregg, and his brother, Arthur, started, owned and ran The Public Market in North Platte, NE in the 1930's. My grandfather, Austin K. Gregg, better known as Bud, took ownership around 1960. It was a small grocery store that really was ahead of it's time in so many ways. That's because my grandfather was ahead of his time in so many ways. I wish I had the space to tell you why that is true, but this blog post would turn into a novel. Let's just say that Grandpa was a visionary and a dreamer in my eyes and many others and he was backed with the intelligence and innate knowledge to make things happen.

The stories about the Market my mom and family have shared with me are ones I could hear over and over again. They represent a period in my family's somewhat fractured and difficult history that give a sense of pride and belonging to us all because of what was accomplished. You hear it in their voices when they talk about it. Was it easy? No. Did they love the business and my grandfather's way of running things? Uh, no. They all did what they had to do to make it work. Nonetheless, my grandmother, my mom and her brothers and sisters were all a part of that business and those memories and experiences are a part of who they are today, and a part of me.

My paternal grandfather, Elmer (Bud) Thompson, and his good friend, Erwin Moore, became partners in starting Economy Glass in North Platte, NE in 1954. They grew and expanded the business, took on other partners, and at one time had 4 stores in Nebraska and 1 in Wyoming. The business, and my grandfather's hard work, live on today through my dad, Tom, and my brothers, Dee and Greg, in what has become Thompson Glass here in Scottsbluff, NE. Dad learned the glass business from grandpa and others, starting at age 16, by mowing the grass, sweeping the floors, and fixing screens (well, you have to start somewhere, right?). On September 7, 1971, my dad officially became a part of the Economy Glass team. He eventually became a manager and owner, persevering through many ups and downs over the years.

Some of my strongest memories of my childhood are being at Economy Glass , sitting at my dad's desk, 'working' the adding machine, making my fingers go as fast as I could, or writing 'memos' and notes on scratch pads that had the Economy Glass logo printed across the top. I wanted to work there, with my dad. I wanted my own desk. I wanted my own pens and pencils and adding machine and files. It didn't matter that I hadn't a clue about how to run a glass business, I just wanted to run a business. I wanted to do what he was doing.

To this day it gives me such a feeling of pride to walk into my dad's office and see him sitting on the tall stool at his drafting table working up job bids from rolls and rolls of complicated blueprints. When I seem him I think of his work ethic, the strength and conviction it took to show up every day for the last 40 years, knowing he is responsible for making it all happen.

And, of course, my mother has the entrepreneurial spirit flowing through her veins as well. No matter the topic, her energy gets fired up and the conversation becomes so engaging when we 'talk shop'. She and her partner owned a successful landscape business in Ft. Collins, CO for many years. Her ability to handle a hundred things coming at her all at once just amazed me. She was a force to be reckoned with behind her desk, and out in the world. My mom always seemed at her best when there were problems to be solved.

Calm, focused, decisive...she didn't waver on the outside, even if she might have been panicking on the inside. No one would have ever known.

She has been self-employed or in a position of management and leadership in some way most of my life. She has worked in the real estate and housing industry since she was a single mom taking care of my brother and I. I believe only now, at the age of almost 43, I finally have an understanding of what it must have taken her to step out into the world and make a living in a male dominated industry and society. She was so beautiful and professional looking in her suits. I really thought there was nothing she couldn't do.

My mom continues to inspire me today with her ideas and contributions, insight and knowledge of people and of business. She also happens to be my biggest supporter and source of strength, along side of my husband. Just knowing what she went through and thinking of her accomplishments makes me swell with pride and gives me the courage to take risks.

My family's stories are worth telling. Mentioning them here is hardly what I would consider doing each of them justice, but they are so much a part of what I am feeling and doing today that not including them would have left a huge hole in my story.

It's easy to understand how I have arrived at this point of wanting to teach and design and knit for a living. Because it's what I love to do, but most importantly because no one ever told me I couldn't. It has never occurred to me in my entire life that having a good idea and making a business out of it wasn't, well, a good idea.

So why am I struggling, you might be wondering? Me too. With all of that inspiration passed on to me, what is the problem? I have asked myself that on a daily basis for the last two weeks. It's a bit of a mystery. Or is it?

When I was little I regularly experienced what my mom simply called 'growing pains'; aching in my legs that seemed to come from no where. Oh how uncomfortable I was sometimes, especially at night, lying in bed. That seemed to be the worse time. I did come to accept my mom's explanation of them as simply growing pains, because there was nothing else to DO but wait until the pain subsided. I would lie there and create a vivid picture in my head of my body actually growing taller with each wave of pain.

That somehow seemed a reasonable expectation...a little pain to help me grow. I could handle it. I wanted to grow.

That memory came back to me recently in the middle of the night when I was lying in bed, listening to the silence and staring into the dark. Anxiety and fear are now my growing pains when I don't feel sure of my life or what's happening. It hits me in the wee hours when there's nothing to do but lay there and let it roll over me. In those moments, anxiety replaces strength. Fear replaces courage. I don't feel like I have any control over my thoughts and fears in those moments...they just go on and on...

Fear of failure (seriously, what will I do when this doesn't work?). Fear of rejection (is anyone really interested in my ideas?). Fear of going/being broke (okay, this is a big one... just what are you going to do when you don't have a paycheck coming in?). Fear of being alone (and broke...of course I am not either of those, but I didn't say these fears were rational).

Fear of humiliation (see the first one...fear of failure). Fear of being joked about by family and friends (oh she's making another change...how long will this last). Fear of regret (should I have stayed where it was more secure...secure? What did Helen Keller say?). Fear of the unknown (like the ever changing and expanding technology I have to navigate every day...what else am I going to have to learn to even make this happen?).

And finally, strangely enough, this thought rolled over me: Fear of success (what if it works...do I have the energy and passion to keep it going?).

There it is. That's the one, the big one. That's what's keeping me up at night.

Never mind the fact that my home studio and office is a mess. Never mind the fact that I don't seem to have one clue how to start putting this altogether (well, I have some clue, but there are a lot of holes). I have no set schedule. No plan other than I want to teach and design and plan the fiber arts fair. I need a logo and business cards and letterhead. A website would be nice. How can I sell patterns without a website? More frequent blog posts are also a necessity so others can follow along on this journey. I have so much to share and less time than ever, it seems, to share it. The clock is ticking.

Oh, the details that clutter my mind when I lie there at night and let them take over.

Eventually I will get up out of bed because I can't stand it anymore. I brew a pot of coffee, settle in to a comfy chair and reach for my knitting. As my fingers and my brain begin to relax, find a rhythm, and work as one, the anxiety subsides, the fear dissipates, and I am reminded of why I want to do this. The feel of the yarn and needles in my hands is all the reminder I need.

It's not about any of the endless details that will always need taking care of and tended to...I know what needs to be done, or, I will figure it out. In days past, I could put things together in no time. In fact, it has always been sheer joy seeing my name in print on a business card, and I couldn't wait to get it there. It made everything seem so official, like this venture was really happening.

No, those tasks and 'to dos' are not the problem. The problem is I haven't put my intentions out there. I haven't committed. The little voice that keeps me up at night (in reality it is very big and loud) is trying to tell me to embrace my choice to do this...focus, simplify, and work at it every day.

It will come.

I guarantee my family members who have ventured out into that 'on your own' world before me had some of the same thoughts and fears (or maybe they didn't?). I also guarantee they didn't stay in that place for long if they were afraid. They got up and moved and did and tried...and worked, worked, worked.

My biggest fear is success. Why? Because I have big shoes to fill. Always have. The expectations are high, BUT they are mostly self-imposed.

I read somewhere recently that "Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgment that something else is more important than fear."

I think I found that 'something else'.

There are so many knitters, designers, instructors, and fiber artists out there. Where will I rank among them? Is that even important to ask?

Do I really have something unique to contribute? Have I built this all up too much without the talent and drive to back it up?

I don't know...but I want to find out.

I am on the edge of realizing some of my deepest dreams and desires, if I can stay centered and trust my gut. No matter how dramatic this may sound, I feel like I have been moving towards this my whole life. That's why I haven't been able to rush into it. That's why I haven't been able to just 'throw' a plan together and go for it. It all feels too important to rush and take for granted.

I want to be present for every moment so I can look back in 40 years and remember the day I recommitted to my choice to live my life consciously, to take another risk.

It's a reasonable expectation...a little pain to help me grow. I can handle it. I want to grow.

Until next time...let's all "...behave like free spirits
in the presence of fate..."

and

Knit On,

Donna

Gatherings

2011-02-17T12:12:00.000-07:00

I have many friends who started off as students. My dear friend Jan J. is among them and I can't imagine how it is we didn't meet years before. I say this because she and I seem to have a connection that was obvious from the beginning, but not spoken of often. It's just there.

We share a love of reading and gardening and interest in spiritual matters. But most obviously we share a passion for knitting...what knitting means to each of us individually...and how it feels when we get to sit down and knit together.

Sadly, like many friends these days, Jan and I do struggle to find time to get together. It seems to be the new 'norm' for most. Email and Facebook, Twitter, texting and phone calls have replaced coffee and brunch, lunch and dinner and happy hour cocktails.

We have moved to a state of disconnect, don't you think? In my view the disconnect comes from several things: a lack of eye contact, a lack of sincere conversations catching up and dialing in, and just not experiencing the feeling we get when sitting in someone's physical space sharing our lives in real time.

And just for the record, while I do have days I feel like doing it, this is not a post or a rant about how we should all give up our modern day conveniences to go sit on a mountain top somewhere with each other and contemplate life. In fact, it is just the opposite. Life changes and so do we. Instead of wishing for days gone by and simpler times, I have found I personally am much more content moving with the times and acknowledging the advantages we have at our disposal, instead of fighting it.

The challenge is to blend all of the cool things that technology does for us with activities and moments that counter balance the lack of one-on-one interaction. For me, recognizing that it is happening is the first step. Prioritizing is the next.

Spending time commiserating with friends is one of the most valuable things we can do for ourselves. Soulful chats, quiet conversation, laughing out loud, passing the box of kleenex to dry tears, sipping something delightful that you don't normally serve just yourself...all reasons to gather with each other and share a moment. The benefits are real and in fact quite necessary for us as humans to experience.

Time deficit is a self-created dilemma. Ask me how I know.

I am a strong believer in being in the moment, what it can do for you, and how it can change your perspective on yourself, on others, and the world.

I practice yoga for that reason. I practice meditation for that reason.

I run. Oh how I love to run. It clears my mind and makes me feel empowered.

I want to hone that skill of being in the moment every chance I get. I watch children play and I learn something about being totally engrossed and happy for a time.

I sit down on the floor with my dog and run my fingers through his wild, soft, white coat while he is completely still and content to be with me and enjoy the attention. He teaches me that true companionship with another means accepting the person and the moment exactly as it is, no judgment. Just allow things to be.

When I get on my motorcycle and head out on the road, my senses feel sharp and my mind is totally focused on the feel of the bike underneath me and the wind and the sun washing over me. It's as close to being truly free and truly in the moment as I can get.

And that is why I love knitting so much. No matter my mood, no matter the circumstances or the energy around me, when I put knitting in my hands I am instantly grounded, centered, and just BEING. I know that's a contradiction, in a sense, because actually knitting is DOING, isn't it?

But mindful knitting is like meditation. In meditation you breathe and you your body is still. The duality of it is what makes it work.

When I am knitting, the movements of my hands are the breathing. My mind becomes the still.

No matter what's wrong in my life or in the world that day, I am okay when I am knitting. The feel of the yarn, the warmth of the needles, the rhythmic sound they make when I really get on roll...that all gets me there and keeps me there.

Everyone needs something that gets them there.

And the only thing better than knitting by myself is knitting with others, because it allows me a double dose of being in the moment. All the benefits of knitting and all the benefits of connecting with others. My soul is filled to the brim in those moments, IF I truly allow myself to be there. (That is the key. Purposefully and intentionally choosing to place yourself in a moment and gather from it whatever you can about yourself)

I have found it is especially good for me, as I tend to isolate myself for days or weeks at a time from real moments with others. Why? Well, I get overwhelmed, I suspect, and then I shut down. And of course, alone time, quiet time, is equally important. You have to make those choices for yourself. Ask yourself what it is you need. But often, I can get stuck in that alone time, and for me that's not the balance I am working towards. Gathering with others (to knit or otherwise) brings me out of my world and into theirs.

These are the reasons then, that since I have been teaching, I have been offering what I call "Knit Aways"---small gatherings, special occasions, learning something new with friends of your choosing, in your environment, at your convenience. Sounds lovely, doesn't it? More than any other type of class I teach, these are my favorites.

Why? Well, I think the biggest reason is that someone taking the time to create a moment, a pause in their lives, for themselves and those close to them, is really so very wonderful to be a part of. It gives me an opportunity to do mindful teaching, intuitive instruction like no other setting or circumstance can. (more on those things another day :)

I have done a few of these Knit Aways over the years, but sadly, not many. Marketing this concept has been a challenge. Weeknights and weekends are taken up by so many other things for families these days, it seems that we feel almost wasteful with our time if we are not checking things off of our to-do list instead of spending an afternoon with friends.

In many parts of the world, knitting, handwork, and other creative endeavors are a way of life, not just something you do when you have nothing else to do. And there's no guilt involved. You need not explain what you're doing or why. Beautiful concept really. I would venture to say individuals who live this way are more centered, content, fulfilled, and generally well-adjusted and equipped to handle the inevitable stress and pressures that come with being human on this planet.

Since I have embraced knitting and fiber art as a career and way of life myself, I have had one 'small' goal above all others: to share my passion for knitting, but more broadly, my passion for creativity in all of its forms, and how it can enhance your life. And the only way I know to do this is take it moment by moment, be out there, not afraid to 'do my thing', in my way, on my terms, and seize every opportunity to break down gender barriers and age stereotypes that seem to go hand in hand with knitting. (oooh, yet another topic for another post...lovely:)

So when Jan J. approached me at the fiber arts fair last fall about doing a class in her home based on a pattern that one of the fair vendors, Bijou Basin Ranch, had on display, I immediately thought what a great idea, and at the same time wondered when and how I would be able to put it together for her in a way that honors all of these things I have been writing about. That is why I do them after all.

Jan, too, had a vision for how this class would look and feel. Because obviously if she had simply wanted to knit the project, we could have made that happen long before now. Her thought was to make it special...share it with others. Create a memory. That's who she is. She herself works very hard every day to focus on the elements of life that bring her closest to knowing herself better and she continually amazes me at her willingness to grow and expand and experience new things.

I respect that deeply. I believe that is why we are here.

March 19, 2011, Jan will host a knit away in her home. (and just fyi--as of the day of this post, I still have 2 openings out of 7, if you are interested in joining the class--email or call me for more details and questions)

But here's a sneak peak at what this Knit Away will look like:

We will be making a simple, but stylish little button up cowl that caught her eye many months ago...

...it is made from Bijou Basin Ranch yarn called "GOBI." It is spun from yak and camel down! (This is a new one for me to work with too!)

It has a soft, silky feel that I look forward to wearing close to my skin. I am working on the test sample now.

The yarn comes in natural colors only and this particular one is a very beautiful taupe that can be worn with almost anything. It will also be what I call an all-seasons accessory because of it's weight and texture. I love to knit pieces that can be used every season of the year.

The sweet and delicate cable/lace stitch pattern is fairly easy to memorize, but presents some challenges. Even though it is marked at an Easy skill level, I would consider it appropriate for a Strong Advanced Beginner ready to expand their skills or an Intermediate knitter looking to practice his/her lace techniques by way of a very portable, satisfying project.

We will sit down in the morning and learn the pattern together. I have lots of tips for lace knitting as well as a couple of new techniques to show everyone. Cabling without a cable needle, the perfect buttonhole, tensioning with lace stitches, blocking, and working with luxury yarns will be some of the topics we will cover.

Afterwards, Jan will be serving a delicious lunch of Southwest Chicken Chili, Blueberry Cornbread Muffins, and Spinach Salad.

Spring will be upon us by that time next month and I can't think of a more wonderful way to usher it in.

I encourage you to to look at your day to day life and acknowledge that you are doing the best you can with what you have to work with...accept this...but also understand that there's nothing wrong with slowing down, striving for more balance, and realizing that you are not being selfish when you take time for yourself. You will have more to give to your family, your job, your friends, when you don't feel cheated out of the things that really tickle your toes!

The knitting is a big part of it, the company and conversation another part. Sitting down to a meal with friends, yet another part. These all combine to create a deliberate moment to share, to learn, to celebrate the fact that we are more than our to-do lists and our jobs and roles and titles and responsibilities. These are the details of our lives, the specifics. That's not who we are as a whole.

I hope to conduct many Knit Aways this year as a part of my journey. I wish you real moments of your own.

Knit On,

Donna

Go after it with a club!

2011-01-19T14:45:00.003-07:00

Over the holidays I was trying to remember the last time I knit a sweater for myself. I dug around in my closet and found a little brown summer cardigan that was completed 2 years ago (and I wear the heck out of, by the way). I also found the lacy, red tunic-style tank top I knit around the same time for my daughter, at her request, that ended up in my possession (another story altogether).

That's it. 2 little items 2 years ago.

My knitting bags and baskets are always full of works in progress (WIP), but evidently I do not find much time to plan and knit for myself. In the last 2 years I have finished countless projects for the store, for gifts, for classes, and so on. And I feel quite satisfied with that part of my knitting life. Yes, in fact, things have been rolling along nicely.

The searching in my closet, however, was precipitated by a deep, down gnawing feeling that my knitting work has really become, well, WORK. And I am in it up to my eyeballs.

Knowing myself like I do, that's a dangerous place to be because when my passion, my creative outlet, doesn't feel passionate and creative, well, it isn't gonna be pretty, that much I can tell you. It's something that I worried some about when I first made the career change. I remember Phil asking me on more than one occasion whether I was getting tired of it or if it was feeling like work.

And always I would answer, no, absolutely not. I love knitting for a living.

No really, I do...but, life has a way of changing directions on you before you even realize it.

Not all at once, but slowly, I have been able to feel the shift in my thinking and in every stitch I take. I ignored the feeling for some time, but then owned up to the reality of the situation. It happened. The needles became heavy. The patterns all seemed to be the same. The colors felt dull. The yarn was lifeless. My knitting world started turning very gray.

I was heading for knitting purgatory! You know the place I speak of?

For some beginning knitters it may mean knitting too many scarves or dishcloths; for others it could be that you are forcing yourself to use up yarn in your stash that is full of colors you can't even imagine why you bought, or a fiber that doesn't feel good in your hands. And still other knitters may be stuck in knitting purgatory thinking they have simply lost interest when what they really need is a challenge, an inspiration to spark the flame.

Think I am being a bit melodramatic? Well, maybe. :) The process and condition I describe is fairly accurate though.

The trick is not to panic and don't dwell on the negatives of the situation. Just figure out what needs to be done and do it.

So..........

What do I need?

Inspiration? New ideas? Time? A vacation? A quiet space to figure it all out?

How do I breathe new life into my hands and my needles from time to time? How do I prevent burnout? How do I find time for my own designs? How do I find time to further my education and skills? When do I get to work on projects that challenge me and in turn inspire me to want to keep teaching and pass the knowledge along?

One of my all time favorite quotes about creativity comes from Jack London: "You can't wait for inspiration. You have to go after it with a club!"

And that's just what I have decided to do.

A couple of weeks ago, Phil watched me carry out of my studio at home a stack of books and magazines that I could hardly carry up the stairs. I wanted to spread them out on the sectional in the living room and see what might happen.

I believe he said something like: "Wow...planning on doing some serious knitting, are you?" Yes indeed, honey. Some serious knitting. (Like I'm not ALWAYS seriously knitting!)..but anyway...

I needed to take immediate action and this was the fastest way to do it.

I spent the rest of the evening pouring over every pattern I had marked in every magazine and book I had bought in the last 4 or 5 years, determined to find the perfect sweater project to make for myself.

I read articles on yarn and color and new techniques. I delighted in getting reacquainted with the simple pleasure of sitting down with a warm cup of tea (or a very cold beer ;) to sip on and a knitting magazine.

And the goal was simple. Relax. Enjoy the process. Find something to knit, just for me.

I actually came away with TWO sweaters that I was very excited about. I was not surprised, nor was my husband at the number--TWO .

I am a woman of excess, for sure. If some is good, more is better. If one is satisfying, two will be exhiliarating! (This is my subconscious mind at work. I have become very familiar with my subconscious. We don't always agree, but we have come to an understanding: I don't get in her way, I listen to her, and all works out fine in the end.)

Here's the first one I chose:

My knitting 'funk' seemed to be subsiding already. I was remembering why I loved to knit in the first place.

Finding just the right project(s) that I was anxious to try....first step done.

Next step in the creative process...Selecting the color(s) and type of yarn...Swatching and figuring out my gauge...What needles do I use? Bamboo? Metal?

For the Arching Cables Jacket I went with my Addi Turbo Lace tips and this rich, pumpkin color in Brown Sheep Nature Spun N17 called French Clay.

What interested me most about this sweater was the construction of it. The belt is knit first and then you are to pick up stitches from the top of the belt and knit the top of the sweater and then again pick up from the bottom of the belt to finish the bottom of the sweater.

The second pattern I chose was this lovely little number:

It calls for 4 strands of lace weight in the bottom, sleeves, and collar, and two strands for the lace panel across the back. I was especially drawn to the shaping of the garment with it's tucks in the back, the half length bell sleeves, and the crocheted edging to finish it off.

I went with Wildfoote Luxury Sock Yarn, fingering weight, (which is like a double strand of lace weight), just to cut down on the number of strands and possibility of tangling. The cones are wonderful to work off of as they tension so nicely. And a deep, shiny, blue called Navy Royale was my color choice paired with Crystal Palace bamboo needles.

This is the beginning of the bottom panel done in twisted rib. I think it's going to be luscious to knit and to wear.

Now how did this pic of Cotton Fleece get in this post?

Oh yeah...did I mention I found a 3rd sweater that I just HAD to cast on for? Yep, it's true. (Told you I was a woman of excess)

I was rummaging around in our trunk shows downstairs at work and found the Chris Bylsma box. She does a lot with cables and drop stitches in her designs and this one is very dramatic when you see it all knit up.

I tried the sample sweater on and it fit me like a glove. The large, flowing cables are fabulous in this one. I promise, it is unusual and interesting in it's design.

What else was I going to do but immediately run back up to the store and find the color I wanted?

I believe I will keep this one to myself though, except for a few sneak peaks every now and then, just for fun.

Maybe a little 'fashion show' will be in order when I get them all knit up. I am not fond of publishing pictures of myself (in fact, let's be clear, I do not like my picture being taken, period.) However, since I am working on new challenges just for me, that might be one I will tackle.

Guess I got my knitting mojo back for the moment. What do you think? Too much? Are they doomed to become UFO's in my closet?

Not a chance! I've got a knitting fire in my belly and I am going after that inspiration with a club!

How about you join me?

Until next time...

Knit on,

Donna

Where's the other stick?

2010-12-27T16:45:00.000-07:00

It all started with this....

beautiful, handpainted, 100% merino wool yarn in vibrant, rainbow colors...

and a hook...

...along with the desire to learn more about crocheting.

I learned a few basic stitches years ago from my mother-in-law, Karen, who is an accomplished crocheter. It was tricky business, however, because unlike knitting with two needles, you only have one hook, and you have to PICK a hand to hold it in. I am a lefty, you see, and Karen is right-handed. Being a lefty in a right-handed world my whole life, I have learned to adapt and overcome. And I did, to some degree, get it figured out, using my left hand, but soon became frustrated and went back to my knitting.

It wasn't just about holding the hook and yarn. There was also the challenge of learning to read crochet patterns, which was a whole new language to me. My mind would go hazy trying to comprehend instructions like: Ch 1, hdc across, do not turn, cont around edge of base as foll: work 23 hdc evenly spaced across row ends, hdc in 44 unused lps of foundation ch, work 23 hdc across next 32 sts, sl st in beg ch-1 to join, turn. It was SO different than knitting. I might as well have been reading Arabic, or Greek, or well, you get the picture.

And just like learning a new language, you first have to understand the words, and then you have to be able to speak them or use them in real life, or in this case, actually do what it says, CORRECTLY.

I know what hdc stands for..half double crochet...I even know how to do one...but somebody please tell me, where are the 44 unused lps of foundation ch? Where are the next 32 sts? And then you want me sl st in beg ch-1 to join?!? There seems to be no beginning and no end. Counting chains and 'seeing' where to put the hook for the next stitch was such a challenge. I never ended up with the correct number of sts and even a flat piece that was supposed to be square at the edges turned round, right before my eyes.

Knitting, whether flat or in the round, you can see exactly how many stitches are on the needles and you know where your next stitch is (most of the time anyway). But this crochet business was more than my brain wanted to take in at the time any way.

So like I said, I put it away for many years, only bringing out my hook(s) as it pertained to my knitting: to pick up dropped stitches, slip stitch two pieces of knitting together, bind off many, many stitches on blankets (that's a neat trick, let me tell you, and so fast), and putting the occasional crocheted edging on a piece of my knitting. I tell new knitters all the time that the most valuable knitting tool I own is a crochet hook, and I mean it. I would be lost without it.

So when someone asks me if I crochet, my stock answer is, yes, I can crochet, but I am NOT a crocheter. There is a big distinction to be made here.

If a customer comes to the Brown Sheep store with a question or problem regarding crochet, I honestly cannot help them. The best I can do is send them across the hall into the office. The ladies in there both crochet and are able to understand a pattern quite well. I do feel bad when I have to do that though, because they are very busy answering phones, taking orders and such. They are always willing to help and do so with a smile on their face, I might add, but three years of this and I think I finally decided I needed to step up, get over my resistance and learn to crochet...really learn this time.

A few questions, a few lessons, and patient encouragement from my co-workers, I got started, again.

This time I put the hook in my right hand from the start. I held and tensioned the yarn with my left hand. (So glad I can continental knit as well as throw! That helped a lot. When I learned from my mother-in-law years ago I didn't know how to continental knit. Seems it has made all the difference for me this go around.)

I chose a simple shell stitch scarf pattern that we have in the store (along with several beautiful samples I have been coveting for months now) Our previous crochet instructor, Brandy Earl, used this same pattern in her beginning classes.

So anyway, I was off and crocheting.

Seeing those colors taking shape was enough to keep me going!

But it was also the rhythm and flow I found almost immediately. What a different feel than knitting. How delightfully surprising that I was enjoying it this much, even if I did look down at my knitting work in the basket next to my feet and feel a pang of guilt, like a cheating spouse in a way. I really related to Stephanie Pearl-McPhee's self-imposed label of Yarn Harlot. (She can't stay loyal to any one knitting project lol) In my case it was like having an affair with crocheting and my knitting was very jealous.

Evidently my husband was paying close attention and was even 'bothered' somewhat by my new found love.
He asked at one point, "Are you giving up knitting?"

The way he asked I almost felt like he was asking if I was giving him up. lol:) He doesn't like change much and I guess after seeing me with knitting needles in my hands for 26 years, he just didn't quite understand what in the world I was doing. lol:)

The look in his eyes seemed to ask: Was I changing careers...again?!? Was I going to be a crocheter instead of a knitter? Why in the world was I doing this?...I think it threw him off in no small way. I just smiled and kept on crocheting, all the time reassuring him that no, I wasn't 'giving up' knitting. It was time for me to expand my skills, that's all.

I have to be totally honest here though. There was a little voice in my head that kept asking what if I liked crocheting better than knitting?!? Oh my...;)

In any case, I was eager to share the fun I was having with our Knit Night group because surely they could appreciate my enthusiasm. I brought my crocheting along to our last get together. My friend Virginia, who crochets, but doesn't knit, watched me for a short while and when I noticed she was keeping an eye on my work I asked her what she was thinking and she said: "You crochet like a knitter."

I laughed and pondered that for a sec then asked, "What do you mean by that?"

She said "You hold the hook like a knitting needle!"

I really didn't get it and honestly I was too engrossed in what I was doing at the moment to give it too much thought. I kept happily crocheting away, feeling only slightly self-conscious somewhere inside of me that maybe I was doing it all wrong and she just didn't want to hurt my feelings. :)

Later on I was showing off my new crochet skills to my mother-in-law and asked her what Virginia meant. She smiled and said this is how most crocheters hold their hook and she put it in her hand like she was going to write with it.

Oh! I see now! In knitting, holding the needles that way is called the Victorian hold or the pencil hold. The light bulb went on. I guess because I hold my knitting needles like a fork or spoon, that's how I was holding my crochet hook as well.

No matter, the point being it was cute and I realized I loved being told that I crochet like a knitter. Well of course I do.

Anyway....less than a week later...
(unheard of, by the way, when KNITTING a scarf...it really is fast even for a beginner!)

...voila!

A pretty little scalloped-edged scarf.

That can be worn like this...

or maybe...

...like this.

It's 92" long!

That's the way I like my scarves...long...so that I can wrap and wrap around my neck and still have plenty of length down the front of my legs.

My excitement at my accomplishment wasn't squashed even when I brought it to work to show the girls in the office and Tracy said, "It's lovely, but you did it wrong."

"Wrong?", I said. Well, it sure looked like a scarf to me! ;)

Yep, it seems that the pretty little scalloped edge wasn't really supposed to be there.

Evidently I forgot to double crochet at the end of every row before chaining and turning, which made my turning chains at each end bend...hence the accidental scalloped edge.

Very pretty though (don't you think?) .

I made the same mistake for 92" and didn't have a clue!

I'm a beginner. It's a good excuse.

Well, I thought, I better try again. I chose a beautiful brown monochromatic yarn (Lamb's Pride Worsted M-260 Cafe Au Lait) and made it for myself...and this time I did it 'right'. The edges were straighter this time.

The brightly colored scarf, by the way, I gave to my daughter for Christmas. She said she loved it. Those colors are so 'her'. She said it looked tie-dyed. Cool.

Here's mine...

I have always thought of myself as a knitter, period. And then somewhere along the way I adopted the title fiber artist, simply because it represents the other fiber arts I incorporate into my knitting. Also, because I teach classes, I am always looking to improve my knitting skills and that's what I spend the majority of my time working on.

Every year, January brings renewed optimism for change, for a better life, for a better you. And that’s a wonderful thing. It’s wonderful, because this fresh start gives us a chance to reinvent our lives and ourselves. It allows us to reinvigorate ourselves, to shed the baggage of the previous year and do anything.

I want to make the most of this gift. And sometimes that means reinventing the way I live.

While I am definitely not ready to teach crochet just yet, I am excited for the coming year. (I have hired a new instructor, Esther Warren to take over Brandy's classes...see the Class Schedule Page for details.)

I love new beginnings and this feels like a true beginning of something for me. It isn't so much about the crocheting as what it represents. You can fill in that blank with anything new and interesting that you'd like to learn.

It's about the fact that I haven't stretched outside of 'my zone' for some time now. I have been so busy concentrating on the BUSINESS aspect of this business I have chosen, that I simply have not taken the time, nor the opportunity, to CREATE and learn and explore. So I am off to do just that.

Now if I only my husband would stop asking me: "Where's the other stick?"

Happy New Year to All!

Knit (or Crochet) On,

Donna

The 3 M's

2010-12-03T11:23:00.004-07:00

Let me start off by stating this blog post is six weeks in the making. I apologize for my absence. And I don't want to make excuses here, but...

#1. I lost my camera. Granted, it was a camera that I absolutely despised because it took horrible pictures, but it was my only camera and I used it for all of my blog pictures. (It also, of course, contained a memory card with weeks worth of pics that were to eventually end up in my future blog posts).

#2. I moved on, didn't dwell, and borrowed by daughter's 'old' camera, only to discover it had 'died'...the battery didn't hold a charge, it wouldn't format a memory card...no pictures were in my near future, obviously.

#3. I spent just a few hours designing a felted bag project for a 4-H class I taught, then realized I should have spent a few more hours on it because the bag came out looking like it would only hold a pair of chopsticks. Yes, that long and that wide. How long have I been knitting? Had to go back to the drawing board on that one.

#4. I knit 2 left fingerless gloves instead of a left and right. No need for further explanation here I don't think.

#5. I knit and then felted two different size clogs, one small, one medium, that were meant to be a gift. Again, I'm sure you see the problem here, unless of course the recipient of the slippers has two different sized feet. In this case the answer is no, she does not.

#6. I caught a cold. A miserable, achy, coughing, stuffy head, fever so you can't rest (or even knit and definitely do not feel inspired to blog) cold.

#7. I thought I was saving time by knitting two sleeves of a miniature sweater at the same time, on the same needles, for aran afghan block #7. It would have been fine, except the sleeves were supposed to be mirror images of each other and although I was sure I was reversing the pattern, they came out exactly the same. I didn't discover it until I went to sew them to the body of the sweater. (Okay, how in the world did I miss that one completely?!?)

#8. I have been trying to design a very simple, quick easy project for a mystery knit along. I have spent the last 8 weeks, in all of my spare time :), ripping it out, erasing, rewriting, reworking, and generally being completely baffled that something so BASIC could haunt me for that long. My stitch count didn't come out, period. The design looked more like abstract art than knitting. And, to make matters worse, I had already announced, on more than one occasion, that the mystery knit along would be posted soon. Yeah, right.

#9. I lost my 'little yellow bag'. Do you know the one I speak of? It's the pencil bag that holds all things necessary to my knitting life...scissors, tapestry needles, tape measures, crochet hooks, 20 different sizes of stitch markers, pencils, eraser, sticky notes, highlighters, a nail file (yes, not a typo)...and so many other things. Mind you I only 'lost' it for a short while, but I did spend a large amount of time looking for it. This seriously tweaked my already frazzled knitting nerves. (Just a side note to put things in perspective here, I have often said that I'd rather lose my purse than my little yellow bag. No joke. It has taken me years to accumulate and pay for all the tools, gidgets and gadgets that are in that bag. My knitting world stops until that bag is by my side.

#10. ...a nice round number on which to end this whine session, don't you think? But I want to add that while all of these things were happening, I must have ripped out and started over countless times on a half dozen other projects not mentioned in the above nine, further contributing to the feeling that I may not be up to the task of knitting for a living.

So consequently, no blog post for six weeks.

I honestly didn't have anything I felt was worthy of writing down. How could I write about knitting and how wonderful it was and post all of the beautiful things I was supposed to be working on, when all I had to share were negative things...nothing but mishaps, misfortunes, and mistakes?

And if I dug a little deeper, I was strongly suspicious that I had been hit with a good old fashioned case of writer's block and all of these things were of my own making so that I wouldn't have to sit down and write. Yes, in fact, I believe I had a serious case of low knitting self-esteem. Anyone else been there?

Where did this all come from?

This is what I concluded:

Sometimes I have to be taken down a peg or two..in life...and in knitting. I don't believe it is because I walk around with a feeling of arrogance about myself, my life, or my knitting skills. No. But, evidently I do take these things for granted on occasion and life has a way of reminding me that I shouldn't do that.

I take 100% responsibility though. No victim stance here. I have intentionally invited the 3 M's upon myself. How did I do that? Well, by living with the philosophy that I am a lifelong student (I just said those very words to someone this morning). And I have said that over and over to the universe. The universe generously obliges, doesn't it? Sometimes the things I have to learn come with heartache and pain, but most often with humor and humility. That's what I strive for anyway.

Life lessons and knitting lessons are a part of the deal.

I accept this fact without hesitation. I am not scared. No. I welcome the lessons. At least that is what I keep saying anyway.

The hard part is that I never know when it's going to happen or what the lessons are going to be. Or let's get real...how long they are going to last! These knitting negatives just kept going on and on until I felt like maybe this was it...I had lost my knitting mojo for good. Spent, burnt out, done for....

So, what did I learn about myself and my knitting in the last six weeks?

Lesson #1: The camera thing is a no brainer...lack of gratitude and lack of perspective. You see, I didn't appreciate having a camera that took terrible pictures was better than not having a camera at all. No pics, pictureless blog posts...much worse.

Lesson # 2: You can't borrow your way out of a problem. That would be too easy. Also, just when you think you're frustrated enough, think again. That was only the beginning.

Lesson #3: Give yourself more than a couple of days to design anything, even if it is just a 'simple, felted bag'. And more importantly, do not use the word simple as freely as I do. Simple is as simple does. Yeah, whatever that means, but it came to mind and so I threw it in there.

Lesson #4: Do not put a project away for months and then expect to finish it without some negative consequences. In this case, make a big note for yourself that in fact people do have a left hand and a right hand and the thumb placement is actually pretty important. Also, no matter how you twist and turn a left mitten, it will NOT work on a right hand. Okay, hopefully I won't have to revisit that one any time soon.

Lesson #5: See Lesson #4 with this addendum--if you are going to knit someone a gift, such as felted slippers, and it needs to be a certain size, do not highlight ALL of the sizes in the pattern (in different colors) so that you can't tell what size you knit the first one, forcing you to guess on the second one. To set this lesson in your brain, repeat over and over to yourself, I am not a good guesser...I am not a good guesser. Yeah, I guessed medium. Turns out the first one I knit was a small. Oh, and one other little something worth mentioning, try to finish your gift knitting in the same year that you started. These clogs were for last Christmas.

Lesson # 6: The lesson is: there is not lesson because this just falls in the misfortune category of the 3 M's more than anything. Everyone around me seems to have been sick for the last month or so. It was bound to happen. However, if there is a lesson to be learned, I am thinking it might be to not get smug and make statements about the fact that you haven't caught anything so far. And knocking on wood, I now have proof, does not work at all.

Lesson # 7: Cable chart reading isn't for wimps (or for those that are on the edge of a knitting breakdown). I even had a nice little 'cheat sheet' that one of the students in the GAAA class, Dee Dixon, printed up so that we wouldn't get confused about the fact that the sleeves are knit in a reverse stitch pattern. Again, chart reading, even with a cheat sheet, isn't for wimps, and certainly should not be attempted late at night, in a group, while talking on the phone, watching Sons of Anarchy, or anything that may distract you from the fact that you are doing it all wrong.

Lesson #8: Another no brainer...DO NOT announce that you are going to do a mystery knit along when you don't have the design for the mystery knit along figured out. That was my first mistake. My second was assuming that this particular project was so simple (there's that word again) that I could whip it out in no time. Hmmm...seems to be a theme going on here. (see Lesson #3) Making assumptions about anything has never really worked out for me. Why do I keep doing it?

Lesson #9: When you have a cold and are frazzled from so many of the 3 M's and the knitting gods are just beating you down, don't put your little yellow bag in a different place than you normally would. You think you'll remember right where it is. You won't. You will panic. You absolutely won't find the d@*# thing until you sit down, take a breath, and admit that you are beaten. Then, and only then does the light bulb go on.

And finally...

Lesson #10: I could mention the obvious here like not taking on too many projects all at once (of course everyone knows that, but who actually follows that?)...There is also a very real sickness (not fatal mind you, but very detrimental to a healthy knitting life: UFO Disease (Unfinished Objects Disease). It is REAL and I have it (bet you didn't know that) and it can create confusion and a mountain of knitting problems you didn't think were possible!

...or how about this: planning and teaching, designing, blogging, running a store, organizing a fiber arts fair, and custom knitting may be a bit more than I bargained for when I said I wanted to live my passion.

I am not complaining, I promise. It's just a point of awareness that I think, after this very bad period of time with the 3 M's, I am coming to accept.

This blog was started so that I could share my journey towards being completely self-supported by my knitting in one way or another. Well, looks like this is all part of that journey. I am figuring out (sometimes the hard way) exactly what I want that life to look like. There have been many struggles so far, but also so many joys.

I hope you have found some humor in all of this...thankfully I have. :) I dedicate the 3 M's blog post to my fellow knitters out there and to my students who come in, call, and text me on a daily basis ready to give up and throw their knitting in the trash (or at least in the bottom of the closet for the next 20 years or so).

May I offer a bit of advice? Just put it down, step away, breathe, call me if necessary, and keep things in perspective. I know I am always espousing the merits of knitting such as it being relaxing, meditative, therapeutic, and fun. (It is, no really!) However, just as in life, we wouldn't learn very much about ourselves if we didn't have to go back, rip out, learn from our mistakes, and start again.

Knit on,

Donna

[ pash'en]

2010-10-22T12:52:00.003-06:00

I have a 'word sign' hanging on my bathroom wall...you know one of those signs with an inspirational word that maybe you want to remind yourself of from time to time. Like 'BELIEVE' or 'DREAM' or 'COURAGE'. I know, cliche, but who couldn't use a little positive reinforcement, even if it is cliche?

Mine sign reads like this:

PASSION
[pash'en]
There are many things that will capture your eye, but very few will capture your heart.

It is directly behind me when I am standing at my bathroom counter. I see this word and this definition in the mirror when I am going through my morning ritual every day.

Of all the words to choose from, what made me notice this in the store, pick it up, buy it, bring it home, and hang it on my bathroom wall?

You think I'm getting a little too in depth in my thought process, don't you? Why in the world do I even need to bring up this trivial little item and detail about me?

Well, I'll tell you why (you knew that was coming, didn't you?)

Here are a whole lot of reasons why...

These are high school students and their teachers from Gering and Scottsbluff. Each year, in the fall, I am invited into the Family and Consumer Science classes and the Clothing and Textile classes to teach knitting, and between both school districts, we end up putting needles and yarn in approximately 75-80 teenage hands. (some years it has been closer to 100, depending on the class sizes)

It is hard work, no doubt, but absolutely one of the things I most look forward to every September.

The students often will also take a field trip out to Brown Sheep Co. for a tour. I take them through the mill. They get to see the actual process of natural fibers being spun, dyed, and packaged into yarn that they use in their projects.   This is great opportunity for them not only to see the yarn being made, but to see something being MADE period. The tour takes the mystery out of it and shows them that yes, someone actually makes this product with their hands, from start to finish.

Craftsmanship. Taking pride in their work. A product being made right here in Western Nebraska. What an opportunity for them. What an opportunity for me.

So, this is my passion. Teaching others.

(And all along you thought it was knitting, right?) :)

Did I ever have an inkling that I would teach knitting and fiber art? Not at all. No really.

So how DID I get so 'lucky' as to have arrived at this place in my life, this place and time and experience that allows me to do something that I am passionate about?

Actually I am not a big believer in 'luck'.

For example, frequently people will say how lucky I am to have been married to the same wonderful man for so many years. I do appreciate the comment, but honestly, luck has nothing to do with it. It's called work, hard work. And when I work hard at something, that usually means I am passionate about it in some way or another.

Passion is the key ingredient in anything thing that I have done and done well in my life.

Think about it...when you put your entire being into something, whether it's just for a moment or over the course of a lifetime, things in the universe just seem aligned, don't they? It flows. It works.

Living passionately comes with a price though. A big price...and here it is: Once you tap into what you feel most strongly about and incorporate that into your daily life, you'll never be satisfied again living without passion. Yep. That's the deal and if you don't believe me, just think about it for a second. It will come to you.

Most dissatisfaction and discontent in my life can be easily traced to not being in alignment with my passion. And I am not talking about living a life of some idealistic, Norman Rockwell painting. Not at all. Living with passion means a lot of things, including heart ache, pain, lessons you'd rather not learn, highs and lows and a lot of WORK.

So that is why I do not buy the notion that I am just lucky to be in the place I am in my life, personally or professionally. Nope.

I have been moving towards this moment in my marriage my entire life.

The skills to work in this business were unknowingly developed as I went along.

Being passionate in your life requires a huge belief that whatever it is, it's worth trying or doing, even if you don't know where it's taking you or where you will end up. It's almost always a risk and there are no guarantees as to how it will turn out. That's not the point of living passionately. For me anyway, it truly isn't about the outcome. It's about the 'alignment'--remember--my insides matching my outsides. There aren't always obvious rewards. It is what it is.

I have found that it is better to run towards something than from something. You cannot let fear be your driving force; you truly need to have passion pulling you out of bed each day.

Do you see the smile and concentration on the those bright, beautiful faces in the pictures? That fuels me. That gets me out into the world every day. It's worth doing...this business of teaching...and passing on the art of making something with your hands.

When you do something with everything you've got, well there's nothing else like it in this world.

So I think that answers my question about how [pash'en] ended up on my bathroom wall. I guess it's a little more than a cliche to me.

It is me.

Knit on,

Donna

Sweet Success

2010-09-27T13:20:00.000-06:00

We now have the 2nd Annual Scotts Bluff Valley Fiber Arts Fair under our belts. I spent the last week reliving and relishing the entire experience in my mind and with my fellow board members and awesome volunteers.

Here's to a job well done ladies!

Comments that I heard from our participants were positive, to say the least, and very encouraging: "Upscale, inspiring, educational, high-class, well-organized, so much fun!" And most importantly, "Can't wait for next year!"

Our many thanks to all who came out to the fairgrounds! Your participation was fabulous and your enthusiasm inspiring. I am already working on some new things for next year's event, so stay tuned. (Yes, the show must go on and the planning never stops!)

In the meantime, I thought you might like to see a few highlights from Friday's classes and of course the fair on Saturday. I will have a complete gallery for the 2010 fair up this week on the website, but this will give you an idea of the incredible talent that was this year's fair!

Donna Friebertshauser teaching Brazilian Embroidery

Stephanie Flynn-Sokolov conducting her beginning wheel spinning class

I love spinners! Barefoot and comfy while they are working!

Deb Wagonner of Two Windows Dye Co. She came all the way from Hutchinson, Kansas to teach a knitting class and vend at the fair

Many thanks to Nancy Shroyer for traveling the farthest (North Carolina!) to teach Traditional Fair Isle

Felted Entrelac Tote class

...taught by Mavis Davis of LaPorte, CO. Mavis is Harlan Brown's daughter

Joan Sheen of Kearney, NE shared her expertise in the Crackle Weaving class

Oh how I love this piece...the colors are gorgeous!

Color Theory class

Vicki Square of Ft. Collins, CO...so pleased to have her teach this year

Donna Friebertshauser also taught Silk Ribbon Embroidery in the afternoon session

The very talented Rhonda McClure of Ewe and Us teaching Needle Felting. Rhonda and her husband also had a booth at the fair.

Here is a wonderful piece that Rhonda shared with her students.

Hand made soaps from Laura Whelchel of Laura's Herbal Apothecary

Couldn't be a Nebraska fiber fair without a few team hats...compliments of Kathy Hartmeister of Op Pa Llandet

Peggy Wells, daughter of Harlan Brown and Vice President of Brown Sheep Co. giving a greeting and thank you to all of our vendors at the Galleria the night before the fair

Getting to know each other and taking a little time out for some great food and drink was a welcome break from all of our hard work!

After a very busy day on Friday, you would think everyone would be dragging the next morning, but no! The energy was high and smiles were seen all around the show floor. Below are some highlights of the fabulous demonstrators, vendors, and breeders that made this year's fair such a success.

Creativity and imaginative uses for natural fibers were everywhere that day!

This young lady is so talented! She was the youngest student the day of classes and everyone was amazed at her talent for fiber art at such a young age. She will be one to watch for in the future of this industry!

Beautiful, hand crafted drop spindles from Wooly Designs of Crawford, CO

Kim Schiffmacher and Deb Barrett demonstrating weaving and Australian locker hooking

Fair t-shirts and totes for sale featuring the fabulous artwork of Laura Avila, a local artist from Mitchell, NE

And oh yes, a fair favorite last year and this year, the Swedish Tomten! Each one has a personality of it's own.

Our spinning instructor, Stephanie, posing with Laurie Alkire, one of my fellow fair Board members


Cher Maybee of Barn Anew Bed and Breakfast showing her tomten

Cher and her husband Allan co-sponsored the fair, along with Brown Sheep Co. Cher is also on the Board of Directors and planning committee for the fair. Allan gave an historical presentation of sheep wagons at Barn Anew the day of the fair.

Crochet demonstrators Carmen Sanchez and Brandy Earl along with my good friend and fair volunteer, Jan Johnson

This is Laura Avila (the artist who created our logo) with her mom, Cathy McGrath of Tanglewood Studios who came all the way from Las Vegas to participate in the fair.

Two extremely talented ladies, Darlene Tagler (Prairie Pines Quilt Shop, Gering, NE) and quilting demonstrator for the fair, Deb Aschenbrenner

Phil Switzer ( and wife Chris) brought Paco Vicunas which was a new addition to the fiber animal lineup this year

Mick Leighton of Loveland, CO brought alpaca again this year

Richard Phillips of Prairie Moon Alpacas taking time out to relax and knit

He and his wife, Ann are such a fun addition to the fair and so knowledgeable on all things fiber art

Debbie Leighton (Deer Valley Alpacas) and Ann Phillips (Prairie Moon Alpacas) share a booth called Fiber Frolics

Sarah Meyer along with her mom, Cheryl of Hidden Valley Ranch showing an angora hat her mom knit out of the fiber obtained from their French Angora rabbits

Tracy Kreie demonstrating drop spindle techniques

Our weaving demonstrators Libby Lundgren and Berni Lewis

Laura Avila, Stacia Phifer, and Christy Strong at the information booth...oh these ladies worked hard that day!

Our door prize gang! Virginia Garrett, Melissa Robbins (coordinator), Anna Robbins, and Marge Townley

Loretta Haught, one of the hardest working volunteers and fiber art enthusiasts you will find, taking time out to pose with me

Judy Hoxworth, our Silent Auction coordinator (talk about a big job!) along with Christy Strong, co-chair of the Hospitality committee

One of the many beautiful items on the silent auction table

A Little bluegrass music courtesy of Green Valley Homesteaders to set the mood!

Payson Haught with Salty, a French Angora rabbit

Miss Maggie Brunmeier, daughter of Jewel Brunmeier, our Breeder Committee Chairperson (Jewel, why don't I have a pic of you?!?) She was so busy I guess there was no time to pose! :)

And speaking of posing...llama brought in by Curt and Susan Boyes of Red Barn Wool Station from Minatare, NE

Oh my! A face only a mother could love?!? Angora goat....what a ham! Maggie told me all of their names, but can't remember now!

Alex Becker holding a sweet baby Cashmere goat

Joanna Johnson's book signing at the Brown Sheep booth

These ladies asked me to take a picture, but I don't know their names..totally adorable in those hats though.

Me along with our guest of honor, Mrs. Janet Brown of Brown Sheep Co. She said she had a wonderful time that day and visited with many, many people!

Last year's fair was so busy that I wasn't able to buy one thing! This year I did get to sneak a little shopping in with my daughter, Kendall, and here's a few of the treasures we came home with:

Phil (my husband) won a door prize from Designs by Anna (felted bracelet and pin)...he said it wasn't his color though, so he generously gifted the set to Kendall and I :)

Another Designs by Anna (Walker) purchase...Kendall picked this one out for herself (quilted/felted bracelet)

My beloved little Swedish Tomte handfelted by Gabriella Cervin (he's a faithful guardian of small things...every home needs a little watching over)

Sock yarn hand-dyed by Deb Wagonner of Two Windows Dye Co.

Kendall and I each picked our favorite colorway for socks I will be knitting for us--the pictures don't do the color justice!

And the same goes for this lovely little bundle of hand dyed roving from Ingrid Borah of Whysper Mountain Woolens--I hope to get out the drop spindle soon and practice my spinning with this luscious fiber

Then once I get it spun I'm thinking I will knit this:

Deb Wagonner was wearing this cute little knit headpiece the day of the fair and Kendall wanted the pattern

Linda George was selling her Swedish Mittens kits again this year...I so wanted to buy the pattern last year, but missed my opportunity


This year mission accomplished! I can't wait to dive into the pattern, which Linda told me was written in the late 1700's...that's very cool...they are a combination of Lamb's Pride from Brown Sheep and a beautiful soft mohair...I especially love the detail of the embroidery and buttons and they are so thick and warm!

What an exciting weekend! Thank you again to everyone who shared their time and incredible talent to the event.

Sweet success indeed!

Knit on,

Donna

ps. I will try and go back when I have time and add a links to the businesses listed here (there are so many!). I do have a booklet with all the contact information though. Leave me a comment and I would be happy to send one to you or give you info. on any one you would like to know more about or order from.

Creative Cross-Pollination

2010-09-16T21:06:00.002-06:00

I was asked to write a guest column in conjunction with the 2nd annual Scotts Bluff Valley Fiber Arts Fair for the Gering Citizen this week. I felt honored and excited to share a few personal thoughts on art, creativity, knitting, fiber art, and the fair itself. Below you will find the article in its entirety. As always, would love to hear your comments.

Knit On,

Donna

__________________________________________________

It was by no means a masterpiece, but my very first knitting project, a small square of dark green yarn seamed together on one side, became a “skirt” for one of my dolls. This humble project was, amazingly enough, the foundation and inspiration for the work I currently enjoy today. As a child, I loved making art. Don’t we all start off that way? Think finger paints, construction paper, glue, popsicle sticks, and of course a box of crayons and the endless possibilities of a blank sheet of paper.

Thanks to the patience of my grandma, Betty Thompson, knitting was one of those creative endeavors that I have had with me since the age of 8. I remember the blue and white, flowered recliner chair with the wooden arms she had me sit in as I carefully listened and tried to follow her instructions. Each stitch was a challenge and each one that I completed a victory. I have been stitching the stories and emotions of my life into my knitting projects in one way or another ever since.

At the risk of this sounding like a confession, though, knitting was only the beginning of my explorations. In my early adult life, for many reasons, I used to keep my creative endeavors to myself. I didn’t get together with friends or join groups or even take classes, and often times these weren’t even available. I simply walked into an art or craft supply store, purchased what I thought I needed, and proceeded to make, bake and grow things to my heart’s content. It wasn’t a secret, mind you, but quietly I set about trying my hand at crocheting, quilting, sewing, embroidering, scrapbooking, cross stitching, and card making.

The beautiful thing was that there were no rules and no levels of perfection to attain. That discovery alone gave me insight into why I enjoyed these domestic arts so much. The other revelation I had during all of this time was that there was a definite theme to the creative outlets I enjoyed. I would later learn someone had named that theme fiber art. But I will get to that in a moment. There was something else though, a discovery more important, and it took my thoughts back to my grandmother. This wasn’t just creativity, but creativity with a practical, purposeful side as well. I never thought of myself as an artist, believe me, but the history and importance of these arts of domesticity connected me to her, and others that came before me.

A common enough idea these days, but for me it added value to the time and money spent on these explorations in a way that was deeply satisfying. This wasn’t something to hide or keep to myself. This was something to embrace and enjoy with others. You see, the very strong feminist in me (I am my mother’s child) must have being doing battle with the young woman that was taking such pleasure in all of these things. Why did it have to be one or the other? Who was I in all of this? Just because I knit didn’t mean that I couldn’t go out and advocate for women’s rights, did it? Such contradictions, yes, but such sweet satisfaction I took in learning that in fact creativity doesn’t have labels and gender specific laws. (Just ask the men I know who knit! They would have their own story to tell, but I digress.) The point is there is no need to choose.

I also feel that too much emphasis is put on the idea that we are either creative or we aren’t. I can’t tell you how many times a day I hear someone say, well, I’m just not the creative type, as they talk about what they will be making for dinner that night and the beautiful flowers that grow in their garden. I send them home with a bag full of yarn and wonder who ever gave them the idea that creativity had any boundaries. Once I embraced these concepts, my art and creativity, especially my knitting, took on a life of its own (ask my husband or daughter who have been witnesses to my journey). Something was set in motion, and with a few detours along the way, I arrived where I am at today and can say with pride and immense gratitude: I am a fiber artist and certified knitting instructor.

A term I heard a few years ago I feel describes fiber art perfectly is: creative cross-pollination…a combination of so many things and includes so many things all at once (that’s me). And yes, that’s fiber art. It’s a collage of color, texture and technique. It’s construction. It’s often functional and frequently beautiful. It’s art. It’s a picture. It’s a sweater. It’s a soft, heathered gray hank of hand spun wool. It has words and music that you can’t necessarily hear, but they are there nonetheless. There’s something incredibly satisfying and comforting to me knowing that the work I do with my hands is all of those things and more.

Art allows us to free our minds and hands and eyes to enjoy often neglected and undervalued skills, color, textures, and patterns. Being creative is about taking the steps to learn how to make something, to allow yourself to be a beginner, and not to get discouraged if one kind of creativity doesn’t turn out to be ‘your thing.’ And everyone needs an occasional dose of inspiration, creative cross-pollination, or a light-hearted reminder about not expecting perfection. Just begin.

This Saturday at the county fairgrounds in Mitchell, Barn Anew Bed and Breakfast and Brown Sheep Co. will be hosting the 2nd annual Scotts Bluff Valley Fiber Arts Fair (SBVFAF). It is a celebration of textiles and fibers, specifically natural fibers. It is an exploration into the rich and practical history textiles have in our lives. Before trends and fashion came in, we were clothing ourselves for the lifestyle we lived and the needs we had. We used materials that came from our natural surroundings such as plant and animal fibers. Fiber art fairs and festivals are a representation of those natural fibers and the many, many processes we use to turn them into useful items and works of art.

The heart of any fiber arts fair is education and inspiration. There is an industry term known as “sheep to shawl”. It’s a concept that entails taking a raw material such as wool, silk, cotton, or linen, turning it into yarn, thread, fabric, or roving, and then making it into a finished product. Fiber festivals are all about giving you an inside look at that entire process. It’s about preserving and passing along traditional techniques and sharing contemporary methods and ideas with the artisans that spin, weave, felt, quilt, dye, knit, and crochet.

My personal hope is that by combining an understanding of the past with the present, it will give you greater confidence in your individual creativity, offer new ways of looking at century’s old skills, and help you to feel proud of and see the worth in yourself and what is considered art. How you express yourself through creativity is entirely up to you. Spend time with others, join a group, or take a class. My grandmother offered me her time and talent and that is a gift that has lasted a lifetime. I pay homage to her by teaching and encouraging others. How complete that circle feels.

I spent a lot of time recently thinking about why events like the SBVFAF are so important. I have come to believe that creating things by hand speaks to both the pleasure of the process and also to our natural instinct to create something useful or beautiful. Even though our world has become reliant on the work of machines rather than human hands—and speed and economic gain often seem to be valued over all else—the desire to make something, however time-consuming that process may be, remains with us.

If we no longer have to knit socks, make quilts, or bake bread, why would we want to do so? The true significance lies beyond usefulness. It is in the process and satisfaction of creating that we have the most to gain. Somewhere along the line I think we stopped giving hand crafted the respect it deserves. I hope you take the opportunity to visit the fair and I hope that you find joy in everything you create.

For more information about the fair visit www.nebraskafiberfair.com or call 635-2198 and you can follow my personal knitting journey at www.theartofyarn.blogspot.com.

And now for something completely different...

2010-08-17T16:02:00.000-06:00

What do you do when you are overwhelmed by your knitting 'to do' list (like classes, store knitting, personal projects, fiber arts fair...I could go on)...

You invite friends over and forget about it! A couple of weeks ago I had my dear friends Barb and Pat over to my house for dinner, drinks, and good conversation. For several years we had a regular monthly dinner night, along with our friend Kris. We would meet and take turns hosting. It was something to look forward to and we hardly missed a month, ever. For me it was a respite and reprieve from the craziness of daily life. The comfort of companionship from other women, very wise women I might add, cannot be replaced.

Kris has since moved away and we miss her terribly, but we are so happy for her to be out in her RV, traveling around and enjoying her retirement. That left the three of us and we certainly had good intentions of continuing our monthly ritual. Over time though, the dinner dates waned, and now it's only the occasional get together we seem to manage. That is why I savor the moments even more when we do see each other.

I love cooking and baking almost as much as I love knitting. My pantry is full of cookbooks and food magazines, boxes of recipe clippings and so on. I can sit down and read a cook book like a novel. (same with many knitting books). These are truly two of life's pleasures for me.

Anyway, I really wanted to make something out of the ordinary for Barb and Pat that night and decided on:

Southern Cornbread Salad

Yep, cornbread salad. Ever heard of it? I hadn't until recently. I ran across the idea while perusing recipes online. And well, I cook like I knit...I can never just follow a recipe (or pattern) exactly as written. By the time I am done, it has transformed into something completely different. This salad was no exception. Also, I had always wanted to make something, trifle or otherwise, in a trifle bowl...so I promptly went out and bought one! It makes the prettiest presentation. All of the colors and textures layered delectably together in one beautiful bowl. Plus, hey, it's just fun sometimes to eat something out of the ordinary, right?

I started by making my Green Chile Cornbread and letting it cool. Here's the recipe:

Green Chile Cornbread

1 1/4 cups unbleached all-purpose flour

3/4 cup yellow corn meal

2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 cup honey

1 cup lowfat buttermilk

1/4 cup vegetable oil

1 large egg or 1/4 cup egg beaters

1 small can diced green chiles

Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees. Spray an 8 x 8" or 9 x 9" baking dish with cooking spray. Combine dry ingredients in a medium bowl. In a separate bowl, whisk together honey, buttermilk, oil, and egg. Add mixture to dry ingredients and mix until moistened. Fold in green chiles. Do not over mix. Pour batter into baking dish. Bake 20-25 minutes. Top should be very light golden brown. Do not overbake. Let stand 10 mintues. Turn cornbread out onto cutting board and cool completely.

(This recipe also works well when you add 1/2 cup shredded cheddar or colby-jack to the batter. I do the cheesy version when serving it with a big pot of chili.)

And now for the salad recipe (this is such a great idea for all of those Farmer's Market purchases this time of year!):

Southern Cornbread Salad

1 baked Green Chile Cornbread, cut into 1" cubes, reserving 1 cup or so for "croutons"-which I toasted in the toaster oven

1-15 oz. can pinto beans with jalepenos or black beans, drained and rinsed

1-15.5 oz jar salsa (or use your own) mixed with one medium tomato, chopped

2 cups fresh, cooked OR frozen, thawed corn

8 cups of greens-I used a mixture of chopped romaine hearts and baby lettuces

1 diced green pepper

1 diced red pepper

1/2 cup finely chopped red onion

2 tomatoes, chopped

2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

3 cups chopped, cooked chicken (deli broasted chicken works great and saves time)

1 T chopped fresh parsley, optional

1 T chopped fresh chives, optional

2 cups Spicy Buttermilk Ranch Dressing (recipe follows)

Toss chicken with salsa mixture. In a trifle dish or clear glass bowl, begin layering ingredients in this order, making sure that they go to the edge of the bowl so you can see the layers:

Beans

Corn

1/2 lettuce mixture

Untoasted cornbread cubes

Chicken

1/2 lettuce mixture

Red onion, red pepper, green pepper

Cheese

Tomato

Chives/Parsley
(press down on everything a little as you get to the top layer)

Chill in refrigerator for 1-2 hours. Pour dressing over top of salad just before serving or serve it on the side if you think you will have leftovers.

Set reserved, toasted cornbread croutons in a dish on the side to sprinkle on top.

Spicy Buttermilk Ranch Dressing

1 pkg. buttermilk ranch dressing mix

1 cup mayo (I use a light olive oil mayo, but choose your favorite)

1 cup low-fat buttermilk

1 T chopped fresh parsley or 1/2 T dried

1 tsp red pepper flakes

1 T paprika

2 T chopped fresh chives or 1 T dried
1 tsp chili powder

1/2 tsp black pepper

Combine all ingredients in a jar. Shake to mix thoroughly. Chill for several hours before serving. Works well if made up the night before.

Enjoy!

On a related note, I mentioned Farmer's Markets earlier and wanted to tell you about my visit this last weekend to the Scottsbluff Farmer's Market. I bought many wonderful things including a giant zucchini, which I promptly turned into Chocolate Chip Zucchini Bread, fresh corn on the cob and tomatoes...

Grass-fed beef for chili from OpenBar2 Ranch...

...and two fun products, a habenero peanut butter (yes, you read that right) from Nuts for You , and an apricot/habenero jam called Blazin' Glory from Beeloved Jams...

Also a cantaloupe and some goat's milk feta cheese from Victory Hills Farm.

I spent about an hour or so just browsing and visiting. Such a great way to start my weekend off!

My good friend Monique Larsen has started a blog called Prairie Bloom, and you can find many of the Farmer's Markets in the area listed there, as well as resources for many organic, locally grown and/or produced items. She is continually adding to the lists found there.

I have in the past complained on occasion about my lack of choices for these kinds of items, and now I find the resources I have always wanted in one convenient location. I admit it takes more effort to buy, cook, and eat seasonally, organically, when possible, and locally, but oh it is so worth it!

Hope you enjoy the recipes and thanks for the break from my knitting. Some days it just gets to be a little much. Never thought I would say that about my knitting, but then if I plan to do this for the rest of my life, I had better pace myself somewhat, don't you think?

Taking the time to purchase fresh, locally grown ingredients, putting together a meal, baking something delicious, and sharing an evening with friends...I can't think of a better way or a better reason to take a break, decompress, refocus, and re-energize.

I suddenly have the urge to pick up my needles...

Knit On,

Donna

Art, Part 2

2010-08-04T14:18:00.000-06:00

Funny how time can make you forget. With enough time between one blog post and another, it seems that I can completely forget why I wanted to write about knitting and art. Well, I haven't exactly 'forgotten'. It's more like I don't know that it's so important to me that those questions get answered anymore, if that makes sense.

The images and questions I shared in my last post came from the desire to have a 'discussion' about what art is and what it means in our lives. But over the last few weeks I realized that what I really wanted to do was to get you thinking about creativity and creative expression in your own life. That doesn't necessarily mean that we're talking about art, does it?

Thank you to Jenn, for her thoughtful response to my last post. I am honestly not sure I could have put it any better, Jenn. If you haven't read her comment, it's worth going back and doing so. I would like to share one part of her thoughts:    "In the end I try not to think about it all too much. I think sometimes our desire to come up with an exacting definition [of art] closes the door to possibilities."

I believe that is right on. Art is many things, but most certainly it is personal and it is about possibilities. And that's the note I was trying to hit and didn't realize it until I had time to reflect.

Possibilities.

Have you heard of SARK? I have every one of her books and have read them and reread them many times. She has a particular style and soul in her writing and her creativity that makes me feel free and unique and capable of anything. And aren't those the things we're looking for in creative self-expression?

In her book A Creative Companion, she writes: "We all started out creatively free. Remember the sandbox? All you needed was bare toes in warm sand, and maybe a good bucket. Then you could build your own world. At school, things may have changed. ...the chairs were in rows, and tree trunks were to be colored brown, not purple. If you lived in a world of purple tree trunks, you probably learned to hide it."

I understand that statement. I grew up believing that tree trunks were always supposed to be brown and the sky was blue and the leaves were green. And that belief translated it's way into my knitting right from the start. I tried to 'knit within the lines'. I thought of it as a one dimensional endeavor that had to come out a certain way, period. And honestly, this probably served me well for a time. At least in the sense that now I know that is the exact opposite of what creativity and art really is, or can be.

I couldn't tell you for sure when it happened, but at some point I realized that I had my own ideas and opinions about how things should look. I suppose my epiphany about my knitting came about the same time my epiphany about my life hit me (one of many obviously). Yes, that would make sense, wouldn't it?

The hard part is having the courage to step off that ledge and go in your own direction then, isn't it? This could be as simple as choosing a different color than what was originally used by the designer, or possibly searching for different texture in the yarn you will work with...it could even be that stepping off of that ledge means tackling a pattern that has a difficult to execute technique that you have been afraid to try.

Listen, if that 'difficult technique' is the only thing keeping you from knitting that beautiful sweater that you have had the pattern for in your notebook for many years, take the leap!

There's always a way, trust me. Books, magazines, on-line videos and tutorials, and of course classes! ;) The single, solitary reason that I love to teach is to build confidence in my students so they can go out into the knitting world and achieve whatever goals they have set. I live for the 'light bulb' moments that come over their faces in class.

Creativity has to be cultivated to some degree. 99% of the creative world out there had to study their art or craft in order to do it. For sure there are exceptions and I bet you could name many, but for the purpose of this discussion we'll stick with the idea that creativity takes some amount of effort.

You must also give yourself the time and space to work at it. I don't know of very many creative endeavors that happen if every single day is filled to the brim with with scheduled things. I do understand busy. I am the queen of 'busy'! Meaning, I can take 24 hours and fill it up like nobody's business.   But fill it up with what? I had to step back and really reassess how I was spending my time (and more importantly why I was doing it this way) in order to realize that my creative goals (see the very end of my profile ;) were NEVER going to happen if I didn't start actually giving myself time to explore them in a pretty serious way. Life had become way to many 'have tos', and it felt like time was starting to roll by like a freight train.

I can't tell you how many times a day I hear people say to me--well, I am just not that creative or I could never do that, or if only I had the time. I am here to tell you that it comes in many forms and looks like many things. There is no one set definition.

I promise you that there are no 'knitting police.' No one is going to come look at your projects and say, you know you should have done this and it's supposed to look like that...the important thing is: how do you feel when you are creating?

Carve out a little time this week, sit down, and just revel in what your hands and your heart are able to do. Whether it is coloring a picture, baking something sweet, or putting sticks and string together.

Creativity is always there — you just need to want to explore it.

A few movements with a knitting needle and a little bit of yarn suddenly turns into something remarkable, something that exists nowhere else in the world; it's yours. And once you’ve created it, it will remain a unique and inexhaustible source of further inspiration because each time you do this, you are opening to your own possibilities...

...and that, my friends, is a beautiful thing.

I welcome your comments and suggestions.

Knit on...

D.

ART...in the eye of the knitter?

2010-06-18T09:33:00.000-06:00

There's been questions running around in my brain lately that I would very much like your opinion on.

Are you game?

Ok, here goes...

What is art? What does art mean to you?

What is the difference between an artist and an artisan? Is there a difference?

Do you consider yourself an artist?

If you are an artist, do you make your living through your art? Why or why not?

What is your definition of fine art? What are some examples?

And the big question on my mind: Does FIBER ART fall into the category of fine art? Is knitting, crocheting, needle felting, lace making, weaving, and spinning art...or craft?

Depends, you say?

What does it depend upon?

How do you decide what is art and what is not?

Hmmmmmmm...

Have I asked enough questions to get you going? Do you even care about any of this? Have you ever given it any thought? Do you think it matters?

Do you simply create to create, or do you have a mission, a purpose when you create?

Let me offer a few basic dictionary definitions to get you started:

–noun

the quality, production, expression, or realm, according to aesthetic principles, of what is beautiful, appealing, or of more than ordinary significance.

the class of objects subject to aesthetic criteria; works of art collectively, as paintings, sculptures, or drawings: a museum of art; an art collection.

a field, genre, or category of art: Dance is an art.

the fine arts collectively, often excluding architecture: art and architecture.

any field using the skills or techniques of art: advertising art; industrial art.

(in printed matter) illustrative or decorative material: Is there any art with the copy for this story?

the principles or methods governing any craft or branch of learning: the art of baking; the art of selling.

the craft or trade using these principles or methods.

skill in conducting any human activity: a master at the art of conversation.

10.

a branch of learning or university study, esp. one of the fine arts or the humanities, as music, philosophy, or literature.

11.

skilled workmanship, execution, or agency, as distinguished from nature.

–noun

an art, trade, or occupation requiring special skill, esp. manual skill: the craft of a mason.

skill; dexterity: The silversmith worked with great craft.

skill or ability used for bad purposes; cunning; deceit; guile.

the members of a trade or profession collectively; a guild.

–noun

a person who produces works in any of the arts that are primarily subject to aesthetic criteria.

a person who practices one of the fine arts, esp. a painter or sculptor.

a person whose trade or profession requires a knowledge of design, drawing, painting, etc.: a commercial artist.

a person who works in one of the performing arts, as an actor, musician, or singer; a public performer: a mime artist; an artist of the dance.

a person whose work exhibits exceptional skill.

–noun

a person skilled in an applied art; a craftsperson.

–noun

a person who practices or is highly skilled in a craft; artisan.

And now for the fun part! Grab something to sip on, get in a comfy position...

Take your time.

Let me share with you some images of fiber art.

What do you see? How do these images make you feel? Do you know how many different things can fall into this category? I have found them randomly and saved them because they remind me of the fabulous diversity of the industry I work and play in every day.

I have posted them here randomly for your enjoyment, but also for your consideration...

The question I have is this: art or not? Craft? Or something else entirely?

Ok, so I threw this one in just because...not fiber art, but fiber art related, eh? I just thought it was cool! Tatoos...a whole other discussion for another day. ;)

Some interesting things, aren't there?

Isn't she just awesome?

Can art be practical and useful?

What part, if any, do textiles play in the world of "fine art?"

And just a few more....

Is this fun, or what? :)

So, before I give you my thoughts on the subject, I'd really like to hear yours.

After looking at all of these images, which ones fit your definition of art? craft? Why?

You might go back and reread the dictionary definitions. Have these images changed your mind on anything? Do you see fiber art in a different way than you did before? How so?

Wish we could sit down in person and have this conversation, but we will have to settle for the next best thing! Looking forward to reading what you have to say.

I will return shortly for Part 2...

So let's dance!

2010-06-08T06:59:00.000-06:00

Wow, has it really been more than a month since I have posted anything?

I know that you probably don't want to hear it, but I have good excuses...really I do. Let me just say that the month of May was one crazy ride for me and here is the abbreviated version...

...our daughter, Kendall, officially graduated from high school on May 23rd (and we couldn't be more proud of her). Many friends and family came to help us celebrate and I believe Kendall enjoyed herself immensely.

...I am officially on the mend from some mysterious health issues (chest pain with no known cause-but we ruled out all the bad stuff like heart, stroke, cancer etc). After spending some time in the hospital and a week home from work, I am beginning to feel like I am back in the land of the living again (yes, the timing for this was awesome *said with a very sarcastic tone*)

...and as of June 1st I was officially NOT on vacation anymore and back to work (I took 10 days off, had a very nice time, and even managed to celebrate my birthday in style, thanks to my wonderful husband).

One would assume then, that I did not have much time to think or reflect on my life, but believe it or not, I managed to fit a lot of that in as well (and if you know me at all, you know that I am actually always thinking and processing "stuff", whether I want to or not). I used to think it was a curse, but honestly, it's just a natural state of being for me, and I'm okay with that. In fact, two of my favorite things to do, knitting and pondering life (over a good cup of coffee with a good friend)...well there's nothing better, but I digress.

Many, many thoughts ran through my mind and my heart as we celebrated our daughter moving into adulthood. At times I wanted to make her stop what she was doing, grab her up, and hold her so close to me because it felt like if I didn't I would never have that chance again. Other times I wanted to disconnect from everything because it felt so painful to know that her childhood was over. Any regrets, any mistakes, I would simply have to live with them.

The questions, the questions I had...Did I tell her "I love you" enough?

Did I take the time to listen enough? Did I smile enough along the way? Did we teach her the things she will need to know to go out into the world? Is she happy? Were we too strict? Is she happy? Were we too lenient? Is she happy? What could I have done differently?

Does she feel loved, and safe, and secure in herself? Is she confident and self-aware?

Her dad and I struggled to process these things and more. Where has the time gone? How will she look back on her childhood? Did we spend enough time together as a family? Will she always know that we are here for her and that she always has a home?

...all the things parents hope they gave their child....

It's amazing to me but I believe the answer to all of these questions is yes! I think in our own way we did. As I sat visiting with her the other night, it came to me that I could indeed take a deep breath and replace the self-doubt with a healthy dose of accomplishment and relief. The easy,quiet way she had of telling me about her day and the comments and thoughts she shared about her views of the world as it is right now, told me unequivocally that all was well inside and out for Kendall. She's going to be just fine, and so am I.

Here's to you, baby girl...and your dad and I. WE did it!

"Life dances and you have to dance with it, whether it is taking you on a wonderful ride or is stepping on your toes. This is the necessary price and transcendent gift of being alive in a body. But it is just life dancing. Life will move you in the rhythm and direction of its own nature. Each moment is a fresh moment in the dance, and if you are lost in clinging to the past or clinging to your hopes or fears of the future, you are not present for the dance." --Phillip Moffitt

So let's dance.

Block 1 is Done!

2010-04-28T12:24:00.000-06:00

It may not seem like such a monumental task to many, but for those of us working on the Great American Aran Afghan, it's a milestone. The first class was held last month and by the looks on the students faces when they left that night, I was just sure we wouldn't have many return! The moans and groans were pretty loud as they wrestled with understanding the pattern, attempted to read the charts, fumbled with the cable needle, and generally just tried to keep their composure, when many were saying to themselves, "What in the world am I doing here? Why did I think this would be fun?!?"

Well, we met for the second class last night and what a difference a month makes!! Every single student returned with a completed block or one in progress and many had a good start on the second block. Oh how it warmed my heart that they each went home and fought the good fight and hung in there. Our instructor, Beth Trupp, did a fabulous job. The mood was very different this time around and people were actually visiting while knitting....and if that isn't a good sign, I don't know what is.

Here's Beth looking over Lori Karpen's work. Also at the table are Dee Dixon, Cher Maybee, Corlyus Treffer, and Kim Carlson.

Red was a popular choice of colors. There are others using gray and brown and several the traditional cream.

Here's Kim's finished Block 1....nice job Kim!

And look how far she already is on Block 2!

Here we have Lori Schaffer, Jan Johnson, and Brandy Earl getting ready to start Block 2.

And here's my completed block...notice anything different about mine? No BOBBLES! And I didn't forget them, I omitted them on purpose. I don't know what it is about bobbles, but they are just not my thing. I don't mean knitting them either. I just mean the looks of them. And this is MY afghan so I say no to bobbles. I do however have all of then essentials every knitter needs very close by: water bottle, because this is hard work and I get very thirsty, cell phone in case I need to call for back-up, glasses because I can't seem to knit without them anymore, my camera case (yeah, you get that one) and a picture of some beautiful flowers that I wanted to know the name of (well, we do talk about other things besides knitting).

And here's the whole group set up downstairs in shipping. We meet down there instead of the store because there is a lot more room.

I was impressed by everyone's accomplishments! Congrats ladies and great job!

Now if I only hadn't ripped out 3 times during class because I couldn't, or should I say wouldn't, take the time to read directions, I would be farther along.

I have learned a few things about being the student and not the instructor (and these are good things):

1. When someone is having a problem, I don't always have the answer.

2. When someone is having a problem, I don't have to have the answer.

3. I must pay attention to my own knitting or I will have a problem.

4. Oh, and did I say I don't like bobbles?

Odds and Ends

2010-04-12T06:39:00.000-06:00

Spring is really coming, so they tell me anyway, and that means several things in my little part of the world. For those of you that know me, you know that my daughter, Kendall, is a senior in high school this year and will be graduating next month. Here we are at a school event not too long ago.

We have many, many things to plan and do, as you can imagine.

I want to put that out there because I appreciate your patience with the large gap between posts here on my blog. I HAVE been knitting and working in between all of the planning and doing, believe me. That's just a given. Blogging about it has been a little tougher... Thanks for hanging in there with me!

I'm sure there will be more to come on this big milestone in our lives, but for now...I want to talk about a few miscellaneous topics.

I have been getting a lot of questions about how to post a comment here on my blog. Many of you have said that you go to post something and it won't let you. There is a reason that it is set up this way and I thought I would take just a moment to explain. In order to comment, you basically are asked to identify yourself in some way. I am sure the purpose of this is to keep people from putting unwanted or offensive content out there, unless we have a way to trace it back to that person somehow. Many bloggers have it set up so that they can approve all comments before they are publicly posted. This is just a protective measure that benefits us all in obvious ways.

This means that you need to have an account with Google, or one of the other choices listed in the little drop down menu, so that we know who you are: Live Journal, Wordpress, Typepad, AIM, or Open ID are the other ones. If none of these sound familiar to you, then I would recommend you go with Google. You simply go to www.google.com and sign up. They only ask for very basic information like a name and email address. Simple. Once you have done that you are free to comment away here and elsewhere.

I am taking the time to explain this because I want you to be able to interact with me and other readers on this blog. I have several fun things planned this year that you will want to be able to post comments about, so don't hesitate...just do it! It will take 5 minutes or less. And by the way, I am not trying to promote Google necessarily. It's just one of the easiest and most recognizable out there. For those of you reading this that have other suggestions or something that might help, please share. I just know that it has been frustrating for many people that don't understand why it's set up this way.

And now for a little knitting news...

Let's start with a quote from Stephanie Pearl-McPhee in her book Knitting Rules!:

“I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, I hate hearing knitters say they’re afraid to try things in knitting…..It’s only knitting! It’s not dangerous! Leap on! Be afraid of bears, of bungee-jumping, of faulty wiring in old houses, but never, ever be afraid of trying something in knitting.”

And that is the case I want to make for knitting socks 2-at-a-time on one long circular needle....

I recently finished teaching my 2-at-a-time Sock Class out at Brown Sheep. I almost always cast on with my students in whatever class I am teaching so that they will be able to see where they are headed. In this case, I went with a pattern called Baby Feet (courtesy of my boss Peggy)...little, tiny bootie socks knit from Wildfoote Luxury Sock Yarn on a 40", Size 1 needle. (I prefer Addi Turbo Lace Tips for this particular technique, in case you were going to ask)

My students (who reluctantly agreed to having their picture taken lol:) used Lanaloft handpaint:

And Lamb's Pride Superwash:

And no, you don't need to adjust the color on your screen. I always have the students knit 2 different colors for their first pair of 2-at-time socks. It makes it much easier when learning this technique. They will make another pair to match!

They did a fabulous job and I believe if you were to ask them how they felt at the beginning of the class and at the end, they would tell you that what seemed so difficult and daunting at first became clear and pretty cool as they worked their way through it.

Here's Stacia finishing up the last few rounds on the toes and getting ready to graft them together.

Debbie is smiling because she is almost finished with her pair as well, and I imagine she is feeling pretty proud of herself, as she should. Nice job, ladies!

These are the Baby Feet that I knit all finished and ready to be sent off to my cousin Jill and her new baby girl, Jayla.

I am planning a traditional sock class on double pointed needles and a 2-at-a-time sock class this summer. Socks make for awesome summer knitting. They are small, lightweight, and portable. The schedule will be posted here at the end of the month. I will also be having an Absolute Beginner's Class coming soon.

In the meantime, leave a comment and let me know what your are working on right now (knitting or otherwise) and how you manage to fit it in to your busy schedules. Me? I am off to address a few more graduation announcements.

Quackmere Classic...aka..Just call me quacked

2010-04-01T15:24:00.000-06:00

Happy April Fools Day...and in case you were wondering, I have been fooled today, yes. Usually it's my husband who gets me, and gets me good.

This time it was a co-worker.

Shortly after I came into work this morning Amy hands me a copy of this article from Knitter's Review. I quickly glanced at it and said, "wow, duck yarn, what will they think of next," and then laid it back down on the counter.

It wasn't until I had an audience about an hour later that the real joke came out. We were sitting around the big table in the store and I was "sharing" this information with my friend Melissa, her daughter Sadie, her mother Nancy, and my boss, Peggy. I was reading it out loud to them and putting emphasis on the really shocking parts like the fact that a 25 yd. skein of duck yarn was going to be priced at $193.00! They listened intently and I just kept reading.

*Pause* and a big sigh for my disclaimer:
The idea of yarn being made from duck feathers really didn't seem that out of whack because look at all of the things they make yarn out of these days...corn, bamboo, seaweed, even opossum for heaven sake! Duck was just piquing my interest. How did they do this? Isn't that amazing and strange...who would buy it?...and on and on.

I was so caught up in this conversation we were having that I am not sure exactly when it happened, but everyone else was slowly catching on, (or at least thinking something sounded a little off), and I just kept going. Even when I got to the part about the different types of yarn blends at the end of the article, and the names that would go on the yarn labels in particular, well, that STILL didn't seem to strike me as a little strange: Wack (wool/duck), Squack (silk/duck), Yack (yak/duck), Quiquack (qiviut/duck)...

UNTIL: Aflack (acrylic, falcon, lemur, and duck). And the look came over my face that I am sure would have been one of those priceless picture moments if someone had a camera...omg! This whole thing is a very clever April Fool's joke and I have just been taken for a very good ride! lol:) By this time the ladies are seriously laughing out loud and all I could do, of course, was join in.

And the thing that really got me was that I had been taking every precaution to keep my husband from catching me off guard this year. I told Phil this morning not to bother calling me because I wouldn't be taking his calls. And don't even think about showing up at my work, I told him. (You need to understand that he has REALLY pulled some elaborate April Fool's jokes on me in the past. I was just trying to protect myself from further trauma.)

It never occurred to me that someone else would get me! The worst part of all is there are still several hours left in the day and I have to go home. Phil's home. Wish me luck.

Next year I am not even going to get out of bed.

You can't scare me, I'm a knitter!

2010-03-14T15:03:00.000-06:00

Heights, closed spaces, cockroaches, and mice are all enough to make me feel like I can't breathe and at any second my heart is going to stop. So I guess I am normal, right? (not that I put too much stock in being "normal", but you know what I mean;) I do have a few run-of-the-mill, average, everyday fears.

What's really interesting are the things that don't scare me, but maybe should, like baring my soul to the world on any given day, wearing my heart on my sleeve, discussing politics, letting my teenager take off on a road trip with 5 other friends, leaving my car unlocked, riding in the car with my husband who drives like he's always racing in the Indy 500, getting on a motorcycle, and having multiple, multiple, multiple things on my knitting list.

Knitting the Great American Aran Afghan is my latest/next project, inspired by my friend Beth. She knit one for her son and his fiance and I was truly blown away. Great job, Beth!

And here's my disclaimer...I need to say this straight out--I am NOT an afghan knitter. Let me repeat that (more for myself than you) I am NOT an afghan knitter. Never have been. The idea of a huge bed-size blanket being knit in the same stitch over and over for the next 3-5 years is not my idea of a good time.

But this one is different....challenging stitches, beautiful texture, and it is knit ONE block at a time, so it's very portable as well. Okay, so now we're talking. Except, of all the ideas that run through my mind, this is the one I should be most afraid of...forget heights and tight spaces, motorcycles and high speed. Am I really going to tackle this??

It's a class, by the way, that will meet once a month at Brown Sheep. I talked Beth into teaching it.:) Yeah for me! At least in a class setting I might be motivated to keep at it until it's done, knowing that I have to show up with my completed homework every month.

But even more than the afghan itself, it's all of the other projects I have waiting in my basket, bag, bed, kitchen table, and several other places. I knit for myself, my family, charity, classes, customers, and the store. Where in the world am I going to find time to do this? Have I overwhelmed you yet? Well relax. This stuff doesn't scare me! I am a hand knitter.

Knitting has taught me above all else how to focus, be in the moment, and just cast-on! It's going to be alright. So it really doesn't matter how much I have on my needles or waiting in the wings. Nope. I have learned to knit mindfully. That's why I don't get scared of all of these things on my knitting to do list.

Now I realize that some of you may call this denial. I see where you are coming from, but no worries. I am a mindful knitter, so I can tune you out. ;) See how this works?

For example, I have this on my needles right now:

It's the Lacy Ribbed Tee. It will be finished just in time for spring. Can't wait to wear it. Also in my knitting bag is this little cardigan (from my Top Down/Seamless Baby Sweater Class) knit from some fun handpaint:

It needs just the right buttons and some blocking to be complete. Thinking I might make a hat and socks out of the left overs though.

And then there's this crazy felted oven mitt done in Lanaloft on size 6 needles. Size 6! I have never knit a felted project before on such small needles, but the colorwork was so cute, I couldn't resist. And I actually do need some oven mitts.

I still need to felt it and then make another one in the opposite colorway. I will try and remember to post the finished projects so you can see them. (or if you are on Ravelry, I almost always get things posted to my notebook there) And if you are a knitter or crocheter and aren't on Ravelry yet, go there, now, and sign up!! You won't regret it. Promise.
(The odd colored yarn at the cuff, by the way, is waste yarn I used for a provisional cast-on. It enables you to take out the waste yarn at the end and expose live stitches to pick up for a border or some other use.)

Here's a good tutorial on provisional cast-ons, if you're interested:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GSwG6SJ1z2I&feature=related

I am finishing up a pair of fingerless gloves for a Lace and Beads Workshop that I teach. There is also a matching scarf that goes with the gloves.

I have been trying to get some of these things complete this weekend so I could go into the aran afghan class feeling all ready to jump in. But then why worry, right? As I've said before, I'm a hand knitter. It's all part of the fun.

Socks, Stockings, or Something Else?

2010-03-03T12:35:00.000-07:00

Wow! Check out the Prada 2010 Fall Collection:

http://tomandlorenzo2.blogspot.com/2010/02/prada-fall-2010-collection.html

Talk about hardcore knitters...the socks and stockings are all hand knit and almost every model on the runway has them on! Now, I am not saying that this is necessarily the fashion statement I want to make, but come on people...I look at them as amazing pieces of art! The time and talent it takes (and did I mention patience and tenacity) to hand knit these socks is inspiring to me.

Love them or hate them, you have to appreciate the workmanship, right,? It is also noteworthy that for quite a few years now, handknits have been making it to the fashion runways on a regular basis. I love that. Again, not so much because I am a huge fan of runway fashion...believe me, I am NOT a clothes horse...but it somehow elevates knitting to a level that I rather like.

From Tom and Lorenzo's Blog:
The designer dreamed up a whole new type of sock, a knitted knee sock with a ribbon in grosgrain or chiffon sewn down the shin, which is sure to spark a hot new trend.

“Naked legs are passé,” pronounced Prada, as she sipped a whiskey sour, with a cherry on top, after the show."

Now that makes me smile! Knit socks everyone! We don't want to be passe, now do we? :) C'mon Esther! You know you want to make some! ;)

Ok, and while we're on the subject...here's a few others to take a look at...

I know these would make me happy just knowing they were on underneath my clothes! ;)

29 Gifts For My Uncle Bruce

2010-02-19T10:59:00.000-07:00

I had a completely different post planned than what I am going to write about today, but what I am finding out about this blogging business is:

1. It's harder than you think to put down something everyday or even every week when you are not "feeling it."
2. The universe has a way of interfering with even the best laid plans and strongest intentions.
3. You really have to WANT to do this and be clear as to why you are doing this in order for it to "work".

Well, I have moved a great distance within myself in the last week thinking about those 3 things...I have been trying to prioritize and organize my thoughts, my time, and my energy. My uncle passed away very suddenly on Valentine's Day. Receiving that kind of call sends you into a vulnerable and reflective state...at least it does for me. And as always, I come out on the other side of it with some bit of insight into myself and others that I didn't have before.

One of the things you will hear me refer to often is "walking my talk"...I think we all know what that means to each of us individually? (And I hope this all comes out clear, by the way, because I am pulling thoughts from many different directions, but I have a pretty good sense of where I am heading with this, so please bear with me. lol:) Okay, so walking my talk...trying to balance or match my inside with my outside...there are many ways to describe it.

On the inside, my heart is open and my love runs deep. I am a super sensitive person (really to a fault) and giving to others and being there for them is extremely important to me. YET...(you knew there had to be a yet or a but)...on the outside, I find myself struggling to show that love and give to others because I have way too many "everyday" things to get done just to keep my own life going before I can get to others. Yikes! That's not what I call walking my talk.

And this isn't intended to be a beat up session on myself, by the way. Just putting it out there so I can understand it better.

I went to see my family as soon as I heard of my uncle's death. And as you would expect, we laughed and cried and shared stories and so on. One of the things that came out of all of that was a statement by my Aunt Becky. She said that Bruce "really tried hard to be better"...his whole life. And I say that counts for something, maybe everything.

Nothing like death to bring us closer to the life we are trying to live. Brings it all into perspective, doesn't it?

The life I am trying to live is one of authenticity. One of the quickest ways for me to get to that authentic place in myself is giving to others...in their time of need, in their time of joy, in their struggles, in their celebrations. I just feel more in balance with myself when I am thinking of others. And of course because knitting to me is as much a part of me as breathing, what better way for me to express myself than through my knitting?

But, as I started out this post with...the 3 things I have learned about blogging so far...I realized they apply to my knitting as well!

Aha! Revelation. LOVE this stuff. Really I do.

Yes, that was a light bulb moment for sure:

1. It's harder to take time to knit for yourself and others everyday, or even every week, when you're not feeling it, or when you busy your life so much with other things there IS no time.
2. The universe has a way of interfering with even the best laid knitting plans and strongest intentions of giving.
3. You really have to WANT to knit and be clear as to why you are knitting for others in order for it to "work".

Oh, and there's a #4 to add to the list:

4. Ironically, giving to strangers sometimes feels easier than giving to loved ones because we have fewer attachments to them than we have to family and friends.

We can relate to those we don't know without our baggage, free of obligation. With those close to us, our feelings are more complicated. We can fall into taking them for granted, whether we see them every morning, just on holidays, or just when someone dies. And when I tapped into that feeling...the first thought that came to me was-- how I wish I had knit something for my uncle. I know...odd thing to feel. Why was that so important at this point? Where did that come from?

Well, I realized that the "thing" I cherish most in this world, my needles and yarn and the process of "making something from nothing"...the art and beauty I see in it...I simply have not shared with those I am closest to in life, except on a very limited basis. And that means I have not truly shared myself with them then. (And you don't know how that hurts my heart and how hard that is to say out loud) Oh yes, I have knit baby blankets and booties, scarves and hats, a sweater or two for my daughter...but the truth is, the more knitting has become a part of my professional life, the less it plays a part in my personal life. And even before that, I would get an idea or see a pattern and think oh, so and so would LOVE that...but I would never get around to making it for them.

So about the time I came to all of this, I made another discovery while I was online one day...

29-Day Giving Challenge-Changing Lives One Gift at a Time

http://www.29gifts.org/

You see how this goes? You set one thing in motion inside of yourself, try to make that one thing real on the outside, and voila...other things suddenly pop up that relate or give you the next step and you're off and running.

So, if you'd like, look over this web page for ideas and inspiration, but my challenge to you (and of course myself) will be 29 Gifts to those you love/care for/cherish...The idea that Cami Walker, author of the book 29 Gifts: How a Month of Giving Can Change Your Life, came up with was giving with consciousness and intention to others... and it could be anyone, including total strangers. Of course this is a beautiful idea, but I would like match my inside with my outside, and so I am making it more personal.

Now of course I am not sure that I am going to knit 29 Gifts in 29 Days, however, teaching someone to knit, sharing a wonderful handpaint yarn with someone, offering a special pattern, helping someone when they are stuck on something...you get the point...these are all things I can give. Mine is going to be related to my knitting in some way. But more importantly, it's going to be from my heart and done with awareness.

Make yours ANYTHING that feels right to you. What would help you match your inside and outside? And obviously the first 29 gifts and 29 days are a beginning.

I am simply suggesting a shift in our mind-set. In giving, one receives. I know we've all heard that. How can it be authentic, not just an expectation or obligation?

I didn't get to spend a lot of time with my uncle in my adult years...I didn't give him as much of my time as I probably should have...I didn't knit for him...BUT... I did love him...and I did learn from him...and I love my family...this is dedicated to Bruce and all that he tried to be and to overcome...to Buddy and Nicolle and Di and Amy...for who you are and for your courage and strength. Bruce loved you all so much. To my mom, my aunts and uncles, my cousins...for your struggles and triumphs and for being in my life. Thank you. I see you all... and love you even more.

Here's to all of us making our way and learning as we go. Stay open. It's the only way to go.

Peace, out Uncle.

Fill in the blank

2010-02-11T05:58:00.000-07:00

You know you knit too much when....

...at the airport, preparing to board your flight, you realize you accidentally packed your knitting in your suitcase and checked it, and find yourself really seriously wondering whether you can go on this trip.

-Stephanie Pearl-McPhee

You know you knit too much when...

...you look forward to going on a business trip because you secretly consider it a knitting trip....you will be able to knit on the way there, while you are there, and on the way home.

-Donna Thompson

Now it's your turn! Fill in the blank.

You know you knit (crochet, spin, weave, sew etc...) too much when ___________________________________.

Oh, and I DID recently go on a business trip (Marketing/Tourism Conference) and have so much to share with you. I DID knit almost the entire time and I will be writing about that next, so stay tuned!

I am making progress on my Lacy Ribbed Top...oh where's my camera when I need it? Be back soon!

Donna

A Fair Question (pun intended:)

2010-01-24T17:13:00.000-07:00

So a coworker saw me sitting in the store one day working furiously to meet a deadline. I have been a bit out of touch this month because I was writing a state grant for promotional dollars for the 2nd Annual Scotts Bluff Valley Fiber Arts Fair. The grant really has taken every bit of my "extra" time at work and at home and my Type A personality really doesn't allow me much in the way of room for error or C+ work. Nope. Guess I'd rather go for the A+ and put in twice as many hours as I probably needed to...

Fair Planning Committee

Cher Maybee (Barn Anew Bed and Breakfast) and I last Oct. at the fair

Not pictured, Peggy Wells, Brown Sheep Co.

Anyway, my coworker asked me why was I putting myself through the stress of all of this (the fair planning, the grant writing, the meetings, the coordinating, and on and on...) She wanted to genuinely understand because this is a voluntary activity and she knows how busy I am already. We had visited in the past about how I was trying find a balance between all of it and that I was having to choose carefully the parts of this industry that I want to be involved in the most, because I couldn't do them all, nor would I want to try. She simply didn't see the point of the fiber fair if it was going to be that much work.

I sat back in my chair for a minute and took a very long, deep breath. It was a fair question. I wanted to give an honest answer. It didn't take long before I smiled and said something like "Well, because it makes me feel good to know that I was instrumental in creating something that touches so many people's lives in so many different ways."

She sat down and asked me what I meant..."In what ways does it touch people's lives?" Well at that point I gave her a rather detailed list of what I thought and felt. And I'll share all of that with you as we go along this year planning the next fair.

But in the meantime...

I'd like to hear from you. Why? Because I thought it would be helpful, valuable, and inspirational for those that have not been touched by the bug, the knitting or crocheting, weaving, spinning, felting and so on bug, to hear from those that have!

Have you been to a fiber fair or festival? Did you get to go to the Scotts Bluff Valley Fiber Arts Fair last October at FARM? What was your experience(s)? Are you planning on going this year? What are you most looking forward to? How does being involved in fiber art touch your life? Your partner's life? Your children? You get the idea...And if you are involved in other art mediums or creative endeavors, please share your thoughts!

I will be offering a class at Prairie Arts Studio beginning March 20th called Mindful Knitting. You can read more about it to the right under Current Class Schedule (March/April 2010 PAS Classes). I want to understand from each of your perspectives how creativity enhances your world. These are just some of the things we will be exploring in that class.

Tough Love

2010-01-01T19:41:00.000-07:00

I know, strange title for a New Year's Day post. But it's the phrase that has been running through my brain all week and that's what I'm going with! When you think of tough love you probably think of some difficult scenario between a parent and a teenage child, right? Where the parent is having to create boundaries and limitations that in the long run will be best for the child. And even though the child doesn't "get it" at the moment, hopefully they will, some day in the future.

I have learned that there are many, many different circumstances in which tough love needs to be applied, and as always, I relate my lessons somehow to knitting. What am I talking about? Well, a new year, a new decade, a blue moon last night...good energy....and all of these things seemed like a great reason to apply a little tough love on myself in the form of stash busting. Yes, stash busting. For those of you that understand what I mean when I say stash busting, well you probably should keep reading! ;) Maybe you'll relate. If that term makes no sense to you whatsoever , well, hang in there. I'll try to explain.

In my basement is a spare room with a very small walk-in closet that is referred to as the yoga/knitting/exercise/storage room...aka Mom's Space. Yes, it's a catchall for many things, but mostly it contains my ever growing supply of yarn and knitting projects, aka my STASH. You might think that this stash of yarn began to appear since I have been employed with Brown Sheep Co. Nope. Not true. I have been moving a considerable size stash from home to home for the last 20 yrs. (And I have moved a lot) We box it up, move it to the new house, unpack it, and there it is. Yarn in all colors, weights, textures, fiber content and so on. A veritable yarn "store" that any knitter would love to "shop!"

Now I DO actually knit from my stash, I really do! It isn't as if I just buy yarn for decoration, because of course that would make me seem a bit uh, well, crazy, right? Ok, so I confess, I do just like the yarn around me in all it's beautiful, soft, colorful glory. But that's another topic for another day. The real problem lies with the different yarns that I have kept for many years, but know for a fact I will probably never knit. It could be some wacky colorway that at the time seemed like it might be perfect for something or another. It could be that it is a synthetic fiber that looked pretty on the shelf, but feels, for lack of a better term, "icky" in my hands and therefore no fun to work with. Well, whatever the reason, the point is that it needs to go! (and I know this makes me sound like a "yarn snob", but please stay with me...no harm intended here...I just spend so much of my waking life knitting that I feel I should use materials that really make me excited to pick up my needles, and so should you, by the way!;)

Getting really honest with myself about the type of fiber I enjoy knitting, the type of needles that feel best in my hands, the patterns that challenge me, the types of things I really like to create and use, the people that truly appreciate a hand knit gift versus those that don't, are all things that I have identified over the years and come to know about myself as a knitter. And knowing myself is the first step in my tough love program I am beginning this year.

It was time to get real, and that's just what I did. I went through each and every single skein or ball of yarn carefully feeling it, examining it, and deciding whether I would ever truly get around to using it. And then I began making three piles. One was the "give-away" pile. One was the "keeper, but no particular plan", pile; you know, the "just love this fiber" pile and want to do something with it, but not sure what? And the third was the "planned projects pile" where I have a pattern or a planned design for that yarn.

To my surprise, the "give away" pile was huge! I was amazed at what I was willing to part with in fact. I admit that I do throw many things away easily, but not yarn. No, it's serious business to me. :) And so that I wouldn't be able to change my mind, I quickly made a couple of phone calls and came up with an idea for who might really appreciate that yarn. And before you know it, I had put a very big smile on my face and on the face of someone else. Nice feeling. My tough love program seemed to be getting off to a great start.

And as the days passed, thoughts were floating around in my head about all the areas of my life that seem cluttered...and it's not what you think. Oh yes, there's always going to be a closet to clean out or a stack of papers to go through, or boxes to unpack. Who cares. I have perpetual piles and I've learned that's just life. I let myself off the hook on that stuff a while ago.

No, what I was really thinking about was how many times in one day I wish for more time because my life just seemed cluttered up with busy-ness. I want "extra" time...so that I won't feel so rushed....so that I can get a few more things done...etc. You get the picture. But then I realized that wasn't really what I needed either. No matter what I do, I am not going to be able to change the amount of hours in the day, period. Ok, so not such a huge revelation I know, but what was a revelation was how my knitting, once again, was providing me with something more than "just knitting."

Whatever your particular beliefs are about why you are here and what you are supposed to be "doing" with your life, I believe there are some basic universal truths for all of us and here's a few of them I hope you might give some thought to:

Do what you love, do what you have to, to be happy in this life, and understand that we're not meant to be here forever...we are supposed to be getting something from our experiences, but it's not all good either...so keep moving forward, take it easy on yourself...stop trying to figure out a way to make the days 30 hrs long instead of 24. Start tuning in to yourself and what really turns you on. Seriously. The past is done. Over. Move on. Fill your days with people that you love, people that inspire you, people that challenge you. Fill your days with art and creative processes that leave you satisfied and feeling "full". Stop hanging on to every thing that is a "have to", and start embracing the really, really "want tos". That's a way to get more out of the time you do have, right? Try to make your outside match your inside. Walk your talk.

In other words, time is too precious to spend it knitting with yarn you hate, just because it was on sale and you bought ten of them, or using needles that don't feel warm and comfortable in your hands. Why keep working on that sweater in that particular color of orange when every time you look at it you feel a little twinge in the pit of your stomach that tells you that you will NEVER wear that sweater. Just stop. Spend a little energy on figuring out what you really want to do with your time and then do it.

All of a sudden it seems like the day just got a little bit longer and the air a little bit sweeter. Stash busting, as it turns out, was good for my soul. Get a little tough love going in your life and make new beginnings.

These are my intentions and I'm putting them out there. Let's stay in touch on this, shall we? I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Happy New Year...peace, out.

18 Christmas's

2009-12-17T13:12:00.000-07:00

My tree at home is filled with handmade ornaments.

This one holds particular meaning for me this year.

It was given to me in 1991, the year Kendall was born, and is one of the first ones to go up on the tree every year. See that sweet little face? (I know, it's hard to see...I am working on my photography skills, lol, so bear with me) That's the face I still see in my mind every Christmas when we are putting up the decorations. It doesn't seem that long ago that she was a little one sitting on my lap, and yet 18 times now we have shared the fun, the magic, and yes a "few" stressful moments here and there with her. Those moments are a part of who she is now. She's grown up and as I'm sure you've figured out by now, I'm feeling quite nostalgic and sentimental this year.

Kendall has asked me for probably the last five Christmas's to change the decorations, update, go for a new look. And for the last five years I have seriously considered doing just that. But when we brought out all of the boxes from the basement this year I can't tell you how glad I am that I didn't!

Those ornaments represent her entire childhood. And while I am getting used to the idea of my child becoming an adult, these are the things that I am not ready to give up, and probably never will! Kendall will be 40 yrs. old coming home at Christmas for a visit and still see the little treasures hanging on my tree! It's just the way it is.

Here are a few others, all made by Phil's grandma. Each one unique and each one tells a story.

When I knit a gift for someone, it's much more to me than just knitting.

(Like these fingerless mitts for my neice, Bodee)

I hold that person in my mind as I create each stitch and let my thoughts fill with my love for that person.

My hope is that I knit those feelings right into the hat or sweater that I am making for them. Each time they wear it, they will feel warm and comforted knowing that someone took the time to create something just for them...yeah, it's personal for me.

Creative endeavors can fill you on many levels. Just the idea that I can take what is essentially nothing more than sticks and string (sometimes very expensive sticks and string, lol:, but nonetheless...;) and make something useful or beautiful is so satisfying to me. And when it is a gift, well, that's taking it to another level completely. I have to really want that person to have what I am going to make. You can trust in the fact that I have given it a lot of thought and chosen something that I think would be "just right" for that person...down to the size, color, style, etc... I envision them wearing what I have made. Not very many things come close to the feeling I get when the someone actually uses what I created.

My knitting time is precious to me. And so are the people I knit for.

The ornaments hold the same meaning.

I try very hard this time of year to not get caught up in the "have to" mentality that seems to tug at all of us so strongly. Truth be told, that is my goal every year. If I can stay in the moment and appreciate a few simple pleasures of the season, then I am more calm, centered, and grateful for all that I do have in my life.

My knitting allows me not only the chance to express my feelings for the people in my life, but it is the best way I know to get in the moment and stay there. The instant mood change that comes over me when I pick up my needles allows me to slow down, process my emotions, and just BE. I don't know what the next 18 Christmas's will bring, but I know I will have my knitting and those I knit for...and the handmade ornaments will still be on my tree.

I wish you all peace this holiday season, and always..

The Weather Outside is Frightful...

2009-12-09T10:58:00.000-07:00

...but my tree is up and I am making headway on the Christmas Knit List...oh yeah, and the fire is so delightful. ;) (I settle in by the fire as much as I can since this cold front has come in!)

Quick knit Project #2 is complete and turned out cute! The pattern is from Knitting Pure and Simple and it is called Bulky Shrug, #286.

Total knit time: 12 hrs, which makes this a weekend project. It is knit in one piece, and that means no finishing, except to sew on a button. In this case I used a handmade shawl pin.

I also completed an ornament for next week's Knit Night.

A Mini Sweater Ornament by Emily Lewis

I love anything in miniature, and this one caught my eye! There is a plain sweater, a fair isle, and a cabled version. I wanted to do something really special for the recipient of this ornament and decided to tackle the cabled version. Ironically, it took me longer to make this little mini raglan sleeved cutie than it did to make the Bulky Shrug! Now that struck me as funny. The pattern and the size 2 needles are not for the faint of heart, but it was so much fun to see the sweater taking shape.

And so, two quick knit projects (and one ornament exchange gift) down, one to go.

#3 will be finished soon ( I just need to felt it).

In the meantime, stay bundled up everyone! It really is cold out there. May your knitting keep you warm and comforted! I would love to hear what you are working on right now during this very busy time of year! How do you manage to fit in knitting time, or do you?

The Art of Yarn

A Knitter or an Admirer?

Stepping Out

Find Your Zone

My Words...Your Story

Coming Up for Air

Wordless Wednesday

'Growing' a Garden

Drive-by Postings

Growing Pains

Gatherings

Go after it with a club!

Where's the other stick?

The 3 M's

[ pash'en]

Sweet Success

Creative Cross-Pollination

And now for something completely different...

Art, Part 2

ART...in the eye of the knitter?

craft

art·ist

ar·ti·san

crafts·per·son

Ok, so I threw this one in just because...not fiber art, but fiber art related, eh? I just thought it was cool! Tatoos...a whole other discussion for another day. ;)

Some interesting things, aren't there?

Isn't she just awesome?

Can art be practical and useful?

What part, if any, do textiles play in the world of "fine art?"

And just a few more....

Is this fun, or what? :)

So, before I give you my thoughts on the subject, I'd really like to hear yours.

After looking at all of these images, which ones fit your definition of art? craft? Why?

You might go back and reread the dictionary definitions. Have these images changed your mind on anything? Do you see fiber art in a different way than you did before? How so?

Wish we could sit down in person and have this conversation, but we will have to settle for the next best thing! Looking forward to reading what you have to say.

I will return shortly for Part 2...

So let's dance!

Block 1 is Done!

Odds and Ends

Quackmere Classic...aka..Just call me quacked

You can't scare me, I'm a knitter!

Socks, Stockings, or Something Else?

29 Gifts For My Uncle Bruce

Fill in the blank

A Fair Question (pun intended:)

Tough Love

18 Christmas's

The Weather Outside is Frightful...