Progress

Boteh Scarf, still on the way

I'm really liking this pattern; it's the most innovative I've seen in awhile. And much easier to do than it looks. Yesterday Mary from the knitting group stopped by and it was fun talking to her while I worked on the scarf. I do have to do some counting, though. A couple of times I've gotten off and screwed up the decreases! Mary is making a beautiful and soft blanket for a new grandson in beautiful blue yarn with some delicate shade changes.

We had a relatively quiet weekend. Some interesting people came by, though, mostly from Eastern Virginia. Had a fun talk with some people from Chesapeake. And my aunt from Connecticut came by and it was wonderful to visit with her. She's the one that has been giving me most of the fantastic books I've been reviewing.

And I've finally received my invitation to Ravelry. I haven't quite figured it all out yet, but I do have three of my most recent projects on there. If you have a Ravelry pass give me a shout; I'm Greenberry!

Another Saturday Sky...and more stuff from the shop!

Saturday Sky over Meadows of Dan

The sky is almost a painfully brilliant blue this morning. I woke early, to see bright stars over the house and mist rising in the fields. Everything seemed so quiet at first. Then I realized that crickets were singing wildly in the untrimmed grass nearby and there was a soft shuddering sound far away that might have been a bullfrog's call.

The neighbors' farms look peacful across the fields, still green despite heat and dryness. The house next door still has beautiful flowers. Mine look sad and dry, despite my carrying gallons of water up every day for them. I think the concrete porch gathers the heat.

I've just been looking at my calendar for September; lots going on there! We have the Chinquapin festival coming up Labor Day weekend, and I was slightly shocked to see that that's next weekend! I spent Monday helping Sue with flyers for that, and for the opening of the corn maze. September should be a nice time to visit, with all the activities going on. And maybe it will be cooler! I'm scheduled to be at Chateau Morrisette for two events, one on September 8 and one on September 15. I'm really looking forward to that.

In other Meadows of Dan news, Sue Shelor has expanded her Meadows of Dan Farm and Craft Market with a craft shop right down Squirrel Spur Road from my shop. And Round the Mountain is gearing up, with a new community loop planned in Patrick County. I went to a meeting last night and it was nice to see some new faces, also from Meadows of Dan. Our newcomers are both artists; one in fine art and one in metal work. I'm looking forward to getting to know them!


New Fiber for Greenberry House

It has been way too hot for dyeing in the house but this week I did some anyway. My shelves are getting empty, particularly of fiber with color. The blue and lilac roving is from Green Fence Farm in Central Virginia, and is a wonderful blend of Icelandic and angora that was a sensual pleasure to work with. The pink is the last of a delicious alpaca fleece from Atlantic Breeze Alpacas. I'm getting ready to price them up for the shop, and may put them on the web page. If they stay here long enough!

And on with the projects....

The Ruffled Corset Belt

As requested, here's a picture of the Ruffled Corset Belt on me. This is not a great dress for it; it needs a longer skirt and some flare. But this will give you and idea. And it's still too hot here to wear it!


New Project: Boteh Scarf

And on with the crocheting. I am spinning a little, but it's just too hot to work with angora and wool! So I started this scarf yesterday, and I love the pattern! It's from the Spring 2007 Interweave Crochet and the project is called the Boteh Scarf by Kathy Merrick. Very interesting techniques and I'm learning a lot from this one. The yarn is from one of my vendors, Natalie at Knit Fit Knitting and I couldn't resist the soft blues and lilacs.

WARNING: Shameless Advertising Ahead!

Great New Cards for the Shop!


Local photo cards from JAG and CTG

Totally awesome and for sale here at Greenberry House (mail order available!)

A Finished Object!

Ruffled Corset Belt

Was this ever a quick and easy piece! I started it a couple of days ago, and have been working on it while watching my "free" movie hours over at Netflix. This has gone fast and I still have lots of movie hours left. This wide belt was designed by Tricia Royal and appears in The Happy Hooker by Debbie Stoller. This is the second piece I've made from this book and I've still got my eye on Violet Beauregard.

Edited to add:

I was in a hurry to do this post; between brochures for shops and festivals. I forgot to mention that the gorgeous yarn for this belt came from Lowder Colours Farm in Kellyville, Oklahoma. I was fortunate enough to get it in the Fiber Femmes swap I participated in this winter. It is beautiful yarn with lots of life and feels wonderful in the finished belt. I can't wait for the weather to get cool enough for me to wear it!

And.....


Something on knitting needles!

I taught someone to knit this weekend! Pretty good, huh, since I'm knitting challenged myself!

The Collection Grows

There's always room for one more....

A new camel arrived yesterday, and customers are starting to wonder about me. Still, it does give me an opportunity to explain that a camel can be a fiber animal!


No choking hazard here

And although he isn't as charmingly delicate as his predecessors, this fellow has true camel attitude. And a saddle!

More New Arrivals at Greenberry House:


Gray Icelandic Wool Roving from Green Fence Farm

There is also some absolutely luxurious cashmere, the first we've had at the shop. Astonishingly soft! I have some of their Icelandic/angora blend roving to dye this coming week; looking forward to working on that!


New Superwash Wool Sock Yarn from Knit Fit Knitting

Knit Fit also brought gorgeous hand made bamboo knitting needles and stitch markers!


Saturday Sky in Meadows of Dan

Looks like another hot day!

It's Here!

BITWRATHPLOOB Magnet

For good or ill, the BITWRATHPLOOB has just been added to the mysteries of Meadows of Dan. My landlord has already noticed the magnet....

Much Better!

Edited to add:

Weather Station, Mabry Mill, Blue Ridge Parkway, Meadows of Dan, Virginia
Record High: 92.3
Current Temperature: 75.0 at 11:24 AM

I hope Northern Virginia (and everywhere else) is moderating as well!

Waiting.....

BITWRATHPLOOB World Tour

Needle Felting Workshop at Greenberry House!

Making Christmas Ornaments

We had a terrific day yesterday with our first workshop here at Greenberry House! Jane from Fiber on the Mountain taught making Christmas ornaments with fiber and needles, and we had a wonderful group of dedicated crafters for the lessons.


Concentration!

Jane did a wonderful job of teaching the techniques, and our new felters took off with the idea and came up with some terrific creations. Jane commented that it was the most creative group she had ever taught.


A cheerful Angora rabbit instead of a snowman, a cozy mitten, a great snowman with a cool hat and scarf and a beautiful felted bell!


A snowman with a great "knitted" coat and scarf and a charming Christmas stocking!


Excellent star on star design and a not-quite-finished rocker snowlady; also a lovely lamb that would be great as a pin or ornament and a sassy snowman with a multicolored scarf and mittens!

In the evening Jane, Terri, Linda and I all went to dinner up at Tuggles Gap and had a great fiber femmes time! Today is the Meadows of Dan Folk Fair, and I'm rushing to get this entry up so I can go demonstrate spinning on the front porch. Y'all come on out and see us!

Shearing, Shearing, Shearing!

Woolybuns Snickers

It's still hot. Not as bad as some locations but much warmer than we're used to. I've been busy shearing rabbits as hard as I can, both at home on my days off and here at the shop. Everyone needs to be comfortable for these unusual August days!

When I'm not working with naked buns I've been busy printing hand out flyers for this Saturday's Meadows of Dan Folk Fair, and helping Sue with some advertising for her new shop. The Mountain Meadow Farm and Craft Market is open for business, now in a charming little shop just down Squirrel Spur. I went to see yesterday and had to buy a gorgeous hand made tote. Y'all go visit!

Saturday Sky

Saturday Sky in Meadows of Dan

It's hot. Almost, although I hate to admit it where JAG might hear, stinkin' hot.


Finished Baby Blanket

And an unfinised shawl. I'm really glad to have the blanket done, now that it has become -- warm. The little hat to go with it will be a nice change from quantities of yarn on the lap. The shawl may have to wait until a rainy day!