Yarn Swap Goodies!

Yarn Swap!

Yes, I'm addicted! Is there anything better than getting a surprise package in the mail, with a soft, soft skein of hand painted yarn and other goodies? The Knitstress got my name again and I'm still lucky! She sent a beautiful alpaca/wool blend yarn from Fearless Fibers, a lovely card that matches the skein, a sweet little pot of chocolate lip gloss and a handy notepad so that I can keep track of all these projects (and swaps). I haven't decided what to do with the skein yet; right now I'm just carrying it around to fondle!

Changes

Greenberry House New Look

I always think that winter will be slow and lazy and that I will get lots of contemplation and writing done. Well, winter is nearly over and it seems that there has always been so much to do, and weeks go by with not a blog read or entry!

After this first year at Greenberry House in a bricks and mortar store, I've decided to convert this little building into a yarn shop, featuring yarns and spinning fiber from quality small producers. A few people have signed up already for booth space, mostly from Virginia and North Carolina. I should have room for about ten vendors and I think this is a unique idea! If anyone is interested just give me a shout!


Woolybuns Crystal

It has finally warmed up enough to shear some rabbits, and I was able to relieve two of their gorgous heavy coats yesterday. Crystal is a very senior doe, but she seems to be in good health. There were a few days last fall when I was worried about her; she seemed a little unhappy. But maybe it was the changing weather because she has had a nice winter and had a terrific clip of gorgous wool. I also sheared Smudge, a black rabbit that came here from Abington, but I forgot to take his picture!


Rosy Cape

And I finished the special order cape; it's blocking now, which will probably take about a week! I was pleased with how it turned out and hope the customer likes it!

After a long silence

Ice everywhere

It has been cold; not nearly as cold as elsewhere in the world right now but cold enough to discourage me from spending extra time on the computer. So I haven't been by to read my favorite blogs, which I miss greatly! The time I've been spending here in the ice box that is the shop, where the computer lives, has been all about building web pages.

But we finally had some winter weather on Tuesday, with meant power outages for just overnight here in Meadows of Dan but some people in the outlying areas of the community and Floyd County haven't had their power restored yet. Lots of tree limbs torn out of the trees and some inconvenience, but it really is pretty:


Rail fence near the store


Ice coating the tree limbs, about 1/2 inch thick


The back side of the house, with the sun reflecting weird on the camera (click on small pictures for larger version.)

But even though the computer has been resting, I've been keeping the spinning wheels spinning and the crochet hooks flying!


Rose variegated yarn for a special order cape for a special lady!


Dyed Purple Jacob locks hand spun into a fun novelty yarn. The tips were a bit matted and I just spun 'em on into the yarn for a nobby, interesting effect. I love the colors; the wool was dyed by Elaina of Avillion Farms.


Special Order Cranberry Hat and Scarf, crocheted from hand dyed, hand spun Shetland and pure angora yarn.

And of course the dogs are still:

It looks a little like winter!

Wintery Day on Thursday

We had just a tiny bit of snow but fortunately none of the ice that was predicted. But the temperatures are still below freezing and the wind is snapping around the twiggy branches in the yard. Little birds huddle in the quince bush every morning, and there is a wild chatter when I come out with the seed for them. The sun is bright and the air is startling and clear.


The bunny barn

A few things to do for Fiber Femmes here today, then I'm heading home to a cup of hot tea and more spinning. The special order yarn is finished; just need to dye it and send samples to the customer. I have some merino/silk roving on the upright wheel and another color of the same roving on the drop spindle; trying to decide something exciting to do with the singles.

Yarn Shop Hop

Snowy Day

I ventured away from the house yesterday and had a wonderful ramble through the Blue Ridge Mountains in search of yarn shops. There aren't very many in our area; there is a large one in Blacksburg but I didn't make it quite that direction. It was a cold, clear day and I traveled down the road listening to old rockers and enjoying the sunshine.

My first stop was in Radford, at a little yarn shop called Unraveled. It is really a yarn corner of a larger gift shop, Encore Artful Gifts. Nice setting, with two very nice young ladies in the shop, one behind the counter and one working on displays. The gift shop is a little modern for my backwoods taste but the yarn area was nicely arranged with cozy seating. I browse the yarns, which were the usual offerings from the larger suppliers with some interesting new imports. There was no one in the yarn area and I didn't see any indication of workshops, but the web site lists workshops and classes. I didn't see any spinning fiber, although that is mentioned on the web site, too.

A little further down the road I visited Fiber 4 Ewe, which is located not far off the Interstate in Max Meadows. The charm of this shop is partly the beautiful old house where it is located, at the back . I was warmly welcomed by the proprietors, who were busy giving aid and suggestions to knitters over socks and other projects. There was a nice selection of interesting yarns and tools and a pleasant atmosphere for a small shop.

The highlight of the day was meeting with Sandra, my Fiber Femmes partner, in Wytheville. After a very successful lunch meeting in which we exchanged gossip as well as business, we headed over to Batiks Etcetera and Sew What Fabrics, a neat, neat fabric shop that caters to quilters, also located in an interesting old house. I'm not a seamstress but there were colors to delight and textures to amaze everywhere, and tools, books and patterns!

Then last night it was back home to my cozy chair and spinning wheel, where I've almost finished the white merino/angora for a special order! I was sitting and spinning away in the late afternoon when I saw a little gray mouse creeping up the ivy that covers the outside of the window. He cautiously crossed over to the little birdfeeder attached to the wall between the windows, then Lily saw him and barked. The poor thing plummeted to the ground as she growled and leaped at the window!

This morning a rabbit was out, frolicing around the bunny house and daring me to catch her. I did, eventually, when she finally decided I had exercised enough!