Tuesday, June 26, 2007

AaaaaaaaaaaahAaaaaaaaaaaaaaah *angelic voices singing*

Yes, I think I hear angels singing, because thanks to the magic of craigslist I turned this:



Into this:

My new toy

Can you hear the angels singing now? I am one happy camper. She's still glistening and shiny new, but I'll have wool on her in no time.

And I also received a 27 pound bumpity bump of Merino today.

Bumpity bump bump

So if the weather cooperates, which means cools the F down, I will be off on another dyeing marathon, this time consisting of Superwash merino sock yarn and merino roving. And some domestic. I hope to have an update by the beginning of next week. Hope so. I am not allowing myself to play with this drum carder until I get through some of this sock yarn. (We'll see how long that lasts.)

A quick note on ordering from Pat Green. They are simply THE BEST!!!!! I have never dealt with a better seller. Shipping was super fast. The item was immaculately packaged. The box arrived undamaged because they used quality packing materials including the box itself and using staples to secure it closed rather than tape. The directions were detailed and easy to follow. ALL parts were securely wrapped and included (sounds easy enough, but I can't tell you how many times I have received items with parts missing). A lovely personalized, hand-written note was sent along. If you have any desire to purchase from Pat Green, rest assured that they are fabulous sellers and it just might be the most pleasurable buying experience you'll ever have.

AaaaaaaaaaaahAaaaaaaaaaaaaaah *angelic voices singing*

Yes, I think I hear angels singing, because thanks to the magic of craigslist I turned this:



Into this:

My new toy

Can you hear the angels singing now? I am one happy camper. She's still glistening and shiny new, but I'll have wool on her in no time.

And I also received a 27 pound bumpity bump of Merino today.

Bumpity bump bump

So if the weather cooperates, which means cools the F down, I will be off on another dyeing marathon, this time consisting of Superwash merino sock yarn and merino roving. And some domestic. I hope to have an update by the beginning of next week. Hope so. I am not allowing myself to play with this drum carder until I get through some of this sock yarn. (We'll see how long that lasts.)

A quick note on ordering from Pat Green. They are simply THE BEST!!!!! I have never dealt with a better seller. Shipping was super fast. The item was immaculately packaged. The box arrived undamaged because they used quality packing materials including the box itself and using staples to secure it closed rather than tape. The directions were detailed and easy to follow. ALL parts were securely wrapped and included (sounds easy enough, but I can't tell you how many times I have received items with parts missing). A lovely personalized, hand-written note was sent along. If you have any desire to purchase from Pat Green, rest assured that they are fabulous sellers and it just might be the most pleasurable buying experience you'll ever have.

Wednesday, June 20, 2007

Oh, yes, wait a minute Mr. Postman...

I want to have your baby.

The postman was soooooo good to me today. I love you Mr. Postman.

Luscious premium quality sari silk for blending into batts:

sari silk-a-rama!

And the generous UPS man brought me my new Babe's electric skein winder yesterday. It's not as purdy as all that fiber, but I love it EVEN more for helping me to wind all that sock yarn.

New Babe Electric skein winder

Score!!!!!

When sheep revolt

I found this on a spinning forum and thought it was too freakin' funny.



And, yes. It is a real movie. In New Zealand.

When sheep revolt

I found this on a spinning forum and thought it was too freakin' funny.



And, yes. It is a real movie. In New Zealand.

Monday, June 18, 2007

What a GORGEOUS day!!!

After being close to a sweltering 100 degrees yesterday, this morning brought gentle winds, clear blue skies, and a welcome 60 degrees. It is amazingly gorgeous out, I just want to swallow it whole. Not one single cloud in the sky. The hounds took advantage of this gorgeousness and went for a swim on some open space this morning. ("Open Space" is what Boulder dubs secured and undeveloped land. Anyone can use it to hike, bike, swim, run, rock climb, kayak, etc, and it remains for the most part in it's pristine, unspoiled, natural beauty. It's basically a glorified park which we pay for with our tax dollars and I wouldn't have it any other way. And there is lots of "Open Space" here.)

It's a good day to dye, so I'm off to the pots.

What a GORGEOUS day!!!

After being close to a sweltering 100 degrees yesterday, this morning brought gentle winds, clear blue skies, and a welcome 60 degrees. It is amazingly gorgeous out, I just want to swallow it whole. Not one single cloud in the sky. The hounds took advantage of this gorgeousness and went for a swim on some open space this morning. ("Open Space" is what Boulder dubs secured and undeveloped land. Anyone can use it to hike, bike, swim, run, rock climb, kayak, etc, and it remains for the most part in it's pristine, unspoiled, natural beauty. It's basically a glorified park which we pay for with our tax dollars and I wouldn't have it any other way. And there is lots of "Open Space" here.)

It's a good day to dye, so I'm off to the pots.

Sunday, June 17, 2007

On a happier shopping note, this is what I got at Jo Ann's sale today!

Jo Ann's Fabric store was having a HUGE sale today, continuing on until next Saturday. HALF off all sewing thread!!! This was my opportunity to stock up on thread for plying. I also bought a cute little stand for my threads (30% off), some beads to string on while plying (also 30% off!!) and some beading needles and threaders. Yaaaaaaaaay! And they all look so pretty together! I might have to go back for more before the sale ends.

What I got at Jo Ann Fabric's sale today!!

On a happier shopping note, this is what I got at Jo Ann's sale today!

Jo Ann's Fabric store was having a HUGE sale today, continuing on until next Saturday. HALF off all sewing thread!!! This was my opportunity to stock up on thread for plying. I also bought a cute little stand for my threads (30% off), some beads to string on while plying (also 30% off!!) and some beading needles and threaders. Yaaaaaaaaay! And they all look so pretty together! I might have to go back for more before the sale ends.

What I got at Jo Ann Fabric's sale today!!

Tuesday, June 12, 2007

Mammoth tusk spindle, here I come. Well, in 2009 anyway.

After being sucked into that damn L&V Bosworth spindle thread I decided I *HAD* to have one. Of course, I can't afford one right now. So, the solution? The mammoth tusk spindle which is so rare and nearly impossible to get that it's FREE. At least for 2 years. I spoke with Sheila Bosworth and she told me I have about as much a chance of getting a mammoth spindle as I do of finding a mammoth tusk. Well, I can still hope anyway. The soonest I might even be considered for one, and that's if they figure out the current stability issues with the tusk, is June 2009. Wooohooo! I should have the loot for a gen-u-wine mammoth tusk spindle by then. Oh yeah!!

Mammoth tusk spindle, here I come. Well, in 2009 anyway.

After being sucked into that damn L&V Bosworth spindle thread I decided I *HAD* to have one. Of course, I can't afford one right now. So, the solution? The mammoth tusk spindle which is so rare and nearly impossible to get that it's FREE. At least for 2 years. I spoke with Sheila Bosworth and she told me I have about as much a chance of getting a mammoth spindle as I do of finding a mammoth tusk. Well, I can still hope anyway. The soonest I might even be considered for one, and that's if they figure out the current stability issues with the tusk, is June 2009. Wooohooo! I should have the loot for a gen-u-wine mammoth tusk spindle by then. Oh yeah!!

Colorado - home of the man-eating mountains

Just about every week, without fail, all throughout the year, somebody either disappears into the mountains or needs rescuing from the mountains. That's a big part of our daily news..."Today, so-and-so disappeared into the Rocky Mountains." I thought mountains were herbivores. Not ours. I really think our state motto should be changed to, "Colorado, home of the man-eating mountains."

Colorado - home of the man-eating mountains

Just about every week, without fail, all throughout the year, somebody either disappears into the mountains or needs rescuing from the mountains. That's a big part of our daily news..."Today, so-and-so disappeared into the Rocky Mountains." I thought mountains were herbivores. Not ours. I really think our state motto should be changed to, "Colorado, home of the man-eating mountains."

Sunday, June 10, 2007

What oh what to do with my alpaca stash? Opinions?

And please don't tell me to go shove it.

I've had this alpaca stash since February and since I am almost out of domestic roving, and my BFL and merino is on order, it is time to attack the alpaca. And it's long past due too.

As you can see from the photo I have chocolate brown, jet black, fawn, white, and then a heather grey roving. The brown, black, and fawn are so gorgeous that I'm just going to spin that up au naturale. The white I might spin to ply with the brown, or I might dye up to add into some hand-carded batts. But the big mystery is the heather grey. To dye or not to dye, that is the question? And if I dye, should I do hand-painting with color changes, or just one solid color? Or maybe I should pick one color and vary the saturations of dye? I've got a *lot* of alpaca, but that doesn't mean I want to ruin it with a bad decision on a dye job.

Any help or opinions would be greatly appreciated!!

**Saturday Night Fever is on the boob-tube playing in the background. I'm such a dork.**

My alpaca stash

What oh what to do with my alpaca stash? Opinions?

And please don't tell me to go shove it.

I've had this alpaca stash since February and since I am almost out of domestic roving, and my BFL and merino is on order, it is time to attack the alpaca. And it's long past due too.

As you can see from the photo I have chocolate brown, jet black, fawn, white, and then a heather grey roving. The brown, black, and fawn are so gorgeous that I'm just going to spin that up au naturale. The white I might spin to ply with the brown, or I might dye up to add into some hand-carded batts. But the big mystery is the heather grey. To dye or not to dye, that is the question? And if I dye, should I do hand-painting with color changes, or just one solid color? Or maybe I should pick one color and vary the saturations of dye? I've got a *lot* of alpaca, but that doesn't mean I want to ruin it with a bad decision on a dye job.

Any help or opinions would be greatly appreciated!!

**Saturday Night Fever is on the boob-tube playing in the background. I'm such a dork.**

My alpaca stash

Saturday, June 9, 2007

My guild has a Paula's Wool Picker!!!! Holy cow!

I am so stoked! My guild here is awesome...rents spinning wheels, spindles, hand-carders, drum carders, looms, etc, but I had no idea they had a Paula's wool picker for rent!!! The cost is only $3 a week! So I can order a huge load of fleece, rent the carder for a week, and create all sorts of fun things! This adds a whole new dimension to my fibery life! I usually avoid locks like the plague because I HATE to tease, but this picker shines a whole new light on things. I think I might have gone to picker heaven!!!

My guild has a Paula's Wool Picker!!!! Holy cow!

I am so stoked! My guild here is awesome...rents spinning wheels, spindles, hand-carders, drum carders, looms, etc, but I had no idea they had a Paula's wool picker for rent!!! The cost is only $3 a week! So I can order a huge load of fleece, rent the carder for a week, and create all sorts of fun things! This adds a whole new dimension to my fibery life! I usually avoid locks like the plague because I HATE to tease, but this picker shines a whole new light on things. I think I might have gone to picker heaven!!!

New Poppy Flower Fibers LUXURY FIBER CLUB!

I'm so excited!! I had been milling over the idea of creating a fiber club, but I wanted it to be something special, something that I would LOVE using. So I created a 3-month LUXURY Fiber Club which will include at least one BFL roving and the rest Merino, all in at least 4 oz increments. I am so psyched about this!!! Space is limited so that I can focus on quality, but it is going to be so much fun!!!

new mosaic promo for fiber club

Anyone interested can go here to check it out:
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=6157343

New Poppy Flower Fibers LUXURY FIBER CLUB!

I'm so excited!! I had been milling over the idea of creating a fiber club, but I wanted it to be something special, something that I would LOVE using. So I created a 3-month LUXURY Fiber Club which will include at least one BFL roving and the rest Merino, all in at least 4 oz increments. I am so psyched about this!!! Space is limited so that I can focus on quality, but it is going to be so much fun!!!

new mosaic promo for fiber club

Anyone interested can go here to check it out:
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=6157343

Thursday, June 7, 2007

Store update 4pm Mountain Time TODAY

I'm rushing around like a little bunny taking photos and editing. I will have a good amount to post beginning at 4pm MST (crossing fingers) and will be doing another update tomorrow with the remainder (time to be announced). Anyone familiar with Etsy will know that all the items don't post at once, =0( , so I thank you in advance for your patience as items are loaded.

http://www.poppyflowerfibers.etsy.com

Mosaic 3

Store update 4pm Mountain Time TODAY

I'm rushing around like a little bunny taking photos and editing. I will have a good amount to post beginning at 4pm MST (crossing fingers) and will be doing another update tomorrow with the remainder (time to be announced). Anyone familiar with Etsy will know that all the items don't post at once, =0( , so I thank you in advance for your patience as items are loaded.

http://www.poppyflowerfibers.etsy.com

Mosaic 3

Wednesday, June 6, 2007

Sneak peek at fiber update

Tomorrow I will begin updating my Etsy store. I have a *lot* of fiber to put up, so I might have to break it down into two updates...one tomorrow and one Friday. I will post the times tomorrow when I have a better idea of the update time. For now, this is a sampling of some of the fiber that will be available:

Fiber for June 7 store update

Sneak peek at fiber update

Tomorrow I will begin updating my Etsy store. I have a *lot* of fiber to put up, so I might have to break it down into two updates...one tomorrow and one Friday. I will post the times tomorrow when I have a better idea of the update time. For now, this is a sampling of some of the fiber that will be available:

Fiber for June 7 store update

Tuesday, June 5, 2007

Update's a comin'....

So, I've been dyeing since last Friday and today will be my last batch before the update.  Silk today, oh yeah!  Tomorrow will be spent taking pics, labeling, etc, and I expect to be able to update by Thursday.  I will post some photos here with an update time prior to updating.

This week was a lot of fun.  I did a lot of experimenting, was much more free in my dye placement, and figured out a way to keep the roving super soft throughout the entire dye process.  I am THRILLED!!  I hope others like what I have to offer this week as much as I do.  =o)

Update's a comin'....

So, I've been dyeing since last Friday and today will be my last batch before the update.  Silk today, oh yeah!  Tomorrow will be spent taking pics, labeling, etc, and I expect to be able to update by Thursday.  I will post some photos here with an update time prior to updating.

This week was a lot of fun.  I did a lot of experimenting, was much more free in my dye placement, and figured out a way to keep the roving super soft throughout the entire dye process.  I am THRILLED!!  I hope others like what I have to offer this week as much as I do.  =o)

Sunday, June 3, 2007

Somebody's been getting her dye on and it's ME!

After going through my cyclical end-of-the-month/beginning-of-the-month melt down, I am back in the dye pots.  I started dyeing again two nights ago and am on a roll.  I've been doing a lot of experimentation and have been getting some very interesting results.  I get bored *very* easily and have to switch things up every once in a while to keep things fun, so I hope my loyal buyers will like what I post in a few days.

Back to the wool now.

Somebody's been getting her dye on and it's ME!

After going through my cyclical end-of-the-month/beginning-of-the-month melt down, I am back in the dye pots.  I started dyeing again two nights ago and am on a roll.  I've been doing a lot of experimentation and have been getting some very interesting results.  I get bored *very* easily and have to switch things up every once in a while to keep things fun, so I hope my loyal buyers will like what I post in a few days.

Back to the wool now.

Friday, June 1, 2007

What's on the bobbin today...

Today I have a Merino/Tencel blend with bling on the ol' Woolee Winder.  85% Merino, 15% Tencel with bling.  I absolutely LOVE it but it's taking forever to spin this itsy, bitsy 4 ounces because I am spinning it very skinny.  It spins like a dream and I thing I am going to purchase some undyed Merino/Tencel blends to dye up for my store.  This one is from Copperpot on Etsy.  It's absolutely gorgeous in person...lavender ice, deep plum/midnight blue, and PINK!  I can't wait to have two bobbins full to ply up.  And the shimmer is so sweet!

What's on the bobbin today...

Today I have a Merino/Tencel blend with bling on the ol' Woolee Winder.  85% Merino, 15% Tencel with bling.  I absolutely LOVE it but it's taking forever to spin this itsy, bitsy 4 ounces because I am spinning it very skinny.  It spins like a dream and I thing I am going to purchase some undyed Merino/Tencel blends to dye up for my store.  This one is from Copperpot on Etsy.  It's absolutely gorgeous in person...lavender ice, deep plum/midnight blue, and PINK!  I can't wait to have two bobbins full to ply up.  And the shimmer is so sweet!