Spinning, Knitting and Cat fur.....

Well not only have i been busy at work...and in my personal life, but I Finally took the time to read Elizabeth Zimmermans book, The Knitters Workshop, and the first project was a hat. I decided...i can do that. Then i decided i would use this Yarn i spun myself (this is what was left after making the hat)

It is one strand of BLF wool(the pretty creamy white) and one strand of my cat Normals fur, spun as you would angora rabbit fur. I did Not cut his hair, i simply collected it as i brushed him and spun the fluff.
Here is Normal

and...the hat...the white part of the cap is just the BFL wool i spun by itself, the crown is the cat fur/bfl yarn.


and of course a few of the cat in the cat hair hat


Normal is entirely too tolerant for his own good....actually, he thinks he's as human as we are, and is a little emo for a cat, always wanting love and cuddles.

So...here we have crafty happiness, i think i'll be making hats for anyone who wants them, as they're fun to knit up. (have already made one for Chris' son, and have started his daughters...they match the scarves i made them:-) Chris decided he wanted a set as well. i am utterly thrilled that my family likes my handcrafts enough to want me to make them things!

Spring is on the way, and i look forward to all that brings.....we have more shooting outings planned, it's the shedding season for pets, so i'll be able to reap Quite the cat fluff harvest...then i'll need to decide what to make with that yarn!
All in all i must say that my life is Blessed with love and a joy i had not known was possible.
love to all....
jen

Time flies...

Well...i have been so busy that i have not had time to update any of the blogs!!!
I sent a very COLD weekend at the LCR January Crabshoot, and had a hell of a great time, some pics below of how beautiful it was, and i finished the simple shawl knitted out of my first real spinning efforts.




Here are some pictures taken while we were packing up after an afternoon of shooting with the kids...the sunsets around here are phenomenal!





and here are the required pictures of Normal... goofy as ever.





I have been busy with work...and in my 'personal time'things couldn't be better or more fun. the combining of households has gone wonderfuly, and kids, cats and adults are all getting along Fabulously well!
I was given a Zune for christmas....and i have found myself shocked at how easy it has become to listen to REALLY GOOD music, all of the time, it's also super cool as you can load photos onto it, and movies as well. The background picture right now is me shooting a M-4. (yep....me, the once pacifist, now enjoys shooting guns.)

This is the handgun i want.....a green glock. Well....how could i not want one, it's GREEN!!!!
I still spend time spinning, knitting and playing with the silver, the lace has taken a backseat right now, as it takes 100% concentration and i don't feel like devoting that much to it at the moment. I will again soon enough, my hands are beginning to miss the feel of manipulating the bobbins.
I've been busy cooking up a storm, today i'll be making brownies from my Most used cook book(i only follow recipies when baking....i make all the rest up as i go...)
http://www.amazon.com/Good-Housekeeping-Illustrated-Cookbook-Coulson/dp/0878510370/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1202417892&sr=8-3
I've been cooking from this book since i first followed a recipie as a kid. My mom scoured used book stores to find my sister and i copies when we moved out(we would have fought over her copy, i am sure!)Glad to see that they have newer editions of it as well now.
Ah, the brownies are for a friends birthday, i should make a double batch, which means i should leave the computer and get to work!

Love is....

I recall my Mother enjoying those little comics when i was a child, and i always thought them sweet.
Nothing could define love quite like the way young Normal made me feel yesterday, he jumped onto my lap, then wanted to be cuddled close. After 20 minutes of this, i decided to see if i could photograph this display of affection (which lasted an hour)
And here we are...


And me holding him, looking a little creepy...


No lace images, but i did finish the daisy with pearl edging sample and now get to begin a Poppy sample, once that is done, i'm on to the next unit and Fillings!!! (AARRGGHHH, which means leadworks as well) I still have yet to begin a 'real' project on Maurice, (yarn that is intended for something) as i can't decide. I Have achieved a foot of edging for my sister, which is not nearly enough, i know...but i just need to sit still with the tatting shuttles long enough to add substantial length to that. Well, work comes in the middle of the night tomorrow, so i had better run, i just had to share the sweet kitty pictures.
love jen

Meet Maurice...

Here is Maurice and Normal.
Sharon from www.bubbiesfarm.com is an amazing fiber artisan, and shepard?- She has many fiber animals, sheep,goats and rabbits. She invited me over for the evening to try out all of the Kromski wheels, i tried the ones i had been thinking about purchasing, and the Sonata, which had not crossed my mind to purchase...and guess who came home with me? The Sonata, who informed me that his name is Maurice. He is stained a beautiful Walnut, and my flash washed that tone out in the next pictures, but you get the idea of the shape...which folds into a compact little travel bag so efficiently(it's kind of wierd, really)
Well, it has a poly drive band, which i was suprised to find i really like. I was getting a feel for the tension with the last of my lime green roving. Can't wait for my first big project on this, as the bobbins hold 4 ounces(the ashfords only hold 2)
Here is the other pic- i shall take more later :-), i'm beat, yet need to get things done before crashing!
Love to all...jen

Lace Lesson Update

Well i finished one more Honiton sample and graduated on to working some flower shaped samples! I am Sooo happy about that, the first piece is daisy like in shape and following are some pictures taken in the middle of working it, the fun part will be the leaves, as i am to fill them as i see fit!!!

Oh, first is the required picture of Normal, when he gives up on my paying enough attention to playing fetch he'll lay on the boxes of (er...my) books stacked next to the computer area for a snooze. When i'm at the pillow he's either half on my lap or right next to me under my throw.

He doesn't look relaxed at all....does he?

lace and a close up...

So here we are, it feels so lovely to be back on track without my hand giving me fits, i will simply never take the use of my hands for granted again.
I still can't decide what tatting to do for my sister....i should have enough time to get something lovely done for her, but what? Boutonnieres made of little lace roses?....Possibly a simple hankie edging, ah, but to be retired and have the time to see all of these ideas to fruition. Determination, that and dedication will see something accomplished of note(oh, i hope!)
Well, Happy Mothers day out there to all my Mother friends, be your children human or animal(or both!)
Love to all
jen