Numinous the Troll

I just put 3 new skeins in the Handspun Shop!
Introducing....

Numinous the Troll

Amplify (yummy baby alpaca with merino coils!)
Solitary Comfort~More info (while they last) in the MW Handspun Shop!

LOOK!
Material Whirled was just mentioned on Craft Stylish.com!

Thank you Linda!

Jordan's Acid Grasshopper Hat

FO! Made for my baby brother Jordan (who is now 20!) and in college.

Made using the 3AM Cable Hat pattern by SmarieK.
Ravelry Link.

Knit on size 6 circular needles from Acid Grasshopper Muse Hand dyed from Material Whirled!
Even though the yarn is a worsted BFL, I used the DK pattern version to make a tighter knit.

Wonderful pattern and delicious yarn!

(since Jord is in PA and we are in WA, Ann modeled the hat)

Happy Holidays & Merry Christmas!

Wishing everyone a spectacular holiday season, however you may celebrate!
Here are pics of my yarn ball tree. Eve finger knitted the garlands.

We have just under a foot of snow. Which has not happened in the Portland area since 1980.
Needless to say the roads are horrible... but it is so beautiful!

So we are IN for the next few days, relaxing, knitting, snuggling and eating.


Merry Merry!
xo

Time...

You know, sometimes I can be such a pain. I had an epiphany this morning, right after I had an existential tantrum.

I always feel like I am rushing through life, putting out the biggest fires first, and never have time to s.l.o.w. down, contemplate, stare. I know this is my fault, as I am the one who sets my schedule and the one who takes on more than I probably should.

It's snowing. I am trapped and have been for days. MW is on vacation for the holidays.

First I danced around and loved it, then I caught up with the list of things to do.
WHAT? freetime? gasp!
It practically threw me into a fetal position. Then I realized, WOW, FREETIME! what a gift.

Paul is out of town and it looks like he will be for DAYS. The girls are out in the snow with neighbor kids, or making cookies, or reading books. They have been beyond occupied.

I always long for breathing room and when it arrives I waste it away by pouting from the shock of it all!
So I hit the studio, dug out my paints and figured out that my ipod will hook to my computer speakers (I know-- duh) and have been painting away for hours....

Here are some pics. More can be seen here.

Heard this on TED.
"Making things actually does give me a lot of joy.
It's the process of creation that keeps me sort of a bubble and a half above perpetual anxiety in my life. And it's that feeling of being about 80% complete on a project where you know you still have something to do, but it's not finished and you're not starting something that really fills my entire life." ~ Ze Frank

Which inspired this painting, called "a bubble and a half"... click to see more pics.

Inspiration~

I have to admit, I am an inspiration junkie. A big chunk of my time is taken each day feeding this hungry monster, but it is as important to me (and my sanity) as oxygen!
My new obsession is Ted.


Wow-- that is all I have to say. If you haven't seen it yet, GO-- feed your monster!

This morning I watched a clip of Isaac Mizrahi. I love him, love his ideas, love his energy levels. I missed his show when it went off the air. Whew! I really um, relate? to his energy level and would love the opportunity to hang out with him, although others may run for the hills.
His site is spectacular too!

I feel all inspired now-- I think I will watch another and knit a bit more until my coffee kicks in...what should I watch next? Unconventional Explanations? Art Unusual? The Creative Spark?

Knotted Symphonic Poem Scarf

A few days ago I posted a link to a No Knit Scarf (knotted) from Martha Stewart.
I finally made one and it really works well with my handspun.

Here is the yarn, Symphonic Poem.

Here is the scarf!
The skein was 70 yards of bulky to super bulky but I recommend having at least 80 yards.

The knotted pattern really shows off the unique qualities of the handspun!

Here is the link to the scarf pattern.

Here is the link to the YARN SHOP where you can find many many beautiful skeins that will make spectacular scarves! (enough adjectives? haha)

Cute Little Elves

Ruth made matching Elf Hats for her daughter and nephew-- aren't they adorable?

Art Night in the Material Whirled~

I have been hosting some random art nights in my studio. Just a bunch of us crazy women creating and inspiring one another-- oh yeh- and drinking wine (and cocktails) and eating munchies.

Last night Jackie and her friend Liz --who host and create the amazing site called "Illustrating Stories"-- were video taping Jackie's progress on a Christmas journal she is making!
Go visit their site-- you can lose hours playing around in it and being inspired~

sigh.
I don't like seeing myself on camera-- but who does really?

Here is a link to the video~

I look exhausted (which I was-- I tend to exhaust myself- but that is whole other blog post- haha)
I am spinning my latest skein-- which is from a pastel wool and merino batt that my Ann (who is 9) created for me. I spun it with a soft blue cotton/rayon thread and spun in strands of a fun novelty yarn as well as strips and fringes from an old yellow chenille blanket.
I will add pics here once I get it set and photographed.

Today I am painting and playing in my art journals, which I find so very relaxing. They girls have been working with me, it's a great way to spend time together and chat.
See my Art Journal pics here in a flickr album-- they are all 'in progress' pages, I don't think I will ever feel it is finished...not anytime soon anyway. The book itself was created at ArtFest last spring, in Traci Bautista's class.

Cat Wig!

I know-- cute animal pictures are so overdone, but this just made me smile.

Does your cat want a wig? Go here to get her one...
hilarious!

Enjoy your Sunday!

Mary's Elves~

Mary must live at the North Pole!
Her co-workers all modeled her Elf Hat for her.
This made my day!
Thanks Mary!

Hand Dyed Yarns!

This past week was spent preparing for my show, and this included dyeing piles of yarn!

Here are some shots of the latest update...

"Selective Dementia" ~ 100% Alpaca Worsted-- so soft~!

"Energy Explosion" Superwash Merino Sock Yarn

"Donna" ~Merino Bamboo DK

"Sarita"~ Handspun by Reenie

"Paulette"~ Handspun by Reenie

Phew! Show and a Sweater Blocking...

Well the show was a blast. It was very slow and I was way over-prepared. (the plight of the over-achiever). BUT- I had so much fun- hanging out with my friend Ruth- and meeting new creative women-entrepreneurs. Hello to everyone!

Here are pics of my pretty booth:

I plan to take today and tomorrow to finish up custom orders. After that I will update the site!
There is a lot of spectacular stuff to put up!

And... I got my sweater blocked! YAYYY!
Now to assemble it and knit the button bands and shawl collar.
It's killing me to not hyper-focus on it, but there is work to be done!
Speaking of, I better get back to it.

Thanks!

At the risk of being all corny and predictable...

I want to say how thankful I am for everyone in my life... family.... friends... my loyal customers.
You all make my life a full and frenetic one and I love you for it!



hugs and kisses and turkey love to all!
xoxo

No Knit Scarf from Martha~

No-Knit scarf instructions from Martha!

Written for bulky yarn!

This would work wonderfully with any bulky yarn sold on Material Whirled~

Click here for scarf instructions

Click here to see available yarns!

Upcoming show~

I will have all of my current shop inventory (plus some surprises!) at Outlaw Craft next Sat.
If you are local please stop by!
Here are details:

Gossamer

Wow-- that is all I can say.
I opened the blinds this morning and the sun coming through the trees was so beautiful.

Here are shots from the deck~ and one reason why I love it here so much.
(untouched photos)

I tire myself out~

I really do.
Seems like I go from manic-productive to on-the-couch-bleh. Typical for an artist I suppose.

My new friend Ruth was here on Wed. to witness the madness and she didn't scream and run for the hills. Thank you Ruth... sometimes I am a bit much to absorb.

Tues. I spent painting. (see previous post). So nice to lose myself and my harried thoughts in creating.

Wed. was spent hanging with Ruth, designing her a custom skein, playing in the paint, in the fiber and knitting. on and on...Wed. was frenetic.

Yesterday (Thurs.) was spent on my butt at the computer, doing a massive shop update.
Over 9 hours! phew!
Check it out!

There will be more updates coming this morning, once I drag myself to the studio.
Feeling like trying to go back to sleep for a bit. Paul left early-early(and extremely last minute) for Boise, ID so this morning entailed panicked packing and paperwork. Poor tired man.

We have a play-date with some new friends today and I need to vacuum and get the house looking like sane people live here. The upstairs is manageable, but the studio? haha. not so much.
Maybe sane people do not live here. They say your home reflects the state of your mind but that is something I am not willing to accept. Aren't there exceptions for those who choose to create rather than clean? Plus 3 people who are IN the house most of the time so things are constantly being moved or cluttered or messed- cooking 3 meals a day in the kitchen, etc.
sigh. So there. Enough crazy ramblings.
I think I will try to snooze while the man is in the air.

Another post coming once the site is completely updated!

Here are some pics of my fav things from yesterday's update: