Thankfulness and Spinning

The lovely Romi created this custom fern shawl pin, which I wore on my wedding day.  As if her beautiful handiwork weren’t enough, she also gifted me a pretty  pair of earrings along with a note wishing me happiness as I started married life.  What a wonderful gift.  Thank you!

A few weeks ago there was another burst of unexpected generosity out of the blogsphere.  Rae and I have crossed paths several times in swaps–I was her KSKS pal, and she was mine for KMKS, and again for the swap-bot strawberry pincushion swap. She sent a lot more than an adorable pincushion, though.  Also in the package were some desk supplies, homemade treats for the girls (long gone and much enjoyed!), sheep ribbon, and a festive skein of her hand-dyed yarn.  One of my favorite things about Rae is that she is so great with her cute pup, Robin.  In addition to a bricks and mortar storefront, Rae now has an on-line shop as well.  Be sure to visit her there!

I had a spinning lesson last week with one of the Nutmeg Spinners Guild members, Ellen.  I started spinning in the fall of 2005, but I’ve never gotten in enough time with my wheel, and this is going to be the summer I do.  I figured I may as well take a few private lessons and get my skills to as high a level as I can.  I’ve joined Spun Stitches, and I want to do a good job spinning for a shawl. The spinning in the picture is the finest I’ve done to date, and it’s hand-dyed Romney I dyed last summer in the same colors as my Blue Shutter Beach dye-o-rama yarn.

I’ve ended my knitting monogomy, too.  I cast on for Adele, a hat for Dulaan out of my first handspun from back in 2005, and my travel project: Monkey Sockapalooza socks.  I’m not loving the Nashua June yarn I’m using for Adele; it’s tough on my hands.  It does have a nice drape to it, though, so the suffering (!) will be worth it.  I do love knitting with my handspun, and I’m a little embarrassed to admit that this is the first time I’ve done so.  The Jitterbug I’m using for the Monkeys is lovely, too.

It’s time to clean the house for the dogsitter.  Neal and I are heading to New Mexico for the weekend.  I’m thrilled to see my friends out there, and I’m looking forward to getting the condo ready to go on the market.  It’s the cutest place I’ve ever lived, and I’m a little sad to let it go, but I know it will simplify my life to sell it.

Catch back up with you next week!