Everyone is Spinning…

I did mention in my post about the Creativ Festival that I attended a workshop about Creative Spinning. The workshop was put on by, Cindy Cole. She had alot of handspun yarn and fibre with her. Many of her yarns had themes, or had items sewn or spun into them. She had two wheels with her: the Ashford Country and the Ashford Joy.

Cindy showed us how to spin yarn on the wheels, she used 100% superwash merino (white) and then plyed it with thread. Cindy said that you spin the fibre and then add thread to make it stronger. She demonstated how to coil the yarn. Cindy mentioned that the yarn was 109 yards and when she was done coiling it was 9 yards. She also demonstrated how to make a 2 ply with two different coloured handspuns.

It was all very neat and I think I might make myself a drop spindle. Then I can be just like all my favourite knitters out in the blogosphere who have the most beautifull Handspun yarns. I do know that they all use wheels and not drop spindles but we all have to start somewhere.

(This is one of Plucky Knitter’s handspun’s I love)

When I was at the Creativ Festival I met Shannon Okey the author of many books but one in particular Spin to Knit. I picked it up today from our local library. I will let you all know what I think when I read it!

Tips are always welcome when it come to my new endevors – so if you know a good tutorial to make a drop spindle, great place to purchase fibre in Ontario or just have tips from your own experience I would love to hear them.

You can leave a comment or send me an email at: littlemisscrafty (at) yahoo (dot) com. (I do it that funny way so the bots cant get my email to spam).

Mystery Package Solved!

Well I had mentioned on Friday that there was a UPS sticky note on my door indicating I had a package I was to sign for (but I was not here).  So I looked up the info number and it said the package weight 11lbs and started in IA, US.  So I was mighty confused as to WHAT IT WAS!

Today (being Monday) the UPS guy came back and gave me a giant box… Which said Greenies on it!  I then clued in as to where it was from.  It is from head office of one of my many jobs.  I do promos for pet food.  It was a giant box full of greenies products.

Then 10 minutes later Canada Post showed up with……

My books from Chapters! I am so excited I can make up some new stitch patterns in my designs and go sew up a storm!

Creativ Festival

I went to the Creativ Festival today. I know I could have gone to the Knitters Frolic but I didn’t really want to just go to a show about knitting (as much as I love it). So I went to the Creativ Festival and the Food Networks Good Food Festival.

I got to the International Center at 1045ish and stood in line and chit chatted with some lovely crafters. A mother and daugther who sew and another woman who is a budding Entprenure with her scrapbook company. I had a great time in line for the 10minutes with the ladies. Did I mention that I did go to this by myself? I ran to one of the free workshops. It was all about Creative Spinning. I have to say I learned ALOT in the 40 minute session. I now understand 2 plys (which are the yarns I find the most attractive). Who knows maybe I will become a spinner. I would love to make my own Yarns!

I stopped and purchased some lovely sock yarn, Jitterbug. I am going to make my little sister a pair of socks (or two if I have enough).

I stopped at the MacFab booth and bought an Amy Butler pattern The Frenchy Bag. One of the employees was very helpful and aided me in choosing some Fabric. Amy Butler fabric of course! So that will be something I will dust off the sewing machine for.

I headed over to the Good Food festival and INDULGED in some great food! I have to say I had a really good day! Plus it ended excellently with a Salmon, Lobster and Shrimp dinner I made for my hubbie and my girlfriend.

Surprise Note on my Front Door

I came home from a funeral today to find this sticky note on my door. It did take some time for me to clue in as to what it may be. I looked up the Info number on UPS.com and found out it started in the US and I am assuming that it is my new Knitpicks Needles and Yarn.

I picked the 32″ harmony wood needles in US 2 and 3. I also am getting some of the Knitpicks Essential Sock yarn.

I cannot wait until Monday when UPS comes back… I will let you all know if this is what arrives on Monday.

Should I Etsy?

Well I have an Etsy account as a buyer right now. I am hoping that when I get my two funky sewing books and some experience under my belt I would like to sell my items on Etsy. I just don’t know what I would want to sell.

I have seen some food items such as Jams and spreads which I can make! Plus they are might good! Although I also see pretty sewn items that I want to make too. I just don’t want to step on anyone eles toes.

This was making Jam last summer – Note I would not do this if I were to sell the Jam! It was such an awesome picture. Everyone thought I actually licked the potato masher.

Sewing is in the Horizon

I feel that the sewing machine has collected enough dust sitting on the kitchen table (not to mention it is kind of in the way). So today (well yesterday) I started considering what items I need to start sewing. A while back I borrowed many books from the local library on sewing – except none were what I wanted to sew.

So…. I had eyed a few books at Chapters and well… I ordered them. I ordered 2 sewing pattern books and a knitting book.

I cannot wait to get:

Lotta Jansdotter – Simple Sewing

Amy Butler – In Stitches

and well I will keep the knitting book a secret for now!

Fun in the Sun

Well today has been pretty good… I went over to Yarnopolis today with Kiki. We were talking to FoxyandCrafty (the shop keeper), she is a cool chicklet! We chatted about yarn and knitting of course.

I purchased some Manos del Uruguay Wool, colour Wildflower (109). I am going to use this to make my Cowl! Yes I have decieded to jump on the cowl band wagon. I fell in love with the cowl, when I saw the Six One Seven Dolores Park Cowl!

Since it is a nice sunny afternoon I am outside with Kiki, we are taking photos of the projects and yarn. I worked a few rounds yesterday in the Tiny Sweater for my baby sister. My fetching gloves have slightly been on hold due to Finals! But they are DONE!! So life can be a bit more relaxed.

A Bookish Knitter

Here are is a list of a few books I have borrowed from the local library! Some I will add to my personal library!

Knitting Stitches: Over 300 Contemporary and Traditional Stitch Patterns by Mary Webb à I do not like this book in anyway. I hate how it is laid out. The stitch patterns swatches do not do justice. I feel this book was poorly though out.

Super Stitches Knitting: Knitting Essentials Plus a Dictionary of More Than 300 Stitch Patterns by Karen Hemingwayà This Stitch Dictionary I was recommend for all knitters. The pages and stitches are beautifully laid out. It is easy for a new knitting (as I am) to understand what is required for each stitch. This book I showed to seasoned knitters and I know a few who have purchased it for their personal collections. ALL KNITTERS SHOULD OWN THIS BOOK!

Mason-Dixon Knitting: The Curious Knitters’ Guide: Stories, Patterns, Advice, Opinions, Questions, Answers, Jokes, and Pictures by Kay Gardiner and Ann Meador Shayne à This was the first knitting book i picked up when I first started. You could say I was drawn to the book. I must thank Kay and Ann for their advice and humour throughout the book. I love the patterns and the little added flare from both the women in the book. Countless projects I have from this text – The Ballband Dishcloth, the Peak-a-boo Lace Curtain, and the Piano Bench Cover are my favourite.

Knitting Rules!: The Yarn Harlot’s Bag of Knitting Tricks by Stephanie Pearl-McPhee à No one can say anything bad about this book. The Yarn Harlot is filling her big shoes. She is wrote a witty and factual book about knitting. This book provides you with the nitty gritty on how to make items. Socks, Scarves, Hats and so on. She tells you how to make a basic item, and lets you run with it so to say. This is another important book for NEW Knitters!

Stylish Knits for Dogs: 30 Projects to Knit in a Weekend by Ilene Hochberg à As some know in the blogosphere I have a Scottish Terrier, Dexter, who I know wants me to knit him something nice. I am still flipping through this book looking for the best one. Great ideas for dogs of all sizes.

Greetings from Knit Café by Suzan Mischer and Victoria Pearson à I love the anecdotes in this book about the coming of the cafe. I also love how each pattern is linked to something that occurred at the Knit Cafe. I aspire to have a lovely Knitting Cafe like this one in my future. I hope to combine my two loves: Cooking and Knitting! We will see how it goes.

Knitting for Peace: Make the World a Better Place One Stitch at a Time by Betty Christiansen and Kiriko Shirobayashi à I love the patterns and information about all the different non-profit organizations. We should all knit to warm the hearts of the globe.

*Note – these are all personal opinions on the above texts.

EDIT: Please let me know what you think of these books… I would love others input!

My little Green Thumb…

I planted these little guys about a week ago. I went to Lowes and purchased some seeds (Rosemary – I think is shown here) Basil. Rosemat, Carrots (that are small and will grow in a pot) and Green Onions.

I brought my little seedlings in last night to notice two green specks under the ziplock bag tent (which I use to help them germinate). I also found some hairyness on the soil. I googled it and looked on You Grow Girls site – heres the link about what I found on the Icky Hairyness. I am not sure if that is the right issue but it was the best info I could find!

Regular Crafting will Resume Shortly

Well I must let you all know I will be returning to my ever craftyness in less than 6 hours. At 2pm today I write my last FINAL! I have a whole slue of books I need to talk about and a sewing machine in the kitchen I must start using…

Here is a little shot of all the books I will post about in the next few days!