A Year of Realizations...

This year has been quite and experience. So much has happened for me personally. I have always held on to some sort of creative outlet. In New Orleans I had the job at Mardi Gras World painting and designing floats. That led me in a sort of backwards way to wire sculpture, which led me to jewelry. I enjoyed creating wild pendants out of thick sterling silver wire. I remember how exciting it was when the contemporary art gallery asked me if I would sell them there. That phase ended after several years and I got back into crochet. I made hats just last Christmas for some friends. I considered selling them on Etsy but before I even had time to entertain the idea, a friend mentioned "Lets dye some wool yarn! We can do it with Kool-Aid!" That was around February.

If you asked me last year if I had ever considered spinning yarn, I probably would've cocked my head to the side and said "Like with a spinning wheel?!?" I used to be able to bust out a wire pendant in just a few minutes. It was fun to sit down with a hunk of silver and an hour later have 5-10 pendants to show for it. This spinning yarn thing though, it is so different. I have always been one to find the most efficient way to do things. Working with wool has taught me to be patient. From the very first opening of the bag of fluffy wool, to the needles or a photo shoot for my Etsy shop, it's a journey.

There are so many steps involved in creating yarn. The dyeing process has taught me to let go of my "plan" that I usually have for everything. Some wools take dye differently, some dyes don't end up like I expected, some days the city water has been treated and I end up with pastel mania. Once they are hung to dry in the Texas sun, they often surprise me. I can't even explain how exciting it is to have a fresh batch of dyed roving drying. This is where the patience comes in. I will admit, some rovings peek my curiosity so much I have spun them while they are still the slightest bit damp. For most of them though, I must wait until they dry. Very few have ended up like I actually picture them. It is amazing the transformation that takes place as the colors twist and blend together in the spinning process. There is absolutely no way that any machine could ever produce the effect of handspun yarn.

The options that you have when you start to spin are practically endless. From super thin to super bulky and everything in between. Some fibers pretty much tell you how they want to be spun. You can go into it thinking, I will spin this into a bulky yarn, then the fiber says no. Some want to be thick and thin. You never really know until you get going. I like to experiment. Actually, not having been taught how to spin in the first place, this whole venture was an experiment!

My handspun yarn was the first handspun I had ever worked with. I received my wheel in pieces in the mail in March of this year and still remember the excitement as I was putting it together. I felt like I was about to conquer something I knew little about. I had a box full of wool and I just went for it! There were so many variables: tension, fiber, distance, speed, technique (of which I had none!) I don't remember a definitive moment when it clicked, it was a gradual process. I do remember the first time I realized the thing I had just created could pass for yarn! It was still a few weeks before I decided to use some of my handspun to crochet with. It was a purple and pink blend and I had just enough of it to make a coffee cup sleeve. This was before I had learned to knit. Well I had attempted knitting but it was still dangerous to be in the vicinity when I had two pointy sticks and so much frustration from not really knowing what I was doing! The experience to create something out of a supply that I created from a pile of fluff was nothing short of amazing.

I still enjoy experimenting. In fact almost every skein I spin still teaches me a little something. I see other fiber artists work and I think "I can do that." I have gone from spinning uncontrollable thick and thin yarns to all sorts of (now I can actually call them this) techniques. Consistently spun, super thin, super thick, slubs, art yarn (which was a challenge for me and my symmetrical self), coils and others.

My very favorite part about spinning though...sharing it with others. Every skein I send off is exciting. I mean who really ever knows what it will become? There are so many possibilities when you create a "supply." I create so others can create, gotta love it!

Now my knitting skills have improved. I am happy to say it is no longer dangerous to be in my presence with two pointy sticks. In fact, this year, I knit a bunch of my family's gifts. I was a joy to do and I can't wait to gift them!

Have a happy holiday everyone and I hope your hearts will be full of joy. Each and every one of us has so much to be thankful for.

Easily Amused!

So my parents came to pick up kiddo and take him shopping for hubby and me for Christmas. A secret shopping trip that they have been wanting to do since last year, just waiting until he was a bit older. He loves hanging out with them and was so excited from the moment I told him. There aren't many things he likes to do without me, but an outing with Grammy and Grandpa was absolutely up his alley! He was dressed and ready to go about two hours before they were even supposed to arrive and for a 4 year old, that is EARLY! I planned on shopping solo for a shirt for our annual family photos (which we decided we would all wear blue and I didn't have a pretty blue top) and have a minute to try some things on. I stroll into a shop in the mall..... there they are! Of course, out of all the gin joints right? I had a quick success and headed out so they could carry on with top secret shopping.

I asked kiddo what he got for us, knowing he had been prompted to say "You have to wait until Christmas!" and that is what he said. Then later we were hanging out on the sofa and a Zales commercial came on. He was quiet and then he says "I got you the most beautiful earrings!" I pretended not to hear because instantly he realized he wasn't supposed to say anything. I am willing to bet they are not from Zales, but based on the earrings he "won" for me out of a vending machine, I imagine they are quite sparkly. He digs the sparkly stuff. I dig him.

This afternoon was about mid to high 70s. The sky looked all mysterious like it wasn't sure what it was supposed to do. Windy gusts and fast moving clouds rolled in in the evening hours. The temperature was steadily dropping. I heard there was a chance for snow but this is Texas, I mean come on now. It doesn't snow here.

First it was sleet, then it turned to the fluffy white goodness!

My list just gets longer and longer every day!

Today is Thanksgiving!

I will tell you what, it has been quite a year since the last one. It seems like my list just get longer and longer everyday, the things I am thankful for. My family and friends, my goofy son, my great neighbors, the people I meet in passing and the inspiration and hope that I receive from all of them. My "just the right size" house on my cute little street, the wacky Texas weather, the small town I live in that has ever expanding resources and the beautiful openness and rolling hills that surrounds it. I could go on and on and on...

I take a moment every day to appreciate the beautiful life I get to live. Today on Thanksgiving, it seems so amplified. Maybe because so many people who normally may not take that moment every day, well... they are today. It fills the air with a sense of hope and wonder. We are all very lucky to have the opportunities and experiences that we do. Sometimes, in the midst of everything, it doesn't seem so lucky for some folks. I can tell you this though, whoever you are, wherever you are, whatever has been placed or thrown in front of you, you are exactly where you are supposed to be. There is good in everything. Sometimes we have to dig a bit deeper, sometimes we realize it later, sometimes the things we have hoped and planned for manifest...but there are things to be thankful for no matter what.

So may your list get longer and longer! Happy Thanksgiving!

Black Friday Sale and Hello!

Hello everybody! I just wanted to pop in and let y'all know I will be having a big sale this weekend in my Etsy shop! Looking forward to answering questions and packing up orders! If anyone would like to receive my Newsletter, just email me at simplytwistedyarn@gmail.com and I will sign you up!

Two Seasons, Bunnies and Cabernet

Living here in Texas, it's almost like we just have two seasons. Summer and Winter. Seems like each one of them is just long enough to forget how the other is. We had a cold front blow through and stick around for a few days. I like the cold weather, the cozy clothes and the snuggle up and stay in factor of it. The leaves are blowing off of the trees. The deer are running around wildly. I can smell my neighbor's fireplace. All in all a good start to the holiday season!

Currently I am spinning some German Angora bunny fur. It came to me in fluffery bits so I am having to hand card it. There is something kind of Zen about the repetitive motion. I do wish I had a larger pair, but these work just fine. I was surprised how well and even it is coming out for being hand carded.

The last Angora I worked with was wild and unruly. In the beginning I tried to make it consistent but about 3 yards in and I declared "May the fluffers stay fluffy!" and spun it like it wanted to be spun. It ended up looking really neat with big, soft, thick......blobs? here and there. I have just a bit of gorgeous cashmere left. It is more of a creamy white and the angora is pure white. I was thinking of plying the two together for the softest most buttery fabulousness ever.

Did you know bunny fur is 8 times as warm as wool? Interesting huh...

Here is a photo of the Angora in progress ~

Pretty isn't it?

Tonight is chilly and I have to stay up to get the last bit of laundry done. I had a major decision earlier between hot tea and some Cabernet. The Cabernet won. Seems like a cozy thing to have on a blustery night. So cheers!

OH! I recently celebrated my 200th sale on Etsy! When I first started and wasn't sure how I was going to do, I set a goal first of 45 sales. I put a note on my vision board. This was back in February. I hit that goal and when I noticed my little note on the board, I was already at 52 sales. I took it down and made a new one for 65. Between spinning, kiddo and life, I hadn't glanced up there for a while. Once I did, I was right at 100 sales. I started to get a new slip of paper to write my goal on, then I had a better idea. So I grabbed my pen and drew a "1" in front of the 65! So obviously with my 200th sale just passed, I needed a new goal. I made a "2" out of the "1" and have been working hard to keep my shop stocked! I am looking forward to folks holiday shopping on Etsy. This will be my first holiday season actually selling.

Alright, laundry, bunny fur and another glass of wine!

Brrrrrrr.......

Oh my goodness.

It is very, very cold here.

That is all for now..... until the coffee takes effect and my hands thaw.

Enjoy this woolen treat below, feel free to make me some mittens!

HALLOWEEN

We had a bit of a pumpkin carving party here the hubby, kiddo and me. Of course I was recruited to scrape all of the funky goo from within. Eww. Meanwhile they chose some designs for them. Hubby chose a Dodge Challenger, you know, because he isn't surrounded by Dodge all day or anything. Kiddo chose the one with the most lines and cuts.... I mean the creepy surgeon. I think they turned out pretty cool though! I wasn't sure about the Challenger until it was lit and the lights were off. Kiddo thinks it looks like Lightening McQueen, I kind of agree!

Please feel free to leave your comments! HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Beautiful Things...

The weather has been absolutely perfect here. It has been in the 70's and breezy, slightly overcast, a dream! When we first moved into our house about 5 years ago, all of the windows were painted shut. It was such a shame because they are the big kind of windows and there are so many. I remember when kiddo was just a little pile of baby in his playpen, I had the grand idea. I was going to pry them all open! Well about 40 minutes later (about 5 hours less time than I thought it was going to take) they were all able to open! It is so amazing to have such a great cross wind through the house. It is one of those things that just makes you happy. To not have the hum of the air conditioner, just he sound of the outside getting a chance to sneak in. I think it is also living in Texas. You know most of the time it is extremely hot, then it switches to extremely cold. There aren't many in between days. I absolutely appreciate the in between days though!

I have been wanting to experiment with some different fibers lately. Two of the ones I wanted to try I ran across today so I ordered them. I found a hemp and also a banana fiber. All of the banana fiber yarn I see is handspun already, it is just available to dye. I came across some actual loose fiber so I snatched it up! I am wondering if the hemp is going to be similar to the cotton. Anyway, looking forward to working with both! They are both undyed and just the natural color so I will have to dye them first, or maybe not, we'll see.

I finally ordered some Firestar and let me tell you, it is so fun and so sparkly! At first I had a hard time drafting it but then I kind of got in the groove and it adds such a neat dimension.

I don't think I have mentioned before how much fun it is to be a part of Etsy. I absolutely love being able to connect with people from all over the world. So far I have sent to many of the United States of America, Finland, Scotland, Portugal, Madrid, Australia, Canada and I have a customer that informed me that some of the yarn she bought was going to be travelling with her to Namibia Africa! I need to get a big wall map of the world so I can start putting pins to the places I have sent to. It would also be fun for the kiddo I am sure. Not the pin part, LOL, the map part.

Okay so this perhaps is my most random post ever. Sometimes I am just not sure what to write here! I ran into a lovely lady I know today at the store who mentioned that she had not seen me keeping up with my blog lately. So thank you for getting me back in here! I often forget how much fun it is to collect my thoughts here.

Until next time!

The Beauty of the Human Spirit

Okay, so I was working the register at my random night job tonight. My little escape to talk to adults after having spent all day with my ridiculous and clever 4 year old son. I was ringing this lady up. She had three kiddos with her, all say, 7 and under. They were not annoying in the least bit, I mean, they were keeping her busy but just being kids really. They were happy and just looking at everything (which to kids also means TOUCHING everything!) Near the checkout we have these little push button things with this globe on the top. You push the button and the little light thing spins around and kind of changes colors and patterns. It is really pretty cool and all the kids love them.
The one little girl asked "Can we get one?"
The mom said "Three dollars each and three kids? That adds up. No guys we are just getting the movies now put them back please." None of them fussed.
She paid for her movies and was gathering her stuff. It was now that I looked past the big bright eyes and giggling face of the youngest girl and realized that quite a bit of her long blonde hair was missing.
The couple behind her in line had been watching and smiling at the kiddos. At one point one of them even said "You've got your hands full!" The mother had smiled back at her, kind of rolling her eyes.
As the mom was gathering the kiddos and heading out, one of the girls from the couple handed me three of the spinning light things and said "Can you kinda hurry with these?"
I rang them up and handed them to the other girl and she gave them to each of the kiddos. They simultaneously thanked her happily. I almost forgot to finish ringing them up and even now tears come to my eyes as I write. What a beautiful thing to be able to witness the kind, open, caring and thoughtfulness of human beings. I told the couple how much fun it was for me to be able to witness that and the one just said "Well she had her hands full."
I love it. I am happy that I was there to witness it and I realize that the beauty of the human spirit is everywhere. I will be more aware, I hope you will too. :)

What a fabulous morning!

I hope everyone has a beautiful day today!

This is where I would rather be, though I am happy to be home as well... South Padre Island Texas

How do they do it? (mini rant about being a Mom)

Okay so last night, my crazy 4 year old kiddo got up out of bed about a thousand times. Just as I was about to fall asleep...BAM, he was up again. I think collectively I got maybe 2 hours of sleep.


Then this morning he wakes up chipper and ready for the day! Like nothing ever happened! Like we hadn't been up ALL night long!


I find some coffee beans in the cupboard and decide I pretty much have to pretend it didn't happen either. Grind them up brew them, have a sip head out for a ton of errands.


It is raining today so we "get" to use the umbrellas.


Okay, for me I think "Let's just run and do it fast and get home out of the rain."


Kiddo thinks (probably in a song) "We get to use umbrellas! We get to use umbrellas!"


So it ends up taking much longer to run already long errands. He does however let everyone know that we are carrying umbrellas.


Come home....errands done....ahhhhhhh


RING


This then was continued phone call mania, pretty much back to back calls.


Then, at last, it is quiet. The sofa, just for a minute. Okay maybe five minutes.


You know that point when you are just about to fall into deep sleep and everything sounds like 20 times louder than normal? RING


Grrrrr


My Mom, okay "Hey Mom, I'm trying to take a super quick nap, can I call you later?"


"Well Dad and I were going to stop by really quick..."


ROFL


I gave up, I got kiddo dressed. Flung my hair into a presentable bun mess and here I am.


They did just stop by for a second. It is SO cute to see kiddo with them. I know after having two girls himself, that my Dad really gets a kick out of him. And my Mom, well, if I didn't know better, I would try to find the umbilical cord that attaches HER and kiddo together.


Anyway, I just thought I would share a little sunshine from my day. OH, I forgot to mention, I get to go to work tonight too at the book store. Lovely right? They may very well find me curled up with one in one of the comfy chairs. Hmmmm..... or possibly over in the cafe doing espresso shots.








Oh, I almost forgot! Yarn....

Below is Twisted Experiment #2...

This is one called FuN HoUsE that I already sold that was GORGEOUS...

This group is my Twisted Trifecta, I cannot believe it hasn't sold yet! I may just have to make a scarf out of them and steal them from my shop one of these days...

SugarPlumVegan.etsy.com

I recieved my treats from Etsy's SugarPlumVegan!!!

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5703722

They came SUPER fast! Here are the fabulous filling yummy crackers ...

And here are the absolutely AMAZING and FABULOUS MACA-Roons, these are GIANT! Seriously, I think I might cut them in four!

They are so delicious!

I will absolutely positively be shopping there again very soon. YUM!

School is starting...

So the new school year is starting soon. Row after row of fresh supplies in every store you walk into. I have to say I am a bit jealous! Getting brand new school supplies was always my FAVORITE. I remember wondering what kind of new TrapperKeeper they were going to come up with, and if it would have matching folders. Planning for weeks by cutting out pictures from magazines and stuff to put in one of those clear binders, to make it the very coolest possible (without, of course, looking like I TRIED to make it cool LOL) All of those super sharp pencils and then the mechanical pencils.... A fresh pack of bic pens, or when they came out with the pens with designs on them! How about the year that you actually had to buy a protractor, yeah I know you always heard about the dork with the protractor in his pocket, but to have to BUY one just seemed like a huge step.

Then...the first day of school. The way the rooms smelled. Deciding where to sit.

I guess I moved around alot as a kid. I went to like 9 different schools in 4 different states. I always liked the chance to reinvent myself. It also made me very "adaptable" LOL. Often times I would be going in to a completely new school full of kids I had never seen. I always "planned" to be the quiet girl in class. It never really ended up that way though. The desire to make new friends and make people laugh always took over. I was certainly not the class clown or anything.

It seemed like I was always friends with people from all of the different cliques. My wardrode sure showed it too! Oh my..... From Polo shirts and big silver hoop earrings one year, to Z Cavariccis and mile high bangs, to black hair and long dark clothes the next year, to heavy metal t-shirts and jeans, to tie dye shirts, to corduroy vintage pants and vintage flowing tops, I am sure I am forgetting some of them in there.

Looking back, I seem to remember all of the good, fun stuff first. When you are going through it, it is all confusing though. The searching and trying to figure out who you are. Living up to who people think you are. Settling in to where you feel you belong, only to realize you don't.

Yeah, there is no amount of money that could make me go back and do it again. Although, I absolutely would not change one thing about my experience. It was mine and it is part of why I am who I am today. I am happy!

Unless of course someone were to tempt me with new school supplies...

"Isn't this blog supposed to be about yarn?"

Ahhhhh yes.... here you go!

And my inspiration...

Raw Food Fabulousness

So I started this Natalia Rose Raw Food Detox "diet" thing about 4 days ago. Let me tell you, (other than 2 TOTALLY completely not good in anyway possible meals) I feel AMAZING. I had a friend mention about her garden and all of the fresh things she had eaten. I was kidding her about only eating fresh tree leaves and steamed tree bark with fresh creek water, when she turned and jokingly said, "You are just jealous!" At that point I realized..... I was a bit! The next day another interesting girl at my little night job offered me part of her avocado. I told her I had eaten already and she mentioned being on this raw food thing. Hmmmm.....tell me more I said. She said she had been doing it a while, wanted to become vegan, felt great and no longer depended on 6 shots of espresso a day. She showed me the book she had read, I bought it, devoured it, started the following morning.
Seriously, seriously, not kidding, I feel AMAZING. Everything in the book made such sense to me. I mean why not? I then found out about her other book Life Force Energy. OMG. Okay, it is like Law of Attraction meets Food. The best thing is, she is real. Like, she is human, not this superhuman "this is the only way you can ever do anything for the rest of your life" OR "after 30 days on this you will be a rockstar" sort of thing. She is a Mom, she is educated, she is gorgeous, amusing and apparently my new best friend (she doesn't know this yet LOL). The Big Red Barn opens tomorrow because it is Wednesday (our version of super duper small town farmers market) and I am planning on stocking up. I actually finally bought those Debbie Meyer Green Bags but have been eating SO many fresh fruits and veggies, nothing has a chance to go funky!
I found a lovely little shop on Etsy called SugarPlumVegan.etsy.com ( http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5703722 ) I ordered some Raw Vegan Organic MACA-Roons & some Heirloom Tomato Basil Flax Crackers. I can't wait to get them in the mail!!!

OMG 7 years?

Wow, tomorrow is me and hubby's 7th anniversary! I just can't believe it has been that long! Of course in other ways I can't imagine how it hasn't been longer. We are very lucky to have the relationship we have. I guess because we are such good friends and pretty laid back. He is an amazing Dad to our wild kiddo and to see them together makes me completely glow. They are both nuts.... okay perhaps we all are, but it is best that way!!! ANYWAY, sorry for all of the mushy-ness, just reflecting!

This is about how I feel today LOL

This youtube video made me laugh and cry at the same time, too funny and too true today! If only we could do this and metemorphosize. LOL http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h3f3Lw60R08

Oh my!!!

I just listed some yarn I experimented with. I think it turned out fabulous!

I plied one of my handspun skeins with some thread that I beaded. After I plied it I realized I needed to dye it and decided to go with light blue. It is beautiful!!!

Another experiment was some merino and mohair. I spun up some merino one ply. Then I spun up a mohair/merino blend. The mohair was so shiny and I wasn't sure how it would dye. Well.......... it stayed super shiny and also photographed really well!

Now for some lucky person to purchase and make something amazing with them! Actually the two would work really well together because I used the same sky blue.

Anyway, I am off to go spin some bananas! Also known as superwash roving dyed with a variety of yellows. Hopefully I won't GO bananas!!!

Hey everybody!

I have been having WAY too much fun spinning yarn on my new Ashford Kiwi! First I was purchasing pre-dyed roving and batts to experiment with. I finally got up enough nerve to dye my own roving and WOW! How fun it is to create something from the very first steps! I will soon be posting instructions on "How to dye your own roving" and also "How to dye your own yarn".

Some of my yarn was recently featured on another blog http://bonghinatura.blogspot.com/
Bonghi Natura offers a wide variety of amazing soaps. They look delicious but the way they make your skin feel is even more amazing! I ordered a ton of stuff to give as gifts. (If I ever actually let them leave my possession that is)

Thanks for stopping by! Check back in soon and until then, check out my Etsy shop! It is fully stocked with amazing fiber fabulousness!!! http://simplytwisted.etsy.com

Danger Zone!!!!

This is SO still under construction! Thanks for looking!