elf hat i

elf hat i
Originally uploaded by ladybugboo.

I have been a knitting and spinning fool this last week....
1 shawl
2 hats
1 sock

1 neckwarmer......

and various yarns in stages of spun....woo hoo......

more at my flickr account

silly sheep

silly sheep
Originally uploaded by ladybugboo.

luckily, not a drawing of my sheep....I try to keep the maracas in the house...

pluckyfiber

pluckyfiber
Originally uploaded by ladybugboo.

yep...I spun.....
the skein from the pluckyfluff fiber I had....a bit scratchy but oh so full of interesting stuff....mmmm.....

wow....in a little over a week I will be 37...should start thinking of my 37 things to do in this next year.....yikes.

the little devil

the little devil
Originally uploaded by ladybugboo.

Many have asked...the costume is not a hand me down.....

After a month of crazy...vacations...sheep arriving....house overhalling....I am finally getting on with playing a bit...

tonight boo and dh are going to eat...and I am adding to the pillow extravaganza in the livingroom.....woo hooo.....and then who knows what else I may end up sewing....we'll see.....

the schwartzs

the schwartz
Originally uploaded by ladybugboo.

welcome home Corneilia and Harvey!

They are a lovely pair....Harvey is still a bit shy but cornielia loves her scratches....

life has been busy....vacation...sheeps....and prep for dh to go away.....maybe the second half of october will have a greater opportunity for blog notes.....

but I am in love.....

blue and brown

blue and brown
Originally uploaded by ladybugboo.

s is for spun

finally a scan of the blue and bits of brown super soft yarn....73 yards...

tonight there is dying, spinning and laundry happening....woo hoo

shocking!!!!!

Look!
We were mentioned in USA today - Today!

woo hoo....

suprise

suprise
Originally uploaded by ladybugboo.

S is for surprise....

it was suppose to be for spun today...but this over rides it....

I woke up from a too short nap to find this on my desk. boo spent the day with margot and she picked some tomatoes and flowers from her garden.....

tonight I am having whole wheat pasta, pesto and garden fresh tomatoes.....quick! Mow the field, dh, I am starving!!!!!

S is for Shorn

mommy
Originally uploaded by ladybugboo.

yep....the scissors and I met and I cut all my hair off....almost a week ago...and I am so happy to have it gone.....

and tomorrow's S will be for spinning....I actually have had a chance...there will be yarn to show...woo hoo.....

boo...bug

boo...bug
Originally uploaded by ladybugboo.

ahh....the beginning of september....

s is for self portrait....

I gave boo the camera for the day and she photographed her world....I am making a flickr alblum of all the pictures....they are a hoot....

I especially love this one.....

hopefully a month full of blogging here and a bunch of S is for Septembers.....

frame me

frame me
Originally uploaded by ladybugboo.

progress....progress....

tonight I -
hemmed 3 pairs of school pants for boo
repaired two aprons
wrapped a present
made some soup
finished the laundry
and cut out a skirt to sew....

things I didn't do-
have the large hives on my hands magically disappear by putting some miracle ointment on them....(they really sting now)....

take a bath.....boo is in the tub now....

take pictures of my aprons....on my to do list for september, though...

and the list continues on...but atleast I did cross some things off...

site prep

site prep
Originally uploaded by ladybugboo.

look!
look!

construction on the sheep shed has begun!


It has been a week or two of ups and downs....employees leaving...new ones hired.....busy...busy...crazy.....soon the summer will be over....

knitting...um...got a row on a shawl that I am working on done....no spinning or dying for ever....ugh....

oh...and did I mention I got poison ivy and now my hands are feaking out from a degergent sensitivity (atleast this time I recognize it and the hospital won't be freaking saying it could be sheep anthrax like the last time)....stress related???nah....ya think so??????

scan0003

scan0003
Originally uploaded by ladybugboo.

we watched a video of our sheepies....I tried to stop it and save pictures but it would not allow me too.....(or I do not have the ability to figure out the technology to do it)....

but they are beautiful....I am getting excited! Housing for them starts this month.....and boo wanted the black girlie (I am quite fond of her myself).....

gnome house wristlet

gnome house wristlet
Originally uploaded by ladybugboo.

a wee project....okay...so I knit it instead of crochet.....

all in all I am happy with it but it gets the juices flowing....I want to knit and felt different little gnome houses....

I also am getting my stash out and lining up combinations to knit some hats for fall and for wee relatives....

hopefully in august I will get a moment or two to be more productive..

I also placed the stores Rowan, Gedifra, and Regia sock yarn orders for fall....I actually showed some restraint.....I am trying to figure out which direction to take this all in so in 3 years when my store space is built I have a clear idea of what I want.....(unfortunately, I want it all)....

where's princess

where's princess
Originally uploaded by ladybugboo.

Ugh...miss princess is hiding...

she has been a sick kitty lately who has lost weight.....yet, she is acting pretty normal. Her white blood cell count is up and we are trying antibiotics hoping she is just fighting an infection....cross your fingers....in a week we will know if she is progressing.

yep, it has been a week of ups and downs....some great packages arrived.....SP10...miss A......

and downs...princess being sick...not enough sleep....

and emotional nervousness ....Miss boo is having her first sleep over at Summer camp tonight....I miss her terribly...I am hoping it is as a fantastic experience as I had at summer camp as a child...tomorrow we will know the answer....

and on to the craziness of a summer weekend at the store....I long for fall and time for knitting, dyeing, spinning, and sewing....

crazy....nutty...

lots of pictures to download.....but until I get a chance to do that.....a bit of news....

4 sheltand sheepies have been born that will be coming to live with us.....woooohoooo.....

3 ewes...1 ram (will be castrated....we are not going to breed right yet...I think the chicken killing has scarred the mister and he wants to not have to worry about lambies right yet....woooohoooo.....)....and they will be organically raised and processed...organic sheltland yarn in the future!

entralac one

entralac one
Originally uploaded by ladybugboo.

finally... a picture of the finished hat.....

and one tired girlie....business is booming....I have not done too many creative pursuits....ugh....but I will have my package ready for the blue/orange swap by the beginning of next week...

and no word from my secret pal 10?????!!!!!

luckily my pal got her reveal package! ......

disney fairy book

disney fairy book
Originally uploaded by ladybugboo.

yep...she's writting a book....

and I am knitting away.... (hat done...just awaiting pictures)....and now onto some knitting of Be Sweet Yarn (just came in)....and some spinning too...woo hoooo...

and secret pal...where art thou??

entralac me up

entralac me up
Originally uploaded by ladybugboo.

entralac me up and thow away the key!

I am so in love with this technique I will be experimenting wildly in the future with this to be sure....thank you miss kathryn!

Highlights of sunday...

all 8 ounces of "Parrots in a blender" fiber sold...and matching mohair locks

boo making a sprite dress out of leaves (to entice a sprite, ofcourse)

frozen margaritas!!!!

finishing my hat!!! and spinning some yarn!

the final episode of sopranos....to come tonight.....2 more hours...I hope I don't conk out!!!

stormy sea

stormy sea
Originally uploaded by ladybugboo.

I have been carding up a storm....hopefully the fruits of my efforts will show up on etsy this week.....lots of fiber to sell....

I have (still) been plugging away at the hat....

I have my final package going out to my secret pal...hard to believe this is the last month of secret pal 10, I am still deciding whether to participate in the next one....I haven't heard from the spoiler for me since April....no contact for May...a bit frustrating I must say...

well...I am charging up the shuffle I got for dh for father's day....downloaded a bunch of discs today and put a playlist together for him.....hopefully it will make the time at the health club a wee less dull....

go franny go

go franny go
Originally uploaded by ladybugboo.

there are some customers that hold a special place in your day....

here is our dear "franny", "grandma", "mama", "crazy old lady" on her way home.....humane society bag and a six pack for her son in law. She is delightful and such a hoot!


On the knitting end....slowly plugging away at the star topped hat and I spun on sunday....but the pictures came out blurry...will try again tomorrow for less coffee shakiness....

lightening

lightening
Originally uploaded by ladybugboo.

It was a sad day in Dublin.
No more crowing from the barn.....we are roosterless......

Anyone want chicken soup tonight.....just kidding....

im in love

im in love
Originally uploaded by ladybugboo.

I went to the NH Sheep and Wool on Sunday with my friend, Miss Miriam and Miss Boo. We had a delightful time (and made many purchases....look at my flickr pics).....

I had not thought about Cheviot Sheep until meeting this wonderful lady....I could have taken her home. She climbed right up on the fence and snuggled with anyone who wanted to give her a second look...she also was a kisser.....omg!!!!!!

queen anne's lace

queen anne's lace
Originally uploaded by ladybugboo.

I now have a field of flowers for my birdie to fly over....

I got a band and it goes all the way around my arm. It took marcel at Mom's Tattoo just a little over an hour to complete it
the first 24 hours it was sore, but this morning the redness was gone and it only feels slightly bruised, I guess there is a lot to be said about eating good food and healing easily :), I am really thrilled with it!

mohair locks

mohair locks
Originally uploaded by ladybugboo.

this last week I did some dyeing...

I am just loving this bunch of mohair locks...

we have become sooooo busy at the store that I haven't had much time to knit or play :(

tonight I am going out with 2 of my employees...mom's tattoo....book store...dinner......

updates tomorrow

in progress

in progress
Originally uploaded by ladybugboo.

I started some knitting
First is the baby sweater for an employee...there is a bit of handspun and the rest is naturally dyed merino yarn (some dyed from plants she gave me)....I chose a 6 month size that is a ballet wrap around (she is a dance instructor also).....I have to do it secretly since she is working here 3 days a week....

the bottom pair of socks is from misc. handspun and each will have the same yarns...just in different orders...

and the top sock is from a bit of my pastel spring two ply that I had left over....I thought I had more fingering weight yarn to keep going on these socks (odds and ends)....but alas....it is all a light sockweight...so those will stay on the needles til I get to some more spinning....

the dye pot is set up....cormo and local romney in the works...

pal 10 loot 1

pal 10 loot 1
Originally uploaded by ladybugboo.

I received some delight in the mail today....

some hemp yarn (the teal)
some knitting inspiration (the book)
some stitch markers (hand made)
some heavenly yarn (red! perfect shade of red.....possum and merino and ooooo so soft...)

thanks so much secret pal!
It is wonderful!!!!

xxoo

not much doin'

not much doin'
Originally uploaded by ladybugboo.

I am hemming shorts......

and I cast on a 6 mo. size baby sweater for one of my employees....and I am back to spinning some sock yarn for my secret pal.....and then there is the secret craftiness.....for the birthdays etc. coming up......

new hairs

new hairs
Originally uploaded by ladybugboo.

these are my new hairs.....good roots (can even grow out and not notice.....whew....) and a snappy new hair cut....I feel like a new girlie girl...and multiple styling options.....unfortunately we ran out of time to do some nice loud chunks of color....next time....

old

old
Originally uploaded by ladybugboo.

this is me with my old hairs.... they were big.....with dark roots and red ends......and grey here and there.....

new sneakers

new sneakers
Originally uploaded by ladybugboo.

I broke down....I got a new swimsuit (see...no pictures of that....haven't bought a new one since before boo came into existence.....long time ago)......

I got a new pair of running sneakers....and a running skort.....I like to run. I decided it was time to get some of the right "equipment" if I was going to be doing it on a regular basis....

I also got some clothing....3 sizes smaller than I was in January....and it freaking fits.....is actually a wee bit big in some spots....I am shocked....

not much crafting....been some deaths of customers and some have been untimely so mainly been thinking a lot.....not feeling too creative....I feel it starting to shift...and hopefully a trip to borders and michaels this weekend will help (miss boo's skippy jon jones stuffie has lost both his eyes from dog mauling....so i need to get new eyes asap.....)....

happy weekend....and think warm thoughts that the snow coming will turn to rain.....yikes....

scary-bunny

scary-bunny
Originally uploaded by ladybugboo.

ahhh....the scary bunny has made its way back to my house....he was hiding in the tub.....silly clean bunny.....

now, how do I get it hidden at my sisters this next time....hmmmm...

and to think....I was totally unsuspecting.....

dark birds nests

dark birds nests
Originally uploaded by ladybugboo.

hee hee....i have been spinning....dyeing....and carding up a storm...check it out in my flickr pictures.....

and eekkkkk.....I can't believe it is April 2nd!!!!

the loot

the loot
Originally uploaded by ladybugboo.

lucky girl...lucky girl....lookie lookie what I got.....

the only problem is.....my pal never revealed herself and the package has no return address......who are you?????? where are you??????

thank you! thank you!
I feel so lucky....happy....delighted.....

farm path

farm path
Originally uploaded by ladybugboo.

We got some "magical snow" last night....dh and I couldn't resist running around and taking pictures...it was fantastic at 5 am when I brought the dog out....the snow just glowed....ahhhh.....

I just had to share :)

Today (so far) I......

red nose
Originally uploaded by ladybugboo.

1.- woke up late....did not do yoga or meditate (first time I missed in 34 days....I am a little bummed...but must let it go today)

2.-wore cropped spring pants without shaving my legs....instead wore higher than usual stripey socks.....stunning fashion example I am, ofcourse

3.-frosted cupcakes for the store(chocolate truffle with confetti frosting) and did not eat one (I did eat some frosting)

4.- went for a run/walk (1 1/2 miles of running then 1 1/2 miles of mostly up hill walking)

5.- had a moment of bliss realizing that I was finally below the weight I was when we purchased the store 5 years ago (I actually gained over 30 lbs over the first 3 years....lost 10 last year....got rid of the final bits this year and am working on toning up and getting a bit more off)......

6.-bagged up enough snack mixes for the next 2 weeks of stocking (my usual friday night is 2 hours of bagging mixes)....

7.- decided...that at the moment I am not a fabric book girlie....cut apart the book and have 8+ mini quilts in process....

8.-went through 1/2 a day with a clean shirt

9.-still did not eat a cupcake, eventhough there are 3 left downstairs...

10.-felt calm and at peace....even if it only lasts for a moment....

back to work....

blue shawl boo

blue shawl boo
Originally uploaded by ladybugboo.

a sleepy boo face modeling her shawl I spun and knit...superchunky merino...thick and thin...size 17 needles (could have used a size 19, even)......big shawl neck she can pull up like a hood...and soon a big button to keep it closed....she is happy...it is super soft....

On tap....some faulkland (1.25 lbs to be exact)...spun thick and thin...and bobbin #2 of the pez colored merino spun up to sock yarn...and possibly some seams on another mini quilt and basic construction for the fabric book so it can be embelished and played with....whew.....

bunny foo foo

bunny foo foo
Originally uploaded by ladybugboo.

some beads...some silk/mohair...some silk merino....and one bunny named Daisy....ahhh....soft....fluffy and delightful :).....to keep or to sell....or to trade....hmmmmmmm.....

the rest of the fiber for miss boo's shawl is prepped to spin....and more dyeing in the crock pot....

gibbo

gibbo
Originally uploaded by ladybugboo.

another little art quilt...this time with a family photo, some beading, an old phone bill (marked paid on my birthday in 1933)....

I am having fun with this quilting stuff......and there are more in the works along with some fabric books....

Some people have been in awe of the daily spinning comment...it has been delightful....even if it is 30 to 60 minutes only. Tonight I will be plying some merino with some rabbit and a strand of beaded merino silk....I am hoping to have some pictures tomorrow...between shoveling out...

boundless imagination

boundless imagination
Originally uploaded by ladybugboo.

Here is a scan of a small quilt I finished up last night. I really love the fabrics in this one.

"The world of reality has its limits, the world of imagination is boundless"
- Jean Jacques Rousseau

Tonight I have another to start stitching together.....I like to play!

pluckyfiber

pluckyfiber
Originally uploaded by ladybugboo.

I treated myself to some fiber from pluckyfluff....Isn't it wonderful!? I just have to figure out what to spin for ME!

Things are crazy around here....walk in cooler going in as we speak. Business is starting to pick up...taxes are getting done with the accountant (phone calls, phone calls, phone calls)....

but....on the bright side....more crafty goodness has made its way down from the attic and found a place in my office. I have 4 mini art quilts in the works (2 of which were started before I got my new sewing machine).....and spinning has been happening almost daily!....woo hooo.....

thickthin

thickthin
Originally uploaded by ladybugboo.

spinning up a bunch of pinks for the etsy shop.....more to come

finally.....

finally, we named the farm....