Idgie meets the new kid on the block

My new wheel has arrived! I am quite thrilled about this, and checked the UPS tracker daily to be sure that it would arrive on time. I am planning on spinning on it today, and have 8 oz. of merino ready to go. Idgie, my Louet S-10DT, is trying to make friends, and hopes that this wheel is here to stay. She has "made friends" with more wheels than I care to count at this point, only to see them move on to other pastures. I told her that I intend for this to be the last wheel change.

The weather has taken a shift, and it was pretty chilly this morning when I went out to feed and water. At least the winds have died down, so everyone is much calmer than yesterday. I always find high winds to be very unsettling.

My January Gift-a-Long goals are coming along very well, and I am hoping to have three children's sweaters done by the end of Monday. The bodies on all three are complete, and later today I will begin necklines and sleeves. Cotton is not my favorite yarn to knit, but at least I am using up approximately 15 or 16 balls of 1824 Cotton from my stash. I picked up two complementary balls of 1824 Cotton yesterday, just in case I run out. If I don't end up needing them, I will use them towards a gift for my new niece/nephew who will be arriving sometime in June.

The display for the Canastota Library is coming along very nicely. I spent much of last weekend gathering samples of my work and assorted tools. Today, I am going to finalize the cabinet displays and type up the corresponding tags and information sheets. I am enjoying creating an exhibit that is more about process than product. After much introspection this past Fall, I finally realized that I am not a product person, which is why trying to have a business has been so challenging for me. It was that enlightenment that led me to close my business in December, and instead pursue my interests for the sake of learning and personal growth. I am finally enjoying creating again.

Is this January?

It has been a strange January indeed. We broke a weather record last week, reaching a high of 64! While I am not complaining, as that warmth allowed for some otherwise neglected chores to be completed, it is hard to get used to days and days without snow.

There is a dusting of snow on the ground today, and the temperatures are falling into the more "normal" range for this time of year. The chickens are laying well, 5 eggs today, and the sheep and bunnies are quite warm in their wool coats. I have been working along on a few of my goals for 2008, and have plied almost all of the singles that I had spun in 2006/2007 and neglected to finish. I located another pound of singles yesterday while organizing "my stash", so I guess it will be a few more days before I can begin spinning something new.

This year my creative endeavors are taking a new focus, and I am entering uncharted territory. I have finally said "no" to making my hobby a business, and have decided that all art and fibery adventures will be strictly for learning and entertainment. I am not trying to supplement my income or even partially pay for my interests. I will follow my heart and not put my artistic ideas on a time clock. I will try and keep gift knitting and creating on a more sane time clock, but that should be much easier now since I am juggling a few less commitments.

So, if you are up for what I hope will be an exciting and thought provoking adventure, grab your fiber, your coffee/tea, and your sense of wonder because here we go!