I blame Hobbledehoy

During the holiday season of 2007, I noticed a shop on Etsy selling the most BEAUTIFUL bits of wool. That was the first time I laid eyes on the batts that Hobbledehoy creates. I didn't spin yet but wanted to learn, so I asked for a drop spindle for Christmas.

In January I purchased Drunken Sailor - my first Hobbledehoy batt. It was the beginning of a fiber addiction. I held on to that batt for days, weeks months and then a year. That batt was my first fiber love - I had to hold on to it for something special. I had to wait until I knew EXACTLY what it wanted to be.

Last night, it spoke to me. It wanted to be a super chunky, way funky, plied yarn. So out it came, I spun it up pretty thick (for my standards) and plied the heck out of it. I fell in love with it all over again. I don't know what it is going to be yet, but that will come to me... in time.

Blue Jean Baby

While watching some football this evening, I decided to work on predrafting some wool. Well, actually not having to predraft as much as I do to spin. I worked on a lovely skein today (spun from a couple of Hobbledehoy batts), seen here, and while I'm completely in love with it (my best thus far) it took me more than half of the UT vs. OU game. Okay, let me break that down: the spinning took not long at all, the predrafting took FOREVER. I took some "extra" batts that were sent to me with some orders earlier this year to work on the drafting.

I can't say that it was any better, I'll just keep working on it, but I can say that I ended up with something even more beautiful than I imagined when I started out. I just used two batts from Hobbledehoy that kind of matched (no blacks, lots of colors, and both had brown = matching). They were some freebie extras that she included in various orders. After spinning them up and plying them with some white thread (note to self - get clear thread next time you're out), I fell in love. This was the perfect yarn for a cowl or hat to wear with your favorite blue jeans. Hense the name "Blue Jean Baby". I'm really pleased with how spinning is turning out.

While still on my high from my yarn, I found a message that I had been featured in a blog. Designs by Vanessa (over at Etsy) featured my Autumn Splendor bracelet on her blog. It's a great blog and the post does get you in the mood for fall. I am truly thankful for all of the artists on Etsy that choose to feature other shops. It really shows the team and community that can be found on Etsy. Thank you.

Saturday Rambling

I got some goodies in the mail today! In fact, finding the oversized package from one of my favorite Etsy artists made me skip (yes, skipped) back to my house from the mail box. Inside of the package I found 2 new batts, a beautiful skein of yarn, and some bonus goodies.

I *heart* Hobbledehoy.

I've finally photographed all of my new necklaces and will be able to post the rest of them over the next couple of weeks in my Etsy shop. Go check them out - you know you want one. You might ask me why I have been using antiqued brass on most of my necklaces. Well, it looks the best in my opinion, but I'm not so in love with it that I couldn't make any of my necklaces in other colors. If you want something in silver or copper, let me know and I'll happily make it.

Now that I've given you two good things to write about, I do have a gripe. I went to the store today to do my big shopping trip of the month (this trip includes canned goods, boxed goods, cleaning supplies, etc). I get to the check out, load up the belt by grouping things in order of what make sense to bag together, and then I put my reusable bags at the end of the register. This just confused the checker. My gripe is that we're encouraged to use these bags and even the big ol' super center that occupies many intersections in my town sells them, but it's sooooo hard to use them. I often have to bag my own stuff. Okay, this is fine, but can I get some savings for that? Any one remember the concept of Sac-n-save (or whatever it was called).

Any tips on using these eco-friendly, super adorable reusable bags? And speaking of market bags - go check out Punkinheads bags (seen at left). They are great for going grocery shopping.

Wolly Goodness!

Goodness is right! I've recently drained my beloved PayPal account on some wool batts from Hobbledehoy. I couldn't control myself. I've purchased a few things from her in the past and was instantly hooked. She announces her shop updates on her blog and those announcements have been the end of me.

Her colors are gorgeous and many of her batts have a bit of sparkle carded in for fun. I've just started spinning up a bonus batt I received from her with my first order. It's a deep purple blended with some camel down and is just LOVELY. I've been wanting a dark, but not black, neck warmer for next year and this yarn just might end up being made into just such a thing.

I need to be making bracelets before I start spinning this wool into yarn but it's going to be hard to control the urge. I have to remind myself, "the bracelets will make me money at the show in May... yarn is just for fun."

Speaking of shows, I've found out about another one here in NW Arkansas that might have a low booth fee and absolutely NO commercial items. I've requested more information from the organizers and will post some info if it sounds worth it.

Movies tonight business tomorrow

Tonight was spent napping through Good Eats (something was wrong, I never sleep through Good Eats) and then eating take out Chinese food while watching Empire Strikes Back. Not a bit of crafting was accomplished and you know, it felt okay. I did packaged up the bracelet that was given away on Subu's blog this week. It's off to a new home.

Tomorrow will be spent working on Etsy things, craft show things and some hand spun yarn. I have some delicious wool on its way to me from Hobbledehoy but still have some delicious wool from a previous purchase that needs spinning. My first batch of plied yarn (see above) wasn't completely horrible. Actually, I like it a lot. It has some parts that are too thick for me but I was learning and I think I know what to do next time to not have those. I absolutely love the colors (my favorite part about it). I bought the roving from Twisted Purl and she's also helped me out a lot via internet on spinning. I've been known to ask her a few questions every now and then and even if she can't see me in person messing up my yarn, she always tries to answer my questions and I usually come out on the other side with something a bit better than before. She spins as well and her yarn is amazing!

Perhaps I'll get some pictures of the wool I have tomorrow and post. A bit of before and after never hurt anyone.