Looking forward while looking back

I've mentioned before that I'm a musician. I've played piano for years upon years, the bassoon for years, and listened to it as long as I can remember (I had siblings that were all crazy for it as well when I was very young). My sister took me to the Monkees summer tour in 1986 for my first concert and that was followed by a string of Elton John concerts in Jr. High and HS as well as some Dave Matthews Band, Barenaked Ladies, Old '97s and a few odds and ends as far as concerts go.

Lately, due to budget restrictions, I've had to narrow it down to Barenaked Ladies and Dave Matthews Band. Both of them equally fabulous in my book. This past year has not been a great one for either of these bands. DMB lost their saxophone player, LeRoi Moore because of an ATV accident and BNL lost one of their lead singers because I don't know why. He had to go off on his own I suppose. Both bits of news were very sad for my musician's soul... very sad.

This October I'll be heading over to Tulsa for a DMB concert with my sister. It will be her first DMB concert and my 4th. It won't be the same without LeRoi, but I'm looking forward to it all the same. They have a new album coming out June 1st and I almost peed myself when I read that earlier this evening. It sounds like it's going to be amazing and I cannot wait (no really, I cannot wait). Usually I look forward to hearing #34 live and never got to (but always wished up on wish that they would play it live... anyone know if they ever did?) but I won't this time - it depends to heavily on LeRoi's saxophone - something I'll miss terribly at this concert. Perhaps that is why this YouTube video they did for their upcoming album is bittersweet to me (and probably every other fan out there):


And the song I'm referring to above (#34) is from Under The Table and Dreaming and is featured in this video in memory of LeRoi:

A mystery

It is a mystery to me why three different varieties of hostas have appeared this spring in the spot where I only transplanted one last summer. Because hostas last well into the fall months, I'm not sure why these two were not growing in that spot before I planted the new one. However, there they grow - three different varieties of hostas, happily sharing the same little spot.

Strange.

The show this past weekend went very well for me so WHEW! I sold out of a couple of items which hasn't happened at a show before (unless I only took one of that item). I'm quite excited to have a piece that does well locally and not just on Etsy. I've already purchased more supplies to make more for the next event I do. Actually, I'm not sure I'll be able to do the next event. The organizers are looking at changing the date so a couple of weekends I'm just not able to sell during. That makes me very sad. I hope it doesn't change, but we'll see.

And last, I'll leave you with a public service announcement - the Buffalo Wild Wings in Fayetteville, AR has some of the worst servers working on Monday evening. I've been there lots, and all but one other time have had good service (not great, but good). Tonight takes the cake though. Oh, and I think maybe they are turning into Hooters - the hostess had the worlds shortest shorts on, no joke. I kind of wanted to throw up when she turned around to take us to our table and her buttocks nearly fell out. At least the wings are good.

Piles upon piles

I feel surrounded by jewelry, chain, wire and beads this week. I've been doing nothing but making necklaces, earrings and knit wire bracelets since Sunday night (and yes, in that order). As far as necklaces and earrings go, I have multiples of everything in almost every color. Bracelets aren't as simple since they really are all one of a kind. I have a few that are made from the same bead combination, but the rest are very one of a kind. I struggle a bit with the bracelets. What if one color combination is very popular and I only have one? What if none of them are a hit? What if, what if, what if? :) I'm sure everything will be just fine come Saturday morning when I'm all out of time for creating and I'm setting up my booth.

Warm spring (or maybe it's a mild summer) weather finally got here. It's been up near 80 for the past two days. It's odd how quickly it warmed up. I still have that herb garden to plant and I really think Sunday is the day! I've been doing a lot of cooking the past couple of weeks and cannot wait for fresh herbs from my front garden instead of dried ones from the store. I also can't wait for the prime picture taking opportunities that come from having your own garden.

Speaking of garden - I've got some crazy hosta action going on outside. I brought in a collection of them when I moved here. I planted them all over as there weren't any here as it was. Well, it seems there must have been but they had been hiding because this year I have a plethora of hostas all over the place. I even have one spot that has three varieties growing - not sure how that happened, I only planted on there. I won't complain about bonus hostas, I love them so, but goodness, there are a lot.

Well, the Sweet Boy is on his way back with some fast food action (don't judge me, sometimes fast food is in order when you need time to blog instead of cook) so I'm off to enjoy.

List? What List?

Well, I didn't quite get to everything on my list but that's kind of how it's supposed to go... right? I did get the custom order finished and baked bread. Hmmm - 2 out of 6 isn't too bad.

Okay - it's horrible. Oh well, I'm not bothered by it. I'll get to the other things at some point.

I've been invited to participate in the NWA Boutique Sale taking place on Satuday. I got the invitation tonight (it's Sunday, mind you) so while I don't show it, I'm kind of freaked out by the lack of time I have. Thankfully I keep my jewelry stock up for such an occasion but it's not organized, it's not labeled, it's not on hang tags... it's just not ready! It will be, but I still think I need to freak out just a bit.

One thing is for certain, I am not going to let this last minute show get in the way of my Yarn Everyday challenge - I will push through and spin each day this week. If I don't, I might not come up with lovely yarns like the one you see above.

I hear the dryer buzzing at my from the basement. Until next time...

Project for a week's end

I finally finished spinning that corespun I intruduced to all of you on Wednesday. I was a bit slow about spinning this week - but the outcome was worth it. Since the sun is long gone at this point, I'll wait until tomorrow to get some killer photographs and post them for the world to see.

While finishing up the yarn, I thought of a few projects I needed to concentrate on this weekend. They are, in no particular order:

1. custom dye request - 12 ounces of BFL in 2 colorways... I need to do this first thing tomorrow
2. label all of my roving so packaging up orders isn't so daunting
3. plant herb garden (haven't I been saying I need to do this for a few weeks?)
4. bake bread - not really a project, but it's big enough to be on the list
5. photograph new jewelry pieces to list over at IdyllHands
6. take pictures of all of the plants coming up in my front beds this spring for documentation

Not too bad of a list - I could probably knock everything out tomorrow, but I think the weather calls for some rain, not sure if rain and planting gardens go together.

Oh, and I would adore a trip up to The Rabbit's Lair in Rogers to start gathering some fabric for that quilt I really think I'm going to make some day... but that might have to wait for another weekend.

Little accomplishments along the way

As I've mentioned a few times, I'm participating in a challenge to spin everyday in April. It's day 15 now and I've hung in there. I believe I talked about how this challenge would allow me to spin for myself along the way. I am happy to say that just in 15 days, spinning for myself has allowed me to try a few different things with my yarn. I attempted some slubs (although they might be the messiest ones out there) out of my own dyed roving and bits of wool from the Phat Fiber box...then some beehives on a super textured, plied yarn spun from some gorgeous roving from Cloudlover...And tonight I tried my hand at corespinning from some cheapo acrylic yarn as the base and a lovely Hobbledehoy batt (one of her Galaxy batts)...I'm beaming from what I've accomplished so far. I can't imagine I would have tried these out this month if it were not for this challenge. Oh, I would have eventually tried them out, but certainly not in April... and probably not in May... even June might be stretching it a bit.

This corespinning (all 51 yards of it) has worn me out. I'm going to go plop down and watch some Ghost Hunters. Goodnight!

Edit: Hey everyone - do fibery posts make you super happy? They make me happy! If you're like me, then go over to the Fiber Arts Friday listing and check out all kinds of fibery blog posts, you wont' be sorry.

It's taxing

HEY YOU!

Did you get your taxes done? It's April 15, I do hope you took care of that. If you did, or even if you didn't, come over to IdyllHands or Woolyhands and enjoy free shipping on any and all of your purchases today! I'll refund your shipping via Paypal. So go pre-spend that return or drown the sorrows of owing money with some new gifties just for you.