Stasia's Place Of Grace

Saturday, March 29, 2003

 

Meet Some Friends Of Mine!

Lyle

Ingrid

Merlene
Photos by Lloyd and Margrett Stretton

These three sheepies have generously donated their wooly coats - well, a pound each, anyway - to be sold to me, in order to make a sweater for my husband!

I know, I know, I said no more sweaters... but if I spin thick yarns, and knit it circularly, and keep the pattern simple, I just might be able to do it! I'm thinking I'll card the colors separately, and make some stripes... but do you have any suggestions? Tag me!

My pals are of a breed called Gulf Coast Native Improved sheep (be sure to scroll all the way down the page at that link for a slide show!) I always forget the breed name, and just call them "Louisiana Beach Sheep" to make things easier.

Lyle, Ingrid, and Merlene live on Running Moon Farm in Louisiana. Lloyd and Margrett Stretton, their owners, offer fleece and prepared fibers, handcarved wood spinning and weaving tools, and handpainted spinning wheels (they'll do yours, too!) Beautiful things from friendly folks who love their sheep and angora goats - can't beat that.

I love a fiber pusher - er, supplier - that lets you put a name to a... fleece! See photos of each of their sheep and goats, along with the fiber they now have for sale, at their site. (You'll want to click on the "Catalog" link at their site for their current offerings.)

Tell Lloyd, Margrett, and the sheep I said hello!

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Thankful For...

... Jeff's team winning their hockey game today, and being able to play in the last game of the finals, tomorrow!

Go B.A. Sports! (Jeff is "Superman" in the site's trading cards. It's because he changes so quickly in the locker room!)

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You know, I have got to stop using so many exclamation marks!!! Have a great day! (Oops!)

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Wednesday, March 26, 2003

 

To Quote...

"Above all, we are coming to understand that the arts incarnate the creativity of a free people. When the creative impulse cannot flourish, when it cannot freely select its methods and objects, when it is deprived of spontaneity, then society severs the root of art."

~ John Fitzgerald Kennedy

From Flax Art & Design site. They have a very cool sketchbook kit - check it out!

It is amazing to me how differently I am seeing the world, now that I'm always thinking about drawing it. Even if I'm just carrying my sketchbook in the car and never actually take it out, I look at landscapes and the sky and animals and people, and even buildings and machinery, in a whole new way!

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Today I saw our first crocus popping up! I'll take a pic when it's a little more presentable... though according to weather reports, it might be buried in snow, soon!

It has been a wonderful week's "vacation" of warm weather. I can't wait for spring - but I can make it through a few more weeks of winter now!

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The new Tornadowood looms are finally ready! I was lucky enough to get one of the new Little Stick inkles (small, but with a really long warp capability) in the limited edition Birdseye Maple! Lucky me!

Check out their new bookmark loom, too!

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Support our troops!

Feeling a little overwhelmed with the 24-7 coverage of the war? I know I am...

Some things that can help are turning off the TV and radio at night, and reading a book or spending time with your family instead; focusing on things for which you are thankful, like the freedom we have because of the efforts of our country's military; not feeling guilty about living, and enjoying, everyday life - that is what they are fighting to protect; or using your creative talents for charities, such as making items for military personnel or people who live in countries that are being restructured.

What isn't helpful is protesting on street corners and getting in the way of one's fellow Americans who are just trying to get to work so they can pay their bills! That isn't exactly peaceful or kind - though non-interfering protests are, of course, a fair way to express one's feelings.

But don't you think that active participation in some kind of refugee program would be much better? After all, life's not just about expressing our feelings, but about actually helping others, right?

I am knitting a pair of slipper socks for The Ships Project, from Patons Decor yarn in the Woodbine colorway. I really like this yarn, as well as their Kroy. The decor is sturdily-spun, yet soft, and it seems very "wooly" and natural. I think these slippers will hold up well - I'm using Brittany Birch 5" size US3 needles, and my "gaugeless pattern" (see sidebar to right for link.)

Except for one colorway of Kroy - the red on my heart sox - which bled, and which I think has been discontinued, I am quite impressed with the Patons yarns I've tried recently. (Just look out for a red called "Mahogany"!)

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That's all for today - I think I might have strep throat, so am going back to bed, knitting in hand. But it was still a day with a lot of things for which to be thankful. I hope yours was, too!

Greetings to all aboard the USS Carl Vinson! You guys and gals rock! Thank you for doing such a great job!

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