What's up Buttercup?

Soooo I've been a bad blogger again, but I'll make up for it with PICTURES on this post! What have I been doing? Well, let's see...

Custom Spinning!
I had a request to spin a couple of my batts for a customer in Australia! I rarely spin my own fiber, but this was a wonderful opportunity to do so.

I LOVE the way the yarn turned out and I hope she does too. She had asked for a Bulky 2-ply, which is not normally how I spin art batts, but WOW is the yarn great. More art yarn 2-plies are in my near future...which leads me to...

Tour De Fleece!
I tried to participate in the tour a few years ago, but failed miserably. Well I am giving it another, more focused, attempt this year! I'm prepping my bobbins,

and plotting my spins. Here's a run down of my goals:

N-plies

Corespins for a weaving project

Other corespins

Bag of fibers for Singles, including some BAMBOO!

2-plies, including some fun patchwork yarns from some hand dyed merino.

Testing the limits of my Ashford Country spinner and I am going to try a 7-ply from some hand dyed sw wool!

And doing a bit of carding for team "Tour De Batt"!

The other teams I'm on are; Peloton, BohoCrafty, Lendrum, All Spun Up, and Stash Busters. Are you joining any teams? If so use coupon code TDF11 and receive 11% off any purchase in my etsy shop! Good now though the end of the race!!!

Midwest Folk and Fiber Festival
This past weekend my hubby had to work in Michigan City, IN so we borrowed my dad's truck, loaded up his golf clubs (he does demos for PING so he goes to courses with a bunch of product, about 8 golf bags stuffed with clubs, and fits people for new golf clubs) and headed down to MC. Well I notice that Midwest Folk and Fiber was going on only about 2 hrs from where we were, so we made the drive over! It was semi-impromptu, so not much money to spend, but I did pick up a few things,

Warp yarn for above mentioned weaving project, some silk cocoons to dye and play with, and a new fast bobbin for my Lendrum to spin some silk! Also not pictured some new felting needles and a bigger foam felting board (already in use!!!)

I wanted to hook up with some people I knew were there, but couldn't find anyone. :( Oh well it was a nice day with the family. :)

Coats for Sheep!
I have been purchasing fiber from Sandy and the sheepies at Homestead for several years now. Sandy is raising money to coat her babies, and I had to donate. I think what she does is great and I love to support a good cause! I have adopted a sheep named Amelia. :) Here she is,

and will be getting some COATED fleece from her next year! From the website:
"Amelia's ivory Cotswold fleece features curly curls, locks of about 4-5 inches and next to the skin soft." I'm planning a special sheep to shawl project for this lovely endeavor. Hope you will find it in your heart to donate as well!!! Otherwise just visit the Homestead Wool and Gift Farm website and read about what they do, and maybe support her with a purchase. All the fibers I've ever gotten from her have been lovely. :)

Personal Spinning
Here's the first yarn about to come off my Ashford Country spinner. 8oz of corespun and it barely made a dent on what I could fit on that bobbin! WOW I'm in love!!! Need to get a yardage and pick a special project all for ME! :)

That's all for now, TDF updates soon!!! Tour rides July 2nd through July 24th! Go join a Team on Ravelry!!!

Change of Heart and Time to Refocus

Well our house is for sale BUT we aren't very optimistic about selling it and have actually become quite disenchanted with the idea of moving right now. We LOVE our little house and I think the answer is to down size our STUFF (ok, MY stuff) and stay another 5 years or so. Since I had packed away much of my fibery "stuff" as to make the house appear bigger for showing it, I have started to unpack and move back in. lol

I almost have my studio/guest room put back together and I am ready to start listing on etsy regularly again! Look for updates starting this weekend!!!

I have realized amongst the packing and unpacking that I have a bit of a hoarding tendency. I do NOT like this about myself and it needs to change. Wool is a renewable resource so I don't need to buy it like there will never be more. I am going to be very selective on my purchases and enjoy the process of it all more. That is my goal and my focus at this time. I started my little shop because I LOVE doing it. I am 'going back to my roots' and will be simplifying my life whenever possible. It is all about enjoyment and balance right? :)

I am still hoping to get into a couple more festivals this summer. I need to get in contact with a few people and see where I stand on wait lists. I am also considering a local artisan market. Welcome to the Summer of SIMPLIFY!!!