From this:
To this:
Great 2012 Tri State Fair for knitting. Five members of my knitting group entered and won a total of 21 ribbons. Items entered included sweaters, shawls, hats, handspun yarn, and crocheting. I think we are a talented group!
Sunday, September 16, 2012
Tri State Fair 2012
To this:
Great 2012 Tri State Fair for knitting. Five members of my knitting group entered and won a total of 21 ribbons. Items entered included sweaters, shawls, hats, handspun yarn, and crocheting. I think we are a talented group!
Thursday, June 21, 2012
And the little guy wins - maybe?
Published today:
Statement from USOC Chief Communications and Public Affairs Officer Patrick Sandusky:
“Thanks to all of you who have posted, tweeted, emailed and called regarding the letter sent to the organizers of the Ravelympics.
Like you, we are extremely passionate about what we do. And, as you may know, the United States Olympic Committee is a non-profit entity, and our Olympic team receives no government funding. We are totally dependent on our sponsors, who pay for the right to associate with the Olympic Movement, as well as our generous donors to bring Team USA to the Games.
The letter sent to the organizers of the Ravelympics was a standard-form cease and desist letter that explained why we need to protect our trademarks in legal terms. Rest assured, as an organization that has many passionate knitters, we never intended to make this a personal attack on the knitting community or to suggest that knitters are not supportive of Team USA.
We apologize for any insult and appreciate your support. We embrace hand-crafted American goods as we currently have the Annin Flagmakers of New Jersey stitching a custom-made American flag to accompany our team to the Olympic Games in London. To show our support of the Ravelry community, we would welcome any handmade items that you would like to create to travel with, and motivate, our team at the 2012 Games.”
So, I have great difficult believeing that a standard-form cease and desist letter includes a description of such activities as an afghan marathon as denigrating athletes.
Next, the irony of stating that such activities denigrate athletes, but "we would welcome any handmade items that you would like to create. . ." And mentioning their flag which is in fact a fund raiser for the USOC; hardly the same as Ravelympics in which no money changes hands.
The good thing in all this is that Ravelers' voices were heard.
Statement from USOC Chief Communications and Public Affairs Officer Patrick Sandusky:
“Thanks to all of you who have posted, tweeted, emailed and called regarding the letter sent to the organizers of the Ravelympics.
Like you, we are extremely passionate about what we do. And, as you may know, the United States Olympic Committee is a non-profit entity, and our Olympic team receives no government funding. We are totally dependent on our sponsors, who pay for the right to associate with the Olympic Movement, as well as our generous donors to bring Team USA to the Games.
The letter sent to the organizers of the Ravelympics was a standard-form cease and desist letter that explained why we need to protect our trademarks in legal terms. Rest assured, as an organization that has many passionate knitters, we never intended to make this a personal attack on the knitting community or to suggest that knitters are not supportive of Team USA.
We apologize for any insult and appreciate your support. We embrace hand-crafted American goods as we currently have the Annin Flagmakers of New Jersey stitching a custom-made American flag to accompany our team to the Olympic Games in London. To show our support of the Ravelry community, we would welcome any handmade items that you would like to create to travel with, and motivate, our team at the 2012 Games.”
So, I have great difficult believeing that a standard-form cease and desist letter includes a description of such activities as an afghan marathon as denigrating athletes.
Next, the irony of stating that such activities denigrate athletes, but "we would welcome any handmade items that you would like to create. . ." And mentioning their flag which is in fact a fund raiser for the USOC; hardly the same as Ravelympics in which no money changes hands.
The good thing in all this is that Ravelers' voices were heard.
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
And the little guy stands up . . .
Since I seldom post, I don't know if I actually have any readers. But today I have something to write about.
I'm a member of Ravelry, a knitting/crocheting web community of more than 2 million members spanning the world. Today one of the creators of Ravelry posted a letter from the U.S. Olympic Committee' legal department stating that Ravelry could no longer use the name "Ravelympics". This name has been used since 2008 for fiber crafting competitions to go along with watching the Olympics. No one pays for this competition. It does not take away from the Olympics; rather it adds viewers since many thousands cast on their projects while watching the opening ceremonies. It is meant as homage to the actual Games.
Also in the letter, this law clerk stated that such competitions as scarf hockey and afghan marathon denigrates the athletes. Ironically, in the beginning of the letter he mentions how the Games were meant to promote "tolerance".
I think this is yet one more example of a big corporation using lawyers to bully others. I'm sure this law clerk did not expect the response. From posts on Ravelry, I have heard of many who have already called the USOC to complain; several have called sponsoring corporations to complain; there are hundreds of posts on the USOC Facebook page; hundreds of tweets have gone out; and on and on.
I don't know if any of this will make a difference, but it sure feels good to try. My plan is to write an indignant letter and send it to every American corporation sponsoring the Games. Cynically I think my letters will be ignored, but maybe I can make a difference.
Here is the letter:
Dear Mr. Forbes,
In March 14, 2011, my colleague, Carol Gross, corresponded with your attorney, Craig Selmach [sic], in regard to a pin listed as the “2010 Ravelympic Badge of Glory.” At that time, she explained that the use of RAVELYMPIC infringed upon the USOC’s intellectual property rights, and you kindly removed the pin from the website. I was hoping to close our file on this matter, but upon further review of your website, I found more infringing content.
By way of review, the USOC is a non-profit corporation chartered by Congress to coordinate, promote and govern all international amateur athletic activities in the United States. The USOC therefore is responsible for training, entering and underwriting U.S. Teams in the Olympic Games. Unlike the National Olympic Committees of many other countries, the USOC does not rely on federal funding to support all of its efforts. Therefore, in order to fulfill our responsibilities without the need for federal funding, Congress granted the USOC the exclusive right to use and control the commercial use of the word OLYMPIC a and any simulation or combination thereof in the United States, as well as the OLYMPIC SYMBOL. See the Olympic and Amateur Sports Act, 36 U.S.C. §220501 et seq. (the “Act”). (A copy of the relevant portion of the Act is enclosed for your convenience.) The Act prohibits the unauthorized use of the Olympic Symbol or the mark OLYMPIC and derivations thereof for any commercial purpose or for any competition, such as the one organized through your website. See 36 U.S.C. §220506(c). The USOC primarily relies on legitimate sponsorship fees and licensing revenues to support U.S. Olympic athletes and finance this country’s participation in the Olympic Games. Other companies, like Nike and Ralph Lauren, have paid substantial sums for the right to use Olympic-related marks, and through their sponsorships support the U.S. Olympic Team. Therefore, it is important that we restrict the use of Olympic marks and protect the rights of companies who financially support Team USA.
In addition to the protections of the Act discussed above, the USOC also owns numerous trademark registration that include the mark OLYMPIC. These marks therefore are protected under the Lanham Act, 15 U.S.C. §1051 et seq. Thus, Ravelry.com’s unauthorized use of the mark OLYMPIC or derivations thereof, such as RAVELYMPICS, may constitute trademark infringement, unfair competition and dilution of our famous trademarks.
The USOC would like to settle this matter on an amicable basis. However, we must request the following actions be taken.
1. Changing the name of the event, the “Ravelympics.”; The athletes of Team USA have usually spent the better part of their entire lives training for the opportunity to compete at the Olympic Games and represent their country in a sport that means everything to them. For many, the Olympics represent the pinnacle of their sporting career. Over more than a century, the Olympic Games have brought athletes around the world together to compete in an event that has come to mean much more than just a competition between the world’s best athletes. The Olympic Games represent ideals that go beyond sport to encompass culture and education, tolerance and respect, world peace and harmony.
The USOC is responsible for preserving the Olympic Movement and its ideals within the United States. Part of that responsibility is to ensure that Olympic trademarks, imagery and terminology are protected and given the appropriate respect. We believe using the name “Ravelympics” for a competition that involves an afghan marathon, scarf hockey and sweater triathlon, among others, tends to denigrate the true nature of the Olympic Games. In a sense, it is disrespectful to our country’s finest athletes and fails to recognize or appreciate their hard work.
It looks as if this is the third time that the Ravelympics have been organized, each coinciding with an Olympic year (2008, 2010, and 2012). The name Ravelympics is clearly derived from the terms “Ravelry” (the name of your website) and OLYMPICS, making RAVELYMPICS a simulation of the mark OLYMPIC tending to falsely suggest a connection to the Olympic Movement. Thus, the use of RAVELYMPICS is prohibited by the Act. Knowing this, we are sure that you can appreciate the need for you to re-name the event, to something like the Ravelry Games.
1. Removal of Olympic Symbols in patterns, projects, etc. As stated before, the USOC receives no funding from the government to support this country’s Olympic athletes. The USOC relies upon official licensing and sponsorship fees to raise the funds necessary to fulfill its mission. Therefore, the USOC reserves use of Olympic terminology and trademarks to our official sponsors, suppliers and licensees. The patterns and projects featuring the Olympic Symbol on Ravelry.com’s website are not licensed and therefore unauthorized. The USOC respectfully asks that all such patterns and projects be removed from your site.
For your convenience, we have listed some of the patterns featuring Olympic trademarks. However, this list should be viewed as illustrative rather than exhaustive. The USOC requests that all patterns involving Olympic trademarks be removed from the website. We further request that you rename various patterns that may not feature Olympic trademarks in the design but improperly use Olympic in the pattern name.
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/olympics-rings-af...\
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/vancouver-2010-ol...
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/2010-olympics-inu...
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/olympic-swimmer-d...
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/2008-olympic-ring...
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/olympic-rings-nec...
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/bode-miller-hat-2...
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/usa-olympic-hat
http://www.ravelry.com/projects/belgianwaffleknit/usa-oly...
Thank you for your time and attention to this matter. We would appreciate a written reply to this letter by no later than June 19, 2012. If you would like to discuss this matter directly, please feel free to contact me at the number above, or you may reach my colleague, Carol Gross.
Kindest Regards,
Brett Hirsch
Law Clerk
Office of the General Counsel
United States Olympic Committee
1 Olympic Plaza
Colorado Springs, CO 80909
I'm a member of Ravelry, a knitting/crocheting web community of more than 2 million members spanning the world. Today one of the creators of Ravelry posted a letter from the U.S. Olympic Committee' legal department stating that Ravelry could no longer use the name "Ravelympics". This name has been used since 2008 for fiber crafting competitions to go along with watching the Olympics. No one pays for this competition. It does not take away from the Olympics; rather it adds viewers since many thousands cast on their projects while watching the opening ceremonies. It is meant as homage to the actual Games.
Also in the letter, this law clerk stated that such competitions as scarf hockey and afghan marathon denigrates the athletes. Ironically, in the beginning of the letter he mentions how the Games were meant to promote "tolerance".
I think this is yet one more example of a big corporation using lawyers to bully others. I'm sure this law clerk did not expect the response. From posts on Ravelry, I have heard of many who have already called the USOC to complain; several have called sponsoring corporations to complain; there are hundreds of posts on the USOC Facebook page; hundreds of tweets have gone out; and on and on.
I don't know if any of this will make a difference, but it sure feels good to try. My plan is to write an indignant letter and send it to every American corporation sponsoring the Games. Cynically I think my letters will be ignored, but maybe I can make a difference.
Here is the letter:
Dear Mr. Forbes,
In March 14, 2011, my colleague, Carol Gross, corresponded with your attorney, Craig Selmach [sic], in regard to a pin listed as the “2010 Ravelympic Badge of Glory.” At that time, she explained that the use of RAVELYMPIC infringed upon the USOC’s intellectual property rights, and you kindly removed the pin from the website. I was hoping to close our file on this matter, but upon further review of your website, I found more infringing content.
By way of review, the USOC is a non-profit corporation chartered by Congress to coordinate, promote and govern all international amateur athletic activities in the United States. The USOC therefore is responsible for training, entering and underwriting U.S. Teams in the Olympic Games. Unlike the National Olympic Committees of many other countries, the USOC does not rely on federal funding to support all of its efforts. Therefore, in order to fulfill our responsibilities without the need for federal funding, Congress granted the USOC the exclusive right to use and control the commercial use of the word OLYMPIC a and any simulation or combination thereof in the United States, as well as the OLYMPIC SYMBOL. See the Olympic and Amateur Sports Act, 36 U.S.C. §220501 et seq. (the “Act”). (A copy of the relevant portion of the Act is enclosed for your convenience.) The Act prohibits the unauthorized use of the Olympic Symbol or the mark OLYMPIC and derivations thereof for any commercial purpose or for any competition, such as the one organized through your website. See 36 U.S.C. §220506(c). The USOC primarily relies on legitimate sponsorship fees and licensing revenues to support U.S. Olympic athletes and finance this country’s participation in the Olympic Games. Other companies, like Nike and Ralph Lauren, have paid substantial sums for the right to use Olympic-related marks, and through their sponsorships support the U.S. Olympic Team. Therefore, it is important that we restrict the use of Olympic marks and protect the rights of companies who financially support Team USA.
In addition to the protections of the Act discussed above, the USOC also owns numerous trademark registration that include the mark OLYMPIC. These marks therefore are protected under the Lanham Act, 15 U.S.C. §1051 et seq. Thus, Ravelry.com’s unauthorized use of the mark OLYMPIC or derivations thereof, such as RAVELYMPICS, may constitute trademark infringement, unfair competition and dilution of our famous trademarks.
The USOC would like to settle this matter on an amicable basis. However, we must request the following actions be taken.
1. Changing the name of the event, the “Ravelympics.”; The athletes of Team USA have usually spent the better part of their entire lives training for the opportunity to compete at the Olympic Games and represent their country in a sport that means everything to them. For many, the Olympics represent the pinnacle of their sporting career. Over more than a century, the Olympic Games have brought athletes around the world together to compete in an event that has come to mean much more than just a competition between the world’s best athletes. The Olympic Games represent ideals that go beyond sport to encompass culture and education, tolerance and respect, world peace and harmony.
The USOC is responsible for preserving the Olympic Movement and its ideals within the United States. Part of that responsibility is to ensure that Olympic trademarks, imagery and terminology are protected and given the appropriate respect. We believe using the name “Ravelympics” for a competition that involves an afghan marathon, scarf hockey and sweater triathlon, among others, tends to denigrate the true nature of the Olympic Games. In a sense, it is disrespectful to our country’s finest athletes and fails to recognize or appreciate their hard work.
It looks as if this is the third time that the Ravelympics have been organized, each coinciding with an Olympic year (2008, 2010, and 2012). The name Ravelympics is clearly derived from the terms “Ravelry” (the name of your website) and OLYMPICS, making RAVELYMPICS a simulation of the mark OLYMPIC tending to falsely suggest a connection to the Olympic Movement. Thus, the use of RAVELYMPICS is prohibited by the Act. Knowing this, we are sure that you can appreciate the need for you to re-name the event, to something like the Ravelry Games.
1. Removal of Olympic Symbols in patterns, projects, etc. As stated before, the USOC receives no funding from the government to support this country’s Olympic athletes. The USOC relies upon official licensing and sponsorship fees to raise the funds necessary to fulfill its mission. Therefore, the USOC reserves use of Olympic terminology and trademarks to our official sponsors, suppliers and licensees. The patterns and projects featuring the Olympic Symbol on Ravelry.com’s website are not licensed and therefore unauthorized. The USOC respectfully asks that all such patterns and projects be removed from your site.
For your convenience, we have listed some of the patterns featuring Olympic trademarks. However, this list should be viewed as illustrative rather than exhaustive. The USOC requests that all patterns involving Olympic trademarks be removed from the website. We further request that you rename various patterns that may not feature Olympic trademarks in the design but improperly use Olympic in the pattern name.
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/olympics-rings-af...\
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/vancouver-2010-ol...
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/2010-olympics-inu...
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/olympic-swimmer-d...
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/2008-olympic-ring...
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/olympic-rings-nec...
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/bode-miller-hat-2...
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/usa-olympic-hat
http://www.ravelry.com/projects/belgianwaffleknit/usa-oly...
Thank you for your time and attention to this matter. We would appreciate a written reply to this letter by no later than June 19, 2012. If you would like to discuss this matter directly, please feel free to contact me at the number above, or you may reach my colleague, Carol Gross.
Kindest Regards,
Brett Hirsch
Law Clerk
Office of the General Counsel
United States Olympic Committee
1 Olympic Plaza
Colorado Springs, CO 80909
Monday, May 28, 2012
And a year later . . .
And a year later . . . I bought a house June, 2011; my daughter moved back to Texas and into my house the same month as living in Joplin was extremely difficult. This year I also sold my old house, and I bought my first car all by myself.
I made it through an extremely difficult school year - new state test with little information as to how the test had changed, a new, administrator chosen curriculum, challenging students.
I'm ready for a calm summer with lots of knitting time. I need to do some painting, refinish some furniture, and finish unpacking boxes, but I also plan to sit and knit as much as possible.
I also finished my second KAL - the Color Affection shawl in the picture above. I used MadelineTosh Tosh Merino Light in Silver Fox, Manor, and Tart. This was my first project with MadelineTosh yarn, but it won't be the last - I love this yarn! The colors are amazing!
And, the purple streak in my hair? I was celebrating the end of the school year - sort of. "When I am old, I shall wear purple . . ." - I felt old at the end of this year!
Monday, May 23, 2011
So sad today
How ironic that my last post is about knitting hats for the men who helped my daughter move. Today I was asking my daughter if those men are all right.
I'm asking for prayers for Joplin, Missouri. My daughter lives there, and thanks to God, she is okay. Many of her friends have lost their homes and, so sadly, at least one friend lost her life. A theater where my daughter has performed was leveled; people were there cleaning up from their last performance, and, while they were in the basement, one lady lost her life and a young man is in serious condition with a head injury.
I am looking at pictures, and I can't even recognize places that I have been. The large Home Depot is a pile of twisted metal. The largest hospital is now not usable.
It's hard for me to imagine how Joplin will come back from this. So many businesses are gone; so many people will not have jobs or homes.
I'm not going to post pictures; I already hate looking at what used to be a thriving town.
I'm asking for prayers for Joplin, Missouri. My daughter lives there, and thanks to God, she is okay. Many of her friends have lost their homes and, so sadly, at least one friend lost her life. A theater where my daughter has performed was leveled; people were there cleaning up from their last performance, and, while they were in the basement, one lady lost her life and a young man is in serious condition with a head injury.
I am looking at pictures, and I can't even recognize places that I have been. The large Home Depot is a pile of twisted metal. The largest hospital is now not usable.
It's hard for me to imagine how Joplin will come back from this. So many businesses are gone; so many people will not have jobs or homes.
I'm not going to post pictures; I already hate looking at what used to be a thriving town.
Sunday, December 26, 2010
So much for posting every month . . .
I have been a terrible blogger this year.
Changes have been a problem, but mostly I have just procrastinated.
There has been knitting, but no pictures. I stopped all projects to make caps for the nice men who helped my daughter move. I have worked on my brother's socks, but I stopped working on the second sock during my divorce trauma, and now I can't remember how to do the twisted stitch and can't make the second sock look like the first one! Even the people in my knitting group can't make them look the same.
And now I need to get moving on yet another baby cardigan because my niece goes in for a C-section Thursday, and all I have is a bag of yarn. I'm not too worried because I bought cotton, and I am aiming for something she can wear in the spring, but I need to start.
There have also been some times when I just sit and stare into the flames in the wood stove and ponder life. There have been some trials in my family in the past few months, and I know they are not done, but this holiday season mostly what I can see is how blessed we all are.
So belated Merry Christmas and good wishes for the new year!
Changes have been a problem, but mostly I have just procrastinated.
There has been knitting, but no pictures. I stopped all projects to make caps for the nice men who helped my daughter move. I have worked on my brother's socks, but I stopped working on the second sock during my divorce trauma, and now I can't remember how to do the twisted stitch and can't make the second sock look like the first one! Even the people in my knitting group can't make them look the same.
And now I need to get moving on yet another baby cardigan because my niece goes in for a C-section Thursday, and all I have is a bag of yarn. I'm not too worried because I bought cotton, and I am aiming for something she can wear in the spring, but I need to start.
There have also been some times when I just sit and stare into the flames in the wood stove and ponder life. There have been some trials in my family in the past few months, and I know they are not done, but this holiday season mostly what I can see is how blessed we all are.
So belated Merry Christmas and good wishes for the new year!
Friday, October 29, 2010
I Have Been Neglectful
Wow - I have been a terrible blogger.
There has been knitting, but there also has been the start of school - a school year with several changes that have caused me to adapt and adjust.
I also made it to the Taos Wool Festival, but unfortunately I forgot to charge my camera batteries, so there are no pictures.
I did take a Harry Potter personality quiz (Meyers Briggs) with these results:
href="http://
Harry Potter Personality Quiz by Pirate Monkeys Inc.
There has been knitting, but there also has been the start of school - a school year with several changes that have caused me to adapt and adjust.
I also made it to the Taos Wool Festival, but unfortunately I forgot to charge my camera batteries, so there are no pictures.
I did take a Harry Potter personality quiz (Meyers Briggs) with these results:
href="http://
Harry Potter Personality Quiz by Pirate Monkeys Inc.
Friday, August 06, 2010
Whole Lot of Things Going on
Even though I haven't been posting, there have been things going on.
I finished the Baby DNA Model for my grand-niece. What a fun toy to make! I hope she enjoys it. Pattern is on ravelry.
Then the knitting group had a yarn dyeing day. I haven't photographed the yarn I dyed yet, but this is my first attempt at roving. I need to learn how to adjust my camera because this is really a bright turquoise, apple green, and dark purple. I learned a lot doing this because my intention was to have a light turquoise, yellow and lilac. I think I put at least 3 times too much dye in each bottle. However, we had fun, I learned a great deal, and I didn't felt my roving, so I think the day was a success.
Lastly, I took a fast trip to New Mexico with friends. We left very early on a Saturday to go to Santa Fe. We managed a lot of shopping in Santa Fe, then tried to eat at a hamburger place that Frommers put on their Top 10 Burger list, but there was a long wait. So we went on to Las Vegas and ate lunch at the Spick and Span. Then on to a friend's cabin (we are walking the trail in the picture). It was very rainy, so we didn't get to hike or fish, but we had a lot of fun playing games and eating junk food. We left the next morning, passed the alpaca ranch outside of Mora (wasn't open) and on to the raspberry ranch, back to Las Vegas for more Spick and Span and then home.
And so ends my summer vacation. I am spending the last few days finishing up all the deep cleaning I planned to do in June and finishing minor repair projects.
I think I had a successful summer. I had a couple of fun trips and got some minor repairs done. I pulled out all my yarn stash, cleaned it out and reorganized what was left. Yes, I gave some away and even threw some away (gasp!). I am nearly through with knitting books and magazines - will be giving some away and posting others to ravelry for destash.
Best of all, I had several rainy days this summer where I could just sit and look out the windows and knit - heaven!!
I finished the Baby DNA Model for my grand-niece. What a fun toy to make! I hope she enjoys it. Pattern is on ravelry.
Then the knitting group had a yarn dyeing day. I haven't photographed the yarn I dyed yet, but this is my first attempt at roving. I need to learn how to adjust my camera because this is really a bright turquoise, apple green, and dark purple. I learned a lot doing this because my intention was to have a light turquoise, yellow and lilac. I think I put at least 3 times too much dye in each bottle. However, we had fun, I learned a great deal, and I didn't felt my roving, so I think the day was a success.
Lastly, I took a fast trip to New Mexico with friends. We left very early on a Saturday to go to Santa Fe. We managed a lot of shopping in Santa Fe, then tried to eat at a hamburger place that Frommers put on their Top 10 Burger list, but there was a long wait. So we went on to Las Vegas and ate lunch at the Spick and Span. Then on to a friend's cabin (we are walking the trail in the picture). It was very rainy, so we didn't get to hike or fish, but we had a lot of fun playing games and eating junk food. We left the next morning, passed the alpaca ranch outside of Mora (wasn't open) and on to the raspberry ranch, back to Las Vegas for more Spick and Span and then home.
And so ends my summer vacation. I am spending the last few days finishing up all the deep cleaning I planned to do in June and finishing minor repair projects.I think I had a successful summer. I had a couple of fun trips and got some minor repairs done. I pulled out all my yarn stash, cleaned it out and reorganized what was left. Yes, I gave some away and even threw some away (gasp!). I am nearly through with knitting books and magazines - will be giving some away and posting others to ravelry for destash.
Best of all, I had several rainy days this summer where I could just sit and look out the windows and knit - heaven!!
Thursday, July 22, 2010
the Kindness of Strangers
I am an independent soul. I don't "depend on the kindness of strangers." I really hate to ask for help.
However I was absolutely blown away today. I have had trouble with my mower, and a good friend (same one from a previous post) came over last night and fixed it again. It was too late to mow, and I spent most of today at my mom's house waiting for a plumber, so I was planning to get up and mow tomorrow.
I came home and my front yard was mowed!! I have no idea who did it, but I am doing some investigating mainly because I want to thank them and maybe take them some cherry jam.
But, how kind is that!
However I was absolutely blown away today. I have had trouble with my mower, and a good friend (same one from a previous post) came over last night and fixed it again. It was too late to mow, and I spent most of today at my mom's house waiting for a plumber, so I was planning to get up and mow tomorrow.
I came home and my front yard was mowed!! I have no idea who did it, but I am doing some investigating mainly because I want to thank them and maybe take them some cherry jam.
But, how kind is that!
Sunday, June 20, 2010
WWKIP
I started this day with getting family to help me with a photo scavenger hunt for Sock Knitters Anonymous. I racked up points for non-knitters, children under 12 and animals. Thanks guys!
Then I met the knitting group at a local restaurant. We had planned to meet in a park, but the forecast was for high temperatures, so we opted for air conditioning and margaritas. 
Then I met the knitting group at a local restaurant. We had planned to meet in a park, but the forecast was for high temperatures, so we opted for air conditioning and margaritas.The group was kind enough to go with me to the Cadillac Ranch, so I could get a picture of my sock with an internationally recognized landmark - got 5 points for that!
It was a fun day. I didn't rack up enough points to win a prize, but I enjoyed planning the pictures and have some ideas for next year.
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Showers of Blessings
I've had a frustrating start to my summer. I was taking my dog to the kennel, getting ready to leave town when my car started overheating. I zipped to the car repair place where they thought it was just a water pump, but it turned out I needed a new head gasket and a water pump and . . .
Then my sister offered me her car, so I could take my trip anyway. What a relief!!
Then I came home and couldn't get my mower to start. The husband of a lady in my knitting group looked at it, and I did what he said, but it still wouldn't start. So, a good friend came and worked on it last night, got it working, and then insisted on mowing some for me. Again, what a relief!
So, I didn't have to buy a new mower, and the repairs to the car actually came to a little less than the original quote (although ironically it was only a few hundred over what I will earn at my summer job - like they knew what I would be making.). I take this a lesson to me to have some faith! I have been blessed beyond measure with family and friends that are willing to help, and I know that when things happen, a way to work them out will come clear.
I have told them all in person, but one more time - Thank you so much!!!
Friday, June 11, 2010
Reflections on a School Year
No knitting content - at least no pictures.
I listened to my district's high school baseball team play in the state finals yesterday. They lost, but still what an accomplishment.
My district has only had a high school for 6 years. During those 6 years, the volleyball team won state twice, the football team went to state finals, and now the baseball team has gone to state finals. We have had three athletes go to Division I schools, and many more get scholarships to smaller schools.
Our academic standards are high also. This year it looks like we may be an exemplary district, and for sure the middle school where I teach will be exemplary. I take that with a little bit of skepticism since the rating is based a great deal on state testing scores, and I believe the state testing is just on a basic level. However, I did have 66% of my students score at the commended level on the Reading test - the highest level I have had.
So, I am bragging. I am proud of what our students have accomplished, and I am proud of the people with whom I teach who have helped these students excell. We are a small district although we have grown immensely since the high school was built. When I started at the district 20 years ago, there were 225 students in K-8. Now we are over 1,000 and are completing additions at every campus to accomodate the increased numbers.
So - woo hoo to us!!
I listened to my district's high school baseball team play in the state finals yesterday. They lost, but still what an accomplishment.
My district has only had a high school for 6 years. During those 6 years, the volleyball team won state twice, the football team went to state finals, and now the baseball team has gone to state finals. We have had three athletes go to Division I schools, and many more get scholarships to smaller schools.
Our academic standards are high also. This year it looks like we may be an exemplary district, and for sure the middle school where I teach will be exemplary. I take that with a little bit of skepticism since the rating is based a great deal on state testing scores, and I believe the state testing is just on a basic level. However, I did have 66% of my students score at the commended level on the Reading test - the highest level I have had.
So, I am bragging. I am proud of what our students have accomplished, and I am proud of the people with whom I teach who have helped these students excell. We are a small district although we have grown immensely since the high school was built. When I started at the district 20 years ago, there were 225 students in K-8. Now we are over 1,000 and are completing additions at every campus to accomodate the increased numbers.
So - woo hoo to us!!
Thursday, May 06, 2010
Good Contest - Good Cause
Just saw a contest listed on ravelry whose cause is near to my heart. Go to
http://www.knittypitty.blogspot.com
for a raffle of Golding spindles, Namaste bags, Sundara yarn and more. Just donate $5 to American Animal Rescue Society for a chance to win one of these. There is a link on the blog, although you must use Paypal to donate.
I have 6 cats rescued mostly as strays, and one dog from a shelter. Of course, my daughter has 9 (!!!) cats and 2 dogs, all rescues.
http://www.knittypitty.blogspot.com
for a raffle of Golding spindles, Namaste bags, Sundara yarn and more. Just donate $5 to American Animal Rescue Society for a chance to win one of these. There is a link on the blog, although you must use Paypal to donate.
I have 6 cats rescued mostly as strays, and one dog from a shelter. Of course, my daughter has 9 (!!!) cats and 2 dogs, all rescues.
Monday, April 26, 2010
Top 100 Childrens' Books - How Many Have You Read?
From School Library - Top 100 Childrens' Books via KnitNTeach's blog
I have read all but 13. I plan to look for 12 of them, but I will not read Where the Red Fern Grows. I don't read "dead dog" books if I can avoid them
#1 Charlotte's Web by E.B. White
#2 A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle
#3 Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling
#4 The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis
#5 From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E. L. Konigsburg
#6 Holes by Louis Sachar
#7 The Giver by Lois Lowry
#8 The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
#9 Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery
#10 The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster
#11 The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin
#12 The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
#13 Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson
#14 Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling
#15 Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo
#16 Harriet the Spy by Louise Fitzhugh
#17 Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli
#18 Matilda by Roald Dahl
#19 Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl
#20 Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt
#21 Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief by Rick Riodan
Haven't read #22 The Tale of Despereaux: Being the Story of a Mouse, a Princess, Some Soup, and a Spool of Thread by Kate DiCamillo
#23 Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder
#24 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling
#25 Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
#26 Hatchet by Gary Paulsen
#27 A Little Princess by Francis Hodgson Burnett
#28 Winnie-the Pooh by A.A. Milne
#29 Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland /Alice Through the Looking Glass by Lewis Carroll
#30 The Dark is Rising by Susan Cooper
#31 Half Magic by Edward Eager
#32 Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH by Robert C. O'Brien
#33 James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl
#34 Watsons Go to Birmingham, 1963 by Christopher Paul Curtis
#35 Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire JK Rowling
#36 Are You There, God? It's Me, Margaret by Judy Blume
Haven't read #37 Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred Taylor
#38 Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J.K. Rowling
Haven't read #39 When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead
#40 The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum
#41 The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare
#42 Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder
#43 Ramona the Pest by Beverly Cleary
#44 Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing by Judy Blume
#45 The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman
Haven't read #46 Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls
Haven't read #47 Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis
Haven't read #48 The Penderwicks: A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits and a Very Interesting Boy by Jeanne Birdsall
#49 Frindle by Andrew Clements
#50 Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O'Dell
#51 The Saturdays by Elizabeth Enright
Haven't read #52 The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick
#53 Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame
#54 The BFG by Roald Dahl
#55 The Great Gilly Hopkins by Katherine Paterson
#56 Number the Stars by Lois Lowry
#57 Ramona Quimby, Age 8 by Beverly Cleary
#58 The Wolves of Willoughby Chase by Joan Aiken
#59 Inkheart by Cornelia Funke
#60 The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle by Avi
#61 Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli
#62 The Secret of the Old Clock (The Nancy Drew mysteries) by Caroline Keene
#63 Gone-Away Lake by Elizabeth Enright
#64 A Long Way from Chicago by Richard Peck
#65 Ballet Shoes by Noah Streatfeild
#66 Henry Huggins by Beverly Cleary
#67 Jeremy Thatcher, Dragon Hatcher by Bruce Coville
#68 Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech
#69 The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart
#70 Betsy Tacy by Maud Hart Lovelace
#71 A Series of Unfortunate Events: The Bad Beginning by Lemony Snicket
Haven't read #72 My Father's Dragon by Ruth Stiles Gannett
#73 My Side of the Mountain by Jean Craighead George
#74 The Borrowers by Mary Norton
#75 Love That Dog by Sharon Creech
#76 Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse
#77 City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau
#78 Johnny Tremain by Esther Forbes
#79 All-of-a-Kind Family by Sydney Taylor
Haven't read #80 The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
Haven't read #81 Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin
#82 The Book of Three by Lloyd Alexander
Haven't read #83 The Thief by Megan Whalen Turner
#84 Little White Horse by Elizabeth Goudge
#85 On the Banks of Plum Creek by Laura Ingalls Wilder
#86 Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling
#87 The View from Saturday by E. L. Konigsburg
#88 The High King by Lloyd Alexander
#89 Ramona and her Father by Beverly Cleary
#90 Sarah, Plain and Tall by Patricia MacLachlan
#91 Sideways Stories from Wayside School by Louis Sachar
#92 Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine
#93 Caddie Woodlawn by C. R. Brink
#94 Swallows and Amazons by Arthur Ransome
#95 Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren
#96 The Witches by Roald Dahl
Haven't read #97: The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo
#98 Children of Green Knowe by L.M. Boston
#99 The Indian in the Cupboard by Lynne Reid Banks
#100 The Egypt Game by Zilpha Keatley Snyder
I have read all but 13. I plan to look for 12 of them, but I will not read Where the Red Fern Grows. I don't read "dead dog" books if I can avoid them
#1 Charlotte's Web by E.B. White
#2 A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle
#3 Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling
#4 The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis
#5 From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E. L. Konigsburg
#6 Holes by Louis Sachar
#7 The Giver by Lois Lowry
#8 The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
#9 Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery
#10 The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster
#11 The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin
#12 The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
#13 Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson
#14 Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling
#15 Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo
#16 Harriet the Spy by Louise Fitzhugh
#17 Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli
#18 Matilda by Roald Dahl
#19 Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl
#20 Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt
#21 Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief by Rick Riodan
Haven't read #22 The Tale of Despereaux: Being the Story of a Mouse, a Princess, Some Soup, and a Spool of Thread by Kate DiCamillo
#23 Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder
#24 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling
#25 Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
#26 Hatchet by Gary Paulsen
#27 A Little Princess by Francis Hodgson Burnett
#28 Winnie-the Pooh by A.A. Milne
#29 Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland /Alice Through the Looking Glass by Lewis Carroll
#30 The Dark is Rising by Susan Cooper
#31 Half Magic by Edward Eager
#32 Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH by Robert C. O'Brien
#33 James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl
#34 Watsons Go to Birmingham, 1963 by Christopher Paul Curtis
#35 Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire JK Rowling
#36 Are You There, God? It's Me, Margaret by Judy Blume
Haven't read #37 Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred Taylor
#38 Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J.K. Rowling
Haven't read #39 When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead
#40 The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum
#41 The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare
#42 Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder
#43 Ramona the Pest by Beverly Cleary
#44 Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing by Judy Blume
#45 The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman
Haven't read #46 Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls
Haven't read #47 Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis
Haven't read #48 The Penderwicks: A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits and a Very Interesting Boy by Jeanne Birdsall
#49 Frindle by Andrew Clements
#50 Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O'Dell
#51 The Saturdays by Elizabeth Enright
Haven't read #52 The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick
#53 Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame
#54 The BFG by Roald Dahl
#55 The Great Gilly Hopkins by Katherine Paterson
#56 Number the Stars by Lois Lowry
#57 Ramona Quimby, Age 8 by Beverly Cleary
#58 The Wolves of Willoughby Chase by Joan Aiken
#59 Inkheart by Cornelia Funke
#60 The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle by Avi
#61 Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli
#62 The Secret of the Old Clock (The Nancy Drew mysteries) by Caroline Keene
#63 Gone-Away Lake by Elizabeth Enright
#64 A Long Way from Chicago by Richard Peck
#65 Ballet Shoes by Noah Streatfeild
#66 Henry Huggins by Beverly Cleary
#67 Jeremy Thatcher, Dragon Hatcher by Bruce Coville
#68 Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech
#69 The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart
#70 Betsy Tacy by Maud Hart Lovelace
#71 A Series of Unfortunate Events: The Bad Beginning by Lemony Snicket
Haven't read #72 My Father's Dragon by Ruth Stiles Gannett
#73 My Side of the Mountain by Jean Craighead George
#74 The Borrowers by Mary Norton
#75 Love That Dog by Sharon Creech
#76 Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse
#77 City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau
#78 Johnny Tremain by Esther Forbes
#79 All-of-a-Kind Family by Sydney Taylor
Haven't read #80 The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
Haven't read #81 Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin
#82 The Book of Three by Lloyd Alexander
Haven't read #83 The Thief by Megan Whalen Turner
#84 Little White Horse by Elizabeth Goudge
#85 On the Banks of Plum Creek by Laura Ingalls Wilder
#86 Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling
#87 The View from Saturday by E. L. Konigsburg
#88 The High King by Lloyd Alexander
#89 Ramona and her Father by Beverly Cleary
#90 Sarah, Plain and Tall by Patricia MacLachlan
#91 Sideways Stories from Wayside School by Louis Sachar
#92 Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine
#93 Caddie Woodlawn by C. R. Brink
#94 Swallows and Amazons by Arthur Ransome
#95 Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren
#96 The Witches by Roald Dahl
Haven't read #97: The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo
#98 Children of Green Knowe by L.M. Boston
#99 The Indian in the Cupboard by Lynne Reid Banks
#100 The Egypt Game by Zilpha Keatley Snyder
Thursday, April 15, 2010
And There is a Winner!!
This was a somewhat low tech drawing because I only had three people donate in the yarn raffle. So, I put their initials on paper - one piece of paper for each $2.00 donated - put them all in a bowl, shook it up, and drew one out. 
You can see by the "J" that Panhandle Jane won! I will message you on ravelry to get your address and will get your beautiful yarn on its way to you.
Thanks so much to all who donated! I more than made my goal, but better yet, we all are helping fund research for a cure for MS.
Now I have to go find my rain coat. The forecast for Saturday is for thunderstorms. I was optimistic and bought some orange framed sunglasses last week for the walk.
You can see by the "J" that Panhandle Jane won! I will message you on ravelry to get your address and will get your beautiful yarn on its way to you.
Thanks so much to all who donated! I more than made my goal, but better yet, we all are helping fund research for a cure for MS.
Now I have to go find my rain coat. The forecast for Saturday is for thunderstorms. I was optimistic and bought some orange framed sunglasses last week for the walk.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Wollmeise Raffle
I need some help! I will be doing an MS Walk on April 17th as part of the team Siblings Against Multiple Sclerosis.
One of the siblings, Shay, is a member of my knitting group. We have more than knitting in common - we are both avid readers, and we had the same HS English teacher albeit many years apart.
I need to kickstart my pledge, so I am putting up a skein of Wollmeise Twin for raffle. It is the Rotkappchen colorway - 80% Merino Superwash/20% handgefarbt (?); 510 yards.
This is the link to my page for the walk. You can use this to make a donation.
Thanks for the help!
One of the siblings, Shay, is a member of my knitting group. We have more than knitting in common - we are both avid readers, and we had the same HS English teacher albeit many years apart.
I need to kickstart my pledge, so I am putting up a skein of Wollmeise Twin for raffle. It is the Rotkappchen colorway - 80% Merino Superwash/20% handgefarbt (?); 510 yards.
For every $2.00 donated, you will have one chance at winning this yarn. For example, if you donate $10, your name goes into a random draw 5 times. When you use the link below, your name and the amount donated is automatically listed. I will also need an email address, so I can notify the winner.
I will close this and draw for a winner on April 14th. Then this beautiful red yarn will be sent off to its new home!
This is the link to my page for the walk. You can use this to make a donation.
Thanks for the help!
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
There HAS Been Knitting . . .
I was shocked when I saw that my last post was from August. I have been really busy with the new school year, and I have spent a lot of time with friends who have been having difficulties, but I sure thought I had posted at least once.
Anyway, there has been knitting. These are Kristen Kapur's Socktober mystery knitalong socks. I love the pattern, but next time I will use a solid so the pattern shows better.
Anyway, there has been knitting. These are Kristen Kapur's Socktober mystery knitalong socks. I love the pattern, but next time I will use a solid so the pattern shows better.
And, I have a new great niece born the end of June - Margaret Ruby. She lives in the south, so I found some nice cotton yarn, Sublime Organic Cotton. The only problem with this cardigan was that I had to use a provisional cast on, which I have never done. I am so grateful for my knitting group - Heather Lyn, a great teacher, showed me how to do the cast on, and the rest was easy. This is the Chevron Cardigan from Nashua's book, Bloom.
I also loved the ruffle edged cardigan from the same pattern book, so I made it in KnitPicks Swish. While I got gauge, I'm not sure I like the way the fabric turned out, but it is not horrible, so I am sending it along also.
I have one more Rose Red beret to finish and a pair of Reader's Mitts for a colleague who will get them when we go back to school, and then I can move on to some other things.
I also loved the ruffle edged cardigan from the same pattern book, so I made it in KnitPicks Swish. While I got gauge, I'm not sure I like the way the fabric turned out, but it is not horrible, so I am sending it along also.
I have one more Rose Red beret to finish and a pair of Reader's Mitts for a colleague who will get them when we go back to school, and then I can move on to some other things.My resolution for this year is to finish some things that have been hiding in my closet (although these have been on my "resolve to finish" list for the last couple of years. I have half a Rogue Hoody done, and 2/3 of an Audrey, both for my daugher, and I am determined to finish them.
If I have any readers, I hope you have a great holiday season and a wonderful start to the new year.
Monday, August 10, 2009
Ta Dah!!
I have a wheel!
It spins properly (I think). I haven't had the courage to actually put any fiber into it yet, but I have practiced treadling - managed to scare a cat with that.
Maybe tonight I will try some fiber. I have some roving that I bought in Taos a couple of years ago - didn't really like the color, but I wanted to practice on my spindle, and it was inexpensive. Well, I really don't like spindling. I think I am going to like spinning on a wheel though because it feels so comfortable to treadle. May be a different story with fiber in it, but I hope not. I have been very inspired by the pictures on ravelry of fleece to project.
This was relatively easy to put together except for my mistakes and one small problem with a messed up locking nut. I made a quick trip to the hardware store and got that taken care of. However, after I got the wheel on, I realized I had bolted on the sidebars upside down. So, I took them off while holding the wheel upright and reversed them. That led to some difficulty in lining everything back up properly, but I managed.
Anyway, fun to do already. I didn't even take time to put away the drop cloth. I just had to try it out!
It spins properly (I think). I haven't had the courage to actually put any fiber into it yet, but I have practiced treadling - managed to scare a cat with that.
Maybe tonight I will try some fiber. I have some roving that I bought in Taos a couple of years ago - didn't really like the color, but I wanted to practice on my spindle, and it was inexpensive. Well, I really don't like spindling. I think I am going to like spinning on a wheel though because it feels so comfortable to treadle. May be a different story with fiber in it, but I hope not. I have been very inspired by the pictures on ravelry of fleece to project.
This was relatively easy to put together except for my mistakes and one small problem with a messed up locking nut. I made a quick trip to the hardware store and got that taken care of. However, after I got the wheel on, I realized I had bolted on the sidebars upside down. So, I took them off while holding the wheel upright and reversed them. That led to some difficulty in lining everything back up properly, but I managed.
Anyway, fun to do already. I didn't even take time to put away the drop cloth. I just had to try it out!
Sunday, August 09, 2009
New Model
The newest model for my knits - great-nephew Michael! He is very cooperative especially when cookies are involved (hence the crumbs on the mouth. Too bad pink is not his color.
Saturday, August 08, 2009
First of all I have a finished project! Long trail to this pattern - I had been listening to knitting podcasts and was attracted to Knitter with critters because I have cats. I wasn't altogether impressed with the podcast, but I looked at her projects on her blog and saw the Rose Red beret by Ysolda Teague. My daughter wanted a slouchy beret, and this seemed perfect. What an easy pattern! I started it Saturday, Aug. 1st, finished it Wednesday, Aug. 5th. I also drove 500 miles home in that time period. In the picture it is blocking over a plate (the red spots are the cherries on the plate) because I thought it looked too small. I am hunting for a model to pose with this on and will post another picture when I find one. I used Sublime's merino/silk/cashmere blend. I can't remember exactly what it is called, and I threw the labels away. I made the smallest size, but next time (I already have yarn for another) I will make the medium. This is tight on my head!
Secondly, I have finally gotten finish on my wheel. I ordered this early in July, but because of teaching and traveling, I had not gotten a finish on it. I had intended to put it together this morning, but when I opened the hardware package, I found two tension knobs that also had to be finished. So, when they are dry, I will get this together and post pictures. It is an Ashford Traditional, and I finished it with two coats of Danish oil. I am going to go look for some wax today also, just for extra protection. Just as it is though, isn't this beautiful wood!
Anyway fun stuff! I have to get the wheel together soon because I go back to school Wednesday. Actually I have to go back Monday because I was asked Friday to put together a two hour inservice presentation for Thursday, and I need to prepare. I really want to try spinning though. I found a beginning spinners group on ravelry and have been drooling over the pictures of fleece to finished project.
Oh well, all things considered, summer has been pretty good. I thought it would be tough since this is my first summer alone, but good friends and family have made it easier.
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