HomeAboutEtsyHomemakingGarden
AnimalsHandiworkFoodGreenDIY

Tuesday, March 26, 2013

And there by the fire
while the snow outside whirled and danced,
while the woodwinds played their song,
and while onlookers watched,
she sat.
She sat, though hands not idle~
As the old adage goes.
Dreaming of warmth 
and facing the sun with closed eyes
in order to better hear
the sound of spring,
in order to better smell
the buds unfurl,
in order to bask
in all that's joyous,
she dreams, mind's not idle either~
And here
she comes to an end
and a beginning.

Finished another block of the wool crazy quilt.
On to the next.

Until next time,
Nimble Fingers and Even Stitches 

Saturday, March 23, 2013

Spring...Please

Oh, whoa is me.
(those are actually marble eggs - wish I would have bought
more when I had the chance.)
I am so ready for spring.
It's been dreary and cold and blowing sideways.
The last two mornings, we have awaken to more snow.
So while at the store day before yesterday,
I saw they had beautiful tulips.
There were yellow, purple, white, and fuchsia.
I got the purple ones.
I needed the cheeriness so they are on my table
where I can see them all the time.
So here's wishing you all a warm, cheery, and
most perfectly pleasant spring.

Until next time,
Nimble Fingers & Even Stitches 

Monday, March 18, 2013

Fixing A Flat in Heals!

I know, it sounds like a really bad redneck joke - Nope
Just a day in the life of me.
We live in a beautiful place that will look like this again soon~
As I was coming home from work this evening, it happened.
I remembered at one point in life working with a wonderful lady
that said she wouldn't know how to begin to change a flat tire.
She said, "I just call AAA."
Well, the other usually wonderful thing about living out here
 is no cel phone service.
 I was quite thankful that I grew up on a ranch with miiiiles
of dirt & pot hole roads.
Instead of helping each other to change a flat,
we would time each other.  
I think between my mom and myself, our record is 14 min.
from popping the trunk to closing it.
I can't remember who did the changing though.
Changed the tire (yes in heals today of all days) 
and am safely home.

Until next time,
Nimble Fingers & Even Stitches

Friday, March 15, 2013

The Chicken or The Egg

Oh, let's just say the egg.
I have eggs, but probably won't get more chickens
until next year after we build a new coop.
It began with a mess on my table.
It's too embarrassing to show the whole table. 
I tried several different techniques - I like these and
have one other set that are in process that I like.
A couple sets are going in the rubbish bin. 
It's fun to play and experiment so will keep at it.
Have a beautiful day.

Until next time,
Nimble Fingers & Even Stitches


Tuesday, March 12, 2013

"Yum," said the bunny.

Oh what fun!
I did get a few fun things done this weekend.
These will be listed in my etsy shop in about 5 minutes.  It was fun
making a mess in the kitchen.
I also made a couple mushrooms for my mantel.
I had fun just playing and
experimenting.
I love the lore that
surrounds
St. Patrick's Day.
It is so whimsical.
Easter is rather early
this year so it seems
as though they
kinda run into each other.
I don't like
to rush the holidays
so I will have a couple
mushrooms and
maybe a little gold
around until after
the 17th.
Then I will bring out the
bunnies.
Have a beautiful day.


Until next time,
Nimble Fingers and Even Stitches

Saturday, March 9, 2013

Drop Spindle Spinning

Have you ever been mesmerized by the vast knowledge
of someone and their talent?
Renee was someone I had never met & was kind enough to
teach me how to spin using drop spindle.  She showed me different 
dying products (some of which I've used on fabric:) and the
processing from a fleece to a fiber - so to speak.
She got me started with a spindle made from a couple of CDs
and a dowel and even provided me with some prepared 
fibers (both wool, but of different sorts) to get start on.
Yes, here you can see my very uneven yarn.  I was doing okay
the evening she showed me... then... I waited a few nights
before trying it again.  Aaaah- I had to re learn so the yarn
went from really chunky to pretty fine as I remembered just
what I was doing. 

 The white is really long fibers and the 'old man green' as I like
to call it is regular ol' wool.  In addition to showing me all
of these fun things, she introduced me to her spindle collection.
Oh, some of them were just beautiful.  A Turkish one that
came apart so your wool was in a ball when you were done, and
one with an ebony spindle and a wooden (can't remember what type)
of whorl.  I just love the terms as well.  They sound like words
from a faerie tale.
Anyways~ I had these clay discs that I got in a box of "stuff"
at an estate sale.  I hung onto them because they were
kinda interesting.  I thought, "I'll find something to do with them."
Well, I did.
The first I left the dowel plain, the second cherry stain, third oak, 
and last walnut.  I thought I might as well play with stain too.  
I love how they turned out.  
I haven't used them yet - I won't tell you how long
it took me to do what is on the spindle in the picture above :)
But, I am looking forward to using them.  I love the
long wool that I have started with - will have to find out
what it is.  I'm curious to see how I do with the green.
Don't you love learning 'how to' things.
I would eventually like to learn how to use a spinning wheel, 
but right now, it would be a waste of fiber.  I need to get
better at drafting (pulling the fibers to feed them into the yarn)
More words - love it!  A whole new world to me.
Again, thank you Renee. 

Until next time,
Even Stitches and Nimble Fingers

Friday, March 1, 2013

Bit O Blarney

Just a little something I actually made 
for last St. Patrick's Day.


I tried to keep it pretty simple, and was pleased.
It was one of the first things I sold on etsy:)

My description had to have a little disclaimer though:

As I was walking to the corner this morning, I heard a small rustling near the river. I am used to seeing and hearing small creatures where I live so I wasn't alarmed; however, when I glanced over toward the direction of the sound, I spied something unusual. There near a large moss covered rock were 3 intriguing mushrooms that I don't recall being there as well as a small green top hat trimmed with golden thread, buttons, a small piece of lace and a fine feather. It appears as though something (or someone) was making a quick get-away as he seemed to have spilled part of his treasures. The tallest mushroom measures about 4.5 inches tall, and the hat is about 2 inches tall. 
This set includes the hat, 3 mushrooms, and the spilled gold (about a tablespoon).
Little disclaimer: This isn't real gold, and I actually made these items, but it's such a lovely story for the young or just the young at heart.


I love the little hat.
As you can see, we had a little warmer spring last year.
No sunshine or vibrant green moss yet.
~Soon~

Until next time,
Nimble Fingers and Even Stitches