New Goodies -part one

Trying to update with pictures all the new items here at Cornerstone Fibres:

Dyed bamboo rovings in assorted grab bags
Pastel dyed mohair locks in grab bags
Dyed Mohair Roving by the Dyewizard himself -packaged in 8 ounce lots
Sari Silk Scarf and Hat kits -one skien will make either a hat or a scarf includes patterns and needles for one of them

A day out with the kids

Today we took the kids down to the docks to see the HMCS Kingston. She was in harbour visiting her namesake city. She is the first of her line -commissioned in 1995 and this is only her second visit to the city. Her primary function is a minesweeper but she does so much more. We took the kids on the tour through and on the ship. Jared and Lindsay were both impressed with the ship and her crew.
Hats off to the men and women in the Canadian Navy!!!!

A fibre event cross post-Willow Garden Shetland Shearing Day!

A friend of mine hjere raises some amazing shetland sheep -his fleeces are always gorgeous!!! Here's the information on how you too can get sucked in and end up coming home with more fleece than you really needed :) Get to know your sheep and the fleece you spin !

Willow Garden Shetlands

Fifth Annual Sheep Shearing, Lamb Ramp, Open House, and 4H Barbeque
Monday, May 19 (Victoria Day)

10 am until 2 pm

2033 Salem Rd, Consecon, ON



Take 401 to exit 522 (Wooler Road/County Rd 40). Follow Wooler Road south towards Trenton until it ends at Loyalist Parkway (#33). Turn right on to Loyalist Parkway and follow it into Prince Edward County. Once you pass the 'Welcome to Prince Edward County' sign, you are almost there. You will pass Victoria Road on the left, then Cnty Rd. 19 on the left and then Salem Road. Turn left on Salem Road. We are about 2 km in on the right hand side, just past the first set of jogs in the road.

Admission is free.
Colourful and playful lambs.
Fun for the whole family.
A chance to buy the fleece of your choice, as it comes off the sheep
Call for further details.

Bill Stearman
www.willowgardenshetlands.com
... visit my blog and keep up with what is happening ...
http://willowgardenshetlands.blogspot.com/

Happy Mother's Day to all the moms in my life!!

Today is mothers day - hmm what does that really mean to us moms? A day off (snicker), a holiday of pampering NOT. To me Mother's day is a day to reflect on what it is to be a mother and of all the mothers in my life. So here is my rambling thoughts on some of the women who I think of this mother's day!!

My mother a wonderful woman- but we'll never understand each other. my life revolves around my family, my work and my passion for fibre and animals. My mother is Martha Stewart on steroids. Both lives are wonderful but are very different in terms of priority and comfort. I respect my mother very much - I look like her -I've come to realize that but inside we are seperate people. I hope I share many of her good qualities -strength, love of family, endurance for the long road and deep abiding faith. I wish someday she understands that I have to be who I am - I am so happy now being mom to Jared and Lindsay and wife to Daryl. Nothing in this life that I do will ever mean more than this.

My mother in law -the woman who gave me my husband - I respect her deeply and have much more in common with her than my real mother. She too loves fibre and the arts that go with it. She too is a great example to me in terms of resilency and strength.

My aunts -My Aunt Karla who has never been a mother herself but has given me more love and mothering than I ever has deserved. To her I salute her dedication to life and the santity of the earth and all that it pocesses. To the other who I am proud to call my friend and mentor Peggy I salute her hard work ethic and her ability to never give up even when life is so bleak it is scary.

To my adopted mother "Jane" I salute her power and ability to keep going when life throws her curves of epic proportions and thank her for being my shoulder to cry on when the world seem tough.

To my grandmothers -all three of them these thoughts.
My Beppe who survived so much terror and pain throughout life and still maintained a smile and the words "God is looking out for us always -life is a joy never a curse" I sit and cry at my loss of you -my mentor and life path guardian.
To my other grandmother who I never met in this life I shake my head and cry at the strength you had to let my dad go to be raised by two strangers knowing he would have a better life elsewhere than with you. I cannot even begin to imagine how much it must have hurt for you to go on, never seeing him face to face. You too have left an imprint on me -to cherish each day with my children knowing they are a true gift of God.
To my Oma who rasied my dad I give you my thanks for raising my dad to be the man he is -he is a rock in my life. He learned to be tough from you and to be strong. He also learned how to be hurt though - you hurt him deeply and for that I can never forget. I also wonder even now why I was never good enough for you?? What had I done to you to always be left out from the others -was it I looked like my mother?? Was it I didn't fit your mold?? We'll never know but I look back now and realize that who I am is who I am -if you couldn't be proud of me then too bad -I am ME!!

I never thought I would be a mom. I was told at 24 that I could never have children -that scarring from fibroids would never allow me to give birth. Well guess what they were wrong - I don't need to win the lottery - I have more wealth than I could ever imagine. Of course I also swore I would never get married and have kids so God is laughing his head off up there.
I have learned strength from being a mom, I have learned soul crashing hurt and pain, I have learned patience (can I please have lots more of this God??), and most of all I have learned there is so much Joy in this world that I never would have seen or felt had I not become a mom.

So to all of you MOMs on this earth (and to the Earth herself -our greatest mother) -I salute you this mothers day. Mom are not the people who give birth to you -there are the people who help shape you and love you, comfort and guide you, and are always there for you!

Jazzy Dyesigns by Jared goes upscale!

Hey All:
The dyewizard is loose and this time his fibre of choice is none other than MOHAIR. Thats right silky, shiny almost as soft as angora (grin) mohair. We had an opportunity to support another local farm who is starting out with mohair goats and made a large purchase of her glorious roving - we're dyeing it in 8 ounce lots and the colours are FABULOUS!! We'll be selling this fibre for $25 for 8 ounces. All fund will be used to support the dye artist known as Jared to help fund his summer vacation trips to the zoo and the baseball tournament in August.

The Port Hope Gathering

Last Saturday I had the privledge of attending the annual Gathering of Spinners and Knitters in Port Hope. What a fun day!!! Lots of goodies including a lamb bbq (organically grown and oh soooo good) -ignore that last post Maggie and don't tell Whizzaroo. It was great fun to watch old and new spinners come together for fun and fellowship. My MIL Barb came with me to help man the booth so I too could have some fun spinning and chatting. Here's some pics!!

How green is bamboo fabric?

Thought this article was interesting -with all the clamour about green fibre. as far as I'm concerned wool and angora are two of the ultimate "green" fibres -think about it no chemicals needed to grow or process, use right off the animal and hey they are renewable resources and best of all their "byproduct" is a natural fertilizer for my gardens ;)

(Oct 2, 2007) Found in your favourite Chinese dishes and on the floors of many modern homes, bamboo has made its way into another key aspect of our lives -- clothing. But just how green is this verstaile new fabric with is variety of benefits?

Pros
The beauty and benefits of bamboo fibre go far beyond the surface. More affordable than silk, bamboo has a similar drape (how softly it floats on your body) and is slightly stronger, along with having a natural sheen. Unlike silk, bamboo can easily be tossed into a washer and dryer, making it much simpler to take care of. Also wrinkle-resistant, bamboo can be ironed at a low temperature if ever needed and has very little shrinkage.

Due to the fabric’s natural structure, bamboo is very breathable, helping the wearer to stay cool in the summer and warmer in the winter, making it perfect for layers and exercise wear. Thanks to a natural agent in the plant itself, bamboo is also highly anti-bacterial, absorbing three to four times more water than cotton fabric without sticking to your skin.

These are all spectacular benefits and it is hard to believe that there are downsides to this advanced textile … but there is.

Cons
While the bamboo plant has many uses and has quickly become a key source of income for many rural citizens of China, the issues behind the production of bamboo fabric have begun to surface. During a recent investigative mission, the Organic Clothing blog from Lotus Organics uncovered detailed information about how dangerous chemicals are used to transform the plant into liquid and then into fibres to be spun into fabric. These chemicals can cause a plethora of health problems and neural disorders for the manufacturing workers. With no Fair Trade certifications or sustainable production credentials, a developing nation like China rarely (if at all) uses systems to help control the production and disposal of those chemicals.

Seeing bamboo as a "greener" substitute for silk, many designers are clamoring to use it in their collection, including couture and everyday brands. This high demand has forced Chinese manufacturers to begin clearing out natural forests in order to plant more fast-growing bamboo. On top of this, many cultivators are starting to use fertilizers that wouldn’t meet U.S. organic standards in order to increase the yield of their plantations. Additional weeding and tilling of the land in turn leads to increased soil erosion in these areas.

Last but not least, China is currently the only manufacturer of bamboo fabric, making it impossible to look for an alternative, local source for this textile. While bamboo can be easily grown in many areas, there are no factories in North America that have the machines to chemically manufacture bamboo fibres. The Chinese have hundreds of generations of experience in growing bamboo - so far, a number of Americans have begun to try grow their own in their backyard, quickly finding that this tall grass can easily overtake all of their land.

Final thought
To buy or not to buy - that is the question. If you are planning on purchasing bamboo goods, the key is to look for some kind, ANY kind, of certification (though there is yet to be any kind of international standard for bamboo). The natural benefits available within the bamboo plant are wide, but a more sustainable manufacturing process is still needed to make this fabric truly green; til then, your best (and more eco) alternative is still organic cotton.

Victoria Everman is a freelance writer, model, on-camera personality and founder of the San Francisco Craft Mafia.

The BIG 1-0 Jared turns 10!!!!!

Holy cow when did it happen? How did it happen?? Just yesterday I became a mom. Holding the most beautiful little boy in the world. Feeling like I had won the lottery in the great big game of Life. And now I turn around and my baby isn't a baby anymore? Jared is a blessing of the greatest kind. There is no other little boy in the world quite like him and I thank God for him every day. He's warm, caring and so funny at times. He thinks of things deeply and shows me and others around him the beauty and mysteries of life. He's also the one of a kind "dyewizard" who's creations are admired worldwide -we just sent a second shipment to Australia to a fan!
Jared came screaming (me not him) into the world at 11:16pm on April 16th after 4 days of labour. He was HUGE at 8lbs 14oz at least to me. We came home on Saturday and the first visit we made was to my Beppe. It didn't matter to me that I could barely walk from all the stitches -it had to be this way. We still have the pictures that show so clearly the joy his arrival brought to her. My favorite is a picture of their hands together -hers so worn by the world and weary -his firm and strong ready to grab the world with both hands. She left us three months to the day later and eeirly enough his time of birth is her time of death -another reminder of the great circle we all live in.
Today at school was "wacky hair day" -appropriately enough Jared dyed his hair green and purple with some shots of electric blue. He's my handsome boy before and after -check out those beautiful eyes -sigh going to have to beat the girls off with a stick -oh wait too late they're already calling for him constantly. But they're all his "friends" no romance on his part. Don't ask about his soon to be wife or so she informs me -they're going to have bunkbeds and get married at 12 and live with us LOL.
Happy 10th Jared!!!!!!!! You ROCK!

The April Challenge

So here was the challenge issued at Cornerstone Fibres- 4 boxes of easter egg dye, 1 pound of merino/ blend sock yarn and the dyewizard himself Jared - the deal to make 4lots of yarn creating as many colours as he could with the dye tabs. Jared's exact response "so what do I get WHEN I win" -not if you'll note. The result -pictured here. So what do you think -did the dyewizard outdo himself and win the gameboy game he wheeled and dealed for -you be the judges :)

An April Fool Giggle

I could not help myself -I swear the devil made me do it. Jared who is almost 10 is so hard to get up in the mornings-every morning he grumbles and doesn't want to get up. Yesterday being Apri 1st I decided to test a theory about how to get him moving. When I went it in to his room he rolled over and told me he didn't want to get up. I told him it was okay he didn't have to get up as it was a snow day. He LEAPED out of bed and pulled back the curtains all excited. I replied April Fools and now that you're up you can get dressed for school. he looked at me and told me he didn't like me very much. Later on when he got home from school he laughed about it :) Who says grown ups can't have fun with the jokes too.
Happy April Fools Day everyone!

A year of Java

Well time sure does fly. It was a year ago we brought home a new family member "Java". She was the cutest little baby when she was born. She was rescued by Maggie at Maggies Farm along with her sister Tanner. The instant I saw her picture it was love at first sight. I begged and pleaded with Maggie to let me have her and Maggie graciously let me have her. We brought her home from the rabbit show at Fulton and she quickly found her true place as a Parkinson family member. Dog beds -nope not for Java -the couch is much nicer especially if an obliging little girl covers her up with a blanket. She may look like a suck but we have no doubts she would protect unto death her children and family. Unless of course its the vet with a shot for her -then its run behind mommy and shakes and wimpers LOL. So here it is the very first picture I saw of Java and experienced instant love and
heres a picture of her the day she came home and here she is today. notice a trend -she loves to sleep -prefereably with or on somebody.
We LOVE you Java - may we have many more years together.
Life is good and we are blessed.

Our First Sheep (wink)

Well we finally can say we have sheep (laugh) an adopted one that is :) Maggie at Maggies Farm creator of the amazing Bundaflicka Bags is going to put some sheep up for "adoption" - http://www.adoptalambny.blogspot.com/.

The Kids have named him "Whizzaroo" -he's a high percentage Blue faced Leicester -one of mommys favorites to spin. And best of all he got a reprive from the slaughter man for the second time. He's wethered so will produce amazing fleece.
So if you're like me and love fleece but can't have sheep -here's the solution -check it out! And is he not the most handsome little boy you have ever seen -can't you tell I'm in love! He has a look of mischief about him too.
Good luck with this Maggie - I hope all the kids get a good adoptive parent.

Happy Birthday Princess Boopie

Well my babies are growing up way too fast -I've come to accept that -today Lindsay turns 6. What an opinionated little girl she is too don't know where she got that from. She screamed into the world at 4:04 am and has never looked back!
Lindsay birthday is always a happy/sad day for me. I was so thrilled when she arrived safe and sound. My roomate and I had joked the night before about there only being one bassinet in the room. We joked that the one who had the baby last would have to hold the baby all night to sleep. How we regret things later when something happens that makes us stop in our tracks. That morning as I came back to the room Jess came over and cooed over Lindsay and was waiting anxiously to go down to have her own firstborn to hold. That night they brought her back to to the room with the news that her little man had been born completely brain functionless due to doctor error during delivery. Nothing I could say as I watched them wheel her down to say goodbye to her baby - I was holding Lindsay and was struck by how fragile and beautiful life really is. And I wanted the floor to open up and swallow me whole as I looked at her face and read the dreaful loss there. I often think about that little angel up in heaven looking down on his parents with light and love. Happy Birthday Lindsay and Happy Birthday little James Robert. I may not always understand the plan that God has written out for us but I thank him every day for the path he has written for me. And thank his so much for this wonderful bright little girl who makes me laugh, cry and sometimes scream!
I love you baby girl!!

Happy St Patricks Day!

A Paddys Day toast to all of you:

May your lives be filled with Love and Laughter
May you days be full of light
May your friends always be there for you
And may your darkest hour always seem a little bright!

HUGS to all -as Daryl is the only one who would even touch beer let alone green beer the rest of us are toasting with this lovely lime soda! Hey at least its green!!

Bunny pics!

I'm so thrilled with the two last litters out here in snowy and sunny Ontario. the satin angoras are gorgeous -8 shiny and healthy babies from HH's Poppy (broken red) x HH's White Knight (REW) -all coloured and there are three beautiful torts in the bunch -my new favorite satin colour but i have to say the broken tort is pretty spectacular as well. Going to be some hard choices to make.
The French litter is more coloured but just as hard to find one special one -although the blue chinchilla is currently the hands on keeper for body type. The steels are always striking though and the chocolate -yummy.
Just what I need in this white wonderland -COLOUR!!!

Snowed IN!!

Holy cow batman did it snow. We've got over a foot in the driveway. Yuck its March -its spring soon right??
At least inside its bright and cheery. Jared is dyeing away and the colours are bright. he's a happy camper especially as his Rhinelander doe Ursula had three babies Thursday night -not a big litter for this breed (they can have 15 at a time) but enough to make him thrilled -oh please let one be showable!!

Coming up for air

BadBlogger bad... no new post since last month but I've been very busy (smile)bringing in lots of new fibres and goodies for the store. That and dealing with an unhappy 10 year old boy who had to go to the dentist and have three teeth pulled -they're baby teeth fortunately but had to come out. Ouch! Next up is mommy who has to have her wisdom teeth pulled -I figured I needed all the help I could get but the dentist just isn't seeing things my way.
Anyways he's happy now as Tammy from Kalwa Taure Shetlands -http://www.acornrack.com/KalwaTaureShetlands/ dropped off a BIG bag of yummy roving for the dyewizard to create masterpieces with!!! This shetland is lovely and soft and the colours take the dye wonderfully.

Here's some pics of the new stuff here - including dyed silks, black silk (yummy-can't wait to blend with this), dyed and natural fibres and more knitting needles -who knew 600 pairs weren't enough.

HUGS all -now to resist the temptation to hoard and spin all of this stuff!

A lasting tribute of LOVE and fiber

Well its finished and its beautiful. I figured after almost 16 years of picking long black dog hair out of everything I'd never want to see any dog fur again but.....now that scamper is gone I realized what a treasure her fur was. Here is here last underwool (combed out the day she passed) in the centre of my new beret. Surrounded by underwool I gathered from her younger days and finished off with copper satin angora. I treasured her and now I have this lasting gift I'll wear for years to come -and its perfect for these darn COLD Canadian days!

I loved the pattern so much we made two angora berets as well -and the first customer who came in the door today bought BOTH!!! She says her nieces will love having their own BUNNY hats!

A good day!

Zippy ;)

Well I finally figured out what to do with all the leftover angora yarn I have from larger projects -Zippy the bunny (grin)
Zippy is handspun matts/tangles and blending angora (in his case lilac satin angora) all done up just in time for Easter. Some glass buttons finshed him off and I think he's adorable!

Yarn done!!

We'll I've been busy -spinning and knitting and here's some finished work :)
First up the yarns:

Chaos Yarn -fiber provided by Bundaflicka Farms - in a word WONDERFUL - soft soft soft and the colours are amazing. Maggie Blends angora, mohair, llama and Blue faced leicester all from her own animals and it is beautiful. Her website can be found at:
http://www.maggiesfarminc.com/

Locks of Love -black Shetland from Kalwa Taure shetands blended with dyed mohair locks from the stash pile dyed by the dye wizard himself Jared. Tammy raises some beautiful shetlands here in Ontario - Ilove her fiber for my drop spindle classes -soft and lofty and so easy to spin! Tammy's website is:http://www.acornrack.com/KalwaTaureShetlands/Products.php

Angora and Silk Sundae - angora from our own flock, blended with silk -mmmm silk and a hint of wool and then pastel dyed -the glow is amazing!
All the angoras got a haircut early this year and there is lots of raw fiber here if anybody is looking!

Happy Valentines Day to all the loves in our lives

Walk with me, the path of life,
to explore every bend of the road
Enjoy with me the beauty of life,
along its wonderful way

Find comfort with me, in each other's arms,
when grief crosses our path
Find strength with me, in each other's strength,
when despair lies in wait

Laugh with me, a single true laugh,
to enlighten another's distress
Cry with me, a single true tear,
to understand true happiness

Cherish with me, the wonders of life,
as they need to be preserved
Rejoice with me, in the mysteries,
of what is yet to be

Find peace with me, in each other's souls,
when the world has gone insane
Find love with me, in each other's hearts,
until this life has been fulfilled

And when the path comes to an end
I hope we can say from within
We've known the beauty of true love,
our love came from within

Darn Camera malfunction

Well after a meeting today for Daryl and the diability board (he was accepted thank the lord) we headed out to the barn where the rabbits live for a break. I got to see the 8 new satin angoras that are just two weeks old and oh my gosh sooo beautiful. There are three broken reds, two broken torts and 5 different shades of tort in the solids-the rufus modifers are all over the place on these guys. Love it!
I took pictures but it was too cold and the camera batteries didn't hold out. Darn it -the broken torts are AMAZING!!!
We headed out for a "date" as both the kids were in school and had a good old time at the A&W. We talked about the future -Daryl is going to re-train as a machinist -he's so good with tools and loves to build. The good thing is he won't have to work over his head as he does now which is one of the biggest hardships for him. He qualifies as a 2nd year apprentice as a machinist so fingers crossed will be back on the job after a few months off to rest. In the meantime we'll be living on love -unless I get a call back from the job I applied for (garden centre/hydroponic growers) are looking for an office staff personel - they grow year-round organic vegetables and I think it would be awesome to work there :)
Best thing is my baby is feeling better already -his condition is not fun to deal with and stress makes it even worse. He has Myasthenia gravis which can be treated but not easily. He requires twice a month IV treatment at the hospital as well as a range of pills daily. Not fun for a man who is always active.
But we're moving forward not looking back -life is too precious to waste a second.
HUGS to all

A fox in the yard :)

Today as we were cleaning up after the lastest dumping of snow we came out to a really neat sight. A young fox hunting mice in our front yard - as long as he stays out of the rabbit shed he is more than welcome here! And as long as Java(chief patroller and protector of all) doesn't see it. She's become VERY protective of all that is hers.
We were enjoying the bright sunshine after all the darkness lately -Daryl is off work till further notice -his thyroid condition has been acting severely out of whack and between the meds and the doctors appointments it has been too much for him We have an appointment on Friday with the doctor to discuss options -Daryl thinks he'd like to go back to school and train for something less physical but for now its probably disability for him and back to work for me :) Prayers are more than welcome.
Jared came home from school and has been showing us all Yoga that he's taking at recess on Thursdays - breathing exercises are especially good -everybody take a deep breath and smile (ahhhhhh)

The Good and Bad of raising bunnies

Well this week once again showed us the good and bad of having rabbits to raise and show:
The good was harvesting over 100 ounces of angora and the safe arrival of 8 beautiful healthy satin angoras ending a drought of new bunnies in the barn.
The bad was after going out to check on Jared's rhinelander doe she had her babies (4) and promptly left them to die - she didn't clean them up and pulled little fluff. Jared was disapointed but took it in stride. He wants to raise his own rabbit from a baby to show so we'll try again and hopefully he'll get to take one to the fall shows. He LOVES the rhinleanders but they are so hard to find -we have a pair after two years of searching!! They are on the top 10 rare breeds -leave it to my kid to want something different (grin)
Here's a picture of a really nice rhinelander! Now if only I could get one that looks like this for Jared -he's kick butt! They have some of the nicest personalities too -a major plus for a kids rabbit -now if only they had spinable wool :)

Phooey on Winter and on Pictures too ;)

Well was out at the barn today harvesting angora with Peggy -the bunnies were NOT impressed as usual -can't blame them -its bloody cold out there but they are chewing their coats so they have to come off. Decided to get some pictures of the last French angoras we had -here's what the little buck thought of the whole experience -he is no word of a lie sticking his tounge out at me LOL. He's a stunning little buck with attitude to spare :) Thats a keeper if ever I saw one!

New post :)

sorry haven't posted in a bit -I'm trying to teach myself how to knit something new ;) Somebody asked for lamb coats and provided me with the instructions :) Now to make them -wish I could knit like other people I watch but oh no -I'm knitting challenged I'm afraid. Spinning now that I can handle!

Something to think about :)

Old Age, I decided, is gift.

I am now, probably for the first time in my life, the person I have always
wanted to be. Oh, not my body! I sometime despair over my body, the
wrinkles, the baggy eyes, and the sagging butt. And often I am taken aback
by that old person that lives in my mirror (who looks like my mother!), but
I don't agonize over those things for long.

I would never trade my amazing friends, my wonderful life, my loving family
for less gray hair or a flatter belly. As I've aged, I've become more kind
to myself, and less critical of myself. I've become my own friend.

I don't chide myself for eating that extra cookie, or for not making my
bed, or for buying that silly cement gecko that I didn't need, but looks so
avante garde on my patio. I am entitled to a treat, to be messy, to be
extravagant.

I have seen too many dear friends leave this world too soon; before they
understood the great freedom that comes with aging.

Whose business is it if I choose to read or play on the computer until 4 AM
and sleep until noon? I will dance with myself to those wonderful tunes
of the 60&70's, and if I, at the same time, wish to weep over a lost love
... I will. I will walk the beach in a swim suit that is stretched over a
bulging body, and will dive into the waves with abandon if I choose to,
despite the pitying glances from the jet set.
They, too, will get old.

Sure, over the years my heart has been broken. How can your heart not break
when you lose a loved one, or when a child suffers, or even when somebody's
beloved pet gets hit by a car? But broken hearts are what give us strength
and understanding and compassion. A heart never broken is pristine and
sterile and will never know the joy of being imperfect.

I am so blessed to have lived long enough to have my hair turning gray, and
to have my youthful laughs be forever etched into deep grooves on my face.
So many have never laughed, and so many have died before their hair could
turn silver.

As you get older, it is easier to be positive. You care less about what
other people think. I don't question myself anymore. I've even earned the
right to be wrong.

So, to answer your question, I like being old. It has set me free. I like
the person I have become. I am not going to live forever, but while I am
still here, I will not waste time lamenting what could have been, or
worrying about what will be. And I shall eat dessert every single day. (If
I feel like it)

MAY OUR FRIENDSHIP NEVER COME APART ESPECIALLY WHEN IT'S STRAIGHT FROM THE
HEART!

MAY YOU ALWAYS HAVE A RAINBOW OF SMILES ON YOUR FACE AND IN YOUR HEART
FOREVER AND EVER!

FRIENDS FOREVER!

600 pairs of Knitting Needles

Well 2008 has arrived and it brought the first supplier order of 2008 -600 pairs of bamboo knitting needles -I kid you not. These are fabulous quality and the price is great! Circulars, double points, single points and even crochet hooks all in wonderful bamboo -soft on the hands and great to work with. Here's a picture of 1 pair of each of the sizes -don't ask how many boxes there was LOL.
These will be great come spring when the fiber events roll out again! For now they'll sit in the storage boxes I bought after Christmas!

2007-the last post of the year :)

Well as 2007 rolls to a close we take a minute to look back on another year the Lord has given us. Daryl and I are still here together (thank you lord), Jared and Lindsay continue to grow and thrive and we are daily struck with how blessed we are.
We continue to grow as a family together as the days go by. We have suffered the lose of several of those near and dear to us but have welcomed new lives into the ever growing circle we call family and friends.

Life as always threw curves some full of joy -full nestobxes of healthy bunnies, wonderful new fiber opportunities, Jared's triumphant baseball career start, Lindsay growing and changing daily and chances to go places we had never seen but also speedbumps on the way Daryl's health concerns and Jareds learning disabilities but we know we will somehow weather the storm together.

As I sit here listening to the raidio this song came on somehow it brought it all together. So as 2007 prepares to leave us and 2008 awaits with all its wonder and mysteries I leave you with this:

We are born one fine day
Children of God on our way
Mama smiles daddy cries
Miracle before their eyes
They protect us til were of age
Through it all love remains

Boy moves and takes a bride
She stands faithful by his side
Tears and sweat they build a home
Raise a family of their own
They share joy they share pain
Through it all love remains

Kingdoms come and go they dont last
Before you know the future is the past
In spite if whats been lost
Whats been gained we are
Living proof love remains

I dont know baby what I'd do
On this earth without you
We all live we all die
But the end is not goodbye
Seasons come, and seasons change
But through it all, love remains.

An eternal burning flame,
Hope lives on, and love remains.

Happy 2008!!!! May you know all the joys life has to offer you and through it all may you all know you are loved! Blessings on you all!

Helping a friend out Booksale :)

Hi:

A friend of mine is trying to downsize her books before making a big move and has asked me to help :) As she sorts through the piles we'll be posting the books here and on yahoogroups to try to raise some funds for her.
Thans for checking it out!

The Complete Encyclopedia of Stitchery by Mildred
Graves Ryan
More than 1400 Illustrations and 1000 entries =-
Bargello, crewel, Crochet, Embroidering,
Knitting, Macreme, Needlepoint, Rugmaking, Sewing
and Tatting
USED $15


WEaving is Creative
The Weaver Controlled Weaves
268 pages, many photos-some in color.
Jean Wilson
USED $8

Swedish Hand Weaving
Weaving Patterns by Malin Selander
Publisher: Wezata Forlag
Goteborg, Sweden : Wezata Forlag, 1959.
A complete guide. 128 pages. Illus. with
black/white photographs,
drawings and colour plates..
First Edition. Hard Cover. Good/Fair.
USED $75

A Twill of Your Choice
Color and weave effect twills on two to eight
harnesses with computer drawdowns
Paul R. O'Connor
USED $65

The Urban Knitter
Lily M. Chin
a new generation of contemporary designs and
creative inspiration
NEW $10

Feeling blue -not too much going on

Today was just a blah day we had welcomed 13 beautiful german kits to the barn a week ago and today went out to find their mother in a fit of I don't know what had killed all of them. Then had a meeting at the school to find out Jared has been diagnosed as being severely learning disabled especially when it comes to reading (well duh I've been pushing since grade one to have him properly evaluted) -the principals solution ship him away to a Developmental school -NOT!~ We're now looking at alternatives that will keep him home here with us where he belongs! The B***ch had the nerve to insinuate it would be a better enviornment for him. I told her that it could not be better than a loving home with two parents who were commited to help him reach his full potential in life. I wanted to reach across the table and smack this woman -she has no children of her own btw and is very cold -can you tell I'm not fond of her?
Coming home I decided to just sit on the couch and try to wrap my head around these things when Java had a better thought. Funny how that makes us all feel better to have unconditional love. We're heading out for a walk in the snow.

Happy Holidays all -may tomrrow be brighter! And may the darn rabbits grow some brians - I need more fibre!!! LOL

A fiber related cartoon :)

Happy B-day to the love of my life!!!

Well I am technically a day late -but I was busy celebrating with my hubby :) Yesterday the love of my life turned 35. Daryl the best hubby and father in the world -well at last according to me -my opinion is of course heavily biased LOL
but let me tell you men like Daryl and few and far between. Hardworking, loving and giving is my hubby and so tolerant of his wifes crazy endeavours involving fibre and rabbits!

We spent the afternoon and evening at Upper Canada Village for their Allight at Night. We had a romantic carriage ride for two around the village pulled by a beautiful team of matched black Canadian mares Maggie and Fancy and their driver Bill. Bill proudly told us that these girls were the "best" team ever bred at the farm itself. We were surprised to find all animals at the Village are bred and raised there and even spend their retirement at the Village farm down the road. All breeds are "heritage breeds" and are native to Canada. They raise sheep, cattle, hogs, chickens and geese as well there. Very cool! The village also ruins a working woolen mill and grist mill that they sell the products from -of course I loaded up on stone ground flour and wool for spinning (grin)
Finishing it off was a gift basket to take home of fresh baked bread, cheese and sparkling cider all made at the village itself -delicious. Afterwards we had a romantic dinner for two. It was a night we both enjoyed and will talk about for many years to come. The weather even co-operated clear but cold -perfect for snuggling.

Happy B-day Baby - I love you!!!!! I hope and pray for many many more years together with you -you are my knight in shining armour and the other half of my soul.

A Day for Spinning

Today was a great day to just sit and spin and to take it easy -lol with Lindsay home not as easy as it sounds. Still I got to listen to the radio upstairs as the wheel hummed its counterpoint to the melody. I'm awaiting the arrival of three new litters of bunnies! So i think this song pretty much sums it all up:

Today is A Ordinary Miracle Day

It’s not that usual when everything is beautiful
It’s just another ordinary miracle today

The sky knows when its time to snow
You don’t need to teach a seed to grow
It’s just another ordinary miracle today

Life is like a gift they say
Wrapped up for you everyday
Open up and find a way
To give some of your own

Isn’t it remarkable?
Like every time a raindrop falls
It’s just another ordinary miracle today

Birds in winter have their fling
And always make it home by spring
It’s just another ordinary miracle today

When you wake up everyday
Please don’t throw your dreams away
Hold them close to your heart
Cause we are all a part
Of the ordinary miracle

Ordinary miracle
Do you want to see a miracle?

Its seems so exceptional
Things just work out after all
It’s just another ordinary miracle today

The sun comes up and shines so bright
It disappears again at night
It’s just another ordinary miracle today

It’s just another ordinary miracle today

Jared and his new sidekick

Jared has a new buddy hanging out with him these days -his cousin Brianne or Bri for short. Jared was very angry with Bri yesterday and exclaimed "Brianne I don't know your middle name Parkinson, you are so in trouble". I had to laugh. He's so darn cute sometimes.

Family fun day:)

Sunday we took the kids to the McLachlan Woodworking Museum near here -they were hosting a a Pioneer Chrsitmas day.

http://www.cityofkingston.ca/visitors/museums/maclachlan/index.asp

We had a great time -lots to see and do and I picked up some great craft ideas for school tours and demos. It was well worth the drive. The museum is on the site of the Kingston Sheep Dog Trials as well so if you care coming up this way in the summer take the time to visit there. Took a quick pic of the family -is my hubby not the handsomest man :) Although there is another very good looking young man in the photo too Jared and then there is the Diva in residence Lindsay -who did not want her picture taken as her hair was not perfect LOL.

Bright colours on a icy wintery day

"Well the weather outside is frightful but the colours here are delightful" -okay I'll stop singing now my dog is covering her ears LOL.
Jared has been loose again and he is as always amazing! Here's the latest batch 6 - 8ounce lots of corriedale dyed to perfection by the dye wizard himself.

Drop spindle Class -Sucess!

Well I taught my first drop spindle class at the local yarn shop today :) 8 new spinners have been born! Evil laugh - I have struck again heeheehee!
Took two orders for 8 ounces of handspun angora as two people wish to recreate my angora scarf for themselves :) Good thing they both wanted white and black -the german/giant kids are happy to produce lots and lots of fiber.
Also got another order for Jazzy Jared -a local knitter there dropped off 2lbs of her romney yarn to be dyed by the dye wizard himself -busy busy kid!
Of course some blond forgot to put the batteries in her digital camera before heading over but one of the students has promised to send me some of her pics.

Thank you to all our Soldiers past. present and future!

We thank you for the sacrifices you have made to keep us all safe. We mourn with those who have lost their loved ones. We celebrate our freedom. We pray someday there will be peace between all.
Thank you!

Halloween pics at long last

Well I did take the pictures on time this year but due to an unforseen emergency (some blond idiot breaking two fingers on her left hand) the blog is seriously out of date!

Here's the kids on Halloween -Java was proud of her t-shirt that was so her "why be difficult -when you can be impossible", Lindsay was a snow lepoard and Jared was as always my little knight in shinging armour :)
We even dressed our niece Brie up as she came to visit before the tricks and treats started.