narcissus

Narcissus...ancient flower...gazing into its own reflection...

the story related at length by Ovid..about the son of Cephissus and the blue nymph Liriope of Thespiae....

still more stories tell us the bulbs were carried by Roman soldiers who consumed them when mortally wounded, to quickly end the suffering...

the rabbits, the deer, the squirrel never eat them...how do they know?

validation celebration

It has been almost a week since the MAPACA Jubilee show...and I'm still walking on air. What a fantastic show! It was an amazing experience for me, and I am so grateful that I had an opportunity to attend!

There is so much hard work that goes on behind the scenes...take a look at this great video that was posted to Youtube if you want an idea of how it is done.

There is cause to celebrate when hard work pays off!

A blue ribbon or first place prize goes to this stole that I made, but it really belongs to many others...remember this piece? Allspice deserves a little credit for growing such beautiful fiber....and of course Finca Alta Vista Farms deserves congratulations for raising such beautiful Alpacas ...

Another garment from my needles and another blue ribbon ...so I think of sharing it with Agnieszka Rupnik, ...without her skillfully designed pattern, I would not have knit the scarf.

When my handspun skeins took first place, I thought of Fred Hatton. Had he not restored my Great Wheel/Spindle Wheel, I would not have been able to make yarn with it...and Lisa Chan, who made a Russian Style Supported Spindle and set me down the path of exploring the fine yarns that can be created with them.

The Judges Choice Award....a very, very happy moment .... A validation that I'm doing something right. That all of the above mentioned people who have contributed to this skein are doing something right! Hard work paying off. It assures me that yarn is more than "just yarn". It holds soul and spirit and energy.

During the Saturday evening events...I had so much fun seeing one of my own pieces "walk" down the runway during the fashion show...this shawlette was once an idea in my mind..sketches on paper.. and there it was... on a model with the lights and the music with narration...

I had a surreal moment of remembering it when it a little cria fleece on my spindle..

yep...you never know what yarn will become when it grows up!

thanks Alan, I had a great time! Long Live the Small Farm!

fo & ready to go

Another lace scarf from Allspice is off the needles, blocked and ready for sale at the upcoming MAPACA Jubilee next weekend. I'm still working up a hat, but not sure I will finish it by the time I leave.

Today, I am making travel plans for the wheel that I will present on. What a beautiful Great Wheel with some special details!...I am grateful that Fred Hatton finished working on it in time for the show. (Thanks Fred!)

It is made from Oak...

...notice the unusual horn collar on the head-post...

it also features these beautiful turnings on the spokes...

...I took the wheel for a test drive on Friday, and I enjoyed the ride!

My favorite part of this wheel is the tensioning device, cleverly crafted, isn't it?

This wheel is for sale, if you would like to see it in action, head over to the MAPACA Jubilee at the PA Farm Complex in Harrisburg, April 8-10.... I'd be happy to let you take it for a spin ;-)

april fool

The fox sparrow arrives from the south...

only to fall victim to nature's April Foolery.