Oh, What a Month!

Deb Menz came over.  It was really hot so I got her a hotel room.  We had sleepovers.

 She taught a bit from the floor because i don;t have an easel and she's a good sport.

All the people worked really hard.

Then there was the assembly which took almost a full day!

 These are all of the dye books before they were books.

It was amazing.  We did 380 samples in 2 days of dying.  Well, not really we...mostly they.

I was so happy to finally get Deb to come and play with us.  I think it was 2 years of begging to get her to agree to come.  During the class she told us this would be the last time she would teach this class and there will only be two more opportunities to take a class with her before she moves on to other things.  I can't believe how lucky we were to get such a fantastic teacher before she stops teaching!

In other news...5 days before Deb arrived, Chelsea had her baby. 

This is the baby before we left the hospital.  She is darling and so tiny.

 I made her this little sweater that doesn't fit her yet...I should block it.

The day after Deb left I headed out to the western side of the state for 4 days of classes.  I taught a total of 7 classes at the Michigan Fiber Festival.  It was great fun.  My problem is that I forget to take pictures when I am teaching. So I bring you these two:

 snacks at the festival

and a really cute Tunis sheep

While I was at the festival I bought 2 sheep skins.  One from a Romney sheep and one from a Wensleydale.  I'll take a couple of photos and post them later this week for your enjoyment.  I now have those plus a Coopworth, an Icelandic lamb and one from Ikea that I don't know the breed.  I use them mostly for sitting on but I'm not sure that will be the fate of the Wensleydale.

 And this is a photo of my single treadle Matchless.  I get it signed by every teacher who comes to teach at my shop.  There is still plenty of room.

So that was my month.  How was yours?

I am in love...

 

And her name is Jacey Boggs.  I think she is smart and also pretty.

She came over, cause I invited her, and she taught us how to make really pretty yarns.  Friday, we had six hours of corespinning in her class called Soft Core Spinning.

She's magical. 

 And entertaining.

 Saturday was Boucle all day.  Those yarns above are Jacey's.

 These are her boucle swatches.

 This is some discarded boucle from a disgruntled student...it got better.

Boucle in progress a la Jillian Moreno of Spinning Tuesdays on the Knitty Blog and Knittyspin editor extraodinaire.  (if you didn't know about Knittyspin you aren't spending enough time with Knitty)

 This is my boucle.  the one on the right was my first yarn of the day.  I got better and learned what it really takes to get those little circles.

 Sunday was cables and crepes.  I worked all day really hard and forgot to take photos.  But here are some sample yarns I made in different thicknesses. 

 I made this one too.  It was not right but I think it's pretty anyway.  I needed more twist in my singles.

 At the end we made some supercoils and plied them.  It's kind of a crepe.  I'm making a necklace and bracelet from these.  I show ya when I'm done.  I've already been to the beads store.

 Also, sheep.

 Border Cheviot

 Clun Forest

 and a peacock

some cutie patootie donkeys

and a little closer spotted donkey.  So cute.  

Tons going on right now.  Deb Menz in a little over a week and then the Michigan Fiber Festival.  there are a couple of my classes that still have room.  You can still sign up!

Also, Amy King in September.  Why didn't you sign up yet.  It's gonna be great fun!  Check out the class descriptions here.