Winter's Breath

Winter is finally starting to show its face around here. A few snow flakes are just starting to drift down from a cold grey sky.

Holly-Days - Just in time for some winter spinning, and in the Giffordables shop at www.giffordables.etsy.com  now. The fleece washing, dyeing, and carding continue. Will be updating the shop with more batts, locks, and more fiber soon.

Knitting on the Acid Green Skull socks continues. Hope to have this sock, off the needles soon. So many other things to do this time of year.

Brrr...Bundle up, and keep warm everyone.

Hope you all get to enjoy the long extended weekend that is coming soon!

Frost is in the Air

There is a chill in the air today as fall winds down, and soon will turn to winter.

 I just finished drum carding up some Fall Harvest batts.  Will be listed in the www.giffordables.etsy.com shop soon.

Also just finished this handspun shawl. Should be warm and toasty to wear this winter.

Bundle up, and keep warm  for the rest of this cool fall day.

It's Coming!

Last Winter's view from my Window

It won't be long before we are looking at Snow again.  Brr....  Some have already had a big dose of  the white stuff. So far we have been lucky, and it's above normal temps for today. But... its coming.

Thought I would share one of my favorite Cardinal photos of last year. The birds are already gathering in anticipation of the railing full of birdseed.

We both win on that one - they are fed, full, and happy, and I have a lovely closeup view of wildlife to enjoy as I gaze out the window while I knit or spin.

Winter is coming. Are you ready?

WHAT HAPPENED TO SPRING?

           Winter has returned, and the boys have the right idea. Snuggle in for a long winter's nap.

It was a good day to soak up the ray's through the window, and spin.

The week just flew by !

Have a good weekend everyone!

LUCK O' THE IRISH

Winter does not seem to want to let go! Letting the cat out into the still dark, frigid, early morning air, I noticed the icy white crust on the deck boards.  Brr... Needless to say - Kitty did not last long out there, before he was pawing the door to get back in.

The knitting and spinning continues to bring a much needed shot of color and warmth into the cold, snowy days as I impatiently wait for spring to finally arrive.

 One of the groups I belong to is a Mystery Knitting group. I have really enjoyed knitting along, getting the clues each week. Since it is March, I was feeling in an Irish mood with St Patty's Day coming up soon, and decied to use some of my green handspun. I had some washed merino and bfl locks in the stash. I dyed them along with some angora, and silk noil in a variety of green shades. I also carded in some cashmere for added softness. After spinning a 2 ply fingering wt. yarn, I finally cast on. I have made some progress, and it's a interesting pattern. Could it be a cowl? Maybe a hat? Not sure yet. Will post photos later as I get a little further along.

February's mystery pattern is done, and it was this fun, chunky neck scarf.  Shades of blue and natural shetland were washed, carded and spun into a 2 ply worsted weight.

 The pattern is Shizuku by Angela Tong. The name of the scarf means drops or tear drop in Japanese. Very easy knit and flew right along. Love the "Dingleballs" around the edge. At least that's what came to my mind when I started to knit this scarf. I think I'll have to make a few more.

Cotton candy  - The Sweet Shop - March Phatfiber Box

Samples are done and at Phatfiber headquarters. I made up a few for the shop at http://www.giffordables.etsy.com/  just in case you don't get one in your box. Also in the shop are some larger blended batts of Cotton Candy with some extra sugar sparkle.

Checkout:  http://phatfiber.blogspot.com/ for more info about the fun Phatfiber box.

Well the weekend is almost upon us, and here's hoping yours is a good one!

WINTER'S LAST BREATH

WINTER

It can't end soon enough to suit me!

The weather channel said that we will have above normal temps starting next week.

Temperatures are supposed to hit the mid 40's.

Crack out those swimsuits, girls - it's gonna be a heatwave!

ON A WINTER'S DAY

                               

                                   View from my window, as I knit through this winter's day. The lake is frozen, snow is coming down, and it's so...cold. I wish this deep freeze - we are in would stop. I would love a nice heat wave of the 40's.

Knitting away on my Cowgirl Slipper Socks, while snuggling in with the doggies, and kitties. It is a quick and easy pattern from the Interweave Knits - Winter 2006 issue. I am using a hand spun two ply of shetland, alpaca, and angora. So soft and fuzzy, they will make a great pair of TV, or bed slippers. I am already thinking about what hand spun, I will choose, to cast on for the next pair.

Off to do alittle bird watching and knitting.

Enjoy the Day! 

FEATHERED FRIENDS

   The birds continue to feast off the railing, as the snow gently falls. We have been lucky so far, and this is the first real snow. We might have enough to stick through tomorrow.

Some of the geese, stay for the winter.

BRR...THE WATER'S COLD!

Brr... it's freezing outside! There are a pair of ducks, right off my dock. The water is so... cold, I don't know how they can stand it. It won't be long before the lake ices over, if this unusual cold snap continues.

LONG...WINTER'S NAP AND PHATFIBER

SEASON'S OF LIGHT- NOVEMBER PHATFIBER BOX

Just look at all the goodies!

more below

A chill is in the air and the boy's are curled up for a nap together. They know winter is on the way and have started spending more and more time indoors snoozing.


Our old grey Smokey is a normal sized cat and I think he huddles close to Spook- my gentle giant - to keep warm.

HOME FOR THE HOLIDAY'SFrosty Icelandic fleece, wrapped in ribbons of ruby red, and emerald green shetland/rambouillet lamb fleece. Topped with fluffs of white cotton drifts, and glittery ruby red, emerald green, and vintage gold angelina.
A fun Holiday spin.

MusicBox is the theme for the December Phatfiber box and I'm busy washing, dyeing, and carding fleece for the box. I've got a pretty good head start.

COLOR TOUR

Silky Bfl roving

All the leaves were bright and light when I decided on my contribution to the November Phatfiber box, one of my favorite times of year. I just listed a few in the shop http://www.giffordables.etsy.com/

Season's of Light - November Phatfiber box. I finally found some time to post photos of my box.

Yummy fiber, yarns, patterns, and stitch-markers. Love it all as usual.

Now to find some time to spin the fiber and knit the yarn.


Busy... busy... busy... hope to find some time during the holiday to enjoy some of the wonderful boxes that I have.
Remember to click on the photo to enlarge for a good look at all the goodies.

Here is a shout out to all the wonderful contributor's in the

SEASON'S OF LIGHT- PHATFIBER BOX

http://www.skyloomweavers.com/ - Harvest-merino roving

http://www.allforloveofyarn.etsy.com/ -Star Light-tussah silk

http://www.mamajudes.etsy.com/- O CHRISTMAS TREE- lot's of yummy fiber's in this one. All plant dyed and cute tree lights included.

http://spinfusion.etsy.com/ - Aneira - Welsh-meaning Snow. Falkland wool, and angelina

http://catawampus.etsy.com/ - Main Harvest Moon-kid mohair, romney, alpaca, angelina

http://www.fleecemakers.etsy.com/ - REFLECTIONS- A beautiful blend of fibers- to name a few finn, merino, cormo. Very yummy.

http://thedyeingarts.com/ - Aurora Borealis- Oh....so....soft...Baby camel, and tussah silk sliver

http://www.hippiepenguinfibers.etsy.com/ - Diwali-hand pulled roving-merino,firestar, silk, and more....

http://www.knittink.etsy.com/ - League of Extraordinary Gentlemen-Faux Cashmere, and Firestar, and a key charm. Soft..

http://rockymountaindyeworks.com/ - Mt.Sparrowhawk Sock- superwash merino

http://www.fiberfancy.etsy.com/ - Twinkling Teal Lights-extrafine Merino

http://www.rebelyarn.etsy.com/ - Light of Day -Silk noil fine yarn- beautiful!

http://www.dyetyarns.com/ - Sockolate Mousse-merino/cashmere/nylon-fingering wt yarn

http://www.atreehuggerswife.etsy.com/ - Aurora Borealis-merino-fingering yarn

http://www.taddiebeeknitting.etsy.com/ - Brooks brothers-luxury upcycled yarn

http://www.lampyridae.etsy.com/ - beautiful stitch marker with a shiny butterfly

http://www.4stitchmeknot.artfire.com/ - smooth stitch marker rings

http://www.bitsyknits.com/ - Evening Star-Beaded Wristlets pattern

http://www.ravelry.com/stores/katherine-vaughan-designs -EYDI FICHU- small shawl pattern

Thanks to everyone in the Season's of Light - November Phatfiber box.

For more information about the box or latest news go to http://phatfiber.blogspot.com/

Winter Nap

Wind is blowing and the snow is falling. The furballs know when it's good to get cozy and snuggle in.