Saturday, 28 April, 2012
Alberta Team Spring Bling Sale
The Alberta Etsy Team is having a SPRING BLING sale! There are loads of savings to be had on all kinds of merchandise. You can check out our Alberta Street Team Blog for a list of all participating shops. Sale runs from April 27th - May 3rd 2012. The Wacky Windmill is taking part and offering 15% off all items in the shop. Enter coupon code WACKY15 to save!!
Saturday, 31 March, 2012
What's the Buzz?
Well, I know I have been an absentee blogger the past couple of months, but I am going to do my best to share a little more often! Some exciting news in my world is that a small selection of my yarns are now available at a retail location in Medicine Hat called:
I'm not sure if I have any readers from the Medicine Hat area but I thought I would share with you about a really wonderful artists collective down there called The Hive. I was approached a while ago by resident artist Kim Wilson of Arte Viviente to see if I would be interested in selling some of my yarns in The Hive's retail shop. Feel free to check out her Indie Love page to see some of the other artists selling goods at The Hive. I got the yarns all delivered to Medicine Hat on Tuesday and got to check out the place! It is really a cool idea that they have. All the items in their shop are handcrafted! They had everything from wonderful jewellry from various artisans, to hand made harps and didgeridoos! They have stuffed sock monkeys, unique paintings & drawings, pottery, felted items by artists like La Tatine & Enrapt, upcycled birdhouses...I'm sure I'm missing a bit but it was all so beautiful and nice to meet some of the artists behind it all. The artist who makes the didgeridoos (Kevin Werre) was there and even played a couple of them for us (a few friends took the trip down with me), and we totally enjoyed the entertainment!! There are several studios on the premises where you can watch the in house artists at work and talk to them about their craft. I feel like my yarns will be in good hands. Now I just have to wait and see if they sell! If you are in Medicine Hat, I would highly recommend checking it out!! Here's a picture of the yarns I brought down there in case anyone is interested.
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| 569 2nd Street SE Medicine Hat, Alberta (403) 504-5371 |
I'm not sure if I have any readers from the Medicine Hat area but I thought I would share with you about a really wonderful artists collective down there called The Hive. I was approached a while ago by resident artist Kim Wilson of Arte Viviente to see if I would be interested in selling some of my yarns in The Hive's retail shop. Feel free to check out her Indie Love page to see some of the other artists selling goods at The Hive. I got the yarns all delivered to Medicine Hat on Tuesday and got to check out the place! It is really a cool idea that they have. All the items in their shop are handcrafted! They had everything from wonderful jewellry from various artisans, to hand made harps and didgeridoos! They have stuffed sock monkeys, unique paintings & drawings, pottery, felted items by artists like La Tatine & Enrapt, upcycled birdhouses...I'm sure I'm missing a bit but it was all so beautiful and nice to meet some of the artists behind it all. The artist who makes the didgeridoos (Kevin Werre) was there and even played a couple of them for us (a few friends took the trip down with me), and we totally enjoyed the entertainment!! There are several studios on the premises where you can watch the in house artists at work and talk to them about their craft. I feel like my yarns will be in good hands. Now I just have to wait and see if they sell! If you are in Medicine Hat, I would highly recommend checking it out!! Here's a picture of the yarns I brought down there in case anyone is interested.
Sunday, 1 January, 2012
Join in on Crafting Resolutions for 2012!!
Hi there everyone! Happy New Year!!!!
I have been busy today taking photos, making labels, and listing over 25 new items in the shop! Here is a picture of a full selection of the items listed.
Tomorrow I plan to dye up some yarn and spend some time relaxing in front of the television and contemplating my crafting goals for 2012. Do you have a 2012 to do list? If so, I would love to hear what you have planned. Want someone to help cheer you on and motivate you to get through all of it? Check out my new thread in the Wacky Windmill group on Ravelry where you can join me along with anyone else who wants to participate in setting some Crafting Resolutions for 2012! The winner of this event will get $75 worth of merchandise from my shop! (Winners Choice!!!)
Come on by and share your plans! I look forward to playing along with you.
I have been busy today taking photos, making labels, and listing over 25 new items in the shop! Here is a picture of a full selection of the items listed.
Tomorrow I plan to dye up some yarn and spend some time relaxing in front of the television and contemplating my crafting goals for 2012. Do you have a 2012 to do list? If so, I would love to hear what you have planned. Want someone to help cheer you on and motivate you to get through all of it? Check out my new thread in the Wacky Windmill group on Ravelry where you can join me along with anyone else who wants to participate in setting some Crafting Resolutions for 2012! The winner of this event will get $75 worth of merchandise from my shop! (Winners Choice!!!)
Come on by and share your plans! I look forward to playing along with you.
Thursday, 29 December, 2011
I Call Her B.B.
Some of you might already know that my husband got me a new spinning wheel for Christmas. When I started spinning earlier this year, I didn't think that I would enjoy it half as much as I do. This year I spun up 43 skeins of yarn and I only started at the end of May!! That's a lot of time spent behind the wheel considering that I also work full time. I got my first wheel in May. A Lendrum DT (a.k.a Neddie) and I absolutely adore it. So easy to work with, and she's great for anything from lace-weight to super bulky and funky art yarns.
What I couldn't understand when I started out spinning is why anyone would want more than one wheel. Now after having done this for a while I understand that spinning wool and using wheels can be just as addictive as any other fibre activity. Learning how to spin has deeply immersed me into the fibre world. What started out as a hobby has turned into an online business that I love and really enjoy. My new wheel is an Ashford Traveller which I ordered from Joanne Block of Homespun Angoras. A great lady who makes up some beautiful handspun angora yarns. Be sure and check out her shop if you get the chance.
The wheel came to me looking like this:
It was all in pieces and unstained, so I stained it a beautiful colour called Bombay Mahogany. Here she is all stained and put together!
I've named her my Bombay Beauty and call her B.B. for short. I've already spun and plied 2 skeins of yarn on her and think she's great!!
Here are my finished items:
SW BFL from Two if By Hand in their Fiber Zombies colourway,
What I couldn't understand when I started out spinning is why anyone would want more than one wheel. Now after having done this for a while I understand that spinning wool and using wheels can be just as addictive as any other fibre activity. Learning how to spin has deeply immersed me into the fibre world. What started out as a hobby has turned into an online business that I love and really enjoy. My new wheel is an Ashford Traveller which I ordered from Joanne Block of Homespun Angoras. A great lady who makes up some beautiful handspun angora yarns. Be sure and check out her shop if you get the chance.
The wheel came to me looking like this:
It was all in pieces and unstained, so I stained it a beautiful colour called Bombay Mahogany. Here she is all stained and put together!
Here are my finished items:
SW BFL from Two if By Hand in their Fiber Zombies colourway,and BFL dyed by me in my Frankenfluff colourway.
Now time for me to get back to my spinning!!
Saturday, 17 December, 2011
My First Time...
Well, it finally happened...
I got out the clippers, the scissors, the comb and sheared Suzuki for the first time!! She was a very good bunner throughout the whole process. We took a short break halfway through because she very politely hopped onto my lap and was looking anxiously down at the floor. She hopped around for a while with her skirt on looking like this:
Then we got back to business. I think I ended up looking more like a rabbit in the end than she did. I had rabbit fluff everywhere!!! I didn't get as much prime fibre as I had hoped. Lots of second cuts which I'm thinking I'll felt into something nice. We'll see what I end up making! I think next time I might let Suzi's wool grow a little longer so that I can have a little more to work with until I get more experienced shearing her. Here's a picture of her all finished up. I think she's cute despite having a silly haircut. I left her ear tufts long because I like them.
I think she was relieved when we were done because she hopped her little bunny self to the litter box as soon as I let her go. Now, if you'll all excuse me I have a hot date with the angora rabbit owners best friend:
I got out the clippers, the scissors, the comb and sheared Suzuki for the first time!! She was a very good bunner throughout the whole process. We took a short break halfway through because she very politely hopped onto my lap and was looking anxiously down at the floor. She hopped around for a while with her skirt on looking like this:
Then we got back to business. I think I ended up looking more like a rabbit in the end than she did. I had rabbit fluff everywhere!!! I didn't get as much prime fibre as I had hoped. Lots of second cuts which I'm thinking I'll felt into something nice. We'll see what I end up making! I think next time I might let Suzi's wool grow a little longer so that I can have a little more to work with until I get more experienced shearing her. Here's a picture of her all finished up. I think she's cute despite having a silly haircut. I left her ear tufts long because I like them.
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| The Lint Roller |
Wednesday, 30 November, 2011
And a Partridge in a...hmmm!
Tomorrow morning it is going to be December! That means that it is getting closer to Christmas time and all the seasonal fun that comes with it. Most people are decorating and rushing around doing last minute shopping at this time of year. Personally I plan to start decorating tomorrow beginning with a new tree. I have a teeny little guy I inherited from a friend many years ago and I think its time to upgrade. As for the shopping part...I like shopping for fiber to make pretty things for the people I love. I also love giving fiber goodies to my fiber loving friends!
I was discussing with some great ladies the other day how despite being able to dye/spin/blend just about any fiber or yarn combination that I could dream up, I still really enjoy buying from other fiber artists. There are so many different color schemes out there and some people just have way different ideas than I do. In light of all that, I've decided to join a co-operative of some amazing indie dyers who work together to promote each others' shops. I'm presently a trial member which I think is great for proving that you are motivated and willing to work as part of the group beforehand. What I'd like to do is introduce you all to the present Fiber Indie eXperience Co-op sellers, or the FIX Chix as they commonly call themselves!
Right now the official members are:
icandyarn (etsy) & icandyarn
yarndemon & yarndemon
fancykitty & fancykitty
littlemonkeysns & LittleMonkeysStitchnSpin
bluemtnhandcrafts & bluemountainhandcrafts
sarahkatefibers
knottiegirldesigns
camelshoppe
lmsstudioarts
hermanhillsknittery
bumblebeeacres & bumblebeeacres
and along with TheWackyWindmill 2 other shops that are currently participating in the next FIX Chix giveaway! They are: babester & (MadamFluffy) AKA Ozark Carding Mill
Not only do I get to be in the fine company of these wonderful fiber artists, you can also get in on the fun!! If you purchase items from any of the shops listed above, you qualify to enter into a draw for a $65 gift certificate which can also be used at any of the participating shops. The draw date will be at the end of December, just in time for that post Christmas slump when the wallet is all empty and sad looking. To take part in this all you need to do is purchase from one of the shops mentioned above (The Wacky Windmill is included). Then if you already aren't a member join The Fiber-Indie-eXperience-Co-op on Ravelry. Go to the thread listed as ALL: December FIX Drawing Entries and enter the requested info there. You get one entry per invoice and the more shops you visit the more likely it is that you will win!!
If you like free prizes then this is definitely for you!
Happy shopping & I hope you enjoy yourselves!
Oh Yeah!!! And as promised.......the partridge(s)
I was discussing with some great ladies the other day how despite being able to dye/spin/blend just about any fiber or yarn combination that I could dream up, I still really enjoy buying from other fiber artists. There are so many different color schemes out there and some people just have way different ideas than I do. In light of all that, I've decided to join a co-operative of some amazing indie dyers who work together to promote each others' shops. I'm presently a trial member which I think is great for proving that you are motivated and willing to work as part of the group beforehand. What I'd like to do is introduce you all to the present Fiber Indie eXperience Co-op sellers, or the FIX Chix as they commonly call themselves!
Right now the official members are:
icandyarn (etsy) & icandyarn
yarndemon & yarndemon
fancykitty & fancykitty
littlemonkeysns & LittleMonkeysStitchnSpin
bluemtnhandcrafts & bluemountainhandcrafts
sarahkatefibers
knottiegirldesigns
camelshoppe
lmsstudioarts
hermanhillsknittery
bumblebeeacres & bumblebeeacres
and along with TheWackyWindmill 2 other shops that are currently participating in the next FIX Chix giveaway! They are: babester & (MadamFluffy) AKA Ozark Carding Mill
Not only do I get to be in the fine company of these wonderful fiber artists, you can also get in on the fun!! If you purchase items from any of the shops listed above, you qualify to enter into a draw for a $65 gift certificate which can also be used at any of the participating shops. The draw date will be at the end of December, just in time for that post Christmas slump when the wallet is all empty and sad looking. To take part in this all you need to do is purchase from one of the shops mentioned above (The Wacky Windmill is included). Then if you already aren't a member join The Fiber-Indie-eXperience-Co-op on Ravelry. Go to the thread listed as ALL: December FIX Drawing Entries and enter the requested info there. You get one entry per invoice and the more shops you visit the more likely it is that you will win!!
If you like free prizes then this is definitely for you!
Happy shopping & I hope you enjoy yourselves!
Oh Yeah!!! And as promised.......the partridge(s)
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| These little guys were just hanging out on the front lawn the other day! So Cute!! |
Thursday, 17 November, 2011
It's Market Time Again
Hi there everyone. I just wanted to let you know that I am going to be at the Lethbridge Market again on Nov 19th as well as next Saturday Nov 26th. The Market runs from 10am - 3pm and is held indoors at the Eagles Hall (lower hall). The address for those who are interested is: 631 13th Street N.I am carrying some new yarn and fiber bases if you want to check them out. Also new to the shop is Soak fiber wash products and Drop Spindles from Louet. I will be bringing a selection of both with me to the market.
There are lots of other great vendors at the market so if you want to get in some early holiday shopping drop on by. To check out the vendor listing or for more information just click the link: Lethbridge Market
Hope to see you there!!
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