it's all about the sheep - almost

Summer break is in full swing.

The weather is splendid and perfect for daily dips in the pool. Breakfast is outside. Allways.
We stay up late and sleep in.
The kids have playdates. Almost every day.
The cats are happy, because everyone is around.

I went on my first run on the trails. Don't ask.

But it is just as beautiful as ever.

We went on a great little trip to Las Golondrinas and ran into their first ever Fiber Fest. Lots of yarn, spinning fibers and fiber related activities, including sheep shearing.

If I had to imagine a sheep shearer, he'd have to look like this gentleman, don't you agree?

Of course I could not resist and came home with more fibers, some of it I've already spun - I think even though it is just a picture, you can tell how soft this is - 100% angora fibers!

The knitting has slowed down tremendously since I'm back from Germany, three cardigans finished there, just buttons to add and I am thrilled about possibly adding some of Mary's latest creations!

I am still able to work a few stitches every day, so the next fluffyness is growing.

Also did I start sewing the "green line" dresses, where recycled fabric skirts are added on to handknit tops.

The idea to use recycled women's garment was born through my sweet Fiona's wish/demand for flowy, drapy skirts. It called for rayon fabric, but that is very hard/near impossible to find in stores. However, a lot of woman's dresses or skirts, produced f.ex. in India, are made from rayon fabric and are easily available in thrift stores, if you are willing to spend some time and effort to search, clean and reconstruct.

Usually I tend to accumulate a stash of dresses/skirts and dress tops (most of those knitted by my mom) before I start playing with different colors and patterns and try various combinations of skirts and tops, fun and definitely my favorite part in the whole process.

This is the first dress of the season.

What can I say... thank you, Goodwill!

But guess what...

I had a playdate, too.

While I was in Germany my friend Amber bought fluff - fleeces straight from the sheep, Rambouillet and Rambouillet cross, and yesterday we had our first go with the fine, soft, crimpy, smelly, greasy fluff that came from Princess. What a suitable name for the first ever bought fleece!

We worked on the husband's new ping pong table in the garage and it took us a bit over two joyful hours to sort through everything. - One fleece of four that is.

We planned to go for the next one in a week.

Earl, that'll be you!

Home, sweet home

I feel like this every time I come home from a long vacation. It feels so good to be back to this view, the garden, the sunny weather, the light. Not to mention husband and little fuzzy friends, who had to stay at home.

Germany was fun. It always is.

There was lots of quality time to be spent with our wonderful and generous Oma, and the rest of the family.

As usual the weather was sometimes nice and sunny, good enough to enjoy outings to the lake.

And sometimes it was not so nice - the worst being a hail storm.

One summer ritual is Lewis' spending time in and cleaning my brother's garden pond.



Most of all he loves hunting down the critters in the water, like dragonfly larvae and these little guys:

They look like they might be related to lizards, but live in the water with cute little webbed feet and a flattened tail. Do you know what the "Molch" might be called in English?

Then there was the knitting. Lots of it. And lots of new Lana Grossa yarns, resulting from too many visits to my favorite yarn shop, the "Wollmaedchen" in Alzenau.

I have yet to take some decent pictures of the finished projects, so for now just a sneak peek.

There was also a much inspiring visit to my friend Rosi and her beautiful studio in Frankfurt. If you should ever need a gorgeous one-of-a-kind dress, tailored to your body from the most superb and elegant fabrics for --- say a dinner with the president, then she should be the person to consult! If you need to get in touch with her/the couture atelier, let me know.

And this is it for today.

Again, and I can't say it often enough, it's good to be home.

taking off

My intentions were good. Pictures of the boy's birthday and Elementary Graduation, flowers on "my" trails, new knits and the first finished handspun skein of my blues.

Instead I am packing for our trip to Germany, helping with preparations for the Graduation, doing last minute laundry, and what not else.

So, let me just wish you good summer days until I'll be back mid June.

Take care, friends!

flash back

Salinas Pueblo, New Mexico.
Have I mentioned yet how much I love New Mexico?



So many beautiful places to visit.

The kids never really want to go, but they always end up having lots of fun.

We had a picknick, too!

A good day.

a few things of importance (or not)

I love having my mom here for Mother's Day.

I always try to give her a special gift, that I have made myself. This year it is a necklace and a bracelet.

Way back when I was little I loved picking flowers for her.

Lilacs were the flowers that my father would cut for her on Mother's Day. As far as I remember he did that every year.

Before I became a mother myself I picked a light green sofa. - Can you imagine?!

I've always wanted to be a mom.

It is much tougher than I thought it would be.

It is much more rewarding than I expected, too, I mean, really, check out the breakfast in bed I got last year!

To all the awesome women in my life, I wish you all a very happy Mother's Day, Moms or not!

P.S.

I can't help it, I have to show you Fizzy!

He did awesome and we are so proud of him!

red, pink and green

Time flies when you are busy doing fun stuff, like watching your son sing a solo as Fizzy in Bugsy Malone, his final Elementary School musical, going thriftstore digging with your favorite hunting buddy (my mom!) and participating in the Run for the Zoo.
But then there is the dark side, when you try hard not to be too grumpy, because you missed the Maryland Sheep and Wool Fair AGAIN, while other people, like Mary leisurely indulge in that fantastic event ($$+^%&^$&^**@) and get to enjoy some high quality fiber shopping time!
~~~sigh~~~


But I have been playing, too.
I had opened one of the cupboards in the laundry room and "found" some left over acid dyes, so speedyquick did I get the dye crockpot from the garage and went for it.
I gathered some of my recycled woolen fabrics for rug hooking and some plain beige singles wool yarn.





I added some fresh dyes, working in the kitchen as usual, and thinking a lot of Cathy of the Orange Sink as mine turned more and more green and red.



The results were gorgeous yarns and spotty and variegated wool fabrics, mainly greens, reds and pinks. - That is one thing that never fails to cheer me up and to make my day, the colorful results of some fun with dyes!

Who could have waited for the next rug hooking session with access to a cutter?! Not me, no, no.
No patience.
I made this small design, drew it right onto the linen, traced it with sharpie, cut some strips with the rotary cutter and got going.

I think the color of the heart is perfect!