Life Happens

I wish I had something fabulous to say today. I'm hoping that by breaking the ice now and posting a blog it'll get me back here. Life has been a bit nuts lately, with me working again outside of the home and my husband's job completely sucking the life out of us.

In happy news I'm going to be knitting a shawl for my brother's upcoming wedding, for his fiance to wear. I'm thinking Citron, perhaps in silk?

Changes In the Wind?

So I've been meaning to blog. But I've been thinking about doing some rebranding and changing the name of my business so I haven't, until I nail down the new name. Well I haven't done that yet but thought I'd pop in and post anyway.

It has been a busy summer. On the business front I've mostly been doing commission knitting in trade for lovely yarns.

I had a custom Etsy dye I did too that was fun, merino superwash in rainbow.

I've also expanded into fiber and have dyed up some roving and batts. I'm getting the fiber from a friend's farm in WI. I grew up visiting this farm so it's cool to be able to dye their wool now.

Serenity Tree stocked for the last time at the beginning of August. We couldn't find a new store "owner" and people weren't seeing sales, it's a bummer. I'm just at Made By Military Wives on HyenaCart and Etsy. But I haven't stocked at Etsy because I'm thinking about changing my business name and want to start getting feedback on that name. See the dilemma?

So stay tuned (but don't hold your breath) for new business info. Hopefully it'll be soon so I can get rocking and rolling on my new website. I have a friend who is going to help me with some of of the design so hopefully it'll be less lame than the current one is.

Maybe getting back to blogging will light a fire under my bum.

New Friend

Here's the new friend in our house.





I made one for a friend in a swap and my 4yo decided he needed one too. He is calling it "Buddy" after my in-laws' cat, who is white and orange. It's the only kind of cat we'll be getting from now on. :)

"Proud"

It has been awhile since I've blogged, I have had a lot going on personally. If you've been following my blog (both of you, lol) you know that my husband joined the Army National Guard last winter. After several delays he is *finally* home. On top of that we are expecting our 3rd child any day now so things have been a little busy to say the least.

I thought I'd post my latest dye creation here. It was for a swap, 200g of worsted weight BFL dyed in a peacock colorway, meet "Proud".

The recipient used to raise peacocks and has been collecting peacock colors for a project.

I'm very pleased with how this colorway turned out and have in fact dyed a 125g skein of BFL to list in one of my stores shortly. It'll probably go on Made By Military Wives on Feb 1.

Shades of turquoise, blue, purple, lavender, and olive green come together beautifully in this colorway that is Proud as a Peacock.

Santa Set

I finished this Santa set up for our Cyber Monday stocking over at Serenity Tree. If it doesn't sell soon I may move it into my Etsy shop or my other congo - Made By Military Wives.

Kimono features black "belt" for outer ties and i-cord ties inside to reduce bulk. White garter stitch trim gives it a fuzzy Santa look. Chest circumference: 20", Sleeve: 7"

Longies also feature garter stitch trim, a gansey gusset, and short rows in the bum to accomodate cloth diapers. Rise and Hips: 15.5", Inseam: 9"

Santa hat also sports garter stitch trim and comes with your choice of pom pom or tassel on top. Circumference: 15"

Booties are 4" from heel to toe, include a black twisted cord drawstring tie around the ankle (not pictured), and are 6" high from heel to cuff.

The white trim is 85% wool and 15% mohair, the rest of the yarns are 100% wool, and as always the longies come lanolized and ready to wear.

Merry Christmas!

"Astro"

Meet my new friend, "Astro".

It's kind of bright and fun. Black, orange, blue, and bright (and I mean bright) green.

It's stocking today on Serenity Tree along with a matching long sleeved t-shirt. The shirt is 18mos Circo brand, my kids have a couple of these shirts and I like them.

I had a hard time photographing the colors, the green really didn't want to show up. I also had a hard time getting the colors to set like I wanted. It was pretty frustrating and my hands are tinted bluish-black. One of the skeins I think looks a little more washed out, but I've listed them as "seconds" so hopefully that can make up for my mishap. It's dyed on Sweet Grass Wool 3-ply, which is 4oz and 153yd per skein.

Veteran's Day shipping

In honor of Veteran's Day I am offerring free first class shipping to the lower 48 states tomorrow. All other shipping will be discounted. This is valid anywhere you can find me - my website, Etsy, Serenity Tree, or Made by Military Wives.

To those who have served, are serving, or will serve our country, and those that love them... thank you.