tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19410831391804510852024-02-08T02:34:11.554-08:00Ottawa Valley Fiber ArtsMake yourself a cup of tea and come join me in my fiber adventures...Ottawa Fiberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09351180771660922365noreply@blogger.comBlogger45125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1941083139180451085.post-14378122462162172532013-06-22T09:26:00.000-07:002013-06-22T09:26:02.880-07:00OVFA is sponsoring a Sister!On nights when my husband travels, both of my young kids pile into bed with me and we have a little ritual. <div>
When the lights are out, I ask them "Think of one thing you are grateful for." I am trying to show them how important it is to reflect on our lives and give thanks for all that we have. Making time in my daily life to give thanks has made me a happier, and better person.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(C) WFWI</td></tr>
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Not everyone on our earth is as lucky as I am. In fact, I suspect I am among the luckiest for many, many reasons. I'm not well enough to volunteer my time any more, so I've been looking for other ways to share the goodness that is within my life. I recently read a story about a woman who started sponsoring someone through Women for Women International. She's now publishing a cookbook to help support the organization.</div>
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I thought that as a great way to have OVFA contribute to the greater good in this world, that we would sponsor a woman who is less fortunate than me. I'm excited that I've put in my initial donation and will soon be matched with a sister from Nigeria or Rwanda. $10 a month will go directly to the woman I am matched with, and $20 will go to fund programs that help educate and support women.</div>
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The Foundation reports:</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px;">"Of Women for Women International-Nigeria program participants and graduates:</span></div>
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<li style="background-image: url(http://www.womenforwomen.org/global-initiatives-helping-women/assets/images/countryTemplate/orange-bullet.png); background-position: 2px 9px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border: 0px; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 2px 0px 2px 10px; vertical-align: baseline;">86% report improved physical health</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://www.womenforwomen.org/global-initiatives-helping-women/assets/images/countryTemplate/orange-bullet.png); background-position: 2px 9px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border: 0px; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 2px 0px 2px 10px; vertical-align: baseline;">88% are actively participating in key household decisions</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://www.womenforwomen.org/global-initiatives-helping-women/assets/images/countryTemplate/orange-bullet.png); background-position: 2px 9px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border: 0px; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 2px 0px 2px 10px; vertical-align: baseline;">80% leave the program with knowledge of their legal rights</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://www.womenforwomen.org/global-initiatives-helping-women/assets/images/countryTemplate/orange-bullet.png); background-position: 2px 9px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border: 0px; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 2px 0px 2px 10px; vertical-align: baseline;">98% are earning an income</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://www.womenforwomen.org/global-initiatives-helping-women/assets/images/countryTemplate/orange-bullet.png); background-position: 2px 9px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border: 0px; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 2px 0px 2px 10px; vertical-align: baseline;">More than 60% of graduates are saving income to invest in their future".</li>
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Wow, what amazing outcomes! If you are interested in sponsoring your own sister, you can read more here at the <a href="http://www.womenforwomen.org/sponsor-a-woman/sponsor-a-woman.php" target="_blank">WFWI website.</a></div>
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Ottawa Fiberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09351180771660922365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1941083139180451085.post-48935116810115395802013-05-02T10:59:00.000-07:002013-05-02T10:59:43.490-07:00Beautiful rugs<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BORHF_1GbAM/UYI3vozN7XI/AAAAAAAABNE/wtoI_tu4N-Y/s1600/meery+meet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a>I "met up" with an amazing fiber artist on-line who was destashing some of her fiber. I've now added to my stash from her twice, with some gorgeous Lincoln, Targhee and Karakul.<br />
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I found out that she uses it for hooked rugs, and was I ever in for some eye candy when I found her <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/RugsArtCraftsandMore?ref=top_trail" target="_blank">Etsy shop</a> and flickr feed. Vicky Brickle-Macky lives in South Carolina and does amazing work with fiber. She previously ran a cross stitch company (Fanxstitch), and her designs must have been amazing. Here are two from her Etsy shop:<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WEO3KDeOlkg/UYI3vPyxQvI/AAAAAAAABM8/86pduS-Tiy4/s1600/bear.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WEO3KDeOlkg/UYI3vPyxQvI/AAAAAAAABM8/86pduS-Tiy4/s320/bear.jpg" width="232" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BORHF_1GbAM/UYI3vozN7XI/AAAAAAAABNE/wtoI_tu4N-Y/s1600/meery+meet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BORHF_1GbAM/UYI3vozN7XI/AAAAAAAABNE/wtoI_tu4N-Y/s320/meery+meet.jpg" width="231" /></a><br />
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What really moves me though are her rugs. I fell in love with them, and am hoping that maybe one will come my way for Mother's Day. I thought this is a great gift for a mom who loves fiber and traditional arts and crafts. Here are three of my favourites:<br />
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<br />Ottawa Fiberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09351180771660922365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1941083139180451085.post-49118243094502484962013-04-24T03:59:00.000-07:002013-04-24T03:59:27.682-07:00Random acts of kidnessSignal boost. This is a great way to show compassion and spread some good. I'm happy to pay to ship Ottawa's contribution, if your square is done by next week and you can get it to me (email me for my address). So, let's spread some love...<br />
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<a href="http://www.yarnagogo.com/blog/2013/04/a-boston-love-blanket.html" target="_blank">Taken from the Yarn-a-go-go blog</a><br />
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"<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">Hi Rachael,</span><br />
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This is a bit awkward for me because I've only just learned who you were a couple of weeks ago, but you were the first person that came to mind. I've been reading your book, A Life in Stitches, because I told my nook that I like to knit, and <em>it</em> thought I would love what you had to say about it. I do. I love it so much, and more than one chapter has attempted to choke me with tears (and succeeded...like yesterday in the lunchroom...my first sweater will now have rows of your memories in it). </blockquote>
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I just got through the part where you talk about the Love Blanket everyone made for you when you lost your mother. Krystle Campbell, one of the victims of the Boston Marathon bombing earlier this week, was the niece of a coworker of mine. Wilma was so proud of her, so fond of her, you would think Krystle was her own daughter. It feels like it was no coincidence that I happened upon your book when I did, or read that particular chapter while flailing inside because showering Wilma with hugs this week just hasn't been enough. I started by going around the office and hounding my friends on Facebook in hopes of finding people who knit or crochet because the thought of, "Rachael knows who can help," just sounded crazy. I've hit that particular level of determination where crazy sounds like the Best Idea Ever.</blockquote>
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If you can help get the word out, that would be absolutely amazing. I have no deadline at the moment, but none of these families have closure in one of the worst ways. If there are enough squares (which I'm hoping for beyond hope), I want to piece together a second blanket for Wilma's brother--Krystle's father. I can give them both to her here at the office.</blockquote>
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Please, if you can help, feel free to pass out my email to anyone willing to put together an 8" by 8" square--crochet, knit, it doesn't matter, any color or style--and I'll get them my mailing address.</blockquote>
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Thank you so much,</blockquote>
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Rena"</blockquote>
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Ottawa Fiberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09351180771660922365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1941083139180451085.post-9232937449853137882013-03-24T05:20:00.000-07:002013-03-24T05:20:02.627-07:00Living well for fiber fanatics<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I'm not sure if I've linked my two blogs before, but if I haven't here goes. In addition to using fiber as my creative outlet, I also have a passionate interest in health. I have an autoimmune disease that is literally kicking my butt right now, and so healthy living is a huge part of staying well for me. I have a love affair with food, so this is a good outlet for self care.<br />
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<a href="http://livingwell365.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Living well 365</a> is my blog about health, wellness, and environmental friendliness. If you are interested in neat ideas and my wandering thoughts on these things, please take a look! I also welcome guest posts and your comments. If you check out today's post, you'll see that I drink crazy green shakes for breakfast.<br />
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And now you know a little more about me!Ottawa Fiberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09351180771660922365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1941083139180451085.post-44288292312603735072013-03-10T04:57:00.000-07:002013-03-10T04:57:01.468-07:00Waiting for springGreat picture of the cat yesterday, cropped and converted to black and white. Pumpkin so wants to be an outside cat, but we lost our last outside cat and so have proclaimed that all cats will now be indoor cats. But she can still dream, and watch the chickadees feed in the lilac tree.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xKx3UImfdpU/UTx0ETzu-wI/AAAAAAAABIA/Zjrw68RmSrY/s1600/1-DSCF7970.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xKx3UImfdpU/UTx0ETzu-wI/AAAAAAAABIA/Zjrw68RmSrY/s400/1-DSCF7970.JPG" width="398" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en_US" rel="license"><img alt="Creative Commons License" src="http://i.creativecommons.org/l/by/3.0/88x31.png" style="border-width: 0;" /></a><br /><span property="dct:title" xmlns:dct="http://purl.org/dc/terms/">Waiting for Spring</span> by <a href="http://www.blogger.com/ottawavalleyfiberarts.blogspot.com" property="cc:attributionName" rel="cc:attributionURL" xmlns:cc="http://creativecommons.org/ns#">Ottawa Fiber</a> is licensed under a <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en_US" rel="license">Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License</a>.</td></tr>
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<br />Ottawa Fiberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09351180771660922365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1941083139180451085.post-17879630537422306212013-03-09T06:40:00.001-08:002013-03-09T06:40:57.193-08:00Dehairing Alpaca FiberI got some beautiful Alpaca fiber on the Internet a month or two ago. Of course, when you are buying form a new seller, you don't always know what you are going to get! The fleece was lovely, but it did contain a lot of guard hairs.<br />
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Sooo...For this week's manual therapy (aka keeping my arthritic fingers mobile!), I dehaired almost a pound of raw Alpaca. It was incredibly relaxing and I find that I really connect with my fiber when I take the time to process it carefully. Some was dyed, some was undyed, all was pre-washed. Next time I may see about dehairing before I wash the fiber.<br />
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He's a videoblog post about it (and some random ramblings as well!) And as an added bonus for those of you who visit the blog, here are a bunch of pictures showing some close ups of alpaca fiber vs. guard hair.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alpaca before dehairing</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K-Glkqp9BPI/UTtI4jTGbQI/AAAAAAAABHk/SBT-E6hxlAo/s1600/4-DSCF7990.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K-Glkqp9BPI/UTtI4jTGbQI/AAAAAAAABHk/SBT-E6hxlAo/s320/4-DSCF7990.JPG" width="319" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alpaca after dehairing</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alpaca fiber on the left, Guard hair on the right</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fi1O-_xeU_U/UTtI42WsZXI/AAAAAAAABHg/894F1zk9oEw/s1600/5-DSCF8006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fi1O-_xeU_U/UTtI42WsZXI/AAAAAAAABHg/894F1zk9oEw/s320/5-DSCF8006.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finger twisted guard hair - adding this to another fiber<br />would make some very strong yarn/cord</td></tr>
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<br />Ottawa Fiberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09351180771660922365noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1941083139180451085.post-25584120681391504582013-02-08T14:21:00.001-08:002013-02-09T04:12:17.511-08:00It's a girl!I have an exciting announcement. There's a new member in my family.<br />
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Well...sort of. I've sponsored a sheep named Coco for the year. I'm pretty happy about this. In another life I'd have a flock of sheep. But for various reasons, I don't, and so I need to find another way to get my shepherdess fix.<br />
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I found a farm in the US that lets you sponsor a sheep for the year. <a href="http://www.solacefarm.tk/" target="_blank">Solace Farm</a> in Washington has registered Finn sheep, Boar Goats and Border Leicester sheep. I chose them because I saw a cute sheep named Coco on their sit<i><b>e </b></i>and the Finn sheep represent my Finnish heritage. According to them, she is a RUSKEA color, which in Finnish RUSKEA is pronounced <i>roosk-e-a </i> (the a is a short vowel sound.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wA_3OB_GBIo/URWSfDquX9I/AAAAAAAABBQ/kVtyARbyrAw/s1600/coco2011solacefarm.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wA_3OB_GBIo/URWSfDquX9I/AAAAAAAABBQ/kVtyARbyrAw/s320/coco2011solacefarm.JPG" width="197" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coco from Solace Farm</td></tr>
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I really like the idea of sponsoring a sheep for a year. I give the farm money that contributes to my sponsored sheep's upkeep, and I get to follow her year with pictures and letters, and of course, the fleece from her Spring shearing.<br />
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For me, this sponsorship represents a contribution toward the farmers who make sure that we have a wide variety of breeds to choose from. It allows them to focus on caring for their animals while sharing some of the joy and excitement of following a specific sheep over the course of the year.<br />
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If you would like to sponsor your own sheep, you can contact Sandra and Robert from their website <a href="http://www.solacefarm.tk/" target="_blank">here </a>(contact us is on the right hand side!). They are really friendly and will answer any questions you may have!<br />
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<br />Ottawa Fiberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09351180771660922365noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1941083139180451085.post-53064947713582773532010-04-01T12:19:00.000-07:002012-12-04T12:19:48.367-08:00<div id="content">
<h2>
April '10 Canadian Fibre Box</h2>
So here it is, the last official monthly Canadian Fibre Box. What a riot
these past 9 months have been.
Thanks for being part of the Canadian Fibre Box! This month, we have an
amazing indie dyer from out West, and another from close to me here in
Gatineau (just across the Ottawa river). Both can be found on Etsy. Finally
there is a sample of superwash BFL from a Canadian mill...we almost always
think of merino for superwash, but who wouldn't want to be able to wash up a
BFL project? If you like it, more can be ordered from OVFA.<br />
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<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1941083139180451085" name="one">Rocky Mountain Dyeworks</a></h2>
written by Hasmi Ferguson<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-psAjw2wBqx4/UL5aTE4nowI/AAAAAAAAAyk/S076Ssx4Dp0/s1600/rocky.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-psAjw2wBqx4/UL5aTE4nowI/AAAAAAAAAyk/S076Ssx4Dp0/s200/rocky.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
Rocky
Mountain Dyeworks is a small dye studio located in Banff, Alberta,
Canada. We are surrounded by forest, wild flowers, shale covered
mountains, Grizzlies, Eagles, Elk and Deer -and lots of what the Elk and
Deer leave behind.
We love to work with textiles – yarns, fibres, silk scarves, rug hooking
wool and quilting cotton. While we do not currently sell the rug
hooking wool or the quilting cotton we may do so in the future.
Our scarves, yarns and fibres are dyed with weak acid dyes (the acid
being the citric acid or vinegar used to set the colour). In the future
we will add natural plant dyed yarns and fibres to our line.
Our Learn to Spin Kit came about due to disappointment with other kits
on the market – they all offer neutral, undyed fibre to work with. We
have found that as spinners, we have progressed faster with colour
moving through our hands. It excites and encourages practice – who can
resist spinning just a bit longer to see what happens as the colours
change.
Visit the Blog link for notes on the dye sessions.<br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LnDEG1LR384/UL5aTxs3Y9I/AAAAAAAAAys/4R87vfg9bnY/s1600/rocky2.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="270" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LnDEG1LR384/UL5aTxs3Y9I/AAAAAAAAAys/4R87vfg9bnY/s320/rocky2.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
About
the Dye Artist<br />
<br />
I am a fibre artist who started by making my own dowry! Born to
immigrant parents who still believed in the old ways, I was encouraged
from a young age to learn all “women’s work” and to create enough
product to show off my skills as marriageable material. Although I
argued I would only marry for love (and I finally did!) I didn’t give up
working on my dowry. I learned to sew, knit, crochet (badly), cross
stitch, do beadwork, quilt, etc. By the time I decided I’d rather buy my
dowry, I was hooked on textile crafts.
After trying many different textile genres and techniques, I found that
my passion was creating colour. I have been dyeing since 2005 and
selling my hand-dyed products since 2007.
I have been a member of The Textile Museum since moving to Toronto to go
to university, which was some time in the mid-80’s.
- <br />
You can visit Rocky Mountain Dyeworks on Etsy,
<a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/rockymtndyeworks">here</a>. The main site is
still under construction, but you can find it
<a href="http://rockymountaindyeworks.com/1/index.html.html">here</a>. I'm
thrilled that we were able to sneak Hasmi in before the monthly boxes stopped!<br />
<h2>
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1941083139180451085" name="two">Turtlepurl Yarns</a></h2>
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cgrguAauHJA/UL5aS2MV0uI/AAAAAAAAAyc/2AazQxAA6Wc/s1600/kissme.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cgrguAauHJA/UL5aS2MV0uI/AAAAAAAAAyc/2AazQxAA6Wc/s320/kissme.jpg" width="320" /></a>Genevieve
is local to my area and has a great eye for colour. She's also the creator
of Charteze, which are portable magnet strips that will keep your place on a
chart while you knit, crochet or cross-stitch. Her sock and lace yarns are
in high demand, and she has an awesome range of colours. You can find her on
Etsy, <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/turtlepurl">here</a>.<br />
<br />
<h2>
Share your projects</h2>
<div style="height: 147px;">
<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/groups/ottawa-valley-fiber-arts">
</a>Come
join us on <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/">Ravelry</a> at the Ottawa
Valley Fiber Arts group, to share your projects and ideas! If you
haven't joined Ravelry yet, it's free and an amazing resource for fibre
fanatics.</div>
</div>
Ottawa Fiberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09351180771660922365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1941083139180451085.post-38461348617832008282010-03-22T12:27:00.000-07:002012-12-04T12:28:43.535-08:00<h2>
MARCH '10 Canadian Fibre Box</h2>
<h2>
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1941083139180451085" name="one">Prairie fibre mill</a></h2>
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9Pet7KmpqJA/UL5b89JOf5I/AAAAAAAAAy0/-WfgRWfzVnA/s1600/blizzard1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9Pet7KmpqJA/UL5b89JOf5I/AAAAAAAAAy0/-WfgRWfzVnA/s320/blizzard1.jpg" width="264" /></a>
In November (or was it October?) you met Barb from Wild Geese Fibres. We had
Canadian Finn, Cotswold, and a blend called Blizzard that everyone was wild
over. Barb gets her fibres prepared at the Prairie Fibre Mill, in Biggar
Saskatchewan. This month, I've ordered in a big pile of fibre from them, and
some of it is being shared with you through this month's fibre box. What I
much appreciate is that the Prairie Fibre Mill is eco-friendly, running on
its own wind and sun power, and using environmentally safe and natural
products to scour the fibres they process.<br />
<br />
I found out something funny about the Blizzard that everyone was so fond
off. When we sampled this back in the Fall, it was a merino, alpaca,
mohair blend. My assumption was that Blizzard was always the same. I was
a little confused when I was offered to order both an
alpaca/merino/mohair blend as well as Blizzard for this month. Then the
Blizzard came! It seems that Blizzard is an ever changing special blend
from the Mill, depending on what fibres they have on hand to blend
together. This month, we have Blizzard again, only this time it is grey
with purple running through it. The purple is merino, the grey is
alpaca/merino/mohair and possibly a touch of Cotswold. As well, you have
gorgeous Fawn coloured 1/3 each merino/alpaca/mohair.<br />
I'll be listing at the OVFA shop more of the Blizzard, as well as a
tasty multi tonal caramel fawn Blizzard and a grey 1/3 each
merino/alpaca/mohair blend.<br />
<h2>
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1941083139180451085" name="two">Art-Yarn-Tastic sampler</a></h2>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DFCVNluTLAk/UL5cPIWR-7I/AAAAAAAAAzA/kuEX1f-v9tg/s1600/candyfloss1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="171" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DFCVNluTLAk/UL5cPIWR-7I/AAAAAAAAAzA/kuEX1f-v9tg/s200/candyfloss1.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
As well as the more traditional rovings this month, you have a little
package of fibre for adding pizzazz to your yarn. In your treat bag, there
is hand dyed icicle, a nylon that adds sparkle to your spinning while still
being soft; dyed silk noil, which adds little bits of fluff; teased
rambouillet locks; and some plain old dyed wool.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lFxz4cIBu2Q/UL5can7WCrI/AAAAAAAAAzI/Vxz9SbcIxwM/s1600/intertwined.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lFxz4cIBu2Q/UL5can7WCrI/AAAAAAAAAzI/Vxz9SbcIxwM/s200/intertwined.jpg" width="200" /></a>
If
you have a drumcarder, I recommend choosing a colour that would
compliment the orange as a base (a nice brown or red) and carding in
these fun additions intto a batt. If you don't have a drum carder, you
can card bits into rolags by hand, or simply add bits of fibre as you
are spinning (I often do this with dyed locks for texture). Art yarn is
often, by nature, not a smooth yarn, but is full of character and
increasingly popular.<br />
<a href="http://www.shop.ottawavalleyfiberarts.ca/product.sc?productId=142&categoryId=5">
</a><br />
For a great book, I recommend Intertwined by Lexi Boeger.OVFA has one
copy left, and you might even find it at your local library!
<br />
<h2>
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1941083139180451085" name="three">Buttons and stitch markers</a></h2>
You either have a hand made button or a stitch marker in your box,
depending on whether you are new or a more seasoned subscriber. Stitch
markers are by
<a href="http://seejayneknit.etsy.com/">SeeJayneKnit.etsy.com</a>; Green Ceramic Flower Buttons are by
<a href="http://adornyourself.etsy.com/">Adornyourself.etsy.com</a>; Blue Ceramic Buttons are by
<a href="http://emburr.etsy.com/">Emburr.etsy.com</a>; and the purple Polymer Clay Buttons are by yours truly, Heather of OVFA!<br />
<h2>
Share your projects</h2>
<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/groups/ottawa-valley-fiber-arts">
</a>Come
join us on <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/">Ravelry</a> at the Ottawa
Valley Fiber Arts group, to share your projects and ideas! If you
haven't joined Ravelry yet, it's free and an amazing resource for fibre
fOttawa Fiberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09351180771660922365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1941083139180451085.post-78892115956041198632010-03-22T04:54:00.000-07:002010-03-22T05:01:07.131-07:00March Canadian Fibre Box Club - Eco friendly Mill<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yA5DSFULX6w/S6db8YgOraI/AAAAAAAAAhM/0QSIAjEiw0E/s1600-h/march+box.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 180px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yA5DSFULX6w/S6db8YgOraI/AAAAAAAAAhM/0QSIAjEiw0E/s200/march+box.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451426966883184034" border="0" /></a><br />And March is out! With a little delay due to family health crisis (seem to be endemic to my household!), this month's club is out.<br /><br />The newsletter can be found <a href="http://www.ottawavalleyfiberarts.ca/cfbmar2010.html">here</a>.<br /><br />Heres'a pic of this month's contents. I have a very little bit of the purple/grey Blizzard left, and will soon be posting the remainder to the OVFA shop site, in addition to a gorgeous caramel/toffee/cream coloured Blizzard. I also ordered lots and lots of 1/3 each merino/alpaca/kid mohair in grey and fawn.<br /><br />Okay, off to work now!Ottawa Fiberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09351180771660922365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1941083139180451085.post-57876943803498549482010-03-11T16:08:00.000-08:002010-03-11T16:39:03.806-08:00Spinning up a yearSpring is coming and life feels so much better with sunlight! Spinning has been my companion through a long winter, but they always seem long.<br /><br />Next month is my first year spin-a-versary. For my birthday last week, I let my first wheel go to a good home (well, sent it to a deserving spinner to be in the US via a yarn trade!) and brought up my very own Louet S10 from the stock room. Nelly and I are getting along just fine!<br /><br />I hummed and hawed over whether to order myself a Rose, or appropriate the new Millie by Majacraft in the basement, or try out an Ashford Trady. Somehow the simple lines and the larger size of the S10 spoke to me, and up she came!<br /><br />My first spinning project is complete: 200 g of dyed Perendale in from Majacraft.<br /><br />I<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yA5DSFULX6w/S5mHAR079rI/AAAAAAAAAf4/2W_F6nikb-k/s1600-h/bronze1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 64px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yA5DSFULX6w/S5mHAR079rI/AAAAAAAAAf4/2W_F6nikb-k/s200/bronze1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447533663136511666" border="0" /></a> am now knitting up an ipod cozy for a friend at work. Apple cozies and banana cozies have been all the rage, but I wanted something less risque for a male colleague!<br /><br /><br />Quite a few colours came in with the Bronze Horseman and they're listed on the OVFA shop <a href="http://www.shop.ottawavalleyfiberarts.ca/category.sc?categoryId=15">here</a>. Lollipops is to the right. I'm dyeing to try them all but will refrain, at least for now.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yA5DSFULX6w/S5mMyeyV5iI/AAAAAAAAAgM/UzwRNDFQeHE/s1600-h/fibre_lollipop2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 64px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yA5DSFULX6w/S5mMyeyV5iI/AAAAAAAAAgM/UzwRNDFQeHE/s200/fibre_lollipop2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447540023166887458" border="0" /></a><br />Now on the wheel is some ingeo silk dyed in light peach with hot pink locks from the UK. It's a fun yarn that my daughter will love!<br /><br />Finally, this weekend is Canadian Fibre Box weekend. An eco friend Mill is featured, and has been very popular in the past. This month's fibers are all new, and very, very nice. And yes, I ordered enough so that I would have some for myself. The shoemaker's daughter is not going barefoot this month!Ottawa Fiberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09351180771660922365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1941083139180451085.post-21184785353151197452010-02-24T04:35:00.000-08:002010-02-24T04:51:58.626-08:00February Canadian Fibre BoxAnother month has passed, and another month of fibre has be deployed across Canada and even into the United States. <a href="http://www.princessfarms.com/">Princess Farms </a>of Saskatchewan was the featured farm this month, and the box is pure luxury! Our side show was Cuddle Toes sock yarn by <a href="http://sqwish.etsy.com/">Sqwish </a>of BC. It was a great box all around (but aren't they all?).<br /><br />The full newsletter can be seen <a href="http://www.ottawavalleyfiberarts.ca/cfbfeb2010.html">here</a>. Next month's fibre just arrived by bus, and April is set up too! I can't believe I am ahead of myself...<br /><br />I have been doing a lot of reading about sheep breeds in my Sheep a month personal challenge. January was Finn, as I have a fair amount of lovely Canadian Finn (that makes me giggle) roving from Barb of Wild Geese Fibres from a previous Fibre Box. It is lovely bouncey stuff! I also had to choose Finn first as a tribute to my heritage. My paternal grandather, and thus my surname, come from Finland. I'll post a write up and pictures soon. In sheep's clothing is a great reference book for anyone who wants to know about the characteristics of the various breeds out there. I hope to update the shop site slowly with more details about each of the fibres I have in stock. Thanks for the idea, knitgeekery!<br /><br />Finally, a few dye jobs I particularly like, these are on my <a href="http://ottawavalleyfiberart.etsy.com/">etsy </a>shop:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yA5DSFULX6w/S4Ue08fECuI/AAAAAAAAAfg/5rAAsMaww9I/s1600-h/killaloeroving2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 194px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yA5DSFULX6w/S4Ue08fECuI/AAAAAAAAAfg/5rAAsMaww9I/s200/killaloeroving2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441789619685559010" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yA5DSFULX6w/S4UgSQC_uXI/AAAAAAAAAfw/C4Ll2Kaxsw0/s1600-h/locks1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 141px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yA5DSFULX6w/S4UgSQC_uXI/AAAAAAAAAfw/C4Ll2Kaxsw0/s200/locks1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441791222664378738" border="0" /></a>Ottawa Fiberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09351180771660922365noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1941083139180451085.post-90674239191363319332010-02-15T12:21:00.000-08:002012-12-04T12:22:19.552-08:00<h2>
February '10 Canadian Fibre Box</h2>
<blockquote>
Happy belated Valentine's everyone! This month's box is pure
luxury, so consider it a Valentine's day present to yourself. One of our
local fibre experts recommended I contact Princess Farms, and I'm sure
happy that I did. The box of fibre that arrived this week is gorgeous,
and was a dream to put into this month's shares. One last word:
We've sold out yet another month! Thank you all for supporting the
project. The more we support "local" producers, the more we "grow" the
Canadian fibre community. </blockquote>
<h2>
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1941083139180451085" name="one">Princess Farms</a></h2>
<img alt="princess farms" class="style3" height="150" src="http://www.princessfarms.com/img/I_cant_see_1_big.jpg" style="float: left;" width="200" />Princesss
Farms is our main feature this month. Located in Saskatchewan, Princess
Farms has cashmere goats, alpacas (Huacaya and Suri), and one Suri
llama. Really, truly, pure Canadian luxury. Jo, Princess Farms'
shepherdess, began her adventure in August 2005 with 12 cashmere goats
and a few livestock dogs. Soon after, their first Alpaca followed. The
rest is history, and the results are in this month's Canadian Fibre Box.<br />
<img alt="cashmere goats" class="style2" height="161" src="http://www.princessfarms.com/img/tickles_big.jpg" style="float: right;" width="200" />A
few notes about Cashmere that you might not know. The best quality
cashmere is hand brushed from the goats when they are "ripe", so that
the guard hairs stay on the goat and only the downy soft cashmere is
removed. A single goat produces only about 4-6 ounces of cashmere before
processing! Cashmere is so fluffy that you can do a lot with just a
single ounce of it. It is great blended with other fibres, especially
fine wools such as merino and rambouillet, and other luxury fibres such
as alpaca and buffalo. Jo and Princess Farms, thank you for sharing
these special fibre with us!
To order more, <a href="http://www.princessfarms.com/">please contact Jo</a>.
(Photos are sourced from Princess Farms' website)<br />
<h2>
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1941083139180451085" name="two">Sqwish Yarns</a></h2>
<img class="style2" height="200" src="http://sqwish.files.wordpress.com/2009/11/cowl-006.jpg?w=300&h=300" style="float: left;" width="200" />One of the fun parts of this project is browsing Etsy for
artisans to include in the Box. This month I found
<a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/sqwish">Sqwish's</a> shop on Etsy, who had
also
found me, and invited her to share some yarn. You each have some yummy
Cuddle Toes in your box, and you can get more from her shop if your toes
are calling for it. Sashka also has a blog with great patterns here:
<a href="http://sqwish.wordpress.com/">sqwish.wordpress.com</a>. (Photo from Sqwish's Blog).<br />
<h2>
Share your projects</h2>
<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/groups/ottawa-valley-fiber-arts">
</a>Come
join us on <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/">Ravelry</a> at the Ottawa
Valley Fiber Arts group, to share your projects and ideas! If you
haven't joined Ravelry yet, it's free Ottawa Fiberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09351180771660922365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1941083139180451085.post-26129046175536466652010-01-29T15:03:00.000-08:002010-01-29T15:11:47.475-08:00Kindred spirits through swaps...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yA5DSFULX6w/S2Nq_N5B3VI/AAAAAAAAAfY/T-jMnxZF9vg/s1600-h/swap2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yA5DSFULX6w/S2Nq_N5B3VI/AAAAAAAAAfY/T-jMnxZF9vg/s200/swap2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432303209832111442" border="0" /></a><br />So this year I did my first swap on Ravelry...I did a Solstice in December and enjoyed putting the gift together so much that I figured I should give it another go.<br /><br />I got paired up with someone from St. Paul, Minnesota. I've actually flown through there, and stayed for a week in Rochester, MN, to visit the Mayo. The folks there are fabulous (as is the bead store, the <a href="http://www.nordicgypsy.com/">Nordic Gypsy)</a>. Laughingheir seemed just perfect - cheeky and she shared my taste in yarn, so much that we have the same skein of Misti Alpaca sock yarn!<br /><br />Today I got my package. I hope she gets hers soon! Canada Post, please be kind and quick! My goodies are posted here. I think the theme is truly Minnesota. Gorgeous singles in orange (my favourite colour!), a carrot (long story!), two candy bars (seem to be manufactured in MN), and two lovely bags...I am thoroughly spoiled. Thanks laughingheir, so are fabulous!<br /><br />Wi<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yA5DSFULX6w/S2NqHE-XpPI/AAAAAAAAAfQ/LIur7yY5pRg/s1600-h/swap1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yA5DSFULX6w/S2NqHE-XpPI/AAAAAAAAAfQ/LIur7yY5pRg/s200/swap1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432302245365916914" border="0" /></a>th the world wide web, the world can be so small, and so easy to meet good likeminded people. Fibre is a great thing to share.Ottawa Fiberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09351180771660922365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1941083139180451085.post-84783505493204814882010-01-16T12:24:00.001-08:002010-01-16T12:27:20.632-08:00Hey everyone! Any fibre resolutions out there?<br /><br />This year, I'm planning on learning a sheep a month. Stay tuned for a monthly update of what I've learned! I find it fascinating how different breeds have such different qualities, and am going to explore this more formally (and publicly).<br /><br />In other news, the January Fibre Box is going out this weekend. The newsletter is posted <a href="http://www.ottawavalleyfiberarts.ca/cfbjan2010.html">here</a>.<br /><br />Also, I have a new banner, which I love.<br /><br />And finally, I must say, this love affair with fibre keeps me sane. Anyone else feel the same?Ottawa Fiberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09351180771660922365noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1941083139180451085.post-75967645796937098012009-12-28T05:27:00.000-08:002009-12-28T17:25:34.434-08:00Spinning away the tension<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yA5DSFULX6w/Szi08FgMbZI/AAAAAAAAAeQ/3cSn6liS9SA/s1600-h/DSCN0835.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 118px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yA5DSFULX6w/Szi08FgMbZI/AAAAAAAAAeQ/3cSn6liS9SA/s200/DSCN0835.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420281095902752146" border="0" /></a>And almost another month has past. The December Fibre Box went out and it was a hit! Here is what I spun up from the <a href="http://hilltopfibre.etsy.com">Hilltop Fibre Worker's</a> gorgeous fractal rovings.<br /><br />And then there were the singles from a handblended<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yA5DSFULX6w/Szi1EGhH_PI/AAAAAAAAAeY/HxdOCku1MoI/s1600-h/DSCN0831.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 176px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yA5DSFULX6w/Szi1EGhH_PI/AAAAAAAAAeY/HxdOCku1MoI/s200/DSCN0831.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420281233614044402" border="0" /></a> batt from Dyakcraft. These will be knit and then felted, which is why their slightly inconsistent and uneven appearance does not worry me!<br /><br />Fin<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yA5DSFULX6w/Szi1NKGhR1I/AAAAAAAAAeg/M37hLLGX57Q/s1600-h/DSCN0823.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 117px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yA5DSFULX6w/Szi1NKGhR1I/AAAAAAAAAeg/M37hLLGX57Q/s200/DSCN0823.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420281389195020114" border="0" /></a>ally, I spun airy yarn from a BFL braid dyed by my good friend Ana of <a href="http://artbyana.etsy.com">Art-by-Ana.</a> This is beautiful yarn and I have to figure out what I will do with it! It may end up on Etsy...<br /><br />I've also been crocheting a beautiful multi yarned black, grey, white and silver scarf, which I'll share when it's finished.<br /><br />Fibre is good for the soul. Be sure to share!Ottawa Fiberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09351180771660922365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1941083139180451085.post-71829539948281592802009-12-03T03:21:00.000-08:002009-12-03T03:47:40.218-08:00And time passes<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yA5DSFULX6w/SxefxfU5HPI/AAAAAAAAAcc/3YyYWsr4KCI/s1600-h/coverwin09.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 135px; height: 175px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yA5DSFULX6w/SxefxfU5HPI/AAAAAAAAAcc/3YyYWsr4KCI/s320/coverwin09.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410969149880474866" border="0" /></a>So it's December, there has been snow, and where have I been?<br />Much crocheting has been happening. Some spinning (I am about to adopt a Louet S10 ST -- It is calling too loudly, and is so smooth). Dyeing has taken a rest. Met many more fabulous fibre folks from across Canada. Hi Barb, Hi Mary Lou, Hi Steph!<br /><br />And for some shop updates while it is still early enough to shop. The new issue of Wild Fibers is in. I love the cover! Very Christmas-y!<br /><br />Also, I have a few copies of Abby Franquemont's <span style="font-style: italic;">Respect the Spindle </span>coming in next week. You can pre-order on the website now if you like! I can always add other purchases to your fibre boxes with no additional shipping charges...just let me know before the 15th of the month.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yA5DSFULX6w/SxehXphFTJI/AAAAAAAAAdE/ZmJoGl-MwlU/s1600-h/parrotfish.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 100px; height: 82px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yA5DSFULX6w/SxehXphFTJI/AAAAAAAAAdE/ZmJoGl-MwlU/s320/parrotfish.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410970904962616466" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yA5DSFULX6w/Sxek5tTV0yI/AAAAAAAAAdU/O1Bzkw_ryAg/s1600-h/calico.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 100px; height: 82px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yA5DSFULX6w/Sxek5tTV0yI/AAAAAAAAAdU/O1Bzkw_ryAg/s320/calico.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410974788629156642" border="0" /></a>Louet is now carrying cool dyed Karoake Top (wool / soysilk blend). I have Parrotfish and Calico in stock, and will be spinning some up myself soon. More colours are available...<br /><br />Have a wonderful, happy, spinning, knitting, crocheting, weaving, December. I'll send out a reminder about the December Fibre Box next week, if you haven't sent in your order yet. This month is artisan dyed roving which I know will be beautiful!Ottawa Fiberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09351180771660922365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1941083139180451085.post-18902599874742592682009-11-21T04:27:00.000-08:002009-11-21T04:31:49.908-08:00Life's like that...My wonderful other half and I sorted out shares of Canadian Fibre last night while the kidlets were entranced by Caillou, and I have a stack of boxes in the kitchen ready to mail today.<br /><br />I'll post the link to the newsletter post haste...just ironing out a few final notes.<br /><br />So sorry for the delay my fibre box friends. Kidlets with colds, and my own arthritis has decided to make a cosier acquaintance with me of late. The crocheting I have been doing is keeping my fingers nimble but I can't seem to beat the fatigue! There was a wonderful article in the Spring Spin Off about the healing aspect of raising sheep, and how wonderful it is to bury your face into the fleece of your own sheep and smell the lanolin. I need to go find a sheep farmer soon, I think!Ottawa Fiberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09351180771660922365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1941083139180451085.post-37578452398180382792009-11-09T03:47:00.000-08:002009-11-09T04:02:51.804-08:00Quick update and then away with me...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://ottawavalleyfiberart.etsy.com/"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 181px; height: 153px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yA5DSFULX6w/SvgDE1tYFhI/AAAAAAAAAcE/XxxhzLBl8PE/s320/fruity2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402071134702671378" border="0" /></a>My dye pot has been extraordinarily busy this weekend with 5 skeins complete. I'm quite pleased with myself! My other projects have taken a back seat and are grumpy with me, though, including the thrift store sweater I am frogging for its gorgeous yarn, the llama lace scarf I am knitting (and frogging, and knitting and frogging), and the BFL I mean to spin up.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://ottawavalleyfiberart.etsy.com/"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 178px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yA5DSFULX6w/SvgC3OsRfXI/AAAAAAAAAb8/fmZoYcR2dAw/s320/lake2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402070900890762610" border="0" /></a>Creating from fiber makes me deliriously happy. Isn't it wonderfully to find a space where time slips away and your focus is almost singular...<br /><br />...and then a four year runs into the kitchen grouchy because his nut butter sandwich was cut in squares and not triangles.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yA5DSFULX6w/SvgD-nEhvOI/AAAAAAAAAcU/Xq3kXQLnVI0/s1600-h/faded4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 179px; height: 127px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yA5DSFULX6w/SvgD-nEhvOI/AAAAAAAAAcU/Xq3kXQLnVI0/s320/faded4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402072127205653730" border="0" /></a><br /><br />But a girl can dream, right?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yA5DSFULX6w/SvgDMgbAuZI/AAAAAAAAAcM/Sh2Zqjqlj3w/s1600-h/faded2.jpg"><br /></a>Ottawa Fiberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09351180771660922365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1941083139180451085.post-22172001789379385462009-10-25T04:00:00.000-07:002009-10-25T04:31:56.513-07:00It's cold outside!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yA5DSFULX6w/SuQ17-B3Q9I/AAAAAAAAAbc/HipZaAFtGIc/s1600-h/DSCN0398.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 287px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yA5DSFULX6w/SuQ17-B3Q9I/AAAAAAAAAbc/HipZaAFtGIc/s320/DSCN0398.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396497557876065234" border="0" /></a>A task for soon is to go around my log home and find all the cracks in the logs. It's clearly getting colder and time to winter proof again!<br /><br />And time to knit mitts. I found a ball of what I thought was Akapana by Mirasol in the little balls bin at Wool-tyme, and knit it into a wonderfully warm mitten.<br /><br />The first clue that it was not Akapana should have been that it was too large given the needles and pattern, and likely not a worsted weight yarn!<br /><br />Any ideas what yarn this is? It feels soft like llama, and has yellow tweedy bits in it...<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yA5DSFULX6w/SuQ24m6H_YI/AAAAAAAAAbk/k_1zYu_pONk/s1600-h/yellowcorrie1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 234px; height: 213px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yA5DSFULX6w/SuQ24m6H_YI/AAAAAAAAAbk/k_1zYu_pONk/s320/yellowcorrie1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396498599641611650" border="0" /></a><br />In other news, spun up some of DaisyLady's wonderful corriedale. Yumm! What a nice way to spend a Saturday. I'm saying goodbye to a Rose today, but it is going to a wonderful home, I'm sure. I'm almost finished weaving in the ends of my orange scarf that appeared in an earlier post.Ottawa Fiberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09351180771660922365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1941083139180451085.post-23184298485801626002009-10-18T04:29:00.000-07:002009-10-18T04:43:08.152-07:00October's Canadian Fibre Box<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yA5DSFULX6w/Str8eJ3tNyI/AAAAAAAAAbU/1Xh3Qpbckvg/s1600-h/DSCN0329.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yA5DSFULX6w/Str8eJ3tNyI/AAAAAAAAAbU/1Xh3Qpbckvg/s320/DSCN0329.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393901098705434402" border="0" /></a>I've been really good to myself and my health, and have been mindful to slow things down. I've been doing lots of knitting, spinning, weaving and reading for myself.<br /><br />But, I'm so passionate about the Fibre Box...I haven't slowed down on that front at all. And I'm re-energized now that 10% of all OVFA sales are going to the Ottawa Food Bank. My business is helping the Canadian Fibre community, and the local community in need. This fits with my value system in a very good way.<br /><br />This month's boxes are being dropped in the mail today. Above is the yarn in the box, from <a href="http://shop.sweetgeorgiayarns.com/">SweetGeorgia Yarns</a>. It's delicious! Thanks Felicia! Other contributors are <a href="http://www.canaanmohair.ca/">Canaan Mohair</a> and <a href="http://www.gulfislandsspinningmill.com/">Gulf Islands Spinning Mill.</a> To be extra exciting, I added a mini niddy noddy from <a href="http://www.houndesign.com/">Houndesign</a>, because Dave's work is really excellent (and Canadian)!<br /><br />Here's a link to the full newsletter: <a href="http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs021/1102662744084/archive/1102770523899.html">October's Newsletter</a>. Next month's fibre box contents are already on their way to me from the Prairies.<br /><br />Have a great week, everyone.<br />(PS if you want to subscribe, you can order <a href="http://shop.ottawavalleyfiberarts.ca/">here</a>.)Ottawa Fiberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09351180771660922365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1941083139180451085.post-13817193839986322652009-10-09T04:17:00.000-07:002009-10-09T04:24:09.699-07:00Weaving from my stash: A study in ORANGE!As promised, I'm working from my stash right now. My loom is warped with some sock yarn, and the weft is three different yarns. The pink is handdyed wool singles I picked up in the $1.00 bin at a LYS over the summer, the bright orange is Lang Pearl Flash (kid mohair, acryl, poly) and the light orange is handspun ingeo/icicle/wool. Depending on how the finished product turns out, this will be a scarf to go with my purple dress, a table runner, or a wall hanging. I'm loving it! (Did I mention I love my Knitter's Loom? This is going to work with me today so I can weave over lunch...)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yA5DSFULX6w/Ss8cH_6c1VI/AAAAAAAAAas/8rFZ3qm95lY/s1600-h/DSCN0265.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 258px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yA5DSFULX6w/Ss8cH_6c1VI/AAAAAAAAAas/8rFZ3qm95lY/s320/DSCN0265.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5390558202727028050" border="0" /></a>Ottawa Fiberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09351180771660922365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1941083139180451085.post-82065591363701399962009-10-08T03:12:00.000-07:002009-10-08T03:38:11.676-07:00Knit Green, Spin Local, Weave for sanity!This Canadian Thanksgiving weekend I am sticking my nose into <a href="http://joanneseiff.blogspot.com/">Joanne Seif's</a> new book "Knit Green". It's all about knitting with the environment in mind, and it really jives with my value system. Some of the patterns are even on Ravelry!<br /><br />If you've read past entries, you'll now that I am spending less time on "business" and more time on creative endeavors. The next step of this change in orientation in make my creative time good for the environment and to contribute socially in some way.<br /><br />So, a few "resolutions" for now until the new year.<br /><br />I'm spinning, knitting, weaving from my stash or others'.<br /><br />Many friends are on fiber diets, and it's actually neat what creative juices flow when you have to work within the confines of your current stash!<br /><br />I'm donating 10% of my gross sales to the Ottawa Food Bank.<br /><br />My kids are picky eaters, and it seems like every night I have to explain that some kids don't have enough to eat. A fellow knitter in Ottawa (hianja on Ravelry) donates her profits from cool market bags to Harmony House for women, so I'm following her lead. And the Food Bank helps make sure that no food goes to waste by sourcing food that otherwise may be thrown out. I also found out that for every dollar donated, $5 dollars worth of food is distributed to the community. They distribute 12 tons of food a day. That's a lot.<br /><br />Postscript: Clearly running business is an organic evolving process. The way I want to move forward is sometimes inconsistent with the decisions I have made in the past. Case in point: Encouraging people to knit from their stash is not going to move the yarn in my stock room of the shelves!Ottawa Fiberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09351180771660922365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1941083139180451085.post-44211693041770625392009-09-28T04:50:00.000-07:002009-09-28T04:53:23.972-07:00Happy Monday happeningsImagine my delight when I saw the skein of Merlin I gave to a delightful and talented young lady turn up as this:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yA5DSFULX6w/SsCjNKOL5fI/AAAAAAAAAaU/KrRd89YhVUY/s1600-h/pumpkin.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 252px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yA5DSFULX6w/SsCjNKOL5fI/AAAAAAAAAaU/KrRd89YhVUY/s320/pumpkin.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386484600812594674" border="0" /></a>She now has a <a href="http://yarnorknitter.blogspot.com/">blog </a>and it makes me smile each time I read it. Horray for young folks taking up fibre arts! I think she has a future as a pattern designer.<br /><br />Must off to day job now, but wanted to share to start the week with a smile. Enjoy everyone!Ottawa Fiberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09351180771660922365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1941083139180451085.post-50025528440906107102009-09-25T04:14:00.000-07:002009-09-25T04:48:39.044-07:00And making progress...I'm well into week two of taking it more gently on my body. Lots of spinning has been happening. Some knitting. Soon, some weaving. I've made progress on my Apple Laine stole that has sat idle since our trip to BC.<br /><br />I treated myself a few weeks ago to a few art batts from Etsy. It's always nice to work with something that someone else has made. <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6983446">Jahtsemer</a>'s batts are lovely, and I've spun up 2 of the three.<br /><br />I clearly have a preference for bulky singles. Now what to do with them? It's the right time of year to be knitting up warm fuzzies, so I'll raid Ravelry this weekend for ideas. If the weather's good, I'll also take photos before they transform from lovely skeins into their functional pieces.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yA5DSFULX6w/SrytoOApBUI/AAAAAAAAAaM/igrvpQ4xAH0/s1600-h/keepthefleece1.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yA5DSFULX6w/SrytoOApBUI/AAAAAAAAAaM/igrvpQ4xAH0/s320/keepthefleece1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385370160895427906" border="0" /></a>Soon, to dye up a bunch of yarn in Autumn in Gatineau Park. I'm in love with this colourway and almost out of fiber in it. I shared the last bit of magical merino/silk with a new friend yesterday, and so must replenish my house (and then share on Etsy) with these colours.<br /><br />And this weekend, completed bits of the Keep the Fleece scarf are sent off to Rhinebeck! The skein to the right is by <a href="http://knitgeekery.blogspot.com/">knitgeekery</a>, which she knit into a lovely scarf piece that I need to photograph post haste!Ottawa Fiberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09351180771660922365noreply@blogger.com0