August 2, 2014

Hola everyone!  This blog is a little late, but it has been a very busy week for me.  To begin with, today was my first day back at Ligonier Country Market and what a blast it was.  I seriously debated whether to go or not because I really didn't feel I had much to take, seeing as I didn't want to take any heavier wintry knitted or felted items.  That didn't leave much, but since I said I would be there, I went.  Soooo very glad I did.  I got so see my fellow vendors and past customers I haven't seen since last year.  Thanks to everyone who stopped by to say hello and to Laurel who brought me a scone (I'm saving it for my coffee in the morning).

July was kind of a sad month for us here on the farm, as we lost five goats including my Portulaca.  I admit I cried pretty hard when she passed but some of the others aren't as personable and you don't get as close to them.  After the vet came and looked at them, it was decided they probably have something called leptosporosa, which is a parasite the deer carry.  It doesn't affect sheep but is detrimental to goats.  She said it has been very bad this year and a lot of farms have been losing goats.  They all got treated for various things and will be inoculated for lepto shortly.  I won't go into detail about the rest of it but suffice it to say everyone seems to be doing well now.  We have to get into a pattern of rotating our fields to insure that any parasites will not be ingested and when there is no host, they die off and in 21-28 days, they die off and the field is safe again.  This means we have to fence in yet another pasture for this rotation.

Next time you stop in, take a peek out on the back porch,  it is all painted, new lights installed, and ready to be enjoyed by all.  I have also been working diligently on the basement at the shop.  My kiln is being re-wired, my Felt LOOM will be delivered August 21 or 22, and I am planning on having a cute little clay / felt studio there.  Poor Tom - I have a honey-do list as long as my arm for him.  New wiring, new lighting, drainage at the cellar door, several things needing to be removed from the basement…  luckily Zach is still here and we put him to work painting and digging ditches.  It's always nice to have yung'ns (?) around for cheap labor.  He heads back Tuesday or Wednesday though so our free help will be gone soon.

I am very excited about MaryAnn Wolfe's granddaughters visiting from Paris.  They are both very fond of animals, especially the youngest, and she is planning on bringing them up to see the animals.  I am going to surprise the girls and let them name Violet's gorgeous little boy.  I can't wait to hear what they come up with but I will let you all know.

WHAT'S NEW?  

Unique adorable fimo buttons made in Utah - not just for kids!

hiya hiya sharps in size 17 and 19

Last but not least, new rovings from Frabjous Fibers in BFL sparkle.  GORGEOUS!

Remember to purchase your Ravelry patterns from Raggz and get 10% off!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO  Pat K (8/7) and Thea (8/9).  pick up your gift certificates this month!

DATES TO REMEMBER 

Saturdays - Craftique Fiber Group at Craftique 10-12

Thursday, 8/7 Purlin Girls meet at the Bean at noon

Tuesday, 8/12 Knitters Anonymous 1-6

Wednesday, 8/13 Close Knit girls meet at Panera 6-8

Saturday, 8/16 at Ligonier Beach is Donna's 2nd Annual Fundraiser

Fridays shop open 10-6

UPCOMING CLASSES*

Zentangle Tuesday 8/19 from 1:30-3:30.  Cost $30 - Sylvia Elliott instructor

Mandala Tuesday 9/16 from 1:30 to 3:30.  Cost $30 - Pat Kintigh instructor

Felt fabric flower  Wednesday 9/24.  Time/Cost yet to be determined - Christine Clarke instructor

*see website for details

I have plans for loads of classes coming up beginning in September.  At this juncture, however, I haven't had time to get them all scheduled, so I may be sending out an addendum to this blog in the next week or so with the schedule.  Some of the classes will be:  arm knitting, color class, felt landscapes, felt self portrait, felt pumpkins and acorns, knitting tips and tricks, and much, much more!  I promise to get them scheduled within the next week or so.


AND DON'T FORGET the first annual Pittsburgh Creative Arts Festival is Friday and Saturday, August 22 and 23 at the Four Points Sheraton.  Lots of classes, make it and take it demo's and great juried vendors.  I will be teaching a class there Friday 8/22, so the shop will be closed that day.

Don't forget about Donna's Fundraiser August 16 at Ligonier Beach!  By the way, her son got married today!

TOODLES!

just some of the buttons made at maia's fimo button class

crazy goats trying to reach leaves on a tree.

Ardis and Ali - you happy now?

july 15, 2014

hey everyone!  i don't know about you, but this summer has been tolerable for me with the cooler temps.  i was just sitting out back and had to come inside because it was too chilly!  when was the last time THAT happened in mid july?  you won't find me complaining tho.

i hate it when people say these kind of things, so pardon me for saying it -- in five short months it will be christmas again.  this is actually a good time to be working on gifts.  some of the ladies are already doing that to avoid any rush or knitting anxiety later in the year.

i am looking forward to getting back to Ligonier Country Market August 2nd.  stop out and say hi if you're in the area.  my usual space has opened up to a corner space this year, with the addition of a new walkway, so i am trying to figure out just how i will set my booth up.  i'm not used to having a corner and am not sure how i will go about maximizing two sides for display.  if anyone has any suggestions, please let me know.  needless to say, i've been crazy busy lately trying to felt some new things, such as more baby booties, lampshades, cowls, jelly rolls…  

WHAT'S NEW?  

TWINS!  one of our nubians, violet, birthed twins on sunday july 6.  this is very late for her to be kidding but sometimes nature gives us a surprise.  we figured she was pregnant because she was getting so big but we've been saying for months now that she looked like she would burst any day and nothing happened.  i had decided to go up and brush the goats that day and take my knitting and sit and knit with the critters.  when i arrived, i realized there was a kid laying by her so of course i took my chair over for a front row seat.  assuming she would have multiple births due to the fact that she looked like the side of the barn, i waited patiently and knitted, trying to keep the chickens from pecking at my yarn.

SEE???

ANYHOO, lo and behold she began having contractions.  i'll have to explain in person the details but eventually she crowned another kid only this time only one hoof was out and they are to come out with both hooves first.  UH OH  i was there all by myself and trying not to panic and just wait it out.  when it was apparent the kid was sort of stuck, i was forced to put down my knitting and help her.  it was so amazing!  i can't tell you how exciting that was to see it all and be involved in the process.  

turns out she had identical twins, which has never happened to us before.  both boys, both a gorgeous light brown.  mind you both parents are black as night, just like both of clarice's parents.  go figure

still wet from being born

they were both big and nursing and up and around and it was very exciting.  unfortunately the next day one of the boys died and we don't know why.  so now we have one beautiful brown boy, yet to be named but he is thriving, playing, jumping, and doing very well.

here he is just the other day

yes he is absolutely adorable, but clarice is still the fairest one of all!

she still holds a special place in all of our hearts and is sweet as pie

other than that, the only thing new at the shop is some new fibers from frabjous fibers.  beautiful hand dyed colors perfect for spinning, wet felting, or needle felting.

he thinks he paid for it

JULY BIRTHDAY WISHES go out to kim m (7/17), deb h (7/22), susan o (7/23), lisa w (7/25), and carol h (7/28).  don't make me tell you AGAIN to come get your birthday certificate!!

DATES TO REMEMBER

saturdays 7/29 and 26 - craftique fiber art group meets at craftique in greensburg at 10

tuesday 7/22 - KA - shop open 1-6

wednesday 7/23 - final sheep class 1-3

thursday 7/24 - fimo button class (see description below or on website)

thursday 7/24 - purlin girls meet at the bean at noon

fridays SHOP OPEN 10-6

DONNA'S 2nd annual fundraiser will be held at ligonier beach again this year on saturday, august 16 from noon to 7.  make plans to attend.  she and her family are looking for basket donations, so please donate to make this fundraiser another success for our favorite little lady!

UPCOMING CLASSES

fimo buttons

thursday, july 24 from 11-1

instructor:  maia olivenstein

$20  includes black/white but bring some 

clay of your own to spice things up

still one or two spots left but it's filling up fast!

zentangle

tuesday, august 19 from 1-3

instructor:  sylvia elliott 

$30 includes all materials

crocheted mandala

tuesday, september 16 1-3

instructor:  pat kintigh

$ TBD

pat will teach us how to do this beautiful,

colorful crocheted mandala and you only 

need to know how to do single and

double crochet!  this class is half full

already as well so hurry if you want a

space in it!

UPDATE:

the first three classes for the felted sheep have been completed and next week the ladies will return with their felted sheep ready to fluff them up with a curly do.  pictures when they're all done.

donna showing off her headless sheep

katy doran is the only student so far to have completed her embellished sweater, taught by nancy premoshis.  kudos to katy.  how far along are the rest of you?  hmmmm????  i have my squares blocked and am working on the bottom striped section.  when/if you complete yours, please send photos.

here's katy hamming it up showing off her beautiful sweater

DONT FORGET

the first annual pittsburgh creative arts festival is coming up august 22 and 23 at the 4 points sheraton in mars.  check out their website at pittsburgh creative arts festival

time to sign off.  i hope everyone's summer is going nicely and hope to see you all very soon!

PHOTO GALLERY

maia, her daughter in law sara, and her gorgeous granddaughter, PENELOPE!

carolyn krudwig showing off a beautiful drop stitch shawl made from berocco Captiva

zentangle guru, sylvia elliott, was first to buy a cup of  coffee with homemade whipped cream and sprinkles!

hank

six point tee pattern knitted in pagewood farms swagger light

GOOD NIGHT EVERYONE!

7/1/14

happy july fiber friends!  i am dreading the hot humid dog days of summer but i have no choice, so i will be spending as much time as i can inside the shop.  so on some very hot, muggy friday, come by and spend the afternoon with us in the cool shop.

beginning july, i will now be selling iced coffee as well as the hot variety.  i found a wonderful recipe and have recently purchased a whipping siphon to make wonderful, organic whipped cream to top it off.  seriously it doesn't add but a few calories and is well worth it!  prior to this, i had offered free coffee but with the cost of everything going up and sales being down, i feel i have to make a few changes.  i resisted charging for refreshments for over 2 years now and i hate to admit defeat but it must be so.

before i forget, please note that i will be closed friday, july 4.

all i can say is i'm glad i wasn't holding my breath waiting for my parking lot to get done but at least it IS done now!  it will have a nice long resting period before i'm open again july 8th and i may even have lines painted on it by then.  i now have room for 9 to 10 cars.  this is very exciting for me.  now i need to find more customers to fill the spaces!

in honor of the 4th of july, the shop specials will be 10% off ALL yarns that are solid red, solid white, or solid blue, no matter what the brand name.  

WHAT'S NEW?

feza yarns and some of their sister 

companies had a great deal on close-out yarn and i was able to get some beautiful yarns i had never seen anywhere and for a great price.  hand-dyed 100% wool, sparkly yarns, tee shirt yarns…  come check them out!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

i would like to wish paula m (7/6), my daughter (7/9), helen t (7/10), and laurel h (7/11) a very happy birthday.  now come on out to the shop to get your $5 birthday gift certificate!  i hope you five beautiful ladies have a wonderful day!

UPCOMING CLASSES*

zentangle

wednesday 7/16 from 1-3

instructor:  sylvia elliott 

$30 includes all materials

a zentangle is an abstract drawing created using repetitive patterns. we will be drawing on paper, suitable for framing. 

sylvia is an absolute genius and has made all types of animals, geometric designs, alphabet letters, etc. on cards, 

stock for framing, as well as tee shirts.

fimo buttons                                      

      

thursday, july 24 from 11-1

instructor:  maia olivenstein

don't have the cost yet but it includes 

basic colors but bring some clay of your 

own to spice things up

*see website for complete

  details

i have big big plans for upcoming classes including felted flowers from wool fabrics, arm knitting, simple knitting problems and how to fix them, a second class with nancy premoshis on finishing, bird pods, felt pumpkins, felt acorns, confident color II, and felted self portraits.  i believe i will wait until september to put these classes on the schedule, due to vacation and travel schedules both for myself and my customers.   i, personally, will be making a trip to kentucky possibly in july some time to pick up my feltLOOM; traveling to michigan in august to pick up three new rams; and back to kentucky in september for a feltLOOM owner's seminar.  tom and i will be taking the first two trips together and although they will only encompass no more than 2 or 3 days, it will be a short, badly needed mini vacation.  we seldom get to go anywhere together with the farm and are both very much looking forward to them.

felt sheep class update

the girls worked so hard at the    

first class we didn't even 

get to talk much and we were 

so engrossed i forgot to take a 

picture.  this pattern isn't for 

sissies but is very doable - just 

have to pay attention.  our own 

donna charlesworth surpassed 

us all and was worried because 

she never read a pattern before!  

go donna go!  pictures next week, as it will be a bit easier.

i have talked to the girls and they are all caught up - except for ME!

DATES TO REMEMBER

friday, july 4 SHOP CLOSED

saturdays july 5 and 12 craftique fiber art group meets at craftique

                                  from 10-12

tuesday, july 8 KA at the shop from 1-6

thursday, july 10 purlin girls meet at the bean at noon

friday, july 11 shop open 10-6

monday, july 14 former fiber art meet up group meets at panera

at westmoreland mall at 2 pm

the june door prize winner was katy doran!  katy wins a skein of crystal palace yarn of her choice!

DONT FORGET friday august 22 and saturday august 23 is the first Pittsburgh Creative Arts Festival at the Four Points Sheraton in Mars.  Barb and Ann are the founders of the Pittsburgh Knit and Crochet Festival, so this show is sure to follow in its footsteps with high quality crafts, demos, and classes.  i will be teaching a basic wet felted flower class friday evening.  there are lots of other interesting classes but they fill up fast.  for more information, check out their website at:  http://pghcreativearts.com

i was able to venture out to ligonier country market saturday.  it was so nice to see familiar faces again.  please be sure to visit the market from 8 to noon every saturday through october 4th.  i will return to market as a vendor august 2nd.  please stop in to say hello.

love this quote:

"i have put my heart and soul into my work and have lost my mind in the process."  vincent van gogh

PHOTO GALLERY

a beautiful little robins nest built on the ground by my front door

a pair of wet felted baby booties

a couple of my wet felted 'paintings'

cat in a box

cat thinking i made slippers for HIM

one of kim's gorgeous creations!

6/15/14

hidey ho everyone!  i am actually a day EARLY getting my blog done.  that almost NEVER happens!  hope that everyone is happily working on summer projects.  i do know some ladies who are working on christmas gifts believe it or not!  i'm dreaming of knitting, as my rotator cuff injury has rendered me unable to do much, so i'm catching up on sewing and pin weaving.

yesterday-- supposedly unlucky friday the 13th PLUS a full moon, was not at all unlucky for me.  i had an overflow at the shop and we had a wonderful time talking and sharing.  patti brought a new friend, diana, and bonnie (who owned bonnie knits shop in monroeville for 20 years) also popped in with her friend kathy, for the first time!  now to nudge tom to get the parking lot DONE!

the fundraiser for scott trimble concluded last friday and i am happy to announce that RaggZ raised $200 during the silent auction.  craftique fiber group also raised $200 for their auction, so scott will be getting a nice chunk of change to help him in his efforts to get to the worldwide ultimate frisbee championships in italy next month.  sylvia told me scott knew her knitting friends were doing something but he had no idea what and she will be surprising him very soon.

CAT UPDATE
'beth's cat' is now named little critter.  yes i know he/she is not little but i have had him/her for two months now and still hadn't named him/her.  each time i would come into the shop i would call him/her something different and got to thinking this is getting ridiculous.  i had many ideas in my head but decided on little critter for some reason.  if you recall, there were little critter books out about 30 years ago (possibly still are) and my kids loved them so perhaps that's why i decided on that name.  its also a pretty androgens name so i have covered the bases.  he/she will be going to the vet soon for a check up and i will at long last find out the gender so i can stop saying him/her!

CLARICE UPDATE
the little one is doing so well up on the farm!  her mother has taken her back.  this is so amazing and i have never seen it happen in all the years we have been raising animals.  she is still on a couple of bottles a day (against tom's wishes) but we don't know how much milk she is actually getting so i am happy to supplement for a while.  she is munching away on grass and hay and seems to be very well adjusted.  i will be taking her for a visit to hannastown tuesday for the kid's summer program, where i will also be demonstrating spinning.  that will be her first ride with me in a long time and i'm certain the kids will absolutely LOVE her.  who wouldn't?  here is a photo taken by thea on the last friday clarice visited us at the shop, before making the move to the farm.  she just sent it to me yesterday and i hadn't seen it before that…

she had fallen asleep in my arms, rendering me useless.  she doesn't fit on my lap like that anymore!

WHAT'S NEW YOU ASK?                                      

                 
Pagewood Farm now has 5 pack assortments of
handspun yarn and silk ribbons.  a total of ten yards in a pack - great for embellishing small projects or jewelry.   more colors of 'aw knots' arrived as well - this is the yarn kim m. used for one of her gorgeous purses and the knots looked like bobbles without the work!







JUST ARRIVED: a huge box of brown sheep seconds worsted and bulky yarn ($3.50) in a multitude of colors including pink, chocolate soufflé, oregano, lemony lime, supreme purple, limeade, olive, lemon drop, teal haze, sun yellow, and sea foam. burly spun ($9) in periwinkle and carribbean waves. lana boucle ($4) tropical lagoon and purple framboise. WHAT A BARGAIN. get 'em while their hot because i could only get five in each color! I GUARANTEE YOU WILL NOT FIND THEM ANYWHERE FOR THESE PRICES!

DONT FORGET - THE ENTIRE MONTH OF JUNE, 10% OF ALL CASCADE AND CRYSTAL PALACE YARNS AS WELL AS ALL PATTERNS!  (this does not include any yarns in the sale bin)

RAVELRY
RaggZ has been approved to sell patterns through ravelry now.  i'm very excited about this prospect and have to learn how to do it to get it up and running, which will be soon!

CLASSES

FELT SHEEP
the next class on deck here at the shop is the felted sheep class.  it will be held wednesdays, june 25, july 2, and july 9 from 1-3.  you will learn short row shaping for three dimensional objects.  these three classes get you through to your felted sheep (see photo).  a 4th class is available to needle felt curls on your sheep to make it look like it is ready to be sheared.  these sheep are adorable and i won first prize a couple of years ago at the county fair with one of the curly sheep.  these make a great gift for sheep or animal lovers.  the sheared version is great for kids but the curly version not so much, as the curls could possibly pull out.  see website for complete details.

this is the 'sheared' side which is what you will complete in the class (ignore the curls you can see)

this is the curly side which will require an additional class

ZENTANGLE! class wednesday july 16 from 1-3 at the shop.  sylvia elliott is offering to teach us the amazing art of zen tangle.  i don't have all the details yet so stay tuned.  below is a picture sylvia drew for me of a zen tangle sheep but in the class you can choose whatever you like to draw.  it is a combination of doodling and zen…..

DOTTY'S PIN WEAVING CLASS
last wednesday, katy, cathy, and i went to dotty's amazing house in the woods in bear rocks for the pin weaving class.  a great time was had by all and we learned so much about pin weaving.  below are the photos of our work.  i actually finished a second one with alternative type materials yesterday to keep my hand in it.

kathy's beautiful purple work in progress

cathy chose southwest colors

i actually finished mine because i was working and not talking believe it or not!

MORE CLASSES are being scheduled and will be in the july blog.  classes include arm knitting, felting a self portrait, how to fix simple mistakes in knitting, confident color, vessels, felt acorns and pumpkins, etc.

DATES TO REMEMBER:

saturdays june 21 and 28:  craftique fiber art group at craftique in gbg 10-12
monday june 23 felt flowers private class 6-8 at the shop
tuesday june 24 KA 1-6
wednesday june 25 felt sheep class (see details above)
wednesday june 25 close knit girls meet at panera murrysville 6-8
thursday june 26 purlin girls meet at the bean at noon
fridays shop open 10-6

KNIT IN PUBLIC DAY RUNS from june 14 to june 22 so get out there and knit in public!  most of us already do this i think!

MAY'S DOOR PRIZE WINNER:  CAROLYN KRUDWIG!  congrats carolyn - pop in to the shop for your prize!

NEW NEW NEW

PITTSBURGH CREATIVE ARTS FESTIVAL- august 22 and 23
Barbara Grossman, Founder of the Pittsburgh Knit and Crochet Festival,is teaming up with her sister Ann Szilagyi on a new endeavor.  The first-ever Pittsburgh Creative Arts Festival is a two-day event that will feature classes, workshops, demos and a marketplace focusing on a variety of creative arts,
including fiber, beading, quilting, paper arts, repurposing, jewelry, surface design and more!  i have been asked to teach a felting class friday evening at this new endeavor and am very excited to see what its all about.  they have many other classes and make it and take it demos as well.  i am fortunate enough to be asked to teach a felting class friday night.  i can't wait to see this new show! check it out at
http://pghcreativearts.com

NOTE:  4th of July falls on a friday this year and the shop will be closed that day.

hope to see you all soon and see what wonderful creative projects you are all working on.
toodles!!

PHOTO GALLERY (RANDOM PHOTOS I WOULD LIKE TO SHARE)

did a little embellishing on my felted clock

little critter visiting with shirley

a recently finished wet felt purse

another purse i finally embellished after months of waiting

this is an older purse as well waiting for handles

you will never know what you find in someone's knitting bag

this violet sitting like a dog.  this almost NEVER happens.  she looked so funny, as fat as she is.  we keep thinking she is going to birth any time now and it hasn't happened yet.