tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51166912024-03-06T23:34:00.259-08:00Velma's Worldvelmalikevelvethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02882058790803620655noreply@blogger.comBlogger588125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5116691.post-81781386653566982012-01-22T16:19:00.001-08:002012-01-22T16:19:22.169-08:00Review: The Map of Time<br /> <a style='float: left; padding-right: 20px' href='http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9766078'><img alt='The Map of Time' border='0' src='http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1300487687m/9766078.jpg'/></a><br /> <a href='http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9766078'>The Map of Time</a> by <a href='http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3194936'>Félix J. Palma</a><br/><br /> My rating: <a href='http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/258238251'>1 of 5 stars</a><br /> <br/><br/><br /> Time travel! Jack the Ripper! Automatons! What's not to love?!? Well, as it turns out, almost everything.<br /><br />I know everyone else here is raving about it, but I could barely stomach <i>The Map of Time</i>; it took every ounce of stick-to-it-iveness I could muster to get through this convoluted, interminable literary maze. WHERE, I ask you, was the EDITOR in this hot mess? There is the kernal of a potentially good story here, had about 2/3 of the fat been excised. The only way it could have been more byzantine is if Nancy Grace had shown up to interrogate Inspector Lusk about the Ripper murders.<br /><br />It's not like the guy can't write. He's a decent, if grandiose, storyteller and he mimics to perfection the florid style of the period he set this novel in. And the theme Palma writes about -- choice and the Butterfly Effect of exercising it -- is one that is both powerful and personal. Plus, he knows how to turn a phrase: "...loneliness that sticks to him like a birthmark."<br /><br />But come <i>on</i>, Félix, enough with the meandering, the inconsistencies, the convenient last-minute reprieves for waylaid story-lines. And the unnecessary reminders from the narrator about his omniscience <i>have</i> to go. <br /><br />I was all set to love this book, what with it being about the re-writing of the history of the earliest science fiction and all, but it wasn't to be. The one good thing that came out of it? It inspired me to read the original H.G. Wells' <i>The Time Machine</i>, and it was love at first sight.<br /> <br/><br/><br /> <a href='http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/258238251'>View all my reviews</a><br /> velmalikevelvethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02882058790803620655noreply@blogger.com37tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5116691.post-70634272132782955812012-01-04T12:56:00.001-08:002012-01-18T14:58:44.566-08:00Review: The Passage<br />
<a style='float: left; padding-right: 20px' href='http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6690798'><img alt='The Passage' border='0' src='http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41f1iw%2BzE3L._SX106_.jpg'/></a><br />
<a href='http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6690798'>The Passage</a> by <a href='http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/45315'>Justin Cronin</a><br />
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My rating: <a href='http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/124600185'>5 of 5 stars</a><br />
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I <i>devoured</i> this book, all 700+ pages in 3 days, despite no taste for vamp-lit, which should tell you something. Now I know why most of the contemporary work in that genre left me cold: it wasn't <i>this</i>. No one needs to even <i>bother</i> writing another. Take THAT, Twilight!<br />
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Beyond being a great post-apocalyptic horror story, <i>The Passage</i> is, at it's core, about humans and what drives them. I think to Cronin, people are made of glass, and he can see inside of them as easily as you or I see what's on the other side of a window.<br />
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And Cronin not only sees what's inside, he presents it beautifully as master of the simile. Consider: "Texas, state-sized porkchop of misery." and"eyes...empty, like drains that could suck the whole world down into them." <br />
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And although I'm sure I'll go see it, I'm certain the planned movie version won't live up to the book. I like movies as much as the next guy, but <i>The Passage</i> is an example of why books will almost always trump them : film only captures the visual story, with almost no sense of the poetry of it's language -- a painting without the memories held in the hand of the painter. I think The Passage: The Movie, will likely be a pale, albeit entertaining, facsimile of the original.<br />
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My only critique is that the brilliance of the first 200 or so pages of Act I aren't sustained through to the end. The story continues to intrigue, but something about the writing just wasn't as luminous; maybe the characters that don't make it through to Act II were favorite's of Cronin? I don't know, but something changed. But if you are reading it, and around page 350 you get bogged down an consider bailing, re-consider: it is worth it.<br />
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<a href='http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/124600185'>View all my reviews</a><br />velmalikevelvethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02882058790803620655noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5116691.post-32121959565262892442011-12-29T12:14:00.001-08:002012-01-18T14:58:08.447-08:00Review: The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake<br />
<a style='float: left; padding-right: 20px' href='http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7048800'><img alt='The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake' border='0' src='http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1320541766m/7048800.jpg'/></a><br />
<a href='http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7048800'>The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake</a> by <a href='http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5285'>Aimee Bender</a><br />
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My rating: <a href='http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/252071807'>2 of 5 stars</a><br />
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Ugh. I'm glad I didn't pay for this book - yay for ARCs!<br />
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I can't really put my finger on what went wrong here, but apparently I have a mutation on my chick-lit gene that predisposes my knee to jerk up suddenly when I find myself in the middle of a coming-of-age novel. This recipe has too much sugar for my taste.<br />
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<a href='http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/252071807'>View all my reviews</a><br />velmalikevelvethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02882058790803620655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5116691.post-23184237880641918892011-10-07T14:01:00.000-07:002011-10-07T14:01:59.080-07:00Un-puffsRemember my <a href="http://velmasworld.blogspot.com/2011/08/jumping-on-board.html">Jumping on Board post</a> last month? The one about my complete lack of self-control and my succumbing to the most recent knit-bandwagon ? You know, the one about the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/discuss/tiny-owl-knits/1764138/1-25">Beekeeper's Quilt KAL</a>, aka <b>hexi-crack-along</b>! My contribution to this blanket cult is called <a href="http://ravel.me/velmalikevelvet/tbq">720 Degrees of PUFF</a>. Go on, click it, <b>CLICK IT</b>! You know you want to. And feel free to favorite it. I'm an attention hoar.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/velmasworld/6208266885/" title="Puff the First by Velma's World, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6012/6208266885_d2f27eafb7.jpg" width="475" alt="Puff the First"></a></center><br />
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Well, as you've probably discovered, <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/the-beekeepers-quilt">this pattern</a> has gone viral. Casey even coded in a brand new feature for it on <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/">Ravelry</a>: <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/discuss/for-the-love-of-ravelry/1849851/1-25#2">herds</a>. Click the red hashtag <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/herds/hexipuffalong">#hexipuffalong</a> when you see it on Ravelry, and you'll be served up a plethora of useful links, project photos, + general knitting conviviality related to <a href="http://tinyowlknits.wordpress.com/">Tiny Owl Knits'</a> phenomenon <i>du jour</i>. <br />
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And I must say, it's <b>wicked</b> fun! Total knitting <b>crack</b>. Remember that <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/discuss/the-chitterychattery-swappery-swappers/1779634/">mini-skein swap</a> I participated in in the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/discuss/the-chitterychattery-swappery-swappers/">C2S2 group</a>? I put up some pretty-in-pink <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/velmasworld/6097502889/in/photostream">yarn from Tactile Fiber Arts</a>, and just <b>LOOK</b> at what I got back in return:<br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/velmasworld/6170449868/" title="Sock yarn mini-skeins by Velma's World, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6173/6170449868_f837812420.jpg" width="475" alt="Sock yarn mini-skeins"></a></center><br />
Twenty, count 'em, <b>twenty!</b>, wee 5 gram skeins of all <i>kinds</i> of wonderful sock yarn from all over! If you're jonesing to see what each one is, you can check <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/people/velmalikevelvet/stash/c2s2-cuckoo-for-hexipuffs-minis-swap">my Ravelry stash listing</a> where you'll find all the details.<br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/velmasworld/6204767552/" title="Puff #3 in progress by Velma's World, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6148/6204767552_efa90c8f86.jpg" width="475" alt="Puff #3 in progress"></a></center><br />
I used some of the minis from the swap pictured above, and a few of my newly-dyed COLORBOMB Family Jewels Fingering Minis (recently blogged about <a href="http://velmasworld.blogspot.com/2011/09/get-your-mini-on-at-colorbomb.html">HERE </a>and available for purchase in my Etsy shop <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/colorbombcreations/search?search_query=minis&search_submit=&search_type=user_shop_ttt_id_5163749&shopname=colorbombcreations">HERE</a>) to knit up my first five "puffs". Check it:<br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/velmasworld/6208267009/" title="First 5 puffs by Velma's World, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6181/6208267009_c0b15d5eb2.jpg" width="475" alt="First 5 puffs"></a></center><br />
You might notice that my "puffs" aren't very "puffy". That's because I've decided to knit mine <i>sans</i> stuffing. Yup, I'm knitting <b>un-puffs</b>. Although the pattern is knit as a coverlet, I'm planning to use mine more as a "curl-up-on-the-couch-with-a-good-book-wrapped-in-PUFFS" comfort blankie, and I think the puffed hexagons, while <i>adorable</i>, won't suit for that. I want a more flexible fabric than I think would be produced with the as-written polyfil-poofed puffs. Plus, laundering the FO should be easier and FASTER if I eliminate the stuffing. <br />
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So I'll leave you with my new hexi-crack counter, currently at 8/720.*<br />
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<center><a href="http://www.TickerFactory.com/counter/wkxkAa3/"><br />
<img border="0" src="http://tickers.TickerFactory.com/ezt/t/wkxkAa3/counter.png"></a></center><br />
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* Why 720 un-puffs? There are 720 degrees in the cumulative total of the angles in a hexagon, and I'm calling my blanket 720 Degrees of PUFF, so I figured I need to make mine with 720 hexagons. Yep, I AM that nerdy, why do you ask? velmalikevelvethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02882058790803620655noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5116691.post-69654634138821728242011-10-01T13:04:00.000-07:002011-10-01T13:11:01.072-07:00Let the Socktoberfesting Begin!It's October again (already?!?), so that means <a href="">SOCKTOBERFEST</a>!<b><sup>*</sup></b><br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/velmasworld/6200872403/" title="Socktoberfest 2011 - goals by Velma's World, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6167/6200872403_df28b5af49.jpg" width="475" alt="Socktoberfest 2011 - goals"></a></center><br />
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What the hell is Socktoberfest, you ask? Geez, knitters, where you been living, under a rock? <a href="http://lollygirl.com/blog/2005/10/02/socktoberfest-2005">Started in '05</a> (an auspicious year, as that is when I met my beloved), it is the labor of love of <a href="http://lollygirl.com/blog/">Lollyknittingaround </a>(who, btw, takes KICKASS photos!). There is (of course), a group on Ravelry dedicated to it, too: <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/groups/socktoberfest">http://www.ravelry.com/groups/socktoberfest</a>, as well as <a href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/socktoberfest/">a group on flickr</a>. But what IS it? OK, fair enough. From the Rav group homepage:<br />
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<blockquote>What is Socktoberfest?<br />
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A very simple concept with very few restrictions - Socktoberfest is a month-long (throughout the month of October) celebration of socks. It is a celebration of the accessories that we make as crafters to cover our feet. Think of it more as a festival than a knitalong - people who love something come together and celebrate it!</blockquote><br />
Basically, Socktoberfest is what you make of it. Me, I'm planning to make it a sock WIP-fest. That photo above? Those are the 3 sock projects I have on the needles, in various stages of un-done-ed-ness. I really neeed to finish these! Let's see if I can finish all three AND their mates. How 'bout a little blog badge action to keep me motivated, eh?<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNwSkKEaHCOtz7NUuboEsbcnlkUkB-s9ZP7z84AURK7yfJ3_6m-zGNhMpq2zelw1a_MmFLIwYpDqSuGcotcJIBMPhzUqdgqhbP3oXa41mG_2Xc4edAF0L-EB5wacAN37mjQYW6WQ/s1600/socktoberfest2011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNwSkKEaHCOtz7NUuboEsbcnlkUkB-s9ZP7z84AURK7yfJ3_6m-zGNhMpq2zelw1a_MmFLIwYpDqSuGcotcJIBMPhzUqdgqhbP3oXa41mG_2Xc4edAF0L-EB5wacAN37mjQYW6WQ/s320/socktoberfest2011.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Wanna details on the 3 sock projects themselves? They're in my Rav projects! (L-R): <a href="http://ravel.me/velmalikevelvet/ps" rel="nofollow">Ziggity Zaggity</a>, <a href="http://ravel.me/velmalikevelvet/ls" rel="nofollow">Getting Leyed</a>, and <a href="http://ravel.me/velmalikevelvet/ss4" rel="nofollow">Summit Socks</a>. My first colorwork project, my first slip-stitch project, and a project using my own hand-dyed yarn, respectively. FUN! Oh, and the project bags? They're from <a href="http://celestialfiberarts.com/cfa/celestialfiberarts.com/index.html">Celestial Fiber Arts</a>, <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/heidimonkey">Heidimonkey</a>, and <a href="http://www.chickenboots.etsy.com/">Chicken Boots</a>!<br />
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Are you Socktoberfesting with me?<br />
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<b><sup>*</sup></b> While looking for a link to an 'official' Socktoberfest site, I stumbled across <a href="http://socktoberfest.wordpress.com/">Hubert's Socktoberfest Blog</a> - you MUST see this! It chronicles the adventures of one Hubert the Swiss Sockmonkey. Precious!velmalikevelvethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02882058790803620655noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5116691.post-66196556612571139232011-09-30T10:34:00.000-07:002011-10-08T17:53:07.212-07:00Get Your Mini on at COLORBOMB!Another !exclamatory! post! !!<b>filled</b>!! with exclamations!!!!!! I'm excited because I had fun dyeing this week, and I've finally added new yarn crack to <a href="http://www.colorbombcreations.etsy.com/">my Etsy shop</a>!<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/velmasworld/6196280418/" title="Family Jewels Fingering Family Pak! from COLORBOMB Creations by Velma's World, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6158/6196280418_d90f4e3327.jpg" width="475" alt="Family Jewels Fingering Family Pak! from COLORBOMB Creations"></a><br />
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Introducing <b>Family Jewels Fingering Minis</b> and <b>Family Jewels Fingering Minis Family Pak</b> from <a href="http://www.colorbombcreations.etsy.com/">COLORBOMB Creations</a>! <br />
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Hot out of the dyepots (ok, they're cooled down now, but you know what I mean), my new <b>Mini Skeins</b> are <b>PERFECT </b>for all kinds of projects that require a bit o' this <b>color </b>and a bit o' that <b>color</b>. Think hexi-crack, blankiemania, mochi-garumi, colorwork...<br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/velmasworld/6195754333/" title="NEW! from COLORBOMB Creations: Family Jewels Fingering Minis by Velma's World, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6169/6195754333_5ddd330414.jpg" width="334" height="500" alt="NEW! from COLORBOMB Creations: Family Jewels Fingering Minis"></a></center><br />
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Individual colorways available currently are: '<b>Creamlicklesicle</b>' (orange peel), '<b>Krazy for Kornflower</b>' (azure blue), '<b>Turqonton</b>' (turquoise), '<b>Powder Puff</b>' (soft pink), '<b>Lime Lolly</b>' (acid green), and '<b>Lemony Fresh</b>' (bright yellow) - with more to come soon. <br />
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Each mini-skein is 10grams (.35oz) and 32meters (35 yards) of professionally hand-dyed <b>100% superwash Merino wool sock yarn</b> in slightly-variegated/semi-solid colorways on a 2-ply base yarn with a medium, evenly-distributed twist that yields a plump and soft yarn with loads of 'sproing'. <br />
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Buy just the <b>individual colors</b> you like OR go for the gusto! and get a <b>Family Pak</b> with one of each, packaged together at a discount, as the '<b>Candy, Little Girl?</b>' color combo.<br />
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You're probably asking yourself: "Where, where can <b>I</b> get me some of these beauties?!?" Glad you asked! Get on over to <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/colorbombcreations/search?search_query=minis&search_submit=&search_type=user_shop_ttt_id_5163749&shopname=colorbombcreations">www.colorbombcreations.etsy.com</a> and slurp yours up before they're all gone!velmalikevelvethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02882058790803620655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5116691.post-12053652866965112042011-09-27T19:41:00.000-07:002011-09-27T19:41:10.656-07:00His and Hers SOCKSEvery year, I make Cole a pair of socks for Xmas, a pair of thick boot-style socks using Noro Kureyon, and this year was no different (except for waiting 9 months to post about them!). There <i>was</i>one other thing that was different: I fell in love with them during the knitting process and couldn't bring myself to gift them to him!<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/velmasworld/5307251351/" title="Almost But Not Quite Shoes & Socks by Velma's World, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5130/5307251351_212a5a72b7.jpg" width="475" alt="Almost But Not Quite Shoes & Socks"></a><br />
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I mean, come <i>on</i>, look at them! Stripey socks of goodness, and I simply <b>had</b> to have them. Lucky for me, Cole and I share another thing besides our love for bacon-topped donuts: our feet are the same size! So when it became apparent that I was gonna snake his socks, I just started another pair. To whit:<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/velmasworld/5583311201/" title="Cole in his newest Xmas Socks by Velma's World, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5054/5583311201_a342038208.jpg" width="475" alt="Cole in his newest Xmas Socks"></a><br />
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His are pretty cute too, don't you think? I didn't <i>quite</i> get his done on time, but he loved 'em once he got 'em. Specs (for those in to that kinda thing) can be found on my Ravelry project pages: <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/velmalikevelvet/noro-quick-socks-4">His</a> and <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/velmalikevelvet/almost-but-not-quite">Hers</a>.<br />
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velmalikevelvethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02882058790803620655noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5116691.post-25189994247345280142011-09-25T09:00:00.000-07:002011-09-25T13:30:27.530-07:00Weaving, I Haz ItYup, I accidentally fell in love with weaving. My friend <a href="www.auntjanetsfibermill.com/">Aunt Janet</a> has been proselytizing the joys of the Church of Weaving for as long as I've known her, & I'd avoided the cult despite being surrounded by amazing weavers of all kinds. My local fiber guild, the <a href="http://www.hhsguild.org/">Humboldt Handweavers & Spinners</a>, is <i>rife</i> with skilled weavers, and through the generosity of Morgaine Wilder of <a href="http://www.carolinahomespun.com/">Carolina Homespun</a> and her <a href="www.goldengatefiberinstitute.org/">Golden Gate Fiber Institute</a>, I've met many more. But until this spring I'd managed to avoid dating a new craft, but after attending Janet's rigid heddle demo at a Guild meeting, I am <b>smitten</b>.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/velmasworld/5518831696/" title="I haz weavez! by Velma's World, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5258/5518831696_c8aacb63d4.jpg" width="475"alt="I haz weavez!"></a><center><small>Please don't notice the giant mess that is my <del>living room</del> workshop!</small></center><br />
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I was lucky enough to be sent home from that demonstration with a warped-and-ready loom on long-term loan, and I immediately set to putting what I learned that night to the test. I started by continuing in the plain weave Janet had started, doing that for a few inches until I got bored. Then I did a bit of Google-fu, searching for '<a href="http://www.google.com/search?q=humboldt+handweavers&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a#sclient=psy&hl=en&client=firefox-a&hs=u5u&rls=org.mozilla:en-US%3Aofficial&source=hp&q=%27rigid+heddle+stitch+patterns%27&pbx=1&oq=%27rigid+heddle+stitch+patterns%27&aq=f&aqi=&aql=1&gs_sm=e&gs_upl=143932l150086l4l150366l32l22l1l0l0l0l932l7976l2-5.5.4.1.3l19l0&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_cp.&fp=db15b2a292d24fbf&biw=1280&bih=560">rigid heddle stitch patterns</a>', which yielded a plethora of pretty patterns. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/velmasworld/5527544265/" title="Leno weave closeup by Velma's World, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5016/5527544265_39934c54d3.jpg" width="475" alt="Leno weave closeup"></a><br />
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I started with some 2x2 and 4x4 leno twists (above), and continued with 'Brook's Bouquet' lace from <a href="http://www.ashford.co.nz/newsite/pdfs_assembly_guides/RH2HK_web_62.pdf">Ashford</a> (below).<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/velmasworld/5530659372/" title="2nd pick of 'Brooks Bouquet' lace is prettier by Velma's World, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5134/5530659372_cc9b30d676.jpg" width="475" alt="2nd pick of 'Brooks Bouquet' lace is prettier"></a><br />
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Then a little over-under, pick-up-stick-formed shed pattern using a 2nd sword I made from a yardstick:<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/velmasworld/5528529994/" title="Close up of over-under pick up stick-formed shed pattern by Velma's World, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5175/5528529994_58caf65084.jpg" width="475" alt="Close up of over-under pick up stick-formed shed pattern"></a><br />
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Then I started getting adventurous: I added a row of curly Wensleydale and Mohair locks...<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/velmasworld/5530901324/" title="Added a row of mohair & wensleydale locks to the sampler by Velma's World, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5013/5530901324_6241aced42.jpg" width="475" alt="Added a row of mohair & wensleydale locks to the sampler"></a><br />
<br />
...and 3 rows of silk noil I dyed last year:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/velmasworld/5530487533/" title="Three rows of silk noil added to the sampler by Velma's World, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5093/5530487533_464f8c9da1.jpg" width="475" alt="Three rows of silk noil added to the sampler"></a><br />
<br />
I finished up with a clasped weft section following the instructions of <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AoJ4IcKVrwE">this YouTube video</a>, (not a great choice of contrast weft, which is why it doesn't show up well in the photo), ending with plain weave until I ran out of warp.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/velmasworld/5533364918/" title="Last section: Clasped Weft by Velma's World, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5177/5533364918_8d3b0b7aec.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Last section: Clasped Weft"></a><br />
<br />
After tying and cutting it off the loom, this is what I got: <br />
<br />
<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/velmasworld/5535588759/" title="Wrapped in my new woven sampler stole by Velma's World, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5213/5535588759_22a63a7ded.jpg" width="365" height="500" alt="Wrapped in my new woven sampler stole"></a></center><br />
<center><b>Sampler the First</b></center><br />
<br />
The loom came pre-warped with Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece in green, gold, and pink. I used more of that, plus some of Janet's super-bulky handspun art yarn for the weft, and I estimate (using <a href="http://www.enneacollective.com/?p=242">this yardage calculator</a>) that I used approximately 500 yards of yarn. Finished dimensions are 24" x 60". <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/velmalikevelvet/sampler-the-first">Ravelry project page</a>.<br />
<br />
I was SHOCKED by how much fun I had! I expected weaving to be much less accommodating of playful spontaneity than it was - one instance when I was <i>happy</i> to be wrong! So now I've decided that I simply MUST find a 'real' (read: bigger) loom for myself, and last weekend at the CA Wool & Fiber Festival in Boonville I think I found it: a used Leclerc Nilus 4-shaft is headed my way in the coming months! Joy! So expect to see more weaving posts on VWorld...velmalikevelvethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02882058790803620655noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5116691.post-36402518364977981392011-09-24T16:32:00.000-07:002011-09-24T16:32:36.794-07:00Sidecar Saturday<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/velmasworld/6178974415/" title="Sidecar Saturday! by Velma's World, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6159/6178974415_925da0ae57.jpg" width="475" alt="Sidecar Saturday!"></a><br />
<br />
Enough said! Well, it would be if I wasn't an inebriated loudmouth. I was inspired today by <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/TheBon">The Bon</a> on <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/velmalikevelvet">Twitter </a>today, when she said she was drinking a sidecar. Brazen copycat-slash-boozehound that I am, I immediately set to whipping up a batch for myself. Et voila! <br />
<br />
For inquiring minds:<br />
<b><br />
Classic Sidecar</b><br />
<br />
* 8 parts Cognac or brandy<br />
* 2 parts Cointreau<br />
* 1 part lemon juice<br />
<br />
Shake with ice and strain into a sugar-rimmed stemmed cocktail glass; garnish with lemon slice.<br />
<br />
I'm outta Cointreau, so I subbed Grand Marnier to good effect. <b>Salud!</b>velmalikevelvethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02882058790803620655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5116691.post-60269554001892640582011-09-23T11:13:00.000-07:002011-09-27T19:47:09.800-07:00Lace Me Up!New, NEW, <b>All New!</b><br />
<br />
How about something <b>NEW </b>from <b>COLORBOMB</b>? I know you'll want some! I've taken the first baby step into the field of hand-dyeing millspun yarns, and my first offering is <b>LACE ME UP!</b>, a 2-ply superfine merino lace weight yarn. I've put it up in 3.5 ounce (100 gram) skeins that top out at over 1000 yards (914 meters) of next-to-skin soft yumminess. (In the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/">Ravelry </a>database <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/colorbomb-creations-lace-me-up">here</a>.) The first colorway I created I call '<b>Unsubtle</b>', for obvious reasons:<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://img3.etsystatic.com/il_570xN.272909191.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" width="475" src="http://img3.etsystatic.com/il_570xN.272909191.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Hot, isn't it? All the skeins in the first small batch are already spoken for - sorry! - but this IS a repeatable colorway, so let me know if it is something you're interested in and I can create a custom <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/82353095/unsubtle-superfine-merino-lace-weight">Etsy listing</a>for you anytime. Look for more colorways coming soon. <br />
<br />
Wanna keep up with the latest from <a href="http://www.colorbombcreations.com/">COLORBOMB Creations</a>? If you're a member of <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/">Ravelry </a>(and really, who isn't these days?), pop in to <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/groups/colorbombers">COLORBOMBers</a>, the group for all things CBC, where <b>COLOR CAN'T HURT YOU!</b> <br />
<br />
velmalikevelvethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02882058790803620655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5116691.post-3130752657497498632011-08-30T13:48:00.000-07:002011-10-07T13:07:41.670-07:00Jumping on BoardCan't. Help. Myself. <br />
<br />
I'm jumping on the hexipuff bandwagon! What? you haven't heard about hexipuffing? I don't believe it! I thought I was the last to succumb to the lure of the blanket comprised of dozens of stuffed cute wee hexagons. <br />
<br />
The pattern, <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/the-beekeepers-quilt">The Beekeeper's Quilt</a> (Rav link) by <a href="http://tinyowlknits.wordpress.com/patterns/">Tiny Owl Knits</a>, has BLOWN UP all over <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/">Ravelry</a> and the rest of the internets. Published only a bit over a month ago, this pattern already has over one thousand knitters and crocheters whipping up dozens of the teeny 'hexipuffs', as they are called in popular parlance. <br />
<br />
One of the things that pushed me over the edge on making this blanket was a <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/discuss/the-chitterychattery-swappery-swappers/1779634/476-500#490">minis swap in the C2S2 group</a> on Ravelry. Here's what I'm sending out: <br />
<br />
<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/velmasworld/6097502889/" title="Sending out wee skeins into the world... by Velma's World, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6070/6097502889_5044b2fe25.jpg" alt="Sending out wee skeins into the world..." height="375" width="500" /></a></center> <br />
<br />
Twenty-one 5 gram skeinlets of SW Merino/Bamboo Fingering weight from Tactile Fiber Arts. In return, I'll receive 20 mixed mini-skeins from other swap participants, & I'll be on my way to a new blanket! <br />
<br />
Since I just finished reading <a href="http://www.alibris.com/search/books/qwork/610336/used/The%20Beekeeper%27s%20Apprentice"><span style="font-style: italic;">The Beekeeper's Apprentice</span></a> by Laurie R. King, a novel postulating a clever female detective partner for Sherlock Holmes (which I highly recommend; read my review on <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/">Goodreads</a> <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/171094950">here</a>), I'm toying with clever tie-in names to call my iteration of the blanket: Sherlock Meets His Match in Mary... The Apprentice's Blanket... The Blanketkeeper's Apprentice... Can't quite settle on one that isn't totally lame. Or at least lame in a good way. <br />
<br />
<div class="tag_list">Tags: <span class="tags"><a onmouseover="this.href='http://technorati.com/tag/knitting?user=velmalikevelvet'" href="http://technorati.com/tag/knitting" rel="tag">knitting</a>, <a onmouseover="this.href='http://technorati.com/tag/Ravelry?user=velmalikevelvet'" href="http://technorati.com/tag/Ravelry" rel="tag">Ravelry</a>, <a onmouseover="this.href='http://technorati.com/tag/hexipuff?user=velmalikevelvet'" href="http://technorati.com/tag/hexipuff" rel="tag">hexipuff</a>, <a onmouseover="this.href='http://technorati.com/tag/Beekeeper's+Quilt?user=velmalikevelvet'" href="http://technorati.com/tag/Beekeeper%27s+Quilt" rel="tag">Beekeeper's Quilt</a></span></div>velmalikevelvethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02882058790803620655noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5116691.post-81787145338497297252011-07-01T08:59:00.000-07:002011-07-01T09:03:09.987-07:00BSG Kodak MomentsFollowing up with my previous post with contributions from the papparazzi!<br /><br />Unfortunately, my camera battery crapped out after I took only a few photos at Pie & Beer, but happily Don Butler, one of my campmates that traveled up from Humboldt with our regular local crew, was kind enough to fill in for me & share his pics. A big shout out to Don & to his wife Edie for bringing him!<br /><br />I put together a photo collage of some of the best of them for you. If you click on the hyperlinks in the caption, it will take you to the photo page for each one on <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/velmasworld/">Flickr</a>.<br /><br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/velmasworld/5887972631/" title="Pie & Beer #2 Kodak Moments by Velma's World, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5103/5887972631_208a102f0a.jpg" alt="Pie & Beer #2 Kodak Moments" height="500" width="500" /></a><br /><b><br />COLORBOMB 2nd Annual Pie & Beer at Black Sheep Gathering - June 24, 2011</b><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">1. <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/72166129@N00/5887810609/">Woolywoman at the wheel</a>, 2. <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/72166129@N00/5887810269/">Velma & Dawn</a>, 3. <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/72166129@N00/5888373384/">Mmmmm, PIE!</a>, 4. <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/72166129@N00/5887687023/">Draft, girl, draft!</a>,<br />5. <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/72166129@N00/5887807085/">Spinners Circle</a>, 6. <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/72166129@N00/5888377778/">Pocket Wheel closeup</a>, 7. <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/72166129@N00/5887812581/">Tailgating at Pie & Beer</a>, 8. <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/72166129@N00/5887810445/">Another group shot</a>,<br />9. <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/72166129@N00/5888376076/">Goatboy's new turkish spindles</a>, 10. <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/72166129@N00/5888377320/">Conviviality reigns</a>, 11. <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/72166129@N00/5887813165/">Our Mascot</a>,<br />12. <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/72166129@N00/5887810989/">Dawn, Edie, & Windy</a>, 13. <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/72166129@N00/5887811337/">Support spindle spinning</a><br />Created with <a href="http://bighugelabs.com/" rel="nofollow">fd's Flickr Toys</a></span></center><br /><br />Lots of spinning, lots of visiting, lots of PIE! I think there were at least 35 people there this year, & we had so much pie that I was able to contribute a few left over to the Saturday night potluck. And a big thanks to <a href="http://www.pocket-wheel.com/">John & Carla</a> for bringing the c-can of homemade root beer!<br /><br />It wasn't all wheel spinning, either: I saw drop spindles, support spindles, & even a needle felter! Mostly it was visiting with new & old friends though, & I just wish I could have sat in on ALL the conversations!<br /><br />For more photos of this year's gathering, check out my <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/velmasworld/sets/72157627084885082/with/5887972631/">2nd Annual Pie & Beer at BSG set on Flickr</a>. Be sure to tag yourself if I didn't identify you, & feel free to leave a note for Don - I'll be passing on comments to him & thanking him for generously sharing his photos.<br /><br />See you there next year!!!<br /><br /><div class="tag_list">Tags: <span class="tags"><a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Black+Sheep+Gathering" rel="tag" onmouseover="this.href='http://technorati.com/tag/Black+Sheep+Gathering?user=velmalikevelvet'">Black Sheep Gathering</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/COLORBOMB" rel="tag" onmouseover="this.href='http://technorati.com/tag/COLORBOMB?user=velmalikevelvet'">COLORBOMB</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/party" rel="tag" onmouseover="this.href='http://technorati.com/tag/party?user=velmalikevelvet'">party</a></span></div>velmalikevelvethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02882058790803620655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5116691.post-53357962141110088362011-06-28T17:00:00.000-07:002011-06-28T17:00:53.798-07:00BSG & a New StartAlmost an entire YEAR since my last blog post? Yup. Busy? Yes. Sick? Yes. Uninspired & unmotivated? Yes & yes. But I feel like I've got my blogging mojo back, & I hope you'll find something interesting in these posts once again. Here's to a new start!<br /><br />Since I just returned from <a href="http://www.blacksheepgathering.org/">Black Sheep Gathering</a>, pumped from seeing friends from near & far, meeting a whole new crop of fiber people, & generally having a wonderful time, I thought it would be the perfect way to jump into VWorld 2.0.<br /><br />This year I traveled with Ace Vandenack, the Romney sheep breeder behind Ace in the Hole Romney Ranch that I've been lucky enough to count as a friend for the past 5 years or so. We headed up Thursday morning, & he put me to work when we arrived pretending I'm not a dyed-in-the-wool city girl: I broke up flakes of fodder, filled & toted water buckets, & generally got in the way.<br /><br />Friday I spent shopping & visiting, followed by the highlight of my weekend: the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/events/colorbomb-pie--beer-at-bsg">2nd Annual Pie & Beer</a> celebration that I hosted in the campground Friday night. There were folks from as far away as Alaska & Hawaii, plus the folks from <a href="http://www.pocket-wheel.com/">Pocket Wheel</a> & about 30-35 others. Tons o' fun! Thanks to everyone who attended and made it such a rousing success.<br /><br />All 3 vendor buildings were fair bursting with wonderful opportunities for stash enhancement again this year. Here's what I brought home with me:<br /><ul><li>a goodie package for my friend Kirbie for the <a href="http://www.theloopyewe.com/sheri/category/camp-loopy">Camp Loopy</a> Cabin 3 bunkmate swap<br /></li><li>fiber: scrumptious SW Merino from <a href="http://abstractfiber.com/">Abstract Fiber</a>, SW Merino & Merino/Tencel from <a href="http://www.crownmountainfarms.com/">Crown Mountain Farms</a>, & Mohair/Merino/Nylon from <a href="http://www.artfire.com/users/OregonHomestead">Oregon Homestead</a><br /></li><li>yarn: a very Velma-licious Rare Gem colorway of Socks That Rock Lightweight from <a href="http://www.bluemoonfiberarts.com/">BMFA</a>, and 2 skeins of Matisse sock yarn from <a href="http://abstractfiber.com/">Abstract Fiber</a></li><li>JC Briar's <a href="http://jcbriar.com/books/"><span style="font-style: italic;">Charts Made Simple</span></a> book</li><li>a spalted maple modular spindle from <a href="http://www.kclwoods.com/">Ken Ledbetter</a> - 3 shafts!!!</li><li>a 2-ended yarn bag from Celeste Percy of <a href="http://celestialfiberarts.com/cfa/celestialfiberarts.com/index.html">Celestial Fiber Arts</a><br /></li><li>Hiya Hiya 4" glove needles from <a href="http://www.carolinahomespun.com/">Carolina Homespun</a></li><li>bobbins for plying from the estate booth<br /></li></ul><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/velmasworld/5882885122/" title="BSG 2011 - Haul o' Yarn by Velma's World, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5156/5882885122_993818041f_m.jpg" alt="BSG 2011 - Haul o' Yarn" width="180" /></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/velmasworld/5882323513/" title="BSG 2011 - Haul o' Stuff by Velma's World, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6016/5882323513_9907753b12_m.jpg" alt="BSG 2011 - Haul o' Stuff" width="180" /></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/velmasworld/5882884836/" title="BSG 2011 - Haul o' Fiber by Velma's World, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5061/5882884836_19ea000893_m.jpg" alt="BSG 2011 - Haul o' Fiber" width="180" /></a></center><br /><br />Wow, I thought I spent less this year, but after itemizing my shopping list, I'm not so sure! I also got some free shwag:<br /><ul><li>a sample bag from Jasmin & Gigi of the <a href="http://knitmoregirls.blogspot.com/">Knitmore Girls Podcast</a>, including free patterns from <a href="http://www.knitcircus.com/">Knitcircus</a>, a Lo-Lo Bar sample from <a href="https://bar-maids.com/Home_Page.html">Bar-Maids.com</a>, Targhee fiber sample from <a href="http://abstractfiber.com/">Abstract Fiber</a>, a skein of <a href="http://straw.com/">Crystal Palace</a> Panda Cotton, a button, & a tape measure - shwing!</li><li>2 braids of roving in the Ravelry fiber swap: Australian wool from Lime & Violet & South African fine wool from Spunky Eclectic</li></ul>I missed Woodland Woolworks, RIP. I needed the expertise of their wheel repair guy, but was eventually able to fix my wheel squeak after Violinjodie's suggested that I tighten the maiden.<br /><br />After spending the better part of Saturday hanging out in the always convivial spinner's circle out on the lawn, chatting with tons of spinners, & playing <a href="http://blacksheepbingo.com/">BSG Bingo</a>, which was once again organized with aplomb by <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/people/TheBon">TheBon </a>& <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/people/violinjodie">Violinjodie</a>, I was ready for the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/events/bsg-ravelry-member-meetup">Ravelry Meet-up</a> in the afternoon. Although I didn't win anything in the raffle this year, I'm confident that the bamboo roving braids I donated found a happy new home. The only sad note was the announcement at the end of the prize drawing that a newly-purchased wheel was stolen from the indoor Spinner's Circle. However, <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/people/yankee">Yankee Greg</a> & many BSG attendees came to the rescue: Greg took up a collection & raised enough donations to replace <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/people/CraftyDiver">Jan</a>'s stolen wheel!<br /><br />Saturday night's potluck dinner was amazing, as always. Unfortunately, I was too poopered to make it to the Spinner's Lead this year, but I heard that it went off without a hitch.<br /><br />More hanging out & visiting Sunday, then at the end of the day I got to help Ace load up the trailer, doing my best to fill my shepherdess role, herding ewes. We were out the door and on the road by 4:20, and made it to my house about 10:30. BSG #4 for me, under my belt.<br /><br />If you were there, I hope you had as good a time as I did, & if you weren't well, you should try to make it next year. Best fiber festival I've been to!velmalikevelvethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02882058790803620655noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5116691.post-47647941649221913492010-07-07T00:17:00.000-07:002010-07-07T12:52:27.399-07:00Tour de Fleecing<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/velmasworld/4769601967/" title="Tour de Rainbow yarn from COLORBOMB Creations by Velma's World, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4097/4769601967_1c624d8ca3.jpg" alt="Tour de Rainbow yarn from COLORBOMB Creations" height="500" width="500" /></a></center><br /><span style="font-size:78%;"></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><blockquote><span style="font-size:78%;">1. <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/72166129@N00/4769566391/">COLORBOMB 'Tour de Rainbow' Menage a Trois style handspun yarn</a>, 2. <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/72166129@N00/4725174444/">Rogue Adventures SW BFL in 'Fun'</a>, 3. <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/72166129@N00/4757865129/">Rogue on the bobbin for TdF</a>, 4. <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/72166129@N00/4761221024/">Happy Sparkler Day!</a>, 5. <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/72166129@N00/4761704813/">My Wheel has a Tail</a>, 6. <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/72166129@N00/4761704983/">1 Down, 1 to Go!</a>, 7. <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/72166129@N00/4765592601/">Tour de Toes</a>, 8. <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/72166129@N00/4768419712/">First Full Bobbins of the Tour</a>, 9. <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/72166129@N00/4768749135/">Topless Touring</a>, 10. <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/72166129@N00/4769565507/">Tour de Rainbow closeup</a>, 11. <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/72166129@N00/4769565743/">Tour de Rainbow all plyed and on the bobbins!</a>, 12. <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/72166129@N00/4770205666/">Tour de Rainbow on the skeinwinder</a>, 13. <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/72166129@N00/4770205986/">Ta DA! 1st spin of the Tour is Finis!</a></span></blockquote></div><div style="text-align: justify;">As a chronic joiner, I couldn't resist <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/groups/tour-de-fleece">Tour de Fleece</a>, the annual spinning challenge that runs concurrently with the Tour de France. 'Riding' for <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/discuss/colorbombers/1192737/126-150#140">Team COLORBOMBers</a>, <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/groups/rogue-adventures-fans">Team Rogue</a>, and <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/discuss/tour-de-fleece/1193052/401-425#405">Team Lendrum</a>, I finished my first TdF yarn!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/people/velmalikevelvet/stash/menage-a-trois-handspun-8">Tour de Rainbow</a>, one of my <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/colorbomb-creations-menage-a-trois-handspun">Ménage à Trois</a>™ style yarns, is 206 yards of stripey, bright goodness! It is superwash BFL fiber that I got from Trish at <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/RogueAdventures">Rogue Adventures on Etsy</a>. Can't recommend her enough!<br /><br />Now, to find the right pattern for it...<br /><br /></div><div class="tag_list">Tags: <span class="tags"><a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Tour+de+Fleece" rel="tag" onmouseover="this.href='http://technorati.com/tag/Tour+de+Fleece?user=velmalikevelvet'">Tour de Fleece</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/handspun+yarn" rel="tag" onmouseover="this.href='http://technorati.com/tag/handspun+yarn?user=velmalikevelvet'">handspun yarn</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/COLORBOMB+Creations" rel="tag" onmouseover="this.href='http://technorati.com/tag/COLORBOMB+Creations?user=velmalikevelvet'">COLORBOMB Creations</a></span></div>velmalikevelvethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02882058790803620655noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5116691.post-31347329917465838362010-07-05T10:29:00.000-07:002010-07-05T10:32:18.788-07:00Happy Sparkler Day!<center><br /><object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" data="http://www.flickr.com/apps/video/stewart.swf?v=71377" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" height="300" width="400"> <param name="flashvars" value="intl_lang=en-us&photo_secret=90b2ab24e3&photo_id=4762409067"> <param name="movie" value="http://www.flickr.com/apps/video/stewart.swf?v=71377"> <param name="bgcolor" value="#000000"> <param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://www.flickr.com/apps/video/stewart.swf?v=71377" bgcolor="#000000" allowfullscreen="true" flashvars="intl_lang=en-us&photo_secret=90b2ab24e3&photo_id=4762409067" height="300" width="400"></embed></object><br /></center><br /><div class="tag_list">Tags: <span class="tags"><a href="http://technorati.com/tag/4th+of+July" rel="tag" onmouseover="this.href='http://technorati.com/tag/4th+of+July?user=velmalikevelvet'">4th of July</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/sparklers" rel="tag" onmouseover="this.href='http://technorati.com/tag/sparklers?user=velmalikevelvet'">sparklers</a></span></div>velmalikevelvethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02882058790803620655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5116691.post-71142105864265893022010-06-30T21:42:00.000-07:002010-06-30T21:47:44.373-07:00Hot AND Lucky<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/velmasworld/3560637318/" title="COLORBOMB 'Hottie' closeup by Velma's World, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3644/3560637318_e9c158d38d.jpg" alt="COLORBOMB 'Hottie' closeup" height="500" width="500" /></a></center><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Do you remember <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/people/velmalikevelvet/stash/fiber-pigtails-bamboo-3">this fiber</a>? My hand-dyed bamboo in 'Hottie'? Yep, it was waaay too Velma to sell, so this one went into my stash. <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/colorbomb-creations-fiber-pigtails-bamboo">Bamboo Pigtails</a> <i>porn</i>!<br /></div><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/velmasworld/3560722216/" title="COLORBOMB 'Hottie' Bamboo Pigtails™ by Velma's World, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2460/3560722216_2417041be1.jpg" alt="COLORBOMB 'Hottie' Bamboo Pigtails™" height="500" width="500" /></a></center><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">3.9 ounces of citrusy-TANGY-goodness in tangerine, clementine, ruby grapefruit, and lemon. OMG, I swoon!<br /></div><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/velmasworld/4645723408/" title="Bamboo yarn porn 147/365 by Velma's World, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4040/4645723408_b0aa01d48f.jpg" alt="Bamboo yarn porn 147/365" height="375" width="500" /></a></center><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">I spun it up -- it was easy-peasy! -- into <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/people/velmalikevelvet/stash/singleton-handspun-7">this</a> <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/colorbomb-creations-singleton-handspun">Singleton singles</a> that ranged from cobweb to a heavy fingering weight, for a total of 290 yards, ~20WPI.<br /></div><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/velmasworld/4656675263/" title="COLORBOMB 'Hottie' Singleton handspun yarn by Velma's World, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4010/4656675263_74396706c2.jpg" alt="COLORBOMB 'Hottie' Singleton handspun yarn" height="375" width="500" /></a></center><br />See? I TOLD you it was gorgeous!<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/velmasworld/4679657381/" title="Hottie Hole 158/365 by Velma's World, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4007/4679657381_b05d320579.jpg" alt="Hottie Hole 158/365" height="375" width="500" /></a></center><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">My original plan was to write a lace shawl pattern for it. You know, the hat trick: dyed, spun, designed, & knit by ME (I guess that's more than 3; what do you call that? A hat-and-scarf trick?)<br /><br /></div><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/velmasworld/4682908395/" title="Proto-Shawl 159/365 by Velma's World, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1303/4682908395_a7b9ff7dcd.jpg" alt="Proto-Shawl 159/365" height="375" width="500" /></a></center><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">But as it turns out, it's a <i>wee</i> bit arrogant to think that, having NEVER knit lace before, and NEVER made a shawl before, that I could just <i>whip out</i> a lace shawl pattern. Not to worry, though, I found the best pattern!<br /></div><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/velmasworld/4685712284/" title="Hot Luck Shawl-in-progress by Velma's World, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1274/4685712284_05e5888a16.jpg" alt="Hot Luck Shawl-in-progress" height="375" width="500" /></a></center><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/bonne-chance-scarf">Bonne Chance</a>, by <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/designers/mercedes-tarasovich-clark">Mercedes Tarasovich-Clark</a> of <a href="http://kitchensinkdyeworks.com/">Kitchen Sink Dyeworks</a> and <a href="http://www.piebirddesign.com/">Pie Bird Design</a>, is almost <i>exactly</i> the look I had in my head when I was planning my own design. Knit from 1 stitch that gradually gets wider & wider (so I could just knit 'til I ran out of yarn), open & lacy, with diagonal ribs - just the ticket!<br /></div><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/velmasworld/4704116888/" title="Hot Lace 166/365 by Velma's World, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1270/4704116888_b505d35b17.jpg" alt="Hot Lace 166/365" height="375" width="500" /></a></center><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Look how nicely it shows off the sheen of my fiber! And drapey! Did I <i>mention</i> how drapey it is? Just divine.<br /></div><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/velmasworld/4737137768/" title="Hot Luck 33 1/3 Shawl - closeup by Velma's World, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4135/4737137768_80ef04120e.jpg" alt="Hot Luck 33 1/3 Shawl - closeup" height="375" width="500" /></a></center><br />I can't stop showing you closeups of the texture, I love it so much!<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/velmasworld/4737139202/" title="Hot Luck, Blocking by Velma's World, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4077/4737139202_8286a95b11.jpg" alt="Hot Luck, Blocking" height="375" width="500" /></a></center><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Despite the fact that bamboo has no "memory" to speak of, I decided to block it lightly, if nothing else so that I could compare how Bea's blocking wires performed in comparison with my yarn-stretching method from <a href="http://velmasworld.blogspot.com/2010/04/diy-lace-blocking-101.html">my blocking tutorial</a>. Thanks for the loan, Bea, they worked great! SO much faster than running yarn along the perimeter, & easier to get a straight line. Totally worth the investment; it's on my list.<br /></div><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/velmasworld/4736619317/" title="FO: Hot Luck 33 1/3 by Velma's World, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4142/4736619317_3ef85513d9.jpg" alt="FO: Hot Luck 33 1/3" height="375" width="500" /></a></center><br />Ta-da! I knew you were waiting to see the real deal. Knit in just under 3 weeks (VERY fast for me) on US8 needles, I did a couple of mods to the pattern: I knit only 3 rows of garter at the end, rather than 4 (I was running out of yarn), & I did a K2, YO, knit to last 2 sts, YO, K2 pattern on those rows; oh, and I used <a href="http://knitty.com/ISSUEfall09/FEATjssbo.php">Jenny's Surprisingly Stretchy Bind-off</a> because I was worried about it being too narrow - LOL! Definitely NOT too narrow; it measures 56" wide and 34" deep. It's in my Rav projects <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/velmalikevelvet/bonne-chance-scarf">here</a>.<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/velmasworld/4736618901/" title="Hot Luck 33 1/3 Shawl by Velma's World, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4099/4736618901_a596ef1e13.jpg" alt="Hot Luck 33 1/3 Shawl" height="375" width="500" /></a></center><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Plenty big, and so wide that I don't absolutely <i>need</i> a shawl pin because I can tie the ends together in front, it is so light I hardly notice it's there! I think I need to bust out my little black dress and my push-up bra and have Cole take me to <a href="http://www.pearlloungeeureka.com/">The Pearl</a> for cocktails.<br /></div><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/velmasworld/4737254892/" title="Silly Velma in her new shawl by Velma's World, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4138/4737254892_039e3f02f0.jpg" alt="Silly Velma in her new shawl" height="375" width="500" /></a></center><br />Or I can just rock the babuschka look. ;)<br /><br /><div class="tag_list">Tags: <span class="tags"><a href="http://technorati.com/tag/handspun" rel="tag" onmouseover="this.href='http://technorati.com/tag/handspun?user=velmalikevelvet'">handspun</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/knitting" rel="tag" onmouseover="this.href='http://technorati.com/tag/knitting?user=velmalikevelvet'">knitting</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/bamboo" rel="tag" onmouseover="this.href='http://technorati.com/tag/bamboo?user=velmalikevelvet'">bamboo</a></span></div>velmalikevelvethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02882058790803620655noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5116691.post-63179209302582168102010-06-25T12:51:00.000-07:002010-06-25T12:57:53.988-07:00A SAL, a KAL, & a Cowl<div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/72166129@N00/4722884684"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 275px;" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1083/4722884684_b452c11643.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Three-fer! Ever wanted to feel like an Elizabethan queen (or king)? Then boy, do I have a pattern for you: <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/court-jester-cowl">the Court Jester Cowl</a>! My friend <a href="http://einesaite.blogspot.com/">Tracy Hudson</a>, aka <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/people/himalaya">Himalaya</a>, knit up <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/himalaya/court-jester-cowl">a kickin' cowl</a>, & when she posted it in the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/groups/novelty-and-art-yarn-spinners">Novelty & Art Yarn Spinners group</a> on <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/">Ravelry</a>, my cohorts and I <span style="font-style: italic;">jumped </span>on it. You're lookin' at me in mine - <a href="http://ravel.me/velmalikevelvet/cjc">Buffoon in my projects</a> - there in the photo-op at Black Sheep Gathering.<br /><br />Soon as I saw <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22047329@N04/4620479927">Tracy in hers</a>, I PMed her & <span style="font-style: italic;">demanded </span>that she write up the pattern. Turns out, I wasn't the only one pestering her to do so. <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/people/studioloo">Studioloo</a> <a href="http://www.studioloo.com/">Cindy</a> also inquired, albeit more gently than I, about a pattern. Tracy was gracious enough to accommodate us, and it bloomed into a 3-way spin-along/knit-along in the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/discuss/novelty-and-art-yarn-spinners/1151193/">N&AYS</a>, <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/discuss/colorbombers/1150929/">COLORBOMBers</a>, & <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/discuss/insubordiknit/1151241/">Insubordiknit</a> groups on Ravelry.<br /></div><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/velmasworld/4657915826/" title="Buffoon Yarn 151/365 by Velma's World, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4011/4657915826_5d0842b91b.jpg" alt="Buffoon Yarn 151/365" height="375" width="500" /></a></center><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Designed to show off art yarn ("art for your neck" as Tracy dubbed it), it's a corrugated rib cowl with two contrasting art yarns, knit in the round. I had this skein of thick-and-thin <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/colorbomb-creations-singular-tnt-handspun">COLORBOMB Singular TnT handspun</a> in my stash, spun last year, & decided it would be a nice backdrop for some supercoils. I dug out some acid green Romney roving my friend Janet gave me & set to spinning up some <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/colorbomb-creations-loopydoopy-minis-handspun">LoopyDoopy Minis</a> for the project.<br /></div><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/velmasworld/4663715947/" title="Buffoon is coming along... by Velma's World, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4051/4663715947_6b4a9a5740.jpg" alt="Buffoon is coming along..." height="375" width="500" /></a></center><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">This would have been a REALLY fast knit-up if I hadn't had to stop repeatedly to spin more supercoils. In fact, I ran out of the acid green fiber and had to spin the yellow Romney, and eventually spun up some chartreuse Romney. But they look great together, & unless I mention it they're just a "design element". ;)<br /><br />I did a few pattern mods on mine: cast on fewer stitches to make it tighter in the neck like a turtleneck, added extra ribs, did my ribs as purls to pop the texture to the front, substituted seed stitch for stockinette at the hem, & made mine longer. Mine didn't ruffle around the bottom edge like the pattern because of the extra increases & length. I called mine 'Buffoon' because, according to Wikipedia, it "is a term for someone who provides amusement through inappropriate appearance and/or behavior.” Me to a T!<br /></div><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/velmasworld/4670257302/" title="Buffoon is buffinished! 155/365 by Velma's World, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4004/4670257302_dd47ea06eb.jpg" alt="Buffoon is buffinished! 155/365" height="375" width="500" /></a></center><br />I was planning to line it with fabric (the Romney in the supercoils makes it a little scratchy), but I realized that would make it difficult to maintain the stretchiness, which it needs to be nice & snug around the neck. Besides, when it is cold enough to wear this TOASTY garment, I'll probably have a turtleneck on underneath it to keep it off my neck anyway.<br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />Received the very BEST comment on it from <a href="http://notemine.com/users/fosterson">Jim</a>/<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/people/fosterson">Fosterson</a>: <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/discuss/novelty-and-art-yarn-spinners/1151193/101-125#101">"It's like a Gallifreyian High Council Collar on acid!"</a> Gotta love a man that makes Dr. Who references!<br /><br />Speaking of Jim, check out <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/fosterson/court-jester-cowl">his version of the cowl</a>. One of my COLORBOMB customers, <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/people/apuffyj">apuffyj</a>, <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/91463078@N00/4664867533">made one</a> using a skein of my <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/colorbomb-creations-enwraptured-handspun">Enwraptured handspun yarn</a> - beautiful in blue! And the incomparable <a href="http://spinzphat.wordpress.com/">Miki</a>/<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/people/Knitzphat">Knitzphat</a> made a <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/Knitzphat/court-jester-cowl">gorgeous chocolate brown/green version</a>.<br /><br />So, the pertinents: I used ~75 yards of a bulky singles for the main color, '<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/people/velmalikevelvet/stash/singular-tnt-handspun">Psych</a>', and ~40 yards of '<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/people/velmalikevelvet/stash/loopydoopy-minis-handspun-13">Acidic</a>' supercoils for the contrast color. Knit on US13 needles. SUPER easy-peasy pattern, too. If you've been looking for a simple but effective way to show your handspun art yarn (or someone else's) off to best effect, this is a great lil' project.<br /></div><br /><div class="tag_list">Tags: <span class="tags"><a href="http://technorati.com/tag/knitting" rel="tag" onmouseover="this.href='http://technorati.com/tag/knitting?user=velmalikevelvet'">knitting</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/art+yarn" rel="tag" onmouseover="this.href='http://technorati.com/tag/art+yarn?user=velmalikevelvet'">art yarn</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/COLORBOMB+Creations" rel="tag" onmouseover="this.href='http://technorati.com/tag/COLORBOMB+Creations?user=velmalikevelvet'">COLORBOMB Creations</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/handspun" rel="tag" onmouseover="this.href='http://technorati.com/tag/handspun?user=velmalikevelvet'">handspun</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/cowl" rel="tag" onmouseover="this.href='http://technorati.com/tag/cowl?user=velmalikevelvet'">cowl</a></span></div>velmalikevelvethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02882058790803620655noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5116691.post-76701250722461212072010-06-23T15:33:00.000-07:002010-06-23T15:33:43.581-07:00Gettin' My Silky On<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/velmasworld/4728099937/" title="COLORBOMB 'Speak Softly' Silk Pigtails - Mosaic by Velma's World, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1355/4728099937_95c59b275c.jpg" alt="COLORBOMB 'Speak Softly' Silk Pigtails - Mosaic" height="500" width="500" /></a></center><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Feeling silk-tastic! My <a href="http://ravel.me/velmalikevelvet/pof">bamboo handspun shawl</a> has put me in the mood for some lustrous, drapey fiber action, & the hand-dyed Mulberry silk sliver I dyed last week is just the ticket! I put 5 colorways of my handpainted Pigtails™ into the <a href="http://colorbombcreations.etsy.com/">COLORBOMB Creations Etsy shop</a> for your spinning pleasure. Pictured above is the pinkiest-pink colorway 'Speak Softly', and the Etsy listing can be found <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/50061161/speak-softly-silk-pigtails-20-ounces">HERE</a>.<br /></div><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/velmasworld/4728660306/" title="COLORBOMB 'Bridge at Giverny' Silk Pigtails - Mosaic by Velma's World, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1089/4728660306_307505d887.jpg" alt="COLORBOMB 'Bridge at Giverny' Silk Pigtails - Mosaic" height="500" width="500" /></a></center><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/colorbomb-creations-fiber-pigtails-silk">COLORBOMB Pigtails™</a> <span style="font-size:78%;">(Rav link)</span> are daisy-chain braids of roving (carded) or top (combed), hand-dyed using professional acid or fiber reactive dyes in fun color combos & semi-solids. These particular silk braids are 100% Bombyx (aka Mulberry) silk combed sliver/top, and the colorway above, inspired by <a href="http://echostains.wordpress.com/2010/03/22/art-quotes-monet-into-the-light/">Monet's painting of the same name</a>, is called 'Bridge at Giverny' and can be found <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/50049483/bridge-at-giverny-silk-pigtails-20">in the shop HERE</a>.<br /></div><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/velmasworld/4728693846/" title="COLORBOMB 'Punch Drunk' Silk Pigtails - Mosaic by Velma's World, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1312/4728693846_462e980034.jpg" alt="COLORBOMB 'Punch Drunk' Silk Pigtails - Mosaic" height="500" width="500" /></a></center><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Mulberry silk fiber is the highest quality available, made by <span style="font-style: italic;">Bombyx mori</span> silkworms. The luminosity is stunning in this fiber, and when spun it creates a shine that is unparalleled. It is also the strongest natural fiber available, making your spun yarn extremely durable. Mulberry silk is hypoallergenic and odorless, unlike it's wild counterpart, and will not felt. Get some in the colorway above, 'Punch Drunk' which is full of tangerine, lemon, and strawberry citrus colors & is <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/50053278/punch-drunk-silk-pigtails-20-ounces-hand">for sale HERE</a>.<br /></div><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/velmasworld/4728713348/" title="COLORBOMB 'Wind in the Willows' Silk Pigtails - Mosaic by Velma's World, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1009/4728713348_b8309bf808.jpg" alt="COLORBOMB 'Wind in the Willows' Silk Pigtails - Mosaic" height="500" width="500" /></a></center><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Each of these braids is 2 ounces of silky goodness, with a staple length of approximately 3 inches. My colorways are OOAK & non-repeatable - be sure to grab yours while you can! Above is my 'Wind in the Willows' colorway, created by using the grassy-est, most <span style="font-style: italic;">arboreal </span>greens I could create. It's <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/50056545/wind-in-the-willows-silk-pigtails-20">available HERE</a>.<br /></div><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/velmasworld/4728729742/" title="COLORBOMB 'Banana Seuss' Silk Pigtails - Mosaic by Velma's World, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1322/4728729742_28efa09612.jpg" alt="COLORBOMB 'Banana Seuss' Silk Pigtails - Mosaic" height="500" width="500" /></a></center><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">For 'Banana Seuss' I paired a lemony, banana yellow with spots of magenta pink to create a shimmery, playful palette. <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/50059448/banana-seuss-silk-pigtails-20-ounces">Get yours here</a>!<br /><br />I've got several more pounds of this <span style="font-style: italic;">scrumptious </span>fiber to dye up, so get your color requests in soon if you are looking for something specific. I'm happy to work with your color cravings!<br /><br />Happy shopping and Happy spinning!<br /></div><br /><div class="tag_list">Tags: <span class="tags"><a href="http://technorati.com/tag/COLORBOMB+Creations" rel="tag" onmouseover="this.href='http://technorati.com/tag/COLORBOMB+Creations?user=velmalikevelvet'">COLORBOMB Creations</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/colorbomb" rel="tag" onmouseover="this.href='http://technorati.com/tag/colorbomb?user=velmalikevelvet'">colorbomb</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/silk" rel="tag" onmouseover="this.href='http://technorati.com/tag/silk?user=velmalikevelvet'">silk</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/handspinning" rel="tag" onmouseover="this.href='http://technorati.com/tag/handspinning?user=velmalikevelvet'">handspinning</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/fiber" rel="tag" onmouseover="this.href='http://technorati.com/tag/fiber?user=velmalikevelvet'">fiber</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Etsy" rel="tag" onmouseover="this.href='http://technorati.com/tag/Etsy?user=velmalikevelvet'">Etsy</a></span></div>velmalikevelvethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02882058790803620655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5116691.post-89757478421085567222010-06-22T14:26:00.000-07:002010-06-22T14:34:16.062-07:00Back from BSG with a HAUL!<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">I'm baaaaaack!</span> Black Sheep Gathering is my fave fiber festival. Yep, it was BSG #3 for me, & if I'd had any more fun I probably would have been <span style="font-style: italic;">arrested</span>!<br /><br />I traveled up to Eugene with Janet Finch of <a href="http://www.auntjanetsfibermill.com/">Aunt Janet's Fiber Mill</a>, just like last year, & had fun camping with the Humboldt crew that also included Janet Heppler of Nebo Rock Textiles and Ace Vandenack of Ace in the Hole Romney Ranch. Janet & I drove up a day early, arriving early Wednesday evening, which made the whole set-up portion of the weekend SO much more relaxing!<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/velmasworld/4722884906/"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 375px;" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1383/4722884906_9939defff8.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Friday night I hosted the inaugural <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/discuss/colorbombers/1162888/">COLORBOMBers Pie & Beer!</a> meet-up, and we had quite a party. That is <a href="http://www.ruthshands.blogspot.com/">Heidi/Ruthshands</a> spinning with me (I'm trying out the handmade wheel Amy bought, but I don't remember what kind it is); Heidi has a couple more pictures in <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/discuss/black-sheep-gathering/1179603/1-25#25">this post on Ravelry</a>. I had an epic fail in the photo department (if you took any at the party, let me know!), but there's a better pic of the group taken by <a href="http://woolystuff.blogspot.com/">Nancy/tigereye</a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nac/4717772429/">here</a>. Needless to say, pie was eaten, beer was consumed, & the spinning was continuous! There were about 20 of us all told, & by the time the tequila was busted out, the joint was jumpin'.(Thanks for that, Morgaine!!). If you missed it, look for COLORBOMB Pie & Beer 2.0 at <a href="http://www.flockandfiberfestival.com/">Oregon Flock & Fiber Festival</a> in September.<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/velmasworld/4723054806/"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 375px;" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1122/4723054806_2f44ffc28a.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">I packed Saturday full of visiting, including getting to meet some of my <del>stalkers</del> online friends in person! This is <a href="http://evolvetojoy.blogspot.com/">Shelby/Heartstone</a> of <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/SpinningAwesomeGood">Spinning Awesome Good</a> and <a href="http://spinzphat.wordpress.com/">Miki/Knitzphat</a> modeling their handspun, handknit <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/faraway-so-close">Faraway, So Close shawls</a> that they made in the SAL/KAL that Shelby sponsored in <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/groups/button-adoration--spinning-awesome-good">her Ravelry group recently</a>.<br /><br />Besides schmoozing, I did a lot of shopping, trading, & (happily!) accepting gifts! Shelby brought me a lovely birthday batt, as did <a href="http://wildonionstudio.wordpress.com/">Susan/WildOnion</a>. <a href="http://adventuresofarogueknitter.blogspot.com/">TrishKoppala</a> brought me the roving I'd purchased recently in her Etsy shop, <a href="http://rogueadventures.etsy.com/">Rogue Adventures</a>. I won a prize donated by <a href="http://toadyjoe.livejournal.com/">Amy/toadyjoe</a> in the BSG Bingo game organized by <a href="http://catharticink.com/">TheBon</a> & <a href="http://www.stringsandyarn.com/">Violin Jodie</a>. Despite forgetting my own contribution, I was gifted a bunch of fiber in the Ravelry fiber swap that <a href="http://www.carolinavelis.com/">Carolina/mimosaknits</a> put together. Someone at the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/groups/colorbombers">COLORBOMBers</a> meetup presented me with some retina-burn pink & purple roving left over from their class. And <a href="http://www.jenkinswoodworking.com/">Ed Jenkins</a> gave me a replacement shaft for my Jenkins Turkish Delight Spindle. But mostly there was lots of shopping! Wanna see? I know you do!<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/velmasworld/4724703805/"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 375px;" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1019/4724703805_93586fa14f.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />That's my dyed haul, comprised of:<br /><ul><li>4oz Finn top in ‘Storm Warning’ & 4oz Wensleydale top in ‘Brilliance’ from <a href="http://www.artfire.com/users/oregonhomestead">Oregon Homestead Fibers</a></li><li>Sheep 2 Shoe Kit in ‘Slayer’ & Socks That Rock Lightweight Rare Gems from <a href="http://www.bluemoonfiberarts.com/newmoon/">Blue Moon Fiber Arts</a></li><li>4oz superwash BFL top in ‘Fun’ from <a href="http://rogueadventures.etsy.com/">Rogue Adventures</a></li><li>3.1oz Spinning Awesome Good birthday batt from <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/people/Heartstone">Heartstone</a></li><li>1.5oz Happy V-Day birthday batt from <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/people/wildonion">WildOnion</a></li><li>2oz Spunky Eclectic 60/40 merino/bamboo top in ‘Berry Pickin’ from BSG Bingo game, donated by <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/people/toadyjoe">toadyjoe</a></li><li>1oz hot pink & 2oz purple/pink roving shared by a COLORBOMBer (can’t remember who that was dagnabit)</li><li>2 4oz handmade felt pieces from <a href="http://www.auntjanetsfibermill.com/">Aunt Janet’s Fiber Mill</a></li><li>1.25lb cone of salmon sparkle thread, 1/2lb cone of green sparkle thread, & 2 4oz cones of linen warp yarn in chartreause & orange from the estate sale booth</li><li>8oz handdyed mohair top, 5oz handdyed Lincoln locks, & 2oz handdyed angora fluff from the Ravelry fiber swap</li><li>2lb cone wool/poly yarn & 2.5lb cone of faux mohair yarn for plying from Linda’s booth</li></ul><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/velmasworld/4724703569/"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 375px;" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1421/4724703569_daa033eec7.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />And that is my naturally-covered haul, which is:<br /><ul><li>1lb Pygora-Cormo roving & 1lb Cormo-Jacob roving from <a href="http://hometothefarm.com/">Bryn Hollow Farm</a></li><li>1lb Polworth top & 1lb 50/50 Silk-BFL top from <a href="http://www.carolinahomespun.com/">Carolina Homespun</a></li><li>14.5oz washed black suri alpaca locks from Taylored Fibers</li><li>Kookaburra Scour & Wash & drive bands from <a href="http://www.woolworks.com/">Woodland Woolworks</a></li></ul><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/velmasworld/4724870261/"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 375px;" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1366/4724870261_4db085f258.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Last of the haul is my Pacific Northwest IPA collection, left to right: <p>FireStation5 Steampumper, Ninkasi Tricerahops DIPA, Cascade Lakes IPA, Laughing Dog Devil Dog, LD Dogzilla Black IPA, LD Alpha Dog, Oakshire Watershed, & Terminal Gravity IPA</p><p>Some of the other highlights included:</p><ul><li>brought a couple new COLORBOMBers into the fold: <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/people/spincycle">spincycle</a>, <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/people/palomaeatsyarn">palomaeatsyarn</a>, <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/people/lforsland">LForsland</a>, and <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/people/dtjacobson">dtjacobson</a> all took home some of the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/colorbomb-creations-fiber-pigtails-silk">COLORBOMB Silk Pigtails</a> I debuted at BSG<br /></li></ul><ul><li>Test-spun the new <a href="http://spinolution.com/spinning-wheels/hopper-spinning-wheel">Spinolution Hopper wheel</a> in the <a href="http://www.thebellwether.biz/">AskTheBellwether</a> booth; interesting, but not for me I think</li></ul><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li>Tried the drool-worthy electric mini-spinner in the <a href="http://www.hansencrafts.com/">Hansen Crafts</a> booth and fell in LOVE - this might be in my future!!<br /></li></ul><div style="text-align: justify;">I ended the weekend by driving home with Ace and his sheepies, & the trip just whizzed by because he is a great storyteller. (It doesn't hurt that he drives like I do; he took 2.5 hours off the time it took Janet & I on the way up!)<br /><br />So I've gotten a taste of the summer festival season, & it has left me wanting more I expect to be at Boonville and OFFF in September and then our local festival in Redway in October. Fun-ski! Hope to see you at one or more of those events!!<br /><br /></div><div class="tag_list">Tags: <span class="tags"><a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Black+Sheep+Gathering" rel="tag" onmouseover="this.href='http://technorati.com/tag/Black+Sheep+Gathering?user=velmalikevelvet'">Black Sheep Gathering</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/spinning" rel="tag" onmouseover="this.href='http://technorati.com/tag/spinning?user=velmalikevelvet'">spinning</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/fiber" rel="tag" onmouseover="this.href='http://technorati.com/tag/fiber?user=velmalikevelvet'">fiber</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/wool" rel="tag" onmouseover="this.href='http://technorati.com/tag/wool?user=velmalikevelvet'">wool</a></span></div>velmalikevelvethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02882058790803620655noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5116691.post-16762433607037350832010-06-10T13:20:00.001-07:002010-06-10T13:41:51.399-07:00Best. Birthday. EVER.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/velmasworld/4686607400/"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 375px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4055/4686607400_d1d4ef78d1.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Seems to me that a BIRTHDAY is as good a reason as any to get your ass back to blogging, wouldn't you agree? Also known as Tiara Day, a good time was had by all.<br /><br />Yesterday I celebrated my 46th, putting me squarely in the 46 Days of Velma. Long-time readers know that in <span style="font-style: italic;">my </span>religion, you get 1 day of celebration for each year you've managed to drag your ass through life; like wine, celebrating should improve with age. Party on, Garth!<br /><br />My day got off to a <span style="font-style: italic;">great </span>start with dozens of birthday well-wishers on both Ravelry and Twitter. Thanks to all my internet friends for sending me their love and hope that my day be filled with yarn & beer!<br /><br />This year, my natal day fell conveniently on knit night, negating any need for me to plan something; I had a built-in party! So I went to Purl 'n Hurl last night & was delighted to discover we had somewhere in the neighborhood of 16 people there, quite a turnout for our little group. We took up 4 tables at The Alibi, the drink flowed, lots of knitting & crochet ensued, & I was even showered with some nifty gifties.<br /><br />There was handmade candy from Bea; one of the books on my wishlist, <span style="font-style: italic;">The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo</span>, from Monika; gorgeous flowers from Sunni; a beer & a handmade funk CD from Elena & her partner Max; a one-of-a-kind spindle bag created by Saremy; and a gift certificate from Rhonda entitling car-free-me to 100 miles of driving time with her! What a great bunch of friends I have!<br /><br />And BOY did Mr. Likevelvet come through! He ordered the sock knitting book I'd been coveting, <span style="font-style: italic;">Think Outside the Sox</span>, & it arrived in time for me to pick it up yesterday. AND he baked me special wheat-free brownies! And when I got home from Purl 'n Hurl last night, there was a bag of my favorite treats waiting for me: Racer 5 IPA, Crunch 'n Munch, SweetTarts, Dagoba chocolate bars, and fresh apricots & grapefruit, all wrapped to look like a colorbomb! Best part? The refrigerator magnet card that says "Chicks Rule". He <span style="font-style: italic;">so </span>gets me!<br /><br />So thank you to EVERYONE that contributed to my stellar birthday party, both in person & virtually through teh internets. You guys really made my day.<br /><br /></div><div class="tag_list">Tags: <span class="tags"><a href="http://technorati.com/tag/birthday" rel="tag" onmouseover="this.href='http://technorati.com/tag/birthday?user=velmalikevelvet'">birthday</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Velma" rel="tag" onmouseover="this.href='http://technorati.com/tag/Velma?user=velmalikevelvet'">Velma</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/thankyou" rel="tag" onmouseover="this.href='http://technorati.com/tag/thankyou?user=velmalikevelvet'">thankyou</a></span></div>velmalikevelvethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02882058790803620655noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5116691.post-51306372711841010032010-05-27T09:00:00.000-07:002010-05-27T09:00:02.235-07:00Death in Holy Orders<div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1174273424l/375539.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; height: 300px;" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1174273424l/375539.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Thought I wasn't reading, did you? Say it ain't so! I've been a book fiend the last 2 months! Very behind on my reviews, but I'm fixing to fix that.<br /><br />Finished <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/375539.Death_In_Holy_Orders"><span style="font-style: italic;">Death in Holy Orders</span></a> by P.D. James in only 1 day. <span class="userReview"> <span style="display: none;" id="freeTextContainerreview100303214" class="reviewText">I can't help it: mystery novels are captivating. No overwrought love stories, no "my parents put my through a horrible childhood, & all I got was this lousy t-shirt" memoir flashbacks, and no excruciating historical minutiae chronicling forgotten events. The best ones are just a rollicking good story. And P.D. James' <em>Death in Holy Orders</em> is just that, and it features an erudite cast of characters in a setting of isolated and breathtaking scenery to boot. James' literary talents sometim<a class="freeTextLink" href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/375539.Death_In_Holy_Orders#" onclick="Element.show('freeTextreview100303214'); Element.hide('freeTextContainerreview100303214'); return false;">...more</a></span> <span id="freeTextreview100303214" style="" class="reviewText">I can't help it: mystery novels are captivating. No overwrought love stories, no "my parents put my through a horrible childhood, & all I got was this lousy t-shirt" memoir flashbacks, and no excruciating historical minutiae chronicling forgotten events. The best ones are just a rollicking good story. <em>Death in Holy Orders</em> is just that, and it features an erudite cast of characters in a setting of isolated and breathtaking scenery to boot. James' literary talents sometimes outshine her storytelling abilities (some of her foreshadowing is somewhat heavy-handed), but I enjoyed this British crime drama, particularly the portrayal of the Church of England as a character in its own right. I'd definitely read her again: 4/5 stars. </span></span><span class="userReview"><span id="freeTextreview100303214" style="" class="reviewText">BookCrossing'ed April 2 - <a href="http://bookcrossing.com/journal/7980377/">BCID: 611-7980377</a></span></span><br /><br /><span class="userReview"><span id="freeTextreview100303214" style="" class="reviewText">So, that's book #14 in 2010, and I've already read #15-20. You'll just have to come back for those reviews!</span></span><br /><br /></div><div class="tag_list">Tags: <span class="tags"><a href="http://technorati.com/tag/book+challenge" rel="tag" onmouseover="this.href='http://technorati.com/tag/book+challenge?user=velmalikevelvet'">book challenge</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/books" rel="tag" onmouseover="this.href='http://technorati.com/tag/books?user=velmalikevelvet'">books</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/reading" rel="tag" onmouseover="this.href='http://technorati.com/tag/reading?user=velmalikevelvet'">reading</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/PD+James" rel="tag" onmouseover="this.href='http://technorati.com/tag/PD+James?user=velmalikevelvet'">PD James</a></span></div>velmalikevelvethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02882058790803620655noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5116691.post-23731448998570186502010-05-26T12:15:00.000-07:002010-05-26T12:15:22.360-07:00(Beer and) Fiber Friday<div style="text-align: justify;">Looks like my resolve to blog regularly has once again fallen by the wayside, hasn't it? Oh well, we all do what we can do. But GEEZ, it's already the 25th, & this is my first post of May! This one was supposed to show up last Friday; does that make me late to last week's Fiber Friday or early for tomorrow's?<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/velmasworld/4622872470/"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 375px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3356/4622872470_2a11a841ee.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">My return to blogging life is to offer thanks to <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/people/Hez1">Hez1</a> for the package of goodies she sent me for the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/discuss/beer-and-fiber/1087461/">Beer & Fiber swap</a> on <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/">Ravelry</a>. Two of my favorite things in one box!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">She sent me a skein of Colinette Jitterbug sock yarn in my FAVE Welsh colorway: Popsicle - she didn't even know I'd been dying to try it! And despite her not being a hops fan, she hit the IPA nail on the head, sending 4 cans of <a href="http://www.surlybrewing.com/beer/year-round-beers.html">Surly Furious</a> & 2 bottles of Two Hearted Ale from <a href="http://www.bellsbeer.com/">Bell's Brewery</a>.<br /></div><br />The Surly is an IBU 99'er American India Pale Ale (yum!). Here's my review (<a href="http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/13014/28203/?ba=velmalikevelvet">cross-posted on Beer Advocate</a>):<br /></div><ul><li>Poured from can into chilled mug</li><li>Almost zero head atop a clear, dark amber liquid</li><li>Limited aroma, with citrus predominating</li><li>Very citrusy taste, particularly grapefruit, with a slightly bitter aftertaste</li><li>Kind of 'thin' tasting, not super complex</li><li>Not highly hopped</li><li>Probably a good 'intro' IPA for drinkers who don't think they like IPAs</li><li>Surprisingly good for canned beer!</li><li>Will drink again (if I can find it)</li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">My rating: B+</span></li></ul>Two Hearted Ale, another American IPA from Michigan, is also very drinkable - my review (<a href="http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/287/1093/?ba=velmalikevelvet">also on Beer Advocate</a>):<br /><ul><li>Poured a 12-oz bottle into chilled mug</li><li>Cloudy butterscotch color</li><li>Smallish head that dissipated almost immediately; good lacing</li><li>The aroma - mango, pineapple, & exotic flowers - is delightful. Smells like Hawaii in a bottle!</li><li>Good carbonation, slightly tangy, very crisp</li><li>Not as grapefruity as I usually like, but I didn't mind the lack at all; a very pleasant surprise</li><li>Nice, light, tart aftertaste</li><li>If it was available in California (it's not), I'd definitely drink this beer again</li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">my rating: A-</span><br /></li></ul>Looks like Michigan knows their IPA! Thanks, Hez, for your prizers.<br /><br /><div class="tag_list">Tags: <span class="tags"><a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Bells+Brewery" rel="tag" onmouseover="this.href='http://technorati.com/tag/Bells+Brewery?user=velmalikevelvet'">Bells Brewery</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Surly+Brewing" rel="tag" onmouseover="this.href='http://technorati.com/tag/Surly+Brewing?user=velmalikevelvet'">Surly Brewing</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Ravelry" rel="tag" onmouseover="this.href='http://technorati.com/tag/Ravelry?user=velmalikevelvet'">Ravelry</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/swap" rel="tag" onmouseover="this.href='http://technorati.com/tag/swap?user=velmalikevelvet'">swap</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/beer" rel="tag" onmouseover="this.href='http://technorati.com/tag/beer?user=velmalikevelvet'">beer</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/yarn" rel="tag" onmouseover="this.href='http://technorati.com/tag/yarn?user=velmalikevelvet'">yarn</a></span></div>velmalikevelvethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02882058790803620655noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5116691.post-67055846581222388782010-04-28T12:00:00.000-07:002010-04-28T12:02:52.777-07:00Sit 'n' Knit at Crafty Mavericks<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/velmasworld/4560483097/"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 375px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4024/4560483097_28f4e890d4.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">I can prove at least that my knitting bag was at Sunday's Sit 'n' Knit at the <a href="http://www.craftymavericks.com/">Crafty Mavericks Handmade & Vintage Spring Show</a> at the Bayside Grange. I was busy snapping pics & getting an impromptu crochet lesson from <a href="http://www.facebook.com/Paula%20Goldstein">Paula</a>, so this photo is the only evidence I have that I was there. There was an outside shot that this week's 'episode' of <a href="http://www.arcataeye.com/">the Arcata Eye</a> was going to feature a pic of brightly-clad me, as Terence McNally was there photodocumenting our knitterly & crotchet-erly goings on, but I checked today, & they left out the pics of us over on the couches. :(<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/velmasworld/4561111160"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 375px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3154/4561111160_f054da67bf.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">I actually did a pretty-piss poor job of papparazzi-ing mysel. This shot of <a href="http://multimediafunhouse.blogspot.com/">Rachelle</a> is the only other people pic I captured, despite Sunni and Paula both being there too.<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/velmasworld/4560483587"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 375px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3522/4560483587_d650e95e0b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">I did get a couple of shots over in the YARN-Chicken Boots booth, though. Look how cute the new fabric <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/chickenboots">Chicken Boots</a> sign is - Saremy printed it out on her her computer!<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/velmasworld/4560483735"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 375px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3176/4560483735_4a0075db6c.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>She (wo)manned the booth while demo-ing one of <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/chickenboots?section_id=6747021">her wristlet bags</a>, perfect for holding your small WIP while glad-handing customers and other show-goers.<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/velmasworld/4561111726"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 375px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4014/4561111726_ca7c06199c.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">In addition to the wristlets, Saremy had lots of <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/chickenboots?section_id=6733464">needle cases</a>, <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/chickenboots?section_id=6733440">project bags</a>, & <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/chickenboots?section_id=6732770">pocket buckets</a> on offer too.<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/velmasworld/4560483433"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 375px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3342/4560483433_c1b01e89ba.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">And Sunni brought her line of handmade jewelry, as well as a few hand-knit pieces and several of her upcycled shawl-ponchos (shawnchos? pawls?) made from thrifted sweaters. Find her creations at <a href="http://www.yarn-fun.com/">YARN</a>-<a href="http://www.shipwreck-shop.com/">Shipwreck</a> in Eureka, CA. Thanks to YARN for hosting the Sit 'n' Knit on the road!</div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/velmasworld/4560486043/"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 375px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3610/4560486043_b7f33d3175.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">One last crafty seller photo - this is my friend Malia of <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/lunagrrrl">Do Over! on Etsy</a>. She makes monster plushies, among other things, and SHE got her photo in the Arcata Eye this week instead of me, but how could she not? She was the cutest one there! I'm excited for her because she is going to Greece for a month as an artist model. Go, Malia!<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/velmasworld/4560658893/"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 375px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3067/4560658893_42d878f09f.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">And this is just a photo I snapped on my ride home from the craft show - <a href="http://yipwip2010.blogspot.com/2010/04/115365.html">Day 115</a> of <a href="http://yipwip2010.blogspot.com/">2010: A Year in Pictures</a>! Still keeping up with that project, but some days: just barely.<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3051/4560698835_b3bffffcd0.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 375px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3051/4560698835_b3bffffcd0.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">I'll leave you with this, what I wore to the show: I am "Color Can't Hurt You!"-incarnate! If you didn't know, that's my company motto for <a href="http://colorbombcreations.etsy.com/">COLORBOMB Creations</a>. I'm sporting 'All Het Up', a skein of my Bobblesque handspun art yarn. It's a bunch of HOT pink supercoils in a nest of beehives. LOVE! Who says yarn can't be jewelry?<br /></div><br /><div class="tag_list">Tags: <span class="tags"><a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Crafty+Mavericks" rel="tag" onmouseover="this.href='http://technorati.com/tag/Crafty+Mavericks?user=velmalikevelvet'">Crafty Mavericks</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/knitting+in+public" rel="tag" onmouseover="this.href='http://technorati.com/tag/knitting+in+public?user=velmalikevelvet'">knitting in public</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/craft+show" rel="tag" onmouseover="this.href='http://technorati.com/tag/craft+show?user=velmalikevelvet'">craft show</a></span></div>velmalikevelvethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02882058790803620655noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5116691.post-56107118376862562742010-04-25T18:24:00.000-07:002010-04-25T18:28:28.369-07:00Pie & Poetry<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/velmasworld/4552176642/"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 375px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3570/4552176642_162e9148cf.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">I don't get out much these days, but I made sure to hit <a href="http://northtownbooks.blogspot.com/">Northtown Books</a> in Arcata last night for Pie & Poetry! They threw the culinary/composition combo in honor of <a href="http://www.poets.org/page.php/prmID/41">National Poetry Mont</a>h, & it would have been a hit even <span style="font-style: italic;">without </span>the complimentary gin & tonics!<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/velmasworld/4552176010/"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 375px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3159/4552176010_0991c1fce3.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">The poetry half of the evening was provided by Jacqueline Suskin of the <a href="http://yoursubjectyourprice.com/poemstore/">Poem Store</a>. With her vintage Royal portable, complete with a 'Your Subject, Your Price' sign, Jacqueline creates impromptu poetry on demand. Here's the yarn-themed bit she 'penned' for me:<br /></div><br /><blockquote>-yarn<br /><br />We take our time with the weaving<br />of our ways, picking our paths<br />as bits of straw from wool, with care<br />and all senses alight. But to settle on<br />the actual weave is to cut past all<br />the go between and make motion our debt<br />to the cycle of all things. From sheep<br />back to our back, the warmth of connection<br />becomes craft and the purpose of spinning<br />is clear as our spot of time on this<br />ongoing line of again & again.<br />~Jacqueline Suskin April 24th, 2010</blockquote><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/velmasworld/4552460445/"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 375px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3548/4552460445_36912cf898.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">You can catch Jacqueline pecking out poems all season on the Arcata Plaza at Farmers Market, or commission one at <a href="http://yoursubjectyourprice.com/poemstore/purchase">the Poem Store online</a>. Oh, and listen to <a href="http://www.krfh.net/">KRFH, Radio Free Humboldt</a>, if you get it - not only are they award-winners, but the reporter they sent to cover P&P had me read 'my' poem for the presentation they are planning to air during one of their Saturday shows.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/velmasworld/4552176304/"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 375px;" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1379/4552176304_c949fd4f26.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>As for the pie, Monika and Sarah really outdid themselves! Monika's Double Cherry was my favorite, but the surprise of the evening was Sarah's delightful Avacado Chiffon, which blew me away. I tried it for the novelty factor, but what brought me back for seconds was the clean, citrusy goodness that melted on my tongue. When they get their Pie Truck idea up and running, you can BET I'll be a regular customer!<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBfNQdSN59t1hTxeMhuvOBl66YxeK4BXV48IxbITYIMLM1KzP-ghIKd-zEWRoLlOQjfYQi0GvrNLc-FEZ_lNWv3nzrnWIqck1dTWP4xX9RJ1qPlGtxhM8hylGCXjLbjnfjHWS6hQ/s1600/CoB2010_Q1nom.jpg"><img style="margin: 10pt 10px 10px 10pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBfNQdSN59t1hTxeMhuvOBl66YxeK4BXV48IxbITYIMLM1KzP-ghIKd-zEWRoLlOQjfYQi0GvrNLc-FEZ_lNWv3nzrnWIqck1dTWP4xX9RJ1qPlGtxhM8hylGCXjLbjnfjHWS6hQ/s320/CoB2010_Q1nom.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464249507346470402" border="5" /></a>Finally, let me give you my <a href="http://quicksilvercrafter.blogspot.com/p/craft-or-bust.html">Craft or Bust!</a> Week 16 roundup:<br /><ul><li><a href="http://velmasworld.blogspot.com/2010/04/yarnbombing.html">went yarnbombing in Eureka</a></li><li><a href="http://velmasworld.blogspot.com/2010/04/lace-virgin.html">started a lace shawl</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://velmasworld.blogspot.com/2010/04/sweater-for-my-head.html">knit 9/10ths of a hat</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://velmasworld.blogspot.com/2010/04/e-all-of-above-fiber-friday.html">worked on a long-languishing crochet hat</a></li><li><a href="http://velmasworld.blogspot.com/2010/04/e-all-of-above-fiber-friday.html">started a 2nd spindle of handspun laceweight</a></li><li>discovered I was nominated for a CoB! award</li></ul><div class="tag_list">Tags: <span class="tags"><a href="http://technorati.com/tag/pie" rel="tag" onmouseover="this.href='http://technorati.com/tag/pie?user=velmalikevelvet'">pie</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/poetry" rel="tag" onmouseover="this.href='http://technorati.com/tag/poetry?user=velmalikevelvet'">poetry</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/knitting" rel="tag" onmouseover="this.href='http://technorati.com/tag/knitting?user=velmalikevelvet'">knitting</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Craft+or+Bust" rel="tag" onmouseover="this.href='http://technorati.com/tag/Craft+or+Bust?user=velmalikevelvet'">Craft or Bust</a></span></div>velmalikevelvethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02882058790803620655noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5116691.post-76124144445931985692010-04-24T14:30:00.000-07:002010-04-24T14:33:15.618-07:00Your Jar is OpenI finished two books this week, so you get double your money on reviews!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">First up, <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1168915404m/37435.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 101px; height: 160px;" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1168915404m/37435.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/37435.The_Secret_Life_of_Bees"><span style="font-style: italic;">The Secret Life of Bees</span></a>, by Sue Monk Kidd. One of the few books that, for me, lived up to the hype, despite my initial misgivings. I've seen it reviewed as "one of those books my mother reads", which makes me think maybe I'm older than I realize. But this coming-of-age novel about a 14-year old girl learning about identity and community set against the stark realism of the deep south of 1964 was a quick and affirming read. Themes of forgiveness, love, and humor - the chick-lit triad - abound, but in a <i>good</i> way. Even though my friend Dante, the bookstore owner, poo-pooed it as something a guy would never pick up, I still liked it. Bookcrossing'ed 4/22/10 - <a href="http://bookcrossing.com/journal/7942396">BCID: 551-7942396</a><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1175573337m/531800.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 93px; height: 140px;" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1175573337m/531800.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>And then we come to <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/531800.Mr_Paradise"><span style="font-style: italic;">Mr. Paradise</span></a>. So, <i>this</i> is the Elmore Leonard that all the fuss is about? Not that it was a bad read, and I can see the draw for screenwriters wanting to put it on the big screen - plenty of dark, all-too-human characters, motives, & settings to exploit in a grainy way, paired with oh-so-spare writing. But really just a quickie, a noir nooner of a story. Bookcrossing'ed 4/23/10 - <a href="http://bookcrossing.com/journal/7961370">BCID: 478-7961370</a><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">These books bring me to 13 of the 52 books and 5,419 of the 25,000 words I've set myself as a reading goal this year. That's 22 and 25 percent, respectively - a little behind for coming up on 1/3 of the year under our belts. (Jeez, already? How did <span style="font-style: italic;">that</span> happen?)<br /><br /></div><div class="tag_list">Tags: <span class="tags"><a href="http://technorati.com/tag/books" rel="tag" onmouseover="this.href='http://technorati.com/tag/books?user=velmalikevelvet'">books</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/reading" rel="tag" onmouseover="this.href='http://technorati.com/tag/reading?user=velmalikevelvet'">reading</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/book+review" rel="tag" onmouseover="this.href='http://technorati.com/tag/book+review?user=velmalikevelvet'">book review</a></span></div>velmalikevelvethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02882058790803620655noreply@blogger.com2