unintended blog break

i always have good intentions about blogging regularly but somehow life just flashes by......... I did manage to get my etsy shop up yesterday, finally, woooohoooo!!

www.taraspins.etsy.com

i still can't figure out how to put the link in the sidebar so any help will be greatly appreciated, Thanks!

Fabric love

oh superbuzzy how I love thee!!!!!! these fabrics are way too cute. I've been making Little One some shirts for the summer and wanted something different, these fit the bill. I'm having so much fun!

Thank you SP10!!!

Wow Pal! I must say that you hit the nail on the head as far as knowing what I like!The sock pattern and yarn are perfect, perfect I say!! Love the notebook and the chews, oh the chews.....................gone already.

Drive By Blogging

Just a quick post to check in. Lots going on around here! The shop is moving to bigger digs, MUCH bigger! The new space is just up the road a piece,is bright and airy and is over 3 times bigger. I am more than excited!!

my sockret pal rocks!!

Thank You Malin in Sweden!!! I must say that was an awesome package! I looooove the socks, they are so beautiful! The bag is great, the yarn is fabulous and the candy, welllllllll, the candy is nirvana! My very all time favorite. Thank you so much Malin that was the best package ever!!

a few of my favorite things

Shae took this picture of herself and Gracie. I think it says it all!

Holy Mother

Our Lady Of Guadalupe in seed beads!! this was a gift for my friend Nancy for her last 3 birthdays. Yes it took me foooorever. It is more beautiful than I imagined. It's a pouch made with delica beads, lapis lazuli,moonstone, 22 and 24 k gold beads . I used an Ann Paxton design. These pictures don't capture the true colors or feel of this piece. I'm very pleased with the results!

making beads

Molten glass is fun! I took a lampwork bead class in Saratoga with some friends and I am addicted! There is so much to learn about this medium that it could take a lifetime of doing. I had a magical weekend, learning, going to a bead shop, a knitting shop, eating Thai food and going back to Nancy's house for a fabulous dinner made by her fabulous hubby! A respite and a refuge. Waking up to homemade cinnamon buns was icing on the cake.Life is good.

secret pal 10 questionaire

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with?
I love natural fibers

What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
I don't like acrylic

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?
I have several knitting bags with different projects in them
so each bag holds a few and then I have the rest displayed in old ceramic canisters

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn?
I've been knitting since I was about 10, my Grandmother taught me

Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?
advanced, but there is always more to learn!

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
no

5. What's your favorite scent?
rose, patchouli,lilac,lavender

6. Do you have a sweet tooth?
Y.E.S.!!!!

Favorite candy?
it's a Swedish candy,dark chocolate covered marzipan! But dark chocolate is always good!! I also love "bottle caps" they're hard to find

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do?
Sew,quilt,bead

Do you spin?
I'd have to say that spinning is my favorite thing to do

8. What kind of music do you like?
Folk

Can your computer/stereo play MP3s?
I dont't know :{

9. What's your favorite color(s)?
green,purple,orange , a really like all colors!

Any colors you just can't stand?
I don't like bright colors mixed with black, on their own they are fine

10. What is your family situation?
married 21 years, 2 daughters 19 and 8 . my 8 year old has Rett syndrome and is now in a wheelchair. Please read more about Rett at one of the web sites posted at the top of my blog.

Do you have any pets?
2 cats and 2 dogs

Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?
all of the above

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
I love designing and making kid stuff

13. What are you knitting right now?
2 sweaters, 3 pairs of socks, a bag

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?
absolutely!

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles?
circs

Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
any , I like unusual or vintage knitting items

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?
yes both

17. How old is your oldest UFO?
I refuse to answer on the grounds that it might incriminate me

18. What is your favorite holiday?
Easter or Christmas

19. Is there anything that you collect?
vintage knitting stuff, small wooden boxes

20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on?
anything old or vintage, funky and funny having to do with knitting

What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
spinoff, knitters,knits

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?
I love learning new ways of doing things!

22. Are you a sock knitter?
yes

What are your foot measurements?
9.5 x 9.5

23. When is your birthday?
March 31

more noro love

I can't get enough of noro! it's probably just a phase ,the need for color this time of year. I just started a new sweater for little one out of gorgeous steadfast fibers. I'm gonna try to submit the pattern so I probably shouldn't show it yet. Let's just say that it is colorful and fun!!

It's all in the bag

I made these bags for my "pals" I hope they like them! I used some Kaffe Fassett fabric and lined them with a quilted fabric to give them more stability. My friend and I have been making these bags for the shop I hope to get them in my etsy shop when it gets going.

a little sewing

I picked up this fabric at Purl an have been fondling it ever since. I think it will be a messenger bag. I'll embellish it with those felt flowers and some beading. FUN!!!!

Sweater of many colors

Little one's sweater of many colors! She needed a sweater that would be comfortable for her to wear in her wheelchair, that meant short. I'm in Noro love! The colors are bright and happy and go with everything she wears. It took me 8 days from design to completion, not bad for pokey me.

Little One

more socks for the shop! I haven't posted in a while but i have been busy! little one was sick again. we have to be so careful about respiratory stuff because she gets pneumonia so easily. so it's been a few sleepless nights and lots of prayers. i designed a sweater for her to wear in her wheelchair, i'll post pics and particulars tomorrow.

Thanks to my pals!!!

I've been waiting to have some pictures to post to thank my pals for their awesome packages but I don't know when that will be so .....

Thank you secret pal 9!!!!! My pal was the wonderful splinderella, how lucky I am! She spoiled me with fiber, yarn, chocolates , a beautiful wooden box, a great red suede journal and more. Thank you so much! I had a great time with this swap.

Thank you sockret pal! I received a package from the loopy ewe from my pal. It had 2 skeins of Claudia handpaints, a cute little book to keep track of things like needle inventory, favorite yarns etc., and some chocolate kisses. I can't wait to start a pair of socks for myself with that bee-u-tee-ful yarn!!!Thank you my pal!