New Fall Classes

Well, we are in high gear, getting ready for the 2013 Fall Quilt Season. We will be traveling for 10 of the 16 weekends between now and the new year, so there are a lot of opportunities for you to shop our booth and to take a class with ME! Here we go...

Crochet A Rug 

In Pittsburgh, PA
Georgia Quilt Show 
In Fredericksburg ,VA 

 

 Here is a wonderful way to use up fabric you loved (past tense) and bought lots of. See how to make hundreds of yards of ‘yarn’ from the fabric sitting in your stash! For class, however, Colleen does all the work, providing pre-ripped fabric yarn, instructions and a crochet hook. You do NOT need to know how to crochet to attend and complete your rug successfully. 

Llama Rescue Fundraiser

I was asked to help out a friend who is part of the Southeast Llama Rescue. They just did their the spring shearing and they are looking for folks who are interested in crafting or spinning the llama fleece. I am helping by shipping the fleece out. Here is some information about llama fleece I copied from the site Joy of Handspinning

Llamas are related to the Alpacas, but are larger and taller. Llama fiber, like alpaca, comes in a variety of natural colors such as, white, fawn, cinnamon, silver gray, and black. Characteristics

• Natural, Animal

• No lanolin or grease

• Fiber Lightweight,

• Soft, less elasticity than wool

• Luxurious • Very durable

• Hand-washable or dry-cleanable

• Little static, no pilling

• Dyes well

• Blends extremely well with other fibers

Preparing Llama For Spinning

Hardcarders Llama can be handcarded into rolags. It is best to use handcarders with fine teeth. Do not over card it or you will cause lumps to form (unless of course your intention is to spin a textured yarn).

Drumcarders Use a drumcarder with fine teeth to create large batts for spinning. Spinning Llama is the same as spinning alpaca.

End Uses For Llama Yarn Llamas have both outer guard hairs and an undercoat of fiber. The guard hairs are longer, thicker, straight, and wiry. They should be pulled out or combed out of a shorn fleece, because it will resist spinning, dyeing, and felting.

Good for: pillows, rugs, ropes, and wall hangings. The down fibers of the Llama are shorter, softer, and wavy with some crimp, and will produce a soft yarn. Good for: hats, scarves, shawls, sweaters, socks, et.

So if you would like me to send you a medium flat rate box stuffed full of llama fleece (about half of one llama's fleece)  

Step One: Make a donation to to the Southeast Llama Rescue
 Donate
The donation is between you and the organization, it is tax deductible.  

Step Two Pay for the shipping: Use the button below to pay for the flat rate box and a $1.00 fee to pay for the labels and tape to close up the boxes.

Most of the fleece is a mixture of white & black, if you would prefer I send only white or black please indicate when you pay for the shipping.

Colors

White/Off White Dark Brown/Black Mix of Colors

Step Three: I check with the organization to confirm your donation and then I mail out your Priority box stuffed full of fleece.

I will not start shipping out the fleece until 6/18/2012

GiGi

Friday, February 3, 2012, an amazing power left this world, my grandmother. Her name, to me, was Grandma Casey. When my children were born she became their GiGi. She was know to most as Bette. Betty Rae, to the readers of Capper Farmer in the 1930s and to those who met her as a runway model. On her marriage license to my grandfather her name was Elizabeth. She lived an amazing life, her stories where my favorites.