January Spin-in Show

January spin-in is always the last full weekend of January, beginning on Wednesday of the week preceding that weekend. We are fortunate to have found a super conference center in Destin, FL. This was our third year in this facility. If interested, you can join the January spin-in Ravelry group (free-free-free)!
What makes Spin-in so special? It's the people--those who come year after year, those who learn of the event from a friend. Spin-in is never advertised. It is friend inviting friend--that is what makes Spin-in so special!
Yes, attendees like this new spinner! And a return attendee like Ron, who brings his 'spinning' wheel.
Ron creates premie hats to supply to his local hospital. Last year he accomplished 125 of these tiny hats. It's people like these gals, who show off their new creations from 2010.
We don't require all things to be handspun; just require you show off what you have made. Special people like.........
Rebecca who shows off her socks that were published. Hard to show off socks that you are wearing! And spinners who give to others.......
like Renee, who knit this prayer shawl for an ill friend, who passed to a better life, and the shawl came back to Renee--who thinks of her friend as she wears the shawl.
Christine shows off her triangle shawl that she made on her loom.
And giddy spinner, Dr. Meow, who loves to spin BIG yarn! the vendors love her!
Sandra shows off her recently completed scarf and below Valerie
show off one and wears one of her newest creations. Her hat is felted and she sports it proudly.
Some folks come to escape the cold weather in those northern states--like Char, showing off her
lovely shawl. And there are those versatile spinners, who take something old and make something new.
Paula decided she didn't want her 'old' sweater so she unraveled it and knit a sweater for her granddaughter. She also had enough yarn from the 'old' sweater to knit a American Girl sweater too.
And there are those who are handy with needles as they ride along to spin-in. This lovely dress was knit on the journey to Destin!
And Tonni is proud to wear her handspun wool sweater. She bought the roving at last year's spin-in, spun it up and knit her sweater to wear in 2011! what an accomplishment! And the wonderful people just continue on with Judy (another northern gal) who
was fortunate enough to gain a January spot in Interweave Press 2011 calendar. Another published author is
Charlene. Her sock patterns are used by many and now she has discovered weaving--handspun weft no less! Stay tuned for another one of Charlene's books to come off the presses in 2011.
Here is our Colorado gal, Marsha, wearing her latest shawl knitting. What color!
Looks to be a sunrise or sunset, which brings us to the evening on the beach.........................
nothing can be better way to close out the first day of spin-in--so we enjoy delicious seafood in a beach restaurant as we watch the world revolve around.

What's a Good Time??

A good time begins with a good friend! who has been working with me for two decades to bring forth lots of spinners who want to have a good time too!
It begins with an empty room and stacks of chairs
Add 123 spinners from far and near to the mix.


Those with creative minds and busy hands.



Bring in vendors with lovely yarns and bags full of fleece.


Add some this color, some of that color to the fibers. Stir vigorously and you have a combination that feeds the body, soul and spirit.
We call this recipe--January Spin-in!

Relaxation Before Craziness Sets In

We are taking our annual sojourn on the Florida Gulf Coast--first, we will relax and enjoy the sights and sounds of the area. We overnight in Covington, LA--always an interesting time. We found the local coffee shop, where you can listen to the 'locals' converse. We saw signs to farmer's market, which was located across from the cemetery--all above graves due to the water table.
Nothing like the Satsumas from the area--a sweet, easy to peel citrus.
A snack to take along is fresh popped kettle corn. The vendor uses a cake cooler to separate the unpopped kennels. He noted that the chickens like the loose corn.
Onward and then we cross over into our destination--Destin, Florida! This is our favorite sight!
Along the main drag we stop to purchase fresh picked strawberries offered by Plant City farmers--yummy!
And for our evening treat, we enjoy a glass of wine, along with variety of cheese bought at the Destin Cheese Shop.
A walk on the beach is in order for our first full day in Destin. The skies are bright blue, no clouds in sight--walk on the white sand is perfect way to begin the day.
There are a few hardy souls picnicking and feeding the gulls. The fence breaks and sea oat plants help protect the dunes.
Ah, a super day!
RELAXATION! Craziness sets in Tuesday----

We're Talking Needlework!

There are the traditional needleworkers, who use patterns and follow the rules right down to the wire. Then there are the unconventional, who will break all the rules and follow no pattern. Here are two of such people: Prudence Mapstone and Jenny Dowde. There are books in my library that show their imaginative creations.
This is the cover of Jenny's book--such superb knitting and crochet ideas.
And there is no comparison to Prudence's work. Several years ago, we had the opportunity to study with Prudence--how inspiring! Of course, one wants to begin that journey to freeform work.
An idea struck........take a pair of mesh shoes, loose the bangles and top stitching......
Make some freeform pieces................
and create an unique pair of slippers. Such fun to just take needles, yarn and GO!
"Green Head" has decided to come and play. She is modeling the latest knitted sun hat that comes from Berroco web page. It's a free pattern that fit perfectly into the theme for January 2011 spin-in.
This is handspun silk, spun on spindle, plied 3 or 4 times. Yes, you can take various colors of any single yarn and ply to get an interesting yarn.
So look for the hat as this person proudly walks the beaches of Florida later this month.
Ahhhh, a finished project came off the needles about two weeks ago and of course, there is the need to block the lace patterns into shape. This was from Advent Knit group on Ravelry. Beginning December 1 a lace pattern was given--now, try to keep up with the 24 days of knitting before Christmas--impossible! But, it was finished shortly after the Christmas holidays. Looks crooked on the floor--doesn't it? But, it came off perfect. The yarn is Jojoland Melody. Several vendors carry this yarn. Beads were added in the break areas before another pattern.
Keeping on the pace with freeform thinking, Another idea struck--why not use three different skeins of yarn to make a scarf? Yes, use three on one scarf. Here is the result. Two lengths are blocking (each yarn sports a different lace pattern). Now, just pick up stitches in the middle of the two and add the third yarn to complete.
Third scarf blocking--this should be fun to wear!! So many combinations to swing around your neck.
Happy stitching everyone!!

Fiber Artist Gallery Tour

This past week was the Fiber Artists "Looking At Art" gallery tour, led by Victoria Lightman. Our first stop was at Devin Borden Hiram Butler Gallery where the gallery director lead us on a journey through the works of Vernon Fisher, Jasper Johns,Richard Tuttle,and Meg Webster.
Two weaver friends were on hand to take in the sights as well. Charlene (left) wearing one of her lovely woven scarves and D'Anne, wearing the art work from the hands of Laura Viada.
We chatted with Sarah, who uses peyote stitch to create a freeform necklace.
Outside the main doors of the gallery, a garden awaits the visitor as they exit the building.
Onto our second artist studio--Cara Barer. Her studio is on the outskirts of her home. Cara is an international recognized artists whose work of paper are outstanding! She calls herself a photographer though.
Here we met Etta, who is wearing a freeform crochet jacket that uses small scraps of leftover yarns.
Onto our third artists studio, which is also located in her home. Dixie Friend Gay does large commercial installations. You might see her work at major airports. She has two studios--one 'clean' for her paintings and a 'messy' studio where she does her glass/mosaic work. Several gather outside the main gates as we await our leader's arrival.
As you walk down the pathway into the home, you notice large chunks of colored glass surrounding the trees and other flowerbeds--yes, this is definitely a glass worker!
The final destination was the home of Victoria and Marshal, where we toured her three story metal house and enjoyed a box lunch. This was a rare occasion to take in the artwork and studios of international artists, who make a living through the creative use of their hands.