Shetland Isles

Many moons ago, I was privileged to receive a couple of nice Shetland fleeces from a friend.  Shetland wool is extremely interesting to process--it takes some time and energy to get the locks just right.  Needless to say, I kept the fleeces in their lovely little storage bags until I decided it was best to pass them on to someone who would process them with the care they deserved.
Of course, now, I'm sorry that they went to another home!!  But, here is the skinny on Shetland sheep and their fleece.



• Shetland sheep are hardy, low maintenance animals, easy lambers and good mothers that fit with our 'no fuss' philosophy of animal husbandry,

• Shetland sheep produce a high quality fibre in many attractive natural fleece colours, that has a ready market and is also useful for our own fibre works,

• Shetland sheep can be used as dual purpose meat and fibre producers if required,

• Shetland sheep have distinctive personalities,

• Shetland sheep have a well run North American Registry   (NASSA), and

• Shetland sheep hark back to our own Celtic/Viking roots.

Susan Crawford  is publishing a book on Shetland.  Susan has studied hand-knitted garments and accessories from the 1920s to 1960s, which are held in the Museum's archives. She has chosen 25 pieces, recording their construction stitch for stitch then recreated them for the Vintage Shetland Project. These pieces – all with their own unique story to tell – have been developed into comprehensive multi-sized knitting patterns, complete with instructions, technical advice and illustrated with colour photography shot on Shetland. 

With an essay reflecting on the story of each hand-knit item this book is a treasury of Shetland knitting patterns and an insight into Shetland's rich textile traditions.

What peeked my return interest to Shetland fiber and knitting?  Hazel Tindall's blog!  I was reading through different Shetland knitting patterns and came across her blog with this cool "Benon Headband"

West Coast Fiber Arts has a super booklet on Shetland knitting project.

Shetland Fleece types

Here is a video on the processing of Shetland Fleece.  Wish I'd had youtube back in those days!  

Knit Along Socks With Lucy!

Even if you know how to knit socks, this is a perfect opportunity to study and knit along with

a world famous knitter, Lucy Neatby!

This is a free class on Craftsy.  If you are not a member, it's easy and free to join.

I'll be knitting along on these year long projects to knit

three different sock patterns--top down and toe up.

Join me on this project!

COLOR--Be Calm!

Did you get into the latest 2015 craze?  I wrote about this in another blog several months ago.

I have two or maybe three coloring books for adults.  On the other hand,  I must have (mumble, mumble) children coloring books!  Okay--I was into the craze loooooooong before the "adult" books came out.

It’s about “getting back to basics,” said Karen Larson, a Lathrup Village, MI graphic designer who has designed two adult coloring books.

Larson said coloring books offer an escape from today’s ever-electronic world and let you do something with your hands and be creative.

“It’s addictive, it’s meditative, it’s relaxing,” said Larson. “I find lately I’ve been really overbooked, so I take just a half hour to color and it does the trick. It soothes you, relaxes you. It’s that whole key of getting away from electronics.”

In her area of Detroit, there are even coloring workshops being held at Public Libraries!  Can you believe?!!  I would so be there!

I love love this coloring book that my friend Judy P gave me this summer!  It is designed by

her friend, Susan Schmitt.  I haven't taken the time to color though--it's such an entertaining book, I almost hate to mess it up.

Here is one of the pages from the book.  Did you know: Art has long been considered therapeutic. A 2006 Swedish study found that mindfulness art therapy for women with cancer helped significantly reduce symptoms of physical and emotional distress during treatment.

I found a wonderful coloring book at our local Sprouts Grocery store and here is

the display at the Barnes and Nobles!  Get on the band wagon--break out those

coloring books--whether for adults or children--get some wonderful coloring pens

and relax, mediate and enjoy your therapy!

365 Challenge

I have done a couple of "365" challenges in my time.  One was photography--posted each and every day--that was a challenge for sure!  Just try to find 365 different and unusual photos to post each day.  You certainly look at life differently doing that challenge.

Here is another challenge for me--this is 365 quilt block challenge!  The challenge?  Make a small block each and every day--don't despair!  The blocks are posted for you through 365 Challenge Quilt website.  There are over 7000 quilters taking this challenge--will you be one?

 The blocks are going to finish at 3"!  Some will finish at 6"! 

Take a look at this photo!  Isn't this a fascinating quilt!  I've always been interested in small block quilts like "Farmer's Wife" but never had the courage to tackle it.  Now, I think this will be easy to tackle a day at a time!

Avenir Museum of Design and Merchandising

Avenir Museum of Design and Merchandising plays host to an impressive collection of more than 8,000 textiles and garments from cultures around the world. Additionally, it is home to a wide range of 19th and 20th century western artifacts, including textiles, beaded flapper dresses, hats, shoes, handmade lace, and famous designer apparel. Design, history, and textile students and scholars enjoy access to more than 18,000 catalogued clothing, textiles, and interior furnishing objects.

There are four exhibits that launches, which opens January 30 in their new facility:

Mr. Blackwell: “Artist of subtle witchery”

Layers of Meaning: Color and Design in Guatemalan Textiles 

Tiny Bits and Pieces 

The Power of Maya Women's Artistry

A Book Challenge

Modern Mrs. Darcy website has a challenge for us!  This is a good one, especially if you like to read, as I do!  Some of these will be real challenges--like read book you previously abandoned--oh, my--how, will I stick to one that I've already discounted as worthy of my time!

A book someone chooses for me??  Really, I'd better find that

perfect person to suggest that book!

Hope you can fit one of these challenges into your daily readings.

Do You Finish What You Begin?

Motivation?!  Who needs motivation to finish what I've begun--Well, I do!  This little nudge will be just the thing to keep me on track.  And it's not necessarily just for sewing projects; but, all those projects that have been lingering in the background.  Several years ago, I vowed to finish at least two projects, before beginning anything new!  Now, let me tell you--that was hard to stick to, but somehow, I finished more than I begun.  Maybe, this year will be the same!
How about you?  Do you need that motivation?

the Finish-A-Long is is a place to find motivation and encouragement to complete unfinished sewing projects. Every quarter, you post a list of projects you hope to finish in the next three months. Then, when the three months are over, you post a link from your blog, Flickr or Instagram for each successful finish from your original list. 

The hosts for the year will be:

• Debbie - A Quilter’s Table - USA

• Jess - Elven Garden Quilts - Australia

• Stacey - SLOstudio - Canada (that’s me!)

• Jennie - Clover & Violet - USA

• Helen - Archie the Wonder Dog - UK

• Nicky - Mrs. Sew and Sow -UK

• Rhonda - Rhonda’s Ramblings - USA

• Leanne - She Can Quilt - Canada