Lavender & Peonies

Flower Pounding Success!

We had a great turnout for the Flower Pounding Workshop on Wednesday night!  A lovely group of 11 women came to learn how to create their own printed fabrics at the Enchanted Farms greenhouses.  Even Debby's grandsons got in on the action!

We had a wonderful time, and there are some really creative gals out there.  So many new ideas of what to do with their fabrics they pounded.  I can't wait to see their finished projects -- they've all been sworn to share when they are done.  Here are a couple photos from the evening for all to enjoy....

A Special Night Out of the Shop...

Edited to add:  The above photos are of Impatiens, Salvia, and Geranium pounded onto treated muslin and then stitched into a wall hanging....

Join the fun on Wednesday evening!  We'll be at Enchanting Farms Greenhouses/Nursery doing a workshop on flower pounding.  This technique involves transfering flower/plant pigment to fabric to create a unique piece of art for sewing....  trust me, you'll love it!  I'm completely addicted to this process!

The workshop is Wednesday, June 4th at 7 pm.  We're going to be right in the greenhouse with all the flowers.  The fee is $15 and includes materials... you only need to bring a smile!

Call the shop at 517-668-2000 to sign up, or email Debby out at the greenhouse directly at zellrade@aol.com....  Hope to see you there!

On the way to Australia....

... is this lovely assortment of yarns!

Isn't it beautiful?  Now, to find a box large enough to hold it all....  this gal really was in need of a yarn fix, wasn't she?  I only wish I could see what it was going to become once it reaches its destination.  What a lovely rainbow of yarny goodness!  And all the way to Orange, Australia!

Quilting Classes Now Available (and some more knit/crochet classes, too!)

I've wanted to hold quilting classes since the shop opened, but there just wasn't any room.  I don't want to wait until we have a larger location;  so we're going to MAKE room now!  Here's what we have on the list for May/June:

Beginning Quilting I - a basic patchwork quilt that's perfect for one who has never done a quilt of any kind...

Beginning Quilting II - a beginner quilt that has a little more piecing involved, but still easy enough for a beginner...

BQ2 - the BQ2 quilt is a wonderful pattern that showcases a focal fabric and 2 coordinate fabrics.  It's appropriate for beginners to advanced beginners who want to broaden their horizons, as well as for serious quilters who just want a new fun pattern to add to their repetoire...

Hand Applique - this is going to be a drop in group that meets every other Monday.  There's a new pattern/block at each session, and the techniques will be taught and perfected as you go...

Hand Piecing - this is also going to be a drop in group that meets on the opposite Mondays of the hand applique group.  Learn the basics of hand piecing, different block settings, and special techniques....

Jelly Belly 4-Hour Quilt - make a great lap quilt in 4 hours!  This pattern is a shop original, and is great for kids or for adults who love the contemporary look.  This is easy-easy-easy and fun to do. That it can be done in a matter of hours makes it a wonderful pattern to keep on hand for when you need a quick quilt!

As for the knitting/crochet end of things, we've got quite a few new options. 

Drop-In Help Session - this is a punchcard based session;  simply purchase a punchcard that's good for 25 visits.  Then come in during the session time on Wednesdays from 11 - 1, and you will receive one-on-one help with whatever project you are working on!  I'm not always able to help with more involved knit/crochet issues when folks stop in because there are other customers to help.  This will insure that you can sit down and get that instruction with a dedicated time for it. 

Top-Down Knitting - learn to knit from the top down on a children's cardigan.  The benefits of knitting from the top down is that it's usually faster, it allows for more accurate fitting, and there are no seams to sew! 

Top-Down Knitting 2 - due to a customer request, I've added a second session of the top-down knitting instruction using an adult sweater pattern.  This class will be an evening class...

Introduction to Lace Knitting - learn the basics of knitting lace patterns while you make this lovely and classic scarf. 

Beginning Crochet - the details of this class have yet to be determined, but we are going to hold a class for those who have been really intent on learning crochet!  Yes ladies, I heard you!  I just have to find the right project to teach you with!  This class will begin in June....

There are more classes on the horizon, but this list covers May and June.  The details are on the website for these and we'll continue to update the website as more information is available. 

Don't be shy - please tell me what classes you are looking for so we can add them to the calendar!

Quilt Show Shenanigans

What you see here is a sneak peek at a new quilt we're doing to bring to the quilt shows we have coming up...  Once the blocks have been sewn into the top, the border added, and layered/quilted/bound, we'll put a finished quilt photo up here for you!  This is also going to be done up into quilt kits in a couple different colourways as well, and once those kits are complete, we'll add them to the shop website, too!  I just love Amy Butler fabrics...... sigh...

In other news, the Central Park Hoodie Knit-Along is going very well.  We cast on January 22nd, and unfortunately I haven't had a whole lot of time to work on mine, but here's the progress so far:

It really does knit up quickly, and it is much more fun to knit than I expected it to be!  Although I do think the hood and front button band will take an eternity while picking up all of those stitches.  I am really enjoying it, though, and those of us making it are loving using the Kathmandu Aran.  It's an identical yarn to the yarn the pattern originally calls for, but much more affordable.  It was originally done in Tahki Donegal Tweed wool singles.  Jo Sharp's Silk Road is also identical to this, but a little more expensive than the Kathmandu Aran.  But all three yarns are just about the same. I have a feeling this one is going to be one of my favorites in my wardrobe.

Watch for more quilts to appear here on the blog in the next few days.  We're really gearing up for the quilt shows, and putting together as many kits as we can in the next few weeks.  Look for a new Dick and Jane quilt & kit, a Kaffe Fassett quilt & kit, and a Sunshine quilt as well...  Lots of fun going on around here!

Why you should never feel guilty about buying just one more skein of yarn...

Think you have too much yarn?  Or perhaps your family is giving you a hard time about your fiber addictions?  Yeah, just show them this, and they'll never say a word about it to you again....  For the record?  I am in awe!  And jealous as all heck!!!!

Multi-tasking (Or, the technical term for "how I manage to keep my life moving daily")

At this very moment (12:09 am to be exact), I am sitting on the bed with my laptop, socks in progress, and a hot cup of herbal tea.  In the background is the post game analysis of the Steelers victory on ESPN.  I love knitting.  I love football.  I love it when I can combine both.  Unfortunately, I need to combine many more things than that in order to get anything done at all....

Today I went onto Ravelry for a whopping hour!  I've actually avoided it because I know it could really suck me into the void of yarn goodness.  Then I would never get ANYTHING done.  Seriously.  And today is one of those days where nothing really got done that I had hoped.  So I have a sock here to work on in between photo downloads and other processes the computer needs to do to help me keep life on track.  The tea is supposed to be helping me get over the crud that has been going around.  That I now have. 

What did I get done today?  During the Bears game I accomplished some knitting.   One sock of the pair I'm knitting for Dad for Christmas.  A few rows of the Inishbeg sweater were completed.  I made more progress on the sweater for Andrew.  Before the game I did manage to load and run the dishwasher, make 2 loaves of home made white bread for the family, get 3 loads of laundry completely through the wash and dry cycles, make all of the beds, and put together BOM kits for the shop.  It may sound like a lot to some people, but in my world?  That's nothing.  It's a drop in the bucket of what needs to be done.

On top of all that, at around 8:30, Andrew decided it was time to get sick himself.  He went from 60 to 0 in about 30 seconds.  His rosy cheeks went white, he sat down and got lethargic & sleepy, and in a matter of moments emptied the contents of his tummy all over the family room couch.  He's been alternating between sleep and restless fussing ever since.  He's currently on the loveseat downstairs with his daddy, trying to snuggle up and feel better. 

SO, here it is, past midnight, and I'm updating a blog.  Why not?  It's the perfect time!  It is obvious by the lack of posting on here that I never get around to it!  And since I did have a few minutes, I guess the most basic choice of a post topic was to enlighten everyone as to why I don't ever post! 

I love this mug!  It's perfect for coffee, tea, anything you please!  It's a nice, heavy, old-fashioned diner mug.  I don't love pancakes, but I do love the sentiment behind this.  That something so simple as pancakes can make everyone joyous.  And it sparked a little thought in me tonight:  perhaps it really is the simple things that are the ultimate reward in life.  I know that on my other blog I've often mused about how my children really do inspire and uplift me, and how my vegetable patch satisfies that need to be one with mama-earth.  I've gone on and on about how perfect my husband is, our life is so gratifying and how we really do have many blessings.  But it could be even simpler than that sometimes!  Because tonight, as I bathed a baby boy covered in his hours old lunch and then proceeded to clean a nasty couch, I realized that the thought of having just completed that ONE SOCK earlier today made me feel oh-so-much-better!

And now, hours later, I am completely at ease with life knowing that I completed a blog post.  It really can be that simple!  Especially when I think about all I have to do...  run the shop, raise the children, be a wife to Andy, cook, clean, laundry, chauffer, DDA meetings, farmers' market meetings, Christmas Market meetings, inventory, bookeeping, prepare for the holidays, finish the gift knitting and quilting, get shop samples made, organize myself for the knitting event Wednesday night, pack school bags, finish up 3 quilts, start the holiday shopping, send out Christmas cards, read email from 3 weeks ago, etc....    Yep, I'm happy with that one sock. 

Life is good!

Another Knitting in Public Event -- And this one is HUGE!

These lovely stamps are the newest holiday postage now available for the season!  What does that have to do with Knitting in Public?  Well, these stamps are "knit" prints!  And there will be a big event to introduce them to everyone at the main post office on Collins Road in Lansing, Michigan....

So what is this event?  Funny you should ask us -- the shop is involved in the big celebration!  Lavender & Peonies has been asked to host the event because: a) we can teach people to knit; b) we use the Click-n-Ship USPS system for our website; and c) a very wonderful customer of ours is helping to put together the event and wanted us to participate!

Here are the details:

JOIN THE FESTIVE OCCASION

"Knit One, Mail Too"

Wednesday, December 5th, 2007  5:00 to 7:00 pm

Lansing Post Office Lobby at 4800 Collins Road

• Come and Learn How to Knit

• Sit and Knit if you already know how

• Bring your knitting needles, yarn and patterns!  And show off your work as well!

• Experienced knitters will be on hand to teach you to knit

• Free ptaterns will be available for the taking.

So, how about it everyone?  Come on down and join in the fun!  There will even be tv and radio folks there to help kick off the holiday shipping season, so this is a big deal!  And who can resist a free pattern?  We'll see you there!

Hello, Friends!

When the newest colors/prints of Kaffe Fassett's fabrics arrived this summer, I fell hopelessly and madly in love with them.  Then, finally, a few weeks ago, I came up with a way to use them!  The large prints needed a large way to show them off, and I didn't want to make a purse or smaller project with them.  Needless to say, it meant a quilt was in store for them.  This is a cuddly little lap size quilt.  It's perfect for just hanging out on the couch watching the Chicago Bears play on lazy Sunday afternoons.  Perhaps I had better finish quilting pretty quickly, before the season is done!

So, what's new besides the random quilt project?  LOTS!  The store is filling up with the new fabrics from MODA.   Shangri-la and Allspice Tapestry are here, Blossom is on the way, as well as many more.  We're also expecting the new Anna Griffin "Lulu" by Wyndham Fabrics in October or November along with the latest prints from Storybook V.  There are jelly rolls and charm packs galore in stock, and of course more arriving all the time.  It's all just too tempting for me!  Especially since I don't even have the time to really get busy creating...

But the fabrics aren't the only things tempting me.  The yarns are really calling my name.  I know I've said it before:  I quilt more in the summer and knit more in the winter.  Well, this year I happened to spend the majority of the seasons knitting!  I know why that is:  it's portable and easy to pick up/put down at any point.  I'm in the process of working on some projects for boy/girl twins due on Christmas Eve.  I'm throwing the shower in October, so once the gifts have been given, I'll post photos of the fun craftiness I have been able to do!  But I'm still working on other things.  I've got a stack of UFO's a mile high!  Socks, bags, sweaters, even dishcloths for heaven's sake!  Since when does a dishcloth belong in the UFO pile?  Lord help me!!!!!  But I think I'm going to be in sock and lace nirvana this winter.  Just look at this yummy pile:

It's our newest addition to the yarn lines at the shop:  J-Knits!  This is the first batch of "Superwash Me" sock yarn and "Lace-a-licious" lace weight yarn.  More is on the way, I promise!  But I am in love with both yarns.  Especially the sock yarn!  At 420 yards per skein, you only need one skein for a pair of socks.  It's all hand-dyed, and it's dyed only after it's ordered.  I'm hoping to get it listed on the website by Monday afternoon, so bear with me!  There is a limited amount of it, only 4 skeins per color of sock yarn, and only 2 skeins per color of lace-weight, so don't wait too long to get yours!

In other news, I finally got into Ravelry!  (Thanks, Emily, for tipping me off to it so long ago!)  Now will be the big job of uploading all of my works-in-progress, finished projects, and cataloguing my yarn stash.  It's a bit intimidating!  But I did spend a little time poking around the site and was amazed at the number of knitters in our area.  Speaking of area knitters...

This weekend, Kristi of Red Dog Knits and I met at the farmers market when she came to sell her amazing body care line.  I had been told about her blog not too long ago, and was thrilled to have read it the two times I found a chance to get online.  She also has twins, has a crazy hectic life, and loves knitting and quilting.  And I didn't know she lived HERE!  Her knitting output is amazing considering everything she has going on, and I am humbled in her presence.  On top of that, she's just such a sweetheart...  and her crafter's balm is so unbelievably wonderful.  She's been so kind as to agree to put it in the shop for everyone to buy.  But in the meantime, you can buy it directly from her from her webstore.

We had a wonderful chat, and we got to talking about forming a DeWitt area "guild" so to speak.  Not necessarily an official guild, but something that was somewhat organized for getting some young, excited people together to work on quilting or knitting or anything.  To break out of the stuffy old-fashioned craft ideas and head in the direction that we love about the blog world.  You see, the Midwest hasn't caught up to the rest of the world yet.  Here, quilting is still the mauve and blue country of the 80's.  The calicos and wovens and anything remotely navy/burgundy/gold and, well, COUNTRY.  Then we hop online and see what's going on in Seattle, Portland, Chicago, New York, and everywhere else and get so inspired!  We see the Amy Butler fabrics, the Kaffe Fassett fabrics, the hand dyed yarns in bright colors, all used in such fun, up-to-date ways!  At least we have an outlet online for it, but the general Michigan trend is the same old boring and blah...  And I'm pretty sure that everyone is ready to get out of the 80's and 90's rut and try something new.  Every day, people come into the shop and get excited that there is something different here, so I think a group thing here would be wonderful!  A creative outlet for some of us ready to think outside of the box.  This isn't your grandma's craft world anymore; the young designers have really shaken things up and we'd like to get busy trying this new stuff!  Interested?  Let us know!!!!

Off to update my ravelry stuff...  or should I just hit the sticks and get busy on my baby knits?  Either way, not a bad decision to have to make!

And the winner is....

The quilt drawing was held on August 1st, and I know you've all been on the edge of your seats waiting to find out who won!  Sorry for my inability to get five minutes to post an entry out here, and I know that I can't apologize enough for this particular lapse in posting!

The winner of the quilt was not one person, but a couple who so graciously made a $100 donation to the walk:  Ernie and Nancy Clark!  Congratulations!!!!!  I'm thrilled to see the quilt go to them.  You see, Ernie's first wife lost her battle to cancer, and this is quite appropriate.  I'm going to be delivering it to them personally later this month. 

I'm gearing up for the walk itself later this week.  I'll be heading out on Thursday to Chicago, and at 5:30 am on Friday I'll officially be pounding the pavement.  I can't believe it's already here!  And I've been trying to figure out how I can manage to squeeze a ball of Panda Wool into my waist pack while I'm walking to work on some socks as we go....  yeah, it's a sickness this need to be constantly surrounded by fiber arts!  I didn't even bother trying to find a way to work fabric into the walk.  They don't make a mobile sewing machine that  I know of, but knitting while walking?  Now that might be do-able...  I wanted to bring the laptop and blog-a-long, but that won't be possible.  I'll be sure to take lots of photos and get some blogging done when I return. 

So, remember that new years resolution about finishing all of my projects before starting a new one?  Well, I did  really good sticking to that until about June.  Here's the list of works in progress:

Menehune Socks in Panda Wool color Seascape   (check out straw.com for the free pattern)

the Lousia Harding sweater I've been ignoring in Impression Mohair  (no time to get back to it.  I'd love to finish it soon, though!)

a Minnowknits pattern sweater for Andrew in navy Sublime Baby Cashmere Merino Silk DK (oh this yarn is soooooo decadent to work with!)

a to-be-felted-once-it's-knitted-bag done in Debbie Bliss Soho

linen hand towels from the book Mason-Dixon Knitting in Maggi's Linen, blue and a blue/tan variegated

a quilt (that's all I'm saying -- it's a surprise for someone I know...)

2 baby quilts for a set of twins due on Christmas Eve

2 knit baby layettes for those same twins!

a dishcloth (can you believe that would actually be a work in progress?  Sad, isn't it?)

a cell phone cover (see last line.... pathetic, really)

7 aprons that have been designed and cut out... that's it.  no stitches done yet.

Umpteen bajillion pincushions that are stuffed but not finished...

It's not a case of severe ADD.  Really, it's not!  It's my lack of time to do anything anymore.  When I look at my to-do list, I get exhausted reading it by the time I'm halfway through!  Hopefully things will slow down as we get closer to the school year and I can tackle some of these things and get them finished up.  Some completion of projects would be a great feeling.

By the way -- the summer clearance sale that ended on July 15th?  Yeah, it ended.  BUT, some of the fabrics that were on sale back then are on sale now.  Permanently!  And they've been added to the website, too!  And if you stop by the store, the entire north wall of fabrics is now 60% off.  Some of those are NOT available online (there's not much left on the bolts, so they will be an in-store only special).   And in more news?  The UPTOWN Collection is ONLY available online now.  We needed to make room in the shop for all of the new fabrics that were coming in, and it went to our shipping site to free up space in the store.  But it's permanently marked down the 40% now, too! 

For those of you patiently waiting for the Allspice collection that is coming out this fall?  The jelly rolls will be here tomorrow!  Don't worry Melany, I've got your request for one already and I'll get it to you ASAP!  And the bolts of A Little Romance should be here this week as well...  Hopefully before I leave for my cancer walk on Thursday. 

Well, off to get some sleep.  A rare night to be in bed before midnight (or one or two for that matter...).  Thanks for being so patient! 

And that folks, is the news for tonight.  I'm [Dan Rather]. Good night.

PS--Anyone seen the show Mad Men on AMC?  OK, I'm back to the land of tv again for one night a week at least!  WoW, is it GOOD!