I've added a few dozen more napkins to the Fiber Frolic: Blue Skies Daisy Napkins (shown above) and a couple other retro prints.  It's such a blessing to have so many people loving my napkins--I can hardly keep up! :-)

Happy Tuesday from me and the little girl pumpkin! :-D

June, she'll change her tune,
In restless walks she'll prowl the night. . .

Simon & Garfunkel :: "April Come She Will"

It's a quiet morning here at the Blackberry Bungalow; just the little pumpkin and me are awake.  Mike and I have enjoyed a few days of peaceful living after a whirlwind month.  We went to see Indiana Jones at the drive-in and, as usual, I was appalled at the price of snacks (we're taking our own next time).  The movie was pretty good, though, when you take out all the stressful parts. 

Yesterday we went to Boone for our quarterly trip to Earth Fare and vegetarian food fix.  Mike ended up eating meat (at the place which has replaced Angelica's), I had tempeh, and we came home with $18 worth of gummy candies from the Mast General Store.  You've got to have priorities.  Really, though, that candy will last us for months.  I hope.

I'm glad it's June, but this month still holds some surprises. 

Monday, we'll find out just who's wiggling around in my tummy and laying on my bladder.  Yesterday, the baby got into such a position that I was nearly squirming with pain and screaming for a bathroom.  Just as quickly, the baby moved and I was able to make it a whole 20 minutes without a bathroom break.  Mike says I've gotten a lot bigger over the past week, and I feel it, too.  Of course, I'm always sizing myself up every time I walk past something reflective.  That's what happens when you have a house with no full-length mirrors. ;-)

My birthday is this month, right before the end of the fiscal year at work.  I'm sure, by now, that you've figured out that they might be downsizing me.  It's nothing I've done, but they blame the state budget cuts and somehow see it as okay to consider eliminating several real people instead of looking at other spending.  It's a big, hilarious mess.  That's all I can say.  Now that the shock has worn off, it's like M*A*S*H around work.  I talk about willing my office supplies to people and who gets my African violets.  Humor in dark times as we wait for a verdict.

Today, I've got a couple dozen napkins for the Fiber Frolic waiting for me in the Apiary.  There are also new curtains to plan for our room and Mike, as Quality Control on all my crafting, is keeping a close eye on the fabric selection.  We've come home with some that's he's just obsessed with.  I knew he was the one when he wore my knitting and was so concerned about, well, Quality Control.  I've also got two sizable custom orders for the shop and I'm so thrilled to have them.  Etsy seems to be working out well for me. :-)

Now, for some flower shots. . .



I'll start with peonies, for Emily. 



I've picked the best and fullest, just for you.



This is the bouquet from the other day.  See how full it's gotten?  I've since restocked with more flowers as the petals drop.



Moving along to the bleeding hearts in white. . .



. . . and tiny pink.  I think these are more closely related to Dutchmen's Breeches or maybe Squirrel Corn, given the leaves and flower shape.



Now, I've got to do shamelss plugs for the shop.  See this columbine?



And this one, too?



Notice how I like to take pictures of my hand?

I show all of these to say that they all came from the same plants, but came out different colors!  I moved these from the Old Davis Homestead our first year here.  For awhile, they stayed well-behaved and were all purple and ruffly.  This year, I don't know if they were carousing with other neighborhood columbines or what, but they've gone and gotten Variety.  I love all the different colors and lovingly collect the seeds each year, which are available for purchase over at Brandy's Fiber Frolic.

Okay, shameless plugs aside. . .



Gorgeous Rhododendron.  And at last:



Dwarf Iris.   Aaaah, love.

Happy Sunday!

I've got some great stuff for Brandy's Fiber Frolic brewing at the Blackberry Bungalow!  I'll be doing major updates over there tomorrow and Friday.  Here's a little peak. . .



Sunshine-y napkins in vintage feedsack repro's.

And. . .



Handmade soap that Carrie taught me to make!!  I'll have Citrus Trio (shown at top), Tea Tree-Peppermint (middle) and a few Rose bars (bottom). 

For Susan and Blue Mountain Mama, who submitted names for the citrus soap, I have a free bar for each of you with your names on them!!!  Just drop me an e-mail at rangerbrandy at gmail dot com with your address and they'll be on their way!!

A knitted bib for the baby.  I found the pattern online and have plans to make many more.



Ummm. . . napkins.  Lots of napkins.  Somebody tell me you're desperate for some of my napkins.  Maybe it will motivate me.  See the cute vintage prints?



But, see?  I have been making a little progress.  If only I had a rolled-hem foot, I could move so much faster. . .



I've been doing really good with this one.  And really, that's all that matters.

Last year was a stellar year for my columbine plants and I harvested many seeds.  Some of you participated in my giveaway, but if you didn't get the chance I now have my lovely handmade packets available over at the Fiber Frolic.  Columbine grows so well and the flowers make a beautiful addition to the dinner table.  Soon, after I jam some strawberries, I'll have dozens of new napkins in fun prints available.  Stay tuned!

   

Behold!  Only two and a half months start to finish. Now it's time to start churning out matching baby socks. :-)  Well, after I sew some more napkins and hankies--you guys were the best!  Half my inventory gone in two days!!  I truly have my work cut out for me.  All over the bed in the craft room. :-D

After much deliberation, gestation and stitching--Brandy's Fiber Frolic is ready to go!  Special thanks to Felicia at Fluffy Flowers for all her encouragement and pointers and to Mike for his help with the World's Best Banner!

Wow, I must be going through a real blogging drought.  After posting nearly every day for months, I'm a little short on words lately.  What I've not been short on is preparations for Brandy's Fiber Frolic.  I've sewn dozens of napkins and handkerchiefs and nearly felted my self into submission.  Here's a little sneak-ety peek for all those curious blog friends:



Sunshiny Garden Napkins: There are two sets of six that will be available. I adore the fabric.  Mike picked it out--he's got the best taste. :-)



Cork Mushrooms: A recycled craft turning the bubbly into the whimsical.  Modeled after the Fly Agaric mushroom so often seen in storybooks.  Don't know if I'll have more of these later or not.



Blue Mountain Sunrise: Inspired by my West Virginia blog friend and the two stained glass panels that hang in our living room.



Blue Mountain Moonrise: Simplicity at is best, and because I'm obsessively even. ;-)

Mike's in bed with a sore back (not from the photos!) talking on the phone to his friend who's also in bed recovering from surgery.  I sewed most of the day and have about made myself crazy.  However, not nearly as crazy as I would have been if I didn't have Sally the new Singer. :-)

Oh, I forgot one more picture. . .



Doughnuts I made yesterday for my great-grandmother's 101st birthday!  We had to cut them out with a Coca-Cola glass and a champagne flute. :-P  They were a hit and we had such a good time. :-)

Hard winds are blowing away our sixty-degree days and bringing in snow.  I am so thankful.  :-)  Winter still has its rights for another month and a half and I'm ready to stick up for it should anybody complain.  Still, the warmth of the past three days is a sign that things will soon be changing.

Around here, things are.  We've got most of our seeds for the garden.  We'll soon be ordering our blueberries, red currant and lingonberry plants.  We're also gearing up for the possibility of a farmers' market here in Marion!  I've signed on tentatively to do what we like to call "Nichols' Natural Bakery."  We'll see how it goes.

Mike has set up an etsy shop and has got some items listed.  I'm working on items for my own shop, Brandy's Fiber Frolic, and hope to be ready to go in the next few weeks.  Blue Mountain Mama urged me on and Felicia gave me loads of tips, so I think I'll finally take the plunge.  Life without TV and with hundreds of records from the sixties lends itself kindly to creative energy.  Do say a prayer for our courage and success.

And here's a little secret. . .

I'm actually excited about Spring.

Kind of.

Anyone else out there glad to check January off their list?  I know I am. 

I've been out of work all week except for five hours yesterday.  Nasty, nasty cold.  I'm sitting at about 85% right now and so, so very glad.  I've couched and bedded and chaired and done all manner of sedentary things.  I've watched somewhere around ten movies and a good portion of them twice and all of that extra stuff they put on DVD's to make you buy them.  I even went for broke and watched all FIVE HOURS of the Colin Firth version of Pride & Prejudice.  What a week!

I knitted until I could knit no more, on a project I gave up on afterward.  I crocheted about a dozen granny squares for a couple afghans (trying to use up the stash and get ready for Christmas--only 11 months, you know).  I've been reading about haints and corn shucking and candy pulls in the second Foxfire book and picking mushrooms (which is not very exhausting). 

Oh, and I made a gnome.  My first bona fide Magic Wool friend.  He's got a wire frame with loads of woolly bits piled on top and a tiny pointed felt hat.  He's also got eyes that make you think he's rather grumpy.  It can't be helped.  He was my companion through most of the nose blowings and cold medicine delerium and infinite beverage consumption and cough drop slurping.  He's bound to be grumpy after keeping company with me all week.

His name is Aspen, and though he doesn't show it, he is very pleased to make your acquaintance.  Much like Mr. Darcy.

Sometimes there's a magic moment when the timing is just right for some real creativity, like when your fear of doing the unknown is taking a nap and has been caught off guard.  Such a miraculous event occurred this past Thursday when the snow was falling.  The simple success of the blueberries for the Blueberry Land hat gave me the courage to make my first felted friend.

I'd had the magic wool books for several months.  I'd poured over them, falling in love with Moss Man and Moss Woman and the little hedgehog.  I'd thought that if I could only learn to make them, that Brandy's Fibers really would Frolic.  But the time wasn't right.  As much as I'm a do-it-now-how-dare-you-wait kind of girl, I had to wait on this.  No one told me I was ready until it happened.

Then, all of the sudden, the roving I got last Fall was forming three fuzzy balls and little brown arms and a sweet carrot nose.  The fine merino wool I used for the Candy Cane scarf seemed just right to craft a tiny hat and scarf.  With the addition of eyes, my snow friend is complete.

Well. . . except for a name.  I'm not sure what to name my new friend.  I think she might be a girl, but then again, all my snowmen are women.  Please do offer a suggestion of a name.  Something Wintry and woolly.  :-)

I was delighted to discover I had leftover yarn when I finished Ava Belle's sweet hat and mittens.  The yarn was so soft I thought it would make a wonderful hat for me.  When I started it, I didn't have much of a plan.  I knew I wanted a ribbed cuff and a pointed top for a little fun.  When I finished it during the night of the eighteen laptops, Mike and I agreed it looked a bit like a blueberry.

Inspiration hit and I set to work searching for the knitted leaves I had seen on Knitting Iris's meathead hats.  The leaves were simple to make and I blocked them, which I usually never do.  Yesterday morning, while I was trying to convince Mike we should stay home and he was trying to convince me we should go to work, I decided the hat would be more complete with some felted blueberries.

I'd had a hard time with felting in hot water (well, I got felt, but it was ugly felt), so I decided to give it a go with needle felting.  The blueberries came right together!  I was so excited.  I'd put off needle felting 3-D things for a long time, but when the time is right, inspiration strikes.  Mike wore the hat while I sewed on the leaves and then I used strong thread to attach the berries.  When we went out in the snow, I paired it with my rice stitch scarf and I'm so glad it's finally found a mate.  Very blue indeed.

A cold wind is howling outside and the furnace has just come to life.  Apple Ladder Loaf is proofing on the table and the tree is lit.  It's ten days before Christmas and things are still humming along here at the Nichols' Homestead.  I've still got plenty of Christmas knitting to do and plenty of requests coming in. 



One thing I didn't request, but loved receiving, was this Winter-themed bouquet of flowers from Mike.  I was having a gloomy day yesterday and he snuck over to the florist and had them sent to work.  It's full of blue and white flowers with a Winter theme.  He's so clever.  Martha said she bet Mike would get extra smoochies for this, and he did.  I've never been a flowers kind of girl, but this really hit the spot.  Thanks, honey!



A felted snowflake for the final installment of secret pals at work.  I even made a little felted snowball which, I've learned, is much easier said than done.  The other side features an "M" in mixed turquoise and purple needle felt embroidery, but it's all wrapped up, so you'll just see this side.  Martha said that her grandmother had made her snowflake ornaments and that they were among her most treasured.  Since I'm not really confident working with fine thread, I decided felt never leads me wrong.  I hope Martha loves it.



Shhhhh!  I've broken out the Red Heart Super Saver to knit up a hat for Sheri's husband.  Red Heart makes the only camouflage yarn I know of.  Got a bit to go on this one.



I'm working in cotton to make this hat for Dawn's daughter Megan who is 18 months and quite the cutie.  Dawn loved my elf hat, so she requested one for Megan.  I've even bought bamboo needles, which is quite a change from my usual anodized aluminum needles.  I must say, the bamboo is nice. :-)

The socks, you remember them, are still in progress.  I'm ready to start work on the heel, but had to put them on hold for these last-minute requests. 



The little fairy above?  Well, my grandy, in her endless generosity, gave me this little Mama Strawberry from Magic Cabin just a wee bit earlier than Christmas.  It was concluded that she looked just like me, with her green eyes and her long brown hair.  When I added the tiny knitting, I knew she was completely me.  Well, minus the wings.  :-D

For the past month and a half, I've been hard at work on a goody box for my mitten pal over at mittenswap.  I mailed it Thursday, and she has received it, with great jubilation.  Now I can reveal it's top-secret contents. . .

• Mittens in red, green, and brown
• Columbine seeds
• Hollyhock seeds
• Peach jam carefully wrapped in bubble wrap
• Homemade soap by my friend Carrie
• Seed stitch knitted hat in blue Peruvian wool
• White and milk chocolate swirled chips

And finally, a little extra goody--a felted mitten swap ornament for the sentimental in all of us.  :*-)



This was loads of fun to put together.  I can't wait until I receive my package. 

Last night after the rain and supper, I sat down at my sewing machine to do some felting.  I've felt really full of ideas lately, but it's like they've been at the tip of my tongue--I can see them, but not quite.  This time, I was full of ideas and turned out several nifty pins.


When the light starts to change long about March, Fall is far away and Winter is fading fast.  I cling to moments like yesterday: walking home from the store.  The winds picked up, warning of the coming storm, and more walnut leaves swirled down from the sky.

In creative moments like last night, I feel setting up my etsy shop, Brandy's Fiber Frolic, seems so close.  Like I could put those pins up and sell them.  But then I feel conflicted--do I want to maintain a shop?  Will crafting consume all my time once I start out?