February Flies By...

Winter is fading and we've been busy passing the time with projects.

This eagle is Wayne's latest finished piece.

 I've been spinning the fiber I bought at Rhinebeck Sheep & Wool Festival back in October.  This spool is almost ready to ply.

 I've been experimenting with sock patterns over the past few weeks.

Here's a pair of alpaca/wool blend boot socks high-
lighted with some of the fiber from Rhinebeck's purchases.  I think I'll add more color on the next pair.

A woman asked me to make her a pair of toe-less socks so the picture below shows that pair.

Socks are time-consuming, but it's nice to have a portable project that in the end warms your 'sole'.

Trying to Catch Up in 2016

I can't believe how much time has passed since my last post!  I must be getting old--time is passing more quickly than ever before.

I have been having so much fun learning how to use the new loom.  What's neat is that the kids are interested in learning how to weave also.  Marc has made two different samples of weaves.  He's waiting for me to re-tie the warp (I cut off some of our finished pieces to make a project) so he can get back to weaving.

Wayne has been busy with glass projects and here's a sample of his latest.

He's been teaching a class for a local woman and has several more interested in classes.  I told him that the studio project will have to stretch to the whole length of the garage so there will be classroom space. 

The local diner is being renovated and the owner asked Wayne to restore the original cut glass windows.  Here is one of 10 windows he restored.  We're really looking forward to the re-opening of the Unadilla Diner.

We have had very little snow so far this winter so the kids decided to make some 'melted snowman' cookies from a packaged mix they received for Christmas.  They decided not to go with the cute designs shown on the package...they went with the Calvin and Hobbes version of snowmen...Snow Goons.  The laughter and conversations during the baking process were a gift of memory making.

In addition to the weaving, spinning and knitting fill my creative hours these winter months.  Some day I dream of taking a weaving class, but in the meantime I'm taking advantage of the resources I've been collecting over the years.  With a book propped open and knitting needles in hand, I'm learning about weaving and getting socks made while sitting in front of the woodstove.  What better way to spend winter in Upstate NY? 

Winding up the year...

Aunt Lori & Uncle Mike have faithfully provided the family with new adventures in their yearly Christmas box.  This year the kids made 'ninjabread cookies' thanks to a special cookie making kit.  We still have the 'melting snowman' cookies to bake.  I'll try to remember to take pictures of those, too...if they last long enough.  The kids made these while Wayne and I were at an appointment and we only saw 2 ninjamen out of the batch.

Wayne surprised me with an early Christmas gift...it wouldn't fit under the tree!

 Ian seems to be enjoying them in this pic...




This Christmas we had the wonderful blessing of having everyone home--including Hannah's mother Susan.  Susan arrived in NY from TX on Tuesday and came with Matthew & Hannah on Wednesday.  Hannah and Susan made the Christmas Eve dinner featuring Johnson family favorites.  (Delicious!)

A reminder of what the season is all about

Abundantly Blessed!

Nathanial & Matthew enjoying their time together.

Christmas Day was extremely warm (low 60's) so some of us took a walk around Buck Horn Lake.  It seemed more like spring instead of the beginning of winter!

Today I was able to take the time to learn how to use my new loom.  It was a HUGE blessing to have the loom already warped so I got right to weaving once I figured out how to readjust the tension and retie some of the warp strings.  I think this is going to be a fun adventure.

Small Business Saturday

Today was quiet at "The Gift Cupboard" but I had opportunity to work on more items to stock the shelves for the next couple of Saturdays.

We'll be open from 10 - 3 December 5th & 12th or by appointment.

Mid-November Already?!

The beautiful autumn foliage is now a memory, but I have lots of pictures to remind me of the amazing colors.

Wayne has been busy with glass projects.  In addition to repairing the colored glass windows in the local diner, he's made a few angels.

 A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to be part of the Harvest Festival at Harvest Baptist Church in Bath,, NY.  I spun yarn from our angora rabbits as they rested in my lap.  It was a lot of fun meeting and talking with the attendees.  It was a cold day, but the foliage on the surrounding hills was amazing and the time spent with wonderful people was heartwarming.  (A cup of soup on the way home helped me thaw out, too!)

 We've set up a little shop on our side porch for the next couple of months.  New inventory is being added every day, but this will give you an idea of what we have available...

We're in the process of shifting out the autumn themed items and replacing with holiday gift ideas.  Our hours are Saturday November 28th and December 12th 10 a.m. - 3p.m. or by appointment.

 I had a customer ask me to make some catnip mice from some old cashmere sweaters.  That order grew to include herbal sachet mice from the sweaters and a favorite silk tie.  These are very special mice, complete with alpaca yarn tails.  A lot of cats (and people) will be receiving them for Christmas this year.

Preparing for The Gift Cupboard's Opening at the Farm

Last weekend I attended the NY Sheep and Wool Festival in Rhinebeck, NY.  I'm always amazed at the number and enthusiasm of attendees.  Strolling through the booths offering anything and everything to do with fiber is fun and re-inspires me to try new patterns and design my own.

Unfortunately, when the 'creative bug' hits it is usually when I'm in a time crunch.  This weekend we're opening our seasonal shop here on the farm, and I'm scurrying to finish projects in process.  But I'm also trying new design ideas that I want to include in the shop. (And I don't want to forget the design before making a sample!)  Thankfully, I have a husband who smiles and does all the prep work of cleaning and setting up displays so I can get "lost in the fiber zone." (That quote comes from a brooch I saw at the Festival and it's very accurate in my life.)

Here are some of the projects I've been completing for our seasonal shop...

Needle-felted applique on felted purse

Scrappy Jean Quilt--Twin Size

Fingerless Gloves

While Dad & Mom are busy, the two boys enjoy a good book on the back porch. 

To Everything There is a Season....

 This quilt was started last spring when I decided to make a totally hand-pieced, appliqued, quilted, and embroidered wall quilt as a just-for-fun project.  I finished it a couple of weeks ago and the verse is so appropriate.

The alpacas have moved to their new home, and I am adjusting to the naked field where their pasture used to be.  The fencing has been dismantled and we're in the process of selling it.

Marc had a buck goat delivered yesterday to provide services for his 2 does.  He's dreaming of new kids in the barn next spring.

Ian and I took a walk around Buckhorn Lake yesterday
and this was one of the many beautiful views...

The geese have been flying over in huge flocks
the past few weeks.  This picture shows a very small flock resting on the lake.

Yesterday Wayne told me to look out the window.  This is what I saw--Ian certainly seems to enjoy his new flannel pj's!  When I asked him why he was outside in his pajamas he said they were really warm and cozy.

The pear tree has been prolific this year.  We've shared the pears with many and I've made lots of pear crisp. 

We've had several light frosts...another season has arrived.