YouTube - Dean and his Wacky Voices
A video made in my mass media class to demonstrate photo editing. My teacher is the one in the striped shirt with the 'hawk.
New PluckyFluff Book!
Amazon.com: Intertwined: The Art of Handspun Yarn, Modern Patterns and Creative Spinning (Handspun Revolution): Books: Lexi Boeger
That ^ would be the new pluckyfluff book, coming out soon! I am really excited to see what will be in it, judging by the pictures on her blog!
Making it Lovely
Making it Lovely
I am a huge fan of Making it Lovely- a blog by the one and only Pink Loves Brown. check out her Badges . My favorites are the glasses and dressmaker. No surprise there. Check out her bathroom re-do in progress, it is so pretty!
I am a huge fan of Making it Lovely- a blog by the one and only Pink Loves Brown. check out her Badges . My favorites are the glasses and dressmaker. No surprise there. Check out her bathroom re-do in progress, it is so pretty!
eBay Seller: midnightskyfibers: Yarn, Crafts items on eBay.com
eBay Midnightskyfibers: Yarn, Crafts items on eBay.com
I have a couple yarns listed on eBay (summer destashing) for people again looking to score some cheap yarn.
I have a couple yarns listed on eBay (summer destashing) for people again looking to score some cheap yarn.
vanilla
Vanilla
While I am not quite sure what would make these organic or not, I was really happy with the vanilla beans I got from vanillaproducts on eBay about a week ago. Shipping was super fast, and the beans I got, despite being extract grade are delicious and much better than MOST of what I see in everyday grocery stores. A pound is a lot of beans! I've been making vanilla pudding, vanilla flavored mini apple pies, and tea. I plan on making some good vanilla extract once I get some appropriate alcohol to do so.
New Shop Update
pepper1
Originally uploaded by midnightskyfibers
I added a few new yarns to the shop!
Midnight Sky Fibers
I'm waiting for my next shipment of sock yarn from my mill. It's being spun right now and should be here soon! In the meantime, it is business as usual with more handspun yarns!
Anti Consumerism and the third world
No Impact Man: If rich people don’t buy stuff, how do poor people make a living?
The question is really posed well- and answered!- by No Impact Man. In case you hadn't guessed, I am a huge fan of his blog. He makes a really good point about the absolute absurdity of thinking people in the third world are benefiting from cash crops (not to say that there is NOT benefit however).
The question is really posed well- and answered!- by No Impact Man. In case you hadn't guessed, I am a huge fan of his blog. He makes a really good point about the absolute absurdity of thinking people in the third world are benefiting from cash crops (not to say that there is NOT benefit however).
Making Seltzer
Soda-Club Products
I love the idea of these seltzer/soda machines (I also have seen them discussed on AT: Kitchen). While I love a good soda or a rum and coke- probably my favorite drink to make at home- I don't love the cans and bottles. Not only do I hate having to pile everything in my teeny tiny recycling container which fills up quickly, but I hate all the plastic (for seltzer) and metal cans which still take energy to recycle.
Food Miles, or Fair Miles?
Food Miles, or Fair Miles? � Celsias
This is a really good review/synopsis of why it is so important to eat local. A great quote from the article:
For those of you who feel troubled that the new certification consideration that food that has been flown in will not be certified by Soil Association, and you are feeling troubled about the farmer in Kenya, or the farmer in India, let me tell you, by the time huge volumes of exports happen in lettuce or beans or baby corn, the farmer is the first to go.
- Verdana Shiva
The podcast talking about environmental issues of farming is also really intersting.
This is a really good review/synopsis of why it is so important to eat local. A great quote from the article:
For those of you who feel troubled that the new certification consideration that food that has been flown in will not be certified by Soil Association, and you are feeling troubled about the farmer in Kenya, or the farmer in India, let me tell you, by the time huge volumes of exports happen in lettuce or beans or baby corn, the farmer is the first to go.
Their land is taken away and put in the hands of agribusiness. An agribusiness through corporate farming does the exports. It’s not peasants. The peasant was finished at the beginning of the process. So in fact by your refusing to add to food miles and add to carbon emissions you are in fact giving protection. You’re not just protecting the atmosphere, you’re protecting a peasant economy.
- Verdana Shiva
The podcast talking about environmental issues of farming is also really intersting.
Living Plastic Free in 2007: Plastic free: CFL Light Bulbs #2
Living Plastic Free in 2007: Plastic free: CFL Light Bulbs #2
From Living Plastic Free: CFL's contain plastic. Ok, so probably not enough to offset their usefulness and energy savings (plus, you have to dispose of them properly)
I'll admit, I have a couple of light bulbs- of the maybe 8 if that in my entire house- that are not CFL's. One is one of the broad spectrum bulbs that is supposed to look like real light, which is in a lamp that is only on for short amounts of time and used for reading. The other(s?) are in one of my overhead lights. That I can't reach. Even with a stool. Guys, I'm 5'10", so that should tell you about how high my ceilings are. Once one (both? I'm not sure if it is one or two light bulbs) burns out it will be a CFL.
From Living Plastic Free: CFL's contain plastic. Ok, so probably not enough to offset their usefulness and energy savings (plus, you have to dispose of them properly)
I'll admit, I have a couple of light bulbs- of the maybe 8 if that in my entire house- that are not CFL's. One is one of the broad spectrum bulbs that is supposed to look like real light, which is in a lamp that is only on for short amounts of time and used for reading. The other(s?) are in one of my overhead lights. That I can't reach. Even with a stool. Guys, I'm 5'10", so that should tell you about how high my ceilings are. Once one (both? I'm not sure if it is one or two light bulbs) burns out it will be a CFL.
What type of color cards?
What type of color cards would people be looking for? My yarn comes in "mostly solids" and "semi solids", and then there are (well, will be once I set it up) a rather staggering number of multiple colored (2,3, possibly more in a skein, though I am not always fond of more colors-less can be more!). I know it would be nice to have the multiple color skeins in color cards available, but that adds up to a LOT of yarn.
Sample Cards!
Ok, I know everyone is probably reading Harry Potter right now...but I am really excited to announce that we now have sample cards!
Yarn Sample cards are pretty awesome- if we do say so ourself! Sometimes it is hard to get a good idea of what a a yarn looks like without being able to see it in person, and that is why we now have sample cards! Each sample card comes with a small length of yarn or fiber for each sample. Please expect some variations in yarn width and style for the handspun- for example, expect some variation in the wpi (wraps per inch) of different dk-worsted weight yarns and order enough for your project accordingly.
Sample cards include the following samples:
¨ SY400 Sock Yarn 400+ yard skeins. Knits up at 7 stitches to the inch.
¨ HL100 Handspun Lace-50 yards 1 ply, 16-18 wpi
¨ HL200 Lace-50 yards 2 ply, 16-18 wpi
¨ HD100 Handspun Dk- 50 yards 1 ply, 12-14 wpi
¨ HD200 Handspun Dk- 50 yards 2 ply, 12-14 wpi
¨ HB100 Handspun Bulky- 50 yards 1 ply, 10 or less wpi
¨ HB200 Handspun Bulky- 50 yards 2 ply, 10 or less wpi
¨ Roving and Batts (1 sample) 100% wool
Yarn Sample cards are pretty awesome- if we do say so ourself! Sometimes it is hard to get a good idea of what a a yarn looks like without being able to see it in person, and that is why we now have sample cards! Each sample card comes with a small length of yarn or fiber for each sample. Please expect some variations in yarn width and style for the handspun- for example, expect some variation in the wpi (wraps per inch) of different dk-worsted weight yarns and order enough for your project accordingly.
Sample cards include the following samples:
¨ SY400 Sock Yarn 400+ yard skeins. Knits up at 7 stitches to the inch.
¨ HL100 Handspun Lace-50 yards 1 ply, 16-18 wpi
¨ HL200 Lace-50 yards 2 ply, 16-18 wpi
¨ HD100 Handspun Dk- 50 yards 1 ply, 12-14 wpi
¨ HD200 Handspun Dk- 50 yards 2 ply, 12-14 wpi
¨ HB100 Handspun Bulky- 50 yards 1 ply, 10 or less wpi
¨ HB200 Handspun Bulky- 50 yards 2 ply, 10 or less wpi
¨ Roving and Batts (1 sample) 100% wool
Long days, longer nights
I think the colors in this yarn pretty much sum up how I have been feeling the last couple days. It went from blindingly disgustingly hot to miserable and rainy out, and my mood through both of them has been somewhat off. Doesn't help that my tolerance for coffee is through the roof. I am trying to cut down, less from my fear of addiction and more from missing what little effects I get from it- chiefly, some ability to focus and concentrate for any period of time. I had several essays and project proposals dues this week, so trying to cut down on the coffee was probably not such a good idea!
The week was made better by Birthday parties, strawberry-rhubarb pie baking, the new harry potter movie, and lots and lots of tea.
I finished. Ok, almost finished my current shop project. All that is left it to sew the buttons on- pretty but more masculine silver ones. I crocheted the arm steeks, but got tired of that and just chopped the front. Before you faint- it is Shetland, a wool that practically felts when you look at it! Think yarn like this
What does indie mean to you?
As a preface, I am doing a "zine" of sorts for a mass media/pop culture class about the indie culture present in the yarn world...
So I would love to know what people think about:
-The meaning of indie. Do you use indie to describe yourself and your business? If not, why? Is it because the term "indie" doesn't fit?
-Does indie have a positive or negative connotation for you?
-How do you account for the growing popularity of "idie" yarn/fibers?
You can answer this even if you are not a yarny business owner, I am interested in responses from all sides!
So I would love to know what people think about:
-The meaning of indie. Do you use indie to describe yourself and your business? If not, why? Is it because the term "indie" doesn't fit?
-Does indie have a positive or negative connotation for you?
-How do you account for the growing popularity of "idie" yarn/fibers?
You can answer this even if you are not a yarny business owner, I am interested in responses from all sides!
In which the cat gets his head stuck in a bag.
I received a package all the way from Scotland a couple days ago! Joey spent the rest of the day playing, playing, and playing. There was even a memorable moment- ok, it happened several times in his excitement over the envelope itself- where he got his head stuck in a bag and ran around with it. Opps.
Emma-Louise, who runs KittyCat Boutique is really nice to work with. Joey knew there was something *really awesome* in the envelope as soon as it came in the door, whereupon he knocked it around until I opened it for him. I don't think that the collar I got for Joey is up on the site yet, it is black with white polka dot ribbon (like this but in black and white), really well made, and with a safety buckle/clasp. I really can't say enough good things about her really cute shop- or the catnip toys!
Emma-Louise, Joey says thanks! Or, would if he could! I guess he would say meow instead!
It's been really, really bloody hot here in Seattle! My coconut oil completely liquefied , and it was in the coolest area of the house! I nearly ended up with it all over my pants! At least it makes a good moisturizer, right? Sadly, when it is warm out I still want my HOT coffee or chai in the mornings, so I have resorted to sitting in a coffee shop, preferably a cool one, and working in the mornings so I am not wandering around with hot coffee in the blazing hot sun.
When it gets this hot out, no one in Seattle really reacts well, not many people have AC here. In my last class of the day yesterday, my bright pink and blond mohawked teacher was pretending to be a fan, until we found a small fan, at which point he pretends to be a fan stand. This is also the class where we argue about who's reality we are in (or it's existence, of course) and very nearly come to blows over reality. And then there are the bomb dropping flying penguins that we are all convinced will be the next step after robotic bear (in Japan they fitted a bear who had its legs crushed with fake limbs). The real question is though: would robotic bionic bears or tigers win?
Knitties and Fireworks
I met knitties! No not kitties, knittyheads! (Hmm is that what we call ourselves?) Though…my cat did meet- and meow at loudly- a couple of the knitties. Absolutely lovely people, and I might have corrupted at least one of them in to spinning. We met at a coffee shop to work on knitting projects for a bit before heading over to Weaving Works since none of them had been before.
Yesterday I managed to coerce a bunch of friends to come with me and sit atop a half way completed apartment building to watch the fireworks over the lake. We even managed to trace down one of the firework parachutes that floated down close to the apartment. Sadly, the parachute had no cool message or even anything written on it- maybe they didn’t want to take responsibility for the parachutes.
The sheer number of boats- and the honking of horns after the fireworks as everyone tried to go through the locks at once- was quite impressive. A windy day would wreak havoc with the moorings of many of the boats (seen here from seven stories up)
And finally, Jake trying to fix something on my website for me, but we ran out of time.
Yesterday I managed to coerce a bunch of friends to come with me and sit atop a half way completed apartment building to watch the fireworks over the lake. We even managed to trace down one of the firework parachutes that floated down close to the apartment. Sadly, the parachute had no cool message or even anything written on it- maybe they didn’t want to take responsibility for the parachutes.
The sheer number of boats- and the honking of horns after the fireworks as everyone tried to go through the locks at once- was quite impressive. A windy day would wreak havoc with the moorings of many of the boats (seen here from seven stories up)
And finally, Jake trying to fix something on my website for me, but we ran out of time.
4th of July Sale!
We are having a Fourth of July sale at Midnightsky Fibers! In fact we are so excited by our day off, we listed lots of items on etsy and eBay too!
On Midnightsky Fibers you can get 10% off by using the code “4july” until July 10th.
We made sure to make the sale last a couple extra days because we know everyone is busy having fun outside in this great weather we have been having today! You can buy any of our kits, sock yarns, handspun yarn, fibers, roving, and much more with the discount, limited to 3 uses (checkouts) per customer and available only for items in the Midnightsky Fibers store.
On eBay we listed yarns and fibers, most starting at .99. We are clearing out some yarns to make room for our fall stock. Really, the storage area is about to explode! You can find us on eBay at:Midnightsky Fibers on EBAY
Find us on etsy at Midnightsky Fibers on ETSY
We listed end lots of colors of sock yarn (shorter yardages than our standard 175 or 400 yard skeins) that is spun by a small mill just for us, and made sure that we had some of our infamous Magic Dragon kits available here as well as on eBay and in our shop.
Have a great 4th of July!
Jenn
Shop Blog
Sock yarn, handpainted of course!
The cat has been spending all day doing this! He still doesn’t eat the fish, but he does knock the fruit off the counter.
I’ve been having some fun knitting up samples of the sock yarn I have been dyeing recently. Full pictures soon, but I have to type up the pattern for the red socks first.
The blue is my current favorite. It’s so beautiful in the way it stripes up in bright yet at the same time somewhat subtle. Yum!
Right now it is the perfect weather out for making flat bread that is nice and puffy out with no yeast. Bread started at night and cooked for lunch and dinner is has wonderful tiny bubbles and just a touch of sourdough taste. Especially tasty with just a but of fresh and spicy homemade salsa with lots of lime. I make my flatbread with just flour (organic), sea salt, a bit of lime, and enough water to make a dough. Plently of time for sitting, which helps develop air bubbles, always makes for better bread, IMO.
Silk ribbon embroidery on a golden raw silk kimono style jacket. I decided that the orange embroidery, also on the pockets, would be more fun in more than just the orange, so more pictures once it is done.
I’ve been having some fun knitting up samples of the sock yarn I have been dyeing recently. Full pictures soon, but I have to type up the pattern for the red socks first.
The blue is my current favorite. It’s so beautiful in the way it stripes up in bright yet at the same time somewhat subtle. Yum!
Right now it is the perfect weather out for making flat bread that is nice and puffy out with no yeast. Bread started at night and cooked for lunch and dinner is has wonderful tiny bubbles and just a touch of sourdough taste. Especially tasty with just a but of fresh and spicy homemade salsa with lots of lime. I make my flatbread with just flour (organic), sea salt, a bit of lime, and enough water to make a dough. Plently of time for sitting, which helps develop air bubbles, always makes for better bread, IMO.
Silk ribbon embroidery on a golden raw silk kimono style jacket. I decided that the orange embroidery, also on the pockets, would be more fun in more than just the orange, so more pictures once it is done.
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