It's been a while!

Hello all! I am SO sorry that I have been a bit MIA lately, but boy have I been busy. I've been knitting and crocheting orders and Christmas gifts. Man, is it a workout. I didn't realize how hard it can be to make gifts with a design block and the inablilty to find inspiration in patterns. I did, however, find inspiration in knitting socks. Who woulda thunk LOL. I have made 1 1/2 pairs so far (working on the second sock of the second pair) and I am LURVING IT!!!

I also spent a couple of days entering every contest, sweepstakes and giveaway I could in the hopes of being able to make the family's Christmas a little extra special. (No luck yet) I find that at this time of year, I really want to SPOIL my child (and God knows he doesn't need it) and my SO works so hard for us all year long and I just really want to be able to do something special for them. Things will change in their own time. I've also been adding things to my wishlists too (KnitPicks) and sharing them all over the place. KnitPicks is having a drawing where 3 people can win a $50 gift card toward their wishlist and all you have to do to enter is make a wishlist and share it. You can enter too here.

I'm still spinning and plastering photos of my handspun all over Facebook, Etsy and Ravelry. I have also discovered that Handspun yarn can also be good for bartering. I haven't found that EPIC barter of handspun yarns for a Rigid Heddle Loom yet, but that will come in time too. I have become a bit obsessed with RH weaving. I managed to find an older one (older than I am) and its nice, just get frustrated with warp tension...think I just need some new wing nuts.

I have also decided to dip my toes in the world of SAPGAP (Spin A Pound Get a Pound). My first contract should be here some time next week and I am kind of excited. I decided that it was time to stop being scared and its a great way to add fiber to your stash and to get to spin different types of fibers. I am still a noob at this, but I think my horizons are about to be expanded.

Well I am off for now to go spin my wheels and wiggle my sticks. Have a ball, Happy knitting, crocheting, spinning and weaving and most of all if I don't get back before then....

Happy Holidays

And That Brings Our Grand Total to 4!!!!

Hello all! Getting ready for the holidays is a busy, busy time. (Especially for those of us that make gifts at home) I have been spinning along and have recently gotten into weaving... Some on a triangle loom and some on a little cheapo pot holder loom. The honey and I built a 5 ft Triangle loom Sunday evening...man, was that alot of nails LOL. Who woulda thought that I would have soooo much fun weaving? I sure didn't. I have started listing some of my handspun yarns to sell on my facebook page https://www.facebook.com/agatha.gallion/media_set?set=a.10200442840893925.1073741828.1243602151&type=3, but that is moving rather slow.  Guess I just need to find my groove :) So that brings my total of Fiber Arts to 4....Knitting, Crocheting, Spinning and Weaving. My fiber art circle is growing :) Now I'm off to do more weaving (yaaaay) and I'll post pics of the finished products are they are done. Have a Fibery Awesome Day!!!

Fiber Fairy Update

A while back, I asked the Fairies of Fiber Awesomeness to drop a spinning wheel on my doorstep, and about 2 weeks ago, they did (so to speak)!
I met an AMAZING lady at the first fiber festival I ever attended and we have kept in touch. She was gifted this wheel some years ago and didn't really have much time to spin on it (she has other wheels and a farm full of fiber babies). So she decided to gift it to me 0.0 I was so excited when she told me, that I cried LOL.
Without further ado....here she is

Sophia the First  (hehe)

She is a Country Craftsman and (I think) about 20 years old. She spins thin, but I have ordered a larger whorl and we are getting along great! I AM IN LOVE! I'll post some pics of the yarns I have spun on her already at a later date. Until then, I bid you adieu! 

Super easy Knitted Cowl

This is a video I found on YouTube by the lovely Ashley at Neauveau Fiber Arts. This would make an awesome quick-fix gift for the holidays :)

Let the Fund Raising Begin!!!

As some of you may know. I am DYING go get my first spinning wheel. So I thought it was time for some fund raising. :)

So...I've decided that its time to get rid of some of the crafty things that I don't use anymore. So I have posted a few pics in an album on my Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/agatha.gallion/media_set?set=a.10200106887655304.1073741827.1243602151&type=3) I am destashing ALOT of cross stitch supplies that I no longer need or want. See something you interested in, just send me an email and I'll let you know the price. If you know someone who would be interested in Cross Stitch supplies, please share this post or the album.

Week 1 TdF

I have been out of town this past week, so I decided to post my Week 1 progress. The orange is the Mohair(one goal down) and the other two are Corridale X in mustard and Rocket Pop. All are 2 ply. Now that I am back home, maybe things will start to get back to normal. :)

New listing and savings!!

Hey all! There is a new listing posted in the Etsy shop. Be sure to stop by and check it out. Also, from now until 7/6, you can save 10% on anything in the shop (including special orders placed) using coupon code JULY4 at check out.

Tour de Fleece!

So...my stove is still cooking and I am ready to spin. I have been dyeing different types of fiber in different colorways to spin during the tour. By the end of the tour, I should be a spindle expert LOL. Ill post pics during the tour including the fibers before I start spinning. I.AM.READY!!!!

What's Cooking??!!

Hey all! My stove is loaded down with some yumminess today. I just got in a mood and decided to let it all fly. It has been mindless and exhilerating all at the same time. I tried planning some of it out, but it kinda took its own direction. Stay tuned!

Crochet Along

Check out this series of videos for making a Bob Marley style slouchy hat. How did they know I was looking for something like this? +Crochet Geek is an awesome source for learning new things.
http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLkztfmyEyJTiCJ3mKxcMX3z_OWbi6FI3M

Prayers to the Fairies of Fiber Yumminess (FOFY)

Hello everyone! Its been a while since I have posted anything...and for that I am ASHAMED!!! I have been expanding my mind and my fiber skills and also broadening my horizons in the world of the fiber arts.

Since my last post, I have come to love, adore, obsess, dream  and even learn a little more about spinning, weaving, knitting, dyeing and still learning how to sell it all. So lets start from the top and I'll let you know about each of these little adventures that I have fallen so in LOVE with.

1. Spinning -- I decided that it would be awesome to learn to spin my own yarn to crochet with, so I went to Michael's and purchased some cheap felting wool, purchased a little turkish drop spindle from Knitpicks.com and went to town....I fell in LURVE!!!!!  Since then, I have bought a couple other spindles and a few pounds of good quality wool and been spinning until I get dizzy. I have spun one that I have posted in the Etsy shop and have another to list. This process would go MUCH faster if the spinning wheel fairy would deliver a spinning wheel to my door. **HINT HINT**  LOL

2. Weaving -- My honey agreed to go to my first fiber festival with me a few weeks ago in Vicksburg, MS, which  was amazing since its rare to find something like that so close to us. We went to the Magnolia State Fiber Festival and had a wonderful time. We got to feel all the different types of fiber, spent too much money and got really interested in weaving (the both of us). He even sat down at  loom and gave it a whirl. It was AWESOME and now we are both itching to get us a rigid heddle loom. Once again, we call up on the FOFY to deliver us a loom LOL.

3. Knitting -- SHUT THE FRONT DOOR!!! I LEARNED TO KNIT!!!  I had so much trouble in my several previous attempt that I was so frustrated. But one night, I got kinda antsy and couldn't think of anything to do. I found the one pair of knitting needles that I had (I was only using them in my makeshift lazy kate for plying when I spin), looked up some knitting videos on YouTube and didn't stop until I knew how to cast on, knit, purl, and bind off. And behold, the FOFY put that understanding into my mind and I've been going ever since. I now know a little about increases and decreases and have made some fingerless gloves and a hat (working on another). Now for the FOFY to drop an interchangeable circular needles on my doorstep LOL.

4. Dyeing -- I love to dye yarn. It is SO much fun and the honey and I can really bond over the experimentation with colors. I only use food color type dyes because of our small living space and the little demon running around, I just don't think chemical dyes are a a good idea. AND I can use the same pots and utensils  for cooking and for dyeing. I am having so much fun and its time to get in the kitchen and cook up some more awesome colorways.

Thank you all for allowing me to share my mad rantings with you. Until next time, Peace Love and Fiber :)

CHARLIE'S DAY!!!

Four years ago today, We became parents for the first time. It was a bittersweet and short lived meeting between us and our angel. But he is always with us and he will never be forgotten. So today I ask that you all help me celebrate "Charlie's Day" (his birthday...he deserves a day... in my book) by doing something special with a child today. It doesnt matter how big or how small the gesture, but make it something special. Today I actually got up and cooked pancakes. (if you know me, then you know this is a major feet) and then, of course, there is CAKE. Please help us remember Charlie by doing something with your little blessing!

Eye Mask Update

The eye mask worked pretty well, but I noticed a few flaws  in my execution:

1. Be sure to make your stitches tight (light gets in if you dont)

2. Choose a dark color (I used a pale lilac and it lets a little light through)

3. Use ribbon or elastic for the band (tying and untying the yarn can be a pain)
4. Be sure to use a soft yarn (Caron Simply Soft is recommended)

I think the next one will be made with a darker color and softer worsted weight yarn and a contrasting color for the finishing border. If any of you give it a try (or want one), let me know :)
Until next time!

Hello, World!

Hello out there! 
This is my first attempt at a blog, so I may be a little slow at catching on. But I just wanted to make a quick post to say hello to all and I hope we have a wonderful time on this journey through the craziness that is my life and my adventures in crocheting. 
Crocheting is my newest addiction and I find it quite relaxing and enjoyable. I have an Etsy shop(Aggie's Crafts)  that I sell my completed items on. 
I want to learn as much as I can about the craft, as fast as I can. I have mastered the basic stitches, working in rounds, and the crocodile stitch. I am currently learning Tunisian (ick) but I am determined to master it too. I have even made a few Amigurumi items which have proven to be the most fun and trying, but I absolutely LOVE them. Me and the Granny Square are quite friendly now and I am currently working on a Granny Square afghan that I think is fun, fresh and funky. I am not a designer of patterns, but I hope to be one day. Thanks for reading my ramblings and I look forward  to more fun filled posts and updates on my projects.