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April 29

Greetings! I have no idea where to even start... I guess with where we left off! The button class was great! Kerin was a wonderful instructor and we all had a blast. See my beautiful friend Betsy creating her buttons (!).... we each made one or two. Betsy just called to say they're ready so I'll pick mine up tomorrow, can't wait! Monday was beautiful and I grabbed my camera when I jumped on my bike, thought you'd like to see how lovely, lush, warm and green everything...... was. Tuesday I took a ride and picked up a new batch of handles. Got home, paired them up and branded them. Soon after that, it started to snow.... and snow.... and snow. Woody came over with new wood he'd just purchased and spent the afternoon cutting it into blocks so he'd be set to go on Wednesday. Tuesday night we lost power and it didn't come on until Wednesday afternoon. I couldn't believe the difference a day made! I called Woody to let him know the power was back on, and as soon as he got here to turn, we lost it again... So, none of his lovely creations this week but the good news is, he does have his area organized and is ready to go! Yesterday I carried everything I needed out of my studio and set up at my friend Natalie's house. She lives in the village (much less snow) and was out of town.... so I got as much done there as I could. It made me realize how systematic my work has become and doing it elsewhere was odd for sure! I was looking forward to catching up last night when it went out again (such a cruel joke)... so with the house being dark and cold, Paul and I decided to get into bed early and read by our kerosene lamps. I was asleep by 9:00! Betsy said, "You? Asleep by nine on a Wednesday night?" Ha! True... and I haven't had that much sleep in over a year! This morning we melted snow on our gas stove, and couldn't stand our hair any longer so we took turns shampooing each other in the kitchen. It always reminds me of Meryl Streep in Out of Africa when Robert Redford shampoos her hair on the riverside. Okay... so it wasn't that romantic, but still... there's something very intimate about shampooing your mate :) I was set to leave the house today to go sew in the back room at Northeast Fiber Arts when the power came back on! The sun came out too... so the snow is melting quickly, especially with the high winds were having. And to think, Paul mowed the grass on Sunday.... ahhh Vermont, we still love it though! And a heartfelt thanks to my good friends Natalie, Betsy and Jen who without hesitation, offered the use of their homes :)

Okay... exciting news! Randy and I worked together to come up with a new style handle! Certainly not to replace the original... just a new addition! I love them and to go with the new handle is a new style named Willa. The new handles will be used just for the Willa bag. It's a lovely new style with rounded sides like the Vintage, but a pleated base and three large interior pockets. The idea there is a place for your balls of yarn as you work. I made myself a prototype and it can be seen at the About the Bags page which, by the way... Allison did a beautiful job with! I decided to categorize the bags by size, and really appreciate her getting to it especially during finals week! Those categories will also be on the Bags For Sale page soon. I just have a few sets of the new handles and they're very special... done in Spalted Maple. Spalting is any form of wood coloration caused by fungi, in other words, the process of decay/rot. Usually it's found in dead trees, but can also occur under stressed tree conditions and even in living trees. The unique coloration and patterns of spalted wood are sought after by woodworkers as the patterning is so unique. Personally, I love it. So, I have placed an order for more of the new style and hope to pick them up next week! Next time they'll be solid Vermont Birch.

So, with the crazy, busy week it's been, I'm still pleased to have my minimum to offer to you all tonight....
I'm almost finished with my Boneyard Shawl in cotton, and I found beads I'm going to play around with for the edge. It WILL be done for next week!

So here's to new handles... and new styles... and the handles and styles we know and love..... and electricity... and good friends.... and shampooing.... and hot coffee.... and melting snow.

And yes, I knit through it all. Till next week.... I do hope you, good women, knit though it too...


Warmly,
Martha.