Frozen . . . but thawing

Have you ever faced a project so big or intimidating that you didn't know how to get started? I experience this with rooms that need cleaning, basements that need organizing and laundry piles that need tackling, which makes sense to me because those are things I don't even like to do.

However, I've noticed recently that I'm hesitating over knitting and spinning projects. It took me a year to try weaving for goodness sake! These are things I love, what I'm passionate about, what a large percent of my time is dedicated to! And when I think of starting certain things, I freeze. So what gives?

I've rolled this around in my head for a while, and I think this is just one of those times where getting older and wiser isn't always better. The more I knit and spin, the more I know and expect from myself, and therefore, the more I can fall short. 

So today the snow is blowing sideways, the wind is bitter cold and winter is out in full force: perfect day for me to break free of my own personal hibernation and overcome the fear! 

I took a deep breath and started a big spinning project today. It's a doozie, and if I'm really honest with myself, pretty worthy of my fear. I'm spinning a pound of roving into fingering-weight, 2-ply that will be used by a knitting designer to create a project for a new spinning magazine. Yikes.

I've been starring at the wool for a few weeks terrified of starting. But look . . . I finally did it!

2.8 oz. down; 13.2 oz. to go. No stopping now!

Breed Study 2013 Membership News!

We're heading into the third year of our breed study club for spinners, and membership is open! Read on for more information about the club and signing up (first published on Ravelry) . . .

Welcome to year 3 of the breed study club! The past two years have been a delight, and I’m looking forward to this next year full of new sheep breeds to explore!

2012 Members/Renewals: Every member’s subscription will be coming to an end in April, with our last shipment being Corriedale. Next year’s changes include having Acorn Works Fiber Mill process the fleeces and the elimination of the dyed option for the club. We’re going all-natural! Read on for information about prices, registration and breeds. And check it out … the prices are staying the same!!! Every member that has been a part of the club for at least 6 months and renews will receive a special thank you gift with the first month’s shipment.

New Members!
Thank you for your interest in the Breed Study Club here at Inspiration Fibers! We’ve been going strong for two years now and would love to have you join us for next year.

In the club, you will receive: 
2.5 oz. of fiber (processed as roving) 
an unwashed lock sample 
a breed information card 
a spinner’s notes card

Unique to this club is our collective learning environment. Each month I begin a new thread dedicated to the breed we’re studying. On every Monday, I post a question or topic about the breed including history, random facts, spinning approach, opinions, etc. Every post after that for the week is entered into a random drawing for a prize on the following Monday.

I know we can all fall behind in our spinning from time to time, so as an added incentive, I create a “finished yarns” thread for the breed each month. At the end of the month, I draw a winner at random for a nice 2 oz. dose of additional wool.

All the wool comes from small farmers across America (except where impossible) and are processed at a local mill: Acorn Works Fiber Mill. None of the wool comes from commercial sources.

There are two options for enrollment: 6 or 12-month memberships. The cost of the club is $98 for 6 months and $180 for 12 months. Additional shipping charges are $15 for 6 months domestic; $30 for 12 months domestic. Canadian shipping will be $45 for 6 months and $90 for 12 months due to the increase in US postal rates. The total cost is:

6-month US membership: $98 + $15 = $113 
12-month US membership: $180 + $30= $210

6-month Canadian membership: $98 + $45 = $143 
12-month Canadian membership: $180 + $90 = $270

All payment will be through Paypal. To enroll, please send me a message via Ravelry OR email me at aj@hartrich.org

Shipments will go out the first week of the month beginning in May. The club runs from Spring to Spring to take advantage of freshly shorn wool.

Breeds that we’ll be studying this year include (but are subject to change due to availability): 
Merino 
Tunis 
Texel 
Polypay 
Montadale 
Icelandic 
Fine wool Shetland (from my flock!) 
Suffolk 
Kerry Hill 
Wensleydale 
Coopworth 
Bluefaced Leicester (this is a repeat from year one and may change)

I’ll announce the order of the shipments when I start getting fleeces in and talk with Diane and Acorn Works. I know Merino will not be until next Winter/Spring due to an October shearing.

Thank you for your interest, and please feel free to contact me with any questions, 
Amanda Hartrich

Our new bundle of Joy!

We have a new member of our family. Introducing Axel Hartrich!

He's a 5 month old labradoodle that we adopted from a rescue in Ohio. We made the journey to pick him up on Sunday, and he's now settling in well.

His first full day home wasn't a good one. His poor little nerves couldn't handle the transition, and he was sick all day long. The past two days have been much better, and we're starting to see some playful puppy behavior.

Since he's also a rescue, we have some work to do in order to get him comfortable in a family. We also have some work to do to get Hunter to like him!

I think Hunter is still waiting for him to go home.

It's taken us three days to come up with a name, and right now "Axel" is sticking. But who knows, maybe in a year I'll look back at this and think it's funny that we called Scout "Axel" for a few days!

Every Farm Needs an Awesome Sign

And mine has the best sign ever! Mike and Morgan slaved to have it (mostly) ready for me for Christmas--what a surprise!

Over the past few weeks, we've worked to put the finishing touches on it: sanding, painting and sealing. Tonight Mike picked up hooks from Valu and we were finally able to hang it!

We had to run outside to get it up before we lost all daylight! But we weren't waiting another day to put it up.

Isn't it gorgeous?!

Good-Bye 2012! Hello 2013!!

At the bottom of our street, just a few houses down, there is an awesome sledding hill that the neighbors encourage us to use. On our last day of 2012, we got up and ate a huge breakfast of eggs, bacon and biscuits, then suited up and headed out for a morning of sledding!

Morgan after a few runs.

Kat ready to go.

Daddy helping Kat on her first run. 

As it got colder, the Viking showed up.

I sent my attack-girls after the Viking.

And at the end of our last trip down the hill, the girls made snow angels.

We went home, had some hot chocolate and took naps!

Before the end of 2012, I did manage to try my hand at a new fiber art: weaving. Here's my loom warped with the beginnings of a scarf! More on my weaving adventures later . . .

New Year's Day was filled with laziness and a trip to the mill; a perfect way to start the new year!