Taking a que

A new dear friend of mine posted seven (or was it 8?) things not readily known about her... And I think I should reciprocate.

1. Fidgit, the kitten-cat (because she is still small) has the sweetest smell, I often embarrass her by smelling her belly and armpits. I can't help it, she smells so KITTENY!

2. I can't remember how old I was, but I think early highschool, when I realized, to my horror, that I have my father's feet. Same shape, but smaller, whiter, and thankfully less hairy. Took me years to be able to look at my own feet without shuddering.

3. I have learned that I am a shy artist. I am trying to change that.

4. I love the sounds of fabric, tearing it, the swish swish of corduroy pants, the stiff sounds of silk... Except for the sound those damn windbreaker sports suits make, I hate that sound, it's too plastic (because that's what they are made of), I think mostly because you have no choice but to make noise if you are wearing one. Sound should be a pleasant choice.

5. I also adore having working dirty hands, from drawing with charcoal, to getting a hole in my gloves and having blue hands (and there was that one time I just didn't care and both hands were completely blue, I mean BLUE, people. And then I went to my writing class and the prof. stopped in the middle of his opening talk to ask why the hell they were so. - it remains one of my favorite memories.)

6. One of my goals this year is to make as much clothing as possible. So far... I need to work on it, but I did sew together the happiest of blanket tops!

7. I miss learning. I need to take a class soon about something I know nothing to little about. Or else I'll figure it out myself, which is fine, but learning from someone is so rewarding!

8. I know very little about music, any type. Which amuses and confuses most people who I've met in the past two years, seeing as the man I adore is a heavy duty awesomely talented musician and a rock 'n roll buff. I am forever reminding them that I don't know about such things, but I'll talk anyone's ears off about making things. Always.

So that is that, now, how about some rock music?

http://www.youtube.com/user/darbyscrub#p/a/u/0/LQfgxMPGJ4Y

(be gentle on the visual quality, but I promise, these fools kick it in person!)

some sweetness

Daffodils smell heavenly, I keep getting whiffs of sent when I lean closer to the flowers next to me.

And now, some sweet, if blurry, pink toes.



Simply because I need these things today.

Fidge spent almost the entire night on the bed, something that never happens, she only got up to watch her birdie telly that comes on every morning at the feeder on our deck. It was a small bliss to feel her tiny body by my feet, such a lovely surprise. Kitten-cats are a welcome break from troubles of the world, don't you think?

Seeing work

I have several projects going. Started a new little one last night, for the joy of it. Spinning yarn is so good. It's been a while since I've spun anything that I haven't washed and carded myself, too, which I learned when I finally broke into this braid of scrumptious yellow roving I bought out in Asheville at SAFF this October. I don't usually buy things other people dye, since that's part of the fun for me, and I don't have an unlimited textile/fiber budget (small pout!) But I couldn't resist these yellows, and since it is kind of a hard color to get saturated when you dye your own, it became my treat that day. (Let's not talk about the giant fleece I bought... that was a different kind of treat. I planned to buy that!)

So I'm spinning daffodils now. And even though it's snowing, I know I have the real things on my kitchen window... I love daffodils to infinite amounts.

Here's a glimpse of what I'm doing tonight, spinning yellow yarn in my new ORANGE cordoroy pants (can't tell you how happy they make me, but man! Orange pants, say it out loud, and try not to smile when you say it.)
And there's a book to read later in that amazing leather chair too! Life sure is nice!

So I leave you with a photo of little miss Fidgy, who's keeping me company while I wrap someone's birthday presents and spin new yarns and write to you, dear reader.

oh, and how about a preview of my sort of secret project? wheee!

Crossing things off

The best thing about lists is crossing things off of them, don't you think?

I have finally started finishing the finishing touches on my art. I got two nearly finished, the embroideries are laced, but I need to figure out a better way to use the frames I have. And if I want to use the glass or not. Right now I am not sure. The frames also need to be repainted, but that will take a trip to a hardware store for some spray paint. I hope I'm on a roll. I need to show these to people. I'm ready to share them. And that is such an exciting feeling!

Here's what the ironing board looked like while I tried to match the pieces to their frames...
AH! Only TWO, only almost finished!? eeep! :) I need to get to the thrift stores this weekend and find more frames for sure!

In the mean time, here's a glimpse at my end of a collaboration I've happily found myself in, and man, have I snuggled in and gotten comfy with this project!

Yup, that's a giant ball o' yarn from a Cotswold fleece that was cleaned, carded, spun and is FINALLY being knit by yours truly. I am having so much fun with this! And it smell so good, I can't even tell you, it makes me think of spring and long for chilly nights all at the same time.

There's a busy weekend a head of me, whatever happens!

Collaboration

Combining the brains of artists is so exciting for me. I love the thrill of explanation, exploration, trading sketches and ideas... And I Super DUPER love that sheep have brought me to a new collaboration with a brilliant artist. This is someone who speaks what I've wanted to say, what I'm learning to be brave enough to say loudly and with pride.

I don't know if it is because I moved around so much as a child, but I've always been wary of sharing the innermost parts of my creative self. The artist part you could say, I suppose. I am learning to cast off my fears and just plain say what it is I want to! That the only way to connect with like-minded folk is to get up off my arse and find them, and when I do, say HI! I'm Cat, wanna trade? To talk? To pretend? To play that we are sitting across from each other with a bodacious pot of tea and crumpets, with sketchbooks and pencils and ink at the ready, even if reality tells us we're far apart and have never met in person. That doesn't mean I don't want to meet the locals, of course!!! It's just that I've come to realize how MANY people share my ideals about the parts of the world that should and do make it go 'round. And how, with the mighty power of the internet, we can find each other and grow and learn so much!

Hooray!!!!!!!!!!!


:) Nothing like a shower and a good email to end the day.

Sweet dreams!

(this is one of my favorite mugs, by Kat Antis, a lovely lady who lived in town when I was at the pottery residency of tepid doom. )

Hmmm

Well, I think it's time for a new banner... I got a hair cut yesterday, Finally, and when I signed on this morning, the old banner bothered me. So, that means I'll change it soon, hopefully this week, but no promises as my list of "to-do" is long and changes order frequently. It's hard trying to be organized with all these new ideas popping in my head.

I'm off to the yarn shop to work a few hours, I do like the short Sunday shifts. While I'm there I will be picking out new yarn for an old pattern of mine, to see if what I wrote a few years ago makes sense. If it does, I'll share it with you here eventually. (Could I be a little more wishy-washy about deadlines??? sheesh! Maybe that's my problem!)

Anyways, here's the first version

I was in Appomattox, VA for a pottery residency (no, I don't mess with clay right now, I'm quite happy playing with textiles, but someday I'm sure I'll go back to mud.) Knitting really helped keep me sane while I was there. I'm much happier now, and am excited to rework this pattern!

Wow.

You all are awesome! I am so surprised how quickly people on Raverly found my pattern, and such encouraging, lovely comments about it! Merci Merci to all of you!

P.S. I've changed the blog's address to www.tanglesandmud.blogspot.com, instead of the old orangeknittycat, so please update your lists if I'm on any of them! I'm hoping that by making my etsy shop and blog match, I'll be motivated to post things in my shop soon!

Now, off to the store, for we have NO food!

Have a wonderful night!