(Icelandic sheep)
(Clun Forest sheep)
I’ve been alternating between being totally fine and peaceful and being a stressed out mess since this whole unemployed thing happened. I tend to get a little hung up on the details sometimes and I think that’s part of my problem. I’ve been dealing with things by working maybe too much myself. But I have a shop re stocked with play silks to show for it (some great fall colors!) and I’m sending a bunch to Australia to be sold in a shop there called Invitation to Play! So, if you are an Australian reader you will be able to purchase my naturally dyed play silks without paying so much for shipping! (You might want to follow the owner, Suze, on Instagram if you want a heads up when the silks are available.) This is my first time collaborating like this, and I’m excited to see how it goes.
I’m trying hard to relax though, and last weekend I did a really good job of it, I think. Key for me is leaving the house. I have to escape! I took Larkspur and Beatrix and some friends to the fiber festival we usually attend every year, Montpelier Fall Fiber Festival. I think I had the best time ever, mainly because I wasn’t chasing small children. It was also really nice to have friends of my own along. I spent awhile talking with a lovely woman who raises Clun Forest sheep and I bought a handful of skeins from her to try dyeing. It’s really springy wool and I’m very excited to work with it! I may bring some to my shop next year if I can make that happen! (I’m also daydreaming about my own flock, though that would be many years down the road.) I’m excited to work with more Virginia yarn, especially breed specific ones. I also purchased some alpaca silk blend yarn to knit a cardigan for myself (hahahaha–someday), and also some Icelandic merino blend for I’m not sure what-mittens?
Beatrix spent a long time at the festival learning how to spin with a drop spindle. When we got home she turned on an audiobook of Anne of Avonlea and started spinning. Then she knit a little pouch for one of her tiny baby dolls out of the yarn she spun. (I neglected to get a photo.) I love sharing a love for wool and knitting with my girls!
I’m almost finished knitting Beatrix’s birthday bonnet, and while I really should then focus on one of the other projects I have started, I am anxious to start working with some of my fiber festival yarn, and I’m really in the mood to knit something yellow!
p.s. I forgot to mention the photo of the dad above. I snuck that picture because he was the ultimate fiber dad! He was baby wearing, had two additional children with him, and was carrying several fleeces for his wife! For the record, Jonny would do the same. 🙂
p.p.s. Highs here for the next ten days are in the 60s!!! I’m so excited! Sweater weather is almost here!
Candice says
I’m just catching up on my backlog of blogs to read, so let me first say long-time reader, first-time commenter 🙂
Unemployment is SO hard to deal with. My husband was off for nearly 10 months, desperately trying to find something else, and me being a stressed-out mess, before we both agreed it was enough and he took the first thing he could at a factory. Even after that financial relief, there are just further complications with new schedules, frustrations, etc.
Hang in there, mama. <3
Anne Weber-Falk says
I’m wondering if between you and Jonny that you could make a go of it in your crafting? You are both so talented in yarn, dying and Jonny’s work in wood. I realize there are still expenses involved for supplies but maybe this is something to really consider. There are craft fairs and your shop as well as eventually a website/catalog that you could sell from.
Marilyn says
Happy you all had a good time at the Fair. The girls are so pretty. Congratulations on getting your things sold in Australia. God Bless.
Marilyn
Joan says
Ginny it is not sweater weather here yet. Love all the photos of the fair.
Joan
Marion says
So happy that you had a chance to get out and enjoy yourself. Beatrix is such a cutie.
Marion
Jeannie Gray says
Hurricane Michael tore through here last night and left us with some Gorgeous fall weather! (And no damage thank goodness.) I am SO ready for sweater weather!
I saw your daughter at the fiber festival but didn’t speak to her. Thought it would be weird for her to have some strange lady fan-girling her mom to her. Anyway, glad you were able to get away and have some fun at the festival. Sounds like everyone did a bit of shopping there. 🙂
Dana says
Ginny,
I don’t think I have commented before. I love your blog and seeing your beautiful photos of your family and life. I wanted to encourage you during this season of trusting God. He will take care of you! We have gone through extended unemployment — up to 2 1/2 years during the recession…and believe me, it was VERY hard for me as we waited on God. At times I thought He had forgotten us. It felt like an eternity. But He is FAITHFUL. We never went into debt (what a miracle!) and we were able to move to a new area and start over a few years later. At the time I was homeschooling all my kids — and now they have all graduated. To be honest, I wish I had treasured even those hard years more — because my oldest son is now on his own and I can’t get those years back. I remember being so stressed out since I knew I should be thinking of college and preparing him. It took all my will just to survive. But he graduated from college with honors and is working and will soon be married. God really took care of it all since I wasn’t able to. Recently my husband was out of work from Feb-July. Can’t say it was easy but I am learning through each of these times, to leave it in God’s hands. And enjoying my children still living at home. He will not leave you or forsake you. You may need to remind yourself that verse 100 times a day — which I did! Can’t wait to hear how He works it out in your life! Hang in there! Dana
Eileen says
Ginny, sounds like that fair was what was needed. Love all your pictures of those beautiful girls. Tell Bea that Anne of Avonlea is a favorite of my girls as well(and they are 29 and 33yrs old.) Sweater weather is here in Colorado and I’m in HEAVEN! We even had snow the other day!!!!!! This morning I bundled up in hand knits and walked for over an hour. So relaxing.
Hope you guys have a wonderful weekend!
Melissa says
What a lovely time! Sometimes that is the best thing we can do for ourselves, is just get out and escape for a few minutes (or hours…). The break from the life can really do a mind wonders. Glad to see you enjoyed yourself! =)
Klara says
I have to leave my house, too when it comes to getting relaxed. This morning I told my husband that even going down the stairs to our kitchen gives me feeling of frustration. He was just on the train from Budapest to Prague when I was describing this feeling of mine. He didn´t seem to understand what I was talking about. I had to tell him explicitely: Please, take me out of the house tonight. He seemed to understand that one well :).
clémence says
Those colors! So beautiful!
Elizabeth says
I am so glad you had this nice time! what a blessing! I know it is not easy right now for you all but God has you in His hands and in God’s hands, you are safe, you are cared for, you are loved.
Bindy says
Hi Ginny,
I like the photo of your girls hanging out on the bed together – very sweet. Also, stressing out about unemployment sounds pretty natural to me. I hope that the playsilk dyeing episode brought some enjoyment as well as some income. Glad to see your products here in Australia – would love some of your yarn!
Bindy
Stephanie says
Sweater weather indeed! (And of course this is the start of the time that I’ve been requested to wear shorts to physical therapy. It was a bit brisk today!!!)
Such gorgeous photos as always. I’m looking forward to teaching my daughter to knit when she’s a little older. It’s so nice to see that it’s something special you can share with your daughters, and I hope the same is true for me in the future. 🙂
Karin McCormack says
Hi Ginny – so nice to hear some of your makings are coming out to Aus! I love your things but shipping prices are prohibitive (& I do want to support our locals) but I would be tempted by your hand dyed muslin scarves/wraps/baby wraps. Good luck with all that. x
Ravenna says
Just this morning I commented breathlessly about it being sweater weather. Soooo so good. 😀