I hope all Mother’s enjoyed their special day! My day was great… I went to see Taylor at the Farm’s and we had a fun walk in the woods, visiting birds of prey that are being rehabilitated on the grounds. It’s so amazing to get close to an owl, or a hawk (those gorgeous, elusive creatures) and there are 3 Saw Wit owls there! I’d never seen one of these tiny owls…. such a treat! (we were far from this up close!)

Wow… we’ve had an amazing run of gorgeous often cloudless days, even reaching into the 80′s! But as I type a thunder storm is passing through, the worst of it gone. It’s left much needed rain. Thirst plants and dry dusty roads……

Over the weekend we shopped for plants and the potting is done! I know it’s still a bit early but I just couldn’t wait! We even have a cherry tomato plant this year :) !

It’s been a busy week and I feel the weight of an upcoming yoga weekend and moving my Mom. But all is well and I’ll focus instead on the amazing air the storm left behind.

It’s early evening, a favorite time of day for me and the air has cooled significantly, no longer is anything covered in dust or polin….. instead it feels clean and crisp and replenished….. and cozy.

I’ve been playing a bit with both knitting and crochet to try and find stitches that look good in variegated sock yarns so I can start to use up some of my gorgeous one skein wonders. And I’ve found them! Details and pics next week.

Back to the sewing table……. thanks for being here, I hope you all are well good women, and knitting on…..

Warmly,
Martha.

“We don’t attach to people or to things; we attach to uninvestigated concepts that we believe to be true in the moment.”
~Byron Katie

7 tonight!

We’re in the low 70′s this week and it feels great! Windows and doors stay open especially for cozy sleeping at night. The sunsets are lovely and it’s too early for mosquitos, perfect! Another busy week has gone by and for me is gearing up today…..

C and I took another drive to Ripton to fill our drinking water tanks….. gorgeous day, and always a treat to be near a river. Our weekend was a good mix of being productive and…… not.

Looks like my mom will be moving to Middlebury Vermont. A beautiful town, but a bit further away than I’d hoped. An hour or so drive, not bad….. and it’s a pretty one, with two great yarn shops close by. Actually, it sounds kind of perfect! All this is in the works for this month. Breath breath breath…….

Speaking of (!) yoga is going well, I had a great power class yesterday and felt that was the practice I wanted. Some days I attend a Yin class where there are only 8 postures in an hour. Very slow, very gentle and always good to have the balance.

Like many of you, I seem to have accumulated some beautiful one skein wonders of sock weight yarn… and I don’t (really) knit socks much anymore. I do love shawls, but these gorgeous variegated yarns, as you know, aren’t often suitable for lacework…… but only if you want the lace pattern to show ;)
So… what to do with them? If you practice yoga you’re familiar with savasana, the resting at the end of class. Often it’s a nice time to cover up, especially the chest and heart area. So, my thought is to knit a small, lightweight yet warm savasana cover! I did start in a simple lace pattern but like I thought, it got lost. So… after searching some pattern stitches I decided on the linen stitch. Both sides are fabulous, it’ll be easier to see as it grows, but it already reminds me of an impressionistic water color. It’s a fun stitch and I’m using my special one and only set of Signature circs! What a treat!

Okay… time to get this day going….. thank you all. Oh, and thanks for the continued positive feedback about the new cart!
Fabulous new fabrics this week, and a new leather straps that’s (width wide) right in the middle.
Look here tomorrow evening for the week’s bag count, not sure what it is yet!

Enjoy these long days, warmer air… sunshine and each other, as we knit on good women!

Warmly,
Martha.

Six bags tonight, thanks all!

Well we’ve finally passed 60 degrees…. and it feels great! But the winds have been strong making it feel cooler than it is. Loads of sunshine this week and a pretty moon to boot.

Big news this week are the subtle improvements to the site. New photos here and there and some updates that feel great and overdue. Also I’m offering a new style pocket (from now on) in some bags.

As you know, the bags come with either three or four fully lined interior pockets. The new pocket (in addition) is the full width of the bag and has a smaller magnetic closure to snap it shut. It’s like a whole separate bag in a bag! I’m pleased and excited to offer it for those who would love the additional feature… it does make the bag that much more functional.

Woody had been over a few times this week, it’s always so much fun to see him. We had a great walk the other evening….. looks likes rain now. Why is my new umbrella in the car??? Rain or no rain…. I’m walking!

The days continue to lengthen, it’s heavenly isn’t it? Goodness what a little sunshine on the face can do to warm the soul and lift the spirits!

Just back from a Yin yoga class, very slow, eight postures in an hour… postures with no effort when one just sinks in a notices, without judgement (as always). So I feel loose and great and ready for some air…. then back to work to get ready for tomorrow.

Thank you so much for stopping by, enjoy the light and the oh so pretty moon. Let’s knit on good women!

Warmly,
Martha.

(I’ve decided to add the bag count for the week here, so you’ll know.)  7!

It’s beautiful out today! Feels warm with a balmy 50 degrees ;)

Sugar season is over and garden plots are starting to get turned over.

The yoga weekend went well, I enjoyed it and again, it was a full packed weekend. When those weekend are over, I feel like Monday should be Friday so begin the week hankering for…… time. The new studio continues to come along, I love sewing with our gorgeous view of the lake.

When I met with Woody and Maddie to watch some kite flying, I took these pictures of the last of the lake’s winter ice… still holding on. And the river is in Ripton… we’re so enjoying our spring water!

So happy to receive the great feedback about the new shopping cart at Big Cartel, thanks! From my end it’s much easier too.

I picked up the new thinner leather straps and am thrilled with what’s coming up!

The sweater project got a bit of time this week as well as the wedding blanket, though time spent on that was more organizing all the colors and winding up more of what’s been already crocheted.

Woody and I had a nice long walk together and Taylor and I enjoyed a long visit yesterday. Love my boys :)

The thought of potting flowers is entering my mind so I might start making some garden center stops to get an idea of what I’ll plant this year. The week has been a funny one, and so typical of Vermont with one day sunny/war, the next rainy/cold, back to sunny warm…. and all of them deliciously long. The moon is waxing too… such a lovely time of year to be out.

Alright, back to work I go….. after all, the sooner my quota is one the sooner I can get outside!

Be good to yourselves, and knit on good women!

Warmly,
Martha.

Count, in five minute intervals, how many times you are in someone else’s business mentally. Notice when you give uninvited advice or offer your opinion about something (aloud or silently).
Ask yourself: “Am I in their business? Did they ask me for my advice?” And more importantly, “Can I take the advice I am offering and apply it to my life?”

(good question…. thanks BK!)

The big news this week is the new, more efficient shopping cart! So now when you click on ‘Bags For Sale’, it will take you to my Big Cartel site and the bags will we there. You’ll see payment options once an item is added to your cart. Any feedback would be appreciated…..

Updates will continue every Thursday, and cases etc will continually be added throughout the week. And be sure to note the “categories” link on the right side of the page. Please pop me a line with any questions! Oh, and we still need to change the shop ‘greeting’ over there, it’s on the to do list! Those never ending lists! :)

C and I took a nice drive over the weekend to Ripton. A remote area with lots of pretty dirt roads. ;) Across from the river, at the base of a steep incline, is a natural spring where water constantly runs through a pipe and into a metal trough. We brought 3 huge containers, filled them, and have been enjoying them all week.

Woody has a new trick kite (so much fun!) so I’ve had fun meeting with them for some fun kit flying by the lake. Maddie is working so hard getting her chocolate business under way! She invited me to see her space on Tuesday and I loved it. Vegan chocolate! She’s amazing, really…..

This weekend is another ‘yoga weekend’ so I’ve been studying hard! My small group (3 of us) had a great time meeting to go over adjustments, home work etc….

There’s been little hand work this week, other than bags! I look forward to life slowing a bit so I can return to the pretty blue sweater :)
Arranging both studio spaces has had its challenges, but I’m thrilled and look forward to good productive weeks.

A whole new batch of Fiber Assistant is ready and available! I use mine all the time and just love it. So does my wool! :)

It’s amazing how long the days are now! It’s still been cold but I’ll take the light for sure. Still been getting my dusk walks in… one of my favorite times of day.

Look for a pretty new case this week and there’s something new you’ll see this week as well! Exciting!

Off I go, lots to do. Thanks for stopping in, have a great week and knit on good women!

Warmly,
Martha

“It only takes one clear person to have a good relationship.”

Byron Katie

PS Note the new buttons on the bottom of these news posts; now you can share these pages and photos on your social networks!

Update! Hi all, it’s Tuesday and if you’ve gone to the Bags For Sale Page and been surprised, you’ll now know that Big Cartel is where the Thursday 8:30 updates will be! All info will be here tomorrow. Cheers!

Well April showers indeed, pretty sunshine today! But it’s cold! Tomorrow, though, the forecast is for a high of 50! And we’ll take it! I hope you all enjoyed last weekend, we did. Had some great long walks and good old fashioned lazy time.
The studio organizing is coming along well, still feeling a bit frazzled with it all but it’s coming along and progress is being made! The goal is to be able to sew at the drop of a hat in two places. Sounds easy anyway!
The essential oil mists that we offer on Big Cartel are something that have become a healthy and useful alternatives for me. My ‘Custom Signature’ mist I love and use throughout the day.

My Sleepy Time, lives by the bed, my Fiber Assistant is in our alcove near most of my wools and the new addition is the Air Refresher.

Natalie gave me one last week to take home and test and I love it! Not surprising… it’s a pleasing fresh sent that includes lemon, lavender, rosemary, tea tree (disinfectant) peppermint and cinnamon bark. It’s clean and enticing and makes a fabulous room freshener! These oils don’t just mask scents, they actually alter the structure of the molecules that create odors.

Yes the wedding blanket continues and okay….. I started some knitting :) The yarn is from Quince & Company and I love it!

I’m using osprey in the Robin’s Egg blue color way. It’s a bulky yet fitted knit with just a bit of positive ease. The pattern is called The Golden Wheat cardigan (look for it on Ravelry) and so far so good. I’m making a few modifications, the biggest being I’m knitting the body in stockinette as opposed to the reverse st stitch. It feel great to have needles in my hands again, have to say ;)

Yoga is going really well, the study of is easy… finding the time isn’t always! But I do love it….
I think sugaring season is just about over now, but boiling will continue for a bit.

Okay… there’s my news! Back to work now. Thanks all….. always so appreciative that you’re here.

Oh (Marilyn!) here’s a great picture of Burlington (Church Street) in the 60′s! I always remembered The Jupiter being on the other side of the street! Wow… memory lane!

Take good care of yourselves and knit on good women!

Warmly,
Martha.

Seems the sun is gone in for the day though it was out earlier and was beautiful! High in the 40′s today. I think it’s been a good sugaring season so far and it’s still going on.

Last weekend C and I went sewing table shopping and found a treasure! An old butcher block type table with a cast iron bottom. It’s perfect… for sewing, eating, prepping… we love it! Thanks to Woody for helping us get it upstairs. I’ve been in the process of setting up a studio space at home as well, and it’s been a bit challenging working from two spaces but with the new table addition, we’re getting there! I’m thrilled beyond words, just love it.

Oh… the green can! Isn’t it grand??? My preference when it comes to teach cans, are old metal ones, always. This one is big and hold all fabric scraps when I’m cutting out, it’s perfect! And so pretty…. and it even has a cover. That jadeite green melts me every time.

My favorite walking time continues to be when the blackbirds gather in the late afternoon/evening, so I’m heading out soon. The days seem so long now, and it seems early, but every year I’m shocked in June when the days start (seemingly so soon) to get shorter…. and every year I tell myself to notice the glorious long days early on… like now (!) so I’m drinking in the light, knowing it’s increasing every day.

Woody and Maddie were here for dinner the other night and we had a great time and a fun walk too. They’re doing well and she’s begun her vegan chocolate business! I’ll share more detail when I know more….

The wedding blanket continues to grow. It gets worked on when it does, I always love it…. the colors are so inspiring for me to work with.

I do have a bit of knitting news as well, but my knitting bag isn’t with me so I’ll share it next week.
This is such a lovely time of year… many don’t like these seasonal changes, the in-between time,s but I love them. They energize me.

Thank you for the kind write-ins this week, always good to hear you.
The wind is whipping….. off I go! Right after I don some hand knit cozies…….

Knit on good women, back next week….

Our area got a huge dumping of snow :D …. just in time for the first day of Spring. It’s so pretty though, an knowing it’ll be gone soon makes it a little easier to take. Who knows, I might get one more snow shoe in after all!

The Yoga Anatomy weekend workshop was great. Almost too much information, I think all of our brains were fried! It was especially interesting for me to incorporate the new knowledge into my own practice. Knowing what muscle connects to what and what pulls when it moves etc… How straight is my spine? How do I hold myself? All good questions. It was busy and full and great, but Monday comes that much sooner and I miss the downtime I usually allow myself on the weekends… Wait, Monday already??? :)

I saw this laptop case on Ravelry, done in Tunisian Crochet. Have any of you done that? I’ve seen it, and think I even bought a hook once. This looks better than anything I remember seeing! So much so that when life settles a bit I might look into it….

Looks like a very solid and thick stitch. I know the hook is double ended, ao am guessing it’s double thick! But…. wedding blanket continues to be the primary project.

Look for some pretty new fabrics this week, and oh I’m loving the Cherry handles! The leather straps (loops) are ready, I just need to pick them up.

Thanks all for stopping in. Spring! Aren’t the longer days lovely! And the morning will get brighter soon too! Crawling out of bed when dark does seem unnatural! Unless one’s a farmer, but I don’t have cows to milk!

In the time it took me to write this, the snow has stopped and the sun is out! Beautiful!

Stay well good women and Knit On!

Warmly,
Martha.

“It is spring again. The earth is like a child that knows poems by heart.”
― Rainer Maria Rilke