Back Row Spinners

2012 Here We Come!

2012-02-05T09:23:00.000-08:00

It has been almost a year since our last blog update, and I am feeling rather guilty about it. But since I don't do guilt anymore (from the book by the same name), it will not worry me too much.

I am going to deviate from past blog updates and lean toward a narrative with a few pictures, rather than a picture blog with a little narrative. If you don't like it, don't read it. (I am feeling a bit feisty this morning!)

Our group has settled in to a core of dedicated folks and we have a nice gathering every month. Projects are brought for show and tell, with Linda being the one who shows the most. She is a fantastic knitter and we are hoping to get her spinning yet. The rest of us bring a few items now and then, and of course, Stephen always has something unfinished on his needles...

The food is always great and varied. And we still manage to have a few laughs every month. Fortunately, (or unfortunately), Stephen manages to bring comic relief to the scene.

This past year, Suzie has published two books and is close to publishing a third. They are a good read and can be purchased from her or from Amazon.com. They are also available on the Kindle. It is exciting to have a real author in our midst.

Dawn has opened a store in Gobles, Pearls, and is selling antiques and gifts. She has also expressed an interest in getting consignments of yarn and knitted items. So get you wheels turning and your needles clicking.

If you hold with the belief that the Mayan calendar foretells, I can tell you that I need to get spinning because I have the stash of a lifetime and I really want to have a dent in it before the world ends.

Our next spin is February 12. It will include a book sale and signing by Suzie and a circular loom lesson by Pat. Hope to see you there!

March 2011 - Spring is sprung!

2011-03-27T08:24:00.000-07:00

Stephen was so happy to see us this month. The snow has gone, and lambs are arriving. It was almost too exciting for him! Madeline, Linda, Suzanne and Maggie were hard at work with their knitting and spinning. I think Suzanne was giving me the eye for snapping her picture...

Suzie and Sandy were working at spinning. Sandy was sporting a new hair-do and a tan, both from her trip to Florida last month.

Sharon was helping Steve ball his yarn for his next project - part of an afghan!

Pat, Sharon and Madeline - I don't think anything was being worked on - more just visiting.

Sharon brought her finished scarves to show - one of them done with yarn from her dyeing class at the Festival last summer - totally awesome! I brought some finished and unfinished baby sweaters. Linda did not bring anything to show and tell this month - unusual for her. Maggie brought her Lace KAL from 2010 that she is working the lace border for. It has inspired me to get busy and finish mine - which means that I have to figure out how and do the lace border. It seems complicated to me...

We also had a discussion of organic - but my notes just say this and don't say what it was we discussed - and for the life of me, I can't remember. I am thinking old age is creeping in.

We were going to have a weaving session in April, but one of the weavers is going to be gone then, so we will having a weaving session in May! I think I can see a loom in Sharon's future, but in the mean time, Suzie and Maggie are going to show us the ins and outs of weaving.

Since our spin date, more lambs have been born - Steve is up to 10 babies as of right now. Four are cormo, 3 are corland (cormo x Shetland), and 3 Shetlands. There is a lot of baaa baaa baaa going on in the barn!

Our next spin and grin will be April 10. The abrn should be full of babies by then. Hope to see you there. Oh, as a post script, the food in March was awesome!

Better late than never

2011-03-08T15:35:00.000-08:00

These pictures are in totally random order by month, and hopefully I am remembering what happened month by month, but I make no guarantees. The old tempus fugit and my mind sometimes goes with it.

January started with a lovely group at our monthly spin. I didn't get photos of Sharon's sweater (shame on me), but suffice to say, it was totally awesome. And Linda brought a baby layette that she had done for a soon-to-be-born grandson. It was too cute for words!

Madeline was modeling one of Sharon's hats and Sharon's shawl and Sharon was modeling Betty's hat. Sharon got the MPK (most prolific knitter) award for January!

We were happy to include newbie Sandy to our group. She and Suzie were sharing some joke - probably about Steve...

And Suzanne is modeling Betty's hat - looks like an old-time bathing cap...

And finally here is Sharon with her other hat. I think January was hat month!

February was definitely the shortest month in the year and with it I have the shortest memory of the year. I do remember that Suzanne brought her almost-finished sock for show and tell.

Melinda was sthere - still recovering from her back surgery. We were glad to see her. She brought her linen face cloths to show - very amazing!

And Suzie and Steve were hamming it up for the camera...

I think Linda got about as much knitting done as I did. It was more fun to watch everyone's antics.

One of our members-in-absentia had exciting news in February! Jamie from Wooly Knob became a grandpa on February! Congratulations to him!

Shearing day - February 27, 2011. The weather was wonderful, a nice crowd was there, and the shearer did a fantastic job. The sheep were wondering what was happening, and the spinners were eagerly awaiting the fleeces. I think Steve had four unsold fleeces by the end of the day. Thanks to everyone who helped on shearing day, especially Karen, Maggie, Jim, Pat, Dawn, Tom, Jane, and Jim. Many hands make light work and everything went like clock-work. It was good to see Juliann and Kelly, even though they had to leave before shearing was done.

Our next regular spin will be March 20. Hope you can make it!

HAPPY 2011

2011-01-09T04:22:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year to everyone! I am feeling rather guilty (but not like I might lose any sleep over it) about not keeping up with our blog. The last post was in September. Maybe I should make it my resolution to do better in 2011. I am going to blame it on my slow internet connection. I do have some photos of our last three gathering, but right now my camera is hiding. So maybe when I find it, I will struggle to put some pictures up.

It is -8 right now here, so I think winter has really set in. I'm thinking that this will encourage all those sheep to grow longer coats, as shearing is right around the corner.

We had new folks join us this fall. Suzanne and Susan were new to our group. That could be a bit confusing, especially since we already have a Suzie, too.

Our December group was tremendously small, but we had a good time. The weather was rather nasty that day.

Well, I must get back to my spinning. I am personally on a mission to spin more fiber in 2011, since everyone is giving me grief about my stash. See you on January 23!

A September Without Pictures

2010-09-28T07:28:00.000-07:00

The camera never came out on Sunday, so we have a September spin without pictures. Since I always seem to have issues with putting pictures on, this is okay for me.

We had a smaller than normal group, but it was a lot of fun for those present. We had newbies this month. One was Suzanne from Holland. A few of us had met her before, and it was really good to have her at our spin/knit. Two others were Darlene and Tom who were there to observe. Hoping they had a good time.

Daphne stopped in briefly to pick up top and bobbins (almost like top and bottom, only different). She shared her very exciting news with us by showing us a picture of her ultrasound...

The food was excellent (as usual). We had a cake to celebrate the milestone for Suzie and me.

We missed those who were absent (you know who you are/were).

Madeline thanks Suzie for the yarn donation for her charity knitting. Remember that Madeline is happy to accept any yarn, even small amounts, to go into knitting for those less fortunate than ourselves.

Again, Linda got the award for MPK (Most Prolific Knitter). She brought a lovely baby blanket that she was going to have to tear out because she did not have enough yarn to finish it. Breaks my heart to think of it. But what was done was very lovely.

Stephen is still working - HURRAY! And finding that all jobs suck to some extent. Hoping that his arm injury won't be another set-back for him.

October's spin will be another small group as it is the same weekend as the Ann Arbor thingy. Oh well. Maybe we'll be back up to speed in November.

Wow! This month's blog is really very ho-hum. Oh well. We were just a very much more sedate group. I am thinking that Elizabeth really might be the instigator...

Hope to see you October 24!

Full House in July!

2010-07-26T13:20:00.000-07:00

What a wonderful spin and grin we had in July! Bill and Juliann were here, so it made it extra special! Plus we had two newbies - welcome to Daphne and Janet! Here's hoping we didn't scare them off.

We started off with Bill getting his present that Elizabeth made for him. He is just so lucky!

The bejeweled crown fit him just perfectly and he wore it all afternoon. We weren't totally sure what to call him, so we settled on "your excellency."

And of course, the court jester had to steal the crown...

The show and tell portion of the afternoon started with Elizabeth, with her bobbly sweater.

And ended with Sharon and her cormo sweater. They tied for the MPK award (most prolific knitter).

Sharon and Char did a demonstration with Sharon's new sock knitting machine.

Katie K. brought the most artistic dish to pass with these fancy cupcakes. Maggie brought a chocolate chip cookie dough cheesecake was the best ever. It brings tears to my eyes just thinking about it. There was a very nice selection of vittles!

Jim, Juliann, and Bill having some food.

Part of the living room crew. I must apologize as I did not get photos of everyone this month. But on the other hand, I did get a lot of spinning done for the first time in forever! If you want to be in the photos, you must jump in front of the camera!

Steve, Dawn and Tom. Dawn and Tom are moderate newbies, and new sheep owners. Congratulations to them!

Linda watching Juliann take some pictures.

Bill was putting on a rubber glove. Don't even ask. We had degenerated to the after-hours kind of humor by then...

This is a photo of Dan's injury - he had apparently tried to cut the end of his finger off earlier in the week. But he did it at home, so it wouldn't have even been a workmen's comp thing. I am not sure it was worth the pain - better to do something like that at work - don't you think???

And not to be outdone, Steve had to show his finger too...

Juliann was not partaking of alcoholic beverages, and it was soon apparent why. Congratulations to Stephen and Juliann!

The realization has just sunk in!

It was good to see all the sheep in the pasture, even though that damn dog tried to eat us.

In the words of Elizabeth's t-shirt, everyone be sure to get:

No spin next month. We will be going out to Sam's Joint of Friday night of the Festival. If you are planning to attend, please notify Steve, Elizabeth or myself so you can be included in the reservation. Next regular spin will be in September - date to be announced.

Hope to see everyone at the Festival and then in September!

A Lovely Day in June

2010-06-21T19:19:00.000-07:00

We had a very small group in June. The food was excellently diverse, almost as if we had planned it (which we did not).

Elizabeth was spinning like crazy.

I am not sure what Pat was doing.

Maggie was spinning some lovely cormo.

Dan arrived after work and sat in "the chair."

Steve was spinning less, so we couldn't even pick on him for his color choice which is usually pink. What is with that?!

Karen was working on her socks - I think she was working on them last month too. Are they the same ones? I think so. Is Steve being a bad influence on her? One thing about it, since she is knitting both of them at the same time, at least she will have a pair when she is done...wish we could say the same for someone else, who shall remain nameless. Oh, I'll give you a hint. His name starts with an "S".

It was good to see Lori again.

For everyone else, we missed you. The July spin date has been changed to July 18. Hope to see you then.

BLOG Resurrection - May 2010

2010-05-19T12:20:00.000-07:00

I know, I know. I have been negligent about our blog. Life, broken bones, etc.etc. have gotten in the way. But now, being of semi-sound mind and body, I am planning to keep with it, as our group continues. I was not so deligent with my photos this month as I actually brought a spinning wheel and was spinning (don't anyone faint). And by doing the blog, my farming on Facebook is suffering...
Here are Dan D. (it has been a long time!!!), Melinda, Madeline, Steve, Suzie, and Amy. Everyone was busy knitting, spinning, gabbing, eating - a good time was had by all.

Sharon looking in from the kitchen and Linda having abite to eat. Linda again brought in a beautiful baby layette (no photo, sorry). We will get her spinning yet.

A candid shot of Maggie.

Huh?

And here is a shot of a few of Steve's UFO's. We know there are more scattered around.

Char brought a wonderful cormo shawl done on her knitting machine. I wanted to keep it...cormo. Yum. And Suzie brought some beautiful fiber to spin - it looked like a spring day of fluff.

There were lots and lots of sheep and lambs to see - between Shetland and Cormos. There were fleeces negotiations made for the 2011 shearing (like we all need more fiber).

Jim was doing limericks this month - if you missed them, too bad for you. We had lots of laughs. James had a few of his jokes - even before 4 p.m.

We were happy to have our once-in-a-while members Dan D. and U.P. Karen in attendance this month. Pat gave Dan a mini-lesson in putting knitted pieces together (I think).

We are still keeping our finger crossed for Steve who is still out of work and looking for a job. If anyone knows of anything for him, please please let him know.

Hoping to see everyone next month.

March-2010

2010-03-26T17:15:00.000-07:00

No pictures and typing with one hand, this is what you get. Just an update on what's been happening. Pictures will come back in the future when I again have two hands for typing.

February was a great shearing month. We had our first shearing at Char's and it was great to get our hands into that cormo! We also had a new person come to the shearing - welcome to Dawn K. Hope that she will be able to come to more of our group gatherings.

The next shearing was at Steve's at the end of the month. Another new person came - welcome to Deb Y. Shearing was completed in record time and then we had a great afternoon together. Maggie and I each went home with a car-full of wool.

Also in February, several of us competed in Ravelry's Ravelympics. Elizabeth knitted an entire sweater! So congratulations go to her!

And of course, the knitters in our group never cease to amaze me. Sharon, Linda, Pat, Elizabeth - all bring their completed projects. And they are knitting lots and lots. The MPK award (most prolific knitter) could go to any of them every month!

I cannot knit and am having trouble spinning - I will be so glad to have this cast off. I can be on the computer (albeit one handed). But the photo thing is more than I can bear right now. Maybe next month.

Lambs are being born. Our weather is changing as spring arrives. Hoping to see everyone at our next spin on April 18.

Back Row Hiatus

2010-01-28T15:38:00.000-08:00

The Back Row blog is going on hiatus for now. Spin dates will continue to be posted, so check here.

Those on the mailing list will continue to get e-mails as to dates and times.

Special dates for February:

Spin and shearing at Char's on February 13 - shearing starts at 9 a.m.

Shearing at Steve's on February 28 - shearing starts at 9 a.m.

Happy Birthday, Stephen

2009-12-26T06:36:00.000-08:00

First, please accept my apologies for the tardiness of this update. Life happens, and I have been busy doing other things, so the blog just kept getting put on the back burner until today. Then, to add injury to insult, I am having major issues putting photos up, so there are several pictures of people that just aren't showing. I'll try to make it up to you by taking more pictures of you in the future.

We celebrated Stephen's birthday, when he turned 39 (again). And we also had a bit of a Christmas party at the same time. The weather was a bit dicey, so not everyone that we expected made it. But a good time was had by all those who did. We were happy to see Dan D. who had not been around for quite a while. Unfortunately the photo that he is in (to actually prove that he was here) is one of those that I could not upload.

Elizabeth won MPK this month and wore her February Lady sweater. I am not sure what she was knitting on now, but the cat was having a great nap and keeping parts of Elizabeth warm and toasty.Char, Steve, and Sharon in the dining room. They all look so serious...Pat, Elizabeth and Maggie in the living room.
Pat brought this crocheted Nativity. It was very adorable. She gets the award for MPC (Most Prolific Crocheter).
Pat also made the cutest ever Santa and Reindeer.
I tried to stick them in my pocket to bring them home with me, but she caught me. Better luck next year.
Linda brought this adorable snowman all decked out in hat, scarf and mittens.
Char, Steve, and Sharon are still at the table. Is it because the food was there???
And Troy made a nice place for the cat to sit. I can't tell the difference - this is either Callie or Bumpy.Next spin and grin is January 17 at Steve's. Then mark your calendar's - the February spin and grin will be on Saturday, February 13, at Char's. That is also shearing day. More details will follow. Then on Sunday, February 28, we will be shearing at Steve's. Hope to see you all there!

November-2009

2009-11-20T12:57:00.001-08:00

We had a wonderful turn out for the November spin and grin. As always, lots of laughs and fun was had by all.

Sharon wins the MPK award (Most Prolific Knitter). She brought the sweater below (yarn spun by Char) - the sweater is for her significant other.

And what a great modeling job she did also!
Then this is her cormo henley sweater - what a lovely job she did and it feels lovely too!
Madeline and Emmy getting a lesson from Pat. Pat also brought her card loom and for those of us who hadn't a clue, it was really interesting to see her working at it.
Emmy is getting a slipper making lesson from Linda - Linda is also in contention for the MPK award every month.
Who left the bathroom door open????
Char cooked up a storm - chili and lamb stroganoff - which was enjoyed by all. I believe this photo was taken during the discussion about units of measure. We had a very profound time trying to determine how many pieces of poo are there in a poo-load. It apparently does not take much to amuse us.
And then Elizabeth and Dan were missing from the main group - I found them in the room off the dining room knitting and crocheting away. Did we offend one or both of them? Or were they just being antisocial? Will we ever know??
Madeline, Maggie, and Karen - it appears that Karen is the only one accomplishing something.
The group seems to collect in the dining room where the food is. I wonder why... Also, this is the only photo with Stephen in it. That is a very unusual occurrence. He is usually such a ham. Of course, Stephen's quote of the day was "It makes me crazy." Many of us did not know what he was talking about - come to find out he was referring to the prescription drug Xanax. This says so much about him.
Our next spin will be December 13 - we will be celebrating Stephen's birthday - well, okay, maybe celebrating is not exactly the best word, but you get the idea. Hope to see you there.

Happy Birthday, Jim!!

2009-10-24T11:55:00.000-07:00

Jim's birthday was the day of our spin, so we celebrated with a chocolate cake with chocolate frosting (yuck). There are three candles on his cake - one for the past, one for the present, and one for the future. I couldn't afford to buy as many as needed for his cake. We also started with a bottle of St. Julian's Solera and that was rather tasty! Unfortunately it was long gone before most Back Row folks arrived. To all of you who missed out, sorry about that!

The errant slippers were found by Amy, so now Madeline will no longer have cold feet! After almost two years gone, we figured that they were gone for good. It was definitely a cause for celebration!
Lori brought a friend, Cheree, visiting from Melbourne, Australia! We were almost as excited to meet her as we were that Lori brought the ordered bottle of dandelion wine. A matter of priorities! Anyway, it was very nice to have Cheree visit our group and I think we were on our good behavior (but after the Solera was gone, who knows??).
Pat and Madeline working on their projects. Also congratulations to Pat on her new job. We were sorry that she and James had to leave earlier than normal, but happy for her! Back Row After Hours was just not the same.
Linda brought the absolute cutest baby booties ever! Hope they will sell in Ann Arbor. Almost makes a person wants to have a baby!
Sharon modeled one of her hats that will be for sale in Ann Arbor, with one of Steve's flower creations. I take back what I said last year when Steve made a brown flower. On this hat, it looked perfect!
I don't think Steve did much at the spin - there he is holding Abby, while Pat and Melinda work on their projects.

I think Sharon was building to a headache while Amy's hair was straight out. And Char was looking very serious. Please everyone! Lighten up!
Special thanks to host Steve, who volunteered his camera when I got there without a battery in mine. I would have been happy to bring his home with me, but he kept it and e-mail these photos to me promptly. However, since I have been elsewise occupied this week, it has taken me this long to update our blog.

Next spin is November 15 which coincides with the opening day of firearm deer season. I just add this as a point of interest. Anyway, hope to see everyone there and maybe even a couple new someones too!

Michigan Fiber Festival - 2009 AND September Spin and Grin

2009-09-18T02:57:00.000-07:00

We were back to our regular spin and grin after missing August because of the Festival. How I missed everyone!!

Here are Char and Linda showing Linda's afghan. What a gorgeous job she did on it!
Then here is Linda with her Christmas garland of Santa's laundry. It is the cutest thing you ever saw!

Here are Lori, Pat, Elizabeth with her new toy - a Jensen Gossip wheel newly purchased last month - and Christina with her arms in the air. I'm not sure what that is all about. I think Elizabeth likes her new spinning wheel.

Elizabeth, Madeline, Steve and Christina - lots of spinning done! Except for Steve who is talking more and spinning less.

Char is giving Maggie a quick how-to on Maggie's newly purchased used Pat Green carder. What a good deal Maggie got on the like-new carder! Hope it lasts until I get the check cashed.

Elizabeth, Madeline, Jackie, Christina, and Lori - busy busy busy.

Char - are you napping or does it just look like that? Also, Emmy knitting and Linda taking a break from all the knitting that she does. I think she wins the award for the most prolific knitter in our group! (See the photos above!)

Melinda and Dinah working on their projects.

Jackie, Christina and Lori concentrating on their spinning.

Artistic photography. Included here for your enjoyment.

Char, Steve, Sharon, Dan and Maggie fraternizing near the food table.

Char couldn't quite make it through the day with her bra pinching her, so she threw it away and Sharon decided to make a fashion statement with it. Kind of looks like and aviator hat in light blue with a bit of satin...

And a french nail doo for Christina. Who ever heard of that? Well, obviously someone because there it is. Apparently I don't get out of the woods much. I did have my toenails painted by master nail designer Steve, but I have no photo of it. He did a marvelous job - I can see a second career in his future.

Abby-dabby was just begging for a new hair-do so she got a piece of yarn and then hammed it up for the photographer.

All that posing was just so tiring for her, so she was napping. Notice: no shots of Duncan - he is as camera-shy as ever.

And to end the day, Steve finished another hat and, taking after Abby, decided to ham it up for the camera. Turquoise is really your color, Stephen!!

Our next regular spin is October 18. Hope to see everyone there!

MICHIGAN FIBER FESTIVAL - 2009

Michigan Fiber Festival started early for us - some earlier than others. It was a great time. Here is part of the Friday night at Sam's Joint group.

Here is the rest of that group.

Here is Garrett flexing his muscles. I can't really remember why...

After we got kicked out of Sam's Joint, er, I mean finished at Sam's Joint, we went next door to the 747 to try to get served there.

Here is a self-photo of me, plus of course, part of the rest of the group.

And here is Elizabeth trying to get us kicked out of the 747.

Here is part of the group while the staff at the 747 is trying to decide whether to serve us or not.

The next day was the real Festival. I know that many of us snuck in on Friday for free, I mean, also attended on Friday. But the Festival began in earnest on Saturday.

Sharon, Kat, and I participated in the skein contest. Here is the judging.

Kat was not available for the photo of the Back Row Spinners with their winning skeins. (Actually we didn't want her in the photo because she had a blue ribbon...it would have clashed with all our red ribbons, don't you think?)
Anyway, Sharon won three red ribbons and I won one.

The thing was that there were only two entries in several classes including ours. It was a sad thing to get second place with only two entries. The only sadder thing was that the other entries in our classes got a white ribbon...

But then Sharon made up for it by taking a first place blue ribbon for her photo - and she actually won money too! Most of us had voted on her photos at the last Spin and Grin - I obviously don't know much about photography because I had picked the one with the two lambs!

It was a great Festival and I am already looking forward to next year! Hope you all had fun too!

July Spin and Grin - Parts 1 and 2

2009-07-27T11:33:00.000-07:00

PART 1

Back Row Spinners had a bonus spin in July - kind of a farewell to Kaylan who left Michigan to move to South Carolina. We had excellent weather and sat outside at Windswept Farms. It was a perfect summer day, except for the part about Kaylan leaving...

Guess who this is?? And this?

Emily was there to give massages for a nominal fee. Several people took advantage of this. Emily's business is Inner Glow Massage and you can e-mail her at harper_emily@yahoo.com

It was even entertainment for those of us who didn't partake.

As I said, the weather really cooperated and we had folks from both the SABLE group as well as us Back Row Spinners.

A good time was had by all, and we are all wishing Kaylan well - she remains a part of Back Row Spinners although so far away.

PART 2
Our regular spin and grin took place yesterday, July 26. I think this is a record for my updating of the blog. Thanks to Sharon for the use of some of her photos. I almost thought that was going to be all of the photos available because I had a bit of a malfunction earlier moving the photos from my camera to the computer. Fortunately, my computer guru (Maria) saved the day for me.
Sharon and Steve modeled their sweaters (Steve's is a shrug at this point) for Kaylan. As you can see Sharon has finished her sweater and Steve is about at the same point that he has been for the past 4-5 months. I would have taken a photo of Steve's socks too, but there is only ONE done... oh yes, and Steve had one comment for Kaylan and I quote from him: "Bite me."

Char spent her time on the floor plying on her Babe.

Karen came down from the UP again this month. She brought some sheep and some UP humor.

Pat, Maggie and Sharon were really discussing something - I don't know what.

Melinda and Amy were busy at their projects. And we were all wondering where Elizabeth and Troy were.

And I wonder if Dan and Maggie ate too much and that caused their stomachs to bloat - WHAT!?! They're trying to abscond with my cormo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Steve is happy - I bet I know what is on his mind...

Actually Back Row after hours started early this month. There were no real specific jokes, but much double entendre and humor was flying.

The evening ended with Pat and James untangling a skein of Steve's. It took as long to untangle as it did for Steve to spin it (well, not really, but that sounded good...). Anyway, the job got done with many to thanks to Pat and James!

Sharon took this photo of Steve's cat - it's not Calli or Bumpie, so it's the other one.

Now, for the important stuff. Next month there is no regular spin because of the Festival. Friday night of the Festival, there will be a group going for their annual dinner at Sam's Joint - please advise Steve or me if you are planning to attend so that the reservation can be made. Then for Saturday night, the pig roast at Mike and Heather's has been canceled for this year. HOWEVER, they are having their usual gathering and bonfire on Saturday night. Details are: bring your own table service, a dish to pass, and your own meat to grill (i.e. hot dogs, etc.). The gas grill will be available for cooking and there will be multiple beers on tap. If you don't want beer, bring your own beverage. Also bring a lawn chair. We are anticipating festvities to begin around 6:30. If you have any questions, ask. Hoping to see everyone there! And don't forget to check out the booths of all our members at the festival including but not limited to Mike, Amy, Deb and Jamie.

June, 2009 - Skein Painting Workshop

2009-06-24T13:23:00.000-07:00

We all missed our May gathering because of Steve having his stroke and being in the hospital and all. We made up for it in June with an excellent workshop and a great turnout. We didn't know at the time that it would be Kaylan's last regular spin since she is moving south.

Maria is a newbie who came for the skein painting - she would fit right in because I can see on her t-shirt it says "ass" - if that isn't Back Row, I surely don't know what is.

Sharon did a fantastic job as our instructor, and everyone seemed to have a great time with their artistic talents. Also thanks to Char for bringing stuff (tables, microwave, etc.) and for running to get more supplies that were needed. What a great sister!

The weather was absolutely perfect for the project. We were out in the shade of Steve's trees, so we could be as sloppy as we wanted. Here is Sharon, Char, Steve, Lori and the back of Melinda's head.

Jamie arrived to drop off and pick up fiber. He looks pretty serious and Elizabeth looks like she just ate something sour. Isn't candid photography great?!

Picture perfect weather. Kat came - it was good to see her after many months absence - Daleen, Karen K. and Judy came for the workshop. Elizabeth came without Troy - his absence was noted...

Steve showing off for the camera (as usual). I think he remembers all of us, but we have given him permission to play the "stroke card" as often as he thinks is necessary. He is taking full advantage of it. Kaylan, Melinda, Maria, Lori and Maggie round out this group activity picture. And Steve, you are a real sight!

Char, Melinda and Madeline are finishing up with the painting for the day - with everyone's finished yarn hanging behind. The colors are so great and it was such fun to do.

Lori, Daleen, Karen K., Judy, Maria, and James are relaxing in the yard after the workshop, some working on knitting.

And here is a small group of the finished skeins - I believe the final total of skeins completed was 15, so this is but a small part. Maybe next month, some finished projects will be available to post. Not mine, for I am so far behind, and of course, not Stephen's because he hasn't even finished his socks from his class in December...

Karen V. from the U.P. was here - she had some fiber to sell and then some fiber that she was picking up. Here she is sorting one of her fleeces.

And here is Pat and Elizabeth - Elizabeth is modeling her sock blanks that she dyed - I believe they are supposed to go lower, but she was thinking a tube top. Very unusual and oh so Back Row...

And your name in the blog if you correctly identify the photo below.

Our next regular spin will be July 26, but there is a rumor that we may try to have a bonus spin before Kaylan leaves.

I have been being pressed to have a humorous helpful hints about signs of a stroke, in light of what happened to Steve. I have done it, but I also want to add more about it here. Stroke is a very serious thing - we can joke about it now since Steve is all right (more or less), but the outcome could easily have been much worse. Everyone needs to check on the symptoms - there are lots of sources of good information available. Some of them are: http://www.americanheart.org/, http://www.stroke.org/, www.webmd.com/stroke. These are only a few of the many websites available. And don't think it couldn't happen to you because it could.

Spin and Grin - April, 2009

2009-04-24T09:37:00.001-07:00

The Spin and Grin at Steve's was a hoot this month and if you missed it, I am sorry for you.
Steve and Char on the couch, with Linda in the background. Everyone was complaining about me taking photos using a wide ass lens, but I swear it isn't so. Things degenerated rather quickly from that point on...

Troy, Maggie, Sharon, Linda and Char - not much spinning going on, but lots of grinning. By the way, "spin and grin" was stolen by me from Sharon, just so everyone knows.

Elizabeth (smurfing), Pat working on her inkle loom, and Madeline knitting.

Sharon is giving Linda her first spinning lesson. And I am not sure I recognize the person on the couch --- OMG, it's Coby!! It had been so long since we had seen her that we hardly recognized her! She is also smurfing.

Steve is being naughty with needle holders - using them as tittie holders for Abbie. I think Steve was a little smurfy by then...

Pat is helping with Char's sweater (knit the knit, purl the purl), as Madeline watched, and the camera was starting to feel a little smurfy...

Maggie, Sharon and Kaylan as the camera was listing. Smurfs will do that to you. I was pretty sure I was holding it right.

Char and Dan - I think that Dan was also feeling smurfy, or maybe it was something else. There was wine flowing also.

Dan, Maggie and Sharon are into the grinning part of the day. It could be that this was the point that we were discussing underwear after Coby's dilemma at Kohl's. Then it came up something about Dan and Steve swapping women's underwear, but I am not exactly sure about what was really going on. Blame it on the smurfs.

Outside it was rainy and a perfect day to burn some brush. James and Troy accomplished a lot. I did not get out in time to see the really big fire going.

Steve

By now things are winding down. Jim is into the living room. Troy and Elizabeth are relaxing. Kaylan is spinning up a storm - this is an action shot.

There was a discussion about boots or boobs, I am not sure which. The subject came up several times and I still couldn't tell what we were talking about. As I mentioned earlier, things started out and degenerated rapidly. I think I made an a** of myself laughing at one of my own jokes, but hey, that's what happens when you have too many smurfs. I do believe a good time was had by all. We missed several folks. Hope to see you next month.

Next spin date is May 17 - hope to see you there!

Back Row in March

2009-03-27T11:14:00.000-07:00

March 1 was freezing cold but activities progressed in the barns as the shearer Nick did his work. He is a sheep whisperer (like a horse whisperer only different). He has a very natural talent handling the sheep, and shearing was over before we knew it.

Is this Moe, Curley and Larry standing by?

Troy was the sheep wrangler after they were shorn.

I wonder how many lambs are in that huge stomach.

Just to prove I was really there. I was freezing!

Brrrr. These girls are wondering where their winter coats went.

Moe, Curley and Larry again.

Last one - shearing is done for 2009! Again, Nick did a marvelous job.

Sales were brisk. Elizabeth was in charge of weighing and calculating

money due. There were many very nice fleeces this year.

Karen spinning. Stephen contented.

Steve and Abby look pretty happy.

Mike and Heather stopped in to visit. We enjoyed hearing about their trip to Florida.

Steve, Abby, Pat and Elizabeth.

Kaylan and her new camera.

That is it for shearing day. We had a lot of fun, good food and lots of it,

got to ooooh and aaaaah at all the lovely fleeces.

We about froze skirting in the studio.

The wind was really cold. It took me two days to get warmed up.

Then later in March, we had our regular spin.

There were lots of baby sheep to see.

(And some big sheep too.)

Madeline, Sharon, Amy, Steve, and Pat - also newbie Linda

in the dining room. We were happy to get first hand lessons from

Linda on how to make those neat slippers that she does.

Duncan was not very happy about having

to model the red baby slipper that Sharon had made.

Dan was laughing because I could only manage getting

a picture of Maggie looking at her bowl of food.

Elizabeth, Kaylan and Lori - doesn't seem like much spinning

was getting done on this day...

Char arrived a bit late, but we were all anxious to see all her stuff.

I got to spin with her electric spinner - it was awesome.

Also, her cormo top back from Zeilinger's was like touching a cloud.

(But of course, I am also a cormo snob...)

Now we have a couple shots for our new game - What is this?

For those of you who saw me take the picture, don't spoil it.

For everyone else, what is this?

This one is a bit fuzzy, but what is this??

Your prize for correct guesses will be having your name published in upcoming blog updates.

Everyone likes seeing their name in a blog - right?!?

Next spin date will be Sunday, April 19, at Steve's.

Don't eat too many chocolate bunnies between now and then.

SHEARING AT CHAR'S - FEBRUARY 2009

2009-02-19T10:34:00.000-08:00

A perfect day for a shearing.

It started with Steve and Hootie on the couch.

Hootie has the most amazing eyes!

Then a quick peak at the baby bun buns - oh my!

Precious little babies in their nest.

I wanted to take them all home!

And here's new arrival Izzy - isn't he the precious one!

And here's L-O-L-A, Lola! I never did see her face.
Char has gone from zero to 10 rabbits in the
blink of an eye! And the fiber is the yummiest.

What exactly is on your head, Stephen??
Or shouldn't we ask?

Kaylan was very busy taking pictures of all the animals.
And this one posed so nicely for her.

Oh, shearing! That's what today was all about. I almost forgot!
Nick did a super job - he sure handles the animals well.

It was his first contact with cormos.

And after the shearing, each sheep got a new, clean coat to wear.
I'll bet they're happy about that with this weather.

Elizabeth (or should I say Liz??) and Troy outside the barn.

The wind came up and it was a bit brisk as the day progressed.

The kitchen crew getting food around after the shearing was done.

Char outdid herself with barbequed ribs and fixings.
Everything was really good!

Char with a bag of cormo!

The skirting crew was made up of Char, Sharon, Lori and Betty.

It was great to get our hands on all that scrumptious cormo.
I can hardly wait until next year!

We had some spinning and some knitting going on.
Since I was on the skirting crew, I am not really sure what all was happening.

At least that's the excuse I'm using.

Because I was busy, I don't have photos of everyone that was present. Pat and Jim (James), Kaylan, Elizabeth and Troy, Lori, Linda, Linda, Stephen, Sharon, Betty (without Jim), Jamie and daughter, Char, Char's neighbors, a couple others, (if I have forgotten anyone, so sorry!) and then Garrett and Rayna arrived - clear from Minnesota! It was good to see them, albeit briefly. A big thank you to Char and her hospitality - the food was excellent, the fiber was more than excellent. It was a fun day for everyone involved.

Below is a pornographic picture of Hootie - we were going to do a close up and then a guessing game, but the close up looked way too pornographic - even for me - so you are getting the original shot. Notice the "V" - it certainly caught everyone's eye.

Okay, so not everyone, only me. What can I say but that I am observant.

Okay back to business.

Mike and Heather's shearing is February 28. I don't know what time. Bring a dish to pass.

Steve's shearing is March 1. Shearing will start about 10 a.m. Bring a dish to pass.

Our next regular spin at Steve's will be starting at 2 p.m., March 22. Bring a dish to pass.

Hope to see you there!

A Snowy Day in January, 2009

2009-01-13T15:34:00.000-08:00

The snow was falling, but those who braved the storm had a good time. Sharon arrived and won the award for most miles traveled to get here. We were glad to see her again!

Say what?

Wheels were spinning in the living room.

Char took a moment off from carding her angora. Betty sold two pairs of angora mittens, so she went home happy.

Serious Steve.

Happy Steve.

Steve is a hat-knitting fool! He has completed (yes, believe it or not) three hats in the last month! What a champion! He had a lesson in I-cord and he used that to finish one hat.

Steve, Heather, and Mike posing for the camera. I think we did more visiting than spinning this month - except for Elizabeth, Amy and Lori. They spun more than everyone else put together.

It was good to see that everyone weathered the holidays. We missed many of our regulars (Pat and James, Melinda, Kaylan, Madeline, to name a few). Steve had to come up with the jokes this month (raunchy junior high) and we all laughed (at least I did). We had our farm discussion (obsession for me).

There will be a spin at Mike and Heather's on January 24 starting at 2 p.m.

And, don't forget Char's shearing and spin in February.

STEVE'S BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION - 2008

2008-12-23T18:10:00.000-08:00

IT'S ALL ABOUT STEVE!!! During the week, Steve had a birthday, so we celebrated with him. So now, exactly how old are you, Stephen??? And he was also doing his best impression of Carl Levin with the glasses...

Then, Steve modeled his hat - handspun BY STEVE and then handknitted BY STEVE. He looks all ready for this winter weather!

The living room crew was at it - spinning, knitting, and sharing some laughs. The after-hours jokes started early this month. The best one was that Steve had to go to the hospital for a test and they shaved his body. It was an I.Q. test. The results came back negative. Oh Steve, if we can't pick on you, then who?

The table was very festive with the seasonal red tablecloth. I brought a month's worth of felted flowers for decoration. I am taking a break right now from making flowers. I am just tired of wrinkly fingertips all the time. Oh-oh. I just checked and my fingertips are still wrinkly. I guess I can't blame it on the flowers. Oops...

Steve and Elizabeth were hamming it up (I think).

Pat is helping newbee Dan M. who came and did a fine job learning to spin, while Troy watches. We hope that Dan had a good time and will become a regular at Back Row Spinners!

Jim is just a cat magnet. Here the cat will not leave him alone...

Steve took a break from knit, purl, knit, purl, knit, purl, knit purl. I am still trying to figure out what he is actually doing to/with Elizabeth. I guess just let your imagination go wild with this one.

Elizabeth had a great pair of socks made from a pattern she got on Ravelry (pattern name: Brigit by monkeytoes). Amy brought presents for everyone - felted soap. Pat brought us each a handmade ornament. We again thank them for their thoughtfulness. And to everyone, have a blessed holiday season and we will see you next year!

November 2008 - brrrrr!

2008-11-24T19:33:00.000-08:00

The weather was a bit nasty, but we had a great turn-out. Again, it was good to see everyone. Since part of us did the flowers, we were divided and didn't get to visit as much as usual.

The living room was filled with spinners and knitters.

The dining room held the class, taught by Melinda. What a blast! Melinda was the best teacher ever and I think we all really learned a lot. It was a lot harder than it looked to come up with decent looking flowers. Coby and Chris were the star pupils, followed closely by newbee Sharon. Steve, Dan D. and I participated. I would have done better, but Steve kept making me screw up so that we were getting in trouble with the teacher. We really lived up to the "back row" tenets.

As you can see, our teacher Melinda never looked at the camera, so all I have is the back of her head...

Back in the living room, Ellen is knitting and Troy is relaxing.

Dan thought something was pretty funny...

Elizabeth, Pat and Lori were spinning up a storm.

And Jamie always has a smile on his face. He and his daughter made the trip up from Indiana despite the weather. It is always fun to see them.

And here are Steve's masterpieces!

And here are Betty's masterpieces!

Back in the living room, Troy, Deb and Ellen's husband (sorry I didn't get his name - I told you, we were very occupied with the flower session).

And at the end of the day, Char attacked her knitting project for her class - socks! She, Sharon and Steve are taking a sock class in Lansing and hopefully we will have photos of their finished socks by January. Yes, Steve, we are expecting two finished socks by January!

As I stated earlier, we had a great turnout - I think we counted 24 all together. I almost made Dan barf when I gave him a bit of lamb stew to eat. Fortunately his response was not the general concensus and most of the lamb stew was eaten. We had a wonderful variety of crockpots full of food. Also we want newbee Sharon ( Sharon, you are only a newbee this time) to come more often and bring more sugared pecans - we were fighting for the last few left.

The class wants to say a BIG THANK YOU to Melinda for taking the time to put on the workshop and share all her expertise with us. I am sorry that I didn't get photos of everyone's flowers to put on the blog - I was too busy trying to make mine turn out.

We have updated the spin dates (see the top of the blog). And we have two shearing dates set. In February, our regular monthly spin will be in conjunction with Char's shearing and held at Char's house on Sunday, February 15. More details will be available as the time gets closer.

Steve's shearing date is set for Sunday, March 1. That will not be the monthly spin, but anyone who wants to spin will be able to.

Have a happy Thanksgiving and see you in December!

Spinning in October - 2008

2008-10-22T14:47:00.000-07:00

Happy Halloween Month---

What a huge group we had! We tried to do a count and it ended up somewhere between 20 and 30!! We had some new faces, some faces that we hadn't seen in months, and then the old stand-bys.

Dinah and Jacki hammed it up for the photographer - it was good to see them again.
Pat, Elizabeth and Amy were really concentrating on their spinning.
Melinda was working on some needlework, Pat was taking a break, and Elizabeth was watching.

It's really mostly about visiting - we just use spinning as an excuse to visit!
Dinah put her hands on Steve's fiber and had to have it. Steve is trying to wrap it up for her.
And Jim just turned ??, so there was a birthday cake to celebrate!

Steve and Betty posed for a quick photo (yes, it's really me in the photo).
I wore my "special shirt" for Jamie and then he wasn't there!

Maggie spinning on her "new" wheel, while Dan, Amy and Karen are visiting.

Kat is learning how to use wool combs - I was kind of hoping to be like Tom Sawyer and have her comb the whole bag of Cormo that I brought. But she only lasted about as long as I did...
Outdoors, the construction crew was hard at work building a well house for the farm. Sparks were flying (isn't this really a great action photo??).
Jim W., Troy and Kal worked to complete the job. It was great weather for working outside.
Approaching completion.

Fortunately the outdoor project finished in time for Jim W. to share a few jokes. Definitely Back Row only...

Pat, Elizabeth, and Troy sitting calmly, right before a minor candle fire emergency caused the smoke alarm to go off and then First Alert called because of the smoke alarm, and it was almost even more exciting. I was thinking police, fire department, ambulance. Jim was thinking how the dickens did they know that the smoke alarm went off. Kind of big brother scary.
The evening was rounded off with my camera turning itself off and on, prompting a camera lesson for Steve. I drooled on Kaylan's camera and she drooled on Steve's camera. When he's not looking, I think I will "borrow" his camera...

I fell short of my photo job by not getting a shot of Christina's new projects - her jewelry making. She wore earrings and a bracelet that she had made since we last saw her, and they were awesome! Congratulations on your new endeavor, Chris!

Next spin will be Sunday, November 16. Time will be 2 p.m. and bring a dish to pass. As an added bonus, Melinda will be teaching us how to make wet-felted flowers. If you are planning to attend this mini-workshop, get in touch for a list of supplies and a "spot" at the workshop.

And a Halloween reminder - don't eat too much candy!

Stearman's Visit - September 28, 2008

2008-10-07T16:04:00.000-07:00

What a great time we had! The fruited turkey was awesome! And things started out goofy, as you can tell from the look on Steve's face...
Maggie and Dan were very sedate, to start anyway.

Kaylan was busy knitting (or was it crochet?) and Bill appeared interested in what was happening.
Madeline was very sincere with the discussion, as Char and Bill look on.

Then Pat and Jim arrived from their day at Bowen Mill.
Then Shawn the Sheep showed up. Bill was happy to see him.

Madeline was also happy to see him.
And then, after she thought about it...
And then Elizabeth gave Bill his present.

We all watch in awe of Bill while he opens his present.

And there is it!

Of course, in typical man fashion, Bill puts it on his head. We inform him of his error.
So then, he starts to put it on the right way.
It loses a little something over clothes, but we can't really expect more.

It appears that Elizabeth got the size just about right. And the red, white and blue really sets it off for Bill.

It seems to be bunching a bit in the back.
There - it looks like he got it straightened out.

Steve finds a bit of humor in it. Be careful laughing too hard, Steve.

Bill is now feeling pretty comfortable in his present.

We all had a lot of fun. Did I tell you about the fruited turkey yet? Well, it was really good and it was like a Thanksgiving meal. Char brought special mashed potatoes, Betty brought a salad, and Maggie brought the best cheesecake ever.

We enjoyed Bill's visit and wish he was able to participate more often here.

We had lots of laughs on topics that can't be addressed here. Some jokes were retold, some new jokes told.

Bill really seemed to enjoy his gift.

Then we all headed out to load sheep. Below is the result of loading the sheep. Does anyone know what it is??

Sorry for the delay in putting this blog out - it's been hectic! I have a batch of cormo soaking right now. So much fiber, so little time. Wait until to you see the roving that Coby just got back from Wooly Knob!

Our next spin date is Sunday, October 19. Hope to see you there!

Special Guest and Mid-September Spin - 2008

2008-09-15T13:31:00.000-07:00

Shaun the Sheep was our special guest on September 14, when he visited the Back Row Spinners as part of his world tour. We hope he enjoyed his time with us. He was quite the ham when he was here.

Here is Shaun with an original Jensen. (Nasty-peiner?)

Here is Shaun riding on a skein of some heavenly cormo.

Wooly Knob arrived with bags and bags of fiber, so Shaun had to jump right in and see if he found any relatives in the bunch.

A group discussion in the dining room. I'm not sure what they were talking about, but Steve looks so intense with his glasses on...

I'm not sure if it was Troy or Shaun drinking the wine, but Troy is looking pretty happy about something. Hmmm, maybe that answers my question about the wine.
Melinda ducked out before the group photo, but I caught her working on her knitting project. And Elizabeth is spinning on her new Kromski.

New Back Row Spinner Christina is having a bite to eat while Shaun is hanging onto her ankle. It was great to have new group members this month. In the lost and found, there is a dish and plastic container that we think belongs to Christina. Too bad Kat didn't forget her basket...
Jamie and Shaun are checking out something under the table. As you can see, it was raining outside and Jamie refused the offer of a dry shirt (or the option to be shirtless while his dried out).
Lori and Elizabeth spinning, while Jim is eating. What a batch of vittles we had! Great variety and lots of it. The pumpkin bars were fantastic - and that is from someone who isn't a pumpkin fan! Elizabeth's soup was great. And Steve made a spicy vegetable slaw. I even had some pate - I still think it looked like cat poop...(but it did taste good).

Jim is still eating, while Coby is sorting locks of fiber. Char is concentrating on something and Christina is spinning.

Kaylan is happy about something - maybe that she is done with school and ready to get on with life.

Elizabeth is giving me her usual photo pose and Troy is still looking happy.

My very first blog photo! I am actually drinking some wine with Shaun looking on. Char is holding Duncan, Christina is spinning, and Back Row newbie Kat is, well, I'm not sure what Kat is doing. She is spinning, but I'm not exactly sure what else.
WHAT A GREAT GROUP PHOTO!!! Sorry that we didn't get organized until after Melinda left, and sorry that some of our regulars didn't make it. It was taken in honor of Shaun's visit, but I think it should be a regular part of our activities. All in favor, say "Aye." (Not all at once, please.)

Next spin date: we are having a "special-in-honor-of-Bill's-visit" spin on Sunday, September 28. Same time same place. Bill is cooking a special fruity turkey, so bring something to pass that will accent the turkey.

Our next regular spin will be Sunday, October 19. Hope to see you there.

Michigan Fiber Festival - August, 2008

2008-08-30T10:55:00.000-07:00

We didn't have a regular spin in August because of the Festival. Several of our group had booths at the Festival, so I tried to get photos of each of "our" vendors. Also, many of us were at the post-festival pig roast. Another great time and great food. Many thanks to Mike and Heather!

My first stop was at Deb's booth. Next stop was at Amy's. She was set up right next to Deb.
Then off to the barn to check in on Elizabeth who was in between sessions of the make and take for the kids. I talked to Pat about it and they had a very good turn out for their sessions. Even Maggie got conscripted to help out some.

On to Mike's booth, where he is making a pitch to a prospective customer.
Jamie is smiling (as usual). He is holding up a stand-in for Matt who was not able to come up for the festival this year. Matt - we missed you! We also met Jamie's mom and dad and they came up for the pig roast too.
Here is Suzanne's booth. She is an infrequent part of our group, but I recognized her red hat.
It was almost like old home week as I saw so many of you there. We are so lucky to have such a great festival this close to home.

I hope that everyone was able to find everything that they wanted at the festival. Some of us spent more than we planned on. Some photos of purchases can be found under Back Row Spinners in Ravelry. If you haven't joined yet, it's lots of fun and lots of information can be found. It is also a great gobbler of time...

Here are a few snapshots after the pig had been eaten and we are just sitting around in the beautiful full-moon night. The weather was about the best ever that night!

We made some new friends that are in Mike's other group - S.A.B.L.E. from the Holland area. We also heard some new jokes (can't print them here). I think that we may have some new guests/members at our next spin.

Speaking of which - our next spin is Sunday, September 14, at Steve's. Bring a dish to pass. We may have a really special guest - Shaun the sheep! We will be trying to do a group photo for him.

Steve is much better - back on his feet/foot so to speak. He expects to go back to work next week!

Hope to see everyone on September 14.

Lazy Summer - July 27 Spin Day

2008-07-31T13:50:00.000-07:00

What a fantastic turn-out for spinning! The chairs were filled and more located from the upper reaches of the house. Elizabeth came pretty early - do you think it was to get her NEW WHEEL?!?

Happy Elizabeth (with her Reeves original).
Happier Elizabeth (with her Reeves original)!
She even took the afternoon off her sock madness to spin with the new wheel. Now I can shop at the Festival - maybe I will have something new to spin on for our next spin ;)

We had a slight frenzy this afternoon when Steve emptied the studio of his old roving. Free fiber for all! It was very exciting for those of us who reaped the generosity of our host. Jim had a mild heart attack when he saw how much fiber was in our car, but then he got over it when I told him it came gratis.

Steve is holding Abby (or is it Abbie?). She doesn't mind having her photo taken as much as Duncan. Steve also wanted me to be ba-a-a-ad; some pretty raunchy jokes were being exchanged and he wanted me to put a graphic of one of them on the blog. Fortunately, I don't know how, so everyone can just think ba-a-a-ad, then multiply by two or three, and you will have it.

Greg is working on soap in felted wool, Steve is hosting (I don't think he was in the mood to spin), Karen is spinning and Pat is demonstrating for us on a four-prong lucet.
Pat is crocheting on a hat, Matt is visiting with Kaylan. Also, congratulations to Kaylan for her degree. Even though it came on a half sheet of paper, just think of all the hours spent to get it. Also, Kaylan, you need to expand your range - males 18-45 just cuts out too many ready, willing and able males. Well, ready and willing at least.

Elizabeth is spinning on her NEW WHEEL, Amy is spinning, Char is spinning, and Coby is visiting with Melinda (see next photo).
Melinda is visiting with Coby, Lori is really concentrating on spinning, new attendee Emily is also spinning. I hope we didn't scare her away... And Greg is still working on his projects.
Elizabeth, Lori and Char. I am not sure who belongs to the wine in the glass, but someone brought some dandelion wine and everyone enjoyed it.

A bit of a glare off the top of Steve's head, with Mike spinning and Jim taking it all in. Jim is part of the non-spinning moral support group in Back Row Spinners.
Kal is working on something, Jamie is relaxing after hauling fiber here and then loading up fiber to go back with, another Jim standing in the door, Steve getting something to eat, Char and Mike just happy to be there.
Troy sitting alone. I think this is when the raunchy jokes were flying and he's trying to decide if he wants to laugh or not.

I guess he decided that he should laugh after all. Especially after Steve almost fell off the chair at one of the jokes - you know which one, Steve...
A quick snap of Duncan with his piggy before he slunk under the sofa. He definitely isn't a ham when the camera comes out.

Now for the business: there are still several items in the Lost and Found - see our past blogs. There is a dish and a bowl, gloves and a hat. Lori got her sweater, and Kaylan was there, but I'm not sure that she got her sweater. Amy did try to pull a fast one with the bowl - Elizabeth and I both still really want it. Char wanted to be in on the auction for it.

We will not be meeting to spin in August. We hope to see everyone at the Michigan Fiber Festival in Allegan. And then we are all invited to the annual pig roast at Mike and Heather's on Saturday, August 16. The feast usually starts around 6 p.m. or so. Bring a dish to pass. If you are staying for the bonfire, you should also bring chairs. If you need directions on how to get there, send me an e-mail (betikins@ accn.org).

Coby's shop will also be open during the Festival. Check her website for details.

Our September spin will be on September 14. Also, we have a tentative fall spin schedule set up so mark your calendars: October 19, November 16, December 14.

Here is a photo of the infamous tick that I had attached to me earlier this month. I will keep you posted as I get information back from the CDC about it.

And last, but definitely not least, here is my grandson and his first attempt at spinning earlier this month. He has watched me spin and decided this year was his year to try it. He liked the foot part the best. He wanted me to sit and do the hand part while he did the foot part. I wanted him to do it all. He did a good job for his first try. I am sure he will give it another try next summer!

Summer Is Here - June 2008

2008-06-27T08:10:00.000-07:00

Another fun day for spinning. Rain showers kept us indoors. I thought Steve had the furnace running - DUH - it was the air conditioning. Pleasantly cool (and what was I thinking...)

We had a moderately small group. It was good to see Marilyn and husband Mike. We missed Deb who was busy elsewhere. Kaylan was missing. Char was expected, but didn't show. Others were expected - maybe in July. Mark your calendars - July 27.

Elizabeth wore our favorite Yarrn t-shirt.

Lori, Melinda and Heather were spinning up a storm.

Troy, Mike (losing a little bit of his soul?), Coby, and Steve were discussing sheep, fiber, or something.

Then Steve started acting up, of course. I think I see his tonsils!

Jim also decided to act up just a bit.

Then out came Mom R.'s glasses, so several of us had to try them on.

Now we are getting down to the foot of the Blog - pick a pair!

LOST AND FOUND: only one item this week - a nice Land's End top. I was going to take it, but it was too small for me. Then someone said they thought it might be Lori's. Anyway, now Lori, you have two things to get in July - your top and the dye stuff that I forgot to bring.

There are also still a few items from last month's lost and found - only the sweater was claimed (though not picked up yet, Kaylan). Elizabeth and I are still trying to decide how to share the bowl, so if it's yours, you better claim it before it's gone gone gone. Check last month's BLOG to see what items are still there.

To close, the tick collection is extremely small this year - only 12 so far, compared to over 500 by this time last year. The bone collection is just about normal, maybe slightly down from last year.

I saw that Steve has updated his BLOG with sheep for sale, so if you are shopping for sheep, visit his BLOG at: http://www.shelteringpines.blogspot.com/

Coby also has a great BLOG at: http://www.cjkopeccreations.blogspot.com/

I will try to figure out how to create links, but these will have to do for now. See you in July and don't forget that the Michigan Fiber Festival is in August!

MAY 18 - GREAT DAY FOR SPINNING

2008-05-19T12:09:00.000-07:00

The weather was a bit too chilly and windy for outdoor spinning, but a good time was had by all. We had a few newcomers (you know who you are) welcome! I hope that we weren't too "back row" for you. We missed a few regulars (Maggie, Deana, Deb and Kaylan to name a few).

We had fun with the fiber swap meet - a few sales were made, and the buyer and seller both left happy. There wasn't really any "what was I thinking" stuff - everything was first class. By next spin, all our purchases will be made into the most wonderful yarns, ready to be used (right?).

You have a whole month!

Good food was had (newbee Linda's rhubarb crisp got the most raves - it was scrumptious), but the best is always the fraternity of us fiberholics. Lots of laughs and information flowing.

Jamie arrived with a truckload of processed fiber - it was Christmas in May! Opening all the bags and feeling all the fluff.

WOW!
Mike and Heather won the prize for the biggest bag of returning roving.

I brought my tick collection and we had a very informative learning session about ticks. I am running out of oddities to entertain our group with, so if any of you have anything you want to share, please bring it with you.

We have a calendar for everyone - mark the following dates on your calendars:

> June 22

> July 27

> September 14

We have skipped August as we will see everyone at the Michigan Fiber Festival. This lets everyone plan ahead and save these dates for the Back Row Spinners.

Below is the LOST AND FOUND or FORGOTTEN AND FOUND section. Please claim these items if they are yours. The hat and gloves were left on shearing day. It's getting to be summer, so the owner of the sweater probably won't miss it until November. Both Elizabeth and I want the bowl. The plate should be part of a set and we are thinking that one person in your family is tired of eating off a paper plate. In June, we are going to have a silent auction for any unclaimed items with proceeds going to the lost lamb society.

I will end this month's newsletter (did I leave anything out?) with a candid photo of Troy with Abbie. Abbie was a bit camera shy, so Troy offered to hold her for the picture.

See you in June!

Next Spin May 18 - Be There!

2008-05-08T11:22:00.000-07:00

Our next spinning date has been set for Sunday, May 18 - usual place (Stephen's), usual time (2 p.m.-ish). Bring a dish to pass, as usual.

We are going to try something new this month - A SWAP MEET! Bring anything that you don't want anymore (fiber-related, of course) to sell or trade! Roving, fleece, tools, etc. It was so cool last month that we are going to expand it and try it again this month. Don't feel like you have to - just if you want to. I know that we all have said to ourselves, "What was I thinking!" when we dig out some stash that we forgot we had. Well, now is your chance to trade it or sell it to someone else who can keep it for 20 years and then dig it out and say, "What was I thinking!"

At the time of this writing, I think that Jamie (and Matt?) from Wooly Knob will be here, so if you have any fiber that needs to be processed, here is your chance to send it back with him.

Depending on the weather and bugs, outdoor spinning is a possibility - bring your own lawn chair if you want to be outside.

HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!

First Edition - April 2008

2008-04-22T07:58:00.000-07:00

Sunday was a great day for spinning!

There was fiber to buy - one person was destashing (oh, the agony) and then there was some fiber making its way back into Michigan from Greencastle the week before. We all oooohed and aaaahed at the feel of the silk and merino blend, the alpaca and shetland combo, the mohair (how can it be so soft!). Some money changed hands and some of us went home with new treasures.

Steve also finished lambing that day - a new little girl (lamb) was born while we were there - surprise surprise! His pastures are full of mothers and babies. I can hardly wait until next February when we can get our hands on all those fleeces.

We tentatively named our group (Kaylan's suggestion) and I offered to put forth a newsletter of sorts (I am out of my element here, so you must bear with me). If you don't like the name and can come up with a better one, let me know.

We were definitely acting out the part of the Back Row as the day progressed on Sunday.

Anyway, fun was had and we also got some spinning and knitting/crocheting done. What more could you ask?

Other newsworthy items: Mike Ludlam's father passed away last Thursday. Keep their family in your thoughts and prayers.