We're Still Here!

A lot has happened since my last post.  We had my sister's funeral, which went very well.  Karen left a lot of people with a lot of good memories.  Her smile was such a blessing to so many.  She struggled with her RA with dignity and humor.  She was close to the Lord and I know she is with Him now.  I love you, Ka, and miss you terribly.  I'll see you soon!  (soon being a relative term - earthly time compared to eternity.  I don't want anyone jumping to any conclusions). 

Anyway, Gracie had her surgery.  She did great!  She sounds like Donald Duck, but the doctor assured me that would go away as the swelling goes down.  So, far, 1 week, 1 day later, she still sounds like Donald Duck.  As Karen would say, "greaaaat".  lol  Gracie is so precious.  She went to church last night and was just raising her hands during praise and worship and praising her Lord.  I thank God for such a blessing and the opportunity to be her mom.  God has blessed me with 4 wonderful children.  All successful and all pretty much well behaved - as far as I know anyway.  Ignorance is bliss in a lot of areas! 

I am back in my shop today!  Had a very good day!  Met lots of neat folks,  Gracie actually sold some of her artwork to some very kind ladies from Carthage.  I have finished spinning some Golden Retriever hair for a customer and started knitting it into a heart pillow today.  It's going to be very pretty.  Reminds me a lot of Angora hair.  Has a beautiful halo to it. 

Of course, my fun project of all time is the Enterlac scarf!  I love knitting it!  And people's reactions to it are so fun!  I should finish it up within the next week or two.  Can't decide whether to keep it, sell it, or gift it!

I received my "bling" to spin with my handspun!  Stay tuned for some beautiful sparkly yarns!!  I can't wait to get started!

I received a lot of Concord grapes in Tuesday.  Luckily, my mom told me I could just stick them in the freezer until I am ready to deal with them.  That was good news!!  So, they went from the box, to the Ziplock to the freezer.  Some are in the frige for munching.  I love them!  Also, canned 10 jars of peaches.  Yummy!    Added a bit of cinnamon to mine.

Enough for now! 

Take care and have a blessed day!

Kim

www.etsy.com/shop/kjhines6065
www.facebook.com/simplyhomespun

Life Is Not Settled Just Yet!

Getting back in the groove of homeschool after a couple of hetic weeks after the passing of my sister, Karen.  Her service was Sunday and was absolutely beautiful, thanks in no small part to Rhonda Treaster and Pastor Warren.  2 hours before service, none of the videos or slide show would work.  Pastor Warren to the rescue!!  He's my hero!!!  

I'm preparing to leave for Vanderbilt Children's hospital tomorrow morning for Gracie's surgery.  I am preparing the special orders I have received and tying up loose ends.  I'm taking my Joy wheel with me to make some new yarn for my shop and 3 knitting projects, perhaps 4.  So, I will be keeping busy.  Gracie and I will be by ourselves a lot of the time as Gene is going to be working and visiting along.  I will be stuck in the hospital with nothing to do but spin, knit, read and play with my precious daughter!  I am looking forward to it, I have to say.   That is provided, of course, all goes well with Grace's surgery.  I have no reason to think that it won't.   God has her in His hand, that is for certain.

I sold my Mardi Gras Madness yarn over the weekend!  That was the yarn from you know where that I spun with beads.  Am I going to do that again???  Probably, but not now.  It was pretty, when all was said and done.

                 
My sweet inlaws are going to be here taking care of Ben while I am gone and will be holding down Simply Homespun!  So, come on out and visit.  Sorghum season is in full swing in Muddy Pond - lots to do in addition to visiting our shop.

Keep prayers coming for Gracie!

Kim

Living in The Land of Denial

Ok, it's true.  I'm living in the land of either denial (stage one in the grief process) or depression (stage 4).  Hopefully the latter.  All I know is that everytime I think about my sister, Karen, I am having no problem taking those thoughts captive and casting them out!  It just hurts too bad.  I guess I'm afraid of the hurt I will feel if I let myself feel.  Does that make sense to anyone but me??  Probably not healthy, but very comfortable for me right now. 

Anyway, here is the yarn I had started in the last post.  I spun one bat and I called that yarn "the ugly 70's kitchen floor".  There were distinct colors present - brown and yellow especially.  UCK!  So, I ran my other bats through the carder a few more times and VOILA!  Here is the result:

I

Isn't it spectacular!?  I love it, love it, love it!  It's for sale for now, lol.  I don't know how long I can keep from  knitting it!
http://www.etsy.com/listing/80271048/sparkly-autumn-handspun-yarn

Back to my earlier paragraph.  You know, the Bible tells us to take every thought captive.  Why is it so easy to do with thoughts concerning Karen and not negative, complaining, mummering thoughts I have throughout the day?  Those really cause more damage that any thoughts of Karen I could come up with!  I guess it's because with Karen, it is a physical hurt and with these other thoughts, while not a physical hurt, those negative thoughts build up and cause a world of hurt down the road.  I am going to turn this over to the Lord to help me with.  I know He will sign me up for that class!  Remind me to tell you about the time I prayed for humility.  That class was NO FUN!  I can tell you.  Anyway, I always graduate a better person, but the lessons can be tough!

Be good and stay strong in the Lord! 

Kim

Coping

                                                               Me, Ben and Ka 2004

Since I last wrote, my precious, sweet sister, Karen, has gone to live with the Lord.  This is the hardest thing I have had to deal with in my 49 years.  She was my best friend, my cheerleader, my confidant.  She had been sick, but even though, in the end, it looked like she was not going to make it here on earth, it's still a shock to experience.  She passed away on Wednesday morning at 9:10ET.  My dad and mom were by her side, as they had been for weeks.  I'm now trying not to think about it because it hurts too badly, so I'm immersing myself in this:

PLUS

EQUALS

This combined with this:

 will equal the most beautiful yarn I believe, I will have ever created!  Stay tuned...

Christmas Is Coming, Christmas Is Coming!

Yes, ladies and gentlemen, it's that time of year!  Christmas in August!  In the arts business, the earlier the better.  My dad's sweater - still in the making.  It was supposed to have been done for last year's Christmas.  Probably, not going to be finished this year either. 

I did, however, finish a precious Christmas baby pod and hat.   This is Gracie and Gloria modeling for me,  This is from a new book called Welcoming Baby Home The Handcrafted Way.  This book is full of unique baby patterns worked on HUMONGOUS needles!  I added some cashmere to this to make it a little more "la ti da".  What newborn doesn't deserve some "la te da"?  So soft! 

Anyway, all of these items, excluding Gracie and Gloria, of course, are available in my shop. 
http://www.etsy.com/listing/79627188/newborn-christmas-pod-and-hat

Ooohhh.  My big, gigantor needles just arrived!!!!  I also received 15 and 17 double points!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/79632112/ka-bamboo-size-19-dp-knitting-needles

 Can't wait to start working on another project from this cool book!

In honor of it being Husband and Wife week (what would I do without Facebook - I would have no idea of all these holidays!), I thought I would post these words of wisdom found on the serving tray of the Ball Jar Company:

How to Preserve A Husband

Be careful in your selection.  Do not choose too young.  When selected, give your entire thoughts to preparation for domestic use.  Some wives insist upon keeping them in a pickle, others are constantly getting them into hot water.  This may make them sour, hard, and sometimes bitter.  Even poor varieties may be made sweet, tender, and good by garnishing them with patience, well sweetened with love and seasoned with kisses.  Wrap them in a mantle of charity.  Keep warm with a steady fire of domestic devotion and serve with peaches and cream.  Thus prepared, they will keep for years. 

Ladies, go love on your husbands.  They need it.  Who knows, maybe they will give a little lovin back!

If I have some men reading this, go give your wife a kiss and a hug, just cause.  We need that!  Do it without anything else in mind, if you know what I mean!  Sometimes, we just need to be loved and held.  You probably don't get that, but it is what it is, so just do it!  : )

Love you all!

Kim

Handmade Spark - kjhines6065 - handspun yarn and Roving

Handmade Spark - kjhines6065 - handspun yarn and Roving

What A Blessed Day!

The shop is open and very busy!  I have met the coolest ladies today.  And boy, have I learned a lot!  I love fiber artisans!

Well, here is my sock!  Do you see what I did wrong?  Or did I start a new style??  Hmmmm....

(In case you didn't notice, the toe is sideways.  I can't seem to just twist my toes sideways.)  Should I make the mate to match?? 

My inlaws are here and I am loving it!  They are so great.  They bring the island sunshine with them into our home.

I am starting a Christmas Ornament Knitting Club on Saturdays at Simply Homespun on Saturdays from 2 to 4.  We will be knitting a different Christmas ornament each week.  The class is $15.00 and includes all supplies.  We will be meeting every Saturday from now until the weekend before Christmas.  Come and join in the fun!! 

Homeschool group starts back on the 19th of this month!  I am teaching a drop spindle class.  I really excited about it.  We are going to make a drop spindle then learn to spin  on it!  Because we meet on Fridays, my shop hours are changing to:
Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday from 9 - 5
Friday from 2 -7

I have found an excellent source for weaving yarn, so look for that to be added to our product line shortly!  Gene is going to have 10 fits when he sees the selection!  He is almost finished warping for the dogwood placemats!  I can't wait!

Meat loaf, homegrown beans, homegrown potatoes and homemade bread for dinner!!!  Yum Yum!  Just from cutting back on water usage, my water bill was $30.00 less than last month!  By turning off lights in rooms we aren't using and washing in mostly cold water, our kilowatt hours were cut almost by half from last year in the same month!