The Last I Remember...

  Well the last I remember it was the first part of March. I had just posted my Foothills Sock  and my daughter and I had a trip to New Orleans planned. Along with that my mom had been hospitalized twice, my uncle passed away and my great-aunt has had a very serious stroke. A lot to handle, YES, can it be done, YES.

  So where do I start?
Let's just talk about the happy things. New Orleans was AMAZING! This is a city that you much experience for yourself. I am serious about this. We were treated so well, and everyone that we came in contact with was so kind and friendly. The city kind of reminds me of a big city on a limited amount of land. There is something to do every minute of the day, and the food industry there is nothing like I have ever experienced. My daughter, (Sara) got to meet the Executive Chef for Emeril's New Orleans, and got a full tour of where she will be working. She is so excited and I am for her also. She has a place to live and April 5th, we will be moving her down there. The apartments are so nice. River Garden Apartments on St. Andrews. Now that has it's own set of problems since the original plans got changed. So we are looking for someone to drive down there with us. Long story. Anyway, the Tuesday evening we were there, the chef invited us for dinner. We were treated so well. I have never seen a dinner service so on point. We sat at the chef's bar, looking into the kitchen being able to watch everything that was cook and watching the back kitchen staff. What an amazing experience. If you would like to see some fantastic photos of the restaurant , menu, staff, etc check out this link. Emeri's New Orleans.

  Creatively New Orleans was such an inspiration. So many artists there, and new ideas. On this next trip down there I hope to spend a little more time talking to the local artists and hanging out in the yarn shops.


While all this has been going on I've been expanding my hand dyeing skills. Mixed Berries & Cream and Bermuda are just a couple of the new techniques and colorways to come. I really appreciate the women who have willing and graciously shared what they have learned but more important I appreciate and am so grateful that these women love to share their knowledge in hopes that you will take what they have learned and make it your own, and turn it into "your own". Our talents and gifts will never grow and they will die with us, unless we share them, unless we plant those seeds into someone elses dreams.  (soap box warning, LOL) These ladies do not have a heart of competition, but a giving heart because they are confident in what they do, and what they know. 

  So off I go to start an evening of dyeing. The coffee is ready and the music is rockin'.

Foothills Sock

The Foothills Sock is now available on  Ravelry and  SmokyMountainColors. I have to thank Cristi for the inspiration for the sock with the Twisted Edge. It's awesome. Here is a link for you to check out her wonderful knitted items. http://turtlegirl76.com .


Now how about a little catch up. :-)


It's been way too long and I have really missed blogging. But, I now have a good reason for updating and loading you all with photos. This afternoon I am headed with my daughter to New Orleans where she will be working at Emeril's. One of Emeril Lagasse's restaurants. Also I have to brag on my son, he is getting so close to his dream of being in the military. He has lost 60 lbs. He looks so great, and he is so healthy, loosing the weight the right way. 


Right after I published the Foothills sock everything got crazy. Also going on at this time is my mom's health has declined and she has been pretty sick. I had to take her to the hospital Friday. We missed her brother's funeral because of it. So you can see, I have had my hands full. The good news is that I have some yarn that is waiting to get dyed. A few of you have requested a colorway that will be the first one I do. As soon as they are dry, you will get an email from me. You know who you are :-)


I have an update about the Foothills Sock. A friend of mine who is also a indie dyer, MoonT of Moon Holler (you can find her on Etsy and on Ravelry) is knitting my sock in some of her beautiful hand dyed. Check it out. I think it's amazing and refreshing when women can support each other. There is truly room for all of us and all our gifts and dreams.


I have a few new things for you on SmokyMountainColors. First off there is a new coupon code. The first Monday of every month use FIRSTMONDAY to get 20% off. Another code is for FREE shipping between March 9-15. Since these are the dates I'm in New Orleans, everything will be shipped when I get home. MARCH915 . 




Thank you for your patience and I can't tell you how much I appreciate you taking a minute to stop and read my blog. You are great!

A Life of Change, A Life of Moving Forward

When I moved to Gatlinburg, almost 3 years ago now, like a child I was filled with dreams, and it never dawned on me that they couldn't or wouldn't come true. Some have, and some haven't (yet).  Sometimes when we are filled with these ideas, dreams and goals, we tend to not think about the journey that it will take to get there. In all honesty the road has been rough. Opportunities coming and going, juggling schedules, unexpected health issues, things I call life happening, serious life happening. But, on the other hand it's been interesting, emotional, taxing and lonely. All things that a personal, private journey should be. No one will ever be able to know exactly how one feels.  Just throwing that out there to think about.

Another change that's moving me forward is that a few friends of mine and I are opening an Etsy Shop. Amazing what wanting to pay your bills with do. :-) Actually I am very excited about this. I will be hand dyeing, hand spinning, and the other ladies involved will be natural dying and blending fibers and spinning also. We are calling the shop Smoky Mountain Colors. If you have ever seen the beautiful Smoky Mountains and the colors that are here you will understand. It's a very inspirational place to be. We are hoping to open our shop July 17th.  I will still be working at Smoky Mountain Spinnery as the hand dyer there and instructor.

So life is full, of good and bad, but it all moves us forward. It's important that we all move forward.

Hand Dyeing Again

It's been a very long time since I had the time to dye anything for myself and I think this is something that I need to do to keep my sanity. Though I sometimes dye at the Studio for work, I'm just not as relaxed and comfortable as I am in my space,  of course. LOL. 

Anyway, I got to experiment with dyeing cotton and then I had time to try another way to dye fiber. It was wonderful. Here are the results.