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.

Schacht Sidekick

Today has been the best day ever. I haven't had a day like this in a long time. The weather around East Tennessee was perfect (for me) a little warm, cloudy skies and light rain. So cozy. And after I taught a crochet class, look what I brought home.

Many of you that know me, know that I have battled with getting a wheel for a long time. I had been waiting for the right one, well we met. I love the Matchless, and will probably end up with one of those down the road, but today it's all about the Sidekick. I have spun all afternoon. So combine the weather, hot coffee, and spinning and I'm in heaven.

One the previous post I put out the information about the felting and fair isle classes coming up on the 18th. I wanted to post some pictures of what would be made in the felting class a long with the instructor.

I hope that you can join us for our workshop. We are planning on having a lot of fun. If you are interested or would like to reserve your seat, please contact me at knittingsatori@gmail.com.

Thanks so much,

So Much Going On and So Much On My Mind

Hey, I'm finally having a few minutes to sit down and catch my breath. It's been a full schedule of coming and going, on the phone on the computer back out running the roads, work, knitting, selling my car, etc. It's been nuts. Then lets add a couple of things that have really been laying on my heart.

Giving. Sounds simple enough. But, it's something that I did a lot more of when I lived in Atlanta. I had more time then and could sit and knit all evening and make things to give aways. Now though my direction for giving is a little different. I don't have a single person or group in mind. I just know that I want to knit and donate when I knit. So I've been asking around to different churches, organizations and charity groups and found a couple that could REALLY use the help. One is a clinic for children and the other is a ministry for the homeless and especially our military that are homeless and living on the streets. Now, if any of you feel in your heart that you would like to join me in the outreach, please email me at knittingsatori@gmail.com. I know for a fact that right now the military homeless are in serious need of socks. Not just hand made, but bags of socks from like Hanes/Fruit of the Loom, etc. I have seen so many wonderful things happen when a person gives. I know I've experienced a few miracles when I've given that could take a whole blog post to talk about. But, really, if you would like to join me, I'd love to talk with you. The child's clinic is mostly looking for blankets, small hand knit or crocheted toys/animals, hats, scarves, mittens, things a long those lines.

One true thing about people in the hand craft community is that we are always ready to help another person, no matter where we are at in our lives. That is an amazing character for such a large group of people. I have seen knitter's and spinners, freely help and assist other's that they have never met face to face, just communicated with online. It's a great thing.

Another thing on my mind (and not so deep) is knitting related also,

Stitches South. I am so hoping that I can work things out financially so I can go. It's looking good right now. Meeting up with some of my knitting students from Atlanta would be so great. I miss them. I would also like to connect with some of the customers/Ravelry friends from Smoky Mountain Spinnery. I guess I need to come up with something that has my Ravelry name on it, so I can be recognized. Any suggestions? I'm even thinking about setting up a meeting time over by the concessions so we could all meet up for a little while.

Writing my bio. I am in a place where I have to write my bio. Let me tell you, I tried it last night and I'm not good at it. I sound pretty dull. I can blog, I can encourage and I can share from my heart and experience, but putting something together about myself in an exciting way. Well, not so much. If any of you have suggestions PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, let me know.

Buying a spinning wheel. This subject has come up many times on my blog. I guess it just wasn't the right time. But, I maybe able to in the next couple of weeks. I'm really praying that it works out. I've got it down to two, (which is great progress from me asking everyone about their wheels). Both are Schacht wheels, The Matchless is my dream wheel, every time I walk by the Matchless at the Spinnery, it calls my name. I love that wheel. My other choice is the Side Kick. What a cutie. It's of course compact, and more portable, spins well, and again the one at the Spinnery and I are on good terms. We like each other. :-)

So that's some of what's been going on. Before I go let me share one of the projects I have on my needles that I'm loving. It's the Agave Scarf, by Universal Yarns. (the link is to the Ravelry description to it) The pattern could be written a little different at first, but once you get it, OMG, you will love it. It's a great knit, easy to watch TV and do, and it's beautiful when finished. 

I'm off again. Out to do my running around for the day. Enjoy yourself, smile a lot, and knit often.