Round up.

First things, first. New yarn in the shop! There's a sale going on over there today and I'm only three sales away from my goal for the year! This week is a dye week, so stay tuned for a fibery goodness update later on this week.

On to the rest...

Hey guys! So sorry about the unexplained absence (were you all on the edge of your seats?)... These past few days have gotten away from me.

Thanksgiving was spent in quiet fashion, with movies, pj's, and spaghetti with meatless balls. The lobster had to get up really really early for Black Friday (he had to be at work at 3:00am for all of the crazies camped out in front of the store) so we took it easy on T Day.

Friday was spent with respective families, which was really nice. We missed my sister (who stayed down south to spend Thanksgiving with her honey) but we worked on a puzzle and ate turkey (well, they did) and watched some Friends. It was a nice day.

Saturday... Oh, Saturday. Windy, tumultuous, uncomfortable Saturday. Saturday we were supposed to have 'Friendsgiving' but when our power went out around 2:30p and my stomach decided to protest the left over stuffing I ate for breakfast (probably laced with pig, right Mom?) we called it off. I napped and vomited (TMI?), then Sean came home from a normal day at work and since the power was still out we went get some yummy and stomach settling veggie Pho and headed to the bookstore to peruse the used book section. When we got home the power was still out, so the lobster headed out for a night at the pool hall and I settled in on the couch with my newly purchased book, every candle lit and a battery powered book light. I was so comfortable and content with a full belly and a new book I didn't even get up to take pictures of my cozy candle lit nook. I stayed there in the dark with a cup of tea or two and "Life of Pi" until I finished it at 2:30a. I read the damn thing in one sitting it was so good. I'd recommend it to anyone with a power outage. Or 6 hours of free time.

The power came on again at 8:00am yesterday after a night of ferocious winds in which we lost our bathroom window and a very large branch (we lost this branch WAY too close to my parked car, btw) and I got very little sleep.

Yesterday was a spin day, I worked on a few yarns that will be finished today, hopefully. We went to bed early and enjoyed a movie at home.

And here we are! I hope your weekend was magical... Stay tuned for some knitted finished object goodness.

Oh, and today marks the last day of National Blog Posting Month, which I failed. But that's okay with me.

Happy Needless Turkey Murder Day!

Things I'm thankful for this holiday:

... Peanut butter and jelly waffle sandwiches.
... Infestations of cute!
... Tofu.
... Netflix and The Big Lebowski.
... My momma who made me buy glasses so my eyes could have a rest when I forget to change my contacts after a month and then rip one and realize I'm completely out of back up disposables.
... Spaghetti and meatless balls.
... Po' Girl, The Kooks, and Free Design
... Spending a traditionally exhausting day at home with the radio on and the windows open.
... Really good books (and re-reading old favorites).
... Tomorrow.
... My family (and their non-judgmental reaction to "I'm just going to stay home on Thanksgiving and cook the lobster dinner.").
... Etsy sales.
... Kitten kisses.
... All of the beautiful people of mine that were born in November (Happy birthday to all of you!).
... And the beautiful people that were not.
... Our home and the natural beauty that surrounds us. And the fact that we can live here with two dogs, three cats, and a litter of kittens.
... Speaking of a zoo of animals, I'm grateful for Marvin who sleeps on my pillow and licks my hair, Stuey who uses me to get to Sean, and Geoffrey, my buddy, who hangs out next to me on the couch all day. And for Mops and his annoying bark and cute flirtatious tendencies, and Huckleberry's howl and sweet face.
... And for you, dear readers.

I hope your day is full of warmth and glow and full bellies and laughter. Happy Thanksgiving.

Wordless Wednesday

Good Morning Beautifuls!

As I begin this post, the clock reads 8:59am. I am up before 9:00am on a Sunday. And what a beautiful Sunday.

I'm writing this with a cup of English tea at my side, two kittens (a symphony of purring in my ear) on my shoulder, and glorious fog shrouding the icy redwoods in my front yard. If it weren't so cold outside I would bundle up to take some photos for you. Also, I got the fire going with minimal effort this morning and that is something to stick close to. I'm sorry I've been a slacking blogger lately, I've been rather busy with things like kittens and tea. :)

In reality, I've been busy spinning up a storm and planning my attack for next year in my etsy shop. I have lots of ideas including a frequent buyer program, a fiber club, and maybe some knitted goodness. I've also been working on my first pattern and I'm very excited about it! Not to mention the mile long list of Christmas gifts I'm making this year. To say the least, my hands have been busy.

The two yarns above are in the shop... All ready for the taking! I'm spinning up another beauty right now for a winter solstice giveaway, stay tuned for that in the next few days.

I have to admit that I'm a little astounded as to how well my little shop has done this month! My goal at the beginning of the month was to make 25 sales and here we are (with a week and some change left in the month) with 44 sales! WOW! When I reached 35 sales I made a new goal for myself of 50 sales before January and thanks to all of the amazing support from etsians and blog readers alike, I only have 6 sales to go. Thank you all so so much for your support and for helping make my dreams become a reality.

Speaking of awesome and supportive people... Check this out! My beautiful friend Wanda spun up one of my rovings (in the Ford colorway) the same day she received it in the mail! And she did a gorgeous job.

One more awesome and creative person used my Riverbed colorway as a base fiber for this beauty.

I'm in the process of ordering more un-dyed fiber and I've stocked up on some beautiful dyed roving from other talented etsians, so keep an eye on the shop in the coming month for awesome gifts for the knitter/crocheter in your life.

Today...

I woke up early to pack up orders and hit the post office.
"Santa's cookies" candles.
Spinning 2 skeins of yarn (busy me!!).
French fries and Star Trek with my honey.
Roasted veggie and pumpkin soup.
Rain and a roaring fire to keep me warm.
Uggs and French breakfast tea.

Today is a heavenly day. More tomorrow!

Wordless Wednesday

Dye Day

For the spinners and dreamers. Check out my shop, big update today and they're going fast!

P.S. I swear I will give you a real post soon, I've been working like a little busy bee getting roving dyed, yarn spun, gifts knitted, and everything organized/listed/wrapped/shipped. It's a factory of awesomeness around here!

Little Update

Wow, yesterday got away from me! I fear today may have the same problem so I thought I'd drop in to tell you that there's a new lovely in the shop (and that I hit 30 sales! New goal for this year is 50 sales before January 1st. Thanks for all the help getting me there!).

Shame on me...

I missed two days of NaBloPoMo! Don't you fret, though... I'll make it up to you today.

So I always like to read artist features (in the storque, especially, because I really enjoy reading about how other people do the etsy thing) and the question of 'walk me through your creative day' is always my favorite question. It gives me an idea of the creative processes of others and the rhythm in which they make it all happen. So today, in light of not updating for three days, I thought I'd take you through my day one piece at a time (meaning morning, afternoon, evening). I'll try to make it interesting and detailed and photographic. I've come up with a rather nice rhythm for getting things (all things) done. The shift from fully employed to part time artist/full time student was a transition I've fallen in love with (minus the occasional money worry) and I like to embrace the freedom in a small way every day. I like to allow myself space to do things that may not be exactly what one would expect, but just as valid.

Without further ado, mornings in the lobster tank (btw, this nickname for our little mountain home comes from the Friends episode where Pheobe calls Ross and Rachel lobsters... Which in turn became Sean's nickname and as mine is the urchiness... well, you get the idea.).


Mornings are slow around these parts, I'm not a morning person. Add that to the fact that we don't have a heater and that makes for lazy mornings spent in the cocoon of jersey sheets and kitty cuddles. I usually wake up around 8:30 and doze for half an hour before getting up the nerve to leave my nice warm bed and bundle in many layers to spend another half an hour building a fire to warm up my work space.

Once the fire is going and the kettle is on, I open up my computer to do my morning blog reads, blog posts, e-mails, etsy sales, etc. I spend about an hour and a half with a cup of tea (or two) and some inspiration. Then, if I have any product photos to take care of (none today because I'm a bit behind on my spinning) I do them in the foggy morning light. Around 11:00a, I sit down with breakfast and a notebook to plan out the days goals and start the work day. This is where I brainstorm, make lists, and set up my day. I often try to get in a chapter of whatever book I am reading or to do a study guide as well.

I do chores next (dishes, make the bed, sweep the floor) and then pack up any sales and take a walk down to the mailbox to get them on their way. Then I begin some spinning, knitting, or dyeing, depending on what ended up on that goals list. Before you know it, it's 1:00p and time to start my afternoon routine. I'll be back later for that one. :)

A few things to share...

Need some inspiration?

Something delightful to crunch on?


The perfect bath towel?


A hat of magic?


Something twirl-worthy?


A place to carry your latest novel? (Speaking of, what are y'all reading these days?)


A spot in which to daydream?


Inspiration. :)

I am a solitary being...

So when the lobster (bless his beautiful soul) is home for most of the week with a stomach bug, I want to blow his brains out. Or mine. Maybe both.

Today I've been struggling with getting things done and it's partly because the house has become shelter to a viral incubus. I'm ready for it to purge away.

So I've banned my honey (who is feeling a bit better and shall be off to work tomorrow) to his man cave (also known as the loft) in a very nice way with his manly Netflix and his manly peppermint tea. And I'm zenning out with Lisa Hannigan in my headphones, a yummy petite sirah in my favorite wine glass, and catching up on my peace. My etsy shop policies are getting a revamp, I'm finishing up a gorgeous handspun (oh how I love spinning BFL!), I'm working on Christmas lists, and the fire is keeping me warm on this dreary and glorious night.

I like solitude. I need solitude to get things done. I'm blessed to be able to spend my days creating and dreaming and exploring myself... Alone. I love my honey and wouldn't have anyone else, ever, and I miss him when he's not around. But I still like my solitude. I'm lucky he's understanding of that.

In other news, my Twitter account was hacked today, so don't open any DM's from me! Apologies to whoever got one. I also bought new shampoo and conditioner (mandarin and olive oil... YUM) that I'm excited to use during my shower tonight (it's the little things in life, no?) and I can't wait to cast on some stripey fingerless gloves in this amazing yarn I treated myself to. In fact, I think I'll do that now. Stay tuned for pictures of the new handspun!

Also, how do we all feel about a giveaway? Anyone need a skein of handspun yarn to celebrate NaBloPoMo? If this comment section gets enough interest I'll definitely launch a giveaway after midterms next week as a 'thanks for your support and follows'. Let me know you're reading! :)

Today...

Peach tree... theurchiness.etsy.com

The Lobster is sick. :( Right now he is trying to regain his powers with Superman PJ's and Indiana Jones (Raiders of the Lost Ark) on the tele. Send healing thoughts.

I bought a year's worth of soap from this beauty. (She's having a giveaway on her blog, you should check it out.)

I sold the Never Land yarn. (I put it on etsy early as an 'in between updates' update... And it's gone only a few hours later!)

Happy it's raining (I hate watering my plants so they were mad and depressed, but are now happy!)

I'm in a treasury. Thank you noblegnome!

Enjoying listening to autumn.

Got a package of really pretty roving in the mail and am inspired to start spinning!

Hello my lovelies...

I'm sipping on Vanilla Caramel tea (with milk and a tiny bit of brown sugar... You would not believe how amazing this stuff is. It smells like cookies.) in my newly cleaned house. There is a lovely fire burning in the wood stove, candles burning on the bookshelves, and Dean Martin crooning through my stereo. It's nice here, I wouldn't trade it.

Today I cleaned like a mad woman. I even got up early to do it so I could spend my afternoons the way I like to. I dusted, scrubbed, reorganized, vacuumed, purged, and picked up every single one of the 250 Q-Tips I spilled all over the inside of the bathroom cupboard yesterday. And I feel better because of it. My usual rest spot in my home is my little knitting corner... Which has a great view of the bedroom, office space, bathroom, and kitchen. The problem is when I'm sitting in this spot trying to get some blogging/spinning/knitting done and I can see the dirty dishes in the sink, cat hair stuck to the carpet, and piles and piles of unruly filing taking over my desk. Not conducive to yarn-like relaxation.

But now the house is clean and smelling delicious!

So here I sit with my yummy delicious tea, some photo editing, and a tiny little kitten who has made it her personal mission to kill me with cuteness. I finished that gorgeous yarn (up there^) yesterday (while I was putting off all the cleaning I did today) and I'm very proud of it. It's spun quite evenly and the colors are just lovely (purchased the roving from FreckleFaceFibers). I've named it Never Land. It's 90% merino, 10% tussah silk, light fingering weight and the yardage is around 400 yards. And I think it's a beauty. It will be updated to the shop on November 15th.

Speaking of etsy, as I've been sitting here writing to you I've made two sales! Selling wares is a funny thing... When it rains it pours, it seems. Today I took new product pictures of all of my yarn and I think it gives the shop a nice professional look (take a look, tell me what you think). Next is to re-photograph all the roving, but that's for another day.

For right now, I'm loving my tea, Dino, and spending my afternoon in peace.

And bless you, cloudy and cold weather. I've missed you.

Some girls wander.

To be inspired by... (A few etsy finds and a few other things.)

Dragonfly wings.

Secret gardens and their secret entrances.

New yarn.

Snowflakes and kitten kisses.

Delicious holiday recipes (care to share your favorites?).

Day Two

Today I am...

Inspired by this post by the beautiful Gypsy Girl.

Doing my very best to support some amazing etsy shops.

Watching Jumanji and eating bean burritos.

How are you?

Hello November!

theurchiness.etsy.com

While October is definitely my favorite month (Indian summer, pumpkin seeds, changing leaves), I love November with a passion.

I love you, November.

I love your...
crunchy leaves
needless turkey murder day
family
'friendsgiving' (Saturday after Thanksgiving, people. Mark your calendars.)
cold weather
fog
rain and icy pine needles
national blog posting month (nablopomo.com... I challenge YOU.)
getting ready for holiday craft fairs
frantically knitting
putting up Christmas trees

And I love you, dear blog readers. I updated my shop today and had two sales! Thank you thank you thank you! I've so loved this process of getting my shop up and running well enough to support my fiber addiction and make a contribution to my favorite charities. Way to keep my spirits up, my loves! I'll see you tomorrow for day two of November Blogging Madness!