FAF- Fiber Arts Friday Ideas

Hey All, Where do I start? I have so much I want to share with you. OK lets start with the newly spun art yarn below. This yarn was a blast to spin. Its full of treasures and trinkets. Ill only tell you a few. An interesting fish charm, crochet flowers, sequins and loads more treasures throughout. I will be listing it on Etsy soon. So lets get to to FAF Fiber arts Friday. I'm showing you a series of scarves that I actually knitted this week! Yup all in a week and spun the yarn. I used my art yarns, 45 yards to be exact.  I also made a tutorial video on the stitch used to make the yarns. Its on You Tube and you can find it under Pamsfiber, then go to Drop st tutorial, its free and I give a lot of tips on knitting with art yarns and show you how to do the stitch used in these scarves.  I will be adding lots of tutorial videos in the coming months for both knitters and spinners. Check it out on You Tube under PamsFiber.
Next I wanted to share with you the neck pillow I made out of my Out Of The Box art yarnfor the FAF idea.  It was simple and is absolutely adorable. Its been a big hit with those who have seen it. I used 45 yards of art yarn, sz 17 needle, muslin, wool for stuffing (or use poly fill) and sewing thread. Here is how I did it. I first CO 30 st, I knitted until I used up all the yarn (45 yards) leaving enough yarn to sew the sides. I then laid out the piece and cut the muslin the exact size of the knitted piece. I folded the muslin in half and whip stitched 3 sides. No concern how your sewing looks it wont be seen. I then stuffed the muslin pillow, really stuffed it so it would support my neck as a neck roll. I then sewed the 4th side closing the pillow. I then sewed 3 sides of the knitted piece with the yarn tail you should have left, inserted the pillow and sewed the open end . VIOLA! Fast, easy, 45 yards and you have a wonderful pillow that you'll love to have by your side. Use as a neck pillow, lumbar support pillow, take it in the car or just place it on a chair to admire....I hope you like this FAF project! Enjoy. Be sure to let me know if you make one and maybe even send a picture. See you next Friday! PS don't forget to go on You Tube and type in the search section Pamsfiber for the free video. You can view my yarns at http://www.pamsfiber.etsy.com/

Farm news: AIR CONDITION in the farm shop! YAY! Open most Sundays and some Saturdays, Call to be sure and as always will open anytime by appointment.
The animals are surviving the heat but some days are not happy about it. I keep the fans on them and they keep still and passe their eating so as not to heat up to much.... They all say Hi and hope your enjoying your summer......HUGS from the farm. I was able to figure out how to post the link to You Tube! Im getting so computer savy! LOL! Enjoy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pdWiWRBdbKY&list=UUqRsUUC5RELHiUbtv7XwBjg&index=2&feature=plcp

Join this blog as a follower anytime in July and be placed in a drawing for a FREE Spinner's Notebook fiber arts book. If your not fmiliar you can find it listed in my Etsy shop.....drawing end of month /beginner of next! Join up and keep a watch for FAF! And tutorials onYou Tube....

What to do with left over Art Yarns.....from PamsFiber

Hello everyone, so here I am to share ideas on using left over or small amounts of  "Art Yarns"  We all know the time and cost of the material that goes into art yarns so it becomes very precious to us. I have some folks ask "what would I use this for?"  Its lovely but I'm not sure what to do with it." So I thought that every week or so, most likely on FAF fiber arts Friday I would post ideas. Sometime art yarns are sold in low yardage counts or sometime we have that gorgeous 6' or 3' piece left over and we certainly don't throw it away, so we wind up with a basket full of them, using on a gift package for someone. This in its self is a wonderful idea especially if its a fiber friend. But here today I'm showing a few very simple ideas that I have used those left over or sample spinning runs of art yarns for... First pictured is my lamp shade decoration. What you can't see in the photo is to the left of the lamp is my live plant corner. I thought this looked to be like a vine and fit right in next to the plants! Response, people love it. "Where did you get that lamp shade?" So success with that 6' piece of art yarn. Next is a 36" of  brightly colored practice art yarn that was spun with a variety of left over roving's and 1/2" wide silk ribbon.Its a lumpy bumpy double plied yarn. As I said, it was just a trial run so now what do I do with it. VIOLA! a bracelet with a funky hand painted handmade ceramic button. I wrap it around my wrist twice and button it. It also fits the neck..Great! I didn't throw it into the" what do I do with this bin." Next is another 6' Navajo plied handspun from one of my custom batts. This was also a practice yarn. All I do is wrap it around my neck 5 times let the ends hand and here it is, a nicely textured lariat. I loved this so much I spun another and will list it on Etsy. I may add a trinket to each hanging end. So there you have it, this week ideas for low yardage art yarns. Next week I'm going to have a few more ideas that will involves knitting and a weaving project. For the weaving project you don't have to have any knowledge of weaving. So be sure to check back for FAF ideas.  Farm news is... its hot, its hot, its hot! The animals have the kiddy pools and fans and they get nice cool carrot treats during the day and sprayed with the hose if they choose to. Not much else goes on in the heat in the barnyard. Everyone just lays in front of the fan taking an occasional splash in the kiddie pool, awaiting  night fall for the cooler temps.

Be well everyone, stay cool and spin or knit on! XO Pam


PS please join my blog as a follower and you will be eligible for free give a ways, and when I post an art yarn idea that you may need more information on or you have questions, your membership to my blog will entitle you to feel free to write me and ask me for more specific patterning information. Please join in for the fun! Oh and if you have an idea, pleases share

Camp Plucky Fluff And Some Farm News

Welcome,
Last weekend I attended the Plucky Fluff Camp with Lexi Boeger  author of three art yarn spinning books. It was fantastic, creative, positive, full of information and techniques. The camp was arranged by Dayna from Madison Wool and took place on an awesome farm also in Madison. The farm was a spectacular setting for the camp, thank you Laura Lyons for such beauty!
 I met the most fabulous women. For me this was the greatest! It confirmed and supported the fact that spinning handspun yarns does not have to be boring! I have been spinning what some would call unconventional yarns for the past year or so that I have just fallen in love with using. But others are not sure how to use them. I love to spin traditional yarns but art yarns are the bomb! Full of surprises and loaded with character. They are wonderful for embellishing a piece or used alone, they turn heads! I learned that ALL yarns have a place. Yarns are not only for knitting once you've learned these techniques. They are ART! Seriously, you can wear them without knitting them, use them as wall art, place in a strategic place in a strategic way and use as an art yarn sculpture. And of course knit with them!  Embellish your knitting or crochet project or add to an already made piece purchased from the department store making it a one of a kind!  Defiantly give as a gift to a knitter friend if you see an awesome skein in their favorite colors!
Below are are just a few awesome yarns that I spun in the Plucky Fluff class and when I came home.  I think this blog will slowly turn into a showcase for my yarns and knit projects. A place of course for all farm news, gatherings and updates.  I would also like to add some fun and quick project ideas with basic instructions for using both art and traditional handspun yarns on a regular basis.The idea for this was inspired by fellow fiber artist Ashley Martineau. Lets change the knitting community and make it into  an knitting "ART" community. Stay tuned for my crazy and not so crazy ideas and pattern. Coming really soon. I'm working on one right now. Its going to be fun to share and give ideas on how to use art yarns that for the most part  spun in small yard batches  because of the time, material and techniques.  By all means if you have any ideas you'd like to share drop me a line.
Now for farm news:
The farm shop is open most Sundays and any other day by appointment. The farm news I have to share is the new line of pottery and artisan jewelry that has been added to the farm shop. Pottery yarn bowls, leaf bowls and more! Hand beaded jewelry and pottery jewelry all made by fellow fiberest and potter Ashlyann....The shop is a must see this summer! Stop on by.
 The next news is that I'm expecting! NO not in that way! I am expecting the arrival of 3 pygora goats at summers end. I'm so excited. I first had to wait for their birth, then had to pick the ones I wanted and now have to wait to have them make the long trek across the country. Its much to hot during summer months so most likely it will be September some time...Pictures to follow in future posts. The fiber will be awesome, type A long and super soft!
By the way the sheep say "Hello" They've lost weight, been on a diet because my shearer said they had to loose weight!! So they look good, feel good and move around a lot more. So it was for the best. I guess that's it for now. My next post will have two completed projects using low yardage from art yarns so check back often for these awesome projects, all tried and tested....
 My yarns are always available in my Etsy shop at http://www.pamsfiber.etsy.com/ as well as my farm shop.  I'm now offering free shipping in the USA

Remember check back to see the fun things Im going to share with you all and for more exciting yarns that I will be spinning.......... XO Pam

2nd free alpaca yarn knitting kit winner!

We have a second winner!! Signed up as "Penny". Penny, email me your mailing address!! Congrat's on winning.

First WINNER has been drawn.

Lisa Steebberg! You have one an alpaca knitting kit from Dream Come True Farm. Please email me an address and when the drawings are complete I'll mail you your kit! Congrat's. I have a great idea for my next drawing si keep an eye out!!! Email me at pamsfiber@aol.com.

Alpaca knitting kit drawing

Drawing for the knitting kits will be this week. I had some written request for an extension do to folks having trouble signing up as followers. But all is well now, I have. Few names to add to the jar and my grandson will choose the lucky names. Good luck to all!!! And I hope the kits will give you so e joy during winter's end.

Winter Free give away drawing! Join in

Just for some winter fun I will be hosting a free give away from Dream Come True Farm. Just sign up as a follower to this blog and your name will go into a drawing for a free alpaca knitting kit. If your not a knitter and you win I will send you some goats milk soap. Just a little fun to brighten up our winter days, which in truth for us here in the North East can't complain this year! Im thankful for the easy winter. Drawing in about a week or so! Three names will be drawn....

PamsFiber went to Vogue Knitting Live in NYC!

Well, the VKL show in NYC was more then I could have hoped for! The very best thing was all my friends and family that came to help or support me! And the all the well wishes and support from the one's who could not make it. Ill never forget them for that. It really meant a lot to me to have them with me to have the one's that could make it with me. Not to mention the fun and laughs they brought!
Then there were the sales! Yes, I was only 200.00 away from my goal. But the interview with Interweave Press made up for the 200 short of that goal. I also met so many wonderful people that I know from FB! Meeting them in person was awesome. I was asked to do a couple of yarn tasting days at various yarn shops, a talk radio interview and to spin for a designer. So I am one happy spinner/shepherdess!
I feel the the Big Apple was very good to me.
Our booth set up came out just like I imagined, even better, more room then I thought. Our dinner with the group of friends and family was so much fun! Lost of laughs and wonderful food from Ariana's Afghan Kabob house.
Our stay at Carla and Milts made the trip so cozy and comfortable. Ashly and Rick were the wonderful helpful friends that they always are. Liz, rocked the booth with Kelly and Brooke when I did my Fiber Preparation and Spinning Demo. Maryi checked in and kept tabs on everyone, suzy and Leslie arranged our wonderful dinner and Leslie, yes you make a wonderful sign maker! Mom and Dad surprised me when they showed up in the Bog Apple! And Mike was as supportive as he always is. I love you all! Your the best.
I have been hoarding the hundreds of skeins of handspun that I worked on for the show so I will be listing what I came home with in my Etsy shop. Some new yarns spun with a different twist! So much new inspiration for yarns, so stay tuned. Keep checking in at.....www.PamsFiber.Etsy.com
My next blog post will have a free winter give away, 3 alpaca knitting kits, pattern and yarn! A thank you to my followers and for fun during the winter months so stop back in a few weeks! Thanks for all who made the Vogue weekend possible, it was a blast and I think it put me on the knitting road map!

So for now I'm going to work on building my Etsy shop with awesome handspuns and getting my farm shop in order. I have loads of creative yarn ideas that I will be working on. And I'm taking a Pluckyfluff Camp class with Lexi Boeger in June so that should be the icing on the cake for my creative handspun yarns! So keep an eye on my etsy shop, and of course you can always make an appointment for the farm shop. And don't forget, follow me on FB for all my spinning and farming ventures. Friend me under Pam Mike Blasko. Love to see you there.

You can also find me on the new " Knitting GPS" App available for iPhones right now and Droid in the near future. It's an awesome tool for vacation or sitting at home surfing through all the yarn shops, their locations, blogs and websites. Brought to you by: Jonelle Beck from SWTC. Awesome App idea.

I hope your winter days are bright, and bring you only the best! XO

FREE give a way in about two weeks!!! Details above. Join in. Tell your friends. If your not a knitter and you win I'll send Goat Milk soap instead. Your choice.

Pamsfiber goes to the Big Apple!

I have been a little neglectful in posting on my blog. It's been with good reason. Back in October I was invited to participate at the Vogue Knitting Live show in New York City! I will be displaying my handspun yarns and doing a fiber preparation and spinning demo. Dream Come True Farm and Pamsfiber now has a signature yarn. It's called "Out Of The Box" it's what I guess I would call an Artful spun yarn, using many different fibers all blended together and an aray of colors. All bold, all whimsical. The date of the show is January 14-16. I will be in booth 1502 and my demo will be on the second floor on the fashion show stage at 12:30 pm on the 15th, Saturday. I have been so darn busy getting ready for the show the time just flew by and my postings here didn't get done. But I'm sure I'll have some great pics from the show and will share when I return home and settle in. Meantime my new "Out Of The Box" signature yarn can be seen in my Etsy shop at www.pamsfiber.Etsy.com take a peek. Wish me luck!

Come Join Me In the "Spinning Lounge" and Sit a Spell

Welcome to my "Spinning Lounge" where I create my handspun yarns. My last post was in October, shame on me! I do have a good excuse. I have wonderful and exciting news. I have been invited by Vogue Knitting to be in the Vogue Knitting show in NYC January 14th, 15th and 16th with my handspun yarns! I am also doing a demo at a scheduled time it will be on Spinning 101! Yes, I may be getting the BIG break that I have been working towards, to get myself out there! Our wonderful friends Ashly and Rick (www.Ashlyannshands.com) will join us to help Mike and I (yes my awesome husband is coming to help) in the booth, as well as my daughter Brooke, my Niece Kelly and my good friend Lizzy from Short and Sweet Farm. I have so many offers from so many of my good friends who are so happy for me and encouraging that it warms my heart and inspires me to work very hard at this to make them all proud! Thanks to all of you! My days are now full, very full. I sit I spin, I sit I spin, I stretch my back, I sit and spin some more! I wash and pick fleeces, I dye fleeces and pick or card more. I knit samples with the yarn Im spinning to sell. This is truly a full time job for me right now. And I love every minute of it. You will find me in the "Spinning Lounge" daily and part of the late evening hours. The room is located in my house and it is dedicated to my fiber. All though I do over flow into other parts of the house. My wonderful husband gives up and realizes he lives with a wool hound and that's that! So my lounge is cozy, has all my tools, smells of wool,lavender and ptchouli. It is full of color and looks out over the barnyard! So my animals can be seen through out the day. The energy is awesome. My hand knit dolls who are my fiber friends sit on a shelf, my collection of spindles sit on the the same shelf where I can enjoy them all. My fiber over flows in baskets and I have my wonderful cozy sitting area's where I spin or knit. Country, classical or folk music plays on my radio or I tune into animal planet and enjoy an episode or two. Where else would I want to be. Its of course my favorite room. Most of my wheels (or the one's I'm using at the time) are in the lounge, the others are on the balcony of the stairs, just waiting for their turn to be used. The reason for the different wheels is they all do something different, they all have their own tune they hum, they all spin a particular yarn suited best for them. They are all my friends! So if your in my area and have the time come sit a spell, maybe do some spinning, knitting, or whatever your fiber choice may be and feel the wonderful energy in Dream Come True Farm and Pamsfiber's "Spinning Lounge" I'd love to have you. So this has been a day in my life as it will play out for the next 7 weeks until the Vogue show....Check out Vogue Live 2011 NYC on the web. Maybe you'll do a field trip. Its going to be awesome! Be sure to find me and visit us at the show if you go!

Dream Come Ture Farm and Pams Fiber Fest Day

Well, after my day yesterday at our 2nd annual mini fiber fest I have decided that fiber people are the nicest people on earth! What a great bunch of women that gathered yesterday here on Dream Come true farm in Oxford CT. Some brought wheels, some brought knitting. Actually most brought both! Totting wheels, knitting bags and home baked goods the ladies began arriving at 10:30 in the morning, spending most of the day sharing fiber ideas, knitting patterns and showing off their recent knitting pattern we enjoyed one an others company. The weather was spectacular! A grand fall day. We even got to wear some of our wool garments! Next years mini fiber fest is already in the works! Yes, I have some big ideas for next year which I'm going to offer the ladies at our next fiber gathering which is a dye day at Ahly's home in November. Thank you to all who came, loved having you and cant wait until we meet again! Which as a reminder let me shout out to all of you Rhinebeck Sheep and Wool Festival!! Just a subtle reminder.......See you all soon. Watch our blog for upcoming events. Don't forget our holiday gathering open to the public will be in November, check back for information and dates. Opening most Sundays, call to be sure I do have some fiber gatherings to attend on a few Sundays 203-736-2630 and as always we will open during the week by appointment most anytime, just give us a ring.
Enjoy the fall weather! See you all soon! Don't forget you can fine my yarns in my Etsy shop, www.Pamsfiber.Etsy.com Or I'd love to friend you on FB... check us out under Pam Mike Blasko. I update all farm and spinning activities daily.
Spin On, Pam