So instead of taking more pictures of the new tea blends, I got myself into a tizzy and created four more.  I’ll just show you some gratuitous Montana shots instead while I tell you about the new teas.

This beautiful place we call home is a major component of the inspiration, after all.

I’ll go into further explanation as the details get a little more solid, but for today I thought I would let you know the names of the new crew:

• Move Me Brightly
• The Peacock’s Fancy
• Glorybound
• Sacred Earth
• Green Go Lightly
• Prairie Shine
• Firedancer
• Beloved
• Black Moon
• Mountain Morning

Yep.  That’s ten teas that have erupted out of the flurry of flowers, herbs, spices, and top quality teas over the last few days.  It was really fun but I think I’d better take a break for awhile.  I’m a little crazy from all the caffeine.

Whoops, forgot one.  Woodland Maiden.  That one has hops.  And sticks.

So as soon as I get all the names rounded up, I’ll announce the winner of the Tea for Two set on Tumblr (you can see it in the sidebar over there under “current state of mind” ~ it also automatically posts to Facebook).  Thank you to everyone who entered!  I’m excited to see who gets to be the first to try Move Me Brightly–as for everyone else, it will be available on Etsy pretty quick.

shot through the heart.

wookie.

Bench Mondays. That explains a few things.

From my observations in this side of the blogosphere, it seemed that everyone had suddenly been overrun with mice or something.  Well, it just so happens that it’s Monday and I have a pair of shoes to show you, so I’ll be jumping on the bandwagon for a bit.  Benchwagon?

Nice how these things work out sometimes.

As part of my challenge of the utmost kind, I decided to take a fairly hideous pair of shoes (found in a free pile) and see if I could breathe new life into their tired, old soles.

They started out dirty, kind of weird shaped, and very beat up and funky-in-the-bad-way.  I ruthlessly scrubbed them in the sink, let them dry out for a week, and covered them with the fabric that I made from my first run on a rigid heddle loom.  Let’s focus on that instead of the crooked nailheads, shall we?

There might be some more modifications (woodburning on the base perhaps?) and a linseed oil finish, but that’s the gist of it.

And never is there a photo shoot around here without a helper:

No mice around here.  Just a bunch of crazies suffering from cabin fever.  Hope this Monday is delivering new views for your clan too.

I really dig this book because in addition to the modern, elegant adornment patterns (flowers and medallions and butterflies, oh my!), Linda has also included a stitch dictionary with easy-to-decipher instructions.

Detail of stitchwork:  Combination Crunch (page 136) with the Mini Scallop Edging (page 116).   There are also a couple of rows of basic cluster stitches in there too.  The yarn is composed of my handspun Purple Mountains Majesty paired with Highland Peruvian wool and the Woodland Pixie pattern is my own design.

As an experienced crocheter, I feel challenged but the directions are clear and direct enough that my new-to-crochet friend Kelly Ann can navigate her way through them as well.

Forgive the blurry pics…you know what they say about working with children and animals.

The thing I love about making my upcycled yarn is that it creates a beautiful, unique product that has the personality and strength that wool has demonstrated throughout the ages.  Just right for its intended wearer.

Almost got it…

There’s my girl.

One for Papa.

This hat was made from my first handspun yarns and knit up on needles that were far too small for my adjustments to this awesome pattern that I will be using again and again and again.

One for Mama.

This tam was made from the upcycled yarns from my stash using a pattern from my very favorite crochet hat pattern book.

And one for a pretty lady down the street that I traded for a couple of super sweet hula hoops.  This little number is crocheted from Serendipity yarn that was solar dyed.  The hat is my own design.

For those of you who haven’t yet had the pleasure of meeting her, Serendipity is my handcrafted spinning wheel that my great aunt gave me.  She has a mind of her own in a quirky (sometimes frustrating) way.  And she’s the queen of novelty yarn.  It’s pretty much all she makes.

On the left there you can see the latest version of my upcycled yarn efforts.  Basically I ply a bunch of plain bits together into something new and funky.  I’ve been learning a lot by working with already-made yarns and it’s a relaxing and low-key way to practice novelty spinning techniques like coil spinning and Turkish knots.  I’m really digging the effect of the multiple layers of color but the technique needs some refinement in order to create a balanced and secure result.

On the right, you can see the results of this practice with my own hand-dyed, handspun wool yarn.  This particular set is a crepe yarn spun with sparkle and coils.  Sadly, it’s horribly itchy so I think it would be most appropriate for a bag or for outerwear.

You might remember this from a few posts ago but here it is all finished and home from the Community Food Co-op’s Earth Day Art Show.   It’s made from recycled maternity jeans (huzzah!!) and scraps of vintage fabrics that I’ve collected over the years during yard sale quests.  I love it because it’s big enough to carry supplies for both little beans but it doesn’t look like I’m loaded up with enough gear to summit Everest.

The boy and I pulled up his little stepstool and got down to business on a cloudy, rainy afternoon this week and made some of our favorite cookies.

This was his first time helping with something that involved chocolate chips…

He was especially good at helping with this part (yeah, I know)…

and this part.

And although I may be ready, apparently Mother Nature was not.

Win some, lose some.  Ah well, we’ll see what happens tomorrow.  This also gives me a bit more time to work on a couple of almost finished items and that’s always a good thing.

Here’s what’s definitely ready to rock:

Three sets of leggings:  wide wale navy blue corduroy with vintage trim, flannel lined batik with the fire lotus applique, and softer than soft velvety corduroy complete with reclaimed Asian embroidery and a lambswool lining.

And a little wraparound skirt with some pretty intense applique:

After much sewing, seam ripping, cutting, and more seam ripping, the boy now has a sweet little pair of boots and I have a sweet little pattern that will serve me well for months to come.  This pair is made from a repurposed wool sweater and lined with super soft flannel.  There are (of course) a couple more adjustments to be made but these meet all of our needs in a little boot:  functional, unique, warm, and they actually stay on.

I finished the hat that I was initially making for last month’s Gypsy Road challenge, complete with crochet covered buttons and a whole lotta popcorn stitch.  I am so in love with handspun wool that it almost hurts.  The best part?  This is a completely original design that actually looks and fits just like I was envisioning.  I dig it so much that I actually put one of my labels in my own hat…now that’s good stuff.

And though it’s only about 20% finished, I have been plodding away at the baby’s sweater.  I even learned a new stitch to add to my knitting bag of tricks–the honeycomb stitch.  I love the elegance of knitting but it certainly takes a lot more time than crochet!