I mean, really, just look at him! –>

I have been planning for nearly a year to get a drum carder. I knew about one month in to wanting one, that I wanted to get a Fancy Kitty brand carder. Anyone I have ever talked to has had nothing but great things to say about them. Then, a close friend of mine got one. She let me pet it. I fell in wuv.

So, I saved for a year, knowing that the gazillion fleeces I have to process would eventually be set free from their Rubbermaid container prison. But, where would I put the carder once I got it?

A month ago, Hubby Gnome and I drew up some plans for a workbench. Then I had surgery on my thumb. So, the project turned into a, “Hey, honey. I have stitches. I’ll have to just supervise the project.”

Most people would love this situation. I am not most people. I love using power tools. I love getting sawdust in my hair. And I LOVE building things.

After a weekend of blood, sweat and tears — yes, ALL of those elements were present — the workbench was 87% finished. Given that 87% is a pretty high percentage, I used my “supervisor” skills and ordered the carder thinking that the table could be completed during the week, or the next weekend.

Enter Baby Gnome with a cold.

March 10:

April 12, 2012:
Monroe County Sheep Festival

April 23 & 27, 2012:
CampKIP

CampKIP is a camp dedicated to knitters. You come to relax, knit, drink wine, knit, eat, knit, hang out…knit…you get the picture. The part I’m really excited about is that I’ll get to meet some of my AWESOMESAUCE customers that have found me through Twitter, Ravelry, Etsy or the Phat Fiber box. I’ll be selling my yarn & fiber there on Monday, April 23 and Friday, April 27.

The theme for this year’s camp is…wait for it…GNOMES! Seriously, how could I pass this chance up?! Once I found out the theme was gnomes, I decided that I have to contribute to the goody bag they give out to all the participants. So, I’m currently working on 300 fantabulous “things” to put in the goody bags. Yup, I said 300.

Camp #1 is still currently open for registration if you’re interested. Here’s the CampKIP website with all the details and a link to the Ravelry group.

Hope to see some of you there!

<|:0)

P.S. I dyed some brand new yarn & fiber colorways today! They’ll be up in the shop on Saturday!

After doing a tally this past weekend on my US map, I noticed that there is a total of 16 states that I haven’t sent anything to yet. I really want to fill the color in on those states, so I’ve decided to have a fun little giveaway.

The first person to send me a note from each of the states listed below will get a special coupon code good for 20% off ONE item in my shop. It can be used on yarn, fiber or any knit goods currently available. Your note must include your city, state and one thing you like about living there.

1. Alabama
2. Alaska √
3. Delaware
4. Hawaii
5. Kansas √
6. Kentucky √
7. Louisiana
8. Maine
9. Mississippi
10. Montana
11. New Hampshire
12. North Dakota √
13. Rhode Island
14. South Carolina √
15. South Dakota
16. West Virginia

I will update the list above as I receive emails.

If you’ve been under a rock the past week or so, or tend to just avoid politics altogether, I beg you to crawl out from under your rock and catch up by reading the SOPA/PIPA description on Wikipedia. The details of this bill, in all of their extreme vagueness, could make this one of the most, if not the single most, crippling pieces of legislation we’ve ever seen.

I’m not going to go on a rant about everything I despise about this bill, I just ask that you take 5 minutes out of your busy life and read what it’s about. Small business owner, or not, this will affect everyone one way or another.

Crafters Against SOPA imagery courtesy of Strumpet’s Crumpets.