Hey, wow, look at that...

...I thought I was going to have to do all kinds of crazy changes to the old blog here, but apparently this is not an FTP blog after all (whatever that is) and all my hesitancy to post was for naught. This is a good thing.

SO, been a while. Life, as always, has been a series of ups and downs coming at what seems to be break neck pace. On the business side, I have so much to tell you! On the personal side, much will be left unsaid, but know that the hubster and kids are great -- I could be completely obnoxious and subject you all to home videos, but I think I'll leave that special kind of torture to family for now. I will, however, say that much of 2010 was taken up with my son's training for his Black Belt in Shaolin Kempo (and boy did he train hard!) and subsequent success. I am so crazy proud of him, and at the same time glad the pressure is off. The girl is getting ready to enter middle school next year, and still singing her little heart out at any school event that allows. Perhaps some more drama training this summer?

As for Sereknity, I had a fantastic time at NETA Spa Knit and Spin once again this year (although I was in the throes of bronchitis for the weeks prior, during, and after -- that part? not so much fun). Unfortunately, due to my illness and some worry, illness, concern, and loss in our extended family, it has taken me far too long to get "back to business", but back I am! The Etsy shop is slowly being re-stocked and I even have new lines to list! I debuted two wonderful new yarns at Spa -- Verity, an DK 100% merino superwash that is my absolute FAVORITE new yarn. It is so springy with a fantastic twist, takes color beautifully (although I have found I have to work a bit harder to get the color to soak through to the middle of the twist, but it is oh so worth it)and it has great stitch definition. I am working on Alison Greenwill's Jaali from Twist in Rock Lobster with this yarn, and have also knit another design by Alison, Clotilde, using the Blue Lagoon colorway. LOVE IT. I have so many ideas for this yarn, and it a super versatile gauge. I have also brought in another new sweater yarn, Puro, a 100% wool heavy worsted. This is a perfect go-to yarn for just about any project. I am slowly working up a fun cardi pattern for this that should be ready by fall. Both yarns will be available in semi-solid hand-painted colorways. The Verity has been photoed and will be on the Etsy site by the end of the weekend and I hope to have the Puro up shortly thereafter. Bear with me, tho -- I am also getting the studio cleaned out, reorganized, and expanded to hold more stock and get ready for the boat loads of dyeing I'll be doing in the coming months.

On that note, in addition to a number of wholesale orders on the docket, I'll be vending this year at the NH Sheep and Wool Festival on Mother's Day weekend. Come see me! This is one of my favorite fairs, and I have always attended as my Mother's day Gift to myself, but finally chose to work it this year. For me, "work" is a bit of a misnomer for fair vending. The work is done getting ready for the events, and of course in the set-up and break down (but I have gotten that much more streamlined, and have had great help from friends!), but the fair days themselves -- love them! I have so much fun meeting new folks and seeing "old" friends that I usually walk away on quite a natural high. I am also slated to be at the new Acadia Fiber Fair (May -- ME), the Fiber Frolic (June -- ME), Fiber Revival in Newbury (August -- MA -- I could never miss this one!), and another new event in November that looks to be a big one -- the Fiber Festival of New England (MA).

A little note on patterns -- I'm working on them!! I had a few samples of some original Sereknity designs at Spa that got great reception. The various personal issues alluded to above have contributed to delays in publishing the patterns, but I also found some errors, esp. in the shawlette, after they were test knit. The cowl pattern will be published free here to the blog shortly, but I do want to work up a new version of the shawlette prior to publishing, to be sure the kinks are worked out. I promise -- it will be worth it! I have no desire to cause anyone frustration in his/her knitting, and the end results of the revisions make the garment just that much prettier. I also have a colorwork sock pattern (ring a bell?)that just wasn't making me perfectly happy -- and if you know me at all, it won't be a shock that I can't put it "out there" unless I am perfectly happy -- so that will be re-worked a bit once the others have been published. One step at a time, right?

But I am running out of time now, so I'll put up a separate post later today of pictures and linkies of all the good things mentioned above.

It's good to be back. :)