Longer Days

As I write this, I am sitting next to an east facing window and sunshine is streaming through.  The sky is a crystalline blue, the deep shade of blue we get when contrasted with the snowy landscape.  The sky was light at six this morning when I woke, and I felt that deep happiness of knowing that longer days are approaching.  From my point of view, we are in the final stretch of winter when the light last until after tea time and is making an appearance first thing in the morning.

Indigo is the color of the winter sky.  

At this point in the winter season, I am usually taking stock of what didn't get accomplished in the depths of winter while hiding from the foul weather, but this year I'm rather pleased to say that I have juggled my time well.  Perhaps when you have less of it, you get better at making the most of free hours.

I completed two rather large projects on my list - a tunic-type sweater that was miles of stockinette and an Alabama Chanin skirt that I have intended to make for years.  The sense of accomplishment in completing these large projects balances nicely with the fact that I've been steadily making items for MiMBY as well - creating new blocks for printing and mixing inks and creating fabrics for totes and zip pouches.  How MiMBY will be selling these finished items is still up in the air, but if you are looking to buy, I have stock.  

I look for patterns everywhere.....

Because Erika can be a bad influence, I am now the proud owner of a Singer 99 portable sewing machine, purchased from Julie at Homespun Boutique when she inherited her mother's nine sewing machines.  We do love our tools.   I think it will be a fun fleet member for the Craftstitute classes, though the knee pedal takes some getting use to.  

Don't be fooled by the cute factor, this thing will rock.

There is so much cooking in the back rooms of Craftstitute that we can't wait to share with you.  Lisa is plotting more crochet classes, Erika has a dye curriculum in mind, and I swerve from Pinterest trends to sewing classes when considering what should go on the calendar next.

Erika's indigo bloom - can't you sense the possibilities bubbling below the surface?

As always, we're interested in what you're interested in - let us know?

-Robin