Thursday, June 11, 2009

I'VE MOVED MY BLOG

I moved my blog to ilashdesigns.wordpress.com
Please come and read what's new!
If you click on the "I've moved my blog" title, you will magically be transported there! Thanks!

Monday, June 1, 2009

Weekend Yarn Projects!!



These are my weekend yarn projects. The sequin yarn isn't listed for sale in my shop yet. It will go up soon, as will some like this in blues!

May Fiberlicious Give Away and Update

Time for the May Fiberlicious Give Away!
Since I didn't receive any comments here from anyone wanting to be included in the monthly give away for May, the winner was chosen from my list of customers for May from my Etsy shop. And the winner by Random Number Generator is: LiquidLaceDesigns! Congratulations LiquidLaceDesigns! Thank you for supporting my shop and enjoy your free gift!

I have learned a few things on my blogolicious learning curve:
#1. A quite a bit of dedicated time is required for updating and maintenance (for this new blogger)
#2. It's a better idea to have promotional give away programs if your blog has many readers.
#3. ugh..I'm busy creating.

So for now, I am suspending the blogolicious fiberlicious give away. AWW I know...I hope to resume this fiberlicous goodness some day, and I hope it will get to be soon! Of course I will announce it here when that time comes.

Meantime..I am going to blog about yarn, fiber, dogs and dinner, and fungi, and..and ..and! Thanks for following along!

Thursday, May 14, 2009





Greeting Fiberlicious Fans!
It's been a busy month for me. Spring cleaning is always a chore, but so worth it! There's just nothing like the feeling of having a clean slate to keep the creative juices flowing! These last two weeks have brought me turquoise, turquoise and more turquoise! Such a fun, lively color! I dyed some BFL roving with turquoise and blues leaving some whites and it is so crisp and fresh! It's been so fun! Now, I can't stop and almost need to order more dye. I also dyed up the colors I need to replace the batts that sold in my shop, but haven't got to them yet, as the turquoise is playing front and center...they will come. They are sitting there..calling to me tho. I finally ordered "glitz" to add to my batts..for those of you who enjoy "glitz". I just don't so much..but we will see..seems it's all the rage. I think it will open up some new batt ideas for me tho..as I tend to think more is more in batts...I hope someone stops me when I add the dryer lint..ok no I won't. ..but gee..there is a ton of stuff that can go into them. I'm anxious to throw some black thread in with some of that turquoise...at least.

The May fiberlicious give away is still planned. So please sign up! I still need to add another prize to my "choice of 4" I think I will add some corespun I built. Stay tuned! and Sign up!

I have been taking the time to market my business on-line more. There is so much behind the scenes work that goes into it. I have learned a lot, and continue to be confused about a lot, but it is a journey, and I think it's gonna be a long ride Fred! It all takes time, and I am busy already!

I was very excited recently to be able to get my new banner and all the related graphics for my Etsy shop. I had an absolute grand time working with a graphic artist, a student from Jerusalem, Israel. Ran has a shop on etsy here:
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6542888
He did a terrific job, and is a fantastic artist! No cut and paste, he hand draws his graphics and they are so cute! That's one of his girls up on the right. Check out his flickr account for more of his work. I highly recommend him.

Friday, May 1, 2009

Congratulations!

Congratulations Carol Ann Duffy - the first woman poet laureate!


When did your name
change from a proper noun
to a charm?

Its three vowels
like jewels
on the thread of my breath.

Its consonants
brushing my mouth
like a kiss.

I love your name.
I say it again and again
in this summer rain.

I see it,
discreet in the alphabet,
like a wish.

I pray it
into the night
till its letters are light.

I hear your name
rhyming, rhyming,
rhyming with everything.

Written by Carol Ann


Happy May Day!

Do you have your May Day Baskets ready? I remember making these as kids. The funnest part was ringing the doorbell and dashing away! I would make them just to get to do this! lol I haven't seen a May Basket for years. I hope not everyone has forgotten them. It's still hard for me to believe it is spring really. The grass is growing like hay in my yard, it's been snowing, raining and too cold for mowing this week. There's heavy frost on my jeep this morning, I hope my little daffodils made it! I'm still hoping for a warmer May this year. We had our heat on until June last year..then a few weeks and we were in the air conditioning. Being the eternal optimist, I haven't given up hope yet!

I did get some spring cleaning done in the last few weeks. It does feel so good to have the cob webs wiped away, walls washed, cupboards cleaned and clean carpets! I still have windows to tackle, and a few other things, but the majority is getting done. I also took the time to get my fiber studio cleaned out, now that is refreshing! I love a clean start! This inspired me to get back into my dye pots, and will have new batts on the menu again soon in my shop, so look for those updates! I had a great month at ilashdesigns. It has been so much fun working on new projects and chatting it up with new contacts! I have mostly good days, and when I need a boost, I just go read my feed backs. There are truly some wonderful people out there, that like me and my work. It can be challenging starting anything new, so the positive feedback and contacts keeps me going. I hope I can help people feel inspired about this craft too! I'd like to think there is room for EVEYONE in this arena! I guess, if I was looking to make a big, national, earth shattering business I might possibly take the view that I was in some kind of competition. I don't view life or business like it's a competition. I believe it's not WHERE you live, but HOW you live. How do you live?

I try to live so I can sleep at night peacefully, and satisfied, but more importantly, it's how I feel when I arise! I know myself well enough to know that me feeling peaceful comes from doing as right as I can for other people including myself and satisfied comes from that AND being productive in the right ways for me. When I lay my head down on my pillow at night, my mind skips across my worries and concerns. But when I arise is when I feel my objective mind is at it's best. I try to use that to observe myself. That is the compass I use to navigate through my day, next night, next day..and well life. One thing I know about myself is, I don't like to let things pile up. I find absolutely no use in that. When things start piling up, my compass gets stuck, I feel unsettled and have low energy. Then I know, it's time to clean house in as many ways as I need to attain balance. It sometimes helps me to try and live my life every day, fully aware that my life can change in an instant. I know that the people and things that I find valuable today could be gone, and I might be having to worry about where my next meal might be coming from, or shower, or job. There are too many incidentals in life to take one thing or person for granted. Taking inventory..then usually all of this energy sometimes inspires me to intentionally clean my plate. Start NEW! Then I try to find ways to celebrate the challenges. I've made new starts in big ways in my life, changing jobs, changing houses, changing towns, changing friends, changing my attitude..and it all boils down to that compass I read and navigate by, when I arise. Then I mutter "it's going to be a looooooong ride Fred! Get yur (enter appropriate head gear here) on!" And I just usually try to pick the party hat and move on! Celebrate! It's more fun!

Thank you to all who have inspired me! I appreciate every one, and I hope you feel inspired to celebrate something today too!

Well, May 1rst, brings us to my newest Monthly Fiberlicious Give Away winner! The winner, chosen by Random Number Generator for the April Give Away, is: Tumbleweed Trails! Congratulations Tumbleweed! Thank you so much for entering and I hope you enjoy your free gift!

Please stay tuned for my May Fiberlicious Give Away. Reminder: please post to me your contact info here on my blog to enter the Give Away each month you would like to be included in the drawing. Anyone purchasing anything from my shop is also entered, or including me in a treasury on Etsy. No purchase is necessary to win. It is free! I will post new prize gifts today! So stay tuned! :) Ny.

May is big birthdays month for my family..I'm off to find my hat..:)

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

APRIL FIBERLICIOUS GIVEAWAY!!!






Cheers all you good people! Thanks for stopping by!

The photos above are the prizes to be given away in my APRIL FIBERLICIOUS GIVEAWAY!
Prizes offered are:
1. GI Jane, hand spun, hand dyed 2 ply Merino, 50 yards, bulky weight at 6 WPI
2. Hand knit pink head band from acrylic novelty yarns, size 3"x22". Head band will stretch to accommodate a slightly larger head size.
3. Set of 4 double pointed needles by Boye, size 3, 7"
4. Knifty Knitter Loom clips. These clips only fit Provo Craft knitting Looms.

This promotional offering will run from 4/1/09 - 4/30/09. I hope to be able to offer my Monthly Fiberlicious Giveaway each month through 2009. The chosen winner, selected by random number generator, will be announced here and in my shop on Etsy on May 1st, 2009. NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO WIN!

To enter the April Fiberlicious Giveaway post a comment to my blog from the e-mail address you wish to be contacted for address confirmation for your free gift! There will be one winner for each month. I will post 4 items and the winner will get to choose one of the four items. The items I have chosen as giveaway gifts are mostly craft items I have in my stash. I will try to offer fiber related items each month, but I might throw in something special I think might be loved by someone that is not fiber related.

Feel free to ask me any questions regarding my April Fiberlicious Giveaway. I hope you win!!! Good Luck!!!! and Happy Crafting!!!!!!
Ny.

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

I'm still blue........



Well, back to rain/snow/cold..for a few days...should be another beautiful weekend coming up tho, so we are looking forward to that..so we can mow? whats wrong with that picture? anyways..here's what I created today...have a few batts to put up too..but running out of steam..

Monday, April 13, 2009

Am I blue????



Now..Mother's Day is just around the Corner!


Good Morning bloggers and blogettes! I hope everyone had a great holiday! We went and ate fried chicken and then drove out to the river for some bird/peep/dog watching. Beautiful day here in Montana. I can't remember the last Easter that was so nice! Even managed to work a little as well.

Friday, April 10, 2009

Banana Cake for Everyone!

My love for baked goods comes in just second to my love of fiber! Today I was inspired by the very ripe bananas on my counter to build some cake. I thought someone might like this recipe. My mom gave it to me years and years ago..because for the life of me..I could not make banana bread...I am cooking challenged..it is true that when the smoke alarm goes off, the dh knows its time to eat at my house...I just have many more important things to do..or most likely I just wandered off!

Banana Loaf Cake - moist and soft!
1/2 C. shortening
1 t. vanilla
1 1/3 C brown sugar..(I never buy this..I just make my own from molasses and sugar..otherwise it just goes hard in my cupboard)
2 eggs, beaten
2 C. flour
1/2 t. salt
2 t. baking powder
1/4 C. milk
1 C. ripe bananas I used 2 (when my kids were growing up and I was too busy ..I would just throw the 1/2 rotten bananas in my freezer..then when I had time..I would build this cake)
nuts optional
spices..use what you like..i throw in a little bit of everything to include extra cinnamon..cuz we love it so much!

Set oven to 350 degrees. Cream shortening, vanilla and sugar with hand mixer. Add beaten eggs. Mix in dry ingredients alternatly with milk and bananas. Add nuts and spices. (study spelling words)

Bake in greased and floured bread pan, for about 1 hour...(check it and it's done when the steak knife comes out clean)

Then enjoy your little biddy! :) Ny.

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Merino Tencel - My New Love!!!


What a blast I've had this week!!!! I was very dutiful and reported to my jury duty Mon. 9 a.m. sharp...to find out it was canceled...yes they had called me...did I get the message..well of course not...that would have been too easy. Better instead to work like a beaver to get all my ducks in a row..to include..pulling my Wild Iris down from ilash and plying it with some gorgeous black peruvian I had spun weeks ago...no sense having time with nothing for my hands to do...had to drag out the good old dependable gold lamme knitting bag...lol gawd!...finding my way out of the parking garage was at top speed..almost missed the exit. Then off to pick up our taxes..yes.. no worries now about debtors prison..just the simple fact that because THIS year we didn't pay the "new" $30, we'll save your hide fee...my lawyer will just have to subpeona their snot noses when that day comes...I say to the young girl..."didn't you used to do that for free?"...uh huh..thats what I thought...WHATEVER, I'm a gambler at heart!..I took it. taxes bleck!

The blast part came when I had an order from a special lady in California for her 3rd head band. She wants a lighter weight pink one for spring. I just love her!!!! She reminds me often about how if/when her hair is a mess..but it don't matter she puts her head band on, not a problem...and it kills me because it is just so true, for me too! Some people really can't leave the house without a little primping to the hair..then there's some people who just fly..they just have to go ..and now..and well no time for primping, ok maybe 4 flat seconds. First thing I did was set out to dye some pink..and felted 4 ounces of merino...
I'm fighting a virus...and regardless that kinda irked me. I scratch my head and wonder if anyone would want this..could it be "used" by someone???? make mental note to try and connect with more felters!!! Or stop procrastinating and felt something myself!!! Its 4 oz. I'm tired already! If your reading this and are interested in some cheap dark salmon red merino that is half felted..let me know!
Managed to dye some superfine pink and a pretty salmon..then started eyeing that merino tencel...fun!!! dyed it 2 pinks..and I was off... the photo above is the roving...it's the last that I will spin of this run...the rest is on my spool so beautiful!
I will keep ya'all posted with some pics...

Think about getting a head band..they are awesome!!!

Thanks to those who signed up for the drawing!! I've received your info, and your in! Keep checking ilash designs for new listings. I'll be back at the dye pots as soon as I put down my loom, (and get to feeling better..grrrr!) and the BIG NEWS is...I have an artist in the works for my new store banner and other graphics..and it is so cool!!! I am so excited!!! This is just not ANY fun at all! I will feature him here, when it is done for anyone who's interested in him. I think he's a terrific artist!!

You all have a good day! Till next time...keep on keeping on! :) Ny.

Sunday, April 5, 2009

Baby Pearls and Soft Baby Pearls


Greetings fellow fiber/craft lovers! Please sign up for the new APRIL FIBERLICIOUS GIVEAWAY, by commenting here on my blog and leaving me your contact info., or convo. me thru my etsy shop. There is a detailed listing in my shop you can read, outlining the gifts you can choose from if you are the April winner! Good Luck!

Well it's sunny, and beautiful, and I have too much to do..so I better go get to it! I listed some Superwash Merino Tencel in my Etsy shop today...it is the softest fiber I have ever touched I think! ...wonderful! I can't wait to dye more. It was hard to even get it to stay in the basket..it wanted to ooze out like melted chocolate...amazing!

Happy crafting! Have a good day everyone! :) Ny.

Friday, April 3, 2009

Big Winner of my March Fiberlicious Giveaway - Playswithclay!

Congratulations Playswithclay! Thanks so much for entering my March Fiberlicous Giveaway! Check her out everyone! She has a nice Etsy shop with super cool wares! Great profile read too!
Good Luck with your Etsy sales!

FEATURED ITEMS FROM PLAYSWITHCLAY
Lil  Mini Dishes - set of three, bird, fern and cupcake
$14.00
Lil' Dish - Two birdies in love
$15.00
Lil' Dish - Happy Easter with a cute bunny
$12.00



Lil' Dish - Beautiful blue posey
Lil' Dish - Beautiful blue posey
by playswithclay
9
04. 02
2009
$12.00
Lil' Dish - Cuppa teabag holder
Lil' Dish - Cuppa teabag holder
by playswithclay
76
04. 02
2009
$12.00
Lil' Dish - Two birdies in love
Lil' Dish - Two birdies in love
by playswithclay
191
04. 02
2009
$15.00
Lil' Dish - Being married makes me happy, happy, happy.
Lil' Dish - Being married makes me happy, happy, happy.
by playswithclay
74
04. 02
2009
$12.00
Lil' Dish - Happy Easter with Egg and Flowers
Lil' Dish - Happy Easter with Egg and Flowers
by playswithclay
54
03. 31
2009
$12.00
Lil' Dish  - Happy Easter with chickie and flowers
Lil' Dish - Happy Easter with chickie and flowers
by playswithclay
103
03. 25
2009
$12.00
Lil' Dish - Happy Easter with a cute bunny
Lil' Dish - Happy Easter with a cute bunny
by playswithclay
98
03. 10
2009
$12.00
Lil' Dish - Cuppa
Lil' Dish - Cuppa
by playswithclay
48
03. 09
2009
$12.00
Lil  Mini Dishes - set of three, bird, fern and cupcake
Lil Mini Dishes - set of three, bird, fern and cupcake
by playswithclay
127
03. 03
2009
$14.00
Lil' Dish - Simple Daisy
Lil' Dish - Simple Daisy
by playswithclay
56
03. 02
2009
$12.00
Lil' Dish - Luck o' the Irish
Lil' Dish - Luck o' the Irish
by playswithclay
66
03. 01
2009
$12.00
Lil Dish - Blue swirls
Lil Dish - Blue swirls
by playswithclay
57
03. 01
2009
$12.00
Lil' Sign - Shhhh...children dreaming
Lil' Sign - Shhhh...children dreaming
by playswithclay
66
02. 28
2009
$12.00
Lil' Sign - Live green
Lil' Sign - Live green
by playswithclay
58
02. 26
2009
$12.00
Lil' Dish - Zoom to the moon in your rocket.
Lil' Dish - Zoom to the moon in your rocket.
by playswithclay
68
02. 24
2009
$12.00
Lil' Dish - Play
Lil' Dish - Play
by playswithclay
61
02. 24
2009
$15.00
Lil' Dish - my gum with a sheep in pink
Lil' Dish - my gum with a sheep in pink
by playswithclay
76
02. 24
2009
$12.00
Lil' Dish - Go by bike.
Lil' Dish - Go by bike.
by playswithclay
63
02. 23
2009
$12.00
Lil' Dish - Being married makes me happy, happy, happy.
Lil' Dish - Being married makes me happy, happy, happy.
by playswithclay
59
02. 23
2009
$12.00
Lil' Home - Is it a fairy house...
Lil' Home - Is it a fairy house...
by playswithclay
135
02. 11
2009
$12.00
Lil' Dish - XOXO in red
Lil' Dish - XOXO in red
by playswithclay
80
02. 05
2009
$10.00

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Happy April Fools Day!

Yesterday brought the end to my MARCH FIBERLICIOUS GIVEAWAY! Thank you all for participating! I appreciate your interest and peeks at my works. And now the winner for March picked by random number generator is:
playswithclay!
Congratulations playswithclay!
I hope you enjoy your free gift, and I also hope you will be agreeable to a small profile here on my blog where I can showcase your shop and goods.

EVERYONE, please sign up for the new APRIL FIBERLICIOUS GIVEAWAY, by commenting here on my blog, or convo. me thru my etsy shop. ilashdesigns@etsy.com

And on to other news:
Well, it's official..we are doing the tax countdown. We always wait until the last minute..why? I ask myself why every year, swear not to do it next year and do it anyway. Like some oppositional child...well, I guess at least we pay them...unlike some potential cabinet members..or wait..all potential appointees. my gawd. If that were you or me? We'd be hauled off so quick it would make our heads spin. The rich really are different. ha ok on to a less SOUR note...

I'm blog challenged..as you can see..not many posts.. I will try to do better. I have been very busy working and doing fiberlicious things, and alas have been called for jury duty next week...just terrific! I've been called for jury duty so many times it's ridiculous. I wish my random chances for winning the lottery were as good!..random..right! Now in the town we live in..they call you on the phone..instead of mailing you the notice. I think that speaks loudly..and I've got that number now so next time..tee heehee, we will see. Better be an interesting murder case is all I can say, but I won't hold out too much hope.
good lord fred

Ok all you good people, keep on keeping on and I'll be back to post more I promise!
:) Ny.

Thursday, March 12, 2009

March Fiberlicious Giveaway! - Sign Up Today!


Cheers all you good people! Thanks for stopping by!

This month will officially start my Monthly FIBERLICOUS Giveaway!!!

This promotional offering will run from 3/1/09 - 3/31/09. I hope to be able to offer my Monthly Fiberlicious Giveaway each month through 2009. The chosen winner, selected by random number generator, will be announced here and in my shop on April 1st, 2009. NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO WIN!

To enter the March Fiberlicious Giveaway you can either post a comment to my blog, or hop on over to my shop on Etsy (ilashdesigns.etsy.com) and convo. me from the e-mail address you wish to be contacted for address confirmation for your free gift! I will make a listing of the items to be selected as "gifts" in my shop, and if you are chosen the winner, you will get to choose your gift from the selected prizes, by contacting me with your choice. The items I have chosen as giveaway gifts are mostly craft items I have in my stash. I will try to offer fiber related items each month, but I might throw in something special I think might be loved by someone that is not fiber related. Above, I have pictured one of the prizes offered this month. A set of 4 double pointed knitting needles, size 3. Anything else in the photo is not included in the prize offering. Check out my store listing for the other three prizes! There will be one March winner.

This is my first Giveaway promotion and I'm sorry if I haven't been clear. Feel free to ask me any questions, as I fine tune my Fiberlicious Giveaway techniques and skills. Please stay tuned for updates.

I hope you win!!! Good Luck!!!! and Happy Crafting!!!!!!
Ny.

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Angora Bunny Fur is FUN!




Angora bunny, merino 64, merino 19, corriedale, merino bamboo, and Angora did I mention Angora?
I'm so bad itching to spin some of this..I might have remnants left to try...sat down this a.m. to drum up my "sample" batt ..ended up with another 1.5 ounces! nother surprise surprise but no spin yet.
It's 20 degrees and I know I shouldn't be complaining..folks in N. Dak and Minn. having it rough with weather..I know I just get so tired of it this time of year..and it's gets harder and harder to be patient for spring.....Last year was a very long cooler spring here, so we are ready for some of that Old Montana Nice Spring Weather!...Pray for rain tho as well, I'm sure our precipation is behind. So, I'm just gonna dream about some nice warm Hawian type rains....like I always do this time of year. AND looking forward to planting some lettuce in a box I made last year. I bought 2 clear plastic house recess protectors..(i don't know what they are called but you attach them above windows on lower than grade level buildings to keep off the water I guess) anyways..I twisted some garden wire through holes..and it makes an awesome hard plastic tent that will fit in my box...I already bought the lettuce seeds. Three weeks from seed I can be eating lettuce..yummy! I have to put a roll of garden twist tie stuff on my shopping list....That is magic! I love growing vines and tieing up my plants to manipulate where they go..I couldn't get through a summer without my garden wire. Throw the roll in my pocket and off I go to bondify my plants! For two years now I've grown morning glory, and every year it gets monsterous. The vine grows and grows and grows and you have to wait and wait and wait for those beautiful huge blooms. By the time the morning glories get ready to bloom, my roses have given me 2-3 cuttings already. Then there's my compost pile..don't even get me started on that! and Kombashi? I probably need to spell that correctly..but I discovered how I could grow compost heat in my kitchen..and Kombashi just naturally followed. It's really green, but not literally! Too fun. You'll just have to wait now tho...it's too cold yet! You probably need a hat or a scarf still don't you?

Don't forget if you are not an etsy member, you can still sign up for the March Fiberlicious Giveaway, by leaving your contact info in a post to me here. Thanks! :) Ny.

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Greys and Pinks


here's some greys and pinks..building these made me want to dress up and eat!

Monday, March 9, 2009

March Fiberlicious Giveaway! Check it out!


Cheers all you good people! Thanks for stopping by!

This month will officially start my Monthly FIBERLICOUS Giveaway!!!

This promotional offering will run from 3/1/09 - 3/31/09. I hope to be able to offer my Monthly Fiberlicious Giveaway each month through 2009. The chosen winner, selected by random number generator, will be announced here and in my shop on April 1st, 2009. NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO WIN!

To enter the March Fiberlicious Giveaway you can either post a comment to my blog, or hop on over to my shop on Etsy (ilashdesigns.etsy.com) and convo. me from the e-mail address you wish to be contacted for address confirmation for your free gift! I will make a listing of the items to be selected as "gifts" in my shop, and if you are chosen the winner, you will get to choose your gift from the selected prizes, by contacting me with your choice. The items I have chosen as giveaway gifts are mostly craft items I have in my stash. I will try to offer fiber related items each month, but I might throw in something special I think might be loved by someone that is not fiber related. Above, I have pictured one of the prizes offered this month. A set of 4 double pointed knitting needles, size 3. Anything else in the photo is not included in the prize offering. Check out my store listing for the other three prizes! There will be one March winner.

This is my first Giveaway promotion and I'm sorry if I haven't been clear. Feel free to ask me any questions, as I fine tune my Fiberlicious Giveaway techniques and skills. Please stay tuned for updates.

I hope you win!!! Good Luck!!!! and Happy Crafting!!!!!!
Ny.