Never say "never"

Once upon a time, I said I wasn't ever interested in learning to spin. I just wanted to knit and crochet what was already available to me commercially, and spinning would take away any time I was already devoting to my knitting and crocheting. Then, this past January, my friend Toni bought her first wheel. A Schacht Ladybug that she raved about at knit nights. She began bringing some of her work and I loved it! I still wasn't sure I wanted to make that kind of investment, I mean, what if I got one and it became a new dust bunny hovel? In February, when I went to Stitches, I was reminded of spinning when I happened upon the people that sell drop spindles made from CDs for $5. I began thinking that if I bought myself a drop spindle, it would give me a taste for what was possible in the spinning world, and for a minimal cost. I walked around for a while thinking whether or not even this was something I wanted to learn. By the time my granddaughter and I reached the booth Jasmin and Gigi (The Knitmore Girls podcast) were having their meet 'n greet at, I had made my decision. I mentioned it to Jasmin, and she steered me in the right direction where I should buy my spindle at. She told me she would be along soon to help me (great enabler, wouldn't you say?), and voila!, I walked away with my first Schacht drop spindle, some Polwarth, and some merino/tencel blend. I have spent the past couple of months practicing and have discovered I love it!!!

Toni was still talking about her Ladybug and how much she was enjoying it, nearly four months later. Another friend of ours happened to come across a post in a group on Ravelry that a store in Laramie, Wyoming was going out of business and the owner had everything reduced. Sue was in the market for a Schacht Matchless, and as soon as she said "sale", I knew this would be my chance too. My very own Ladybug now sits by my fireplace in the living room, and I have found I love to spin after all!! I still have a mountain of things to learn about it, but for right now, I'm spending time finding my rhythm and groove. I love how nearly effortless the Ladybug works, and each one of these machines comes with a little ladybug somewhere on it. No two are alike in that way. It's the most adorable little painted metal bug that doesn't look like it's going to fly away anytime soon! When the weather decides to stay nice, and we get our new flooring down in the sunroom with my new wicker furniture arranged, my little lady will move out there so we can enjoy spinning with nature all around.

Yesterday, Scooter cleaned out the fountain and flower bed at one corner of our patio. Maggie had only seen the fountain working when she was a teeny tiny little pup. When we turned it on, it was the funniest thing to watch. She kept trying to bite the water coming up out of the rocks. She will be a year old in a few days, but she sure has a lot of people fooled. She still thinks she's a puppy, and with all of her energy, it's easy to see why you wouldn't think otherwise.

I'm nearly finished with the Traveling Woman shawl I spoke of in my last post. Just 14 more rows to go and she will get a bath and blocking. I haven't taken any updated pics, but I will as soon as I get a chance. The dress I've been working on will be DONE tomorrow!!!!! One last fitting this week to see if I need to make any adjustments. My granddaughter is so excited, and I have felt so honored to have been able to do this for her!! There will be pictures soon.

Have a wonderful week, and remember to do what makes you happy!!!