Handspun Yarn!

I get to share some very exciting news today! (I was planning on making this post sooner, but after spending a few hours having my tire repaired, it's posting a little late. I know it's short notice for some, but I hope you can make it regardless!) For a few months now, I have joined two very amazing ladies at a local farmer's market here in Central Florida. They have goat and sheep and make beautiful soaps, lotion bars, lip balms, fudge, and more using milk from their goats. I've mentioned one of them before as being responsible for getting me involved in spinning, and always being available for a crafty consultant when I get stuck. (Seriously, she's amazing) Every farmer's market, I sit at their booth and do a spinning demonstration. I enjoy the opportunity to meet new people and talk to them about an art I love, and one that's often not well known. I meet tons of kids and they love asking questions about spinning and about the goat and sheep that we bring to the market as well. (And I get to eat fudge) :D Several people have requested that I offer my yarn for sale, and while I was initially reluctant, I'm pleased to announce that I will have a few skeins for sale at tomorrow's market! I hope to see anyone who lives here locally, it's a wonderful market and has a plethora of handmade goods, delicious food and more.

Here is some of the yarn I've spun recently. There are a few skeins I'm still debating keeping for myself, but the majority of it will be at the market tomorrow.

This was from round one of spinning:

The first is an orange wool, single ply yarn. It is approximately 75 yards in sock/fingering weight.
The second is a brown wool, also single ply. It is approximately 81 yards in lace weight.
Third is a single ply dark gray wool, approximately 58 yards in bulky weight.
Fourth is a two-ply light gray yarn approximately 55 yards in bulky weight.
And finally is a three-ply gray and pink yarn approximately 93 yards in super bulky weight. (The last two are the ones I'm debating keeping for myself :D )

This is round two and are still hanging to dry. I'm slightly worried the last one won't be completely dry before tomorrow, so there is a small chance it won't be there.

The first is a 'candy cane' 2 ply, gray and teal. 113 yards of Bulky weight yarn.
The second is also a 'candy cane' 2 play using the same color teal and a pale yellow. It is 26 yards of worsted weight yarn.
The third is a green that kidn of reminds me of a 'military' green. It's 157 yards of sport/fingering weight.
Finally is a coffee colored 2 ply brown. 317 yards of bulky weight yarn.

 ***Please note, my measurements are approximate. Please keep in mind that variations in yarn weight are a normal part of handspun yarn. I use a wpi method to determine yarn weight.

I can't find a website to link to but it's called The Marketplace at Hibiscus Park. This came from the Chamber of Commerce Website:

From 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Hibiscus Park, 7th Street and Bougainvillea Ave Dade City
Contact: Lucy Avila 352-521-5858
Event Email: lucyvila7070@gmail.com

First Saturday of each Month (September 2014-May 2015)
Come shop our relaxing, outdoor, vendor-friendly market place in Hibiscus Park. Locally grown produce, plants, arts & crafts, and so much more!

Wish me luck and hope to see you there! :)

~Farm Girl Teacher

Breaking News!

I'm breaking again from the formal wear series because I have some news! :) Hang on to your socks! :D

I started this week off by celebrating my birthday! My mom loves this picture and wished me a "berry" Happy Birthday...

 

And for my birthday surprise, I'm pleased to announce there is going to be a Mr. Farm Girl Teacher! :D My boyfriend of three years proposed to me recently and I am thrilled to know I'll be spending the remainder of my life with my other half. We met in middle school and have been friends for years, I truly feel that God made us for each other and I can't wait to spend my life with him!

“A lady's imagination is very rapid; it jumps from admiration to love, from love to matrimony in a moment.”

 

(Bonus points if you can name the book before you reach then end of this post!)

Y'all know me, so you probably know I've already planned our wedding on Pinterest (along with an imaginary house, children, sewing room, etc. haha!) but I will be sharing photos of planning and preparations after we set a date and get closer to time. (Don't get too crazy, there is not a date set, but I promise it will be a while from now....I need time to knit a dress! KIDDING!)

I also recently purchased a new car! My first car was a trusty 1993 Toyota I bought in high school, but alas, I have outgrown it and am proud to say I have upgraded to a 2015 Mazda 6 that I am LOVING. It has back doors AND cupholders, technology these days! If you know my family personally, you also know we have a small obsession with naming our vehicles so I've been putting lots and LOTS of thought into finding the perfect name for my Mazda. (This is serious business, people!)

 After much deliberation, I have officially named my car! I was rereading one of my favorites, Pride and Prejudice, when I test drove the car and on the day I picked it up, so I have been toying with character names from the book. In honor of finding my "Mr. Darcy" my car is "Mrs. Darcy." Although I don't care much for the 2005 movie, the "Mrs. Darcy" ending was it's saving grace.

“I am the happiest creature in the world. Perhaps other people have said so before, but not one with such justice. I am happier even than Jane; she only smiles, I laugh.”  

  

But, MOST IMPORTANTLY (and this really is the most important!) my family and I celebrated my little sister's high school graduation this weekend! So proud of her, she is the Jane to my Lizzy! (I am REALLY channeling Pride and Prejudice today!)

I am so proud of the person my sister has become. She is caring, funny, hardworking, and she's become a leader that knows how to make truly good decisions! She's accomplished quite a lot in the last 18 years and I know the journey is just beginning! Of course, by Mr. Darcy's standards, accomplished ladies are hard to come by.. ;)

As of right now, she plans to get her AA at a local community college, before going to a state college to begin their Animal Science program. (Y'all seriously have no idea how accurately this fits her personality!) 

My mom made an awesome slideshow presentation with pictures from our childhood set to music that fits (she sorted through 18 THOUSAND pictures, go mom!) and we really got to see how wonderfully well-rounded Miranda is. 

 

 She has accomplished so many things and (almost) always had a smile on her face doing it! I can't wait to see what the next chapter has in store for her!

 

I know she sounds perfect but trust me...she's not, you see, she has this REALLY annoying habit of being taller than me.... :)

WARNING: Lame joke alert:

We're so hot, we have to wear shades! (Don't hate, I warned you!)

 

I hope your summer has been as wonderful as mine has so far! Stay tuned! :) 

~Soon-to-be-Mrs. Farm Girl Teacher 

A Newsworthy Moment

Did any of you ever get the opportunity to be mentioned in a newspaper article as a child? I remember that I did once or twice through 4-H or school and it was awesome! Family and grandparents clipped the article and that 15 seconds of fame made me feel briefly like Elvis! (Don't laugh, my pop culture tastes were a bit different from the other kids, lol)

This past Sunday, December 1st, Sew Cute 4-H @ Cox (our Sewing Club at school) was very lucky to get a featured article in the Pasco Times section of the Tampa Bay Times! In addition to two photos, the article included several quotes from our awesome kiddos! All the children were thrilled to see that our little slice of the world was officially 'newsworthy!' (I have to admit, I was pretty dang excited myself, and yes, my grandmother clipped a copy for me!) With everyone's help I was able to secure enough copies for each child that was quoted or pictured to take a laminated copy home to their family! Thank you everyone who assisted with sewing club or with getting extra copies for our students. Please go check it out online if you haven't already.

~Farm Girl Teacher