Where Hands Create.

My heavens, don't you love the holidays?!  I sure do!   Everything from the simple joy of having a cup of coffee laced with egg nog or peppermint to staring at the glow of Christmas tree lights in a dark room....

 

 

 My Christmas spirit got a turbocharge this week when Mom came over to my house and helped decorate the tree (and it is a Frasier Fir)!   The drive to complete the tree was to "surprise" Scott who was returning home from a business trip - and I thought a decorated house (and not having to string lights for a year) would be such a gift.  I must say - we did a great job - despite the tree being a smidge crooked in the stand.   We laughed a lot as we decorated and sang along as we watched the Michael Buble Christmas Special - what fun!  (Thank you, Mom, for an awesome afternoon!)

 

We followed this glee with more fun the next morning when we dressed up the shop cats as elves.  They didn't feel quite as joyful about the endeavor - but we sure did enjoy it!  I have tried to chronicle the fun of working to get the hat and collar on Noro...  It starts out okay - gets a little blurry in the middle (with a few outstretched toes) - and then just a face that could stop time (but festively outfitted).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As you can imagine, Laurel's photo shoot was much easier - although she does look embarassed too....

 

 

 

If you could have sound to the pictures - there would be peels of laughter from Mom and me - and in the end, there are a couple festively attired felines!  

 

I do hope that everyone is enjoying this season with silly and fun snippets of time.  I do believe that the season reminds us to take a moment of reflection in the sheer joy of being with ones we love and doing simple things that bring a smile to you and/or others!

  

Happy Christmas!  More to come as we prepare for the Christmas holiday...

 

Thanksgiving is such a special time!   Not only is there a nip in the air, leftover turkey in the fridge, and pumpkin pie - this is also a time to reflect on our many blessings.  For me, I cannot believe my blessings particularly since we opened The Tinsmith's Wife.   These blessings primarily come in multiple interactions with a tremendous group of people - some we only have one great interaction and others become family.

 

The first week of November, Cindy Morawski came in and began to share her first experience with Comfort and our shop.  After this first visit, Cindy left with pictures of the shop and our shop kitties (including Lily).  With her return - she came with a great story of painting Lily and the comfort derived from her visit to Comfort.  Her paintings are great - and the face of Lily staring out is just a treat.  It is definitely worth a hop over to Cindy's blogspot to see more of Cindy's work and travels; the blog with Lily's story is from November 13th.

 

Courtesy of Cindy Morawski - "Comfort Cat"

 

There is also a tremendous joy in our "regulars".   Their faces and smiles grace many a blog from The Tinsmith's Wife, and they are the heart of the shop.  As I have been a bit behind in blogs - some of the pictures go back a few weeks... 

 

Here is a great snap of Connie and Jane prior to a Halloween party.  What fun to have a quick stop into the shop to share the costumes!  Jane's was particularly brilliant - she is a "Cereal Killer".  This idea was shared with another customer who took this home to her husband - and he won in their costume contest! 

 

 

And here a great picture of Merrilie sharing her new "Maid Marian" hat with the group!   Cathy is just behind her.  Again, great smiles!

 

 

Speaking of finished projects - another great customer came in one day and wanted to make a stuffed animal.  We shared the Knitting at Knoon animal pattern with her - and here is the super cute Elephant, which is sure to be loved!

 

 

Talk of blessings would be absent if I didn't once again celebrate my family!   This is the one item in my life that is without a doubt the best thing (and yes, my cats are in the mix). 

 

Obviously, Mom and Dad are the super tops of my list!   November is a busy time for us - and it does call all of us in to duty!   Kid 'n Ewe and Alpacas Too is a fiber fest in Boerne that we have been participating in annually - and it is a very different pace.    Here is a picture of Mom in our booth!  Doesn't she look great?!

 

 

Just prior to Kid 'n Ewe, Mom and Dad finally went on a much-deserved vacation to Portland, Oregon!  This is just a small thank you for all that they do for me.   Got some great postcards from places like Tillamook Cheese!   They also took some great pictures at Multonomah Falls - which is awesome as this also one of our favorite shawl patterns!  Obviously from the pictures below - this is a cooler season than what we have had in South Texas....  Plus the great color and trees in the picture of Mom!

 

 

 

Rarely does the shop see Scott - but without him, my balance would not be there. I am lucky to have such a husband to tolerate all my crazy. And he does... 

 

To close - I have to add a few shop cat pics!   The first is Ms. Laurel greeting at the front door.... 

 

 

...and Noro being a great model for a finished necklace (Nelkin's Rippled).

 

 

It is easy for me to share my blessings...when I stop to reflect.  Just need to be sure that I spent each moment recognizing how lucky I am.

 

What are your blessings?  Do you always recognize them?

 

Happy Thanksgiving!

 

No matter your language of choice - we are now 3 years old!  

 

 

There is greatness in threes....

The Three Bears

 

The Three Stooges

 

The Three Amigos (yes, the dance was great)

 

The Three Graces

 

The list of the wonders of three can go on indefinitely...  However, to put it simply, we are delighted to have had our third anniversary celebration and to celebrate with such style!

 

The day started with the "unveiling" of this year's anniversary project and yarn, and I believe this year it is amazing!  Ilga Leja designed our shawl, Squash Blossom, and it was knit in the most amazing and luminous shade of turquoise!   It is quite a honor to the Navajo squash blossom necklaces, and I feel confident that this shawl will be something that will be passed down to knitting generations to come!  

 

 

 

 

We then simply celebrated with the many friends that we have made over the past three years!   It was a giant party all day...  We had cupcakes, raspberry champagne (thank you Jane and Connie), and the most amazing yarn ball/kitty cake that has ever been created (thank you Pam and Bobbie). 

 

 

 

I have noted time passing primarily in the children that we watch grow over the years.  Another baby is due any day - and it will be a treat to watch another baby grow and have a multitude of wonderful handcrafted clothes!  Alexis was due in just three days on Saturday when she came in to ensure she was stocked up on projects.  Alexis, thank you for stopping in, and we wish you another healthy baby!  You gotta love Atticus' great facial expression - is he winking?

 

 

In closing, many thanks to everyone for an amazing three years!  The three of us (yes, Mom, Dad and I are a three), are so lucky to have this experience.  We do recognize that our shop is our shop because of the people that frequent it.  We are merely a shell for the amazing people that come each week and connect with us and others around yarn, patterns, and laughter!  

 

Well....Noro and Laurel are pretty awesome too...  Speaking of, I could not end without another fantastic picture of Noro....  

Wow, we had such a great Saturday with Doug and Tyler of White Bear Fibers for our Dye Your Own Yarn Workshop!   I think we were all a little timid to start - and then the time flew by and wonderful colors attached to yarn - and I do believe there was magic in the air!   What words cannot describe, I do believe the pictures below will...  You will note some concentration - but then a lot of smiles!

 

We had two sessions filled with amazing and talented women - and many came with their friend(s)!  I loved that Priscilla just signed up her group and told them they were coming - and they left a quilt event just for the dye workshop!  Doug was our "Dye Master" and taught us the various techniques and the desired effect each would give us - and then gave us the confidence to jump right in to dyeing.   Tyler was our "Dyeista" (think a barista for dye) and ensured that we had our dyes mixed to precision! 

 

From my perspective this was an amazing and fun day - so much fun that we have already booked Saturday, December 10th as our next Dye Workshop!

 

 

Listening to Doug's instructions....

Emily was our first brave one to jump in and start handpainting!

 

Morning Class' Wonderful Colorways!

Priscilla did bring along her friends....

..and all were patiently awaiting the afternoon class to START!

Patty (who always takes the best pictures) hard at work on her handpainting!

Friendship and dye does pull us together!

Pam marveling at the beautiful yarn she dyed with the small bits of colorways in the complex purple!  Bobbi getting to marvel too!

The afternoon session colorways - such a gorgeous array!

Tyler & Doug after a long and very fun day!  Thank you both!!

The middle of August has already arrived, and it is still hot and dry.  However, what a great excuse to stay in the cool air conditioning to knit!   I don't think I am the only one with this idea.  Last night at our Saturday Night Stitches, Bobbie and Pam arrived with their finished loot from this past two weeks - and the projects were LOVELY!

Pam (on the left) made this gorgeous Iro vest (6 skeins) that was a nice and simple garter stitch lovely.  The picture doesn't really show how striking the look was (with the sandles that perfectly matched).  Pam is also holding her finished garment from our Got Tosh Knitalong; she made the Live Oak Shawlette from the current Knitscene Magazine in Tosh Sock.

Now Bobbie has also been a busy knitter!  She is the first to compete her Corinne sweater in Tosh DK in the Terra colorway.  She is wearing the Vertical Ruffle Tank in Ty Dy cotton; so cute!   Lastly, she put together the Pleiades shawl in String Theory bamboo blend fingering.

Overall not bad for a two week run of knitting!  (BIG smile!)

Other than knitting and having a great time just loving life - all is smooth!  Obviously Laurel is working hard.  Here is a snap of her at the end of a busy week!

This morning I had the pleasure of being interviewed for the Hill Country Examiner for the Local Flavors section, and the reporter, Jennifer, asked a fantastic question - what are your favorite words?  Such a neat question.  Honestly - I don't remember my answer early this morning, but I have pondered this deeper throughout the day...

Yarn Color  Smile Gradience  Cat Laughter

Honesly, despite loving words - this has kept me thinking of fun words that I do love...     One of my healthcare "work words" that makes me smile is an old-fashioned infection control word - Nosohusial - feel like I should say 'gusendheit' after someone says it.   However, fiber words are amazing as well...  Who would imagine we could easily speak of "tinking" a project and then flow into mohair, silk, and cashmere.... 

Beyond dreaming of words, we have been busy getting Nana settled in Boerne into an independent living place, and it is a beautiful apartment.  How awesome to be in a bright and sunny place with activites just a few steps away - not to mention two great meals a day!  Hey, sign me up!  Truly hope she enjoys it and is happy.  In the move, we have had a chance to connect with Nana's stuff and Nana's past.  She thoughtfully put notes in key items so we would know the meaning.  One example was a small black box that Nana received at her first dinner party as a married woman in 1943 - and it was from Mrs. Buckley (William F.'s mother).  Others were pewter trophies and cups from horse events when Nana was a girl.  Multiple stories and history of our family.  Obviously finding great pictures of Mom through the years was a treat!  I do treasure one of Mom and my grandfather.  It is amazing to see the same crooked teeth in all of our smiles....  (Definitely will scan this one and share!)

Last week we also had a great July 4th weekend in Comfort.  I missed the parade this year - but it was great to see this image on Sunday as folks were preparing for the parade!  How can you not smile and feel America when you see this?!  My, I love being in Comfort!

In between, I have been having a cast-on fest!  New yarns are beginning to arrive - and it is so darn exciting!  I am also having a blast connecting great patterns and yarns.  The new Knitty.com patterns arrived last week - and I thought that the new Stephen West pattern, Creekbed, would be great in some of our Unique Sheep Gradience kits.  Hmmmm....   This is calling to be cast-on - but I need to complete one more project before....

In the world of our loving shop cats, Laurel was the lucky winner of a photoshoot today!  She curled up on The Sassy Skein Fastasy Fest scarf I was knitting - and the contrast of the black and white was perfect.  Doesn't she look beautiful and peaceful.  Believe she is still feeling a bit punk after her shots yesterday...  BUT she was doing great as she is down one pound from last year.

As for Lily Langtree, we do need to see if we can find a good and loving home for her.  Noro is just not having her in the shop and is giving her such trouble, and she is such a sweet kitty.  The vet is guessing she is about 12 years old, and she simply should not have to put up with such an upstart of a cat like Noro.  If you or someone you know could provide love and a good home, please let us know.  Here are two pictures of Lily last weekend with the new scarf that she was presented with from one of our great customers!   She knew it was hers and didn't stop sleeping on it for the full day.

Until the next blog, I do hope you have a happy and safe Summer filled with happiness and yarn!  Me, I am going to play with the new Fiesta Baby Boom that arrived this week.....  Oooooohhhhh.

 

Wow, it was sure awesome when the June edition of Texas Monthly arrived in the mail, and there was a great article on the great things to do in Comfort.  AND The Tinsmith's Wife was included in those great things, and we were able to get a picture in the print edition.  This is so exciting - I was even quoted..."Wendy Solberg says..."!    If you are reading this blog and are not from the great state of Texas, you may not fully understand the glee of being a part of this magazine!   The article is so great for Comfort and our merchants.   How could you resist not popping into Blackbird Antiques just to see Molly and Hudson after you have seen this picture (see below);  these are the two chubby pugs that are the residents of that shop!    Here is the link to the online edition of the article.

And the fun doesn't stop there! 

It is Summer, and there is definitely some time to peacefully knit in the air conditioning as the outside temps reach 100 degrees and over...   I cannot imagine that people can stop knitting in the hotter parts of the year.  This may be one of the best times...  At least it seems like life is a smidge slower.   Summertime is when you can begin to creat great projects to give as gifts during the holidays (if you can hold out and not give them prior to the holidays).   There are also multiple small projects that are perfectly crafted while on a trip.  Generally, it is also accepted (in Wendy's world) to dream of cool weather when that wool sweater would be a perfect "I Love Me" gift!   Gosh, you sure can tell that I do love my knitting, huh? 

At present, I am enjoying the heck out of knitting Ilga Leja's Bermuda shawl.  It is tremendous fun to knit - and wait for it - I am able to knit with Noro!  What else could one ask for?!   I would love to have a few folks join me on the journey into short rows while creating a gorgeous shawl with multiple curvy lines...  A knitalong will be posted shortly for the fun!

Well, all this talk of Noro of course makes me also remember my dear kitty, Noro!  Here is a great shot of him definitely advertising for our upcoming Knit Noro Knitalong...  I wish I could take credit for posing him like this - but this is just pure Noro being himself and loving his namesake!

Until we next see you - happy Summer knitting (and perhaps throw a little Noro in there for Summer fun)!

If you have been around our shop and me, you know that I adore my parents.  As we just celebrated Mother's Day - obviously the focus here is Mom!   I am blessed to have such a great Mom who is also a great friend.  I simply love her a ton.  It is probably not a shock that Mom and I talk each day - maybe more than once.

For her day, we did our routine Sunday morning "work" at the shop - sharing knitting patterns and ideas, paying shop bills, and generally just having a great time together.   Dad was good enough to watch the shop on Sunday afternoon so we could pop out to Welfare Cafe for a late lunch - and it was yummy!   Here is a picture of Mom out back at Welfare Cafe.  (It was a hot one!)  Doesn't she look great?! 

On Mother's Day at the shop, we also had other wonderful mothers/daughters/sisters enjoying the time together.  This is a great shot of two close sisters - and one had just received their new gift of a scarf out of Noro Kuryeon!  Gotta love the connections of women.

As always, there is always extra love around for our kitties....  As usual, Noro is a camera hog, and just so darn cute!  Here is a shot of him in his favorite new spot (now changed) where he can be close to the front door to be able to greet visitors (when he is awake)....   This was a "naughty kitty" event that was captured - as a good employer he was counseled on laying on the yarn....

And another of him looking all beautiful in the front window.  This shot was snapped as Mom and I returned on Sunday.  You cannot help but smile!  BTW - the new sweater in the window was just finished by Mom.  Super cute and easy in Classic Elite's Provence.  I have one too in pink!

Then...drum roll...we have a new addition to The Tinsmith's Wife family.  She is shy - but quite a lovely lady...  Lily Langtry!  This little girl has had a rough life - but she seems pretty happy now.  Don't be surprised if you don't see her as she is a bit shy.

Now I am off to knit - working on a new Mountain Colors scarf that is gorgeous and so fun to knit!

The sun is shining bright, and you cannot beat the "newness" that Spring in South Texas provides.  I do realize that it would be ideal to have a bit of rain, but I am always appreciative of the sun especially when it isn't so hot.  As we look out the window of the shop, we are again greeted with lovely iris and Queen Anne's Lace...and the sun is just coming through the trees with a great effect!  The flags are flapping in a great breeze.  Geez, it is definitely a gorgeous day! 

The visitors that we have visit with us in Comfort are just as sunny! 

Last weekend we had the "Lubbock" group - and what fun they were! They seemed to have an absolutely wonderful time just being together and enjoying each other.   It is a pleasure to be able to participate in such good friends and definitely such good feeling.    As they left the shop on Saturday night - I did snag a quick snap of them - you can see the great smiles, but I wish I could have recorded the laughter and comments.  Priceless!  This weekend was also to celebrate a birthday girl!  Thanks to all five of you for a wonderful time!

We have had some tremendous activities over the past several weeks.  Last week, we were lucky to have Gwen Bortner join us for our Spring Knitting Retreat, and she taught us entrelac from the beginning.   We were lucky again to have a great building right on High Street in Comfort with tremendous light and energy!  Here are a few shots from our two days...  I have so many more - and they are all wonderful!  Thanks to all who were able to participate.  Particular thanks to Frankie and Tom at an Heirloom B&B for two days of wonderful lunches and for being such a great host to Gwen!

Cathy and Janet

  
Connie                                 Kay


Wendy (the British one)


Gwen with Susan's hat

The wonderful part is everyone left with a great finished product - a fantastic and extremely fashionable hat!  Don't we look great?!  The hats were each so different as we chose different colors, textures, and the sizes ranged as well.  Fun!

We followed our first day with a review of Gwen's trunk show of wonderful finished goodies from her book Entree to Entrelac...

Gwen also has a few great snaps on her blog, and Susan also chronicled her visit as well!

The fun didn't stop over the weekend.  Thursday was St. Patrick's Day, and we had a treat for those who visited - music by the Rose and Thistle band.  Janet (far left in the green hat) is the tin whistle player, and from all that was shared the band was a hit around Comfort!  I was just sorry that I missed the festivities!

In closing, it is always exciting when I get to teach someone to knit.  It is even cooler when the new knitter is totally smitten with knitting - and an excellent knitter as well!  Dee Dee is one such student.  She came into the shop during Girls Night Out in November and saw a Noni bag and wanted to make it - primarily as she is a horse lover and the handle has a horse bit handle.  Here is Dee Dee with her finished bag and a huge smile just a smidge over three months later!  The finished product is gorgeous with the best looking black & white lining, charms for the zippers, and a "Giddy Up" tag on the front! 

Another week is coming to a close... Time just goes so fast, but boy, we do meet some tremendous folks.  Darcy, thank you for snapping pictures on Thursday for me!