Artisan Market

I guess you could say I've been taking the summer off from knitting.  Instead, I've been thrilled by the hunt of vintage Levi's and sewing denim reconstruction projects like headbands, aprons and cut offs.  I designed crochet thread inserts for the shorts and find pleasure in making perfect fray holes.  It's just the right kind of meticulous summer project that has struck my fancy lately.

Then braving the summer heat to showcase my latest collection at The Workroom Saturday Artisan Market.

 

Beaded Silk Scarf

An easy one night garter stitch knit scarf
in the exquisite beaded Silk Jewel yarn. 
Dyed and packaged in Canada by Sweaterkits. 
Two more projects to go in my yarn binge from Tulsa.

Yet Another Firefly Scarf

Even a foot laceration can be a good thing: knit-wise.  I have some down time to work on my recent Tulsa yarn purchases.  I've probably made close to 10 of these scarves but somehow I've gifted them all away.  This one is for me in a light cocoa shade of Firefly linen yarn.

I Love Oklahoma!

Oklahoma is one of my most favorite states.  From childhood cabin/lake weekends with my grandparents, family reunions, good BBQ, and riding destinations now as an adult.  I should also mention my most favorite yarn shop in Tulsa, Loops.  I just can't help myself.  The boutique atmosphere and inspiration is over the top. I always leave with several projects.  See how the samples of what I chose just draw you in??

He waited patiently in the parking lot on his Harley as I made a mad dash for yarn and then we were off to our weekend with friends on Lake Tenkiller outside Tahlequah.  For work or pleasure, I always like to stay in a lakeside cabin at Burnt Cabin Marina and Resort.  The floating marina/café provides us with really good meals and a nice place to watch the full moon rise over the hilly tree line.

Happy Father's Day

I am out of town on Father's Day so we caught up earlier in the week.  He's the best Dad that didn't have to be. 

 

Riverless Festival

I planned a little overnight 250 mile riding trip with my girl moto posse to Phillipsburg for their annual Riverless Festival.  We had a blast sunbathing at the motel yesterday and taking in the vendors, turtle races, car show and a GREAT boutique shop that this friendly little town has to offer.  Kind of funny when we walk into the tavern and are asked, "Are you the girls from Wichita?"  Word gets around in a small town!

 

Recycled Denim Scarf

I found this cool yarn while traveling through Nebraska and it caught my eye because it's made from 100% recycled denim.  I adore just about anything denim so I chose one of my favorite patterns to make myself a fringed scarf. Pretty darn cool.

 LOVE *** LOVE *** LOVE !!!

Lontue Wrap

Lontue is a 50%/50% linen/cotton yarn hand dyed in Chile.  It has a nice drape and light-weight feel that's perfect for the versatility of this pattern design.  This is my favorite color (matches turquoise) so it will be mine and I'm working on a couple more in different colors for gifts.

 

I Still Ride

I guess I haven't posted riding pictures lately.  Yes, I still get out and ride.  Not as many miles as I used to (been there - done that) and now what I consider more "quality" rides.
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Cassoday Breakfast Run with my neighbor, Shawndra












And a good friend had a biker wedding a few weeks ago

Knitting on a Plane

 

  

Knitting gets me through business travel trips and makes long layovers enjoyable.

 

 

 

 

 

My Bestest Friend

Happy Mother's Day to you and yours!

Free on the Side of the Road

I have a big basket filled with raw cotton I picked close to Winfield after harvest and decided to work it up.  It's kind of a tedious process but those are the ones I tend to like the most.  I also gave a demonstration over the weekend at an artist's gathering.  Here are the steps (which don't include a crazy white girl out in a field pilfering free cotton):

1) Pull the fiber out of the pods and then pick out all the seeds and debris
2) Hand card (flat brushes that line the fiber up) and roll like cinnamon buns ready to be spun
3) Spin two spools with a somewhat heavy twist
4) Counter clockwise spin the two spools into one yarn
5) Soak to clean, give it some good whacks against the bathtub then hang outside to dry

And that's it.  Ready to knit up into something useful like cotton washcloths.  Pretty cool to make something from nature into something useful.

Girls Just Gotta Flea

I'll admit it, mom and I are flea market junkies.  And it's not like we drag a bunch of junk home.  We just like to spend time together and look at old things.  And I will admit sometimes...I do find some good stuff. 

Yarn Bomb a Chair

So, remember that flea market chair I found in Texas a few weeks back? 

Since it's the right height for my spinning wheel I though it needed to be somewhat fiber themed and yarn bomb came to mind.  For comfort I decided just to milk paint the seat and then used leftover yarn to wrap around (with mod podge to secure) the pegs on the chair. 

Absolute Vintage Boutique

There's a resale shop on the west side of town that inspires me and has my heart.  Not only do they have all kinds of repurposed, crafty good stuff, but they offer paint classes and outdoor markets.  I always leave inspired to make something.  This time some milk paint for a ratty antique bed stand and sparkly german glass glitter for some recent flea find antlers. 

DIY's make for a relaxing, fun weekend!

Dog Boots

YEEHAW!  Aunt Tami in Texas sent me home with some cowboy boots for the girls. 

Of course, Pretty Girl Pearl likes them.

 

Canton Flea Market

Like true flea market junkies - we just can't get enough and had to swing by Canton for First Monday trade days for a few hours.  It sure made for a long day combined with a 500 mile drive back home -- but it was worth it.  I scored a $15 deal on a wooden chair I will repurpose.  It's just perfect to use with my spinning wheel. 

Just another fun-filled 1,600 mile road trip with my momma!

Rod & Custom Show

Mom and I don't stay put for long.  It's on to Austin for the Lone Star Round Up car show full of rockabilly fun. 

I have a thing for old Chevy trucks in rust bucket colors.

2014 Texas Antiques Week

YEEHAW!! 

 It's another fabulous road trip to Texas with my momma for shopping and antiques.  The bluebonnets are in full bloom and the temperatures in the low 80's.  This year we are staying a couple nights at a motel in Giddings and drove into Round Top our first day making the newly opened Junk Gypsy Headquarters our first stop. 

It's true, Not All Who Wander are Lost.

Such an inspiring, colorful shop full of good stuff!

 We walked all over Round Top and Warrenton for two days and then Thursday night was the Junk O Rama Prom where the Warrenton oudoor nightlife comes alive with cowboy boots and prom dresses, twinkle lights, music, beer and dancing.  It's the magical kind of night that you wake up the next morning wishing you could do it over again.

 

MLM @ the March Flea

I gave the Flea another go this month and now I'm done for the summer.  Knitting projects got me through the winter and now I'm ready to put the needles down (mostly) for outdoor travel, sports and adventure.  What's left is packed up in a suitcase for sales at a later date.  Thanks for supporting Miss Lanora's Miscellany and I'll see y'all in the Fall.