This 'n That

Two design deadlines are coming up.  Both are for June 15th and both are similar although for different venues.  I had been thinking of an Art Noveau based skirt for the Knitter's one and then the Knit Picks special call came out which threw me into a design tizzy.  Most of the last 2 weeks has been spent with graph paper, knitting stitch books and my Knit Visualizer software.  This means I have been more right brained than usual so my normal meandering is now really serpentine and disjointed (writing becomes harder too).  I think almost constantly of how one piece or another can go together and rework the numbers and designs until they start to make sense and the swatch looks good.

Since I am preparing for a vending in central NY the weekend of June 9 (huh? what? more later) AND leaving for CA on June 8 for my granddaughter's HS graduation I figured I'd better get these submissions done sooner rather than later.

The limiting factor in both is the projected color schemes for next fall and winter.  The colors are not my favs - creams, tans, maize, dark rusts and maroons with a bit of celadon and sea green - but I am stretching myself to embrace them.  VBG

Both designs are going to be skirts.  Certainly not for moi to wear as the idea is for a younger figure but they are definitely a fun addition to my repertoire.
So far this much is done on one design although the suggested colors are a bit different but I used what I had in my stash.

I take breaks by walking outside.  The spring smells, the infinite shades of greens and the sunshine on the flowers are all invigorating and connecting.  Rhododendrons and azaleas are coming into bloom early while the bleeding hearts are still flowering and the chipmunks are feasting.

When I need a change from thinking and math and following my scribbles I work on Jim's vest.   All the yarn is spun and another 2 skeins need to be plied but otherwise a whole project's worth of yarn is done and ready.  That's an accomplishment for me as usually my ADD cuts in and the spinning is stopped part way through in favor of something newer and 'shinier'.  The yarn is a 3 ply - 2 plies of romney/alpaca I bought from Christine J at Hemlock last fall and the other ply is Twilight in bfl/silk.

The buns are doing well although the early heat has Gummy (in front, Keeper behind) plucking herself.

Hopefully one more Pixie Batt will get carded after lunch and then all the new ones up on the website this afternoon.  At least that's the plan.