A Flyover Blog

Spinning by PattyAnne

My bloggy friend, Patty, is at it again. Not only is the woman a techno-computer whiz, she's an accomplished low-tech artist as well. When I talked to her last week I discovered she has her own spinning dvd over on Etsy. Yes, she has an Etsy shop... something I will never have. Patty gardens; I go to farmers markets. Patty spins; I sewed a button on Mitch's shorts and was pretty happy about it. You see where this is going.

Patty and her friend, Caron hosted a wildly successful fiber arts camp this Spring out in South Carolina. She gets frequent requests to teach her techniques; her new dvd is just a way of teaching this lost art much faster. (Technology does have its good points.) If you are the least bit craftsy and long to do more than knit socks with store-bought yarn, I encourage you to visit Patty's Blog and Etsy shop. Patty is a warm and wonderfully approachable teacher; I'm sure she'll be happy to get you started on a new adventure in fiber arts.

This Saturday: Fiber Days!

 

My two East Coast friends, Patty and Caron, are hosting their first ever Fiber Days event at Freehaven Farm  this coming Saturday, May 30th, in Simpsonville, SC. Caron and her wonderful farm have been featured by National Geographic; Patty is an incredibly gifted teacher. Together, they are  an unbeatable team. The theme for this Saturday's program is From Hoof to Handspun and Beyond. Attendees won't be bringing skeens of store-bought yarn; they'll be starting from scratch, meaning they'll begin by learning how to shear a sheep or llama.

Sadly, I cannot swim the Mississippi to attend, but I will be there in spirit tromping across the pasture, stepping in poo and flubbing up my assigned tasks in every way imaginable! Seriously, I am honored to know these two fantastic women. Here's a link to one of their YouTube videos called Warping A Rigid Heddle Loom. Don't ask me what that means cause I don't know. It's fascinating to watch, though. If you'll be in the greater Simpsonville area this weekend,  I urge you to attend. It'll be a day well spent.

Photo of handspun treasures courtesy of Freehaven Farm.

"Must Click" Blogs

 

It's been awhile since I posted some of my favorite blog links, and I thought today would be a good time to fix that. When I need a smile - which has been often this past month - I click on over and eavesdrop on Jenny Ryan and her twisted little world.  Jenny blogs rain or shine at Using My Powers for Good; and she looks at life though a relentless funny lens. Jenny has an army of fans and, if she ever gets us organized, I suspect she could take over the world.  Go, Jenny! (You should probalby think about printing up some spiffy campaign signs soon.)

So, when Jenny posted a heads up on a new gem-of-a-blog she discovered, I had to check it out. Kendra Thornbury writes SpiritAlive, which is an outgrowth of her personal coaching business. SpiritAlive is filled with positive energy and encouragement for your journey. If you're feeling a little bogged down, your priorities are in disarray and you're having a hard time finding your happy place, Kendra may be just what you need to get you focusing forward again.

Photo from CuteOverload. I chose this one for Jenny; she's a hard core cat person.

Do You Spin?

 

Yes, I'm still here, working away on HealthCare PSI. The website is nearly ready to launch (fingers crossed.) My friends and bloggy co-horts, Patty and Caron, have their own new project in the works. I just found out about it this morning. Freehaven Farm Fiber Day 2009 promises to be a blast for anyone interested in fibre arts. Heck, I'd go just to pet the animals, if I didn't live 10 states away.

Patty and Caron just produced this video promoting the event. I've watched it 3 times; makes me feel like I'm almost there. If you live in or around South Carolina, or want to learn about fiber arts from a master, I encourage you to attend!

Image Courtesy Freehaven Farm.

Writerly Wisdom from Cait

 I have a number of writer friends. Some are just starting out. Others have been in the business a very long time; I won't say how long because we're all still claiming to be 29.

We all have one thing in common - we get super stressed every December. We stress about unmet goals. We stress about projects in progress. We stress about projects that got pushed aside for something else more timely. We stress about future projects we haven't even thought of yet. Mostly, we stress about spending time shopping and wrapping and decorating for the holidays - which is time we would otherwise spend writing.

My good friend Cait London

 sat down last week and wrote her own Writer's Survival Guide and posted it on her blog. I don't care what genre you work in, Cait's practical tips and earthy wisdom will get you through December in fine style and send you into the New Year ahead of the game. This is a must read for writers. 

Thank you, Cait!

Happy Birthday, Carolyn

 

My bloggy friend, Carolyn, is having a birthday today. Happy Birthday, girl! May your next 50 be fantastic! (Oh, and Happy Thanksgiving, too.)

Look Out World

Big day today for my bloggy friend, Michelle Lamar, over at White Trash Mom.  Her new book hits the shelves in bookstores across the country today! Love the title - The White Trash Mom Handbook: Embrace Your Inner Trailerpark, Forget Perfectionism, Resist Assimilation into the PTA, Stay Sane, and Keep Your Sense of Humor.

I'm running out to buy my copy this afternoon, right after I vote in the primary. Know why?  Michelle included a listing of her favorite blogs in this book... and A Flyover Blog is in there! I have NO idea what she has to say about it, so I've got to check it out! LOL

Congratulations, Michelle!  You go, girl!!

Congrats, Deborah!

 

Got an exciting bit of news in my email last week. One of my writer friends, Deborah Vogts, signed a three book contract with Zondervan for her Seasons of the Tallgrass series. The first book will be released in May of next year. If you're not acquainted with Deb, remember her name; she'll be making a mark in the Christian fiction market, that's for sure. Congratulations, Deborah - Can't wait to read your book!

Out With The Old

I've been setting up my new office this week. I'm tossing all my old notes for writing projects I never pursued and making room for new things. I got tired of running across scraps of paper with notes scribbled on them thinking, Oh, I never did anything with that.  Made me feel like I'd dropped the ball or missed out on something, when, in fact, I didn't miss anything; I just went with something stronger at that time. Not all ideas writers get are golden; some of them are real stinkers and deserve to fade quietly away in the bottom of a desk drawer.

I am happy to report that my bookshelves are not overstuffed anymore. The books have room to breathe and I can actually see each one. It's a good feeling. Our small collection of antique books is downstairs on the living room mantle and Mitch has plenty of room in his office for his reference library. We are book lovers, that's for sure.

Speaking of books, I met a writer, Cait London - for the second time - last year. We've stayed in touch these past few months and have found that, although we write in completely different fields, we have many things in common. Cait is getting ready to relocate in the near future, too. She's planning to move to the Springfield area; I hope she's close enough to meet me at B&N for tea! (Or McAlister's. Or Panera.) Cait's one of those wise, witty and encouraging people who is a joy to know. She asked me a while back where we first met. I told her I remembered seeing her sign books at a local author's workshop many years ago. I'm sure I spoke to her, but just briefly; she was busy.  Well, while I was cleaning out my desk Sunday evening, I found an old workshop program from 1992; inside was one of Cait's old business cards. I was right, Cait; we did meet at that workshop!

Sendin' A Bloggy Hug To...

I arrived home Saturday and found a package waiting for me from Angela way out in Colorado! In it was a beautiful card and an absolutely gorgeous original print - the prize I won in a recent drawing. In case you haven't met her, Angela is an author and gifted photographer; she has an eye for seeing things most of us overlook every day. Her blog is filled with wit and encouragement for anyone pursuing artsy endeavors. Go by and meet her; you'll be glad you did. Thanks Angela. You brightened my day!