Miss Babs Blog

Babs

Well, changes may be too strong a word! All I know is that things change constantly with me, as long as I get to have a basic routine in my day! So what are these changes? Jen, who has worked with me for about 5 years, is now taking care of many of the marketing aspects of the company. She will continue to travel with me to most of my shows as she is fantastic with understanding patterns and helping you find the right colors and color combos for your... Read More

Spring Retreat in the Mountains!

Babs

A couple of months ago Nancy Shroyer of Nancy's Knit-Knacks contacted me about a retreat she was planning for spring this year! She wanted to know if I was interested in teaching. And, of course, I said yes, I would be interested. So the weekend of April 29-May 2 is when the Unwind Getaway will be held in Blowing Rock, NC. What a beautiful time of the year! Things are blooming, lots of green, and the air is fresh! There will be 6 regional instructors, a small marketplace, good food,... Read More

Winter Visitors

Babs

[caption id="attachment_682" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="A few Robins!"][/caption] Jen here... I was raised up north where the Robins disappear for the winter. When I was a kid, it was a huge deal to see a flock of Robins after January, because that meant Spring was definitely on the way! Early this week, I was trudging up the frozen driveway to the studio and ran into a noisy flock of Robins in the Bradford Pear Trees that are planted along the edges. The hungry hoard was devouring the fruit which was noticeably... Read More

Shy Babs

Babs

Shy!?@#! Heck no!!! But there are those who like photos of themselves and those who hate photos of themselves. I am in the Hate category. I don't care to see myself, just as I don't like hearing myself on the phone recording and so on. I am probably just like many others this way. But a customer of mine took this picture at SAFF this fall and when I opened it up, I said to myself...that actually isn't too bad. So here it is: [caption id="attachment_655" align="aligncenter" width="257" caption="Miss Babs... Read More

Walk to Work

Babs

I get to walk to work everyday, which is a luxury in my book. This is especially true after years of commuting to work 30 minutes to an hour, and more for my husband. True, we had some shorter 15 minute commutes, but this one is the shortest. Right now the office is in my house so I even come to my desk in my pj's. Many of you know I start early most days, before I am ready for real clothes. Yesterday morning's walk to work was one of... Read More

The Monogamy Project

Babs

[caption id="attachment_638" align="alignleft" width="420" caption="the monogamy project"][/caption] jen here... Have no doubt that I'll use any excuse to cast on something new! This is Just Enough Ruffles by Laura Chau in Yowza. The New part of this project in not the fact that it's newly cast-on or that it's newly purchased. Nope! The new part is that I'm going to FINISH it before I start anything else! What? Is that doubtful laughter I hear from the back row? Or was that in my own head... Come back in a day... Read More

Another Project Done!

Babs

I absolutely cannot believe it! I have knit another project and it is done blocking. Now admittedly it is a small project. Simple Things by Mary-Heather Cogar, which I did in Yowza instead of fingering weight which is what the pattern calls for. I used size 9 needles and it gave a wonderful fabric - just right for a small shoulder shawl. The beauty of this pattern is that it is a great way to show off variegated yarns AND it is a quick knit! which is great right now... Read More

Merry Christmas! Happy Holidays! Gratitude!

Babs

Merry Christmas to everyone! Holiday Greetings to all! Silent gratitude isn't much use to anyone. ~G.B. Stern I found this phrase a few years ago when I was thinking about having a year-end sale as a way of thanking my customers for their support over the past year. There is something about being a small business owner and at the end of the year, if things are still going, you tend to be grateful. This year is no different. We are still going and I am grateful for that. Many... Read More

Kiva: Loans that Change Lives

Babs

Even if you haven't heard about Kiva, I imagine you have heard about micro-loans and how they have changed people's lives. When I first heard about Kiva a year and a half ago, I was intrigued. I like the idea of helping people to help themselves. I like the idea of helping other small business people expand, or simply help with working capital, in some small way. I like the idea of joining together with others to loan money...not being the only one on the line. I like the idea... Read More

Thursday! A Winner and More...

Babs

It's a Thursday, 9 days before Christmas and I have been busy...but first I want to congratulate Anita on putting in the winning comment on the blog in the Tierno giveaway. She chose Chocolate Roses. This will go out today! So what have I been up to lately? Knitting! Among other things. I have actually finished two projects. The first in my Annis in Tuscan Clay, which uses just one skein of Yet. I started this back in the late spring when the pattern initially came out in Knitty.com and... Read More

Did You Feel the Shift...?

Babs

Jen here! [caption id="attachment_552" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Pre-blocking w/ crochet edge"][/caption] [caption id="attachment_553" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Yowza light worsted"][/caption] In the space/time continuum, that is! Actually it should be a double-whammy shift as I have not only finished a present before the date it is supposed to be given, but also that I have FINISHED something AT ALL!!! I am an unabashed, admitted serial starter. Since I work here with the prolific colorist workaholic Miss Babs, there is a never ending stream of new colors that I MUST put on needles...and then... Read More

It's Warmer Today!

Babs

Well, warmer is a relative term. Warmer than yesterday! So it is supposed to get up to 43 degrees F. today. Wow! And it is supposed to start snowing again tomorrow. So today is my window to go outside and dye in pots! I also dyed outside yesterday - 7 pots. That's good, but today, I would like to do 14. Won't happen, but that's what I would like to do. The saying is, "My eyes are always bigger than my mouth." And I suppose that's me..."Go big!" Never do... Read More