Sunshine and 49 in Missoula today. Snowdrops and bunnies have been on my work table the past few days.

I’ve been working on a series of Shawl pins during these cold, winters days.

Decided to make some bunny sachets. My seeds arrived in the mail yesterday. I have had lavender seeds stratifying in the refrigerator for nearly a month so I should be able to start a few seeds soon.

As I was looking for yarn for another small knitting project I found a bag of skeins of Shetland yarn spun from my Shetland sheep wool by a dear friend in Iowa. Martha Williams and I started our friendship on the Internet in the ‘90’s. It all started with her purchasing fleeces. As our friendship evolved she ended up coming for a week long visit, during which she organized my newly shorn fleece by color. At the time I had a large flock of Shetland sheep, known for a range of eleven colors, so this was no small task.

So lots of memories in this beautiful yarn spun by Martha from Emma’s wool. Image my surprise when Martha sent me an assortment of skeins from some of my favorite sheep. Each with a carefully made card with all the important information. Martha passed in 2021 and I will cherish this scarf and the memories it brings.

Decided to try my own version of a felt shawl pin this morning. Got the size correct on the second try. Just a bit of simple embellishment on this one but the possibilities are endless. Now to tackle making my own sticks. Will work nicely on this shawl I just finished. My first knitting in quite a few years. Good therapy for the present time.

Assembled a selection of red, grey, black and whites silk pieces to create this scarf. The reverse is a layer of red bamboo.

A few years back I discovered that I could use the remnants from hat making to create felt sachets. Most are filled with lavender but I also use kiln dried cedar and balsam.

Here’s a new scarf that I just delivered to 4 ravens gallery, in Missoula yesterday. It is a patchwork of hand dyed silk fabrics combined with with fine merino wool.

Hoping to spend less time on social media and more time with my blog. After what appears to be a 3 year lapse.

”Some believe it is only great power that can hold evil in check, but that is not what I have found. It is the small everyday deeds of ordinary folk that keep the darkness at bay. Small acts of kindness and love.” J.R.R. Tolkien – The Hobbit, 1937.

As we watch the dark rise in our country and around the world it is important to recognize that whoever is standing in front of us is our neighbor who we are commanded to love. God help us to do so.