Yarnbombing a piano in Indianapolis!

Remember when we tagged the inside and outside of the Harrison Center for the Arts with yarn?  Well, there's a new project on the horizon - I submitted a proposal, it was accepted, and work has begun (let me know in the comments if you want to join in; there's still plenty of time)!

First, a little bit about our group: the Yarnburners are a group of central Indiana knit graffiti (“yarnbombing”) artists. We enjoy beautifying and bringing attention to the beauty in everyday objects by dressing them in knit, crochet, and weaved yarns.

And now, about the project: we will be fitting an upright piano with a custom-made yarn wrap for the Women's Fund of Central Indiana's GO Ahead & Play pop-up pianos public art project.

The overall theme of our installation will be “Tickled Pink, Tickling the Ivories,” and the main colors of the knitted/crocheted work will be various joyous shades of pink! The choice of colors was made to symbolize women and honor their vibrancy and strength, while at the same time inviting passersby to smile, gather together, and maybe even sit and play for a while!  Here's our "concept image":

We have three workshop times set up in the next couple of weeks:

TODAY: Tuesday April 30 from 5-7 pm
Thursday May 9 from 6-8 pm
Saturday May 11 from 10 am-3 pm 

Bring: knitting needles or crochet hooks and a folding chair or something comfy to sit on. We have some yarn, but bring any stash you want to contribute and/or knit with.  Can't join in, but have some pink yarn to contribute?  You can drop it off at Mass. Ave. Knit Shop!

The workspace where the piano is being housed is at 5358 W 38th St, Indianapolis (in Honey Creek Plaza at 38th and Moller Rd.). The space has been donated, so when you see a “for lease” sign and white-papered windows, you’ll know you’re in the right place! It’s between Machu Picchu and the tepanaki place.

The completed piano (ours is one of twenty working uprights, each showcasing a different artist or group's medium) will be placed around Indianapolis in August, for the public to enjoy and interact with.

Color me flabbergasted!

Since I started spinning, I wonder (a lot) about what people would make from my yarn.  Never in a million years could I have imagined something this fabulous.  Look what Sandi made from yarns I spun! GORGEOUS!  Check out her Pinterest board to see how a felted bowl is "born."

Source: Uploaded by user via Sandi on Pinterest

New Treasury!

Here's a screen shot of my latest Etsy Treasury; please click this link and then have a look at each individual item!  Some of these handmade goodies are made by friends, some are shops I've purchased from in the past (and recommend, for high-quality items and excellent service), some are by Handmade Movement teammates, and some feature male people and characters that are faves of my husband and I.  I hope you like it!

Prepping to take the plunge...

Darling readers, I might be about ready to teach myself to knit socks.  It's true!  I've picked out yarn and decided on a method.  I've got the needles, and told my knit group pals.  Now all I've got to do is watch some two-at-a-time sock-knittin' videos on youtube, and get to knittin'!  

Wish me luck!  I'll keep you posted as I ease into it further...

Four-day weekend!

I've decided to take at least one three-day weekend a month in 2013, so I don't end up with 13 vacation days left to use in December like I did last year!  This weekend was the first, and so far I had lunch with my niece-in-law yesterday, today I took my Ruby Slippers yarn to the post office (sending to New York), tomorrow I'll be going to a movie with my sweet husband and then spinning something lovely for my Etsy shop, and Monday (whoops, it's a holiday, so I got four days - yay!) I'm going to do something with my best friend.

I also found out about the two fiber festivals I usually go to (one in April and one the last weekend of June) and scheduled those Fridays off as well.  What can I say; I love planning!

What are you up to, lovely readers?  Oh, here's my updated handspun map:

Where people are using my handspun yarns!

Make yours @ BigHugeLabs.com

Map it!

Two sales of my handspun yarn in the last two days - I'm excited!  States in yellow are where I've mailed skeins to... I'll keep updating this as needed:

Where people are using my handspun yarns!

Make yours @ BigHugeLabs.com

I love October!

There's a lot going on... first, I designed my "Young Frankenstein" baby hat just in time for trick-or-treating and Fall photo shoots.  I was thinking that a little black "suit" or some sweats would make an easy baby Halloween costume.

Second, I've learned to use a spinning wheel!  That's right, I can now make yarn.  And, as much as I might want to keep it all to myself, there just aren't enough hours in a day, so I'm starting to sell it in my Etsy shop, too!  Here's a screen shot from when I was editing photos earlier: