Yes, that part about the "yarn spinning demo" is me! I figured, hey, since this handmade holiday pop-up shop is the public's first opportunity to see my yarn in person, why not share the yarn-making process with you while I can? I'm looking forward to meeting some fellow artists, too... and loading up on more handmade gifts while I'm there!
There are certain features of our yarnbombed piano that will only really be enjoyed once she reaches a forever home at a Women's Fund grantee organization - but that does not make them any less fabulous! In fact, these wonderful knits are two of my very favorite parts:
If you've visited any of the pianos out in public, you've seen that they
have uniform, gray, custom-made benches, equipped with GO Ahead &
Play information and maps, tethered to them. Here is Claire's gorgeous piece that covers the seat of the "permanent bench" (the one that came with the piano - bench and piano will be reunited when she retires to her indoor life of luxury).
We lined the inside of the permanent bench, leaving some of the music books and a notebook of the child (Emily) who once learned to play on our Betsy Ross Spinnet. See that bright pink book on top? That "sheet music" was knitted by Wenchciara, who transcribed the notes of "You Are My Sunshine" on one of the pages! (She's also responsible for making all the lovely treble clefs that we've attached to the piano!)
Indianapolis, you've only got a few more days (until August 18th) to head down to Monument Circle and find "Tickled Pink, Tickling the Ivories" - GO Ahead & Play!
The excitement is building! I can hardly wait! The Yarnburners' piano, Tickled Pink, Tickling the Ivories, is about to make her outdoor debut! What will you play when you meet her?
Today's video features our newest Yarnburner, my best friend Kevin, who doesn't even knit (yet?)! He came along to the GO Ahead & Play workspace one day to help me (thank goodness!) and the next thing I knew he had a needle in hand and was miraculously, expertly stitching pieces to other pieces in contrasting yarn, which really makes for a fabulous finished look. Don't worry, this is not the last you'll see/hear of him!
This blog entry is meant not only to share an inside look at our process with you, lovely readers, but to tell Kev that his love, support, and humor throughout the years mean the world to me - especially his involvement in this crazy piano project (though he never once told me I was crazy for trying to cover a piano with yarn). I love you, Boy.
[Insert big official announcement music here!] The Yarnburners' piano (titled Tickled Pink, Tickling the Ivories) will be on Monument Circle in downtown Indianapolis, Indiana! She's yarn-clad and tuned up and ready for everyone to visit August 1-18, 2013!
The exact location will be 40 Monument Circle (Southwest quadrant - right in front of our sponsors, radio stations 93.1 WIBC FM and Soft Rock B105.7). Here's a link to the interactive map. Keep in mind, she has 19 piano friends in the area and all around town - transformed with everything from paint to paper, sculpted to carved - who would also love to see you! If you're like me, you'll want to print out the downloadable map so you can plan your trips to see each one! Play a song, take some photos, have a seat and sing a little ditty anytime - and when you're tweeting, instagramming, pinning, etc., use "#indypianos" so we can see how you like her!
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:
I've adjusted my blog settings to adjust for those of you looking at this on a mobile phone! Fancy! Here's my latest Treasury; tell me how you like it!
It's been a while since I updated the blog! I've been busy knitting, working, attending to a family emergency in California, reading the Sookie Stackhouse novels, and have I mentioned knitting? I'm currently designing a darling little stripy baby hat (pics soon). I registered to take a drop-spindle class at the Hoosier Hills Fiberarts Festival in June... imagine being able to make one's own yarn!
Oh, and Merino, my wonderful, super-genius husband, has graduated Summa Cum Laude, so we've had time to hang out together! We've been to more movies in the past month than in the entire previous year!
Also, can I just say how much I enjoy the new "tweet this," "share on faceplace," etc. features below?! Not to mention how fun it's going to be to see you click away at my new agree, disagree, hot tranny mess, love, and huh? buttons!
