Sunday, March 30, 2014

Open House

Black Sheep Woolens 
Spring Open House

May 2 - 3, 2014

Friday Evening 6 ~ 8
Saturday Morning 10 ~ 12

It has been a bit of a puzzle to find a date but we think this one will perfect!  

A May Day Celebration!

I have such fond memories as a young girl enjoying our elementary school's May Day celebration.  It involved all kinds of athletic events and the creme de la creme was when the 6th graders put on their best dress and wound the May Pole.  Parents attended with the younger siblings and there were always treats for everyone!  I also remember making little paper baskets and placing them on neighbors doorsteps, ringing the door bell and running!  Ah Spring, such a lovely time of year.

We encourage everyone to share some May Day goodness with your family, friends and 
neighbors.  It doesn't take much to bring a smile to someone you love.
These photos are some inspiration I gleaned from Pinterest.

The studio will be full of flowers and gorgeous springtime color!
We are busily preparing some new patterns and kits.
Watch for some teasers to show up soon.

20% off one item of your choosing
20% off specialty threads, silk ribbon, ribbons, patterns and books.
{Our wool is always priced 15% off retail prices}

As we anxiously await the season of Spring and the new growth and birth it
symbolizes, finish up some of your old projects and make room for a new one or two!

Happy Stitching!
***

Sunday, March 23, 2014

Inspiring Teacher

We have been looking into designing a headstone for our son.  It has been an interesting education as we have been searching for options that would might be a little more unique for him.  I came upon this video when some image searches of beautifully carved headstones linked to his website.  I like his style!  He seems to be a gifted craftsman as well as an incredible teacher.  It is worth a listen if you have six and a half minutes. His name is Ieuan Rees.  This video didn't imbed so you can make it larger, not sure why.  You could link to you tube here and watch it in a larger format.






His teaching style gives students confidence and faith in their work.  He doesn't believe in "rules" in teaching his craft to give students opportunities to explore new options.  My favorite statement he made was, "There's no such thing as mistakes, only solutions." I love that he teaches that we should learn from our mistakes,  that when we make a mistake it is actually a time to celebrate because what we have in our mind is better than what we see in front of us and how wonderful it is that we can then move forward and figure out the problem.  I think this is one of the most profound thoughts and ways of looking at learning from our mistakes I have ever come across.  I believe it flows over into many aspects of our lives.  Certainly something to think about.

A few of his beautiful headstones.  I think they are exquisite!



We are hoping to settle on a date for an open house in the next few days.  One of our daughters has recently moved her family into a new home and  I get to go back to DC to watch our son's children while they take a house hunting trip to Iowa.  Our youngest daughter graduates in May There are really no free weekends over the next few months. Finding a window where I will be here with enough time to prepare is tricky!  Life can be complicated at times!