Finished the third skein of yarn and I'm ready to start knitting tonight.  On a side note, LW & I are going to have to meet with Lynn about changing blog software.  This version is just awful!

Hope to get in some solid spinning time tonight.  Here's skein #2....completed thanks to the Tour.

Started the second skein (shades of pink and burgundy) during the race today.  Boy, was that an exciting finish.  Probably won't get near as much done as I did yesterday.  That was definitely a fluke.  I don't even want to consider that I could finish the skeins quickly and start on the knitting......there is no way I could complete the scarves during the Tour.....I knit at a snails pace.

Well, it was a good day for spinning--overcast sky and no one around but me & the pugs.  Thanks to the TDF and some Law & Order re-runs, I got the first skein completed! I think it turned out pretty nice.

Hey, I didn't know there were 2 Tour de Fleece challenges.  Just found out today and hopefully signed in just under the wire for the second one.   I went ahead last night and prepped my fiber, so I'm ready to go tomorrow. --Patty

I spent some time this morning reading the challenge and looking at the other participant's blogs for inspiration. Finally this afternoon, it came to me.  I've chosen 3 groupings of alpaca blend tops--approx. 120gms per group.  I'm going to spin each group and self or Navajo ply to retain the color striping.  Somewhere between fingering and sport weight.  Ultimately, the yarns will be knit into scarves and donated to the Alabama Pug Rescue for fund raising. 

Well, I signed up.  The Tour de Fleece is a challenge for spinners during the Tour de France bike race.  Here is a link where you can read the rules AND sign up to spin along.  www.tourdefleece.com  Now I just have to figure out what to use from the fiber stash room....which used to be the spare bedroom.  Good thing we don't have a lot of overnight visitors!--patty

Just got a photo from the COE exhibit co-ordinator of convergence.  All the COE recipients were asked to submit a finished project (and matching skein of yarn) for display along with a brief bio.  PW was scrambling to find a finished something with leftover yarn.  This was the first spinning she did after completing the COE.  After all the superfine and fine skeins, she said she wanted to make the biggest, fattest yarn she could.

I know it's summer and everyone is caught up in all that it means.....BUT......it's never too early to plan for fall.  National Spinning and Weaving Week is October 4-10 and we want to kick things off with a bang.  October 4th, 10a-4p  plan on bringing your wheels, and looms plus a rug to set them on and celebrate with us outside under the trees at Little Barn.  Lunch and drinks will be provided by Little Barn....so, after Ken gets done with his "parking police" duties, we're going to put him to work at the grill preparing some nice, juicy burgers for all the fiber enthusiasts.  If you want dessert....well, you'll have to bring your own!   If the weather doesn't cooperate, no worries there....we'll just move it all inside.

Mark your calendars to spend the day with us!

Hmmm......this post disappeared on it's own.  How strange.  Here it is again, and maybe it will stay this time.  Been pretty quiet here....got in some more Kokovoko spindles, and some Schacht spindles, handcards, whorls and bobbins.  Here's a picture of the newest member of the family....Sicily.  She came to us from the Alabama Pug Rescue.  She lost her vision and one eye to neglect,  but don't tell her she's blind.  She gets around the yard and the house like she was born here.  The Alabama Pug Rescue does some amazing work---the cases they handle just break your heart.  Whatever animal it is that you love, support the rescue organizations....PLEASE!

OOPS.....we forgot to put this on our schedule page.&nbsp; May 23-24....that's next weekend....we'll be away at the Middle TN Fiber Festival.&nbsp; Come visit us there because the shop will be closed both days.&nbsp; <br>

In case you may have noticed, all of us at Little Barn are not as young as we used to be.  Shocking isn't it.  I know, I know....I can easily pass for 27 but the fact is I'm not.  Becky & I are home but pretty much worn out.  So, now to get to the point......We were originally scheduled to open the shop back up tomorrow--Tuesday.  We decided during the drive home to take a couple of extra rest days.  New date to open the shop back up.......Thursday, May 8.  Thanks for understanding everybody!!!!!

Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival is here again and we are loading the suitcases and heading out.  If you get to the festival, drop by and see us---we'd love to meet you.  May not have time for long conversations, but we'd still love to meet you.

The shop will be closed while we are gone and will re-open on Tuesday May 6th. 

Everybody hang with us.&nbsp; We are upgrading software and haven't go tall the bugs worked out yet.&nbsp; For the time being, click on the calendar dates to view the most recent posts.&nbsp; <br><br>Thanks!<br>L. Constanzos<br>webmaster<br>

Recycled sari silk waste is back in stock.&nbsp;&nbsp;It's taken 9mths and 3 companies but it's here.

Finally got some more Angelina back in stock.&nbsp;&nbsp;Web pages are being updated.&nbsp;&nbsp;New colors:&nbsp;&nbsp;watermelon, clear and wysteria

Ok, I know that 2009 is a long way off....BUT.....we decided to move Roc Day 2009 to the Country Inns &amp; Suites in Huntsville.&nbsp;&nbsp;We have booked the downstairs conference area.&nbsp;&nbsp;The fire dept has those rooms rated for 100 people--so there will be tons of room and plenty of parking for anyone who wants to come.

We all made it through the conference although we did take a LOT of naps Sunday.&nbsp;&nbsp;Everyone seemed to have a great time and commented that they learned some new tricks and techniques.&nbsp;&nbsp;Plus, we have 5 brand new spinners from the beginners class.&nbsp;&nbsp;From all accounts, they just did fantastic.&nbsp;&nbsp;A big thank you to our instructors, Merike and Stef, for traveling to be with us.&nbsp;&nbsp;Another big, big thank you to the attendees--your thoughtful and encouraging comments really made this worthwhile for us.&nbsp;&nbsp;Since we had such a great turn out at Roc Day '08, we are giving serious though to renting the downstairs rooms at the hotel for Roc Day '09.&nbsp;&nbsp;Take out all the tables and we could get a BUNCH of spinners in there--the fire dept has those rooms rated for 100 people.&nbsp;&nbsp;I think we could round up a hundred spinners....

If you are arriving on Thursday, I'll be at the hotel setting up in the afternoon and evening.&nbsp;&nbsp;The hotel registration desk is straight in the front doors.&nbsp;&nbsp;Conference registration, shopping and break/lunch rooms are to the left from the hotel desk.&nbsp;&nbsp;The classrooms are past the hotel desk to the right and up the stairs.&nbsp;&nbsp;We'll have carrying help available and signs on the classrooms.

<IMG height=13 alt="" src="http://www.littlebarninc.com/images/moose.jpg" width=1>Whew!&nbsp;&nbsp;Between all four of us having the flu, lambing, getting the last minute details polished for the conference and trying to get a shipment out of China....It's been a long, LONG weekend.&nbsp;&nbsp;Here's some "eye candy" for everyone to enjoy! We named him Moose....and yes, his brother is named Squirrel&nbsp;&nbsp;!!!!