Fiber Artist Rachel Suntop, has sent in some amazing handspun samples over the months, but I especially love the beaded ones! They are truly little works of art, and more are to be had in her shop: Cool Climates
My favorite yarn she has in her shop right now is the Chinese Lanterns yarn. The colors are just so painterly and beautiful and it may just be the yarn manifestation of autumn!
Rachel has been doing a very neat "yarn of the day" special in hershop where she features one yarn at a discount. What a great opportunity to get gorgeous art yarn on sale!
We're giving away this set of beautiful felted coasters to a lucky commenter. Just visit Cool Climates, find something you like, and write about it in the comments section below. We'll draw for a name this weekend! Remember to help spread the word about Cool Climates using your social networking skills! We'll count your pings on facebook, twitter, ravelry and your blog as extra entries in the contest- just let us know you did it. Rachel, I truly love your conceptual yarn! Your passion about your work shines through!
Wonderland Fiber is fiber artist Crys Mascarenas' new shop! We know Crys from contributing under the name "Poly Art Girl Designs". Her shop is full of silk and bamboo lusciousness right now! And we know from experience they must be beautiful to behold in person.
Crys is also a wonderful clay artist! She has sent in this beautiful pottery diz for a giveaway. I can't wait until she starts stocking these in her shop!
To have a chance at this beautiful green diz, please visit Wonderland Fiber and find something you love. Write about it in the comments section below, and we'll draw for a winner this weekend! Remember to help spread the word about Crys' new shop by using twitter, facebook, ravelry or other social media avenues- we'll be sure and count that as an extra entry!
Crys, thank you so much for sharing your handmade and hand dyed wonders with us!!
WC Mercantile sent in the most lovely dyed Wensleydale fiber for September! I hope you got a chance to read the story that was included with each sample. It was a tale of a lost lamb and found love- so cute!
If you are new to spinning, Wensleydale is a good choice to start with because of the long staple length. You don't have to draft really fast so you can work on coordinating your treadling and drafting. Having some Wensleydale dyed as nice as this is, couldn't hurt either!
WCMercantile really has everything that you might want in your spinning adventures. Dye stuffs, fiber, Wheels of all types and the fiber selection is amazing!
This week, we're giving away 4 oz dyed Wensleydale wool from WCMercantile! Just visit the shop, do some exploring, and find something you like! Post about it in the comments section below and we'll draw for a winner at the end of the week. Remember to plurk, twitter, facebook, ravelate and blog about this giveaway for extra entries! Steph, you've set a standard for yourself this month! I'll be waiting for a fibery good tale in future samples!
I am sipping my coffee this morning out of my new mug by Winemakerssister's Heather Price. It is my favorite mug and feels so good in the hands! I'm so glad I got one, I just have to let everyone know how much I love it!
Heather's shop is so fantastic! I love everything in it. I think I might have to go back and get the EZ mug for those days I am feeling less than confident.
In conclusion, if you haven't shopped at Winemakerssister lately, stop by and pick some hand made beauty up for yourself!
New to the Phat Fiber group is Lampyridae or "Lampy" and I am proud to say she is a fiber friend of mine here in Southern Illinois! I envy her fiber set-up- spinning wheels, drum carder, room in her house to do these things... ah it would be nice someday!
Lampy and her hubs are very interested in insects and the natural world and that love is reflected in Lampyridae through insect and moth inspired yarn and fiber! I love seeing things that you wouldn't think go together work so beautifully.
Lampy thoroughly creeped us all out with her "devil's darner" fairytale in September's box! As if bugs don't already creep us out enough, right?! If you didn't get a Lampyridae sample this month, convo her for the fairytale and a discount code!
Up for a giveaway is a beautiful 1oz fuschia/magenta colored drum carded batt called "Salamus Parhassus". Just visit Lampyridae, find something you like, and write about it in the comments section below. We'll be drawing for a winner on Saturday! Make sure you plurk, tweet, and facebook her shop so you can get extra entries!
Thanks Lampy, and I'm so glad you've finally joined us over here on the dark side. :)
Misty from Desired Haven Farm, created a really luscious cotton/angora/bamboo blend batt for July's box. We're giving away 3 batts from way back in July! I thought Misty did a fantastic job with the no-wool theme and I was very curious to see what other people did with her generous samples!
Misty is busily preparing for some upcoming fiber festivals and is taking her stock with her. Now would be the time to snag some of her beautiful handspun, or ask her to create something special for you. I think Michigan's Lamb and Wool Festival is her next event, so please stop by and visit her booth!
To enter the batt giveaway, just visit Misty's shop, find something you like, and post about it in the comments section below! We'll be drawing for a winner on Saturday, so make sure you get extra entries by plurking, tweeting and facebooking about Misty's shop!
I am late in posting this giveaway! But, I think the timing is good, and I'll tell you why. I have been spinning up a storm lately and I haven't been spinning with specific projects in mind. I have a lot of gift knitting to do, and I think this year I will make projects and stockpile them and sort out who they should be gifted to later. What do you think? Is that how you do your gift knitting?
Well, I am certainly going to need to get some gift tags for this task! Enter Fiber Gift Tags! They have professionally printed gift tags for all occasions and American and Canadian/British spellings available on all of them.
The best part is, if you need something customized for you, they will do it at no additional cost!
We're excited to be giving away a hand-turned wpi gauge made from exotic Padouk wood. Just visit Fiber Gift Tags, post about something you like, and we'll draw for a winner this weekend. Remember I always count those social networking pings as extra entries so help get the word out about Fiber Gift Tags!
Many of you will start to receive your boxes soon and inside several are some very beautiful "Snow White" samples from Plum Crazy Ranch! They were so soft, sparkly and really embodied a sense of fairytaleness!
I wanted to share with you today, Gayle's new website. The adorableness of all the animals is almost too much (just warning you!) What a fun place, the ranch must be! If you'll be in Oregon, why not arrange a visit? You could grab some gorgeous fiber while you're there :)
Speaking of which, Gayle was sweet to include a giveaway for us of some of her baby alpaca spinning fiber! It is a sample pack of several bright festive colors in one packet (and it's uber soft!) All you have to do to enter the giveaway, is visit Plum Crazy Ranch, find something you like, and write about it in the comments section below here. Use twitter, facebook, plurk or another social network to talk about Plum Crazy Ranch and we'll count that as an extra entry for helping us get the word out about Gayle's lovely shop.
Gayle, thank you so much for sharing your beautiful fiber with us!
Would you look at this beautiful handspun lace weight?! It's called "Poison Apple" and it is just what you can expect from fiber artist Jenessa of My Fair Yarn. Jenessa has posted her yarns on our Ravelry group and she's completely gifted when it comes to spinning fine 2 plys! My Fair Yarn has a little bit of everything! You can find handspun, fiber and even a few upcyled yarns. Visit the My Fair Yarn Artisan Studio, find something you like and we'll be giving this beautiful skein away this weekend! Remeber to use twitter, facebook, plurk, ravelry and your blog for extra entries! Jenessa, we adore your work! Thank you so much for sharing with us!
And now for a sneak peek into September's box! Infinity has sent in some gorgeous Wendsleydale in her "Murky" colorway. Susan has the most beautiful and airy superwash cloud roving anywhere! I still have that "smoke and kisses" sample from February on my mind!
I recently purchased some dark welsh hand combed rolags from Susan, and it was truly a joy to spin and the yarn came out so chunky and beautiful! I really appreciate Susan's effort to incorporate natural fibers with unexpected elements like angelina. She has also sent in the most awesome dyed shetland locks this month too!
Susan has sent in this beautiful Wendsleydale roving for a giveaway and calling all you beginning spinners out there- Wendsleydale is easy to spin! Visit Infinity Yarn and Fiber, find something you like, and write about it in the comments section below. We'll be drawing this weekend, so make sure you do your twittering and facebooking so I can count those as extra entries too!
Susan, thank you so much for contributing this month! Your stuff rocks (and so do you!)
Where can you find a 500 yard skein of 100% cashmere yarn for $18? Jags Funky Fibers! Jags has been recycling yarn for several years now and has honed her skills into an art form, so if you have an old sweater made from beautiful yarn, you might consider using Jags' unwinding services to help you reclaim it. Jags Funky Fibers always has an amazing color assortment to choose from. Bright pinks an yellows all the way to the dark charcoal grays (she's got gray cashmere in this box called 'gargoyle')
I have an assortment of small skeins here to give a lucky commenter for posting about Jags! Just visit JagsFunkyFibers.Com , find something you like, and write about it in the comments section below! We'll draw for a winner this weekend! Remember to use your facebook, twitter, and other networking tools to let folks know about Jags! We'll count your pings as extra entries, just let us know you did it!
Thank you so much, Jags for saving all the yummy cashmere yarn for us!
I am so excited to share with you my latest club shipment from Maude and Me! A beautiful postcard from New Zealand, a tasty chocolate bar (Apparently Kiwis have the good sense to TOAST almonds before smothering them in chocolate- bliss!), some practice Poi ( a traditional Maori dance implement) and some stunningly dyed NZ Polwarth! A truly amazing package from an incredibly sweet person! You might think a club like this would be expensive to participate in, but the exchange rate there is quite in favor for we North Americans and Europeans.
I whole heartedly admit I stalk Maude and Me's shop often, most of the time just to see what interesting new names she's come up with for her roving! Tracee has a new group on Ravelry for her shop: http://www.ravelry.com/groups/maude--me where you can look at what other folks are getting from beautiful middle-earth (I wonder if New Zealanders are tired of the LOTR references yet?)
Before I get to the giveaway (squee!) I must share with you a story about my experience with Kiwis beyond the lovely Tracee (I hope this isn't a derrogatory term- someone please tell me if it is!). I sent a package to Miss Tracee (that is how I addressed it to!) and neglected to write a street address! The Dunedin postmistress googled Phat Fiber, emailed me about a week and a half after sending it to ask what the correct address was! Can you believe it? I was really impressed, can you tell?
We're giving away an amazing full sized NZ Polwarth roving- lovingly dyed by Tracee in here Kerrigan colorway. This is also what will be in the September box next weekend (oops did I write that out loud?)! Just visit Maude and Me, find something you like, and write about it in the comments section below here- remember as always we grant extra entries for each social networking ping you do- facebook, plurk, twitter, ravelry, blog it will count!
Take a break and visit a little slice of happy on the internet today! Designs by Tami has sent in the most adorable black sheep stitch markers for the September box! The cutest black sheep has to be the ones she has with the flowers in the wool- so adorable!
It's Friday, it's time to breathe and lighten the load for the weekend! Tell us your favorites in Tami's shop and we'll include your comment in a drawing giveaway next week for these adorable sheepy knitting needles!
Be sure and use facebook and twitter and Ravelry to let everyone know about this giveaway! We'll count your comment twice if you do- just let us know you did it!
Tami, your designs are so cheerful and unique! Thank you so much for sharing them with us!
You might have noticed a new button on my sidebar, featuring a colorful felted sheep! Each month, Shearlock makes his way to visit a Phat Fiber contributor who has sent in samples that were excellent examples of their shop, fit the theme of the box, and as was the case with Brittany's sample, gave spinning instructions and tips for experimenting with the different fibers!
Shearlock hopped in the mail and spent the better part of a month, discovering all about Brittany's stash, inspiration and had a great time visiting with fellow Phat Fiber Phans in Portland!
While visiting BohoKnitterChic, Shearlock was put to work carding and dyeing and host-Mom Brittany has tagged those fibers with "Shearlock". Just visit her shop, and search it using the word "Shearlock" to see what they were up to!
Shearlock is en route back home as I type this- who will he visit next?
You raised an astounding $1105 to the Heifer International last month! Phat Fiber is calling on you to help another worthy organization, Women for Women International! Women for Women has an A rating for non-profit organizations. This special organization is focused on helping women in war-torn countries. You can help women who have lost everything during conflict, overcome being victims and take charge of their future through job skills training and education. Women for Women has just started their Fall drive and all contributions will be matched up to $100,000!
We will be giving away the contents of the August video as a way of saying thank you for donating to the Women for Women International! For every $5 you donate to Women for Women International, your name (number) will be thrown into a bucket for a random giveaway drawing at the end of September. Step 1: Visit the Women for Women International and donate to this A rated non-profit organization. Step 2: Forward the email receipt you get from Women for Women international to sooperbox@live.com Step 3: Keep the number(s) you will be assigned after your forwarded receipt is processed. ( I have a committee helping me with this and it should be within a couple of days of sending) Step 4: Look for a special video number drawing at the end of the month to see if you're the lucky giveaway recipient! Step 5: Pat yourself on the back for helping a great cause!
Please remember to shop our Phatties that contributed to the August Meet me At the Fair box! They are what made this possible!
ExtremeSpinning: Buy 2 silks and get one FREE! Price of lesser silk will be refunded via paypal- through Monday! JagsFunkyFibers: 30% Off (in both shops) use code: Electricity in notes- will either be refunded or you can contact her to arrange a listing.
NaturalObsessions: 20% off everything (only in Artfire shop) use code: Laboron CorgiHillFarm: Studio Clean Sweep this weekend- get a free 1 oz of milk fiber with purchase and always free shipping.
EnchantedHues: 20%off everything (refunded through paypal) through Monday!
BlueMountainHandcrafts: Free shipping on orders $40 or more (1/2 off international shipping ends 9/7) Hampton Artistic Yarns: Choice of free baby bun or milk sample with your purchase of $25 or more0 enter "baby bun" or "milk" in message to seller. DesiredHavenFarm: $5.00 Discount on Angora fiber- enter code "Phatfest" in message to seller
Moonwoodfarm: 25% off all batts (including Moonbeams) code: Holiday Weekend
Pacos: 20% off fiber through Monday use code: Holiday Weekend will be refunded via paypal
FluffingtonFarms: Free shipping on orders over $12.00 all purchases will be added to contest entries
Winemakerssister: Free Shipping this weekend use code: phattieweekend FunkyFiberFarm: 20% off anything! enter code: LaborDay and wait for a refund via paypal
I woke up this morning to a beautiful, thick fog rolling down my street! What a perfect day to feature one of our Phatties from London, Sheepshape Spinning!
Elizabeth has a lovely colorful shop with whimsical knitted animals, brightly colored roving, delicious handspun and mill spun yarns. Sheepshape is moving soon and would love to reduce the amount of things she has to ship to the new headquarters! She has a few sales running, so please check her shop out!
The lovely Elizabeth has offered up a hand sewn project bag and a $10 gift certificate to her shop for a giveaway. Should you be the winner of this giveaway, Elizabeth has a special coupon offer for you. Please visit SheepShape Spinning and find something you like, write about it in the comments section below and we'll draw your name tomorrow. Be sure and tweet and facebook about this for extra entries!
Thank you, Elizabeth for sharing your mint chocolate fudge handspun yarn this month, it was spectacular!
Fiber Artist Rachel Peck has been very busy! In addition to being the mother of 8 children and running her shop: My8KidsMom she's opened another shop to support her growing flock of sheep! Counting Sheep Farm has loads of farm fresh goodness for you to peruse!
You should really try her Jacob fleece! It is an easy-to-spin wool with very interesting natural colors!
Help Rachel with her grand opening! She's giving away this beautiful 3.9 oz Firestar/Alpaca/Silk batt to a lucky commenter here! Visit Counting Sheep Farm, find something you like, and post about it in the comments section below this post! We'll draw for a winner on Saturday so don't wait to visit. Also, remember to let everyone else know about Counting Sheep Farm through twitter, facebook, plurk, Ravelry, your blog etc and we'll count those networking pings as extra entries- just let us know you did it!
Rachel, we're so honored to have your talent in our box!
When The Critter Ranch's samples came for the August box, I was completely floored! Sue had carefully replicated her Llama ribbons onto paper, cut each individual one out and attached them to perfectly dyed corresponding fiber. These samples were like little works of art!!
I feel fortunate that I was able to snag a couple of ounces of the beautiful wine and pink colored roving and I simply can not wait to spin it!!! Sue's Llama is very lofty and soft and makes for super warm yarn!
Tell us what you think of Sue's shop! What are your favorites? Leave your comments below and we will draw a winner of this beautiful "Orleans County Ribbon" Llama roving on Saturday! Remember, we would love it if you could tweet and facebook and blog and ravelate about this giveaway! By helping Sue out, we'll count those as extra entries! Just let us know you did it!
Sue, thank you so much for sharing these delightful samples with us!!! Not only were they super soft and yummy, the colors were amazing!!
Announcing our Fall competition! Show off your skills and win wonderful prizes by participating!
Categories:
Handspinning Knitting/Crochet Weaving/Felting
How to Enter: Create a project using only materials supplied by “Phat” shops. Your tools (knitting needles/hooks/wheels/felting needles) may be of mass commercial origin. The point of the competition is to explore the Indie Phat Shops. You may do searches on this blog to find featured shops, or look under the contributor section of the website (http://www.phatfiber.com). When in doubt, ask the seller before purchasing materials if he/she is “Phat”. You may use your samples or samples given to you by box recipients. You also may enter all three categories. Please use one project per category. If you will stitch using your own handspun, you may enter the handspun in the handspuncategory and then stitch/weave with it. How the winners will be determined: You must submit photos (at least 1 good one and up to 3) of your finished work to phatfiber@yahoo.com with “fall contest submission” in the subject line. You must also briefly state materials used (to certify “phatness”). The deadline to Submit your Projects is December 20th. The winner to be announced after the anonymous voting (yes, you'll get to vote too!) is closed (around January 1st). Everyone is eligible for this competition, but if you are a contributor to Phat Fiber, you must use another contributor’s materials when making your project- minimal supplementation with your own materials will be allowed (less than 10% ) since you’re phat too. We will post the photos to the Ravelry group anonymously and they will be voted on there by everyone.
Prizes: This competition, we will have prizes generously donated by our contributors, there will be a thread devoted to Phat Fiber Prizes on our Ravelry group!
