History Lesson and Batt Giveaway!

I have the distinct pleasure to know Lampy of Lampyridae in person as she lives nearby and is very much a fiber fiend. I don't think anyone else knows the work she does in her non-fiber life as a Veteran's advocate though. On occasion, she is asked to give speeches at various local events and with her permission, I have reprinted one of them here- note I believe she has added the "Phat Town" info as entertainment for us :) We're giving away these batts to three separate winners- just visit Lampyridae and look around, when you find something you like, write a comment about it in the comments section below- twitter, facebook updates and ravelry will help get you second entries while spreading the word about Lampyridae!

Three years following the surrender of General Lee to General Grant at Appomattox and the end of the American Civil War, General John A Logan drafted General Order # 11. Here’s a few lines as he presented them:

The 30th day of May, 1868, is designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village, and hamlet churchyard in the land. In this observance no form or ceremony is prescribed, but posts and comrades will in their own way arrange such fitting services and testimonials of respect as circumstances may permit. If other eyes grow dull and other hands slack, and other hearts cold in the solemn trust, ours shall keep it well as long as the light and warmth of life remain in us.

Let us, then, at the time appointed, gather around their sacred remains and garland the passionless mounds above them with choicest flowers of springtime; let us raise above them the dear old flag they saved from dishonor; let us in this solemn presence renew our pledges to aid and assist those whom they have left among us as sacred charges upon the Nation’s gratitude,--the soldier’s and sailor’s widow and orphan.***

General Logan and his beautiful and very kind wife lived in my home town of Murphysboro Illinois--not far from Phat Fiber HQ in fact. And it was a few years prior to his writing that order that General Logan started the tradition of Memorial Day IN THE TOWN OF CARBONDALE ILLINOIS--also known as Phat town--home of Phat Fiber.

Winners this week and News!

ME?! Really me?!! I won one of Knit it Up's fabulous prizes last month- a Namaste knitting bag and a year's worth of Knit it Up yarn! I'm totally floored!! I feel like I've won the lottery! Thank you so so so much, Kate!!

This week we have several winners!

Winners for the Susan's Kitchen giveaway- Jessie (stashenhancement) and Brownbear !!

For the Spinning a Yarn fiber- fuzzy slipper !!

For the Play at Life Maki- A Rose !!

For the FarmgirlChic bag- Cathy !!!

Please email me phatfiber at yahoo dot com with your mailing info and I"ll get them out asap!

***News flash!! It's Memorial Day weekend!! Time to prepare for the upcoming Tour de Fleece, Knit in Public day and other fiber events this summer- take advantage of our Phattie sales going on here: http://www.ravelry.com/discuss/phat-fiber-sampler-box/1154950/1-25#21


I've got a special giveaway planned for this weekend, please check back!

Farm Girl Chic Meghan Bag Giveaway!

Melissa at Farmgirlchic has a new product I wanted to share with you all! She has begun to sew project bags- the Meghan bag! I am excited about this new line of bags because they are made with the cutest vintage and fresh new fabrics that reflects Melissa's Farm-chic style.

While you're at Farmgirlchic, you can pick up some deliciously glossy mohair locks and try creating a tailspun yarn. I have yet to do this myself, but I've recently upgraded to a larger bobbin so I'm feeling more adventurous when it comes to my spinning!

We're giving away this adorable bag today! Just visit Farmgirlchic, find something you love, and write about it in the comments section below. We'll be drawing for a winner very soon so please be quick and let everyone know about Melissa's new Meghan bags! We'll count that extra networking as entries- just let us know you did it!

Play at Life Fiber Arts Maki Giveaway!

Are you an honorary baller? If you received a Play at Life Fiber Arts sample this May, you might be! Chrystee attached the most adorable buttons to her samples this month!

In our Ravelry group, we have started a 'Vertex' KAL and after I picked out my yarn, I realized what a beautiful marriage Play at Life's Maki and this pattern would make! Chrystee has joined us in the KAL so I'm very curious to see what hers will look like in the end!

Today we're giving away this gorgeous reclaimed Maki called 'Dogwood' it is 190 yards of worsted weight 50% wool 25% cotton and 25% silk yarn. Chrystee has a unique way of dyeing the Maki's with very long color transitions that make knitting with it quite entertaining!

Please visit Play at Life Fiber Arts today, find something you love, and write about it in the comments section below. Be sure and mention it on twitter, facebook, plurk, Ravelry, Craftster or wherever else you hang out so everyone can enjoy Play at Life's site! We'll count that extra work as more entries, just let us know you did it!

Thanks so much for sharing this Maki with us, Chrystee!

Spinning a Yarn and Giveaway!

I've mentioned before that one of my most favorite things to do with Phat Fiber is introduce you all to a fresh face with lots of potential! Jessicah from Spinning a Yarn lives and creates in New Zealand and is just beginning her journey as a fiber enabler :)

I get really excited when I see fiber dyed the way Jessicah has done- this graduated colorway because your spinning options really open up! You could spin the whole thing up a one long single and then ply it back on itself so that the colors mesh together, or you could Navajo ply it and retain the color transition - it just makes spinning really fun!

Please visit Spinning a Yarn today and pick out something you like. I can't tell you how important it is for new fiber folks to hear what you think! We'll be giving away this gorgeous NZ Merino to a lucky commenter this week, so be sure and help Jessicah out by using twitter, facebook, ravelry etc and spread the word! Also don't be afraid to convo this sweet woman with dye requests most all of our Phatties love it when you do that!

Oh, if you have time, check out Jessicah's blog: http://spinningayarnblog.blogspot.com/ too.

Susan's Kitchen double giveaway!

Last month, Susan's Kitchen contributed some amazing samples with a unique interpretation on "All Creatures Great and Small". Susan chose to use the 'literal' interpretation and draw inspiration from James Herriot's books.

Susan's Kitchen is another shop with a look that a lot of idiosyncratic listings- something I find quite appealing when buying hand dyes. Her shop has a beautiful warmth about it- even her cool colors seem to glow! I especially loved her April Phat Fiber samples though.

Today we've got 2 Susan's Kitchen large versions of her April samples for 2 winners! The Tristan drum carded batt is a beautiful blend of romney, honey tussah silk, camel down, angora and a sprinkling of angelina. The Sparkle Fluff pack is a gorgeously springy blend of longwools, mohair and plenty of shine!

Please visit Susan's Kitchen today. Find something you love, and write about it in the comments below. We'll be awarding second entries for those of you who use social networking to spread the word about Susan's shop. We'll be drawing the winners later in the week, so be sure and check back to see if you've won!

Tour de Fleece and Spinning Shoes

I wanted to let all of you know, sign ups for Tour de Fleece Team Phat are already open! You can visit this thread: http://www.ravelry.com/discuss/phat-fiber-sampler-box/1141485/1-25 and let us know you would like to participate. We've already got some great team-specific prizes rolling in and I'll certainly be giving away a Phat Fiber box!

I think I have discovered a shoe fit for spinners! If you have not yet seen the Vibram Five Finger shoes, and you like to walk bearfoot without the hazards of injuring your feet on various surfaces I am going to suggest you check it out. On a sunny 80 degree day, I like to take Meadow outside for a spin and decided to try her out with these shoes on. I don't like spinning with shoes on as my feet seem "heavy" on the treadle- but not with these! Because you can move those toes independent of each other, if feels as if you have the same 'control' as you do wearing socks or bearfoot. Anyway, just thought I'd share my little discovery with you- and excuse my blinding white feet lol!

Winners, Winners!!

Congratulations!! I felt this week's giveaway's were really special!

Natchwoolie's babycamel/tussah silk x2 - Kathleen and Heather (TX)

Desired Haven Farm Handspun- Johanna !!

Gales Art Tussah Silk- Laurelih !!

Knittink tencel/merino- Jocelyn

Please email phatfiber at yahoo dot com with your addresses so I can get them in the mail to you asap!

We're having a wonderful Fiber Friday discussion in the group here: http://www.ravelry.com/discuss/phat-fiber-sampler-box/1147016/1-25

KnitTink tencel merino giveaway!

New to the Phat Fiber Phamily is Adrian Day of Knittink. Adrian has a wonderfully creative shop where she bases her fiber and handspun on graphic novels and other comic characters. I have to admit, I am not schooled in many of the graphic novels or characters, but I do know beautiful handspun when I see it!

This month, Ady sent in some very pretty 'Poison Ivy' fiber samples- a luscious 50/50 sw merino and tencel blend. The resulting yarn is so satiny smooth and soft! If you've been wanting to try spinning tencel, this is a good stepping stone to dip your toe into. And look at her colors!! It sounds awful, but I really could just eat this 'Poison Ivy' colorway :)

We're giving away 4 oz of 'Poison Ivy' to a lucky commenter! Just visit Knittink, find something you like, and we'll be drawing for a winner tomorrow. Remember to include where you did your extra social networking (plurk, ravelry, twitter etc) to gain extra entries.

Gale's Art Tussah Silk Giveaway!

Ah the rain we had earlier in the week has cooled us off and things are so fresh and spring like around here again. I don't know which is prettier, the warm glow of a spring morning or the soft luminescence of this tussah silk from Gale's Art!

I always find great inspiration while looking at Gale's Art. I can't put my finger on it, but her colors have a certain "signature" that is unique to her. I consider this a very much desired feature when I buy hand dyes. I like to look through my stash and though the tag/label may be hidden I know immediately where this fiber/yarn came from.

I have so much fun using Gale's Art. I know whomever gets this beautiful 2 oz of tussah silk wrapped in a hand dyed silk kerchief, will also know the same joy! Please visit Gale's Art, find something you love, and write about it in the comments section below. We'll be drawing for a winner on Friday, so please help yourself by letting everyone else know about how wonderful Gale is on twitter, facebook, ravelry etc.

Desired Haven Farm Handspun Giveaway!

I love the texture that Misty creates with her handspun- don't you just want to reach out and touch this? If a picture says a thousand words, I think some of what this one says is: soft, warm, cozy, feminine. I think all three of these skeins could be worked together in a project, so we're going to give all three away to one winner!

Misty doesn't have a whole bunch of yarn and fiber in stock right now, but that just makes your job of finding something you like a lot easier! Please visit Desired Haven Farm, find something you like and write about it in the comments section below. We'll be drawing for a winner later in the week so be sure and let your friends on twitter, facebook, ravelry or plurk etc about Desired Haven Farm.

Thank you everyone for supporting small farms like Misty's this month!

Shearlock's Choice for April- Natchwoolie Giveaway!

Last month, while Shearlock was rubbing elbows with the fiber elite at Maryland Sheep and Wool, I sent my felted fiber fairy to visit Brenda at Natchwoolie. She sent in the most amazing baby camel and tussah silk samples! To touch these, must be touching a piece of fiber heaven!
I ran out and bought some immediately and it is still here, unspun, and I am still amazed at the beauty of it.

When I visit Natchwoolie's shop, I feel like I'm coming home. I do love all the sparkle and glitz and wild colors that can be found elsewhere, but sometimes wrapping yourself in natural fibers is just what the Doctor ordered. Like today, I'm staring out at a rainy gloomy spring day and I'm thinking about the soothing softness of this baby camel sitting in my stash.

We're pleased to be hosting a giveaway with 2 winners!! Both winners will receive a 2 oz big version of this delectable baby camel and tussah silk blend in 2 oz each. All you need to do, is visit Natchwoolie, find something you love, and write about it in the comments section below. We'll draw for a winner later in the week, so be sure and get extra entries by using facebook, ravelry, your own blog, twitter etc and let everyone else know about the yumminess that is Natchwoolie!

May Sneak Peek Video Preview!

Winners this week- let's start the weekend early!

I'll hopefully, be posting a video tomorrow!! Yippee!! Let's start the weekend early and draw this week's winners!

Wollee's Yarn Creations winner: Jean Ashley

Blue Mountain Handcrafts dye sampler winner: Eleanor Graham

Light Brown Hare stitch marker winners: Kristen and Abigail

Please email me at phatfiber at yahoo dot com with your mailing info so I can send these out asap!

Congratulations!

Light Brown Hare Stitch Marker Giveaway!

Light Brown Hare has begun selling stitch markers! They aren't ordinary ones though! these are beautifully hand twisted into spiral gorgeousness with semi-precious stones as embellishments.

There is a whole lot to see at Light Brown Hare. Need hand dyed worsted weight yarn? She's got it! There was a comment on our rav group about buying worsted weight yarn in summer and getting a head start on Holiday knitting. I agree! This would be a wonderful time to whip out those unfinished mittens!

Visit the eye candy that is Light Brown Hare today- we're giving away 2 sets of these precious stitch markers- 2 winners! Find something you love about Light Brown Hare and comment below. We'll be drawing for a winner tomorrow, so you've got to be quick! Make sure you use facebook, twitter, ravelry etc to get extra entries!

Try to Dye with Blue Mtn Handcrafts- Giveaway!

Beth from Blue Mountain Handcrafts is now a Greener Shades Dye dealer! Does this woman ever sleep? I don't think so! She's makes the amazing caddy sax, those random beauties are incredible, the tools, and now the dyes!

You know you've wanted to try dyeing your own wool! Well try the responsible way, using dyes that are heavy metal free and safe for the environment when they go down your drains! Beth has created a package containing undyed wool, smidges of 9 different colors, citric acid and ph strips. Whomever wins this giveaway should show us all the amazing outcome!

Visit Blue Mountain Handcrafts and find something you like (Pssst!! The mohair locks are incredibly glossy and smooth!!) write about it in the comments section below to be entered to win. We'll count those extra twitter tweets and facebook updates etc as entries too, so be sure and let everyone know about Beth's shop!

Wollee's Yarn Ceations Giveaway!

I'm getting very excited for this May box to come out! We have some fabulous yarn and fiber to show you this month! Today I'm featuring yarn from Wollee's Yarn Creations! If you haven't yet seen Elizabeth's shop, please check it out!

With warm weather upon us, imagine yourself draped in a beautifully dyed cotton yarn on warm evenings. There are so many color choices available! Because Elizabeth knits with her yarn, she understands that you need the option of starting the color you last ended up on so additional yarn is usually available that is wound in the opposite direction.

We're giving away this chocolate covered strawberry color change cotton laceweight to a lucky commenter! Just visit Wollee's Yarn Creations, find something you love, and write about it in the comments section below. We'll be drawing later in the week, so use your time and gain extra entries by tweeting/facebooking/ravelating about this giveaway- be sure and tell us where you did it, so we can check.

Mother's Day Soy Silk Giveaway!

I dyed some beautifully soft soy-silk as an appreciation gift to all the Phatties and Phans!

Happy Mother's Day everyone! Please leave a comment in this thread and you'll be entered to win: http://www.ravelry.com/discuss/phat-fiber-sampler-box/1128087/1-25

Winners this week- and new pup!

The Phat Phamily has adopted a new member! Chopper the 4 year old Boston Terrier has bounced into our hearts! As soon as he stops bouncing, we'll take some proper pics!

Congratulations Winners! I thought this week's prizes were especially wonderful!

Andrea- You won Fiber Gift Tag's variety pack!!!!

Iddysticks- You won Serendipity's Air Batts!!!!

Skaro964- You won WCMercantile's ladybug batts !!!

Mandii- You won Desert Garden's Egyptian Fruit Batts !!!

Please email phatfiber at yahoo dot com with your addresses and I'll get them out asap!


I am giving away 4 oz of soy silk in the Ravelry Group!! Details here: http://www.ravelry.com/discuss/phat-fiber-sampler-box/1128087/1-25

Fiber Gift Tags Variety Pack Giveaway!

It just dawned on me that these gift tags would be the perfect addition to any swap you're in! I think one of the things that makes a swap have that extra "wow" factor is opening up a seemingly bottomless box! These gift tags pack a lot of punch in a compact size.

Why not visit Fiber Gift Tags, stock up on a few of these babies and then the next time you're in a swap and go stash diving, you've got these fresh and crisp little pre printed tags to include!
I know I would appreciate getting these in one of my packages!

We're giving away a variety pack today!! Just visit Fiber Gift Tags, find something you love, and write about it in the comments section below. We'll probably be drawing for a winner tomorrow because I have a beautiful giveaway for this weekend! Make sure you get extra entries by tweeting and ravelating about this for extra entries :)

Serenddipity Fiber Arts Batt Giveaway!

Oh what a luxurious and beautiful giveaway we have today!! These batts are from Serendipity Fiber Arts and are completely luxurious and delicate! Check out the shop- it is brimming with spring-like batts and fiber!

Some of you may remember Serendipity's March contributions to the "element" box- she did batts based on all 5 elements and they were snatched up right away! The giveaway batt set is part of that collection called "Air".

I wanted to share some truths from Serendipity's Etsy shop profile with you:

I've had the typical descent into fiber arts junkie-hood. First it was knitting, because that's a nice normal relaxing hobby, and gives you something to do on the bus or while you're standing in line. Plus, bonus, all the scarves you'll ever want. Then it was needlefelting. I love it as a means of artistic expression. It's like sculpting with color. Right up my alley. But it requires more patience than I have on most days. So... spinning. It's a drug, man. Look away, get out while you still can. Once you start spinning you'll never have pocket money ever again. AND YOU WON'T EVEN CARE, because you'll have piles of lovely soft colorful fluff. And you'll value this like it was chocolate. I'm serious, it's a disease.

SO true!

We're giving away this beautiful 4 oz batt set to a lucky commenter on the blog. Just visit Serendpity Fiber Arts, find something you love and write about it in the comments section below. It's getting toward the end of the week, so we don't have a lot of time left. Be sure and use twitter, facebook, plurk,ravelry or any other social networking site to let everyone know about Serendipity Fiber Arts! Let us know you did it, and we'll count that as an extra entry!

Wc Mercantile Ladybug Batt Giveaway!

We're giving away a scrumptious 2 oz "ladybug" batt from WC Mercantile! This batt is made from ultra soft black and red merino wool and beautiful silver sparkles throughout.

I love featuring Wc Mercantile giveaways here... it's just too much fun to go scope out all the goodies in Stephanie's shop! I want this.. and this... and this... Steph has another "ladybug" available that I would love to have too- can you guess what it is? :) *sigh* What would we do if we didn't have all this fiber to drool over?!

Treat yourself to a little fun today and visit WCMercantile! Find something you love and write about it in the comments section below- we'll draw for this giveaway later on in the week. Make sure you go ahead and twitter, facebook, ravelry or blog about this giveaway to increase your chances, we'll count those social networking as extra entries!

Desert Garden Farms Giveaway!

Jennifer of Desert Garden is one of the funnest online friends I have. She's witty, creative, and she churns out amazing fiber by the pounds! The perfect online friend trifecta! You may not know that Desert Garden has it's own Ravelry group. There always seems to be a swap going on and Jennifer keeps us all busy with new SAL and KAL ideas all the time.

Jennifer is keeping me busy this summer- I've joined up with her Lord of the Rings SAL and the Monty Python SAL- I've still got the felted bag kit here not even started! One of the best things about Desert Garden, is you can ask her to create custom batts and yarn just for you. Jen is your partner in crime when it comes to wacky fiber ideas!

We're going to kick this week of RIGHT! We're giving away 4 oz of delectable Desert Garden tumbleweed batts in "Fruit Batt" which is a luxurious blend of Ultrafine Merino, Nere Mere (LOVE to spin this stuff!) Alpaca and angelina. All you've gotta do is visit Desert Garden, check out all the funky handspuns and fiber she has listed and pick out your favorite. Come back here and post about it in the comments section below. Be sure and use twitter, facebook, ravelry and/or your blog for extra entries- help spread the Desert Garden Love!