Day 17 ~ On the Shelf

There are many shelves. Collections as it were. Shelves that hold books, fabric, yarn, art supplies, music, dreams and ideas. The shelf holds both yarn and ideas. Some of my handspuns and store bought yarns. They are either just collected or are dedicated to a specific project. I might even get them all done before I shuffle off this mortal coil.

5 June - Albannach Fan

On the 1st of June, I listed some of the Celtic Bands that I am a fan.

I stated in that post that I am a fan of Albannach, however I am really a fan of Jamsie Johnston from Pitlochry, Scotland, who is one of the drummers in the band...

He was assaulted by a fan last night after the Glasgow Highland Games in Glasgow, KY and is currently in the hospital. Prayers for healing and fast recovery as he and the band are scheduled to play here in Colorado in July at the Colorado Irish Festival and in September at the Long's Peak Scottish/Irish Festival and Games ...

5 June - (I am a) Fan

I am a fan of:

Art - it feeds my Spirit.

Renoir, Manet, Manet, Picasso, Anne Huskey-Lockard, Rebecca Halley, the Celts, the Egyptians

Music - it feeds my Soul.

Classical, Opera, Rock and Roll, Celtic, World, Liturgical

Literature - it feeds my Mind.

History, classics, romances, childrens, fiction, non-fiction

1 June - Fan

I am a fan of Celtic Music.

Here are some of my favourites in no particular order:

The Indulgers

Great Big Sea

Albannach

Seven Nations

Gobs O'Phun

Solas

Young Dubliners

Skean Dubh

Hadrian's Wall

Ashley McIsaac

Leahy

The Elders

The Wicked Tinkers

Brother

Then there is Flogging Molly, The Chieftains, Natalie McMasters, and so many more...

#76 of 365 - We Was Pretty in Pink

Today I went to Rebecca's house to felt the comet bag I have been making for her. She has a top loader and I don't. Top loader are supposedly better for felting knitted items. Besides, I was letting her washer fill up with the lint, not mine, LOL... Actually, we put the item in a zippered pillow slip for the felting process. It surely contain a great quantity of the fluff inherent in the process, I must say. Here's a photo of me, seaming the bag prior to washing it. Hopefully Rebecca will read this and get a photo of the bag which is now pinned down to her carpet and drying.

As a general rule, knitted wool tends to reduce by 30 plus percent in length and about 10 plus percent in width. We got the 30 percent but not the 10, so Rebecca is going to cut off a section and make a clutch from the remainder as she wants a messenger bag not an over-night bag. Most of my felted experiments are by guess and by golly, but so far there has been only one fail in the felting department and that was a piece that just never felted to it's own company specifications.

Whilst we waited for the washer to do it's thing, Rebecca gave me a gift of her musical talent. Basically, my own private concert, how kewl is that?

Bleah, I have cropped this photo twice, but it still didn't take, so you get to see a corner of the shawl that Rebecca is borrowing from me. It's a basic bottom up triangle in garter stitch on large needles, done in 4-5 colourways of Manos de Uraguay yarn that was left over from some of my Mum's projects. It's post over on Facebook in the Garden of the Gods Album, if you want to see it and the one that Rebecca was wearing for that photo as well.

In reference to the title, again great minds think alike as both of us had pink on today.

#54 of 365 - Favorites of the Musical Variety and Last Summer Rocked

Here's a photo of me with most of the band, 7N at Scruffy Murphy's last summer. It was the second of their shows last summer for theColorado Irish Festival. The first show was a sign-up gig for the volunteers working the Irish Festival and they were re-booked for August after the Festival. They look "scairt" and I look like I'm about to take the mike to sing and that is indeed a scary thought. I have been a fan of the band since I moved to Colorado over 13 years ago, but this is was the first time I have had my picture taken with the band.

Here is a shot of the crowd at the Irish Festival waiting for Gaelic Storm to take the stage. Gaelic Storm is famous for being the band playing during the Steerage Ceidhl in the movie, Titanic.

#37 of 365 - Hats Again

My buddy, Clay and I in our flat caps helping Scruffy Murphy's to celebrate 5 years of serving libations and Celtic Music to Denver. Potcheen, a Celtic Pirate Band played to an appreciative crowd and a good time was had by all.

Saint Thomas Denver Art Show and Sale

I will be at the show and sale with some of my small art quilts. Do stop by and visit with us. 30 artists will be represented in many medias. Then, stay for the catered Italian Dinner and Music.

Colorado Irish Festival - Colorado Storm 1 Gaelic Storm 1

I volunteered at the The Colorado Irish Festival in Littleton, CO over the weekend. It was a fun, WET and an entertaining couple of days. These pictures are from Friday night, when the heavens opened up one song into Gaelic Storm's set. The Killian's Pub during the downpour, Gaelic Storm brought a Colorado Storm of epic proportions!



200 of my closest new friends, trying to stay dry and upright. Rain, hail and wind, welcome to Colorado summer weather.


This is Patrick Murphy from Gaelic Storm and me after the storm.







Saturday, the sun came out but the landy was still not dry. Anyway, Screaming McSweenys, McPeake, the Elders, Gaelic Storm and Leahy performed on the big stage. I volunteered as a greeter at the VIP gate after managing the Killian's Bar the night before. We had a great view of the stage to hear and see all the acts that performed.



Crowd waiting for the music to start.
The Elders















Screaming McSweenys




More pictures to come. It was a great weekend of music, old friends, Yvonne, Wendy, Lisa, Linda, Pat McC, the Coffeys, the Holzmans, the Bubinskis, the Bolens, the Shiboas, The Sullivans and Lambuths and the new, hey there, Helen, Trish and Jacque, Connie, Joe, Gary and Kelly.

Seven Nations at Scruffy Murphy's

Seven Nations on the seventh day of the seventh month. It was an awesome show! Katte Beth and I and the rest of my friends were treated to one of 7Ns old school shows. They even played Under the Milky Way, which they haven't performed in concert in a very long time. Thanks, guys!



























Vic and Will were on top of their game and Crisco kicked it on the drums, and in spite of being tired from the travel, Kirk and Strube sang and played even better than at Gillette.

Trish and Katte Beth

Gary, Jenny and Kristin

Gina


Of course, I worked on a sock whilst waiting for the band to start. Knitting in a pub leads to interesting conversations, ask me how I know...

Randomness from the Wyoming Celtic Festival

The Wyoming Celtic Festival
Seven Nations
Gobs







Some of the Music, Seven Nations, Gobs O'Phun as well as Jenny and Tim Sullivan (Gobs O'Phun)

Ren Scots in various activities. Mark Reihm and Will from the Wyoming Pipe and Drum Band in the Pub entertaining us at lunch. Ren Scots lining up for the Opening Ceremony. The Chief, the Seneschal and the Wolves Fight Directors taking a meeting. The Ren Scots





Katte Judd and Jenny at the Ceidhl.


The girls at the Ceidhl.
Episcopal Church in Douglas, WY

Just a quickie to share some of the wonderful weekend up in Gillette. The musical line up this festival was one of the best I have experienced in a lang (long) while. The Muses (Traditional) played on Saturday and then Prickly Pair (Cowboy Celtic) played on Sunday along with Seven Nations and Gobs O'Phun on both days.


Me setting up to card some wool into a batt to spin it up. I relearned to spin over the weekend. More shall be revealed.

One Hundred Things for the 100th Post

Today's post is the 100th post of this blog. I thought it would be an interesting exercise to see if I could come up with 100 favourite or at least, interesting things to me.

I have really enjoyed keeping this blog. It helps to get my thoughts in order on a regular basis. I also have a commitment to something on going, that answers to no one. It leads me to explore other blogs and check out who, what, where, why and when. I find laughter, thought provocation, sadness and just life in general. I have discovered more about the quirks and foibles of my friends and their families. I have witness the children growing. I have also come to understand that my friends really are somewhat interested in what I might have to say on any given topic or occasion.

1. My family (Dad, Erin and my sister's kids, Merlin, Etienne and Lelani, Auntie Mags and all of her family)
2. Our cat, Pan

3. Ravelry and the really awesome people I have come to know through it.
3. Knitting (got 3 pair of sock, the Shawl from Hell and a ribbon tee shirt on the needles)
4. Quilting (just finish two new pieces and working on a 10 YO UFO)
5. Reading (Diana Gabaldon, Joshilyn Jackson and Dorothy L. Sayers are on the night stand)
6. Working in my garden (LOL, okay, so everything is in pots, but I still have to tend it)
7. This blog and the people I have come to know through it.


8. Moleskines Notebooks Moleskine
9. My new spinning wheel (now, if I could just learn to use it) Louet North America
10. Coming up with new recipes to use for the supper.
11. Our Library aka East Branch and all the folks that work there. They are amazing and they always want to see my socks. Pike Peak Library District East Branch Library

12. Garden of the Gods

13. Having a awesome new grocery store nearby. Sunflower Farmer's Market
14. Going to the camp in Michigan

Art Gallery on Main Street in Michigamme, MI

15. Revisiting crafts I haven't done for a while.
16. The El Paso County Crafters group from Ravelry
17. Columbines, Colorado State Flower

18. Highland Games and my Scottish heritage
19. Trader Joe's Markets
20. Philadelphia Soft Pretzels (Miss them more than Tastykakes)








21. Great Yarns and Great Fabrics
22. Being Creative
23. Ravens, Pine Martens and Owls
24. Historical Re-Enactment
25. My 1981 Toyota Pick Up Truck
26. Dancing
27. Listening to the music of Great Big Sea, The Young Dubliners, The Indulgers, Il Divo, Sarah Brightman, Andre Bocelli, Seven Nations, Albannach, The Elders, Van Morrison, Orff's Carmina Burana, Gob's O'Phun, Hadrian's Wall, Isla St, Clair, Natalie Masters, Ashley McIsaacs and Alex Beaton
28. The art of Milton Avery, Anne Huskey-Lockard, Vincent Van Gogh, Pamela Allen, Vimala McClure, Leonardo DaVinci, Caravaggio, Mary Stephenson Cassatt, Paul Klee, John Singer Sargent, Amy Brown, Tristan Blakeman, Ces, Leah Piken Kolidas, Kay Koeper Sorensen,






29. The poems of Veronica Franco, Robert Frost, e.e. cummings
30. Dr. Who and Torchwood
31. Thunderstorms
32. Bond, James Bond, the Movies
33. Carnations, Thistles, Roses and Peonies
34. Fabric as gifts
35. My Country, right or wrong
36. A new Sketchbook or Journal
37. The way the mountains change from hour to hour
38. Cloth, Paper, Scissors, Interweave Knits and Quilting Arts Magazines
39. Dark Chocolate Covered Almonds and Candied Ginger, well anything dark chocolate
40. London Broil with a baked potato and green beans
41. Border Terriers
42. Tartan
43.Gourmet Camping
44. The Ocean (I miss it I do)
45. Sailing
46. Fire in the Fireplace
47. My Quilt Maverick Lovey
48. Having a Ball Winder and Swift from Knitpicks


49. Being the Block of the Month coordinator for Piecing Partners Quilt Guild
50. Amber Jewelry and a good strand of pearls
51. Finding a new use for something old
52. My Blazing Saddles Chair
53. Cooking and Baking
54. Finishing Something!
56. The Closer and Saving Grace on TNT
57. History
58. Bodice Rippers
59. Using the words "Event Horizon" in a sentence
60. Learning something new every day
61. Rescue Me and Sons of Anarchy on F/X
62. First Responders
63. Learning the difference between American English and British English
64. Celtic Knot Work

65. Crossword Puzzles
67. A Game of Nasty (Canasta)
68.Playing at the Renaissance Faire
69. Researching period clothing and reproducing it to wear
70. Creating Wearable Art
72. My New Wellies
73. Discovering a new to me art technique
74. A new box of Crayons
75. Odwalla Strawberry Banana Smoothies
76. Trombones
77. Being Cack-handed (Left Handed)
78. Old church buildings
79. Found Objects
80. Seashells
81. Rocks and Stones
82. Burn Notice on USA
83. Men in Kilts
84. Bagpipe Music
85. Starry nights with clouds moving across the Moon
86. Dogwood Trees
87. Ginkgo Leaves
89. Silk and Wool yarn
90. Samhain (All Hallow's Eve)
91. Little White Dogs
92. Making my own greeting cards
93. Making the morning biscuts with theme cookie cutters
94. How much my friends love my shortbread cookies
95. You, my friends
96. My daughter's quirky sense of humour
97. Needle felting
98. Woolly Shawls on Chilly Nights
99. Sleeping through an entire night
100. The Old 100th