Alyrenee's Copious Spare Time

Another year around the sun. Time to make some new choices, start new habits, and make some changes. #1 Ethical Clothing Pledge It has been a while since I did the Ethical Clothing Pledge. I think it is time to try it again. The last time was 2010 (the year I got married). I was losing weight and my sizes kept changing...also I was trying to save money. The same goes for this year. I really need to shed the extra baby weight AND saving money is always good. Plus, fast fashion is so destructive to the world in so many ways. So I am resolved to only purchase recycled/upcycled/thrift clothing, ethically produced clothing, or make the clothing myself. (Note this does not apply to socks, shoes, and undergarments...because grody). I have tons of fabric to use for new clothes. I have all the workout clothing one could ever need and lots of good work clothes. In 2010 I made it the whole year only purchasing one Wonder Woman t-shirt from MAC, one backup wedding dress on clearance from An...

I purchased the Sweet Shoppe Dress from Anthro as a backup wedding dress (in case it gets too darn hot) AND I went to the Arcadia Knitting makeover sale.  It was quite a haul and a satisfying one knowing that I have been soooooo good this year and both of these purchases were very much needed and appreciated. For $138 bucks I acquired: Ashford Hand Carders (Squeal!) Lace Blocking Wires (UBER-Squeal!) About 8-10oz of lovely Celadon colored wool roving.  yum. Bearfoot Mountain Colors Sock yarn in Indian Paintbrush (deep red) Two Skeins of Cascade Alpaca Lace in a mossy green Two Skeins Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock in Happy Stripe (teal and yellow) Brittany DPNs in sz 1 Addi Turbo sz 17/24" Two back issues of Spinoff and Piecework Shannon Okey's Spin to Knit book And a couple of display items to use for my Copious Spare Time booth and my wedding! It was a very good yarn day.  And now the yarn diet begins again.  Next splurge is a skein or two of  sou...

Knitting, Spinning, Comics, State of the Garden, Dolls, Wedding, DIY, Craftyness and more. Notes to follow shortly.. Click to Listen! Knitting: -Ravelympics Roundup: Talia Vest, Nikki Epstein Anniversary Scarf, Shalom Cardigan -All Twisted Up -Phat Fiber -Master Knitter Program TGKA -Cloud Bolero by Ysolde Teague -Bohus Mitts from Knitter - Knitter's Almanac - Respect the Spindle -Knitter Magazine -Vogue Knitting Spring 2010 -How To Knit a Love Song - Spin Dye Stitch - Vintage Knits for Baby - Vintage Knits for Modern Babies Craftiness: Swap-o-rama-rama Waldorf School Three Sisters Folk Arts School Sublime Stitching Wedding: - Fracas perfume -Cleaning old yellowed lace -Central Foundations State of The Garden Address: Urban Gardening Theatre & Costumes: -Artistic Home's Skin of Our Teeth -Strawdog Uncle Vanya & Good Soul of Szechuan -Wildclaw Theatre's Legion -Seanachai's Dancing at Lughnasa Comics: -Marvel Girl Comics ...

Oh I really want to go to this... but I think it's also the same time as both the Tonner Halloween Convention and Fashion Royalty.  grumble...maybe next year!  Although this is closer than the Tonner Con and therefore will be much less expensive to attend....temptations.  Fiber or Dolls...fiber or dolls.... Welcome to the 28th annual Spin-Off Autumn Retreat Join us in Delavan, Wisconsin (near Lake Geneva) October 24-31, 2010 Spin A Good Yarn! Meet the best spinning instructors in the field, attend a diverse range of classes, catch up with friends (and make some new ones!) at the Spin-In, and enjoy learning all you can about spinning. Replenish your stash at the Market, be inspired by the work of your peers in the gallery and fashion show, and get your favorite books signed by the authors at the book signing. We will be posting updates on the SOAR blog at www.soarblog.com .

Filled with knitting, spinning, ninjas, dolls, costumes, theatre, crafty beavers, wedding, DIY bride, retro fashion, and more! Knitting: -Dax's Cardigan -How to sew on a Button ! - Phat Fiber Box ! - All Twisted Up Fiber and Doll Fashions! - Respect the Spindle: Spin Infinite Yarns with One Amazing Tool - The Intentional Spinner: A Holistic Approach to Making Yarn - Bella Mittens - Amelia Earhart Hat - Montera Embroidered Button Coat - Bamburg Gloves - Knitscene Preview - King of Confidence Cardigan - Ysolde Teague's Patterns for Haitian Relief. - Temporal Scarf Wedding: - Ruffled Vintage Wedding Blog -History of the Seersucker Suit Theatre: - Edward Hopper Project - Uncle Vanya and The Phone Book at Strawdog - Wildclaw's Legion and Macabre Mardi Gras: Dance of the Demented - Artistic Home: Skin of Our Teeth - Seanachai : Dancing at Lughnasa - Dupage Opera Theatre: Turandot Costumes: Lillie Genuine Molded Plastic: Tonner's Cami & Jon & 2010 Preview Hee Park...

Engagement, Wedding Planning, Spinning, Knitting, San Francisco Yarn Adventures, Holiday Knitting, Dolls, Gene Convention, Secret Six, Chicago Theatre and more... Click to listen! AntidisestablishmentWEDtarianism: Cricket Hill Montrose Beach ...good for kite flying, sledding, and bird watching Green Mill Jazz Engagement Ring designed by M. Rox Studio ! Indie Wed! Spinning: Knitting: Hollywood Herringbone Pullover Glynis Socks Jaywalkers Jeff's Pub Sweater Devon Clown Socks Fail! Hourglass Rib Socks Dax's Jacket Cashmere Wristwarmers Fetching Mushroom Pulse Warmers Recycled Sweater Felt Slippers Future Projects: Wine and Roses Mitts Acquisitions: Classic Elite Winter Whimsy Booklet 2009 IK Holiday Gifts IK 2009 Weekend Knits Jade Sapphire Mongolian Cashmere Mini Mochi Malabrigo Lace Knit Picks Stroll Playtime Sock Yarn Knit Picks Blocking Mats Knit Picks Zephyr Needles Kollage Square Needles Fail. Yarn Stores Visted: Dharma Trading Company Atelier Marin Imagiknit Dolls: Inte...