Happy Holidays from the Funhouse

Gradients - perfect for play time!

We love to send inspiration out into the yarniverse - and we have lots of fun new gradient dyed fibers in the shoppe.  Please stop by and take a peek; See something you love?  Want something you don't see?  We love to hear from you! Send us a note and we'll be happy to work on it.

Polwarth-silk blend gradient in "Monet"
 

The Holiday Season is in full flurry around here - those of us who are making our holiday gifts are busy sneaking in moments of crafting whenever we can. But it's easy to lose the joy of creativity when you turn from "want to" to "HAVE TO", so I thought I would take this opportunity to remind you to take a bit of time each week to PLAY.... without expectation, pressure, or guilt. Find colors, textures, or images which speak to your inner voice; gather them together and try something new. 

For me, the most difficult part of playtime is letting go of expectation - which can so often lead to disappointment.  The mere act of play is joyful, and when you take away expectation you allow full creativity to bloom. Therefore, your "mission" - if you choose to accept it: even if you are a "plain vanilla" spinner (do you always spin lace weight natural colored fiber?  Or perhaps you haven't ever tried to spin a gradient - too "scary"?,) please schedule a guilt-free play date with your inner child.  Pick some "in your face" colors and try a new spinning technique.  Even spinning a "Thick and Thin" single can be a step outside the box.  Create without expectation - do not worry about how "good" it looks, or what the heck you will make from the yarn.  Just enjoy the process - gorgeous colors, delicious textures - and listen to your inner muse. 

And even if the resulting yarn is nothing you can imagine showing anyone, wash that skein of yarn and hang it up where you will see it - I promise you that each time you do, you will smile with a renewed sense of joy. 

Give yourself the gift of playtime this year.