Her Majesty is doing a Happy Dance today -- the sun is shining and the flowers are very happy -- especially the Goose Neck Liatris! (she's not quite sure that the spelling is correct but they are gorgeous nevertheless - all pointing their dainty goose-like heads in the same direction). Mind you, she's not complaining at all about the recent rain as the palace garden was crying out for water -- but a week of steady rain was a just a little too much. The Queen has been "painting" with fiber again, but this time it is all about soft watercolor hues -- here is her latest endeavor. Put your daily tasks aside and imagine taking a walk through this dreamscape English countryside and getting lost in the scenery -- can you hear the bubbling brook hidden by the trees? When you are tired, you can retire to the upstairs room with the gabled window, rest on the feather bed, close your eyes and listen to the songbirds.

I feel sooo lucky to have won the first prize at the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival for my blue shawl (pictured below). This festival is by far my favorite. For those who love color, fiber and animals, it is pure balm for the soul. Whenever I travel and teach I always let everyone know just how much fun it is (no wonder it is becoming so crowded!) -- I truly plan my May "life" around it! Besides, it takes place about 10 minutes from my home! There were some pre-festival workshops and I took a dyeing class that was to "dye" for! Thanks to the instructor Carol and to the students on either side for putting up with me -- I can get pretty focused and took way too much fiber to dye. I'm posting a picture of the finished Apricot Shrug that began as Apricot "fluff" earlier in the blog.

. . . and a couple of test "scrumbles" -- still thinking about what shape will transpire

Here is the confection of tasty yarns selected by Her Majesty from around her Kingdom, near and far, to complement her apricot nuno felted piece - what will transpire? keep tuned to find out . . .

. . . . a close up for your viewing pleasure!

Here is a picture of the apricot "fluff" which has been Embellished and is now a fluid piece of nuno felt jus waiting here for Her Majesty to decide just what to do next!

One more for today while we are on a roll! I have been on a mission this past two weeks collecting yarns, plain and fancy for more scrumbles as I am completely addicted! . . . and THEN I blended various fiber in the same melon and apricot colorway and add tiny touches of pink curls and green silk to create a lovely soft roving -- it is calling out for me to play -- at this point I have no idea whether or not it will be another shawl or a jacket but here is the beginning picture -- yummy, delicious colors.