If you’re in or near Michigan and looking for a fun-filled weekend that’s sure to please check out one of these fiber festivals:

April 1 - 2   Fiber Expo Spring Show in Saline, MI

April 15 - 16   Michigan Alpaca Fest in Allegan, MI

May 27 - 28   Great Lakes Fiber Show in Wooster, OH

June 3 - 4   Tip of the Mitt Fiber Fair in Petoskey, MI

June 10   Mid-Ohio Fiber Fair in Newark, OH

July ??   Summer Wine & Wool Festival in Jackson, MI

August 16 - 20   Michigan Fiber Festival in Allegan, MI

Sept 16 - 17   27th Annual Wool Gathering in Yellow Springs, OH

September 23-24   Northern Michigan Fiber Festival in Alpena, MI

October 7 - 8   Fiber Expo Fall Show in Saline, MI

October 14   Woolstock in Paris, Ontario

October 21 - 22   Thumb Fiber & Folk Arts in Lexington, MI

October 21 - 22   10th Annual Autumn Fiber Festival in Mansfield, OH

November 13 - 14 Fiber Arts and Animals Festival in Marshall, MI

Hung some new wall art today. I found this accordion-style rack at my local thrift shop. With some colorful hanks proudly on display it fits in nicely with my cottagecore style. It's a wonderful way to showcase my latest spins. I'm loving it!

I'm making great progress with this cross-stitching project - it's really coming along! I'm now up to the second work-in-progress update and very happy with how things are going. The second row of blocks has been completed, 20 more to go. I can't wait until it's finished so I can look back on all the hard work put into this masterpiece. With each stitch bringing me closer to completion, I'm feeling more and more optimistic about my project!

Progress on my first-ever attempt at a pre-printed cross-stitch. I've only ever done counted cross-stitch before. I used to believe that using a pre-printed pattern would feel too much like cheating, but I'm happily surprised to find it more relaxing. Not having to worry about miscounting my stitches makes it a perfect opportunity to perfect my stitch style by practicing techniques such as railroading. As I explore and experiment with different methods and techniques I'm discovering my preferred style. I'm hoping to turn them into habits by the time I reach the top, that way it will naturally carry over to my stitching on counted cross-stitch designs. 

For added fun, I've decided to only post the rows of blocks completed and the rows currently being worked on to keep the completed design a mystery. Can you guess what the pattern is?