Yesterday Jacob and I spent all morning playing with images and fonts, adjusting, getting them just right... went out for the afternoon, and came home with these:

Jacob; left forearm; coordinates of his father's hometown (Monrovia, Liberia). We were really specific with the font - and it looks just right.

Me; right wrist; a portrait of my handspun, sketched from one of my favorite photos. I love the details so much, the shading, the uneven bits plied together, the tiny shadow.

Both tattoos were done by Craig Jackman at American Electric Tattoo (a local shop - it's been in the neighborhood even longer than we have). They are both small and detailed - I wanted a good portrait, and we were really specific about the font for Jacob's, and Craig nailed it with each. They were done with a single needle - such pretty serifs and shading and just great work. I'm happy.

Delicious silk/camel blend from Kristine at A Verb For Keeping Warm (naturally dyed, beautiful things, made mindfully - a lovely store).  A little sample enclosed with my (amazingly pretty) Polwarth.

Small sample + new spindle: a Golding Ringspindle - 0.45 ounces - cherrywood - tsunami design.  A righteous little spinner.

Swatching the finished yarn; it knits up at 30 stitches/4" on a size 1 needle.  I am getting, I think, about 19 WPI with the yarn.  (Not exactly convinced that I'm measuring WPI right... I feel like I get a different result each time, which is why I was eager to swatch - I'm more confident getting information from needles and swatches, I guess.)  The fabric is nice - elastic, soft, and with a slight pretty halo.  While plying, I was a little sad that similar colors were meeting up so often (I thought I wanted a more barberpole look), but I really love the way that it stripes in the sample swatch.  I'm not sure if I'll be able to get all 4 oz. of fiber to turn out like that when plied, but if I happen to luck out, I might jump for joy!  Now to start the spinning in earnest.  I have a little more yarn from my sample skein in case I get a vibe about a stitch pattern and want to try it.

I do want to say a huge hello, and a heartfelt thanks to everyone who has welcomed me so warmly on Ravelry, commented here, sent me emails or Ravelry messages - it's just so nice I don't have the words... and that's rare for me.  I'm smiling a lot, I'm learning a lot, and I'm having a wonderful time diving in to work, and loving Ravelry more every day.  Thank you!!

Casey and Jess made the announcement today on the Ravelry blog - so the word is officially out: I'm working for Ravelry!  I just cannot put into words how excited I am to have joined Jess and Casey (and Bob!) as a Ravelry employee.  I love Ravelry - I've been a member since last May (May 7, to be exact) and, from the very first time I logged on, I was hooked.  I really believe in the community that Jess and Casey have built, and I have loved helping with the website as a member/volunteer/helper, and getting to know the Ravelry workings has been so much fun.  Casey and Jess are great people - I'm happy to call them my friends, and I'm thrilled to get started on my dream job.

 Yay!

Misti Alpaca Chunky, 4X4 ribbing, heathery eggplant color.

A quick project, made to give a virtual hug to a relative going through some really crappy (such an understatement) health issues right now.  (Love you, Uncle Tim!)