The One I Very Nearly Didn’t Come Through On

12JulApril 14, 2015 By Stephanie

I want you to pity me, ok? I mean, if you’re a knitter or crocheter, you’ll get what I saying. Because last week, we sent the InterStellar Yarn Alliance parcels to the club members and, while I was so excited to send them out, you have to consider the situation I was in only the day before…

The day before the parcels went out, I was surrounded by an enormous pile of smooshy, wonderful yarns in a colourway that I loved. …That I just loved. Oh, and right next to that pile? There was a stack of goodies that were making my whole house smell incredible and which made me just want to sit there and breathe… breathe… Mmmmmm…

So the pity… Well, that comes in because I knew that the very next day, I’d have to send all that loveliness away. And I wanted them all. I wanted them all for meeeee. My dear members of the InterStellar Yarn Alliance, you very nearly never got your parcels!

But you’re a yarn addict too, so I know you understand.

The colourway for this parcel is called Juicy, and it is inspired by all the colours of the fruits and flowers that the heat of summer produces. And the gift is hand-made candles from Debbie at Divine Scentsations, in one of three sets of delicious scents perfect for the season: Fruits, Florals, or Clean & Fresh.

See what I mean? Reallllly hard to send away.

The InterStellar Yarn Alliance will open for subscriptions for two weeks only in September. If you’d like to be one of the first to hear about it, make sure you’re signed up for the SpaceCadet Creations mailing list. Click here to join it.

Psst… Wanna See the Yarn Alliance Parcel?

11MayApril 14, 2015 By Stephanie

I was really nervous when I sent out the InterStellar Yarn Alliance parcels this month. Really nervous. I knew I’d taken a risk — I knew it — but I also knew I had dyed the colours that I’d had in my heart, the colours I needed to dye… And if the dyer follows her heart, that surely must be right. …Right?

But still, I was nervous. Because I know a lot of people buy hand-dyed because they love deep, rich, saturated colour, and this colourway was anything but that. I’d dyed a washed out colourway, of the sort that I’ve fallen head-over-heels for lately, where I gently swirl layer upon layer of colour into the dyebath, and then watch as it settles delicately onto the fibers. Watching it happen is breath-taking, the yarn it creates is beautiful. And the result when you cast on and begin to knit is ethereal, sublime …simply amazing.

Are you ready? Here it is…

It was exactly what I hoped it would be. From every angle, I was in love! I just wanted to grab it and smoosh it and… oh!

I just hoped the Alliance members loved it as much as I did.

In the SpaceCadet’s Log, I explained my inspiration — the colours in my garden as Spring arrived in sudden rush, then retreated and the cruel cold returned, and then Spring began anew. And so there are flowers in my garden both dying and blooming, and I wanted to capture the colours of Nature’s confusion.

And then…! And then there was the goody, and this I knew would be exciting. I’d asked Melissa of Melissa Jean Design to create some custom buttons for the InterStellar Yarn Alliance. And when the parcel containing them arrived, I was so excited, I spent a full five minutes bouncing up and down in my kitchen. They’re ADORABLE!

And what’s more, she did a bunch of different colours! Mix and match, everyone!

But the very best bit? I got to keep all the extra buttons that Melissa made — all her experiments and test runs. I love them! And I feel like I should make something wonderfully crafty and clever with them, but I don’t know what. What would you make?

Hey, don’t forget: this weekend is the SpaceCadet’s Grand Tour of Cleveland! If you’re anywhere in the northern Ohio/PA area, come on out and see us.

Friday, May 11 at River Colors Studio
1387 Sloane Avenue
Lakewood, Ohio 44107 (map it!)
(216) 228-9276

Saturday, May 12 at Soft N Sassy
8047 Broadview Rd.
Broadview Hts., OH. 44147 (map it!)
Phone: (440)746-9650

There will be lots of gorgeous yarns, fabulous SpaceCadet tattoos, tons of fun… and I’d love to meet you!

Tatting You Up!

30MarApril 14, 2015 By Stephanie

HomeSpun Yarn Party was amazing! So much fun, so many people, and a near mob-scene at one point!

But first, let me just remind you that there are only two days left to join the SpaceCadet’s yarn club, the InterStellar Yarn Alliance. I’ve already been working on the yarn and goodies for the first parcel and it’s going to be fabulous, so if you’ve been thinking about joining and haven’t had a chance yet, don’t wait! The Yarn Alliance closes for subscriptions on March 31.

Ok, now, back to HomeSpun… The place was hoppin’, absolutely crazy. It was wall-to-wall indie spinners and dyers and, the minute the doors opened, it was wall-to-wall fiber-loving customers too. At one point, I actually found myself pushed out the booth on the other side of the aisle, and physically unable to get back into our booth! It. was. wild!!!

And I’m tickled pink to tell you that part of the reason for the madness was… everybody loved the SpaceCadet tattoos! I was hoping people would like them — they loved them. I was running around the booth just trying to get one on everyone who wanted one. Customers waving and gesturing, calling out, waiting for me to put a tattoo on them — or even taking a couple and putting them on each other. Before I knew it, there was little SpaceCadet all over the place. I was thrilled!!!

I stuck one on my cheek, of course (but you’ve already seen that). And then I got a bit risqué and stuck one just below my neckline…

But then, some of my customers thought that was the perfect spot too!

And the thing about the tattoos is that they were the perfect icebreaker. Suddenly, all the customers waiting in line were helping each other put them on, discussing whether they should go for shoulders, wrists, or biceps… It was so cool to see so many people getting into the spirit! Oh, and then… they started comparing yarn. Of course they did! It’s what fiber people do!

Lots and lots of customers sticking SpaceCadets right there on their cheeks. Including my two lovely assistants…

(Don’t they look fabulous?!?)

We came home feeling on fire — happy, exhilarated, exhausted. HomeSpun lived up to everything we hoped, and our customers were so much fun. Our next show is Knitters Fantasy on April 14 and it’s going to be a crunch to get ready for another show so soon but… I can’t wait!

Hey, don’t forget — only two days left to sign up!

The InterStellar Yarn Alliance is Open for Subscriptions

16MarSeptember 4, 2015 By Stephanie

Squeeeee! I am so excited I can hardly tell you! I’ve been counting down to today and it’s finally here — the InterStellar Yarn Alliance is open for subscriptions at last!

The Yarn Alliance is the SpaceCadet’s supercool yarn club. And it’s one of the most fun things I get to do in my job! Seriously. While I’m in the studio creating the colourways, or while I’m writing the dyer’s notes, or coming up with all the fab goodies, I’m always hoping the members will love the results as much I do. And do they? Well, check it out…

And, y’know, while I was putting together the new Yarn Alliance images for the website, I realised I was taking a trip down yarn club memory lane. So much luscious yarn, so many colourways I love!

Members of the InterStellar Yarn Alliance receive fabulous parcels delivered to their door every other month, containing:

SpaceCadet^® Creations yarn (light to medium weight) in an exclusive Yarn Alliance colourway (guaranteed not to be offered on the SpaceCadet website for at least 6 months)
A great Yarn Alliance gift tucked into every parcel!
The SpaceCadet’s Log exploring the inspiration for each colourway.
An InterStellar Yarn Alliance group on Ravelry where you can discuss WIPs, ask questions, and share FOs with fellow members.
The InterStellar Yarn Alliance newsletter with periodic special offers exclusively for members.
A 15% off coupon every six months

Subscriptions are for either 6 months (3 parcels) for $125, or for 12 months (6 parcels) for $235.

Want to join the fun? C’mon! We’d love to have you!

A Sneak Peek into the Yarn Alliance’s Latest Parcel

07MarSeptember 4, 2015 By Stephanie

I’ve been dying to share with you the inspiration for the latest InterStellar Yarn Alliance parcel and, as I sent them out a week ago today, I think it’s safe to show you. But if you’re a member and for some reason you haven’t opened your parcel, close this page now — I don’t want to ruin the surprise!

…

…Ok?

Ok, I think we’re safe. shhhh… Let’s have a look at the parcel. But first, I want to show you the picture that inspired the colourway. The thing is, just lately I have become obsessed with Spring. I am soooo ready to shed the grey, dull end of winter and welcome the sweet arrival of fresh green grass, new blooms, and warm warm days. So when I saw this picture on Pinterest, it just sang out to me.

It was taken by Mattie of Still Pond Photography and I just love it. Love it. For days, the mood of this photo stayed in my head, and I found myself returning again and again to just gaze at the colours of those eggs.

So when it came time to dye the Yarn Alliance colourway, there was no doubt what it would have to be.

I’ve been dyeing Spring greens and blues for the shop but, when I started designing this colourway, I wanted to take those colours to another level. Just like the eight eggs, I wanted to have myriad shades of blues and greens, so that the yarn would seem to change every constantly — from row to row, stitch to stitch. I began with one blue and one green, and then layered on another shade, and another shade, and another until I had depth and tone I was looking for. I called the colourway “EggShells”.

Doesn’t it sing Spring to you?

And as excited as I am about EggShells — and I am! — I think that I might be just wee bit more excited about the goody. It was a long time in the making, but the effort was sooooo worth it. Check it out — every member got a fabulous custom SpaceCadet project bag!!!

I’ve had such a blast doing the InterStellar Yarn Alliance this past year — so much fun. And I can’t wait to get started on next year’s yarns and goodies!

The InterStellar Yarn Alliance will open for subscriptions March 16 to 31 ONLY

You can join for either 6 months or 12 months. Every other month, members of the InterStellar Yarn Alliance receive fabulous parcels delivered to their door containing:

SpaceCadet^® Creations yarn (light to medium weight) in an exclusive Yarn Alliance colourway (guaranteed not to be offered on the SpaceCadet website for at least 6 months)
A great Yarn Alliance gift tucked into every parcel!
The SpaceCadet’s Log exploring the inspiration for each colourway.
An InterStellar Yarn Alliance group on Ravelry where you can discuss WIPs, ask questions, and share FOs with fellow members.
The InterStellar Yarn Alliance newsletter with periodic special offers exclusively for members.
A 15% off coupon every six months

If you’d like to join, remember to mark your calendar: the Yarn Alliance will open for subscriptions from March 16 to 31 only. And when it does, get yourself over to this page to grab your spot!

On Black Friday, Give the InterStellar Yarn Alliance and Save $15

25NovApril 14, 2015 By Stephanie

A Holiday Gift Subscription to

the SpaceCadet’s yarn club, the InterStellar Yarn Alliance

$15 Off on Black Friday ONLY

It’s Black Friday, which means it’s time for twinkling lights, canned holiday muzak, and ka-ra-zee long lines at the stores! If you’re one of those intrepid shoppers who hits the Black Friday sales with gusto, then I expect you’ve been out since midnight and come home already.

But if, like me, you’re not quite that adventurous (and you’re still in your jammies!), then I have the perfect, never-have-to-leave-the-house gift for the knitter or crocheter on your list…

For a short time only, we’re opening a limited number of spaces in the InterStellar Yarn Alliance to offer you three special Holiday Gift Subscriptions. And because those of us in our PJs shouldn’t have to miss out on the Black Friday fun, for today only we’re giving you $15 off!

A Holiday Gift Subscription: Normally $85. On Black Friday $70

And if the knitter or crocheter on your list deserves more even more Yarn Alliance goodness, you can add on a 6-month membership ($184 inclusive) or a 12-month membership ($305 inclusive), and you’re still getting that special price on the Holiday Gift Subscription!

But hurry, because after Black Friday, you’ll still be able to get this fabulous Holiday Gift Subscription, but prices will go back to normal.

So, Whaddya Get?

The InterStellar Yarn Alliance Holiday Gift Subscription includes two parcels delivered to the recipient’s door, containing:

SpaceCadet^® Creations yarn (light to medium weight) in an exclusive Yarn Alliance colourway (guaranteed not to be offered on the SpaceCadet website for at least 6 months)
A great Yarn Alliance gift tucked into every parcel!
The SpaceCadet’s Log exploring the inspiration for each colourway.
An InterStellar Yarn Alliance group on Ravelry where you can discuss WIPs, ask questions, and share FOs with fellow members.
The InterStellar Yarn Alliance newsletter with periodic special offers exclusively for members.

Black Friday ONLY! $15 OFF!

Shipping within the United States is included in the price; extra charges apply for shipping outside the US.
Six month subscriptions include 3 parcels and are normally priced at $125; twelve month subscriptions include 6 parcels and are normally priced at $235.
Holiday Gift Subscription parcels will be sent out in late December 2011 and late February 2012. Parcels for the 6-month add-on will be sent out in late April, June, and August 2012. Parcels for the 12-month add-on will be sent out in late April, June, August, October, and December 2012, and February 2013.
Normal subscription openings for the InterStellar Yarn Alliance are two weeks only in March and September of each year.

The InterStellar Yarn Alliance Through the Rest of the Year

When you include an additional 6 month or 12 month Yarn Alliance subscription to your Holiday Gift Subscription, your recepient receives all the benefits that other regular members enjoy! With the additional regular subscription, each member will receive an exciting parcel delivered every other month containing:

SpaceCadet^® Creations yarn (light to medium weight) in an exclusive Yarn Alliance colourway (guaranteed not to be offered on the SpaceCadet website for at least 6 months)
A great Yarn Alliance gift tucked into every parcel!
The SpaceCadet’s Log exploring the inspiration for each colourway.
An InterStellar Yarn Alliance group on Ravelry where you can discuss WIPs, ask questions, and share FOs with fellow members.
The InterStellar Yarn Alliance newsletter with periodic special offers exclusively for members.
A 15% off coupon every six months

Parcels will be sent out in late October, December, February, April, June, and August. Subscription openings will be available in March and September. Shipping within the United States is included in the price; extra charges apply for shipping outside the US.