Lots to say

There has been a newsletter in my head for the past few days.  Last night I finally wrote it out and the newsletter went out this morning.  Have you read yours?  There will be a sock newsletter going out tomorrow and then another store newsletter will go out on Tuesday.  I have lots to say!!

Yesterday we received many boxes including the new patterns from Churchmouse Yarns.

Yarn is on the way to Lynda so that she can knit this very cute cardigan with ruffles.  She is going to use Tosh Merino Light in

Bloomsbury and

La Vie en Rose

I can't wait to see the colours together.

The next big event is the Woodstock Fleece Festival.  Since I didn't attend the show last year I have no clue what to expect.  The other problem is that I can't decide that I want yarns from hand dyers at the last minute so I have been on the phone and emailing suppliers today.

Tomorrow is a very big day.  Of course it has something to do with sports. The Ryder Cup starts.  I will be awake at 2:30am to watch.

I should be going to bed now but Beth bought season six of Grey's Anatomy last night.  We are off to watch the first few episodes.  I have a feeling there is going to be a lot of crying.

Now to start planning for Knitting Camp 2011

I couldn't say too much about the generous prizes that were donated before Camp because it had to be a surprise.  Now that Camp is over I would like to say 'Thank you very much' to all my suppliers.

I would like to thank Classic Elite, Namaste and Old Mill Knitting for their donations to the goodie bags.

The following suppliers generously donated door prizes

• Berroco
• Classic Elite
• Churchmouse Yarns and Teas
• Della Q
• Diamond Yarns
• Gemini Fibres
• Lantern Moon
• Lorna's Laces
• Namaste
• Naturally NZ
• Offhand Designs
• Old Mill Knitting
• Prism Yarns
• Rowan
• Soak Wash
• Spud & Chloe
• Tanis Fiber Arts
• Twilleys
• Vogue Knitting
• Wendy/Peter Pan

I have been receiving pictures from Camp.  Here are a few.

Jared is concentrating.

Someone asked if we could take a group photo this year.  It wasn't something that I had thought about doing in the past.

I wasn't sure when this was taken but now I see that Pat has a glass of wine in her hand so I am going to say that this is Saturday night during Show and Tell.

Surprise from Rhonda

Saturday night at Camp is our Show and Tell Evening. The knitters get a chance to show off what they have finished over the last year.  Last year Cookie A came to Camp and taught a class on designing your own socks. Two of the ladies from that class brought their finished socks to show off. We had some ladies showing off garments from yarn they received as a door prizes last year.

And then there was a surprise for me.  The yarn was dyed by Rhonda and then she knit this amazing shawl.

I borrowed the picture from her blog.  Click on the link to read all about the pattern and yarn.

KnitObsession: September..: "I had been wanting to do this pattern for a long time, and what a perfect time of year. Septembertuch Yarn: Wandering Cat Yarns Slinky Fingering in Peacock..."

Thank you Rhonda-it is amazing!!!

They're Here

Tuppence

While I was away a shipment arrived from Offhand Designs. The new Scottie Bags are in.  I kept looking at the bags and wondering why they are a little different than I thought they would be.  The leather handle is missing.  I checked on the Offhand site and the pictures do not show a handle. Am I crazy?  I would swear they were going to have a handle.  I looked back at my blog pictures and there was a handle.

Practically Perfect 

I called Larissa and asked what was going on.  She was quite upset.  The leather handles wouldn't work.  She has a sample sale in her studio once a year and sold off the original bags with the handles.  They were all returned because the handles kept falling off.  She has tried everything but no go.

Some store owners were giving her grief about the change.  I can't get upset about that.  I would rather have good quality bags than bags that you are going to bring back to me with a problem.

Supercalifragilistic

Now that I have my bag (in Practically Perfect) I realize that the leather handle might not have been a good idea.  The bag hangs perfectly at my side and I think that the handle might not sit nicely.

The other thing that my bags are missing is the button on the front.  She was rushing to get my bags mailed out and then they decided to add this design element.  It helps to open the bag but isn't necessary.  All future bags will have the button and if you want a bag (with the button) then I can get one for you.

Chim Chim Cheree 

There was a total of six fabrics in the order.  The four new fabrics are pictured and then we have two of last years fabrics in the new style-Judy and Madeleine.

Happy Birthday Beth

Camp pictures are starting to come in.  Thursday night just before we started our game some of the staff of the resort came in carrying this amazing cake. Susan had the cake made for Beth's birthday-okay her Camp birthday.  She has one every year on the weekend of Camp.

Absolutely amazing!!

This was the top of the cake. Susan sent me an email before Camp asking for Beth's favourites
-colour
-cake flavour
-hobbies

This is the top layer of the cake.

And the bottom layer.

We really didn't want to cut the cake but Susan made us.

And it tasted good too!!

Nap Time

I just walked in the door from Camp and am doing a quick post before having a nap.  This year was our fastest clean up ever.  Classes go until 11:30 and then we all meet for lunch.  After everyone leaves we start packing up the mini-yarn store that was set up.  With help from Jared and Elizabeth we were on the road quickly.  Another first this year-no traffic on the 400.  Normally when we reach Barrie it is stop and go all the way to Toronto.  Not today.  I got Jared to the airport so early that he was going to try and get on an earlier flight.  I offered to stay in case he didn't and I could take him for a coffee but I think he was looking forward to some alone time.

I told you yesterday that Elise is a great teacher.  She was showing her class how to rip out a row and the easiest way was to have them stand behind her.  It is safe to say that you won't see me sitting on the floor during class.  :)

The students are very tired by Sunday morning so I tried to pick easier classes for today.  Elizabeth taught thrum mitts. Wendy thought that her work so far looked like a troll.

The view from our teaching room is very tranquil.

I don't have any more pictures to share from Camp.  The days were crazy and my camera didn't come out.  I am hoping that the ladies who did take pictures will send them to me so that I can share our fun.

Class is in session

Blogger is acting up this morning so I am working with what I have.  We don't want to interrupt class so Beth, Cathy and I are sitting in the lobby.  Beth is reading, Cathy is knitting and I have pulled out my laptop.

Here are some of our displays in the class room.

All the garments shown were in the fashion show yesterday.  A few people took pictures during the show and are going to get them to me.  I will be posting them later in the week.

It was hot here yesterday.  We were going to start the fashion show after lunch but decided to give everyone a few hours off to sit outside and knit.

The poor models were dying while we had the fashion show. It wasn't the best day for heavy wool sweaters.

The ladies are busy in class this morning. It is much cooler today and rainy. Makes for a good day to be inside and knitting.

So Cool

I am sitting in the lobby of the main building while classes are on.

Last night was a fun night so that the attendees could meet each other. Of course Beth made up a game-Game Show Medley. There was three teams-Jared, Elizabeth and Cathy. Cathy's team won by a landslide but everyone had fun.

Jared's class is in the room behind me. The ladies are very quiet. Jared is keeping them busy! He reluctantly gave them a coffee break. During the break the students told me he was awesome and they want to work through lunch!

Elizabeth's class is in a different building but I have visited a few times. They are learning different cast ons. WOW! Who knew there was that many? I probably should have been sitting in and learning something.

As I am writing I can hear the ladies "that is so cool!". Jared is teaching them life lines right now and he has a few tricks for them.

After lunch we will be having our fashion show. There are 47 garments so my models are going to be tired when they are done. They are going to be hot as well. It is 23 C (73 F) here right now and they are going to be parading around in wool sweaters.

I think I should get back to work.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Port Stanton Pkwy,Severn,Canada

Day One

Day one is underway. Jared's class is busy learning lace.








- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Port Stanton Pkwy,Severn,Canada

We made it

The day didn't start as planned but all is well now. I was almost to the airport when my phone rang with a number I didn't recognize. I know that I'm not supposed to talk on the phone but it was a good thing I did. It was Jared and his plane hadn't left New York yet. What to do? I stopped at Square One for an hour (didn't buy anything) and then headed to the airport. Jared arrived safely and we headed north. Beth and Cathy (with help from some of the attendees) got everything set up for me.




The ladies are sitting and knitting while we wait for dinner.

Tonight we have a get together. Beth has made a game for them. I hope they are ready!!

Tomorrow morning the ladies have a class and then a fashion show tomorrow afternoon.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

It's almost here

I sat down yesterday and again last night to write a post but it wasn't working. There are too many lists running through my head and every time I read what I wrote I erased it.  Before I knew it the clock said 11pm and I knew I had better turn the computer off for the night.

It's just one more sleep until Camp.  Everything is set at the Resort.  I think I have everything packed.  I picked up the most important thing last night-the wine for Saturday night.  My last chore is name tags and they are proving harder than I thought.  I can't get them to print properly but I won't let it beat me!!

Here is a picture of where I will be staying.  Maple Cottage.  I am adding this now because once we get there it will not be this neat.  But wait, it might be because the Neat Freak is staying with Beth and I.  :)

This is looking from the lake onto the building where classes will be held.

I am adding some pictures now for a couple of reasons.
-I will forget to take pictures once we get there
-it is going to rain on Thursday and Friday.  Did you know that it has rained on the Friday of Camp every year that we have held it?  Every year.  Doesn't matter what month.

I keep walking around the store thinking of more things that could be packed. NO MORE!! So then I thought it might be an idea to start a newsletter. Unfortunately my mind is not feeling creative today (okay it normally isn't creative but today is even worse) so that idea is out.

I would like to start loading the van but it is pouring rain out.  The power keeps going off in the store as well.

We received a shipment from Sirdar last week but I didn't get to posting any pictures of a new book.  You know I like pictures in my posts.

Jack-in-a-box Knits from Sirdar for Baby Bamboo.

Extremely cute garments for boys and girls.

I am anxiously awaiting Ms. Canada Post.  Hopefully she will have two very important boxes for me.  One from Lynda with my coat and the other from Offhand Designs with the new bags.

The rain has stopped so I am continuing my job of loading the van.  On days like today I wish I could wiggle my nose and it all be moved for me.  :)

That wasn't a good idea

Today was a hectic day.  It started out at the hairdressers.  I really needed to have my hair coloured.  Actually, I would let it all go grey but others around me say that I am too young for grey hair.  Then to the store so that Cathy and I could get the garments in order for the fashion show.  Once they were all laid out together I totally changed how they were going to be presented. My brochure needs to be scrapped and redone.  Maybe that wasn't such a good idea.  Then I came home to start my brochure when the phone rang. "What are you doing?  I don't have keys to my truck.  Went out for lunch, Rick drove, I think they are in his truck and he has left for the day."  I packed myself up and headed to Beth's warehouse so she could get home.  Then I stopped for new nail polish.  Then the grocery store.  Now home working on the fashion show brochure.

I have absolutely no pictures for you today so here is one from Jordana Paige.  All the colours of her new bags.

My mind is racing about Camp so I need to do something to relax.  I think that means watching TV and knitting for a few hours before bed.

Sleepy Sunday afternoon

I just received an email from Namaste and wanted to pass the news along. We still have all colours in stock.

I think that everything is now packed for Camp. The only thing left is the garments and I don't want to pack them too early. If they are folded in boxes then they could end up creased.

My job today (while watching football) will be to start working on goodie bags and welcome packages.  That is if I can stay awake.  Mom and dad arrived home at 1:30 this morning.  They called so that we knew that they made it home safely.  I did get back to sleep but was up again before 6.  Beth and Cathy were off to a show in Barrie and it was my job to make sure that Beth hauled her butt out of bed.  She is very partial to sleep!!  The dogs then came to bed with me but Roko wouldn't settle down.  I think there might be an afternoon nap in my very near future.  :)

Free Patterns

Fall is a great time of year for blogging.  Everyday I have something new to tell you about.

I went onto the Rowan website last night to look something up and there are six new patterns (free patterns) for Colourscape Chunky.

Blisland

447 Jungle is one of the new colours for fall.  You can bet that I will be starting something with it very soon.

Camelford

This is the other new colour for fall-444 Moody.

I'm thinking that this could be my next project.

Constantine

I'm liking this as well but I personally wouldn't wear the belt.  A great shawl pin will be on mine.

Polzeath

Darn.  I like this one too.

Kew

Must make this!!  Maybe while I am at Camp.

Daymer

Colourscape Chunky and Felted Tweed Chunky are used in this Fair Isle pattern.  What a great way to use a self striping yarn.


Over the past few evenings I have been working on getting through the 17 episodes of the Y&R that are saved on my TV. It isn't ideal TV knitting because a lot of time is spent fast forwarding through plots that I don't care about.  Nikki is drinking again.  I knew that Meggie was bad news!! Chance is dead. Not getting upset because I don't think he is really dead. The best is the story line with Victoria and Billy. When Victoria came down the stairs yelling she was pregnant while Victor and Nikki were standing with Billy in the living room was priceless. I thought that Victor's head was going to pop off. I can't believe that Victor had Victoria arrested in the hopes of stopping the wedding. He was an ass when I started watching the show 30 years ago and he still is.

New arrivals and a preview

It is almost 5:30 in the afternoon and we haven't heard from our parents today.  I hope they are alright.  :)  I talked with my mom last night as I was walking in from work.  It was their last stop and they were in Ketchikan.  She had just come out of a quilt shop and dad was on his last adventure-Bering Sea Crab Fisherman's Tour.

Join the Captain and decades-seasoned Bering Sea fishermen for an extraordinary journey of discovery on the storied crab boat, the Aleutian Ballad, seen on Season 2 of the Discovery Channel series Deadliest Catch. You will set out on the calm, protected waters around Ketchikan and relax in the Aleutian Ballad's heated and sheltered outdoor amphitheater as you explore the incredible scenery of Southeast Alaska. On deck, a skilled fishing crew will haul in crab pots and fishing lines very much as they would while working on the open sea, revealing all manner of sea life. The “catch” is placed in the on-deck aquarium for you to look at. Provided the creatures are safe to handle, and if you are willing, you may literally hold them in your hands. A day's catch will likely include: king crab, snow crab, shark, octopus, prawns, rockfish, skate or gray cod. Perhaps best of all, and entwined throughout the entire tour, you will hear the personal stories of the men who have spent their lives working on the ocean. They will share their passion for fishing and the sea with you. As all of this unfolds on the deck in front of you, Alaska's magnificent coastal scenery is just on the other side of the ship’s rail. Common tour sights include an incredible bald eagle display, seals, otters, sea lions, whales, and native Alaskan fishermen working the scenic island channels. If you've ever wondered what it's like to spend time on an authentic working crab or fishing boat, this is it. Captain Dave says, "I want people to experience exactly what we experience, and to become totally engaged in something they'll never see again." This is more than just a tour—it is a magical adventure on these waters that are rich with new and amazing experiences. Come along and see what today brings. 

Beth and I were seriously jealous.  Deadliest Catch is a show we watch and to be on a crab boat would be so cool. Of course my dad called Beth when he was done his journey but the phone wasn't great so the call was short. They will be back in Vancouver tomorrow morning and home tomorrow night. I wonder how long it will be before they book another cruise?

And now business.
The Noro books for fall arrived today.

Noro Style Book from Jenny Watson.

Noro Book #28.

Along with the books came the new yarn Kirameki.

This is a lace weight yarn
60% viscose
25% nylon
10% wool
5% cashmere

The yardage is an unbelievable 452m.

Churchmouse Yarns and Teas does it again. There are new patterns on the way from Seattle. I am guessing that they will be here around the 27th of September.

Baby Wrap Sweater

Oh my goodness. Too cute. The pattern is available in 6-12 months and 12-18 months. You can use one colour or two colours of sock yarn.

“Cuff to cuff adorable.”

Trust Northwest knitting guru Suzanne Sullivan to make simple garter stitch extra special. This charming little jacket, knit from cuff to cuff, has infinite possibilities. Make it striped. Or not. Add a ruffle. Or not. Add I-cord edging. Or not. For a handsome boy version, remember to reverse the direction of the wrap and ties.

English Mesh Lace Scarf
“A lovely way to learn about lace.”

Our lace teacher Becky ffitch loves to coach new lace knitters with this simple but lovely stitch pattern. A four+four-row repeat and easy-to-see centered stitch alignments make this the perfect pattern for learning to ‘read’ your knitting. It’s a relaxing and satisfying knit for accomplished lace knitters, too. A little beading gilds the lily.

The scarf shown is knit in a double knitting weight yarn but there is a surprise on the pattern. You can also knit it in Rowan Kidsilk Haze.

Two Way Ruffled Scarf

Each scarf is knit out of one ball of Kidsilk Haze on 5.5mm needles.
“Simple or lacey. Single or layered. Fun either way.”
This romantic scarf, devised for the 2010 LYS Tour, was inspired by a clever piece our friend Candace brought home from Italy. Each one-skein scarf can be knit in simple stockinette or easy eyelet lace, then worn on its own tied in a variety of ways, or layered one inside the other for double ruffle drama. Go for high contrast or soft, subtle shades. Oh, the possibilities! 

What did we do before phones?

Guess who called me yesterday afternoon. Yes, my dad. From the cruise ship. That isn't going to cost them very much money. :) He needs to check in every day just to make sure that we are okay.  They spent the day in Glacier Bay.  Mom was just going into her afternoon quilting session (remember that they are four hours behind us) after a great morning class.  Dad spent the morning on deck.  He said the weather was beautiful and he was enjoying the scenery.

Jordana Paige tweeted that she received the red and green L.J. Kaelms samples and will be photographing them soon. I decided to take a look at her blog and there was a picture of the teal blue bag. I think I will definitely need one of these.

All door prizes are done for Camp. Now to start on the goodie bags.

I think that I have made kits for everything in the fashion show. Now I need to pack yarn, books, shawl pins and bags.  I try very hard not to pack too much but it never works.  I can already hear Beth complaining when we start to load the van.  "Do you really need all of this?"

We were up very late watching TV last night.  First we watched Survivor.  It is going to be an interesting season.  Over 40 versus under 30.  Then the season finale of Master Chef.  I was so happy that Whitney won.  I picked her the very first show and she did it.  Thank goodness we had taped the finale of Big Brother.  What a long, boring, drawn out show.  There was a lot of fast forwarding going on.  Then they take it to the last minute to announce the winner and we don't even get to hear from Hayden.

I do have some knitting to report.  I am back working on Wild Saffron. The back is almost complete but I need to make sure that the armholes are deep enough before I cast off. On the front I just started into the yoke pattern. There is still a chance that I will get it finished by the end of next week. A little person on my shoulder is asking 'in which lifetime?'

A box of yarn just arrived from Prism. Saki (sock yarn) that I use for the Ruffles Scarf kit.  Very pretty!!  My afternoon will be spent making up some more kits.