News from the show

Okay, I am back to actually writing full posts from Columbus.  My first two days at the show were crazy.  Where do I start?

Offhand Designs.  The new bags and fabrics are great.  I placed an order and have been told that they should be here in September.

Larisa let me take some pictures of her booth.  This is the new Gatsby.

And the new Zhivago.

Rowan.  I really wish I could share the pictures of the new magazines with you.  Rowan 48 is amazing.

I passed by the Noni booth and her bags pulled me in.  I have patterns coming from spring and the new patterns for fall.  I absolutely love the Nomad bag.  Zippers have been ordered as well as silver handles.

Next to the Noni booth was the JUL booth.  JUL started out making shawl pins and purse handles in silver and has branched out.  Many shawl pins made it onto my order form.

I have this silver pin in my collection-absolutely beautiful.

One of many other shawl pins that we should have in a few weeks.

The Madelinetosh booth was swamped on my first walk through Saturday morning.  Later in the morning there was room to get in.  There are many new colours so I will be doing another order with them.

There are many more finds to talk about but I am going to save them for tomorrow's post.

Oh yeah, we found some time to go to Nordstroms this afternoon as well!!

Blackstone Tweed Chunky

Okay, here is another cheater post.  In the same email from Berroco were the new shades of Blackstone Tweed.  I took the pictures and played a bit on my Mac to make some pretty shade cards.  These are now on the Berroco site but I'm not going to waste my hard work.

Of course I didn't make all the shades fit on the first page so I am onto page two.

All colours have been ordered and I am thinking that by the third week of June we should have them in stock.

Blackstone Tweed

This is a bit of a cheater post.  When the email came from Berroco last week with these pictures I started  a post.  I knew that time would be limited in Columbus but I also knew that mom would be questioning me if there weren't any posts.

One of my favourite Berroco yarns is called Blackstone Tweed.  We carried this yarn in Aran weight last winter and this winter we will be adding the Chunky version.

Here is a sneak peek at patterns from Berroco Book #298.  I looked at and touched these garments yesterday.  Another book I can't wait for.

Reid in Aran weight.

This is how Berroco describes the book

Tweedy classics with quirky touches, an endearing collection to see you through the chilly seasons.

Wordsworth in Aran weight.

Camus in Chunky.  This is so calling my name!!!

I had better get a few of my UFOs done so that I can start this when the yarn arrives.  Who are we kidding-I will start it anyway but making the statement makes me feel better.  :)

Emerson in Chunky.  I really need this one as well.

My knitters are going to be busy!!

Norah Gaughan Volume 7

You are reading the time correctly-it is one in the morning.  After dinner we got talking in the lobby and I am finally in Bev's room ready to go to sleep.

Berroco sent out an email last week previewing the new books for fall.  I was waiting to show the pictures until I saw the garments in real life.

Yesterday was set up day for the show and we were helping Trendsetter/Naturally set up their booth.  This let me see a few things early.  To get to the booth I had to walk by the Berroco booth.  Norah was working away so I didn't get to talk with her but I did take a look at her new garments for fall.  I can't wait for the books to arrive in a couple of weeks.

This is Ametista knit in Ultra Alpaca.

While I am away Jane and Cathy will be going through the Ultra Alpaca so that I can make sure the website is up to date when the book arrives.

Quarzo knit in 6209 Moonshadow.

From Berroco's website

Inspired by crystals, geodes and gemstones, vol. 7 is a unified vision of 17 pieces with geometric motifs and embossed textures. Knit with the Ultra Alpaca range with touches of Lustra for glimmering shine.

Venadinite combines Charcoal Mix with Redwood Mix.

The pictures look good but the garments in real life are amazing!!

We made it

I started writing this post but didn't have anything really interesting to say so I didn't hit Publish.

Wednesday
The drive was pretty uneventful except that it rained the whole way.

Thursday
Today we are in meetings all day. In a couple of minutes we are going to see the new yarns for Filatura di Crosa fall 2011. Very exciting.

The morning started out poorly for Bev. She dropped her curling iron and grabbed it before it hit the ground burning her hand.  It is a ceramic curling iron and there was no way she was letting it hit the tile floor and break.  Beth and I made a trip out to find a drug store and came back with supplies. Now we are her errand girls for the day.  During a break in meetings we ran out for lunch and another trip to the drug store.

Friday
I spent the night with Bev in case she needed anything during the night.  Beth enjoyed having her own room so it looks like I am with Bev for the rest of the trip.  Her hand is doing better but her fingers are all blistered.

Beth and I spent the morning helping out in the Trendsetter/Naturally booth during their set up.  After doing their mannequins and setting up the heavy parts of the booth we left.  California Pizza Kitchen for lunch.  Unfortunately The Cheesecake Factory is in the same mall.  We stopped and got a piece of cheesecake to go.

When I got home and checked my emails, Larissa from Offhand Designs sent an email showing the new fabrics for fall.  I WANT ALL OF THEM!!

Scottie has a new design for fall.  Love it.  On the original bag the shoulder strap was too small for me (alright for most people but it wasn't comfortable on my big arms and shoulders).  Here is the new bag in Practically Perfect.

This is what Larissa says about the new look

We are in the middle of a few major transformations and are so excited to finally reveal our new look and line! The Zhivago, Gatsby and Scottie will now feature a lockable closure, short rolled leather handles and a detachable and adjustable shoulder strap.

There are three more new fabrics.  This is Tuppence.  The other two are going to be a surprise for later posts.

I can't wait to get to the show in the morning and see the new bags in the new fabrics.

While logging in today there was the option to see the new blog templates.  I liked this one so my blog will have a new look for a while.  It could keep changing for me to try others.

Off to Columbus

My last day in the store before going away again.  I am making the lists for Cathy and Jane.  Hopefully I haven't missed anything-cash register, credit card machine, TV...  All the important things.

I spent time today counting the Bearfoot from Mountain Colors and Shepherd Sock from Lorna's Laces to see what I needed to order at the show.  Both companies will be debuting new shades for fall in Columbus.  I will try and sneak a picture.  :)

It is now after 9pm and I am getting ready for bed.  My suitcase is packed-there are way too many clothes in there.  I have a hard time deciding on Tuesday what I will want to wear on Saturday.  Also, I need to have sweaters to wear at the show but at night when we go out for dinner I might want to wear something else.  I know-it is a lame excuse but if I keep repeating it I might believe it.

Here is my latest square for the log cabin afghan.  Another square is cast on and it is in my suitcase.  There won't be time to knit but I need to have it just in case.

My computer is making the trip so I should be able to do some posts with pictures.  I would do the posts on the iPad but I can't pry it out of Beth's hands.

Broadway

Not only do I have to get myself packed to go away but I need to get the store in order.  Today I spent some time in the store washing the floors-they are nice and shiny for Jane and Cathy.

I think that all my chores are complete and I am ready to go.  The only thing left to do is throw my clothes in the suitcase tomorrow night.

Here are the last of my NY pictures.  Ellen's Stardust Diner was just around the corner from our hotel.  The wait staff are all aspiring broadway performers and sing while serving dinner.

You can't see it clearly in the picture-the waitresses are wearing poodle skirts.

Currently every broadway show in NY has at least one person who worked at Ellen's.

From Ellen's website

Our unique diner also features our singing waitstaff and variety shows. So, sit back and relax as you will be taken back in time to a never forgotten era as you enjoy the best in classic American cuisine (complemented with updated food items for the 2000s). 

If you eat at Ellen's make sure you have the Brownie Mudslide Sundae.  YUM!!

Packing again

Dad's birthday dinner last night was very good.  After dinner everyone came back to our house and we enjoyed the beautiful evening on our back deck.  Dad presents included all the essentials-a Ralph Lauren button down (the gift Beth and I give him every year), red licorice, Arrowroot cookies, Worthers, an apple pie and a box of King peppermints.  These are the rolls that dad left for Beth and I.

A few weeks ago mom and dad went and ordered the flowers for our front porch.  When Beth and dad picked them up this week they also bought flowers for our fence.

The new Noro got the best of me yesterday and I started another square for the Log Cabin afghan in colour 264.  The afghan is great summer knitting-the squares are small and easy to carry around with you.

I need to start packing again.  Wednesday we are leaving for Columbus Ohio.  We will be seeing the new yarns for fall at TNNA (the National Needlearts Association).  Of course lots of time will be visiting with friends.  :)

Boheme Part Three is Done

While I was away Boheme laid on my bathroom floor blocking.  The buttons were just sewn on (by me) and it looks great.

Many customers come in and tell me that they are afraid to block.  All I did was soak the sweater in Soak for ten minutes.  I gently squished the sweater to get most of the water out and then laid it on towels to dry. Nothing special.  Not too hard.

I had to take a picture of our bathroom in NY.  In the corner there is a small TV.  Watching ESPN in the morning while getting ready was great!!

The Kureyon got the better of me today and I have cast on another square for the Log Cabin Afghan.  I am not far enough for a picture but will take one tomorrow.

My dad's birthday was this week so tonight we are going to Turtle Jack's for birthday dinner with some of their friends.  Then back to our house for cake.  Bea makes the best cakes!!  

New Kureyon

The new fall colours of Noro Kureyon arrived while I was in New York.

270-Orange, Lime, Jade, Pumpkin

I started putting a few of them on the shelf and they are great.  I can see all of them in the Log Cabin Afghan I am working on.

268-Red, Black, Green, Yellow

They will also work in the Lizard Ridge that I am working on.

267-Pink, Yellow, Black, Lilac

Now I don't want to do the work I am supposed to be doing.  My fingers are itching to grab a 5mm needles and get knitting.

262-Grey, Black, Brown, Rust

258-Black, Lavender, Olive

259-Lt Teal, Blue, Red, Brown

260-Olive, Lime, Salmon, Black

264-Hot Pink, Lilac, Brown, Purple

Home from NY

We made it home safely and my bed is calling.  Doing a photo shoot definitely isn't a vacation.

I can't download any pictures from my camera right now for fear of upsetting Roko but here are a few I took with my phone.

On Tuesday morning we showed up at the studio at 8am and parked out front was this truck.

BLT Burger is one of my favourite restaurants in Vegas and here is a truck that travels the streets of NY selling the burgers.  Unfortunately it was early in the morning and they were cleaning the truck.  You can follow on Twitter to see where the truck will be each day.

Jack said that there are all kinds of businesses like this in NY-cookies, cupcakes, coffee, hot dogs...

Right beside Jack's building was a tile store.  This is one of the window displays.  The jeans and tie are all made from tiles.

This is the next window.  I couldn't get a picture without the reflection to show this amazing wedding dress made of tiles.

This is the view from the top of Jack's building.  I couldn't take any pictures of the models but you will get to see the photos in February.

I wasn't really paying attention when I had my phone with me on the roof.  Looking in the other direction we could see the Empire State Building.

I can't keep my eyes open anymore.  I'll be back tomorrow with more pictures.

Hello from NYC

It is Wednesday morning and we are waiting for the babies to arrive.

I am writing from my iPad but can't add pictures so there will be lots to see on Friday.

We got to our hotel on Monday afternoon and laid out the baby garments to make sure we had everything. For lunch we went to the Carnegie Deli. This is the deli in the Mirage (Vegas) where Beth and I always eat. Then back to the room to lay out the ladies garments. There was 26 garments to go through and make sure we had everything-scarves, shoes, earrings, necklaces... Of course we needed a few things so off to Macy's we went.  Bad idea.

Hold that thought because my iPad is being taken from me.  Jack, the photographer, is a tech freak and wants to play with it.  I am moving over to his mac (one of four in the studio) so that he can play bejewelled.

Macy's.  Holiday Monday.  Not where you want to be.  We found a few things we needed but I was begging to leave.  The shoe department looked like a tornado had hit.  There were shoes thrown everywhere.

Because of the big lunch we had neither Bev or I was hungry for dinner so we went and had cheesecake.  Can't really complain about that.

Yesterday.  Up at 6am.  Long, long day.  The pictures were being taken on the roof top.  June in New York is not when you want to be on the roof.  There was the threat of thunderstorms as well.  You could go upstairs by the fire escape or on a circular staircase (double the steps) inside the building.  I chose double the steps.  I went up and down those stairs no less than a hundred times and Bev did them at least five times more.

The babies are starting to arrive so I need to sign off.  I'm not sure if I can get back on the computer today so I am going to finish this and will post again tomorrow when I get home with pictures.

One of those two day posts

Sarah and I are in the store right now but I am leaving for my hair appointment.  It was a very late night last night.  For my mom's birthday we decided to give her an iPad.  I ordered it online earlier this week and it was going to be delivered around the middle of June.  Last night I was on my way home from Limeridge Mall and made a short stop at Best Buy.  Guess what-they had iPads in stock.

Half an hour later I was leaving the store with two iPads.  Of course I couldn't go to bed because I needed to see how this worked.

I called Apple to cancel the online order and the man on the phone laughed-I am sure many people ordered one and then found it in a store.

It is now Sunday afternoon.  I started the blog post yesterday and then went to have my hair done.  Went back to the store, helped customers, closed the store and went across the border to the Seneca Casino for dinner and some play.  I lost $10.

Boheme has been blocked.  It is sitting on the edge of my bathtub on a towel right now.  When I get home on Thursday it will be ready for buttons.

I love almost everything about the iPad.  The only thing I don't like really isn't an iPad issue but an Apple issue.  It takes forever to download a TV show.  Beth downloaded the first season of Grey's Anatomy for my mom and it took over an hour per episode.  I am now downloading an episode of Law & Order but decided to do it on my computer and then Sync it over.  Still extremely slow.  This will be something that needs to be done before bed and when I wake up in the morning it will be ready.

The washing machine has been busy today as I try and get packed for NY.  Dad is picking me up at 7:30 tomorrow morning so I had better get things done this afternoon.

I am not sure if there will be any posts from NY.  The laptop is staying home (of course the iPad is coming) but I need to be at the Apple Store to write.  I will try but can't make a promise.

Have a great week and I will be back on Thursday night.

Will I reach five?

My day has been more preparing for going away.  I was at the Spa at 9am to have the polish changed on my toes.  They do a much better job than I ever could.  Beth has been busy at work so I did a blog post for her.  Then I wrote two newsletters.  Sock News is going out right now and on Tuesday a newsletter is going out to Camp attendees.  More yarns have been rearranged in the store.  My original notes for Cathy and Jane took two pages but now I am up to four pages.  Something tells me that it will be five pages when I print it tomorrow.

Boheme #3 is done and I am about to cast on #4.  It is a great pattern to knit a quick store sample.  I could knit a swatch to show off the yarn but this is much cuter!!

The vest will be blocked tonight-hello Phil.  Sorry that the picture is terrible but the battery on my camera just died so I can't take any more.  Once it is blocked and the buttons are sewn on a much better picture will be taken.

After work I need to run to Limeridge Mall to pick up a few things for the trip-namely makeup.  Showing up not wearing makeup to help on a photo shoot isn't an option.

No knitting at knitting class

I was a little bit tired this morning.  Last night we had the last knitting class before summer at my house. These ladies have been with me for years so we always make the last class a fun one. Everyone looks very serious here but most of the night was spent laughing.

Monday morning I am flying to New York City with Bev. She is looking after a photo shoot for Filatura di Crosa so I am going along to help. Jane and Cathy will be working in the store for me. I like to leave them notes (just in case) so I have been working on that this afternoon. I tried to think of every question they could possibly have.  My other chore has been making sure that every yarn has a price tag on the shelf.  Hopefully everything is in order.

Of course there are other things that need to be done before I can leave.  Nails-tonight.  Feet-tomorrow morning before the store opens.  Hair-Saturday afternoon.  At some point I should start thinking about what clothes I am going to take.

Just spoke to my dad and he had a long hot day working outside.  They poured concrete in this heat and he is in desperate need of a beer so we are having family dinner at Jack Astor's.  A beer at home just won't cut it!!

Boheme Part Three

Meet Zara Print Melange.

We have six colours in stock.  The yarn is double knitting weight, 100% extra fine merino superwash wool made in Italy.  What more can you ask for in a yarn?

Beth freaked out when this yarn came in.  She had to have a sweater in the blue.  Lynda has the yarn and is working away on a very simple ribbed sweater that will look amazing.

I am making another Boheme in the smallest size.  Two more inches and I can cast off.

I know that I should look for another easy/quick to knit pattern but I really like this one.

There won't be any knitting tonight because of knitting class.  Now I can already hear your questions.  Shouldn't there be knitting at knitting class?  Normally the answer would be 'yes' but tonight is our end of year party.  We are meeting at my house for treats which reminds me that I had better put some white treats in the fridge!!

Fingers crossed that Crystal wins Idol tonight.

Springtime Bandit-Done!!

Melo was feeling much better by the time he went to bed last night and was running around like a happy dog this morning.  I hope the kids of the neighbourhood don't have any more fireworks to set off tonight.

Springtime Bandit is finished-even the ends are sewn in.

Pattern:  Springtime Bandit
Yarn:  2 skeins Lion and Lamb from Lorna's Laces
Needles:  5.5mm (Addi Turbo Clicks)

I have mentioned this before but am going to say it again-if you are thinking about lace then check out this pattern.  You are knitting with thicker yarn on larger needles which makes it easier to see the pattern.  The repeat of the pattern is easy to follow and is not intricate like many of the fine lace shawls.

I worked away on Dryad last night and have 5 chart repeats done-15 to go.  Got through 3 episodes of the Y&R, mostly fast forwarding through things that didn't interest me.  What is with the new Abby?  Seriously.  I love it that Victoria and Billy are married.

The postman just walked in with a box from Churchmouse yarns which means that I will be making kits this afternoon.

Scary Noises part 2

The fireworks are going off and Melo is upset again.  I have the dishwasher, washing machine and dryer going hoping that it would drown out the sound but no go.  Beth took the dogs downstairs to the spare bedroom hoping that would help.  All three are cuddled in the bed reading-yes the dogs like to read.  It hasn't made them any smarter though.

My day was very restful.  I sat outside for most of it reading the newest book from Penny Vincenzi.  I bought the book about a month before I got my book reader-this is definitely a book you don't want to carry around-over seven hundred pages.

The hockey game is done and I am going to move upstairs and try and catch up on some TV.  I have said that for a few days but it hasn't happened.

Scary Noises

The dogs are sitting underneath my feet shaking.  Both of them.  Melo is upset because fireworks are going off.  Roko is upset because he heard the camera.  The fireworks I can kind of understand but not the camera.

I snuck into the bathroom to try and take pictures of the shawl lying out without Roko hearing me.  Not enough light (light bulbs need to be changed and now that dad is home it can be done).  Unfortunately he heard me.

Now that the stitches are lying nice and flat I am very happy with the results.

It is just about time to start watching the finale of Celebrity Apprentice.  Not sure what they are going to do about Bret.  When they announced he was on the show I was sure that he would be a screw up but he ended up being great.  Rooting for him to win.

Tomorrow is a holiday in Canada-Victoria Day.  Beth is golfing (ladies tournament at her course), mom and dad are going to the garden centre and I am going to spend the day knitting, writing newsletters and catching up on TV shows that are taped.

Phil in action

I finally remembered to bring Phil into the house.  Unfortunately I forgot to bring home the new scent Unleashed so I used Flora.

Phil works great on the kitchen counter.  No more leaning over the bathtub for me!!  There is a nice scent in the kitchen right now.

Here is the shawl having a bath.  Lots of bubbles-just how I like my bath.

I worked a bit more on Dryad today-the fourth repeat of the chart is almost done.

Tomorrow will be spent relaxing and knitting.  There are quite a few Y&R episodes to watch.  Maybe golf on Monday!!

Have a great Saturday night-on our way out the door for dinner.