...stitches road trip: day three and four

Sorry that I didn't write yesterday....what a whirl wind.....

We are having the time of our lives! Soooooo glad to have irishgirlie and tapmouse with us to help sort out the insanity! These two lovelies have been a godsend! And speaking of irishgirlie and tapmouse.....they came bearing gifts! Check these beauties out.......



such wonderfulness......

and these (of which i have eaten my body weight in and if you have ever seen me you know that a *?>&^ load )



okay, other than the fantastic food and gifts, these two have cemented their place as "bff" in our book!

Other highlights from the past two day have been.....

Lucy and her fab tattoo!

...our first customer of the event, Jan!

...snail on a rail...

..detox before.....



...and after.....(don't ask)


nathania and ellie

...wondermike and adrienne....

...there is much more to tell but my little brain is full and i need to go night-night.....until tomorrow.....such a good day.....in so many ways.......

...stitches road trip: day two

...luggage: check, car keys: check, Starbucks: check, gps directions: check. We got on the road this morning and traveled a whopping 46 miles before we HAD TO STOP! This was truly a necessity after last year........

...really, if you ever have the chance to stop here, DO IT! If you can dream it, they can stuff it in an olive..........(that didn't sound right.....)

Anyway, so meet our new bff.........this is Mallory.....

...she let us taste like a gagillion different olives, well maybe three or four.....but anyway, a couple hundred dollars later (did I mention the case of olive pickers?...ask Tina about this) we were back in the van and on our way to Santa Clara.

We arrived at the hotel, dumped our stuff, including the olives, and tennis-shoe-ed it over to the convention center. We spent the next 6 hours opening boxes, putting up fixtures, opening boxes, sorting out sock yarn, opening boxes.....you get the idea. As our beloved depraved dyer said, "MASSIVE AMOUNTS OF YARN".

We ended the day with a bottle of our favorite wine, and American Idol! What a day! Tomorrow evening, the market opens........god help us......

...stitches road trip: day one...

Well, Ettamae, and I have finished our first day on the road to Stitches. We left home today about 8:00 a.m. and pulled into Ashland at around 1:00 (after Starbuck, of course). We planned on lunch there and what do you know......they have a lovely knitting shop! Web-sters is a beautiful shop with a wonderful selection of yarn and the biggest collection of Lantern Moon bags I have ever seen! After our visit there we had a wonderful lunch at a cute restaurant called Greenleaf. Delicious! They offered us wine with lunch, but since we had many miles to cover before we slept, we declined. :{

After a stop at our favorite gas station (more about that tomorrow), we were on the road again. Up over the summit in good shape, with no need for chains, we met this.........

Beautiful Mt. Shasta. So pretty!

We pulled into Redding, CA. about 5:30, checked into our room and went down to the lobby for the managers beer and wine reception....nice! A little knitting, a little wine and then back to the room to reflect on our day. Tired, but a good tired! Tomorrow......day two.........

...the faculty...

Check it out, peeps! The teachers are up on the Sock Summit 2009 web site. They read like a who's who of knitting and spinning fame. Go here to have a look, I'll wait.............

Seriously, anybody that might have been a doubter or nay-sayer regarding this event, just check out the teachers that will be here with us in August. These people are rarely in the same hemisphere together, let alone in the same city and state! Let your imaginations run wild with all of the possibilities of classes that could be taught by these superstars......OMG.......

...wounded sockateer...

Thought I would give everyone the heads up regarding hotflash.......

(this is us at the cabin last summer.....in our pjs.)

A week ago yesterday she had surgery for a torn rotator cuff. OUCH! I saw her yesterday (she had those same jammies on) and she is coming along great. She said she might even try some knitting!?!? I know that she would love to hear from you so drop her a line here . I'm not sure how she injured herself but I have a sneaking suspicion that processing all of those VISA slips at Stitches last might have something to do with it! Get well, Hotflash, we love you!

...new toys...

I have returned from Madrona with some new toys! First these.....


...only two words.....LOVE THEM!!

The addi clicks are the best interchangable needles I have ever tried. They are easy to use and the join is so smooth. Already have 2 different projects on them!

Next.......drum roll please.......

...that's right, a Strauch Petite Drum Carder....I KNOW!

I bought this bad boy from my new bff, Morgaine, at Carolina Homespun. I don't know who was more excited, Morgaine or me.....okay, I was way more excited, but anyway, I have set it up in my newly clean and freshly painted studio (photos coming soon), and have already been playing with it a little. I'm glad I was in Judith's class on Thursday at Madrona, because she emphasized that you ALWAYS PUT THE FIBER IN SIDEWAYS, and this had made all the difference.

I also came home with some new friends. Not only the lovely and talented Morgaine, but also the wonderful and witty Kristine from Curious Creek Fibers.
Anywho, there were many hugs, some tears and a huge amount of laughter! What a great thing! Can't wait 'til next year.

...madrona: at the feet of a master...

So, I told you that I was taking Judith's class on spinning fat yarn. Well.......holy #@!?. Seriously, my little brain was so full of information after the first hour I thought that my head would explode.

I started out the morning taking notes and finally gave up because I was writing so fast and so much that I couldn't read my own writing. Seriously. And, I was have so many "ah-ha" moments that I thought I was going to have a stroke. But when all was said and done I had done this....

There's some (from r to l) merino, some silk, some corriedale and some rabbit! The silk is actually a single, the rest are 2-ply. This class has totally wound me up on spinning again. Not enough hours in the day.....

I did get this....



...and this...



...my list of superheros is growing.......

...many things...

Well, this post may be a little disjointed, but I have many things to talk about.

First, one of my very favorite events is taking place as I type...

The 133rd Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show!

I love this show and always watch it. Last year Uno, the 15" Beagle was best in show. Of course this was perfect in my opinion, being the owner of Jake. We'll see what happens this year.

Second, I have resurrected my spinning wheel and have taken this.......

and started this.....




It is some lovely silk from my friend Tina. I'll keep you posted on what it ends up like. I figured that since I will be in an all day class on Thursday with Judith, (I know!!!!!) I should really get my act together and at least get some spinning time under my belt before I get to class. Just a little rusty........

Third, and speaking of Tina, we got together to work on Sock Summit vendor stuff and all I can say is..........

Each time we get together the plans just get better and better! I can't wait for this event to get here! As we get the vendors firmed up I will post a list here for you temptation, oops, enjoyment.

And finally, I will leave you with a sign of things to come..........could it be spring?

...new stuff...

Have you seen this? It's pretty great! My first purchase is definitely going to be........
Intentional Spinner

Publish at Scribd or explore others: intention AnneRhodes

...rockin' web part deux...

I have had several people inquire as to the loveliness that is pictured here. It is, in fact Charlotte's Web in a very new and extremely lovely, yet to be available kit from bmfa. Our beloved depraved dyer is working on some kits that are so beautiful they will make you weep from absolute joy when you see them. Until they are available.........

JENNIFER HUDSON SUPER BOWL

...if this doesn't make you want to stand and put your hand over your heart nothing ever, ever will......

...weekends...

...is there anything better than this on a Saturday morning?