...camp knitty ha-ha: first installment....

So the campers have gathered and the fun has begun.....

We are here with a lovely, wonderful group of people and it has been so good to see old friends and meet new ones. We've had sock stuff, yoga, great food, wine, dyeing and........

Joe's Crab Sack.

It is a class to make a project bag that I taught today. I think everyone had a good time and most everyone finished their bags. Anyway, my class responsibility is done at camp and now I can enjoy the campers and teachers even more.......if that's possible.

I did find this while looking out our window this afternoon.....

...the song "Someone to Watch Over Me" comes to mind........

...more to come tomorrow........

...new site is up.....

Check this out!

The new web site is up and ready for your enjoyment! GO NOW!

...short and sweet....

I have finished knitting the loveliness that is the jabberwocky handspun, into the weaver's wool shawl. I was a little concerned about the size (a bit on the skimpy side), but after blocking it's perfect. Love the blocking...... Just the right size for shoulder warmth in the evening. I love this pattern and have used it several times. If you want a quick, pretty shawl try it.

...that's all for now......oh, except this.....

......only 3 more "sleeps" until I leave for Sock Camp........just sayin'.........

Smarty Pants dance

...just sayin' that depraved dyer and I are now doin' the smarty pants dance......we rock the inbox!

...falling in love again...

Even though the title of this post might make you think of this.......

{by the way.....love this song!}

I'm really talking about this.......

...and this....


...and this....


And thanks to my good friend tapmouse, I have been sucked back into the wonderful world of spinning. Ever since Stitches, and watching her spin on a spindle, it's all I think about. This does not bode well for me as I have a massive "to do" list that is being ignored. But really, could you close your eyes to the beauty that is jabberwocky? Not me, not even close. I love this colorway so much that I have used it for this, and this, and a little bit in this. See? The only thing I have yet to cast on for in the is colorway is a pair of socks........hum.........

But I digress. This lovely bit of spinning is a two-ply {one ply of merino superwash, one ply of silk} and the roving was a gift from my beloved depraved dyer. That girl knows how to push my buttons! I took one look at the roving and thought, "this is good, this is beautiful, this is lovely, i am getting nothing done until this is spun up........"
So between tapmouse and depraved dyer I have had no will power this week. Each and every night I have been at the wheel spinning and then plying this gorgeous stuff. It is now being knit up into the Weaver's Wool Shawl, which I think may be the perfect match for this.
So thank, tapmouse and depraved dyer for nudging me back to the wheel. I am grateful. Good thing these two don't deal drugs......what am I saying? I'm already an addict...........I'm weak.

...stitches road trip: the final installment....

Tuesday was our final day on the road coming home from Stitches. We left Redding, CA in the morning, in the rain. By the time we got to Weed, CA, there was 3 inches of snow on the ground.

We did have chains in the van, but luckily we sailed up and over the pass (a little on the slow side) and down into Ashland, OR without having to put them on the tires. And you know what's in Ashland? That's right, our favorite gas station.

I told you there would be more on this in a later post.
Anyway, we first discovered this station on our trip south last year. We stopped for, of all things......GAS. It's the kind of place that you have to go inside to pay for your gas. The nice guy filled our tank, and I went in to settle up and what do I find? Only the best stickers in the world. See what you think....

...story of my life...

....uh huh......

....ever think about this?

...a special purchase for Hotflash, she lost the one she bought last year.....actually, I think someone stole it....

Seriously, the stickers there are the best. We bought others, but they have been "gifted" to friends before photos could be taken of them. Well, enough about the stickers......no wait, that is the best thing about the gas station! If you need to use the restroom while traveling through Ashland, OR......DO NOT STOP HERE...... I don't think it's been cleaned since the Carter administration.....just saying.....ick.......

But it is a must for sticker shopping.

All in all, it was a tremendous trip, great to see old friends and make new ones! I could not end this post without a thank you to several people.

1st ~ Ettamae - my co-pilot. Fun in the car and at the show! Thanks for sharing Bond with me, over and over and over again!

2nd ~ Nathania, Sandi and the gang at Purlescence - for bringing ALL of our stuff to the show, including the handcart that you have stored since last year, (Kevin, thanks for checking in on us!)for hosting us at the shop on Saturday night, for massages, hugs, smiles and friendship....oh yeah....cute baby, too!

3rd ~ irishgirlie and tapmouse...ladies, what can I say that would express how much you guys mean to me.....aside from the way you rocked the booth, you both have a very special place in my heart.......folding or no folding......mjiyn.......you know. Can't wait 'til camp...

4th ~ to each and every one of you wonderful knitters that came to the booth, endured the line, and smiled through it all. You guys made it more fun than work!

and last, but never least ~ depraved dyer~ for giving me the unbelievable opportunities that you have. If someone had told me 10 years ago that I would be in the extremely lucky position I am in now, I would have not believed it. You have taught me, trusted me, held and helped me. You are the sister that I never had. I mean that from the bottom of my extremely full heart. I am forever grateful. Thank you......

...stitches road trip: day five, six and seven....the extended version....

WOW! Just thinking back over the past couple of days makes my head spin.....in a good way! So much fun, fiber and friends! Here are the highlights.......

....our gang...moi, irishgirlie, tapmouse and ettamae.....love them all.......madly~

me and hizknits...talked to his mom on the phone! So special~

....yarnagogo, yes THE yarnagogo...I think I may have come across as a bit of stalker when she came to pay for her yarn......sorry......:-{....(i'm such a geek....)

woolgrl......could possibly be my new "bff".....note the pile of yarn on the table.....HERS!

On to the fun after the show. We were graciously hosted to a fun knit night at Purlescence, by Nathania, Sandy and the gang. I am telling you, these people know how to have a knit night! Not only are you surrounded by beautiful fibers and lovely people, but check out this.....

...that's Ray working Ettamae over.....(ARE YOU KIDDING ME, MASSAGE?!?!)
...here's Kevin working on his hat, (which was finished the next day, smartypants!)

...here is ellie and mom...not only is ellie the cutest baby, EVER....

she's really smart, too......knows how to use a camera! This could possibly be the best picture I have ever taken......

So, the next day was the final day of the show. We took to rearranging the booth just to make it have that "not so bare look....."

...note the boxes inside of the fixtures.....EMPTY......

...disco learned to spin in 3 (YES, THREE) minutes, indeed!

...speaking of spinning, here is what tapmouse did with a bit of a sheep2shoe kit (colorway GRocks). Really beautiful, spun on her new spindle, bought at the show.

...irishgirlie is really happy with her new stash enhancement....

Then after the breakdown and pack-up stuff...in the lounge at the Hilton we met up with some friend from last year.....

...Ann and Stephanie from Great Ball of Yarn....tapmouse taught Steph how to spin...in like 3 minutes....(do you see a theme here?)


...disco, Kathy and moi...(Kathy, we live WAY to far apart!)

the whole gang...

after many hugs, much laughter and a few tears (good ones!), we bid our friends good-bye and headed north this morning....

...after a stop at Ichiban Kan, (new favorite place), the Jelly Belly Factory,

one more stop at the Olive pit (more olive pickers for the depraved dyer), and a quick trip to In 'n Out.....

we came to rest in Redding, CA.....tomorrow, home.......what a great trip!