...lather, rinse, repeat...

I'm back from Madrona just in time to wash my clothes and repack them before I head off to Stitches West and the WEBS booth.  

I had just the best weekend.  Great classes, super fun friends, beautiful yarn and a lot of laughing.  I can’t even talk about the Teacher Talent Show.  No, I really can’t with the whole media blackout thing.  And just let me tell you I, for one, am extra thankful for that blackout.  

I arrived on Wednesday and immediately got to the business of seeking out friends.  As I said before, it’s been a long time since I’ve been to Madrona but it felt like it was yesterday.  Everything about this event is special and this year was no different.

Thursday I taught my Knitting With Your iPad class to 10 of the best students.  We had a great time and I think they learned a lot.  They asked great questions, which I always love.  It keeps me on my toes and I usually learn something coming out of classes like this one.  Here are three of my students.  Love them!

Friday I held a demo on Social Media for Knitters in the morning.  It was great to meet the people that came by.  I visited with many knitters and knitting shop owners about how and why they would want to use Social Media.  Again, it was a learning experience for many, me included.

Friday afternoon I spent with Judith learning her technique of spinning scraps.  What an eyeopener.  Every class with Judith is always fantastic.  I have learned so much from her over the years but I know it’s just the tip of the iceberg of knowledge that she has.  I loved every moment I spent in that class.

Saturday morning I was in class with Nancy Bush.  She taught the technique for Nordic Color.  This class made me look at colorwork in a whole new way.  

Of course, there were many evening events and time with friends.  One of the best was the Teacher Gallery.  It was the opportunity for all of the teachers at Madrona to exhibit their designs.  It was great fun and I met such wonderful knitters.  I also caught sight of both Spectral and Traliccio in the wild.  These two have the same yarn (that they got together) and each knit one of the designs.  It was so much fun to see their beautiful cowls!

Oh, and that piece I’m wearing….new design coming soon!

As I said, I loved each and every moment of Madrona.  I now realize how much I have missed going each year.  I will be back next year, without a doubt.

Gotta run….laundry calls.

...Betsy...

I know I owe you a post regarding Stitches and all the fun we had, but this morning this was on the Today Show and I really needed to share it with you.

Betsy McCarthy is not only a friend of mine I am proud to say, but she is a fantastic teacher as well. If fact, 6 years ago I learned to knit my first sock ever in her class at Black Sheep Gathering. I had just started knitting again and decided I needed to try something new. I signed up for Betsy's class and it was just perfect. I'm sure that after having me in class all day Betsy probably had to go immediately back to her hotel and lay down with a cold cloth on her head. I can sometimes be a "special" student.

Betsy was great and since that time we have become friends, meeting up at other events, i.e Madrona and Sock Summit. Each time I am fortunate enough to see Betsy it's like we just saw each other yesterday. She is one terrific person!

I am really proud of the segment on the Today Show and even more proud of Betsy! If you ever have the opportunity to take a class from her, do it. It will be one of the best things you've ever done.

Congrats, Betsy! Way to go!

p.s. Stitches report coming soon!

...madrona...

So Madrona has come and gone. But not without some awesome purchases. Hold your breath....here we go......

first up, a beautiful batt from Heidi Parra at The Artful Ewe.

The skinny on this is as follows:

60% merino +

10% silk +

10% baby alpaca +

10% tencel +

10% mohair +

= 100% gorgeous

The batt is 2 ounces and I have no idea what I'm going to do with it....but really.....who cares?

next up - CASHMERE! Again from The Artful Ewe.

Yep, that's 3 ounces of the softest stuff I've every felt! Now, I know exactly what I'm doing with this bit of lovely. I'm going to spin it and make a 2 ply to knit something extra special for a little someone due in September. Can you say spoiled baby? Speaking of baby.....

I bought a kit from Myra at Fancy Image Yarn and knit these leg warmers on Saturday. They are so cute, really teeny and will look pretty terrific on those chubby little 'beaver' legs. If it's a boy....we'll cross that bridge when we come to it.

Aside from my purchases and working in the BMFA booth I did have time to take a really great class. I purchased a drumcarder last year and have been playing with it a little since then. I was lucky enough to get into Jill Laski's (Ashland Bay Trading Company) drum carding class. It was amazing. We spent the morning doing this ~

She gave us red, yellow and blue merino top and we blended the colors of the color wheel. My brain doesn't usually work this way, but after the day with Jill I think I finally get it. I learned so much in that class and I'm anxious to put this knowledge to work!

I got to see a bunch of old friends at the show. Mya, Stormy, Terry, Karen, Lisa, Judy, Shelia, Sam, Lorilee, Cindy, Sarah, Mary, Tracy, & Jen. I know there were more....

Tammy and her daughter Kim stopped by the booth and brought me this~

I love it! And Kim had filled it with homemade cookies! Thanks girls! The cookies were great, but seriously....the lunch box ROCKS!

Madrona was a blast as usual. Lots of laughter, fiber, friends, food and wine...(not necessarily in that order). Can't wait for next year!

...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.......