Knitting Studio Trunk Show!

My 3rd trunk show was truly fun!

The Knitting Studio is called, "The Friendliest Yarn store in VT" and it's SO true. When you go into the store, you immediately feel welcome, comfortable and like you could stay there all day to chat and knit.

Before I even reached the door, I saw this sign in front of the shop on the sidewalk -



Isn't that awesome??? Ian was like, "Hey, that's pretty cool!" and I thought so, too!

I went inside the store to put down my trunk and boxes of books and Ian took this photo of me just inside the door -



Lee, Leslie and Bridgette of Knitting Studio are wonderful and made me feel very special that day. Leslie bought my very first book in cash because she said that she wanted me to have my very first sale right away. Isn't that sweet??

Here I am with Lee and Leslie before the show started. (And look at the great yarn in the background!!)



I set up my woolen goodies on the back table and, while I was waiting for interested knitters, I roamed the shop perusing their interesting and lovely assortment of buttons, yarn, patterns and books. It's one of those stores where you think you've seen everything and then, all of a sudden, you find something else that catches your eye.



The two items that I wanted to buy (but didn't this time, but will definitely get NEXT time!) were a beautiful lace/fingering weight Bamboo/Merino/Bison blend yarn (yummmmmy!) and the Eco Cashmere, which I've had my eye on every time I visit their shop. I ended up buying 2 skeins of a fushia Mirasol Tulsi, a skein of Regia Monster & book (for kids' socks), a couple of magazines for Jackie, a skein of Noro Kureyon for the Log Cabin blanket (in a color I hadn't seen before) and an adorable tea/coffee container that's green and stainless steel and had a sheep on the front saying, "Knit Happy".

I was totally lucky and grateful when a number of friends came by the shop to see me and the trunk show. Julie (CoolMoonYogaKnits from Ravelry) came with her adorable daughter, Phoebe and Pam (PamBill from Ravelry) also came to see me - and she looked so pretty in all of the hats. (I'm still thinking of that great Thorpe hat she had knit out of Malabrigo...it was great!) The four of us had fun trying on all of my designs and seeing which ones looked good on them. In this pic, they're wearing the ones that I thought looked the best.



Finally, Kerry (KMurphy4) came to visit me and that was wonderful to have a friend from home come to the yarn store! We sat and talked for a while (and planned later on to go to Dobra Tea house in Burlington to knit - which was sooo fantastic!).



At the end of the day, I'd sold 20 books (yay!) and went home tired, but happy. It was a great day!

The next day, though, wasn't so great. We got up very early so that we could leave VT in time to make a friend's last-minute wedding in NH, which was at 1:30 pm. On the way there, my car overheated (three times!) and we ended up having to call AAA to tow it to a nearby town in VT. It most likely has a blown head gasket and I had to leave my lovely car in VT (which has my trunk show, Ben's boots & karate belt and Ian's snow shoes!) in the trunk). Ughhhh! Ian's grandfather (who is in his 80s!) drove us all home and then drove right back to VT. It was very generous of him, but I was also worried about him the whole time. Almost 7 hours of driving for a grandfather is alot! Luckily, he got home safely. Whew!

So...at the moment, we found out it will cost over $1600 to fix my car and I won't get it back until Friday or Monday of next week. ARghhhhhhh!

But, besides this bad news, I was truly happy with the trunk show and I'm so grateful to everyone at The Knitting Studio - thank you all very much and I'll be up there again soon to shop and visit! (And I recommend that you do, too! lol!)

Have a great day everyone! ; )

Trunk Show at the Knitting Studio this Saturday!!!

Hi again, everyone!

Just a reminder that I'll be at The Knitting Studio in Montpelier, VT this Saturday from 1-4 pm for my trunk show and book signing of Dreamscape!

As a gift to anyone who visits the shop and buys a book that day, I'll be giving out a FREE PDF copy of my book!! Yay!

Please come and visit me at this wonderful and very friendly yarn shop. I'd love to see you!!

Windsor Button Trunk Show - Yay!

I'm happy to say that the Windsor Button trunk show for Dreamscape went very well! Susan, the helpful and friendly owner of the shop, had two nice tables set up for me with pretty fabric and was very generous in letting me use her shawl props and heads to display my samples.



The store was much bigger than I thought it would be and I was disappointed that I wasn't able to shop around myself! (Hubby and I are planning another trip to Boston next month, so I'll be able to spend some time there then.) There was a great selection of yarn (the little that I was able to see from my table, anyway!) and an impressive selection of buttons. Next time I visit, I need some pretty 1" buttons to go with my October Frost cardigan.

I was thrilled to sell 4 books in the first half hour! After that, things were a little slow (for me, not the shop -that place was HOPPING!), but I was able to talk with a number of interesting people about their knitting and received some very nice compliments on my designs.



By the end of the day, I'd sold 24 books total - including the ones I'd sold to the store (so if you missed seeing me, you can always go and buy a book from them at the shop!) and that made me very pleased : )

Also, two wonderful friends visited me at the store - Jackie and Donna. Yay! I'm so lucky to have such supportive friends!

I have to tell you, though, the truly BEST part of my day.

Casey and Jess of Ravelry visited me!!!!!!!!



Ahhhhhhh!! EEEEK! Woooo-hoooooo!

It was literally 5 minutes before I was packing up to leave and they walked in - I thought I was going to pee my pants! (well, skirt)

I grinned like an idiot, hugged them and babbled on and on about how happy I was to see them - kind of like what I did the very first time I met them. (They must think I have mental problems.)

I smiled so much that my face hurt and felt like I was going to faint when Jess started trying on the Persephone Beret samples I had on my table. The smaller one (medium size) looked the best on her and I can only pray that she does make one for herself. She looked adorable in it.

They were both so friendly and helpful and fun to talk to. I can't believe they came. I really can't.

Could the day have ended any better than THAT???!!?? LOL ; )

A huge thanks to Susan and her husband of Windsor Button yarn store. Thank you both SO much for having me!!!

P.S. Two women came to the store and bought a book from me - I've tried to email them their FREE pdf of Dreamscape, but both emails have been returned to me. If either of you are reading this, Barbara B or Emily W, please email me your Ravelry name if you have one, because I can send you the book through there instead. Or contact me so we can work out a way to get it to you. Thanks!

Visit me at Windsor Button, Saturday 1/16!

I'm excited!!

Tomorrow, I'll be at the wonderful Boston yarn shop, Windsor Button with my trunk show and Dreamscape book! I'll be there from 12 pm - 4 pm and will be offering a FREE PDF of my book if you buy a hard copy of the book at the yarn shop.

If you're free that day and would like, not only to shop at this great yarn store, but visit me as well - I'd love to see you there!

So far this year, I've been very busy with my knitting. Since finishing Tim's Lizard Ridge Afghan, I've started a knitted blanket for Ben, as well. I'm using the Log Cabin Square pattern and, as usual, the lovely Noro Kureyon in many colorways. I LOVE knitting blankets out of this yarn!



Here are the two squares I've made so far. Each are 10.5" square and very squishy soft and warm. I'm halfway done with a third square, too. They're VERY addictive : )



I'm also finishing up on my mom's Fudge Swirl Cabled Mock Turtleneck sweater in Berroco Ultra Alpaca. Another scrumptious yarn to knit with that isn't too expensive, but feels like it when you're knitting with it. Yummmm!

I'm done with the back, the front and one sleeve. One more sleeve to go! (Look above at beginning of post for a pic of the back of the sweater.)



AND...I've designed a new pattern (which I'm in the process of finishing up writing at this moment) called, "The Bobbi Scarf". This scarf is named after my cousin, Bobbi, who made me the most gorgeous pink and silver swarovski crystal earrings for Christmas. I created the quick to knit, cabled, wool scarf with fabric backing as my gift to her. It should be up by next week. Yay!

Hope you all have a great weekend and maybe I'll see some of you tomorrow at Windsor Button! ; )

Happy New Year 2010!!!

Happy New Year, Friends!!!

I can't believe 2009 is already over. In a way, I'm totally glad. It was a good year for me, I think, but so so busy.

(Can't believe how BIG my boys are now, too!)



I've still got a list of 10 things that I really wanted to get done this year that I didn't do. Like:

- Finish Reconciling the checkbook
-Clean out Ben's closet
-Clean out art cupboard
-Organize my yarn stash (which I'm sure will be a month long project)
-Donate old toys
-Buy a pretty rug for the kitchen
-Get a knitting corner set up for me to relax in (with new comfy chair!)
-Finish all pairs of hand knit socks (at least 5 singles to do!)
-Clean out and organize my freezer (fridge part is done!)
-Force (a-hem) Urge Ian to clean out the garage

But...maybe I'll get to those things THIS year...right? (right?)

The list above aside, the Year 2009 has been very productive for me.

(sorry, few pictures at the moment and very few links - I was trying to get this post done fast!)

I've published and printed my FIRST DESIGN BOOK - "Dreamscape":



-At my first trunk show at Fresh Purls yarn store, I sold about 34 copies of my book! It was one of the most awesome weekends ever!
-In the first two weeks that I had my book available, I made all of the money back that I spent printing the 100 copies!
-Soon, I'll be able to have another 100 copies printed (with an ISBN number this time!)
-I'm so grateful for everyone who helped with the book and for everyone who bought a book or pdf...THANK YOU!!!!

I've knit and finished 54 PROJECTS:

(must remember to add the new ones to Ravelry!!!)

-Amanda Hat in Ivy Brambles Superwash Worsted (tulips)
-3 Crocheted Dishsoap Aprons (various yarns)
-Golle Molle Baby Cardigan in Rowan Pure Wool DK (white)
-Lizard Ridge Afghan in Noro Kureyeon (many colors)



-Tim's Felted Clogs in Cascade 220 (red and black)
-Ian's Felted Clogs in Cascade 220 (dark gray)
-Fabulous Scarf in Ivy Brambles SW Worsted (tulips)
-Lacy Recyclibag in Green Mountain Spinnery Organic Wool (natural)
-Spring Savasana Socks in Ivy Brambles SW Worsed (spring meadow)
-Amy Beret in My Handspun (reds and pinks)
-Hai Ryo for Tim in Berroco Comfort Worsted (red) and Berroco Lumina (black/red)
-Ericka Scarf in Noro Kureyon sock yarn (long and narrow)
-Another Ericka Scarf in Noro Kureyon sock yarn (wider)
-Baby Bear Felted Teddy in Berroco Ultra Alpaca Worsted (brown)
-Baby Yoda Sweater in Rowan Wool Cotton (light teal)
-Plain Jane Socks in Sereknity Sock Options (Berry)
-Monk's Sweater for Teddy in Noro Kureyon (226)
-Grown Up Booties in Reynolds' Lopi (fushia)
-Tiny Shoes in Bunny Blend Angora sportweight (lt. pink and fushia)
-Mya's Sweater in Bunny Blend Angora sportweight (lt. pink and fushia)
-Button Up Neck Wrap in My Handspun (glittery blue)
-Hap Blanket in This and That Farms' Cormo Silk chunky (natural and Sereknity "Escape dyed)
-Kraken in Cascade 220 and Cascade 220 SW (yellow and cranberry)
-Sea Urchin in Katia Mississippi 3 (hot pink)
-Spider in Cascade 220 (black and red)
-Buttercup in Elsbeth Lavold Silky Wool (bright blue)
-Icing Swirl Hat in Misti Alpaca Chunky (dk, turquoise)
-Mousie in Katia Mississippi 3 (gray and pink)
-Quant in My Handspun (various pastel colors)
-Octopus in Cascade 220 and Cascade 220 SW (turquoise and yellows)
-Elephante in RYC Cashsoft DK (gray blue)
-Sea Star in Cascade 220 (pink)
-Sea Star in Cascade 220 SW (yellows)
-Brown Lizard Ridge Square for Roger's Blanket in Cascade 220 SW (brown)
-Helmet Liner in Cascade 220 (camel)
-Cowl in Cascade 220 (camel)
-Horseshoe Cap in My Handspun (pinks and oranges)
-Sweet Leaf Adult Hat in Lamb's Pride Worsted (turquoise)
-Immortal Stole in Cascade ECO+ (red) and SWTC Jezebel (black)
-Immortal Stole (half and half with Kerry) in Cascade Eco+ (pale turquoise) and Ivy Brambles Shetland (dark turquioise)
-Lena Hat in Wollemeise Sock yarn Wool blend (Red Hot Chili)
-Roman Princess Scarf in Malabrigo Worsted (fushia)
-Amanda Hat in Malabrigo Worsted (butter)
-Persephone Beret in Cascade 220 (coffee)
-Persephone Beret in Anny Blatt Angora Super (pink)



-Persephone Beret in Cascade Pastaza (white large)
-Persephone Beret in Cascade Pastaza (white small)
-Persephone Beret in Cascade Pastaza (dark gray small)
-Soleil Shoulder Wrap in Spunky Eclectic Lace Merino (Walking on the Sun)
-Spellbound in Gedifra Ayala (gray)
-Chimera in Valeria di Roma Angora (white)
-Chimera in Cascade 220 (pink)

I've spun 5 HANDSPUN YARNS:

(on my Ashford Joy)

-2 ply fingering of Sereknity 100% BFL in "Blue Hawaii" for DonnaD (355 yards)
-2 ply fingering (20 wpi) of Icelandic Lambswool/Mohair from Fresli Farm (hand dyed lt. turquoise by me) (515 yards)
-2 ply lt. worsted of London Wul Fiber Arts 100% Polwarth in red-pinks for Amy Beret (245 yards)
-2 ply DK of Sereknity's 50% Lambswool/50% Angora in "Lilacs in Bloom" (98 yards)
-Single ply DK of Ivy Brambles 100% Corriedale in "Fireball" for Horseshoe Cap from Spin Off (160 yards)

I've read 45 BOOKS:

(my favorites were BY FAR the ones written by Dorothy Whipple!)

-They Knew Mr. Knight by Dorothy Whipple
-Diary of a Provincial Lady by E.M. Delafield
-Someone at a Distance by Dorothy Whipple
-The Priory by Dorothy Whipple
-The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins
-The Chinese Shawl by Patricia Wentworth
-Garlic and Sapphires by Ruth Riechl
-Charlotte's Web by E. B. White
-Fortune and Fate by Sharon Shinn
-The Tombs of Atuan by Ursula LeGuin
-Wuthering Heights (thank goodness I finished this one!) by Emily Bronte
-To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
-Hitty: Her First 100 Years by Rachel Field
-Jamaica Inn by Daphne duMaurier
-Ballet Shoes by Noel Streatfield
-They were Sisters by Dorothy Whipple
-From May Sarton's Well by Edith R. Scharde
-Poison in the Pen by Patricia Wentworth
-Interpreter of Maladies by Jhumpa Lahiri
-The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri
-Unaccustomed Earth by Jhumpa Lahiri
-Teatime for the Traditionally Built by A.McCall Smith
-Olive Kitteridge by Katherine Strout
-Shanghai Girls by Lisa See
-The Cricket in Times Square by Gregory Smith
-Swiss Family Robinson by Johann Wyss
-Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll
-The Secret Woman by Victoria Holt
-The Tree Book by Mark Ryden
-The Lady in the Lake by Raymond Chandler
-Journal to the Self by Kathleen Adams
-The Sweet Life by Laura Stoddart
-The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton
-Hooping: A Revolutionary Fitness Program by Christabel Zamor
-The One Hundred by Nina Garcia
-The Black Opal by Victoria Holt
-Secret for a Nightingale by Victoria Holt
-Seven for a Secret by Victoria Holt
-Shivering Sands by Victoria Holt
-Daughter of Deceit by Victoria Holt
-The Shadow of the Lynx by Victoria Holt
-Quatrain by Sharon Shinn
-The Black Swan by Phillipa Carr
-Her Fearful Symmetry by Audrey Niffenegger
-Handmade Home by Amanda B. Soule


I've also lost 93 POUNDS on Weight Watchers:

-Still an ongoing process, but I'm keeping at it. I'm losing much less per week and sometimes none at all. But, I'm not going to give up...and I WILL make my goal weight in the next 6 months!!!! (crossing fingers!!)

I want to let all of you know how much I appreciate all of your support, comments and love that you send to me through Facebook, Ravelry, my blog and email. You are all AMAZING and thank you so much for reading my blither blather every couple of weeks or so.

Have a TRULY MAGICAL 2010 and hope all of your wishes come true!!!!