Not So You Would Notice

Not that anyone would actually notice since I have been so bad about updating, but I will be off-line until after the first of the year. We are off to PA to vist Arlis' family for the holidays. It has been several years since we have been out -- so it will be good to see everyone!

Happy Holidays!

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Leather & Lace

So quite some time ago a promised a picture of Leather & Lace (the leather shawl) I knit to prove, not only to my students but to myself as well, that you can make cool (somewhat practical) stuff with alternative fibers. Knitting with Alternative Fibers, has been a popular class and students either LOVE IT or HATE IT. Very little middle ground!

So the specs are as follows:

I used 1 mm leather cord. I can't find the details of my purchase, so the amounts may not be correct, but I think there are between 1000 - 1200 yds of material used. The fringe took three of us (thanks Sammi and Paul), 3 hours to cut string and add to the shawl.

Amazingly enough, it actually keeps my shoulders warm and it wearable at a real function. Its debut was the Student Banquet at Stitches East. I was able to walk around, sit, eat and knit -- all without any problem. This is truly amazing since often these activities don't go off that well when I am in a sweatshirt and jeans!!!

So with out further ado -- the leather shawl:

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A Wonderful Surprise

So it has been forever since I have posted, but I just had to post to thank my secret pal for one more gift!!! It was such a surprise! Secret Pal #2 has been over for a couple of months and she had already been SO GENEROUS, that I wasn't expecting anything else. And then this showed up in my mailbox:



She commented that the yarn is similar to Noro, but much softer and I would have to sincerely agree. She seems to tend to pinks, reds and oranges and after visiting her blog and seeing a picture of her -- it is obvious why!!! Both my secret pal and the gal I was the secret pal for have this great "alternative" look, I feel SO frumpy!!

I can't wait until I get past the craziness of the end of the year so I can really enjoy all the treasures that Jenn has sent the past few months. Although I must confess that the chocolate from the previous package is gone (although I held out for several weeks). I am afraid the chocolate included in this package may not last near as long!!

Thanks Jenn, you were a GREAT secret pal!

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I Can't Believe

I can't believe. That is my husband's favorite saying whenever I remind him about something coming up in the ver near future that he has forgotten about even though I told him about weeks before -- sometime several times!! Well, I can't believe that we are already in November, staring down the throat of the holiday season with 2005 nearly upon us. I also can't believe that it has already be over a week since I last posted!

Time flies when you are busy. The past week I have been focusing on writing up new classes for the Knitability Reps for the Spring and finalizing details for the Knitting Teacher's Retreat. All of the new information should be up on the website by the end of the weekend. I am REALLY excited about this year's retreat! Last year we had a blast and I was very pleased with our first effort, but I think we have made substantial improvements for this year and hope to sell out!!! Check out our retreat page for more information (after the weekend)!!

I love designing classes, but man is it a lot of work. Most folks just don't understand the amount of prep work that goes into preparing a class for the first time. Single session classes take 20 - 40 hours to prepare, multi session classes usually run at least 40 hours and often much more. We obviously do it for love, because it can't be for the money!!!

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Learning New Stuff

So if you are like me, you love to learn new stuff. Sometimes it comes easy, sometimes not, but regardless, the excitement of expanding knowledge is always worth the effort. But the question arises, what kind of learner are you?!?!

I am a "doer-seer" learner. I learn by doing and by seeing others do whatever it is that I am supposed to learn. I can learn by books, but it is not my favored method. People who teach themselves how to knit just by reading a book AMAZE me.

So today I have been learning a new program (to me) and unfortunately are learning mostly by trial and error combined with some reading when I get really desperate!! So far, I think I am making progress, but I would probably be a lot further along if I just knuckled down and paid for a class!!! So how much money is my time worth?!? Always a hard question to answer. But knowing me, I will give it a try again tomorrow!!

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Back to Blogging

So I have been away for a while and I always miss blogging, but it still seems to happen. It is kind of like forming a good habit, they seem to be harder to make stick than the bad habits. Why is that?!?

So I have been teaching a bit more lately (which I LOVE) but unfortunately that leaves me less time for knitting. Between teaching and the biz -- I have been staying pretty busy. Unfortunately this gets me a bit disorganized and a little disorganization seems to go a long way. So...tomorrow is clean up and get organized day so I can be more productive next week!!!

It is so hard to believe that it is practically November, that the year is almost over, the holidays are just around the corner! I guess time really does fly when you are having fun!

Note that the Leather and Lace is done -- I will try and post some pictures soon. It's debut occurred at Stitches East and I am very pleased with the final outcome. Thanks to Sammi and Paul for helping with the fringe or it might not yet have seen the light day!

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AAAACK!!

Playing catch-up...Getting ready to leave for Stitches East...Feeling a bit overwhelmed...Not able to focus...ACK!!

Don't expect much until I get back from Stitches East...but then?!?!

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More Gifts!

Look at all the cool things that I got from my Secret Pal!



I actually got it a day ago, but haven't had time to take a photo, which was really a problem since I wanted to dive right in, but then you all couldn't see how cool my Secret Pal is! So for those who can't tell or aren't familiar my package came with the following:

• A very nice note -- paper on the bottom
• 2 skeins of angora -- pink and orange (very fun)
• Blue Berry chewing gum -- small package in the front
• Look -- it is chocolate with fillings (Japanese import)
• Koala's March -- in the hexagon box -- chocolate creme filled cookies
• Lush - blue box with the sheep -- which is something wonderful for the bath

I can't wait to try a bit of everything -- all such decadent fun!!

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Fall Has Arrived

Well, not exactly weather-wise, but style-wise, Fall is here! We are still running around in shorts and T-shirts and just made it past some more of the hot weather. But it has cooled off this week and it looks like Fall may finally be on the way.

In the mean time, Knitability has finished up the inital distribution of the new Fall line and is diligently working on updating the website and preparing a newsletter. So you want a preview?!? Here are the four new designs for Fall 2004 -- something for everyone!



Keep watching the website will be updated soon and then you too can place your orders!!!

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Gift on the Way

Just a quick post. I had another gift sent off to my secret pal today! I hope she will like it and it will be her size, which is always a problem with someone you have never met! Looks like the blog needs some pictures. I will try and get on that tomorrow!

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The Lost is Found

So you will see two new posts, because one that I thought I had lost to cyberspace, was found. In the mean time, I have been busy, just check out the progress bars!!! I have also been getting things ready for the new Fall season. Now, all that is left is to get the website updated and I will once again be caught up for a few minutes!!!

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Busy Busy

The beginning of a new season is always a busy time. Trying to get materials ready for Reps, updating the website, finalizing new patterns and taking pictures. So much to do and so little time. And then on top of it all I have some sort of sinus thing going on which is making me rather miserable. So hopefully by next week I will be better and can give a better post -- think good thoughts!

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Back From the Midwest

So I am back!! It was a great weekend -- well -- except for the continual coughing on my part. Luckily for me, both my roommate and my students were very forgiving of the occassional hacking fest. The good news is that my voice did hold out for the whole event. The bad news is I STILL have the cough, so I am going to the doctor a bit later today.

If you keep track of my projects, you will see that I got a fair bit of knitting done which was a bit surprising since I forgot to pack a couple extra balls in my carry-on and had used up what I brought before even getting on the plane to head out!! Oh well, it is good to read every once in a while.

My classes went well, but that of course was because I had the greatest students!!! Several of my classes are geared to those new knitters ready to move on. They are the greatest students because they are just like a sponge and want to learn all that you can offer. It makes you feel really good as a teacher. Also, three ladies from my first class of beginners showed up for my Alternative Fibers class -- Joyce, Frankie and Dyana are always a hoot!



So now I am getting ready for Stitches East and expect to have another great time. Teaching really is the best!!!

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Off to SMW

So tomorrow I am off to Stitches Midwest. This will be my first full teaching schedule although I anticipate it will be easier than doing the vendor/teacher thing! Unfortunately I have been fighting some sort of upper respitory thing and I worry about loosing my voice. I'll give an update when I return!!

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I Love Gifts!!!

And this is what I got from my secret pal (probably a couple of days ago, but I sometime forget to pick up my mail from the mail box). It may not look like much, but it is over a 100 yds of the most incredible softness. I LOVE Habu's stuff, which is where this comes from. My secret pal actually gets to visit their studio, I have only seen their set up at Stitches events!! So THANK YOU SECRET PAL!!! I don't know when I will be able to get around to knitting on it -- I have a ton of deadlines looming, but it will be out and available for petting on a regular basis.

And I am happy to report that my secret pal received her first box and she seem very happy indeed. This is VERY fun!

Also, I thought I would include a picture of my littlest one -- Artemis.



She has graduated to being able to spend most of the day outside, which she seems to love!!! Lots to do on a farm! Soon it will be time to visit the vet to ensure there will be no kittens in her future! Have a good weekend!

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Package Departing

Tomorrow, my first secret pal package is going to be departing to it's destination. I am excited about this because I always like the challenge of finding the perfect gift for someone. And it is kinda like that, but even harder since this is not someone that I actually know other than what I have read about in her blog. So let's hope that she likes it!!!

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Secret Pals

So Secret Pal 2 assignments were made last week and my Secret Pal is so much better about posting in her blog than I am! Thank heaven, it has given me some great ideas about what to send her! Hopefully she will like what she gets. She is a bit unorthodox, so this could go either very well or very poorly, but she seems to be a good spirit, so I am hoping for the best.

I have been assigned to someone is isn't great about keeping herself a secret, but who am I to spoil all the fun. It was cause for a chuckle right off the bat, so how bad can that be?!?!

It is too late tonight, but I will try and take some sort of interesting pictures and post them soon. No one really likes a blog that is all TEXT! So forgive me and good night!

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I'm Baaaaack

Okay, so all the visiting family is done, I have had time to get the business caught back up and I am back! So the Knitter's Secret Pal #2 has officially begun! I have never been involved in one of these before and I am very excited about the possibilities! So it will be fun to see how the whole thing plays out!

It is hard to believe that the summer is almost over. This one seemed to go much quicker than usual. However, we have finally had AC installed in our home, so this summer is now much more pleasant than last summer -- and that might have something to do with it. 108 degrees is hot -- even if it a dry heat!

I have finally been able to get some classes scheduled for the Fall and Fall always gets me in the mood to knit. It is always such the perfect time to pick up the needles and create something wonderful! It will be here before we know it.

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Intermission

So, I promised that I would be back to regular posting, that was a bit of an overstatement due to the fact that we have two back-to-back visits from family.  So we have been taking a few days to tour Northern California and cover the highlights.  This is intermission.  One family left late on Sunday and another family is coming late tomorrow through the weekend.

Amazingly enough, we had a little surge of business which put me even more behind than normal.  Usually, this is an extremely slow time for us, but thank heaven for little miracles!!  So I will be off-line for another short stint and THEN things should start returning to normal.

In the mean time, I have been busy knitting.  Progress bars are updated and I have submitted something to Knitty for the Fall, now just to wait and see if Amy thinks it fits!  Some new projects should be posted by the end of next week!!

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Designing Would Be Fun If...

Designing would be so much more fun if you didn't have to do all the stuff that you hate to do but is necessary to publish a design in any sort of form. For example, designing would be fun if:
- you didn't have to rework the numbers into multiple sizes
- you didn't actually have to write up a pattern
- you could just explain it the way it works in your head and everyone else would understand.
- you had ready access to what ever yarn you needed/wanted at the time
- you had great skills at sketching so at least you could get the concept out of your head so there would be room for something else
- you actually could make a viable living

Of course, most of that doesn't matter if you are just designing for yourself. So I guess designing would be fun if you weren't trying to make a career out of it!!! And even so...I still love it!

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Life Better When You Blog

Okay -- it seems a little sappy, but the fact is...it is true...at least for me! This is my first day back on a regular blog schedule and I love the process. Check out my favorite blog sites -- see what is up, find something new and/or cool -- and then share a few thoughts!!

It is actually a very comforting process. I have also made progress, so I actually updated my progress bars!! I still need to make significantly more progress, but I am definitely starting to get on a roll. After almost three years, this whole knitting business thing is finally starting to click.

I have the time and flexibility to do some of the other things that are important to me. I don't feel like I am constantly behind. I am able to regularly tap into my creativity. I get to knit a lot. Life is good...and it is better if you blog!

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I Think I Am Back

I say I think, because you really don't know until you know -- the proof is in the pudding and all that! But I have resolved several "issues" including having my wonderful hubby (AKA TechBub) get our website moved to a new hosting service -- with no issues that we have uncovered as of yet!!! (Klunk-Klunk -- me knocking on wood).

So I have returned from KC after having a great time at the Knitting Teacher's Retreat that Knitability hosted. Just for a little taunt...this is us as we were leaving for the yarn shop!!



Yes we had a ball (actually several balls of yarn)!

In addition my friend, knitting buddy and business associate Jeanne and I decided that we should write a book together. No more information than that for the moment, but you can keep track of individual project progress on the bars below and I will promise I will do better about keeping them updated.

Hopefully you will all hear again from me soon and I will get back on the straight and narrow!!

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Still Busy

Life continues to be busy and now I am off to KC for almost a week teaching. It will be good to see my old friends. In the mean time, meet the newest member of the family and one reason I have been busy -- Artemis:



See you after I get back.

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It's Crazy

Last week was crazy, this week is going to be crazy, next week not so bad, but then out for almost a week (knitting stuff of course), so I haven't blogged much. But I need time to even make an attempt at being eloquent. So sorry...I will have more later...promise!!!

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Busy Knitting

So I feel a bit remiss, more days have passed than should between blog entries, but I have been busy knitting. Knitting you say...but there is no evidence on your project bars! That is because, well, I haven't updated them in some time. I will try and get to that soon! But amazingly enough (to me anyway), I have been spending a fair bit of time knitting and more importantly finishing some new projects.

What you ask has brought on this flurry of knitting? None other than the crazy idea that I might actually be able to write a book. Those of you who are now shakin' in your boots based on what you have seen here in the past, no worries -- I will get a professional editor! But a book on entrelac has been wandering through my mind for years and for the first time, pieces seem to be falling into place so I am making the effort. A cute little purse out of ribbon, a placemat out of cotton, a trivet in wool have all been completed in the past couple of weeks. And I am nearly done with a vest in Bulky Sagacity which will be the basis for a new class offering and pattern in the Fall. As Yoda would say, "Yes, very busy I have been!"

Oh yea, the newest edition of the Knitability News will be available this weekend. If you haven't seen them already, find out how to make the perfect summer accessory:



They are fast and fun!

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A New Member of the Family

Okay -- so it is an inanimate object, so it can't really be a new member of the family. But it is just as welcome -- more so than some of the living things around here (talkin' spiders here). This weekend we added this to our home!



If you can't tell, it is a brand new Maytag Dishwasher. We have been handwashing dishes for well over a year now. Not insurmountable when there is only two of us, but when we entertain, it becomes a bigger deal. I always forget the joy of a dishwasher when it is missing. So I guess I am ready to have one again, because I TRULY appreciate it. One more improvement on the house!

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Is Knitting Really Work?

So you would think after two and half years that I would be used to the fact that I knit for a living. But the fact is, so much of my time during the "early" years was not spent knitting that now that I have some time to knit, it seems, well...it doesn't seem like work. Which I guess is a good thing. So many folks who take a hobby and make it a business end up ruining their love of their craft. But this has definitely not been the case for me.

I have started making a focused effort on writing a book about knitting, and that requires a great deal more knitting than I have done over the past few years and so all this knitting seems a bit foreign. Combine that with the fact that so much of the knitting business has little to do with knitting and you can begin to see my point. So now that we are finally getting organized as a business, I have time (and need) to design more and knit more. But I feel almost guilty. Shouldn't I be doing something for the business that doesn't have anything to do with knitting...like accounting or inventory or something!

So I just have to get it into my mind that knitting is working to. How is anyone else ever going to take me seriously if I can't even take myself seriously. Quite a quandary, but I think I can get over it. Hand over the knitting needles!

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Faithful Students

I promised earlier that I would share the work of my students, but instead I will share a picture of my students working.



Also, after sending out a few more invites, several more folks have joined the Knit Biz Bloggers web ring. Hop over and visit some of their adventures in the knitting business.

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I love finding this stuff!

While cruising around looking for folks to invite to Knit Biz Bloggers, I found this at Indigirl. So here we go:
A - Age: 39
B - Band listening to right now: A mix of classical
C - Career future: B&B owner.
D - Dad's name: Lloyd
E - Easiest person to talk to: Kat
F - Favorite song: Take on Me -- Ah Ha
G - Gummy Bears or Gummy Worms: Cinnamon Gummy Bears
H - Hometown: Merced, CA.
I - Instruments: hand bells, voice
J - Job: Owner of Knitability
K - Kids: three large dogs
L - Longest car ride ever: across the country and back
M - Mom's name: Donna
N - Number of people you slept with: why do you need to know?
P - Phobia[s]: snakes
Q - Quote: Don't worry, it will felt out!
R - Reason to smile: My life is good
S - Song you sang last: I sing a lot -- can't remember what was last
T - Time you wake up: When I am through sleeping
U - Unknown fact about me: I'd love to do glasswork
V - Vegetable you hate: brussel sprouts
W - Worst habit: not exercising.
X - X-rays you've had:dental, wrist & ankle.
Y - Yummy food: Sushi
Z - Zodiac sign: Aries

More than you probably wanted to know!

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Two for One

Finally, two used for one design. One of my "regular" classes at Stitches Events is Knitting with Alternative Fibers. The only consistent negative comment is that some students would like specific, defined projects. So over the past few weeks I have been teaching another series of classes (Gifts on the Go) that utilize some of the "alternative" fibers. Solution, designs from one can be used for the other!! This makes me happier than it probably should, but happy none the less! I will try to have pictures of the items on Monday or Tuesday (after class).

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OOPS!! Scrubbie Correction

As I feared, I made a mistake in the original pattern for the scrubbie. A small mistake, but thanks to Stacy for catching it! (This is why I have test knitters and proof readers for my business). So if you downloaded your copy before May 13, grab a new copy of the pattern!

It also has the nicer picture with a note about using acrylic yarn for extra scrubbing power. So a few improvements come with the fix of the error. Happy Knitting!

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My Knitter's Geek Code

I have found this on a couple of blogs and being an former full-time geek, I couldn't resist. You can get all the gruesome details here.

My geek code is:

KE++ Exp+++ SPM++ Bam++ Wood++ Addi@ Nov(-) Cot+(+) Wool++(+) Lux++(+) Stash(+) Scale++(-) Fin++(+) Ent+++$ FI+ Int Tex++$ Lace++$ Felt+++$ Flat++(--) Circ+++ DPN++ ML! Swatch++(+) KIP+++$ Blog+ FO++ WIP++ GaugeW++ ALTSWv

At least I think that is it!!!!

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Guess What Mom Got?

Yes, with all the, shall we say excitement, about the dish scrubby pattern guess what Mom got for Mother's Day. Surprise!! It is dishcloths and scrubbies!



Now this may not seem like the greatest gift, but until the throwing of the gauntlet, I had never (yes, NEVER) made a dishcloth of any sort before. So my husband got a set too -- he washes, I dry. He is very happy with his, hopefully Mom will love her set too!

Happy Mother's Day!

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Dishcloth Duo

Once again I am amazed at the power of blogs. Just a few days ago Mariko posted a challenge to find (or create) a pattern for dish cloth scrubbies. Within a day, one of her faithful readers had commented they found this pattern in Japanese. Knowing NOTHING about Japanese, I took a stab at based on the pictures. So now I have a free pattern available for those interested. It also includes my version of the old faithful dishcloth pattern. Two for the price of one (well, actually none). Have fun and let me know if you have questions.

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Missin' My Honey

Arlis has been working out of town since Monday and I am totally missing him. This probably sounds normal enough, but it is very unusual for me. I think this marriage thing is really starting to stick. That combined with the fact that I am a HUGE extrovert and need interaction with other people for energy (actual definition of extrovert) results in a loss of energy and a bit of a depression. I used to love it when Arlis travelled, but now it is different -- it just makes me feel weird! I will ponder it and let you know what I discover.

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Next Color Way

So the little sweater is also going to be an adult sweater. Today I worked up the color way for the adult sample. I really like it and it will look great with jeans.



One or two more color ways and we will be ready to go for Fall on this one.

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Demolition (Wo)Man

Any one with an old house can tell you, at some point, you have to tear it down and start fresh! Thus what we have decided to do with our bedroom. Primarily because it was the only room never touched (as far as we can tell) from when it was first finished in 1902. Hard to believe, but it was treated a bit like a shrine, most of my life and before and didn't get much use before that. So, we figured we couldn't do THAT much damage.

Long story short, we decide to take it down to the bones and build it back up. In the process upgrading a few things that desperately need upgrading like adding insulation to the walls, rewiring and putting in windows that actually seal, let alone being double paned.

So I have been taking pictures, but it is with actual film which needs to get developed. You will love us in the HazMat looking suits! So stay tuned -- our deadline is just 6 weeks away!

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A Little FO

Yes, for the first time in a long time I have a FO (finished object for those of you unfamiliar with internet abbreviations). Yesterday was a very weird day. It was going along great when I had a HUGE attack of the hives (for no particular reason) for which the "cure" is a significant amount of antihistimine. So, then I slept for several hours and always wake up with a swollen face. Now, if I just sleep until the next day -- I am swollen most of the next day as well, so I have to get up and stay vertical for several hours to minimize the effect the next day.

So Arlis and I decided it was time to finish up some of our favorite video games. While he played, I coached and worked on the sideways sweater (yet to be give a cool name) until at 1:30AM Arlis was tired and I was DONE! See:



I think it is very cute -- even if I do say so myself. Now I just need to finish writing up the pattern so one of the test knitters can work it up in a different color combination for an adult size!! Yes -- it is part of the Fall 2004 line for Knitability, which puts me way ahead of last year's schedule -- a very good thing!!

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What A Kick!

It is sad to say...I think it is sad...but I get a kick out of seeing my name in print! Is that lame?! Probably, but true none the less. I probably have some on going need to have my ego fed in some way by this. So what is the latest you ask? The Stitches Midwest brochure just arrived. Since I am teaching, my name is in there. I think it is cool!

I have just a little time off during the event, so I think I may take a class with one of my favorite teacher's Beth Brown Reinsel. But I will wait and probably decide closer to the event. I feel like I should let the other students have first shot! But Beth is a great teacher -- I wonder if she likes seeing her name in print?!

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A Weekend Alone

This weekend it was just me and the dogs. Kind of different for me. Not that I mind being alone -- I actually got very good at it after the divorce from the idiot and before the marriage to the most wonderful man ever (7 years worth of being alone). I discovered that the ability to be alone and be happy (at the same time) took a bit of practice, but was a critical skill in becoming content with oneself. I got so good at it -- I never planned to get married ever again -- but that is another whole story. Back to the weekend. Arlis is rarely gone for an entire weekend, one day or all week, but not the whole weekend. So this weekend was a bit different.

I ran on my own schedule without worry of waking Arlis up or worse yet HAVING to wake Arlis up. I worked in the yard at my own pace, not worrying about the what should be the next assignment or if we were getting enough done. And then I worked on my knitting -- lots of different knitting -- something I haven't done in a very long time! One piece got near completion and then ripped out to the point I had started (see the Designing on the Needles post below -- same project)! But in the end, it didn't matter -- I now know one solution which isn't quite right! Having been inspired by Annie, I started gathering my thoughts on a book. Although I believe her to be a far superior writer and significantly more proficient designer -- I have taken the attitude that if she can do it, so can I!! That might be a mistake, but it wouldn't be the first time. I also reworked and started the child's slip stitch design to a size that might actually FIT a child (probably about 2 yrs old). Over all, I would have to say that a weekend alone is probably a good thing every once in while!

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Invitations Have Been Sent

So I have e-mailed invitations out for folks to join the new web ring. I realize that I am obsessing a bit over this, but it is my first time -- I want it to be successful. So now I need to get going -- prepare some rice, take a shower and head out the door to a dinner party!!

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Ready, Set, Launch

I have now designed a button/logo for my new web ring. This may not be that exciting for most -- but this is a new deal for me! I love learning something new!! TA-DA!!!



So now I am officially ready to start recruiting potential members to my web ring. There are only a couple folks I know personally and a couple I am familiar with via their blogs, but I will see what will come of it -- maybe nothing -- but it is a good experience in developing new skills! Wish me luck!

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Web Rings

Today has been Web Ring Day!!! I finally decided to join a couple of web rings and no sooner did I try than they were closed. So what is a woman to do -- start her own web ring. Hopefully I will get it really working in the next day or two. I decided that there are probably quite a few knit bloggers out there that are trying to make a business of their passion and that others might be interested -- so Knit Biz Bloggers was born. Here's to a happy, healthy, active new web ring!!!

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Desigining On The Needles

I NEVER (okay -- rarely ever) design on the needles. It goes against my grain in so many ways. I am a PLANNER always have been a planner, planning is good. Predicting an outcome and then verifying the prediction seems so much more efficient as the "writing" work is already done! Also, although I will always rip out if required, I STRONGLY work to avoid that process whenever possible. All of this adds up to rarely designing on the needles. If I do feel the need to design with needles in hand, I usually work on a minature version of the idea -- no need to get too far ahead of myself.

So this past Friday Bev and I met to review quarterly finances and plan the Fall line. We each had several ideas to present and when all was done had worked up a concept together for a poncho done out of extra bulky yarn. So what do I do, cast on and start knitting!! How hard can a poncho be, right?!? Well, now I have a problem -- the edges are turning out straight instead of pointy!! So now I need to go back to paper, determine how much, if any, needs to be ripped out and actually create a design before knitting the thing. So much for designing on the needles!!

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Jumping off the Bridge

So in honor of the all time favorite parent saying...since my fellow bloggers are doing it, so will I!!

1. Grab the nearest book.
2. Open the book to page 23.
3. Find the fifth sentence.
4. Post the sentence in your journal with these instructions.

"Also look to hardware, electronic, dressmaker, and art-supply stores for unusual knitting materials."

--Dborah Newton, Designing Knitwear

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The Transformation

I am so excited! TWO, yes count'em TWO, great things happened today. Most importantly I FINALLY got my office picked up, organized and cleaned. Okay, so I haven't vacuumed yet, but my husband usually does that -- yes it is true! I feel so much more organized and I think it has freed my mind. Because the second thing that happen is the brown swatch below has become a project!! This is the first part of it:



I just love these colors and I think I am going to be very happy with the construction once it is complete. It is going so fast, it will probably be the next picture. Actually, Bev is coming Friday morning for a business meeting and I really want to have it close to complete for evaluation!!

Spring is all about new beginnings -- transformation -- hope -- all of which I have for the first time in several weeks. It is amazing what a good spring cleaning and a little creativity can do!

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Swatches!!!

I have actually been doing some knitting amongst all the other knitting business related things that go on here. Since you probably wouldn't believe me -- I wouldn't -- I took pictures as proof! The slip stitch patterns are not QUITE right yet, but I have plans for this one!


This one has been percolating for a long time. In fact, I have already swatched it once out of a slightly different yarn. But I had to do it over to make sure gauge, fabric, sizing would all work before I started working up actual sizing numbers. This is not going to be your typical Aran sweater -- in fact it was inspired by Star Trek -- The Next Generation.


Last but not least, this one was whipped up today. It is based on an idea I had quite some time ago, but finally got around to trying. The final product will look more like a ski sweater than the swatch, but it is all done with slip stitches, so it is easier than it looks at first glance.


Now maybe I can actually get started on knitting some of these creations!!!

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So Inadequate

Compared to my favorite bloggers, I feel so inadequate -- I think that is why my blogging has slowed. I know I shouldn't compare, but some of them are SO GREAT. I love their writing style, the way they tell their tales, the appopriate picture to add just the right amount of punch. So today I am not going to write much, but instead think about what needs to happen here to make this more interesting. I am thinking that more knitting on my part would help!!! So I think I will go knit -- I am adequate at knitting!!

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I've Missed So Much

It is amazing that a few days missed of reading blogs and you can be so far behind. I have gotten so involved in the lives of these people only one of whom I actually know -- is that weird?? But we all share the love of knitting and the issues of trying to manage our lives around it to some degree. My guess is that no one ever notices if I have missed a few days, because I don't really have any sort of following. It is kind of a strange desire, but I would like to be read by some number of people.

Reality, however, says that it is best if I do this for myself. Just like everything else in life, the proper motivation will do wonders for the end result. So for me, I blog to keep track, to remind me of my successes and to help me to move forward. Now, if I could just get more proficient at adding pictures so this would be more interesting! I guess that will have to wait for another day!

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Another Hole In My Head

Considering all things, today has gone rather well. I am primed to stay caught up on the various activities required of me as part of my business, the weather is warming up..again..without much of a cold-spell and my birthday party this weekend is shaping up nicely! My only real issue today was I got another hole in my head. Yes, you read correctly not A hold in my head but ANOTHER hole in my head.

As a person raised by great upper middle-class parents, you would think that I (a person still under the age of 40) would be able to keep my teeth. But alas, I am a grinder. No one ever complains -- well except my current dentist -- so I wouldn't think it would be such a problem. However, grinders (especially if they have fillings) can crack, chip and/or break teeth.

So today I had to have a tooth, broken down to the gum, pulled -- nothing like loosing teeth when you were a kid. No gentle little wiggle and "pop" out it comes. No this is different. *Pry it up with the screwdriver lookin' thing and then grab it with the pliers and then repeat from * until the tooth comes out. So remember brush your teeth, take your vitamins and DON'T GRIND YOUR TEETH -- no one ever wants a hole in their head!

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They Grow Up So Fast

One year ago today, we added to our little family. A beautiful Spring day ride up Highway 99 for a couple of hours based on a photo seen on the internet. We were hopeful, so hopeful that we had already sent in our application to become parents. But which would be choose Otis or Scout. They both looked like fine fellas and would undoubtedly grow into handsome young men. But how to choose?!?

So we arrived with great anticipation, I favored Otis while Arlis favored Scout. And upon meeting them both, our feelings remained the same. These two very sweet brothers had been seperated for a week and were overjoyed to be able to play together again. How could we possibly seperate them again? As the pet adoption volunteer jokingly asks "Why don't you take them both?" We quickly glance at each other and say "YES"! "Really, she says....that would be so great!" And quickly adds that we can get them at a discount.

But having help some with pet rescue in the past, a discount is not really what these volunteer organizations need. So I happily write them a check for two puppies (full price -- they can always use the funds). And while they finish up paperwork, we shop for our new little boys. A blue collar for Arlis' pick and a green one for mine. The perfect present to celebrate both our birthdays.

So in celebration of one year of fun and joy with our rescue pups -- a picture from their first days with us!!

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Onward!

So most of the catchin' up has happened and I think I can finally focus on moving forward! So the next few days are about tying up loose ends and then.....(drum roll please)....I will work on CREATIVE stuff. Yes, crazy talk I know! Who would dream that you could spend time doing creative things when you own/run a knitting business. But yes, before the dawn of April -- creativity will happen! (At least that is the plan, assuming nothing gets in the way and I can focus on finishing up those last few things)!!!

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The Light!!!

Yes, the end of the tunnel is in sight. Today was the first day that I haven't worked a million hours (okay normally it is closer to 9 -11 hours, but it feels like a million) and I didn't get any further behind. In fact, I got all of the important thing done that needed to be done! Gotta love that! Also, after a visit to the printer tomorrow to pick up some much needed paper, I should be able to be caught up on the various mailings that I owe people. At that point, I will be caught up.

Of course, just in the nick of time, my husband's boss wants me to do some consulting for him. So I am expecting that my days of being caught up are going to be short lived. But I felt so caught up this weekend I even did some design planning. Now I just need to get far enough to get something on the needles. Amazingly enough, I don't really have any projects on the needles -- it just feels weird.

On top of everything else, Arlis and I are starting to make some progress on fixing up the house. This, of course, will be a many year -- if not many decade -- project, but it feels good to get started. It is like the first step in claiming ownership of a house that has, until this point, still been my grandparents house. But it is beginning to feel like mine. And probably a few more projects under our belt will only help! So there is light at the end of the tunnel -- a nice bright light!!

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Tomorrow I Knit

Today was not a day of knitting, but instead of cleaning. Something that has not happened around this place for some time -- too long actually. We had guests over for dinner tonight and needed to at least get a couple of the rooms presentable.

So we tried something new and it went very well. We served dinner out on the screened in porch that currently isn't screened in (see a couple post down). But everyone was cooperating, the weather was perfect, the bugs decided to leave us along -- we just couldn't have asked for a better night! The dinner and companionship was great too -- so over all a good night.

Tomorrow the studio will be open for a few hours in the morning. Hopefully someone will stop by, but even if they don't I will have some dedicated time to relax and knit. The creativity needs to flow -- I need some knitting time. But tomorrow, I will knit!

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More Classes

So I have just modified my class listing to include events, new classes , links to photos of finished items (where appropriate) and a link to an event/class only page for printing purposes. It sure doesn't sound like much when I type it in, but it took me most of the afternoon!!! Even so, I am much more proficient at this HTML coding thing that I was a few months ago.

Next thing is to work on some designs and get some new projects on the needles. I have several in mind (a couple are for classes) but I need to get them going! And the good news is that I should be pretty close to caught up, so I can focus on some of the design stuff -- YEA!!!

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The Blog Universe

So I have decided that the blog universe is a very good place. Particularly knitters' blogs, since those are the ones that I am particularly interested in. I am sure there are other good, even great blogs out there, but it will probably be some time before I find them.

You see, my very small blog universe has it all. In the limited number of blogs I read, I have examples of something that I can really relate to in each of them. I want to call it a characteristic of myself, but that isn't quite true. However, if you take elements from each of them, mix them up just right, you would be close to having me.

So why is it that we gravitate to what we are most familiar. Probably, for me, it is because it makes me happy. Tonight my blog friends shared accomplishments, struggles, talents and insights. It comforts me and challenges me all at the same time. To know that there are others out there with similar struggles provides a sense of comfort. But when I see how much these writers draw me into their world, it challenges me to be more than just a knitter, but to be a writer too. It may be more than I can accomplish, but I am going to try. I too want to make a stamp on the blog universe.

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Ta-Da

The long awaited for moment has arrived. I have caught up on all thing things that should have been done a month ago!!! Now that is a load off my mind, but the even better news is the current backlog will probably only be another week or two. So the long and short of it is I am gaining ground! If I keep up this pace, I could be complete caught up by the end of the month and be able to take a day off around my birthday!!!

Well, time to send out the newsletter which means that my computer will be busy for a while. Oh well, time for bed anyway!

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Spring Has Arrived

This is what I was doing during this beautiful weekend:


We have this great screened in porch (currently without screen) that we are getting ready for the Spring and Summer weather. This is great news for me as I haven't been cold for over a week now. Something, just a few weeks ago, I feared would NEVER come. So the thought of sitting out there, knitting, watching the dogs play in the yard, is a very peaceful image for me.

This is the most beautiful time of year around here. Everything is super green (notice the lawn in the corner of the picture), the weather is warm enough to be in shorts, but cool enough to enjoy being outside. I have always loved Spring. Maybe because I was born in the Spring, but probably because of how I feel. So many folks are miserable due to allergies and we have every kind of pollen you can thing of. Luckily I have never been serious afflicted so I can be outside and really soak it all in. Spring has arrived -- and that makes me happy!!

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Let's Just Imagine

So today was basically another good day for getting things checked off the list. I am no where near being caught up, but for the first time in more than a month, I can IMAGINE being caught up. I am getting big things checked off the list which is always satisfying. But even more importantly, I am not adding a tremendous number of new big things to the list. That will probably all change in a couple of days when I finally do some personal evaluation and goal setting. Ah....for the moment...I can imagine what it will be like to not feel behind.

My ultimate goal remains to be "caught up" by the end of the week. I still think it is possible. Tomorrow I will have to focus to make that happen, but it is well within my power. I could have a guilt free weekend. I could have a weekend without having to work! Well, that isn't quite true, I still have a class to teach on Saturday, but excluding that. And it is supposed to be a WONDERFUL weekend to be out, enjoying the California springtime weather. I can just imagine!!!

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The Power of the Blog

As is my normal practice before bed, I reviewed my favorite blogs, just prior to penning this. I was planning on extolling the virtues of my glorious day. I actually completed all the "A'' items on my "to do" list. But then I realized the true power of the blog.

While reviewing one of the other blogs I discovered why I had several channels missing from my satellite TV. Not something that I was terribly worried about, but happy to know the reason none the less!! I probably would have never found out otherwise (I am very anti-news). So now I have found another reason to blog. Blogs have information, blogs have humor, blogs have power!

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A Good Week in the Making

Before my head hits the hay tonight, the new and improve website will be uploaded for everyone's viewing pleasure. There are still a few little things missing or not quite right, but it has to be done anyway. There are folks out there just waiting for the newest version -- I am sure of it!!!

So another big item is checked off the "to do" list. However, there are still several biggies left to go. I still need to desgin, print up and send out the Teacher's Retreat material to those who have requested it. I am trying to get a submission ready and sent out before the deadline -- this one is urgent at this point! I still need to finish the final updates for the Rep packages. As always, so much to do, but at least we have begun with a bang. I think we have a good week in the making!

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The Wonder of the Web

So we are finally getting close to being able to publish our completely new and improved web site. We have been working on it for weeks and I think we are finally getting close. There are so many new pages to add and then everything needs to be proofed. So the list of things that needed to be done before the end of last month is getting shorter. Hopefully I can get it done before this month comes to an end!! I have great hope for this week!!

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A Quick Post

I know it is cheap...but I like the quizzes and this one was both fun a fairly accuarate!!


You are water. You're not really organic; you're neither acidic nor basic, yet you're an acid and a base at the same time. You're strong willed and opinionated, but relaxed and ready to flow. So while you often seem worthless without you, everything would just not work People should definitely drink more of you every day.


Which Biological Molecule Are You?
brought to you by Quizilla

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Introducing...

Today was another day of progress, so this evening I thought I would take this time to introduce my puppies. Antigone (the old lady of the bunch) was part of a kid's program at our church called CATCH (Children At The CHurch). We talked about how we got to know one another and how we communicate since she cannot talk like Scooby-Doo (although she is a Great Dane too). I love my Tig -- I have had her longer than I have had my husband. She is coming up on 8 yrs old which is getting old for a Great Dane, but she seems to be in good health and "the boys" keep her active. So introducing Antigone!!



"The Boys" are brothers. We rescued them about a year ago when they were puppies. We were only going to take one, but they obviously loved being together and we have a big farm...so what is another 40 lbs of dog food! TheY are both mutts, but definitely have Hound in their blood lines. Ares is the dominant one, although he is the smaller of the two. Triton is much more "the hound" with almond shaped eyes, a much more lazy attitude and you can here the howl in his bark. We call them "the little boys" as they are the youngsters and they are smaller than Antigone, but they are both well over 50 lbs, so they are not that little! Without further ado, Ares and Triton!!





And that is our very much loved doggie family!! Tomorrow we will get back to the business of knitting!

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I am WOMAN!

I have been complaining about the fact that my list keeps growing significantly faster than I am able to check things off, but today I actually made some headway! This brings me some serious joy! I have always been very goal oriented, and the appearance of loosing ground is not good for my type of personality. But today I gained a little. And tomorrow has some good prospects of gaining a bit more. I suppose I am most excited about the fact that by the end of the week, I might actually be feeling "caught up".

Now this is not to say that everything will be done. Any entreprenuer can tell you, it is never done!! But manageable is all that I am asking for at this moment. I have about 4 BIG things that I need to get checked off my list (preferrably by the end of the week) and I will be in a much better state of mind. One item was completed today with significant progress on another. At this rate, one a day, I should be good by the end of the week. I have been feeling so proud of myself, I keep singing to myself the classic "I Am Woman" -- which is okay, because I am!

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Will It Ever Come?

So I continue to plug away at all the work I put on hold to prepare for Stitches West -- which was very successful for us, by the way. Unfortunately, all the "regular" work has continued on plus all the backed up work -- it seems like an endless loop. So much so, I haven't even had time to knit. What's worse, I actually have some designs in my head that I want to get on to needles (at least in minature) to see if they will really work, but I am betting that isn't going to happen until at least the end of next week if not the following week.

I have also gotten myself over whelmed with church stuff. Just a few extra short term commitments, but they are adding up and are all occuring about the same time. And I think I am just about through with being cold all the time. Like today, we didn't make a fire because we were out until 1:30 and then worked in the yard until 4:30 or so. Now, however, it is almost too cold in the house to stay up, but it is only 9:00. And it will be no better in the morning; if anything, it will be worse. We have to get the HVAC system replaced or I will be having the exact opposite feelings in August!!!

I just want to have some sense that I am making progress. That I am getting somewhere. Even a false sense of progress would be welcomed at this point. I want to be able to take a day off -- to have a weekend where I don't feel obligated to work to try and get caught up. Today there is no light at the end of the tunnel (and it is cold)! Will that feeling of a job well done, that sense of accomplishment ever come?

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I Have Been Found

So I was just going to read my favorite blogs and then go to bed. This has NOT been a good day. Huge storms here in the west. My old farmhouse, actually out in the middle of a farm, has no protection from the gale force winds we were having today. So the power went up and down about 5 or 6 times throughout the day. Thank heaven for battery backup. Ah, but now the server is mysteriously down -- shouldn't be, it is on back-up too. And just when I thought it couldn't possibly get worse, I mistakenly open an e-mail virus.

Now the virus thing turned out okay in the end, but it ate up 3-4 hours of my afternoon. And I suppose the worst part of the whole story is that I used to be a Vice President incharge of Information Technology. (No, I didn't get fired for being stupid)! This one caught me off guard as it came from someone I was expecting something from. And then it even looked like what I was expecting -- no I wasn't expecting a virus. Luckily, my professional training took hold immediately, I knew I had an issue and was able to minimize the damage, but the time was going to be lost.

But the day ends on a good note. As I am crusing my favorite blogs, I find that one of my friends has discovered my blog. This, for some strange reason, brought me great joy and happiness. So, on a day that everything seemed to go wrong and I felt totally lost, I have been found -- by my friend Annie!

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I Think I Can...I Think I Can!

It never ceases to amaze me how much time the paperwork side of the business takes once I get home from a show. I have been working on it pretty much continuously and I am finally seeing the end of the tunnel. The good news, is the show was very good for us and it looks like we are off to a good solid year!!!

I still have to get a number of non-knitting things done for this knitting business, but once they are done, I can start designing. Which I have been doing in my head every day for the last couple of days. In the morning, I come down to my desk, make a few sketches and notes so I can remember the important stuff and then get on to all the boring stuff required for the business. Anyone who thinks a knitting business is the way to go because they will get to knit all the time...think again! But at least I get to do it some of the time.

So for the next few days, I will just be the "Little Train Who Could", working my way through the piles of paperwork and administrative duties...I think I can, I think I can!!!

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So Very Tired

For the first time, in well.....a year, all the pre-show work paid off. We had a great Stitches West show from a vendor point of view and the students I had in my classes were GREAT! It really clicked! But now it is time for the aftermath. I still have a tremendous amount of work to be done. Most of it stuff that was put off until the show was completed -- which is now -- needs to be done by the end of the week. But alas, I am tired -- very inspired and wanting to be creative -- but tired.

So today I took my first stab at getting caught up and did a decent job considering all things. And I will persevere, one day at a time. But soon, very, very soon, I am going to take a couple of days off and not do anything related to the business. I will play at my lampworking, I will think about decorating the house, I will work in the garden, I will (heaven forbid) exercise, but I will not work.

But for now I have resigned myself to trudging onward, plugging away at the ''to do" list. Knowing that I am going to be quite a bit less than energetic, because I am tired...so very tired.

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Crabgasm

Tonight is the night I look most forward to when attending Stitches West -- the trip into SF, to Pier 39, to the Crab House. It is my very favorite spot to have dinner. There is a dish, aptly named, Killer Crab. And it is the very best, non-sweet thing, my mouth has ever tasted. I won't even ruin it by trying to describe it. Let's just say it is an orgasm for your taste buds -- a Crabgasm.

Oh Yea -- My class went very well and the market was good today!!!

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And So It Begins

Finally....we are here, booth set up, sneak preview complete, network connection working! So we are ready for the knitters to arrive tomorrow! All in all, this really hasn't gone too smoothly, but it should have. We have done this before, several times before. But as always, a few kinks here and there seem to really monkey up the works! The biggest issue was the fact that the truck didn't start this morning -- electrical short! But, after that, things actually went pretty well. Setting up seemed to take longer, but I think we just got a later start.

But now we are here, ready to sell our hearts out! Hopefully folks will like what we have and we will have a good show. And then we will be on to the next thing on the ever growing "to do" list. It seems we are always at the beginning....of something!!!

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What's Done Is Done

All the yarn that is wound, is labeled. All the yarn that is labeled has been assembled into kits. All the kits that are assembled have been packed into shipping crates. And so it continues. Of course, there is still much to be done, but I am finally seeing (feeling) progress. There is still some yarn to be wound and labeled. There are still kits to be assembled and packed. But the false sense of calm, that it is all going to get done, has now settled over me. I know, from experience, that this will come to some sort of a crashing end about 24 - 36 hours before we need to leave for Oakland, but for a day or two, it is all going to be okay.

And then there is the web page update. It too seems to be going much better than anticipated. This little experiment in reacquainting myself with the basic art of programming has proven to be very beneficial. I can actually create or update web pages fairly efficiently and only require a minimum of support from TechBub (our webmaster). I am excited about the new look and feel -- hopefully others will be as well.

So today is filled with a sense of accomplishment, of satisfaction, that all will be okay...and what's done is...well...done!

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I Love To Knit

It is amazing how much can actually get done with a few people, working together, focused on the same outcome. Today, thank heaven, was one of those days. Bev and Kate arrived by 9:00 to get started on the "all the stuff that needs to be done before Stitches West" list. And the amazing part is we got A LOT of it done. I wound about 25 lbs of yarn, they labeled probably about 50 lbs, we printed and folded patterns, made labels and stuffed kits. All and all, we made a significant dent in the list.

There is still quite a bit left to do and of course I am still waiting for some the things for which I did not plan, but there is hope! I now know that there is light at the end of the tunnel and whatever it is, it isn't going to hit me! I may even be ready to send out the sales rep packages by the time we finish Stitches West. And most gratefully, it appears that no harm will come to anyone who has worked on this project -- and that was definitely a concern a few days ago (mostly for myself)! So tonight I can rest and still say:



(Happy Valentine's Day)

Special thanks to Mariko for having a link to the heart generator. You can get it here.

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Plan Must Be A Four Letter Word

I just cannot get over it. No matter how much I tell myself that this show will be different, I am continually surprised by the fact that I have to work like a crazy person just prior to a show to be ready. Most folks would tell you that I am organized, but from this show thing -- you could never prove it. So even though NONE of this is new information to me, here are the things that I missed this time and am now scrambling for:

1. Packaging -- one type we caught just in the nick of time and it arrived today (a whole week before we need 80+ kits packed) and one I just noticed a few days ago which will arrive a day or two before we leave!

2. Yarn -- Why am I having to wind 70+ pounds of yarn, much of which I have had in my possession during the last 3 days. Do you know how much yarn 70 lbs is? It is a lot. And why am I having to send a few skeins express? It is not like I didn't know that I was going to need them?

3. Kit Components -- I dutifully keep track of the various miscellaneous components needed to create our various kits, so why am I running short. It probably has to do with the fact that I don't carefully review this information the three to five weeks before we begin this process.

4. Patterns -- This year it is a double whammy in that we have reformatted our patterns so ALL of them need to be reprinted. And of course, some of the sample pieces have either just been photographed, or worse yet, are not yet finished to be photographed. On the good side, we purchased a digital camera which knocks a lot of time off the processing, but still, it is not enough.

5. Packing -- I haven't even started this yet. Well, that isn't quite true, the booth set up (which is always packed) is ready to go. However, everything else needs to be packed and labeled in some fashion so we know which boxes to open first. It isn't as bad a when we actually ship the stuff, but still -- we should be further along. Of course, that leads to the fact that the kits themselves haven't been packed yet (see items 1-4 above).

The first time or two it was understandable, it was new afterall. And last year, we had just moved or it was our first time to have to ship everything to a distant location. But what kind of excuse can I give this year? Maybe my appearance of organization is just an illusion -- you know, plan is a four letter word!

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Maybe It's Not Cold Enough

It is disappointing, but I had to cancel my Fun Fingered Glove class due to lack of interest. Not enough students to make it worth the effort of driving into town. I had the same problem with the mitten class, although other folks have great success with these classes. The only logical answer I can come up with is folks in California don't generally wear mittens or gloves. Even when it is pretty cold here, you still see a lot of bare hands. It probably is a bit of mind set thing, but maybe it's just not cold enough!

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The Hair of a Mo

Yes this is a quick post to include the results of what yarn are you. Yes I am the hair of a mo -- otherwise known as Mohair.


You are Mohair.
You are a warm and fuzzy type who works well with
others, doing your share without being too
weighty. You can be stubborn and absolutely
refuse to change your position once it is set,
but that's okay since you are good at covering
up your mistakes.


What kind of yarn are you?
brought to you by Quizilla

I also got to update the progress on two of my projects. I had a travel/seminar day so about 8-10 hours of knitting!!! I may get those samples done before Stitches West yet!

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Smile -- You're On Photoshop

Today was my day with Photoshop. Not that I don't have other days with Photoshop, but today was specifically set aside to rework most of my current images. After having an internet site for over two years now, I have finally learned enough to make our site more user friendly (I think) and load faster (I am sure). Of course the key to all of this is effective use of Photoshop to scale JPEG files appropriately for their particular use. I am by no means an expert, but we are definitely on our way to improvement!

Part of the speed issue for the new and improved website (due to be released at the end of the month) is the use of thumb nail photos instead of "full size" photos. When we started, we only had a few things and needed to fill space a bit, but that is no longer really the issue. So I spent most of the afternoon taking this:



and making it look like this:



In and of itself, not very exciting, but the fact that I have figure out how to load up images is!!! So, another item of things to learn has been ticked off the list! Now that I have that figured out, we can add other pictures to the blog. Undoubtedly, some will be better than others, so SMILE, you're on Photoshop!

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I'm Addicted

Yes, I am addicted to these ridiculous web quizzes. I don't know why I find them so fun, but I guess it is a case of simple minds....! So you will see these kinds of things added from time to time. Today -- the color quiz (which I think is fairly accurate)!

you are greenyellow #ADFF2F

Your dominant hues are green and yellow. There's no doubt about the fact that you think with your head, but you don't want to be seen as boring and want people to know about your adventurous streak now and again. Your saturation level is higher than average - You know what you want, but sometimes know not to tell everyone. You value accomplishments and know you can get the job done, so don't be afraid to run out and make things happen. Your outlook on life is very bright. You are sunny and optimistic about life and others find it very encouraging, but remember to tone it down if you sense irritation.

the spacefem.com html color quiz

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Two Plus Two is Four

Today is going great! I have gotten a ton of stuff done including a bunch of things that have never quite made it on to my "to do" list. What do I owe all this wonderful productivity to -- my guess is getting an early start. Why, you ask would I make this assumption? Well, because every time I return back to getting an early start, the same thing happens -- I get a ton done! You would think by now, an intelligent gal like myself could take two plus two and actually get four, but every time it is like a new discovery!

Of course, part of the productivity may be leftover excitement of creating/coverting/moving my blog into "production". I am still much too pleased with myself! The sun has also decided to shine today -- that could also be the cause of this effect. Weeks and weeks of fog, rain and overcast days get to you after a while. Maybe it is just that I am not sitting at my desk freezing for the first time in weeks! It appears that towel on the window sill really is helping. Or maybe.....2 + 2 = 4.

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Woo Hoo!!!

It only took like 4 hours, but I finally have my class/blog/knitting information page ready for public viewing. Now I am not really sure that anyone is going to want to view my thoughts on various knitting subjects, but I also have my class schedule posted on the page. And if anyone gets bored reading my posts (which wouldn't necessarily surprise me) some of my favorite blogs are available as well.

So now I need to schedule in some additional classes, make sure the registration page is actually working (I need Arlis' help with this) and continue the refining process. All in all, it has been a great learning experience. There really is a lot you can do with just some basic html code, but there is also a ton to really dig into if one is so inclined. I guess on the whole, I enjoy the fact that I am doing some sort of purely geeky thing -- although I have tied it together with knitting.

Tomorrow I need to send out an update to my student/local knitter's list so they know where they need to look to find new information on classes and such. Personally, I am really psyched about this whole thing -- you would think I actually did something important! Maybe it is just the feeling of accomplishment and being able to be creative in a different way -- yea that sounds good!! So WOO HOO -- here is to my new blog!

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