Today and tomorrow

Tomorrow Olavia's will be celebrating Canada Day.
Today please play along with Leanneism (a blog accessible from the link page)

This Saturday

I have two days left to prepare for the new Farmer's Market season. I plan to have something new and exciting each Saturday. This Saturday I will have my photography and my new book: Short on Paper (Short on Paper is a collection of short stories: 5 to 286 words). I look forward to seeing you at the market.

When is a knitter a knitter

If a knitter works wonderful tapestries of intricate colour work...is (s)he a knitter?
If a knitter works garter stitch novelty yarn scarves...is (s)he a knitter?

I maintain that the answer is "yes" to both. The knitting community is large enough to embrace us all. Personal taste is simply that "personal".

Novelty Yarn - the CD

Novelty Yarn: a collection of short stories on CD
Learn more by logging on to www.oknitting.com 's books page
A review can be found here: http://westcoastknitters.org/
Happy reading

"Hey! Listen up Jack! (sorry a great song is on the radio)
I just received a cool email invitation.
Log on to Leanneism (a blog accessible from www.oknitting.com 's link page) to read the invitation."

July's knitting challenges

Wow! Where did June go?
I have a number of self imposed knitting deadlines. The deadline is Thursday, July 18th. The knitting is finishing all my "Muffins" for ArtCraft. (To view the pattern please log on on www.oknitting.com and go to the "For Children" page).
I also want to knit an accessory to wear during the Designer's Showcase.
Hubby said that that's nothing. Easily done. However, Hubby does not knit. We will see how easy it is.

Our guessing game continues

I hope to be traveling outside North America.
I hope that you can guess where by playing my guessing game.
For this weekend's clue, please log on to Leanneism (a blog accessible from www.oknitting.com 's link page).

YouTube

My relationship with my computer is rocky. I personally think I need to reduce the number of hours I spend in front of it. I try to engage in activities that take me away from it. That's why I was not delight to listen when Hubby began to describe the wonders that were to be had on "YouTube". You may have noticed that I swiftly overcame my objections. I have found wonderful music and just yesterday the 'Real Men Knit Trailer'. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2jYa_rJyG18 Listen but then join me outside. : )

Summertime

What will you do to celebrate?
Stop and smell the flowers

Visit with your new neighbours

Knit some beautiful summer time yarn - like this Seasilk by Hand Maiden

Listen to some beautiful haunting music

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tVaSbD4Uq4A&mode=related&search=

Gather with friends to celebrate solstice.

Happy summer

Whispering a secret

Sorry...I'm going to do it...I have to do it.
It has become clear to me lately. I have to share it.
The fact is if you want "it" (whatever your "it" is). If you are prepared to fight for it over hill and over dale. Then it is no longer a question of if - it becomes a matter of when. Hold on to your dream.

Hungry for fiction

Log on to Leanneism (blog accessible from www.oknitting.com 's link page) and you may be feed.

It's story time

Please join me over on Leanneism (accessible from www.oknitting.com 's link page) and I will explain.

live in the ocean

I have been swimming in a sea of island responsibilities and fun knitty things of late. On Monday I ventured forth onto another island: Salt Spring Island. I have an Aunt on this island and I just don't see her enough. ArtCraft wanted my stuff and I figured if I hand delivered my collection personally this would feed (don't think kill) two birds with one piece of bread. Not only would I be able to spend time with my Aunt but I would also be able to see the fine oiled machine that is ArtCraft. If you haven't spent time in this wonderful gallery I urge you to do so. It is jammed packed with island culture. ArtCraft has the work of artisans and artists not only from Salt Spring Island but also a few of the other Southern Gulf Islands. While at ArtCraft I had to endure a terrible ordeal, however. You see, they like to have head shots of the artists and artisans they represent. Thankfully for me the photographer was very professional and put me at ease immediately.

Flash back to the fashion show. Hubby has grown an appreciation for knitting. Many times he is my eyes. So while I was at the show he pointed out a participatly striking cardigan. It truly was unbelievable. Hubby urged me to go look at it up close. No further instructions neccesary I toddled over to examine it. Well one thing lead to another and I meet not only the knitter but also her husband. They both where warm, friendly knitters. It was a pleasure meeting them.

Today Paul sent me some pictures of the fashion show.

In this picture you can not only see me in 'Islandia' (the hood) and in the 'bamboo surprise' (more on this design in future posts) but also way in the back you can barely see a man ...Hubby : )


Here you can see the beautiful cardigan and bamboo surprise.

What am I talking about in the picture...I'm not sure.

Paul has quite a sense of humour. Read more about his knitting adventures on the Yarn Harlot's blog.

Thanking people and remembering names is something I must improve on. In the last post I wrote about Victoria's Fibrefest and Knit out I remembered to mention Patti but forgot to thank Marilyn. How...how...how could I possibly do that? Marliyn was the force behind the whole thing. She overcame many an obstacle to stage the event. It was only her pure determination and the help of family and friends that made the event possible. So I must correct my oversight and send many a warm thought her way.

Now, I hope, besides the no doubt many spelling mistakes and misplaced monifiers, that you can understand some of this post. I am hoping. Thank you for trying.

the fest

Wow! My head is swimming. I just got home from the Victoria fibre festival and knit out. I meet tons of knitters and had tons of fun.
Friday:
The fashion show was very cool. I was surrounded by creative, talented, fun women. I had a blast. Patti is one of the nicest fashion show organizers I had the pleasure of meeting.
The knitters took over the Queen Mother Waterside Restaurant. Have you ever seen a bunch of knitters scrambling into outfit after outfit. Well you should. I would highly encourage all knitters to participate in a fashion show at least once.
The whole restaurant (even the non-knitters) cheered us on.
Saturday:
Then I did the Yarn Crawl thing. Those of you are fortunate enough to live in a city may not realize the seer pleasure there is for a small island girl (woman) to roam from yarn store to yarn store. Saturday was the perfect day for shopping it rained. We even hit a few stores that weren't full of wool.
Then I meet the Yarn Harlot. Her talk was so entertaining. I couldn't believe that she spoke for 45 minutes. I could have listened all night. I waited in line at the book signing - latest book in hand. In the other hand I had a surprise for her. I got to know a few knitters while standing in line. Knitters are so approachable. Then my turn came. She signed my book. I handed her my surprise: my audio book. She acted very pleased to receive it. What she said was kind and appropriate. ...but still it was Validation. Okay...too much. I have delighted in reading her books and now she was interested in reading mine. I knew I had to leave quick. So I did.

Sunday
I saw the Yarn Harlot again. ...and we won't go into it. Needless to say I did embarrass myself. Please don't force me to go into it. It seems that no kind of yarn is safe when Leanne is around. I am sorry Stephanie.

Let's start again shall we.
D-day at Saxe Point Park. My first off-island book reading. I knew I knew the stories cold. And when the crunch came I froze. I felt defeated but I carried on. What next? The mic died. I stood there for what felt like five minutes like a deer stuck in the headlights. Five minutes...shows how many people where listening. What had happened? I wasn't standing on a cord. The mic wasn't disconnected. Someone came to my rescue. A kindly gentleman and Hubby (not that hubby isn't a kindly gentleman...but you know.) They discovered that the generator had died. Moments later a new supply of gas (or whatever runs generators) had arrived. I carried on...smoothly this time...or so I thought. Turns out I was bringing the mic to my lips and then pulling it away. So some parts where loud and some parts where soft. Oh well.
Then I was done. I thanked everyone for listening and...
I ran to my booth. Tail between my legs. I felt crushed. I didn't hear the applause. I didn't realize that I had indeed had an audience.
Later, knitters did what knitters do best: they supported me. One said,"My friend said, "Look, she's not even reading." We were amazed that you had all those stories memorized. We thought you did very well." How I appreciated hearing those words.

Now we are home.

And if you are keeping score. The weatherman was right for most of the day. Even though the sun did shine and the rain did stop. Wish I could say the same about the wind.

Same time next year - second week-end of June - I hope to return: new and improved.

What are the chances

I had a number of island responsibilities to fill today. Fulfilled them.

Now I have time to worry.

I phoned the hotel. Confident that they had forgotten me. They answered the phone and confirmed that my room was ready when I was.

I am now packing. I have a large plastic container and suitcases. What are the chances that not everything will fit?

I read the itinerary of events. Wow, we are going to see a lot of Vancouver Island. Strangely, even though we have lived a ferry ride away, we have not had the luxury of roaming. What are chances that we will find everything we need to.
Worried I did a google search.
Friday night: Fashion show and dinner: Queen Mother Waterside Cafe.
Found it: 407 Swift Street Unit 100 Victoria
Saturday day: Yarn Crawl: I figure I can just fall in line with a merry band of knitters
Saturday night: Yarn Harlot: James Bay Community Centre
I search and can not find James Bay Community Centre
I know from reading her blog that it is very important to arrive early.
...but how can I do that if I have no idea where it is...breathe...
and log on to: http://www.communityknitters.com:80/knitout/calendar.htm
There you will tons of usual information including the address for James Bay Community Centre. That address is: 140 Oswego Street
The doors open at 6:30 pm
Come stand in line with me. We'll chat about fibre, patterns, and knitting...whatelse

Sunday day: shopping, knitting, reading in the Saxe Point Park: Fraser Street (off Esquimalt Road), Esquimalt

Then there is always the weather. The weatherman calls for periods of rain.
The Victoria Fibrefest & Knit out organizers firmly say, "It never rains during the Knit out."
What are the chances that the record will hold.

Okay so

I just read the Yarn Harlot's post...and she said that she is...and I quote, "thrilled about Victoria's Knit-out"...well so am I...but...the Knit-out is when I will be giving my first "off-island" reading of Novelty Yarn...that means...steady yours...maintain composure...she will be there to see my baby take its first fragile steps into a brave new world...Stephenie...the Yarn Harlot...will be there...okay so...that means I need you to be there...I need you for support...the Yarn Harlot...one of my most favourite reads...I need you...please come.

Back to reality land. I have prepared new knitting kits for this weekend. Kits that have never seen the light of day before...all for you, dear reader. Cool kits for beginning knitters. Kits for knitters who love to knit for kids. And of course my "Barefootin' Foot Thong" will ride again. (What does that mean? I'm not sure. Maybe I'm still. The...Yarn...Harlot).

This week-end

I will see a fashion show
Be in a fashion show
Eat in a fancy restaurant
See tons of knitters
Go my first yarn crawl...visit more than two yarn shops in one day...be still my fragile heart
See the Yarn Harlot...in person...wow!
Give my first "off-island" reading of Novelty Yarn
Meet people face to face that I have emailed and phoned often over these past six months
Have tons and tons of fun!
Hope to see you there
http://www.communityknitters.com/knitout

Test run

This week will be spent preparing for this weekend.
I offered to give a speech this weekend (log on to Leanneism, accessible from www.oknitting.com 's link page, to read the speech). I said to myself, "Okay, this will be a test run. If I feel good about giving this speech it will foreshadow my readings." I said this even though the speech and the readings have nothing in common besides of course that I wrote them. Anyway, I gave the speech and felt very good about it. I feel that I did my best. And my friends and neighbours agree. So I am on cloud nine today. And hope to stay there for a while. It's a nice place to be.

It's time for another clue

Come play with me.
I have just received a passport (for the first time ever).
And I will be using it to travel outside North America (for the first time ever).
Where am I going?
Log on to Leanneism (accessible from www.oknitting.com 's link page) and guess.
This Saturday's clue is for the birds.

Please log on to Leanneism

Leanneism is a blog that can be accessed from www.oknitting.com 's link page. Or please log on to: http://oknitting3.blogspot.com/