Time is Running Out

A List of Lists

I need lists for the following items:

• Things I need to Buy before the show
• Orders I have to finish before the show
• Things I need to mail before the show
• People I need to get in touch with before the show
• Inventory lists
• Packaging lists
• Things I need for furniture set up.

Some of these lists will have their own lists.  No matter how I plan my days things don't happen the way I want them to (I'm not complaining ---it's just life)  Yesterday was altered by a memorial service for a friend whose spouse had died.  My modified afternoon of production at Claire's place turned into a full blown evening of feasting..  I need to remind myself that the world is larger than my studio and my knitting nook and that both joy and sadness must pull me out of my yarnie endeavors.

I don't have my usual freakout three weeks before multiple shows.  John reminds me of what is missing in the inventory, so I knit it.  I feel a little spinning itch, so I scratch it.  I'm still creating with pleasure rather than just stock replacement.  There seems to be more balance.  And there are friends, always friends laughing with me, encouraging me, bitch slapping me(if necessary) and making me feel like like in my own small way, my love of textile adds a little something to the world.

In the midst of all of this I finally decided on the design for a new banner.  Inspired entirely by Gabi's photographs.  More and more lately I realize that the people around me are bursting with talent.  I guess I don't have to look far for my inspirations.

Give Me Shelter

I have no more outdoor shows this year!!!  I am at capacity for tarping tents and drying my inventory.  From now on it's fireplaces and comfortable couches.

Have been powering through a lot of the handspun as well, so must remember to get more finished before Circle Craft.  Booth #G137 for those who want to pop by and say hello (or fondle yarn)

Revisiting the Past

I have spent the last 4 days immersed in felt, hanging with felters, soon to be felters and otherwise unique and forward thinking people who want to learn, grow and take their skills to the next level.  (except for one woman who was definitely adverse to joy).

Sitting back and watching others create was really a trippy experience.  I was in and out of it as my needs morphed.  Explore an idea, get wet, make something resembling my intentions, but a bit off and then dig through my wool and work on my freeform scarf.  Thank God I had an instructor who understood my need for random acts of knitting.  It helps me stay focused (YES, it does)

Many moons ago I studied millinery at George Brown College in Toronto and quickly discarded is as a way to earn a living. Just a chance to make myself a few stylish hats and then move on.  Definitely not a way to earn a living or?

Now here I am, spent...still in my wet apron with my wrinkly hands admiring my new hats when I should be finishing sewing the worms on the apple hats for the UBC festival tomorrow.  Could I?  Dare I?  Nah.  I am still so in awe of the transformative nature of wool.  I enjoyed having yet another thing to appreciate about fibre and fibre arts. 

I know that I am already thinking about new elements to incorporate in my work.  And I can let it rest at that.  Yes, it was a very hectic and satisfying last 4 days.  There will be pics as soon as I can get caught up with everything.

I hope your week offered you new learning opportunities and challenges.  If it didn't ....seek some out.

Leaning into Chaos

In class all week
Teaching class this week
2nd Iphone in 6 weeks
No internet for 3 days
Miss my studio
Late nights
Orders piling up

Circle Craft 4 weeks and counting.

Gabi is a Genius!

Marlowe

Marlowe

I love knitting hats.  The more I shift to grown up stuff, the more photos like this turn up in my in box. *Sigh*  A copy of this picture also made it to the Pique(Whistler paper).  Jessica used this for her daughter's birth announcement picture.

I think I'll drop the scarf I've been working on and finish some baby hats today.

Blogger Bounty

While I have been ignoring my blog for yarnier pursuits, other people have made me feel like I still have a place in the sphere, like a door staying held open for me...Thanks so much to two great blogs that are witty and wonderful.

Sheryl....huge fan of Elizabeth Zimmerman, a woman with extraordinary taste in fibre, and a mompreneur with her own on line fibre shop and an amazing knitter.   She is involved with BC Children's Hospital's "The Period of Purple Crying Awareness" as well and is having a sale in her shop for 20% off her purple yarns.  She also has yummy vintage buttons in her shop, check them out.

Gabi is an awesome photographer in Whistler who is using my hats for some of her photographs.  I can't tell you how lucky I feel to have someone with her talent using my little designs for her work.  Her blog is full of photographs that are just breathtaking.

I had to take a step away from production for a bit to work on RIPE which was an awesome fundraiser for the Farmer's Market.  I am so grateful to know people that are so generous, so much food and wonderful craft was donated and I never felt like I was asking for too much or that people did not want to give.  Land artisans and craft artisans alike were so giving (reinforcing why I am a part of the market community)

I'm just getting back into my groove with only 1 days to The Drift and only 6 weeks until Circle Craft.  I can't believe that I'm funnelling down into the last few minutes.  Three days of being housebound with flu like grossness hasn't helped, but I'm brave enough to head to Claire's house for our Production Fridays.

Here are a few pics of the past week of markets....

All wet roads lead to Whistler

A study in blues

Coming and going

Neige has a new brother

Neige