The Dangers of Getting to Market

Sunday 6:00am......leave house. check, head downtown with relatively little traffic, cozy up to the Lion's Gate Bridge full of optimism for the day.   Road block.  Suicide has closed the bridge.  Plan B.....drive the long way round to Second Narrows Bridge.  Since we don't often take that route, it was a lovely hazy drive, a little quiet, how do you get on with your day knowing someone just ended theirs.

We were late setting up due to the side trip and putting things together was a bit more frantic than usual, but even with the rain outside, the loan of a tent top (thanks Joan) kept things relatively dry inside.  And the customers still came.  When it rains that hard and unrelenting, you either laugh or cry.  We laughed a lot.  And I got some knitting done.

On our ride home HWY 99 was turned into a parking lot for half an hour.  It took us a while once we got going to realize that there was a burned out Greyhound bus at the side of the road, lots of foam, several EMS vehicles, an ambulance and firetruck...No injuries.  What the frack?

When we got home we were too tired and wet to unload the car, but there was a great piece of fish I had picked up from the market on Saturday.  Halibut almandine, couscous and quinoa and some grilled mushrooms.  Hoping the rest of the seasons days are less eventful.

When it rains, it pours and other misadventures.

I am hearty craft stock, I can take the rain, I really can.  No wimp here.  I never cancel outdoor shows in the rain and I hate looking at empty spaces in a market on a rainy day from last minute cancellations.

Ladner was excrutiating this weekend with more rain inside my tent than outside.  (evidenced by people leaving their umbrellas open inside the tent)  ....and this....

The table cloth started taking up the excess water, which the hats and scarves then started to absorb.  Thanks to Jennifer, Kim and Angela for coming to my rescue.  Jennifer, I'll return the poncho and the towels as soon as they dry up!

Saturday was beautiful and sunny and I had the happiest customer I've ever had.  Someone as excited by the handspun and lovely felted cloches.as I am.

And a week of dyeing and knitting gave me such a bright and cheerful stack of baby hats.

 

 

I'll be in and out of touch while I'm working on some fundraising efforts for RIPE.    I can't say enough how I appreciate the local farmer's markets.  Buy a ticket or two if you can and if not and you can consider donating something for the silent auction, please email me at carmen@melonheadknitwear.com.  There will be a few MelonHead items available for you to bid on.

BC Children's Hospital

I received this email the other day and thought I would pass it along to anyone reading this blog.  I believe I have a few eggplant hats I can pass along for this, how about you?

Good Morning Carmen,

I was reading your blog last night and I can see that you are connected to the knitting community in Vancouver and I wanted to ask you to help spread the word about a knitting campaign I am working in with the Period of PURPLE Crying and BC Children’s Hospital. We are asking volunteers to knit purple newborn baby hats to be distributed at BC Children’s Hospital the week of November 15^th.  If you are interested in knitting caps, any newborn baby pattern in any shade of purple would be fantastic.

If you would like more information please email me at Melissa@limelitepr.com. We also have a facebook group and event that is dedicated to this campaign.

http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=113090808739162&index=1

Thank you,

Melissa

Melissa Pelto MA

Communications Consultant

778.558.8582

melissa@sixdegreescommunications.com

Friday with the two Clares

Production day is usually at Claire's on Friday, but since I have a Clare already in my studio and they hadn't met yet I really wanted them to get to meet.  My two best Clare's and a whole day craftastic day!  It was awesome.

French Claire(or card Claire) and British Clare (or knit Clare) were a perfect pair.  A photo shoot ensued and this is my favourite shot.

I spent most of the day at the studio and managed two new colourways.  I love when I get to dry the yarn in the sun.  I wish all my Fridays were like this one.

Tofino

 

Candy

The Best Studio Visit

....not that I haven't loved all the company this week, but today was the sweetest day ever.

The cat matches the couch and the corespun yarn of the day....Best of Ray Charles is playing in the background, Clare is plying some yarn and I'm taking yarn out of the steamer.

I realize that I am not high in production, but there's a whole lot of happy here today.  Might start another colourway while Habib is napping.

Wool Mountain

Having two markets this weekend with last week's production was a bit overwhelming --thanks Kim for making it so easy and fun to be at the markets.  Whistler rocked.  It's been a while since I kicked back with a gal pal and enjoyed a weekend hotelling.

If you are in Whistler in the Upper Village and don't mind some noisy, boozy atmosphere, go to Merlins.   The tacos were $1 and I had a beer caesar.

The ride home today was sunny and gave us time for a pit stop. 

I can't stop knitting with this chunky merino.  At 125g and 125 yards this yarn is rewarding to knit for quick projects on 8mm needles.  The hat (in oh so many colours) are just flying off the needles.

Heart Felt

The face of the studio is forever evolving and changing.  Joan, gone for most of the summer to shows and to enjoy the short return of her daughter is now moving in new equipment.  The last of Sonia's fibre and her wheel left yesterday and I'm not sure what to do with the blank wall that is left in it's place.

Claire, the best and only student I've ever had is leaving next Thursday.....Hmm.  Toni sent me an amazing email today and it gave me fresh perspective on the coming weeks...

".....you never seem at a loss for amazing people coming into your life ... I wonder who else is waiting in the wings?... I am referring to those who will add inspiration, joy and laughter!"

I think Toni is right.  The product of so much inspiration is that my studio time has doubled.  It's just so great to be there, which means that an entirely new limited edition of the Fiddlehead Felts will be available this weekend just in time for Trout Lake and Whistler.

New, shorter version of the Cloche.

Available in 8 colour combinations

The new cozy couch corner.

One of the other great things about the studio.  Pearl is just down the street, so I'm heading over to Birkeland Wool now.  A little time knitting in the shop with Pearl is a great way to end a full day here.