Stitches Midwest 2010

I enjoy all types of Yarny Events - from the mega Maryland Sheep & Wool Fest to the local Homespun Yarn Party. This past weekend, I headed up to Schaumberg, IL for the annual Stitches Midwest expo. My cuz, Jen, lives nearby so it was also a chance to hangout with fam & fellow knit-crazy.

This was my second year in attendance and another chance to support some of my favorite vendors: Signature NeedleArts, Miss Babs Yarns, Creatively Dyed Yarns, Habu Textiles, and Webs. My first Stitches event was Stitches East in Baltimore a few years ago. And although I enjoy the Midwest locale, the event didn't quite "wow" me like that first one. Either I'm getting jaded or just anticipating the Rhinebeck festival in October. Anywho...... none of that stopped me from enjoying some stash enhancement.



My favorite purchases by far were Signature's Sock Blockers (that feature the rare ability to hang over your shower rod) and a couple tshirts that tout my love for the hobby (I did say I am a knit-crazy......).


Jen and I both started new projects at the hotel on Saturday night (yep, knit-crazy)that should be done just in time for the trek to Rhinebeck. Until next time........happy knitting!

Yarn As Decor

I am lucky enough to have a dedicated knitting room in the house. Well actually, it's a knitting-slash-guest-slash-exercise-slash-TV room. Since the TV is most often tuned to HGTV, the decor changes very frequently. But one thing never changes - the decor is focused on my love of yarn & knitting. Here's the latest layout.



My favorite part has to be the "yarn planters" and open baskets that keep my stash in sight. After last winter's snowstorms & the most recent freak thunderstorms, I've learned to appreciate the ability to shop from my own stash when the weather turns bad.

Speaking of stash - this week has offered multiple opportunities for enhancements. Knit Happens is closing its doors and A Tangled Skein hosted their popular "Friday the 13th" sale. Willpower kept me away from both events but I decided to use my Fibre Space birthday gift certificate from knitsis Ava for these goodies:
They are both Miss Babs "Yummy" HandPainted Sock Yarns. The first color reminds me of Mardi Gras colors & will make a great pair of celebration socks.

Coming up at the end of the week is Stitches Midwest in Schaumburg, IL. Of course, I will be traveling to attend with my cuz, Jen. Meanwhile, still working on the Paper Crane Cardi. It's coming along nicely & with any luck maybe I can wear it to Stitches. Until next time - Happy knitting y'all!

Happy Birthday Satchmo!

This past weekend was the Satchmo Summerfest in New Orleans, LA - the annual celebration of Louis Armstrong's birthday. What a blast! It's been a couple years since I've traveled to New Orleans & when my feet touched the ground (& the hella-heat hit me), I knew it had certainly been too long. Memories of Hurricane Katrina are still abundant but the city is looking better & better. After spending over 15 years traveling between DC and New Orleans on business, this city holds my heart.

The festival started on Friday night with the Club Strut - a grand party on Frenchman Street where you stroll from club to club listening to the artists. Unfortunately a late thunderstorm nixed the strutting but the talent was still fantastic inside the clubs. Saturday and Sunday's activities were on the grounds of the U.S. Mint with 2 stages outside, 1 stage inside, various dance lessons, and a series of seminars nearby at the Palm Court Jazz Cafe. The heat dictated the plan of the day.......listen to a couple of artists; make your way inside to suck up all the air conditioning possible; back outside for a couple more artists; then down the street to sit & enjoy a couple seminars (again - in air condititioned comfort).
Saturday night was White Linen Night - another stroll around the Arts District & the Contemporary Arts Center - wearing your best white linen fashion.

Best of all I got to catch up with old friends, eat loads of fantastic food, visit the French Market and of course visit the local yarn shop. Hard to believe after all those years in the city, this was my first trip to the Quarter Stitch. A wonderful little shop, packed with knitting, cross stitch, and needlepoint goodies.




Can't wait to go back to my home away from home.