If there is one thing I love, it is running around any yarn-fiber event. The busy time at TNNA was both exciting and fun, and I am grateful to all that met up with me. With Knitters Connection right afterward, I had the chance to take a class on a pattern that has been confusing me since I first read about it.
What you see is a miniature version of Elizabeth Zimmerman’s Tomten, which I learned how to make in Franklin Habit‘s (of the infamous “The Panopticon” blog) class. Now that I understand how to make it, I will be sending this first one back to the charismatic @Ron of Buffalo Gold as one of his samples after machine washing and drying it. It was modeled at one point by a very angry bunny, my Mischievous Julius. The second bunny-sized jacket will be a tad bigger than of Franklin’s original number. (Sorry, but you have to take his class to find out his version of the jacket’s specifications!) Hopefully this Tomten will be more roomy and will fit Rufus too.
Oh! Please forgive me in forgetting my manners. There is a new family member in the house thanks to Christina (aka RabbitRescuer in Ravelry). May I introduce Rufus the Rough. This big lug (his size is almost twice that of Jules!) has earned that title because he is extremely shy and very wary of human contact. He also is a food pellet FIEND and it took me a bit to get him to eat romaine and cranberries. At least he loves carrots, so that is a good sign. Jules and I are still working on his timorous nature. It will take time but will be worth it in the end to see him come out of his shell. And yes I still miss my boy Caesar.
As for love of food, lately I have been making some pretty flavor and time intensive meals. Before I left for TNNA, I made my lasagna and had so much leftover I gave it to my buddy V to finish. While in Columbus, I ate so much Jeni’s Ice Creams that I could not photograph each of the trios I put together. I did however bring back a few pints. So I leave you with a few shots of the trios and what I dined on the other night… Hope you get around to trying out the ice cream if not in Columbus at least in one of the shops who sell the pints! And no, I am not paid to talk about @JenisIceCreams. I personally love the wholesome goodness of what Jeni stands for in her products. =:8
It was obvious from my first visit to Main-Lee that this new mistress would require more of my attention than dart league. I had no idea that the hours would command such time though. At least I can spend Mondays and Tuesdays at the London Underground and see my friends there. (Or so I thought!)
Now I know it would seem disorganized, but I have to knit for my writing. Combined with playing darts, they do not give me any luxury on my wrists. For each night I had to play in a match, I needed to avoid knitting the day before and day of. Even then, the pain in my wrists became so great that one night I took enough aspirin to cause stomach pain. As much as I enjoy throwing a good game of darts, I love knitting and my work even more. Add the travel I will be doing, darts in public will be no more.
So it is with great remorse that I stop playing in dart league and start using the time for my new-found hobby in art. Note some of the consolations in store:
- 1) I still have Martinettes Happy Hour on Fridays at the Pub. I can play darts with Gary and other friends who happen to be there.
2) The new restaurant 622 North will feature a couple of dart lanes. Their wine and tapas bar beckons to me!
And finally…
3) My own dartboard cabinet has been set up at my new place, SomeBunnysLodge. Here I can play a quick game when I feel like throwing.
Missing darts? Maybe in public, but not in private! =:8
Though I have been in Blacksburg since Halloween 2009, not until I met the folks at Main-Lee Art Gallery did the phrase “First Friday” ever reach my ears. The words reference an open house occurring once a month for art galleries across major cities in the United States. I was excited to participate in Main-Lee Art’s very First Friday hosting since they opened. The artists and I were not sure who would attend, but we all wanted a fun night.
There was a nice crowd which appeared right at 5 o’clock that evening, and in an hour Main-Lee was packed. The fingerfoods were a delight and some of the more savory ones were gobbled up faster than expected. The gallery hopping continued to Judy Garbera’s Art Pannonia where she and her son Andy were hosting their First Friday. All I can say is that Andy makes an awesome foie gras pate, and that the paintings featured in that gallery would make wonderful additions to any room.
Of course since the London Underground Pub is nestled in between both galleries, we had a MUST stop for a bottle of champagne. Why the bubbly? Well every Friday the Blacksburg Martinettes meet between 5 and 7 o’clock for a TGIF Happy Hour and toast the end of the week with at least a bottle of champagne. From all the fun we had, this First Friday is only the beginning! =:8
Sometimes I feel like there is something “off” inside. It could be my mind, heart, or even my whole body. Whatever the case, a dose of comfort beckons me. Recently I found myself lunching at Hokkaido Buffet in the hope that their prepared foods would soothe my soul.
As I tasted my selections, I reflected on the various Asian restaurants that would have driven me to Hokkaido. The first thought was the obvious in my last visit there. When Rich came into town for New Year’s, we had popped into the restaurant after seeing the “Sherlock Holmes” movie. It was a quickly eaten meal; it barely made a small dent in satisfying our craving for Asian cuisine. The next thought was when I visited a former friend in Ohio this past summer. Throughout the meal he controlled what we ate and drank. Everything was his decision; I barely had a say even on how much to eat! Both the memories of Thai Star with Judy and Rihm Nam’s with Steve are hoppy ones filled with fabulous conversation and listening.
While pouring over these thoughts, I realized that ironically I could not recall the names of the two restaurants that triggered my stop. Memories of eating at both places give me warm feelings of fondness for my friend Rasha. We would often meet at one of those two places when we worked at The Corporation. I miss her Arabic accent-laden frankness and witty insight. Recently I found the silver and tiger eye choker necklace that she gifted to me for Christmas 2007. It might have been years since I saw her, but I know that when I wear it, I have her in my heart. Rasha, this memory is for you! =:8
Whew! Huge apologies to everybunny. I had looked at the calendar this morning and realized that I have not blogged for some time when I meant to do so each week. There have been a lot of events, some crazy some just plain fun, but all have been adventurous. I will do my best to provide a quick summary…
December 31st:
While my friend Jessica (@bumbl_be) and I were eating the pints of Jeni’s Ice Creams that just arrived, Richie calls me on my iPhone. He asks what I was doing, and I told him about Jessica and Jeni’s. His response, “Hmm… Maybe I’ll have some today.” I had a whirring thought that he ordered some, and conversed about some other topics. He then said, “Maybe I should have some Jeni’s NOW.” I stopped mid-sentence. I asked, “Where ARE you?” He responded, “In your parking lot.”
That cheeky bugger!! Of course with his visit, we ended up missing the Juniper Moon Farm‘s Open House on New Year’s Day. At least we saw the Hokies spank the Volunteers (Let’s go TECH!!) and drove up to Mountain Lake to see the snowed in hotel where the movie “Dirty Dancing” was filmed.
January 8th:
I had a fabulous belated Christmas celebration with my parents and sister’s family. The handknit presents were a hit, except for the hat that was too small for my brother-in-law. That’s more than okay; his Mom, the wonderful Edith, took it off his hands. 
My niece loved her Twinkle scarf, my sister loves her Pretty Thing, and my Mother loves both her red dress hat and Little Parade. My Daddy’s Koolhaas was quickly snatched by my Mother. Note to self: Make Ma lots of hats!
I had lunch with my BFF Anita and her son Aidan in Kelly’s Tavern at Pembroke Mall. Afterwards we visited my friend Brett at Artistic Creations Gallery. It was a nice time catching up with them!
January 13th:
Now that my darts are back (they were in my Civic), I popped into The London Underground Pub to see if I can challenge Ron (@ronaldb) to a game of Cricket. He was not there, but Sara his teammate was. Twisting my arm, she talked me into participating in “Luck of the Draw” on that Saturday. Little did I know how darts would change my social life in Blacksburg! I met so many folks since then, my time is a whirlwind.
January 21st:
Since I have joined two darts leagues, I decided to practice one day after work. Doing so, I met the delightful Patsy and Eva, part of the Martinettes. These women are in a group that welcomes lady newcomers to the New River Valley area. I attended my first meeting that Saturday (the 23rd) and am awed by their cheerfulness and excitement with life. Already I have been asked to display some of my fibery goods and to teach a workshop on knitting. I love these daring ladies! They refuse to keep still and take life by the horns.
Another cool bit? During my usual Friday night stop at Lefty’s on the 22nd, I met some of the fun and intelligent folks behind “The Plaid Avenger” of John and Katie Pritchard. John created the Plaid Avenger to keep folks abreast of what is going on with the world’s society. He teaches various geography classes at VA Tech. The one that caught my ear was his “Wines of the World” class. Boy, that would be fun to participate in those tastings discussions!
January 26th:
Today I start a fun adventure. I get to chat about STITCHES on my blog “On the Road to STITCHES” at Knitting Universe’s KniTalk Community!! The topics I will be discussing would be what knitterly items I want to make and wear for the trip, the classes I will be taking, the events I am lining up to see, and of course all the goodies that the Market is offering! As for Bigsock, no worries! I will be there too, so make sure you find some time to help the attempt on breaking the current Guinness Book World record for the largest handknit sock!!
If wondering about the Boys, they are alive and well. Caesar is as hungry as ever, and Julius is as mischievous. I have learned that if Julius is in my bedroom in the morning, I best get out of bed ASAP. Why? If I do not, he (ahem) will use my laundry basket as a litterbox. Crazy bunnies!! =:8
Okay, I did it. I wrote a guest post on Handshake 2.0 titled, “The Business of Knitting” and hope the 300-words-or-less challenge is met in a positive light. The yarn manufacturing industry continuously has the stereotype of an elderly woman knitting while seated in a rocking chair with cats at her feet. Hello, but though I may be fabulously forty, I am by no means “elderly” and have no rocking chairs in my house. The crafters (weavers, spinners, knitters and crocheters) of both genders are hip and young at heart no matter what their age. So do not dare say I am old!
To note, the social network of Ravelry has brought together what online groups, e-lists, blogs and podcasts have started. Crafters have been communicating online worldwide, and Ravelry now offers a single resource that combines them together. Only on Ravelry can a person in Denmark comment how much she likes one of my projects, and where I can also participate in a worldwide group on specific techniques used in Scandinavia.
The community of yarn has brought different races, religions, and politics together. Currently I am looking forward to the 2010 Knitting Olympics. Here is when teams of crafters around the world will start a self-chosen project when the torch is lit, and in 16 days time finish that project when the fire is extinguished. Most of these projects can generally take months or even years to finish, but the bragging rights of participating are immense. My project of challenge will most likely be either a complicated lace ensemble (shawl or stockings), or an intricately cabled covering (coat or jacket). Either way, I am rising up with the other folks who are techies like myself and are not afraid of admitting their craft. Are you? =:8
Filling 3 Bags for Charity
Gratitude and appreciation are often overlooked and taken for granted. Gina Bonomo Dugas of the Mosaic Yarn Shop in Blacksburg, VA was determined to remind everyone how luckily blessed we are. She conceived an idea to host an event that benefited not one, nor two, but three local charities: libraries, the local food bank, and the homeless. Her idea came to fruition on December 5th during a snowstorm that kept folks further in distance away, but for the folks who did attend, the event was a hit!
Here are the details of this charity event:
The $10 admission included a buffet lunch, exclusive buying at the featured vendors, chances to win door prizes, and a goody bag full of various items from all over the fibery and local businesses. Each table had a literal pile of yarn that might be mistaken for a centerpiece, but was in fact a selection for the knitters and crocheters to make hats. At each seating was a pattern varying from a newborn to an adult male. The crafter would first decide which table (I sat at the purple yarn table though the orange yarn table tempted the Hokie in me) and then sit in the chair of whatever pattern interested her/him.
With so many colors to select, it was difficult to choose, but since I brought in the purple yarn from the Land’s End event, I decided to make as many hats as possible with it. To make the day more fun, I taught two women how to knit. Both had learned a little, but needed more coaching. By the time all three of us were finishing up the day, I had not only enabled them, but also made two more friends.
There are many folks in the fibery world to thank for their donations. I am listing them here because their generosity should be noted:
- Twist Collective – for the postcards, buttons, and gift certificates
- Juniper Moon Farm – for the advertising postcards and sheepy tattoos
- Bijou Basin Ranch – for the cool stickers and postcards
- David Simpson’s Fiber Studio – for the yummy fibery goodness
- Lawre’s Laine – for the very cool notions bag
- Classic Elite Yarns – for the heavenly scarf kit
- Berroco Yarns – for the 3 bags of yarn to be used in the hats
Huge thankful bunny hugs go out to every one of these companies for participating!! The best news of this event? We will be doing it next year and will have at least twice as many folks than the 71 crafters that signed up. How do I know? When the Pawtucket Red Sox had their first Stitch and Pitch game, the numbers were exactly the same. (I am rubbing my paws together in glee!) *beaming bunny* Until then, these 42 photos will have to do as proof! =:8
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