Fun Facts

My smart and savvy friend sent me a few fun facts on my VIP (birthday, April 4) day:

• On this day in 1881, a centrifugal separator was patented by Edwin J. Houston and Elihu Thomson which enabled the cream to be separated from milk.
• Around this time, in the Netherlands, Casparus Van Wooden patented a chocolate powder which could be stirred into milk.
• And on this day in 1812, the Territory of Orleans became the State of Louisiana. (and the beignets were grand!)

So I'm (she's) thinking that you were born on the "Treats" day! Cream, chocolate milk, and Louisiana.

I do not know about Louisiana (my smart friend does), but I DO know about cream and chocolate.

I wonder who was born on the same day that sock yarn was improved greatly by the addition of a little nylon.

Birthday

Sometimes you write something kinda good, or meaningful. There is this copy/paste option that allows less typing . . . I sent this off to My Knit Friends, but kindof liked it enough to share here:

I got up this morning and checked Ravelry right off . . . my avatar has a little birthday cake on it! That means it is My Birthday! If I did not have an e-mail and phone call and mail box explosion, it would go pretty much unnoticed.

I did take note this morning that I have to choose today--cup half empty or half full. It's a half-way b'day. I decided half full as many of my treasured friends are on the "upside" of my age--all of whom I love and respect. My college friends, my knit friends, my colleagues--held in high esteem--are older than me.

You can reply "and wiser" as I am set up for it.

I have been reading of many reasons in your e-mails to include many of you in my prayers. Today is a good day to take that on. I am a Big Fan of Oprah and she one time said something like "the only prayer that you should ever have to say is thank you" and I do a LOT of those prayers. And, it's good to ask for what you need as well.

So, lots of prayers out to you . . . thanks for your many kindnesses . . . every day, not just today . . . time to order a pizza and watch a movie!

Oh, and G'pa wished me sun today and, well, by golly, it's a sunny day!

Nalbinding Weekend

Some things I know after nalbinding weekend:

1) Having interesting yarn is not important. It is better to have no bumps, clumps, extra froofiness and have smooth yarn that is not too grippy and not to slippy. Not plied.

2) If you are doing a lot of spit joining, you do not need to drink Metamucal that day.

3) Nalbinders should stand up and move around a little bit.

4) You should never leave nalbinding unattended as it moves when no-one is looking at it.

Tech Savvy

I am not tech savvy . . . I have a few splinter skills. So, when I tried to link this Sock Pixie Groovey Sock in Ravelry, I skittaddled back home to my blog to try it out first. I was thinking of when I first learned about the Jaywalker, I did like the pattern, but it seemed like everybody was doing it.

I found Sock Pixie and was smitten. I have to dig this project out . . . it is way pre-hand surgery.

Easter

It is like a regular Sunday, but with family. I am so lucky to have friends and family and food and company for this Holiday. Oh, and chocolate eggs, too!

Snow.

This much snow (8") is like a free pass to knit. All day. On anything you want.

I started a Kauni sweater in the morning. I used "Aunt Myrtle's Cast On" (which is really a Norwegian cast-on, I think, but Aunt Myrtle taught this to me) in a two-color twisting method. I love it. Then, I started the k1p1 rib alternating colors. It is VERY small on my 24" needle. This is deceiving because it is 24". But really, it might be 24". I think I have to start over.

And, later in the day, I knit on my Felted Slippers. I ended the second slipper "top" with about 7" of yarn and two rows to go. Thank you, miscalculations at the yarn store, that I have another skein. Hm.

Doesn't sound like a lot of knitting, but it was beautiful outside. The snow was distracting. I had to watch and guess how much was piling up. In March.

Visit to Tacoma, WA

I have never been to WA state before other than to fly through the airport via Vancouver, CA. What a treat to actually visit Tacoma, WA. The trip had been a "carrot" for work in hand therapy and surgery recovery. My visit was with a friend to visit a friend.

We were fortunate registrants and attendees of Madrona Fiber Arts Retreat in mid-February.

One of our favorite classes was from Susanna Hansson, Mittens of Rovaniemi. Susanna led us through the technique--demystifying and teaching. She shared a wealth of examples and research. Susanna is a kind, competent instructor. This is a photo of my work space in class. We were encouraged to start on a larger sample, then choose colors for a wristlet project on smaller needles. We used Satekieli yarn in a soft creamy color for the background, then chose our colors for the "woven" outer pattern. This class was a wonderful experience! Luckily, I had my Friend in class for encouragement and sharing JuJu candies!

The following day, we took Tvaandstickning class with Nancy Bush. Nancy is an enjoyable, talented teacher and researcher. We were given a mitten pattern in class to learn a variety of stitches using tvaandstickning (twined knitting); however, I opted on a simpler project that was a bit less taxing. I am a fan of workspace photos, so here is one of Nancy's work in progress (a mitten in two-color tvaandstickning and a delightful nostepinne).

We also ate Juju's in Nancy's class. Really, we needed them for stamina and energy.

In addition, we took "Cool Socks" class from Lucy Neatby. She is sooooooo fabulous. I had to block out all of the color in her class as I have a significant color aversion, but that is my deficiency. Lucy used video for much of her teaching. This was cool! I felt so 21st Century and supported as a learner. How better than to SEE what you are learning!

We took a little excursion to the Glass Museum.

There is a little display on the bridge along the way.













The bridge ceiling is really cool!















The Madrona Fiber Arts Market should not be minimized . . . LOTS of yarn. A favorite--Socks that Rock (STR) Blue Moon Fiber Arts.

LOTS of shopping. Do not tell My Husband.