Hello Friends! I’ve been rather amiss from my blog. Life has been more than crazy and has been dealing me several obstacles. I’ve conquered a few but I have several more that I need to climb over. I haven’t even had much time or energy to spend on my knitting work and designing.
The most recent update is that I’m going on an Alaskan cruise tomorrow. I’ve always wanted to go on a cruise to Alaska, but while I’m lucky to be able to go, this trip did come with several attachments and caveats. The short version is that I was duped into going on this trip and I will be going with my dad, stepmom and my “auntie” and “uncle” family friends. If any of y’all are Asian or Latino, you might know some of the pressures and caveats of “family friend aunties and uncles.” The timing is also terrible given that I have a trade show to get ready and plan for in Columbus in June. To celebrate the wonderful wonders and complications of family vacations and my long hiatus from blogging, I’ve decided to have a “I got duped” sale. Sale ends on June 9, 2012 and is 20% off any products from my pattern store on my website or on Ravelry. Code: AlaskanCruise. Don’t forget that I have more stuff for sale on my website than on Ravelry.
Here are some quick updates on some of the events in the last 6-8 months:
In January, I went to Phoenix for TNNA, where I had a booth for the first time! I had a booth next to my distributor, Deep South Fibers. I wanted a booth so that retailers can see more of my garments and designs first hand and up close. It was quite fund designing the booth and seeing colleagues and friends. Photos below: My booth at TNNA; Tina Sanders wearing my Weekend Shawl; with my friend and fabulous crochet author Robyn Chachula; a close-up of my photo tiles for the photo/mirror installment in my booth
In February, I went to Stitches West and taught there for the first time. I got great reviews from all 3 classes I taught and I had the opportunity to meet some wonderful students and knitters/crocheters. While there, I also hung out with my friend Stefanie and the Craftsy team and even did a demo at the Craftsy booth. Speaking of Craftsy, I have some patterns for sale on Craftsy and have a workshop based on Remy, a fun-to-work reversible cable scarf, which is also available as an individual pattern. Photos below: A student from my “Mera Shrug” class showing off her finished project; A sign with my name on it!; Me explaining cables at the Craftsy demo; Remy Reversible Cable scarf for my Craftsy Workshop (project yarn was generously provided by Lion Brand Yarns).
In March, I went to San Juan Island, WA for the Visionary Authors retreat to power up and work on my book in a very rejuvenating and symbiotic experience of support and idea-sharing with my colleagues. It was truly an enriching experience to spend a week with such a creative, intelligent, inspiring and wonderful group of people. The experience was energizing, tiring, hard and fun all at the same time. We even played knitting charades and ate wonderfully prepared foods by our caterer Deb Nolan. Sarah Anderson, Deb Robson and I even went on a short field trip to a local alpaca farm. Photos below: leaving the island on the ferry; A cutie from the alpaca farm
In April, I participated in Yarn Crawl LA, LA County’s first-ever yarn crawl, by being a sponsor. Some of my activities included donating lots of patterns for the prize baskets, trunk shows and brioche knitting demos at Alamitos Bay Yarn Company and Knit Culture. Photos below: a hat trunk show at Alamitos Bay Yarn Company; knitting a secret project with Slipped Stitch Studios mascot Woolfred; teaching brioche knitting at Knit Culture
Healthwise, I have not been great at all. I had to have uterine surgery a few days before Christmas. For the last 9 months, I’ve been dealing with very acute allergies and really really bad eczema flares on a daily basis. The burning and itching on my skin is unbearable and takes so much physical and emotional energy just to stay sane. With the burning, itchy, dry skin and lotioning 100x a day, it’s been nearly impossible to function or knit, but I trudge along the best as I can and I’m amazed that I even got anything accomplished. I have to earn a living and feed myself afterall. The most frustrating this is that I’m doing everything I’m supposed to do for it and I still don’t know the cause. I’ve tried everything. So far acupuncture and avoidance of allergy-causing foods (that I know of and have identified) have been the best. I feel much better now, but my case is still considered acute and I’ve got a long ways to go. Photos below: my arms very very inflamed and full of hives from severely acute eczema and as red as my Danskos; my inflamed leg; My talented artist sister drew me 2 very cute cards commemorating the loss of my uterus.
And finally, a few teasers on some projects that have to remain secret for the most part:
Have a great time on the cruise (despite complications). Take some of that yummy yarn with you and all will be good.
Please try to stop in to Seaside Yarns in the Merchants’ Wharf (big blue building right on the waterfront) when you’re in Juneau. She carries lots of locally dyed yarns, including qiviut and qiviut blends, and locally made products as well as lots of other cool yarns. website: http://seasideyarns.com/ If you’re here on a Sat. or Weds., ask her about the knitting groups that meet on those days if you want to hang out.
anne- glad you are hanging in there! the trip sounds wonderful. maybe you will have to ‘get lost’ a few times to have some personal time. lol
can’t wait to see the new patterns too
http://www.patchworkposse.com
http://www.plushiepatterns.com
[...] June, I traveled to TNNA’s (The National Needlearts Association) trade show. Since I exhibited at the Winter show in Phoenix, I decided to exhibit again at the larger Summer show. Exhibiting is A [...]
[...] allergy/ immune issues got worse than ever and 80-90% of my body flared up for more than 9-10 months. I looked like a red boiled lobster stung by 100,000 bees. It was gross. [...]