It was, crazy, huge winds, light up the sky lightening, thunderous thunder, rainbows and gully washers, we had it all this week. It was perfect perfect knitting weather and I've done my share.
Tomorrow we will drive to Ojai, a wonderful (by reputation, I haven't been) artistic town inland from Ventura.
My guest this week accompanied me on my maiden California voyage with a two year old and all my possessions in a 1967 Dodge (it was 1981). Our cross country trek took seven days including a few highlights like the St Louis zoo, the Grand Canyon and Disneyland. On our way up the coast, after having left Disneyland we stayed in Ventura at the Pierpoint Inn and it's still there. I think a nostalgic visit may be in order.
Blogging could be intermittent, but I'll take beautiful pictures and report on the Ojai visit next week.
Enjoy a creative weekend!
Friday, January 22, 2010
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Beading by the Bay
I'm happy to report that Beading by the Bay is filling up nicely. One of the many retreat highlights will be a visit from a Swarovski representative who will give us a trends presentation during the retreat.
It has been so wonderful to note the familiar names as registrations come in. So many folks that I've come to enjoy in past classes.
One of the things I love about this job is the countrywide relationships I've formed. There are folks coming from Alaska, in fact you might remember this post yep my man is coming, well he's Wanda's man actually but my first male student. Beth from Alaska is coming as well and Fae I met in Lake Tahoe, and Katie on a cruise and Chris at Creative Castle, and Nancy and Mona who I've known forever...oh it's going to be fun.
Not to mention a big long weekend of Jean and Maggie, and my dear friend Susan from the Beading Frenzy who is my partner for this retreat. And a shopping trip to San Francisco and.....you might know that previous to San Diego, Santa Cruz was my home for 25 years and we 'parked' our boat in San Francisco for at least 10, so for me the San Francisco Bay area is a trip home and I can't wait!
It was a cold and stormy day
It's crazy rainy and windy here and yes, that is something that I love, on a regular week I would be in heaven, all cozy in the house while the weather swirled about outside, but.....I wanted my guest to enjoy some California sunshine, and she did for about ten minutes yesterday the veranda was bathed in sunlight, and we enjoyed a trip to Balboa park and then onto Coronado to watch the surf.
This tree in the botanical gardens reminds me of something from the movie Avatar
The late afternoon found us home again, casting on Turkish socks, yes my second pair, but oh so cute.
Today will be devoted to making up some kits for the store, orders have been steady and inventory needs a boost.
This tree in the botanical gardens reminds me of something from the movie Avatar
The late afternoon found us home again, casting on Turkish socks, yes my second pair, but oh so cute.
Today will be devoted to making up some kits for the store, orders have been steady and inventory needs a boost.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Guest Arrival
My dear friend from Boston is arriving today, the weather prediction? the worst Il Nino storms in 15 years! Now we all know that I love a good storm, but I think she was looking for a little California sunshine. But that will give us plenty of time to knit, sip tea and catch up. Yes a knitting friend, so wonderful to spend time knitting with someone else. You might detect that there's been a lot of knitting going on, it happens from time to time. Knitting was my first love and occassionally it vies for equal attention with the beads.
But lest you think I'm not beading at all, I finished the, second and third 'Under the Mast' yesterday for Bead and Button
and the second Descending Nights for Beading by the Bay
and today will begin the third Descending Nights.
Then a new piece which is in my mind, but has yet to be executed.....and is due to be somewhere by February 1st, think I'll start that one this week.
And orders are flowing pretty steadily, so there is also kitting to be done, so the beads are not being neglected!
But lest you think I'm not beading at all, I finished the, second and third 'Under the Mast' yesterday for Bead and Button
and the second Descending Nights for Beading by the Bay
and today will begin the third Descending Nights.
Then a new piece which is in my mind, but has yet to be executed.....and is due to be somewhere by February 1st, think I'll start that one this week.
And orders are flowing pretty steadily, so there is also kitting to be done, so the beads are not being neglected!
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Turkish Socks, Finished!
These were a fun knit, clever construction (Churchmouse pattern) and I made them with pretty yarn (Paigewood Farms, purchased at the Grove).
I like short socks, and a little reverse stockinette cuff is in my book perfect. When I do them again, because I will, I would take the needle size down to a 2, the weave on these is a little loose to my taste. But all in all, I'm pretty pleased and now I can move on with the beading which is requiring my attention!
I was pretty clear I needed a new pair of Dansko shoes to go with my socks, (wait is that what the refer to as the tail wagging the dog?) but it was suggested that perhaps a pair of Dansko MaryJanes would be good, and wouldn't you know it, I have a pair of Bjorn MaryJanes lanquishing in the closet, and although not perfect, because the Dansko pair would be perfect, they do seem good enough to show off my new socks. Maybe pair 2 will get their own Dansko's, we'll see.
For the record Kate, that might tip the count past 50....
I like short socks, and a little reverse stockinette cuff is in my book perfect. When I do them again, because I will, I would take the needle size down to a 2, the weave on these is a little loose to my taste. But all in all, I'm pretty pleased and now I can move on with the beading which is requiring my attention!
I was pretty clear I needed a new pair of Dansko shoes to go with my socks, (wait is that what the refer to as the tail wagging the dog?) but it was suggested that perhaps a pair of Dansko MaryJanes would be good, and wouldn't you know it, I have a pair of Bjorn MaryJanes lanquishing in the closet, and although not perfect, because the Dansko pair would be perfect, they do seem good enough to show off my new socks. Maybe pair 2 will get their own Dansko's, we'll see.
For the record Kate, that might tip the count past 50....
Friday, January 15, 2010
The lovely Kristina Logan
Kristina Logan is in San Diego! Which means I now have earrings which nicely compliment the ring I bought at Bead and Button last year.
I visited her trunk show at the Blue Dolphin in San Diego yesterday. I believe she is teaching today, but it may be you can still buy some her stunning work. And, Heather Trimlett another favorite is also there with her bright colorful beaded jewelry and beads.
And on an unrelated note, here is Charles,
adopting my knitting chair for his snooze (too bad he can't knit). We are fostering Charles for 3 months while his real foster dad travels. Daughter Casey volunteers for San Diego Pit Bull rescue and Charles is one of her favorites, so we agreed to try to help out so 11 year old Charles could enjoy staying in a home. He seems quite keen on being here. Maya however is a bit skeptical of the arrangement and we had some start up issues, but things seem to be settling down. And Maya is not complaining about going on walks twice a day (Charles can become rather insistent when he wants to walk!)
I visited her trunk show at the Blue Dolphin in San Diego yesterday. I believe she is teaching today, but it may be you can still buy some her stunning work. And, Heather Trimlett another favorite is also there with her bright colorful beaded jewelry and beads.
And on an unrelated note, here is Charles,
adopting my knitting chair for his snooze (too bad he can't knit). We are fostering Charles for 3 months while his real foster dad travels. Daughter Casey volunteers for San Diego Pit Bull rescue and Charles is one of her favorites, so we agreed to try to help out so 11 year old Charles could enjoy staying in a home. He seems quite keen on being here. Maya however is a bit skeptical of the arrangement and we had some start up issues, but things seem to be settling down. And Maya is not complaining about going on walks twice a day (Charles can become rather insistent when he wants to walk!)
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Bead and Button Show
Registration has opened for the Bead and Button Show and the excitement begins. Crystal Collage is full and I'm happy to have designed a new colorway for this years class!
I'm not happy that I lost track of time and did not register for Christi Friesens Steampunk bird on Monday night as I had intended, and now of course it is Sold Out which is good for Christi, just not so good for me.
I happen to love Christi Friesen and the wonderful creatures and botanicals that she makes with clay and the addition of gears and found objects and steampunky things, well darn it all!
I'll need to be a little more on top of my game next year, in the meantime I might just happen to purchase myself a piece of Christi's art.
I'm not happy that I lost track of time and did not register for Christi Friesens Steampunk bird on Monday night as I had intended, and now of course it is Sold Out which is good for Christi, just not so good for me.
I happen to love Christi Friesen and the wonderful creatures and botanicals that she makes with clay and the addition of gears and found objects and steampunky things, well darn it all!
I'll need to be a little more on top of my game next year, in the meantime I might just happen to purchase myself a piece of Christi's art.
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