by carmen | Aug 5, 2009 | Uncategorized
Coordinating all the folks involved in this year’s Filberg Festival was an undertaking of monumental proportion. Two vehicles, ferry reservations and a float plane home for one of us. Incredible.
We were able to all go this year. John, Pearl, Joan and myself. With this small army behind me, everything was ready to go with minimal fuss. Making life so much more pleasant was an unexpected gem; Forbidden Plateau.
Aside from the organic eggs (from their chickens) and the fresh cut veggies (freshly picked from Kim’s garden) and the ice cold water in mason jars that went to the show with us, the accomodation could not have been any more picturesque or Kim and Lorne any more hospitable or helpful.
Downtown Comox at night.
I’m too tired to post more and so many wonderful things happened. I’ll update over the next couple of days with more pics. Thanks to the show crew and the pre show crew (Toni, Marigold)
by carmen | Jul 27, 2009 | Uncategorized
It was so hot in the village on Saturday, that the hotel was a welcome destination. No canoing, no long hikes, just me and the knitting…John was at the pool and foraging for dinner.
Thanks to Joan’s buttons, I ended up with some pretty cute pieces. The hat pile ended up lined along the bed over a pile of cushy pillows. Not bad for an evening of work. And the view from the balcony in the room was inspiring. All forest! Explains the elvin hats. I am loving this new wool.
The knitting continued at the market on Sunday, but without the breeze of the forest and the fan in the room. Julie had her last lesson. Boo for me. She has been such a good student. You’ll see more of her finished pieces in later blog posts. Customers (regulars and newbies) were in the booth in a steady stream. Texans in for their annual convention.
On a sad note, Bob from Thelma’s Goodies passed away on Friday after a long struggle with cancer. He was a fixture in the market, funny, gracious, a great booth neighbour and I will really miss him. Thanksgiving at the market will not be the same without him to finish my pumpkin pie.
by carmen | Jul 24, 2009 | Uncategorized
Well I have confirmed a list of classes starting at Birkeland Bros in the fall. I am really looking forward to this.
Every Thursday in September from 7-9 is Beginners Crochet. This will be an especially good class for knitters as you will learn how to incorporate crochet techniques into your knit projects.
Every Thursday in October from 7-9 is Advanced Free Form Crochet. I have been using this technique for years in my work and am always amazed at how it continues to evolve.
The first two Tuesdays in December from 6:30 – 9:30 is Radical Spinning, (Stepping Away from Grannies Yarn). Core spinning, unique plying and incorporating recycled materials will be the focus of this class. Details and class requirements -cost and materials will be listed here as well as the Birkeland site in the next few weeks.
There is so much yarn I can’t carry it all to market. It most likely will not appear until after Filberg as it has to be bagged and tagged. Thank God for the chalkboard list in the studio. As long as it’s been chalked it will get done.
Thanks to Marigold for ball winding some troublesome skeins. Seriously, at the studio until 11:30, that’s a trouper.
And the last of the batts to be spun….
I’m looking forward to Whistler this weekend as rest and relaxation before the storm of the Filberg Festival. It’s a good storm though.
by carmen | Jul 22, 2009 | Uncategorized
Friday’s Knitting
Evening at the first night of Folk Festival. Fantastic music, great food, a big patch of grass with a comfie blanket and some new hand dyed yarn.
Oh yeah……Alchemy…hand dyed BFL.
Saturday’s knitting locale. In the car all the way to Whistler. Sunshine and car knitting. And a visit to a yarn store in Squamish.
Sunday’s Knitting (and more lessons)
Whistler Farmer’s Market. Another beautiful day in the sunshine. My tan this year due entirely to outdoor knitting.
Monday’s Knitting Destination
Pearl’s Knit and Pearl Group at Birkeland Bros. This is an extremely talented group of knitters. It’s a treat to hang out with them.
Tuesday’s knitting – less exciting. In the livingroom. I am trying to knit 22 pounds of yarn into finished product before Filberg. Eight days and counting.
by carmen | Jul 16, 2009 | Uncategorized
Well there’s lots of wool, and here’s just a teaser, alpaca, silk and some beautiful chunky BFL… There’s also new roving and I’m just finishing up the last batch of tomatoes. I have also almost caught up on my spinning for Filberg. But the most exciting to me at the moment
I have downloaded my first knitting application. Okay, it’s only a row counter, but there is so much more here I can manage without having to take my camera, laptop, Ipod and cellphone to Whistler. Now I have it all in this cute little device I will damage in no time. The three year warranty should give me some piece of mind for that.
And our second festival of the year….Jazz fest was soul saving and I’m expecting the best time from Folk Fest.
Friday night is going to be a challenge with two markets this weekend, but I know it will be worth it.
On a completely different note, I have managed 3 days in a row at the gym before 7am and will continue this when I start riding into the studio again tomorrow. I am optimistic that the weather and my energy will hold up. Stop by and say “hi” at one of the markets this weekend and visit the new stuff in person.
Enjoy your knitting in some great outdoor weather. I have a huge pile of knitting that I am taking to the Folk Festival.
by carmen | Jul 10, 2009 | Uncategorized
Joan whisked me off to Victoria for the day. A surprise day trip, knitting on the ferry and visiting yarn shops in Victoria…..what could be better?
How about a few pics.
Joan taking a picture for tourists on the ferry.
A Koigu Shrine
My New Fleece Artist Stash
Crocheting on the Ferry on the Way Home
New Yarn, new project…I am loving this merino and my Victorian garden colourway.
It seem strange to feel unaccomplished, then look at the blog post and think –Holy Shit, not bad for a day.
We were able to all go this year. John, Pearl, Joan and myself. With this small army behind me, everything was ready to go with minimal fuss. Making life so much more pleasant was an unexpected gem; Forbidden Plateau.
Downtown Comox at night.
