Looking for Inspiration

I’m looking for a new project to take on. Work has been so crazy and stressful lately that I have not been able to think straight. So what are you working on these days? Give me some information on your latest projects and links to relevant pages if you know any. Inspiration from anywhere would be great. I hope you all are using your crafts to keep the stress down.

The Skirt From Way Back When

I finally got that skirt to my sister that I made in the sewing class I took at Lavender Lime and it fit her very well. I’m very proud of the fit.

Welcome to the World Class of 2009

Congratulations to all of the new high school graduates that have joined the ranks of us adults. I am so thrilled for all of you, but I am also fearful. You are not exactly coming out at a great time, but I’m hoping that you will make the best of it. Among them is my niece, Brittany, who is looking for her first job this summer before heading to college in the fall. I am a very proud aunt and look forward to seeing the adult that she grows into, for it really is a growing process.

Clapotis

I was hoping to finish this before I came to Charlotte for training but I just couldn’t get it done. I’m decreasing to the finish but it’s just too much to try to get done in such a short time. I tried hard though, knitting till my fingers were swollen. I’m very much excited about it and I’m trying not to slow down in completing it. So I will continue to work on it as I’m hanging out in the hotel this week.

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I’m knitting it with Southwest Trading Company’s Vickie Howell Love.

Catching Up-Southern Writers

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Back in April, I attended the AEC Conference on Southern Literature here in Chattanooga. It’s held every two years, with the Writer’s Conference held in the alternating years. I attended the Writer’s Conference last year for the first time and for the first time, this year, I attended the Conference on Southern Literature. I absolutely loved it. I am a big reader, have been since I was young using mail order programs to cement my habit.

Being able to sit back and listen to the writer’s talk about the background behind their works and to read from their works makes a big difference in the types of books you would read. I bought seven books during the conference, some of which I would have walked by in the bookstore. Each of these took on a life for me when hearing the writers. I can’t wait to read them all.

I started with All Aunt Hagar’s Children by Edward P. Jones. It’s a collection of short stories that draw you in and captivate. I think the very southern Elizabeth Spencer will be next. She spoke and all of a sudden I felt like I was back in Mississippi sitting at the feet of some of the women in my family, hearing them comment of life like only a southern woman could.

Check out some of these writers.

Top to bottom, the books I purchased:

Richard Bausch Someone to Watch Over Me
Edward P. Jones All Aunt Hagar’s Children
Elizabeth Spencer Landscapes of the Heart
Elizabeth Spencer The Voice at the Back Door
Jim Grimsley My Drowning
Rita Dove Selected Poems
Rita Dove Sonata Mulattica

Happy Mother's Day

I’m a day late but I hope all you mothers had a great day yesterday. I put together a fiber care package for my mother. She lives in a small city in Mississippi and is stuck with whatever the local Wal-Mart decides to sell. I don’t know if they sell felt-able yarns so I decided that’s what I should get her. I went to my local Michael’s and picked up at least one of each color of Paton’s Classic Wool. There were two colors (white and green) that were on clearance so I picked up three of each of those. I pretty much cleaned them out on this brand of yarn. They have signs posted that say they have a new yarn section coming this spring, but those signs have been up for a while and spring is almost over. I hope they restock soon--not that I need any more yarn.

My mother’s package also includes felted purse patterns from Pipp’s purses. I can’t wait to see what she does with them. I purposely put together one ball of each color to encourage her to stripe her bags. I threw in a couple of needles and a set of notions.

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I was on the phone with her as she opened the box and she was absolutely thrilled. Maybe she’ll have cast on a bag by the time I go to Mississippi next week.

Enjoy all the gifts that you have received, especially the gift of family.

Stiches Recap

Stitches South in Atlanta was great and I had tons and tons of fun. Mandy and I went down for the entire event, beginning to end and I am thrilled we had that time away. I wasn’t able to blog from the event. Hotel connection was a bit too costly. I decided to spent that money on yarn instead.
Photos aren’t allowed on the market floor but I was able to get some great pictures of the knitted flowers that the Atlanta Knitting Guild provided for the conference dinners. Enjoy. More about my new stash additions later.