kitty: I can dream

Ahh.... if there was only more time in the world to study all the things I really love and want to learn. I would seriously consider signing up for a tour I just found out about that is being put together by SFS Tours with Yoshiko Iwamoto Wada (Her flickr account)

Information taken directly from The World Shibori Network Website

"2010 MAY : ARIMATSU NAGOYA, JAPAN Arimatsu, Nagoya, Kyoto, Miyama, Kiryu, Tokyo May (21) 22 – June 7, 2010 Proposed Itinerary & price - Sign-up Details: Arimatsu for 7 days; Kiryu for 2 day; Tokyo 4 days; Kyoto 2 days; picturesque rural village with a natural indigo dyer. The first weekend in June is the annual Shibori Fest along the old Tokaido, located in the traditional shibori center of Arimatsu. The Shibori Fest, the area’s most important festival of the year, draws people from all over the country who travel just to attend this lively celebration. The town and its leaders are delighted to invite the SFS group into their community during this bustling, exciting time of year. SFS is encouraged to get involved with & up close to the local traditions, celebrations, and preparations: sit in on music rehearsals, help decorate floats, observe food preparations, etc. Among the tour highlights: a shibori workshop designed for SFS members to learn from and exchange creatively with local master artisans; an opportunity to exhibit your experimental creative works at the Shibori Fest; learning from an acclaimed master dyer of natural indigo; absorbing the natural beauty of a unique, thatched-roof village (a designated National Treasure preservation area); experiencing traditional ryokan (inn) and Japanese onsen (baths). WSN web members given priority registration and discount. Limited capacity. Interested? Email: yoshiko [at] yoshikowada.com, subject “SFS Tour: ARIMATSU” "

I can only dream... sounds amazing.... At least I can pass it on to spread the awareness if you are able to go...

kitty: fireplace retreats

We have broken the record here in Columbus for continuous snowy days, 17 days and counting. I also think that the grumpiness meter is also growing with just about everyone I am talking with on a daily basis. Prime example of people not dealing with cold, gray, snowy days. So I have been trying to take small retreats in front of the fireplace. Lots of cream tea and even some home made cookies to cheer me up. I haven't really been able to knit much since I injured my hand in London. Last night I tried to knit a little on Mia's very late Christmas gift. She already knows about it, but here is a little sneak peak. It will be a well traveled shawl.

kitty: cool site

Wow... I was surfing around and came across a blog where the artist created these amazing handmade food based crayons. I am just in total and complete amazement so I had to post about it. How fun would it be to have a dinner party where the first course was rice paper and crayons that you could either write on the paper or just munch down on the crayon. For me it is always a bonus if you can play with your food before you eat it. Or on a more practicle level for parents you would no longer worry about your kids eating wax. http://luxirare.com/crayon/ The site is just breath taking. Image taken from a screen capture from Luxirare.com... http://luxirare.com/crayon/

kitty: Haapsalu Shawl - Haapsalu Sall

Pre-Order Knit & Purl	Estonian Version Publisher - Saara kirjastus(Saarakiri OÜ)
Annotation: A glorious, coffee-table size book of knitted lace, Estonia and a binding love between the two. Not a simple pattern book, and certainly not a project book, but a time capsule into a far off world where the soul of a people is captured in the hands that guide the needles to create the indigenous patterns of a rich heritage. The photography capturing this world is rich and the drawings and charts make the techniques and patterns close to a hands-on learning experience.	Per the publisher site: "Ordering books in english 22.07.2009 We are glad to pronounce that now you can buy our lovely book of “Haapsalu sall” by Siiri Reimann and Aime Edasi. To order a book, drop an email to our manager of international sales (tiina@saara.ee) with your exact wishes. " I am itching for there other books - Click Here
If you are in love with lace knitting, it isn't to late to pre-order a copy of Haapsalu Shawl's from Knit & Purl. There are some rumors that there will only be 300 copies of the book printed in English. This is a translation from the original version which was written in Estonian and is out of print. My Copy came on Monday and I haven't stopped reading it and looking through the photos. I have even used one of the patterns in another textured shawl recipe shawl I am making for a christmas gift that I am really late on. Review: Unlike Nancy Bush book on Knitted Lace of Estonia: techniques, Patterns and Traditions, that was published in 2008, this is not a project book per say. It is a stitch dictionary of traditional designs with some very basic instructions on how the patterns were used in a few historical designs. The book is laid out with a brief history of the town and the knitters. There is a collection of reproduced historical photographs of the knitters of the area past and present. The next section is an outline of the techniques that will be needed to accomplish the art. There are wonderful drawings, photographs and the keys to the charts. It even clearly shows you how to build a lace frame and how to stretch your project. The stitch Library (More than 100 Lace Patterns) is then divided by themes. Variations of Lily of the valley motif, leaves/twigs, money, and large motifs that are shown in shawls. There is a mix of nupps, cables, crossed stitches, and patterned holes. Then there is an extensive section on lace edgings. The charts and images are very clear and easy to follow. ...... I have pretty much been in love with Estonian Lace for awhile and I have posted several post about the cast on and structure in previous post. ( Thoughts on Square Shawl - Estonian Lace ) I really hope I have the honor to take one of Nancy Bush's classes on the subject some day. But until then, I will treasure this english stitch dictionary for my records. The books is absolutely beautiful and though the price is high for the book I feel it is more than worth the price.
More Info / Pictures: Estońskie Szale - Estonian Lace Haapsula Museum - Läänemaa Muuseumi Gjabouri's Blog - Haapsalu Sall Book Aeti askeldused - Minu Haapsalu salid Purchase other Books and booklets - hobipunkt (have not ordered before) Włóczkomania - Diagrams of Estonian Lace - Greta Garbo Shawl Forum for Haapsalu Shawl - Click Here fotoforum.gazeta - Click Here or Click Here drutki szydełko i robótki - Click Here
New Estonian Book in JP
	Estonian Lace! Seto Lace & Haapsalu Lace エストニアで習ったレース—マフラー、リストウォーマー、ポーチetc. (大型本) by 林 ことみ Amazon jp My Copy just arrived, but I haven't had time to study it or read it.

kitty: 2010 a new decade begins & 2009 draws to an end

After looking at the collection of FO's for this past year I kind of feel like a slacker. My List of FO's is pretty short sadly. I am really not sure how 2009 just flew past me. So many projects were planned, but sadly they are still on paper and this is all that came to light. I am on a complete yarn and fiber diet until I clean out 2 of the bins from the closet. So I had better get busy. Time is a wasting. The Goal for me this year to come is to fill this blog with lots of new FO's and more informative post for the blog. I also just wanted to say Thank You to all the friends who are still reading this blog. This year has been a pretty rough year here at Knitbuddies. We have shared a lot of happy memories together and sad ones as well. It has been really hard continuing to post since MG left. Somehow it is a lot harder with out her here. I still just really miss her sweet post and creative projects. I have big plans for making 2010 so lets up it will be a great year. Thanks again for everything and Happy New Years.

Kitty: Happy New Years

2010

Wishing you all a Happy New Years. May the year to come fulfill all your dreams and wishes.