Pasadena Bead Show

The Pasadena Bead and Design Show starts this Thursday, July 26th and runs through Sunday, July 29th.  The Grove's judipatuti will be a vendor and yours truly will be helping her sell her fun and colorful bead mats, thread catchers, and totes.  We had such a good time at the Tuscon Bead Show, we couldn't resist exhibiting at one that was so close by (well, sort of close!).  So if anyone's up for a road trip, come see us!  It's known to be an excellent show and there will be plenty of inspiration. 

When the Pasadena show ends, we'll head over to the L.A. Gift Show with Christmas purchases in mind.  By that time, we'll be pretty "showed out" and happy to return to San Diego.  Megan, our fiber art intern from Arizona State will be covering for me with the help of Melody, Jo, and Julie so even though I won't be at the Grove until August 1st, your knitting needs will still be met at the Grove.

Torrie Rises To The Top!!!

I've met a lot of wonderful people at the Grove and Torrie Dunlap is at the top of the list! She's neighborhood for one thing and felt like family right away to me and David. Everything she creates is beautiful from handmade cards, dinner to go for Joe (who was undergoing radiation treatments) to darling knits for the treasured loved ones in her life. Thursday we attended a party for her at Wine Steals in Liberty Station (very cool place, BTW) in honor of her being named the CEO of Kids Included Together (KIT).  There was so much joy that evening, it felt like a wedding!  Torrie, who has spoken several times at the Pentagon about KIT, gave a brief but rousing speech saying she believed KIT could change the world.  If Torrie says so, I believe it!  CONGRATULATIONS, Torrie!

P.S.  Check out KIT's website and the fundraiser they're having on August 18 where you can repel 33 stories down the face of the Manchester Grand Hyatt, the tallest waterfront hotel in downtown San Diego.  Torrie's mom and her uncle are doing it together representing the over 60 participants! 

Ribbonwork Gardens

Ribbonwork Gardens by Christen Brown is a masterpiece publication that will inspire even the least crafty folks to try their hand at making their own ribbon garden.  The beauty of her book comes as no surprise since Christen's work has always been breathtaking.  The photographs in the book do her work justice.  You feel as if you could just reach out and pick one of her flowers.  Her directions are clear and easy to read.  This would make a great project book for craft groups to use!

We were so pleased to have Christen do a book signing at the Grove yesterday where she demonstrated her craft to the delight of the crowd.  Signed copies of her book are now available at the Grove.  And we have a beautiful selection of double satin ribbons that are perfect for growing her beautiful flowers so do stop by and take a look!
  

Drinking Gloves!

What an incredible idea!!! Cosmo gloves, or in my case, Grey Goose gloves!  I'm going to modify this pattern a titch by excluding the finger holes (only thumb hole), ditching the bow, and not doing the fan wrist thing.  Okay, so that means the only thing I am actually going to use is the martini glass detail!  My girls and I do happy hour at C-Level once a month to celebrate our 6-month birthdays (since celebrating only one birthday a year isn't enough).  Our next date is July 23rd which gives me plenty of time to design my own pair.  If they come out good, then I'll be making three other pairs.  We all like wearing the same knitted pieces in different colors...like our Mrs. Beaton's and our kiri shawls, etc.  I know.  We have no pride, right?

Cease & Desist Letter to Ravelympics

Really?  Check out this NPR blog post!
http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2012/06/21/155508908/after-knitters-get-in-a-twist-usoc-apologizes-for-cease-and-desist-letter

My New Puppy

Recently, I've made the harsh realization that Scout is really David's dog.  They sit together, sleep together, drive together, eat together.  It's kind of sick.  But maybe I'm just jealous.  I really want a dog of my own that is shop friendly, non-aggressive, non-territorial.  A dog I can take anywhere.  I want that little heart beat in the palm of my hand.  Yes, I'm talking small.  Not tiny, but small.  Portable.  Since Scout is aggressive with other dogs especially around food, I know it's not possible to get my own pup.  This was probably in the back of my mind yesterday when I saw this darling puppy on Ravelry as I sipped my morning coffee.  Hmmm.  I think I have Skinny Dyed in beige right there in my stash.  Ah-ha!  I do!  I can probably whip this little guy out in no time and so went my Sunday.  It took 2 hours to knit, and at least an hour to sew, stuff, and embroider.  The pattern is clear and easy to follow.  It's done flat which I find much easier than knitting tiny in the round.  And this little guy will be on the July calendar.  So you can knit one too.  Maybe we'll have a Grove litter!

Knitty First Fall 2012 Issue Is Out!

What a nice surprise!  This morning on Ravelry I noticed First Fall Knitty patterns.  It's out!  I'm loving these fingerless gloves, for one thing.

The TNNA, The National Needlewords Association, is the big show for us retailers where we buy a lot of our yarn.  The June 23 one features the new Fall 2012 line of yarns and shortly before the show, we receive a lot of promo about what's going to be offered.  That includes new patterns also to entice buyers to seek out the designers/yarn manufacturers at the show.  Unfortunately, the Fall show is in Columbus, Ohio so it's cost prohibitive for us to attend.  But we will be at the January Spring/Summer 2013 show in January.  They have changed the venue from Phoenix (last year's) back to Long Beach and we're pleased they've done that!  As are many others as I understand it. 

We'll keep you posted as the new Fall yarns are introduced.