Life on the Road

Sometimes I feel like I have multiple personalities. The two dominant ones are Knitwit and Flight Attendant.

I've morphed into Flight Attendant until Friday Night. You would think that working at a Yarn Shop, you'd get a lot of knitting time. Quite the contrary! When I'm working (Flight Attendant Me), I get tons of knitting done, I get to read, I get to run and do yoga. When I'm "Off" (Knitwit Me-I don't consider Knitwits a job-too much fun), I rarely get to do any of that. It's like parking in a driveway and driving on a parkway. What's UP with that?

My flights (3) ran late all day yesterday, I was the only one who didn't seem to mind because I got a lot of knitting done. Thank Goodness I Knit! We finally got into Boston last night after 1:00 AM. (Note to self, always check hotel alarm clock before going to bed.) Alarm rang at 5:00 AM, and I was unable to go back to sleep.

I ate a sandwich, slept for another hour, gave up trying to sleep, picked up knitting, messed up pattern, ran 5 miles, did hotel room yoga, had several cups of coffee, did USA Today Crossword puzzle-all before 10:00 AM.

It's now a little after Noon, and I'm exhausted-need to go back to bed! But, its time to start my day as Flight Attendant. Argh!

I don't know why I complain about my "Job" (Flight Attendant Me) so much, because I really get a chance to do all the things I like to do. Perhaps, its because I miss being with you all!

Emilie, Almosters, and Knitting on the Go.

Here's Emilie Hatton in the sweater that her mother, Lisa "Rockstar" Hatton, knit for her. Have you ever seen anything sweeter?

I've finished a few things myself this weekend-well almost finished. My Yukon sock (singular) is just waiting for me to tackle the kitchener stitch, but I'm not convinced that I'm happy with the toe decreases. My mystery baby blanket is on display at the shop. The project was an on-line project where they gave you a series of clues to knit. You had no idea what the finished project was going to look like. I'm a trusting soul-and I'm glad I did it! It's super cute and was fun to do. I have the last clue to finish. It's a pocket for holding toys. The blanket is totally done, ends woven in, seams stitched up. I see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Blogging makes you much more accountable for finishing the projects that you've blabbed about. Thanks readers!

We survived the "I Wanna Buy a Bookshelf" Sale and this weekend's Storewide Sale-today, we begin Fall and Winter '09 buying. It's hard to think about Fall and Winter when its 4000 degrees outside. Classic Elite, Rowan, Mission Falls and many other lines will be seen today-and its going to be a long one. Stay tuned for Fall/Winter forecast.

I know many of you are busy with vacations, visiting, entertaining guests and and activities like kickball, softball, gardening and swimming. Take knitting with you. My projects serve as a little memory scrapbooks. I remember the baby blanket I knit in Italy, the sweater I knit when my flights in Mexico cancelled due to a two-day mechanical problem and the sock I was knitting when my first nephew was born. Fill your knitting with fond memories.

Two more things to remember for today:

1. When life gives you a yarn sale, buy!
2. Sock yarn doesn't count as stash.

Free Entertainment

Here are some great freebie baby patterns from Knitting Daily. Knitting Daily is the Interweave Press daily e-mail. They send a freebie pattern, tip of the day, or knitting inspiration each and every day (just what I need-temptation to start something new).

http://www.knittingdaily.com/blogs/patterns/archive/2009/05/27/baby-patterns-from-knitting-daily-7-free-baby-knitting-patterns.aspx?download=true

Check out the cutie-pie sheep slippers!

Speaking of sheep, check out this YouTube video that TJ found.
Extreme Sheep
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x3qvJgY9XQI

Need to justify your knitting?

Need to justify your knitting habit?
http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=4917058n

Marci Update

I'm on day four of my 4-day trip-running a little low on yarn and enthusiasm. They have turned us flight attendants into vending machines. I'm very anxious to get back to the zip because I love a good sale!

Marci Update:
It is my understanding that Marci has been moved to Drake Rehab. She is awake and aware and has been able to visit with her 5 year old, Colby. She is starting to eat again and is working with her therapists to regain movement. She has a big mountain to climb but lots of supporters and fans.

Off to LGA and then back to the zip. See you sometime aftr lunch. Ciao!

Spring

Inspiration

Inspiration can come from just about anywhere.

I recently visited a customer/friend's home. I knew she had great taste and was multi-talented but her home totally blew me away. She has a great condo with amazing views but it was her artwork displayed everywhere that made her home so much more personalized!

Her mosaics, sculptures, paintings, beaded arrangements, needlepoint, sewing and knitting were incorporated into each and every room. When I left, I wanted to throw away everything I own, move and start over. She has inspired me to think bigger about how knitting fits into my life.

While I am limited to knitting in my artistic endeavors, I would like to incorporate knitted items into my living space. I envision knitted chair cushions (Weekend Knitting-Melanie Falick Pattern), a knitted Noro Log Cabin Wallhanging, and crocheted placemats like Sue's. Would a knitted lampshade be too much?

I needed to remember two things- first, there is a difference between handmade and homemade and second, just because you can doesn't mean you should.

Find your dream project and if you want it bad enough, you can knit it! In the meantime, keep your eyes open for your inspiration. It may be a yarn, a pattern or something you saw in a store or magazine.

You guys inspire me everyday to be a better knitter!