Storm Schtorm! Weekend Weather's Looking Good!

Hi Everybody!
Well for those of you joining us on the Vermont retreat, this is the big week. Probably you're wondering about Hurricane Sandy and her impact on the retreat. Well Sandy ought to have tapered off just in time for us to commence our group knitting. Here's the Seven Day Forecast for Quechee and it looks like we have some sunshine on the way. Sure, it's going to be chilly, but what better weather to inspire wool work than a little brrrr in the air.

For those of you new to our retreats, we are so excited to have you! The most important thing to pack is a relaxed attitude. We are just going to chill and knit and eat and laugh. For those of you trying to decide on a project to bring to work on in the evenings with the group, consider this satellite image as a possible Fair Isle challenge.

See you on Thursday! Can't wait!

Of Chapeaus and Leftover Yarn-- Send Me Yours!

Bon Jour Y'all,
Do you like my chapeau? As you can probably tell-- unless you are willing to suspend your disbelief (which I hope you are)-- this photo wasn't really taken in Paris. It was taken in my office using Mac Photo Booth Effects. Still, tres magnifique, no? I wanted to show off, to full effect, the great beret I knitted up in no time using some yarn I picked up at Halcyon on our way back to Portland. Halcyon has a signature line-- this is their angora (made in Italy by Plymouth Yarn). It took three skeins, and I even had a little leftover. Not enough to make anything, so perhaps I'll use the small remainder ball as an excuse to get a kitten....

So I don't have to tell you folks about the wonders of having a fiber passion. But I do want to tell you about my wonderful friend Ann Woodall. In addition to being a terrific fiber artist, photographer and painter -- check out her work here-- she is also passionate about sharing her love of fiber with others. Every week she volunteers time at the Helping Hand Home in Austin, teaching girls to knit and crochet. Her young charges have been through a lot in their lives, and are at HHH recovering from trauma. I am always on the prowl for yarn for the girls-- I give them as much as I can collect and they go whipping through it.

So if you have a stash that could use some weeding out, will you please send me your spare yarn? I'll pass it along to Ann and the girls and we will all be SO grateful. You can send it to:

Spike Gillespie
PO Box 4843
Austin, TX 78765

Merci y'all (as they say in Paris, Texas),
Spike

Waa! I Want My Island Back!

Lisa made re-entry a little easier by taking those of us in the van to Halcyon in Bath, ME.

Hey Y'all!

I meant to write a catch-up note sooner to see how you were all settling back into reality but then, le sigh, reality caught up with me. Actually, I had so much fun and relaxed so much on the island that when I first got back I was able to carry over that chill-vibe for a few days. Alas, as I was faux-chillin' the work was a-pilin' up behind my back. And now here I am, on a Monday that is feeling very much like a Monday. 

But I'm interrupting my work routine to take this moment to reminisce with y'all. WASN'T IT GREAT ON THE ISLAND?! I'm already counting the days til next year (347 I think). I hope all is well with you and that wherever you are you are knitting up a storm. Here are a few more pics to jog your memory when you are hoping to revisit Monhegan Island in your mind, until we can get there in person again.

Thanks again for making the week so fun. 

Cheers,
Spike

Holden is clinging to me like Velcro. He cannot bear to see me go. 

I got my flowers to throw in the water to guarantee I return. I also got my chocolate chip cayenne scone -- another guarantee I will be back. 

It was a dark and stormy morning.

BFF! 

I like the red ticket better!

Holden toasts our departure. Nothing like a Dos XX at 9 am! Way to go, Holden!

In the van.

View from the front seat of the van.

We stopped at Swans Island. There wer no swans and it's not an island but we still managed to shop, which is the important part.

I see a blanket looming in my future! 

For those of you worried I wouldn't get it done, you can relax-- I finished Ori's Happy Face Hat with Arms on the plane, and greeted him at the airport with it. Tres sophisticated, no?

I also finished my Pi Shawl. I am SO PSYCHED!! Now I have to block the dang thing.