BYE BIG SUR

I just got a refund from Lace in the Woods. It is now officially canceled and there goes my chance to stay in Big Sur and have a lovely week of knitting lace in June. After the glories of Madrona I shouldn't be so disappointed, but yet I am.

MADRONA WINTER FIBER RETREAT

My need to sit on the aisle on the plane kept me from getting the lovely mountain shots coming into Seattle so you will need to check out Janel's blog to see those.

It was an amazing four days of being surrounded by wonderful creative people. There was so much talent in the Murano Hotel that the glow of all of that must have seen from outer space. Check the NASA photos for a bright dot in the Pacific Northwest.

I had classes all day everyday and while it was demanding, it was also an exhilarating experience. The first two days were spent spinning energized singles with Kathryn Alexander and then knitting them up to see what happened when you knit with either "S" spun or "Z" spun yarn. On Saturday I had two three hour sessions with her as well, one of knitting doodads, very fun, and another on entrelac. She wore the skirt in the photo one day and it is really lovely on.

Sunday was an all day class on intarsia with Lucy Neatby. I think that I may now be ready to tackle something more than a lamb on a baby sweater. (The gorgeous sweater in the photo next to Lucy was worn by a fellow Ravelry knitter)

The marketplace had wonderful treasures and I managed to come home with enough Kathryn Alexander dyed singles for a project. (It's peanut butter sandwiches for me for the rest of the month.

Janel and Una were gracious roommates and my inflatable mattress very comfy. But I must admit to being very tired and in need of major rest--unfortunately the day job is getting in the way of that.

FAR BEHIND BUT FORAGING AHEAD ANYWAY

No new FO's for the year since the last post but lots on the needles to report.

Discovered a yarn vendor just up the street who has good prices on cashmere yarn. I purchased some lovely teal two-ply last month and have finally started the Starlight Shawl. The yarn is soft and luscious and the pattern within reason. I hope to persevere and have this finished by June for Lace in the Woods since the designer is one of the scheduled teachers.

The second item on the needles in a shrug from Garter Belt Knitting that like the cashmere was a Ravelry discovery. This is being knit up in some handspun, my first attempt with CrossPatch and maybe the first spun totally on my then new Fricke wheel. It has a plain body and some lovely lacy sleeves adapted from a Barbara Walker pattern.

The last project on the needles is one of last summer's STR and is mentioned only to keep me OT with my New Year's resolutions of finishing the UFO's. I have managed to keep the exercise resolution going, only missed three days last month and have stepped it up this month, so hope for the same success with the UFO's.

Finally the best is that it is almost D-day for Madrona. Just one day at work this week and I am a free woman. We arrive early enough in the day before the conference starts that I hope to make it to the glass bridge and the glass museum. Other than that I will be spending my days immersed in fiber. I am beside myself!