Where Hands Create.

We have had another great weekend of Scarves to Throws - and we appreciate the patience as at times it gets a bit crazy.  After busy days, the three of us do reflect that we have met and continue to meet some amazing and wonderful people.

Today a neat couple visited with their Amazon macaw, Calypso.  This gorgeous bird is 16 years old and doesn't look a day over 8!  :-)   We were lucky that Annette found us on Schaefer's website as a stockist - and came in to find some Susan.  Here is a snap of Annette and Calypso!


Speaking of talking birds....  I am now able to say, "Wendy, want some yarn!"  This week we were able to visit with several representatives to see the Fall lines.  Simply said - just wait, we do have some fantastic yarns shipping late summer.  Oh, what fun!  We did order some Alpaca with a Twist, Rowan, Berroco, Prism, buttons, etc.  AND Mom met with the GGH folks to get some Muench yarns...  BUT as that is all Fall - we are still anxiously awaiting the Three Irish Girls which shipped last week, and in two or three weeks we should have the Handmaiden order!!!   Maybe we should just scream "dibs" now!

Lastly as May was touted as "finish it month," we had several more folks share their finished projects with us.  Always fun to have the runway music come on and get the camera out!


Cyndee (another frequent visitor) showed off her gorgeous Noni purse made out of Berroco's Seduce; the purse was to celebrate her 40th anniversary.  The flower on the front is her own creation, and the beads were just the right touch.  Elegant, huh?


As the day closed, I did take a peek outside and saw the best thing - Gabbie trying to stay on the porch despite the heat.  She is a smart kitty to find a bit a shade creatively!

We are still in the midst of our Memorial Day 2009 weekend, and it is always a wonderful time in the Hill Country primarily because of the Kerrville Arts and Crafts Festival.  This is one of our favorites - and there are so many talented and creative folks who come out!  We found beautiful baskets, earrings, yummy cheese, and got to see a lot of familiar faces....  But as Mom and I had left Dad minding the store, we hurried back and just in time as the rain came as soon as we hopped in the car. 

Upon our return, we had some familiar faces at the shop too with a visit from Juanita, Brenda, Teri, and Patty!  In addition to a great visit - the group shared their finished projects since their last visit at the end of March. 



Now we open Sunday morning, and it is destined to be a gorgeous day.  The Rose of Sharon outside of the window is just beautiful in full bloom, the flags are waving, and the sun is high!  Don't you love this picture of the view from the side window?  This is an awesome view as you knit at the table.

Over the next several months, I will be sharing a number of small projects that are great gifts - and just right to stock up for the busy birthday and holiday seasons that will be here before we know it.   Not to mention small projects are just right when you are on the go in the summer, and they are easily carried with you down to the pool or just as you sit in the shade with a big glass of iced tea.

The first of these little projects is actually a kerchief (free) pattern that ran in Martha Stewart "Living".  Little kerchiefs like these when made in cottons or cotton-blends are just perfect for a topper to a t-shirt.  I got one done for Mom for Mother's Day, and she loves it.  The fun thing is that it can take just a skein - you just have to be a bit flexible on how wide you make it.   The scarf has a small ribbed pocket that is probably the only tough part on the scarf - and it allows the scarf to be slipped through for keeping in place.

I made the one for Mom out of Prism's new yarn - Domino.  To use just one skein of Domino, I would only increase in the pattern to 20 stitches versus 24.

Of course, the hyperlink "thing" is giving me fits this morning - so I will copy the full URL here for the free pattern:  http://www.marthastewart.com/portal/site/mslo/menuitem.79fd7096c5c97ad593598e10d373a0a0/?vgnextoid=d850014b4b62e110VgnVCM1000003d370a0aRCRD&vgnextfmt=default&rsc=related

Happy (Small Project) Knitting!

PS  Watch for a few more fun items - I have found an awesome tie for Dad's for Father's Day.....

Happy Mother's Day!  Yes, tomorrow is the day that we celebrate all moms, and I do hope this is a day filled with love and hugs for everyone.  For us, we will be open - primarily so that mom and I can be together.  The store has really afforded us time to come together each week around something we are both passionate about.  If you haven't guessed, I do adore and admire my mom with my full being.  She is awesome!  Plus she is a pretty snazzy purchaser and finder of great stuff.....  More on this in our May newsletter.  (That is an overt teaser to watch your emails!)

We are also blessed to have a number of great mom/daughter teams that come to the shop.  Friday Patricia and her daughter, Patty, joined us to stock back up on crocheting and needlepoint supplies.  How awesome that they brought in some finished product for us to see - can we say 'wow'?!  This team is amazing - they come armed with great patterns and between the duo they pick amazing yarn/color combinations.  Truly works of art.

One of my previous blogs mentions kittens and Mom's rescue.  Here are the first posted pictures of the mama cat.  Welcome to Gabby!  She is our outdoor kitty (joint custody with our neighbors on all sides).  She is quite the love.  One of her favorite spots is on our front porch - and she is quite a chatty cat.   If you come to the shop, please look for her and definitely give her a bit pat and a good bit of love. 


Okay - for the main part of today's blog.... I am mighty inspired by several customers to finish off a few projects in May.  What do you think - doesn't that sound like an awesome idea for all of us?!  Well, I may have to still cast on a few items as we do keep getting new goodies in (this week was Claudia Handpaints), but I do think there are a few projects that could be polished off in good time.  

Here are a few of the wonderful ladies who have inspired this hope along with their projects:




I will focus on finishing off my two blocks for this month's Great American Afghan before I sleep tonight.  Then I need to get cooking on Mom's Mother's Day sweater and giftie...  If I am going to make her work on "her" day, then I better have good gifts (and a big old hug) on Sunday morning!  :-)   Speaking of Mom - here is a snap of her and Laurel from last Sunday.