Morning Class at KC and Quilting Show

I am SO glad that I’ve been able to record thoughts and things as I go through this, rather than after. Today was long despite only having one class in the morning. I’ll start with that and work my way through the rest of the day.

Got to my 9 am “Changing Numbers” class taught by Maureen Mason Jamieson. The class was all about taking a pattern, adjusting the size up or down, shorter or longer in parts, or a different gauge/weight of yarn (bigger or smaller). I somehow thought this was a ton more difficult then it actually is. I think it’s just because I felt overwhelmed by it. I have an idea of a “practice” thing that I’d like to do, but not 100% sure on it yet. The class was great and I learned a lot of things I didn’t know. I feel pretty confident about changing patterns now. I think the next thing that I’d like to do is take a designing class. I’m hoping to be coming next year and I think by then I’ll be much more ready for something like that. I’d like to have some time to play with adjustments on existing patterns first.

I had lunch at the North Market which was REALLY good (must remember to come up with Nick sometime because I’d love to explore it with him). After that, I went to the Knitter’s Market and spent some money. I may have spent a little more than I should have, but I splurged because this is the last time I will be buying yarn for quite a while, I think, so I figured I’d make it good. I got some really great things! I won’t reveal all now (I know, what a tease I am!), but I’ll do it tomorrow when I get home so I can say some really lovely things about the shops and my purchases. I’ll show a bit of the market. I didn’t get very many good photos today, but I’m hoping I can tomorrow. I get a little shy about taking photos because I don’t want anyone getting mad at me, though I sort of doubt they would. Anyhow, photos:

After the market, I went to the Quilter’s Show that right down the hall from where Knitter’s Connection is being held. It cost to get in, but it was well worth it. There were some AMAZING quilts. Seriously. If anyone would like to see some photos I took, let me know and I will post them! Again, I am wanting to try my hand at it. I managed to find a lovely quilting kit that doesn’t seem to difficult and seems much more manageable than my last attempt (with all those horribly small blocks!). If I can’t get it this time around, I found a fabric/yarn shop (great combination, don’t you think?) that has quilting classes and I will sign up and learn. Here is the kit I got:

I don’t know if you can see it well in the photo, but it’s a few blocks that make a table runner. It’s great spring/summer colors and I think it will come out nicely. I picked up these two magazines with some of the winning quilts that you couldn’t photograph. The one in white was the big prize winner. I saw it up close and it was amazing. The detail was incredible. My gosh I just can’t put it into words!

At the show there was a special section: Alzheimer’s Art Quilt Initiative (Alzheimer’s: Forgetting Piece by Piece). I didn’t get to see all of them, but the ones I did see… well frankly I broke down and cried. One in particular that just struck me so hard and even when I was telling Nick about it and as I think about it again now, I get all choked up and ready to cry. If you get a chance, go see these. They are… incredible. There just aren’t words. I would really love to get the book that shows all of them.

After that, I went to my hotel room for a bit to rest up for the Author’s Reception at 7 pm. I made it there and chatted a bit with some folks, had some pretty darn good food, and added some books to my list of “wants.” I didn’t stay the whole time because I was pretty dead tired. I headed out early and back to my hotel. Got a bit of a second wind and decided to put this post together before it all fell out of my memory.

Tomorrow, I will be learning spinning. I’m thrilled that I will finally learn how to spin after a year of having a drop spindle and fiber sitting in my stash. I’m aware I’m only feeing the fiber addiction further, but I’ve been wanting to learn for quite a while, so I’m ready.

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Yesterday I finished my Monkey Socks. Took me a while, but they are DONE!

Pattern: Monkey Socks
Started: April 20, 2007
Finished: June 7, 2007
Yarn: Regia Bamboo Color
Needle size US 1 (2.5 mm) bamboo DPN’s

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Well, I’m going to bed because I’m pretty tired. I have a class tomorrow and then I’m headed home. Take care and I’ll be posting again tomorrow!