New Beginnings!

Dawn 2.23.14

Early morning is my favorite time of the day … every day a new beginning!  DillyDallydom has been packed with new beginnings this week!

Brother and Girlfriend DillyDally have lived in Seattle since their college graduation two years ago.  On Friday (2.21.14) they arrived here in Cordova with 11 pieces of baggage!  Yep … Brother has moved back and Girlfriend is going to live here in our remote corner of the planet too!

Girlfriend also celebrated her birthday … she is beginning her 24th year by becoming an Alaskan.  Moving to Alaska doesn't make one an Alaskan … so how did she become one so quickly?  ;-)  Her boyfriend gave her a bear gun and a new reel for her fishing pole as birthday gifts …  and she was thrilled!  That was when I knew … she had begun her life as an Alaska girl!  

 Many beginnings for them … new careers … new lifestyle … hunting for a new apartment … new adventures!  It is such fun to watch them navigate the many changes in their lives … beginnings are a blessing!

Do what you love.  Embrace beginnings!  Do dillydally!

Mrs. DillyDally

Fun at Madrona's Market!

It is an addiction … and I was surrounded by 700+ Fiber Junkies!  Yep … my response to such peer pressure was to join in!

The Danger Happy Zone!  Our drug of choice?  Yarn and fiber, of course!

 I walked in the door … and saw this rack of Irish sweaters … well, let's just say that my jaw hit the floor!  Yep … I fondled every single one!  It was the booth of Black Water Abbey Yarns!

There were more gorgeous sweaters on the wall!  I want to make them all!  I want to wear each and every one of them.

I was overwhelmed and just couldn't commit to a sweater … but these scarves were calling my name!  They were lovely … in every way!

Black Water Abbey Yarns specializes in authentic yarn from Ireland!  They only have an online store and attend markets like this … I wish there were a way for you to touch this lace weight yarn.  Yep … heavenly!

They also carry Beth Brown-Reinsel's patterns and DVD's!  I had to get Beth's new DVD … it covers all the techniques I learned from her!

 I am very traditional in my knitting … I prefer traditional designs … usually! ;-) But I found myself drawn to a booth filled with contemporary yarns and patterns!  Who knew?  Such fun!  I fell in love with this faux fur jacket!  Nearly bought a kit … such temptation!

This cardigan is knit with 3 strands of lace weight yarn in two different color ways … giving it that gradating color.  I thought that it was interesting … and then I saw kits made in colors different from the sample!

I fell in love … head over heels!  Yep … had to get the kit!  My favorite is the yarn on the left.  It is called Lipstick!  I know … so out of character for me … and that is always a good thing!

Girlfriend DillyDally joined me on Sunday … she picked out this faux fur … the cowl will look beautiful on her!  Great Yarns is a yarn store located in Everett, Washington … it was exciting to see the contemporary yarn and patterns!  So much fun!

Complete and total cuteness!  It doesn't get much more adorable than these four children's garments!  Sorry, I don't recall the name of the booth, but it was filled with many bright and cheerful samples!

Yep … I bought all four patterns!  My local yarn shop, The Net Loft is filled with yarn that will make these even more adorable!

This sweet woman, Kerry, of Jorstad Creek, sat next to me during my class with Mary Jane Mucklestone.  In conversation, I found out that she was from Oregon and had a booth here at Madrona!  She uses the wool harvested by local farmers in her area … oh, how I love those who support small independent farmers!

Wool grown in her community … a beautiful plum color created by Kerry's hands … a lovely pattern created by her friend, Kaia Petersen  … I completely love everything about this small business!  I look forward to knitting this Reversible Leaf Lace Infinity Scarf!

I cannot wait to give this pattern a try!  Her samples of this Beaded Cuff pattern were such fun!  Kerry shared with me the technique that designer Jann Hoppler developed so that you don't need to string the beads on the yarn in advance!  When I saw these in her booth, I immediately thought of my senior high Hogwart's Knit n' Lit group!  I think they will really like them!

I enjoyed the market … it is fun to see such diversity and color all in one place!  There were times when the market was packed and it was impossible to see or touch!  I quickly learned when it was most likely to be quiet and would visit often.  Most times … I just went to soak in all the creativity and goodness.

Do what you love.  Do dillydally!

Mrs. DillyDally   

Madrona Fiber Festival - Day 3

 For my third day at the Madrona Fiber Festival, I chose to take things in a different direction.  After two days of color pattern knitting, I registered for a class taught by Fabric Artist, Anita Luvera Mayer!  I really didn't know what to expect as she doesn't have a website, but after reading her description on the Madrona website  ...I knew wanted to spend the day with this woman!  The supply list was unusual … adding to the fun and adventure!

When I walked into the classroom … I knew that I had made the right decision!  My little "point n' click" camera cannot begin to capture the splendor and beauty of these garments.

Anita refers to this display as … "One Vest - Many Verses"  Each one IS a work of art!

Along with the vests, she had other garments on display.  Her unusual construction, embroidery and embellishment techniques are "off the charts"!

We began with body shape and garment fitting!  I really appreciate how Anita had the class organized!  Aside from her inspiring garments we received a nice mix of informational handouts, samples we created, and sources for supplies that are difficult to find!

She shared several of her garment patterns … we were welcome to trace them!  Such generosity!

We learned how to make our own braid and trim …

… and then how to apply it to fabric!

I loved learning how to cover plastic rings …

… apply them to fabric … and add beading!

Adding beads to trim …

… the possibilities are endless!  I wish I had taken more pictures, but I was so busy learning that I forgot!  Now … that is the sign of a great class … when you are a learner first and forget to be a blogger!

If you goggle Anita Luvera Mayer … you will find a youtube video and articles of her and her talent.  All day I found myself dreaming of ways I can use the techniques she taught in clothing, quilts and knitting!  Gosh … I am so thrilled that I signed up for this class!

Do what you love.  Do dillydally!

Mrs. DillyDally

Day 2 - Madrona Winter Retreat

My second day at the Madrona Fiber Arts Winter Retreat was all about color pattern knitting!  My favorite!

The instructor today was Mary Jane Mucklestone!  I was thrilled to have the opportunity to be in one of her classes!

 Just look at all her knitting samples I got to drool over touch!  So inspiring!

We spent most of the morning learning about and creating charts!  Such fun to see what everyone came up with!

By lunch break we had begun knitting those charts!  Such fun!

During the afternoon session we explored how gauge and color affect the design!  Wonderful information!

At the end of the afternoon, we all shared our projects!

Each woman in the class shared personal thoughts on their design and color choices … Mary Jane provided useful insight on each one.  It was such an informative and useful exercise! Priceless!

It is wonderful to be here … I've learned new techniques … received affirmations … and rubbed elbows with the "Rock Stars" of knitting!  The best news … I have two days left!  What a grand adventure!

Do what you love.  Happy Valentine's Day!  Do dillydally!

Mrs. DillyDally

Knitting Excitement!

Above the clouds … a gorgeous sunset.  Below the clouds … white out conditions!  Back in November, at the gentle nudging of my good friend and local yarn shop owner, I registered for the Madrona Fiber Arts Winter Retreat!  When I made my hotel and flight reservations I thought perhaps I should go a day early, just in case the weather didn't cooperate …well, I didn't and guess what ... yep, Mother Nature had a temper tantrum.  Conditions were so bad that the flight I was scheduled for over headed.  I was heart sick … on a hope and a prayer I was booked for the flight that came through town late in the afternoon!  The second flight was forced to go into a holding pattern over Cordova but eventually was able to land!

I was so relieved to be on my way to Seattle …

… I knit the entire 4+ hour flight … making great progress on my linen table runner!  It was 12:45 am by the time I got to my hotel room in Tacoma.  I jumped into bed … excited to begin the conference in just a few short hours!

I was up early and packed for my first full-day class!  Did I mention that I was excited?

A beautiful morning in Tacoma.  My hotel is just a few blocks from the conference … a brisk walk was the perfect way to begin the day!

Classes with "Knitting Rock Stars" and a Yarn and Fiber Market … heaven!

My class today was Saami Mittens with Beth Brown-Reinsel!

Many of us in Cordova are familiar with her book, Knitting Ganseys.  Plus … most of you, dear readers, probably already know that I am a "mitten maniac"!  So I was thrilled to be able to take a mitten class from Beth!  Just in case you hadn't noticed, I am very excited!

OMGosh Good Golly!  I learned so much today!  I'll share a few … braided cast-on!

Multiple color stranding techniques … honestly, too many to count!  So informative, and yep … I'm exploring each and everyone of them!

Beth solved the mysteries of yarn dominance …

… what a difference it makes in the results in our color strand knitting!

Midday … making good progress!

We learned a couple of traditional Saami finger weaving techniques … such fun!

Several of us shared our progress in a group photo!  Love all the different color combinations … each and everyone beautiful!

I can't say enough good things about Beth, her talent, and teaching style.  She is such a warm and engaging person.  She was very approachable … making everyone feel comfortable.  A wealth of talent and experience that she willingly shares … it is easy to understand why she has Rock Star status!  What a wonderful dillydally day!

Yep … I am packed and ready for tomorrow's class!  I can't wait!  I am so excited!  ;-)

Do what you love.  Do dillydally with Rock Stars!  

Mrs. DillyDally