(edited to add pictures)

I can not begin to describe the welcome that I have gotten here in Winston-Salem.

Last night, I arrived (slightly tired) to Knit Picky. I was greeted by Laura and promptly started to eye up the shop.

My word! I can not tell you how amazing this shop is! The shop is housed in a quaint one story cape cod style home with a screened in porch and a back yard. Hardwood floors, a huge (and very comfortable) red couch, a kitchen.. and a living room full of yarn. I threatened to move in and sat on the couch for quite some time.

In came Jo, the heart (and owner) of the shop. She is the sweetest, most loving person that I have met. (don’t get me started about how much I adore her husband). Jo’s mom and Susan (who resembles a very close family friend) came in with a big “hey y’all!” and I knew I was in a really special place.

Niki, my friend from SeaSocks ‘07 and introduction to the wonderful world of Knit Picky, met Jo, Laura, and for dinner in downtown Winston-Salem. Niki was seated with Kim, who also works at Knit Picky. Niki presented me with the most beautiful pair of hand knit socks!

I could not have been more tickled and grateful! They were my colors, garter stitch toes and heels, perfectly knitted and could not have fit me better. Thanks Nik!
Now, the restaurant we went to, 6th and Vine, was a great little place. It was my type of place. Great food, better wines, and good friends, old and new. After a night of “getting to know you”… I turned in to be ready for the next day.

I taught a full day of classes and headed back to the hotel to get in my PJ’s. Not to stay in my hotel. I left to go party with the girls at Knit Picky. That’s right. Jo arranged a party for me to get to know the local knitters.

Sidebar for a second. I feel, that it is very clear that I am a northern girl. The party started at 7pm. I left my room at 6:55 (PRIME GOING OUT ON THE TOWN HOUR) and got on the elevator with a group of appropriately dressed folks headed out for a night on the town. I was in my pajamas with the French poodles and Eiffel towers on them. I said “hey” to the folks on the elevator (pretending to be as fully dressed as they were) and acted like everyone wore pink pajama bottoms with poodles on them and Eiffel towers. Let me tell you, I rocked those pajamas as much as my flight attendant, Jonathan, rocked his safety demo.

I arrive at the PJ party to be greeted by the most amazing foods, wine, and two massage therapists that were giving seated massages. OMG! If you are ever on a business trip… get a massage. How amazing. We settled in for the night and chatted and knit and I really felt so welcome. I mean, I really felt like I got to know something about everyone. And everyone was ever so polite while I talked incessantly about the cowboy and D (I do miss them terribly!)

If you are ever here in Winston-Salem, you NEED TO GO TO KNIT PICKY. They were clients on Thursday and they have become friends this weekend. Thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. I have gained much, much more than I have given this weekend. And for that southern comfort, I am ever grateful!

and yes Ms. Louise … I shook a tail feather on the bed this evening!

Airline blogging at its best today. I am on the plane en route to Charlotte, NC, with a final destination of Winston-Salem and KNITPICKY. I was very tempted to upgrade my seat to business class, but opted not to. What is one hour and 20 minutes between strangers smashed together in a tri-fecta of seats? (For the record, I had the middle seat. Who would not want to sit on either side of me and have access to my knitting prowess and sparkling personality?)

I boarded the plane. Ahh… first one in the seats. Everyone is boarding. No one coming to aisle 25. Huh, that’s odd. I showered and put on lightly scented lotion today, dammit. I smiled and seemed friendly (cannot mess with my karma at the beginning of a trip where I am going solo. No sir-ee, bob.)

To my great surprise and delight, I got all 3 seats to myself! I set up this mini knitting/ mobile office and, in the words of the very wise and immortal Tow-Mater, “I’m GOOD!”

Now, when you have an entire isle free (no one is in seats 25 a – e. I am alone in f) you can do all manner of crazy stuff. No one is really paying attention to you other than the flight attendant. My flight attendant is Jonathan. He really rocked that safety demo.

I was tempted to strip down nekkid and jump on the seats as per Jody’s idea of a good time alone in a hotel. But, I thought that the restraints from the TSA may chaff my delicateness if I was nekkid. But, Jody Jodster, I did think about it.

I started knitting on my sock with some shiny Innox DPN’s and decided to try it on. Jonathan was quite puzzled by the almost intensively surgical look of the sock and the DPN’s sticking out all over the place. Maybe it was the fact I was taking pictures of it? Maybe it was my foot (again… the shower, the lotion, AND the pedicure should rule that one out)? I am willing to bet $100.00 it was the knitting/sock wearing surgically scary looking picture taking that threw him.

About Jonathan, he has STYLE. I would dare say fierce. He was VERY animated in his safety demo and beverage distribution. I would give him a score of 10 for execution and beverage distribution, and a 12 for artistic merit. I think I will tell him that (when I leave the plane)

On to adventures in rental car pickups and hotel check-ins. Winston-Salem here I come!

I am sitting in my studio… looking out a beautifully sunny window. Tagging yarn, listening to Dave Matthews Band, and aching for Spring.

I am feverishly preparing for my classes in Winston-Salem, NC. I am so excited to get on the plane and travel somewhere new. I also have a secret… promise not to tell? I have never slept in a hotel room by myself. I am giddy beyond belief.

I have other secrets this fine Wednesday afternoon. I am working in partnership with some friends of the fiber persuasion to bring you some incredible happenings. Multiple happenings…. lots of plans here at the ol’studio.

So, today I leave you with a list of 10 Things that Make me Happy:

1. My husband.
2. My son.
3. YARN.
4. My friends.
5. Sunny, yet slightly chilly late winter days that are lightly scented with the promise of spring.
6. Creativity.. the possibility to create everyday.
7. My new Levenger planner.
8. Lists (checking off lists)
9. Dave Matthews, Natalie Merchant, REM and (JT)
10. Quiet

Be happy y’all. See you in North Carolina!

Wow… it is amazing how a day of hazy sleep on the couch and naps will put you on the mend. The family is better, the cowboy is returning to his normal atomic energy level (and is back in school…woot!)

I have some exciting news….

I will be teaching in North Carolina! Yup! Sammie Jo from Knit Picky is arranging an amazing weekend of classes with yours truly!

You can find all of the information right here. I am so excited!!! Call her today to register… spaces are limited and she has a special holiday discount for you all!

I taught 2 dye classes today. Each group of women were so great.

The class was a “Dyeing to Knit Socks” where the students came to me for the dyeing and they will go to Lorraine from “A Good Yarn” for the sock knitting portion. The women were so nice… they gelled so well. I think it is because they all came through Lorraine, a very kind and very commun-KNIT-ty oriented LYS owner.

I went to lunch with one of the students from the AM class. She called home to say she would be later than expected… and told her hubby she was “having lunch with the teacher”. That made me laugh.

Professor Dye-pot, at your service!

I started thinking about this a little. How cool is that? I have a craft to teach. The sheer joy my students (my students!) all expressed.. they are my people, you know. The type that sniff and pet yarn with reckless abandon. The ones who salivate over malibrigo and hoard sock yarn (because it DOES NOT count as stash), and crowd into small spaces so they can knit with (and most likely, unto) others.

They all did such great work.

They shared ideas and supplies and kind words. They are the reason why I love having a teaching space.

Ms. Roz was a joy. Very into experiencing new things. She said you don’t often get to act like you are in kindergarten and learn new things. That is a good way to look at taking classes.

Now here is Texas Norma. When I grow up, I want to be like her. She travels for work and everywhere she goes, she learns something new. She learned to knit and dye in Baltimore, to spin in New Hope, PA, and has made 2 quilt tops along the way. She bought a Kromski wheel (named Aliceanna) and is now spinning.

You know, she told me that I now have a friend in Texas. I truly believe her. She made a lasting impression on me… I hope to keep in touch.

That’s me. A teacher. My lifelong dream actualized. It feels good. Damn good. Next set of classes is March 3rd. Spots open if you want to come dye with me!

Oh… and on an unrelated note:

Here is CAm’s birthday cake. I am pretty proud of it!