Andy Shauf

This is Andy Shauf.  He is from Caronport Saskatchewan

It's hard to believe that we went to the same high school. And this is no ordinary high school... this was Caronport High school. Population of roughly 250 students. I left my big city home of Edmonton Alberta to live in tiny 5 street long Caronport Saskatchewan to go to school. Roughly 15 minutes West of Moose Jaw and the nearest slurpee machine. 

It was a pretty crazy adventure but I met some really amazing people. Andy being one of those amazing people. The crazy part was that when I knew him... I was in grade 12 and he was in grade 9. We did a touring musical that traveled to Alberta and back over spring break. He played the drums! That was his thing. He would hardly say two or three words to anyone, but he loved playing the drums! 

 Look at him now, pretty awesome hey? Yeah, I thought so. 

I am busily chugging away at my Piper's Journey. I think it will be such a beautiful shawl to finish fall. Still dreaming about Maine and still agonizing about what to pack. But I know it will all work out and be wonderful!        TTFN

10,000!!

 Good morning world!   What a wonderful weekend I had!  One thing my mum and I have determined is that we are wonderful travel buddies.  Maybe it's from years of experience but it's so easy to go places with her... AND it has been so much fun introducing my mumsy to the crazy/wonderful world of knitting.

So let's start with my haul from Knit City.  I'm really proud of myself for not going crazy!  Especially knowing that I am going to Maine and plan on spending a 'bit' at Quince and Company.

Let's break down what we've got going on here:

1: Interchangeable needles case and Double Pointed Needles holder By Pokdej.

2: The actual hard copy of "Journey" by Jane and Shannon!

3: Beautiful Sock yarn in Tropical Storm by Em from Everything Old. (genius yarn from the Island)

4: Organic Fair trade cotton by Vegan Yarn enough to make the Deneb shawl.

5: Of course a Knit City project bag.

6: The most adorable lavender filled Matroyshka doll by Roxypop.

7: Many Sweet Georgia pins (more not pictured) to take to the Maine retreat and share the love.

8: Pineapple pins from Onana Knits..  'I Pineapple Coffee'

9: A dark and mysterious yarn ball pin from the Knitrix.

10: adorable knit stitch pins from Holli Yeoh.

PHEW! 

I think I got everything.  Follow the links and you will find some absolutely fantastic West Coast creative people!

 Mum and I had to rush to catch the Ferry, then a bus, then the sky train, and finally one more bus to make it PERFECTLY ON TIME to see Stephanie Purl McPhee aka The Yarn Harlot speak!

I was kind of glad for the cash bar after all that! Hahaha!

 

We managed to score fantastic seats! About three rows back and with almost all of the ladies from my knit night.   To say that she was inspiring would be merely touching the tip of the iceberg.   Not only did I laugh so hard that my stomach hurt but I left feeling incredibly encouraged and almost more excited to keep knitting...  if that's even possible!

After a wonderful rest in our hotel, we FINALLY made it to the market place!  It's so exciting to enter a room full of people selling yarn! Like I said before Sheepy Smelling Heaven.  I ran into Jane and as you can see we have excellent taste in yarn and knitting projects!

 Mum and I also had the chance to collect some beautiful leaves and enjoy them carpeting the ground.  Fall is and always will be my favorite season!

So now it's time to go, but I will be dreaming of what to knit with this BEAUTIFUL skein of yarn.  At the same time I'm carefully planning out what I want to shop for when I'm in Maine.  I'm also trying to cram in some last minute knitting to make sure I will actually be warm when I get out there!  Any suggestions for what I will want to wear would be greatly appreciated!  

OH RIGHT.. and because the blog has officially pushed past the 10000 all time views I need to think of a way to celebrate!  More on that soon......  TTFN

Freebie 'Friday'

Hello all!  Ok... This may be a day late BUT there will still be a give away!   

Currently I am on a boat headed to Vancouver to enjoy Knit City 2013!!  Yay knitting!   There will be yarn... And needles.... And sweaters... And shawls!  It's like a very Sheepy smelling heaven! 

See! Look I'm here! Winding yarn for a project to work on this weekend!

 Here's mum enjoying some ferry coffee 

 And here is the view from my window.  

I love riding the ferry.  I love escaping the island even if it's only for a day!  I can taste the adventure in the air! It makes me feel like a pirate.... Tastes a bit like coffee.  

SO HERE IT IS FOLKS!  THE FIRST SIX PEOPLE TO COMMENT ON THE BLOG ARE GOING TO GET MAIL FROM ME FROM MY TRIP TO VANCOUVER!

........ Hope you have a very happy weekend...... And....... GO!

Thoughtful Thursday......

(This is the cascade 220 that I knit my Rathtrevor by Jane Richmond in.)

 (Quote by Meghan from Pom Pom Quarterly from an interview with OneSheepishGirl)

 Here is something delightful that I have found myself dwelling on this week.

I think that it might be the reason my yarn stash is so *ahem* abundant.....

(The Ramona Cardigan by Elizabeth Smith)

If you think about it knitting is truly a remarkable thing!  It's two sticks and some string... but from that comes GARMENTS! FABRIC! CLOTHING! WARMTH! amazing.

Who figured this out?!  How genius can you get? It amazes me daily.

(This is Quince and Co. Finch in Carrie's Yellow the yarn I used to knit my Grace Cardigan.)

Happy dreaming of all the potential!

All the possibilities....

The Fog is still covering our little corner of the Island like a blanket and I am busily getting ready for my trip to Maine.  This means thinking about what I want to pack... what am I going to wear?... It's going to be cold there, do I have the right warm clothes?... How big of a suitcase do I really need for 4 days?.... Who will be at the retreat?.... and most importantly WHAT AM I GOING TO KNIT?!?!

Enter Wishful Wednesday:

(this is Lori from Lorix5 and her Bergen Cowl )

Somehow, whenever I want to know what I should knit I come across a new project done by this lovely lady and inspiration flows! She always has a kind word or exciting adventure to share and like I've already said she is a huge source of inspiration to me!   The pattern is by Carrie Bostick Hoge an incredible designer and part of the genius behind Quince and Company!
 **Follow the links to visit Lori's blog, the Bergen Cowl pattern, and Carrie's Ravelry page.**

JOURNEY from luvinthemommyhood on Vimeo. 

 More knitterly inspiration that I am thrilled to share is the sneak peak of the new book of knitting patterns published by my dear friends Shannon Cook and Jane Richmond!  Absolutely beautiful designers from right here on Vancouver Island... I NEED TO KNIT THE SHAWL RIGHT NOW. (or after I buy the yarn from Quince and Company)...... I know that this book will be a hit!

This Postcard image from liekeland makes me wish I had a boat... and a Bear.... and some tea.

( Hermione's Everyday Socks   knit by Tasia )

Some of you may know I'm an absolute Harry Potter nut!

These socks will HAVE to be made. 

Now that you's seen into a few of my hopes and dreams for the future, it looks like I need to say goodnight from the Island.  I know it isn't Tune Tuesday anymore but I really can't get this song out of my head!  Oh Rachel Sermanni...

SWEET DREAMS 

  

Fog blankets

Rachel Sermanni is what I've been listening to lately.  This woman's voice sails me away on the mist.

 Here in Victoria on Vancouver Island the trend in weather has been FOG.

 I actually find it absolutely wonderful. There is something so mystical yet cozy about the fog creeping in from the ocean. Like a soggy blanket that makes me thankful for all of the hours spent knitting beautiful things out of wool!

Tonight we got the news that Joel's Grandma Meg has gone on to be with the Lord. Sad, but a blessing, all the same. She was in a lot of pain and now no more. I was able to go see her yesterday, she wanted to give me her yarn and crocheting patterns. What a precious, precious, gift.

 

(This is a picture of Meg with Joel's Mum and Dad last year)

 So with that I will say farewell Meg you were loved deeply and will be missed the same. 

 Thank you for everything.

BACK TO BUSINESS

                                       Hello dear Blog land!

  It's been a while... good to see you.... I've missed you all so much! 

 The time has come to seriously get busy knitting for craft fairs, and Christmas, and the most exciting event in just under a month! I'm so excited to share that I will be flying across the country to Maine for a knitting retreat! YES you heard that right, I'm going to fly across the country to knit.... and buy yarn.... and knit some more.... and hopefully make some new friends and be filled with inspiration!

                           SERIOUSLY FUN STUFF HAPPENING HERE 

So let's talk about life... what has been happening?  

                JOEL AND I CELEBRATED ONE YEAR OF MARRIAGE AUG 17th!!!

 I HAVE A NEW JOB WORKING FOR A BANK!

                                 I AM NOW 28..... ALMOST 29  .....  *eep*

These pictures are just some eye candy from my most recent yarn/project photo shoot for my Ravelry Project page.     Currently I am working on killing my Unfinished Objects pile (aka UFO's)  The pink shawl pictured is my Piper's Journey.  It's an incredible shawl designed by Paula the Prairie Piper.  I'm knitting mine with Quince and Company Chickadee in the Clay Colourway. 

When I go to Maine we will actually be visiting my FAVORITE yarn company Quince and Company and I need to clear down the amount of projects I have going before I start anymore.  That might be something that a lot of knitters say... so I guess we will see how this goes.   Perhaps I should keep a list to work from.  Maybe if I tell everyone what's going on it will help to keep me accountable?

                                  (This yarn is Quince OWL in Sokoke) 

So let's talk plans for the blog comeback!   I'm hoping to make a schedule that I can stick with in order to get things back and going....
          HERE ARE MY IDEAS:  (Let me know what you think)

MONDAY:  Making Monday..... where I share what's on the needles
TUESDAY:  Tunes Tuesday..... where we look at what I'm listening to
WEDNESDAY: Wish Wednesdays.. where I share my inspirations and dreams
THURSDAY:  Thoughtful Thursdays... where we reflect on something beautiful
FRIDAY:  a) Freebie Fridays..... where we give away stickers and postcards
               b) Family Fridays.... time to share about the fam/jam 
                                              Mum/AvaKitty/Hubby/Me
   Most likely Freebie Fridays will be once a month.  *Last Friday of the month.*

This seems like a doable AND entertaining way to bring back the blog... but PLEASE weigh in!  Let me know your thoughts! 

                  Have a HAPPY Monday and see you tomorrow