Happy Thanksgiving! And Win Some Yarn II

He who thanks but with the lips
Thanks but in part;
The full, the true Thanksgiving
Comes from the heart.
~J.A. Shedd

Thanksgiving comes to us out of the prehistoric dimness, universal to all ages and all faiths. At whatever straws we must grasp, there is always a time for gratitude and new beginnings.
~J. Robert Moskin

A thankful heart is not only the greatest virtue, but the parent of all the other virtues.
~Cicero

If you can't feed a hundred people, then just feed one.”
~Mother Teresa

Dear Lord; we beg but one boon more: Peace in the hearts of all men living, peace in the whole world this Thanksgiving.
~Joseph Auslander

At this time last year, I had a contest - leave a comment about what you're thankful for and you could win yarn. I'm going to repeat that contest again this year.

Leave a comment by midnight (US Central Time) on St. Nick's (December 6th, 2010). I'll assign a number to each person leaving a comment and will draw one number. The lucky winner will be send some special fiber.

And, in the meantime, don't leave your pumpkin pie unattended...

Knitter's Last Will and Testament*

I, Stashhaus, being of sound mind (a statement which does not bear close examination) do hereby record my Knitter's Will and Testament.

With the knowledge that DH, my husband, hasn't the least understanding, appreciation for, or knowledge of my extensive fiber collections, said collection being suitably deposited in sundry places for safekeeping, and

With the knowledge that DH and most of my family or heirs will dispose of aforementioned collection without thought or due consideration as to the value of the collection (a thought which causes severe heart palpitations),

I, therefore, do will this collections and all other collections related to it, to my dear friends and fellow fiber preservationists Austine, Frank, Jayne, Lynn, Martha, Maureen, Sue, Susan, and Veronica.

It is my wish that each of them, upon hearing of my death and obtaining clear proof that I did not manage to take it with me (although goodness know I tried), would come to my house post haste, and search out my collection. I entreat them to search all usual places, including but not limited to: kitchen cupboards, closets, attic, basement, any storage bins, the oven, my car, and any other places where fiber is similarly stored at their own abode.

Further, it is my wish that they should rescue said collection and stack it in my knitting room, along with books, magazines, loose patterns, all works in progress and all knitting accoutrements. Upon completion of the rescue they shall send invitations to all my friends not yet departed and hold a wake in the knitting room, complete with refreshments, and during said wake they shall say lovely and kind things about me until they run out. Then they shall divide amongst themselves, by lot, my wonderful stash.

I shall be hovering (not to be confused with "hoovering") over that very spot until this is done.

A., F., J., L., M., M., S., S., and V. shall then quit this spot and close the door, leaving trivialities to those who do not understand.

This is my wish on the matter. **

*Adapted from the Knitter's Last Will and Testament by Elinor Peace Baily.
**This is not a legal document.

Best Line

I've seen in a 1927 silent film with Clara Bow called "It" -

"I'll take the snap out of your garters yet."

The Aging Process

While cheese and wine are the better for age, I'm not sure about my knitting.

At the end of October, I had posted about what was on my needles.

Martha, you need not have been so impressed. Keep in mind that there had not been much knitting content seen on this blog since the beginning of summer. Yes, there are an inordinate amount of WIPs around here - but they are the result of months of start-itis.

One of the items I've been working on was The Age of Steam and Brass Kerchief.

This is what it looked like when I left a conference and headed to the retreat two weeks ago.



This is what it looked like after the retreat -

after I frogged it for the fourth time.



Apparently I cannot talk and knit a deceptively simple pattern at the same time. I made a glaring error on the first two garter stitch sections that I just couldn't ignore.

I need to get this done as it's going to be a gift for someone.

But my attention has been diverted.

By the Gathered Scarf.





I may end up making more than one of these.

Memories Can Keep You Warm

On the first morning of the crafter's retreat we took a walk, stopping at the building where most of the quilters were staying. One quilter was working on a commission to make 8 quilts for a family whose grandmother had recently passed away. One of the traits she is remembered for is wearing novelty sweater and sweatshirts. So her family is putting her wardrobe to good use.











Family pictures are also part of the quilt.

Only In Smallville, USA

Advert seen in the weekly paper:

"Wisconsin's New Drunk Driving Law...FIRST OFFENSE $2,546* plus lawyer and insurance fees

* - Includes fines, court costs, AODA assessment, ignition interlock device installation and monitoring & reinstatement of license.

Don't drink and drive.

You Drink, You Drive, You Lose!

Call us and we'll give you a ride home, 123-4567!

Smallville Police."

Not quite the same as in Mayberry R.F.D. -



but I'm glad the police offer this service.

Crafter's Retreat

After enduring 3 conferences in the space of a month, I was more than ready to get away this past weekend to a Crafter's Retreat. There were scrapbookers and quilters galore but just five of us knitting.

The property is beautiful







and has more than enough room for everyone and their accoutrements.





In addition to the knitting, talking, eating, talking, knitting, knitting, chocolate, chocolate, talking...(you get the idea), we went star gazing one night (it was a beautiful night to view Jupiter) and had a bon fire the next night.

There was plenty of inspiration - but that's for the next post.

No Tricks, Just Treats

This is the revamped Lakeside Fibers. I hadn't been to the shop since they re-opened, so as I was in the area between appointments I stopped in.



My favorite feature is the canoe full of yarn.




I received a package from Melissa, my swap partner in A Swap For All Seasons on Ravelry. She sent some gorgeous yarn called Jackalope from Light Brown Hare, autumn Jelly Bellies, a pack of notecards featuring the whimsical work of Thomas Joseph,


and fingerless mitts made from some delectable yarn called Cookie Dough by Decadent Fibers. (With a name like Cookie Dough, how can you go wrong?)


It's never easy to take pictures of one's own hands, is it?

Thanks, Melissa!!

November 1st

Are you going to let tomorrow pass you by without making your voice heard?

Do your research.

Find out the facts.

Thanks to the many who went before us, we have right to vote for who we believe is the better candidate, without the threat of retribution, without risking our lives. All we have to do is go to our local polling place and vote.

One's citizenship comes with responsibilities, not just privileges and rights.

Embrace that responsibility.

Others have died for the right to have that obligation.

If you need more incentive, and live near a Famous Dave's BBQ Restaurant, they are offering 15% off your total order if you come in (tomorrow only) wearing your "I Voted" sticker.

So now you've got no excuse.

Get out there tomorrow.

And to quote one of my favorite bloggers, Helen Philpot:

I mean it. Really.