Deb on the Web

Yarn Swap

Another fun edition of the Portland Yarn Swap is at an end.  And once again I didn't get any pictures.  Pat reminded me as everyone was packing up.  No one much liked the idea of putting everything back out for a photo shoot:)
There were some great yarns, books and notions.  I think everyone got some great finds.  I was very proud of myself for not bringing back nearly as much as I brought.
There will have to be a new hostess for the next round.  I am reaching the end of my free time quickly.

Happily so though.
Nostrana is coming together!  The brick has been laid under the wood oven and dry wall is going up as I type.  There will be pics some time next week.  I keep forgetting the camera when I go over.  We ought to be open by Sept. 15th.  If you want a notification leave me your email.  We are going to send out  an opening note.

Off to Abundant Yarn and Dyeworks for an embroidery lesson.  I have finished all the other pieces of the Satchel except for the straps which I am now working on.

Knitflix

I'm very sad that I couldn't get to Knitflix last night!  A local theater played Royal Wedding and left the lights at dim so knitters could work and watch.  I was really looking forward to meeting up with some knitters, but DH overrode my plans.  He has to work tonight so he wanted to move some dinner plans to last night.  I'm hoping there were enough people there that it happens again soon.
Just a reminder:  Saturday is Yarn Swap Day!!  Bring the yarn you don't want and find some you do:)  I am still going through some areas.  I know I have some sock yarn going away and a lot of pattern books.  I still have another bin to go through.  I got rid of A Lot last Spring!  So far I have only heard from 4 ladies that they are attending.  Let me know if we'll see you too.

Portland Swap!!--Summer edition

Well, this month is getting away from me!  I want to host a yarn swap before I disappear from the knit world for a while.
So: Saturday, August 20Th at 10am
It will be here at Gino's Restaurant (8051 SE 13Th--in Sellwood).  Bring any yarn, books, knit gadgets you want to swap (or just get rid of).  If you have a batch of yarn that is more than one ball please put it in a clear plastic bag so it stays together. 
The first half hour will be for set up and checking out all the good stuff, then we will pick numbers and get started!  In the Spring it worked great to take turns according to number for 3 turns (the third for those that had brought at least 3 items), then we had a free for all.  I think everyone got something they wanted this way.
An additional table this time around will be for partial balls of yarn.  For those that like to make creative scarves, socks or whatever.
I do need someone to volunteer to take any non-wanted yarns or needles to a charity.  I just don't have time.
And for any new comers--everyone does bring great yarn!  I know I got some great mohair and alpaca last time.
Let me know if you're coming!

Portland Swap List

I started a Yahoo group to send out info for a Fall Swap.  Also, with so many new yarn shops opening up and various knit groups about this will be a place to post the local gossip.  Got some good yarn/knit/spin/dye information share it with all of us:)

Click to join portlandyarnswap

The quickest post ever

I'm supposed to be packing...shhhh
I'm off for a couple days to Seattle.  A little R&R and a little pizza research. 
When I get back I will be creating a Yahoo group for the Portland Swappers to post any good knitting gossip about new shops, get togethers and the Fall swap.
I also have the first photos of the new biz to post.  We spent yesterday taping off the kitchen to make sure we had enough room for everything.
And I should have pics of finished socks:)
Have a great week!!

No pics!

Silly me!  We were having so much fun swapping yarn I forgot to take my camera out of the bag and snap some pics of the great big pile of yarn.
I guess we will have to swap again in the fall...just for documentation sake;)
There were 12 ladies that brought in some great yarn, wool, books and needles.  I think all of us went home with something they really liked.  I was thrilled to trade out my Kid silk haze for some Jo Sharp mohair.  I also brought home some really soft brown alpaca, some various wools and beautiful stitch markers made by Danielle.  She made me some as a hostess gift (she is such a sweetie!) and I got some from the accessories table.  In the end we only had one box of items that did not have a home.  That will be donated to the mentoring program for young knitters.
We started an email list to let everyone know about the Fall swap.  It will be interesting to see if any of the yarn comes round again.  If you want to be on the list drop a comment here.

Some swap items

Couldn't get my computer last night to post--the boys have a new game that they need both computers to play.
But here are some photos of yarn I want to swap on Sunday-- Half of these are leftovers from projects.  I get sick of seeing the yarn, put it away and away it stays.  I'm hoping someone brings a different color of Kid Silk Haze (hint hint).  Claudia posted a link for a shawl using 3 skeins.  I just don't want to use this color.  The other half I know I will never use and want someone to get good use from the yarn.  Actually I feel that way about all of it.  I also have some one skein wonders you all will see on Sunday:)
Here is a list of books and mags:
Knits For Children and their Teddies
Comforts of Home--Simple Knitted Accents
Fabric and Yarn Dyer's Handbook
Knitting Year Round
The Knitting Goddess
Cast On--Fall 2002 and Winter 2004
Vogue Knitting--Fall 2004 and Holiday 2004
Lorna's Laces--Sampler Collection #2

Looking forward to Sunday:)

Easter Tuesday?

Not a lot of blogging lately.  I think I have done well to keep up with email.  Both boys came home for the last half of Spring break and took over all computers.  Amazing how much knitting I have gotten done. 

Easter Sunday was a pretty relaxed day (no little ones here).  I made breakfast downstairs for us, the boys, dad and the employees that had to work.  I love cooking down there...cause there is no mess up here afterwards:)  We all just hung out and did nothing until evening.  DH and I went to some friends house for a nice dinner.  I did imbibe a bit too much however.  Not drinking for a while combined with a whole lots of great burgandies and barolos, plus a stressed out tummy....not a good combo.
Easter Monday began badly!  The rest of the day was spent taking care of more banking needs (tummy still stressed out) and sitting by the phone waiting for appointments to be made to sign bank loan papers.  I just want this phase to be over!
I did get lots of knitting done while waiting (for Gaudox).  Finished the sock and I'm half way down the second leg.  I hope to be wearing them for the swap on Sunday:)

So anyway, can we have an Easter Tuesday too?  I know yesterday was the Italian holiday (poor little pope didn't make it out), but when I have been in Mexico near Easter they usually have two weeks to celebrate! wooo hooo

MOM--this week will be a banking week.  I'm sorry!

Knitty SP--I didn't get a photo on here quick enough.  I have already indulged in my treats;0  Michele (I got a name this time) sent me a Lush bath bomb, 10 different kinds of loose tea, chocolate and green tea soap.  They were all in another of those cute boxes too!  I've thanked you in a couple places, but not here yet--Thank you!!!

SP4 pal--I just wanted to tell you how much I love that spiced chocolate bar.  A square of that and a spicy chai sure made a nice Easter treat:)  I hope I can find that around here somewhere.  I know I will want more when it is gone!

Swappers--tomorrow I will start to list some of what I have to trade on Sunday.  And I will have more news about the new Sellwood yarn store on Sunday.  I get to tag along to a design meeting with my sis on Thursday!

Swap stuff

So far we have bloggers, knittyboard ladies, S&B Portland and Mabel's customers (many of these overlap I'm sure).  I think we may need to rethink a couple of details.  I love all the feed back I'm getting.  I want to make sure it is positive for everyone!  As there are going to be some people bringing a lot of single balls and some that have sweater size bags of yarn I think we will have different tables for different sizes.  Full on project (whether sweater or tank size), a singles or 2 ball table, a book/pattern table and an accessory table (I have metal needles I inherited that I know I won't use and zippers too).  Anything that is more than one item must be in a bag to keep it together. 
I do agree that if you bring 5 swaps you get 5 and 2 gets 2.  However, I am going to put out a bunch of things I know I won't use and don't necessarily want that much back.  So after the fair trades there will be a free for all to make sure that everything that can get to a good home will go:)
Please comment away!

Portland Swap!!--the details

April 3, 2005   Portland Spring Yarn Swap!! 
   Sunday at noon!
Gino's Restaurant 8051 SE 13th  (in Sellwood)
Alrighty, I have had all kinds of ideas about this in my head!  I decided though that the rules the Knitsmith ladies go by seem to work really well.  They were nice enough to share them with us too.  I did make a couple of alterations that I thought would work a bit better for the space. 

Spring Yarn Swap Rules:
If you bring something, you can swap. But--please try to bring whole skeins, or at least enough of one yarn for a project.
Bear in mind that if you bring in a nice yarn, then there will be nice yarn to swap.
Please try to bring the original label or something that states fiber content.
Each group of yarn should be in a plastic bag.
We will be drawing numbers, and the knitter with the number called can go up and take one bag.
Once everyone has had a turn, we will decide if we should draw numbers again (if there's still lots of great stuff to choose) or if we should have a free-for-all.
Needles, trims, or other knitting accoutrement's can also be swapped, but please put small items in a plastic bag as well.
There will be a table for books and patterns (they don't have to be in a bag).
The first half hour (beginning at noon) will consist of setting up, viewing what's up for grabs and having a bit of coffee or tea.
Drawing numbers will begin at 12:30p.
If you want to bring friends, they are more than welcome! However, if they want to swap, they have to bring something in!
Leftover yarn will be donated or you can take it home to RAOK to someone.

Email me or comment here that you are coming. 
If you want to bring a treat be my guest.  I will provide the coffee, tea, juice, beer:), or whatever. 
Since the restaurant isn't open during the day we can spread out in the dining room.  We just have to be out of there by 3p.  So we might have a bit of knitting time too.