A is for...

... the abc along I added my name to.... albeit a smidge late.

A really is for Anna Zilboorg!

Anna inspires an anarchistic,

ambitious,

awesome adventure in knitting!!

I love....

... lovely yarn shops!

In my travels I always hunt them down. From now on I will include them as a feature at My Wabi Sabi Country Life. ...

My last morning in Long Beach I took the opportunity to lose my "work hat" and become a tourist for a few hours. Playing with yarn and travels-- big and small-- are among my favourite things. This was a small travel but none the less wonderfully enjoyable....

It all began with a fantastic "cruise" aboard the Aqualink from Long Beach Harbour to Alamitos Bay Landing.

I really do not feel too off base calling it a "cruise". How often can you buy beer or wine on public transit??!!?? Being barely 10am, I took a pass.... but I did kick back and enjoyed the ride.

My destination had the most inviting door.....

Alamitos Bay Yarn Company. This shop is a must to visit when in the area. Fantastic yarns, shelves of books and patterns, inspiring samples, a stunning location and a lovely staff. Ahhhhhh, if I lived near here I'd be very happy..... and very financially challenged!

Things to come....

Image courtesy of http://www.historicalsocietylb.org

The second weekend of January is the harbinger of Spring for every "yarny" in the business. For those in the loop, a shift of the Earth's axis is distinctly perceived--- if only subtly-- as yarn companies, book publishers, magazine editors, designers, authors and assorted knitterati converge on Southern California for TNNA.

Last weekend I jetted off to Long Beach to promote Folk Style. My responsibilities included a book signing and a workshop entitled, "How to Be a Creative Knitwear Designer Without Really Trying....". Both were a blast! I had the best time meeting all of you shop owners and designer/authors.

I was also invited to be included in celebrations at the Interweave Press booth on the Saturday. Mingling about were an awe inspiring group of crafty gals. Louisa Harding, Eunny Jang, Kim Werker and Maggie Pace were only a few milling about nibbling on fresh, warm, mustard dipped pretzels and chocolate covered strawberries. No cameras are allowed on the floor of the show --- there are those concerned about "industrial espionage" ;-}--- I share with you (below) the one and only picture I dared to sneak... Subversive? I think not!

Though the countless yarns in every weight, fiber blend and colourway are mind boggling, it is the yet-to-be-published books---knitting and not--- that always send me over the moon. Knowing that it will be months before I can make what I was priviledged to see in person makes me close to crazed!!!!

Here is what I tossed into my shopping bag at Chapters/Indigo (the Canadian version of Amazon) upon my return....

This just in...

Knitting Daily just announced their

Top 10 Patterns for 2007.

My Modern Quilt Wrap from Folk Style is #1!
Thank you to all who thought it worthy of downloading!!!!!

One very important note about the Top 10.... not one, but two winning designs are by Robin Melanson-- a fellow Canadian. Robin has a fabulous looking book coming out in February! I have yet to see it, but being a Melanie Falick/STC book, I am certain it will be fantastically inspiring! Until then, you can read a bit about it and pre-order here.

A new year and only one word....

.... ok, maybe two...