Back from Madrona and recovered.

These short trips are exhausting! Especially when there is knitting involved. Sleeping is always a bit tricky at a strange hotel with a roommate, hoping that I would not disturb her and that she will not disturb me. We had our moments, one night I was over tired and restless and the next night she was restless and uncomfortable..... so sleep was not as restful as I needed or would have liked. Add to it the stimulation of all that was going on, the colors the textures the new friends, visiting with old friends....... by the time I got home I was exhausted. Then my DH was sick and needless to say he was not a happy camper nor was I......actually DH was acting like a wounded bear and I as nurse "Ratched" from "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest". This is the reason women have the babies, men just do not tolerate pain and discomfort well.... I'll just leave it at that.

My new best friend Tina from Blue Moon Fiber Arts (home of the fabulous sock yarn "socks that rock") wrote a really nice review about her favorite things @ Madrona. Tina also has some nice pictures so take a look. Tina is one of the organizers for the upcoming "Sock Summit". They recently posted the list of teachers and it's impressive!

Dyeing Yarn with Traditional Japanese Dyes......Kakishibu is the traditional Japanese dye made from the fermented juice of persimmons. This was the first class I took but I did not realize the colors were very limited mostly browns sort of cafe latte colors and no wool could be used. Very interesting and Chris Conrad was very nice and had done a great deal of preparation. I don't think I will be doing much of this but it was interesting.

The ArtFelt booth is always a lot of fun.... I love this stuff... the "paper" is a bit expensive but so is everything else involved with this hobby.
The "Yarn Harlot" Stephanie Pearl-McPhee who is always great fun to listen to was one of the speakers.
My friend Kay and her sister, cute and as sweet as can be.


The pear martini was delicious! My sox I was knitting may not be perfect but I started from the toe up so hopefully nobody will see the mistakes I've made.

Leslie great new knitting friend.

Kathy enjoying her beverage before the show.


Cat Bordhi and her innovative designs.
Sally Melville, cute and elegant and a great teacher.


Vivian Hoxbro and her colorful an interesting designs.


The wonderfully colorful and talented Lucy Neatby
Janet from Acorn Street Shop in Seattle.