Meet MoNeek the Sockless Sock Monkey by Maryann Hazen Stearns

Here is MoNeek! Maryann Hazen Stearns' version of my Sockless Sock Monkey pattern! Isn't she darling??

Thank you, Maryann, for permitting me to show off MoNeek! You did a fabulous job! I love the curl in her tail and her hair!!!

And Even More About the Retreat!

Here's Tina Hilton with her beautiful black and blue bag!

Just had to get a shot of Denise getting a shot!

FUN!

Chris Sheets and her amazing bag!

Debbie Lee (center back left) and I (center back right) watch as everyone in the class secures roving to the foam forms. Each bag was as unique as the owner!

More Great Bags from the Retreat Class

Tracy Leitner with her fantastic bag. The colors are so peaceful!

Theresa Connor with her fabulous bag. We all agreed the polka dots were super!

Felted Bags in Progress from Retreat Class

Gail Shepherd with her incredible bag!

Jackie Simpson and her gorgeous green bag!

Lorie Bush (left) and her sister Debbie Lee with their beautiful bags!

Martha Marking with her incredible black bag! I love the contrasting colors!

Karen Jenkins with her Breast Cancer Awareness bag.
The other side boasts the pink ribbon symbol.

Knitting Retreat Weekend!

This is where we stayed in Burnsville, North Carolina ... at the Nu-Wray Inn

Here is a photo of my dear friend Denise Williams! Knitting by the fire was a nice warm spot. It surely didn't feel like the beginning of spring! BRRRR (See the sock yarn drying near the fire? It all was dyed earlier in the morning ... and yes! I did mix up all the dye for the project!)

Here, Lorie Bush (left) and Chris Sheets (center front) work on securing their roving into the water-soluble paper for later felting in the dryer. In the background center is Tina Hilton and to the right is Martha Marking.

Have you ever wanted to spend an entire weekend doing nothing but knitting and playing with wool? Well, that's what it was like for three fantastic days this past weekend! From dyeing sock yarn to preparing wool for felting ... from learning new stitches to new patterns ... all while getting to stay in a creaky, old bed and breakfast with lots of history! I'll post more later, but wanted to get a few photos up and running while I had a moment to myself!

Vintage Christmas Cards!

I recently won several lots of vintage Christmas cards (unused, of course!) from eBay. They are everything I had hoped! Gorgeous die-cut designs, glitter and sparkles and golden accents. I decided I am going to send vintage Christmas cards every year from now on (or at least as long as I can continue to find unused, clean cards, anyhow). They have so much more personality and character than the sad, glossy cards of today. What a shame they don't make the lovely cards anymore.
My sister sent me a new digital camera! So as soon as I load on the software and figure out how to use it properly, I'll take photos of some of the more special cards. I know, I know ... thinking about Christmas cards in March??? Well, it never hurts to be prepared!