Has it been that long!

Note: I thought this message had been published several days ago. In spite of a friend telling me she'd read already read it, I see it still shows as in draft form. Will try posting again.

Today was the first time I'd opened my blogspot since I'd last posted. Initially I was intending to post but then realized how behind I was in reading posts from others.

It's been a most unusual summer, with two special trips. I'll start with one highlight from the most recent journey and a stay in Wales. I went with several members of my family and the best part was reconnecting with Welsh cousins--a most memorable time. In addition to visiting, we travelled around south west Wales a lot and I learned more of this beautiful area. I'd rented a cottage from Jen Jones. Jen is a well known supporter of Welsh quilts and a key person in raising the profile of this style of quilting, but more so, she has made the Welsh aware of these treasures of their heritage.

Jen told me that next year's exhibition at the Quilt Centre in Lampeter will feature the quilts of Kaffe Fassett. Our 2013 Welsh tour is timed so that we can attend Wonderwool Wales in late April, and we will also see Kaffe's quilt exhibition during our tour. In fact, I have already reserved rooms at the nearby Falcondale Hotel. (This hotel was a favourite of those who travelled on the 2011 tour to Wales.)  

More to come later this week........

More This & That

Later this month is the annual event, Woolclip: http://www.woolclip.com/products/yarn-and-materials.htm. It is held in beautiful, rural Cumbria and I'd love to go. Each year I promise myself I'll attend, but then something else comes up. Well maybe next year!

Something that has come up is that I'm going to Namibia and Botswana next week. I'll be travelling with one of my sons. Botswana, especially, is known as an area of talented basketmakers and my son has promised that we'll include some visits in our itinerary.

I've just finished reading the June newsletter from Visit Shetland from cover to cover--another interesting site to read in detail. Their publication is called: 60 North and you'll find articles of interest to both knitters (and also for those who aren't as  passionate about the craft) in the summer 2012 issue. One article to look for is authored by Kate Davies and features a history and many photographs, including one of Mary Kay who teaches our lace workshop during the Scottish Skeins & Skerries tours. Another is of many beautiful lace shawls stretched out to dry on grass after they'd been 'finished'.
http://edition.pagesuite-professional.co.uk/launch.aspx?referral=other&pnum=&refresh=oX1560aDA20c&EID=1eed2076-626a-4831-b946-b46d9c23f67f&skip=

Earlier I received the Promote Shetland Spring mailer http://visit.shetland.org/Promote-Shetland-Spring-Mailer-2012.pdf. This also has a lot of helpful and pertinent information.

I wondered why I was getting emails from hotel chains about availability of rooms in London during the Olympics. Then I read an article that many people are steering clear of London at that time, plus the Olympic organizers (in their bureaucratic wisdom) had blocked off a large proportion of rooms and now they are not needed. 
 

I live a block away from the (former) Syrian embassy. Late last week there was a flurry of activity while diplomats and staff were busily securely wrapping boxes, suitcases, etc. and loading them into a number of sleek, black Mercedes and BMW cars. Watching the process was a Mountie in an RCMP van. I was happy that the Canadian government took a stand and said the embassy had to be closed and the staff to leave the country, although it hasn't changed the brutality of the Syrian government.

A wonderful weekend and more news from Shetland

Earlier this month I attended a weekend knitting retreat. It was organized by three talented artists from Wakefield, Quebec and was the third time it had been held. The registration fee included two nights accommodation, wonderful meals, three different knitting-related workshops, and lots of time to just knit, visit, and enjoy the rural setting. It was very relaxing and I asked the organizers to put me on next year's registration list.

While there, I didn't complete the projects as I'd hoped and expected. I frequently (in fact usually) am extremely unrealistic at how much I think I will accomplish. However, it was a treat to just sit and knit with compatible knitters, without any interruptions. In addition to taking along a man's vest I'd started several years ago, I also brought Lucy Neatby's rainbow sheep sweater design, which I am essentially reknitting. (That was started in another century!)

As of yesterday, I finally have internet connection at home. The downside was that I had 899 emails in my inbox, but the upside was definitely, that amongst those messages, I had an email from Shetland announcing a publication called 60 Shetland. I haven't read through it thoroughly, but on a quick perusal, it is full of interesting articles and not just knitting. Go to: http://visit.shetland.org/onlinemag to get the magazine and you can also sign up to receive future issues.

  

News from all over

This week I completed two projects and was able to give them to two grandaughters. Both items had been essentially completed for way too long. One was a mitred blanket which finally got its flannelette backing and the other a sweater, which only needed a few touches. Just have two UFOs--one I expect to complete during a weekend workshop in early May.

Earlier this month I ordered a small iPad cover as a gift from my computer in Ottawa. It seemed a straight-forward transaction and I assumed the purchase was filled directly from a location in either the U.S. or Canada. However, I was astounded when I received the details of the tracking information:

-  12 April - Order processed in China;
-    "     "    - Departure from Shenzhen, China;
-    "     "    - Departure from Hong Kong;
-    "     "    - Departure from Anchorage, AK;
-   13    "    - Departure from Louisville, KY;
-     "    "    - Arrival Mount Hope, ON;
-   14   "     - Arrival Concord, ON;
-   16    "    - Delivery Toronto, ON!

I realize this item wasn't alone on all the flights, however feel that the carbon footprint was extremely great. Made me feel guilty at how I'd added to the world's pollution. It shows how much manufacturing has moved off shore.

On a more positive note: I learned about the Twist Collective and their excellent newsletter via an email received from Foxfire Fiber & Designs. Another site I want to follow regularly: http://www.twistcollective.com/2012/spring/magazinepage_01.php

It is reported that Kate Middleton, a.k.a. the Duchess of Cambridge, supports Harris Tweed http://www.princesscatherinestyle.com/style-essentials-harris-tweed.

 

More textile news

I don't like to begin with sad news, but wanted to let you know that after much discussion, the Shetland Guild of Spinners, Weavers & Dyers has regretfully decided they must close their Textile Museum.

As many of you will know, they once occupied a wonderful space in a renovated mill at Weisdale. Unfortunately, their lease was just for ten years and the lease holder, Bonhoga Gallery refused to extend the Guild's occupancy. Last year we saw a much smaller exhibition, when the Museum occupied the Bod of Gremista, just outside Lerwick. For a number of reasons, this space proved to be unsuitable, plus too expensive to heat. The Guild found that the effort in keeping the Textile Museum in operation was monopolising too much of their time and energies to the detriment of other Guild activities. In the economic climate of the U.K., the funding required is virtually unavailable. I understand that the renovation of the manor house for their dreamed of/proposed Textile Working Museum has also been put in abeyance.

Another interesting article in the latest newsletter from The Centre for Creative Industries:

http://www.fastcodesign.com/1669098/nike-unveils-its-big-new-paradigm-shoes-knit-like-socks

Nike does seem like something of a trail blazer, as it was the firm which recently revitalized the Harris tweed industry when they ordered a trainer made from tweed. Master weaver, Donald John Mackay said when he first read the order, he was sure that there had been a misprint in the number of yards ordered. Once he realized it was correct, he had to enlist the help of weavers on Harris and Lewis.

In the 2012 British Honours List, Donald John received an MBE--Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire. Those who have come on the Scottish Skeins & Skerries Tours, will remember Donald John from our visits to his tiny weaving shed, overlooking beautiful Luskentyre Beach on Harris. He is always very gracious and welcoming and eager to talk about weaving and answer our many questions--in fact, it is sometimes difficult to get him to leave the loom and sell us some tweed.

I have a subscription to the quarterly magazine, Wild Fibers and enjoy the articles and the stunning photographs. Recently I received two emails from them, one with the sad announcement of a fire at Earth Art Cashmere Farm in Marshville, Nova Scotia. The other was about a sale of woven articles which the publisher Linda Cortright bought in her travels. Have a look at: http://www.wildfibersmagazine.com/

News from Shetland

Earlier this week I received the latest newsletter of the Shetland Guild of Spinners, Weavers and Dyers. I always look forward to reading about friends who've I've met on trips to Shetland and always learn more about textiles, mostly knitting.

In the current issue there was a reference to a publication called The Journal, which appears to focus on weaving, spinning and dyeing, but would appeal to anyone interested in textiles. Their website is: http://www.thejournalforwsd.org.uk/ and it looks like an interesting publication.

I also learned a new word--'dags'. They are mittens or gloves which were meant for outside or messy jobs. The design and yarn used allowed for adaptations--i.e. "the thumbs were inset to fit either hand, so there was plenty of wear in them!"

In following up to learn more about the next "In the Loop 2012" event for September 5 to 7th in Winchester, I came across an interesting blog: http://ingridmurnane.com/2011/11/15/call-for-papers-in-the-loop-3-the-voices-of-knitting/.

I would love to attend, but am looking forward to Wool Week on Shetland this October. Details to follow once they are available--expected in April.

I hadn't read Kate Davies's blog for awhile, but whenever I do, am constantly amazed at what she accomplishes! The latest includes a lengthy interview with Jean Moss, plus recipes, stunning photographs and designs, and even Shetland news. http://katedaviesdesigns.com/2012/03/08/sweet-shawlettes-tour-and-giveaway/

More about the Shetland Guild in the next blog.

Wool Week in Shetland & Knitting Morse Code

Earlier this week I spoke with Sarah at Jamieson & Smith, who is organizing Shetland Wool Week for 2012. She told me they are working on the activities and expect to offer more visits and venues than took place in 2011. Sarah said the final schedule would be available in April.

Several people who've come on the 'Scottish Skeins & Skerries Tours' have indicated they are very interested in attending. I am planning to go and have spoken with a representative of the Kveldsro and Lerwick hotels in Lerwick. She will put aside a small block of rooms at each hotel for those who wish to attend. I'll be posting more details in the next few months. This won't be an organized tour, just a suggestion for those looking for accommodation. It is expected to be a busy time on Shetland as a fiddle festival is taking place at the same time.

Received this website from Creative Industries Shetland. There is information about a small textile tour they are organizing for July, plus information about the African Asante cloth. http://creativeindustriesshetland.org.uk/2012/02/01/textile-tour-2012/

Some people never cease to amaze me: I was listening to CBC radio last Saturday and heard an interview of an American academic, Kristen Haring, who knits in Morse code! The interview was called "Beauty of Binary." Kristen also has a video entitled: "How to Knit a Popular History of Media" which is available on the CBC site: http://www.cbc.ca/spark/2012/02/spark-172-february-12-15-2012/

I regretted having to cancel my visit to Madrona in Tacoma this year but am looking forward to hearing all about it from friends who are currently attending.