I miss you Dana!

I'm in TOTAL shock tonight after finding out that a dear friend of mine from my past has gone on to be with the Lord. Now I know why the emails I sent her bounced back and she didn't return my calls. We had lost touch and I was trying to reconnect with her. I Googled her name this evening and found this:

Dana Lynn Schaadt, 44, of Shawnee, KS., passed away Wednesday, November 5, 2008 at her home.
Dana was born May 16, 1964 in Larned, Kansas. She graduated from the University of Kansas. Dana was blessed with an extraordinary ability to care for others. Always sharing her joy for life in an outgoing and graceful way. She was a beautiful daughter, sister, aunt, mother, wife and a friend to all she met. Tender and steadfast she was a faithful child of God and light to everyone she knew. She was a reader, lover of poetry and country girl at heart and will be sorely missed.
Dana is survived by her loving husband, Michael, two sons, Christopher Michael and Corey Jefferson Schaadt, of the home. Her parents, Ronald and Mary Bryant, Lee’s Summit, Missouri, two sisters and their husbands, Noelle & Grant Beck, Leawood, Kansas, and Marla & Chris Johnson, Lee’s Summit, Missouri, her nieces and nephews, godchildren, and her many dear friends.

You are dearly missed Dana!

Gone too soon...

House hunting in the Bay Area

I just wanted to provide a quick update to all of my loyal readers and to also apologize for not posting more frequently! The last couple of months have been quite an adventure!
As I mentioned previously, I took my kiddos back home to spend Christmas in Oklahoma with my family whom I hadn't seen in 2 years. We had a wonderful time! It was great seeing my brother and sister and all the nieces and nephews again. I just wish I could go back more often! My mom bought me the Knifty Knitter looms as a Christmas gift, so I've been trying them out. Is it considered cheating to use a loom? I made my first practice hat in one evening!
Anyways, since returning to the Bay Area it seems we've been on a non-stop roller coaster ride house hunting. It turns out that we are now back to square one, but maybe it's for the best! The deal is now off on the home that we were trying to close on. But we have also decided to check into some single family homes now instead of the manufactured pre-fabs that we had been looking at. It's going to cost more, but it will be wonderful to have a yard for the kids to play in again! It's been fun going to Open Houses and looking at homes, but I'm hoping that we actually find something soon. We've been renting for over a year now and it will be so nice to finally find a place that we can call our own again! I hated leaving our home in Illinois.
I will keep you all updated on the progress. We are going to view some more homes this weekend. Until then... I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and are enjoying the New Year!

Been away too long!!!

I apologize for the lapse in time since my last post! Much has been going on around here! I spent 2 weeks with my family back home in Oklahoma for Christmas and had a wonderful time! It had been 2 years since I'd been home to visit my mom and sister. I think it had even been longer since I'd seen my brother. So it was a much needed visit!
After returning home on New Years day we started house hunting again. And we are now in the process of deciding what to do. We thought we had found our new home, but some issues have come up that we may not be able to resolve with the sellers. I sure hope it's not going to be back to square one!
In the meantime, I've been working on crocheting a little travel blankie for a friend's daughter. It has given me some much needed crochet therapy! I always do a few rows before bedtime to help me unwind after the hectic days I've had recently. ;)
So, it's not that I've been neglecting this blog purposefully, it's that I just haven't had the time to sit down and take the time to post what I would like to! Please bear with me as we get through our real estate issues. I plan to be back in the swing of things in no time! Thanks for your patience!!!

Vote Today and get Free Starbucks Coffee?

Just a reminder to everyone that today is Election Day! Get out there and Vote if you haven't already! I Did!
Also did you know that several businesses are offering FREE perks to those wearing an "I Voted" sticker? Now, there’s no excuse not to vote!
Big businesses like Starbucks (coffee), Ben & Jerry’s (ice cream), and Krispy Kreme (star-shaped doughnuts with red, white and blue sprinkles) are handing out tasty treats!
Will you take advantage of the freebies?

Meet Margaret Nock of "Knit 1 for the Road" Fame

Welcome to our first ever Interview! I am pleased to introduce Margaret Nock, author of "Knit 1 for the Road". I first had the pleasure of meeting Marg through Ravelry, the online knit and crochet community. She is such an awesome business woman and talented lady! Her favorite thing is sharing her love of knitting and it shows in her new book! She takes her knitting everywhere with her, and that's exactly what inspired her to write "Knit 1 for the Road". Visit Knit 1 for the Road for Knit/Crochet Info, Video Links, Resources, Fun Links, Reader Gallery, Updates on "Knit 1 for the Road", and ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCE FOR KNIT/CROCHET!
I recently purchased a copy of her book along with a kit through her Etsy site, Margknittinaround, the place to find "Knit 1 for the Road", patterns, kits, and more! Here's a photo of the whole "Kit and Kaboodle" that I received from her.


You will even find signed copies of her book there. Please do pay her a visit and tell her that CafeCrochet sent you! ;)

And now without further ado. Let's welcome Marg to the Interview!

Hi Marg! It's a wonderful privilege to have you here with us at Cafe Crochet! Welcome!

CafeCrochet: Do you knit, crochet, or do both?

Marg: I do both and find it helps to make garments unique if you can add a nice crochet edging or combine knit and crochet in one project somehow.

CafeCrochet: How long have you been knitting?

Marg: Many, many years. My sister, Lea, was patient enough to start teaching me one summer when I was 8. I have a dedication to her and all the wise, crafty women who have come before us in Knit 1 for the Road.

CafeCrochet: What inspires your work/patterns/etc...?

Marg: I’m very inspired by color and texture, as are most knitters and crocheters. I see the yarn, and the pattern comes later. Many ideas come from nature, my current urban surroundings and a feel for the next trend.

CafeCrochet: Is there a famous knitter/crocheter that you admire and why?

Marg: Mary Walker Phillips was a fiber artist that really brought knitting to an art form and paved the way for many of us. That was the beginning of the revolution to destroy the myth that knitting and crochet could not be considered art. As an art student, I found her courage very inspiring. I admire many of the younger knitters and crocheters for pushing boundaries, creating community, and having a fresh point of view. The future of knitting and crochet is in good hands.

CafeCrochet: What would you say is your favorite type of yarn to work with?

Marg: Right now, I really like Filatura Di Crosa, any Noro, or Rowan yarn. I also like Rachel-Marie’s yarn (KnittyDirtyGirl.com) I have a project for her yarn in Knit 1 for the Road called Babies, Bobbles and More and one for Filatura Di Crosa called Wowza Wrist Warmers.

CafeCrochet: What type of needle do you prefer using?

Marg: I use bamboo most of the time, but it really depends on the yarn. I think you really just have to try different kinds and use what’s comfortable and affordable for you.

CafeCrochet: Any favorite projects that you enjoy knitting or crocheting?

Marg: I make many projects for my step daughters. They are my critics. If it passes their hipster test- it’s a winner. Scarves, hats, gloves, and wraps are my favorite. I’ve also made many totes and backpacks.

CafeCrochet: Was there a particular reason that inspired you to write your fabulous book?

Marg: The move to Pittsburgh in the winter, starting the blog, and receiving so many emails asking for knitting help led me to write Knit 1 for the Road. I wanted to create a basic portable book of patterns that could be used over and over as the knitter developed skills. A book that would help the beginner with construction, tension, and resources. The intermediate and advanced knitter could take the patterns and embellish them. I also wanted to include tips, resources and options for each project. I thought a lot about what I really needed as a knitter who traveled and took my knitting everywhere.

CafeCrochet: Do you have a favorite yarn color?

Marg: Periwinkle! (Bet you didn’t see that one coming)

CafeCrochet: Do you have other hobbies or enjoy other kinds of crafting?

Marg: I like making my own wrapping paper and cards. Painting is still something I enjoy.

CafeCrochet: Do you have a guilty pleasure? (chocolate, reality TV, etc...)

Marg: Right now it would have to be paranormal shows like Ghost Hunters, The Gilmore Girls still rock in syndication, and of course chocolate of any kind.

CafeCrochet: Please share 3 tidbits about yourself that you think our readers might find odd or interesting. (This is a fun one!)

Marg: I’m crazy about my two yorkies, Molly and Max, I love to collect beautiful tarot card decks, and my yarn stash is ridiculous!

CafeCrochet: Is there anything that I haven't covered that you would like to share with us about yourself or your work?

Marg: These were all soul searching questions! You really know how to interview. I would like to encourage your readers to keep their knitting and crochet close because it will get them through all the challenges on the roller coaster ride through life. Find community and share as much as you can through your needlecraft. Thanks so much for the interview, Christine.

CafeCrochet: Thank you for your participation Marg! It's been wonderful! We'll have to do this again sometime! =)

Margaret Nock can also be found blogging on Knit 1 for the Road's Blog
Knit 1 for the Road is also available on Amazon.com

It's Spinning and Weaving Week!

Did you know that this week, October 4 - 11, is actually celebrated as Spinning and Weaving Week?
The crafts of spinning and weaving are as ancient as our history; they are the ties that bind us to our ancestors and to each other. Our crafts don't know any national boundaries. They are a part of the heritage of our world. With this in mind, the celebration known as 'Spinning and Weaving Week' has been broadened to reflect the truly international traditions of our crafts. May all weavers and spinners around the world join together in celebration of our common heritage!

International Talk Like A Pirate Day

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Sandi Luck ~ co-owner of Purlescence Yarns

Well, Friday Sept. 19 was International Talk Like A Pirate Day... I had no idea! Why had I never heard of this event before? ;)
Anyways, my LYS (local yarn shop) celebrated in style. Every year they celebrate Talk Like a Pirate Day there at the shop. So, Purlescence Yarns stayed open until 11:00pm since it fell on their Late Night Knits this time. They watched pirate movies all day long and into the night, and encouraged their friends and customers to wear costumes. I received an e-mail from them that read "Grab your eye patch and join us! Costumes encouraged!" Needless to say, I wasn't in costume! I didn't really have anything pirate-ish to wear on such short notice! lol

Sarah working on a project from the new Mason-Dixon Knitting book

All in all it was a nice time though. And I even made a new friend, Sarah, who gave me lots of knitting tips and recommended a couple of good knitting books to me, including the Mason-Dixon Knitting books. They have some pretty cool patterns in there that I would love to try out, once I get a little more experienced!

Saxony Reeves Spinning Wheel

I also couldn't resist snapping a photo of this Saxony Reeves Spinning Wheel that was on display near the front window, which had a price tag of $1,600.00 on it. (as well as a sign that read "Do Not Touch") I wonder why?
Well, I was going to add some more photos, but for some reason I'm experiencing some technical problems with the upload. So I'll save the rest for my next post!