Packing for Summer Intensive

The Golden Gate Fiber Institute Summer Intensive starts tomorrow. I am procrastinating on packing this evening. Luckily I am about 30 minutes away from where the camp is held, so I am driving. I am used to traveling light, so now I am constantly reminding myself that it's OK to bring lots of extras and just leave them in the car. It'll be quite an experience to room with a bunch of strangers -- I haven't done that for the last twenty years.

I'm sure it'll be way too cold to swim in the ocean, but I may even bring my swimsuit. The thought of not being able to swim for a full week is making me sad. Well, just a tiny bit.

Not sure when I'd get such an opportunity the next. I will savor every minute of it!
Will post when I'm back from the Intensive.

Want This Wall?

My accomplishments.

Mitch complimented the blue tapes.

Here's the guest room.

Love the color. Makes me feel happy and vibrant. Want to see what those white speckles are?

Cherry blossoms and sheep. What could be better?

I can see that those boring white walls will slowly disappear from our house!

Day 1 and 2

Day 1 (of my 6-weeks sabbatical): yesterday.
I drop off my son at the preschool, as the owner of Camp Erin is on vacation. Mitch was missed at his old school, and as much as he misses Erin's boys, he's happy to be back with old pals again.
I drive to the pool (it's 54 degrees!) and put in 40 minutes lap (with lots of breaks in between). Water is so clear, and the way the steam rise up in the air was so beautiful.
I come home, do the laundry, hang them out in the back yard, ignore the ocean of fallen plums, wrap the baby gift to be shipped to Japan, and then Mitch's swim class -- the rest is a blur. I remember counting nine empty bobbins for my wheel and thinking it should be enough for the Intensive.

Day 2: today.
I drop off my son at the preschool, his "girlfriend" comes up and gives him a huge hug, I drive to the pool (it's 68 degrees) and there are 6 lap swimmers in the water. Amazing -- there are usually only one or two.
I put in 30 minutes with lots of breaks in between. I stop by FlourChylde Bakery, get some sweets I need to eat before I start painting the dining room. I taped just one section of the room, thinking that one quart that I had was just enough for the wall, but it turned out to be enough to do three sections. So I tape, paint, tape some more, paint, move stuff, paint... One more wall left for tomorrow, after I go get more paint. Take Mitch to his swim class, pick up three bucket full of fallen plums (oh such a waste), and the rest is a blur.

I did go to Lambtown last Saturday, breaking my fiber diet a day after I made it. I enjoyed last years visit so much, I just couldn't stay away. It turned out to be a bit of a disappointment this year. The venue had changed, and the fiber vendors were all indoor. It was a bit dark, crowded, and more like the California Wool and Fiber Festival -- where I bought very, very little.
I'm sure it was great for the vendors to be in the shaded (darkish), air-conditioned place, but it wasn't for me. Colors are hard to see, and I felt claustrophobic. I guess I really am an out-in-the-sun type of person -- I tend to buy a lot at Farmer's Market, and I only enjoy swimming outdoor.

Tomorrow -- Swim, paint, swim class, cook dinner. Blur.

Countdown

4 more days until my sabbatical.

11 more days until the Intensive.

Ahhh I should get busy!!

I finished my heartbeat sweater -- finally! This is the second try on the neck edging. It could have been a little wider edging, but I'm not going for the third try.

Just in time with the FO, Just One More Row's website has come back! I may order another pattern sometime soon.

Here's what was on my wheel just two days ago; Lisa Sousa's hand-dyed merino, "Bird of Paradise" colorway.

Huguette got this for me from Stitches West 2007.

Heard that space-dyed roving never looks the same when it's spun. It's true.

Looks even more different when it's plied.

I was contemplating on going to Lambtown this year again, but I've decided against it -- despite my heart's desire. I have enough fiber to last me for years, and with the Intensive and trip to Japan coming up, I have no money to spend on more fiber. Maybe Mitch and I will go to the beach, if it's warm...

Or I should paint the dining room. I've painted the guest room last weekend, and I should keep the brush going!

Dear Huguette

We've knitted together
Shared ideas together
Much more than just knitting
In our regular sitting

We shared our thoughts
Shared our laughs
Bared inner threads
We dared and bought
(more yarn)

We'll miss you more than you know
With no one who can show how
Cables, decreases, mosaic and wow
You are still our Master knitter now

Dear Huguette, never forget
We will always knit together
Have a webcam and gather
Every chance we get

Dear Huguette, never forget
In two years if you aren't laughing at best
Pack up and rocket
Yourself back to the West

(Don't laugh; my first rhyming poem in English!)

Action Packed

We had the whole July 4th week off from work. What a treat -- I managed to reserve a local camp site (Samuel P. Taylor State Park) for three nights, so even though it was a bit inconvenient for coinciding with Mitch's swim class (it was a must for this summer for the water safety!), we decided to go for it. We even "borrowed" a kid from Erin.

(Oh No What Were We Thinking!?)

Our site was among beautiful redwoods and right by the creek. We enjoyed evenings by the fire pit, roasting marshmallows. Falling asleep listening to the soothing sound of the creek was wonderful.

It was a bit on the chilly side -- although there was a great swimming hole, it was too cold to jump in. But we thoroughly enjoyed the clean, serene water.

Coho salmon and steelhead trout come up this creek in the winter time. I'd love to come back to watch.

Mitch and I went to the Fourth of July Parade at Downtown Novato on the 4th. Next day was the County Fair for two of us, where he met a Storm Trooper! I'm sure he was on his way to his break, but he was kind enough to stop for a Kodak moment. Thank you!

Oh yes, knitting. I've FINALLY finished the heartbeat sweater.

Heartbeat Sweater by Just One More Row, with hand-dyed silk noil also by Just One More Row. Used about 800 yds, US 6. I love blue, but now I'm not sure if I still do.

Before the neck treatment, the neck opening was way too large. So I decided to knit extra edging, putting in more decreases. And what do you know, the neck opening now is too small!

I think I'm going to unravel the neck for two ridges and see how it looks. But for this evening, I am on my wheel, spinning like a mad lady. Pictures next time.

Boy coming back to work has never been so difficult! I still have a guest room to put together, dining room to paint, and the supply to pack for the Summer Intensive! The list of the things to bring just arrived, and it looks like I am packing the whole camping gear and more.