On Vacation

Yep, I'm on a real vacation - no work, just play, relaxing and enjoying my son, daughter-in-law and of course, little Izzy. Hard to believe she is 2 years old now. Wow, how time has flown. Last time I was up here in Idaho, yes , Idaho, she was only 4 weeks old.  So tonight she and I are "hanging out " while mom and dad are off to dinner and a show with friends. I love it.

We went to the Farmer's Market this morning, horse races last night and tomorrow to the Mesa Falls. It'll be a busy two weeks. As you can see, Izzy is a stylish dresser.  I'll be recharging my batteries, doing some fun knitting while relaxing, and getting my exercise in with lots of walking. 
Today after the market, Jeremy and I made some Louisiana Cherry Bounce. He has an awesome cherry tree filled with beautiful red cherries that are a bit sour. So , some sugar, some vodka and voila - cherry bounce that will be ready for Christmas.  Now off to make dinner for Izzy and I.....

Coupon Days

July savings coupon

25% off one item from the Knitting Lagniappe corner
@ Yarntopia on Mason Rd.
expires July 31, 2011

Yep, here is a coupon just for you - it can be redeemed for any item on the Knitting Lagniappe shelf there at Yarntopia on Mason Rd.  It's my way of saying "Thank You" to all those who have supported me in my adventure as a knitting potter or is it a potting knitter..... hmmm.... hard to say. Now I'm moving into the bead market as well with bead trunk shows here in Houston and in Dallas this month. Funny how one thing leads to another. Well, happy knitting my friends and stay cool.

Summer classes

Just finished teaching the first half of the shawl class (the shawl was pictured in the last post). The group is doing really well once they got over the bead loading onto the yarn and figuring out the dynamics of the pattern. It really is fun to watch a group of people recreate what you thought of in your head. Each one will be different and unique - I really like them to personalize it with their own style.

This month I have lots of classes over at Yarntopia (be sure to check them out at http://www.yarntopia.net/) . Next week I'll be teaching the baby bonnet class .It was named after my youngest granddaughter, Isabella (Izzy to us). It's another one of those patterns that are easy to personalize.

Yes, I'm still in the studio working in clay - working on those Multiplicity mushrooms, spaniel water bowls, beads & baubles for the Artful Bead in Dallas , and of course the Agave line. Heading out there now....

Knittin' time

Bead show went well, focusing on some art projects now for a show at 18 Hands Gallery in the Heights. I like that show - always a fun one and usually sell a few pieces. So we will see - got some interesting things in the kiln firing up now. But I need to get on to some knitting - some new classes coming up next month at Yarntopia (if you are in Katy/Houston, gotta go there!). 

One thing I want to do is knit another one of my beaded shawls for practice, design a poncho and some hats, maybe even a few purses. Gotta get busy.......

Next month is another bead show, but have a  lot left from the last one so I'm in good shape but I'll make a few more of the pendants and fun beads like the fish ones. 

I'm attaching a picture of the shawl I want to make - have sold a bunch of the patterns, so I want to be sure it's knitting nicely.

Bead Trunk Show this Sat, June 18

Time for my first bead/button trunk show at a Bead Shop. A little nervous, a new adventure but , what the heck - should be fun if nothing else. Love meeting new people and they always give me such great ideas.

The show is Saturday at the Back Room Beads on 10th Ave (corner of 10th and Ave A ) in Old Katy. I know, I know, some of you don't live here, but there are flights (just teasing). I'll be there from 10-5pm at the table as you walk in. I'm posting a few pics of some of the beads and "baubles". They are ceramic, but there will also be some awesome wire connectors, beads and pendants from my talented daughter, Misty.Gotta see those.As soon as the mail gets here with them, I'll try to post those too.
If you see anything you gotta have, just email me (misopots@aol.com) or leave a comment and I'll get back to you.

Happy Friday,

when mud and yarn and buffalo meet....

When mud meets buffalo yarn , this is what happens. This is one of the buttons custom designed for the Buffalo Wool Company. You really need to check out their site and their yarns - luscious. Like wool, buffalo yarn wicks the moisture but is lighter and warmer actually than wool. So nice to knit with. I'm working with them to design some patterns, buttons and shawl pins for them. So if you see them at a show ( they travel all over the world ), be sure to check them out. I loved knitting this for them.

Working on some other mud+yarn items too - some beads for the bead show. I took out a bunch of red ones yesterday. I'll have to post those  - they are awesome. Surprised myself.. I kinda like this "bead making". It's very relaxing and fun. Now to put some of those into some jewelry pieces. hm.mmmm......

One corner of the studio.

Here in one little corner of the studio are samples of the beads I'm working on for the upcoming trunk shows at Back Room Beads in Katy and The ArtfulBead in Plano, Tx.  Some of these are pendants, some beads, some fillers, etc. Just because you see one of a design doesn't mean that's all I made of that one.  There are bowls filled with beads - piles of each of these designs. I'm thinking about glaze colors now. Not sure what colors - but saw in the paper that peaches and corals are HOT this spring and summer. So, may head in that direction along with some contrasting colors to look good against the corals and peaches .  What do you think?