Colorado here we come!

So this is where I'll be tomorrow - Crested Butte, CO. OK, well, I probably won't be quite this high up. My adventurous skiing days, when I'd follow the guys anywhere on the mountain, are definitely behind me.

I'll be bringing 3 knitting projects along on the trip - a second Tweed Beret, the start of CeCe sweater, and my on-going Tree Jacket. Ya-hoo - give me a fireplace and a view and I'm happy to be knittin'. Jana

SAFF was AMAZING!!

Here's one of the baby llamas (crias) that I met at SAFF this weekend! I had a booth in Barn B -- actually it was a barn stall, how cool is that? -- and the whole weekend was so much fun. I can't wait for next year! I already signed up so I can have the same stall. And next year I'll be much better prepared, now that I know what it's all about.

More photos soon, best, Jana

New Mexico here I come!

This is what I'll be doing next week in New Mexico! See you when I return, Jana

Next week I am on vacation. Again. This is for our family reunion in Michigan. We're staying at a cottage on Lake Michigan near Saugatuck. It's not exactly a carefree vacation for me, since I'm the "middle" generation and it's sort of my job to be "cruise director", as we like to call it. I plan activities and meals and "take the emotional temperature" every once in awhile to keep relationships running smoothly. Sometimes it's a challenge since we have folks from 2 weeks old to 85 years old! Mostly it's wonderful and this year we even have air conditioning so that will feel like a luxury.

My goal is to finish my sockapalooza socks while I am there! I am actually feeling too tired to get ready to go on vacation again, but somehow I'll pull it off and I know it will be worth it. See you in a week, Jana

Vacation in Grand Tetons NP and Yellowstone NP

This is where I'll be in a couple of days! We're off for a vacation of hiking, rafting, driving, reading, eating, relaxing, and sightseeing. And I'll be taking several knitting projects along, so I can get back to knitting again and away from the dye studio (which is always calling my name when I'm at home).


I shipped off my order to woolgirl so Jen should be putting it up on her shop next week sometime.


I plan to knit Cookie A's Hedera socks in the Gunsmoke colorway! Hey, I guess it's fitting to knit with this while I'm out west. I'll be casting on while we're waiting for our flight to board. Can't wait!


And I'll be taking several books to read too. I think I'll start with The Outlander. Hmmm... haven't decided what other books to take along.

Artists' Retreat in New Mexico

Last week I was in southern New Mexico at a week long painting retreat. The workshop, led by Kim English, focused on painting figures in the landscape and we worked primarily outside - en plein air.

It was very challenging and since it was my first opportunity to paint figures... I don't think you'll see any of my workshop paintings displayed here!

I do know, though, that in the future I will definitely be confident enough to add figures to my paintings. Small ones.

The photo is of my good painting friends and I. We meet only once a year or less but drop right back into our good friendships whenever we are together. We talk about our art work for HOURS on end! I'm the one on the far left.

New Mexico here I come (again)

For the past three years I've attended an artists' workshop at Ghost Ranch, New Mexico. The workshop is with Ann Templeton and we paint outside all day long. It's an amazing experience. The retreat is rather remote and very rustic - it's almost like camping. I've met some great friends there. Here's a picture of some of us (I'm on the far right).

I'm on may way there for a fourth time in May07.

Also, on the knitting front, I've joined the sockapalooza4 sock swap. Can't wait for it to begin!

Yosemite

This photo is from Oct 2005 when our family was fortunate enough to visit Yosemite for a few days. We love to hike and ride bike on our travels. It's a great way to get up close and personal with nature. I took this photo of my son and husband.