Here, and Not Here

The events just keep coming--
Tomorrow, Thursday, 11/29 at Jingle.Mingle.Shop, Cafe Brauer, 2021 N. Stockton Drive (at Lincoln Park Zoo) 5-10 PM.
You can find Lucky Penny knitted finery for your best friend at these events:
11/30-12/16 Holiday Shop 07, Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center, 1516 South Cranbrook Road, Birmingham, Michigan
12/1-12/16: Winter Art+Craft Expo, Evanston Art Center, 2603 Sheridan Road, Evanston, Illinois
Working on more personal distraction at the Lucky Penny household. It's a sweater from the newest Jo Sharp book, a reverse stockinette jacket with no closures, using Rowan Plaid from the stash.

That Was Some Expensive Lunch

Today I did what I thought would be a five hour show at the Chicago Union League Club. I didn't publicize it much on the blog or the Lucky Penny site, because it was open to members only and their guests. The members had the option of completing a little slip for their purchases that would just be added to the club tab. Very genteel, I thought. It was maybe 500 Ladies Who Lunch, and Ladies Who Have Cocktails Before Lunch. Those bloody Marys went by me, and I thought one would be good. The show was in a big opulent ballroom with chandeliers, brocade swags on the huge windows, and museum quality paintings. The club has a Monet in their collection, I've been told. Around 11:45 the lights flashed, like in the theatre to tell you that intermission is almost over. I asked another exhibitor what it meant. "They're going to lunch, and now we'll have lunch. Then they go to a fashion show. Maybe 30% of the ladies come back after that." So only the first two hours had potential. This is why I'll never be a part of that club. The Ladies. I'm in my hand knitted everything. Vest, socks, scarf. With my hand made sweaters. There was a lot of bling at that event. Some tasteful, some tacky. The tackiest was a necklace that strobed like flashing Christmas lights, worn with a holiday sweater by a 60+ lady. I had a knitter come through, touch all my stuff, and casually toss it aside, saying that she could knit it, and no, she's not interested in another book. I had someone else come to my table in a dress designed by Italians Known for Knitwear, with pumps that I swear cost over $500, and tell me, and her friend that my sweaters were really expensive. Perhaps the dress and shoes were bought on sale, but that just killed me. It just added more proof to my theory that the rich stay that way because they don't spend money.
So, after the event I needed soothing. I hauled my suitcase packed with my inventory and display, down four blocks to Loopy. I bought some Ultra Alpaca Light to make something from Norah Gaughan's Berroco book, so it wasn't a huge splurge. Loopy may be one of the shops added to my anticipated Five Mile Round Trip Book Tour next spring. This day was done on public transportation, so at least I didn't shell out $30 for parking. That sandwich, Coke, and coffee cost me $125.
The item in the photo is to blame for my lack of Lucky Penny inventory. It's the Tully sweater from Colinette's Iona book, in Iona. The colors look richer that what's in the photo. I've got the back and both fronts completed, and more that half way through the first sleeve.
Ravelry? How about calling it Realty! I have a possiblity for a house to rent, and that's where I found the contact. Stay tuned.

I use this photo of Piccolo in my sales display, and often people ask if I have a photo of my dog. The highlight of today is when some one walking the show said that I looked like her. "It's a compliment!" she said.

Unzipped

I love a good backstory, which is why I love to read blogs. The process that goes into making something just draws me in. That's one of the reasons I love Project Runway so much. To recap last Wednesday's episode, in my opinion the team of Eliza and Sweet P should have won. I thought the winning outfit was dull, just like that designer's offering in episode one. My favorite fashion movie has been appearing on cable quite a bit these days, and I always have to watch it. It's Unzipped, which is the story of Isaac Mizrahi putting together his Fall 1995 collection. In the movie you see lots of celebrities, and my favorite is the fashion stylist and editor Polly Mellen. The collection itself I still find fresh, and it inspires me for Lucky Penny color combinations. This season, I'm also finding the color combinations of knitwear in the Gap ads inspiring, Lucky Penny wise. My other favorite fashion movies are The Eyes of Laura Mars, and The Devil Wears Prada. For the record, I think Meryl Streep is The Actor of our time. Her characters are all so memorable, and she really embraces the character of Miranda Priestly.
This little hat is a project from the book, and I've re-created it here, knit with Lobster Pot worsted, trimmed with hand painted curly locks. It is intended to be at an exhibit and auction in Michigan to benefit Women for Women International.

The Day After

I have to go to work today, as I didn't work the day before the holiday. Inclement weather, plus pre-holiday driving, equals disaster. I was informed by my friend Sandy, who grooms Piccolo, that my baby had a nasty ear infection. So, we made an emergency visit to the vet. She's on twice daily ear drops that have to be refrigerated. She is unhappy to have the ear drops. The Man and I had to tag team this morning. He held her down while I applied the drops. Things like this make me feel that I'm a crummy mom to her. How could I have not noticed? Piccolo was sleeping so soundly last night after our trip to Wisconsin for the feast, that I didn't have the heart to wake her for cold ear drops.
A little leftovers for Thanksgiving--these baby alpacas were at the Fiber Expo in Ann Arbor last month. It's hard to tell from my photo, but the boy in the middle has silver blue fur, and blue eyes! I can't stop thinking about him.
An addendum to the last post--I bought a little Mocha cake from Dinkel's Bakery for Thanksgiving dessert, that was liked by everyone, including my nephew who doesn't like desserts. My mom agrees with the Man, that a frozen pie right from the oven is really good. Who knew.

Pie 911

I'm at my knitting guild meeting last night, and my cell rings.
the Man: "are you out of there yet?"
me: "in a few minutes"
the Man: (serious voice) "I need to talk to you about something." Hangs up.
I'm freaking out a little. I think:
1. Piccolo's sick. She threw up in the morning, and hasn't been eating that well.
2. There's been a fire at the building caused by the smokers upstairs.
3. He's formulated a plan to move somewhere warm, and is leaving.
I call his cell, and no answer. Freak out is ramped up a little.
The Man calls. He needs a frozen pie bought, and baked. I tell him to get the oven on. We've been having a back and forth discussion regarding the merits of a frozen pie. I can make pies. I use Martha Stewart's all butter pie crust recipe, and it's good. I prefer a Baker's Square pie to a frozen thing from the grocery store. I have to bring a dessert for tomorrow. The Man thinks a frozen pie would be good (got a buy one, get one free deal last night), but that's not happening. Last year's last minute pie source, Taste of Heaven bakery, is not taking any more orders, and will not have any extras. So, I'm off to hunt for a dessert of some sort.
This is a Rosebud that I finished a few months ago, but didn't get around to posting on the blog, though it's been on Ravelry for a while. I have Sonoma to make another, which I may do in December!

I Want to Look at This

I should have taken photos of the DIY trunk show. Should have, but didn't. After a while, things start to look the same. The show was lovely, and appeared to be well attended. I knew I would have fun, and the vibe would be positive, unlike my experience a few weeks ago. Thanks to Mary, famous for Didge the Wombat, for giving me a break from my display so I could shop. I was fortunate to have lovely Beth Respess and her delightful spouse as my neighbors keeping me company all day. The Man would not have stayed to keep me company while I was at the show.
My display had a lot less merchandise--I have a dozen sweaters in Michigan, and after Tuesday, will be down another dozen for the Evanston Art Center Show. So in the absence of new merchandise or show wrap up photos, another look at Piccolo.

Fun for This Saturday!

We're going to have fun here on Saturday, November 17. The DIY Trunk Show, presented by the Chicago Craft Mafia and a cavalcade of crafty individuals, at Pulaski Park Fieldhouse, 1419 W. Blackhawk, Chicago. We'll be in operation from 10 AM-6 PM. Stop by!

Need More Socks, STAT!

For work, I get the privledge of getting to dress casually, so in fall, hand knit wool socks and wool vests are almost a uniform. This morning, after doing a load of laundry, I noticed that a pair of my Cherry Tree Hill socks (top row, third from left) had heels where the wool had worn completely away, and only the wooly nylon remained. Then, to my horror, tonight, I found a hole in a pair of my Dzined wool/hemp/mohair socks (bottom row, left). Two pairs in one day gone! I remember someone on her blog calling socks knitted ephemera, and she's right. I need to take stock quickly, because I have a few in progress that are mates or looking for a mate. An observation: all of the Regia socks I've made show practically no signs of wear.

A Fan of Norah's

She's just amazing, that Norah Gaughan. How her mind must work! She sees shapes in nature, repeating patterns, and interprets it in knitting. I was fascinated with this project, and once I started, couldn't put it down. I saw a sample being worn at Loopy's booth during last month's YarnCon, and purchased the yarn to make it on the spot. It's the Sunflower Tam from Knitting Nature. Mine is knit with Malabrigo Chunky, color Sealing Wax. I like it so much, that, true to my nature, I have to make more. I have one on the needle now, and yarn for a third! This is a big hat. I think I want to make one for my mom, but I'll use Malabrigo or Lamb's Pride worsted. My mom has a standard sized head.

Piccolo Love

I've had that overwhelming feeling these past few days. It started with Piccolo on the sofa, propped up on pillows so she was curled up and sleeping at the same level as my face when I sat on the sofa next to her. I could put my head on the pillow, and my face into hers, and just breathe her in. There was no flinching by Piccolo to have me so close to her little face, but she just looked into my eyes and drifted off into sleep. The love and the trust just moves me. I just want to cuddle her, play with her, and keep her safe. And, knit her more sweaters.
I was thinking about last weekend, and how that event has become to be not a good fit. I'm moving forward, and my work is going to be in some new venues. Most of what was in the room at the FAOF was the same stuff that was being made four years ago, or longer, since my involvement was just those past four years. How can you call something a fashion show when most of it has little to do with what's modern, or in fashion? It is a reminder to me to keep pushing, about keeping what I make fresh and exciting.

Who Am I Kidding?

I began this month bound and determined to only knit for Lucky Penny, all other personal projects had to be put aside while I replenished inventory. See how long that lasted? I could not resist starting in on my keepsake from my Michigan adventure. It was my first trip to ThreadBear in Lansing, and I was determined to get something, preferably something that I couldn't readily find in Chicago. I was wavering between modest and extravagant for my purchase. To make it really memorable, I went for extravagant. This is Colinette Iona, a wool and silk blend, in color Jay. I had a quickie color consultation with Matt (who was paged from the back room) and we agreed on this color. I can choose colors for others, and for dogs especially, but sometimes not so much for me. I cast on for Tully, a cardigan from the Iona book. The sweater is a cardigan with ribbed bands and a ruffly little neckband. There are other patterns in this book that I'm thinking will look good done in some stuff from Michigan's own Colinette. This is when you have it bad--you knit for work, and then for relaxation and pleasure, you knit!
So hello to all of you who happened along because of my mention in Bonne Marie's post. I had such a good time working on that shoot. Franklin, Bonne Marie, and beautiful Zoya--a dream team, to be sure. What is a photo stylist? It was my full time job many years ago. Back in the day, it was making merchandise look better than it actually did for product or fashion photography. In the case of ChicKnits, no enhancements necessary! Just a little opinion giving on wardrobe and a smoothing out here and there. It was fun to do it again. I worked for a studio that shot retail flyers for department stores. I cast models, organized the photo schedule, and I think was responsible for about a quarter million dollars in model's fees being spent every year. This is why I was comfortable with providing the photography and styling for my own book.
So I'm planning on going to Loopy this Friday evening to support my friend! I think some of my Thursday KIP peeps are going also. In Bonne Marie's honor, I plan on casting on for a Twist hoodie!

Retreat

After a very slow start, I decided to work from home today. I'm making some dog sweaters. I spent a lot of money on the Internet, mostly so I can make some more dog sweaters. I have to get some inventory tagged before I send it to Michigan. I'm making some vegetable beef soup, the only good thing to come out of that event last weekend. While I was dropping off my sweaters for the ill fated fashion show, I got the soup recipe out of the show chairperson. It just felt good today to not talk to anyone except for the Man and Piccolo. Amazingly, the house has been fairly quiet today, even with all the humanity upstairs. Except for a few times when the smell of smoke was overwhelming. A reminder that when the dust settles in my work schedule, I still need to get us moved.

How to Say My Name: A Primer

KOR-EEN NEEZ-NER.
Why am I posting this? Here's what happened today.
My sweaters have been in the fashion show at the Fine Art of Fiber for the last three years that there's been a show. I use my mannequins on the stage. Dogs aren't allowed at the Chicago Botanic Garden, and I think on a stage might potentially be a disaster. I saw the show program, and my name wasn't listed. I said something. "Yes, you are." Fine print on the reverse side. I left the house early to get my mannequins dressed and to the stage. I was scolded when I moved a plant so the mannequin could be on a pedestal, and not on the floor, so more people than just in the front row could see them. The commentator, an over-accessorised woman who imagines that she's stylish and amusing, presents the show, then presents the curtain call. No mention of my garments. Not mentioned until half the audience has already left the auditorium. Then completely f**ks up my name. All of it.
About the name. It's ethnic. Thanks go to my parents for giving me a unique name that no one says correctly. I'm used to it being mispronounced. To the point where I don't correct people. I usually go along with being called Korhynn. (the Man gets around it my calling me Sweety or Neez) But in this setting, when my work is being presented to an audience, it matters. To not prepare in advance to find out how to say my name is a show of disrespect. To me, and to my work. Maybe they don't see it as art. I don't see a sparkly eyelash shawl as art, but maybe that's just me. But here's the thing--you disrespect me here, but next week a dozen of my pieces of work are going to Michigan. To be in an art show. All five of the next shows I'm in because I've been invited. I didn't apply to be in the prestigious One of a Kind Show last year, I was invited. I didn't write a book and seek out a publisher. The publisher sought out me. So, perhaps that means that my work is valued somewhere.
My dogs are sitting out of tomorrow's repeat fashion show, and already I see November 2008's show schedule getting lighter.

No Norovember for Me

This is two years in a row that I may not get a Noro project started for me. November appears to be shaping up as my busiest Lucky Penny month for two years in a row. I did get something started at the end of November 2006, that famous Ribby Shell in #116, but my show schedule is getting tight, and I have to bring sweaters to stay at a two week show before two shorter day shows. Next week I may ship a dozen to Michigan for another two week show. So that leaves me with not much to display unless I want to take sweaters out of Streeterville. I'm hoping I don't have to, but it's a possibility.
Here's the breakdown:
November 2-4 Fine Art of Fiber, Chicago Botanic Garden, Glencoe Illinois
Hours 10-5 Friday and Saturday, 10-4 Sunday. CBG parking fees apply.

November 17 DIY Trunk Show, Pulaski Park, Chicago Illinois
November 27 Chicago Union League Club Holiday Craft Show
November 29 Jingle.Mingle.Shop, Cafe Brauer, Chicago, Illinois

I don't think I'm going to be doing much personal knitting this month!