Barrel of Crafters

The first annual Rustic Tarts & Old Farts Hoot 'n Holler took place this Sunday, and if I do say so myself as hostess, it was a blast. Our friend Kristina (BeadNTat in the blog list) came up Wednesday from East TN, and stayed till today. She brought me a stunning shawl in my favorite purple that she had knit and beaded for me. To say I was overwhelmed is an understatement. Friday we celebrated DH's dinner at our favorite Chinese restaurant, then Saturday, the crafting fun began.

Saturday was World Wide Knit In Public day. Several people were coming in early for RT&OF, and we met up at Cracker Barrel for dinner. Both before and after the meal, we sat in the rockers out front and knit away, much to the interest of passers-by. We chatted until we were about out of light, and went our separate ways until the next afternoon.

Sunday morning brought the advent of one of my favorite people, Elaine, and her wonderful DH, Ken. Elaine had generously brought me some of her angora/wool blend rovings...absolutely scrumptious! Since I was taking my Louet Victoria to the Hoot 'n Holler, I packed the roving up to go with us. We piled stuff into the cars and headed to the studio to set up.

Our front porch is very shady, but we set up a canopy over it all to make sure people would stay comfortable, and added a fan to the mix. We lucked out with a gorgeous day and low humidity. Folks, food and fiberous things began arriving. Elaine and I were spinning, others were knitting, and Betsy showed us some sprang and naalbinding; wish I'd had more time to watch! The incomparable MMario was there, showing us several of his designed shawls. The Artemis he designed at my nag -um, gentle suggestion - is simply glorious. I actually gasped when I unfurled it. Many Orkney Pi shawls were there, and Eugenia (who brought her darling friend Jane) had one of her own designs that was so comfy looking. Mary, who brought her DH Martin, had just finished MMario's QAL that is famous across the Web. The lovely work of Cathy and Noreen made the rounds and I appreciated just how far I have yet to go in knitting.

And then Pat arrived, fresh from TNNA and with sugar-free chocolate, and let us swarm all over her van like she was the Queen Bee and it was our new hive. :-) I walked away with some semi-clear clogs to show off hand-knit socks, four balls of Rowan Tapestry (any recommendations for a pattern?) and some Trekking and Noro sock yarns. Oh, the yummy-ness! I am pretty sure I heard the unmistakable sounds of yarngasms, and I tried not to look too closely. Knitter's etiquette, doncha know.

Speaking of yummy, we had quite a feast for the potluck too. I won't be ashamed to admit that I had seconds of Mary's Citrus Salsa, and Betsy's Banana Trifle. I even got to do a wee bit of singing with MMario, and I was in my element. Okay, I probably don't match the skills of those he's accustomed to singing with, but I had fun.

In fact, I think we all did. What was supposed to be a 1-6 event lasted to almost 9, and I was delighted to have it so. This will be an annual event, but so as not to collide with Father's Day (what day isn't???), it will be the first Sunday in June from now on.

Now here is where I should insert photos...took place at a photo studio, with professionals in attendence - and we didn't take a single shot. Not one. Zip. Too busy playing host, I guess. Yeah, dat's it.

I'm so embarrassed.

Sometime It Pays To Ask

As those of you paying attention - which should naturally be all of you - this Sunday is the first annual Rustic Tarts and Old Farts Hoot 'n Holler. Okay, the Hoot 'n Holler part is new to you, I hear you say, and you're correct. Being in WV, it just had to be done.

I had, ever since the event was named, wanted to have a graphic to suit the name. I had a great vision, but my talents, myriad as they are, do not lie in cartooning, sketching, painting or even drawing a believable stick figure. Such is life; I'm satisfied with my gifts, and I do not repine. Much. So I needed an artist.

My first thought was to turn to a former employee (also possibly a distant relative, but her branch of the family were a bunch of Johnny Rebs who split off and altered the spelling of their last name....we don't talk about it. Please. No, really. It's just too painful. *choked sob*), but I couldn't reach her. The only email I had for her was at her college, and the wench had the nerve to go and graduate. How rude when I might need her one day! I chat with her sometimes on AIM, but not recently, so she was out.

Next, a friend offered to speak to one of her clients. I should probably mention that said friend works in the social services field, and said client IS a client because she's not fully functional in some manner. I don't want to know. Anyway, she was thrilled to be asked, yada yada, and I waited. In vain. Apparently she flaked out and oh how shocked was I.

Not so much.

So, during a staff meeting last Friday where we had a cake for the DH with 50 on it in spite of the fact that he'll be 49 this Friday, and how COULD that have happened? - I came to a realization. One of our employees, who originally asked to be a fly on the wall to learn more, actually teaches photography at a local high school. This I knew. What I did not know is that she also teaches art. Knowing me as you do, Beloved Reader, you know I approached this with all the grace and finesse of a frog in a mud puddle. I jumped on her. Figuratively, for those of you with that kind of mind....I see you, MMario. Et tu, Rosemarie?

Since her plans for Monday, with students done school but teachers reporting, was to create fish with paper clips for noses (fish have noses?), toss them out a window, and with a friend, fish for them with magnets...well, she thought drawing my idea might be more fun. Imagine.

And fun she had. She sent me her design this morning, and it definitely exceeded my vision! She apologized for not having had time to finish the coloring, but I can manage that, and the lettering I asked her to save space for at the top. Let me know what you think...we'll have this available on tees, totes and more for participants, and those who'd like it just for the great drawing of a Scottie pup. :-)

Ask, and ye shall receive...sometimes more than you hope for, and often with a generous heart. Unless you ask ME.