Monday, September 20, 2004

"Florida Fiber In" and catch up chat.

I'm jumping ahead of the catch up chat but just have to tell you all about the very first "Florida Fiber-In". It was held last weekend at St. Augustine Beach, FL. Only an hour away for me but I still chose to make the most of every minute by staying at the hotel. Carolyn and I roomed together and we almost buried ourselves with our spinning / knitting stuff.

Anyway...the whole weekend was fabulous. Superb demo's by many very talented and ingenious ladies. There were about 7 official demo's but ooodles of shared idea's, tips and tricks. Now if I could just recall everything I saw. Thank you Heidi for sharing your spinning expertise.

The first demo on Friday night was perfect for getting everyone involved. Thanks Rhoda for showing us how to glamourize just plain old Flip-Flops. Take a look at Carolyn's dazzling effort!

Help yourself to this FREE Flip-Flop pattern. Thanks to Rhoda's demonstration.

(size Large, adjust stitches for smaller sizes)

Pair of Flip-Flops of your choice.

Use any FUR type yarn or combine with some EYELASH yarn.

Using size 9 needles. CO 40 sts.

Work in Stocking Stitch (One row Knit, one row Purl) for 6 rows. (If straps are wide then work 8 rows instead of 6 rows)

Bind Off loosely.

Holding strip with Purled side out fold lengthwise along the straps to cover and sew in place. Then with the sewing needle, gently pick and fluff out the fur.

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One other favorite demo was by Rhonda. I was too intent on watching her show ways to Rainbow dye the yarn or fiber and forgot to take pictures. My sun tea jar will now be used for dying purposes and most likely other kitchen items will find themselves relieved of kitchen duty. Hope to shortly find the time to try out her methods...and of course I'll share the results.

After it was all over on Sunday there was time to take Carolyn on a mini sight-seeing tour of Vilano Beach (the northern beach to the St Augustine Inlet) and enjoy both Beach and the Pier on the Intercoastal Waterway. Of course we needed refreshment before parting, so I introduced her to the best British Pub in FL. "The Kings Head". I had Fish 'n' Chips (Icelandic Cod) with Mushy Peas and at my persuasion Carolyn had her first Sunday Dinner of "Roast Beef and Yorkshire Pudding" and loved it. Now why didn't we take pictures of that delight....duh!

Word is that since this Fiber-In was so successful another is already being planned. The next will probably be in another part of Florida....so stay tuned for news of it.

Kathy another special fiber friend came for the day on Saturday. Like us all, she wanted to see what fun stuff was for sale. Kathy bought a great knitting book "Dazzling Knits" by Patricia Werner. I've fallen in love with the "Mola Jacket" on page 91. Now to find a copy of my own...vendor only had the one. I'll post pic's just as soon as I get my copy and my scanner hooked up again. It's definitely on my list and this pattern my daughter Dawn written all over it. Now to dye some yarns in those gorgeous Arizona colors.

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Just about the time that the Florida Peninsula is able to return to some amount of normality. NW Florida is now suffering miserably from Ivan's dreadful attack from the Gulf of Mexico. I heard on the news that Hurricane Ivan hit with greater force than that of the entire munitions that were used during World War Two, including the two Atomic bombs dropped on Japan. Kind of gives you some perspective to what damage can occur from a direct hit. Thankfully, my son and family in Tallahassee just had to weather the secondary bands. Here's hoping Africa will soon quit producing Hurricanes or that those that form will stay in the Atlantic far away from land.

Must now get to bed so I'll have the energy to finish getting my house in order and play again.


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