Show and Tell Friday...

I guess you've been wondering where I've been since it's been a month since I have written on the blog. We've been very busy as the Christmas season has approached.

I have lots to share with you today. First of all, I wanted to show you a picture I took from our first snowfall of the season. The red berries from my holly tree looked so beautiful with the freshly fallen snow on them. I love waking up to see snow on the branches of all the trees. My granddaughter immediately got outside and starting playing in it. Unfortunately, it left about as quickly as it came. Perhaps we'll get more snow this winter that will stay a little longer.

We had a special Christmas treat for all the gals taking one of the Weekly Classes. They each got to make a Scrap Yarn Scarf. They seem to enjoy this week of cookies, presents, and yarn. Here are a couple of photos from our week.

Now for some show and tell...

Barbara made this cute baby sweater. I'm sure it will look darling on some little baby soon.

Kori did her very first pair of socks. She used Swedish Yarns Raggi yarn and Lisa's "I don't give a darn" sock pattern. Nice job. I see many more pairs of socks in your future, Kori!

Sam brought in a pair of socks she made for a Christmas gift. She used the Aslan Trends sock yarn. It was very soft and yummy. You might want to check out this yarn for your next pair of socks.

And I had to show you this cute reindeer that Mary Beth made. It's an Alan Dart pattern. Very cute!

And her beaded neckwarmer will be making someone a wonderful Christmas present this year. Very nice!

I hope each and every one of you have a wonderful Christmas together with your family.

Giving Thanks...

As Thanksgiving time nears, I am mindful of all the things for which I am thankful. First and foremost, I'm thankful for a loving family. And I'm thankful to have 3 of the greatest grandchildren around. They bring me much joy.

I'm also thankful for my health. For years I've taken good health for granted. And then when two car accidents injured my back in June, my health took a turn for the worse. I've had to really struggle to regain my health. I'm thankful to have two of the greatest physical therapists in the world. Both Mark and Joy have been there every step of the way helping...and sometimes pushing...me to work hard and get my strength back. It's amazing how a simple hug or a big smile can motivate me to keep trying. And even though I've still got some healing to do...both physically and emotionally...I'm making progress. For that, I am truly thankful.

Thankfulness doesn't even begin to express my gratitude to the wonderful gals that both work for me as staff and teach my classes. They encourage me...they watch out for me...they inspire me to keep learning new knitting and crocheting skills. I consider each of them a dear friend. I'm thankful to have them to work alongside me.

And speaking of friends, I've had so many new friends come into my life simply by walking in the door of my yarn shop. I get so excited to see them learn new skills...and I love to see them truly excited about the crafts I love. I'm thankful for each person that has helped me to build my business.

This next week as you celebrate Thanksgiving, why not spend some time thinking about the things for which you are thankful. You'll be amazed at how your spirit will be lifted up as you focus on the many blessings God has given you. I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving with family and friends!

Show and Tell Friday...

If you missed our Holiday Cookie Exchange and Book Signing last weekend, then you really missed out. The gals brought some delicious cookies and we enjoy seeing all of Andra Knight-Bowman's beautiful garments. We still have a few of her books left that are signed if you'd like a copy.

For Show and Tell today we have Daniel's felted hat and socks.


He also made one of Kristina's bookmarks out of the Presencia perle cotton.

Mary Beth brought by her Colonnade Shawl...which is a free pattern on Ravelry. She used Malabrigo yarn.

And she also brought the witch she made using one of Alan Dart's patterns. Too cute.

And finally, Sarah brought by her UT scarf she made out of Cascade 220 superwash yarn.

Great job on your finished projects, everyone!

Sometimes you just need a break...

Have you ever felt that you were pushing and pushing to get everything done...and yet still were so far behind? I've felt like that a lot the past few months. Last week Melissa gave me the day off. She said I was not to come to work...I was to go have some fun. I must admit it was hard for me. I wasn't quite sure what to do with myself. I did have 2 doctor appts. that day, but between them I picked up some lunch and went to Cove Park. After eating a leisurely lunch, I sat there on the park bench and just enjoyed the beautiful day. I could feel the warmth of the sun on my back...I could hear the birds singing...I could see the beautiful leaves and the water move as the wind blew across it. For just a short time, I felt relaxed and at peace. My life has been such a whirlwind the past few months since my car accidents. I'm better, but still in therapy. Many days I just feel too tired to continue going on. But then I get to have a day of rest and I'm rejuvenated...at least for a little while. I think we all need breaks every once in a while. Have you had a break lately? Try and find some time to just go and sit and enjoy the beautiful world that God has given us. I know I'm going to try to take breaks more often.



The Yarn Bowl Challenge is over. We had an independent judge come in to pick our winners. She said to tell you that many of you did wonderful jobs on your caps. It was very hard for her to choose, but here are the winners...

Most productive knitters and crocheters: Sandy Privets, Linda Cepeda, Kori Tisdale & Aggie Wallace (each of these ladies made over 250 caps each!!)

Most UT Spirit: Mary Beth Cox for her UT helmet hat


Most Unique: Kristina Plaas for her many cute original designs

We had a good time making all of these little caps. I'm glad we had the opportunity to help out our community hospitals.

Now go enjoy this beautiful day!!

Yarn Bowl Challenge ends...and we won!!!

Well, the results from the Yarn Bowl Challenge are in and the UT team won the challenge by knitting & crocheting 3,171 preemie caps! The Alabama team made 1,738 preemie caps for their area hospitals. Needless to say, we are excited and pleased to have so many folks join us in this challenge.

I wasn't able to put up on the internet a picture of our "Wall of Caps" before because I didn't want to give away how many caps we had made to the Bama Team. But now that the challenge is over, here's our famous "Wall of Caps". As you can see the caps overflowed even the portacrib we set up.

And we were very excited this week to have been both in the newspaper and on television! We were in the Shoppers News on Monday with an article. Then today, the Live at Five cameraman showed up to take some pictures of our "Wall of Caps". If you missed the newscast this afternoon, here's the video.

Thank you to everyone who made one of our preemie caps. I tell everyone all the time that I have the best customers in the world. You all are a giving group of people. Blessings to you all!

Show and Tell Saturday

Last night was so much fun as we gathered on our last Preemie Cap Day to have a final push on making preemie caps for our Yarn Bowl Challenge. Kori's son's girlfriend made us this darling cake to celebrate. The caps are still coming in today, so we should know by the end of the day whether UT fans or Alabama fans have won this challenge. Either way, it's been great to see so many people get involved in helping those little guys and gals that are coming into this world just a little bit smaller than most. They usually have a long road ahead of them. Hopefully our prayers and thoughts of them while we made the caps will sustain them as they start their journey.

I remembered to download my photos this week, so I have finished projects to show you. First of all, Leedra made a "Wonderful Wallaby" for herself and also two smaller ones. She used Plymouth Encore yarn. Great job, Leedra!

Melissa loves to make clothes for her Harry Potter dolls. Here is Professor Snake in a cape she made for him out of Brown Sheep Wildfoote sock yarn. It's amazing that she can make such small garments!

Phyllis made her Shapely Tank Top out of the wonderfully soft Malabrigo yarn. Very nice!

And Amanda finished her crocheted shrug in record time. She used Berroco Pure Merino to make this fabulous garment that I'm sure she has been wearing on these chilly days we've had lately.

Great work on your projects, everyone! Well, as soon as the results are in I'll let you know who won the Yarn Bowl Challenge and how many caps each team made for the NICUs at their local hospitals. GO VOLS!

Show and Tell Friday...

I'm enjoying this beautiful Fall weather we're having! I love a little crispness in the early morning. Many of you have asked recently about my back. I thought I would give you a little update today. I'm still in physical therapy 3 times a week. My upper and middle back are better, so we're mainly just dealing with my lower back at this point. It's taking a long time to get better and I do get discouraged a lot. But I appreciate all the well wishes I receive from you. You'll never know how much that little bit of kindness encourages me. Thank you!

I only have a couple of projects to share with you today because I have forgotten to download the other photos to my computer. I'll get those downloaded for next Friday's Show and Tell.

Judy brought in her Every Way Wrap from Interweave Knits magazine. She made it out of Malabrigo yarn.

She's also working on a scarf using Malabrigo yarn.

Thanks for sharing with us, Judy! Hope everyone enjoys their weekend!

Show and Tell Friday...

Today's Show and Tell items are...

Pam brought in her lacy kerchief scarf/shawl. This was an Interweave pattern she made out of Classic Elite Provence.

Esther brought in this adorable butterfly dress she made for her daughter. She used Berroco Comfort and Classic Elite Bella yarns.

Patti's wrap me up shawl by Knitting at KNoon was made out of the Malabrigo yarn.

And Jan brought in her vest made of Sirdar Baby Bamboo yarn. She used a pattern out of Creative Knitting magazine.

Thanks, everyone, for sharing your projects with us. Hope you enjoy this beautiful weekend we have ahead of us. My daughter and son-in-law will be coming to town for the weekend to celebrate 3 family birthdays. Melissa gave me Saturday off to spend time with them. And Kori will be helping her teach the Block of the Month class. Thanks, gals, for filling in for me. I appreciate you!

Show and Tell Friday...

Well, it's Friday again and I have some more wonderful finished projects to show you.

Kori made this hat for her son out of Cascade Heritage sock yarn. The pattern came from the "Not Just Socks" book. Very nice!

Amanda crocheted this clapochet (the crocheted version of the clapotis) out of Berroco Vintage Wool. This will keep her nice and warm this fall.

Daniel made this hat out of Cascade 220 yarn. Amanda so nicely modeled it for us.

And Leslie made Two Old Bags' Lucy bag. I love the cute pin she added.

Enjoy your weekend!

Show and Tell Friday

Have you ever met someone famous? Well, our Melissa went to Savannah last week to celebrate her 15th anniversary with her hubby. And guess who she met? Paula Deen!! Paula recently donated some hams to Second Harvest Food Bank, here in Knoxville. Melissa got to personally thank her for that donation. And speaking of thank yous, I want to thank everyone who donated can goods last week for the National Day of Service and Remembrance. We appreciate you!

Now on to our finished projects...

Kori made this cute bib out of Tahki Cotton Classic yarn. She even brought in one of her bears to display it...and made a preemie cap as well. The pattern is in the One Skein Knitting book which we have in the shop.

Then Wanda brought in this cute child's sweater she made with Plymouth Encore yarn. Very nice!

Melissa brought in a couple of items to share: a sock, a cowl and her clapotis. She's been one busy lady.

Thanks gals for sharing with us.

We have less than a month to go in our Yarn Bowl Challenge with the Alabama shop. If you'd like a quick project that will help out these little guys and gals, then make a preemie cap or two for us. Have a great weekend!

Show & Tell Friday...

Today's show and tell projects are:

Mary Beth's American Safari Hoodie she made with Cabin Fever Cotton Tweed

Jan's market bag

Leedra's Baby Surprise Jacket...out of our favorite colors...made with Dale of Norway Baby Ull

Another Leedra BSJ, also made with Dale of Norway Baby Ull

Moon's vest made with Fiesta La Boheme

And Kristina's Aeolian shawl made with Fiesta Ballerina

Great job, everyone!

Don't forget that today, September 11, is the National Day of Service & Remembrance. We will be collecting can goods for Second Harvest Food Bank today and tomorrow. President Obama has asked everyone to do some service for their community. This is just our way of helping out folks who are having trouble putting food on their tables. Thanks to everyone who has helped out in this community charity project. Blessings on your day!

Show and Tell Friday...

Did you know we had a Blue Ribbon winner amongst us? Janie entered some of her knitted items in the Anderson County fair this summer and she won 2 first place ribbons and 1 third place ribbon!

She showed off her shrug made out of Feza Cyprus Mohair and won 1st place. Pattern is Plymouth #1504. Very nice!

And then her child's hat made out of Plymouth Dreambaby also won a 1st place ribbon.

And finally, the helmet liner she made out of Cascade Superwash yarn received a 3rd place ribbon. Congratulations, Janie, on all 3 of your ribbons!

Laura came in wearing her Diamond Patch sweater from Just One More Row. She made it out of the Filatura di Crosa Carioca yarn. Beautiful!

Thanks gals for sharing with us! Be sure to bring in your finished objects for our Show & Tell!