Show and Tell Friday...

This rainy day today makes me want to just curl up on the couch and knit. But unfortunately, the paperwork in the back office is keeping me here at the shop and working hard. You know, the first couple of years as a yarn shop owner I was able to be out on the sales floor and really get to interact with customers. That's how I made so many really good friends. But the last year or so, as we have grown, the business side of the shop has kept me going at a pretty fast clip. I constantly feel like I am behind in ordering supplies. I think the purchasing and processing part is becoming a full-time job. And I'm always on the outlook for new products and new ideas of fun events we can have at the shop. While I love my job, I do miss the leisurely hours I had at the beginning. Now they didn't seem so leisurely back then. But seeing how busy I've become in the past year...those years were a piece of cake. Hopefully, you all will enjoy the fun things I'm planning and not be too disappointed when I have to hid back in the office and do paperwork. That time is what keeps the shop up and running.

OK...I have to share another photo of my great-nephew, Jackson. He's really a cute little guy and is doing quite well for being a preemie. I'm hoping I'll get to see him up close and personal before too long. My brother is obviously smitten with being a grandpa for the first time. I hear through the grapevine that he's headed back up to Kentucky this weekend for a visit. That's so good to see him excited about his new grandson.

And I forgot to share last week about the fun time that we had at our Girls' Night Out Workshop on making clay buttons. They were really fun to make and not hard at all. We just might have to get Mimi to teach this class again. It was so neat to see the gals create such neat buttons to go on their garments.

Now for a few show and tell items...

Kori made her scarf out of Berroco Seduce yarn. A simple pattern created a great scarf!

Mary finished her 10 stitch blanket and did a wonderful job. She used the Noro Silk Garden and created this beautiful heirloom for her family to enjoy.

And Kelora made this shawl out of the Frabjous Fibers Blue Faced Leicester roving that she handspun. That's quite an accomplishment to first spin your yarn and then knit it up into a beautiful garment to wear. And speaking of spinning, don't forget to come to our 2nd Saturday Spin 'N Stitch tomorrow from 2-4 pm. You'll find folks spinning, knitting and crocheting to their heart's content.

If you're looking for something to do next weekend, don't forget the Smoky Mountain Fiber Arts Festival up in Townsend. We'll be having a booth there and you'll get to see lots of fun fiber items. Hope to see you there!

The Yarn Haven Olympics 2010...

The 2010 Vancouver Olympics are over...and so we can now announce the winners of The Yarn Haven Olympics. Chosen by popular vote from our customers...here are the winners in each category.

Kelora won the Lace category with her beautiful shawl made out of Mountain Colors yarn. Her pattern was out of the Victorian Lace Today book.

Ginny won the Sweater category using Louisa Harding Hulda yarn. Her pattern was Lisa's Berrielicious sweater.

Jan won the Socks category using Swedish Yarn Raggi yarn. She also used one of Lisa's patterns called "I don't give a darn socks".

And the UFO category was won by Beth and her buttonhole scarf. She used Ironstone Sky yarn.

Congratulations to all of our winners! Please stop by the shop and pick up your Olympic prize. Our winners get the yarn to make one of the Olympic Reindeer hats like the USA team wore in the Opening Ceremonies. Everyone loved the hats when we saw them, and when I saw that someone on Ravelry had charted it out, I just knew this would be the perfect prize. Hope you enjoy making them!

The other people who turned in their projects for our Olympics should be congratulated as well since they were able to finish their projects.

Sweater category - Mimi did the Lisel pattern by Ysolda Teague out of Malabrigo yarn.

Socks category - Sue made her socks out of Luna Park yarn.

Lace category - Kristina made her shawl out of Cascade Lace yarn.

Lace category - Laura made her shawl out of Takhi Gioiello yarn.

Lace category - Kori made a lace doillie out of Presencia Perle Cotton yarn.

Lace category - Aggie made a lace scarf out of Filatura di Crosa Carioca yarn.

UFO category - Marilyn made a felted bag out of Cascade 200 yarn.

I hope you all enjoyed doing Olympic projects...and watching the 2010 Vancouver games.

I'm a Great-Aunt again!!

Yesterday at 2:41 pm I became a great-aunt once again. My nephew, Chris, and his wife, Kellie, brought little Jackson William Godwin into this world weighing 4# 10 oz. and 18" long. He was 5 weeks early, but considering Kellie has some health issues, it was a miracle he even made it. Welcoming a new baby into the family is always a wonderful thing, but this little guy is special for several reasons. One, he is named after my daddy, William Godwin. And also, he is the one to carry on the Godwin name as all of the Godwin boys have had girls. So we are very excited and I can't wait to actually hold him. Here is the only photo I have of him so far. Hopefully, Chris and Kellie will find time to post some other photos on Facebook. My brother, David, says he looks a little like Chris did when he was born. And I could tell my brother was just beaming when he called me with the news. This is his first grandchild by blood. Although he has several other grandchildren with his wife, Janice, that I know he loves as well. But there's just something about holding your first grandchild for the first time. I still remember holding Ariel when she was born. In fact, someone took a picture of that moment and it's one that I will cherish forever.

Want to see some finished projects that my customers have made? Well, here they are...

Kristina finally finished this enormous pi shawl. Isn't it just gorgeous! You can tell by her smile that she's proud of it. And she should be!


Jan made a scarf out of Malabrigo yarn. It was a free pattern on Ravelry by Two Left Needles called "Homespun Scarf".


Mary Beth's used Malabrigo's new Twist yarn to make this Shell Lace Stole. It's also a free pattern on Ravelry.

Three beautiful finished projects...and a gorgeous weekend to boot. Blessings to you all!