29 November, 2009

Am I in Trouble?

Today I was expecting a customer to look at my baby garments with the idea to choose a couple for her great granddaughters and also later today I will have a less than 5 lb baby visit and her mom will have the privilege of choosing preemie sized sweaters for the little darling.  So, I went to my closet and sorted out the appropriate sizes and then I became obsessed with my stash that lately has become quite disorganized.  That may have been a big mistake.  After a few hours I find that my stash is taller than me and I still have four cardboard boxes in the spare room with more yarn.  When I am done, my stash will be pushing on the ceiling.  My question now is, Am I In Trouble?  Is yarn stashing addictive just like knitting is?  Do I have multi addiction problems.  I know that gambling addicts can sign up with casino security to be turned away from entering Casino Rama, do I need to notify all the yarn shops to deny my entry?  Should I put my stash in my Will for the next generation or should I just stay around forever until it is all gone.  HELP ME, Please. In the meantime, ---- MommaBearKnits and obviously will for some time to come.  At least I will be warm. 

27 November, 2009

Back on Track - Knitting and Designing

I am back working on the Teen Hoodie.  Deb, Dana, Lynda, Sophie and I have met several times and will meet many more times I am sure.  Each of us are working on a different teen style project.  I have received lots of input and have listened to Grandmoms, Moms, Teens, Knitters and other Designers.  I also listened to my Brain. Now it has begun.  It will be a multi-directional project, at least for now it is.  First step is the centre back panel. 



I have worked 10 1/2 inches of the 16 inch centre back.  I am using a large ball of acrylic yarn from my huge stash, just to see how it works. Next I will write the pattern and knit the first sample in Cabin Fever Cottage Colours.  I am working the smallest size to see the project completed.  Then when all the glitches are worked out, I will knit the middle size and then another designer will knit a different size, that way we will have three of the 7 sizes tested (now there are 7 sizes on the spread sheet but it may be taken down to 5 for the finished pattern). 

I am still knitting small mindless projects and socks, of course, when I am tired or being distracted by TV, Visiting or Travelling.

As everyone knows ---- MommaBearKnits and Designs on into the night.  See you next time, with more of the Hoodie Project done.

22 November, 2009

Still Knitting or Knitting Still


While I was at the Christmas Art and Craft Tour in Oro Medonte, of course I needed a project that would not require a great deal of concentration.  So---- I started a size 12 month pullover version of  "Baby J".  It was easy to work while watching the customers, answering questions and making sales.  My no sew and multidirectional concept became quite a subject of conversation and now I have a new project to start my stock increase for the next show or sale that I encounter-Bonus!  This one is worked in Worsted Weight yarn and is a warm spring or fall coat weight pullover.



Don't think It is over for MommaBear, she is still knitting.
----MommaBearKnits

21 November, 2009

Mommy, It's Over!!!!!

Great time, Great sales, Great networking, Great compliments.  I learned a lot, and listened to the people.  Now I am knitting on into the night.  Tired, but happy.  Big boost for ego and encouragement to continue. 
Good Night, see you tomorrow. 

20 November, 2009

End of Day # 1

It was great.  There was a steady stream of touring paticipants, I received awesome compliments and sold much more than I expected for my first event.  I know, I tried to keep the prices reasonable and likely could have upped them some but I still am very very happy.  I could hardly get my swelled head inside my car to drive home.  Apparently tomorrow (Saturday) will have much more traffic so I had to really spread out my stock to keep the table looking full.  I am happy, very very happy and I listened to the customers and now have many more ideas of what people want.  There seems to be a lot of requests for the tween sizes so I guess the Tween Patterns that Cabin Fever and Friends are working on will get out of the starting gate and do well.  Today I took some pictures of my show neighbours.  It is a small location but fits right in with the Christmas Tour concept.  The ladies of the church served tea/coffee and muffins in the morning and a great English Style lunch.   How great it was to be served tea in a china pot with the choice of sweets and a cup and saucer to enjoy your tea and also refills from your own personal teapot.  The pictures are random shots of my vendor neighbour's products before the doors opened.  The locations are small and intimate but the tour consists of four locations within 10 minutes of each other, a great idea. 




  MommaBear will be up and running again tomorrow morning.  At 4:00 p.m. it will be over, until next year, because Buffi already invited me back. 
---- MommaBear is tired.

19 November, 2009

12 HOURS !!!!!!

Set up is done, well sort of, I know that I will be changing things around in the morning.  I need more space, or less stock. 

This how it looked before I begun getting stuff out of bags.


First go at it, changed things around quite a bit, still not enough room.

I will make some changes and then I will be out there for all to see.  I look forward to the experience.  I have no idea where I will put the three sweaters, two mittlet pairs, and one last pair of mittens that are still drying on the towels.  I will be reporting after the tour is over.

The weather was scary for the drive to Shanty Bay, Rain and Fog big time, but I made it in one piece.  I guess better than snow but Buffi was looking for a little snow to help promote the "Christmas Tour".
---- MommaBearKnits

ONE !!!!!!

Countdown, One More Sleep!!!!!!





The Last Items are now drying on a towel and the Information Tags are ready to be attached.  This afternoon I will drive to Shanty Bay and set up my display.  I guess these last few projects will have to remain at home until tomorrow.  They should be dry by then.  Wish me luck, I dreamed about the show last night and I am looking forward to the next two days talking about my sticks and string.
MommaBearKnits on into the night.
Then I will take a break and get back to my Hoodie Project and finishing up Baby Compass and Samorelle.  Will it ever end ----- I hope Not!

18 November, 2009

16 November, 2009

Oh My!!! I Only Have Four Days Left!!!

We went to Orangeville this weekend for a OFAH Zone Annual Meeting.  PoppaBear went to the meetings, MommaBear networked, shopped, ate lots of food, had a few cool ones and sat out in the Sunshine, in November, in Canada without a coat on.  It was a good trip, because we normally travel through terrible weather to the Annual meeting. Last year we travelled to Owen Sound and came home in a bad winter storm.   Of course I was accompanied by my Sticks and String all weekend.  I also visited the local yarn shop and, guess what---spent money on yarn.   My knitting attracted lots of attention and I answered lots of questions, the most common question was, "Where is your pattern"? Answer: "In my Head".  "Oh, how does that work.? Answer: "With lots of frogging".

The Cruster Ruster also had a fabulous weekend at Snuggles Pooch and Kitty Holiday Camp http://www.snugglespetcamp.ca/ .  He loves it there and this time he even got to go for a 40 minute walk in the bush with one of the owners.  It is a great home away from home for the lucky dogs and cats that get to holiday there and we never worry about him when he is under their fabulous care. 

Now I am getting down to finishing up the last of my stock, I will be ready, hope we have lots of traffic. 



Last week I discovered that, although my stock was plentiful, I was a little short on the size 12 month garments, so I started the cardigan shown above.  Now it is finished, just needs its ends sewn in (oh I hate the word sew, when it comes to knitting). 


I also am working on two pullovers, the Rhubarb/Beige pullover is on the home stretch, and the Denim Blue pullover will be ready for Friday morning---I hope, if not, it will be worked on during the show.  I also have two pairs of mittlets, one pair of adult mitts and a child's hat to finish off and then I am ready.  I will, however, start a couple of projects to show off at the show, hopefully the knitting will attract some interest and be a topic of conversation. 

Come visit if you are in the area, remember ------MommaBearKnits

09 November, 2009

ELEVEN DAYS TO GO!!!!!

Today I spent several hours preparing my stock records.  I had no idea just how much knitting I have done.  But now, every item is tagged with my contact info, size, yarn content, price, description and stock number.  Now that I finally got down to record keeping instead of playing with my sticks and string I can, from now on, just update my stock records with new products and hopefully record some sales.   I will be ready for the show, I know I will.  Hope it goes well and the weather is nice to us all. 

Back to the sticks and string now.  MommaBear will work on the hoodie design as well as finishing off some small items. 

- MommaBearKnits

07 November, 2009

13 Days to Go!

Well I am working hard and almost ready.  Thirteen Days to go, then I will know what I will do over the next 12 months, will I be getting ready for the 2010 Tour or will I be going in a new direction?  Whatever happens, I will still be knitting on into the night.  Today I visited several craft shows in the area, just to see what is being featured.  Not a whole bunch of knitting but I did see some really cute doggie sweaters, they were awesome.  Looking at what is out there, I think I will be well within the range and there were not a lot of baby/children garments just lots of scarves, mittens, dish cloths, stuffed teddies, Christmas decorations and of course, doggie sweaters.  Very few children socks and sweaters so I should do ok. 

My little models are all ready to shine.  Thanks to my Big Brother, Bernard for the work he put into these wooden display units for me. 

I have also been busy making stock lables and pricing the projects.  So far for stock numbers I am at number 122 with still more to go.  I think there will be no problem filling the space.  Hope to see lots of people at the St. Thomas Church Hall in Shanty Bay, Oro Medonte.  Remember I will be there Friday November 20 and Saturday November 21.  After it is over I will post how it went. 

Now back to the sticks and string.  MommaBearKnits on into the night and first thing in the morning.

04 November, 2009

16 Days and I will be in the middle of it!

I have not been working the sticks and string very much today.  I walked Cruster Ruster this morning and then went to visit my Mom in Law.  She is still doing pretty good for 97.  I love her she is so cute and she still has strong opinions that she is not shy expressing, good for her.  Then I visited with Deb, my Knitting Guru. We had a talk about knitting and she gave me some good advice for my first craft show participation, I really appreciate help from someone who has been there (of course Cabin Fever Sisters go to much bigger venues than a local craft show, but the advise will still help me).  Then I came home, hauled out all my stock and worked all afternoon and into the early evening preparing the stock tags for everything.  Lots and lots of stock.  I still have some tags for hats to do and then all those socks.  I am winding down and will be ready ------

 It doesn't look that large in the picture but believe me it is.  I cannot believe that I actually knit all the items along with the designing and the huge project knitting my JJ Jacket. Thanks for retirement time. 

I have been wearing JJ and am truly amazed at how many people approach me and say how much they like it.  Makes me proud. 

MommaBear is going to rest now, that means of course, she will pick of the sticks and work an easy project to relax.  Love to knit, yes I do-------

02 November, 2009

Time is Running Out!

It is November 2, 2009.  I have only 18 days left until the 16th Annual Christmas Art and Craft Tour in Oro Medonte.  Oh My --- What was I thinking. 

I am busy getting all the yarn ends worked in, (my least enjoyable task of knitting).  I have solved the problem of sewing, working top down and multidirectional but still have to face the "Work in the Yarn Ends".  Here lay some stringy unfinished projects but they are well on their way to being part of the show.  Thanks Buffi for the opportunity to shine ---- I hope I shine.


 See below a baby hat knit from left over self patterning yarn knit double, really multicoloured and knit from the top down. 


Below is a circle (there are more coming) of warmth for cold hands in Oro Medonte.  Hope they get to do what they are meant to do...........



I will also have a circle (or pile) of hats and children's socks.  So warm heads and feet are in.............  I will have baby/children's hoodies, cardigans and pullovers.  Lots and lots to choose from.

I am now working on all the information/price tags for each and every item.  I had no idea just how many pieces I have produced.  If nothing else there will be plenty to choose from.  I am also still working on the Tween Hoodie that I asked for advice from my visitors over the past few days.  I am still open for suggestions - don't hesitate to post a comment or comments. 

I love my retirement, it enables my passion, how can that be a bad thing. 
MommaBearKnits, boy oh boy, does she knit.