the show came to town

I have had an AMAZING weekend! I attended the Knitting and stitching show yesterday and was not disappointed. In my opinion, this year's show was much better than last year's. Perhaps due to there being a lot more exhibitors selling yarn and fabric but it's more likely because I was in the company of the ever lovely Gwen and her mama & Diane and her mama, Anne.

My first stop was Pure Purl's stand where I got to hang out with PurlPixie and AnneOlly while admiring the handiwork of the nutty knitters. I indulged in Malabrigo Yarn - enough to make myself a Featherweight Cardigan and 2 fingering weight shawls. I'm yet to settle on exact patterns but I'm thinking something by Evelyn A. Clark: a designer whose shawls are of interest to me.

The artists exhibition section of the show was very interesting too. Most folks did not permit their work to be photographed but here is a piece of work I was allowed to take a picture of

lovely, isn't it? Below is a close-up of the 'quilt'

made of Guinness cans, how ingenious! (In my yarn fume induced haze, I didn't take the artist's name so if anyone reading knows please pass it on)

Thanks to the lovely blomeenee, I now know this is a piece by Becky Knight.

My other stops included: the Wensleydale Wool Stall; The button lady; Fiddlesticks Fabrics and emma garry. On the whole I was very restrained in my spending - unsurprising as I bought a pair of shoes earlier this week.

You may have noticed there's been no talk of work this post, that's because I've done none, nada, nothing, nein, zero, zilch. The first weekend in 4 where I've done no work! So how did I spend my time? I knitted not one but two hats yesterday and you know what this means? Yep, Christmas gift knitting has officially begun!

Today, I cleaned my home in anticipation of house guests arriving later in the week. I also drafted a design for a baby quilt in a size I am trying for the first time. I've got my creative mojo back!

I hadn't realised just how badly I needed a time-out till Thursday. I'd begun to feel overwhelmed by my workload. On Friday I took steps to re-arrange (read reassess and ditch the inconsequential) things and now I have a more manageable lot. And time to do the little things that make me happy (& sane). like knit. and sew. and clean. and yoga.