OOOooooEEEeee Baby!!!!

Well knitting fans, it has been a very exciting and exhilarating week and this weekend promises more of the same! I spent the day Wed. at the career development day at the Philly knit and crochet show. I learned so much and it was such fun but I was distracted by work in a VERY excellent way...

I've had the pleasure of working with Susan Schlesinger of http://www.bonitaknitting.com helping to organize a cruise to Mexico on the Carnival Paradise. This is a 4 night itinerary departing Jan 15, 2007 sailing from Long Beach California to Catelina Island and Ensenada Mexico. This sailing coincides with the TNNA show which will be held in San Diego Jan 13-15.

OK...a knitting and crochet cruise you say...what's the big deal???

Well...what would you say if I told you THE Debbie Stoller of Stitch and Bitch fame, best selling
author, knitting guru, the happiest of hookers, the woman behind http://knithappens.com and editor of Bust Magazine will be joining us on this adventure on the high seas! Yeppers...classes, book signings and face time with the woman herself.

Please forgive me as we're ironing out the final details. I hope to have everything, all the knitty gritty posted on our website by next week. As a preview, just know cruise only prices (including taxes, port charges, gratuities and travel insurance) will start from $429.00 for an inside cabin.
Classes and materials will be additional. Reservations will be on a first come basis with deposit to confirm your space due by August 11. If you want to join us on this cruise YOU WILL NEED A VALID US PASSPORT!!! ok...one more time for those of you who are stitching, counting and reading this all at the same time...that line was very important so that is why I'm screaming at you again...PASSPORT RULES ARE CHANGING. AS OF DEC. 31, 2006 YOU WILL NOW NEED A VALID US PASSPORT TO TRAVEL TO MEXICO.
IF YOU WANT TO GO ON THIS CRUISE AND YOU DO NOT YET HAVE A PASSPORT...WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR...GET OFF YOUR BUTT AND GO APPLY FOR YOUR PASSPORT...This will give you something to do while you're waiting for full details to be posted about this cruise.

So tomorrow I'll be getting up at the crack of dawn and driving 2 hours with my daughter Vanessa to the show. Can't wait to shop the market. Besides that, a good majority of the girls joining us on our London trip in October will be meeting each other for the first time over lunch.
Then after lunch I've got some classes scheduled and a pajama/knitting party. In between all of this I'll be on the phone with Carnival security officials. It seems there are very specific rules in place for craft cruises...pointed scissor are not allowed to have blades longer than 4 inches. All passengers are responsible for measuring their scissor blades before dockside security checks.
Of course, there is nothing specific regarding foot long knitting skewers. I need to get someone at Carnival to produce special dispensation in writing so that I don't have some mild mannered, well intentioned security guard at embarkation being threatened within inches of his life with needles of mass destruction in the hands of dozens of insane women who have just been told that they will be able to sail with their knitting.

...and you guys all thought the travel business was an easy, glamorous cake job!
I just so excited about all this that I can't help it - I have that Cheezy 60's tune playing in my head....OOOOoooeeee baby, Won't you let me take you on a sea cruise!

I promise more photos and news from the show and full details for all you Debbie Stoller fans!!!

Phila Knit & Crochet Show Lunch Invite

I'm SO excited about the Philly Show this week!

I know it's good to take a bit of a break from work but
with all the prep things you have to do before going away and all the
catching you know you'll face afterwards, right now I'm thinking
maybe I was crazy signing up for all those classes at
the Philly knit and crochet show. Of course the moment I set foot
in there I'll be in knitter's heaven and all this stress will be for naught.

I've been emailing back in forth with many of the knitters coming on the London
October trip and it seems many of us will be down in Philly too. I've decided to
try and get as many of us as possible together for a bit of a "meet & greet".
So.... Here's the invite...
-If you'll be in Phila 0n Friday July 14th
-If you're going on the London Stitchawaytour trip
OR
-If you WISH you were going on the London Stitchawaytour trip

Please make time to join us for Lunch on Friday at 1pm
RSVP to sally@stitchawaytours.com so that I can get a head count
and reservations for us in a nearby restaurant.

News on UK knitting week

It's getting closer...
The news page all about the UK's National knitting week has been updated...
http://www.nationalknittingweek.com/

This is where information will be posted regarding all the knitting events that will be going on during our trip. I know some of us London travelers are real yarn addicts and we'll want to take
in all the events we can while others will want to do more general sightseeing.
Gotta run...the weekend is starting and I don't want it to get ahead of me!

Fourth of July knitting homework

I realize it's fourth of July weekend and most folks have their minds on BBQs, fireworks and freedom but somehow can't I seem to focus much on the festivities. I'm planning a trip to the
Philadelphia Knit and Crochet Show July 12-16. These CGOA & TKGA Conferences offer a wide variety of classes for all skill levels. I've signed up for several classes, mostly pattern designing.
With classes comes prep/homework. So in between the baked beans and hot dogs, I've been swatching away. I'm determined not to procrastinate and rush these assignments at the last minute which is my usual style. I'm also trying to kill two birds with one stone so to speak. I need a new throw for my guest bedroom so I've coordinated all of my swatches and colors so that when I'm done with my classes, I can whip all of my homework into a sampler afghan.

Besides having the opportunity to learn new skills and take class with celebrity knitters, I'm REALLY looking forward to having the chance to meet up with a few of the knitters who will be traveling with us to London.