Giddy Up Gidget!

I've been hard at work on a project for Emma - a horse sweater! - one of the riders at the barn showed up one day with this amazing Cowichan sweater that she got for Christmas from Aritzia - I searched high and low for it for Emma with no success and truthfully, was not all the excited about the $85 price tag that went along with the store bought one. So began my search for a horse sweater - and finally I decided to follow Meghan's example and buy a kit. I switched the reindeers to horses, the other designs to horse shoes, added her name on the back, lengthened it alot and now I'm proud to say - it's almost done - just drying and then buttons! The best part is Emma loves it!

New yarns have been pouring in here for me to check out - here's the pile of yes yarns - yarns that will be coming to Pick Up Sticks. Most of the new yarns we hope to debut at the Knitter's Frolic in Toronto on April 30th - I can't be there this year because I will be on my way back from Florida but the magnificent Meghan and the super Sarah along with some others will be manning the booth!

Oh and this little pile of gorgeousness - I'm casting on this afternoon. New kits coming to us soon! Can't tell because it's all part of the new plans!

I begin setting up a new refreshed website next week too! I'm excited about that - we will still be live on line until the actual day of the big switch. Lots of work to do - fun, fun, fun!

It's Over with Jared

As you can see I finished Umaro on the weekend and now as a reward think I should cuddle up under it and have a nap! I'm so proud of this - there's great joy in finishing something that you just really, really wanted. My husband asked me what I was going to do with it and I explained, in a very patient way, that most times knitting is not about what I am going to do with it, or if I even need it - it's about the knitting - creating something so gorgeous that it takes your breath away.

There's another Jared FO in the shop - Ptarmigan Cowl made from one skein of Yarn Candy, Sweet Fiber Silk Cashmere held double. So soft and comfy to wear!

And yes, I know the website isn't working - can we just not talk about it? I've got 3 calls in to 3 different people - maybe someone will fix it.

Take A Deep Breath

I actually have no idea where to start - it's been a horrendous week or two -not actually sure how much time has passed - first Cannon had to be put down, took a few days to recover from that - then Emma got really, really sick with the flu, cold whatever it is that's going around. Then I got it and it put me to bed for 4 days - so sick, that I had a tiny note on the shop door telling people I was closed due to illness - I could not move. Then while I was lying around feeling sorry for myself I realized my website was no longer. Just a happy message from my hosting company saying they were working on it and that the problem had nothing to do with me - except a problem like that has everything to do with me. I tried to be patient and was finally told they weren't even sure if it could be resurrected from it's grave - however, it is back after much phoning, emailing, crying etc. It's not quite working perfectly but I'm on it and expect all to be well by the end of the day. I've switched to a super duper server so hopefully the problems are a thing of the past. And now that I am just raising my head from the bed - my husband informs me that he's now sick. And yes, I know, much, much sicker than I ever was.

Despite all this there has been good stuff going on behind the scenes - as I indicated in a previous newsletter - Pick Up Sticks is in for a shake up. I have decided, after sending out a survey to over 1000 customers and lots of careful thought to become an even more specialized shop than I already am. Over the course of the next few months all of the commercially produced yarns - big name companies, not Indie Dyers, are going to be put on sale for 20% off until they are gone and slowly new and exciting hand dyed yarns from around the world will replace their spots on our shelves. I'm looking at all weights, all fibres and all hand dyed or hand painted. It's what I love best so why not offer you even more of what we all love! Samples have been pouring in and I've found some good ones for sure! I will also be expanding the hand dyed yarns I already carry to include more of their weights and fibers - a big change like this will take time but one thing for sure is once the new yarns start arriving there will always be something new and exciting here to see. There will be a newsletter going out tomorrow to announce all the items that are on sale with the actual sale starting on Saturday. 2011 is going to be a fantastic year for Pick Up Sticks - hang on knitters!

A Really Yucky Day

This morning I woke up to the phone ringing - it was Laura telling me that Cannon was colicking and it was very serious. We tried hard all day - the vet was here numerous times, Emma gave him natural remedies every 10 minutes for 2 hours. Finally at 5:00 pm, the decision was made to let him go. RIP Cannonball Fire - you were an awesome horse and we'll miss you!

Not Better But Equal

This post equals the number of 2009 posts and although, I could post twice today - that seems like cheating. Seems I've developed a Repetitive Stress Injury in my right thumb joint which makes knitting and pretty much anything painful.....the knitting marathon for those sweaters for Liam and Quinn have done me in. I'm supposed to rest it and then in the New Year I can get a brace or I can get laser treatment but I do not have to stop knitting. Thank goodness! This morning I was moping around thinking I can't knit anymore, that means I have to sell my business and what will I do with myself, blah, blah, blah - yup, I can be slightly dramatic when the need arises.

Last night I was working away on Umaro - I know, I'm not supposed to be knitting but really - ignore Jared - I don't think so....... Emma comes in the family room with a plate of pomegranate seeds. She tipped the plate slightly and guess what? Yup brilliant pomegranate juice all over me and Jared - I mean Umaro :0 She was really, really sorry and a quick rinse in cold water got the juice off the blanket and off the ball of yarn I was knitting with - lucky for her! And now I have to wait until everything is dry to knit anymore....so my thumb will get some rest.

Do you all have plans for New Year's Eve? Not us really, my dad is coming over for appetizers and dinner - and then it's probably Greg, me and Emma with Dick Clark's Rockin Eve. Happy New Year to all of you - may 2011 be happy, healthy and prosperous for everyone!