Sock Summit Loot - At the Event Part 1

Surprisingly, I restrained myself.

Clockwise from the top, a sweater's worth of Valley Yarns Goshen from Webs, a skein of Buffalo Gold #3 for a reduced price in exchange for a skein of yarn from my stash, a pair of triangular wooden needles from Laurel Hill,* two sets of Signature size 0 double-pointed needles in Stilleto, a skein of quiviut** from Village Spinning and Weaving, and an Addi Lace size 4 circular needle from Webs again.

There are two more things that didn't make the picture...Tune in tomorrow.

MK out.

*I am such a needle ho - I don't even like working with straight needles anymore, but I bought them because they were pretty. I can always display them...Yeah, that's it...

**I bought a skein of quiviut in the brownish tone five years ago in Alaska and gave it to a friend for her birthday. I have been wanting to buy a skein for myself ever since and never did, until Sock Summit, when I found a skein in black! Woo Hoo!!!

Yes, I've Been Watching Movies...

I watched a few videos: Made of Honor is a cute, little predictable romantic comedy with Patrick Dempsey and Michelle Monaghan. Hannah (Monaghan) and Tom (Dempsey) are the best of friends. Hannah asks Tom to be the "maid" of honor in her upcoming nuptials...but Tom realizes he wants Hannah for himself. It was cute.

Where in the World is Osama Bin Laden? was written by Morgan Spurlock of Supersize Me fame. He and his wife are expecting a baby, and he wants to find Osama Bin Laden in an effort to make the world a safer place. He travels to the Middle East looking for Bin Laden and in his various stops, he interviews ordinary citizens about their views of the 9/11 tragedy and how it impacted their lives. It was really interesting, because the overwhelming theme is that most people want to live in peace, be able to educate their young and have their basic needs met. It was good.

Gypsy Caravan: When the Road Bends is a documentary chronicling the 6-week concert with five gypsy bands from four countries playing flamenco, Indian folk, Romanian violin, Raga and jazz. It was really interesting. I liked learning more about the Rom people.

Confessions of a Shopaholic is a cute, little chick flick. Isla Fisher, Hugh Dancy, Joan Cusack and John Goodman star in this movie about a girl who shops compulsively. She wants to work for a fashion magazine, but ends up working for a financial magazine instead. She writes a popular article giving practicle financial advice, while in real life, she is in plastic debt heaven. It was funny. I liked it.

I Love You, Man is crude comedy at its best...crude, crude dialogue, but funny, funny movie. A couple becomes engaged and the groom soon discovers that he doesn't have any friends from whom to choose his best man. He goes on a friend-making spree. After a few false starts, he meets someone he really likes in an unexpected situation. Paul Rudd and Jason Segel star in this movie. I liked it.

I managed to catch a few in theaters: In Inglourious Basterds, Brad Pitt plays a Jewish American soldier who brings together a group of men whose main focus is to kill Hitler and as many Nazis as it takes along the way. Melanie Laurent plays Shosanna, a Jewish girl who witnesses the murder of her family at the hands of a cruel Nazi and vows her revenge against the Nazis. That officer was played by Christoph Waltz. Look for his name come Oscar time, because if he doesn't get nominated for that role, it will be a shame. He was fantastic. It's a Quentin Tarantino film; so, get ready for the graphic violence and blood. I managed to like this movie, despite the gore.

Julie and Julia is based on the autobiographical film by Julie Powell, which tells about the year she spent cooking 524 of Julia Child's recipes and blogged about it. Julie is played well by Amy Adams, but the real jewel in this film is Meryl Streep as Julia Child. She gave an over-the-top performance that captured her essence without trying to imitate her exactly. Streep was right on!It was magical. Stanley Tucci played Julia's husband, Paul, and did a great job. I really liked this movie.

I really did not like The Time Traveler's Wife. Eric Bana plays a guy with a genetic condition that causes him to travel through time when he is stressed in some way. Most of the time, I did not feel the stress that caused him to travel. The romantic interest is played by Rachel McAdams. I did not feel any chemistry between the two of them. A friend pointed out that she thought the movie was trying to show how bittersweet and fleeting life is. I guess I appreciate that part about it. I also thought the two little girls in the movie played their parts well, but otherwise...not impressed.

The season is getting ready to crank...I can't wait!

MK out.

Sock Summit Loot - Before the Event

I bought some swag before the event. That silver thing on top that looks like a little SS Enterprise - It's a little book light that clips on your book or papers, allowing you to knit in the dark!

MK out.

Sock Summit Report - Part 5

Saturday was an early day for me. Our favorite BuffaloGuy, Ron, brought a couple of Voodoo Donuts to the Madelinetosh booth. (Thanks Ron!)



This one turned out to be my breakfast, but I couldn't finish it. It got sweeter with every bite. Voodoo Donuts are famous for their Bacon Maple Bars. I'll have to try those next time.








I left for the airport before lunch and took the MAX to the airport. The flight home was uneventful, too. Yay! No waiting on the tarmac for six hours for me.



I'm going to be out of pocket for a week, but hope to flash the goods I purchased at Sock Summit next time.



MK out.

Sock Summit Report - Part 4

Friday was a busy day at the Sock Summit. After the World Record attempt (and setting) in the morning, there was a booksigning with all the authors in the afternoon.

Barbara Walker's line was the longest. I got my copy of her book signed first. Then, I had Stephanie sign a book for me. While I was waiting in Cat Bordhi's line, I took a picture of Lucy Neatby and Barbara Walker signing books.









Then, onto Friday night with the Sock Hop held at Portland's Art Museum. Some people wore poodle skirts! It was a fun time.

I really need to figure out how to use my camera in low level light.


Here's part of Team Ravelry - Jess and Mary Heather are acting all good girl/bad girl.



















There was dancing.












Amy and I went back to the hotel and I got all packed and organized for the next day. I was kind of sad about having to leave early.

MK out.

Sock Summit Report - Part 3

On June 15, 2009, 256 people gathered at Martin Place in Sydney, Australia to set the Guinness Book of World Records for most people knitting at the same time.

On August 7, 2009, at the Sock Summit held in the Oregon Convention Center in Portland, Oregon...




Part of the crowd...
















Stephanie running by as she gets things ready...















Stephanie and Tina explain the rules, as the Guinness officials and other dignitaries watch over the crowd...
















Although it is not official yet, the Australian record has been beaten. I heard that something to the tune of 935 people were knitting simultaneously in that ballroom...

MK out.

Sock Summit Report - Part 2

The next day was a continuation of vendor setup and the beginning of classes. Since class registration just about broke the server - with 30K simultaneous connections trying to fill 4K spots, I was not able to get into but one class. It was a good one - Hooked on Beads with Sivia Harding.

I liked the class. It was fun - and definitely prepared me to start my foray into embellishing my knitting. I think I'm ready to be a big girl and to knit a shawl out of laceweight yarn....I think.



Here's a picture of Sivia and me. She is wearing a pretty beaded shawl that she designed.











After the class, the marketplace opened for students only. You would have thought it contained the very last skeins of yarn and fiber and related goodies in the universe. It was like a yarn grab. There was singing (100 skeins of yarn on the wall...) and cheering when the doors opened.

I was helping Amy in the Madelinetosh informational booth. We were selling only her Limited Edition Dye for Glory entry - the Skinnamarink colorway. It was the runner up in the watercolor division. I didn't take a picture, of course, but it is a pretty colorway. We spent the rest of the time directing people to the vendors who were carrying her yarns and doing a little bit of knitting. It was great fun meeting people - some of whom I have only interacted with online.

Since Amy and I were bushed, we went straight to our hotel, dropped our stuff and went to dinner. I missed the opening ceremonies, but they've been discussed so much on Ravelry and the blogs, that I felt as if I were there.

MK out.