Biltmore yesterday

You know how your best school friend flies in from SeaTac to join you for a wonderful weekend in North Carolina? You know how she left her glasses on the bed when she went to sleep? You know how she woke up and thought that the glasses must have fallen to the floor on the left side of the bed? You know how you and your friend look everywhere on the left side of the bed but do not find the glasses? You know how you have a brilliant notion to pull the mattress down a bit just in case the glasses dropped between the mattress and the wall? You know how you walk around the right side of the bed to get a good grip on the mattress? You know how you step right on the glasses?

No?

Well, I do.

 See that rubber band? That's how Kris is holding her lens in place. Sigh...

You can't take pictures inside Biltmore, but you can take lots of them outside. The inside was as beautiful and wonderful as always. We walked easily 6 hours yesterday. We also saw the Tiffany Exhibit, which was flat-out stunning.

 The leaves are past peak- most of the red is gone and many trees are bare, but it's still breathtakingly beautiful.

 Lots of statues of little naked boys on the grounds.

 Carving carving everywhere.

 Copper and gargoyles.

 Imagine waking up to this every morning.

 One of the small verandas.

Pics of gardens and flowers tomorrow (or tonight... at any rate... later)

Wordless North Carolina, Peak-Schmeak

SAFF Day 3- Mostly Pics and Links

 SAFF Day 3 is done- it was long but wonderful. Above, Karen and Yvonne oh so generously toted me back and forth from the motel to the WNC for several days. They waited around for me to get done with my classes, and were wonderful company. I'm so glad that I met them, and so grateful for their kindness.

 Today's only workshop was the All Day Nordic Christmas Stocking class. Despite the fact that we were all a little punchy from a long and fantastic, though exhausting, weekend, everyone did a wonderful job with their stockings. They forgave my totally foggy brain, and my lack of focus toward the end of the day. As always, I had genius students. And, as always, I hope to be invited back.

Tonight, we ventured into downtown Asheville. The architecture is intricate and beautiful. We ate sea-salt dark chocolate caramels from Chocolate Fetish. Oh my...

Last night, we toured old town Hendersonville. We ate an absolutely fantastic meal at Lime Leaf. Tonight, we went back to Hendersonville and ate at Mezzaluna, where I had Carolina Pan Fried Trout. Though my Beer Expert son would not necessarily approve with pairing Highland Oatmeal Porter with trout, it sure was good.

Tomorrow, Kris and I go to Biltmore- a visit that I look forward to all year. I am very exicted!

Nancie McCraw, of BadFaerie Designs has a new spindle line in production. They're either unpainted or painted chrome, cut by a machinist in the same shape as motorcycle (and automotive) gears. They're absolutely beautiful... and will be available from Nancie herself soon, and from other vendors. Oh yeah... and I have a prototype! Neener Neener!

Back in Business- SAFF Day 2

Okay, so the wifi is working this morning, but we're leaving fairly soon, so this will be quick.

Yesterday was great, though it was the longest teaching day I've ever put in- 9 hours and 3 workshops(and though I usually don't sleep well in motels, I would have given much to roll over and sleep another couple of hours this morning). Luckily, every single student yesterday was exceptional and we had a wonderful time.

These lovely ladies were in one of my Knitting Tips and Tricks workshops (I taught 2 of them back to back, both fully enrolled). I believe they are working on making bobbles by knitting back backwards (or as we fondly called them in class: Barbie Boobs).

 For SAFF, I shortened my All Day Fair Isle Design class to a half day workshop, which filled immediately. Instead of knitting on our original designs, we spent the morning just working on filling out the charts.

 Everyone did a wonderful job.

 At the Friday Night SAFF Party, I won the above sock yarn. Beautiful, is it not? The first time my number was called I won... get this... a copy of Fearless Fair Isle Knitting. I told them that I had a copy at home and put it back in the pool. I was very happy (and lucky) to have been drawn again for this gorgeous yarn.

The motel is nice- and the beds are comfy. And tomorrow, I don't have to get up early! woohoo!!!

Today, I have an all-day Nordic Christmas Stocking workshop, which will be fun. My friend Kris flew in yesterday afternoon, and last night, we ventured into Old Town Hendersonville and ate at Lime Leaf, a Thai-fusion place. The food was fantastic! We scoped out the other restaurants (many- the town smells wonderful), and chose a place for tonight.

Tomorrow- Biltmore!!!

No Internet- arrgh

No wifi at motel. Will check in when I don't have to type on my phone. Wish you were all here.

SAFF 2011 Day 1

It was a great, though long day- luckily for me, I had genius students and the classes were great fun. It was a cool morning, with a warm and sunny afternoon. The leaves are past peak but there is still plenty of color

 and more than enough beauty to go around.

 I have no idea what this tree is but the leaves are fascinating.

 I don't know what these big trees are either, but they're sure purty.

 Just in case there was any doubt...

 The sales arena is in the McGough Arena (say  it:McGoo)

 but the classes were in a separate venue. I have my own classroom for the duration. Above were the Mitered Square students. They all did wonderfully!

 These were the Writing Patterns for Publication students. It was a long day for everyone, but take my word for it, there was lots of laughs, and they asked some great questions.

Tomorrow will be my longest teaching day (3 workshops between 8:30am-6:00pm). My friend Kris is flying in, and she's going to spend the rest of the visit with me. Woohoo!!!!

Tonight is a Ravelry/SAFF party, but I don't think I'll stay very long. I feel a long nap coming on.