Word of the day 9/30/05

veritable
adjective:
Agreeable to truth or to fact; actual; real; true; genuine.

Knitting projects

Wondering what our knitting projects are?
Sarah's working on a lacy pattern using snuggly bubbly:


Thea's working on a shrug using Suri Merino:



Frannie's working on a Joey Ramone doll and a purse:


And David's working on a sweater:

Word of the day 9/27/05

argot
n.

A specialized vocabulary or set of idioms used by a particular group: thieves' argot. Synonyms - dialect.

Shawl

Hi, I just realized I haven't posted my most recent big project (ok, I finished it a couple of weeks ago), it's a shawl, taken from the poncho page from interweave press (ostrich patern). It's not quite big enough to be a poncho, so I'm calling it a shawl and one of these days I'll crocheting a little flower to keep it in place.

Since finishing it I've knitted a few cell phone cozies, a matching scarf and cell phone cozy for my brother's birthday (one strand argyle, black/red, and suri merino, black, held together), and sock, and a cristmas stocking.

Word of the day 09/25/05

peregrinate
v.

To journey or travel from place to place, especially on foot.

definition taken from Dictionary.com

Word of the day 9/24/05

salubrious
adj.

Conducive or favorable to health or well-being.

Definition taken from dictionary.com

LA County Fair

So I went to the county fair yesterday. They were having a speed knitting and speed crocheting competition. Very exciting. Ok, not really. I only watched for a couple of minutes then got a little bored. Most of the knitted or crocheted items on display weren't very interesting either. But in the same room there were a few woodcarvers and a tatter. I had never seen anyone tat before, and it was pretty cool. I asked her how she new what to do and she said it's like playing the piano, you just know what to do, but if you look at your hands you'll mess up. The woodcarving seemed equally as interesting. I actually tried woodcarving when I was around 12, but something happened and I lost interest. At 6:30 I went over to the tapestry room for the knitting party but unfortunately there were only 3 people there, so I got a little shy and left. The knitting parties are from 6-10 Wednesday and Thursday.

Word of the Day 9/22/05

amicable
adj.


Characterized by or exhibiting friendliness or goodwill; friendly

Bunny!

Guess what I'm doing next time I find myself in Italy.
Not sure what it's made out of but it sure is cool.





http://www.gelitin.net

9/20/05

afflatus \uh-FLAY-tuhs\, noun:
A divine imparting of knowledge; inspiration.

Definition taken from dictionary.com

knitting party at the fair

This just in ...

There's a knitting party at the la county fair! Wednesdays and Thursdays from 6-10.
They also have knitting and crochet demonstrations throughout the week.
http://www.lacountyfair.com/2005/homepage.asp

Word of the Day 09/17/05

portent
n.

1. An indication of something important or calamitous about to occur; an omen.

Definiton taken from Dictionary.com

Word of the day 9/15/05

aplomb, noun:
Assurance of manner or of action; self-possession; confidence; coolness.

Definition taken from dictionary.com

word of the day 9/14/05

Circumlocution

The use of unnecessarily wordy and indirect language.

Definiton taken from Dictionary.com

afghans for Afghans

afghans for Afghans is a cool organization, here's what they posted on their yahoo email. That Yarn Store has a collection basket for afghans for Afghans if you're interested in donating.


We're making afghans (mittens, hats, socks, sweaters, and vests, too) ... for
Afghans! Join us!

afghans for Afghans is a humanitarian and educational people-to-people
project that sends hand-knit and crocheted blankets and garments to the
beleaguered
people of Afghanistan.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Hello Knitters and Crocheters for Afghanistan,

** 5,000 Kids Campaign's Final Stretch! **

Many of you have already contributed beautiful, handmade blankets and wool
garments for our special campaign to clothe 5,000 Afghan girls and boys this
winter. Thank you very much for being generous and involved.

This is one last appeal as we enter the final stretch before our due date of
September 26.

Last week we did a rough count of the incoming contributions -- we are half-way
toward reaching the 5,000 mark. We thought we would be closer at this point. It
is unlikely that we will make the goal before we have to pack the container for
shipping overseas to Afghanistan.

What we are sending is all lovingly made, warm, and much needed in
Afghanistan. We can all feel good about that. Thank you for making this happen.

Might we get closer to our 5,000 goal? Possibly. Here are some steps you can
take today:

1. Knit or crochet a quick child's garment this week. Perhaps a hat or
mittens in a chunky wool yarn. So easy to mail one small item in an envelope to
us.

Our friend elann.com has rallied by putting this free pattern for a
worsted-weight Moriarty Hat on their website to encourage last-minute knitting
for
Afghanistan:
http://secure.elann.com/ShowFreePattern.asp?Id=88024
You probably have your own favorite patterns that can be whipped up fast.

2. Ask a friend or a few friends to knit or crochet one wool garment for an
Afghan girl or boy. Tell them that their gift will mean one more warmer child
this winter. Perhaps give your friend a ball of wool to use. Offer to gather
the completed items and mail together in a flat-rate USPS Priority postage box.
Print out our flyer to show them:
http://www.afghansforafghans.org/afghansforAfghansflyer.pdf

3. Spread the word today through your blog, email lists and network, online
communities/bulletin boards, local yarn shop and guilds (their email lists if
they have one), house of worship, etc. If we each either directly ask one person

or publicize the opportunity to many using the power of the Internet in
particular -- we should be able to reach 1,000 *new* volunteers to make one
small
wool garment by September 26.

4. Forward this email message in its entirety to knitters and crocheters.

You probably have your own good ideas for this last-minute push. We are
grateful for your taking the initiative now. Many children in Afghanistan this
winter will be the beneficiaries of your efforts.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Our next collection due date won't be until 2006. If you've been thinking
about participating, now is the time.

Blankets and garments received by September 26 will arrive in Afghanistan in
time for the harsh winter months.

We have about two more weeks to collect more wool hats, socks, mittens,
sweaters, and vests, as well as blankets, for children at orphanages, children's

centers, and clinics in Herat, Jalalabad, and Kabul.

For program details and mailing addresses, see our Guidelines page --
http://www.afghansforAfghans.org/blanket.html

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

** Help Sort and Pack in San Francisco **

If you are in the Bay Area and would like to help sort and pack at our AFSC
Collection Center, please email us as soon as possible. We can always use more
energy and good company. More hands are needed to prepare this collection for
shipping at the end of the month. We are also looking for a donated volunteer
truck and driver to take the cartons to Burlingame for consolidating on to the
container.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Thank you for all that you are doing. Thank you for taking action with your
own hands and heart to express your caring and friendship for the Afghan people.

Our best,
Ann and team at afghansforAfghans.org

PS: We love seeing the stories in your local papers ... here are a couple
recent articles for you to enjoy ...
From Sunnyvale, California --
http://www.sunnyvalesun.com/sv-news1.shtml
And, from Sun Valley, Idaho --
http://www.mtexpress.com/index2.php?issue_date=08-26-2005&ID=2005104919

Word of the Day 9/10/05

Recondite

Not easily understood; abstruse.

Definition taken from Dictionary.com.

Smokey Miles at Carlotta's Passion

This just in ...

Smokey Miles will perform bluegrass and other traditional American music at Carlotta's Passion Fine Art on Saturday, 9/10 from 6:00 - 8:00 pm. Smokey's performance occurs during the opening reception of "A Century of American Quilting: Traditional and Contemporary Fiber Arts", which runs from 4:00 - 8:00 pm. Both the reception and Smokey's performance are free of charge to the public.



Smokey Miles has worn many hats in the entertainment industry. He plays many instruments, sings, composes, acts, and hosts shows. After graduating from Princeton University, Smokey hitchhiked around the country playing wherever he could. He wrote many songs about his experiences. He ultimately settled in Greenwich Village and headlined at numerous venues the New York area. He was the music director and a performer in Rip Torn's Sanctuary Theater and The Cottage Marionette Theater in Manhattan.

Word of the day 9/9/05

Truculent

Disposed to fight; pugnacious.

Definition from dictionary.com

Word of the Day 9/08/05

nectareous

Of, pertaining to, containing, or resembling nectar; delicious; nectarean.

Definition taken from dictionary.com

Crochet thread

I am pleased to announce That Yarn Store now stocks crochet thread! Woohooo.

Word of the day 9/7/05

bailiwick
noun:
1. A person's specific area of knowledge, authority, interest, skill, or work.
2. The office or district of a bailiff.

Definition taken from dictionary.com

Word of the day 8/6/05

Abstruse
ab·struse
adj.

Difficult to understand; recondite

Definition taken from dictionary.com

Word of the Day 9/4/05

Ribald

rib·ald
adj.

Characterized by or indulging in vulgar, lewd humor.

Definition taken from dictionary.com

Word of the day 9/3

Eschew
es·chew
tr.v.

To avoid; shun.

Definition taken from dictionary.com

Word of the day 9/2/05

Justaposition

jux·ta·po·si·tion (jkst-p-zshn)
n.

The state of being placed or situated side by side.


Taken from dictionary.com

Knitzilla's String Scrubbie Project

The lovely Knitzilla's String Scrubbies that are hanging in our front window are for sale, with all the proceeds going to hurricane relief or tsinami relief. Just come in and write a check out to American Red Cross or UNICEFUSA and bring home a lovely scrubbie.

Stitches from the Heart Part 2

Got another email about the hurricane relief:

Stitches from the Heart in Santa Monica is collecting their usual
items to help babies in the hurricane aftermath area, as well as some
hurricane-specific items, which will be distributed via a church in
the Gulf region:

--NEW clothing for children, babies or anyone -- many people had to
escape in a hurry in their P.J's or just could use a fresh change of
clothes. Please note they are not collecting used or gently used
clothing, just new and unused. Underwear probably is a good idea too,
hey?

--Soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, shampoo, travel hairbrush --
especially travel sized or free-from-the-hotel size or stuff from the
dollar store. Personal hygiene items that would help a displaced
person who has NOTHING. Especially soaps, they said. (We'll throw in
a few handknit washcloths!!)

--CASH -- Stitches spends more than $2,000 per month shipping hand
knit baby items to hospitals across the country. This month will
bring a hefty postage bill with the additional shipping, and with
shipping much heavier items (like soap). Even if you can't knit, you
can still help knitters helping others with a tax-deductible cash
donation to Stitches.

--Baby hats - they always need. Lots of babies are still in hospitals
with chilly A/C.

--Baby blankets - they appear to have a slight shortage now.
Hopefully Knitzilla's scrubbie blanket initiative will help a little.

--Baby sweaters - yes, it's like a million degrees in New Orleans,
but Stitches still needs sweaters for babies, newborns and toddlers.
Even if they don't, these sweaters will go to a child who needs one
somewhere in the country.

We will be collecting these items at Knitzilla Monday meetings (and
our special Tuesday-after-Labor-Day bonus meeting) -- but if you
can't make it to those, please send/drop off directly to:

Stitches From the Heart
3306 Pico Blvd.
Santa Monica, CA 90405
Email: stitchfromheart@aol.com
Phone: (310)452-5151

Word of the day

ob·fus·cate

1. To make so confused or opaque as to be difficult to perceive or understand: “A great effort was made... to obscure or obfuscate the truth” (Robert Conquest).
2. To render indistinct or dim; darken: The fog obfuscated the shore.

taken from dictionary.com

Hurricane relief

Got this email today:

A VERY KIND LADY FROM THE CGOA is willling to collect and distribute
crocheted and knitted items in New Orleans. They are desperate. If
you have any items ready for the babies and especially toddler sizes
we are already shippng items to them. Our first three boxes are
leaving today via UPS. Bring them in to the Stitches From The Heart
Store, 3306 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica, CA 90405 (just east of Trader
Joe's), or send them to us as quickly as possible. We will take care
of the cost of sending items to New Orleans. Also, please tell all
your friends - quilters, knitters and crocheters.

Kathy Silverton, Founder
Stitches From the Heart