This past weekend the Montana Association of Weavers and Spinners held a series of classes, workshops and events at MSU-B. Linda blogged about the event on May 27 and it is wrapping up today.
Here at Wild Purls, we had Nancy Bush visit us on Wednesday. Yes, THE Nancy Bush of teaching and knitting fame. There she is looking at Montana yarns

and visiting with Suzanne.

It was great to see many familiar faces in her Estonian sock class on Thursday. While they were reluctant to have their photos taken, I think they look radiant. It must be from the knitting.

We learned about Estonia and the knitting history of the country. Nancy has visited multiple times and truly loves the people and culture.

The conference was filled with classes, a fabulous vendor area and Wild Purls had a booth.

Linda was hard at work.

We all enjoyed the weekend and I hope to get a sock completed soon.

 

This past weekend, while Wild Purls was closed, I was not home knitting and lounging. Rather I was busy with my eldest daughter’s high school graduation. Although she had to run to make it on time,

she made it!

What a weekend it was.

We were able to pick her out from the crowd.

I had no idea how proud I would feel when she walked across the stage. A moment that I will always remember fondly. It was a big mile stone in her life and our family life as well. She will be off to college in the fall. Last night at dinner, she announced that she needs to pick out a knitting project! Her momma couldn’t be prouder.

 

For those of you who don’t know, yet, we have a guest coming to Wild Purls at the end of September and beginning of October, September 30, October 1st and 2nd to be exact. Check it out in the newsletter and on the events page.

She (OK, now you know it’s a female)would very much admire anyone who has multiple interests.

Many knitters knit. OK, that may not sound profound because ALL knitters knit, right? But some knitters knit, play musical instruments, garden, dance, volunteer in their communities or churches, have families, animals and much more. Some do a great deal more than knit.

Our mystery guest has multiple talents.

So, if you figure out who our potential teacher could be, stop by or give us a call with your guess. If you let us know, attend our August announcement and are correct, you will receive a little gift as well as the first opportunity to sign up for the Autumn Mystery Guest workshops. We hope you are as excited as we are about this big event!

Good luck and we hope that helps.

 

This past Saturday morning, our good friend and fellow knitter, Barb had a “Huge Plant Sale” at her home.

After months of snow, cold, wind and rain, we had a warm morning to celebrate this exciting event. No, we didn’t knit, we bought plants, plants and more plants. Barb had each perinnial sorted for sun and shade, herb and flower. It was as if she knew her plants by name. Barb gave us a tour of her gardens and it was truly remarkable to see how well tended she maintains each plant.

I learned so much in a short time. What a talented woman she is and how wonderful to have many of Barb’s plants now residing in our gardens.

 

This past Tuesday the Aran Afghan group, as they are kindly referred to by all of us, had their closing ceremonies. Many an afghan has been finished and many have not but all are in progress in one form or another. Each block had a different cable or motif. Many a needle, row counter, magnetic board and skein of yarn were purchased for these heirloom afghans.

With the help of their fearless leader, Irene, the cables turned into works of art. Irene has done two afghans, one in green and one in the traditional aran color. Here is her green afghan which was auctioned off this weekend at Mayfair.

And here is Mary Kay’s afghan which is a gift for a lucky (over the top lucky) recipient.

Ruth chose a tweed Alpaca yarn for hers.

Rae’s beautiful afghan full of memories.

Dorothy put hers together just a bit differently and we all loved it.

Karen’s was the most colorful.

And Claire is dangerously close.

The entire group was glad to be together and have a chance to see everyone’s work. The class began in September of ‘09 and finished April of ‘10. Each and everyone who knit even one square should be very proud of their work. It has been a true pleasure to have this group almost every Tuesday for over a year. The truth is, I will really miss seeing everyone on a regular basis. Tuesdays will be far too quiet without the afghan group. We look forward to this fall for a new class and all the smiling faces to return.