Crazy, Hazy, Daze...

Good Morning Everyone!

I guess the only good thing I can say about our hazy, nasty air quality is, the sunrises and sunsets have been absolutely spectacular. It's quite incredible to come up over the ridge and catch the sun blazing orange against the backdrop of a smoky sky. There's virtually no indication the sun is even out, then all of a sudden, there it is, perched on a pillow of smoke. We've definitely had some interesting weather, it sure was nice to break the 32 weekend record of precipitation, but at what cost? God forbid we had a nice sunny weekend, it certainly didn't rain, but now we're dealing with wildfire smoke, of course...Last night at KA, we had the pleasure of watching a hot air balloon come in and out of view as it floated through the smoke. It must have been a strange sensation being so high up in the air surrounded by smoke. I admit, it was really strange driving home last night without seeing the lake or mountains in the distance.

I am excited to announce I finished my Flower Child Tee, it is so pretty!! It's been rolled up in a towel waiting for me to block it, guess what I'm doing after this? As if that wasn't enough excitement, Emily delivered my Stromboli sweater on Saturday. I've already posted a picture wearing it, IT IS GORGEOUS!!! The feeling I get when I complete a project causes as many endorphins as starting a new one, hence the reason I have so many sweaters!! I love starting a new sweater just as much as finishing one, it is a vicious cycle! Currently, I only have The Florence on my needles, hard to believe. I'm struggling to figure out what needs to go on the needles next. Please do not worry about me, I will be ok, I need a little time to sort things out and look at all of the pretty projects I have stashed. It is important to have a diverse selection to avoid boredom and/or overstimulation. We all know how important it is to have several projects going so we have the appropriate project for the activity (mindless vs don't talk to me). Stay tuned to see what I decide....

I've really tried hard the entire month of July to remind you that starting your holiday knitting now is crucial. I realize it's difficult to even think about it. We haven't had much of a summer, the kids are going back to school soon, which inevitably is the precursor to the holidays starting to creep in. It begins innocently enough with Labor Day, before you know it, Black Friday is screaming at you and the holidays are on your doorstep. Wouldn't it feel amazing to be ahead of the curve? Those little extra special gifts that you wish you'd made, the mittens, hats, and cowls, start them now! If you're looking for quick, I highly recommend Juniper Moon Farm Big Merino Wool. It's Super Bulky and SOFT, you could seriously knit up a hat in an evening. I have a beautiful selection of colors to choose from, if you're looking for ideas...hmmm I may just have to cast something on.

I celebrated my 14th Anniversary on August 1st, what a milestone. It seems like forever ago but at the same time, not that long ago. I've had so many changes and hurdles to get over, but thankfully, I was never alone. A big thank-you to all of you for your continued support, I truly could not do it without you. When I opened my shop, I had no idea just how strong of a community I would be building, I said community, not business. I feel that my business has been successful because of my community. The fact that Stitch and Bitch is every bit as popular all summer long as it is in the dead of winter makes me feel incredibly proud. I make a mental note of how many join us each Wednesday evening, it's amazing to me. I love that you show up a half hour before S&B even starts so you can secure a spot. I love that I receive messages from many of you when you are unable to attend, it warms my heart. I guess for me, the true success isn't the size of my bank account, but the sense of community we've built, that my friends is priceless...

We will be meeting tomorrow evening, Wednesday 6-7:30 for Stitch and Bitch, I hope you can join in the fun. Make it a great day and I'll see you soon!

Katy