3 Kittens Karabella Kruise

The 3 K Kruise sponsored by 3 Kittens Needle Arts was a fantastic success! The staff at 3 Kittens went all out, from the decorations, the cute sailor hats, goodie bags, door prizes (which I won 1 of them, a Henna tatoos by JJ. Norma) cool vendors, and cute little Karabella yarn samples. I had samples of Aurora 4 which is 100% extrafine Merino wool. Another sample of Boise, which is 50% cashmere/50% superfine Merino wool. Then SuperYak, 50% yak/50% merino. The yarn samples were enough to knit/crochet up a swatch and get a good idea about the yarn texture. All 3 of the yarns I sampled were heaven to work with, I love Karabella yarn!

Berta Karapetyan

The cruise featured Berta Karapetyan, who founded Karabella Yarns in 1993. Berta is in New York City with clientele that includes Donna Karan, Calvin Klein, Ralph Lauren, Anna Sui, Banana Republic, and Gap. WOW!

Berta’s book Runway Knits has beautiful designs, several featured in the fashion show today. All stunning, high end fashion designs, I can see why Berta has gained the fantastic reputation she has.

The boat launched from Lilydale Yacht Club

Cis (one of the 3K owners) - Master of Ceremonies
Wearing a adorable top she knit with Karabella yarn!

Julie (one of the 3K owners)
Modeling a beautiful creation with Karabella yarn!

Tiffany and Janine - sailor hats and theme songs!

Tiffany and Janine had smiles all day, they made the cruise a big hit with their fun personalities, they treated everyone equal (crocheters and knitters alike!) and they did special yarn orders via Shawn (who stayed back at the shop, bless his hard working dear heart!) They even kept the shop open an extra hour to make sure all guests had their yarn!

Velia and Mary Jean
I made so many new friends!

Sheryl Lange Knitchique.

I also met Sheryl, she is a knit designer for 3 Kittens. Here she is modeling her Kaleidoscope Bag which is available through 3 Kittens web site. The color on this bag is amazing, it is felted and there is also a matching mini bag pattern. Very Cool!

Me and Steven

Always a treat to run into The Glitter Knitter Steven Berg owner of The Yarn Garage. He always has on the most smashing fashion of his own creation, he truly is the rock star of the yarn world! I'm wearing the latest version of the Wrap Tank Top, my exclusive crochet design for 3 Kittens.

A view from inside the boat

End of the fashion show

The end of the fantastic fashion show, a very proud team who pulled off a very elegant display of Berta's work. Cis was a natural at hosting, I think she's done this before!
Lets hope she does it again!

The Husband and The Harley

This was a "no kids weekend." It was all about The Husband, the Harley and the Lake. We rode the Harley to Duluth. Our destination was Lutsen Resort. This is one of our favorite spots; excellent food, bonfires on the beach at night, rock hunting (I love rocks) and a fantastic view of Lake Superior.

Scott and me on the North Shore of Lake Superior

We headed up further north to Grand Marais and had lunch at the Gunflint Tavern, walked around the bay, a little more rock hunting and sightseeing. Then a highlight (for me, not Scott) a stop at Raven’s Beak Yarn Shop. The owner Linda Bauer is a very talented designer, judging by the designs in her shop. She mentioned she had more designs, hoped to possibly expand on their availability. If you ever get to Grand Marais, stop by Raven’s Beak Yarn Shop, Linda is there 6 days a week. She’ll talk with you like you’re a long lost friend, she is very sweet.

Me outside Raven's Beak Yarn Shop in Grand Marais, Minnesota

Then we went up further north to Grand Portage, where we tried to get into Canada, but Canada has a helmet law for motorcycles and we did not have our helmets, so we only made it to the boarder patrol, they send us back. Oh well, it was worth the drive. We made our way back down Hwy 61 along Lake Superior. It is a beautiful drive, a great weekend with my husband, the Harley, and no kids.

The breathtaking view at Grand Portage, Minnesota

I missed my kids something awful, now I’m back home, back to laundry, dishes, cleaning, and making PB & J’s. I've had crochet withdrawl! You can't bring much on a Harley, so no crocheting for me this weekend, it was tough but worth it!

How did 42 sneak up so fast?

Well today I turn 42. I KNOW! Not a day over 41. I don’t feel 42, more like 29. Yep, I constantly feel either like “a 12 year old” or 29. Those two ages have stuck. When I’m acting immature, I’m 12, when I feel grown up, I’m 29.

But how on earth did 42 sneak up on me so fast? I’m lucky to have 2 young boys, ages 4 and 6 and that keeps me young. Today we are going to a local park for Rocking Rusty’s Jamboree, a free picnic at the Nicollet Commons park here in Burnsville. I’ll eat PB & J’s with my boys, run through the water fountains, maybe sing along in the jamboree and be 12 for a few hours. Today is going to be a great day.

Tomorrow, my husband and I are going up north to Lutsen Resort on the beautiful shores of Lake Superior. We are taking the Harley, leaving the kids at my sisters, just me and my ole man, wind in our hair, not a care in the world.

Thanks to all my dear friends, my new on-line friends, my family, and even some anonymous strangers who post once in awhile, thanks for being a part of my life here at the Knotty Generation.

I was searching for pictures when I was 12 and 29, but really wanted to post this picture of me when I was 4, because I love this hair cut!

Episode #247 – 3 of a Kind

The DIY website has pictures and instructions on our 3 of a Kind Bags so I figure it is safe to post my stuff before the show airs tomorrow. FINALLY!!! Episode #247 – 3 of a Kind - June 19^th at 6am Central Time Zone on HGTV. I filmed this back in Aug. 2006, at Screen Door Entertainment in Burbank, California. Before actual filming, back stage you get this big tray and you layout all your “step-outs” of the item you are going to demenstrate, you practice with your producer (who times you with a stop watch to see how fast/slow you are.) No pressure!

Here I am just before going in to shoot episode #247 – 3 of a Kind. Practicing one more time, did I get it down, humm.. check, double check!

This my completed bag for episode #247 – 3 of a Kind. The cables didn’t actually intertwine like a true Celtic cable, I was in a rush and once things got crazy my zigs were zagging and the cables didn’t turn out how I totally wanted them, but I guess OK.

Here is Amie, me, and Drew showing off our finished bags. We all had the same basic pattern (that Amie designed) but we’ve each changed the look totally. Amie’s bag has short handles and a fantastic Hawaiian motif, I used surface crochet to make cables, and Drew used sequins to jazz it up. I have to say, this was really fun to see how each of us developed a unique approach to the basic bag.

I plan to add to this post tomorrow with an update on how the episode went, I'm sure a critique is in order, (as the last episode I thought I was a total geek, I'm not a movie star, I'm just a simple at-home-Mom in Minnesota trying to break into the crochet design business.)

*****addition to post*****
The show aired this morning. I set my alarm for 5:55am got my DVD burner ready and it wouldn't record with the new disks we bought, I quickly grabed another disc. I didn't get the intro taped, oh well. It is really surreal to watch yourself on TV. Here are a few screen graps.

"Do I have anything in my teeth?"

Allison Whitlock is so sweet!
She is quick, clever, and has such a fantastic way of making you feel at ease.

End of the show goodbyes: me, Allison the host, Drew AKA
The Crochet Dude and Amie from NexStitch.

2nd Uncommon Threads episode is coming!

Here is a picture of Amie, me, and Drew holding our blurred bags, we’ve kept this a secret for almost a year! We filmed this back in August 2006. Better late than never!

DUCT #247 – Uncommon Threads – “3 of a Kind” on HGTV June 19^th at 6 am central time zone. I know, 6am, but at least the show isn’t canceled.

Amie, Drew and Pam will drive us wild as they change the same classic handbag into a convertible by embellishing one basic bag. Amie will create a Hawaiian handbag by adding an appliqué flower motif. Pam will utilize a surface crochet technique to create a Celtic cable and Drew will change the look by adding sparkling sequins.