Saturday, January 11, 2014

A GRAND ADVENTURE


 thank you for your sweet words
on my last post.
they made some girls
giggle and blush.
those lovely kind words spread
much happiness and joy.
i wish i could hug each and every one of you!















hello dear friends! 
i am still giddy over my daughter hannah modeling for carrie. so happy things went so well, and that gorgeous sweater carrie designed that hannah was wearing? it was knit by another incredible talent, nicole. is it okay i say i am envious of my girl? i would have loved to have met carrie and have worn a hand knit by nicole! 

i have finished a project that's been three months in the making. it's been waiting patiently for it's photo,
hopefully tomorrow, clouds are gathering over the mountains behind us (praying for rain here), and will hopefully add a good effect and pretty atmosphere. 

a golden necklace arrived from france. in every way, exquisite, still can't believe my good fortune. i won one of vibeke's giveaway's during advent (there were twenty four). a necklace made by tilly, yet another extraordinary talent. the necklace, so delicate, makes music when the leaves shimmer. here are tilly's words, so beautiful i had to share:
"{The land{e}scape series, #371...}
Material:
brass leaves & dark brown leather cord
A wintery scene. The music of the leaves falling.
For Vibeke's Advent calendar, I wanted to make something special. It had to be a tinkling piece. My favourites... Have you ever heard the music of brass bells? I love that sound... Brings me home wherever I am. Recalls me the tinkling garlands I've placed all around the house and in the studio.
But it's also an ode to winter. The pleasure of long walks in the snow, the frozen landscape, the long evenings in front of the fireplace,...
At that time of the year, I wanted to share a little something with you. These brass leaves are a way to invite you in my studio throughout the sensations they provide and the memories that are attached to them...
Hope you'll like the journey..."
thank you so very much vibeke and tilly.

i've joined with ginny to do a first ever mystery knit along (first ever for the both of us). it's ysolda's, it's a shawl and it begins monday thirteen january, that is all i know so far, oh! and there is still time to join!  :)  we discussed yarn colors and decided to be a little bit brave, choosing the coraly pink beaverslide wool shown above. i had to laugh, the other day i bought a new compact, the color is almost exactly the same! it's a little shocking in the container but when you put it on, it's really sheer and pretty. chuck frowned 'you wear makeup?' hee hee, a little sometimes, yes dear. 

my friend gave me this beautiful vintage pot! if you are in the area it's from this shop, so many treasures in there! it's perfect to hold an abundance of watercolor pencils, i've been using them to doodle on envelopes going out in the mail. 

and...did you notice the very grand title of this post?! for christmas chuck gave me a trip...


i am going to THE SHETLAND ISLANDS!!!
with GUDRUN JOHNSTON AND MARY JANE MUCKLESTONE

eeeeepps!!!


the adventure is scheduled for summer, but already i'm reading, and knitting, making my first dress, to wear to scotland, i think even in summer, it's cool there. though i have to say, it's difficult to knit while dancing around. i am utterly thrilled. thank you my love. 

88 comments:

  1. OMG!!! The Shetland Islands, with Mary Jane Mucklestone and Gudrun Johnston!!!!!!!!
    Now, that's what I call a Christmas present!
    I have to admit that I am more than a little envious... Please, take a ton of photos, even more than usual, so we can travel there vicariously through your eyes!

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    1. yes i absolutly will, from what i've seen in books and online it is a place of infinite beauty, i will have to force myself to put the camera down!

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    2. Thank you so much!
      Enjoy each and every moment planning for and going on your Grand Adventure!!!

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  2. Knock knock. It's me, kj. I'm glad about your trip. I'm glad about Hannah. I'm glad for the yarn along mystery.

    And I'm glad you're happy!

    Love love
    kj

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  3. I have patiently been waiting for your next grand adventure, Lori...may I dance around a bit as well?? :)

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    1. aw thank you melissa! yes of course, i wish you were going too

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  4. How exciting, can't wait to see all your pictures and hear of your adventures in Scotland. It is on my short list of places to visit as my family came to Canada from Scotland 5 generations ago. Your knitting is always so lovely, I so enjoy the pictures. You inspired me to start my own "Favorite Things Infinity Scarf", I'm really having fun with it.

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    1. thank you denise! it has been on my list too, i hope you will go someday soon! i can't wait to see your favorite things scarf, it is the most fun knit, so glad you are making it, where are you finding your patterns?

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  5. Wow!!!! This will be a fab adventure!!!!
    xxxxxxx ale

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  6. How exciting - a trip to the Shetlands! I received a book about Shetland Lace Knitting (Elizabeth Lovick) for Christmas so I may need to take a trip there myself one day! Have you been to Scotland before? It's very beautiful. We got married there 10 years ago, in the autumn and the weather was fantastic. Hope you will get good weather too.
    Love the sweater you are knitting, I would love to try making one but I think it's a little too complicated for me just yet.
    Have fun preparing your trip.

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    1. wow emma, that is really so cool! i have not been to scotland, so very excited here! and the shetland isles...a dream come true for me. please let me know how the book is, i've been thinking about that one, it looks really beautiful.

      the knit does look like a sweater at this point but it is actually a dress, from the new fair isle style book, by mary jane mucklestone. and you can positively make it emma! it is a very simple, top down in the round, easy peasy fair isle and then ss stitch. you knit beautifully in colorwork, you should make this dress too, it would look so good on you, and keep you warm!!

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  7. I can't wait to follow all the links in the previous post - the cardi looks like a classic pattern and your lovely daughter models it perfectly.
    Shetland! Oh Wow! I'd love to go - it's not so far in miles for me, though probably would take me as long as you in time to get there!
    I follow a blog from FairIsle, I'll look out the link for you. It will me fabulous - knit that lovely cardi to take with you ;-) even in summer you'll definitely need it.
    btw our planes may cross over the pond as my Big Adventure this year will be along yr coast.... but much much further north.

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    1. oh thank you celia! i so appreciate your kind words.

      i'm so excited! and now really happy for you too! i love the northern coast here, i'm really looking forward to following your adventure too, if there is anything i can do to help...please don't hesitate to ask!

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  8. I love your blog so much, Lori! My heart always skips a beat when I see a new post! So, so much love, inspiration and joy to be found here!

    Happy, happy sigh!

    Stephanie

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    1. dear stephanie, thank you so much, goodness, that is how i feel about millefeuilles. :)

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  9. Wow! Best Christmas gift ever! The anticipation and knitterly preparations will be as delightful as the event itself. Between that trip and your daughter modeling knitwear, you may have reached knitting nirvana! The pics are sublime in this post.

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    1. thank you so much rebecca.

      i just used that word to describe these feelings... :) :) :)
      and you are so right, i look forward to preparing as much as the trip itself.

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  10. How wonderful! I love Scotland, my daughter did her Ph.D in Glasgow so we went there quite a few times. I have not been to the Shetland islands though, so I am looking forward to hearing about your adventure later this year. What a wonderful gift!
    The necklace is fantastic!

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    1. wow! that is really cool, you must have lots of good information about glasgow, would you mind me emailing you irene?

      the necklace is so pretty i have it hanging where i can see it all the time. my best friend fell in love with it too, so i'm giving it to her to (borrow) to wear on her upcoming trip to greece, it's going to be a well traveled necklace, going with me to the shetlands too!

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    2. Please do! You have my email address. I do have a few favourite spots in Glasgow. Before Emelie moved there, I thought that Glasgow was just a run-down ex-industrial sad city. It's not. It's very much alive and vital!

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  11. WOW!!!!!!!!!!! All is beautiful and your trip!!!!! Wow! I am taking a fair isle class with Mary Jane next weekend at Vogue Live NYC. I am soooooo looking forward to it. I met Mary Jane at a book signing at the Rhinebeck Sheep and Wool Festival and I knew immediately that I needed to spend the day with her. I'm planning on making the same dress you casted on. It's so cute and the pockets are the cutest part! I am joining in the the Ysolda mystery. Never did one and it seems fun. Looks like we're not alone....1,000 knitters are also joining in. It will be fun to see all the different shawls that emerge! Have a great weekend :)

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    1. not to be greedy, but how i wish i were coming to the city next weekend! it would be so much fun to meet with you, and mary jane too (can't wait!!) you are going to have the best time, i can't wait to hear all about it leanne! and yes, make the dress, it is such a lovely fun pattern!

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  12. Oh goodness Lori, how exciting! Definitely time to immerse yourself in all things Scotland! Are you sewing a dress?
    Can't wait to see your most recent creation!
    Sending love… XOXO Renee

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    1. thank you dear renee! i'm actually knitting my first dress for me! i've knit little baby dresses but never an adult size one, hope i can do it!

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  13. I'm dancing with you Lori! What a grand adventure indeed and I can't wait to see photos.

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  14. Lori, this post is filled with wondrous news and views!

    The little ringing necklace is very lovely, and its creator writes beautifully, too.

    Your Scotland holiday is really, really fabulous news...Chuck, take a deep bow. Your gift choice is superb!

    I've only been to Edinburgh and Glasgow, taking the train up there from York. My eyes were glued to the train windows for the entire journey, to and fro. I still remember seeing tiny cottages at the foot to deep cliffs by the sea.

    But actually seeing the Shetland Isles is in a totally different league. It's an area that is definitely on my list of destinations, and I am already looking forward to your reporting. Do you ever see the blogs by The Barefoot Crofter? If not, do take a look.

    Now...on to that mystery knitting project. I know I am right up against the deadline, so have not got much time left to think about yarn purchases. How much fingering weight yarn is needed? Maybe I have enough of some sort of suitable yarn in my current supplies. It would be fun to join in this fun.

    I could write more about how much I enjoyed this post, but I've got to get downtown to work. xo

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    1. hello frances! i checked the pattern and it calls for 680 yds/ 620 m of fingering weight, or if you prefer to make it in two colors then you would need 360 and 320 yds/ 330 290 m. the gauge is 22 st & 34 rows = 4 " / 10 cm in st st. i'm really excited you are going to join in!

      if you had to choose, which would you pick for your arrival city? glasgow or edinburgh? perhaps i'd better send you a mail! have a good day at work, i see the snow has melted making the commute a bit easier i hope?

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  15. AHHHHHHHHHHH I am jumping up and down over excitement for your trip. I wish I had your phone number so I can call you and talk to you about how incredibly exciting that is! Please tell me Jared is going to. I know Gudrun is planning on photographing her Shetland Trader 2 and she has to have Jared right??? Oh I have goose bumps. Pinch me! Is this real. Can you take me??? Leanne is having a class with Mary Jane this weekend maybe she can find us a few tickets to join the party. Lori, Lori, Lori I can't stop smiling! I was hoping those books in the beginning of your post were want I though they were. You must be on a cloud right now :)

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    1. oh dear andee, i am knitting you a magic carpet to come with me!! i'll pm you my number on rav, i'd love to talk!

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  16. OMG! what an amazing adventure you are going to have this summer. how exciting. <3 i have wanted to go to scottland, oh, forever! i can not wait to see all of your photographs.
    enjoy the mystery knit, you picked a lovely color way. i think it will look stunning on you.

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    1. oh thank you so much, it is a happy color, it's just taking some getting used to! and i hope you do get to scotland too!

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  17. Shetland is like no where else on earth!!! We were there (with a knitting group, too!) in July---and layered in our woolies every day. It was heaven!!!! Puffins you can almost pet, incredible basket makers (I really wanted to bring home a kishie---had to settle for a smaller one!), the crofts, the history!!! Oh, my---can you tell I'm sitting here absolutely GReEN with envy!!! What a great time you will have.

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    1. that is so awesome you've been steph! i'd love to hear more. i can hardly wait, lots to dream about!

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  18. I am so excited for you Lolo! What an amazing adventure. I am more excited as I know you will bring us back some amazing photos.

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    1. ah thank you andi, i'm really thrilled. and thinking of ways to share the trip with all our friends, photos, journaling, postcards? :)

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  19. How lucky you are! Thank you for your little note on the tinkling necklace... I'm really glad you have it.
    Have a warm and cosy evening,

    tilly.

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    1. thank you so much tilly, i love it so. your work is exceptionally beautiful, i'm looking forward to ordering, the little bird hairpins are so pretty!

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  20. I loved everything about this post:
    ::the stacks of books by Scottish authors and about Scotland
    ::that gorgeous fair aisle yoke!
    ::your yarn cabinet : )
    ::that glimpse of something white and lacy ♥
    ::the tinkling brass leaf necklace (magical!)
    ::the yarn you chose for Ysolda's mystery knit along (I'm doing it too :)
    ::your lovely watercolor doodles
    and
    ::news of your trip to Shetland!
    Wonderful! Wonderful!

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    1. susan, thank you for such a lovely comment, it made my day :) how exciting you are doing the kal too, won't it be fun to see everyones progress?!

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    2. I love a mystery (I write them, you know ; ). I was so excited to cast on for the KAL last night. I think I'm about halfway through the first clue now, and I'm using the same yarn as you and Ginny, only in the Prairie Sandreed color. I love it. ♥ I can't wait to see how everyone's shawls turn out.

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  21. Oh Lori, what a dream trip. Are you going to Scotland as well? We spent our honeymoon in Scotland, Isle of Skye and finished in London, it was a dreamtrip! i wish you a great time over there! Am very curious about the lace piece that I see in one of your pictures! Lovely neclace too! Have a good week!!

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    1. that does sound like a dream honeymoon karin-ida! i've not been to scotland, but it looks so beautiful! i will be there, but for only a few days. we have to fly into glasgow or edinburgh and then take the train up to aberdeen. and then board an overnight ferry for shetland. so a few days in scotland at the beginning and end of the trip! i'll hopefully have photos of the lace this week, and you should visit tillys website, her work is truly beautiful!

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  22. My son left on the 6th to study abroad for the semester in Glasgow, and then his twin is meeting him for a couple of months of backpacking/wwoofing in Europe. I know exactly what you mean about missing them even before they go because you know the visits are not for long. I have been in a funk ever since he went through security at the airport! We are hoping to go visit him and watch him run his first marathon ever, in Paris! We are hoping to go over in late March/early April (marathon is April 6) so our trip won't overlap with yours, too bad but maybe one day we can meet in person SOMEWHERE!
    Oh and also, a good friend of mine is hoping to go to Africa later this summer when her daughter finishes her two years in the Peace Corps in Rwanda -- and asked for recommendations for a safari! I immediately thought of you, and I will send her your blog address so she can see your awesome photos, but if you have an agency that you trust, would you please email me? I will send you my email address via Ravelry. Thanks Lori!

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    1. oh! sending hugs to you debbie! do you have an empty nest now? it sounds like SO much good is happening with your boys, study, travel, a marathon!! i hope you do get to paris to visit him and watch, support, his run! (and oh paris in the spring!!).

      how exciting your friend is going to africa!! we have booked our last couple trips with Rhino Africa Safaris, they are based in Cape Town, but specialize in several different countries, with an emphasis on east Africa. They were fantastic and we'll most likely use them again. good luck to your friend!

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    2. thanks so much, Lori! I can't wait to see Scotland through your camera lens! It must have been fate that I thought of writing you about the safari on the day after this post.

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  23. I cannot tell you how excited I am to share this grand adventure with you!!! We're going to have so much fun in Shetland (and I really hope that you are planning on wearing that gorgeous Bressay Dress when we're over there!!!)

    I was so excited for you when I saw that you had won the Land(e)scape pendant. I have a pair of earrings from her, and adore the pretty fluttery sound they make as I move about my day.

    Many more blessings for you in 2014 sweet friend.

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    1. I am feeling the same way, beyond excited, I can't wait to meet there (of all places!) sharing this experience, (you must make the dress!), feeling so blessed in so many ways.

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  24. Oh Scotland, you Lucky Duck! I used to live in Edinburgh and just today I was daydreaming about it. Can't wait to see all the pics from your trip! x

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    1. :) wow! I wish we could meet over coffee, I'd love to hear all about Edinburgh!

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  25. Ooooooh you lucky, deserving fish!! I am jealous - you're going to see puffins before me. Please send me a photograph xxx

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    1. yes! I will Janet! the trip includes an excursion to the northern most island where the puffins live. cannot wait to meet those extraordinary birds!

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  26. hi Lori! Oh you're knitting the Bressay dress! Gorgeous! I'd love to knit a sweater version...
    claire (bouillesdecoton), the one who is lucky to go to Shetland too!

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    1. Heehee, perhaps we should all knit our own versions of Bressay! Would make for some fun photos.

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    2. YES! such a good idea nicole! i was thiinking of a sweater too, I LOVE this pattern so much.

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    3. hi Claire! as soon as I tried the dress on I knew I would want a sweater too, it would be so pretty. will you join in making one for our trip!? I love Nicole's idea

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    4. oh yes Lori, of course I'd love to! Great idea Nicole!

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  27. Oh my word I am completely and utterly jealous .. of everything!

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  28. what a life you lead pretty lady, you deserve it.
    XO

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    1. dear cory, aw, well, i'm very grateful, mostly that my kids are all doing well on their own, and now i have a little time for me :)

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  29. I am so very envious of that beautiful yarn cupboard!

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    1. i do love it too, my favorite way to store wool yet :) thank you so much!

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  30. So many wonderful things in this Post Lori!!! Shetland Islands will be amazing, best present ever, well done Chuck! I'm doing the Mystery Knit Along too (my first KAL), I'm halfway through the first clue. Love the colour you've chosen and can't wait to see how yours turns out :-) ....Mel xxx

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    1. oh thank you mel! i can't wait to see your mkal too! how fun is this!? xxx

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  31. Oh my goodness, how thrilling! What a wonderful gift, and of course, I can't wait to hear (and see) all about it when you get home. :)

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    1. still pinching myself here :) i can't wait to share!

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  32. Dear Lori, Oh, my...what a grand adventure! I think of William Wallace and cool heathery moors and lovely thick accents that sound like people are laughing when they talk. Your sweater is beautiful, and reminiscent of one I am knitting (for me) right now. Oh, you will for sure have to take lots of photos of sheep. Please. Lots of love...
    xo Jules

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    1. yes! what beautiful descriptions jules, i love what you've said. i think the same about those lilting accents, so pretty and fun! i will for sure take lots of photos. i can't wait to see your sweater! did you spin the wool?

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  33. Oh Lori - the mystery shawl KAL. You are killing me. I want to join, too. But I have to find my yarn box to see if I have any appropriate weight yarn... I don't think I do :( Blah! I want to knit it!!!! :p
    XOXOXO

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    1. Eeek. Half my comment was eaten. I am so thrilled for you - that trip sounds amazing and I can't wait to see the pics from it <3

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    2. did you find some yarn?? you must have something? i will send you something if not, it is really fun so far! and so funny, my comments are always disappearing! thank you sweetie!

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    3. I found my yarn box and managed to have either not enough of the proper weight or more than enough in weights that won't work. Argh! Perhaps it just wasn't meant to be. I will live vicariously through you! Hee,hee. XOXO

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  34. Oh Lori! That is very very exciting news! I wish I was coming too!! I can't wait to see all the photos, and your knitting !

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    1. i wish you were too jo. we must plan a bloggy knitting get together somewhere!

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  35. I have a feeling this will be a big sea change for you, Lori
    in more ways than one!
    xxxxx

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    1. :) 2014 is looking very good so far julie. thank you!

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  36. Oh! So much goodness here. And, um, the Shetland Islands!!!! Woohoo!!!!!

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  37. I'm so excited about your trip!!
    And I so wish you could have been at the shoot with Hannah and I. It was a lot of fun (Immie and I looove Hannah).
    That necklace is a beauty! And, that pot. So precious.

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    1. hannah felt the same about you and im too. i kept giggling thinking about our girls together. :) and i've already made up my mind, if it happens again, i'm flying out. knitting myself a magic carpet right now! :)

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  38. lori ann, what a grand adventure indeed! We love our trip to Scotland, England & Ireland and talk about returning...maybe taking our grands with us to see where our families begun! Your projects for the trip are amazing, XOXO

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    1. oh susan, i hope so much you do take that family trip, how fantastic that would be. thank you so much, it is really fun thinking of where these will be worn :)

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xoxo lori