Scrapbook and Yarn supplies at your locally owned Fairbanks Memories and More

NOT your traditional blog
I'm a web designer... and as such I have access to the best blogging software out there... but when the company I work with said... 'oh it might impact your shopping cart - on AlaskaKnits - and hmmm... we're not sure if your email list will survive the 'port' {not what I drink, mind you... but the transporting from one server to the net} I figured... Hmmmm... Nope.

But I am ready to blog - Weekly! Yes, that counts as putting my toe in... so what I'll do in the weeks between now and figuring out which bloggin software to use is {drumroll, please} edit this page.

My id on Ravelry is AlaskaKnits

My favorite color used to be dark green. That was in 1990-1992... I think I've been too busy since then to come up with another.

My plans are to talk about the shop, my life, what I'm working on... just about anything. Yes - this is an outreach (and marketing tool) but in a VERY casual way.

FINSHED OBJECTS UPDATE
Noro Iro purse (6/20)
EZ Mittens (women's size - 6/18)
Little Owl Vest (7/4)
BSJ (7/12)
Crocheted Cap (7/13) The crocheted cap for Staci needs to be reworked

Boob Sweater (7/21)
Pulled out 'Askew'
Toque hat (7/26)

Crocheted shawl (8/2??)

July 13 , 2008
I finished! The BSJ. I'll have to upload more photos... I was working on it with the "Finish it Fridays" time and then it needed a lot of altering - so it is AWESOME now... sometimes a 'hmmmm?" turns into a "WOW!"

I also did between yesterday and today - a crochet cap for a girlfriend of mine.

Spent time cleaning around the house, and working on the applied I-cord of the 'boob sweater.'

I'm sure there is more to say - like ... oh yeah - worked on the malabrigo t-shirt too... and balled up a beautiful hank of malabrigo - project TBA.

There is a new shop being created ... www.cafepress.com/memoriesand/

it's not quite done... but there are a few fantastic items there (and we'll put some in our store come Fall.) See items on left. Click on any of the photos to see them bigger - they really look great bigger...

July 11 , 2008
Oh. it is EARLY. I'm almost done with another Baby Surprise Jacket. I think I'll surprise someone at the church.

Nancy came in yesterday - it was good to see you! The shop is going well. We have Christmas in July going on - and the Alpaca with a Twist hanks are almost gone!

Took a moment to teach a 14 year old (thereabouts) about crocheting and joining in a circle... I think her Dad and brother are about to get adorable beanie caps!

Sore throat. Could make for a long day.

Almost done with Boob Sweater - I've taken to carrying it around in the hopes that I'll finish darning and do that applied I-cord.

July 6 , 2008
So - I sat down one other day to add to my blog and was unable to upload - since I was writing on a different machine - I'm not sure I can capture what I wanted to say...

I've been knitting a lot {I remember that part} but I haven't been in the shop a lot. That means I miss it... but I've been thinking about it - what would be best... what to bring in, what to put on sale...

Oh - Tuesday night Sip & Stitch is postponed until the fourth Tuesday in September - 5-8p and only if I'm in town...

I'm thinking since I turn fourty - 40! on 9/15... that maybe I need to be out of town.

As to the other things from that bloggy day so long ago. I don't know.

I know that Friday I wanted to blog about ALL THE THINGS I was doing instead of knitting. How I wanted to knit. But instead I:

mowed the lawn!
put dirt into my second raised box and got it ready to transplant the items waiting to have ALL THAT SPACE
cleaned my house
put together a dining table and chairs that my brother sent me OVER A YEAR and a half ago... oh yeah.
Had folks over and
Used Grandma Ruby's (from Nancy's side of the family) dishes for the first time. People present: Marcia, Staci, Jon, Mark, Macon and me... a very nice dinner party.

However, I really did want to knit. I think I did two or three rows.

Yesterday I got together with Sandra for Sip & Stitch... just she and I... but then Viv sat with us {I taught her cribbage} and Marnie came over with her amazing PIN LACE. OM!

Today I took my Dad to church - made him and Mom lunch and supper (That's Easy to Do - there were soooo many leftovers from yesterday's bbq.)

Now I'm going to upload this and sit and knit. Goal is to finish up most of the Malabrigo blanket... and cast on a NEW item...

Remember the Fair entry day is Saturday 7/26... and in the shop we'll be having FINISH IT FRIDAYs froom 6-8 p the next three Friday nights... to help.

I'll be putting together what I'd like to take to the Fair... You should stop in and bring an item you want to FINISH.

Christmas in July: in case you're wondering what we're talking about... we've put together some great Artyarn kits - that you can make and give, or simply wrap the kit and give. We also have a few items on DEEP DISCOUNT - like Alpaca with a Twist's big bundles of Alpaca - these won't last long. A few Colinette items, Rowan denim - ooooh high end wash cloths or the CUTEST baby slippers! Plus a few others... AND we have Christmas related scrapbooking items at 35% off. All of this starts Wednesday 7/10 and runs for two weeks... Okay some of the items are up and sitting out now.

June 22, 2008
This is going to be a three-dayer: So, I'm feeling MUCH better {of course there were the last three concrete steps that seemed to reach up and grab me... but that means icing my foot and KNITTING on the couch.} Do I know how to relax, or what?

As to the knitting in question - it is MALABRIGO... a beautiful t-shirt. I only have 30 or so rows, blocking and... hmmmm okay so I'm thinking this weekend.

MIDNIGHT SUN - What a great success. Thank you to the 125+ people that came in. I love the fact that it seemed more than half were from Fairbanks! Keep coming in... You'll be surprised by what we have in the store.

Friday, June 21 - okay LOVED seeing the ADDI TURBOS show up... and some yarn we're thinking of trying.

Also LOVED getting to meet with Rob from Cascade (with Kristi - and I think she loved it too) for almost three hours while we PICKED OUT FALL YARN! OH YEAH Baby! We have purchased three new lines of yarn, plus added on to other successful CASCADE items currently in the shop.

August 16, 2008
Sip & Stitch today... crazy - Sandra, Vivian and me - again... but that's okay. I was actually thinking the Farmers' Market would have been good. I also meant to go shopping ... but forgot to stop by.

Crazy. Today I discovered that maybe the roof job just wasn't all it was cracked up to be. More when I have let the people who did the job explain their side--so I'm adequately representing things.

By the way, the hospital did say they messed up three of the bills. Now they're saying I owe more. They forgot things. How crazy is that?

I'll need a payment plan. Course they also said that I should pay the first bill and they'll make the other ones 'negligible.' I'm sure they don't mean what I think they mean... so we'll see.

Thank goodness I can knit (and crochet) and in the case of today, clean part of my yard - to deal with the stress.

August 13, 2008
Saw Nancy... she's off to Anchorage soon. Wow! Going to miss her!

August, 12, 2008
Today in speaking with the Billing department at the hospital, they mentioned, yes, there was a mistake on three of the bills and they would be resubmitting them to Blue Cross Blue Shield. Great! Oh, what? You mean you forgot to add things?!

Oh man. Yes. Blue Cross has sent me a few notices saying they were disallowing a few charges - namely the other people (not the Hospital, but the Doctors' billing service) had put in five bills (they only sent me one...) and Blue Cross was having a wee bit of a problem with that.

Folks - when you're bit, your bit... and if it's after hours, you HAVE to go to the ER. But when daybreak comes, even if you've been told, yeah, come back... no problem - GO SEE YOUR REGULAR practitioner. That's it. That's my sage advice. YOUR Doc might say, hmmmm - you need to continue treatment with the ER... but maybe they WON'T.

This isn't the difference between getting a new purse on sale at Fred Meyers or buying a Vera Bradley at If Only! This is the difference between a fly away vacation and a stay-cation where I start asking others if they need odd jobs done and how much could they contribute to the "Janene still has her arm" fund.

Knitting for $$$ - could be on the horizon.

The Olympics!
Okay... so Macon and I got up around 4 or 4:30 am on Friday morning to begin our knitting sojourn. Guess what? I don't knit so well that early. Actually, I found an error in the pattern I was doing. So... I pulled out about 5-6 rows (the whole thing.) Then I decided, since Aileen's wedding was that night - I would work on the mittens, that would be easier, right? Oh ho... I pulled those out twice!

Friday was not a good knitting day; Saturday, Saturday is a different story entirely. I'm kicking bootie on the Frost sweater (although I've needed to figure out a few things about the pattern on my own...) That's okay - I'm now just under the arms with the sweater (on ball three) this Cocoon is yummy to knit with, but I needed to go up to size 11 needles to get gauge (and that is unusual for me.) Must be tense lately.

What's been going on?
After the Bridal Shower and the Wedding... well, I just feel a wee bit run down. Knitting Olympics sure is a 'pick me up.' My couch has been getting a lot of npa time in tho.

August 2 , 2008
Two weeks? Whatever happened in that time? Well... I've been on a finishing kick. I finished the 'boob sweater' actually started and finished a toque hat for the Fair (complete with little carrots and beans); put together ten items (10!) for submission at the Fair - and RIPPED OFF my roof and had it readone... Oh yeah - I've been busy!

Oh My! Amanda Shires (the singer I taught to knit during breaks between songs in June?) She sent me this awesome photo! Click on it for a big pic. Yes, it's Malabrigo!

What am I up to now? - I'm going to go grab some tea - so I can DO THIS RIGHT! Mmm Chai (and berries.)

Okay - so my roof has been replaced and I have finished things up for the Fair. I'll be booth sitting (or building watching) at the Fair three or four times.

I've pulled out (well, Macon's Nana pulled out one item.) I've started a crocheted cape. It's going well.

I run American Tire's rentals - I've filled two of them since this email. Possibly three... That means doing the walk through check with the old tenants - and cleaning and repair (some) and then walk throughs with new people...

I've also met with Two Yarn Reps and placed wonderful orders. Those are starting to show up now.

That and worked with my staff to determine what to buy and where to put things.

I kinda want a break - but more than that I just want to sit down and knit or crochet.

Sip and Stitch is today! Yay!

Oh - on another front - because I dont' think she's checking my blog - my girl (who is getting married, my best bud) I did an album for her ... one she can just drop photos into and make editorial comments.

I've also started a beautiful scarf care of Sandra! The mistake rib is fun.

On the horizon... well - I did get a wee bit of a talking to from some of the needleart guild members ... where were my entries? I entered felted items, hand-dyed yarn, knit and crochet items... what about my needlearts? Okay... so I'm going to get back into that. And I went through the Fair entry book and picked out 40 (FORTY) likely targets for my work over the course of the upcoming year.

Talk about "pointing towards the OUT FIELD!" I'll take a line drive, please.

June 18, 2008
Missed Knitting at Noon... will upload a picture why - probably... but I was busy dealing with an infection (no, the picture will not be gory!)

June 17, 2008
Oh my - what a day... had to go to ER - for self - not Mom... a bug bite or a spider bite or something got infected - EWWIE! I did knit... quite a bit (while waiting) but then the nurse told me I should probably not move the arm... hmmm... that makes knitting difficult (*not impossible - grin!)

June 15, 2008
It's early. Yesterday evening was rough - Mom is still in the hospital. She is looking much better, but there are decisions to be made...

I took her some movies and a new blanket. I'm going to see if I can find my Dad and take him to church with me... he's going to remark on the fact that I knit in church... Oh Boy!

Today is going to be finishing day - and blocking... two items (little owl vest and mitered mittens...) THEN I get to start on a brand new project! It's made from Cocoon by Rowan... YUMMY! Once I have the prototype done, we'll offer them in the shop.

I also hope to see Amanda Shires again today for another knitting lesson before she leaves town.

June 14, 2008 WWKIPD
What a lovely summery, warm, summer day. It was quiet in the shop mostly (because 2nd Ave was closed off for 3x3 basketball.) However, there were several wonderful ladies in the shop knitting away! We had some sugary snacks and companionship! One was working on a bag, another a vest - make that two... but two very different vests and the third hmmm... not sure what hte project was - but there was good conversation and it wa an enjoyable afternoon.

June 13, 2008
Friday the 13th! Hmmmm.... Got to meet an incredible lady - Amanda Shires - and teach her to knit! Yes, I'm just going to become the crochet/knit guru to the Country Western world. She and Rod Picott (whom I got to listen to last year) came up and gave another series of house concerts. Amazing. Oh yeah - I was working on the mitered mittens from EZ (along with my Noro Iro bag.) You can listen to both of them on UTube.

June 12, 2008
Took Mom to emergency room. This is not the way I'd like to get a lot of knitting done. Checked into hospital.

June 3 , 2008
Lovely day - but then, I like rain. Had a great lady come in - her daughters live in California, and they both knit... it was fun looking for yarn for someone else's potential new project - warm, but not too warm...

Tore down almost all of the greenhouse on Saturday. Needed a break on Sunday.

Knit and read... that's been about it. Lovely!

Heard about Malabrigo's fire. It is so horrible. They lost more wool/roving than I will ever own (or most likely carry in my shop... course that depends... if I 30 years go by then, maybe.)

We're putting together a "Christmas in July" presentation for the window - to get folks thinking of what gifts they can be making now.

I tried four different patterns last night (maybe five) for a baby blanket... Hmmm.... No dice!

Kristi is working on a few items and I'm working on mittens and a scarf. I think she'll be picking out a toy to knit - so lovely.

Her noro socks are really coming along - riverbed increases in the bottom of the foot are COOL.

May 28, 2008
Oh Wednesday, my friend - we had a great collection of folks at our 'knit at noon.' I really enjoyed seeing everyone - anytime you need to go grab extra chairs... well, that's a success!

Oh yeah... the rest of the MALABRIGO showed up today too... So that might just outshine all the company =)

I've been thinking of what to do next (other than replace the tomato plants that died ... too cold just yet to let them be outside...)

The Malabrigo lace calls to me... but first I'll finish off my new window dressing - EZ's mitered mittens (made a women's and a child's size from one ball of silk garden.)

There is a shrug type garment I've been thinking of - and since the yarn didn't swatch up to the right size for the Simply Marilyn sweater... it just may become a shrug... leftovers will find their way into a baby garment, I'm sure.

I really need to get a move on... I got the GOOGLE CHECKOUT account set up and tested - now I need to plug it into the online store... and figure out the final steps for pay pal. That will be two payment methods...

May 26, 2008
Reading, working on this - lawn/garden work. Thinking about other work. Laundry. Mostly knitting and eating - a few quick naps.

May 25, 2008
I've tried bloggin in the past. We'll see how I can do if I put it as a weekly review...

I've spent the day doing a little bit of gardening and quite a bit of relaxing. Bumped into Steve and Aileen at Fred Meyer. Shared 'sore' stories. We emptied five pick-up loads of dirt yesterday. After that, they went to a wedding and I went and worked the American Tire & Auto booth at the Fairbanks' Grizzlies indoor football game.

Memories and More: we're the store you've been waiting for...