My old friend, Blaise, who was a good sport and modeled some of my knitting themed t-shirts about a year ago, has been living in Haiti with his wife during the past year. Those familiar with Portland may recognize this spot with the blue wall as Rocco’s Pizza. As recently as last Monday, Blaise and I had been in contact via Facebook but since the earthquake, there has been no news. I’m hoping and praying that he and his wife are safe.

After the photo session, we went for coffee. These photos are making me homesick for Portland.

No, Blaise doesn’t actually knit. But like I said, he’s a good sport.

(PS: If you are able to donate to the rescue effort, I urge you to give what you can. Donating to UNICEF via Google is quick, easy and painless.)

This blog is two years old today and I’m celebrating quietly. I still enjoy it as much, if not more than the first day I started. My rules are simple: to blog at least once a week and to not stray too far from knitting.

Thanks for stopping by and thanks for reading.

Today I received an amazing “stash enhancement” gift from my lovely, wonderful and awesome friend, Liz Plam (see previous post) – two giant skeins of Blue Moon Fiber Arts ST-2 created especially for Sock Summit. I have never used Socks That Rock before and I’m excited. This stuff is gorgeous.

So even though I didn’t attend SS’09, I feel like I now have a piece of the historic conference and I’m going to treasure this beautiful yarn. The color is even more glorious in person. They’re going to make a dynamite pair of knee socks. From the bottom of my heart I thank you Liz!

There are a couple of good Sock Summit “wrap-ups” that I can recommend – one written by the Yarn Harlot and the other penned by my dear friend, Elizabeth, over at Picture and Book. Go and check them out now.

At the risk of sounding like an advertisement, I have to give a big shout out to Carla and Nicole of Lion Brand Yarn for the free yarn I received from them at the Knit and Crochet Show last Sunday. I stopped by to visit my friend Anne at the Afghans for Afghans booth (which was strategically located right next to Lion Brand Yarn) and got there just as Carla and Nicole were handing out yarn. I couldn’t believe my timing and my good luck.

If you are regular reader of this blog, you know that I’m not a yarn snob and use pretty much anything that is handed to me. Although I prefer knitting with 100% wool, I was lucky enough to receive free samples of some extraordinary new fibers being offered by Lion Brand Yarn.

Feast your eyes on One Hundred Percent Cashmere. Yes, you heard right. ONE HUNDRED PERCENT CASHMERE. I couldn’t believe my luck. I only have one ball of each color, less than 85 yards, so I am looking for some very small, yet luxurious projects. If you know of something that would fit the bill, please let me know. I would love to hear your ideas.

I also received four skeins of LB Collection Cotton Bamboo which I think could work nicely for hand towels from Mason Dixon Knitting. These have a substantial 245 yards per skein and come in quite a few bright and beautiful colors.

Last but not least, I got a ball of Sock-ease, always welcome as you know what a voracious sock knitter I am.

I want to point out that the “LB Collection” yarns are only available online and not at your local retailer but you can check out the Lion Brand website for lots of yarns, patterns and ideas.

I’m always grateful for free yarn. My sincere thanks to Carla, Nicole and Lion Brand Yarn.

Friday, May 29
Fleur de Lethal Cinematheque presents

PEE WEE’S BIG ADVENTURE

10 p.m. | $5 per person | 21 & over
Bagdad Theater, Portland, Oregon

A rare 35mm screening of the Paul Rubens classic. We are going for a world record “Largest Amount of Pee Wee Herman Look-A-Likes On Bicycle!”

There will be a pre-show bar crawl on the way to the theater — and as with all Fleur de Lethal events, a costume and dance contest will open the movie. Yes indeed — buff up those white platforms because we are doing a “Tequila” showdown”!! The grand prize will be a retro inspired cruiser! More details will be available as they develop…

**It’s the first night of Rose Festival, so a post-film mass ride may have to take to Naito Pkwy.***

There will be a kid-friendly matinee showing on May 30th at 2pm. More details here.

Nico, the daughter of my dear friend Evelyn, has mounted yet another wild production for Portland area cinephiles and Joan Crawford fans. As part of the Mission Theater’s Mother’s Day Weekend Film Festival, Fleur de Lethal Cinematheque in conjunction with Swing Time Present will be showing the classic “Mommie Dearest” tomorrow night. Complete with Joan (and Tina) costume contest! And it’s only $5! (Must be 21). The doors open at 10pm. Get the complete details here.

I just love Evelyn’s impression of Faye Dunaway doing Joan Crawford. “Christina!”

I will be there right after Seussical.

Lately they have come in handy for barter.

Last weekend Vanessa cut my hair and she was gracious enough to accept a pair of socks in lieu of cash. She tried on both the Child’s sock in shell pattern and the Quicker toe up socks and couldn’t quite decide between the two.

She looked at me and asked for both pair – pay a haircut forward? I was firm. She must choose.

She chose the Child’s sock knit with Jitterbug in the lovely shade of Ginger Cinnabar. Fine choice I say.
Here’s to bartering – a great way to go in today’s economy.

If you haven’t had a chance to get down to Powell’s bookstore to see the Portland at night exhibit of black and white photography, it’s not too late. The show will be there through the weekend and possibly the beginning of April. Nobody’s contacted me about taking it down yet. So be sure and hop on down to Powell’s at 1005 West Burnside in Portland, Oregon as soon as you can. The exhibit is in the Pearl Room on the third floor.

When I’m not knitting, I’m usually making photographs. A few weeks ago I received a call from Powell’s Books letting me know that my photographs had been chosen for an exhibit in their Basil Hallward Gallery located in the Pearl Room on the third floor of the Burnside location in downtown Portland.

The exhibit will continue throughout the month of March and the opening reception will be held tomorrow, on First Thursday, March 5, 2009 at 7pm. I hope you all can make it. I’m going to be featuring 29 photographs of varying sizes, all black and white, all Portland, all night.

Not too long ago, a friend of mine told me about Sock Dreams, a new shop right here in Portland, Oregon. New to me anyway. As you might guess, they sell all manner of foot coverings and not just at their retail outlet which sits at the east end of the Ross Island Bridge. Their selection of socks is also available online. As the proprietress told me while I was purchasing a few pair for Alice, they are affordable little luxuries. And in these times, don’t we all need a little pampering?