Stitches West 2012: Part Two

Some targeted shopping today at Kira K Designs, Western Sky Knits, Forbidden, and Knitted Wit. Probably ill-advised, but there were so many pretty things that needed homes. :-)

Clockwise from Top: Forbidden Wisp - Smoke Signal; Forbidden Pride Lace - Illyria; Forbidden Pride Lace - Chinese Fireball; Western Sky Knits Sequoia Superwash Worsted - Nandina; Western Sky Knits Willow DK Superwash - Fresh Earth; Western Sky Knits Magnolia Sock - Dew; Knitted Wit Fingering - Yellow Brick Road

Stitches West 2012: Part One

After my first recon day at Stitches, I'm happy to report that Anzula and Miss Babs were doing a brisk business. I "discovered" these two independent dyers two years ago. And I've actually knit up (some) of the yarns I bought! Last years finds, Becoming Art and Abstract Fiber were also busy.

This year's new "discoveries" include The Sincere Sheep, Forbidden, and Western Sky Knits. I can't resist indie dyers! Kira K Designs had some lovely kits that I will have to revisit, and Green Mountain Spinnery is also tempting me with their beautiful rustic yarns.

I was also tempted by Fiber Hooking. The color combinations in the kits are gorgeous, but I already have a slight different style rug hooking set, and don't want to have to buy another type of hook and frame. I might be tempted to get a kit if I can get just the pattern and yarn.

Artyarns of San Francisco had a large booth, but I really need to visit their store. Their yarns are so beautiful and unusual that I need some time to truly appreciate them. I also like Chic-a, Chicken Boots, and Erin Lane Bags knitting and project bags.

The "big box" stores of Stitches were there again doing a land office business. I have to remember that this Stitches serves the entire western US, not just California or the Bay Area, so people come from all over to get yarns and deals that they can't find at home.

Ysolda's booth was mobbed, so I didn't even try to look inside, but did get to check out the Narwhal Mittens, which are cute but very thick and warm.

I plan to return on Sunday and see if there's anything else I can't live without, and to see if I win the Grand Prize drawing. :-)

Clockwise from 12: Miss Babs Yummy - French Marigold, Miss Babs Yummy - Vlads, Sincere Sheep Equity Sport - Sverte, Sincere Sheep Cormo Sport - Praying to Artemis, Sincere Sheep Cormo Sport - Vitamin C, Sincere Sheep Treble - Kung Hey Fat Choi

Quilting Inspiration

I really don't want to make another quilt, but these might make me change my mind.

via Modern Quilt Guild

Photos for the Web

You really don't need any special equipment to take photos for web pages, especially if the pictures are taken fairly close to the object. All you really need is a digital camera, a neutral background, and photo editing software.
For example, I took this photo with my iPhone in a coffee house with just regular lighting on a sheet of paper:

And here is the same photo with a few adjustments to the levels in PhotoShop (I also resized and cropped the photo):