I was the fortunate recipient of a Random Act of Kindness last week! Hubby had gone to check the mail and came trudging up the driveway with a big box. "Did you order something? It's really heavy!" I told him I hadn't. The return address label was from Corgi Hill Farms - known for her fabulous fiber. I hadn't ordered anything from AnnaMarie, and even then her boxes tend to be light as a feather. Imagine my delight when I opened the box and found this:
72 fat quarters (and a couple of pieces that are probably a half yard or so)!! AnnaMarie is clearing out her belongings in preparation for a move and thought that I might like to have these for the little cases that I'm making. They are beyond perfect. They are all high quality fabric and the prints are just lovely. I have to admit, this unexpected gift made me cry!
Last Friday and Saturday I took part in our local Relay for Life. I belong to a group at our church called "Faithfully Fit". We're a support group for healthy eating and living. We decided to field a team this year because two of our members have had battles with cancer. Ann is in remission from breast cancer. Bebe has been undergoing chemo for ovarian cancer and just a few days before the walk was declared to be in remission! A huge cause for celebration! The first lap around the track is done by cancer survivors and is pretty emotional.
That's Bebe in the white cap waving at all her admirers. A hardy few of us volunteered to stay all night. I was hoping to get a few hours sleep in our tent, but those hopes were unrealistic! It was SO cold and there was constant noise. If you think karaoke is bad in the best of times, try it at 2:00 a.m. when you're cold and exhausted! Those of us who stayed were pretty unanimous in our decision that we will not stay next year. We're just too old for this. Next year we're going to enlist the youth of the church for the night shift. But our efforts were definitely rewarded. We raised over $5,000 with our group alone and the total for the entire event was around $200,000!!
In celebraton of my friend's good news, I started a new shawl for her. After much deliberation and more than a few false starts, I am knitting the Holden Shawlette. This is a pretty, free pattern from Ravelry that only takes one skein of sock yarn. However, it does start out with - you guessed it - lots of stockinette stitch. I just can't seem to get away from that!
I've started a new line for my etsy shop as well. iPad cases!
I'm very pleased with these and hope they will be successful. So far so good - I sold one before I could even put it up in the shop!
We've had a few beautiful days here on Whidbey Island, but it seems as if today we are back to very cool and windy. However, seeing the heat wave back east I am definitely not complaining. We do seem to be blessed here. No risk of tornadoes or hurricanes. Our location somewhat protects us from tusnamis and we get only the occasional snowstorm.
I'm off this weekend for more fun and games. Abby, my sister and I are going to do a winery tour tomorrow and then a girls' lunch out. Should be fun!
AnnaMarie is the very soul of generosity! I'm going to miss her so much when she moves away...
Good for you for all the fund-raising!
Posted by: gayle | June 11, 2011 at 06:39 AM
What an awesome gift! Why don't you include some knitting needles in your bag repertoire? Hint. Hint. Thanks for hanging in there on the walk! As a survivor, I sure appreciate everyone's efforts for this cause. Thanks, to for the shawl link; it's pretty.
Posted by: Judy | June 11, 2011 at 09:08 AM
Had to check out that Holden Shawl pattern. Very pretty. So are your iPad cases.
Happy to hear your shop is doing well.
Posted by: Marguerite | June 11, 2011 at 12:08 PM
What a super surprise to make more of your pretty cases!
My sister is a survivor of ovarian cancer. Bless you, the Faithfully Fit walkers, and Ann and Bebe for walking the Relay for Life.
Posted by: Kristen | June 12, 2011 at 08:29 AM
I'll add that shawlette to my favourites, I'm liking those smaller, more manageable projects.
Posted by: li_b | June 12, 2011 at 02:55 PM
Oooh, knitting needle cases! That's a great idea. And maybe spindle bags. I have a bunch of cloth bags, but something that is lined with a little padding would be terrific...hint hint. ;-)
AnnaMarie gets the award for best friend ever!
Posted by: Lorette | June 13, 2011 at 11:02 AM