Mar 09 2009
Recap: Stir Crazy Stitch & Spin
I am lucky enough to look around me, often, and think “life is good”. Yesterday was one of those days. It was a lot of running around and getting things ready, but it went really well and for that I’m grateful. The weather was gorgeous, truly a perfect day in Upstate NY. I got to the Opera House about half an hour early, just to move things inside and wait for the room to free up. Wouldn’t you know I met Diane and Eric as I went out to unpack the car? Nothing like meeting good friends who are also willing to schlep your stuff. Since we had time to kill we enjoyed a quick tour of the building from Christina, one of the weekend staff.
Stairs to where?
I wonder who sat there, once upon a time?
The Opera House is completely restored on the bottom floor, complete with bank vault from when it was a branch many years ago, but the top floor, the actual stage area, is still in disrepair. It was deliciously creepy and wonderful to behold, all peeling paint and decayed opulent space. You have no idea how tempting it was to break into song with all that echoing space, the only thing stopping me was the actual tour going on. I can’t wait until they get this space refurbished, it’s going to be even more amazing. I would actually give an arm or a leg to be able to hold an event up there as is, it is that awesome up there.
Songs of ages past threatened to burst from my lips.
Layers of time.
Those are 000000 needles folks. Yes, you read that right.
Becky spins beautiful mystery fiber.
Carolyn, Mom, Jessica & Harriet.
Turnout was on par with last summer’s Stitch & Spin down at the river front park, which worked out as far as available chairs went. I was expecting more, aside from a couple of friends who had health issues and couldn’t make it, but I view success for these events not on how many new people come but by how things went… and things went really well. I met several new faces: Pat, Dina, Marni (?), and one other woman whose name I can’t remember at the moment. Special thanks to Pat, Diane and Eric for helping me set up! We had all sort of munchies, but most of all we had fun. It was so awesome seeing friends from near and far. Thank you to everyone who helped, everyone who brought in something to eat or drink, and just for coming. I appreciated it more than I can say.
Christina, her mom, Diane and the woman who's name I can't remember.
Harriet, Tim & Steve (who's working on his D&D adventure).
Also, thank you to Carolyn and Jessica for donating some lovely prizes to the door prize selection, I wish I’d had a thought to take some photos! That’s what happens when you’re in charge, the camera can get forgotten. I had invited Jessica and Carolyn to bring a small selection of their hand dyed lovelies, figuring if folks were interested they’d go over and take a look. Folks were interested.
Becky, Diane, Dina, Pat.
Steve making his creepy "on demand" smile.
Afterwards Harriet, Tim, Michelle, Jessica, Steve and I went to Wasabi for a bit of sushi and we had a rip-roaring good time. Aside from the wildly inappropriate conversation, in which Michelle expressed how she would generously pay for us all to have Brazilian butt-lifts if she had the cash, we also learn that fried cheesecake is hot. It’s never a dull moment with ‘Chelle, who has learned the wisdom of eating dessert first. As I noted “well, yeah, you could die…”
Michelle is totally eating dessert first from here on out.
Gosh! Fried cheesecake is HOT! 
Note: Now that the Stitch & Spin is done (until June!) I want to mention that later this week I’ll be making my WOOL 2009 announcement! People that were there on Sunday got the advance flyer, but don’t worry, reservations haven’t opened yet, we’ve still got a few weeks till then. I expect to be making a post about it Tuesday or Wednesday (more likely).
March 9th, 2009 at 2:57 pm
Sounds like you had a great time! I can’t wait for the WOOL details…
March 9th, 2009 at 3:19 pm
Looks like you all had a really great time! I wish I could have been there. I miss you all!
March 9th, 2009 at 3:45 pm
The only thing that I was hoping for was more of a “mixer”
but I sat on my butt spinning since I hardly get to do that at home.
With THREE knitting projects going I needed a break to spin up that fiber you gave me.
March 9th, 2009 at 5:09 pm
It looks like everyone had a BLAST!
March 9th, 2009 at 7:15 pm
Wow, Tina, you are so awesome. Thank you so much for organizing this. I had a wonderful time.
When I put the flyer up at my LYS the woman workign there mentioned that a similar event at the riverfront park in Nyack would be great, and she is right! I will be thinkign about organizing an event there, with help form the LYS owners and you . Just be patient, I’m very busy lately. But I want to do it. I imagine I’ll need a permit from the village hall.
March 9th, 2009 at 8:18 pm
Thanks again for a great afternoon!! It was much needed and much appreciated. Dinner definitely kept me smiling all the way home. Can’t wait for the events this summer.
March 9th, 2009 at 8:50 pm
It’s not the smile that’s the problem, it’s the eyes. Well.. that, not shaving, and the way my thinning forelocks have fanned out like a crest in that picture… :p
March 9th, 2009 at 10:01 pm
Thanks again for a wonderful time! It was so nice to get out of the house & see everyone and what they were busy creating. I so look forward to your next event and we are always happy to lend a hand when we can!
Congratulations on another wonderful gathering!
The tour was awesome and I love how your pictures came out!!!
March 10th, 2009 at 12:27 pm
I am so bummed I couldn’t make it. It looked like a blast. I am looking forward to more spinning on the Hudson in June and the WOOL 2009! Yeah!!!
March 10th, 2009 at 12:53 pm
hey Tina! Thank you for the great event!!!
March 10th, 2009 at 6:48 pm
Tina,I had a great time seeing everyone & all the new faces. It was great getting out on such a fine day. See you all in June!!!!
March 11th, 2009 at 5:12 pm
Dear Tina,
I am the woman whose name you couldn’t remember– Avigayil (rhymes with smile)– 4 syllables. I gave you some Reiki at Sheep and Wool. Zoe Maatoff encouraged me to come to this wonderful event and I am SOOOOoooo glad that I did! I had a WONDERFUL time. Thanks to all the fabulous people who answered my many questions and shared their love of fiber arts! I am looking forward to meeting with everyone again. Please put me on your mailing list. I would LOVE to go to the summer retreat. Due to my disability, I need a ride to Lake George. I hope that carpooling is encouraged.
I want to thank everyone for welcoming me so warmly. This event was a highlight in my life!
Tina, you are a wonderful organizer.
Thanks to everyone who made this event possible.
Blessings to all~
Avigayil (pictured in the rose colored vest)
March 13th, 2009 at 9:58 pm
Stupid colds. Stupid tax season.
Can we have a ‘hurrah it’s no longer tax season’ spinfest the weekend after the 15th? ;op