Pink Ribbon Namaste Accessories and other BCA stuff

Ltd Edition OhSnap! by Namaste now available from SIOz in reg and xlrg

The Ltd Edition Pink Ribbon Oh Snaps! and some super-sweet Ltd Edition Pale Pink Buddies are now available online from Stranded In Oz.

The pale pink Buddies are so new and special there's no product picture from Namaste, Inc., and the boxes aren't even marked with the usual product stickers. And they are a gorgeous rose quartz pale pink. If you like pink of course!

The Stranded In Oz knitter's kits for the cure are in the works and I will post those when they are ready to ship -- the kits will include the ltd edition OhSnap! in pink of course.

ALL PROFITS FROM THE SALE OF PINK OH SNAPS!, PALE PINK BUDDIES, AND PINK KNITTER'S KITS FROM SIOz WILL BE DONATED TO THE MCGRATH FOUNDATION.

It took me a while to decide which part of the BCA world I wanted to donate to, and with the help of my friend Tamise (thanks TimTam!) and others, I narrowed it down to who made the biggest difference? The answer? Breast Cancer Nurses. They are incredibly important -- and there aren't enough of 'em.

Laguna and Cali Binder Namaste, Inc. update: I've loaded all that is in stock -- both designs have been discontinued by Namaste, Inc.

On the Mend: thank you so very much for all the kind and thoughtful email and notes of Get Well Soon. I'm using this unexpected non-standing time to finish new designs, including new knitting club designs, socks, as well as other fun gear to keep your fingers busy all summer -- and I know it'll be summer very very soon.

You know, one has a lot of time for reflection when stuck in a hospital and on a couch with one's leg elevated. And most of my musing has been influenced by the news in the US -- it's election time here again. Since I don't live here, it is easy to find the 24/7 saturation coverage a kind of amusing, psychedelic circus/theatre. I'm so glad I don't have to cast a ballot here - the negative campaigning would make me cast a non-of-the-above ballot.

To all my US festival customers -- thanks so much for buying SIOz yarns and fibres this Autumn. It was a pleasure to see you all.

Mel, from Easton, Maryland

MMMM special sock yarn from Kollage - Sock-a-licious!

For all you Ravelers, check out kzooerica's shot of the special hand-painted sock yarn I've been painting, the new Kollage Sock-a-licious: http://www.ravelry.com/projects/kzooerica/simple-things

I have to say, this was the test hank of the first run, a blend of purples, blues, and greens. I regret not stashing a hank and yes, it's long gone. There are hanks of this yarn left from the last show and I will endeavour to load them onto the shop next week -- it's a one-time-only availability of Kollage Sock-a-licious painted by yours truly.

I've been sternly warned by Mark at Kollage that it's not going be available, un-dyed, again (sniffle), so I really agonised over the colourways as you can imagine. Sock-a-licious is a luxury blend of merino, mulberry (yes, mulberry) silk, and a bit of nylon for you sock knitters.

Frankly, it's so luxurious, I think Erica is right to make a shawl out of it.

zooerica's small things in ltd edition Stranded Silk Sock

Hanging In There. Really!

Well, there's no easy way to say it, so I'll just say it. After a pleasant and uneventful journey up to Tunbridge, Vermont, B and I arrived for setup on Thursday, October 1st.

After having a yummy cup of Green Mountain Coffee, saying hello to the folks at Green Mountain Spinnery, I headed out to the toilet building from the show shed. It didn't take more than 5 seconds for me to slip on a patch of muddy grass, go down on my ass, and then... disaster registers -- my ankle.... in pieces.

I don't remember much after that -- Margot, the cashmere sheepherder, and also trained as a nurse, held my hand as I went into shock. The incredibly kind and professional paramedics, the very long ride to a hospital. Then, a nice young doctor, who said, this is going to hurt...

And then, I don't remember much of the following 24hrs. Once my dislocated (you just don't want to know what it looked like) and multiply-broken ankle had been set, I was admitted to the little hospital in Randolph, Vermont. After SIX days waiting for surgery (yeah, I really really messed up the ankle), I was told that it was still going to be a wait for surgery.

Thanks to my parents in Maryland, I was taken back to Easton, MD (near Annapolis, for those who like checking maps), to await surgery there. Driving 750 miles in a toe to thigh pre-op cast, with bones that need permanent pins) isn't much fun. I don't recommend it.

I'm happy to report that the surgery went well on Monday and that I'm safely ensconced on the parental lounge. Dad's set up a small tv (with cable!) and I'm typing away on the notebook 'puter sister Melanie gave me.

I can't really articulate my disappointment adequately at the moment. I spent all year saying I can't wait to see the goats at Vermont Sheep and Wool. Didn't see a-one.

BIG THANK you to the customers who came by, left good wishes, and purchased yarn in my absence. Thank you so very much. Knit it all in good health and happiness!

The show yarn and fibre is with me here in Easton, MD. If you wish to place an order, or have questions, please email me at melissa AT strandedinoz DOT com. As the healing takes hold, I will be loading new things online, so stay tuned!

Here's what my husband has sent to keep me company in the US:
Yes, you're right -- I miss my dog Lyta, who's my best medicine.

As I type, there's a squirrel who's decided to climb up the screening around my parents' porch dining area. It's very funny watching him scurry upside down around the perimeter.
Mel, in Easton, Maryland