Meetings

So it turns out that it’s the meetings that make the world go around. This week is a whirlwind of Sock Summit meetings. Steph and I are meeting with everyone remotely associated with anything we do Summitwise.  So far we’ve charmed and worried the folks at the convention center. It was the sheep that did it for them this time.  We’ve challenged DWA to look come up with some more creative ways to showcase while having fun, not killing our feet, being environmentally friendly and again not hurting our feet. All while staying within our budget. 
I love this part of the process the brainstorming ( I know a little scary) and dreaming of possibilities.  It’s a very different process this time because we don’t have to sell any of these people on us. They get it, well most of it anyway, And even if they don’t there is the proof of what they saw with their own eyes and experienced and now they are really willing to work with us to help us manifest our vision.  A refreshing change that I have to say if I’m being completely honest has me just a little worried.  I think it’s about having the wall taken down.  When you’re constantly pushing against a something and then the wall is taken down or maybe even just come loose. Well it’s just a little disconcerting.
It’s a good change and one both Steph and I have been working towards. I’m sure my unease will pass. I just hope I still get to negotiate. I love the spice trader aspect of all of this so much. I know it should worry me but it doesn’t.
Today we start the day with our legal team and move on to the accounting and the books.  While they are still a few brain cells left we’ll head to the filemaker folks in the afternoon.  Luckily ( wicked planning on my part0 we end the day with our graphic team. 
Hey Steph have you seen my sock?

Do you know what today is?

Today is one of those days that has after burners. I’ve had this sneaking suspicion all morning that I’m forgetting something really important. I know one thing I haven’t forgotten though. Today is August 6 and on this day one year ago Steph and our team of awesomeness ( Debbi, Rachel, Joann, Debra, Lisa ...) were on our way to the Oregon Convention Center to get the Sock Summit show up and running.
In some ways it feels like it has been more than a year ago and in others it seems like it was just yesterday.  I think this is true for big life moments and this most certainly was a very big life moment for me. The whole thing was from the first tiny spark of thought to signing the last check and mailing it off.
I remember that ride from Scappoose to PDX like it was yesterday. So much excitement laced with a healthy amount of terror.  What a ride.
I wish I had time this morning to list all the ways this changed my life, all the ways I feel I grew. I wish I had time to honor all the people that showed up and gave all they had to give. I think I just might wish there was more time, which is really quite hysterical since we’re on the this journey again.
I’m just so excited to be able to do this again with the best partner anyone could hope to have and just the best rock star team.

Stay tuned… for so much more.

ohh no, look at the clock. Gotta run. A wee bit late for a very important date.

Here are just a few of my favourite moments:

Anna Z and Barbara W. chatting for the first time ever.

Team shenanigans set-up.

“You will too wear this walkie talkie Newton. Don’t even.”

All those knitters strolling. Alice and Denny strolling.

The hand jive and poodle skirts and RachelH’s spirit.

Knitters all lines up for our marketplace and Debbi, Steph and I leading them with 99 skeins of yarn.

Being in the same place as all of these amazing women/knitters.

Breaking records.

and that’s all. Are we done? Can we go to sleep now?

Cake. How could I forget the cake?

Just a few moments. For every one here, there are at least 20 more.

Dye for Glory Winners

So much color and so much talent. As I said earlier this has been such a joy

One of the things that’s been super about the whole Sock Summit thing (and we think the fact that we can still think of super things is a very good sign) is the way that every time one of us has a big idea, it’s caught on like magic and spread like wildfire.  One of the most fantastic things has been the Dye for Glory contest over at Ravelry - which accomplished exactly what we were hoping, that dyers would get a little face time, that we would all get to see some of their clever work and that they might sell a little yarn and boost their businesses. (I know that worked because one several of my favourite skeins didn’t win and I still intend to hunt them down and buy them in the Marketplace.)

In the end, 14 557 people voted and 154 828 votes were cast, and the masses have spoken. 

Hop on over to the Results Page and you can see the grand and glorious winners, and if you’d like to see them in person, we’re going to round up a skein of each and put them in the Colour me Crazy Booth for the whole world to see.  Congratulations Dyers.  We love the way you do things, and a thousand thanks to Casey, Jess, Mary-Heather from Ravelry.  You’re pretty freakin’ awesome too.

You all have voted and I mean you all have voted, over 10,000 voters with over 150,000 votes. How cool is that eh?
Thanks to all the dyers who contributed their lovely work and everyone who voted and Casey, Jess and Mary- Heather for all of their hard work on this.

Congratulations to all of our Dye for Glory winners!!

In the Dipped Dyed Category the winner is: Frog Creek Fibers “Raspberries and Chocolate”
http://images4.ravelry.com/uploads/Vorpalknitter/11668097/RaspberriesandChocolate.JPG

In the Kettled Dyed Category the winner is: ThreeIrishGirls “Estuary”
http://images4.ravelry.com/uploads/ThreeIrishGirls/11669012/estuary.jpg

In the Mosaic Dyed Category the winner is: Green Eyed Monsters “Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes”
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3471/3707296430_3441c9e106.jpg

In the Out of the Box Dyed Category the winner is: Becoming Art “Twilight”
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2480/3747362833_05365d305d.jpg

In the Painted category the winner is: Emily Parson “Just a Small Gathering of Friends”
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3436/3738722779_1802d745d7.jpg

In the Pooler category the winner is: ThreeIrishGirls “Father Time”
http://images4.ravelry.com/uploads/ThreeIrishGirls/11666821/fathertime2.jpg

In the Predictable Stripes category the winner is: Serendipitous Ewe “Apogee”
http://images4.ravelry.com/uploads/AngMac/11016432/apogeeballskein.jpg

In the Primary Category the winner is: SpindleCat “Sockfetti”
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2427/3748260060_c99e8af76f.jpg

In the Random Stripes Category the winner is: Becoming Art “Gypsy Love”
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2467/3747361575_3d7f5315af.jpg

In the Shaded Solid Category the winner is: ThreeIrishGirls “Zephyr”
http://images4.ravelry.com/uploads/ThreeIrishGirls/11667884/zephyr4.jpg

In the Tertiary Category the winner is: Artisan Acre Fiber Arts “Filaree”
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3525/3744188916_0fc3c5d153_m.jpg

In the Watercolors Category the winner is: ThreeIrishGirls “Georgia Peach”
http://images4.ravelry.com/uploads/ThreeIrishGirls/11665997/georgiapeach_small_best_fit.jpg

And honorable mention to the runners up: Shalimar Yarns, Actual Size Creations, Happy Hands Yarn, Creatively Dyed Yarn, ThreeIrishGirls, The Knit Witch, Miss Babs x 2, Serendipitous Ewe, Dicentra Designs, Abundant Yarn & Dyeworks, Madelinetosh.