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Home » Blue Moon Blog » At the heart of it all.
posted by tina May 4, 2011
Today in about four and a half hours we open registration for Sock Summit 2011. I would be lying to you if I said I was not nervous - I am - but I’m also very excited.
I was sorting through my thoughts and feelings figuring out what I wanted to say here today and then Steph read me this email that came into our inbox yesterday:
Hi!
I’m not sure if you can respond to this, but I just wanted to say Thank You.
It seems like such a tiny thing to say, considering the hours/weeks/months this takes to put together. But there is absolutely no price I could put on the ways my life was touched by SS09, on the new friends I made with whom I am still in constant conversation and contact, and most importantly I wanted to say that the past 2 years have been so full of remembering SS09 with delight, wondering about and then anticipating SS11..... For every hour you all have worked on this, I have been filled with delight for at least 10 times that amount. And I know --- that’s a LOT!
Because I’m on the east coast, I don’t get to come to most of those other cool things, the sock camps and all. But I wanted to let you know that I’m an Episcopal priest, and I am sending you the Holy Registration Vibes starting now, throughout the week. I couldn’t care less what classes I get (well, OK, that’s a little bit of a lie...!) but truly, what you do is to create a community that has deep joy at its very center. It’s a community that did not end two years ago.
I think what you do is holy, bringing together people and passion. And I am grateful. And a little teary tonight, as well. Must be after my bedtime! Did I say thank you?
Thank you, C, I for speaking my heart and mind so eloquently.
I hope everyone gets exactly what they want. We did try so very hard to make it so this was possible.
Amen.
posted by Erin May 4, 2011
Amen!-though Erin beat me to it.
posted by Hazel Smith May 4, 2011
My feelings exactly. I’m waiting nervously to register but really in the end it doesn’t totally matter if I don’t get the classes I want because the experience of the big picture is going to be totally awesome! I hope I get several classes because that will enhance the experience but still isn’t everything. Thank you for your hours and worry and anxiety and to all your families for all of the aforementioned.
Love you for doing this, Donna
posted by Donna May 4, 2011
I would like to mimic Donna’s words. I too have nervous anticipation waiting for the clock to strike 12 PDT in hopes that I can register for those classes. But all the classes are so great that I know from my experience at SS09, SS11 will be incredible regardless. Thank you just doesn’t seem enough to say.
posted by Lindy May 4, 2011
I was able to get in and got all but 1 of my first choice classes. There seemed to be a little glitch at the end because one of the classes was full but the program didn’t tell me what to do to resolve it so I had clicked back to the selection screen and then moved forward again. All of my selections were still there so it was smooth sailing from there.
Thanks Tina, Stephanie and everyone who worked on this. Now if we could just time travel to July 28th.
Happy Knitting!
posted by SantaFeLil May 4, 2011
I couldn’t have said it better! I came to SS09 already disappointed that I didn’t get any of the classes I wanted and, as is often the case in life, had an amazingly wonderful time. The classes I signed up for by default, not knowing what I was getting into, were all fabulous. I spent hours wandering the marketplace in awe, and spent way more money than I had planned to. But the best part of all was just seeing all the knitters walking around with big smiles on their faces and knowing that I was one of them - big smile and all. I’m all registered - a much smoother process this time - and counting the days until SS11. Thank you, thank you thank you to you, Stephanie and the Team!!!
posted by Deb Leary May 4, 2011
Thank you all so very much for everything you do for this fantastic community I find myself part of. The adventure continues with you all in the lead.
posted by susan adams May 4, 2011
Thank you so much for all your efforts. While I have knitted for many years, I’m fairly new to the on-line knitting community, but it is fantastic. I missed SS09 but I’m coming to SS1 and got all my classes. It was simple as could be with no problems. GREAT JOB!
posted by Margaret Fayden May 4, 2011
I didn’t get to go to SS09, but when I found out about SS11 I started saving up right away. I was ready, at my computer at 5 till, and was able to get all of my classes very smoothly. If you have a few minutes, you should read the threads on the Ravelry group, especially the one titled registration. You can read the build up to it and the explosion of posts immediately following. Thank you so much for all your hard work!
posted by Melissa May 4, 2011
THANK YOU for sharing this. Beautiful!
Thank you all for your hard hard work, energy and love that’s gone into this!
posted by Lindsay May 4, 2011
just dropping you a note to let you know that all the positive thoughts and e.s.p. for things to run and register smoothly have been sent and are continuing to be sent. May the knitters come out in droves, and once again wander through the sock summit experience.
posted by cassie May 4, 2011
All I can say, Tina (and Steph and Stephen) is THANK YOU. You all are SOOOOOO AWESOME!! Can’t wait to see you in Portland. Tamara
posted by Tamara May 4, 2011
Registered with no problem. Can’t wait for July to experience the joy and community in person.
Thank you, thank you. Hope you have something utterly relaxing to do this evening!
posted by Sarah JS May 4, 2011
even after registration, i am still nervous with excitement. see you in july!
posted by YarnYenta May 4, 2011
Registration was a breeze; much nicer than last time for me. I loved SS09 and can’t wait until July. You ladies do an awesome job and are totally appreciated. Thank you!
posted by Laurie Boatsman May 4, 2011
The holy registration vibes worked beautifully. That was so easy! and I got everything I could ask for. I’m so excited to get my Sock Summit on again!
posted by Tracy in Portland May 4, 2011
It was such an exciting day, I’m weeping into my silk hankies..... lemongrass colorway.... (OK, not really!)
But I think I’ll celebrate by buying some more.... xoxo
posted by Cricket Cooper May 4, 2011
LOVED the letter...so very much captured the joy SS09 brought—even to those of us who didn’t manage to make it. C is a dear friend of mine because of the connections she made at SS09 with my sister and from there to me and several others...so, Sock Summit’s influence reaches much further than those who attend. AND NOW I’M GOING MYSELF! Can’t wait! Thank you and congratulations on a most auspicious start!!!
posted by twinsetjan May 4, 2011
Just sayin’, that letter is from a dear friend I met at SS11 and she has it so totally nailed. Along with another lovely knitter, we connected at the Rav meetup and have been in constant conversation ever since. We’ve pulled other knitters into the conversation, including my sister, twinsetjan, of the last comment, and have had so much fun planning for SS11 that the actual event is totally gravy. Even today, the messages flying back and forth waiting for and then digesting the registration process were 100% joy.
Thankyou,Thankyou,Thankyou,Thankyou!!!!
Oh, and btw, my deepest desire was to get a class with Judith MacKenzie. I got a class and a lecture. Being friends with a priest pays off!
posted by twinsetellen May 4, 2011
That our cellmate, er, buddie, and she speaks for all of us. we love, and thank you for making this possible.
what a fabulous event, and such incredible energy/people. the world is a better place!
posted by JoanC2 May 4, 2011
You. Are. Awesome. And what C wrote totally nailed it. Looking forward to SS11 in 82 days! (Oops, should I not have reminded you of that? )
posted by Megpie May 4, 2011
yeah ,i agree with you guy
posted by harry potter May 5, 2011
Absolutely true for me as well. SS09 was beyond wonderful and I am beyond excited to be attending this year as well! Your hard work has given me 2 years of great memories and i can’t wait to add more! Thanks to all of you on the SS Team.
posted by Allison Togstad May 5, 2011
Thanks ‘C’ for sending in a great letter for us all! My sentiments exactly, and you rock.
I was lucky enough to meet ‘C’ through my awesome SS09 roommate. (yes, one of the commenters above.) They met at the Ravelry meet-up (along with ‘J’), and we had a chance to talk at SS09 during the closing ceremony. Since then we’ve been in constant contact. It’s been fun to planning SS11 together. Heck, we were soo excited that we rented a house 8 months ago for this event!
The SS11 registration process was awesome. On my computer it took two minutes to load the original registration page. Once in, I selected classes and confirmed within four minutes and my watch was at 2:06. (12:06 Portland time.) Someone else mentioned that she was in and out like a Navy SEAL, and yeah… I felt the same way!
(Tina-- for the record I was the one who had a nasty fall outside of the convention center during SS09, resulting in a nasty hematoma & migraines for a week. Stephanie referred to the injury as a “very big bonk”, and I remember your horrified look when you saw the injury! The hematoma (in a strange way) was a plus in my decision to return to SS because of the great support that I received from everyone at the event… Well, aside from a class participant who asked me to ‘get out of that relationship’ and to go to the emergency room immediately-- a day after I already went! There’s always one in every group. At least I can laugh about it now.
posted by Debra May 5, 2011
Thank you, thank you, thank you for SS09 and SS11! It was and am certain that it will be the best conference that I attend in the decade. Registration was easy (nice to know that computer people have started listening to knitters), fast, and I may go back and register for some 2nd choice classes. It will be great!
posted by blogless grace May 5, 2011
Today is Thursday. Registration has happened. Today, the sun is shining in Sudbury and I have recovered my equilibrium(with the help of 2 glasses of red wine) so I am, metaphorically speaking, shining as well. “Now is the winter of our discontent Made glorious summer by this son of SOCK SUMMIT(a little license here) And all the clouds that low’r’d upon our house In the deep bosom of the ocean buried"(Richard III Act I, Scene1)
Thank you ST1 and ST2-You are beyond belief wonderful and I love you dearly. July can’t come soon enough. “Wot larks!"(Joe in Great Expectations). I seem to be in a very literary mood today(lol).
Cheers and red wine, Hazel.
posted by Hazel Smith May 5, 2011
To the mighty, take a mighty bow, you all work so hard and are so appreciated .
posted by linda May 5, 2011
sock summit flash mob? http://www.ravelry.com/discuss/sock-summit-2011/1649498/1-25#1
posted by heather May 5, 2011
I wholeheartedly agree!! I am always amazed at how what seems such a small thing (knitting) can bring together people from every walk of life, faith, etc and those differences only enhance our love of and understanding of others. It’s amazing, and if more people knit who knows what could happen! I am so looking forward to SS2011 as I actually got some classes (thank you thank you thank you) tho I had an amazing and wonderful time in 2009 even without classes, you made it fun for all. I was nervous just registering so I can’t even imagine how all of you felt, but my prayers were with you. Blessing to all of you and I hope you can relax and rest a bit!! Love, Josie
posted by Josie McGill May 5, 2011
You just can’t get better any better than that, can you? What a wonderful letter and I hope you realize how many of us feel the same way. The experiences we have at SS are like an heirloom gift for us to treasure. Thank you.
posted by Teri May 5, 2011
I can’t tell you how much that email resonates with me! Going to SS09 was a huge leap of faith for me, and it has paid off in ways I couldn’t have imagined. Yes, the classes were fantastic, and the marketplace was great...And the people were phenomenal! A true gathering of the tribe, and probably the first time I’ve ever felt like I truly *belonged.* But it also lit a spark of travel-love that I didn’t know I had. I have since been to Rhinebeck, to Quebec, and am planning my first trip overseas this year! I’ll be making the trip to SS11 by train, and I am so excited for the adventure! Thank you, Tina & Steph and all the other amazing people who are making this happen. You make the world a warmer, brighter, woolier place!
posted by MrsQuimby May 5, 2011
What a wonderful letter! My sentiments exactly, if only I could write it so eloquently. You are bringing together people and passion. We knitters are a passionate group and we love you for all your hard work bringing us together. I have wonderful memories of SS09 and can’t wait for SS11! I hope the craziness of registration is subsiding and that you’re able to get some rest now. Thank you so much!!!
posted by Jennifer May 6, 2011
Beautiful!
posted by Alison Hyde May 7, 2011
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