Finally, An Update!

So many of my friends have already written excellent posts about our Wednesday Yarn Harlot adventure, but I'll add my version to the mix, too.

Of course, it was my birthday, and I was thrilled to have such a special way to celebrate.  I told the family, "so sorry, other plans," and headed off to join the ranks of the knitting faithful.  Sandy and I arrived at Knitch about 11:00 and the place was already jumping!  To allow the out-of-towner's and live-too-far-away-to-visit-often people have a chance at the goodness that is Knitch, we immediately decamped over to the Dark Horse Tavern, where we took complete charge of their excellent covered patio.  The group grew and grew, but here's a photo of the early part of the crowd.

From the left, blogless Amanda, Claudia (hard to see), Sandy (arm over face), blogless Jacquie, a very tiny blogless Meg, Regan, Jen, Knit Witch and her charming husband, Wayne, and hiding in the corner, blogless Fatima and Melissa.  [Right now, I want to say - go visit these other blogs for pictures.  Most of the following photos are really bad, and they not only took better ones of the whole thing, but also a lot more!]

Ok, so I sat on the porch knitting, eating, drinking, and just having a fantastically good time.  Until 3:00, when I left to don a yellow t-shirt and turn into a Knitch Yarn Harlot Volunteer.  (Which sounds WAY more impressive then it was.)  So, while the others were whooping it up at the bar and in line in front of the theater, I was folding t-shirts, moving tables, and finally ushering local VIP's to their front row seats (all five of them. VIP's I mean.  Heh)  Since I had a lot of standing around time, I was able to take some photos, so here goes.

The lovely Regan shows off her first handspun.  You can't tell in this photo, but she glued little googly eyes on it.  Too cute!  And nice handspun, too! 

This is Haley.  Her mom works at Knitch.  Haley is a fantastic knitter, and she was a huge help before, during, and after the event. 

Janice and Amanda.

Claudia (before they cut off beer sales - spoil sports!)

Regan, Jen, and behind them the lovely, but blogless, Diana 

Me and the wonderful Knitterboy

600 of my closest friends.

I also want to note that you will not see any photos of Stephanie at the podium on this here blog.  Apparently, I was the only one in the crowd who paid attention to the PLEASE, NO PHOTOGRAPHY sign.  Cheaters! 

So, squeezed into teeny, wobbly chairs, we all spent the next 1-1/2 hours, crushed together, listening to the wonderful Stephanie. (Do I really need to link to her??)  If you ever have the chance to hear her speak, definitely do so, even if you have to drive for hours and hours.  I promise, it is absolutely worth it.  I can't remember when I've laughed so hard, or agreed with someone so completely.

Afterwords, 16 or 17 of us ambled over to Harry & Sons,  a local sushi/Thai restaurant.  They were most accommodating, pushing four or five tables together for us, and even writing separate checks.  The food was delicious, too.  If you are in the area, go there.

Then we walked back to Knitch to get in line for the second book signing. Frankly, I don't now how Stephanie does it.  She looked and sounded exhausted, but was just as bright and witty as she was on stage, over two hours earlier.  We lined up to get our books signed, and each got a chance to have a little visit with her.  Regan was the hat lady, so we got to see the hats spread out all over the table - what a beautiful pile of knitting!  It was at this point that my picture taking skills (such as they were) broke down completely, so there is no picture to show the big pile 'o warmth. But Stephanie admired it greatly, as was appropriate.  I was thrilled to show her the scarf I knit with her handspun, and I think she was pretty tickled to see it show up again like that.  (There's a photo of me on her blog wearing it - I'm so verklempt!)   

While we were all getting our books signed, Kim suddenly led my group of friends and Stephanie in singing Happy Birthday to me, which caused me much embarrassment - and happiness.  Thanks everyone - you are all the very, very best! 

After everyone had visited with Stephanie, we posed for a group photo.

   

Sorry this one has Stephanie looking down, but it's the only one of the three taken where everyone got in the picture. (And thank goodness I had the presence of mind to hand my camera to someone else!)  That's Doug, Melissa, Lou, Stephanie, Claudia, me, Regan, Sandy, and Jen. 

Almost exactly twelve hours after arriving, we staggered down the stairs, into our cars, and home to bed (although I had a hard time dropping off to sleep - just too much to think back on.)  It was the very best day I've had in a long, long time.  Good friends - new and old - knitting, an "award winning niche market author," and more fun than should be legal.  I was so happy and exhausted that I was totally giddy.  I'm sure I made a complete ass of myself for most of the day, but I was having so much fun I just went a little crazier than usual.

Kim and her staff did a fabulous job with this event, and I'm looking forward to the next thing they organize, because if this is any indication, it will be absolutely fabulous!  Thanks for a wonderful day, everyone!!  And Stephanie, if you should be reading this, don't be a stranger.  After all, you didn't get to sit and knit with us.  That is an experience no one should miss, either.

Comments

[Judith]

You did a great job reporting The Event, but missed the most important piece of info -
WHERE CAN I GET A YARRRRN T-shirt?
(I am Larger then most)
Judith - in Canada

[Melissa]

Yay! I'm so glad you had a happy birthday. Fattie, as she prefers to be called online, does have a little blog at http://knitfactor.nytefalle.com

[Chris]

What a fabulous way to spend your birthday!

[Crazy For Yarn In Alabama]

What a GREAT post!!! I am just SICK that I wasn't able to go!!! I will take your post to heart and if she is EVER anywhere close enough again I will do what it takes to get there!!! Sounds like ya'll had a great time and you had a WONDERFUL birthday!!!!

[Lorette]

Happy birthday! What a great way to spend it!

[Dale-Harriet in WI]

Yeah, Happy Belated! Man, that IS a birthday to remember. YOu know, I've read all the blogs by all the people who have had The Pleasure - and Stephanie's, and I just find it so cool that one little bitty lady can bring so much delight, laughter, joy and camaraderie to the Community of Knitters. And I'm sure YOU and *I* and everyone else feels SO proud to be a member of this Community. We should get T-Shirts!
(By the way, CAP's book is actually on shelves in Barnes & Nobles' these days, early!)

[DebInAtlanta]

Happy Belated Birthday!!!

[Suzanne]

Hi, Jane,

I was checking the Harlot's blog the other day and saw your picture. Guess what? I realized you looked familiar because we stayed at the B&B (Baxter's on the Creek) in Colorado the same night you did! Small world. I had my knitting in my room, but never guessed there was another knitter staying under the same roof!

Just wanted to tell you hello and share this coincidence! Nice blog, by the way!

Suzanne in Ohio

[Tracey]

Oh so much fun, glad you had a great time, and Happy Birthday dear.

[Lynn]

Ok this was just too cool for words!!! And I SO wish I could have been there.....

[J.P.]

It was so awesome to finally get to meet you in person! Next time I am in ATL, we are going to have to do a mini yarn crawl!

I hope that your birthday was a great one!

[Diane]

Happy belated! What a great way to spend the day.

[Jill]

I've said it before and I'll say it again: You are a lucky woman! What a great way to celebrate.

Now, what have you sewn with that new machine? ;o)

[Claudia]

Honey - you are not verklempt at all!!! I love the picture Stephanie took and put on her blog. The scarf is truly beautiful. It'll be hard for your knitting friends to top this for your next birthday. ;-)

[Trish]

I've already said it, but I'm so happy you had such a wonderful birthday, from start to finish. I can certainly understand the giddiness! Having seen Steph twice myself, I know how fun it is, but making it into a 12-hour event? I'd like to try that next time! Loved the picture on Steph's blog. I could tell how happy you were in that moment!

[mouse]

I wish they would have announced it (no photos) so that the people farther from the front on the floor would have known- I never saw the sign from where I was. I actually saw the sign in a photo on someone's blog with you standing next to it looking 'stern'. DOH!
In light of completely breaking the rules, I had a great time and I'm glad you had a wonderful birthday.

[Beth]

The scarf looks great there on Steph's blog - I'm so glad you had a good time! :)

[Elizabeth]

Oh this sounded like such a wonderful way to spend a birthday!!! What fun!!!!

[Jane]

What a great way to celebrate!

[Donna]

I'm glad you had a happy birthday, Jane!

[Diana]

Hey, glad you had such a grand day. It was great fun, wasn't it! Oh, and thank you for the "lovely" comment.