Last week was the perfect storm of everything going on. I booked as many classes at Vogue Knitting Live Pasadena as I could (more on that later), worked extra hours at the shop, and in the midst of it all, threw a birthday party for my daughter because turning 10 requires special recognition. I seriously considered making things easier on myself – skipping Vogue Knitting Live for example. But sometimes life creates the perfect storm, and the only way to proceed is through it. I didn’t get much sleep, as you might imagine, but when life is suddenly full of the things you love most, it is worth it to persevere!

I will post more on Vogue Knitting Live soon, but suffice it to say for now that I am very glad I made the effort to be there. The teachers are so incredibly knowledgeable and thorough, and it’s not every day you get to study with a master of the trade. It is definitely an opportunity that should not be wasted, and as at the last Vogue Knitting Live classes I attended in Century City a few years ago, I came away with so much inspiration and new things to practice and incorporate into my design work. As anyone who reads this blog with regularity knows, I live to learn. I was very happy to hear Franklin Habit talking about the things he studies – it’s good to know that even when you’re at the top of your game, there is still learning to look forward to!

Happily, when I wasn’t studying with the best at Vogue Knitting Live, I was at home, in my happy place outside, with the people who make me happiest. I have never seen a bird of paradise plant as huge as the one that is in our back yard. I have also never seen this particular plant bloom in the seven years we’ve lived here. Since my daughter and I both love flowers, it was a nice birthday bonus. Even though I love parties, and even love party planning around a theme, entertaining stresses me out. So many things to coordinate, so many things that have to be left until the last minute to do, will the guests have fun, will they like the food we’re serving…you name it, I worried about it.

 

But happily, the birthday girl and her friends were smiling and laughing the whole time (always a good sign!), and now that I’m picking the photos to share with you all, I am glad that even though I felt overbooked, I did it anyway, and I’d gladly do it again.

Surprisingly, Monday morning, I woke up full of energy and ready to go…but then, maybe that was because I left Monday open to knit swatches of all the new things I learned over the weekend so I wouldn’t forget. You can do way more than you think when you’re doing what you love. Enjoy the photos, and thanks for sharing in my fun!