Squam 2017

I'm starting to feel like an old hand at the Squam thing. But the trick is not to expect the same thing every time you go. Some events do happen each session but the experience is never the same.

People
The same: People are open and friendly and caring. They value trying things just for the experience, whether you're good at them or not. They value being creative, making things by hand, and accepting that some things take a long time.

Different: The first year I went, I made fast friends with my roommate and we had a good time together. We didn't stick to ourselves, but were usually together in changing larger groups for meals, evening knit time, etc.

The second year I went, my roomie and I got along and would walk to events together if it worked out, but didn't usually eat together and didn't hang out together during free time. At meal times, I would invite myself to sit with someone alone at a table and we would talk about our classes and such. (And invariably, more people would join us.)

This year I went with my mom and we stayed in a cabin with only five of us. I was with Mom most of the time we weren't in class (we did go off and do our own thing occasionally) and we ate every meal with our cabinmates at the same table.

All good but all very different.

House of Tudor residents. There was another mother/daughter
pair with us.

Classes
The same: I take classes in things that I think I will enjoy but that I probably wouldn't do at home. I like the luxury of someone else getting all of the supplies and setting them out for me. (And besides my work space, I don't have to clean up either!)

Classes are hard work. I take them seriously and try to get as much as I can out of them. Making so many decisions about something you're learning to do is exhausting. As is confronting the voices in your head that tell you it's no good or you can't do it.

Different: My first year, I took painting and weaving classes and they were playful explorations in each craft. My second year, I took the altered book and embroidery classes. The projects in those were both more personal; they definitely took more energy.

This year I would say I had one of each. In the Ribbons in the Sky class, I explored the technique with a smaller sampler project. Nothing I really thought would be a final work. But it was fun to do and my mind reeled with other possibilities.

In the Layers of our Landscape class, I chose a personal subject matter and was hoping for a final piece. After taking it home and looking at it more, I'm pretty sure it's only a "study". If I want one I'm happy with or think is nice enough to display, I'm going to have to try again.

The teacher, Amanda McCavour, is examining/admiring the
piece before it is transformed by a bath...

Dissolving the stabilizer when the piece was done--it's the
final reveal!

Although the class description talked about a
scarf-like object, most of us went in different
directions with our pieces. (Partly because we
realized time was going to be a constraint.)

My piece.

The work of some classmates.

Another piece from a classmate.

Yarn Bombing
The same: Every year I've been there, two people go crazy with yarn bombing the entire camp. There are pompoms hanging every where, little yarn flowers, garlands of fabric strips, etc. And, of course, the canoe cover.

Different: This year they took it one step further and actually had a class on yarn bombing! (That is, "yarn sculptures created for public display".)

Have you noticed? Wings are everywhere.

From the yarn bombing class.

(Sorry--I didn't get the title and artist's name.)

"Splish Splash" by Megan Cox

"Turtle King" by Michele Zunker

Left (toadstole): unknown
Center (dog): "Stopping to Smell the Roses" by @peacockaren
Right (flowers): "!Always Smell Flowers!" by Sharon Noblez

Accommodations and Environs
The same: The camp is magical. The cabins. The lake. The rocky paths through the woods. Squam Art Workshops is the only event at the camp so we really get the feeling of being in our own world. (I am loath to disturb that feeling with connections to the outside world!)

Different: I've been in three different cabins. They are all wonderful, but not the same. This year the cabin was new or newly renovated. All the wood was new (which means, walls, ceiling, floors, everything) and that meant the windows worked easily, the door latches lined up and the floors didn't squeak. But the older cabins I've been in convey the memory of countless people spending "endless" summers there.

The cabin location also affects your stay. The first year I was in a cabin far from the dining hall (and everything else). So you had to plan what was going in your bag and bring everything you needed for class with you. Last time and this year, I was in cabins that were much closer and I could stop by the cabin after a meal to get ready for class or drop something off after class on the way to dinner. Very easy, but you don't get to enjoy a long walk to the cabin in the evening or get that feeling of being remote.

Some people request a certain cabin (or, worse still, the same cabin) but I prefer to leave it to luck. (That is, Elizabeth's wise judgment.)

And of course the weather is changeable. Changeable from day to day even. I don't have specifics but I have had some rainy days and very chilly nights in previous years. This year, although I heard some complaining  (don't you always?), I thought it was about perfect. Apparently it was miserable and raining hard on Monday and Tuesday, but when we arrived on Wednesday it was sunny and it stayed mostly sunny the rest of the week. Each day got warmer and by Saturday it was warm enough that I went for my first swim in Squam Lake. (It felt so good!) Sunday was getting too warm, but by then we were leaving.

Ents live in the woods.

Extras
The same: Although Friday morning and Saturday afternoon are unscheduled time, there are usually "extras" offered as an option. Usually an hour-long demonstration on a specific technique or idea. I go if I'm interested in the topic and that has meant I go to most of them.

The time can also be used for hiking, swimming, renting a canoe, napping, etc.

Or, you know, knitting, reading, and more knitting. Especially knitting on the dock. (Pretty much a cliche at Squam.)

Different: This year there were fewer options and I was less interested in most of them. And even the one that I was interested in, I remembered too late and went after the instruction had been given. (I took a look around at what they were doing, picked out some supplies, and then brought it all back to my cabin to do there!)

This meant there was more time for hiking, swimming, reading, and knitting. Friday morning and Saturday afternoon seemed to last forever in the most wonderful way!

The first year, I heard there were hiking trails up the mountain that would give you a good view. I didn't even go so far as to put my shoes on though. (I think that was the rainy year.)

Last time, I went looking for the trails and never found them! I walked a lot of paths though the camp and along the main road which was nice enough, but didn't find the trails.

This year, however, Mom and I went out exploring with a new understanding of the map and found our way to the trails on Friday morning. We had been warned off of one trail because part of it was more rock climbing than hiking, but the one we were on was pretty steep too! We never did make it to the top, but we enjoyed the hike and "getting out there". The bugs were pretty bad this year so that did put a little damper on the fun.

When we got back, Mom went straight down to the lake, but I was not at all tempted to go in with her. She ended up sitting on the dock with her feet in the water talking to a cabinmate and never did go in! Meanwhile, I was knitting in the heavenly screened in porch.

Saturday afternoon, however, we both made it in. I had gone for a walk on my own and came back very warm. Once I was in, Mom had to join me! And then there were still hours to go until we had to go to dinner.

Mom with her feet in the lake.

Yes, the camera is straight.

The pin I made in the class I didn't attend.

Fresh out of the lake. #wethairdontcare

Art Fair
The same: Wonderful vendors. Beautiful products. Everyone's excitement. And a special knitted item to wear. (The first year it was my lace coat. Last time it was the Steven West Enchanted Mesa design. This year it was the striped Vogue dress--good thing it turned a lot warmer that day!)

The ice lights. The hot crowded atmosphere inside. One last chance for conversations with teachers, vendors, and fellow Squammies that I've gotten to know.

Different: Hmmm...I was going to say how much I spend, but I think it's "a lot" every year! :) The first year I studied the vendor's website to see who would be there and what I might find. Last time I couldn't find it on the website so I didn't get a preview. It's more like an adventure, but the environment is so busy and bustling, I would rather have an idea ahead of time.

This year I found the vendors list on the website the day I was leaving. I had time to look at the vendor list and click through to most of their websites. I basically rule out buying yarn and that does help to simplify things. When I got to the sale, I recognized the items that I was interested in buying from the websites and was able to make pretty quick and easy decisions about whether to buy it. (Mostly the answer was "yes"!)

Dressed for the party.

Waiting to get in.

After I got back from the Art Fair, my mother
and cabinmates said I had a "twin" at the fair
and told me to go back for the picture.
I did as I was told.

Personal recommendations:
Colleen Attara Studio - Colleen is the instructor for the altered book class and her shop offers paper products based on her designs. She also specializes in cut out words in her own handwriting--inspiring words that she has in stock or custom ordered with what you want. (I'm a sucker for great handwriting.) I wasn't going to get any words, but then Mom reminded me that one of the phrases was something my Oma would say: "be bold".
Jessica Mixer - I bought one of her little bird pendants two years ago and my sister wanted one so bad, I had to buy her one this year. (Of course I should have done it then because her prices went up!) I also found a darling little rooster pendant for my mom.
LeatherWoolLinen - I've been using the leather purse I got two years ago ("the Jane") non-stop and it's still gorgeous and I still love it.
Mona Enamel - I like enamel jewelry (I was wearing red enamel earrings that night already!) and I've been wanting a lariat style necklace. I found one.  :)
Red Staggerwing - I fell for the weekend bag (in "mustard dot" if you're looking around the shop) but all of their stuff was gorgeous.

Coming Home
The same: The feeling of having had a great experience. The wonder at having to cook your own food.

Different: I learned after the first year to at least give myself a day's cushion before going back to work. I know the first year, I was much more excited and talkative about the event when I got back. This year I find it harder to talk about--maybe just because there's not really anything new to say. Maybe just because I'm so tired out! I think I could use another afternoon of knitting on the dock.

View from a plane flying over water.

Spring Squam 2015: Day 3 and Travel Home. Art Fair and Re-entry

I was dressed for the Art Fair (in my Stephen West "Mesa" which got a lot of comments...it was the right crowd for this sort of thing) and was ready to go with cash in my pocket!

Last time, I had scoped out all the vendors on the Squam website beforehand, but I couldn't find the information when I looked this time. It wasn't quite as important as there weren't the crushing crowds I remember from last time.

The camp always does a good job of dressing up the dining hall.

These ice block candle lights are a specialty and are fantastic every time. (For video and pictures of the ice harvest, click here.)

I circled the outside of the room visiting with every vendor--talking, asking questions, admiring the wares. The first time around I bought this wool from DeepWater Dyeworks.

The man was wearing a kilt; I am helpless to resist. (In addition to selling yarn, he represents utilikilt.) The orange is sock yarn--80% superwash wool, 10% nylon and 10% cashmere. It's lofty and squishy. The purple is a scrumptious lace weight--70% alpaca, 20% silk and10% cashmere. I don't have any plans for it, but it is unbelievably soft and whatever it becomes will be wonderful. :)

I then made a circle of the inside block of vendors. I think I circled the whole place two more times and picked up these lovelies:

A sweet little charm from Jessica Mixer.

She had so many sweet charms. If you browse her etsy shop, I bet you'll be tempted!

These don't match the charm, but I have a hard time resisting leaves.

The earrings are from Melissa Partridge at Color Me Happy.

And I picked up this printed cloth from Elisabeth Kelly Design.

I think it was sold as a napkin but it's larger than a usual napkin. I bought just one and my first thought (as always) is to use it in a quilt. But on second thought maybe I'll stitch on it.

My most self-indulgent purchase was this leather purse from LeatherWoolLinen.

She described the bag as "comfortable" and she was so right. It sits so softly on my shoulder and yet won't slide off because of the texture of the raw leather. Once I tried it on, I was sold. It was frightfully expensive, but remember...I had cash in my pocket and I knew how to use it.

Some of her leather items were marked by the cow's brand but this one was not. You can just make out her name stamp on the upper right corner. After using this bag for the past week I think I will be giving away all of my other purses. Or maybe I'll try to sell some on Yerdle. If anyone knows how that works, please let me know!

I visited Colleen's booth (from the altered book class) and got to chat with her and her daughter for a bit. She gave me this sign which came from a conversation she had with a cab driver.

I plan to hang it on my door at work. ;)

There were many, many lovely objects. While it's still up, you can see a list of the vendors here.

By the time I left, it was 9:30, hardly anyone was there and they were starting to pack it up. I enjoyed a walk back to the cabin and was tired enough, replete enough, that I didn't look for any living rooms to invite myself into. I cozied into bed, did a little reading and enjoyed a good night's sleep.

The next day was time to go home. :( But at least this time I wasn't leaving at 6 am and had time to enjoy breakfast and left at a more reasonable 8:30. By this time my necklace was "this big":

So close to done!

So close, I finished it while waiting for my flight. (With a two hour delay, I had plenty of time!)

I tacked down the circles with little stitches using the yarn. I arranged them to make two infinity symbols on the sides. The pattern recommended using thread, but I didn't have any and the stitches are hardly noticeable in the garter stitch.

I also didn't have a clasp but it was long enough that I just sewed the ends together and put it on over my head. I think it hangs a little low but we'll see how it is with a proper shirt to wear it with. I did see a version on Ravelry that was only three circles instead of five and I think that would be better. Maybe I'll undo this one to the third circle and then reknit it instead of knitting a whole new one.

After that I had no more knitting so I took out my Zentangle card and finished it up.

I added dots to the top right quadrant, filled in some missing lines and solid parts, and did some shading with the pencil.

After that I was out of activities and "had to" read. No sad story here.

On the way home I stopped at my sister's again. It was my niece's birthday and I had some notepads to give her from the Art Fair. I picked them up from a classmate who had a booth, Genevieve's Granddaughter. [It looks like her website is still under construction.] My niece is a crafty one and recently has self-published a book, The Life of a Bunny. I thought she may need more writing supplies. :)

I made re-entry into regular life a little easier this year by taking Monday off of work. I spent the day stitching and reviewing pictures. You've seen that I have made good progress on the embroidery project. I even tried to recapture the feeling of stitching on the dock by sitting on my porch, but it is very humid here and I am sorely lacking a lake.

I have done nothing to the altered book except gather up bits of paper and things that might go into it. In part, I'm waiting for an email that's supposed to come from Colleen of the supplies that we used. There's no way I would remember them all and some were very handy.

I'm still working on unpacking and putting things away. I brought a lot of supplies with me and you've seen how much I bought at the fair. But perhaps I'm stalling to try and keep with me the feeling of being there. The communal feeling of support. The shared value placed on making. The belief that nothing needs to be cheap, easy or fast for efficiency's sake. And that you can only start from where you are, being who you are.