Visiting Philadelphia in November was really something. The Phillies had become World Champs and the pilots in my airplane were crazy about it. Later November 4 - the election day!!! Then Stitches East - what a trip!

 

p Philadelphia seen from the Art Museum.	p The weather was great - a colorful fall.
p In Philadelphia I visited my friend Brenda and on the first day she cured my jetlag by taking me shop-crawling!!! First to a second hand shop, then a fashion outlet, a charity sale (see the Halloween-witches above), a yarnshop (Frou-frou), a beadshop etc. etc. you name it - I were there!	p Everywhere I went I got so many compliments for my Abstract stole, which I was wearing almost always - I love it! There was even a young man who said to me: "That shawl is so attractive to men!" - That was really something - wasn't it?
p Here is Brenda's nice house.	p and here is the beadheaven.
p Next day we visited the Loop.	p A beautiful shop.
p Leigh Bradford were in the Loop to market her newest book "Alterknits felt".	p A great - and very young book.  See more?  http://www.leighradford.com/
	p I taught for The Main Line Knitting Guild (Brendas guild) and - here they are - some of these great ladies really struggled, but they did well and I am sure they will all be capable of knitting the "Lazy Domino Knitting" - no problems! Thank you all!
Amelia invited Brenda and I (and others) to her home for dinner and before we knew it we were 10. Can you imagine! But again - I saw what I have seen before in the US - this fabulous lifestyle with neighbors and friends helping each other and contributing with something. I really try to learn from this. In Denmark we would normally have been cleaning for days, then we would go shopping and we would be cooking and everything would be ready when the guests arrive. Lots of work and less fun - thank you Amelia for letting me feel this special American hospitality again. What a wonderful family and great neighbors.
q On Monday we visited Brendas friend Stan on the island Brigantine. The light was fantastic and the sea was great. Stan had been busy baking cookies for us. Very delicious! Thank you Stan! I promised to give him my old recipe for a Danish Christmas cookie - I will soon translate it.
	Brenda was wearing here Wing Shawl and she looked as always elegant and beautiful. Stan is showing us around - "Here is Atlantic City!" - A great day!
Election day November 4 - 2008
qp From very early morning the lines were long - they were all waiting to vote. Brenda's neighbor showed me her cane - and she said: I'm gona vote for "ma cane". There were a great atmosphere of optimism. When it was published that Obama had won the election - everybody in "my" part of Philadelphia cried out loudly and there were fireworks and honking of horns.
q We visited Betsy Herschberg in her home.	q She knits the most incredible jewelry with beads.
	t This is Betsy and below some of her work. I am sure you want to see more - so go to her website.  Here it is: http://www.studiobknits.com/   Absolutely stunning!
q We also visited The Tangled Web another beautiful yarnshop. There were lots of great yarns and knitting-goodies. On the second floor there were facilities for teaching.
p Thursday morning at cracker dawn we were picked up by Brenda's special limousine service. A very nice neighbor helped us carrying our suitcases to the limousine and the chauffeur brought us safely to our hotels in Baltimore. Stitches East were waiting for us .....
p The market opened. Had I been there a few minutes before - there would have been a thousand people waiting to get in.	p At the nearby harbor was a beautiful Norwegian ship - the worlds largest three-master.
	p I taught 4 classes at Stitches - all great.  American knitters are really something - always wanting to learn more!!!
	tpu When I returned to the hotel from class - I saw this long line - I had to take 3 photos in order to get the line. They were all waiting to get in to buy tickets for the market. q Below you can see the market. Lots of yarn and stuff - unbelievable. I was not supposed to photograph - but you know! It happiness! The camera just went off!
	I met Gina Wilde from Alchemy Yarns (the model skirt). Take a look at here skirt. It has a print as if it was knitting with very thick needles in stockinette - really great!
	t The absolute highlight of Stitches is always The Student Banquet. The line of students waiting to get in was unbelievable. I were lucky - because the teachers could go in before anyone else. q We had dinner and then many, many knitters would go the catwalk showing their knitting. Absolutely stunning!
	t q Here is Brenda showing her poncho - that she call "The Lady". She had been working on it for a year or so. No wonder she was proud of it. ... and she looked like a million!
At last - after a long flight - I ended up at home - and that was wonderful. I will enjoy to stay at home for some time. See you again at Madrona Fiber Art Winter Retreat in Tacoma, Washington State! - Vivian