Karen’s Training Log

Summit Street Fair

It was another cold, overcast day for the Summit Street Fair. Non-profits were given 1/2 spaces and I was to share a space with the Summit Playhouse. Fortunately, a number of vendors were no-shows, so I was able to move to an empty space. Despite the less than stellar weather, the crowd turnout was pretty good. Because of the chilly temperature, wool hats were in demand. I sold 2 of the hats my mom knit and one of mine.

I put 3 copies of Darryl’s book on the table with a sign. A woman purchased a copy. This makes it the first book sold ! During the afternoon, a woman walked by with 2 dogs, one of them a beautiful Keeshond who looked just like Scruffy.

The day was very successful, with the total raised $200. My total for the walk thus far is $761. Only $1,039 to go to make the $1,800 walk commitment.

Darryl’s book was finally published !

Author, Darryl Schwartz, tells the story of life with his adopted Keeshond, Scruffy. Scruffy the Legend is a true story about love, commitment, and devotion. Although written in a light-hearted and mildly humorous style, this is a powerfully emotional book.

Buy it now on Amazon.com –> http://www.amazon.com/Scruffy-Legend-Darryl-Schwartz/dp/1595942335/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1208889581&sr=8-1

If you are on Facebook, join the Scruffy the Legend group.

A cold spring day at the fair

The best one could say about the weather today is “At least it didn’t rain”. The high temperature was 54F with a brisk breeze. Having learned from last year’s street fairs, I didn’t even think about bringing the tent. It would have blown over at least once. The day started slow… no sales for the first 2 hours, but things picked up in the early afternoon. I sold 3 hats ! Black was the most popular color.

Lesley, Carol and Darryl stopped by to say hello during the day. Jane came out and kept me company for the better part of the day. It certainly helps morale to have friends around.

By 4:00, I was a Popsicle so it was time to pack up and head home for a hot cup of tea.

First craft fair of the season

On Sunday April 13, I will be selling earrings, bracelets and knit hats at the Millburn, NJ craft fair. Proceeds will go towards my Avon walk in October.

The next scheduled fairs are Sunday April 27 in Summit, NJ and Saturday June 14 at Fishawack Festival in Chatham, NJ.

Knit one, purl two

Over the Christmas holiday, Mom showed me how to knit. After a couple of practice pieces, I knit my first piece. A scarf. And of course, one needs a hat to go with one’s scarf. This necessitated learning how to knit a hat, a little trickier than a scarf. I found a pattern where the hat is knit on straight needles and then the seam is sewn to finish it. It took a while, but the finished product actually looked like a hat. A little lopsided and full of dropped stitches, but wearable.

And now I am hooked on knitting. After improving my skills on the straight needles, it was time to try circular needles. I found a simple hat pattern and began knitting in the round. When I reached the upper portion of the hat, it was time to learn one more skill - double point needles. It was awkward at first, but with practice and a lot of patience, I was able to finish the hat.

I’m hoping to sell the hats at the craft fairs to raise money for my Avon Walk. If they don’t sell, I will donate them to a cancer treatment center.