Stitches West, Toll-free number & Qiviuq workshop

This year I'm making up for the travelling I didn't do in 2009, as I'm going to Santa Clara and Stitches West. I'm actually going to California one day early to spend a day in San Francisco--I've never been there before and it's long been on my list of places to visit. One day isn't much, but I intend to make the most of it. I haven't been to a Stitches event for a number of years and I'm looking forward to seeing friends I've made from the tours. If you see me anywhere in the show, be sure to stop and say hello. I've also registered for three workshops--a busy time.


When I sent out emails last week about the tours, I should have included a toll-free number: you can always call the agency at 1-800-267-5552 and leave a message for me. The trip to Italy is close to being half full. If you want to have another look at the itineraries: http://www.joycejamestours.com/joycejames2010/westcoast.html and http://www.joycejamestours.com/joycejames2010/italy.html.


For lovers of qiviuq, I received notice of a qiviuq workshop to be held in Whitehorse, Yukon on the 26 - 28 March. http://www.folkknits.com/ Learn about qiviuq the finest, warmest & lightest natural fibre ... harvested from wild muskox by Inuvialuit. Qiviuq knitting workshop will be led by Wendy Chambers, internationally renowned fibre artist and instructor. Come join us for a Yukon Knitting Adventure hosted by Folknits in Whitehorse, Yukon. You’ll knit these hand warmers with qiviuq yarn spun from the hair of wild muskox. You’ll see muskox in their wilderness habitat. Tour the historic gold rush City of Whitehorse. Relax in the natural mineral waters of Takhini Hot Springs. Qiviuq Knitting Weekend. March 26-28, 2010. Whitehorse, Yukon.

More Details of 2010 Tours to Canada's West Coast & Italy

I'm back in Ottawa from Madrona in Tacoma. It took me awhile to get caught up with the change in time zones, plus travelling on a 'red eye' flight from Vancouver to Toronto. However all went well and although the travelling was tiring, it was uneventful (by that, I mean safe landings.)

My apologies to all those who have been waiting for details of the 2010 tours. I am happy to let you know that I’ve just completed the planning for two special trips:

The West Coast of British Columbia, August 23rd to 31st – Victoria, Vancouver Island, Salt Spring Island and Tofino (Pacific Rim National Park). Itinerary information at: http://www.joycejamestours.com/joycejames2010/westcoast.html

An Italian Idyll, September 20th to October 2nd -- Venice, Anghiari, travelling in Tuscany and Florence. Itinerary information at: http://www.joycejamestours.com/joycejames2010/italy.html

Please read the details of both tours on my website: www.joycejamestours.com. This is your opportunity to travel in a small group, with fellow textile enthusiasts. Both itineraries have been carefully researched to take into account your interests, but I’ve allowed enough time for relaxation and the opportunity to fully appreciate your travels. Due to the special areas we visit and the talented local people we meet, the size of the group will not be
expanded. Neither of these unique itineraries will be repeated next year, as I have some other destinations in mind.

Earlier participants frequently comment on the high value of the tours, which have a strong ratio of repeat travellers. The land cost is on my website and I can arrange for return flights from your home city, plus would be happy to reserve extra hotel nights before and/or after either tour. The registration forms for each trip can be downloaded and mailed to the agency, Executive Worldwide Travel in Ottawa. Payment can be made by cheque, money
order or credit card.

Non-knitting companions have not been forgotten and are very welcome. Activities for their interests are being planned and will be integrated into the schedules.

I hope you will be able to join us on a tour. If you have any questions or just want to say hello, don’t hesitate to contact me, either by email at knitting@joycejamestours.com or by phone at 613-695-0889. I look forward to hearing from you.

News from Shetland and Madrona

I'm in Tacoma, attempting to be productive until my flight leaves. When I checked my email, I had a newsletter waiting from Shetland, and thought everyone who's visited this special part of the world would be interested to get this news too: http://www.shetland.org/ and http://www.shetlandhamefarin.com/hamefarin-newsletter-february-2010.pdf.

I've enjoyed my visit to the Madrona Fiber Arts Winter Retreat and this morning took a bead knitting workshop. The teacher had us make a sampler showing different methods of using beads, which will be good to keep for reference. My time at Madrona has been enjoyable: a mixture of visiting with old and new friends, admiring the numerous beautifully knitted creations worn by the attendees, and just sitting knitting. I managed to control myself in the market place and did very little shopping.

I'm glad I brought my computer with me on this trip, as I've emailed Garth (my website guy) the remainder of the details for the two tours later this year. Please let me know if any of you have questions about either tour. The information is on my website: http://www.joycejamestours.com/.

An announcement!

I had a phone call from Garth (my website guy), to let me know that he had completed the revisions for my website: http://www.joycejamestours.com/. Have a look at it and you will see it has a completely new look. I like it and after close to ten years, I think it is time for a change in format! Be sure to visit my site regularly --we'll continue to update the information as more tour details are finalized.

You'll find most of the information for the tours later this year: in August to British Columbia (including Victoria, travelling on Vancouver Island, Salt Spring Island, Tofino and the beaches of Pacific Rim National Park): http://www.joycejamestours.com/joycejames2010/westcoast.html

In September we'll be going to Italy: Venice, the villages of Tuscany and Florence. The price for the Italian tour is on the website: http://www.joycejamestours.com/joycejames2010/italy.html

I'll be sending Garth the tour price for British Columbia so he can do what is necessary to convert it to a web document. (It's all I can do to be a tour planner and knitter, however the fine points of programming computers and their language are way beyond me.)

I'm off to Tacoma on Wednesday and have a stack of flyers with me to publicize the tours. Reports will be forthcoming from the Madrona Fiber Arts Retreat. I've even bought a new suitcase.

I'll be travelling

Next week I leave for Tacoma and the Madrona Fiber Arts Winter Retreat. www.madronafiberarts.com. I went there two years ago and really enjoyed myself. The city is interesting and I went to two very interesting museums, but mostly spent my time at the event.

Organizer, Suzanne Pedersen has done an excellent job of creating a relaxed atmosphere, providing a wide variety of talented instructors and a marketplace, but most importantly lots of time to knit and visit with other like-minded knitting enthusiasts. Many people return year after year. The host hotel is the Murano, with an outstanding display of hand-blown glass. I'm going to take one course: Knitting a Bead Sampler. I could have registered for more classes but wanted to leave time to visit with old friends who will also be attending. I'm looking forward to hearing the guest speakers too. Have a look at the Madrona site to learn more about them.

I have Mary Adams and Suzanne to thank for designating the Shetland Guild of Spinners, Weavers & Knitters as one of their charities for the past two years. The donations that the Guild received from Madrona attendees were very much appreciated and went towards their building fund for a home for the Guild and their collections.

I will also be taking flyers to tell people about the two tours for 2010. The trip to Vancouver Island (Victoria and area, Salt Spring Island) is scheduled from the 23 to 31 August. The trip to Italy (Venice, Tuscany, Florence) will take place 20 September to 02 October. Details of both tours will be on my website very shortly. (Again, sorry for the delay as I know many of you have been waiting for that information.)