Just when I think I have everything under control, it turns out that I really don't! Sorry it took me so long to post this week - teaching a class is always more effort than I remember from past performances.
But to reward you all for your patience, and also to celebrate the fact that this is my birthday weekend, I am announcing my first ever blog contest! My birthday is this weekend, and I've always thought it the height of irony that I was born on Labor Day weekend. Heh. I've always had a love-hate relationship with my birthday, since it seems like it should be a time of high festivity, and yet because it usually fell the weekend before school started, it was mostly a time of getting ready for back-to-school. Plus, there are never really any interesting events happening on my birthday weekend, since most event planners assume that people will be out of town. This is usually the last weekend for the California State Fair, which is in nearby Sacramento, but you can only have so many State Fair birthdays without it getting really old. This year, I think I'll dye some wool since I haven't had time for a dye day in quite a while, and play with the spinning wheel which was my early birthday present. Should be a fun day!
But on to the contest particulars, since I'm sure you want to know. Here are the prizes:
The book is the Japanese "New Style of Heirloom Knitting" booklet with the fabulous Aran-style sweaters that were featured in the Crossed in Translation knitalong that the lovely Cara led last fall (and which I, incidentally, named), and the yarn is two skeins of Meridian Jacobs wool, rainbow dyed in shades of magenta and purple. Meridian Jacobs are one of my local yarn producers, and they produce really lovely fiber. There are about 150-200 yards per skein, and this felts beautifully. It's just enough for a French Market Bag, or if you aren't a felter, it could also be a scarf or mittens and hat since the Jacob wool is lovely and soft.
To enter: Just leave me a comment to this post. The contest will remain open until Monday, September 4 at 5 p.m. PST, at which time I will pick a winner via random number generator. If you are one of my international blog friends, please feel free to enter! I would be happy to send the prize to Sweden or Switzerland or Canada or Ireland or wherever!
I'm off to relax and enjoy my birthday weekend, so have a great holiday weekend everyone, and comment away!
Happy happy happy happy happy birthday! :-)
Posted by: Wendy | August 31, 2006 at 01:47 PM
Happy birthday, Julia! Hope you have a fun weekend.
Posted by: Sonya | August 31, 2006 at 01:49 PM
Happy Birthday, Julia! Just think, you could have been born on December 25.
:-)
Posted by: Lynne E. | August 31, 2006 at 02:33 PM
Hope you have a Happy Birthday, Julia. You poor thing! My kids have the same problem ... National holiday, school vacation, too close to when school begins & so I usually make sure we're on vacation!
Posted by: Marina | August 31, 2006 at 02:43 PM
Happy Birthday :)
I found your blog through my friend Lazuli-Knitting Between the Lines. I've enjoyed reading your posts.
Posted by: rose | August 31, 2006 at 02:48 PM
Hello Julia,
Julia,
Nice to read you again on this blog. Have a wonderful birthday week-end! I wish you love and affection from your close relatives and friends and hope that the coming year will hold for you worthwhile accomplishments. Have a loving and beautiful time on your birthday!
(I don't actually deserve entering the contest as I am knitting at a very slow pace. Therefore, I exclude myself.)
Posted by: Lise (Giulietta) | August 31, 2006 at 02:56 PM
"And in blogging news, Knitting History makes cheap grab for commenters..." heh heh. Happy happy happy Julia, and many more to come.
Posted by: M-H | August 31, 2006 at 02:58 PM
Happy Birthday Julia and Happy Knitting!
(Oh, and this is irrelevant but I would also like to mention that I like Cheddar pictures a lot).
Posted by: Laurie | August 31, 2006 at 03:56 PM
Happy Birthday! My birthday is on the 4th and I know exactly what you mean about it being a bummer when school would start. I was wondering if you found that now everyone FORGETS your birthday because they are all out of town doing fun stuff??
Anyway - hope you have a wonderful birthday.
I hope the 19 year old boys come back to your class too - they probably need to learn about Women's history - I mean what boy doesn't?
Claudia
Posted by: Claudia Davidson | August 31, 2006 at 05:14 PM
I stumbled upon this site as I was in the process of doing some online research. Never one to back away from a challenge: Best Birthday Wishes, May you be content with everything and everybody on this day of days.
Posted by: thebizofknowledge | August 31, 2006 at 06:17 PM
Happy Birthday, happy birthday, happy happy birthday to you! (There's actually a tune to these words, I don't remember from where, but of course you can't hear me singing.... :D)
May your day be filled with what brings you the most joy! Hopefully much fibery goodness, knitting and spinning! Yay! Have a great day!
Posted by: PBnJ | August 31, 2006 at 06:30 PM
That Crossed in Translation sweater was gorgeous.
Happy Birthday! a bit early. Having my birthday in August, I got school clothes for birthday presents and we were always camping. Joy. My whole family in a tent in the woods. What could be more celebratory? Bah.
Posted by: Carrie K | August 31, 2006 at 07:35 PM
Happy birthday! It sounds like you'll be engaged in some fun and fibery pursuits :-)
Posted by: Dave | September 01, 2006 at 05:22 AM
Happy birthday! Sounds like you have a good day planned; I hope I get to spend my birthday spinning too!
Posted by: Cheryl | September 01, 2006 at 05:38 AM
In the tune of one of those restaurant songs: Happy happy birthday! We're so glad you blog! Happy happy birthday! Your knitting leaves us agog! Wooooo! I hope you have a great weekend!
Posted by: Scribbles & Bits | September 01, 2006 at 05:40 AM
Happy Birthday to you, happy ... I wouldn't dare sing this ... you wouldn't want me to ruin your birthday, LOL. Mine is 2 weeks after Christmas ... easy to forget or people run out of money for gifts (especially parents), but at least our birthdays are not on Christmas Day. Right?! So have a Happy one, dear!
Posted by: Rhonda | September 01, 2006 at 06:09 AM
A very happy birthday to you, Julia! I know the disappointment of a summer birthday, too...all through my grade school years, I watched my classmates get to celebrate their birthdays at school with cupcakes or other goodies, while mine was never acknowledged.
Though it seems tired to you now, at least you do have the State Fair. My birthday was always 3 weeks too early for the New York State Fair, so I never got to pin it to that...
Posted by: Jen | September 01, 2006 at 08:39 AM
Happy Birthday! Can sympathise on the other-holiday ness--mine is wedged between Canada Day and Independence Day, and half the time it's on the Monday the government gets off in compensation for a weekend Canada Day.
Go out and make your own special event this year!
Posted by: Karen S. | September 01, 2006 at 10:12 AM
Happy Birthday Julia! Speaking of Meridian Jacobs, Robyn's son had their goats at the State Fair when I went last Saturday. They are much bigger now than when I held them! Hope you enjoy making pretty colors on your yarn this weekend.
Posted by: Lacy | September 01, 2006 at 12:09 PM
Happy Birthday dearie! I hope you can stir some of your own fun this weekend to celebrate!
Posted by: Kristi aka Fiber Fool | September 01, 2006 at 03:09 PM
Happy birthday, Julia! Have a wonderful weekend and a great time spinning and dyeing!
Posted by: Lazuli | September 01, 2006 at 04:02 PM
man, it's crowded in here! Happy Birthday Julia!!
Posted by: ann | September 01, 2006 at 04:16 PM
Many happy returns of the day!
Posted by: Erin | September 01, 2006 at 05:31 PM
I hope you have a wonderful birthday.
Posted by: Nicole | September 01, 2006 at 10:45 PM
Happy Birthday to a fellow Virgo.
Posted by: karin | September 02, 2006 at 09:28 AM
Have a great birthday weekend!!! Hope the dyeing is super fun!! Can't wait to see what comes of it.
Posted by: jaci | September 02, 2006 at 12:22 PM
Well, Happy Birthday to you ! I have just discovered my blog -the French one- in your list of blogs you love, so, it's also my birthday ! Joyeux anniversaire !
Posted by: Christine | September 02, 2006 at 02:22 PM
Julia - celebrate!! Enjoy!!! HBD!!!
Posted by: Julie | September 02, 2006 at 07:54 PM
I've been so engrossed in exploring all your links that I nearly forgot to scroll down and wish you a happy birthday! I hope you have a lovely day; you've made mine with all those wonderful knitting history links.
Posted by: Claire | September 03, 2006 at 07:57 PM
Happy b-day!
Posted by: trek | September 04, 2006 at 03:38 PM