knitting a story

Funny how many strings connect us, and when they come together, there's a story. I've had mittens on the brain lately. Spotted my neighbor, Pam, knitting on the boat on Friday morning.

 

She had a story to tell about her mitten, being ripped out too many times because she wasn't following a pattern. Patterns! Folks have been asking about the compass mitten pattern for those featured in Ice Harbor Mittens.  The author, Robin Hansen  has put the pattern in a nifty kit with yarn. She happily showcased them at our book celebration on Saturday at the Maine Maritime Museum in Bath. A hearty crowd turned out, and see how proud we are... (thanks for the photo, Anna!)

Besides signing books, Robin also brought mitten drawings for folks to color in with a pattern of their own, making an ornament.

It was a magnet not just for kids. Something about crayons brings out the best in people.

 

The museum is full of rich history and a fun wheelhouse for kids to explore. Here's a young skipper 

steering into the harbor, while his mate gives him a message.

I didn't get to see much of the museum, but enjoyed the interiors and this figurehead.

Heading back to Portland Harbor to Casco Bay Lines, we caught a surprise display of fireworks, the finale of the Parade of Lights, that holiday maritime event in which boats dress up in Christmas finery and circle the inner harbor.

Lovely finale for the day, which was topped off by delicious mitten cookies, brought home as souvenirs from the signing. Thanks to 3 Dog Cafe. Sweet!

I was properly fortified before my next signing opportunity right on Peaks Island, Sunday at Take a Peak. I had a hand in the interior of this gift shop when it was opened in 2003. Here's my little concept sketch that got things rolling.

The space is a shoebox attached to the larger Down Front, the island's hot spot and ice cream store in the summer. I sat at a children's table I painted in the store colors.

Thanks to all who stopped in, and found the familiar island faces drawn into the story!

The shop has a neighbor's Christmas display in the window, charming the kids who head past to the ferry.

The best news is that the ice is finally good for skating. I headed right to the pond near my house, where my daughter was skating with friends with a nearly full moon rising in the sky.

Stay tuned for the solstice on Tuesday when the full moon will rise at 4:45 PM. There's going to be an eclipse, too, early early this morning! Wear your mitts, it promises to be cold.