I'm So Excited...

...and I just can't hide it! (pointer sisters)

Hi Knitters,
I am so excited to start this final leg of my tour. It should be loads of fun. I am busily packing my bags tonight as I get set for a full week away from home. I had to get a larger suitcase out of the basement for my clothes and stuff. I usually use a pretty small suitcase for myself but this time around I have a lot going on.

Early tomorrow morning I head out to Grand Rapids, Michigan. I am so happy to be meeting up with Jennifer Ackerman-Haywood for lunch tomorrow. She is the force behind the Craftsanity podcast/blog. If you haven't listened to her interviews, they are simply the best out there. She has interviewed some of the true greats in knitting. Jennifer recently got a new position at her newspaper (she is a reporter/journalist by trade) and it is the best position. She is now the writer for the craft-inspired feature called Running With Needles for the Grand Rapids Press. I know she is doing some sort of coverage of my visit and a book give-away for Itty Bitty Nursery coming up. I'll keep you posted on all of that. Jennifer and I are going to hit a couple local yarn shops, too. It should be a fun time. I feel like she is an old friend.

Wednesday night I am visiting one of my favorite stops from last year's tour, Treehouse Books, in Holland (see the sidebar for address and contact info). I had such a great time there last year, it was one of the most fun groups ever. They were fun and lively. I hope we can have a repeat this year! I will be there for a trunk show and signing at 7:00pm.

Thursday, Nov. 8th at 7:00pm, I am at Schuler Books, another great stop last year. We had a good turn out of fun knitters. If I recall correctly there were raffle prizes, book giveaways and discount coupons to a local yarn shop as well. Hopefully that all will happen again, if not just come and see me, the booby prize! Just kidding. Look on the sidebar for the information and contact numbers.

Next I am off to NYC!!! I can't wait. I get to see my beloved publisher, Ann Bramson, my darling publicist, Jaime Harder and hopefully a few others. I love my publisher, they treat me so well I keep pinching myself to make sure I am not dreaming. What a good bunch. Unfortunately, my wonderful editor, Trent Duffy, took off for Budapest. I am not kidding, he heard I was coming and booked his flight across the world. No, really it was just bad timing. I guess I will just have to come back again to see him (hint, hint).

I am meeting up with the Vogue Knitting editor Carla Scott. That should be fun and interesting. Also while I am there Jaime is going to take me around the city to a plethora of yarn shops to do drop-by stock signings. I can't wait. We are going to hit all of the biggies! I'll bring my camera and share later.

Saturday, Nov. 10th, we are doing lots more drop-ins at yarn shops. Then one of the best things ever is happening, my sister is meeting me in NYC! I love my sister and she is the best person ever to travel with (besides my husband). I am a bit directionally challenged, okay, I am plain-old terrible at finding my way. She has led me around since I was born and I love to follow her. She will keep me company and we'll have a great time together. I am so lucky she can come along.

Next on Saturday the 10th, from 3-6pm, I am going to be at the Knitty City (see sidebar for address and contact info) for an event, trunk show and book signing. I have never been to this shop so it will be new and fun.

On Sunday, Nov. 11th, we are taking the train to Philadelphia and I will be at Loop from 11-1:00pm (see the sidebar for more info). I have heard so much about this shop from so many people. I have heard it is beautiful, beautiful. I am, again, so excited to be there. After this event my sister and I take the train back to New York and we are going to take in a Broadway show. Oh yeah!

Monday we are off to Boston where I will be at the Black Sheep Knitting from at 1:00pm to 3:oopm for a trunk show and book signing. Alison Hansel from blue blog fame recommended this shop and Jaime got it all set up. I love Boston, I have only been there once before. We have the whole day on Monday to goof around the city. We will be moving and shaking to take it all in and get back to Needham for the event.

I can't wait for this week! My husband and I have taken trips to both Boston and NYC for his work where I tagged along. This will be a much different week filled with knitters and yarn!

Please come out to see me if you get a chance. I will love to meet you.

'til I return...
best, susie