Thursday 27 June 2013

First Workshop


Today saw Ginger Twist Studio's first workshop, featuring the Clementine Fair Isle hat as designed by Vala. Yay! It feels fabulous to have this exciting programme up and running. 

Clementine

For those of you who have not met Vala, she is an essential cog in the workings of Ginger Twist Studio. Within her inner knitty circle, she is better known as the 'Knitting Empress.' I must get this job title added to her next batch of business cards! This Icelandic native has been knitting since childhood and crocheting for about 10 years. Vala came to Edinburgh for Uni and this lovely city sucked her in (as it did me). 
 
Class in Action


She has been teaching knitting and crochet professionally for 5 years now. Vala has taught at K1 Yarns, and was one of the teachers at the Edinburgh Yarn Festival (her class sold out in 15 minutes!!). So never fear ladies and gents, you are in calm and capable hands. Vala is everything is a knitting teacher should be: patient, kind, inspiring and understanding. Featured below is one of her pupils learning Fair Isle earlier this evening.

Knitting British and Continental at once, yikes!

As her 'day job' Vala is half of The Lindström Effect. Please check out her amazing photography! She has also knitted for Edinburgh College of Art, Strumpet and Pink (very fancy nickers) and was featured in a textile exhibition at The Lighthouse in Glasgow. 

Ever modest of her accomplishments, I feel obliged to brag for her. This lady is obsessed with Cafés, and needs to go every day in order to gain inspiration. Lovecrumbs is one of her favourites (mine too!).
The Knitting Empress herself


 So don't be at all intimidated. All of Vala's classes are very easygoing, full of tea and nice chats. Come round to the shop if you fancy booking yourself a space. Later kittens! 

Monday 24 June 2013

The Party


Yes, I do love a good party. And what better excuse than the opening up of a shop. Friday saw good weather, which allowed Ginger Twist to open it's doors and let people spill onto the pavement. 


With many bottles of bubbly popped, the party was a great success. What a delightful time I had! And that was in part to all the lovely people who turned up. Thanks again! Now I'm just biding my time before I can break out my knitted fascinator again (or just make a new one). 



Thursday 20 June 2013

Opening Day

Much has happened in the shop over the last few days, as I was in a mad rush to get everything finished.




And considering all the mad rushing round, we only had one accident in the shop. Rachel the Town Mouse slipped down the hatch and into the basement, poor dear.


Last night saw very little sleep from me. I was just too excited to wake up and start my first official day at Ginger Twist Studio. After a nice cuppa, I trotted on down the road. Today was Opening Day!! I was so excited, I almost plum forgot to bring my knitting. There were quite a few things still needing done (like price tags and completing this blog post), and I assumed I would also have plenty of time for knitting. Would anyone really even show? Little did I know what the day had in store for me. There was pretty much a steady stream of people all day long, bringing their lovely and enthusiastic vibes into the shop. I was too busy chatting and hosting to worry about putting price tags on! I'm sure there will be time for that tomorrow (...). Also, I had a some lovely shop warming gifts come in the form of wool and chocolate. Jennie Howes brought in some of her lovey hand spun (reminding me of my Chanel Suit), and Mika of Yarn Pony brought in some delightful and squishy ginger business (as in the photo below). These gals sure know the way into this lady's heart!

Squish Squish

 Attention! I finally got my window suction hooks, so I can properly hang my knitted open and closed sign! So after a completely brilliant and mentally draining day, I turned the sign back from open to closed. Thanks to everyone who was able to come round the shop today.

 

So tomorrow is the Opening Party, and I must finish a quirky accessory that is essential to my outfit. The party goes from 5pm - 8pm tomorrow (Friday) evening, so feel free to come round for a glass of something and a wee nibble. This is really a dream come true folks! 

Thursday 13 June 2013

Every Man Needs a Cardigan

I feel best when I balance my more practical endeavors with slightly ridiculous ones. As an example, last week covered the more serious activity of painting. Who is up for a bit of cat chat this week? 

As the shop mascot is a lovely ginger kitty, my shop display was in need of something feline related.

Logo done by the lovely and talented

Inspired by a stuffed kitty pattern on Ravelry, I was just going to make one...but then of course I ended up with a whole coven of kittens.

Coven of kittens. Can you spot Ginger?
This very wee one is my favourite!













Giant button eater inspecting newbies

Enough of the completely cute and completely ridiculous, and on to the workshop table. As you may recall, I promised you some photos this week. The most challenging part was picking out all the different vintage pattern covers I wanted to feature on the table. After 8 coats of Mod Podge, I hope you are all pleased with my choices. All it needs now is a coat of yacht varnish (which I have become quite obsessed with as of late)!

Yes, it's so true!
Reporting for duty, Captain!





















Och, and if you have not heard, I've got an official opening date for the shop. Mark your diaries for Thursday 20 June, it's all happening!

Thursday 6 June 2013

Another Coat of Paint

When it comes to knitting and crafting, I have all the time in the world. Unfortunately, this does not transfer into all aspects of my life. I am a very impatient painter. I would rather do soooooo many alternative unpleasant things. Waiting to put on that second coat?! Pfft. I want it done NOW.  And don't get me started on the horrors of GLOSS! Grrrrrrr.

From the statements above, you may have gathered that I have spent some time painting this past week. The shop needed some TLC, and featured in the the role of my assistant is my lovely friend Sylvie. If you fancy a bit of fair isle chat, this creative lassie also has a blog of her own: Away With the Fair Isle. 

 
Admittedly, standing at the top of that ladder did cause me a bit of mental anguish. I'm not used to viewing the ground from that height. But besides all that poppycock, I'm happy to say the outside of the shop is finished, with the sign to be fitted next week. It's quite a jolly colour, isn't it? 





















The inside painting of the shop is as complete as it can be at this point (in blossom white), as I'm still awaiting the joiner to come and work some magic. 

I love the colour of the door!
The mod podge decoupage workshop table is almost complete. This gem with be shared with y'all next week. Till then, beware of the gloss.