Celebration, Preparation, Organization? A Contest!

My to-do list is longer by the minute, time is flying by, but I did want to touch base with you today. And probably will once more at least before we wing our way westward...

Some of us are swapping things when we get to Sock Summit - I've shown you before the mini-socks I'm knitting, and mentioned the mini-skeins I'm winding. Well, Dear Daughter has managed to complete the 25 stitch markers I asked her for. I'll be swapping these lovely Mera Designs, too:
I think she did a lovely job - the perfect size for sock knitters (and lace knitters, too). (I'm so lucky to have such a talented daughter - love you, hon!). Don't forget you can click on the photo to embiggen - and you'll want to!

One of the things I'm scurrying to finish is a certain number of bags for the National Capital Cat Show which takes place just about 1 month after I get back from Portland. That pushes me hard to get enough bags for the show, and since I've been having such trouble with my back, that's affected my productivity, too. Last weekend, I finished these:
I've got more in process this weekend, and will be more or less on track with what I wanted to complete before leaving. Granted, I'd set my sights on much higher numbers earlier in the month. Oh well. We will have what we have, and if folks don't see something they like, I take orders, right?
;)
All of this has to do with preparation (and a certain amount of organization - at least trying to be organized in the packing and the sewing and the swapping, you know?). But I also mentioned celebration up there in the title, didn't I?

What on earth do I have to celebrate?

Why, two things actually: The end of July marked my fifth year in business as Nana Sadie Rose. I'm pretty stoked about that, as most small businesses fold in the first year. Many folks thought I'd get tired of this and quit in just a little while. I'm tickled that didn't happen - and it's mainly because I have great customers who constantly inspire me to new combos of fabrics and new ideas for bags. Seeing the creations appear fully formed is so much fun, I can't begin to think of quitting this! I'd really miss it.

The other thing? Well in that photo up there? You'll see my 750th bag. I did type that correctly - Seven HUNDRED and fifty bags. (I'm surprised, too)

So in honor of that, I'm going to have a little drawing. Leave a comment for me on THIS post by midnight (EDT) on August 10. I won't get myself together for a few days after that, I'm sure, but I'll announce the winner of the drawing by August 16 (Sunday after Sock Summit). How do you win?

1. Leave a comment here - telling me which one you think is #750. Just for commenting you'll get your name in the hat once. Tell me if you think it's - from right to left - Music Kitties (the black one on the left), Moderne Kitties (the light one in the middle), or Backyard Friends (the black one on the right)

2. IF you guess correctly, you'll get your name in a second time.

3. If you post a notice about this quiz on your blog, you'll get your name in the hat again. (leave me a link to your blog post, okay?)

4. And if someone tells me that they came to leave a comment because of your blog post? I'll put your name in again!

What will you win? I'll be putting together a little goodie bag of treats which I'll send along to the winner, so do make sure I know how to reach you! And I'm sure you can imagine that perhaps there'll be some pretty little Mera Designs stitch markers, a little sock yarn from Sock Summit indie dyers, maybe a little something from Nana Sadie Rose, too ... it'll be a nice prize, I promise, but I can't show it to you yet, because I might find something special in Portland that I can't even imagine yet.

Oh, and on that preparation note: I'm starting to think I may have to check a bag, so there are now two bags in the floor of the bedroom. Someone I know isn't too happy about that:

The suitcase is out. I'm going into kitty denial...if I hide my head and can't see it? It's not there...
The Meezer