Mystery Box Time: Nov 2nd

It's Autumn and time for another round of Mystery Boxes! Let's see....I'm feeling like we need a dose of something new and different.... How about a new technique and a little arm-chair traveling? But first...some ancestral ramblings to get us in the mood....

I love to dive into our familial ancestral gene pool. Often I wonder, "did any of our great-great-great grandmas knit?" Here's our Norwegian g-g-g-grandma Margarete Jensdatter Mikkelson. She looks like she'd knit....maybe....

 

1) She is Norwegian, who are fierce knitters (who have hugely popular Slow TV and National Knitting Night show for hours on end-I kid you not!). 2) She's wearing little lacy fingerless mitts...But alas I've uncovered no concrete proof in the Mikkelson archives yet that she actually knit. Dang...

On the other side of our tree it's all Portuguese (specifically from the Azores, because according to Azoreans you always have to classify "Azorean" and not just Portuguese). They too are great knitters historically. So much so, they invented their own special style of knitting.

Hmmm wonder if g-g-Grandma Anna Silveira knit...

Or maybe our g-g-g-Grandma Mariana Francisca do Corao de Jesus knit. I bet she did!

Alas, it's impossible to find documented proof we come from a long line of knitters (big sigh). Instead I think I'll just pretend this woman is a long lost ancestor who charmingly knits in her kitchen.

Oh look...here's our very distant "Cousins" knitting  hearth-side.....
(before the days of winding machines)...

The Menfolk were kicked out of house...so they're happily hanging out in the pub!

"Uncle Frank" remembered to take his knitting!

How about these "relatives" in the fields! I can't see myself doing this.... ever.....

Or this!! But I bet some of our ancestors did. They had to make clothes, and you have to shear sheep to get the wool, to knit sweaters!

Don't think I could ever walk along blithely knitting, chatting and not fall off the pier!

This is just too much! Walking...with a huge, heavy basket on her back and knitting!!

Apparently it was common practice to knit while gathering up firewood....because that's what is in the baskets! Peat bricks..... Talk about multi-tasking!  

Our ancestors spent hours and hours of back breaking work involved in growing, chasing, herding, shearing, washing, carding, spinning, dyeing, winding just to to knit! I'm tired just thinking about it.

Don't panic!  

Your Mystery Box won't require any chasing or shearing of sheep, or spinning either. It's all done for you.

Many other hands did the hard work and we can cast on immediately (My favorite part). We jump straight to learning a new technique....and bless our lucky stars we live in a modern world where yarn is easily accessible! Just a quick trip to our shop or a mouse-click away.

Want to sign up? Call, drop into shop or click here to order your Oct 2016 Mystery Box . Select your Box Type: Make-Knit ($50) or Read-Books ($36) only. Then indicate color preference and pay. That's it. Boxes ready to ship/pick up on Nov 2nd and Sign up now for best color selections.

What's in the Box? 

Your box will be filled with lovely 100% pure USA wool dyed in gorgeous natural dyes all ready to knit the selected pattern. You'll be the recipient of truly unique yarns, currently part of a very huge renaissance in the fiber world. As usual, there's always additional pattern suggestions and extra tidbits to surprise & delight. This box will reappear as a class this winter so you're getting first peek too!

Color Options

Now these are not exact colors you'll get in your box, more like preferences. Select which palette you find most appealing, then we'll craft your box based on what you are magically drawn towards. Feeling daring? There's always Surprise Me! and let us psychically tune in to which is your perfect palette. :)

Mineral

Autumn Leaves

Borealis

Cozy Cuppa

Winter Bouquet

Frosty Buds

Golden Pears

It's again a thematic box (I just love coming up with new themes)! There's a bit of arm-chair traveling too....my favorite kind. We stay snug and warm inside though, curled up in our favorite chair with a hot mug.....rather than out trekking in the cold frozen tundra like these poor wee animals.

 

Want to join in the fun? Click here to buy your box, or just call/drop into the shop. We're open 7 days 10-5.

July Mystery Box: Jul 27

I had a plan months ago. The July Mystery Box was all envisioned thematically. Yarns....books....all picked out. Ideas churned in my head how to make a great summer escapist box that was technique driven. That was then....

This is now..... As all "best-laid plans of mice and men" things changed .......rapidly, surprisingly and totally unexpectedly. Now what sounded perfect four  months ago .....doesn't! As a result the July box is totally different from what I envisioned. We decided due to the unexpectedly chaotic/exciting/busy nature of this summer we want to go to the Beach instead! *(read below for specifics on why life is topsy-turvy)

 Ah.....gentle surf, seagulls chattering, warm sand and lovely tropical drinks..... sounds heavenly!

Think ocean breeze, plenty of sunshine, lazy days relaxing, easy-peasy projects and reading doing whatever we want.That's what we're craving at the moment...... so let's have a box filled with a beachy theme!

This way I can pretend for a few hours at least that Life is a Beach....and not endless living out of boxes.

I can instead escape for even a few moments to the serene seaside instead of chaotic packing....

 
  

I'll pretend I'm on a peaceful beach watching a lovely sunset.....  endless trips to thrift store, the dump and to local wineries in search of boxes....

DETAILS

Decide which.... MAKE  or  READ

MAKE:  $50
Choose: Knit or Crochet
Pick a Color:
Night, Mermaid, Cantaloupe, Old Jeans, Driftwood, Bleached Bone, Grapes, Fuschia
Too many choices? Then pick Surprise Me! 

READ  $36 

For your options choose "Surprise Me" if ordering online.

Go here to sign-up officially:

1) our shop's website 

Click on "Select an Option" then choose from drop down menu

Then "Add to Basket" and Checkout! 

(picking up your box? Use coupon code: PICKUP to avoid shipping $)

or

2) just drop into the shop

Once you're signed it's just the countdown to shipping/pick up day:  

Wed Jul 27th!  

Questions? Give us call 209-728-8261

--------

*excitedly unexpected = buying my first home...literally in the space of a few days! My summer days are now filled with endless purging, packing, planning a house move 8 doors down. Not how I expected I'd spend my summer...but thrilled how the universe smiled upon us so surprisingly! Hence life is topsy-turvy and classes at shop postponed...because I can't even think straight until we're moved and settled *

Maisie Mystery Mailings: Jan 2016 Sign Ups

Time to sign up for our next Maisie Mystery Mailing!

Boxes ship/pick up starting Jan 20th

How to sign up: 

Click here to   purchase online    or    Pop into the shop

What is the Mystery Mailing you ask?  It's a surprise seasonal delivery. 4x a year we create fun boxes filled with lovely stuff. That's it in a nutshell. Read the program details here.  

*Did you sign on for the 4-box subscription in Oct? Megan will email an invoice to pay shortly. Remember you'll get a $20 discount on your 4th box as our thank you for trusting us to delight and surprise you for a whole year!*

New options:

Make or Read  Each $50

MAKE

Make: Contains yarn & patterns for two projects and a thematic book tie-in, plus little extras. You pick a knit or crochet version and indicate 2 color preferences. Feeling adventurous? Pick "surprise me"!

Hints: It's timely and all items relate to a theme. Projects are functional, cozy and easier to make than October's offerings. No fiddly lace or fussy dpn's. It's straightforward knitting or hooking, nothing requiring too much focus... Okay can't say anymore..... it's a secret..... 

 READ

Read: Contains 3 paperback novels and few extras. No specific theme just three books we're highlighting this season. Kim has her reason behind these picks....but can't tell you....yet! All are good stories, perfect for curling up with on a winter's rainy day. Which is needed with El Nino bearing down.  If you enjoy the books we stock....odds are you'll enjoy these and discover a few new authors too.  

Hints: One is brand new release of newly favorite author-not in the shop yet. One is an obscure debut novel fairly new to shop. One is slim international author with a fascinating "what if" story line. That's it....no more tidbits....my lips are sealed.... 

Remember: As orders come in we create a queue so it's first come regarding color choices. Later orders may see a substitution in colors or a title but trust us...even the subs are good! If for some reason you already have one of the books we will happily exchange it for another. Just let us know.

Want to be in on the fun this time? Order 'em up! Pop into the shop to purchase or order online:

Step By Step Online Instructions

We use a page via Square (our merchant services); web address reads /squareup.com/market/maisieblue-inc

1. Click here to purchase mystery box online.
2 .Choose your subscription type: MAKE-Knit, MAKE-Crochet or READ.
3. For MAKE options choose two colors. Add any of the necessary notions. After your options selected click  "Add to Basket"
4. To checkout: From the pop up window Click "Go to Basket". Review your items in the basket. You can add any special notes for us to read here. Once all is ready click "checkout"
5. Next page: Fill out your info and enter cc#  For in-store pickups: use discount code PICKUP to remove shipping. Hit "Place Order" You're done!
6. Now wait for Jan 20th to arrive.Boxes ready to ship or pick up on that day.

No limit on boxes so go crazy if you're feeling particularly flush! We can also send it as a surprise gift to someone. Just let us know in the "notes" box who & where to ship.

Any questions? Give us a call (209) 728-8261 or email Kim at maisieblue@gmail.com 

Maisie's Mystery Mailings: A seasonal subscription

 

Welcome to the debut of the Maisie's Mystery Mailings! 

After years of rumination, discussion, and planning. . . it's finally happening. Our new seasonal subscription series is a reality. In a nutshell: We hand pick great stuff and ship it out 4x a year.

Ooooooohhhh! Pretty things automatically arrive on  my doorstep! How exciting!!

We love a good mystery so of course its a surprise. If you like our shop and what we stock you'll enjoy our mystery parcels.

Yes, a bit of trust is involved but that's part of the fun. Hints will undoubtedly surface because Kim frankly has hard time keeping secrets!

Love getting mail? Enjoy surprises and mysteries? You trust us? Then sign on up!

The debut mailing is a knit theme....but future mailings will expand to include options (books, gifts, kids). This first mailing we want to test the waters, get the kinks out. Never fear....there's future plans with something for everyone. Someone (ahem....Kim) is chomping at the bit to go crazy and have a gazillion options....but practicality means success hence this first mailing is knit-centric.

Nitty-gritty Details

Choose 1 box (once) or 4 box (whole shebang)**
We ship seasonally: Autumn (Oct) Midwinter (Jan) Spring (Apr) and Summer (Jul).
Price: $49.99 + tax & shipping each box.

Subscribe:  Purchase before Sep 25th for Oct 1 shipment. 

online
 
**Special Promo: Subscribe to all 4 mailings & your final box receives a $20 discount as our thank you for joining in the fun.  We bill as we go. Subscribing now pops you into queue for future mailings-which are first come first serve re: color choice. A week prior to shipping we email an invoice. You can pay it online, or call us with your cc#. Once paid, your box is prepped, packed and then shipped out.

Autumn 2015 Mailing Hints

This inaugural Autumn box will make a nice dent in your holiday gift-making list. Could be an early holiday present special treat just for you. Maybe you have a knitterly loved one or friend....well "bob's your uncle" and you're holiday shopping is done!

It's not super-duper hard to make and you'll learn a few new techniques and play with variety of  yarns. If you live nearby, pop into our free drop-in sessions Sun & Mon 2-4pm for help and enthusiastic encouragement. 

Colors are first come and we could run out so don't delay. At checkout pick a color option: neutral, cools, warm or...."surprise me" to let us choose for the full-on mystery experience. Need needles or notions? Select to add to your cart what's needed. Hit buy then sit back and eagerly await for Oct mailings to arrive. *include a note at checkout if prefer in-store pickup. we'll credit you the shipping instead*

"What's specifically in the mailing?" you ask. Can't tell you that....it's a surprise!!

 Well.....okay....just a few hints.....to tempt you.....

Yarns (notice plural...) for 2 projects and a pattern booklet (with a 7  total patterns)...maybe some extra pattern freebies throw in for good measure. It comes with a write up (tips, tricks, links or other useful bits to make things go smoothly).

Kim's dying to show sneak peeks of the colors but is bound by a Confidentiality Agreement of Surprise .... penalties are stiff: she must focus to finish a project before casting on a new one. But.....secrets are not her forte.....so future spoilers may appear....just sayin'.....


Deadline: Sep 25th cut off date to be in Oct 1st  Mystery Mailing

Watch the blog to see the Box Reveal post sometime in mid-Oct. You'll see details and FO's (well....that's the plan if Kim can focus long enough to finish the shop samples....) We'll have a buy option post-reveal for those regretting missing out of the fun (or those who prefer a procrastination route.....just like one Sister who shall remain nameless.... but first name starts with a K).