Monday, August 06, 2007

TOURS, VOYAGES OF DISCOVERY AND RETREATS FOR 2009

TOURS, VOYAGES OF DISCOVERY AND ARTISTIC RETREATS FOR 2009

Don't just dream it, do it!

As an avid knitter, designer and traveller who loves best to mix her passions in one big moveable feast, I created these tours to lead kindred spirits along to some of the worlds most delectable places. Inspiration is the key. Every location is rich in either cultural or natural beauty, usually both. Each city, town or landscape inspires the creative muse to dance through your fingertips: the brilliant colors of Morocco, the misty mystery of Ireland, the salty spirit of Nova Scotia/Prince Edward Island, the moody brocade of England, the explosion of color and texture of the Spanish countryside. All awaits you, the inspired traveller.

I've tailored these voyages to light the creative spirit in us all, whether we be knitters, crocheters, photographers, writers or artists by any other name, these trips will feed your imagination. Workshops are liberally mixed with excursions to markets, shopping, visits to museums or galleries, dining well, and relaxing in lovely small hotels. Numbers are kept small. Knitting/crochet workshops explore color and texture and I, usually along with another artist, lead you in a project inspired by the host country. Not a knitter or a crocheter? Don't let that stop you. Much of these trips everyone can enjoy and, in truth, knitting is only a secondary activity. These trips focus on seeking inspiration from another culture, another landscape.

This year's line-up has grown to include Morocco in March 09 (hurry, just two openings left!), Ireland in June (details to follow), Taos in September (details to follow) and Tuscany in October with planning for other destinations underway.

MAGIC CARPET MOROCCO March 2009: Marrakesh  Amal & Jane (last minute opening for two)

Here's a voyage for the senses: the land of vivid textiles in the purest natural color. Saturated hues of spice, saffron and mood indigo plus every other shade imaginable spark the eye.Every day will be an adventure into the exotic and every evening a taste of the Arabian nights. Along with two days of workshops at our luxurious riad (Moroccan guest house), Amal and I will lead you into the souks for incredible shopping experiences, plus tours of Marrakesh gardens, a city tour and a day excursion into the foothills of the high Atlas mountains, all in the company of a registered guide and driver.

Learn how to knit or crochet a simple shape into a stunning ruanna or vest using specially-dyed Fiesta yarns (included in the trip costs).

Your guides: besides myself, Amal, a knitwear&crochet designer who has shown her works and given many workshops in both England and Spain, will be leading the way for creative crochet. Amal creates fabulous designs in both knitting and crochet with her innovative use of color and texture.Her wonderfully warm-hearted and generous spirit loves to awaken the inner artist slumbering away inside of us all. 

For more information and to register, click here: http://www.janethornley.com/blog/index.php/site/Morocco/  

One of our workshop rooms

CELTIC MISTS TOUR IRELAND: JUNE 22nd-26th

Join 'Celtic Jo' and me for a seven-day excursion to the heart of the old country

Castles, mists, more greens than you ever knew existed plus bonfires in the hills, great food and a fabulous inn—is this a magic excursion or what? Inside my heart I harbor visions of knitting in the land of my ancestors where fairies still dance and inspiration lies under the rainbow. This excursion will capture all that's romantically but authentically Irish, including my co-host 'Celtic Jo', travel writer, spinner and knitter extraordinaire.

Click here for details http://www.janethornley.com/blog/index.php/site/Ireland/

City of Liquid Light

KNITALY SETS SALE: ROMANCING THE MEDITERRANEAN —12 days of cruising some of the world's most glorious ports of call, knitting all the way.  Think Venice, Florence, Barcelona, Greece with both a pre-trip (three days in Venice) and a post-trip (three days in Barcelona) excursion

Sail through a sea of favorite things: great food, glorious scenery, wine, new friends bound by a common passion, shopping, history, art and did I mention food? plus plenty of inspired knitting. Does it get any better? Join me on this moveable feast with when Knitaly sets sail on a Craft Cruise 12-day cruise around the Mediterranean launching October 5th. 

Details here: http://www.craftcruises.com/onboard_class_program.php?brand=Knitting%20Cruises&cruise_name=Mediterranean%20Romance&cruise_line=Holland%20America%20Line&cruise_ship=ms%20Oosterdam&dep_date=2009-10-05&cruise=14

From the entry 'TOURS, VOYAGES OF DISCOVERY AND RETREATS FOR 2009'. Wow, what an exciting life you lead. more power to you. i am ready for the new vest pattern coming up and whatever you have in store for us. keep bubbling with enthusiasm.

By Jo Jensen on 2007 08 11