A Stitch in Time

Just to give you a bit of background, DH and I love garlic. We've even converted the kids...that is if you count putting garlic in everything so the kids just get used to the taste as conversion. So when a co-worker of DH recommended going to the Perth Garlic Festival this past summer, we packed up the kids and made a day of it.

Before arriving at the fairgrounds, I noticed signs for a quilt show. Yeah....two events for the price of one trip. The quilt show was a bonus as I had no idea that it was going on at the same time. After getting four kinds of garlic to plant this fall and seeing all there was to see at the garlic fest we headed to the Lanark County Quilt Guild show, being held at the local high school.

I can't begin to tell you how gorgeous the quilts were. They were true pieces of art. Even DH, who is an artist in his own right, was impressed. He used to think that my quilting was a useful and creative hobby but after seeing the first few quilts, at the show, he now has a different opinion.

Here is a picture of my favorite quilt.

I liked the next quilt and thought that it was the most original.

How about a closer look.....

It was made with the salvage edges from fabric. It is a work of true genius.....using what would normally be thrown away and creating a piece of usable art from it. I could easily gush over this quilt because I thought it was so amazing visually and the idea behind it is just plain brilliant.

I knew that I was going to be impressed with the show overall because of what was parked at the entrance of the school. I just had to show the sock.

The sock was feeling overwhelmed and very self conscious. I will admit I had to stretch the truth a bit when I told the sock that it was just as good and impressive as a quilted car cozy. What else could I do? I didn't want the rest of the day ruined by a sock sobbing because of feelings of inadequacy. Let's face it, no one wants to wear a depressed sock.

I probably didn't help the situation by rushing to my sewing machine the minute I got home instead of continuing to knit.

Until next time

Yours in Yarn,

The Fibreholic

A strange chain of events

Do you remember that I mentioned I work with a bunch of guys?

Even though I do, when one asks me what I did over the weekend I don't make something up to keep them in their comfort zone. No I didn't go to the races, I didn't go to a monster truck rally and I most certainly didn't go to a football watching, beer guzzling and butt scratching athon.

"I went to the Akwasane reserve in New York to buy fabric at the quilt store there"

How girly of a response can I give? I suppose that I could have also told him that I spent the weekend spinning or scrubbing toilets. But let's face it, one of those replies would have been a lie.

His reply??? He tells me that the supervisor's wife is a major quilter and they shop at that store all the time. Later that day I make small talk with the boss and we talk about cross border shopping for quilt fabric.

Now you may be wondering where I am going with this. The funny thing with chains of events, you never know where they are going to take you. If I had told to my co-worker, that I had done nothing all weekend, the following conversation would have never taken place.

Last Wednesday I walked into the office and the boss was there.
"There's a sale on at Akwasane this weekend." I know that he is referring to Dream Crafters. He even phones his wife to verify the dates of the sale. "It's from the 3rd to the 8th"

So on Labour Day,with my Visa and my passport in hand, I got into my car, headed along the 401 to Cornwall and crossed the bridge into New York. From there I headed east towards quilting mecca and a 25% off on fabric, notions, patterns and books sale. Did I also mention that since the store is on the reserve, there are no taxes?

I'm sure you know what happened next (sheepish grin)

Until next time
Yours in Yarn,
The Fibreholic

Mojo from Maureen

I've got to admit, that I am quite fortunate to live in an area with such a great Knitting Guild. Earlier this year the guild brought in Sally Melville and this past weekend we had Maureen Mason-Jamieson give several workshops.

I took a class on using slip stitches and advanced mitering. Very interesting, especially at the end of the first class when she picked up my hand-dyed wool that I was using, to show the whole class.....Giggle..... Maureen's presentation at the guild meeting was about knitting from your stash. The whole premise for this is that it will enable you to go buy more yarn. I like the way she thinks. I also handed in my crazy socks for the guild contest on Monday night. I figured that we were on a roll so why stop now.

And of course I got her to hold the sock. That sock will have so much mojo before I even get a chance to do any traveling with it.



I haven't done much knitting at all lately, because of a baby shower. You may ask why I don't just knit something for the baby. I fell in love with double sided quilting several years ago and look for any opportunity to make one (especially the smaller ones for babies).

Why yes, I do happen to have a fabric stash.....why do you ask????



UPDATE

As for unanswered question #3. He wanted to bring the fluff to school to show his friends. I'm still working on questions #1 & 2.

Until next time
Yours in Yarn,
The Fibreholic

Friday Fantastic!

It was another early Christmas present, but well worth it. Friday night DH took me to see The Trans-Siberian Orchestra. Words cannot describe the mind blowing experience of seeing this group in person.

The first half of the show was one of their Christmas stories and the second half was less structured with songs from other albums. I still can't believe that the ticket price was as low as it was. Last year TSO played 2 Canadian dates, this year it is 5. They had not been to Ottawa before and with any luck they'll be back again.

Why did I like the show????

Was it the the hypnotic voice of the narrator???.....Yes
Was it the light show???....Yes
Was it the pyrotechnics???....Yes
Was it the laser light show???...Yes
Was it the songs and the various vocalists???...Yes
Was it the music???...Yes
Was it how they put everything together for a performance that blew my socks off???....YES!!!

DH let it slip that I'll be seeing a couple of their CDs in my stocking this year.

In other news...

I finished The Friday Night Knitting Club by sneaking off every now and then to read a chapter or two before I was discovered missing.

I was able to finished the boy's quilt on time by burning some midnight oil. And yes, it is another double sided quilt.



So now it's back to the grindstone with my knitting needles.

Until next time
Yours in Yarn,
The Fibreholic

Feeling Quilty about my Stash

I was reading Georgie's blog and she has adopted the No Guilt Stash Manifesto. All I can say is good for her!!!!! Go George!!! Go George!!! Go George!!!


I don't feel in the least bit guilty about my stash, in fact I relish in it. But as I have promised two baby quilts for a charity auction I am feeling in a quilty mood. I'm also feeling a wee bit pressured as the auction date has been moved up to this weekend and I still have one to do. I just hope that my kids weren't planning on any parental time with me this week (or laundry).

Because I like a challenge, (or the fact that I'm slightly insane) I make my quilts (in all sizes) double sided. For example these are both sides of the first quilt which is suitable for a girl. The next one will have a boy's theme and colours.



In response to some emails and comments:

DH is a fair weather BBQer. So any chance of him cooking on the grill in the winter will be impossible. I'd have a better chance of getting him to dust the top of the piano. As for me, it's an unwritten rule in the house about who rules the grill. I can handle it as it just means I plan for many BBQ meals in the Spring to Fall to get out of cooking supper.

The Challenge sweater was delivered last night. The client really liked it and it fit her perfectly.


Seven Things Update

I haven't forgotten or quit but I think that after the holidays, I'll be able to get back into the swing of things.

Last week
IN
an extra water bottle for the bunnies (one just isn't enough for Isolde and the babies)

OUT
12 books (to be sent to soldiers in Afghanistan)
1 roll of door prize tickets (given to my DD cadet unit)

Until next time
Yours in Yarn
The Fibreholic

Happy Turkey Day

Thanksgiving Day..... The harvest has been brought in, let us give thanks for the bounty that has been provided. NAH!!!!!

Let us give thanks that I've received my Raverly invite. WOOT!!!!! WOOT!!!!! My family just doesn't understand my exuberance at this news. They are true muggles...the lot of them. Look for me at ravelry under the name of "theFibreholic".

We've got people coming over for turkey so I can't play too much online today. I've got to clean my house. :( But the good news is one of them is a knitter so while the kids play, we'll be able to sit and enjoy ourselves. :) I'm still working on my Jane Ellison sweater. I've almost reached the neckline of the front, then it's on to the second sleeve and I'm home free. The sweater must be done by the 14th. I hate deadlines!!!!!!!

I told DH on Saturday that I was thinking about going to the States that day. He got it into his head to drive me so we could stop and price cars at a few of the dealerships along the way. This isn't a bad thing as I got to knit for the whole trip. BUT, have you ever looked at cars on a lot in the rain......NOT FUN!!!!!
Joann's was having a sale and I've been asked to make a quilt for a silent auction. The two go hand in hand.

They say a picture is worth a thousand words
This is the sign for the turn off back to Canada on the outskirts of Ogdensburg N.Y. I'm not sure what this picture is saying.I'm sure the Amish family, across the highway, selling veggies was wondering what I was doing.

Seven Things Update

Last week:
OUT
another 30 balls of junk yarn (this is begining to feel somewhat liberating)

IN
2 pkgs of T-pins for blocking
2 DVDs (one is currently on the movie shelf, the other was put away for a Christmas gift)

This past week:
OUT
I didn't get rid of anything this week as we didn't make it to the drop off area of a local charity. So there'll be lots to go this week.
IN
quilting fabric to be used for a quilt I need to make for a charity auction.

The Net Result?????? I am begining to be a lot more picky about what I am personally responsible for bringing into. the house.

Until next time
Yours in Yarn,
The Fibreholic

My Sweater Boy

Here he is...scruffy face and all. This friends, is the face of a knitter's husband. When you've bought your second load of wool, while on vacation, this is the kind of guy who tells you to buy a suitcase for your wool purchases. He does this because there is not enough room in luggage you brought. He also knows that with a week still left to go.....you'll be buying more. He also brings you back two canvas totebags, from his stop-over, and tells you that they are for your stash.......

Here is a close up the sweater......

I took the picture of DH last night, in the basement....which explains the poor lighting conditions. The close up was taken this morning on my deck in natural light.....
In Other News
I've got to make a quilt for a baby shower....next week. Now I'll bet that you are wondering why I am quilting a baby gift instead of knitting something. You weren't???? Oh.....well......(this is me stammering, wondering what to say) Shhh don't let the yarn stash know....but I also have a fabric stash.
I needed to get fabric.....I tried to shop local.....I really did...only to find out that my local fabric shop is closed for holidays.
Now if you look at the time that it take me to get anywhere, plus the selection of the fabric when I get there........Sigh... I will confess, I went cross-border shopping.

Canada Customs vs US Customs
Going to the states they ask you for photo ID plus many other questions like.... where are you going? what is the purpose of your visit? Are those your kids? Can I see some ID for them....etc...official stuff like that....and he gets out of his booth to do a walk around of the van.

Coming back to Canada is another story altogether....What is the citizenship of everyone? How many are there in the vehicle? Are those your kids? Does their father know where they are? How long where you gone? How much did you spend?
At this point...I can't believe my ears and I start to fume all the way home about how LAME Canada Customs is. The guy wanted to know if DH knew where we were (a valid question in the case of child custody issues) BUT did not ask for any proof that these kids were actually mine or proof of who I was. Grrrrrrrrr!!!!!!

With that issue dealt with....I won't tell you where we went as I'll save that for another day. As we drove around town, I noticed many things that I could take the sock to see and photograph. Here's what happened when I mentioned it.

ME: Hmmmm next time I'll bring the sock and take a picture of that sign.
teenage DD: Oh No Mom! Anything but the sock!!!!

Life is good....Until next time
Yours in Yarn,
The Fibreholic