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

Shake...Rattle...and ROLL!!!

I know that it's just a car and that my only concern should be thankfulness that DH was alone in the car and that he was not injured.

But I really liked that car.



The problem is...we are now down to one vehicle until the check arrives from the insurance company AND there is an annual sale at a yarn store in Ottawa plus a closing out sale at another place. AND I CAN'T GET TO EITHER OF THEM!!!!!

YES!!! I'm pouting....
Until next time
Yours in Yarn,
The Fibreholic

It all started with the word SALE

There I was minding my own business, on Boxing Day, visiting the Ravelry site. I was trying to catch up on the latest goings on in the groups that I follow. I wasn't even thinking about adding to my stash, (Stop laughing!) when what did I see? SALE at Knit-Knackers

Me: OH!!!! how interesting, maybe I'll just pop on over to their site and see what all the fuss is about.

(Seriously, stop laughing)

At the Knit-Knackers web site all I can see is 50% off.

After I deal with my heart palpitations, I look to see when the sale is happening. It starts on December 27th so I haven't missed it and I could get there on the first day of the sale, before all the good stuff is gone.

*****The Next Morning********

I'm lying in bed having a philosophical discussion with myself about actually going to this yarn sale. I really don't need to spend any more money and I really don't need any more yarn.

(You in the back....if you don't stop laughing, I'll have to ask you to leave)

Me: Dear, there's a sale on at Knit-Knackers and I'm trying to find a reason to go.

DH: Well if we both go into Ottawa, I could drive and you could knit on the way.

More heart palpitations.....Have I married a closet enabler? Where has this part of his personality been all these years?

DH: I could also get that game that I didn't get for Christmas.

Okay, so he's an enabler with a motivation...but an enabler none the less. This is probably a temporary phase so I shouldn't get used to it.

After 50 minutes of car knitting time, DH dropped me off and went on his way. I dove in, head first, into the massive piles of yarny goodness. It was nothing short of a fondle fest and my heart goes out to any one who couldn't make it to the sale. The kids weren't with me on the trip so you can only imagine how I was enjoying this ME time.

I worked at the selection process as quickly as I could knowing that DH would return any minute. This is my boxing day booty.



DH arrived just as Sarita was adding up my purchases and he saw everything that I bought. So what did he say?

DH: Now I don't feel so guilty about spending all that money on a game.

I think that he slipped on the ice and fell and hit his head. But I wasn't about to argue when I had that much yarny goodness in my clutches.

Until next time
Yours in Yarn,
The Fibreholic

The seven rules of yarn acquisition

1. Make your yarn purchases while on vacation. You'll be able to justify them as souvenirs.
2. Even better, while on vacation, without your DH. If he must come along, distract him with a computer store or food.
   
3. Use cash whenever possible, it eliminates the paper trail.
   
4. When packing for the holiday, pack only the essentials to leave as much room in your suitcase, as you can, for the trip home.
5. When packing for the trip home, layer your suitcase. Yarn goes on the bottom, then clothes with the gifts for the kiddies on top.
6. Distract family with gifts and bring suitcase to your room.
7. Unpack the next day, when no one is around.

50/50 Alpaca/Merino bought from WEBS


one ball of 3ply fingering that I won, three skeins of Noro Transitions that were so cheap, you'd think they were stolen


A full bag of Ella rae bought from a place that was selling their yarn in full bags. In their booth they had a fenced off area and had it piled high with the full bags. According to one staff member, a lady actually jumped into the pile and wallowed amongst the fibres. They weren't pleased as she destroyed many labels. some people have no respect.


Of course there was sock yarn purchases. According to Tink, this doesn't count at all for stash. I did get another ball of sock yarn, but there is a story behind that which deserves its own blog post.

Until next time
Yours in Yarn,
The Fibreholic

My Cheatin' Heart

It's sad really, a grown woman with so little will power. Here I was, ready to commit to this yarn diet. I was going to be good. I was only going to knit from my stash. I was not going to buy anything. I need to make room in my storage area. I have a suitcase filled with yarn that I need to find a spot for so that I can fill it up once again on an upcoming trip.

I was doing so well. Since the yarn diet had begun, I had bought only 2-50g balls of sock wool. I have been told by some very wise knitters that sock yarn doesn't count, so I'm in the clear on that count.

So here I was, minding my own business, not even thinking about buying any more yarn when WHAM!!!!! It hit me like a tonne of bricks.



How could I resist? I'm only human after all. Malabrigo merino has got to be the softest thing on the planet right now. Eight skeins calling my name as if I were a sailor to be lured to my death.

However the word sale can be a powerful force and make me succumb to my weaknesses. I won't tell you how little I paid for this wool. Let's just say that if I didn't buy this yarn, I would have had a stern reprimand by the knitting police for passing up such a good deal.

That being said, my conscience is clear. Especially since I have actually started knitting something with it. If my calculations are correct, I have enough to make the Must Have Cardigan. This time it is working out beautifully.



Until next time
Yours in Yarn,
The Fibreholic