The continuing saga

I'm begining to think that I'm a very bad blogger....no wait I probably am a very bad blogger. Oh well.....ignoring my blog....ignoring my kids.....just another of my own little quirks.

So where was I? Oh yes In Aukland, NZ and headed to Rotorua, NZ

This was my first experience with hostel living. I soon discovered that the rooms are small and it's like living in a co-ed dorm (which isn't all bad considering my run in with a guy in a towel)

Rotorua is home to a large aboriginal population called the Maori. As such there are many touristy things to do in the area based on their culture. New Zealand is even considered a bi cultural country. So without furthur ado here are a few pix I took while there.



I went to a Maori ceremony and feast cooked in the traditional way called a Hangi. What you see here is a Maori challenge of peace.



Got to go 65 metres below sea level while caving.



This is Nigel, he was my guide for my white water rafting adventure.



Visited a geothermal spa called Hell's Gates. Had the most wonderful mud bath....you haven't lived until you've had a mud bath.



And since you asked.....yes I did partake in the night life of Rotorua. Although soon after I took this the grumpy security guard told me to get down off the bench.

Now where is the knitting and the stash enhancement you ask.....it is coming...trust me it IS coming.

Until next time
Yours in Yarn,
The Fibreholic

The Pacific

Kia Ora (translation-hello)
Guess where I am......hahahaha....Aukland NZ. I am having a wonderful time and want this vacation to last forever. I suppose everyone says that about their vacations.

Today I swam in the ocean. Now for those not living anywhere near a coast you might understand what a special event this is for me. I grew up on the East Coast of Canada and have lived on the West Coast and have spent many an hour swimming in the ocean. Some may think that the events of today wouldn't mean anything to me.

If you thought that, you couldn't be more wrong. Today I went swimming in the Pacific from the other side. This water was special, this water belonged to New Zealand and the Kiwis were gracious enough to share their little slice of heaven with me.

I swam, I floated and turned all pruney. I parked myself on my towel to let the sun dry me off and then I fell asleep.

Yeah...big mistake.

Until next time
Yours in Yarn,
The Fibreholic

Celebrating the big 2-0-0

Here it is, the first day of 2010 and I have reached blog post 200. I can't believe that I've actually had 200 things to say....(you in the back...quit your snickering). I've shared bits and pieces of my life with you and still you keep coming back. I've let you in on my good days, my bad days and my embarrassing days. Hmmm maybe it's my posts about my public humiliation that keep you coming back. Or the returnees could be those looking for ways to hide various types of stash and hoping I have the answer. (Hint...that coke can on your bedside table isn't fooling anyone).

Here's to looking forward to spending time with all of you throughout the next 200 posts. As for the new year, there are those who would take the time today and reflect on last year as well as make their New Year's resolutions. I shall do neither. I am looking forward to the new year as I have planned many adventures for myself over the next 365 days.

The first is my trip. It will begin in New Zealand then on to Australia. Yes, I am just a touch crazy to be doing this but what a trip it will be. I'll get to visit friends and family, see new places, eat new foods, meet new people, take plenty of pictures and above all else, have the time of my life.

I have consulted travel books and websites for things to see and do. I have contacted friends to arrange times to visit. I have booked flights to bring me to and from this adventure. I have checked out multiple sites of places to stay and how to get around while I'm there. Now all I have to do is make some firm decisions and wait for my holiday to begin.

In case you don't recognize me, I'll be the giddy one bouncing off the walls.

Whatever your plans are for this year, be good to each other and to yourself. Dance like no one is watching, Love like you never have before and Knit like there is no tomorrow.

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

For those who know me

DH and I were at the movies a few weeks ago. There I was minding my own business watching the trailers, when what appears on the screen.

A trailer......for the movie: Australia.

DH: What do you think that it would take to keep you from seeing that movie?

Funny man!!

My only hope is that the movie and the accompanying tourism ad campaign don't make people flock to Australia to the point that prices skyrocket to the point that I'll never be able to afford to return.


In other movie news

Here's a movie for Jejune.
Beverly Hills Chihuahua


Until next time
Yours in Yarn,
The Fibreholic

Countdown to Chicago

WOOT WOOT!!!

I'm so excited, I could almost burst, but that would be messy, so I won't.

This August I'm heading to Chicago, for the first time. Technically, I have been there before as I ran from one gate to another to catch a plane home.

This time I will be landing, getting off the plane and exiting the airport. Unless civil war breaks out in Canada and it ceases to be a country so I'll be forced to live at O'Hare until stability returns to my homeland. Hmmm....I'd better develop some carpentry skills before I go.

I know what you are thinking.....I watch far to many movies.

Actually the reason for my visit is none other than Stitches Midwest. (So you can understand the bursting.)

I will be taking a couple of classes, pushing my way through lines to get knitting celebs to hold my sock, eating authentic Chicago deep dish pizza, seeing the local sights, and shopping. Yes, there will be shopping, lots of shopping.

Best of all, I am guaranteed (hopefully), not to have an embarrassing encounter similar to the one MadMad had at the butterfly exhibit.

While I have no proof, I'm guessing that at a convention such as Stitches, people bond over yarn.

Me: Felted Tweed?
stranger that I've been stalking: Why yes it is.
Me: I just love your sweater.
Stranger: Oh thank you, it took me forever to knit it.
Me: Where can I find the pattern?
Stranger: It started off as a commercial pattern but then I totally changed it. Let me tell you all about my modifications.....

Somehow I don't see anyone wearing wool in Chicago in August. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm thinking that it's still stinky hot, in August, in Chicago. And finishing a fabulous wool sweater just in time for Stitches, so you can show it off is ....well.... is either insane or down right brilliant. I can't decide.

In any case, I'm off to knit something fabulous in the hopes of getting my very own stalkers at this event.

Until next time
Yours in Yarn,
The Fibreholic

Yarn Diets and other Tragic Events

I think that I've been invited somewhere to a very special event. Now, in the event that this is so, I've decided that drastic measures must be taken. I would not want to make a poor showing at said event with meager purchases.

So, to make the trip worthwhile, I must save what I can. So as painful as this might be, I've decided to shop from my stash for awhile. Mind you I'm not made of stone so I might slip and make a purchase or two. Kind of like the other day when I picked up a skein of Casbah from Handmaiden.....but we won't talk about that.


Now, look what we have here. A sock, a very nice sock, a comfy sock, a perfect fitting sock, a sock worthy of royalty...you get the picture...Now let us turn said sock over.....I should warn you....if you are at all squimish I'd advise you to look away.





I'm serious, this isn't pretty.....





What? You don't believe me????




Okay, don't say I didn't warn you.





I told you that it wasn't going to be pretty. This is the second pair with this particular sock yarn that has done this. I'm crossing Jawoll Cotton Sock yarn off my shopping list forever.

Until next time
Yours in Yarn,
The Fibreholic

S.E.X in Australia

Well... I thought that it was time to let everyone know just what I did/spent my money on during my two weeks in Canberra. DH goes off to his conference and I went shopping. As you can see, or maybe not, the vero has already been started into a scarf.....but since I needed the needles for something else....the scarf has been put on the back burner. One day I may fess up like George and admit to all my WIPs. Let's just say....there are many!!!Okay now I've got this bus thing down so I do some sightseeing the next day. But there is another Siren of wool calling me...so what could I do?????You'll notice that I've already started my sleeve......no....I meant swatch......Changing the subject.....after this batch.....here's what I bought, on DH's suggestion. It comes with a strap or I could use the handle on the end as there are wheels underneath. The bag folds down quite nicely so I'll be able to lay it flat in our suitcase the next time we travel. I was lucky enough to be in Canberra for one of the SnB meets where I was kindly invited to a tour of the city where I saw some of the sites. I, of course, helped out the local economy.

Check out that cone of white stuff. I bought it at an Op-Shop in Manuka for $1.00...just because. Now picture me on Mother's Day with about 10 hours of broken sleep in the last 48 hours (not a pretty sight) doing the burn test (it passed), doing the bleach test (it passed)....then I turned the cone over and you'll never guess what I saw.....A label from Bendigo Woolen Mills. Needless to say, I didn't bother with the felting test. Not content with only ready to knit wool, I crashed a meeting of....I mean... I visited the Canberra Weaver's and Spinner's guild.Taph took me out to see the sites. There wasn't a lot of stash enhancement opportunities, but I wouldn't have missed the trip for the world. Here's what I bought....

The Alpaca will feel nice on my toes this winter. DH will appreciate the no more cold feet being warmed up against his legs at night. All good things must come to an end.....vacations and yarn shopping.....my last day in Canberra DH and I headed over to Lincraft to spend the last of our Aussie $$$$ (less what we'd need to buy lunch the next day).

And much to my delight......guess what arrived in the mail.......mind you it did arrive at the 11th hour....but who cares....it still came..... My Bendigo order.....and it's all destined for the dye pot.....I ask you...could life get any better than this....

Living the good life, Until next time

Yours in Yarn,

The Fibreholic