February FOs

K- Poncho for Lissa; this was knit with two balls of Bernat Baby Bouclé in a self-striping pink and lilac. Was a fast project, and cute too!
K- HBC Booger; this was my KO project and I think it turned out wonderfully! I'm so proud of myself for trying something new, and getting such a large project done in such a short time. Thank you Stephanie for the inspiration that I could do this!

UFO Extinction Project:
Homespun sweatercoat frogged and restarted
HP Scarf #1 frogged
Crocheted purse frogged

Losing our LYSs

I am interrupting your regularly scheduled blog to present to you most of the post I recently sent to my local SnB email group. It has to do with the loss of another LYS in our city, as well as the closing of a craft store {Lewiscraft}. I find it very upsetting that we have lost nearly every local source for fibre, and now both Canadian crafting chain stores, and felt the need to express my opinion on that subject.

As for my opinion on all the store closings… I’m afraid I would have to disagree with Anne for the most part. Stores like Michael’s and Wal-Mart *have* affected these places detrimentally, as well as the internet. When CC {Crafts Canada} closed down, they said it was because they lost their lease, but within a year or so all of the other stores were closed too {strangely enough, they are still listed as a retailer under Bernat for even the new yarns over 5 years later!}.

I have a small independent hardware store at the end of my street. Remember when every neighbourhood had one? It’s like a step into the past walking in there, from the worn hardwood floors, enameled cookware, and a strange wall of crates that contain just about every nut, bolt, and fastener known to man. Their prices tend to be higher than nearly anywhere else we can go, but my DH and I do buy a lot there because we like to support locals when we can, and this store also supports our local community a LOT with local projects. This store is one of the very few hardware stores {maybe the only?} in Winnipeg that has survived first Beaver Lumber and McDiarmid’s, and now the big box outlets, Home Depot and Rona.

Our small independent LYSs are up against a lot. Our LYSs, while providing the service and high quality products that we can’t get anywhere else, still have to compete with the “big guys”. It used to be that in order to learn how to knit or crochet, you found someone you knew, and they took you to an LYS where they would help you with simple projects, forgiving yarn and the like. These days, a lot of people see the “learn how” kits or books at WM, and pick one of those up and a bunch of novelty yarn and go at it. I’m not sure about other places, but I’m much better with providing beginner advice than the dept. manager at my store. Customers simply don’t know of the wonderful world of fibres available to them at a LYS. Many of these people will never set foot into a LYS, or will simply shop online, when and if they want something better than what the “big guys” carry. They don’t know what all a LYS can offer them.

I rediscovered Ram’s recently when a cashier at work mentioned them. She complains that they are too expensive, but I find their prices very reasonable for the most part. I do buy a great deal of my stash at work, but that’s just my basics {acrylic for afghans, and cotton for dishcloths}, and the occasional novelty for something. When I bought my wool for my Skacel sweater, Camille’s was the only place I thought of going. When I wanted wool for my booger, the big wall of Paton’s Classic and Ram’s Selkirk at Ram’s Wools was the only thing on my mind. When my best friend bought a bunch of camo snowboarding clothing for her son, I went to Camille’s and cleaned her out of the last of the camo sock yarn and sent it off to her {she lives an hour away from the Spinrite outlet BTW}. I would go to places like Camille’s and {now} Ram’s before looking at work or at Michael’s for a specific project because I am educated in what I want and what I expect. With Winnipeg’s reputation for always looking for the bargain, and the lost generation of crafters, most/many have lost touch with what these small local businesses mean to us and what we do. The “big guys” offer a small taste of what’s out there for the new to needlecrafts, and often the Internet is the next place people go looking when they want something more.

I wish I had a solution to our problem here in Winnipeg. Nothing would make me happier than to be able to realize my ultimate dream of having a small wool shop /coffee shop. I don’t know what we can do to prevent any more LYS closings… are there even any more in Winnipeg? Wasn’t there a place on Logan Av.? Leona’s I think. I find is so heart breaking that we are losing these small, but so necessary parts of our lives.

[/end soapbox]

Today's Quiz...

You Should Learn Japanese

You're cutting edge, and you are ready to delve into wacky Japanese culture. From Engrish to eating contests, you're born to be a crazy gaijin. Saiko!

What Language Should You Learn?

Today's Quiz...

The Movie Of Your Life Is A Cult Classic

Quirky, offbeat, and even a little campy - your life appeals to a select few. But if someone's obsessed with you, look out! Your fans are downright freaky. Your best movie matches: Office Space, Showgirls, The Big Lebowski

If Your Life Was a Movie, What Genre Would It Be?

Note from Nicole: Office Space is one of my favourite movies!!!

Today's Quiz...

Your Brain's Pattern

You have a dreamy mind, full of fancy and fantasy. You have the ability to stay forever entertained with your thoughts. People may say you're hard to read, but that's because you're so internally focused. But when you do share what you're thinking, people are impressed with your imagination.

What Pattern Is Your Brain?

Today's Quiz...

You Passed 8th Grade Math

Congratulations, you got 9/10 correct!

Could You Pass 8th Grade Math?

Another gold medal winner in Winnipeg!

Well I may not have a handful of medals like Cindy Klassen, but I've earned my gold in the KO... here's the proof: I'm so thrilled with how it turned out. I squealed with delight as I pulled it out of the washer! It's a *lot* smaller than I thought it would be. With how large it was pre-felting, I was expecting a tote along the same size as my Payless Shoes tote. This one here is about the size of a magazine, and about 5 inches deep. I'm still sitting here grinning like the Cheshire Cat... I GOT FELT!!! YAY!!!

Sprint for the finish line.

Well the timer is red, and my booger is in the wash! I dragged my butt the last few days since I was so tired from work. I picked up an extra shift, since I needed the money, but I didn't seem to get enough sleep. I spent last night finishing up the last strap and sewing up most of my ends. Tonight after I woke up, I sewed in the last two ends, and then sewed on the straps. I ran a basting "thread" through the handles so that they would felt flat. I'm now waiting for the timer to go off so that I can restart the washer in about another 3 minutes. The bag itself is huge, but I'm hoping that it will felt down quite a bit. Overall, I'm very pleased with how it turned out.

Today's Quiz...

Your Job Dissatisfaction Level is 68%

Your job is a total bummer, and probably the worst job you've ever had. Your co-workers stink. Your boss is a jerk. And your company is probably in trouble. Think about finding a new job quickly, even if it's just a not-so-great transition job. You've got to get out of there as quickly as you can!

Should You Quit Your Job?

Today's Quiz...

You Are Fozzie Bear

"Wocka! Wocka!" You're the life of the party, and you love making people crack up. If only your routine didn't always bomb! You may find more groans than laughs, but always keep the jokes coming.

The Muppet Personality Test

It's decision time.

Well I finished the bag itself and did up the round of edging while I was at my SnB last night. I started on an I-cord type strap for it, but I'm not sure if that's what I want. If I do the knitted strap, I won't be able to felt it today I think. If I crochet one, I *know* I'll get it done today. I will have a few days drying time regardless, but I just can't make up my mind.

Today's Quiz...

You Are a Boston Creme Donut

You have a tough exterior. No one wants to mess with you. But on the inside, you're a total pushover and completely soft. You're a traditionalist, and you don't change easily. You're likely to eat the same doughnut every morning, and pout if it's sold out.

What Donut Are You?

EEP!!! It changed again!!!

Sheesh... it seems like just yesterday that I had posted about it changing to yellow... now it's ORANGE!!! Oh well, I'm now working on the second side, and will be finishing this all up sometime tomorrow. I want to have it felted and started drying before I have to go to work. Did I mention how much I hate my job? I can't wait until the day when I'm rich and famous off of all this stuff I'm doing now, and I can tell my bosses where they can shove the power jack -- preferably done by someone that
*isn't* licenced!!!

And now for the second intermission...

Well I took a small intermission yesterday! I was nearly done the first side of the bag, and I decided that I needed a little diversion. I want to learn how to draw, mainly so that I can sketch out my designs and such. I bought a paint-by-numbers kit that will hopefully help me get more in touch with the artist that {might!} be in there. I spent most of the morning and afternoon getting a few sections done. It's definitely going to be a big time committment, and the painting is only 16x20! I did up my first sketch last night, a rendition of the booger, and it was all that Lyz could do to avoid getting coffee splattered all over her monitor!
While at the dentist's with the kids yesterday I got quite a bit of quality time knitting in. He was a lot more behind than usual, and the kids had no problems that I had to check out. I just finished casting off the first side, and will be picking up the stitches from the provisional cast on as soon as I'm done this post. My SnB is tonight, so I'm hoping to be knitting the strap. I want to sew it on tonight or tomorrow morning and then felt it tomorrow afternoon. I am working Wednesday night, so I really want this to be done by then.

Today's Quiz...

You are

What Rejected Crayon Are You?

Today's Quiz...

Your Candy Heart Says "Hug Me"

A total sweetheart, you always have a lot of love to give out. Your heart is open to where ever love takes you! Your ideal Valentine's Day date: a surprise romantic evening that you've planned out Your flirting style: lots of listening and talking What turns you off: fighting and conflict Why you're hot: you're fearless about falling in love

What Does Your Candy Heart Say?

Today's Quiz...

Gummy Bears

You may be smooshie and taste unnatural, but you're so darn cute.

What Kind of Candy Are You?

Still stitchin' and snoozin'

Well I didn't make it to the felting show 'n tell at Ram's yesterday. I was just *way* too tired. I slept most of the day, and still didn't feel like I had slept enough! I finished off a ball of cream wool yesterday, and started the second. Right now the length is about double the striped band. I want to go until the striped band is about one third of the width, and then work the sides. My guess is that when I get to McNally's, that I'll be working on the sides. Since I won't be able to think while I'm knitting there, I'll probably bring Alex's sweater along too! I'm working Wednesday night, so that's one night less of knitting for me, but if everything works out correctly, I should be felting it on Thursday or Friday {if not sooner}. I made two cute Team Canada inspired stitch markers. I'm going to make a full set of either four or five, and put them up on the site too.

EEP!!! The timer changed!

Well I just noticed now after waking up from my afternoon nap. My timer has turned to yellow!!! Well as long as I am ready to felt by the time it changes colour again, I should be okay. I think it's really cool actually. Thank you to anny purls for sharing the code with us all, and her hubby for writing it! I didn't get any knitting done today yet, other than the couple of rows at work. When I got home from work I quickly filled out my taxzes since I got my T4 last night. Then I had an errand to run for Derek. By the time I got back home, it was nearly noon, so I just went and lied down on the couch. I got a good solid 4 hour nap, which will be enough if I can squeeze in another hour or two at least before work. I got the last two jerseys for my collection last night. I just need to get the stand, and decide if I'm getting replacements for any of the ones I opened. I also got two of the car window flags this morning. I'll take a pic of one tomorrow and probably post it... it's just way too cool!!! That and Canada got 3 more medals today -- YAY!!! We're now ahead of the US, and tied for 3rd place in medals. I am still in shock that the women's hockey finals *ISN'T* Canada vs. US... WTG Sweden! {You *do* know that you're gonna have to settle for silver in this one don't you???}

Today's Quiz...

You appear to be a Knitting Goddess.
You are constantly giving and are unconcerned with

reward, you simply want others to love

knitting as much as you do. If someone wants

to knit miles of novelty yarns, you are there

for them. If someone wants to learn short row

shaping, you can help. There are no taboos in

knitting, only opportunities to grow.

Everyone should have friend like you around

if they want to learn to knit, and there's a

good chance that your passion has rubbed off

on a few others.
http://marniemaclean.com


What Kind of Knitter Are You?
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