Midwest Fiber & Folk Art Fair

Last weekend I went with my mom to a fiber event in North Chicago.  My mom came to me with this event and asked if we could go together.  Mom is one of those people with the itch to always be on the move.  The last two years she has spent a significant time at home taking care of my dad and their life.  Now she wants to go...just go about anywhere.  At first I said no because I had scheduling difficulties, but with a thoughtful co-worker I was able to say yes. My wife, my mom, and I took off Friday to experience fiber together.

The fair was fun with lots of fiber, accessories, and all things yarny.  I especially liked that the fair was in a very large air conditioned building.  It was a little overwhelming at first, but with a game plan we attacked the fair like seasoned fair goers. We looked first and then went back to buy, at least that was what we tried to do.  I saw so many cool things.  Spinning wheels with cool space age knobs, handmade soap in wool sleeping bags, triangular knitting needles made from old broom handles, pottery bells, buttons, public knitting projects and yarn.  Lots of yarn.

Needless to say I bought yarn, I bought buttons, I bought needles, I bought earrings, I bought.  My mom, who is not a knitter, enjoyed herself, but was ready to go after half a day.  I would have liked to stay and done some of the lectures, but mom was ready to find some quilt shops.  So off we went.  We had a really nice time together.

The trip home included a side excursion to my favorite place on the planet, IKEA.  We wandered through the beautifully arranged rooms.   I long to be the kind of person who could have all those clean clear surfaces uncluttered by a lifetime of junk.  So of course I felt the need to buy stuff to further clutter up my life, but you know that new green rug in my bathroom is beautiful!

I wish I could spend more time like this with my mom and my wife.  They truly are my favorite traveling companions.

Southern Yarn Crawl: Tennessee

In the middle of July, I was off for vacation to Florida to see baby Kaelab. Taking advantage of the drive through a very lush southland by visiting the yarn stores. I sent little snipets of my trip as I went, but I want to gush some more about the crawl.

I visited 5 stores in four different states. Nashville Tennessee was the first one on the trip. With the Knitter's, Crocheters', Weavers', & Spinners' Travel Guide and my cellphone in hand I made my way to the first location.

Last October, beloved Cuz and I made a jaunt to Nashville and I blogged about the city then http://tempestinapot.blogspot.com/2008/10/nashville-part-deux.html ). I stand by my comments. Nashville is a city I would love to get to know better. There is a good vibe in the city, the knitters are very friendly, and the yarns shops very nice. Bliss Yarns (http://www.threadedblissyarns.com/ ) in Suburban Nashville was right off the highway and full of knitters clacking happily along. The shop was nicely organized and full of beautiful and tempting accessories, like project bags and needle cases. I found the book selection especially good. I was impressed by the friendly staff and the big comfy couches (notice the plural). The shop appeared to be a hub of knitter social activity with a large table for adults to sit at and a small table full of toys for future knitters.

The only negative thing I will say about the shop is I found the yarn selection not as varied as some of the other shops I visited. She had a nice selection of Cascade and sock yarns. I fell in love with this particularly yummy green and black colorway TY-DY sock yarn. I look forward to dropping by the shop the next time I am in the neighborhood.

I also took advantage of being in the same city with one of my favorite deli's, Noshville in Nashville ( http://www.noshville.com/ ) . I love the name, but the food is especially delicious. They even have a dill pickle bar! I also found out that Noshville actually has 3 locations throughout the area. Sadly, the deli has no dinner hours, breakfast and lunch only.

I even saw a guy in a kilt filming a commerical on my way out of town. I love Nashville.