Pop! goes my (Rhinebeck) cherry

I don't take a lot of risks these days and I stick pretty close to home. It's not necessarily how I want to live, just a rut I've fallen into. So when Kim encouraged me to join a bunch of strangers in a house-share for the weekend of the Dutchess County Sheep & Wool Festival (Rhinebeck to those in the know), well, I had some trepidation. In the past few years I seem to have regressed to the insecurity and social awkwardness that plagued me in my teens. Still, Rhinebeck beckoned and I really liked the two housemates I already knew. I was ready to take a calculated risk.

What a whirlwind of awesomeness!

A gorgeous house

Fun, friendly, talented people

Loads of fiber... great food... cute animals... even a baby.freaking.kangaroo!

I can't believe I ever felt hesitant. I'm going to try to keep in mind that this is the stuff at risk when I play it safe.

Can't wait to see everyone again next year!

(And next time I'll take more pictures.)

Rhinebeck or bust!

Big-ass ball of yarn riding shotgun. The fun is just starting.

Impulsivity

I'm trying to get back into sewing so I was happy that on my recent trip up to Boston to visit family I remembered the Jo-Ann's near my mom's. We don't have any near us and I've found that the craft stores just don't have a good variety of sewing stuff. I went down every aisle and was relatively sensible. My best purchase: a cushioned, heat-reflective ironing board cover. I've wanted one for years and it works like a dream!

I also bought a bunch of stuff without plans. Well, they might have had plans, but none that I was aware of.


Then I spoke to my mom who mentioned another fabric store so I went there too and bought even more stuff without plans...



I do a lot of impulsive stash-building of the yarn variety and a lot of impulsive knitting projects. It's not a problem; I can always frog, right? Sewing's going to be tough on me. I fear I'm going to need to be much more deliberate, organized, precise.

Or am I?

Up to my old tricks, I'm figuring this one out as I go. So far, so good!


Even if I'm still messing up the odd seam.


Quilting seems to lend itself to the type of crafter I am. True, there is something final in cutting fabric, but scrap remains useful. That goes a long way towards alleviating my fear of ruining things.

Jestem zielona

That's Polish for I'm green which I am, with envy, as my brother and his lovely wife are in Poland without me.

I first went to Poland in 2008 and loved it.
I loved it so much that I'm trying to learn the language.
I loved it so much that it was the only thing I could talk about, for weeks, once I returned home.
I loved it so much that I convinced Mr. Fab to come with us in 2009.

Last year a trip wasn't economically feasible and this year? Well, I thought it would be nice to give the newishlyweds* a year without me tagging along. I still stand by that decision but as they post pictures of so many things I miss, the green grows. So as I reminisce, I thought I'd share a little.

Really the best thing about the trips was meeting SIL's family and friends. Everyone was so warm and gracious, welcoming me and Mr Fab as family. There were parties in the city (Warsaw) and parties around the campfire (in Masuria) and lots of laughter (despite, and sometimes because of, language differences). But more than anything, there was food. Lots and lots of glorious food!

I wish I did a better job of documenting what we ate. Here's a little sample:























*gabbish