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.