Like minds

Isn't it good to have the company of like-minded friends? I first met Maggie years ago, when we were both stalwarts of our local Embroiderers Guilds and the cross stitch phenomenon was in full swing. We despaired of the way so many embroiderers became stuck with the technique and tried to make sure we were providing as many opportunites as we could to tempt them further into more creative stitching. I don't think we were altogether successful for I think that many cross stitchers have simply gone on to rubber stamping, then scrapbooking, proving that commercial persuasions are more successful than merely enthusiastic ones!

Anyway, we've kept in touch, are members of the same mailgroup and as we live fairly close, get together from time to time. We did exactly that yesterday - rather impromptu but none the worse for that. We didn't really have time to play - but anyone who tried to get a word in edgeways would have struggled.

Maggie, it was good to see you again, to learn more about your new toy (I'm envious!) and to share a few hours talking about stuff which would have most people dozing off. What's more, it will be fun to get together again next week, at the Textile Treasures exhibition, when we might even think to take a photo.

Knitting Project done

The knitting project from our brief stay in Sea Ranch with friend Mary is done. It's the Mobius wrap from the Magical Knitting book by Cat Bordhi, worked in Blue Moon fibers knitting ribbon (you know, I've tried to find a link to that but can't - sorry) bought from The Fold near Chicago. I like the way it hangs/drapes and the colour is perfect with some linen trousers I have. I think I'll enjoy wearing it.

The colour in the photo above are totally off, so here's a more accurate swatch, showing texture too.

Being a member of cabin crew must be boring

So, it came as a breath of fresh air to meet the American Airlines staff member with a wicked sense of humour on one of our flights. Here's a selection of her wit.

"If the cabin pressure should fail, you have 45 seconds to quit screaming and grab a mask. If you were paying attention, you'll know how to fit it"

"If the person next to you wasn't paying attention, you need to decide whether you want to help them or not"

"be careful when opening the overhead lockers because as we all know, shift happens"

"crew members will pass around the cabin and collect anything you don't wish to take with you. Children and spouses are excluded"

She was a woman "of a certain age" who had everyone on that plane listening more intently to the safety announcement as a result!

Unpacking

Just putting away the goodies from my trip and amongst the first things I came across was the little bag of bone "clasps" I tracked down in Paper Source. I plan to make a book with a fastening and though I was careful to choose six good ones, I don't think I appreciated the variation in size until now. Never mind - I will have to make sure I use the odd ones as singles, keeping the similarly sized pairs together.

Last Sunday, we were in Pasadena and called into the San Raphael Bead Company on the way back to Mary's. Couldn't resist replenishing my supply of these "niblets" - really cheap, interestingly shaped beads, even though I have plans for them yet. I rather liked the cubes too - not so regular and polished as some I have.

On my last trips to the US, I've kept an eye open for this Fiskars "Paper Drill". Found it in what must be the tidiest Michaels I've ever been in, in Bozeman MT. Of course, I didn't have a 40% off coupon when I got it - that came in the following day's newspaper. Bozeman was quite a good place for crafty souls - not only was there the new and sparkling Michaels, there was the sad, neglected JoAnns at the other end of town (I suspect there is a connection in their respective conditions) They were offering 25% off, so I took the chance to get a handful of the new (to me) non-slip Olfa rulers. In addition to the small square, I got a long 3" wide one and a medium 6" wide. They're easy to fit in a suitcase!

We also stumbled across Reproduction Fabrics in Bozeman and I couldn't resist this little bundle of fabrics, reproduced from antique French designs. No plans as yet, but we'll see.

Finally, the yarn. you've already seen the Toefutsies. As well as that one, there's the pink Crystal Palace kid merino, Blue Moon Fibers "Rio", Blue Moon Fibers ribbon (for the mobius scarf on the needles right now) and the green "montana" colour sock yarn which is Mountain Goat. I restocked with a few different sizes of the small Brittany dpns and an extra long Addi circ for the mobius.

And that, I think, is it! Oh, succumbed to a couple of books too - the Interweave Press Favorite Socks, and the magical "Knitting Never Felt Better" by Nicky Epstein, which has got me itching to knit up that kid merino.

Interesting day with *knitting content*!!

We decided to spend this, the last full day of our trip catching up on one or two places we've not reached so far and intended to set out from our hip, happening hotel (where most of the guests are as hip and happening as ourselves, i.e. not really!) and meet Mary somewhere midtown.

Sadly, the parking valets had other ideas. They'd lost our car.

OK, it's a hire car, there were none of our possessions in it (except for a treasured and personalised Thomas Guide to Los Angeles with markings on for all our favourite places), so we could afford to be relaxed.

But we were not. How could these people be so hopeless at their job as to give our car to someone else? How could someone else be so foolish as to drive away a car which wasn't theirs?

We harrumphed and made it clear that we were not amused, in our very British way (!) and made alternative arrangements for Mary to come over to Santa Monica and collect us. Bless her. In the meantime, we explained that they should find our car. Preferably before tomorrow, when it needs to be returned to LAX when we fly home.

We made our way to Wildfiber which, over the years we've been coming here, has transformed itself from a surface design emporium to a knitting store. It's an exciting place to explore and the stock is extremely interesting. We had a fun hour or so there and of course, made a purchase or two.

Together with a restock of some needles, I decided I needed to try some Toefutsies Chitin yarn. To quote from the label: "Chitin is fiber from shrimp and crab shells! It's naturally antibacterial!" How appropriate to bring this one home from the beach.

I think that my good friend Sue of the Magic Armchair has used this yarn, probably bought from Get Knitted? But hey, I get to carry mine a few thousand miles

Incidentally, when we got back to the hotel tonight, there was a voicemail to say they'd "found" our car. No further details. We have been out to dinner with friends and haven't checked yet, though!