Obsessions/Addictions Part 2

I have been going through my stash and have come to the conclusion that no matter how much yarn I have (and how varied it is) it's never enough. Whatever new project I start, I don't have all of the right yarn, or yarns needed for it.

For instance, I thought that much of the yarn I purchased at the Tucson Yarn Company's Moving on up Sale (all of the green beauties shown in my last post) would be perfect to use when I go to Jane Thornley's workshop in Taos in September. The project hasn't been announced yet, but most likely these yarns would work. But I know that when I get to Taos, I'll want to scour the shops there to see what special treats there are to add to it all. Especially because so far I don't have a variegated or lead yarn to tie it all together.

But now Jane has announced a KAL based on the patterns and ideas in her new Summer Free Range Knitting Guide, including the Leaflings Shrug/Wrap, which is just crying out for Green. So I may use all or some of my greenery on that, instead of waiting to try one of Jane's ideas when I get to Taos. Then I'll have to start all over with new yarns for that project. :)

Which leads me to believe that it's folly to just buy/collect yarn because I like or love it, or because it's on sale, unless there is already a project to use it for. Because then it just sits there, looking enticing and feeling yummy, and accumulates with all the other beautiful yarn. But does that mean I'm going to stop buying yarn for which I have no immediate use?

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

Addictions/Obsessions

It seems that my addictive/obsessive personality reaches into many, if not all, aspects of my life. I used to think that only books fell into that category; I couldn’t be trusted in a bookstore. Then, when I started working with glass, I saw it manifested again; with glass, tools, videos, and more books. Now that I’ve returned to fibercrafts, after a long hiatus, it is worse than ever. Not just yarn, needles and hooks, but books, magazines, and patterns, not to mention classes and workshops. Which is why I’m so proud of myself for resisting (mostly) the Siren Call of Tucson Yarn Company’s Moving On Up Sale.

I was able to confine myself to 1 (ONE) visit, and 1 (ONE) basket of yarn during the weeklong sale. The staff kept saying, “You need another basket. I’ll get you one.” But I would say, “No, if this gets full, I’ll have to either stop, or take out some yarn if I want to add more.” And I pretty much stuck to my guns. I only bought yarn that fit in one basket. Of course, the basket was more or less overflowing, but I was able to keep it all intact.


And I was able to stick to a plan of sorts, so I didn’t just grab everything that looked good. Instead of picking up everything Purple, as I often do, I did a selection of Greens with a little bit of darker Blues, and when I got home, I found some ribbon and eyelash/fun fur from my stash that I can add to possibly use for a Jane Thornley Feather and Fan Organic Wrap or other Free-Range/Free-Form project. I’m hoping to do a workshop with Jane this Fall, and I may save all this yarn for that project.



Next, I found some narrow tapelike 100% Organic Cotton in a Navy Jeans color and in a Denim color which really is more of a Gray. I’ve been wanting to try some of this for a while; it falls under the category of lighter weight yarns for the weather here in Tucson.



I’ve also been wanting to play around with some Noro sock yarn, fits the lighter weight (and thinner) category, and they had some Kureyon in my kind of colors.



The last yarn I got was one I would have passed up, but they had a sample of it knitted up, and while it works up a little on the bulky side, it’s very soft and not really heavy at all. I got it in 2 colorways, including a muted purplish tone, so I did do some of my signature color.


I've managed to store all the yarns, and now I just have to finish up a few projects before I get to tackle some of the new stash.

Update

Just a few lines to bring to a close the saga of the car that crashed into our house. To make a LONG story as short as possible, most of the repair work on the house was completed on time, and after many attempts to finish the whole episode, the buyer finally signed all the documents at the last minute on April 28th, which was the scheduled closing. But it was so late in the day that the sale could not be registered, nor could they release the funds. By the time it was all accomplished, it was 4 o'clock on the 29th before we received the check. But now it's done, and we no longer have to concern ourselves with the matter. So I can write CLOSED and go on with all my creative pursuits.

Life is What Happens While You're Busy Making Other Plans

Excerpts from a message to family and friends back in Illinois:

Friday, April 3rd
Well, it’s official, I’m an Arizonan now, and so is Harry. In the past couple of days, we’ve gotten Arizona Driver’s Licenses and License Plates, transferred our car titles, and registered to vote. Since the sale on the Skokie house closed 6 weeks ago, we don’t even own any property in Illinois anymore.

We’ve sold our original house here in Tucson, too; at least we have a contract on it,and a closing date of April 28th.

Sunday night, April 5th
I started writing this on Friday; put it aside till I would have more time. Little did I know that I would have a lot more to write about.

At 12:45 Saturday afternoon, we got a call from our former next door neighbor at the old house, sounding very upset, to say the least. It took a bit till she calmed down and I could understand what she was saying: a car had plowed through the front yard of our not quite sold house, and smashed into the corner of it. On it’s way, it went up on the curb and through some of the shrubs at 2 houses across the street, and almost ran down one of our neighbors. Luckily, she had stopped to pick up some litter, and the car missed her. But she was pretty shook up.
The car miraculously drove between 2 trees up our front lawn, plowed through the Ocatillo and a small Cholla before it hit the corner of the house.






Saturday afternoon, April 11th
I’ve been busy preparing for Pesach, not very well; the accident at the other house kind of threw a screw in the works. This year we weren’t having any guests for Seder, so at least I didn’t have to worry about anyone but Heidi and us. The Seders went OK under the circumstances, so now I have a chance to try and finish this.

Harry has been busy working his magic to get things going over at the other house. He’s managed to get the ball rolling and everyone involved is pretty sure that the work can be finished in time for the closing, which we were afraid would have to be postponed. We’ve already got whatever permits are necessary, and they’re supposed to start work on Monday.

Monday, April 13th
They have actually started working on the house, and seem very organized and competent. There are a number of different crews involved: electrical, construction, you name it.

Thursday, April 23rd
The work is pretty much done, and I went in and signed all the papers today; and the buyers were to do the same later. The walk-through is scheduled for 11am Sunday morning, and if all goes well, Tuesday it will all be done! And we can go on with our life.

When I first started this blog, I thought I was just going to use it for fiber related things. But I think I will also occasionally go on about my glasswork as well. I still have not been able to do any torchwork, as I don't have a studio as yet, but if we don't get to set one up soon, I'm going to have to find someplace to rent torch time.

I'm really chomping at the bit to get behind my torch; I have a lot of ideas waiting. I think beadmaking will not be foremost on my mind. I still want to try some small sculptures and vessels, and as an adjunct to my fiber work, Shawl Pins and the like.