Monday musings

Small slice of deep heartland

This weekend was a killer.  I was so exhausted last night that despite my big plans for a full 5 day week of *nothing* (no trips to plan/pack for nor recover from, no pressing commitments,) I decided not to set my alarm and was shocked when I woke up naturally at 9:30 am this morning.  Squeezed between our regular Saturday morning and Sunday afternoon errands and yardwork, M & I ventured into the deep heartland, driving for almost 4 hours Saturday afternoon until we reached our destination, leaving less than an hour to transform ourselves from comfy, long-drive casual to black tie attire and get ourselves over to a big business event.  After hours of socializing with people we didn't know and partaking of marginal dinner fare, we darted back to the hotel to catch the end of the World Series game, grab a little shuteye and arise at 5:00 a.m. to drive home.  Yawn.

With something resembling divine intervention, the mailman pulled up just as we were pulling out of the driveway Saturday and handed me a long awaited, padded envelope.  So much has been written recently about The Gentle Art of Domesticity that I was even more anxious to get my hands on it and happily, it didn't disappoint.  Suffice it to say, if you enjoy the colorful visual and written observations over at Yarnstorm, you will love this book.  It's like the blog, but so much more.  One person's unique point of view, living the creative life within the framework of an active and happy family.  Jane's delight in simple pleasures and her keen eye for the beauty found in everyday life are abundantly evident here.  Thicker than I expected, the book is chock full of her gorgeous photos, set in some lovely layouts, and I'm still reading through (savoring!) the many thoughtful essays.  For the time being, it's the next best thing to hanging out with Jane, one of my favorite yet-to-meet-in-person internet friends.  And a lifesaver on a long drive.

With my late start this morning, I decided to knock off a few errands to clear the deck for the rest of the week.  On the hunt for some requested Clover knitting needles for Molly (Yes, they're Japanese needles...yes, she lives in Japan. Go figure.) I was having trouble finding one particular size so I drove up to a neighboring town to check out a new shop I heard about at my recent knitting group meeting.  Supposedly an all-purpose needlework shop (knitting, quilting, embroidery,) I didn't have high hopes for adventure when I pulled up to a non-descript building tucked behind a MacDonald's at an off-highway intersection.  I entered, perused some books at the entrance and glanced over toward the fabric shelves.  My heart jumped to my throat as I visually scanned shelf after shelf of the nicest selection of fabrics I may have ever seen.  Truly.  Think Purl Patchwork on steroids.

Schizophrenic quilter's fabric selection

I couldn't help myself.  Thousands of bolts, a mouthwatering array.  I almost forgot Molly's needles.  I'm thinking that such a gem of a find so close by surely portends an imminent sale of the house, don't you think?  (It had better, and soon! This place could be dangerous.) 

I know you came looking for mittens.  Next post!       

Comments

[Kay]

I do think this portends immediate expulsion from the region!

What a find.
Counting the days until my Brocket Volume 1 arrives!
xo Kay

[Carole]

Your weekend sounds like the opposite of mine. Glad you found that shop even if you don't get to visit regularly once your house sells.

[Emily]

What a find! I'm sending a red-alert to my mom about the shop.

[Schnoobie]

Yeah! This will do until mittens appear..Thanks for another excuse for a F.A.R.T!(fabric aquisition road trip)

[Norma]

That book practically JUMPS off the screen!

Sweet that you found such a gem of a shop, too... Fingers crossed about the house....

[molly!]

Whoa, good find! You forgot to write that needle sizes in Japan are different from those at home and totally confusing! Not to mention that dpns here are all about 12 inches long. No one knits socks here, I swear!!

I take it you found the needles in the end? Thanks, Mum!

[Thimbleanna]

Wow Jan, thanks for posting about the new shop. My quilt friends and I have been debating whether our next get-together should be an outing to Indy or just sewing at home -- I'd say you've just made our decision for us!

[Chris]

I feel tired just reading about your weekend! :) Or maybe it's because it's late!

[Christiane]

waiting too for Jane's Vol.1, your fabric choice appeals to me very much, I see three projects, I would start with the right side, the cheery fat 8s are waiting on my shelf too for some thirties frenzy.

[joyce]

I love the blue one in the middle that looks like it has water droplets on it. What a find, all those great fabrics.

[cindy]

I'll have to look into that book. Sounds intriguing. Great fabric selection. Love the one 2nd to the left!

[sammyjo]

i love the fabric your really lucky lol

[susan]

oh mittens can wait! the first photo actually made me yearn just a "tad" for that big sky cloud thing you get out there. so pretty.
the fabric? amazing! world series! wheeee!

[Lisa]

Love the charteuse and fushia fabric. Maybe mittens in that combo are on their way?

[Leslie]

Mmm, just looking at that book cover makes me drool! I'm sure it's gorgeous inside as well.

[Scribbles & Bits]

I heard that it's going to get published in America soon, so I'm hanging out for that (really, largely because I have so many things in my to-read pile, that I can afford to wait a bit longer), although reading all the controversy it caused (who knew?) makes me want to dig in even more because I feel comments brewing but I like to be a bit better informed before I spout off. Some people I know would be surprised! ;)

And beautiful fabrics! I hope we'll be seeing some of those turn up in a quilt block soon! When you're not working on luscious mittens, that is!

[Lynn]

Wow what a find in a shop!!! Who knew that non descript building was a haven for such beautiful fabric!

And LOVE that picture of the heartland.

[africankelli]

Oooh, I love Jane. I have to get that book! I'm so glad its arrival was so serendipitous. And yes, I think this does very well mean that this week the house will sell!

[Angela]

Oh wow!!!! Thank goodness I'm too far for the Indy area to be all that tempting of a drive (not that it isn't a little tempting, but not ALOT). Great finds!