This week finds me back in the US visiting family and friends in Columbus, Ohio. It’s odd, after 9 months, to come back and visit. In some regards it feels like we never left because of how overwhelmingly familiar it is. IN other regards there have been so many little changes. It really is a mixed bag of emotions.
Yesterday was a crafty day for me. I dropped the kids and my husband off with my mother-in-law and took off in search of plying thread and fabulous yarn before heading off to the knit group that I co-founded. I really couldn’t wait to see everyone and catch up!
I hit up Joann’s first. For better or worse, I was very successful. I bought cheap wooden letters that represent the initials of my girls and some bright colored wool (from the new Martha Stewart Lion Brand collection). I also bought craft glue. Do you see where this is headed? Soon there may be a tutorial on yarn wrapping of letters… we’ll see how successful I am
Beyond this craftiness, I also bought something like 20 spools of sulky thread for plying and wrapping the yarns I spin. I know it’s not cheap, but it works so well and is worth it.
Next stop was Temptations. I was convinced I would not be remembered… silly me. I walked in and Karen (the owner) immediately said “Liz! You’re in town!” and I grinned from ear to ear. We chatted a bit about my adventures to date and she offered to send me care packages as needed. Have I mentioned I love them?
I wandered the store with a short list of things I knew I needed; needles for two projects and yarn for them. However yarn for one lead to yarn for a second of the same. Sock yarn exploration for color blocked fingerless mitts led me to Madeline Tosh, which led to one too many skeins finding it’s way out the door with me. In the end it was 4 different needle sizes and 6 skeins of yarn. I don’t think that’s so bad, I just bought some very luxurious yarn. Sometimes you must splurge.
Before leaving, I caught up with Brian, a fellow spinner, and got to see his latest knit (Stephen West pattern) done with his own handspun. I also caught up on what his current wheel collection is. How I envy those with multiple wheels. When we move back I’ll have to convince Brian to start a spinning group with me
From there it was across the parking lot to Tehku Tea House for knitting and catching up. It was so incredibly fantastic to see Melissa, Lois, Laurie and Sharon. The tea house employees were as ‘off’ as I remember, but the company was fantastic. I look forward to going next Saturday as well, potentially with some out of town Rav visitors too!
OK, kids are starting to wake up. Well, one was up at 4:30, the other is now making funny ‘I’m waking up’ noises. So off I go. I assure you pictures will be posted soon of my finds. We’ll see if I resist further ‘temptation’ while here.
xo,
~L