When Is An RV Not An RV?

When it’s a mobile store! Can it be an RV after having been a mobile store for two years?

You tell me.

n.b. As of this publication (morning of October 18, 2021) I have not set a definite price but will update as soon as it has been appraised in it’s reverted configuration (which could be as early as the afternoon of October 18, 2021).

I could share ALL the pictures from empty store to it-could-go-either-way to full blown RV but I’ll just share a few highlights. 

Here you see the full U-shaped dinette with 4 of the 5 seatbelts visible. When the tables are dropped down onto the shorter legs, the extra cushions create an rv version of a king-sized bed!

In this photo, the double bed above the cab is visible along with the cargo net (or child sleepwalking prevention net). It also shows half of the dance floor I created when I removed the L-shaped counter from the kitchen. Each of the table leg holes has a protective cap on it so there will be no snagged pinky toes to contend with.

This photo highlights a few things. Set high between the upper cabinet doors are cute little drawstring lights that act as nightlights (or mood lighting), an MPPT solar charge controller to keep track of what the 315W panel is up to, and the 10” overhang on the kitchen counter. Also, notice the little 'block' on the back corner of the counter? It serves two purposes. It makes room for the cushion when in dinette mode and it flips down to create a full countertop when the seat cushion isn't there. And the little notch that's visible is to allow an electrical cord through from the outlet underneath.

This photo gives a glimpse of the propane stove and oven as well as the complementary rug. Why am I throwing in a rug? Because I am a full disclosure kinda gal. It completely covers the few (I think 6) tiny holes in the flooring left from the L-shaped portion of the counter. Other than making room for customers, why did I remove the L? Didn't I lose storage space? No, I actually gained storage AND cupboard space.

At countertop height, the corner of the L was completely taken over by the TV with hardly enough room to make a sandwich. Below, the corner was a huge void with a few wires and plumbing. The plumbing is still there and so is the storage from the original L. I also made a pathway from dinette to bathroom that isn't blocked by someone looking in the fridge.

This view is from the in-between stage. In case someone is interested in using this motorhome as a mobile store like I did, I want them to see it with the door in front of the bunks.

This photo showcases the copper tile backsplash and the counter extension that extends into the entryway. I don’t recommend using the extension during the day when people are constantly in and out - although the kids would have no trouble ducking underneath it - but it works great in the evening and makes a neat deterrent if it’s left up at night and someone tries to break in. ;)

This photo shows the TV placement. Great for watching while working in the kitchen (or from the back bunk beds) and it also swings out so that the whole family can watch their favourite show from the dinette. Behind the TV is more storage space which could accommodate a small microwave.

Did I mention that I sewed the curtains myself as the original curtains were sun rotted to the point of disintegrating? I like this material because it is machine washable and allows the light in while creating privacy.

Yet another configuration with the main bed/eating area. The left shows the setup for twin beds on the main floor.

Last but not least, the bunk beds at the back. The bottom bunk can flip up and be used as a large storage space accessible from the outside. Great for multiple bikes for family outings!

Okay. Now that the commercial is over, I have a serious question for you all. As you are aware, I put pegboard inserts in the cupboard doors so that I could make use of them for display. Back in RV mode, I find the light wood grain of the pegboard to be very aesthetically pleasing. Only one of these photos was taken with the lights on. The RV would have looked very dark with the original panels if I tried to do that before.

Not only that, the pegboard makes for great ventilation. Fruits and veggies could be stored in a cool dark place with air circulation. Dirty laundry wouldn't sit and stagnate only to knock you off your feet when the door is opened. Would the pegboard be a deal breaker or a bonus for you if you were wanting to buy this RV?

written by Lori, TCL owner, who is happy to get the RV sale ready yet frustrated because the shuttle bus is being held up in insurance limbo and I can't bring it home to work on it.

Let The Deconstruction Begin

 Just a quick reminder that even though the markets are over for the season - the store will be back bigger and better next spring! - online ordering is available around the clock and I will also be available by phone during more reasonable hours (10am-4pm weekdays). And with the markets over, if you think I'm going to be taking it easy for the next few months, think again. Besides updating product information on the website and writing patterns that were brainstormed and prototyped this summer, I, along with Mom, will be reverting the motorhome to the rv it was meant to be and renovating a new-to-me shuttlebus to be the best darn mobile yarn store you could possibly imagine! This week's blog will concentrate on the beginnings of the end of Lorigamivan 1.0.

 Above are a few photos showing what the store looks like without yarn, patterns, etc. Looks a little bleak, doesn't it? And tomorrow, while Mom is in the house preparing Thanksgiving supper, I will be removing all the needles and hooks from the entryway as well as turning the shower back into a shower instead of a storage closet. If all goes well, those pictures, as well as photos of the fully reverted motorhome will be showcased in next week's blog.

In the meantime, if you're wondering where all the yarn will be before finding its new home in the bus, take a look at the photo to the right. And there are two more of these trolleys full of yarn that hadn't made it out of the motorhome yet when I took this picture yesterday. To say the warehouse is stuffed is an understatement! I am just thankful that this is supposed to be a mild winter because we are going to be spending an awful lot of time running between the new bus and the warehouse getting it ready for the new market season.

Do NOT take that last statement as an invitation to NOT order from the online store. I want to know that people were listening when I said "pet the yarn now, so you know what you're ordering this winter". If you leave me with holes to fill in the new rig, I get to fill those holes with NEW product!

So whether you celebrated Thanksgiving yesterday or are feasting today, know that I am always thankful for the customers that have stuck with me through this transition from brick-and-mortar to click-and-order to mobile store. (If anyone can come up with a mobile phrase that rhymes with the other two, please leave it in the comments. I may even give you a prize if I like yours.)

written by Lori, thankful TCL owner, who is feeling blessed to have made it through the past couple of years.

Two More Days For Free Shipping This Season

 If you haven't ordered online from us yet, then you may not realize that shipping is one option to receiving your products.  The other is pickup. During the Community and Farmer's market season, a third option is available: free 'shipping'.

When ordering online, I encourage everyone to choose PICKUP and then tell me what they really want in the notes section. Why? After all this time, I still haven't managed to get the program to calculate reasonable shipping rates. For instance, did you know that it costs over $300 to ship eight skeins of DMC floss from my address in Lacombe to another address in Lacombe?! In reality, eight skeins of floss fit into an envelope and can be sent at regular letter rates - but my program doesn't believe that. Hence, you must choose pickup or die from a heart attack because of sticker shock. I promise, waiting a day or two longer for me to visit the post office and email you the options is the healthier choice.

If you live in the Lacombe area or know you will be visiting it, pickup is a great option. Place your order, wait for the confirmation email, then follow the instructions in the email. Sometimes those instructions include calling ahead so that multiple customers don't show up at the same time. Since physical distancing is still a thing, I strive to help keep my customers healthy and only place one order in the dropbox at a time.

Now these two options are available year round. The third option is the one alluded to in the title of this blog. During this market season, the pop up store has been in six different communities, one of them twice a week (in two different locations). If you order something online and you know you are going to be at one of the markets, you can let me know to bring your prepaid product(s) to the market of your choice. Many people have already taken advantage of this option and you only have until Thursday of this week to take advantage of it for the last time this year! (Lacombe and Red Deer locations only) Why is it the last chance, you ask? Because market season is over Thanksgiving weekend and my pop up store is too big to fit indoors at any of the Christmas markets that will be taking place.

So remember, online ordering is available year round but free shipping comes to an end this weekend!

written by Lori, happy TCL owner, who is looking forward to being kept busy this winter with your help :)

So. I Did A Thing . . .

 After two years of using my recreational vehicle as a mobile store, I am retiring it in favour of a vehicle better suited to non-recreational use.

Did I enjoy having all the comforts of home with me while travelling from market to market? Absolutely! Is that going to keep me from discarding it in favour of a vehicle with way more usable space? Absolutely not! And when that vehicle makes it impossible for the physically challenged customers to have an excuse for not coming in? You know I’m switching vehicles!

So the vehicle in question is a newer shuttle bus complete with a wheelchair lift, so not only is it wheelchair friendly but it will also make it much easier to do indoor shows again - if that ever happens - because moving displays will be so much easier than trying to squeeze through a 21” doorway. And even though the motorhome had more storage space inside and out, the bus has more accessible storage and allows customers to shop the entire stock of yarn instead of just what is on display- every single week! Can you tell I’m all in to make this version of The Crafty Lady not just survive but thrive?

In case you’re an English major critiquing my excessive use of exclamation points, I’m EXCITED! That’s the emotion they were designed to convey and, darn it, I’m gonna use ‘em!

The flip side of this amazing news is that I now have a motorhome to sell. It won’t be back into rv mode until after Thanksgiving but I will post pictures here and various other places (like Kijiji) if you or anyone you know is interested.

Now back to the business of the week. I am stuffing the pop up store with as much of my acrylic yarns as the bins will hold and the upper cabinets will be filled with next week’s offerings just so the ‘not Lacombe and Red Deer’ markets can still get one last chance to purchase them. They will include my Berroco yarns and merino roving.

You will also notice some white boxes and some blue boxes in the final photo. These contain ball winders and swifts. Can you say Christmas presents?

Written by Lori, excited TCL owner, who is going to be working very hard, along with her 87/88 year old mother because she insists she needs the workout, to bring you a brand new pop up store next season!!!!!!

Mom gets two ages for this because she’ll have a birthday while we’re working on this. ;)

Who Ordered This Cold Air?

In case you haven't felt it yet, Fall is in the air.

The wind at the markets is bitingly cold. During the summer months, I looked forward to 18 degrees because it meant changing from my shorts to my capris and maybe covering my shoulders. Now, because of that wind, 18 degrees means pulling out the third layer (shirt + sweater + coat) and wearing thick socks inside my winter boots! I'm really glad there are no outdoor markets in the winter. And, no, sadly my pop up store does not translate into indoor markets.

For some markets, this is the second last (outdoor) market of the season. On display will be Estelle Worsted and Estelle dk, both of which are easy care wool/acrylic blends. Cozy Alpaca, a light worsted alpaca/acrylic blend, will also be available.

To go along with these solid coloured yarns, there will also be a few blends that will play nicely with them, specifically Viva, Mira, Mille Colori and Huenique.

The only one I haven't had a chance to play with is Viva, but I am sure it is just as wonderful as the other three.

While you are in the pop up store petting the yarn, don't forget to check out the needle and hook sets we have. They make great Christmas presents! 😄

written by Lori, usually warm-blooded TCL owner, who is super happy this time of year that she can keep the pop up store's door closed and the furnace on until each market opens.

 

How Many Socks Can You Make Before Christmas?

As crafters, we all know the mad rush to the yarn store so we can make ALL the presents before the gift giving season only to realize once again that we really need to start these projects on Boxing Day for next year.

To make life a little easier this year, make socks or mitts TAAT (two at a time), hats, baby or child sweaters, and even shawls from sock yarn. It comes in various sizes (thicknesses) from 3 ply (for light airy shawls) to 8 ply (for sturdy work socks).

You can see from the photos that the store has a large range of colours (neon bright to subtle) and styles from bold stripes to fades to solids and hand-dyed's. There are also some merino, cashmere and bamboo blends available!

Make sure to get into the store this week, especially if you are in the Camrose area. This is the last week for the outdoor market there and I can't bring the rv indoors when they resume the market inside the Bailey Theatre for the winter months. All the other markets will be winding down as well with most ending by September 30. Lacombe and Red Deer will be finishing up just before Thanksgiving so that gives you less than a month to take advantage of no shipping costs.

written by Lori, TCL owner, who took almost six months to finish a birthday sweater (just squeaking in under the deadline) so I hope you are more successful with your handcrafted gifts this year than I have been so far.
 

Winding Down the Season

Fall is definitely in the air which means the outdoor Farmer's (and Community) Market season is winding down. Because the first final day is coming up shortly (Sept 16 for Camrose), I've decided to do something a little different for the next few weeks. (My valid excuse for this blog being late this week.) Instead of just swapping out last week's yarn for this week's, I am also putting the following week's yarn (or at least most of it) in the overhead cabinets as a way to preview the yarn, especially if the customer won't be there the next week. That means that you can shop the cotton, silk flax and hemp this week as well as scope out most of the sock yarn.

I will continue this until the end of the season. And, who knows. That may become the new normal in the pop up store.

The final market days are as follows:

Ponoka Community Market (outdoors) Sept 27

Stettler Farmer's Market (outdoors) Sept 28

Ponoka Farmer's Market Sept 29

Wetaskiwin Farmer's Market Sept 29

Lacombe Farmer's Market Oct 8

Red Deer Downtown Farmer's Market Oct 9

If you are wanting to take advantage of the free shipping (aka delivery to the market) make sure to place your order no later than the Monday before the final week. Any order placed during the final week may not be able to be picked in time to be delivered and then you'll either have to pay shipping or make arrangements to pick up at the warehouse.

As for the pictures of the sky, God was out with his paintbrush leaving beautiful brushstrokes in the air on Saturday when it was still bitingly cold. When I was taking these pictures, one of the other vendors offered to take my picture for me. He thought I was trying to take a selfie in front of my motorhome so I pointed out the beautiful show the clouds were performing that he'd been too busy setting up to notice. Sometimes it's the little things in life that make things alright.

And right now we need those little things. With the mask mandate back in full swing, I will be layering up in more ways than one.

There is a new sign in the store.

Since the mask rules are for indoor venues, along with the door being open, I will be keeping open all vents and windows to allow for outdoor style ventilation, which means it may get pretty chilly in the pop up store. During inclement weather, I will require masks because only the door will be open those days. So pray for beautiful weather until Thanksgiving!

written by Lori, TCL owner, who has thoroughly enjoyed the market season so far - meeting new people, reconnecting with others and actually getting a tan in the process. 😀