Monday, May 27, 2019

Drifting...

By now, perhaps you've figured out that when it's my turn to write the weekly blog post for The Crafty Lady, I try to come up with a topic that ties in with the yarn we're featuring for our Super Special Sale.

This week, our yarn selection inspires me to ask you:

How do you shop?

Are you a Purposeful Purchaser?
  • You shop with a list;
  • You know what you're looking for and won't go for a substitute unless it's a) close to what you need; or b) is on sale at a great discount.
  • You make your buying decision, pay for the item(s) and GO!
OR

Are you a Browser?
  • You wander into the store without specific purchase plans;
  • You browse the wares, observing colours; touching textures; pausing to check prices and sizes.
  • You circle the space once, twice, maybe three times, returning to hover closely over the item(s) that have grabbed most of your attention.
  • Time to decide...so you either make note of what you've seen for a later visit (to buy) or you decide to buy then and there, pay for the item, linger...
  • You leave, happy, only to return for another look...
In reality, I think shoppers are "six of a dozen, assorted", as my maternal grandfather was wont to say.  That is, we're all "a bit o' this and a bit o' that".  Sometimes we go shopping with a list, with focus, and with limited resources.  Other times?  Well...perhaps we have a gift card to spend, or a bonus for work well done, an income tax refund or...just more money at the end of the month than we expected.

That means that we can (for at least a short time) abandon Purpose and Practicality in favour of a bit of Whimsy, Spontaneity or Impulsiveness.

For one sweet shining moment we can live in Camelot...and be drifters in the Land of Creativity...

So who are we at The Crafty Lady to stop you in this process?!  

This week we offer you a yarn for those moments when you just want to go with the flow...


Drifter Chunky
from King Cole

100 grams = 155 metres (170 yards)
69% Acrylic
25% Cotton
6% Wool



Regular Price: $9.00

Sale Price: $2.25!





"Don't let it be forgot that once there was a spot
for one brief shining moment
that was known as...
Camelot."


*Written by Margaret, who -- despite best efforts to Stick To Her List -- finds herself drifting toward Camelot every so often...

Tuesday, May 21, 2019

Victoria Day?

Why do we have a long weekend in May? Why do we call it Victoria "Day" weekend? History/ tradition or are we celebrating "Spring"? Spring? Really?? as parts of Alberta had snow over the past weekend.

Are you aware we are the ONLY country to celebrate Queen Victoria with an official holiday? Did you know Queen Victoria was the first monarch for the Confederation of Canada. Her birthday was May 24. Canadians have celebrated her birthday since 1845. Victoria Day was officially declared a statutory holiday in 1901, recognizing her as the "Mother of Confederation". 

Federal government protocol dictates that, on Victoria Day, the Royal Union Flag is to be flown from sunrise to sunset at all federal government buildings—including airports, military bases, and other Crown owned property across the country—where physical arrangements allow (i.e. where a second flag pole exists, as the Royal Union Flag can never displace the national flag), quoted from the Alberta Archives, Alberta General Holidays, Government of Alberta Human Services, 2012. 

How interesting! Canadians as one of the youngest nations, we have a long history of affiliation with the monarchy. 

In addition to saluting the then Queen Victoria, celebrations have included parades, full sunset gun salutes, athletic competitions, picnics, "displays of illuminations" (now known as fireworks). 
Some of the events which happened locally include : 
 - Mirror, one community I know of, celebrated with Mirror Days, including a parade and Show 'n Shine
 - Provincial campgrounds were open for the first long weekend of the season
 - Summer Village of Gull Lake had a Pancake Breakfast on Sunday
 - Lincoln Hall had their annual Steak Dinner fundraiser
 - and Ellis Bird Farm officially opened several of their feature attractions over the weekend!!

From a gardeners' manual - plant your garden and annuals on or after the May long weekend. It was a bit cool on Saturday, but Sunday was a better day for planting. 

Tourist season has started, we had our first 2019 tour of Red Hat Ladies in this past weekend -the first group this year that I am aware of. 

As knitting, crochet, woodworking and other creative crafts are often considered historical, older skills - The Crafty Lady decided to feature an old favourite this week for the 75% off sale. 

Sirdar
Snuggly DK
164m/50g55% Nylon/ 45% Acrylic
Reg. $6.50
75% Off
$1.63


This yarn would be great to help finish up some of those projects you did not quite have enough of, or the right colour. We have enough to do smaller projects at this price - it is a great sale!!


Posted by Anne, happy, happy crafter - who is slowly getting projects finished and may get the garden in next week. 









Monday, May 13, 2019

'Round and 'Round and 'Round She Goes...


"...and where she stops, nobody knows!"

That phrase originated with 'wheels of fortune' and similar games of chance, but it can also apply to a merry-go-round, or a 'round-about' (not the traffic kind!) or a carousel.   I don't know about you, but this invention, which apparently evolved from early Middle Ages jousting traditions (!), remains one of my very favourite rides at any amusement park or fair grounds.
Whenever we took the family to Heritage Park in Calgary, I insisted on a ride on the antique carousel, which had been moved there from its original home in Bowness Park.

Carousel, Heritage Park, Calgary
Photo credit: TripAdvisor

These wonderful creations are so colourful, with beautifully decorated horses and other animals, and music that is very distinctive -- usually played on an organ or caliope, or at least a recording thereof, setting the tone for an afternoon of fun and frolic in the sunshine.  I dare anyone to resist smiling when they listen:




I'm thinking it's not only the round shape, but also the colourful nature of this week's Super Special Sale yarn that gives it its name:

Carousel Chunky
King Cole Yarns

Colour-way seen here: #2775 - "Roller Coaster"!

70% Acrylic
30% Wool
Machine washable, hang or dry flat
200 grams = 316 metres (345 yards)

Regular Price: $20.00
Sale Price: $5.00

With a combination of solid and marled dye repeats, it makes for texture as well as colour, and works well for baby blankets, slippers, hats, scarves and wraps!  (The Crafty Lady has made a version of her well-known shrug with it, which you can see in the shop.  😊)

You could even make several of these items from one ball -- the perfect portable project for a road trip, a weekend camping or at the cottage, a sunny afternoon on the patio or -- while waiting in line for a ticket to ride on a carousel!

Do drop in this week to outfit yourself for that perfect Victoria Day long weekend project.
See you in the shop!


*Written by Margaret who can knit in cars, on buses, trains and planes...but has yet to try it on a merry-go-round!










Monday, May 6, 2019

It is Alberta!!


Saturday had been designated Highway Clean-Up Day across Alberta. Did you notice it snowed all Friday evening, all night and it was still snowing when I came to work last Saturday!! Needless to say, due to the condition of the ditches and icy roads - Highway Clean-up was postponed.

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Now - be fair! I am not a "smoker" of anything! I do not know a great deal about the benefits/harm of smoking "weed" - so I am not taking sides!! I just thought this was funny!

It has been a while since I heard someone tell me - if you don't like the weather wait 10 minutes! Did Mother Nature get stuck on snow?

All across the prairies, we did not get enough snow over the winter. We seriously need the moisture, and for years we have been told not to plant our gardens before the May long-weekend. So why am I hearing my avid gardening friends complain - last year they had their garden in by this time last year? Are we trying to confuse Mother Nature or is it just our way of trying to control the uncontrollable?

I am hoping the moisture just keeps falling, as I am still trying to work on some winter projects and not being able to get into the garden (as it is too wet) just allows me to knitting and not feel I "should" be in the garden.

I found some beautiful merino to make a shawl and am still working on socks. I am really enjoying socks - finally. I have struggled for years and not found making socks satisfying. This year, for some reason they are turning out, they fit and are really comfortable. What a gift!! Total contrast - lace patterns and solid knit socks. Who is trying to confuse whom?

Speaking of spring - are you thinking of new projects for the cabin? Something quick, smallish, and fun to work with? I was thinking this week's feature yarn would be great for new covers for couch cushions - both indoor and out.

When I went looking for projects worked our 75% off sale yarn - I was really surprised! Every pattern was a sweater, hat, cowl, socks, scarf or touque! Not a pillow on Ravelry - in this yarn. I am hoping the pictures below will allow you to see the stitch definition - and the versatility of this yarn!

Cowl 
Scoodie = Hood w scarf
TWEED DELUXE
smc select
54% alpaca, 32% new wool, 14% polyamid
Hand Wash/Dry Clean
50 g./80 m
Reg. $9.00

   75% OFF
Sale $2.25







Posted by Anne, happy knitter - who is really appreciating the snow - when I have a leak in my rubber boots! Is a new pair on the horizon for Mother's Day?