Seeing How The Other Half Lives

This week's blog is totally unrelated to yarn, crafts, mobile stores - all the things you've come to expect here. Instead, it has everything to do with something I've been dealing with recently.

For those of you who don't know, I wear corrective lenses because I am near-sighted. During the last decade or so, I have been blessed to have very little change in my eyes, so I have been able to forego the expense of new glasses every year or two. The second last pair I purchased were progressives meant to help me cut fabric at the brick and mortar store, which meant I wanted the close up portion at the top of the lens instead of at the bottom where most people want it (for reading). They didn't work. I still had to remove my glasses to follow the line on the Aida cloth.

Then, two years ago, I got new lenses that were normal progressives because I did start to need them for reading (like a normal person). They worked but for some reason, the right lens soon fell victim to scratches on the inside of the lens. Since I clean both lenses with the same cloth and I don't have stainless steel lashes on my right eye, there is no discernable reason for the scratches. Even if they fell on a rough surface, the outside would be scratched, not the inside. So, off I go to get new glasses.

The optometrist that checked my eyes told me there was negligible change in my eyes so I would be getting the same prescription. Did I just want new lenses or was I getting new frames too? Since my current glasses also had transition lenses (darkening in the sunlight), I opted for new frames so I could have an indoor pair and an outdoor pair. The optometrist started her checklist for the prescription: no transitions required, check. I nodded. Progressives, check. I said no. She insisted that I would be unhappy without progressives and would be back within a couple weeks to change them. In other words, she twisted my arm.

Fast forward two weeks after receiving my new glasses. With progressives, I was unable to read the music clearly when playing the piano or organ for church and my eyes tired very quickly trying to decipher what was on the computer screen. Back to the eye care centre I went - with both pairs of glasses in hand. Well, okay. One pair was on my face because I needed to drive safely. I explained the problem and was firm this time that I did not want progressives. My new frames needed lenses for distance and my old frames were going to get reading lenses - but not ordinary reading lenses because they focus approximately one foot from one's face. I needed to focus almost exactly two feet from my face because that is where my music sits when I play either keyboard and I can easily put my computer screen at that distance, if needed. So intermediate lenses were recommended and ordered.

Fast forward another week. My readers come back, my distance lenses are ordered and my new frames go off to be refitted. I took Mom with me this time just in case I wasn't safe to drive with my readers. (As it turns out, it was no different from driving with tired eyes.) Working on the computer was definitely easier without progressives and everything was clear enough, even driving, so I could function normally. The true test of the new readers came Sunday morning (yesterday) when I had to play for two services. You guessed it. They didn't pass muster.

I got my measuring tape out of my purse. (Cos everyone carries one in their purse right? No? Just me?) I measured the distance from my eyes to the music when I sat where I needed to in order to play. 24" Then I measured from where I had to sit in order to read the notes clearly. 30" Those 6" are the difference between touching the keyboard and pedals and not touching them at all. Thankfully, I was picking up my driving glasses after church. I explained my dilemma to the eye care specialist and she agreed that I couldn't let improper lenses keep me from playing at church so, after some careful calculations, the readers went off to get refitted again and I left with my driving lenses.

So what does this long-winded story have to do with the title of this blog? Well, remember when I said I'm near-sighted? Most people my age - especially those who started wearing glasses later in life - are far-sighted. The running joke amongst people in that age group is that their arms aren't long enough. While playing during the church service and at the meeting that was held after service (where papers were handed out for people to read) my arms weren't long enough. They were, in fact, 6" too short and I spent my entire Sunday morning learning what it was like to be far-sighted. I will continue to laugh at people complaining about their short arms because I am comfortable with them laughing at me when I take my glasses off and hold paper to nose to read something. What I won't do is take for granted the fact that I will always be able to see clearly, even though that distance is gradually getting closer to my face.

written by Lori, grateful TCL owner, who - even though she is writing this blog hunched over the computer screen sans glasses, is happy to have experienced life through a different set of lenses this past week. It has given me a new perspective. I'll stop now.

Look Who Finally Came Home

Finally picked up the LorigamiVan this Friday - two months (less a day) after purchasing her. I had no idea the number of hoops I would have to jump through to insure a commercial vehicle as a mobile store! I was concerned that missing out on the beautiful weather we had in October and the first part of November was going to mean working in freezing temperatures and wading through walls of snow to get from the house to the bus daily. Turns out God is on my side and is providing a mild winter to work in. Yay!

Saturday, with space heater on board, we started work on the interior. We began by removing all the L-track accessories we wouldn’t be using.

If anyone wants some hooks, I will sell them to you at a better price than you will pay on Amazon (currently $235+ each).

Next, I removed the two passenger seats from behind the driver’s seat. I expected that task to be more difficult than it was but it’s amazing what one can accomplish with a wrench, a rubber mallet and a little determination. The remainder of the day was spent measuring around wheel wells, fixed heaters and seatbelts (that were riveted to both the upper and lower L-tracks on the walls). Much of my lower storage plans got rewritten because of all these obstacles but that just means there will be more permanent display space for the yarn!

Sunday, Mom and I started building her out despite not having some of the hardware needed to secure some of the fixtures to the existing L-track. I tried for two months to find it locally but was finally forced to buy it online. Of course, the more cosmetic products can come within a week. The more functional products won’t be here until after Christmas.

Sunday was also the day we discovered the foldaway seat on the passenger side refused to be removed, so more reconfiguring is required because that was supposed to be my till area. Thankfully, my plans for the upper storage worked out exactly the way I wanted! The only drawback is that I have to buy more 2’x5’ grids to complete the task. Combining two 1’x5’ grids (which I have in abundance) resulted in a hinged effect that would put too much strain on the walls. No pictures until I have the rest of the grids purchased so that you get the full effect. Hopefully, Eddies Hangup Display has stock in Edmonton for me to pick up today (Monday).

As fas as the exterior is concerned, I’m leaving it as it is for now. I can use the same banners I was using on the motorhome because I am able to secure them the same way on the bus. I am toying with the idea of graphics in the future but for now that is an unnecessary expense. 

Written by Lori, extremely motivated TCL owner, who is going to have the most amazing shopping experience available to you next Spring!

Well, The Snow Flew and I’m Still Waiting

This blog is a couple of days late because I really wanted to have made some progress after last week’s time change messed with my internal clock.

I didn’t get the pattern written for the cowls I previewed last week but I am one step closer. I created a third version which will be a bonus pattern to the Faux Cable Cowl. It is a simple 3x3 rib for those of you who have never knit a Moebius cowl on a circular needle before. I decided that you may want to do a practice run before playing with the Faux Cable which takes a little more concentration so I’m giving you a two-fer. (2 for 1).

I know it’s a little hard to tell but the leopardy printy one is twisted the opposite direction of the other two. I did that on purpose for the OCDs in the crowd to let you know not to sweat it if yours twists a different direction from the one in the picture 😉. 

I also didn’t get the bus home. Boo-oo! Now I’m going to want to make sure all the people who forget they live in Alberta and forgot how to drive in snow get at least one or two good drives under their belts before I get out onto the highway with my new rig so I know it won’t get plowed into before it even gets a chance to become the new home for The Crafty Lady aka the LorigamiVan.

I will keep you updated and, in the meantime, enjoy the snow. Written by Lori, TCL owner, who’s itching to get going on this thing. 

So What Did You Do With Your Extra Hour?

Daylight Savings Time, whether springing forward or falling back, tends to make me (and many others) less productive for about a week after the change. Need proof?

Less than 24 hours after falling back, I had a blog to write. Did I take advantage of that extra hour? Nope. Wrote this a half hour before publication time.

Speaking of publications, I had an extra hour to write / complete my moebius cowl pattern. Did I use the hour to do that? Nope. Still not finished. But I'm pleased with both versions :)

What did I do? Mom and I took advantage of that extra hour Sunday morning to catch up on curling so all the games would be watched within a couple hours of them being over so that our week coming up could be more productive.

Why? Because I may just have my shuttle bus home this week and I need to put as many hours as possible into it before the (insert four letter word that begins with S) flies!

So, again I ask, what did you do with your extra hour?

Written by Lori, well rested TCL owner, who has a lot of work ahead of her this winter. 

A Full Weekend Curling (Finishing a Project)

I spent this weekend at The Americas Cup. Teams representing Central and South America chose to challenge Team Canada (Lacombe's own Darren Moulding and company) for a chance to play at the Worlds competition next year. Needless to say, Bottcher’s team taught them a lot - which the other teams freely admitted was the real reason they were there. 😉

I managed to finish my fully reversible faux cable moebius cowl during the final Saturday game and was photobombed when taking the photo I hoped to use for the front cover of the pattern. I guess since she didn’t ask permission to ruin my photo by looking like a growth coming out of the side of my head, I don’t need to ask her permission to use her image on my blog.

It’s actually all good because I noticed that the self striping in this yarn overpowers the cabling so I am in the process of creating another cowl in a solid colour. Pictures of both will probably grace the cover of the pattern when it’s published. Until then, Have a great week and chat with you next Monday. 

p.s. Margaret - The Americas Cup was significantly better than watching paint dry ;)

Written by Lori, pleased TCL owner, who is happy to have one more project closer to publication. 

Things To Look Forward To

I know, I know. As a retired teacher (of the Language Arts variety) I should know better than to end a sentence with a preposition but would you have read beyond the title if it had read ‘Things About Which To Look Forward’?

During the market season, many of you saw me starting (and sometimes even finishing!!!) some projects. Many of them were simply updates of current patterns with new yarns. A few, however, were some of those 5000+ patterns that have been swirling around in my brain trying desperately to come out. I have no definite timeline as to when the patterns will be available but if the shuttle bus buildout is delayed much longer, it may be sooner rather than later! FYI one pattern that was a bust (pun intended) was my cotton bralette with built in boob sweat ‘panels’. Every woman is built differently so a pattern for a fitted one like I was trying to create is impossible. You’re on your own for that one but I will share mine when I am finally successful. It can at least give you a jump off point for creating your own.

The most anticipated pattern is a crocheted version of my One Seam Sweater. The original knit pattern uses Aran (16 sts = 4") or Chunky (14-15 sts = 4") weight yarn. That will not be the case with the crocheted version. In order to achieve the same drape as the original pattern, this one requires Sport / DK weight yarn. So, if you loved the look of the sweaters created with James C. Brett Marble Chunky and Universal Major, you will have to find similar yarns in finer weights. Currently I have low stock on James C. Brett Baby Marble but Jawoll Magic 6 Fach and Lang Tosca Light would look great too.

Hopefully, all sizes from 3 month to adult 3X will be in one pattern (unless it gets too confusing, then it will be split in two like the originals).

The next pattern makes use of the long gradients of Estelle Yarns Rainbow Autumn. Using two balls and my favourite cast on, cast off and seaming methods, this fully reversible Feather and Fan tunic vest will fit up to a 48" bust with enough yarn to add cap sleeves if you choose. They, however, will not be part of the pattern. I'm showing both the front and the back to see if you can figure out where the seams are. I'll give you a hint: they're vertical. The curvy bottom is simply evidence that I don't block my projects before posting them 😉

The pattern that will probably be published first is still a work in progress as you can see by the photo. Moebius cowls that are truly reversible are hard to create but I managed it with this one. If you like cables but hate having to keep track of the cable needle, this four row pattern is for you! Those tiny cables are actually mock cables and there is no right side or wrong side to them. I attempted a longer version that was only about as deep as this one is so far but it was too short to be wrapped around twice and too loose to really be anything other than decorative otherwise. This one will actually keep your neck warm and only use ~125m of aran weight yarn. The sample uses Lang Yarns Mille Colori 200g and I only just now discovered when trying to create a link that this yarn has been discontinued by my supplier :( but any self striping wool blend should work nicely if you find the colour you like.

written by Lori, TCL owner, who is happy to have some time to get these projects worked on even though it is because the bigger project is on hold.

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.