The Craft and Hobby Association Show

After five days of rain and a leaking roof in multiple places, I got a much needed treat. I went to the Craft and Hobby Association show today. It’s the first time I’ve ever gone and from what I understand, it’s the first time the trade show had a special section open to consumers.

I arrived with no set expectations, but after a few minutes I was saying Wow in my head. I had known they had some special sessions to make different items that cost extra, but I had no idea there would be so many “make and take” opportunities - and all without charge. And so many wonderful giveaways.

I checked out the whole show first and noted that scrapbooking seemed to be represented the most heavily. Joanna would have been in heaven. There were lots of rubber stamp booth as well. Terri, would have loved those. She would have liked the quilting ones, as well.

I made a key chain with a Clover spool knitter and pom pom maker. I was particularly interesting in seeing how to use those two pieces of equipment since I had bought them recently and not tried them yet. I also saw, but didn’t get to try since it was just on a poster, an interesting tool for felting

At the Craft Yarn Council of America, a friendly woman named Mary showed me how to cast on by knitting. Then she gave me the skein of yarn and pair of needles, plus urged me to help myself to all kind of free patterns from several yarn companies.

The Babylock booth had a large area set up with sewing machines featuring different make and take projects. I used to sew a lot, but it’s been a while. I couldn’t believe what the machines could do. I made a can wrap with my name embroidered on it. All I had to do was touch the screen on the machine to pick the style of type and pick the letters. The only manual thing I did was to lower the foot. One touch of a button and the machine embroidered my name. Quite a step up from my last machine with all its confusing cams. It turns out the embroidery machine can even make lace, filet crochet and crocheted edging for a handkerchief attached to the handkerchief and even counted cross stitch. I’m not sure how I feel about that. It may seem funny to say this, but the machine stuff is too perfect.

I was curious about some of the machines used for scrapbooking and card making. In the process of trying to see how the Cricuit works, I saw their newest thing - a machine that cuts out fondant designs for cake decorating. They were giving out chef’s hats. Of course, I took one. It should get a laugh from my family.

I saw Deborah Norville’s new yarn at the Jo-ann’s booth. All natural fiber blends at a reasonable price in interesting colors. The woman there tipped me off that Vickie Howell, host of the Knitty Gritty show on the DIY channel was at a nearby booth. Vickie was demonstrating how to create yarn out of newspaper, which was very cool. She had a picture frame covered with knitted newspaper. Maybe if I’d taken a little more time I would have gotten the hang of it.

I had just picked up the bookmarks for A Stitch in Crime and had brought some with me. Vickie accepted one graciously and said maybe they could put a link to my books on her website. The local Barnes & Noble had a booth and when I mentioned to the clerk they didn’t have any craft mysteries at the show and offered a bookmark, she had me talk to the manager. It was too late to do anything for this year. They offered to bring over copies of my books the next day, but I wasn’t going to be there. But we talked about the possibility of next year.

I picked up free sewing patterns for an apron and pajama pants, a cook Faber Castell kit to make a travel journal, a really nice tote bag from Michael’s and a kit to make a woven scarf. I bought a few things, too. I mean, how can you turn down three skeins of sock yarn for $6 when there’s a pattern for a nice looking shawl to make with them included. I bought a few books, too. Since Vickie was there to sign it, I bought her book about knitting tricks. I couldn’t pass up a drawing book called Zen something that’s supposed to be meditative and a knitting squares book.

When I finally left with tired feet and bulging tote bags, the rain was letting up and there was a beautiful rainbow right in front of me. What a perfect end to a neat day.

Out of My (Today’s) Element

I did something today that is possibly a nonevent for some of my fellow bloggers: I visited a Jo-Ann Fabric and Crafts store. I was both impressed and overwhelmed! As well as nostalgic, and maybe even a little sad.

I went there today because we have relatives visiting, and one asked if we had a Knit Picker. That’s a little gadget that helps pull a snag back through sweaters and other knits so it doesn’t show on the surface. We couldn’t find our gadget, and the Jo-Ann shop was in the direction we were heading for another errand. The visit worked out well--we found what we were after--and I had an opportunity to look around. And sigh... at least a bit.

Now, years ago, I was absolutely handy when it came to at least some of the crafts represented at Jo-Ann’s. As a teenager, I sewed a lot of my own clothes, just for the enjoyment of it. I knew how to knit, crochet and embroider--not adeptly, perhaps, but not too awfully, either.

No more. The total extent of my creativity is channeled these days into my writing, which I utterly enjoy. But there are days, like today, that I wish I’d kept up with the rest. I don’t even indulge in hooking rugs, the creative pastime I’ve mentioned before that I used to enjoy while vegging out in front of the TV at the end of the day when too tired to think of what to write. Even if I got inspired today, they didn’t have rug-hooking fixings at Jo-Ann and suggested I try Michael’s. Which I might... or not. These days, I spend my vegging time doing crossword puzzles, since I still don’t generally want to concentrate fully on the shows.

So, I’ll probably just remember the good old days, and let others sew and knit and create handcrafted stuff.

Me? I’ll just sit at my computer with Lexie on my lap and create books. Preferably with pets.

--Linda