The Holy Grail of yarn

For awhile now I've been hearing heroic tales

about ventures to the magical Hobby Lobby.

 Since it was from a group of crocheters,

I mainly heard about the bounty of yarn there.

Many months after the semi-local store opened

I was finally able to visit last weekend.

I wasn't too impressed when I first walked in

and all I saw were the rows upon rows

of seasonal decor and home accents.

Then I saw it -- my Holy Grail!!!

Tucked way in the back corner were

row upon row of multi-colored yarns.

I fell instantly in love, especially with

the large clearance section along one wall.

Keeping my home stash and tight budget in mind,

I narrowed my purchase to just 4 skeins of yarns.

Really yummy hues of Stitch Nation's bamboo ewe --

55% viscose from bamboo, 45% wool in

Beach Glass, Mercury, Eucalyptus and Geranium.

I'm thinking a matching hat and scarf 

if I can find any patterns I like.

Anyone with suggestions, pass them my way please.

Beauty of Saratoga

Spent a day last week in nearby Saratoga Springs, NY.

Though it is best known for horse racing and mineral spas,

the boys and I stuck to more scenic venues --

Congress Park and Yaddo Gardens.

Hats, hats and more hats

Guess what I have been making all summer??? 

Hats!!! Lots and lots of hats.

Slouchy ones. Beret styles.

With and without flowers.

For girls and women.

All of these are now available

on my Facebook page at fantastic prices.

Soon to be listed on Etsy

but you won't get as good a deal.

Budweiser isn't the only one with Clydesdales

The boys weren't too pleased with me.

At this point in our mini vacation,

they really wanted to get home.

I just had to take the opportunity to visit

the Lake Placid Clydesdales

at The Adirondack Equine Center.

The quartet existed of two blue-eyed blonds
and two brown-eyed brunettes.
They didn't move from their shady spot
under the evergreens while we were there.
So I had to move to them.

(Click any photo to see a larger view.)

The best spot at camp

Who can resist a hammock?

Perfect place for summer reading,

relaxing or even a nap.

I would have slept there overnight

if it weren't for the mosquitoes.

Peaceful river

My three youngest sons and I accompanied my sister 

to her summer cabin deep in the Adirondack woods.

It is near St. Regis Falls, south of Malone, NY,

on a very quiet curve of the St. Regis River.

Up by 6am one day, I was able to catch its beauty all day.

I think it would be lovely to visit in the fall too.

May just have to plan a return trip.

Making the most on Etsy

 

You know the saying: "A watched pot never boils."

I feel that way about my Etsy shop lately.

A few times this summer I have gone out of town

with family bagpipe band commitments

only to come home to loads of sales. I love it!

Another old adage is true, at least in the Etsy world.

Renew or list new items every day.

That's truly where the traffic and sales come from.

If you are an Etsy seller and haven't checked out 

the new "Sales Stats" feature, what are you waiting for?

I just found out most of my top search terms

are for linens and curtains.

Time to list more, that's for sure!

On their way to the world championships

Tired of bagpipe band photos yet?

This past weekend I traveled with my oldest son

back up to Ontario, Canada for the
North American Pipe Band Championships.

His band came in 5th out of 7 Grade One bands

but they did top the other American competitors.

Today, my husband accompanies the band to the
World Pipe Band Championships in Glasgow, Scotland.

You can catch their Grade One qualifying round here,
Saturday, August 13th around 10 am Eastern.

 Good luck to Oran Mor and all the other bands!