Yesterday was the second annual Yarn Store Ex-po-tition. The trick is to plan your day around meals…
The first stop is the Dutch Oven Bakery and Yarn Store in Alanson.
That is where you find these:
Bird Nest
That is the bakery section, and in the yarn store you find lots of these:
One
Two (I have four of these but this is the best picture)
Three
They have plenty of fabulous yarn as well, but I am desperately avoiding too much yarn collecting. I made it out safely. ;D
The next stop is…the place I can’t name. I can’t remember what it’s called, but they sell Native American arts and crafts. Some of it is more “traditional”, and some is more “touristy”. It’s always a good stop. I haven’t photographed any of the art we bought yet, but I can show you my new jewelry.
I always love the turquoise, and the dream-catcher earrings. I decided it was time to rearrange my rings again, so I’ve moved my right little-ring to the left hand, taken off the left little-ring, and added the turquoise one to the right. Okay, that was obnoxiously unclear and complicated, but this is the point:
Left
Right
I’m always sorely tempted by the cuff bracelets, but I really can’t make an excuse for buying any.
This is the left arm. The silver one is from Grandmoom, and the copper and turquoise are stolen from Moom’s stash. I think the turquoise is a child’s bracelet, but it actually fits pretty well now that is has adjusted to my arm. Speaking of my arm, that’s a really weird picture. My arm hair showed up extra-clearly for some reason.
This one is on the right, brought to me by The Sneak.
We didn’t collect much in Petoskey on this trip, but it’s our usual excellent lunch stop. We poked around the bookstore and discovered that the little yarn store that tried to survive there has gone out of business. I’m a little sad about that, but not entirely surprised. They didn’t have so much in there to start with.
Next stop, Cynthia’s in Mackinac City.
Okay, I have to confess. I broke down.
If anyone asks it’s because I miss Amanda. Shush. Don’t say it. Shut UP!!
Cynthia’s is an interesting stop. They have tons of nice things, but it’s very crowded. Most of it is rather overpriced, but it has to be in that sort of location. It’s a tourist town with a small population and not the most traffic. Still, you can count of finding some of the nicer things on the market. Like malabrigo, Lorna’s Laces, and Fleece Artist.
It’s a nice little trip, and I’m sure we’ll make it next year. And the next..and the next…and the next… We always finish it off with a simple, make-in-advance dinner that can be thrown in the oven and margaritas. (Ever had one made with gin? O_o  My family is hilarious. No one even noticed.)
Today was good too. It was a lot of simple food, kayaking, lazing about on the beach, knitting, and giggling at relatives. I finished the first of Val’s MSU socks last night and started the second.
I’m now past the toe, but too lazy for more pictures.
Most of the afternoon went into a rather elaborate swatch for The Sneak’s hat, but I think I’ve come up with something good. Of course, I failed to photograph the swatch…
It doesn’t look like much yet, but tomorrow I ought to have some good photos.
At this point I feel as though this post has deteriorated into complete confusion. There are too many things to say, and not enough brain energy left to explain them properly. If you’ve made it this far, congratulations!! Try to avoid “things that spiral and create devastation”, and goodnight!!
