Little Miss Ranty-pants

If you are grouchy about the high cost of fabric, or thread, or fun and funky patterns, don't direct it at the woman who dumped out her home's equity, her childrens' college funds, and her husband's sanity to open a shop filled with the best quality quilting cottons and as many fresh, fun sewing patterns as she can afford. Just drive up the road to the nearest JoAnn's or Walmart and see how far your dollar takes you, and notice how not nice the selection is. It's okay. She won't be offended. Also, do not yell at her for not carrying notions... as a quilt shop, she didn't think to stock buttons, snaps, and elastic, nor can she afford it at this time. The yelling isn't going to help, and perhaps your hearing aid should be checked.

If you are embittered about the apparent lack of knitting classes, please note that the shop owner is available at all times during normal business hours to assist you with any project you want to attempt. This being said, you could also note the ongoing sock class, the knitted 'quilt wrap' kits which were designed for a "knit along" (kal), and the infinite varieties of scarves and sweaters laying about the shop. Pick a yarn and get started. Knitting is the shop-keep's passion, it's her reason for getting out of bed in the morning. Otherwise, she would have just pocketed the tens of thousands of dollars and built her own stash with it. And the cozy, comfy chairs would be in her own home, rather than in the very public 'knit pit' for you to use at your whim.

We are all feeling the crush of higher fuel prices. Freight costs have gone up, sales tax is higher, and if you are local, the aftermath of the June flood waters is still being unfurled. The south end of 'old Franklin' will not likely recover, and the houses which withstood nearly a century of ice storms, tornadoes, droughts, and torrential downpours will not be replaced. A big, scary slice of life is missing from our tiny hamlet. Yet, when I drive into town, things seem to be changing. Every day is a chance to be hopeful, every day is another go at making a home for the crafty vixens who come into Clementine's. Every day I hope to convert another color junkie into a fabric designer aficionado, to wean someone off the Red Heart and onto pure merino. Every day I get up and wonder "who will it be today?"