Mapgirl’s Fiscal Challenge

There were no deep-fried Twinkies this year. This is tragic. The Howard County Fairgrounds no longer has a deep-fried Twinkie vendor. I’m not sure that they sell deep-fried Snickers bars either. This is tragic! I mean, kettle-corn is great and all, but it’s not the same gooey yumminess. For my overpriced, but delectable pit lamb BBQ sandwich, I like to add a delectable dessert. Instead, I just ate another lamb skewer and sulked for the rest of the afternoon.

WARNING: Non-knitters might have a hard time with the next phase, but it does actually get into personal finance matters.

As far as the personal finance stuff, which is less news-worthy than the absent Twinkies, I was pretty close to budget, though I did break my promise to myself. Originally I budgeted $200.00 for equipment purchases only, and absolutely no fiber. But I got sucked in at The Fold’s booth and bought some Seduction yarn by Blue Moon, the company that makes Socks that Rock. My friends queued early for STR, but I am not a sock-maker like they are. Later in the day, while we were cruising back through the same shed for my friend to get some Blue-Faced Leicester next door for a cardigan, I checked out The Fold a second time and found a lovely ice-blue variegated merino-tencel blend yarn. It’s perfect for a summertime shell for the office. I plan to make it a yoked sweater with cap sleeves, stranded because of the difference in color between the two skeins. (One has a touch of grey and the other spots of white.)

While I don’t need a new hobby, I am very curious about tatting. I love lacework and so I figured for $4, a learning book is cheap. The $20 shuttle (bobbin) is what I shouldn’t have bought. I could have found one cheaper elsewhere, but I like one-stop shopping, and they had thread as well. I am going to find out more about this thing and then once I’m done satisfying the curiosity, I am going to forget about it. I. Do. Not. Need. Another. Hobby.

I also bought three more bobbins for my spinning wheel, which should nudge me to complete the work I have unfinished, and get me started on the kid mohair I purchased last year from Giant Cricket Farm. It’s undyed in natural grey and white which I will spin separately and attempt to 4-ply in a ‘barber-pole’ style.

Lastly, I didn’t have the cash for it, but my enabler girlfriends loaned me the money. I bought a beautiful handwoven basket for my apartment. It’s got lovely firm handles, should I wish to take it some place full of soft yarns. Its about three feet long, one foot wide and about two feet tall. I plan to use it as storage next to my couch, because it has weft that is dyed blues, purples and violets, and matches my furniture. This is what put me over the planned $200.00 budget.

Don’t ask about food, I never count that in my craft budget and fair food is always pricey. We did take some granola bars and bottled water to reduce the cost at fair. Trust me, even on a cloudy day, you’re going to suck some down like you’re sweating constantly, even if you are shivering in a lace sweater due to dropping temperatures. (Hey, at least it didn’t pour down.)

ps - Sorry for the lack of post yesterday. The domain wouldn’t let me log in and publish out.