Pleasures of Shopping in Small Towns

I love Kernersville NC!  I used to live there until we moved out more in the country but we are still only 15 minutes away so I frequently do alot of my shopping there.

The downtown area is great with the town taking an old furniture factory and revamping it turning it into shops.  That's where I finished off my Christmas shopping today and decided to post some pictures of the decor outside and also a glimpse into Lady Bug's Garden & Gift Shop.

There is so much more charm to these locally owned business than the big box retailers as well as customer service.  It's so neat to me that they take the time to make your purchase bags look like a gift in itself.  Having been a previous business owner before retiring, I know it takes alot for these people to stay in business during tough times and it is my desire to help them stay in business longer.  More of us should think local before we go big retailers!  There is character in the shops themselves but also uniqueness in the gifts you find.  So...I challenge you to shop local!

Love North Carolina and all the offerings we have here.  I like calling North Carolina home!

Oh and you can visit my Etsy shop at http://www.etsy.com/shop/ncknittinchick

Getting Projects Off Needles

After spending 2 days, actually 3, looking for my Size 7 Addi Lace needles, I decided to get some of my projects off needles so today, I will show off the first two of this task.  But, first I must tell you about the time I spent looking for those needles and believe me, it ruined one perfectly fine Sunday afternoon.  I looked everywhere that I have yarn hidden....oh I mean stashed!  - in all the closets, under the bed, in my linen closet upstairs.....you name it!  - and to no avail.

On Tuesday (of course, I spent time on Monday looking), I was taking a bath and I prayed, not the first time, but I specifically said, PLEASE help me find those needles!  After getting out of the tub, I had the thought to go back into my bedroom closet and look on the floor in case I had just dropped it and maybe it wasn't on a project.  I went into the closet and moved a couple of blouses back with my hand and low and behold, there was yet another knitting bag!!!!!!!!!  and there were 2 other projects in the bag and there was my Size 7 Addi's! I was so excited and immediately said "thank you" to the one who gave me the insight to look there once again.

That day, I decided that I would put everything else aside and finish 3 projects that were almost done and the rest of the projects on needles would be removed from the needles and put back in the stash.  In this post are the 2 projects that I currently have finished............whew!

I know if you're a knitter and you're reading, you identify.  But, I must tell you.....I never did this much until I met my new knitting buddies and they inspire me to start more and more new projects....lol.

My New Red Sweater

I haven't been here for a while mainly because I've been sooo busy knitting and setting up my new Etsy page and just doing life but it's all good.  Busy is my "happy" place.  That's why I think knitting blesses so many of us because it keeps our minds healthy, moving always in some kind of direction.  I'm almost as good at unknitting as I am at knitting.  But it's all good.

This is the Aidez Sweater pattern.  This was probably my biggest challenge and you will notice I didn't take my pictures too close because I didn't wanna show you the mistakes.  But, hey, it's MY sweater and I will wear it with the booboo's and all and be happy for it.  It was a learning experience - probably the best one yet for me and it was a hard pattern for me but believe it or not, I already have the yarn to do it again.  My next one will fit better and look better but none other will hold a place in my heart like this red one.

A BIG SHOUT OUT to my friend, Dawn Flynn, KnittingDivaGirl, who made this sweater possible for me and was there for me every time I needed something.  LOVE my knitting girlfriends.  It goes to show you are never to old to experience wonderful new friends and find things in life that make you smile.  Love my girls!

Love my new wreath pictured in my picture.  My hubby actually went and got it for me just from a picture.  He loves to shop almost more than I do and that's hard to believe.  He said, "just give me a picture".  He did a great job!