Jo-Ann - Part One

It's probably not unusual to say that I have a love-hate relationship with Joann's (really, Jo-Ann, but I'm too lazy to call it that.).  Maybe you do, too.  Our's is teetering though because, as I become more discriminating, the more careful I grow with where and how I spend my clam cash.

Here is my breakdown of this big box store:  

Pros - Coupons! Just about every week it seems I receive coupons either through the official sales mailer, occasional mail flyers, online, and email.  If you're going to Joann's without a coupon, then you obviously have more cash that should be spent elsewhere. I particularly enjoy the total purchase percentage off coupons, even the measly 10% or 20% off ones. 

Con - Not too long ago the coupons were applicable towards magazines. And even absent that, they would have the 10% off mags sale on occasion. Now I never see one.  Do you know how expensive magazines are??? Well, I do, and I was fine with the 10% off arrangement even if it was cheaper to sign up for a subscription. 

Pro - You can sometimes score a good deal on a piece of nice fabric. With said coupon. 

Con - Their signature quilting fabrics are cheap, worthless crap.  The weight is akin to bastiste or voile, not a cotton weight that I feel would withstand any piecing or quilting that I do. Sure, they have their premium line, but the selection is sparse.  As for fashion fabric, I'm not terribly impressed. 

Pro - Occasionally, you get an awesome sale, and you have to lay down the clams. 

Con - It doesn't matter whether I'm buying a little or a lot, once I approach the registers, a long line appears, and there's goes a quick trip.  Plus, it becomes more and more difficult to bat off my three year old's pleas for gummis and lollipops.  

Major con - Invariably, I am overcharged for something.  This commonly happens when quilting or knitting books are on sale, but apparently only specially labeled ones are discounted.  

Pro - You can pick up patterns for almost nothing. (I still remember paying full price for patterns, but, back then, it was around $5.)

Con - I'm buying less patterns from the big 4 and paying more attention to independent designers and companies. (Still though, there are a lot of good patterns by the major pattern companies.)

My husband may not believe this, but I have not been to Joann's in a few months, and, the last time I was inside, my purchase was minimal.  Right now, I hardly get excited to open the mailer.  If I need fashion fabric, I head over to a Stone Mountain and Daughter in Oakland.  I especially love their knits, and I'm sure to find the right notion or tool that isn't completely worthless after a few uses. They have quilting fabrics, too, but, for that, I check out the Cotton Patch in Lafayette and my local Beverly's.  My yarn purchases are in a bit of a lull, largely because I have a huge stash. Even so, I hit up the local yarn shops and Beverly's. 

Maybe it's because I live in the Bay Area and there are more choices. Or I'm getting older. Stingier.  You'd probably laugh if I proclaimed to have selective, refined taste. I would, too, because I don't. 

The likely answer?  At base, I no longer have the time, tolerance, or energy for that place. Every time I decide to give it one more try, I end up feeling frustrated and even more discouraged.  Does anyone have similar thoughts? It'd be nice to know that I'm not the only one. 

My Rhapsody Adventure

For the past several months, I have been mercilessly plugging away at several projects, and it is unfortunate that I have been remiss in not sharing them.  Much of it has to do with regaining access to my Mac laptop.  As you may know, I have four children, three girls who would spend every waking moment on Minecraft if I let them.  I don't, but it feels like a monumental effort to reclaim my laptop, reorient myself, load up pictures (assuming I can find the cords), and begin posting.  And usually, by that time, my youngest has requested juice or snacks or the opportunity to sit on my lap and simply observe.

Now that I have the briefest of moments . . . Sometime in August, I acquiesed and began working on a Rhapsody quilt.  If you are unaware of the Rhapsody quilt, then by all means google that along with Ricky Tims.  Some of the quilts are pretty amazing, and I knew that, by starting one, it would take a long time.  My quilt has been no exception. 

Yesterday, I completed a large portion of the center.  I had compiled a series of pictures to document my progress, but, of course, I am now having difficulty uploading and arranging pictures in any coherent manner. So, here I present the following:

It almost feels like a miracle that I have come this far.  This project combines my love of the blanket stitch, variegated thread, and curved piecing, but it is best taken in moderation.  

The quilt is still far from done, but I can't wait to see how she unfolds.