Happenings

Whistle Stop Quilt Shop closed this past week. Since it wasy located way out on 1010 (where it intersects with Kildaire Farm) I only went there when I needed a fabric I knew my two favorite stores wouldn't carry. They had the most impressive selection of antique-replica fabrics (which were already gone when I found out they were closing) and a lot of country/antique style decorations throughout the store. It was a calming place to shop, with plenty of room to move around and think. I'm sad they're gone, and it was even sadder watching the store owner struggle to keep back tears as her regular customers came in to say good-bye.

Meanwhile, a new quilt shop is opening in downtown Cary (where ETC crafts used to be). Rumor has it they'll be carrying new, modern fabrics. I may have to pay them a visit. :)

My machine is now back and in working order, and I'm really struggling with what is the wise and practical thing to do as far as machines and money go. My machine works well for the very basics. But after sewing on true quilting machines, I'm afraid I have a little green-eyed growth inside of me. I have decided against one of the more popular models. I just can't justify the cost.  But there's another that is half that price with all the accessories, AND same quilting space that will be on sale this weekend. And then of course today I get an e-mail from another store that has the long-arm machines that any quilter dreams of owning, and they have a 2 year old model someone is wanting to sell. It's twice the price of a sewing machine that quilts, would take up over half of my sewing room and require me to get rid of 95% of my art/design supplies, but just the thought of getting the machine with frame for 25% off, which almost never happens, makes me hesitate and think, hmmm....oh the possibilities!

But then reality kicks in and I start thinking about how often I would use it, how many quilts I would, could make in a year, and it really gives me pause. Especially when I stop and think about the fact we're about to see a drop in income as Bobby retires, at least for the first 6 months, I feel like now is not the time to be spending money on things that are not absolute necessities.

And while I ponder, I have a seam to rip out. Maybe one day I'll have a sewing day where I get everything right the first time. A girl can always dream! :)

the value of a dollar

Last year we gave our summer kids an allowance. The deal was that we would provide the necessities and they would buy the wants with their money, but everything was subject to approval. (In other words, no rap CDs or skull covered t-shirts!) And it became very interesting to see how we valued things differently.
For example, at the cash register in Michael's are these ugly, small, kid-appealing in pens for $2.99 At first, the kids all wanted one, and I told them they would have to use their money. They thought that was a very reasonable price. I told them it wasn't. My "faulty" reasoning was that you can buy a whole pack of pens for that price! Their line of thinking was that this was a really cool pen, PLUS ice cream at McDonald's only costs $1. I guess if ice cream at McDonald's is a $1, then a small, fancy pen should certainly be more than that.
Had the boys had the money, they would have gladly plunked down $200 for a cell phone, or an i-pod. I would never pay that for either one, but yet I wouldn't think twice about spending that same amount on a sewing machine or a nice camera. Granted, a camera and a sewing machine should last me the rest of my life (or at least half of it!), whereas a cell phone or i-pod will most likely be dead or extinct within 10 years. But it's still interesting to stop and think about why we place value over certain items, and how our mind determines why things are "worth it".
I want to say the price of a car is not worth it, but when i consider the alternatives (horse & buggy, walking, bicycle) then I think maybe it is. After all, as expensive as a horse would be in care & feed and time, I think the car might actually pay for itself. Note the word might. There's nothing like car problems to sink you deep in a financial abyss. But that's another blog for another time. And now I have my curiosity peaked...what items do you feel are worth splurging on?

tipping

I have some questions for everyone. When you get haircut, do you tip? If so, how much? Are there any mitigating factors (their own studio vs a place like great clips; cost, etc)