Have Craft, Have Shoes, Will Travel

Preparing to pack for any trip, whether it be for business or for pleasure, consists first and foremost of determining which project should accompany me along the journey. This is no easy task for there are many factors to consider:

• Planes, trains or automobiles?
• Boat? Stargate???
• If boat, waterproof bags to house supplies?
• If planes, which craft tools are restricted?
• Crochet, knit or sew?
• How many hooks/needles do I need for sustained crafting throughout the trip?
• Work on a WIP or begin something new?
• How many balls of DMC size 8 perle cotton is too many?
• What if I don't bring the "correct" colors of DMC size 8 perle cotton with me because of self-imposed limitations? And hey, do I have room for a hank or two of Artfabrik thread? Damn, which colorways? Oh hell, I'll bring them all! Wait, didn't I decide to bring my knitting?
• What if I need to stuff some new amazing creation made in the plane, train or automobile??? OMG, I almost forgot the fiberfill! Will that fit into my craft travel case? Maybe I don't need the whole 1 lb. bag, but just a portion of said bag. What if I just fill a sandwich bag full with that white fluffy goodness? No, too small. I need at least a gallon freezer bag full of it, otherwise I may not have enough to stuff my travel masterpiece. Nope, I'd better just bring the original 1 lb. bag. Will that fit into my craft travel case? Honey, should we bring the bigger suitcase?!?!
• Don't even get me started on whether or not to bring my stitch bible...

Are you getting a taste of my predicament? Oh wait, there's more. C'mon, you knew it...

After having spent hours, literally, packing my portable studio for the trip, I then have to confront my next travel conundrum... How to travel smart (I can assure you, knowing how many hooks to bring with you while traveling is VERY SMART, so there) by using my small rolling suitcase, thereby limiting the amount of clothing items and shoes I am able to pack, not to mention the fact that this mini-me suitcase limits my purchase power because there is little room for acquired paraphernalia (read: travel treasures) in that squished domain. No, I prefer the alternative to travel smart, which is to travel even smarter by bringing my GIGANTOR suitcase (Honey, we do need the bigger suitcase!) that is capable of holding, pound for pound, a plethora of outfits, myriad shoes and many, MANY acquisitions, which may include crafty items such as yarn and fabric, books, clothing, accessories and of course, NEW shoes...recalling a statement I made at a popular Mexican restaurant here in LaLaLand while imbibing many a margarita with the girlfriends, "Shoes are very, very important to me." And believe me, those women will never let me forget that I uttered those incredibly true, but nonetheless shallow words, with fervor, in public. I digress.

I know what yer thinkin' right about now. LadyLinoleum is just a teensy, weensy bit neurotic about this whole travelin' thang. Okay, and maybe just a wee bit high maintenance in her own right too...Hell-o? Been covered.

So yes, despite the serious preparation required for travel, LadyLinoleum, mistress of the no-wax floor, will bust outta Dodge nonetheless. And peeps, every ounce of preparatory paranoia is time and subsequent headache well worth the effort. I've been priviledged to travel the world, sometimes alone, sometimes with friends and family, all the while neuroses intact, baggage galore, craft supplies at the hip becoming more worldly and dare I say it? More crafty with each and every step. I've looked upon the calm waters of the Persian Gulf and the cold depths of the Thames. I've walked the crowded streets of Hong Kong in search of the perfect knock-off Gucci bag and climbed Kukulcan's 91 steps to stand atop the pyramid itself taking in the ancient vista of the lush, jungle-ridden Chichen Itza. I've tantalized my palette with foie gras ravioli in a balsamic reduction amidst the urbane wonderland that is New York City and sated my voracious hunger with red beans and rice at 2:00 am in a seedy jazz club in my beloved and now submerged New Orleans. Yes, I've traveled with a plethora of craft supplies, a truckload of shoes and a sense of wonder and excitement that only travel can provoke. I can also state proudly that I fervently knit a mile long scarf while traveling around the Middle East, each and every stitch a reminder of the sand, the sun, the coffee, the parties, the people...and of course, my myriad trips to Ikea in Kuwait City, an unforgettable scarf for an unforgettable travel adventure.

Next stop, Arizona, where I have decided to bring along one of my current WIPs to accompany me on the journey - a life-size fair isle knitted skeleton. Knitting bones in the Southwest...Now, what could be better than that? Maybe another pair of newly acquired shoes from our travel destination? Oh yeah...

So peeps, I'd love to hear your crafty travel adventures from the packing to the crafting on the road/air/water/etc. Sit down, pull up a comment and/or a blog entry and share your tales...

Have a good week everyone!