Hangin' with Ms. Yarnpants

A few weeks ago my fellow craftanista, Stitchy McYarnpants, let me know that she'd be in LaLaLand soon and wondered if I'd be available to meet her. My response went something like this, "Hell yeah!" So, I filled out my Cube Farm Furlough Request Form and prepared myself for a day of shopping, eating and general camaraderie with Mistress McYarnpants. How cool is that?

Fast forward to Monday, which shall henceforth be known as McYarnpants Day. Yay!

Stitchy was staying in THE VALLEY, but nonetheless insisted upon braving the mass of traffic over the Sepulveda pass to mi casa. The poor thing. I warned her though. Driving 10 miles in this town can take 10 minutes or 2 hours and 10 minutes depending upon the time of day. It's nuts really AND getting worse year by year. We definitely need mass transit, but that's another post entirely.

Upon her appearance, the hubs made sure she was fed and caffeinated before exiting our domicile to my vehicle for a trip Downtown. What's so important Downtown you inquire? One of my favorite places on the entire planet she responds. Michael Levine's! Now, if you've never been to Mr. Levine's, which consists of three separate stores filled to their rooftops with fabric, notions and yarn, you're life is lacking completion. Seriously. Store number one houses the garment fabrics and collateral materials, including yarn. Store number two encases all of the interior fabrics and brick-a-brack. Store number three, called The Loft, sells fabric by the pound, $2 per pound normally, but the management has been known to reduce the per pound price to as low as 50 cents. Really, each store is a joy in an of itself. All three combined? Nothing short of PARADISE. Paradise that empties the wallet in a matter of hours that is. Really, I cannot leave those venues empty handed.

Okay, yes, we all know by now that I have a serious issue when it comes to shopping for crafty supplies. Do we need to revisit The Tulle Incident? I think not.

Moving right along.

Mostly, Stitchy and I stuck to the garment fabric portion of the program. Literally, we spent most of our visit in store number one. Although this venue is literally busting at the seams with uber-cool fabrics, my heart lies in the printed cottons section of the building. I mean the variety and selection is nothing short of amazing. Needless to say I toddled over to the cutting table with bolts of pirates...



Sugar skulls...



And milk carton labels...



Finished my pile off with this super cool plastic coated orange satin quilted stuff...



Printed elastic...



And a couple of these panels from the sale bin...





Unfortunately, I blitzed on stopping by the pattern department before leaving Levine's. However, yesterday my friend, co-cube farmer and seamstress extraordinaire pointed me in the direction of online pattern acquisition. How did I not know this? Whatever. I'm in the know now.

Anyhow, Stitchy and I rounded out our fabric fest with a bit of food at Phillipe's. I've expressed my adoration for this LA landmark before. It's simply scrumptious! Upon our return to ChezLinoleum, we launched into a several hours long dialogue regarding all things crafty and life-y. Very enlightening and definitely a good time. Hopefully I will be able to hit your turf next time D!

I love the Blogosphere. Truly. Had I not begun my little online experiment, Stitchy and well, all of you would be unknown to me. I lead a much richer existence having met you all. That's fer sure.

Oh, Susan and Mimi? We will definitely get together when I'm in your neck of the woods. I'll email you individually. Blogging rocks!