On Wednesday, I had the day off from work, and spent the afternoon working the Stitches from the Heart booth at the San Diego County Fair. This year's theme was "Seusscentenial"; it was all about Dr. Seuss, to celebrate the 100th anniversary of his birth (March 2, 1904), and I got a couple of pictures of the entrance, and a Cat in the Hat sand sculpture nearby:
Once in the fair, I found the booth in the Home and Hobbies section. I worked alongside a woman by the name of Judy. I thought I was to relieve her, but as it turned out, both of us worked most of the afternoon, each covering for the other for a brief lunch break. Unfortunately, I forgot to take a picture of the booth. If I go back to the fair another day, I may sneak one in later. At the booth, we had a display of preemie-sized hats, to demonstrate what the group does. Volunteers make items (including hats, blankets and sweaters) for premature babies. These are sent to hospitals around the country. We also had knit and crochet patterns available, as well as sheets demonstrating the basics of each.
While there, Judy worked on a knit baby blanket, and I worked on some crochet hats of scrap bulky yarn (Lion Brand Homespun Baby and Red Heart Baby Clouds). I just made the pattern up as I went along, and I made 3 hats during the afternoon (thus fulfilling, for one month, the third goal I made in my April 10 entry). Though we just met that day, Judy and I bonded over our craft, and compared notes on LYSs we both knew. Some people who approached the booth though we were neighbors!
Not long before we closed down for the night, a woman approached the booth. Not a knitter or crocheter herself, she watched both of us work, seeming fascinated. After a few minutes, she sat down with us, and tried a few stitches. Judy taught her how to cast on, and knit a row, but then needed to leave. I'd intended to close up and leave soon after Judy, but as it was, I stayed 15-30 minutes late, to teach our guest how to make a crochet chain and single crochet. I have the feeling that, if someone were staying at the booth all evening, she would have stayed too. But I did give her the the "How to" literature, and referred her to Michael's or a LYS for lessons where she could really take the time to get to know the craft.
After closing down the booth, I walked around to other displays at the fair. It has 3 tents for merchants, and I've found some fascinating products there in the past. This year, however, I was good with the money. When a product did interest me, I took a flyer or business card from the merchant. That way, I can give myself a "Do I really want/need this?" cooling off period. I try to make that period last at least one month for every $25 dollars the product costs. By the end of the day, the only thing I bought, other than food, was a $4 bar of soap made of camel's milk. But, to be honest, if anyone had been selling anything yarn-related, I'm not sure I would have had such willpower. Oh, and I also bought a hot tub with a built-in DVD player (just kidding, but I did see one there).
I got home to find my Charlotte's Web kit waiting for me! But I was too tired to make do more than read the directions and decide on my order of colors:
I have made progress on Charlotte since, but I'll save that for another post.
Oh my gosh the colors are gorgeous! Welcome the the Kersti along, too!
Posted by: Margene | June 29, 2004 at 10:21 AM