And because you never remember poor service and a poor sock yarn selection (The good stuff, including the crafty, to immediately follow the bad).

I remember what I sadly couldn't remember what I did on Friday, July 13. I went to Queen Anne to check out Nancy's Sewing Basket. I probably shouldn't refer to this as poor service, because it was more like no service. I walked into the store and they had really pretty fabric. Browsed and touched fabric for a good 20 minutes. I was really interested in some of their super soft jerseys and spent a lot of time there. And flipped through their selection of Burda magazines. There were at least 3 employees in the store, on in the back helping another customer with buttons and two at the cutting table discussing jewelry making. There were no more than 5 people in the store including myself and B. Not once did anyone even greet me. B always notices those kinds of things and it bothered me ESPECIALLY because I was hanging out in the knits for a good 10 minutes or so. Did I need help? Possibly. Did I have questions? Surely. Would asking me either of those questions result in a sale? Most likely. But I guess they didn't want my business, so out the door I went.

Lucky for us, we discovered Hilltop Yarn Shop right across the street. It was a beautiful, beautiful store! One of the prettiest yarn shops I've ever been in. It probably helps that the shop is in a huge house! I wouldn't be surprised if they carried the entire Rowan line. Every where I turned was Rowan. The one thing I was really disappointed in was their poor sock selection, two measly shelves. They had Shibui, Fleece Artist, Jitterbug, and maybe one more line, but only had at most 2-3 colorways for each line. Eh? I always try to make some kind of yarn purchase in every city I go to, but there was nothing there for me and I didn't want to buy something just for the sake of buying something, so away we went.

There were three stand-out good things that happened on this trip. First and foremost, we completed STP in one day, despite TWO flats (one for me and one for B) within 15 miles of reaching Portland.

This was B's tire. How would you like a gash like that staring you back in the face standing between you and a double century? Thank goodness for my tire boot! If you want more info about how a tire boot will save your life, shoot me an email.

Number two, seeing my talented friend start to make his mark as an artist. I was in awe of every single piece at his opening. It made it really hard to decide which piece to buy. Darv has always been a talented guy. I've seen most of his work in his graff art and sketches, but at his opening, my eyes totally opened to well rounded and versatile he is, from watercolors, oils, to wood burns, and I bet he can still work a can of krylon like no other.

And last but not least, I finally sewed a mother-bleepin' garment!!! Wouldja look at that? All I can say is that it's about time! I also have to be honest and say that this isn't the first garment I've sewn. I made two of the BBW peasant tops but they're nothing to write home about (one was in a basic natural colored linen and the other was a batik print with two unintentional placed flowers right where the girlies are -- remind me to be more careful about that next time.)

Pattern: New Look 6706, View E
Size: 16
Fabric: Black gauze purchased from Fashion Fabrics Club

Notes: This is a straightforward pattern to which I made no alterations aside from omitting the strap ruffles (why are they even necessary?). The directions for attaching the straps also didn't seem very secure as they only have you hand stitch the straps down the top of the elastic casing on the back. So I also machined sewed the straps down at the bottom of the elastic casing, matching up the stitching on the casing. What I would have done differently is use black interfacing. They make it for a reason, buy it. It's a good thing that it's not that noticeable.

Verdict: The perfect summer top! I love it!