Adventures in Crafting

Last night, I went to Spins & Needles (www.spinsandneedles.com) with Riva and Nate. Think kindergarten craft time with a DJ, alcohol, and pretzels. September's installment of this monthly event was held at the Museum of Civilization in Hull.

I first heard about Spins & Needles -- well before I was thinking of landing in Ottawa -- on Q, a CBC radio program hosted by CBC boyfriend #2, Jian Ghomeshi. CBC boyfriend #1 naturally being George Stroumboulopoulos. [Every time I think it's over between us, he starts The Hour by introducing himself as my boyfriend. What's a girl to do?! I'm not made of stone.] It sounded very cool and I excitedly reported the event to my Stitch 'n' Bitch gals, who have in turn started-up their own variation of it at The Laundromat in Moncton; I'm disappointed to be missing the inaugural run at the end of this month. I only hope they'll time one to coincide with my next visit home [hint].

And now, may I present Exhibit 2a: last Thursday evening, I trundled off to hang-out with a new crafting group, headed up by the ever-lovely Vanessa, friend of Riva and vegan extraordinare. It was certainly no Monday night at Janet's (my NB S&B), but it was fun in its own way. While I was there, I asked the gang if they had been and/or were going to Spins & Needles. I mentioned the CBC spot and one of the girls gives me an odd look and says, "Yeah, we were the ones interviewed."

Exhibit 2b: Riva, Nate, and I stroll into S&N, grab a selection of supplies and look around for a table. We ask to join a couple and as I sit down next to the girl, I think, "She really looks familiar..." She asks me something and it clicks: she was at the crafting night! Jennie had made the connection and assumed that's why I asked to join them. Nope, just a coincidence.

[OK, vocab-sticklers, I know what you're thinking: serendipity and coincidence are not synonymous. You got me there. However, in this instance, I feel the previous events are thematically relevant. Therefore, I'm keeping Exhibit 2a and b as is.]

For my craft, I made a voodoo doll -- well, they called it Voo-You, and I did make it look like me. I'm quite pleased with how it turned out, a fact that only pokes at the tender wound that is my lack of camera. A remedy is on the horizon, but alas! still a few months away. Riva created a lovely bit of mixed media on canvas and Nate, well, he outdid himself. His voodoo doll was Bonhomme-esque in proportions, had a pocket with removable yarn heart, a secret pouch with a rose tucked inside, wore a cape, carried a green noose, and wielded a piece of driftwood. Nate spent the last 3 years living in NYC before moving to Ottawa 2 weeks ago. For some reason, that information seems pertinent.

As for the event itself, we found it to be a little high on the hipster quotient. Actually, more of a hipster-poser crowd. Hipster-poser... is that an oxymoron? Put the sass away, Ali. You're right. This blog is meant for everyone. Even hipster-posers. I apologize.

All-in-all, I had plenty of fun, although I suffered slightly from building it up so much in my mind. More than likely, I'll hit up next month's. It's at a legion hall -- apparently its regular home -- and the Halloween-themed crafts are masks and underwear. I've yet to figure how making underwear qualifies as a Halloween-themed craft... I mean, you can make underwear themed, but that's not how the flyer is worded. Wow, now I pretty much have to go, don't I?