Joe Soucheray's theme song is running through my head. But I don't "feel fine". It is truly the end of an era. Crafts Direct is closing, and I am feeling it keenly. Years ago I bought a mug that says I 💜 CD Crafts Direct. Now it will be obsolete, or a collector's item. Crafts Direct was my go-to place for supplies. Michael's and Hobby Lobby have their niches, but do not have nearly the volume. Both tend to carry their own brands of items also, and I do not always want their brands.
I did make it to the closing sale last week on Thursday afternoon, after the fire marshal had been there and closed them down because too many people were in the store. I bought a set of 25 dish towels, four packs of Tombow adhesive, and several skeins of Sugar and Cream yarn. I also bought my I Love Minnesota puzzle. I had purchased two of the puzzles previously to give as gifts, but wanted my own as a Minnesota keepsake: it is spread out on my dining room table almost completed. Easy-peasy for a puzzle. Did I get any good deals? Not really. And then after all that I forgot to use my Shop 'n Save certificate, so had to go back again the following Monday when I got another set of 25 dish towels. But stocking up will save me a few nightmares. I go through Tombow like crazy when I am making cards. Michael's carries Tombow, but it was never on sale like Crafts Direct had it, and their everyday price was higher than CD by 20 cents. It is too difficult to buy dish towels for embroidery on-line because one can't judge the quality. Perhaps Fleet Farm would have a suitable substitute, but I rarely go to that side of town. Crafts Direct was just so convenient.
I did talk to one of the owners while I waited at the door to get into the store. He said that the supply chain was a big issue. Another craft store had bought out two of their suppliers, and as an independent store they could not compete. COVID was also a factor.
I had intended to add some pictures to my blog, but our camera batteries are dead, and we have no replacements at hand. I have a pile of completed projects on the table; five Christmas stockings for our mission group craft sale, a scrappy quilt with messed up latticing which is going to a resident at Edenbrook, two embroidered dish towels, an apron and a draw string bag. I gave up on the knit dress I was sewing and put the regular needle back in my machine. The change has energized me. Last night I cut the fabric for the two pillow cases for Ari. I also started some nine-patch blocks for mug rugs out of the fat quarters I had gotten in my silent auction basket from St. Anthony's last April. Husband probably can't tell, but my fabric stash is going down slightly. ?And I plod on with that afghan that I am knitting. I do about three rows at a stretch. I am on my second skein of yarn finally. Slow and steady wins the race.
