So cold!

No snow, but so very cold.

The Beginning

I have begun to get my creche set up.... just the bare bones so far, but it is a start. I haven't felt very festive, and the last 4 months were pretty ragged, but things are getting better, so here's a start. I have plans to build a workshop for the potter this year, and a nice display for the kings. I have two tents, I need a third, and a set up with a well/oasis and campsite. There is more to a camp than tents, after all. I have plans for next weekend, so the building will need to be done this week, at least for the workshop. I will keep the carpet seller under the bridge... I rather like that. I want to combine the potter with another workshop... I am thinking maybe an apothacary. I saw a nice figure of a boy selling herbs this weekend. I got an olive press last year at half price since the mechanics didn't work.... but I don't mind. Still is fine. So I need an olive shop too.... maybe that will be a good combo. Then the herbseller next year.....

Happy Thanksgiving Day

St Crispin's Day

Happy St Crispin's Day! Would that we thought like this today! Shakespeare was indeed a master of words, was he not?

First Craft Show Ever....

Well it was an interesting time for a first craft show! I certainly learned alot, but there are alot of questions too. Like, where were all the people? The exhibitors around me were all asking the same questions, and wondering if they would be back next year. Weather was good for the public, though very windy. We had to hang onto tents sometimes, especially the jewelry exhibit next to me. Perhaps it was the gargantuan rummage sale down the road at the hospital in Leesburg, we just don't know. Last week's show a few miles away was down about 5 % and the one 3 weeks ago same distance away was up about the same, this one down more than 100% for the exhibitors I spoke to, all of whom had been there many years. Well, I made costs plus some, so I am okay, but it was alot of work and a long day for no profit. Sigh, well, next month is another show, and it is supposed to be really terrific. A real doorbanger.

The two blondes are my friend Lynette and her granddaughter Rachel who came along to help and sell her beautiful embroideries. Rachel made lovely bracelets too! At least I had a great time hanging with Lynette all day, she is a dear friend and talented enough for two! And when my things blew over in the wind, it wasn't the disaster the dozens of tiny earrings were next to me! Like I said, I sure learned alot! But I sure hate posed pictures!

The Day Before.....

Today is a little chaotic..... I have my list of things to do, and it is certainly doable, but I still feel somewhat disarticulated. Disassociated. Maybe even disassembled. I will come together I am sure, but it is disquieting nonetheless.

Almost Ready

The big day is almost here.... Saturday is my first ever craft show, in Aldie Virginia. Come on out, should be great weather and a fun time! A friend of mine, Lynette, is selling some of her fabulous primitive embroidered quilted wallhangings, and I will have the stuffies I have been working on and some brooches too. Aldie Day simply must dawn bright and clear!

Kelsa Kitty

The latest in the sweater animals..... they get better as they go. But then they should, or at least I should get better as I go. I had someone ask me why I made the faces cockeyed, one eye larger, and a little off center. Symmetry is so boring! Don't you think so?

Meghan Is Engaged!

Robert took Meg to the Washington Memorial, arranged to have someone snap a photo, and then dropped to one knee and opened a little black box... Meg's expression kinda says it all! Very classy, Robert, well done indeed. Gil and I have been turning blue holding our breaths on this one... we knew it was going to happen, just not exactly when. It will be a long engagement, I think, has been a long courtship. That's okay, life is good. One day at a time, eh?

A New Products Weekend

I love to use products that aren't the norm... and in a couple weeks will show some folks at G Street Fabrics how to use a few that many non-artists aren't very familiar with.... so this weekend I played around some. I have lots of technical samples but needed to have a sample to whet some appetites. This is what I made. I am certainly not a Quilter, but I love to make little quilties to try out and show off techniques and products. This stars Lutradur, and uses Tyvek, Angelina, beading, foiling and patinating as well as photo transfering. Love them all. I will also show Bubble Jetset, but not everything has to go on one sample!

The Muppet Show - In the Navy

A friend of mine posted a Muppets video on Facebook and I spent way too much time looking at the little guys and decided I had to share this one in honor of my husband's and my Naval service.... and of course my interest in the dark ages! Love Vikings! (Especially porcine Vikings.)