Dandelicious Pillow!

Pillows talk! I like this dandelion pillow. It was fun to make!

Sweet Springtime!

Just wanted to share a pic of one of my Cathedral Windows wallhangings!

First Friday Art Walk on Etsy-July 3rd

The most exciting thing I want to mention in this post is the inititation of the first First Friday Art Walk on etsy.com. First Friday Art Walk will take place every first Friday of the month. And all the etsy stores are encouraged to participate in whatever way they are comfortable. And buyers are encouraged to participate in whatever way they are comfortable. :-) ....lots of beautiful things to purchase on etsy. I've been online a LOT the last few days promoting First Friday Art Walk on etsy to get it mobilized. Last Friday evening Mother's Musical Bakery had a concert for Hank Woji from Texas. His website is http://www.hankwoji.com/. He's got several songs on there for a sample of his music. We're not getting rain on a daily basis anymore, but still every other day or so. Tomorrow the heat index is predicted to be 104 at 4:00 P.M. And it is only June!

"Be a Fountain, not a drain"

"Be a fountain, not a drain." I came across this quote in an email this morning. As I gave it a little thought it occurred to me... the water has to go somewhere. In the shower, I'm actually very grateful for a drain. The fountain is good, the drain is good, the shower is good..."I am" the one who notices these little incidentals. I am neither the fountain nor the drain. Many people think not so well of turkey vultures...something we have in abundance here, it seems, because many armadillos don't make it across the road. Vultures are very good in the Sanitation Department as their digestive systems are designed to clean up the bacteria included in their diets. They usually clean up their plates quite well, I've noticed! By the time the food is processed it has become harmless compost. Oh! BTW...the reason armadillos frequently don't make it across the road is that when danger approaches they slow down and huddle inside. They haven't gotten the memo yet that would rewire their habits.

Mr and Mrs George Washington candle set

This set of candles was discovered while on your typical treasure hunt. I actually bought the bag full of about 20 ordinary candles just for these two, and put the others back into circulation! Another rainy day today. I made a trip into town for zippers, and a few other things such as mailing a package of books and goodies to friends ( an elderly Indian chief and his wife) on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota. I've begun making throw pillows, which is an interesting change of pace. Last evening I attended a Sewcial at Sew Worth It, one of the local privately owned fabric stores in town. Entering that fabric store is like letting my inner child loose in a candy store! I kept a tight rein on this wallet of mine, though. I was there to sit and stitch and socialize by golly, and that is what I did! Oh! and ate a slice of cheese spinach pizza and salad!

Traditional and/vs. Conventional

So I finally made something using Amy Butler fabric, which seems to be quite the rage with some people! I do like the outcome of these reversible Cathedral Windows placemats. The pattern is traditional and the fabric is conventional.

We had some more rain overnight. Happy about the amount of rain we're getting and it's arriving in a way that doesn't just run off on its own. Now, I'm in the process of making another evening clutch. This time it may have somewhat of a spring evening in the orient look to it...or not. Have to wait and see!

Evening Clutch

Here's another one of my creations, that I feel really goooood about! It's utilizing my trademark pattern the Cathedral Windows, and embellished with a former Peruvian necklace of gold coins. How 'bout dat! For a better look see eclecticarmadillo.etsy.com

"Obama's Inspiration"

This Cathedral Windows Wall Quilt was inspired by the Obama family on Inauguration Day. Red for Courage and Strength, purple for Inspiration and Wisdom, and the edging is black and white for the ability to see with Clarity. The visual influence of the Cathedral Windows pattern has a calming effect. For more about this unique piece of quilted art see my store at sarahsquiltsncrafts.etsy.com. The red fabric for this quilt came from my friend Valerie. So there, Valerie! Wanna buy it back?! Just kidding!

Zulu Women Wall Art

I just uploaded this Cathedral Window Wall Art to my etsy store this morning. The zulu fabric came from the store of misselany.etsy.com. from "across the pond" in England. Yesterday, I had an invitation to join friends at a local organic farm market, Jessica's Farm Market, for a potluck lunch, and talk by Peter Burkhard on the importance of organic farming, particularly in today's world. The lunch was quite the spread of wholesome food. I think my personal favorite was the vegan cornmeal, and runner up was a pureed sweet potato dish. I missed the pie for dessert...just came across an empty pie plate. Back to the speaker.... Peter is the unpretentious, unassuming author of the book titled The Real Dirt: An Organic Grower's Journey and the Values That Inspired It. I did buy a copy of the book signed by the author. ( ISBN 978-1-4389-4117-2) And then there was the not-to-be-missed fiddle and guitar duet by Bill the owner of Jessica's, and his sidekick (and occasional farm helper) Drew Hudson. I absolutely enjoyed walking down the many rows of varieties of healthy lettuce and greens, cruciferous plants, beans, cucumbers, etc. Good to see what the possibilities are here in Florida with the ultimate in growing conditions.

Doug Spears-Florida troubador

http://www.dougspearsmusic.com/ For some easy listening folk music go to this website! He is scheduled to perform at the Sailing Squadron concert in June.

Scrap Happy at Keepsake Quilting!

http://www.keepsakequilting.com/articles/scraphappy.aspx

Quilt Slide Shows

http://picasaweb.google.com/FKQGQUILTSHOW/FKQG2009QuiltShowMyFavoriteThings# This is a slide show of the Friendship Knot Quilt Guild's quilt show and sale. I didn't make it to the show; luckily thanks to picasaweb it's all there for the viewing! http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203771904574175704270154992.html#project%3DSLIDESHOW08%26s%3DSB10001424052970203771904574181761924930546%26articleTabs%3Dslideshow I think this is an interesting idea to promote tourism and quilts!

Stash Sale at the Quilt guild

Well, that was interesting and fun! It looked like there were approx. 20 tables of vendors. The $10. cost per table went to the All Faith's Food Bank. Table set up was from 6:00-6:45. Business meeting as usual, as well as "show and tell" which is really my favorite part of attending quilt guild meetings. Then the fun began, with about 85 women swarming the tables to get the bargains! Let me tell you...some of these women have more fabric in the stash sale than I buy in several years, but so what...we can't take our money or fabrics with us when we expire! Every so often someone rang a bell and everybody had to stand stock still while they called out two numbers for door prizes. I sold about half of the items I took along and donated the proceeds to the food bank. I had also taken a lot of sewing notions, etc for the free table, and those were all gone by the end of the evening. And I got a quilt book from the free table, and purchased a yard of irresistible fabric with elephants on it from the woman next to me. On my way out the door I ate the last piece of the guild's 25 anniversary celebration cake, came home and watched the movie Wrestler. Now, that was a whole 'nother world! Whew! It's been rainy and raining here for several days. I love it! Soon enough we'll be hankering for some sunshine, I'm sure.

Just saying Hi!

Not much news to report...I am sorting through my fabric and sewing supplies for two or three reasons. # 1 is that the Friendship Knot Quilt Guild is having a stash sale on Monday. That means the members can purchase the use of a table at the meeting to sell unwanted fabrics and sewing supplies. The proceeds from the table cost will be donated to All Faith's Food Bank. I plan to donate the proceeds from the evening to the food bank, as well. #2 is that I have become "somewhat" friends with a family of four who homeschool their children. The daughter wants to learn how to sew, and I'm donating some fabrics that I think she and/or her girlfriends might enjoy working with. I remember my 4th grade teacher, Mrs. Madeira, gave some of the girls in her class that year bags of fabrics left over form her sewing projects. It meant a LOT to me! I can do that for other people, too. #3 is that I overstocked fabrics/supplies for my present circumstances. No regrets...now I get to pass it on or pay it forward! Also working on finishing up 6-7 Cathedral Window projects. I like to take them to the point of requiring borders, and then get them all ready for that stage. It has been up to 95* here. last night some heavy dark clouds rolled in and I thought sure we'd get rain. Nope, not us but I sure hope someone did.

Pat's creation

Here's another one of Pat's welded art pieces. It's not clear in the pic but the eyes are made from odometers or some kind of gauges. Truly whimsical! This evening I am going to Venice to meet one of Pat's biking buddies so he can introduce me to his residence where I am going to housesit over the weekend while he is out of town. That will be an interesting adventure and change of pace for me!

Interesting metal sculpture

This is one of the many welded art pieces that are on display around the property where I am staying temporarily. I find them fascinating, and of course cannot really imagine the process by which Pat comes to make these interesting and varying pieces of art. Last evening I attended a concert at Mother's Musical Bakery for the very talented husband and wife team, Bill and Kate Isles from Duluth, Minnesota. I enjoyed a meal of homemade whole wheat pizza, a coke, and bought a piece of their absolutely scrumptious pecan pie for Pat. To see one of my latest quilted creations see: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=24530873 Today I am making another wallhanging that represents the beauty of sweetness and brightness of passion.

Moving Account

Since my last post I have relocated to a friend's garage apartment on her 5 acre sanctuary. Still coming back to get my internet connection and water my plants, and working on my sewing projects there. I'll be there for a few weeks and then will move next door to housesit for the next 4 months while the owner goes to work in Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts. There are 18 cats and several goats to take care of there, along with the house and yard. It will take a little to get into that routine! I am working on using up 1.5 inch strips to make strip lap quilts for the Pine Ridge Reservation, and I'm going to keep at it till it's completed. And I mean it!

Update

Very foggy here this morning which is good for all the trees and plants since we're still in a so-called drought. This week I saw two white tailed deer while on my morning walk...we thought there weren't any here.. just the smaller mule deer. And this morning I came across a little turtle on Whidden Rd. He had burrowed down a little in the dirt road. So, I wrapped him in a clean tissue and carried him along till I got back here and placed him at the edge of the pond. That may have been my good deed for the day! Yesterday I came across several treasures on my "treasure hunt"...two antique side chairs, both need reupholstering. Annnnd! I found a Kenmore sewing machine for a $1.00. Yes, that's right... one dollar! It has more fancy stitches than mine so I need to play around with that to see if I want to keep it or pass it on to a little girl I know who wants to learn how to sew. http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=23460606 This listing is for a beautiful piece of fabric. have a peek!

Cards by Angie

You HAVE to see this listing for a card by Angie! Angie is a sweet little lady who makes the dearest and adorable cards. We met at the recent arts and crafts show last Saturday. All the vendors just loved her! I offered to sell a few of her cards on eclecticarmadillo.etsy.com on a trial basis. http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=23466047 The weather has gotten a bit on the coolish side the last few nights. We've been keeping the fireplace lit, and are almost out of cut wood, now. This evening I want to attend a folk music concert by Jim Glover at Mother's Musical Bakery. I like Jim and his music, but mostly I want to go check out the venue. OK! Time for a little nap then maybe a bit of sewing before it's time to go!

April 4th Craft Sale

About a month ago a local acquaintance contacted me about having a booth at a craft sale featuring handmade items. Since this craft sale was the first in what we hope becomes a regular event featuring handmade items, I decided to not have my expectations too high as far as sales go, but rather focus on developing friendships and having a good social time. I had a good time, did lay the groundwork for possibly continuing friendships, and made a number of smaller sales. And of course, bought irresistible stuff, too!

I'm happy to say that one of my Cathedral Windows potholders sets that I had on etsy sold, a set of 8 table napkins sold, as well, as several pints of Calamondin Marmalade (made from calamondin fruit picked from a tree on Whidden Rd.), several pints of Pomegranate and Red Wine Jelly, a number of purses fat quarters, 5 potted everbearing strawberry plants, 2 potted Friendship plants, and last but not least, one potted Jade plant.

The vendors agreed to a second sale on the last saturday in September. Now we're going to have to focus on preparing our flyers and business cards and getting the word out , and getting some of these vendors set up with etsy accounts so that we can form a local etsy street team.

And one of our little brown hens is officially sitting on a nest full of eggs! I have never been first hand witness to this occurrence. Luckily, her nest is in the hen house where she's safe at night from raccoons and other predators. And with food readily available.