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.

Tiger's Eye Bracelet purchase

See http://www.etsy.com/view_transaction.php?transaction_id=14816982 for a recent purchase. This piece of jewelry is well made, was shipped quickly, was wrapped very attractively...this was a quality transaction all the way. I hope this etsy seller does very well! And I love the bracelet...have wanted something made with a tiger's eye gem, and something made using copper for a long time now, and then I spotted both in one interesting piece!

Busy Month!

I see my last post was early this month....time flies when you're having fun! Or as the frog so aptly put it... time's fun when you're having flies! So, I've been busy with sewing, treasure hunting in town, one of the adult female goats became developed paralysis and was unable to use her legs (ultimately we had to say goodbye), my computer developed a motherboard malfunction and I was reduced to using an older laptop for days (as hardships go that wasn't on the top of the list, but it did really cramp my style until the new computer got here and was set up...I could not access my favorites or get to my photos), doing a bit of gardening here and there. Now, there are LOTS of pix to take of items that I plan to get into my etsy store/s. And Saturday is the upcoming handmade craft sale here in town where I'll be having my first etsy booth. if that is a positive experience we may be having it on a monthly basis...time will tell! Gotta go and convert some of those creative ideas into real objects! See you!

What's for Dinner Tonight?

We had a guest from St. Louis over the weekend, and consequently some leftover food. Sooo...it seemed like the perfect time for a casserole! First, I lined the dish with filling made using Pepperidge whole wheat bread he brought along, using eggs from my very own free range chickens, then layered corn, peas, two containers of mashed potatoes, potatoes au gratin, grilled chicken, and last but not least chicken gravy... and then at the last minute topped it off with onion slices. As the saying goes...the proof is in the pudding! The cake is a chocolate lavender cake (that was an experiment that will require some more trials), and my favorite color roses. And the cake saver was a yard sale discovery!

Snug as a Bug in a Wicker Chair

This little wicker chair has become one of our tiger's favorite curling up spots. When he adopted us last year he was thin, with very sparse hair, and still had a kitten face. He's full grown now and has thick fur...and knows how to yank my chain, although I am learning just how and when he does that!

Lavender Pound Cake recipe

This cake cake recipe has become a favorite with me! Lavender Pound Cake: 2 and 1/4 cup sifted all purpose flour, 2 cups granulated sugar, 1/2 tsp. salt, 1/2 tsp. baking soda, 3 eggs, 1 cup room temperature butter, 8 0z. lemon yogurt (I use plain yogurt and add lemon zest), 2 TBLPS. lavender buds Combine: Place all ingredients into a large bowl, blend at low speed, then beat 3 minutes at med. speed. Pour into a bundt pan and bake at 325* 50-60 minutes. Check for doneness, then remove from oven and let sit for 5 min., then invert onto plate. Glaze: 1 cup powdered sugar 1 TBLPS melted butter 3-4 tsp. lemon juice

My Crush on Fabric!

I am lovin' on this 3 yard remnant of Concord Fabrics by the Kesslers!...also from yesterday's trip to the "big city".

In the Bag!

This piece of fabric "In the Bag" by Alexander Henry was the most exciting find on today's foray into the "big city". I listed six fat quarters on both my etsy stores. I'm going to have a lot of fun opening the goodie bag that looks as if it came from the very back corners of someone's sewing room. I do see a number of wooden thread spools, for starters!

Pygmy Goats

Here's a pic of the twin pygmy goats, Roger and Heather, and their mother Nellie. They are several weeks old here, maybe even a month already. Goats are very nimble. The baby goats were already gamboling on the sloped banks of the pond on their first day!

Follow up on the miniature egg...

That little egg was so adorable I really meant to keep it around for a few days in a saucer on the kitchen counter top as minimalist art. One of the cats had a completely different idea about that! Last evening I found it broken on the floor, and Jimmy the dog happily scarfed it down. I did see that it had a tiny little yolk proportionate to the size of the egg. Aren't digital cameras great, though, for saving memories!