Sunday, November 22, 2009

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Sunday! Thanksgiving is right around the corner, and there's still loads to be thankful for :) Before I go into discussing where we'll be right after Thanksgiving, let me first say that Paul and I are very fortunate people. Sure the job situation isn't where we'd like it to be, but we have a wonderful marriage, loving and supportive family, great cats, a nice home with lots of fruit trees, a full glassblowing studio, working vehicles, 3 good computers, and more. It's a lot to be thankful for, really. I know it's easy to lose sight of what we all have and what we really "need," so it's good that Thanksgiving rolls around right before we give gifts to others :)

This year (like all years) will again be spent with family in Murrieta, and we're bringing the mashed potatoes... I'm always on mashed potato duty because I make them a certain way: creamy but not homogenized, sauteed onions, garlic, parmesan, sour cream, oregano, butter, and pepper. Ingredients, if I'm forgetting any one of you, don't worry, I'll remember you on Thursday when it counts ;). We always make a ton, and Paul helps mash them (he's both the brains and the muscle in this operation). Fortunately for all involved, after our family meal we split up the leftovers, and we get enough yummy turkey and fixins to enjoy the next 2 days. Which makes me want to digress...but I'll wait a moment. This is a spirit-filled time of year, so let's take a moment for reflection and appreciation.....done yet? No? Ok, another minute or so.....

OK! So where will you be after Thanksgiving? Will you brave out into the malls and stores for Black Friday deals? Do you have cleats and mace ready? Just kidding, but it's still always bad enough to keep us away :). We try to do most shopping online, since it's actually good for the environment, you know USPS and the UPS trucks are going to drive by your house anyway...
Plus since we've joined ArtFire, we've met a lot of sweet and very talented artists and crafters with quality goods who we'd really like to support. Vote with your dollar, I'm voting for the cottage industries of America :).

Anyway, where we'll be is the Norco Hillside Farm Christmas Art & Craft Show! We're really excited, as this is a long-standing show in its 25th season, run by people that donate nearly all the proceeds to different charities, and even bake cookies for the months before the show to sell and raise money for another charity. I hear those cookies are pretty tasty, too... Anyhow, we'll have a booth there among many other talented handcrafters and artists, and we hope to do well. It's a 5-day affair, running November 27th-29th, then December 5th-6th. We're going to be exhausted! Wish us luck?

On to our Handcrafted Holiday feature for Thanksgiving!

Keep this in mind for next year, it's adorable AND made from real leaves!
This and the one below are arrangements by New Hampshire Woods Creations, floral designer Allison Kelley.
See the Pinecone Wreath with a Twist below, too, she makes some really cool arrangements from plants and trees, and she grows some of them herself.


This is pretty interesting, and would be a great festive addition to any wall or door. The stars are cut birch bark. I like this design because I've had wreaths that shed over the years (in storage, when a door it's hanging on closes, etc.), and this one doesn't look like it would drop anything, functional and lovely!

If you'd like to see more of Allison's creations, please visit her at New Hampshire Woods Creations.

Well, it's been fun chattin, but we need to get back to work today, big show coming up! Thanks for taking the time to read our blog, I hope you enjoy it :) Come back soon, won't you?

Sunday, November 1, 2009

Artfire Trade & Stay Event!

Good evening! This one wraps up the first day of the Artfire open Trade & Stay event, that runs from November 1 to November 7, and is open to all members. You can see the thread here: http://www.artfire.com/modules.php?mop=modload&name=Chatterbox&file=viewtopic&topic=21314&forum=11&start=0


I've already gotten to trade for some great hand sewn pouches, one a clutch :) and a neat doodle pouch for my niece, like this one:

Doodle pouch by Apriloriginals

I also am trading for some lovely prints by original artist Laura Malinor, my favorite here:

Sea Foam and Seashells, Laura Malinor

Check out the thread if you're interested in bartering, otherwise just check out these great vendors because they have lovely goodies that I'd pay money for if I had it! :)