More Positive Experiences in Blogging

I recently linked with a Blog I liked and learned today that two of our items we have for sale are featured on her blog.  She has a section "Shop Local" and one of our Note Cards with photo insert "Maple Trees in Winter" and one of Ronnie's small Cherry Spoons are featured!  What a treat and a nice thing to do for crafters during the holidays.  Check it out at the address below.

http://batesmercantileco.blogspot.com/2011/12/close-to-home.html

Free Clip Art!

I found a wonderful blogger "Vintage Catnip" who offers free clip-art for those of us who enjoy "playing with paper".
She also sells some of her finds but is very generous with her freebies.
Take a look at her blog and save some clip art for future adventures with paper!

My Artfire Studio Was Featured This Month!

COLLECTION:DS PHOTOGRAPHY STUDIO

Curated By: AndreaDesigns

ArtFire.com

Handmade Jewelry

It's Baking Time!

I was craving apple cake a few weeks ago and checked on All Recipes.com and found this one.  I made a couple of changes, left out the raisins and added chopped walnuts (1/4 C.).  I also used more cinnamon for taste.

It got good reviews from family and friends and it was requested I make one for Thanksgiving.  We will have the usual pies and Indian Pudding but if someone would like a piece of this cake, it will be available....if it lasts that long!  I had to try a piece while it was hot, just to make sure it was okay : )

This cake isn't too spicy and it stays moist for days.  It's delicious hot with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream. 

http://allrecipes.com/recipe/apple-spice-cake/detail.aspx

Spoons, Spoons, Spoons

First it was birdhouses, then decorative fences and small boxes.  Now Ronnie is concentrating on hand crafting Spoons and other utensils.  I posted a small spoon on one of our shops at Artfire.com but I decided he needed his own shop so www.etsy.com/shop/rjmwoodworks was created!  I'm slow at getting the photographs done to post as I have been busy with some contracted work that brings in some cash.  I'm a social worker by trade and I write homestudies and adoptive histories for some agencies in my area. I enjoy the work but my real passion is photography, crafting, art quilts, mixed media and sewing. 

I think Ronnie's cherry wood spoons and other utensils are wonderful and they make excellent gifts.  If you order some, please provide the Code: DSignsBlog to be reimbursed for shipping costs.

A Beautiful Antique Sunflower Quilt is Mine!

I attended the Belknap Mill Quilters Guild Show in Lakeport several weeks ago.  I won the silent auction and this wonderful antique quilt is Mine!  It's beautifully made and heavily handquilted.  I'll treasure it for many years to come.

The days are getting shorter, I don't like that much.  Daylight savings time tomorrow (or tonight before I go to bed).  I'm working on some note cards and other items for the Craft Fair at the Senior Center in Plymouth next Saturday.  Hoping for a good turnout!

Carved Leaf Stamp

Today I took a few minutes to carve some "Speedy-Cut" made by Speedball.  I used two carving tools in this one and decided on a simple design, a leaf, since that is the theme I'm working in right now in my art quilts.  I inked the stamp and stamped it on some of my rust dyed cotton fabric.  I'm pleased with the result

and I'm planning to do more with this during the week.  If you haven't given this a try and you like stamps, try making some of your own!

Another Etsy Shop

I have another Etsy Shop, Grandmama's Attic, Just a Little Something.  We enjoy going to flea markets and antique shops to find "smalls" that we might like to sell in our shop.  I have some older things kicking around that I've posted and some have sold already!  This way people from around the country have a chance to purchase something that might not be very common in their area and I like that idea.  Here's the address if you'd like to stop by and take a look:  www.etsy.com/shop/grandmamasattic

While you're there you can leave a heart for the shop that shows you like it.  If you have a shop, you can add this one to your Circle.  Drop me a note and let me know what you think, suggestions are welcomed!

Another Wonderful Quilt Show in NH

I went to the Belknap Mill Quilter's Guild show in Lakeport, NH last Sunday.  It was a stunning show and they also hosted the National Alzehiemer's Quilt Exhibit.  Beautiful and thoughtful quilts all around.  Quite

inspiring!  I'm learning a bit about making faces with fabric using some of my photographs.  Not sure yet if I'll use a photo of a person or a family pet.  I really like this photo of my daughter's dog, Abby and might give this one a try.  We'll see.

The leaves are slow in changeing to their beautiful colors but we have a nice warm weekend coming up!  We're going to be vending at the Apple Festival and Craft Fair in Bristol tomorrow.  Stop by if you're in the area.  Lots of pictures, deer antler jewelry and hand made cherry frames!

Craft Fair Time!

Well, it's that time of the year again when I scramble to get things ready for craft fairs.  I've signed up for a couple, the first one is at the Bristol, NH Middle School on October 1st.  They are having a 10K run at Newfound Lake and the Craft Fair along with it.

I've also signed up for a Christmas Fair in Nashua, NH in early December.  More information to follow.  I hope you will support local crafts people this holiday season.  Buying handmade in NH is so much better than something from a store (most stuff from China).

The weather has been pretty nice so far this fall.  I've cleaned up the garden and my glads are blooming bright red!  I changed my mailbox cover from Roses to Sunflowers and put up my fall wreath on the front door.  Cool nights are welcomed.

I've been dyeing some cotton using green dye.  Some has come out to my liking and some other I will re-dye. Here is a photo of three fabrics before they were dry.  They'll be much lighter and I'm happy with the results.  Have a good weekend everyone!

Some Photos from the Mancuso World Quilt Show

The Mancuso World Quilt Show was held in Manchester, NH a few weeks ago and I have to say I am never disappointed in this show.  It was wonderful!  It featured many Art Quilts made by quilters around the globe.  Excellent work and such wonderful imaginations and creativity.  Here are a few photos of some of my favorites from the show.

I hope you will think about attending next year if you are in the area.  It is held each August in NH.  It is held in other states as well and you can learn more information on their website.

A Weekend Get Away

We took a trip to Lake George, NY this past week to attend the Adirondack Car Show. (Click on Link to see more of my photos of the show). It's a three day event with so many cars I couldn't believe my eyes!! We settled in to our motel room right on beautiful Lake George and with only one other family there at the time, it was lovely and quiet.  We went to the show on Friday morning at 8 AM and didn't leave until about 1:30 PM.  Lots of walking and snapping pictures along the way.  So many cars to see that Ron and I both got a little tired of taking pictures and decided to just walk around and observe, and enjoy the show.

We ran into two detours on our way to NY.  As most of you know, Vermont was hard hit by the storm, Irene.  Large trucks hauling stone and dirt were all around us as we traveled.  They've done a good job making most of the roads accessible but there's still a lot to do before winter hits.  On the way home I took a few photos of a house that lost their front yard to the river and across the street from the house, a big chunk of the hillside was washed away due to the river's rushing water.  The roadway was repaired so that it was in use, but there's still a lot to do.  We saw similar sights all along the route of our travels.  Water is a most powerful element!

I haven't done too much art lately. I've been focused on getting photographs taken of the vintage items I've picked up at Davisville Flea Market and some yard sales.  I have a vintage shop on Etsy as well as my shop selling photo note cards and photographs in several sizes.  I enjoy working on my shops, changing them around and adding new items.  We stopped in Whitehall, NY at one of our favorite antique shops.  We learned the owners are retiring and looking for a buyer for the place or it will close in December.  Sure hope they find a buyer, it's a great shop.  Many of the booths were having sales and I got 50% off some of the things I bought!

A Very Busy Time

This has been a very busy month!  We took our exhibit down at the Studio on the 8th.  Ronnie is happily crafting frames for some of the photographs.  He does a nice job!  We will be in a craft fair coming up soon in Bristol and we expect to have some framed photos available for sale along with note cards and deer antler jewelry.

On Saturday I went to the Salisbury, NH Old Home Day.  We had a cookout and birthday celebration at my daughter's house.  We all enjoyed the parade and the grandkids filled their bags with candy thrown from the floats.  It was also celebration for my SIL's birthday.  AND he won the Fireman's Raffle!!

The Mancuso Quilt Show is this Friday, Sat. and Sun in Manchester, NH.  This is one of my favorites.  I have a meeting on Friday morning so I'm planning to go to Manchester to see the show after.  I'd love to go with some friends this weekend, but I'm too busy.  You see, my oldest daughter is getting married!  She's having a small wedding at home with family and on Sunday they've invited just about everyone they know to a cookout to celebrate!  Let's hope for some fair weather.

Time To Clean The Pond!

Today was finally the day.  I have a small garden pond (Lowe's made) and it's been in need of cleaning for some time.  It was just to hot and muggy lately to consider getting out there to do it!  I use my shop vac to pull the water out and I was very careful not to get the little frog that enjoys the pond.  He stayed on the far end and when almost all the water was drained, he hopped out!  I had tried to catch him before I started the draining process, but he was just too quick.  Good thing he is quick, the neighbors have a cat that visits the pond and she would probably love to get her claws into him.  So far, so good! 

So there I am draining, emptying the vac, draining some more, emptying, draining...well you get the picture. When the water was quite low I noticed something swimming around!  Was it a polliwog?  Maybe.  Nope, it was a small fish!  I did suck one up into the vac but saved it and put it in a pail of water until I was finished.  Guess what, another fish!  I managed to miss that one and he stayed in the pond until I was all set and ready to add the fresh water.  The plants have returned, the fish are fine, the fountain has returned, but not the little frog.  Maybe tomorrow.

The Reception/Opening Exhibit

Ronnie and I had a good time at the opening reception on Friday night. Some of my good friends who work nearby stopped in after work.  They were co-workers of mine before I retired and we have stayed in touch which has been very nice.  Many thanks to Linda, Nancy and Karen for the flowers too.  So glad you could come by and happy you liked the photos.  Other friends stopped by as well, Bonnie and her sister, Katie.  Bonnie was very good with the hula hoop!  My girls and grandkids, Dillon and Maegan also came to see the exhibit.  The kids had such fun looking at all the crazy things The Studio offers for sale.  Maegan and Dillon especially liked the smile and mustache on a stick!  They also tried the large, adult hula hoop!  Thanks to everyone for your support and encouragement.

Today I had a very nice lunch with some of my classmates from high school.  Yes, that was a very long time ago, but many of us keep in touch though FB and it was suggested we meet for lunch.  It worked out great but we were sorry some had to work so could not come.  Maybe next time we'll go to lunch on a weekend day.  We might even do this every other month and whomever can go will show up!  It's an idea anyway we'll see how it goes.

I've been doing more rust dyeing and screen printing.  Nothing to post right now, but after I do a little more and take a few pictures, I'll add them to my Blog.  A few of us went over to The Studio in Laconia after lunch to take a look at my and Ronnie's photo exhibit.  Sharon tried out one of the adult hula hoops for sale, yes, I did too but thank goodness no one took my picture.  Great job Sharon!

You can see some of the exhibit behind Sharon, it looks pretty good I think.  Tomorrow night is the Opening and Artist's Reception.  So Ronnie and I will be there to meet people and talk with them about our photographs.  Some of Ronnie's deer antler jewelry is on sale there too!

Bye for now!

The Results: Fiber Art Quilt

I used some of the fabric I recently screen printed, etc. and completed a fiber art quilt that I'm quite pleased with.  I think this will be a series.  I'm calling this one "Leaves 1" so now I go on to "Leaves 2" in the very near future.  So here is the result of my playing with fabric these past weeks.

Playing With Fabric and Paint

Yesterday my good friend, Kathleen came over to "play".  She worked on an unfinished project, a wonderful small art quilt.  She used a photo transfer of her dock at Webster Lake and went on from there with beautiful fabrics.  She finished the piecing and moved on to the machine quilting.  It made me want to make another one with the same process.  I made one a few years ago but maybe it's time to try another.  We'll see.  In the meantime, I enjoyed silk screening and thermofax screen printing with paint on some fabric I had previously dyed and painted.  I have an idea in mind for the fabric and might get to do some sewing tomorrow.  They say it's going to rain! 

I got my Morning Glory seeds planted (Heavenly Blue).  It's a little late but I'm hoping I'll have a few later in the summer.  My vegetable garden is planted, finally!!  We had so much rain, then I went away....it did take some time, but it's in and GROWING.

I have some more rusted fabric hanging on the line and more all wrapped up in rusty things, making magic!

Until next time, stay cool and happy!