FINISHING TOUCHES FOR ARTFEST VENDOR NIGHT

As I am scurrying about getting the final touches to items for vendor night, Nala has decided to play among the sheers. She loves to hide in them then peek at me through their lovely colors. I think she is enjoying my getting ready because it gives her a chance to race through the ribbons, ephemera and yarns. I haven't figured out who is having the most fun getting ready vendor night at ArtFest, her or me.



Among the treasured items I plan to share are vintage letters, bank statements and checks from the 20's, 30's and 40's. It has been interesting looking through them and seeing how checks were written in pencil and the dollar amounts for various expenses. Rent at $20.00 a month. Weekly ice delivery for the ice boxes. The scary part is that I remember the "iceman" coming by every week to bring ice for the ice box. Boy have times changed!!!

One of the most treasured items I will be bringing is a letter from 1904 that a gentleman wrote to his "own unequaled wife". It contains the original dried flower he sent her. His letter is filled with love as he refers to her as his "precious wife" and tells her how much he misses her. As I read his word it was heartwarming to realize the love he felt for her. I am happy that this letter was not distroyed and I know it will most surely be treasured by whomever takes it home.


I have just finished the final touches on my fiber fusion journals and am so excited to for you to see them. I hope you will enjoy using them as much as I enjoyed putting them together. Please stop by Tracie Lyn's and my table to look at all the fun stuff we are bringing.

See all of you next week!! It will be so much fun to see all of my old friends and to meet new ones! Take care!

Marylin

Flowers - Fun - Excitement- ArtFEST!!!!!

ArtFEST is just around the corner and the excitement continues to build!!!



As the time for Artfest nears Tracie and I have continued to gather items for our class. These are pictures of some dried flowers we gathered last summer for use in our classes. We finished getting them packaged for all our class attendees. Each delicate flower package comes from our area, and we are excited to be sharing them with our fellow artists.


Since I can't remember all the names of these botanicals I won't try to identify them. I do know that the white lacy ones are "Queen Anne's Lace". It grows in abundance in the pasture by my home and across the road in the neighbor's pasture. They are so fragile. Each has a shape and a beauty all its own.





During the summer when Tracie visits, she has always gathered a nice selection to use in her art. This year was no exception. We took a big sack, a pair of scissors and with growing excitement began to gather all the Queen Anne's Lace that would fit in the flower press. After gently placing each fragile botanical into the press the process began. The flowers were allowed to dry over a period of several weeks. Once the process was complete we took each one and lovingly placed it in on a piece of cardboard then slipped it into a cellophane package for transporting to ArtFest.

We can hardly wait to see what each of you do with them! They are such beautiful gifts from nature and provide a very unique and natural look to the journals our class will be assembling.

March Came In Like A Lion!

March came in like a lion and look what arrived at my door. My own little "lion". Her name is Nala, Simba's mate!

I was crafting away when my husband appeared at the door and announced that there was someone at the door to see me. When I asked, "Who?" He said, "She didn't say." I went to the door and there was this cute little thing shivering - cold and scared. The wind was blowing fiercely.

We put her in garage, fixed her a bed, gave her food and water and I am not sure but she may be here to stay.

I asked myself, "Is this meant to be?" Who knows?

We are going to find out if she is lost but my husband has told me he has a strong feeling she may be staying.

I always believed that angels test us in the most mysterious ways. If that is the case, then Nala is the cutest little angel I've seen!