Monday, August 25, 2014

Monday Musings

Well...another week has come and gone and we are faced with Monday, again. I used to dislike Mondays but find that I like them more and more as I get more involved with the craft show circuit which typically happens on the weekends. Monday is my new Saturday.

This past Saturday we were at the Mabee Farm in Rotterdam Junction, NY. It is another glimpse into the past in a scenic setting on the banks of the Mohawk River. While the scenery was beautiful and my husband and I appreciated the architecture of earlier times the show itself was lacking. There were many talented crafters, but very few shoppers making for a very...long...day.

We were located near several crafters we have met at previous events and were pleased to have them to visit with and pass the time. One that surprised us with her talents was Carole Perrine. Carole has assisted photographer Ray Sommers at several shows so we were happy to see her and visit with her again. What we didn't expect to see was Carole's beautiful paintings. She has been holding out on us! Carole works with acrylics and paints the most beautiful scenes. They are so inviting and viewing them makes me feel like I am right there in the picture.

You can view and purchase Carole's work at www.caroleperrine.com.

Another crafter I would like to profile this week is Tammy Johnson of Fessenden Hill Creations. Tammy was our "neighbor" at the Speculator Arts and Crafts Festival on August 14. She makes the cutest fleece and fur stuffed animals using the most colorful prints as well as realistic furs to create each of these stuffed toys! I wanted to buy so many of them, but didn't have anyone to give them to! ;(

You can check out Tammy's work at https://www.facebook.com/FessendenHill

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Back To School Sale!!!

Select 23" Rope and 18" Short Rope Necklaces are on sale at 50% off in my Etsy shop! 

18" Short Rope Necklaces - $9.00
22" Rope Necklaces - $11.50

Don't wait to order yours as they are going fast! Discount is limited to inventory on hand. Any special orders will be at regular price - 18" $18.00 and 22" $23.00. 

You can view the full selection at www.cruisincreations.etsy.com and click on Sale Items! 





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We are looking forward to some R&R over the Labor Day weekend then we are off to the Shaker Heritage Society for their September show on September 6 & 7. Show hours are 10:00 am - 4:00 pm each day. Free parking! $4.00 admission! Stop by and say, "Hello!"

Until Next Time...

Diane

Tuesday, August 19, 2014

Family Traditions

This past Saturday we carried on a family tradition started by our parents a few of decades ago - attending the Saratoga Race Course. Family and friends spend the day under the trees visiting, eating, and doing a bit of gambling on the horses. Most of all we buy a lot of oats for these majestic thoroughbreds who entertain us for a few hours. That's right, we win very few races.

The day begins with the "running of the bulls" as our daughter waits in line for the gates to open then sprints to find a picnic table in our desired location. Within 5 minutes the tables are gone, but she is successful at securing not one but two for the large crowd we are expecting. We follow with tents, cooler, chairs, and picnic basket. By 7:30 we are all set up and ready for some nap time, maybe a walk around the grounds, or a second breakfast. Yes, I did say second breakfast. We've been up since 4:30 and are hungry again.

Our guests stroll in sometime after the gates officially open at 10:30 and then the excitement begins. We purchase our programs,  listen to the handicappers, decide on the day's strategy, and begin selecting our horses based on jockey, color of the horse (some people always bet on the gray horse), the color of the silks, the trainer, or any other myriad of methods. None are especially successful for us although on this particular Saturday we all managed to select the winning horse for a race or two.

What is really so special about this day? I think it's enjoying a beautiful August day in upstate New York. Spending time with family and friends. Sharing thoughts and ideas and experiences. Fondly remembering the betting habits of those who have gone before - my mother would always bet the gray horse and her favorite bet was $1.00 to show. She was never sure the horse was going to win. My father was just as cautious in his betting. Neither, like me, liked to lose their money on something so frivolous.

We've tried the grandstand and some have experienced the clubhouse but nothing is quite as enjoyable as a picnic on the back grounds of Saratoga Race Course! Can't wiat for next year!!!

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Cruisin' Creations necklets are very popular at craft shows. I think this is because they do double duty - a necklace or a bracelet. Who doesn't want something that they can wear in different ways to get more use out of it? Long or short they are sure to make a statement! Stop by one of our shows to purchase yours!

Not local? Visit our website to order - www.cruisincreations,.etsy.com






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We are heading to the Mabee Farm, 1080 Main Street, Rotterdam Junction, NY on Saturday. Show times are 10:00 am - 4:00 pm. This show benefits the Schenectady County Historical Society. Stop by and visit this historic farm, and pick up a few things for yourself or someone special. It is a good time to get some of that holiday shopping out of the way.

Select 18" and 23" rope necklaces will be on sale for 33% off or more at the Mabee Farm show. 18" are reduced to $12.00 and the 23" are reduced to $15.00. This sale is only available at the show at this time.

Until Next Time...

Diane

Monday, August 11, 2014

Artist Feature



What a weekend! The weather was perfect for a two day festival! We had the pleasure of participating in the Round Lake Arts and Crafts Festival held in Round Lake, NY this past Saturday and Sunday. Our tents ran along both sides of the tree lined bike trail so when we weren't selling we were able to enjoy our beautiful surroundings!

As usual, we were blown away by the talent and creativity of our fellow artisans. I would like to profile three of them this week.

To our right was Kathy from Sadie's Suitcase who sells wearable art for dogs. These dog coats are made of wool and recycled sweaters upon which Kathy appliques original designs. These designs are so creative and beautiful that any dog is sure to turn heads when they wear her art!

Along with the dog coats, Kathy appliques decorative pillows and wall art with very intricate designs. They are so bright and colorful that they would look beautiful in any decor!

You can view Kathy's work and place your order for her original art at www.sadiessuitcase.com. She is also on Facebook at www.facebook.com/sadiessuitcase.








To our left was a delightful recent Fine Arts graduate named Sarah. Sarah has taken an art that I thought was lost and brought it back to life with her paper embroidery. She sells the originals as well as prints of her original work. Sarah also embroiders images and quotes on cotton creating a whimsical look that is very contemporary and fresh!

You can view Sarah's work and place an order for her original art at www.sarakbenning.etsy.com or www. sarahkbenning.com.


It's Good To Be Home  - Black and White Embroidery Hoop 3 sizes available!Imaginary Landscape - Pink Hills - Hand Stitched ORIGINAL Artwork Spring Leaves  - 5" Embroidery Hoop
Have you heard of Tumblewool? Well I hadn't either until I visited the booth across from me at the festival. Wendy felts wool and builds upon it to create these dense balls of wool that are then placed in the dryer to help remove the moisture from clothing thus reducing drying time and saving money. 

I have used plastic dryer balls for years and have been pleased with the results. Lately, I've noticed that the plastic points are breaking off so I need to replace them. How lucky for me that Kathy was there! 

You can purchase these wool dryer balls individually or in packs of 4 from Wendy's website www.tumblewool.com. They are much prettier than those ugly plastic ones too! Maybe that will make doing laundry a bit less of a chore!



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One of the comments I receive from customers is that they would like to see pictures of my items on a live model so that they can gauge proportion. Over the past few weeks I've worked with Alex and Dan of Hitchphotography.com to provide those pictures. Let me know what you think!

https://www.etsy.com/listing/156160194/fiesta-rainbow-beaded-eyeglass-holder?ref=shop_home_active_15

https://www.etsy.com/listing/120625258/light-and-airy-bright-red-beaded-knitted?ref=shop_home_active_12

https://www.etsy.com/listing/98887812/choose-your-style-delicate-teal-blue?ref=shop_home_active_1&ga_search_query=teal%2Bscarf

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We are off and running this month. We just finished at Round Lake yesterday and have to restock and be ready for Speculator, NY on Thursday. Wow!!! I'm going to be knitting my fingers to the bone! We will be at the Speculator Ball Field, Routes 8 & 30 from 9:00 - 4:00. This event benefits the Hamilton County Twigs. See you there!

Until Next Time...

Diane



Wednesday, August 6, 2014

Traditions!

As I type this blog I can't help thinking about the song, Tradition from Fiddler On The Roof. I believe traditions are very important in our lives. They help define us, comfort us, provide stability when life is chaotic.

Saturday evening I did a lot of thinking about traditions, specifically my family's traditions and wondered what will become of them as the next generation begins their married lives together.

On Saturday I had the pleasure of helping my future daughter's-in-law Matron of Honor host her bridal shower. It was held at a local clubhouse and about 30 people were in attendance. It was a very nice affair for Melissa to enjoy her family and friends while they wished her well in her upcoming marriage.

After I left I started thinking about our family traditions, how they have changed over the years and became very melancholy as I began wondering if they will continue with the next generation. Then I started to realize that many of the traditions my parents carried on have gone away with my family because I chose not to continue them. Were my parents concerned about that? I will never know.

This whole concern about traditions began several months ago as I started to think about a tradition we Italians have where we tie Jordan almonds or confetti in netting to wedding favors as a symbol of luck for the bride and groom. I had mentioned this to our son, who thought I had lost it, and made it clear that he didn't want the confetti tied to anything at his wedding. I have to agree that this tradition is a bit silly since no one really likes these candies so a lot of time and money is spent for them to be tossed in the garbage. But something, perhaps my mother sending messages from Heaven, kept nagging me about including the confetti at either the wedding or shower. So, what to do?

I decided to scatter them on the tray of cookies that was served at the shower. No one realized what I had done, but I felt as if I had, in my own way continued the tradition. I was comforted.

Another tradition began with my mother, baking Ribbon Jewel Cakes, a recipe she received from a friend several decades ago. They are a fussy cookie that take 2 days to complete, but because they are so delicious they are well worth the effort. Much like a petit four they are layers of thin sponge cake with raspberry preserves, apricot preserves, sour cream, and almonds between the layers. A butter cream frosting tops them off.

Because of the fussiness of these cookies my mother would make them for the most special family events thus making them even more of a treat. The last time she made them was for our 25th anniversary party. Since her death I have tried to carry on that tradition, making them for Christmas and special events. Well... that meant making them for the shower.

Needless to say these tasty treats were a big hit! So, will the tradition continue when I am no longer able to make them? That will depend on my children and their spouses...

Our daughter will continue many of our traditions, like pie day, and fish on Christmas Eve, and maybe she will attempt Ribbon Jewel Cakes someday. Our son and his bride will start their own traditions and maybe keep a few of ours which may continue with future generations. I suppose every parent who takes such comfort in traditions goes through the same emotions I went through when they realize that those traditions may die…


So some traditions may be silly, some very tasty, and some done out of necessity. Whatever the reason, they are important to carry on so that future generations can share an appreciation of their ancestors and their heritage.

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The green peridot Swarovski crystals just pop on this crisp white nylon yarn 
to make a stunning August birthstone bracelet and necklace.
Click on the links below each picture to order your birthstone bracelets and necklaces today!

https://www.etsy.com/listing/194695617/knitted-beaded-swarovski-crystal?ref=shop_home_active_4

https://www.etsy.com/listing/173955406/18-birthstone-necklaces-made-with?ref=shop_home_active_14

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It's been a very busy week filling orders, finishing up some pieces, and packing for this weekend's Round Lake Arts and Crafts Show, Round Lake, NY! I'm told this is a very busy show which benefits the Women's Round Lake Improvement Society. Stop by on Saturday, August 9 from 9:00 am - 5:00 pm, or Sunday, August 10 from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm. Mention this blog and receive 15% off of your purchase at Cruisin' Creations!

Until Next Time...

Diane