We started our weekend a little early with a bit of panic (unfortunately, a regular state around here!) Late Thursday afternoon, we booked a pop-up show for Friday at 2 pm. Back-story: We booked a show with a local knitting group back in the Spring for early August. Then we moved .... all the way across the state. But we were still okay with the show. Then they cancelled due to a death in the family. THEN they called last Thursday and offered us a list of dates, the only one we could make was the following afternoon. So, there we were, hyperventilating, and trying to get some larger bags done in three hours.
Friday, we decided to go the back roads rather than major highways which took a bit longer than anticipated but we got to drive through some fun towns and ogle at gorgeous houses!
After we got set up, we helped the ladies pick out yarns, match them with patterns, and find a nice bag to house them in. (PS I am totally casting on some as new things!) Then we got to stay, knit and chat for a bit. It’s the best kind of show :)
The trip back got a little bit hairy when the sky started looking like we were driving into Mordor. Then, the skies opened. We actually had to pull over for a few minutes because I just couldn’t see anymore. AND while we were in the parking lot, the school next to us was hit by lightning. Fun times, I tell you. But we made it home in one piece and the weather cleared for the few minutes it took us to get ourselves and the yarn inside.
The storm cleared the air and Saturday was a beautiful day - much too nice to spend inside over a sewing machine. So we hit the highways again - this time to Collingswood to visit their craft and fine arts festival. Attending an arts festival the day after making a little bit of cash is not the best thing for the bottom line but boy was it fun! Doing the craft show circuit in our area, we see many of the same vendors over and over again. But this time, we met some new people with beautiful work! Our first purchase was a tall metal flower made out of forks and spoons from Metal Illusions.
From the first time we visited this house, i could see an Alice in Wonderland garden in the side yard with winding paths, a metal table and chairs, and bright colored flowers. I originally thought of using live ones (and we still will) but tucking some of these sculptures throughout will just add to the zaniness that I want! They also make bugs and hummingbirds. I want them all!!
There were tons of different booths - jewelry, soap, bags, children’s toys, photographs. Some of the photos, printed onto 24″ x 48″ canvases were just breathtaking. If I had a few hundred $$ laying around, I would have indulged :} Nothing makes you stick to your budget like not having the cash. But we did find a few other treats to bring home ....
Pennsylvania Soy Candle Company had amazing fragrances. We had 6 or 7 lined up and were agonizing to bring it down the final three. Unfortunately Elf Sweat and Dragons Blood didn’t make the cut.
We like to trim our Christmas tree with quirky ornaments. This cat from Whimsical Woodcarvings (sorry, he doesn’t have a web presence) fits our aesthetic perfectly. And I love that he carved and painted the back of the ornament as well.
Me & My Dog Pet Bakery had a whole line of pet treats - cupcakes, bones, and these really cute sweet potato fries! I love that she put them in a fry box :)
Our dogs LOVE sweet potato treats so we were all over these. Before I got the picture, they’d already indulged in a few!
We did have to pass on a few booths. One in particular was Overdue Industries . They take old books and turn them into journals and notebooks.
Their booth was jammed and we had run out of cash. But we really hope they’ll be at the Pitman craft show in September and we fully plan to get some there. They had some that were the Hardy Boys - lots of good memories reading those books:)
Oh! We also got bread and cookies from an Amish stand but there’s nothing left to take pictures of so you’ll have to use your imagination on that one. Suffice it to say, they were delicious!
Sunday was boring compared to the previous few days. We just stayed home and worked on bags. We do have a MAJOR show coming up in less than three weeks - 18 days to be exact. Excuse me, does someone have a paper bag I can use???
Back to the sewing machines!