They are fall inspired.
Monthly Archives: September 2011
IPad sleeve 2.0
Yes we had a great time in Montreal. I guess my IPad cover loved it enough to stay. I don’t know how it happened but it got lost. Bummer.
So, a new one.
As usual I couldn’t get the red right in the photo. The sleeve is made from 2mm dark red wool felt. The bit on the top is 2mm gray. It closes with elastic and a felt button. I might change that to a real button. I’m in the testing stage.
botanical garden
or Jardin Botanique. I love Botanical Gardens and always find them inspiring. Oh, but first, I forgot this photo for the market post- look at all the beautiful preserves!
Okay, now, back to the gardens.
I can only imagine how wonderful it must be to visit these greenhouses in the middle of the winter.
Out to the display gardens- look at that gorgeous purply-red giant decorative Kale. Maybe it’s edible, I don’t know. Very impressive!
And artichokes. Such crazy looking things.
This is the Chinese Garden. I love the Lotus plants. Can you see the man in the boat? That is a lantern, part of the Lantern Festival they have in September.
We wanted to see the lanterns lit up but obviously had to wait until it was dark-ish. We decided to head back to the car and just relax until dusk. On our way to the parking lot, we saw this sign. Tintin! How could we resist?!
Well, Tintin and a display of mushrooms. It was an impressive collection. So many varieties.
Tables and tables full.
After that and a little rest in the car, it was getting dark enough to go back and see the lanterns.
There was an impressive crowd for a Sunday evening in September. This is obviously a very popular yearly event. I can see why- it was fun to walk around in the dimming light with the lanterns glowing and people all around.
We left before it was fully dark and loads more people were streaming in.
We had a great time in Montreal. It is not that far from Boston- about 5 1/2 hrs driving. We should go more often. I’m already thinking about what I want to do next time!
Montreal food love
We pretty much went to Montreal to enjoy some great food. I mean it is a fun city and all, but really, I think every meal we had in Montreal was better than any meal we had in Paris last year. I know, Heresy! Foodie culture is thriving in Montreal. I didn’t take meal photos. I would remember that I could have taken a picture as I leaned back to relax and enjoying the glow of a good meal. I was very busy with the camera when we went to the food market though.
So much abundance, beautifully displayed.
The smells were wonderful too!
So many colors-
And then Green!
Beautiful berries with edible orchids.
Globular food-
And who can ever resist cabbages!
A market like this makes me want to load up a cart and run home to cook something adventurous. Since that wasn’t an option, we bought some munchables- carrots, blueberries, other things too but ? I can’t remember. And Maple Syrup. Really, you can never have too much. And, we went to the Botanical Garden. That is for tomorrow.
more traveling
This is my Renegade booth on the second day (Sunday). I always like to rearrange things and see if something else seems to catch everyone’s notice. (usually yes!)
After the market I had 1 1/2 days of down time and I wandered around the neighborhood where my daughter lives. Look what I found- a shop where people can buy their outfits for Octoberfest!
And a most fantastic deli- look at all the sausages!
There was also a store with Nutcrackers and carved wooden folk figures but unfortunately it was closed. Something to look forward to visit next time. I got home on Tuesday night.
Then, on Thursday evening, my husband and I headed out again- this time for a real little vacation. Hmm, going away with no work-related ulterior motive- what a good idea! It has been a very long time since that happened. Our first stop was the Shelburne Museum. I had such a good time when I visited a few months ago that Ben wanted to see too. And, that meant I not only got to see some favorite things again, but also check out many exhibits that I missed last time. Even the parking lot is lovely!
I’ll just post a few pics- here is an amazing Jaquard loom-
See what it is set up to weave? Amazing!
And I am now taking a lot more notice of these figures since doing my Staffordshire project. These figures are large- maybe 14″ high?
From there, we drove to Montreal. That will be for tomorrow.
the Chicago report
I had a fantastic trip- Thank you Chicago! I feel like I am still glowing from all the Midwest Love! People really did tell me that they read my blog and know my work- I’m glad I asked in that last post. I loved meeting everyone!
I flew out on Thursday and got to visit the workplace of my daughter. It was fun to see where she spends her days. We went to the taping of Wait, Wait… Don’t Tell Me.
Yes, Paula Poundstone is just as funny as I thought she’d be; actually funnier. The strange part of the evening- the man who sat next to me on the flight out from Boston? Boy was I surprised when he walked out on the stage…
It was Charlie Pierce. Weird.
On Friday I was featured in the RedEye, a Chicago free newspaper. WooHoo!
I had to go find myself a copy on the way to picking up the rental car. Besides that I spent the day doing errands, petting my daughters’ kitty, taking a nap. I was feeling vacation-y. Then on Saturday, we were up at dawn and running all day. And what a day it was! Eleanor (daughter) helped me all weekend and also documented the weekend- Thanks E!
This is one of the boxes I sent out to Chicago- ready to unpack.
Renegade was scheduled to start at 11am but people were all around the whole time we were setting up and were seriously looking by around 10:30 am. A little before 11, a very nice person came into my booth, we chatted for a while and then she introduced herself- do you recognize her?
Mary Engelbreit! Yep- I’m starstruck! That started the day out very nicely.
A little later-
Eleanor kept taking pics when I was eating- eeps! Here is the big picture-
I will post some more tomorrow- enough excitement for now, right?!
what’s happening
I will be in Chicago in just a few more days- I’m flying on Thursday morning. My dolls have been shipped and all the show supplies are on their way. Renegade, here I come! Please, if you read my blog and you come to the market, tell me- It will make my day!
Mostly I have been doing show related chores- labeling, packing, delivering boxes to shippers, etc. Boring. But, I’ve been have fun with my IPad camera. Here are some pics-
playing with Instagram-
my desk-
and a few days later-
A sunflower in front of the house. When I returned a few hours later, there was a chunk out of the flower. I’m trying to imagine what kind of animal could/would do that! Probably a squirrel or a teenage boy.
I’m hoping to finish at least one of those girls before I leave town. I’d better get back to work.