October Snowstorm 2009

Holy cow people. We just got a HUGE snowstorm here in CO. You've probably heard about it on the news, but in case you were thinking "it's way too early for snow", here's the proof.

Oct. 28th on the left, and Oct 29th on the right.

Mr. Big was out of school for both days, and as a bonus, I even got a snow day!

This is Dixie. She LOVES the snow. Unfortunately, the snow loves her back in the form of snowballs sticking to her hair and packing between her toes. The other thing she loves to do is let all this snow melt all over my house. My hardwood floors DON'T love that, and frankly neither do I.

When the kid gets his hands on the camera...

My creation
Originally uploaded by quayandco

This is what happens when the 7 yr old in the house gets a hold of the camera.

This isn't even all of them (there were 32 total). Most are unusable because of lighting, focus, etc. I can tell he's been paying attention (unbeknown to me) when I take pics of my items for etsy. LOTS of different views of each item. Including the bottom. hehe

He's really excited about the Frankenstein's Bride that he made. I found the directions here, after reading about it in Family Fun magazine. Every month they have directions for at least 3 items to make with Legos.

It all took about 20 minutes for him to take 32 pictures of his latest Lego project, Frankenstein's Bride, old Lego project, the lion cub, and a couple of the cat.

Craft show #2

This past weekend, I participated in my second craft show. It was put on by the Le Leche League of Arvada, and held in a local church.

I was pretty excited, considering how BAD my first show turned out. As with my first show, I didn't want it to LOOK like it was my second show, so I took great care in setting up my table.


My awesome friend Kate and her boyfriend Chad made me an incredible frame to set up behind my table so that I was able to get some height and stand out from the other booths. I LOVE IT!!



It's made from aluminum, so it's light, and it breaks apart into 4 ft. sections so I can get it into my car. My hubby made a couple of buckets full of cement that the frame pieces just slip into to hold the whole thing up.



I decided to wrap some garland around it because it seemed a bit "industrial" alone. Plus, it is the holiday season after all, so in the future, I can use other season appropriate items to decorate it.


The show was not as good as I had hoped. We had some pretty frigid weather which I assume kept most folks home. I'm really trying not to get frustrated with this whole craft show scene, even though the weather has been my nemesis so far.

I did end up selling a few items, but it definitely wasn't as great as I had hoped. I'm trying to get into another show before Xmas, so I'll be keeping my fingers crossed until I hear from then.

More crafting, less sewing

I'm getting ready for my second craft show. I'm actually thinking of it more as my first, because frankly, my first craft show was a disaster.

So I've been crafting and having a lot of fun making new items for this show. I had most of my items left from the first show, but over the months have sold a few and needed to make up some replacements. I also wanted do make some holiday/seasonal appropriate items to try to increase sales. Here are a few examples of the items, old and new, of what I'll have on my table.

Jewelry/Sewing Pouches, Table Runners


Moleskine Books, Pincushions


Pendants, Xmas Ornaments



Patchwork Scarves


My friend Kate and her awesome boyfriend Chad made me a rad frame to place behind my table so that I can get some height and hang items like quilts and table runners. I'll have pictures of that soon, when I get the test table put together. I've been spending lots of time in thrift stores looking for display items and have found some really fun things to use too. Can't wait to start playing with all my items to come up with the best set up.

Someone's getting territorial

And he's got backup.

The Awesome People of Joanns

I need to share a little something with you all. But I'll warn you, it's deep. Like, get ready for chills down your spine and possibly tears, deep.

This is AWESOME.

I work with some of the most creative, giving, thoughtful, encouraging, empathetic, supportive people in the world. And I have to tell the world about it.

I have a super part time job at my local Joanns Fabric and Crafts store, and I love it. I love it even more because of this story.

We have a coworker, Mary C, who was just recently, very recently diagnosed with breast cancer. The big, ugly, with a capital B and C, BREAST CANCER. She's going in for a double mastectomy tomorrow. DOUBLE MASTECTOMY. And she has the best attitude. I don't even know her that well, but what I do know, is that her attitude toward this battle is a BRING IT ON. The kind of attitude you need in times like this.

Our store manager is equally awesome, and just did the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer a couple of months ago. Not because she's had Breast Cancer, or because someone in her family is going through it, but because another store manager just lost her battle with Breast Cancer. And then we found out numerous other employees have had it or know someone with it. Did I mention she's awesome? Yeah.

Well, my newest quilty friend at work, Mary B, asked our manager Merrie H if maybe we could do a quilt for Mary C. (Yes, I work with a lot of Marys - or is it Mer-i in plural?)

She immediately said YES. So a call went out for quilt squares. And boy did they come in! I would estimate that more than HALF of the employees at our store put a square together for Mary C's quilt. All that was asked is that they be in pink - obviously - and that they be a certain size. Then it was put together - in a beautiful way I might add - and quilted by the genius behind this wonderful idea, Mary B. She did a fabulous job. I just get chills thinking of all the hard work everyone put into this priceless gift.

The best part of it is that each square is unique and holds a lot of love and encouragement from it's maker. Everyone truly put their heart and soul into each square. Amazing.

This is the block I made for her. I love quotes for special gifts. I especially love this quote because, seriously, this is how it is sometimes.

This is the finished product that I just had the chance of sneak peeking at Mary B's house today.

I just have to say that this is my first *kind of close connection* to anyone that has had to endure this battle, and I am super proud to be able to include myself in this special project.

Everyone knows someone who has been affected by this......this......BREAST CANCER. So please remember to help when you can, even if it just means keeping them in your thoughts.

Now excuse me, I have to go find the tissue box.

**edited to add the names of everyone that took part in this project. In order of blocks in the quilt.

Marrie H. Cathy B. Catherine P. Velma V. Gloria S. Ruth A-S. Mary B. Morgan G. Chelsea C. Emily I. Debra C. Sue C. Susan B. Wanda T. Jim H. Samira K. Michaella W. Sheree G. Maria S. Joyce R. Joanna T. Terry R. Jennifer J. Delores A. Sue H. Linda P. Terri C. Susan S. Shelley H. Georgianne H. THANK YOU EVERYONE.

Sign of the times

Well, we've officially come to the end of summer here in the Mile High City.

This is what we saw yesterday about 2:00 in the afternoon.

But, the good thing about living in our area is that if you blink, things change.

This is what we're seeing today.