Fall Craft Show... and now I need a nap!

The first annual Fredericton Fall Craft Show was held this past weekend and what a show it was! We had a fabulous time-- the mood was relaxed, friendly and cheerful, we had a HUGE crowd (the organizer did a marvelous job of promotion and getting the word 'out there') and the talent was amazing. The Capital Exhibit Center was PACKED with super creative people offering a wonderfully wide range of art and crafted pieces. I was thrilled to have a corner booth (complete with electricity) in a very high traffic spot-- practically right next to the little onsite restaurant (which, by the way, made delicious homemade food :) And, I was able to use my new banner for the first time!

A big thank you to all who stopped by to visit, have a chat and take home something sparkly!

What color should we paint our front door? dark red...

As some of you know, we've been under construction at the cottage for just over two years... and the time has FINALLY come to paint our front door! YAYYYYY! The cottage is shingled with a black roof and we've just finished painting the whole house with a medium gray semi-transparent stain (you can see the woodgrain through it) and the trim with a beautiful, fresh and clean white. I've been back and forth about the color for the front door-- dark red or mustard yellow. Here are some lovelies available on Etsy that may sway me...can you help me decide?

1. Red and Gray Bud Vase/Weed Pot, by etcArts

2. Felt Coasters in Red and Gray Wool, by fuzzylogicfelt

3. Slate...1 Pom, by PomLove

4. Charcoal Grey Recycled Sweater Purse, by herions1

5. Picture Frames Black Red Gray, by MountainCoveAntiques

6. Just a Sparrow in the Air Cushion, by randomretail

7. 16" Designer Pillow Red Flower Charcoal Gray Linen, by JillianReneDecor

or mustard yellow?

1. Vegan Recycled Journal in Lemon, by NaturesCubbyhole

2. Charcoal and Mustard Yellow Purse, by bymytouch

3. Mustard Felt Flower Dahlia Brooch, by HeartfeltYarnWreaths

4. Charcoal Mod Poppy Pod Original Paintings, by jenkennedydesigns

5. 12 Felted Wool Pebbles, by Smika

6. Balsam Sachets Set of 4, by bstudio

7. Potent Shawl Pin, by ThatBluCat

Finally-- a banner for my booth!

I've been doing craft shows for several years and have always wanted a professional banner for my booth...and I finally had one made! It's first adventure is next weekend at the Fredericton Fall Craft Show at the Capital Exhibit Center here in town -- I can't wait to set everything up!

New Rustic Hammered Hoops

...you know how much I love metal, especially rustic-distressed-organic-industrial metals. Wire is one of my favorite mediums to achieve this look and I've been playing with some new tools - particularly a mandrel and rawhide hammer that allow me to shape heavier gauge wire with ease. I've begun with some simple hoops using a piece of 16 gauge sterling I had on hand -- after filing and sanding one end to taper the wire, I shaped the circles using the mandrel and soft hammer - how fun! Hammering for texture and strength came next and then oxidizing and polishing for shine-- not bad for a beginner!

sunflower challenged...

"The sunflower is mine, in a way."

~ Vincent van Gogh

I'm inspired by sunflowers-- their huge, bold faces turned into the sun. I've imagined in my garden, long curves of their yellow heads bobbing in the autumn sunshine and birds happily feeding on the abundance of seeds in their golden centers.

...many spring mornings have found me in my garden, planting the seeds with this vision dancing in my imagination. I can see myself cutting huge armfuls for bouquets, and walking among, towering over my head in all shades of golden yellow, cinnamon browns and warm orange reds.

"Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see the shadows. That's what sunflowers do." ~ Helen Keller

Alas... hehehehe... I hate to admit how many sorry little patches of short, withered-looking little sunflowers I've 'grown' -- I tell myself it's the soil (yeah, that's it), but I suspect it's me! So, every autumn, I head to the flower market (several times) to get my sunflowers! This morning, they were smiling happily at me from the kitchen windowsill as I made the coffee. I couldn't resist a few photos in the Saturday morning sunshine...I didn't even plant any seeds this year! Enjoy your morning...

karon xo

I LOVE this Orange Bug!!!

'feeling groovy!'...such a fabulous photo of this cute little bug-- and the color is so hip! It's everywhere I look on Etsy this week and inspired me to do a quick search for other orange beetles. Check out what I found-- I'm overwhelmed with groovy delight :)

Orange Bug, leedledee

Summer of Love, cottagelight studio

Peace Bug Color, DBrenderPhotography

Headlight, GigglingGnome