tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-50646292229629447112024-03-13T08:13:29.171-04:00Bethany Homecrafts Upcycled Designsbirdladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09945527860989671643noreply@blogger.comBlogger222125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5064629222962944711.post-10680908127568297722016-05-06T19:42:00.000-04:002016-05-06T19:46:32.072-04:00Presenting BH Upcycled Designs!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://www.bhupdesigns.com/">www.bhupdesigns.com</a></b></span></div>
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For several months I've been working toward what is for me a big change. I've "been" Bethany Homecrafts for 12 years, officially, and for about 8 years before that unofficially. When I started out I made braided rugs, trivets, potholders and the like. Then I started making needle felted creations - that was so much fun! When my shoulder gave out, I moved to doing clothing design, and that's the iteration my business has today. </div>
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So I've changed the name to reflect that, and now there's a brand new website where you can order your very own upcycled design. There's some sadness in leaving the name behind (no one will call me Bethany anymore!), but a lot of excitement to see where this will lead me next. </div>
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Thanks for being with me on the journey! Click <a href="http://www.bhupdesigns.com/">here</a> to see the website and continue on!</div>
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Many thanks to DDrobney Photography for wonderful the wonderful images you see all over the website, and to Sue Muldoon Images for web design services. They made it possible!</div>
birdladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09945527860989671643noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5064629222962944711.post-77990631166433115072016-02-03T14:40:00.000-05:002016-02-03T14:40:01.770-05:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>Play Time!</i></span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dCttttD8Bfg/VrJUUkl5OhI/AAAAAAAACVk/nhDSjWgu_ZE/s1600/silk%2Bscarf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dCttttD8Bfg/VrJUUkl5OhI/AAAAAAAACVk/nhDSjWgu_ZE/s320/silk%2Bscarf.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It's slow time for markets and shows, which means that I have time to play and come up with new designs. I'm also working on building inventory and applying for shows (cross your fingers for me). I have a couple of people working with me now, and some time each week is spent in training them to cut, pin and sew the designs. So though markets are few and far between, I'm keeping busy!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here are the markets I am involved in over the winter: </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">*Coventry Winter Farmer's Market (one Sunday a month)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">*Stonington Farmer's Market at the Velvet Mill</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">*Amherst Winter Farmer's Market</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I'll also be at the NOFA Winter Conference at Western CT State U on March 12. I have several events in April, which doesn't seem that far away now!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Enjoy your winter!</span><br />
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birdladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09945527860989671643noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5064629222962944711.post-14440661723124532722015-12-19T16:59:00.000-05:002015-12-19T16:59:47.774-05:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wD3eLZwLV-g/VnXRHFoEDMI/AAAAAAAABwg/SNkgZXS9SIA/s1600/20151215_110022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wD3eLZwLV-g/VnXRHFoEDMI/AAAAAAAABwg/SNkgZXS9SIA/s320/20151215_110022.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Time For Rest</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>I just finished my last show of the year! I am so grateful for all the people I've met this year, visitors, customers and fellow vendors. It's been a good one, and I'm looking forward to another in 2016, but now it's time to rest for a bit. We'll do some hiking, spend time with family and friends, and just Be. (Knowing myself, it won't be for long!)</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>If there's anything you need or want, please email me @ bethanyhomecrafts@gmail.com. I'm no longer running an online shop, but I'm always happy to do custom orders or to ship you what I have in stock. </i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>With all best wishes, hopes and prayers for peace in the world, our homes and our hearts. May your holiday celebrations be blessed! </i></b></span></div>
birdladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09945527860989671643noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5064629222962944711.post-59550281279365199612015-05-25T14:11:00.000-04:002015-05-25T14:11:26.757-04:00<br />
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="7734044100442032461"></a><h3 class="post-title entry-title" itemprop="name" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, FreeSerif, serif; font-size: 22px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; position: relative;">
WELCOME!</h3>
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<i><span style="font-size: medium;">Welcome to Bethany Homecrafts! </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: medium;">I hope you enjoy browsing through my web page - exploring the galleries, reading through some of the things I've shared - and that it gives you a sense of visiting my booth at a farmer's market or craft show. If you're new to Bethany Homecrafts, I cut up sweaters and jerseys that people were done with, and sew them into new designs so that they get a whole new life. Look through the galleries and you'll get an idea of what I do.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: medium;">You can see my schedule to find out where you can visit me at a market or fair, you can click on the Etsy link to visit my online shop and make a purchase, or...</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: medium;">If you'd like to order something custom made, please contact me (www.bethanyhomecrafts@gmail.com)! What you see in the galleries are examples of my work. I may have what you'd like in stock, or if not, I will happily make it up for you. I do a lot of custom work, and it's a joy to make exactly what a customer dreams of.</span></i></div>
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birdladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09945527860989671643noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5064629222962944711.post-40904895863451078622015-04-06T16:45:00.000-04:002015-04-06T16:45:42.880-04:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>Spring's Here!!</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Here's the schedule:</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>April 11: Come visit me at Swift Waters Artisans' Cooperative</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i> <a href="http://www.swiftwaters.org/">http://www.swiftwaters.org/</a></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>April 19: <b>Hartford's Trashion Fashion Show</b> at City Hall - festivities start outdoors at 11 am <a href="http://www.trashionfashionshow.com/">http://www.trashionfashionshow.com/</a></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>May 2-3: <b>Shire City Sanctuary's Spring Shindy</b> - 40 Melville St. Pittsfield, MA <a href="http://shirecitysanctuary.com/">http://shirecitysanctuary.com/</a></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>May 7: <b>NORA Cupcake's First Thursday Pop-Up</b>, 7-9 pm, </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i> 700 Main St. Middletown, CT http://www.noracupcake.com/</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>May 16: <b>onTrend Spring Craft Fair</b>, 10-4, Route 9, Hadley, MA</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i> <a href="http://ontrendcrafts.com/upcoming-fairs/">http://ontrendcrafts.com/upcoming-fairs/</a></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>June 6-7: <b>Celebrate! West Hartford Arts and Crafts Show</b></i></span><i style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;"> <a href="https://www.westhartfordct.gov/gov/departments/leisure/celebrate/ac/default.asp">https://www.westhartfordct.gov/gov/departments/leisure/celebrate/ac/default.asp</a></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>June 27: <b>Salem Vintage Market </b></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i> <a href="http://www.thevintagemarketsalemct.com/">http://www.thevintagemarketsalemct.com/</a></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I'll be adding in farmer's markets and more shows as my acceptances come in. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Have a wonderful spring!</span></div>
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birdladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09945527860989671643noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5064629222962944711.post-11082649276049189382015-01-16T11:29:00.000-05:002015-02-20T09:51:54.733-05:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">Happy Winter!</span></div>
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It's been cold with not much snow where we are. We're grateful for the sunshine we've had - not only does it soothe the soul, it's now powering our home! It's fun to run down cellar to where the inverter is, and see on its panel how much power we're generating. I love having a business powered by the sun!</div>
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It's slow season, but I do have something going almost every Saturday between now and the beginning of April. I've also got my Etsy shop up and running <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/bethanyhomecrafts">www.etsy.com/shop/bethanyhomecrafts</a>.</div>
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If you want to see my work in person, but don't want to travel to a market, you can visit</div>
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<a href="http://www.swiftwaters.org/">Swift Waters Artisans Cooperative in Willimantic</a>, a wonderful shop full of handmade artisan wares.</div>
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Here's my winter schedule:</div>
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January 31: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Stonington-Village-Farmers-Market/163108413730842">Stonington Village Farmer's Market </a></div>
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February 7: I'll be minding the shop at <a href="http://swiftwaters.org/">Swift Waters</a></div>
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February 14:<a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Stonington-Village-Farmers-Market/163108413730842"> Stonington Village Farmer's Market</a></div>
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February 21: <a href="http://www.amherstwintermarket.com/">Amherst Winter Farmer's Market</a></div>
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February 28: Tentatively Amherst Winter Farmer's Market</div>
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March 7: <a href="http://www.ctnofa.org/winterconference/">CT NOFA Winter Conference</a></div>
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March 14: Tentatively Amherst Winter Farmer's Market</div>
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March 21: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Stonington-Village-Farmers-Market/163108413730842">Stonington Village Farmer's Market </a></div>
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April 4: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Stonington-Village-Farmers-Market/163108413730842">Stonington Village Farmer's Market </a></div>
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By the time we get to the end of this schedule, it will be Spring!!!</div>
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Have a happy, healthy, safe winter!</div>
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birdladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09945527860989671643noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5064629222962944711.post-40904269248288639272014-11-17T09:41:00.000-05:002014-11-17T09:41:34.166-05:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LLU-Nz6YhNA/VGoHmpEOEXI/AAAAAAAABZg/Ql9g_laiJOI/s1600/20141031_161214.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LLU-Nz6YhNA/VGoHmpEOEXI/AAAAAAAABZg/Ql9g_laiJOI/s1600/20141031_161214.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The holiday market season has been going very well, for which I am so grateful to all of my new and returning customers! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">So here it is, Monday morning, and I am charting out my week, planning what to sew so that I have plenty to bring with me next weekend ~</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Here's a quick look at my schedule for the rest of the year:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;"><i>November 22: <b>Waterbury Holiday Artisans Market </b>at Waterbury City Hall, from 10-6.</i></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><a href="https://www.facebook.com/waterburyartisans" style="color: #1155cc; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/<wbr></wbr>waterburyartisans</a></i></span></div>
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<i style="color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 18.2000007629395px; text-align: start;">November 23: <b>Holiday Market at Housatonic Valley Waldorf School </b>on Dodginton Rd in Newtown, 10-4 </i><span style="color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: start;"><span style="line-height: 18.2000007629395px;"><i><a href="http://www.waldorfct.org/HolidayMarket" style="color: #0c343d; text-decoration: none;">http://www.waldorfct.org/HolidayMarket</a></i></span></span><br style="color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18.2000007629395px; text-align: start;" /><span style="color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: start;"><span style="line-height: 18.2000007629395px;"><br /></span></span><span style="background-color: #92a73a; color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18.2000007629395px; text-align: start;"></span></div>
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<i style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;">December 4: <b>Killam and Bassette Vendor Open House </b>at 77 Tryon St. South Glastonbury, from 5-8 pm.</i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><br /></i><i>December 5-6: <b>Old St. Andrew's Holiday Bazaar</b> at 59 Tarriffville Ave., Bloomfield. Friday from 12-8 pm, Saturday from 9-4.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><br /></i><i>December 8: <b>2hopewell Artisan's Open House</b> at 2 Hopewell Restaurant at the corner of Main and Hopewell, South Glastonbury, 4-8 pm</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>December 13: <b>Holiday Market at the Granby YMCA</b>, includes Breakfast With Santa, at the Y on Salmon Brook Rd, from 9am-noon.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><br /></i><i>December 14: <b>Market Days at Hartford Stage</b> (while the Nutcracker is running) from 12:30-4.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><br /></i><i>December 20: </i><i><b>Stonington Farmer's Market </b>at the Velvet Mill at 22 Bayview Ave., from 10-1</i></span></div>
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birdladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09945527860989671643noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5064629222962944711.post-46726670179245992592014-11-04T14:26:00.001-05:002014-11-04T14:33:41.466-05:00<br />
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<i style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">I've been loading things into my online shop - here's a quick look at some of the things I've posted.</i></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1t47WhMnhuY/VFkpqxtapWI/AAAAAAAABY8/2cgwiftCwLQ/s1600/20141104_133112.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1t47WhMnhuY/VFkpqxtapWI/AAAAAAAABY8/2cgwiftCwLQ/s1600/20141104_133112.jpg" height="267" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />birdladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09945527860989671643noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5064629222962944711.post-44389843599125333172014-10-30T07:30:00.003-04:002014-10-30T07:32:01.122-04:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B_oL29eeHFQ/VFIfKW-AeII/AAAAAAAABYg/d1sXBmPSCPg/s1600/20140910_155404.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B_oL29eeHFQ/VFIfKW-AeII/AAAAAAAABYg/d1sXBmPSCPg/s1600/20140910_155404.jpg" height="320" width="227" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I've got several new things going on this Fall, from new items to new venues.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">New items include double-layer cotton hoodies, like the one above, and my cashmere-lined mittens with leather added to the palm, seen below.</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Is7BJGMb5sY/VFIf-vxVP5I/AAAAAAAABYo/EuKzFSpNhi8/s1600/20141028_140558.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Is7BJGMb5sY/VFIf-vxVP5I/AAAAAAAABYo/EuKzFSpNhi8/s1600/20141028_140558.jpg" height="159" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I've added two new venues to my list of places to sell my work: I now have an online shop, and you can access it by clicking on the "Online Store" button at the upper right side of this page. I also joined Swift Waters Artisan's Cooperative in Willimantic, CT, where you can see the work of over 20 different artisans. Here's a link to their web page: <a href="http://swiftwaters.org/">http://swiftwaters.org/</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It's festival and fair season, and you can click on my "Schedule" button to find me in person. Happy Fall!</span></div>
birdladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09945527860989671643noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5064629222962944711.post-5202510572257896132014-08-15T13:30:00.001-04:002014-10-31T10:35:28.809-04:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FsEBSFVvH0k/U-5DAHsntaI/AAAAAAAABXQ/v0QjfeFzuXY/s1600/20140706_103132.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FsEBSFVvH0k/U-5DAHsntaI/AAAAAAAABXQ/v0QjfeFzuXY/s1600/20140706_103132.jpg" height="216" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>Festival Season is Upon Us!</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>Here is a list of the fairs and markets I will participate in during the fall and holiday season.</i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>My work will also be available at Swift Waters Artisans Cooperative at 866 Main St. in Willimantic </i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>starting on November 1.</i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b><i><a href="http://swiftwaters.org/">http://swiftwaters.org</a></i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></i><i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">October 18 - 19: <b>Roseland Cottage Fine Arts and Crafts Show, </b>556 RT 169, Woodstock, CT, 10-4:30 both days AND</span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i><i>October 18: <b>Northampton Art Reuse Show and Sale</b> featuring artists who use 75% or more recycled materials - this one is really cool! Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School, Rt. 9, Northampton, 9-3 </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><b><br /></b></i>
<i>October 25: <b>Glastonbury Farmer's Market </b>at Hubbard Green, 10-1</i></span><br />
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<i>October 26: <b>Coventry Farmer's Market </b>at the Nathan Hale Homestead, South St, Coventry from 11-2</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i>November 1-2: <b>Fiber Festival of New England </b>at the Big E. Saturday from 9-5, Sunday from 9-3.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><a href="http://www.thebige.com/ese/eseevents/fiber_festival.asp">http://www.thebige.com/ese/eseevents/fiber_festival.asp</a></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br />
<i>November 8: <b>Stonington Farmer's Market </b>at the Velvet Mill at 22 Bayview Ave., from 10-1</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>November 15-16: <b>Holiday Craft Festival and Marketplace to Benefit MATH </b>at St. Peter Claver Church, 47 Pleasant St., West Harford, CT. Saturday from 10-4:30, Sunday from 9-3. </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i>
<i>November 22: <b>Waterbury Holiday Artisans Market </b>at Waterbury City Hall, from 10-6.</i></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><a href="https://www.facebook.com/waterburyartisans" style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/<wbr></wbr>waterburyartisans</a></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: blue;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><i>November 23: <b>Holiday Market </b>at Housatonic Valley Waldorf School, 40 Dodgingtown Rd, Newtown, from 10-4.</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i>
<i>December 4: <b>Killam and Bassette Vendor Open House </b>at 77 Tryon St. South Glastonbury, from 5-8 pm.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i>
<i>December 5-6: <b>Old St. Andrew's Holiday Bazaar</b> at 59 Tarriffville Ave., Bloomfield. Friday from 12-8 pm, Saturday from 9-4.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i>
<i>December 8: <b>2hopewell Artisan's Open House</b> at 2 Hopewell Restaurant at the corner of Main and Hopewell, South Glastonbury, 4-8 pm</i></span><br />
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<i>December 14: <b>Market Days at Hartford Stage</b> (while the Nutcracker is running) from 12:30-4.</i></span><br />
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<i>December 20: </i><i><b>Stonington Farmer's Market </b>at the Velvet Mill at 22 Bayview Ave., from 10-1</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span>
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birdladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09945527860989671643noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5064629222962944711.post-43551479182634526872014-04-01T18:01:00.003-04:002014-04-15T10:38:53.268-04:00Spring is Here!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YxMjJ3eUhdE/Uzs1NVAXDqI/AAAAAAAABUg/DFqV3-aXQ5k/s1600/20140311_160622.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YxMjJ3eUhdE/Uzs1NVAXDqI/AAAAAAAABUg/DFqV3-aXQ5k/s1600/20140311_160622.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I've been having fun making breezy summery things!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here's what I have of a Spring schedule at this point:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">April 26: Woodbury Earth Day 11am-4pm</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Woodbury Middle School</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.woodburyearthday.org/">http://www.woodburyearthday.org/</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">May 3: ReCreate CT 11am-5pm</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Elizabeth Park, Hartford/West Hartford</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://recreatect.com/">http://recreatect.com/</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I'll also be doing a variety of farmer's markets - Click on the Schedule button to see my summer schedule!</span></div>
birdladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09945527860989671643noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5064629222962944711.post-14364778094770597682013-12-31T10:10:00.005-05:002013-12-31T10:12:52.629-05:00<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><i><b>Oh, So Grateful for So Many Blessings</b></i></span></div>
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<b><i>It's a long time since I've done a blog post. What a busy year it was! From new shows, new designs, to time spent with family, so much has happened. I'm grateful for so much good, like: </i></b></div>
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Entering designs in Hartford's Trashion Fashion show in April, and the friends who modeled them.</div>
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Getting to know and love our new kitty and our new bunny.</div>
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Time out with my girls.</div>
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So many market friends! And all the love and support they offer.</div>
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I spent lots of time in the outdoors with my sweetie this year.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hPJ1CLAW40w/UsLZ9SPd4MI/AAAAAAAABRk/o3GXdf9uNsQ/s1600/20130129_142804.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hPJ1CLAW40w/UsLZ9SPd4MI/AAAAAAAABRk/o3GXdf9uNsQ/s320/20130129_142804.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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New designs.</div>
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People who love my work!</div>
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And most of all, I'm extremely grateful to have work that I love doing, and that allows me to do the things that are really important: homeschool with Noah, and spend time with my parents. </div>
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I spent a lot of time with Mom in her last months. She loved getting out in the sunshine.</div>
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She SUPER enjoyed all the fresh fruits and veggies I would bring her from the farmers markets!</div>
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This was her last time outside, and she loved feeling the sun shine warm on her.</div>
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Now Dad and I hang together a lot. He's doing really well at 96!</div>
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It's been a wonderful year. Good times, hard times, times for growing. </div>
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For my business, it's been our best year yet, and for that, I</div>
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birdladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09945527860989671643noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5064629222962944711.post-53226437800759758222013-03-06T11:44:00.002-05:002013-03-06T11:49:29.584-05:00New Things for Spring 2013<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>It's slow season as far as farmer's markets go, but I have several events coming that are new, different, and exciting for me. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Saturday March 9, I'll be participating in kids' art activities at the free Kids Stuff Exchange sponsored by Northampton Re-Use and Artists of Western Mass.<a href="https://www.facebook.com/NorthamptonReUse?fref=ts"> https://www.facebook.com/NorthamptonReUse?fref=ts</a></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>There will be a pop-up shop featuring the work of the artists-in-residence for the day.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>From March 22-April 19 my work will be on exhibit in the gallery at the Gales Ferry Community Center. The exhibit is focusing on art made from recycled materials. I've never done an exhibit before!</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>On April 20 I'm participating in a Trashion Fashion Show at Hartford City Hall - another totally new experience!</i></span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Xh4z3Q6i3VA/UTdxzDuMvzI/AAAAAAAABOU/-Nbdl1R-kgg/s1600/TRASHION3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Xh4z3Q6i3VA/UTdxzDuMvzI/AAAAAAAABOU/-Nbdl1R-kgg/s320/TRASHION3.jpg" width="247" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>I'll post more information on my Facebook page as I receive it.<a href="https://www.facebook.com/NorthamptonReUse?fref=ts"> facebook.com/bethanyhomecrafts</a></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Have a wonderful Spring!</i></span></div>
birdladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09945527860989671643noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5064629222962944711.post-52841141650482097962012-12-06T14:48:00.000-05:002012-12-06T14:48:02.041-05:00<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i>We Are All Connected</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Cas<span style="font-size: x-small;">hmere sweaters, fresh from the thri<span style="font-size: x-small;">ft store, ready to be felted.</span></span></span></span></i><b><i> </i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">I just learned of the factory
fire in </span><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Bangladesh</span><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">, where so many women perished. They were working for
just over a dollar a day to produce the clothes that we wear, name brand
clothes that pull good prices here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
columnist I read likened it to slavery, the way those women worked to give us
the lifestyle we want.</span></i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">I often say that my work –
repurposing old clothing into new – is my way to fight this system.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A very tiny way, but I hope to be a voice
calling for sanity in the way we consume goods.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">And yet, I am complicit in
the slave labor of those women, and the creation of more desert in </span><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Mongolia</span><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">. The ability to buy cheap goods means the devaluing
of those goods, and of the lives that went into the making of them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If we didn’t live in a throw-away society, I
wouldn’t have those Gap sweaters, or the lovely cashmeres I adore to work with.
I love going to the thrift store and coming away with good finds – but that often
means someone else didn’t care enough to mend a small hole, or try to remove
that small spot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Did I make them get rid
of that sweater?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But we are all connected, our actions are
interwoven.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">My work is my prayer that in
some small way I can re-value those lives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>My work is to help others to see the connections.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>May my work bring healing.</span></div>
</i></b></span>birdladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09945527860989671643noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5064629222962944711.post-4093371020623896202012-07-20T09:15:00.002-04:002012-07-20T09:15:27.123-04:00<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Getting Ready For </span><span style="font-size: large;">Falcon Ridge</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Next week I'm going to be vending at the <a href="http://falconridgefolk.com/">Falcon Ridge Folk Festival</a>. I learned about it last year when my computer guru <a href="http://www.suemuldoonimages.com/">Sue Muldoon</a> posted pictures from the festival. </span>I saw that there was dance there, and thought that my skirts would be popular among the dancers, so I applied and I'm going!</div>
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When I open up the Falcon Ridge web page, the aerial photo both excites and terrifies me. So many people! I'm working hard to have enough inventory to bring, and hope it will be enough! Here's a few pics of the latest things.</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-small;">Felted hats, mittens and wrist warmers</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Upcycled Twirly Dress</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-small;">Upcycled Twirly Skirt</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">The skirts and dresses have full circle skirts, so they are wonderful for dancing!</span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">This week I went out and bought the lighting and cords I'll need to do night time selling. I need to make sure that the bubble carrier fits on my car, and pack clothes and food for the weekend. It'll be a busy week! (Not mentioning the farmers markets on the schedule for next week...) </span></span></div>birdladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09945527860989671643noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5064629222962944711.post-37983896295517635702012-03-14T09:32:00.004-04:002012-03-14T09:46:38.526-04:00The (Good) Blues<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Rh5SIz2JAq4/T2CeKuV1KZI/AAAAAAAABM8/0nMmOupCy5c/s1600/100_0505.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 211px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Rh5SIz2JAq4/T2CeKuV1KZI/AAAAAAAABM8/0nMmOupCy5c/s320/100_0505.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5719745433836005778" border="0" /></a><br />Spring is making itself well known around here. The temperatures are high for March (no complaints), the birds are all staking out their territories and the sparrows, at least, are nesting. When I opened the window at sunrise, there was a burst of birdsong. I love it! If you can see it in the photo, the forsythia buds are swelling. I don't think it will be long...<br /><br />I took a walk yesterday at Topsmead State Forest while the Boy had his voice lesson. It's a magical place, and I saw and heard my first bluebirds of the season. For years I made felted bluebirds as a prayer/wish that I could see one. Last fall I came upon a flock that was readying for migration, and that was a wonder. Yesterday I heard these warbling calls and after looking and following the sound for a while, I saw at least one. There are a lot of nest boxes at Topsmead, and it looks like they are used well.<br /><br />A couple of days ago I was eating lunch out on the patio, and heard some hawks overhead. One lit in the tree next door, and it was BIG. It was a pair calling to each other; I hope it's a mating pair. We have a lot of big birds in the neighborhood - there are wetlands and some woody areas, so there are hawks, herons, geese, lots of swallows (haven't heard them yet), and red-wing blackbirds (I hear them, but don't see them). It's a totally suburban neighborhood, but surprisingly good birding.<br /><br />Enjoy the spring where you are!<br /></div>birdladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09945527860989671643noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5064629222962944711.post-91816893433298896092012-02-24T15:43:00.002-05:002012-02-24T15:53:03.889-05:00New Materials, New Designs<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Yk641ePj80g/T0f3FTJ1WeI/AAAAAAAABMk/Y1lF7nJoWsw/s1600/100_0470.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 225px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Yk641ePj80g/T0f3FTJ1WeI/AAAAAAAABMk/Y1lF7nJoWsw/s320/100_0470.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5712806322755688930" border="0" /></a><br />My friend, Pamela, from <a href="http://www.facebook.com/boxedgoodes">Boxed Goodes</a>, is a wonderful source of information and inspiration for me. She's always checking out new things and showing me new possibilities. The latest was the idea of making little girls' dresses from t-shirts, in a different design than I was using last year. Here are two of them...<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yQJyL9DDWAc/T0f3Fmef9zI/AAAAAAAABMw/H1KEmV0H9TA/s1600/100_0447.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 243px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yQJyL9DDWAc/T0f3Fmef9zI/AAAAAAAABMw/H1KEmV0H9TA/s320/100_0447.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5712806327942641458" border="0" /></a><br /></div>birdladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09945527860989671643noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5064629222962944711.post-55148517811044374522012-02-04T16:18:00.002-05:002012-02-04T16:22:59.645-05:00Building True CommunityToday I was vending at the Litchfield Farmer's Market, and the wonderful woman who was tabling opposite me handed me an article she thought I'd enjoy. I did enjoy it, so much that I'm copying the entire thing here for you. I found out that she was the author of the article - Thank you so much, Lynn!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:180%;">Be 'Neighborly' in a Sustainable Way</span></span><br />by Lynn Fulkerson<br /><div class="storybody"> <p>It was a morning in early summer when I first noticed them dancing in the top of a dead craggy tree on the edge of our meadow. Further inspection with binoculars revealed a large bird of prey feeding its young. The dancing was a back and forth rocking and swaying as the young tore into palatable pieces of the breakfast provided by the parent.<br /><br />A few days later, my husband, John, discovered a bird of prey caught up in the bird netting surrounding our blueberry bushes. With scissors and surgical skill, John carefully freed the bird’s talons while I observed, bird book in hand, this merlin falcon. It was, in fact, the same bird that was raising its young in the old tree.<br /><br />Reading about merlins confirmed our observations. We watched the young ones fledge and begin their lives in our vineyard. A merlin’s diet often consists of other birds. They are extremely fast, which we were witness to on several occasions as they chased down other birds in flight. What better place to raise your young than a vineyard that attracts numerous fruit-eating birds. We net and we hang huge one-eyed balloons to save our fruit. Now the merlins were pitching in. What reciprocity! We provide the home and the surgical care and they protect our grapes and blueberries. It’s what neighbors do. We named the land we care for Merlin Meadows.<br /><br />The merlins returned each year until the tree finally gave out and collapsed to the ground to be devoured by other neighbors, beetles and worms and other microscopic lives that we will never know.<br /><br />My next door neighbor, Joyce, calls when she is going into town on errands to see if I need anything. I do the same for her. After hip surgery, she drove me to do errands she couldn’t do for me. I water her plants when she is away. We all understand what it means to be “neighborly,” although in our fast-paced lives we sometimes forget.<br /><br />If I take the time to look around and think about who does what for me to make my life what it is, it is overwhelming and humbling. I think it was John Muir who said, “When we try to pick out anything by itself, we find it hitched to everything else in the universe.”<br /><br />My life, in fact, is supported by the entire web of life and is much poorer if something is plucked from it. I am dependent on the health of the soil, water and air. The soil that grows my food is dependent on numerous lives doing their thing. This includes fungi and bacteria, earthworms and ants, and, oh yes, even moles and slugs. Neighbors?! Ha! What have you done for your local mole lately?<br /><br />I watch the swallows and the bluebirds eating mosquitoes and others as they swoop over the meadows. They use our bird boxes to raise their young. Thank you, neighbors.<br /><br />The fox and the coyote feast on the mice, rabbits and snakes in the fields. A few years ago a two-legged neighbor boasted that he had shot and killed eight coyotes. Please, neighbor, don’t pluck them out unless you are going to eat them, and then only with gratitude for their lives. That year I struggled raising and harvesting vegetables before the rabbits destroyed my garden. We have never before been witness to such a population explosion of cute little bunnies. URRG! Yes, they are our neighbors, too, but to remain healthy they need the coyote and the fox, who, by the way, have repopulated the meadows.<br /><br />Other neighbors we never see, but they, too, support our lives: those who raise our food in other places and climates, those who often risk their lives to put fish on our plates, those who for meager wages make and build the things that we use daily and without which we cannot imagine our lives. Often they handle pesticides and chemicals with no protection, have unsafe and unhealthy working conditions, and have none of the benefits that most of us enjoy. Their factories pollute the air and water where they raise their children. My husband and I biked for two weeks in rural and urban China. We witnessed children not knowing what a blue sky with fluffy white clouds looks like. Life is grey. They are breathing in the pollution from the industries we have transported to make the stuff we buy. The children along the roads welcomed us cheerfully. I asked myself how can I be a better neighbor to them?<br /><br />There are no easy answers. The starting place for me is thinking about where all that I depend on and enjoy comes from. Who is connected to my daily life? Can I make better choices?<br /><br />Can I purchase Fair Traded products and organic food? Can I invest in companies that are deemed to be socially responsible? Can I reduce my consumption and use less of the earth’s precious resources? Can I conserve energy and switch to generation of electricity that is less polluting? Can I support my neighbors who are farmers, weavers, furniture makers, musicians, bakers, bee keepers and who improve the quality of my life? Can I just not throw stuff away because I know that nothing really goes away? Can I reuse and recycle more? Can I remember to call Joyce and offer to pick something up for her in town?<br /><br />I’ll give it a try.<br /><br />Lynn Fulkerson is a member of the Litchfield Energy Task Force (www.litchfieldctenergytaskforce.org). Recently she has been in conversation with neighbors about the Transition Towns Initiative. Visit <a href="http://www.transitionnetwork.org/">www.transitionnetwork.org</a></p> </div> <div class="footer"> <p style="font-size: 10px; font-weight: normal;"><b>URL: http://www.countytimes.com/articles/2011/07/05/opinion/op-ed/doc4e0cc6ef16935739637149.prt</b></p> <p>© 2012 The Litchfield County Times, a <a href="http://www.journalregister.com/">Journal Register</a> Property</p> </div>birdladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09945527860989671643noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5064629222962944711.post-19693546077406301302012-02-01T10:57:00.002-05:002012-02-01T11:01:08.831-05:00Welcome to my updated blog!<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family: times new roman;">I've wanted for some time to update my blog, to make it more like a website for my business. With the help of Sue Muldoon of Sue Muldoon Images, it's well on its way! I have a new address: bethanyhomecrafts@blogspot.com. <br /><br />Have fun browsing my galleries!<br /></span></span></span></div>birdladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09945527860989671643noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5064629222962944711.post-61735362743566158122012-01-16T15:31:00.004-05:002012-01-30T19:55:34.299-05:00Winter and Early Spring Schedule<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fKUPlg9MJHw/TxSJnwagZ7I/AAAAAAAABCM/aGQmsKlDiSs/s1600/100_0392.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 385px; height: 515px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fKUPlg9MJHw/TxSJnwagZ7I/AAAAAAAABCM/aGQmsKlDiSs/s320/100_0392.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5698330744634501042" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--7iMpEXeu5Q/TxSJoFBuZLI/AAAAAAAABCU/l_0Z8gZXvkc/s1600/100_0394.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 328px; height: 713px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--7iMpEXeu5Q/TxSJoFBuZLI/AAAAAAAABCU/l_0Z8gZXvkc/s320/100_0394.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5698330750167704754" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Artfully upcycled dresses!<br /><br /> Thanks for checking in! Winter is a slow season for markets and fairs. Here's my schedule:<br /><br />January 22, February 5, 12 &19 : Coventry Farmer's Market at Coventry High School, Ripley Hill Road. 11 am-2 pm<br /><br />February 4: Litchfield Hills Farm Fresh Market at the Community Center. 10-1<br /><br />February 9: Westport Farmer's Market at Gilberties on Sylvan Lane. 10-2<br /><br />February 18: Forest Park Farmer's Market, 302 Sumner Ave., East Longmeadow, MA.<br />10-2<br /><br />March 3: CT NOFA Winter Conference at Manchester Community College. 9-4<br /></div>birdladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09945527860989671643noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5064629222962944711.post-27685193511739620542011-10-19T12:45:00.005-04:002012-01-30T19:51:49.653-05:00Fall - Winter Schedule<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_H_eW1qOfVA/Tp7-8-eVSVI/AAAAAAAABCA/KnBsCPMB8oY/s1600/100_0242.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 546px; height: 482px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_H_eW1qOfVA/Tp7-8-eVSVI/AAAAAAAABCA/KnBsCPMB8oY/s320/100_0242.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5665245704794491218" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color: rgb(204, 51, 204);">The photo of this Peace Sweater was taken at the Forest Park Farmer's Market</span><br /></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><object classid="clsid:38481807-CA0E-42D2-BF39-B33AF135CC4D" id="ieooui"></object> <style> st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } </style> <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman";} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:#663300;">Coventry</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:#663300;"> Farmer’s Market: </span></b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:#663300;">Nathan Hale Homestead October 2, 16 & 30</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:#663300;">Coventry</span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:#663300;"> H.S: Nov. 20 & 27, Dec. 4 & 18</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:#663300;">Simsbury</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:#663300;"> Farmer’s Market: </span></b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:#663300;">544 Hopmeadow St.</span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:#663300;"> Sep. 1&15; Oct. 6&13</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:#663300;">Westport</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:#663300;"> Farmer’s Market: </span></b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:#663300;">Imperial Ave.Commuter Lot Sep.8; Oct. 27</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:#663300;">Forest Park</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:#663300;"> Farmer’s Market: </span></b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:#663300;"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Sep. 20, Oct 18</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:#663300;">Trout Brook Farmer’s Market: </span></b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:#663300;">Whole Foods@Blue Back Sq.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:#663300;"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span></b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:#663300;">Sept. 5, 12 & 19; Oct. 3, 10 & 24</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:#663300;">Lebanon</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:#663300;"> Farmer’s Market: </span></b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:#663300;">Town Hall Green<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Sept. 17; Oct. 15</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:#663300;">Litchfield Farmer’s Market: </span></b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:#663300;">Community Center Oct. 29, Nov. 19, Dec. 17, February 4<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"> </b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:#663300;">Hill-Stead Farmer’s Market: </span></b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:#663300;">Hill-Stead</span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:#663300;"> </span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:#663300;">Museum</span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:#663300;">, </span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:#663300;">Farmington</span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:#663300;"></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:#663300;"><span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span>September 4, October 23</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:#663300;">Big E: </span></b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:#663300;">@ CT Building, September 30</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:#663300;">Garlic Fest: </span></b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:#663300;">Bethlehem</span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:#663300;"> Fair Grounds October 8 & 9, 10-4</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:#663300;">St. Peter Claver Craft Fair: </span></b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:#663300;">47 Pleasant St, </span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:#663300;">W. Hartford</span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:#663300;">, Nov. 12-13</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:#663300;">Christmas</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:#663300;"> </span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:#663300;">Town</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:#663300;"> Festival: </span></b><span style=" ;font-size:10.0pt;color:#663300;" >Bethlehem</span><span style=" color: rgb(102, 51, 0);font-size:10pt;" >, Dec. 2 & 3</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:#663300;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">CT NOFA Winter Conference: </span>Manchester Community College, March 3, 2012<br /></span></p> </div>birdladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09945527860989671643noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5064629222962944711.post-63627832202656980412011-07-22T10:11:00.007-04:002012-01-30T19:53:01.469-05:00Working With Wool When the Weather Blisters...<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_rX-ySnGB_Q/TimF67lrOiI/AAAAAAAABBw/kFHT-bduVl4/s1600/100_0114.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 550px; height: 413px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_rX-ySnGB_Q/TimF67lrOiI/AAAAAAAABBw/kFHT-bduVl4/s320/100_0114.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5632180056478136866" border="0" /></a><br />I'm still doing some work with cottons, but it's time to start preparing for the turn of the seasons. People are beginning to get ready for school and the fall work season, and I'm starting to see wool sales pick up.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DbSEE4Vqfb0/TimF5zIrmnI/AAAAAAAABBo/lgsO35HQUGE/s1600/100_0111.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 242px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DbSEE4Vqfb0/TimF5zIrmnI/AAAAAAAABBo/lgsO35HQUGE/s320/100_0111.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5632180037029173874" border="0" /></a><br />A couple of weeks ago I sold 3 sweaters for little people, so I needed to make at least one new one. I love the falling-leaf theme...<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DH5VLtbVbuo/TimF55vIMBI/AAAAAAAABBg/5pDvKWzJAxM/s1600/100_0115.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 241px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DH5VLtbVbuo/TimF55vIMBI/AAAAAAAABBg/5pDvKWzJAxM/s320/100_0115.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5632180038801043474" border="0" /></a><br />These are SO my colors.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VScNyqBTvVk/TimF5tAiP7I/AAAAAAAABBY/tCXxH3_P66w/s1600/100_0096.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 241px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VScNyqBTvVk/TimF5tAiP7I/AAAAAAAABBY/tCXxH3_P66w/s320/100_0096.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5632180035384393650" border="0" /></a><br />The brights are really fun to work with and seem to be the most popular thing for little girls.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aIBmt29uJqw/TimF7Hk3nVI/AAAAAAAABB4/yPzFxMkXYq0/s1600/100_0075.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 241px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aIBmt29uJqw/TimF7Hk3nVI/AAAAAAAABB4/yPzFxMkXYq0/s320/100_0075.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5632180059695979858" border="0" /></a><br />I said goodbye to the Tree of Life Jacket a few weeks ago. She went to a good home, but I miss her! Grateful for photos...<br /><br />Check in at my <a href="http://www.facebook.com/BethanyHomecrafts">Facebook Page</a> for new dates and pictures of what's new. Be well!<br /></div>birdladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09945527860989671643noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5064629222962944711.post-44139237651224117182011-05-11T09:24:00.006-04:002012-01-30T19:53:44.469-05:00It's Been Too Long...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bLDI2T7EFeQ/TcqUPwSVWuI/AAAAAAAABBM/YEQZU-Mt6-U/s1600/4-5%2Bblue%2Bskirt.jpg"><br /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">I can't believe it's been so long since I've sat down to write. Facebook is largely to blame - it's so easy to post a picture and a short caption that it's where I go instead of here. And it's very focused to the folks I see at markets. If you'd like to see my page, it's<a href="http://www.facebook.com/BethanyHomecrafts"> here</a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.facebook.com/bethanyhomecrafts">.</a><br /><br />So today I am here because I think I picked up a bit of the tummy bug the Boy had the other day, and sitting feels better than not. I need to balance the check book (I'll get to that eventually) but this is more fun! Speaking of the Boy, there's another reason I've been so busy that blogging has gone by the wayside. He was in a production of Alice in Wonderland, and mom was helping to make the costumes - thus all the time I had here in the studio was used to build up my stock for the upcoming season. Which begins this Saturday with my first outdoor market in Stonington.<br /><br />Here are a few pics of things I've made in the last month:<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--1_ku3D0k80/TcqOxu7kQbI/AAAAAAAABA0/nexoM5HVKGU/s1600/IMG_0425.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 331px; height: 494px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--1_ku3D0k80/TcqOxu7kQbI/AAAAAAAABA0/nexoM5HVKGU/s320/IMG_0425.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605449671278608818" border="0" /></a><br />This is a dress I made for my little friend, Lilah, who just turned one. I've been working in recycled cottons as well as the recycled wool. The bodice is a top I found that was just baby-sweet with scalloped trim and a little lacy flower on the front. The skirt is panels cut from cotton jerseys.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bLDI2T7EFeQ/TcqUPwSVWuI/AAAAAAAABBM/YEQZU-Mt6-U/s1600/4-5%2Bblue%2Bskirt.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bLDI2T7EFeQ/TcqUPwSVWuI/AAAAAAAABBM/YEQZU-Mt6-U/s320/4-5%2Bblue%2Bskirt.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605455684596751074" border="0" /></a>Here's an adult skirt. It's so much fun to play with color and pattern.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6geBh12zzkI/TcqOxUcEr4I/AAAAAAAABAk/IW7XTYLXXdc/s1600/4-16%2Byellow%2Bsweater.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6geBh12zzkI/TcqOxUcEr4I/AAAAAAAABAk/IW7XTYLXXdc/s320/4-16%2Byellow%2Bsweater.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605449664167194498" border="0" /></a>Go fly a kite! This is a toddler sweater upcycled from a cashmere sweater. As I've said before, I think cashmere is the ideal fiber for babies. It's so soft, and lightweight and breathable.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AJaTLK-v3U8/TcqOx3JpfHI/AAAAAAAABBE/TilLQWYDzVM/s1600/IMG_0421.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AJaTLK-v3U8/TcqOx3JpfHI/AAAAAAAABBE/TilLQWYDzVM/s320/IMG_0421.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605449673485155442" border="0" /></a>Here's a little bunny that's needle felted.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kNf9P1DLxBc/TcqOx1Q_LXI/AAAAAAAABA8/xq6wn-Q2SCw/s1600/4-15%2Bsweater%2B4.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kNf9P1DLxBc/TcqOx1Q_LXI/AAAAAAAABA8/xq6wn-Q2SCw/s320/4-15%2Bsweater%2B4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605449672979066226" border="0" /></a>And another cashmere baby sweater.<br /><br />Ah well, the checkbook waits...<br /></div>birdladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09945527860989671643noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5064629222962944711.post-89263404190886226122011-03-29T10:07:00.004-04:002011-03-29T10:23:14.076-04:00Spring Is Coming, I think....<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6MnT47jHRaQ/TZHouAs8dwI/AAAAAAAABAc/NDxOXwrk8uc/s1600/woodie1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6MnT47jHRaQ/TZHouAs8dwI/AAAAAAAABAc/NDxOXwrk8uc/s320/woodie1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589504489703634690" border="0" /></a><br />All winter I was gifted with a visitor for lunch. Nearly every day while I was eating, I could look out my window and watch the resident downy woodpeckers having their lunch. Usually it was the female, but sometimes Mr. Woody would show up, too. You can tell the difference by the red patch on the back of the male's head. So yesterday I had to get a pic of him!<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7mO5oHDPIxs/TZHot3PByAI/AAAAAAAABAU/Szb58_VuFiQ/s1600/purple%2Bcrocus.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7mO5oHDPIxs/TZHot3PByAI/AAAAAAAABAU/Szb58_VuFiQ/s320/purple%2Bcrocus.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589504487162234882" border="0" /></a><br />Even though there are still patches of snow in the neighborhood, I was thrilled to see these happy faces in my front garden.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2TeKReEChzo/TZHotgtcIkI/AAAAAAAABAM/5ZAClJlPD7s/s1600/yellow%2Bcorcus.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2TeKReEChzo/TZHotgtcIkI/AAAAAAAABAM/5ZAClJlPD7s/s320/yellow%2Bcorcus.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589504481115775554" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I've taken a bit of a break from birds, but now I've started up again.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tqPzhjQm80U/TZHotYHKIHI/AAAAAAAABAE/HBN73ms87_Q/s1600/hummer.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tqPzhjQm80U/TZHotYHKIHI/AAAAAAAABAE/HBN73ms87_Q/s320/hummer.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589504478807728242" border="0" /></a> A ruby throated hummingbird.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IgJuzWJCCgw/TZHotUnoreI/AAAAAAAAA_8/mWrCBX1_oKY/s1600/golden%2Bkinglet3.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IgJuzWJCCgw/TZHotUnoreI/AAAAAAAAA_8/mWrCBX1_oKY/s320/golden%2Bkinglet3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589504477870206434" border="0" /></a><br />This is a golden crowned kinglet. They are tiny little guys, about the size of hummers.<br /><br />I'm making some bird nests, and having fun doing that. Mostly I'm preparing to vend at the CT La Leche League conference next weekend, so I'm sewing up lots of longies, diaper covers, and skirts in both wool and cotton.<br /><br />Enjoy the light and the warmth (we hope!)!<br /></div>birdladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09945527860989671643noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5064629222962944711.post-60060561758541874392011-03-08T08:18:00.002-05:002011-03-08T08:33:29.307-05:00It's Coming, It's Nearly Here<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-znKeUhei4wA/TXYtPmpLPCI/AAAAAAAAA_0/aqT9b3VxHXw/s1600/3-8%2Bspring1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-znKeUhei4wA/TXYtPmpLPCI/AAAAAAAAA_0/aqT9b3VxHXw/s320/3-8%2Bspring1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581698534266846242" border="0" /></a>The bulbs against my neighbor's foundation are popping up. I actually saw them for the first time about a week ago, and couldn't believe it, as the snow bank you see here was taller and closer to the house, but there they were.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nE-jkEC3LSs/TXYtPSFOoVI/AAAAAAAAA_s/orKBBCAF_hM/s1600/3-8spring2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nE-jkEC3LSs/TXYtPSFOoVI/AAAAAAAAA_s/orKBBCAF_hM/s320/3-8spring2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581698528747364690" border="0" /></a><br />If you look closely in this shot, you can see two nubbins of hyacinths showing their brave little heads in the tiny corner of my front garden that is free of snow.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JIAbMz1kGks/TXYtPds2QeI/AAAAAAAAA_k/uw_Yswk9hC4/s1600/3-8%2Bspring%2B2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JIAbMz1kGks/TXYtPds2QeI/AAAAAAAAA_k/uw_Yswk9hC4/s320/3-8%2Bspring%2B2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581698531866329570" border="0" /></a><br />This is the broad view. That snow bank has been as high as the window ledge this winter.<br /><br />It's been a long one for everyone, I know! I'm a cold-weather wimp, so I haven't put my nose out of my door much this winter unless I've had to. At this point I'm parched for the outdoors and my walks! This morning, even though it was 20 degrees, I said "Uncle!", threw on my fleece-lined jeans, sweater, coat, all the stuff to keep me warm, and went to the park to walk. I was richly rewarded by the sounds of running water, song sparrows, robins, woodpeckers, and more. It sounds like spring, even if I had to keep my eyes peeled to avoid the black ice!<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>birdladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09945527860989671643noreply@blogger.com0