craft fair goodness

Well, hello again little darlings. Yesterday, I had the Spring Boutique Craft Fair. It's a lovely thing to be a part of. Partly because when the peeps see my knit items in person, they're more likely to purchase something (yay for me), and also because a portion of my profits went to two charities (yay for giving!). The charities are:

Freedom Firm Freedom Firm is dedicated to the liberation of children enslaved in commercial sexual exploitation, to their effective rehabilitation, and to justice against those who have profited from their misery. We unapologetically stand dedicated to this cause and this cause alone.

and

Hope Academy Believing that all children are created for God's glory and endowed by him with an inalienable potential to acquire wisdom and knowledge, Hope Academy covenants with urban families to equip their children to become the responsible, servant leaders of the 21st Century.

Here's a few pictures of my booth: This is my friend, Laura. She's an artist. Look at all of her amazing art. She's an amazing person, too. She is a co-creator of the Spring Boutique. And her mission is to just do good. And we all need a friend like that, right? It's good to be with good people. This is Laura's husband, Paul. He played a few ditties for us. You should like him on facebook, cuz he rocks.

And this is a random photo, but I loved how this lightbulb hung from the ceiling in the room where our booth's were.

Anyway, remember how I told you my friend Laura was good? Well, she has also just created a website to promote all of the awesome friends and vendors she knows who are artists (crafty or otherwise ;)) So, you should check it out: http://www.flourishartandgifts.com/

She also has some cool happenings at her studio in NORDEAST Minneapolis, so keep checking back to her site for more info.

And one more thing....I got a huge order to make and sell my baby sweaters at the orchard art house. Kate, the owner, is totally cool. So, I am super stoked about this.

Next week, I will be at the HandmadeMN show.
And that's all folks.
So, peace out, yo. xxoo, Gilda

howdy

Hello y'all.

*******Been busy.

The peonies are growing and growing. Hanging pots are planted. A plan has been set for the garden.

********Been sentimental.

I love Neil Young. If he were young when I was young, I would've been a groupie. Now, he's really old and I'm kinda old so I just dang right appreciate his music.
Life is short. Say what you want to say. Do what you want to do. Be happy. Do not fret. Love what you have.
I'll be back again real soon, I promise. xxoo, Gilda

dear you, love me

Dear you,

Things are swell.

Why I said I thought I was like Betty (previous post), I do not know. Later in the series, she becomes so bitter and bitchy. Or was she always that way? Anyway, I have finally made it to the 5th season of Mad Men.

And I've started my job. Which I happen to like a lot. Even though it pays horribly.

Always at this time of year, everything becomes so swhooosh - a big whirlwind of events. And then before you know it, it's summer. And summer goes even quicker. But, for now, we have recitals, and concerts, and plays, and all kinds of fun family events.

So, I thought I'd share with you a picture of my son playing the violin. He's in his 2nd year now. And he's good. He doesn't practice enough, but he's certainly good. He can read music, but he also completely memorizes a song by its tune. I just think that is so genius like.







I've been reworking my hat pattern. Some are a bit perplexed by it. I wish I'd retested it a few hundred times before posting. I thought one time was good enough. These are things that you learn, I guess. The issue is that it's a fabulous pattern, yes, but the old fern lace work is a bit confusing for some. So, I need to be more explicit in my instructions.

Anyway, I have lots to post about my upcoming ventures in summer gardening, family happenings, and preparation for school. Didn't I tell you? I'm going back to school. It's been 12 years since I graduated college. And wow, life sure does pick you up and swing you along. But now I am at a standstill, or rather a crossroads of sorts, and I've decided to follow through with my Sign Language Studies. (more specifically ASL) In a years time, I will be an Interpreter. What's even more exciting -and a convenient coincidence- is that I will be working with a new deaf friend and another new friend who is fluent. What a pleasant surprise!

Well, that's all I have at the moment. Hope you are taking care.

Peace, love, and happiness.

xxoo, Gilda

Easter questions and a free hat pattern

Well, Lent is over and I never had a chance to go to a fish fry. Oh drat! But the Easter bunny surely did come. With questions, that is. Funny how a 10 year old and a 6 year old do not question the actual existence of an Easter bunny, but will of the occasion. Why do we celebrate Easter? Well, darlings, Jesus rose from the dead. But why the bunnies? Well, sweet ones, the over indulgence in all things bunnies and baskets is us celebrating Spring.



Even though Spring seems to have come and gone and now winter is upon us again. Darn you, Minnesota.



But I am mighty glad Easter is over and the candy is all gone. I think I gained 10 pounds.



I guess it hadn't helped that I sat on my bum all day, watching episodes of Mad Men. 3 Seasons in less than 2 weeks. And now I'm on the fourth season. Don Draper, you are a bad, bad man!!! But super duper hot!!! If Betty knit, I would feel like I was her.



Alas, I've come up with a new hat pattern. You can have it for free. I think I need to redeem myself with my bear hat. Can you believe there's been close to 300 downloads and only 5 projects connected with it AND an average of 3 stars? What's the dealio? That really got me down.



Click on either of these photos (above or below) for link to Ravelry.



or click here to download: download now

For the yarn along, ...yes! I am still reading Rules of Civility. I'm getting bored with it. Sorry Vanessa. Mad Men is oh so much more than reading at the moment. Am I bad?

TMI...and a cute dress.

Yesterday, I went to the Social Security office. It's in a shady part of town. And I don't know if that's why they have you empty your pockets and walk through a metal detector or not. Honestly, the only other time I had to walk through a metal detector was at the airport. So, I wasn't expecting to have to worry about if I'd make the thing alarm or not. I wasn't wearing a belt, but I was wearing my mama pads. And my mama pads have snaps. So, when I went through the metal detector, it, of course, alarmed. A guard scanned me with his wand and every time he went to that "area", it beeped. This was in front of the other 200 waiting room peeps, plus the people in line behind me. Thankfully, they let me go through without having to explain myself. THAT was embarrassing! (if you don't know what mama pads are, here's a link)

Anyway, the Social Security office was quicker than I expected, so I had time to stop at my favorite craft store before going to fill out paper work for my new job (which was why I was at the SS office in the first place)(oy). I had a 50% off a single cut of fabric. Don't you love those coupons?

So, I bought the fabric and then I saw a post on Prudent Baby referring back to a popular free pattern. It's sized 12-18 months, but since I don't *really* follow a pattern anyway, I thought I could just use her pattern as a guide. So, that's what I did. And while it isn't exactly the right size (too big), I am mighty proud of myself. And I think it is quite adorable. Or, it could just be the kid ;) ---Seriously, could this kid be any cuter?

progress: finished.

For some reason, my blog reordered my Knitting Retreat posts. So, if you'd like to read them in order, here are their direct links:
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3

As for my project I finished while on my retreat (like I had time! It's really a miracle.)....It was the Wise Owl Hat. I linked it up in my ravelry, but here are some photos, too.





When I got home from the retreat, I was in a knitty mood and whipped up a baby bonnet, too. You can find that linked on my ravelry as well. But here are photos, too, since I know you lurve my photos <3





I haven't linked up to the weekly yarn along in a while, so I will today <3 And one thing they'd like you to share, besides what you've been knitting is what you've been reading. Remember I finished Cutting for Stone? And my friend Vanessa made a few reading suggestions after that? Well, I chose Rules of Civility. I must say, it's a quick read, but I am on the edge of my seat, waiting for something totally naughty to happen. I hope I am not disappointed. :D

Knitting Retreat Part I

Day one.

We stayed in a fancy Bed and Breakfast.



Laura and I shared the "Summer" room. And a bed! Turns out we're compatible. We each brought the current US magazine.













Vanessa & Kristy shared the "Winter" room.





(see that reflection in the mirror? At first I thought it was a ghost, but then realized Laura was behind me. Whew.)





The Bed & Breakfast had a resident kitty. His name was Max. I wanted to take him home, but he couldn't fit in my bag. He weighed 30 pounds!!!



TIME FOR NOSH!

Wine & cheese hour:











Ready for a walk into town:



I spot a local!



A Historic building.



Kristy showed us the historic lobby and we took a break.



For dinner, we went to Liberty's, a local haunt. Kristy, with her green coat attracted the attention of the locals and when we walked through the door, the restaurant shushed. We ordered taco pizza from our pregnant waitress, with a round of vodka tonics.

There was a problem with our bills. Our city slicker vibe threw off the cashier and she had to bring out the manager. Vanessa was patient.



On the way home (walking), we got lost and ended up near the police station. Luckily, they ignored our giddy stumbling and we finally turned ourselves back around.



Before bed, we had a night cap.