Craft Fairs Galore

I can't believe it is already morning! I feel like I just got into bed. But we are on our way to a VIP event. I think my boss is losing his mind! Wanting us to perform this early in the morning, on very little sleep. No wonder the guys are drinking gallon-sized cups of coffee. Too bad I don't like coffee.

But I talked to my mom last night. Between gigs. Guess what? We ended up getting tables at both craft fairs! No lie! The band is performing until late tonight. The we leave in the middle of the night. Heading home. We are flying, if the weather cooperates with us. Then, I'm going to have to drive 3 hours. To my hometown. Because our church called late yesterday afternoon. They had a cancellation. We will do the church craft fair after all. From 8AM to 4PM! I hope I can stay awake!

Then a week from today, we are doing the other craft fair, at a local elementary school. I'm excited about that one. It will be something very different for us. We got 2 spaces. And I had already been planning that trip home.

After we get done here in Sin City, I will be very busy! I have finals this week. And lots of traveling for my internship. And now, we have 2 craft fairs! It should be fun though. I love to meet new people. And new craft people at that! If you are not doing anything, you should come by.

Ciao!

XOXO
♥Lola

Giveaway Day

I originally found Sew, Mama, Sew! in May. Just after their May Giveaway Day. I was reading a blog and happened to click on a link to Sew, Mama, Sew! I began looking around and saw the post about the Giveaway Day. It sounded like such a fun idea! I started to tell a few of my "Crafty Ladies" about it too.

We have had some serious issues with mail around here. And then life just took over. But a month ago, I happened to be searching for some gift ideas and found myself back at Sew, Mama, Sew! I read a post that included a little bit of information about Giveaway Day. But there wasn't much on there. Just some basic rules.

I planned on making a scarf and hat set. Even me, who lives in the desert southwest, wears scarves and hats. I headed over to Hobby Lobby and picked out a pretty green yarn. To be honest, I had no clue what color to buy. I asked a lady who was also buying yarn. She really liked the green because it is a neutral color. You can wear it with many different outfits. And I planned on getting crafty when I went home for Thanksgiving.

It didn't take long. I had the set complete on Thanksgiving night. I worked on it off and on while making dinner. Then after we all ate, while we sat and chatted, I finished up the scarf. I was very happy with myself. I actually want to make a set for myself!

I had been religiously checking Sew, Mama, Sew! daily. That was until I made my way home for the holiday. Then it was all about family. I logged onto the computer to check work e-mails and to post a couple of tweets. But that was it. Until tonight.

When I came back home, I just got back into work and classes. I really hadn't had a chance to look at any of my favorite blogs or websites. But since I hadn't seen a revised post for Giveaway Day, the weekend before Thanksgiving, I just figured that all I had to do was post on my blog and send them a link. I didn't realize there was a deadline. But Gabi called me, a little upset. We missed the deadline. We were supposed to e-mail Sew, Mama, Sew! by this past Sunday. :(

I am still going to host my giveaway tomorrow. I will send them an e-mail. If I get added to the list...GREAT! If not, well it wasn't meant to be. I am trying to encourage the other 4 ladies that I know, to still host their giveaway. I was also planning on hosting a giveaway on my Craft Blog. So stay tuned. I will let you know about those other giveaways right here. Gabi has a cute apron that she made. You might want to come back to see when she decides to host a giveaway for it! And I am still planning my other giveaway. It is a Holiday Kitchen set, pot holders, dishcloths, and dish towels. If you are interested, check back in!

Ciao!

XOXO
♥Lola

Craft Sadness

Every year, since it began, my mom and I have had 2 tables at our church Craft Fair. When it first started, there were not many people that participated. But we wanted to support our church. That was in 2000. It is one of the larger fundraisers that they do. You can get a table for $20. And you can sell anything but food. That is because the church sells breakfast and lunch. Really good food! But you can sell baked goods.

We take all of our crafts. Everything ranging from sewing to crochet. And everything in between! And we take a HUGE spread of baked goods. The money we make from the baked goods and candy, we donate back to the church. Just a little "Thank You."

Since 2001, I have made the 3 hour drive north. Sometimes, just for the day! But we want to support our church. We belong to a really good church. And everyone is like family. My mom and I don't do it to make money. If we make money, great. If not, we still helped the church. We never care where our tables are located. We have been everywhere from the front to right next to the door, in a corner! This is the only Craft Fair that we participate in. Some years, they have had 3 (Christmas, Valentine's Day, and Mother's Day.) Other years, there is just the Holiday Craft Fair. It just depends.

A while back, my mom got the information in the mail. And called right away. They were already out of tables! We couldn't believe it. Although, we don't count on the Craft Fair to make money, we really enjoy going. You get to meet new people. You see people that you haven't seen in months. The food is amazing. And I just enjoy seeing people happy when they buy something from us.

But after making crafts all year, this will be the first time we are not in the Craft Fair. One of the ladies from church, was really upset. My mom and her got to talking about a week ago. In fact, many people had been asking about us. Wanting to buy some crafts. Because we honestly don't sell our items for a lot of money. Sometimes, we just cover our supply cost. Patsy was so upset because we didn't get a table. She told us, that she didn't understand why they wouldn't set our 2 tables aside. We are the only people that participate in every Craft Fair. I'm not sure. But it got us thinking.

I heard on the radio, while stuck in traffic, that there was going to be a Craft Fair at a local school. It is 6 days later. And if all these people were counting on our crafts, why not try a new place. It doesn't hurt to expand, right? My mom called the number tonight. But we have to wait until Monday. If I am not mistaken, the tables are slightly cheaper. :)

This has also made me think, I need to open up an Etsy shop. I have been debating that for about 3 years. But it would give people a place to find us. I know my mom's Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls are so popular. And we are always being contacted to make Baptismo outfits. I need to open a shop already!

Ciao!

XOXO
♥Lola

Crochet Christmas Tree

As a kid, I had a mini Christmas tree. It was 3-4 feet tall. And I got to put it up in my bedroom every year! For my 1st Christmas, I was 9 months old. My mom made me a bunch of ornaments. To this day, I still have them. There is a snowman, a Santa, a long garland, etc. Everything crochet. Very vintage. Something I am a HUGE fan of!

I know it is a little early to be thinking about Christmas. And Christmas trees. But for about 3 years now, I have wanted to have a Christmas tree with all handmade ornaments. It seems like an easy task. Last year, I made about 12. Then my parents came to my house for Christmas, and they convinced me that we just needed to put up a tree. 2 days before Christmas my dad bought me hot pink and lime green decorations. My crochet snowflakes and stars were put away. And I didn't think about them any more.

Until tonight. I am at work. Dr. S brought me a mini tree for my office. It's about 4 feet tall. I'm thinking about my ornaments again. You see, one day during the summer, I got this wise idea. To sit and crochet some Christmas ornaments. It was 105*F and I was dreaming of snow and twinkle lights. I had 5 or 6 designs in mind. I figured I would make 5 of each. And I did really good. Until, I gave them away! Dr. S's wife really liked them. I gave her a set. I can't remember if there was 5 or 6 of them. But she loved them.

My boss' grandma really likes my crafts too. I sent her a set. And I gave a set to my neighbor. I only had 3 full sets. Now I have 5 angels, 6 stars, and 8 snowflakes. What a weird number! But I think, I am going to try really hard this year, to get them made. I figure I can crochet 5 of each design. That is roughly 30 ornaments. I found a pattern for a cute garland. And I have the perfect vintage twinkle lights. I think it will look nice in my office. That way I am not worried about the kids breaking an ornament and getting hurt.

Now to just get motivated to work on them. I have been making baby stuff. My goddaughter is due in less than a week. That's the only think I have on the brain. Booties, blankets, and little dresses. I need to get into the holiday spirit!

Ciao!

XOXO
♥Lola