The Start of the Christmas Season

Here are Tom Turkey's successors!

They seemed to be a big hit at the Holiday Market today.  Foot traffic and sales were down from the last 2 weeks, but veteran vendors said that they've seen this other years on Thanksgiving weekend.  It was also a beautiful day (into the upper 50s) which I bet kept some folks outside instead of (more?) shopping.

The Christmas tree farm we like was certainly hopping when we got there late this afternoon.  Like I said, the great weather drew people outside.  Coming home with our tree in the dusk we saw evidence of all the light-hanging activity that happened over the last few days.  Andrew begged off this year's tree hunt, so Nicole was happy to do the honors:

Hopefully tomorrow I'll have the energy to start pulling out holiday decorations.  In the meantime I'm heading for bed!

Holiday Market Week 2

Happy Thanksgiving

I hope your holiday is happy, healthy and bountiful!

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New Layout:  The previous one was being balky when I tried to edit it. We'll see how this one fares.

New Feature:  In the right column you'll find a link to my online card gallery.  I'll still post new things in individual posts, but this will give people a resource to turn to when they want to find something.  Fellow crafters, feel free to CASE (since I probably did, too!).

Blog & Gallery Subscriptions:  Did you know you can get an email when I post a new blog entry and/or photo in the gallery?  Click on the RSS button in your browser (often up by the web address, I believe).

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Last Saturday Marlene and I were joined by our friend, Jennifer, who makes fabulous small bags/pouches out of gorgeous fabrics.  Thanks to Marlene, she had been assigned the booth next to ours, and the three of us decided to set up as one large booth.  Her colorful display drew lots of customers!  She'll be back with us on Saturday, December 12.  In the meantime, you can check out her wares at www.inmyvastsparetime.com.

I have made and sold 45 of the Tom Turkey Treats pictured above.  They use the new SU! Sweet Treat Cups and a variety of die cuts and punches (not to mention a gajillion googly-eyes and Jelly Bellys).  Stay tuned to see what will replace good ol' Tom at this week's market!

While at the market I like to have a little something to work on when I'm not helping customers...the first week I assembled Tom Turkeys, last week I stamped and colored snowmen for this card.  It also uses a Sweet Treat Cup, but this time as a faux snow globe.

 
On Sunday several crafting friends came by and we had a marathon card-making session.  Glenn helped me set up numerous tables throughout our basement both for individual work places and for a stamp-washing station, cutting station, Cuttlebug center, embossing center, etc.  Much creative production and fun was had by all.

Want to stop by and craft?  Just let me know!

Lincoln Square Holiday Market Week 1

Last Saturday was the first day of the Holiday Market and it went well.  We had reasonable foot traffic either in spite of or because of the beautiful weather and home UI football game.  I had a few friends stop by, and a respectable amount of sales.  I think I have a good mix of items at prices that people seem happy to pay.  We'll see what happens in the coming weeks....


Here are a few pictures of the booth and some new cards that will be available this week:

This one says inside:  "It's your day - spoil yourself silly!"

It's hard to tell in this photo, but the pond and snow are super-glittery!

Still getting ready...

for the Holiday Market that starts this Saturday (see end of this post for details).  Today was a test run of the booth with my friend, Marlene, who makes bead jewelry.  I think we've got a good plan...check back later this weekend for pictures of our first day!

I seem to have finally kicked the mild H1N1 or whatever virus attacked my lower respiratory system and zapped my stamina.  Good thing, too, since I'm not only homeschooling Nicole and getting ready for this market but also this is the busiest week for Champaign PTA Council's part of the Reflections art contest that I'm co-chairing.

Here's some of the things I've added to my inventory in the last couple of weeks (double-click on an image to see it enlarged).

These 2 thank-you card designs are both being offered at the market and being used for the Champaign School Board members for "Illinois School Board Appreciation Day" on November 15.

And then more holiday cards...some are offered singly, some in sets of 8, some both ways.

Hope to see you C-U folks at the market one of these upcoming Saturdays!