Sale! Sale! Sale! (Key West, FL)

Oh My Gosh!  I can't believe it is February and the last time I posted was back in December!  I have been so obsessed with getting old projects done and new projects started that time just got away from me.  Remember last time that I said I probably would not try selling from a table again anytime soon?  Famous last words.  Yep, I signed up again for January's Arts/Crafts Yard Sale except this time the sale did not go as planned.

U.S. Flag Garland

We had several cold fronts spread out over a three to four week time frame.  One right after the other bringing heavy gusts of winds that shook the motorhome and hours of downpours leaving roads looking like ponds throughout the base.  So, after spending every free moment finishing projects, it was announced the Sale Day had to be cancelled.  

A little disappointing, but a major relief since I could not figure out how I was going to keep my items from blowing away in the 25+ mph gusts or to protect them from getting wet during the downpours.

A few days after the cancellation, we received another notice for a new sale day.  Come Saturday morning, we could not have asked for better weather.  A little on the cool side in the morning, but by the afternoon the sun was warming up the ol' bones.

SOLD!

I'm happy to report that I sold four of my quilts between the two sale days.   I finally sold my Sweet Dreams quilt.  I have not had much luck selling them online.  I have tried different prices and I am beginning to think people do not want to buy them because they are afraid to use them.  Being able to touch and see how well they are made along with me explaining they have been pre-washed and were made to be USED helped sale the quilts including my teddy quilt showing below.

A second visit from a young lady (all of eight years of age, but acted more like adult than most adults) asked me how much for this quilt.  I quoted a price expected her to balk and walk away, but she pulled out her money and said she wanted it.  Her mom was watching from a nearby table.  I had a feeling they had already discussed her daughter's purchase.  I asked her if she wanted a bag to store it in..."oh no!".  She walked away with a big smile  and the quilt being hugged in her arms.  I am so happy they all found a new home and someone to love them.

So, here are some of the items I made in the last couple of months from mini wall hangings to more Happy Campers.

mini wall hanging or ornament

mini wall hanging or ornament

The Happy Camper dogs sold quickly.  I need to make more for my shop.  I still have the cat one.  I made so many Happy Campers that I will finish this up with collages.

I guess Hitch was feeling a little ignored one day when he jumped over my light box's wall and glared at me through the camera.

HEY!  Enough with the picture of mug rugs!
Pay attention to me!  Now Lady!

This is what I think of your mug rugs

Great!  Now she is taking my picture.  Boring!

I did take some breaks for walks, chores, and to sign-up for a chance to win a book.  Imagine how shocked I was when I recieved a Facebook PM from Anne Canadeo!  I won!  Yea!  

I received my signed copy in the mail in December.  I did not a lot of time to sit down to read it until this last week.  So far, I am enjoying the story.  Then again, I have always enjoyed this cozy mystery series.  Thank you Anne!  Keep on writing!

All right, back to reality.  My 'To Do' list is growing by the minute.  Until next time...
Happy Quilting!

A Cozy Murder Mystery and Cats

While My Pretty One Knits 

by Anne Canadeo

I have been very lazy lately.  I have been finding it easier to listen to audio books instead of reading them.  Well, this one I did read and I could not put it down! A great cozy murder mystery that moves fast with good solid clues (not stitches) dropped along the way.

I know this is an older book (2009), but I just discovered Anne Canadeo.  Of course, I always love a good murder mystery and better yet, one with a tight knit group of crafty ladies…no pun intended!

Lucy is the main character.  After her divorce, she moves to a small town to live in her deceased Aunt’s house.  For once, I am not reading about how nasty or pigheaded the ex-hubby is or was during their marriage.  There’s just enough background covered to let the reader know how Lucy is feeling about her divorce.

Most murder mystery women/sleuths end up in a relationship with either a detective or a lawyer or some other kind of law associated professional.  Hurray for Lucy!  She finds a man in a different profession.  Thank you! Lucy also rescues a dog despite the fact that the Vet’s bill will be high.  Animal lovers understand this completely.  We are guilty of paying high Vet bills with two of our adopted cats.

This story is about Lucy’s friend and experienced knitter/shop owner, Maggie.  She is suspected of murdering another yarn shop owner.  Soon, the whole knitting club is there for Maggie.  All the Black Sheep Ladies are the kind of friends I love to sit down with and get to know.  Conversations are light and witty.  They have a wonderful friendship full of support for each other as they try to solve the murder.  The best part – no one declared “we should solve this murder!”

I’m not a knitter, but anyone with a love of working with their hands will enjoy reading about the knitting projects.  Lucy is working on Sock Monkey hats for her nieces, but it is not overdone.  Just enough to keep you interested.  At the end of the book, Anne added two websites on Sock Monkeys.

I did learn some odd facts while trying to solve this mystery - like Brad Pitt and Russell Crowe are knitters.  I googled this just out of curiosity and I only found something about Russell Crowe knitting.  I thought that was very interesting.  I also learned that wool yarn can be dyed with Jell-o.  Apparently, it does not work on cotton.  Too bad – dying with Jell-o might have been fun to try with some muslin.  There is a link to Jell-o dyeing at the end of the book as well. 

Anyway, Anne has two more Black Sheep Knitter’s series and I plan to read both.  I found Anne’s FB page and I just learned she has a fourth book coming out soon.  Well, I better get to reading so I’ll be caught up for book #4.

The Never-ending Saga of Cat Grooming

You need a good grooming.

Wait!  Is anyone watching?

Ahhh!  It's okay.  Now let me finish grooming you, Fish-Breath.

Hey! I can't help it if your breath smells like fish!