A winner! (And art fair wrap-up)

Thanks so much to everyone who stopped by and visited my blog during the Sew, Mama, Sew! giveaway.  I really enjoyed reading all of your comments and hearing from each and every one of you!  Plus, I now have some new books to check out for summer reading.

I used the random number generator on Random.org to draw the winner of the apron.  And the apron goes to... drum roll, please... comment number 3:

thehappycrochetchic said:

This is soo pretty.. I just read the new Lyndsay Sands book, I love her stuff

May 21, 2012 12:03 PM

Congratulations, Happy-crochet-chic-person!  I'll be contacting you for your mailing info.

The art fair yesterday was really fun.  I was a bit worried about the weather forecast (gusty winds and a chance of thunderstorms!), but the day, and my location under big shade trees, turned out to be perfect!  I loved seeing many friends and familiar faces, and enjoyed the excuse to just hang out a bit.  I've been making and making non-stop lately, but yesterday I only made one itty bitty thing during the entire ten or so hours of the fair!  Aside from the setting up and taking down, it was sort of a day off for me.  That's me, setting up in the morning!

I arranged my tent with t-shirts on one side and all my other stuff (paper goods, felted things, bags, tea towels, etc) on the other.  I think the display turned out pretty well, but I'm always learning when I do these events, and I've got some new ideas for next time.  Applications are due soon for Chicago's Renegade Craft Fair... and I think I'm finally gathering the courage to apply.

What's Blooming

Pricing, packing up, and generally getting ready for the art fair tomorrow.  I'll be set up (under my new canopy!) from 10am to 8pm at What's Blooming on Harrison.  I'm looking forward to hanging the new banner that I finished this weekend, and hoping it doesn't rain too hard!

Another giveaway!

Hey ya folks!  SewMamaSew! is having another Giveaway Day (really several days... so you have plenty of time to peruse all the blogs and goodies).  It was so much fun participating last time that I just had to do it again.  Click the icon below to check out all the generous giveaways being offered.  In addition to the chance of winning a fabulous prize, you might even discover a great new blog... or two... or three... to follow.

I'll be giving away a cotton canvas apron in a black and white IKEA faux wood grain print.  Comfortable.  Durable.  Designed for gardening, but also great for crafting, cooking, or anything else for which you might possibly need an apron.

Simply comment on this post anytime before Friday, May 25 at 5 pm PST.  You can write whatever you want in your comment, but if you're looking for a specific topic, feel free to share the name of a great book you've read lately... or your favorite vegetable to grow... or something you're looking forward to this summer.  Please be sure that I have a way to contact you if you are the winner!!  If your email is not connected to your blogger profile, please include it in your comment.  I will use Random.org to chose the recipient of this indispensable apron.  I'll announce the winner by May 27.  I am happy to ship domestically or internationally.

If you like my blog, I'd love to have you as a follower.  But that's up to you... I'm just sayin'.

Random moments

Feeling like I have a lot to post about, and at the same time, very little.  Really there's just so much going on around here -- it's hard to catch my breath sometimes... or have a complete thought.  Mostly, in a good way.  Work has become less crazy for the husband and more crazy for me.  The kids are finishing up their school year -- Ellie has one more week, Henry has two.  We're all looking forward to Summer and, in the meantime, enjoying this amazing Spring weather!  Just wanting to document some of this life... right now.

The entire student body at Henry's school making a giant sun on the "playground" as part of an ongoing effort to raise money for new green space to replace their blacktop.  Pretty awesome, don't you think?!

Making mini chocolate chip cookies (one chip each!) with Henry, just because.  Ellie wanting me to french braid her hair, despite the pinching and pulling, and me trying to do it as quickly and neatly as possible.

Making beer.  The husband, not me.  I just cheer him on and drink it when it's ready!

Sewing (and screenprinting) bags and many other objects.  Me, not the husband.  Getting ready for an art fair next weekend and, two weeks later, one of my favorite craft fairs ever!  See the side bar for more info.

Screen printing machine

... at least that's what I hope to be this weekend.  I'm spending the weekend at my screen printing "studio" (aka my mother-in-law's lake house) which has space in the basement for me to work.  (Unlike the basement at my house which I'm too embarrassed to let most people see because it's so full of piles of out-of-season clothes, old toys, mementos, and, mostly, stuff that we don't really need!)  [I could go on, but back to my point.]  I picked up a big box of new t-shirts yesterday.  Grown-up sizes this time.  Yup, that's right.  Until now I've only printed tees in little kid sizes.  Now the big kids (adults) will have their turn, too.  After days of staring at all the style and color options available (there are way too many options!!), I selected the ones below.  Women's tees are on top.  Men's on the bottom.  I'm pretty happy with the variety of colors, and I'm hoping there's something for everyone.

In addition to some of the usual print designs (robot and mantis), I'll be printing this screaming alien for the guys.  This design is a modification of a drawing my son made for one of his comic book creations, so it's got special meaning for me.  Oh, who am I kidding?  Mostly, I just think it's kind of hilarious.

The girls will get the robot, too... plus the dandelion.  For the third shirt, though, I'm still undecided.  I'm planning to make a new screen this weekend -- hand painted instead of burned with photo emulsion.  I've narrowed it down to one of the two images below.  It'll be printed on the silver tee -- I'm going for a subtler effect here.  What do you think?!  Do you like the image on the left or right?  Maybe neither?  I'd love if you could help me decide!!

P.S.: The tees will be for sale at my booth at What's Blooming on Harrison on May 26 and at the Constructor Craft Fair on June 9.  If they do well, I'll have them up in my shop after that.