Rug update and new basket

I've always liked these big tobacco drying baskets. I finally found one. I nearly had a wreck driving past an antique store Sat. The basket was part of a display outside the store--and I made a quick turn into the parking lot to get a closer look.

Mine has a couple of my owls nestled in the bottom. The ones in the Pottery Barn catalogs never have cute owls in them...

Also, here is a photo of the rug. I've not worked on it for about a month. It is still about a third the size I hope to make it. Perhaps I'll have time to work on it this summer.

First Street Fair

I summoned all my available energy, pumped myself full of adrenaline, and Jen and I went to the "Fourth Friday" street fair in Westerville, OH last night as planned.

We had a blast, but I'm feeling pretty shaky this morning.

I didn't sell as much as I hoped, but the woman next to us selling jewelry said that business picks up as the summer goes on. She thinks the people just look the first month. We saw a lot of people. People seemed to like my display, and my monsters. Especially the children. I loved watching the young faces as they walked by, spotted a monster, and stopped. Or at least the head turned as they followed the adult walking in front. I think my table looks a bit too busy, and we have enough room that we will bring a third card table next time and spread out a bit more. And I will edit what I bring next time.

We both paid for our space and made a bit of profit. We had free hot dogs from the fire department stand just down the block, saw some folks we know, and enjoyed a pretty spring evening.

My favorite moments:

A little boy, maybe one, in a stroller reaching for my scariest monster on the top of the display. And hugging it like it was his favorite toy when I let him. His brother and sister put ornaments and gift tags in the mouths of all the other monsters. The mom was kind of embarrassed that they made a mess of the display. I was glad to see kids enjoy the toys. (Mom didn't buy, but she might come back...)

A girl, ten or so, whose face lit up when her dad said she could buy an owl. The feel of wool is addicting!

A college age couple--out on a date. He bought her an owl. She agonized over which one to pick. I like to think that it will be a treasured object in her world--and will last at least as long as the boyfriend does. Maybe she will keep it for years to remind her of a special date. Maybe it will be thrown away in a few months along with other trinkets that remind her of a soured romance. In any case--that little owl has flown the nest and has new adventures ahead.

Jen and her table look great!

I have a lot of new ideas for next time!