AirMail Earrings

My friend, Janine, has lived in Japan for over 25 years now. She blogs over at CraftyTokyoMama.

Each summer, she comes home to visit family. She and her daughter go camping, fishing, horseback riding and anything else Oregon-wise they can fit into the time they have. 

Unfortunately, that meant we couldn't meet up this time. We had to make do with the US Mail. Did you know it's much cheaper to send a package to her parents in Oregon than all the way to Japan?!?   I might have gone overboard throwing things into my package.
Janine, who is the mistress of beautiful packaging, sent me a package that was a delight to see & open.

 These Letter Earrings are already a huge hit at work. My co-worker tells everyone they are addressed to me!
They certainly appear real with "via AirMail" underneath the stamp.
The reverse side has "Postcard" written across the top with "I Love You" in script on the message side.

 Janine, who crochets better than anyone else I know, crocheted these while camping!
I think she blocked them too!
I have a coaster set of four different designs plus a square doily and a smaller round doily.
She had a book with different designs and went hog-wild!

We must live in the dirt when we go camping. If I were to bring something "white" it would be brown in no time.

Little Miss Geisha Girl is actually a "going visiting hanky" that all Japanese women carry.
I'm supposed to bring it when I visit Kyoto next Spring.

Even her card is special! Eastern Airlines! She knows about my airplane problem.

Did you spot the other airplane hanging on the card? It's an Airmail Stamp brooch.

She wraps everything in cute papers and washi tape. 

Each item came packaged. She even gave me some masking tape  (spot the airplane...). Is that a hint?
 

When I send things to her, I am intent on using up all available flat rate space. As in, crammed full!

I sent her some really random items. Blue nail polish for her daughter, Moonstruck (Portland) chocolate bars, MarionBerry Syrup (Neighbor make - Glenmore Farms), random sewing notions, some Clover Wonder Clips, etc.
All jumbled with no washi tape inside a priority box. And a huge pile of postcards for her Postcrossing addiction.

Wheat Weaving

My local library had a class on wheat weaving last night.

We all made the classic heart and then the angel/doll and our third item could be a bigger heart, a cross or another doll/angel.
The instructor is the same as who taught Ukrainian Easter Eggs back in the Spring. She speaks in a delightful accent and was pleasantly amazed when I added a Halo to my angel.

The farmer across the runway grew wheat this year. 
He just cut it and will bale it at any moment.
Do you think he would mind if I borrowed a few stalks . . . .?

Free Swatch from Spoonflower - Eco Canvas

For the next 24 hours you can try our favorite earth-friendly fabric for free! Get a swatch of Eco Canvas from now until 12pm Eastern Time (what time is this for me?) {9am PST} and we won't charge you a penny. That means free standard shipping, too! Head over to Spoonflower to get your swatch now, or read the directions below for more details. 

More about Eco Canvas:   Heavyweight 100% polyester canvas made with 45% recycled content Launders beautifully; custom-printed designs stay bright and vibrant 54” printable width Made in the U.S. Perfect for making backpacks, totes, storage bins, chair seats, sofas, ottomans, plushies, play mats, kids shoes and “jean” jackets

How Do I Get My Free Swatch?

To add a free swatch of Eco Canvas fabric to your cart, use the 'Go For It' button (visible on each fabric design page) between noon EDT on Tuesday, August 19th and noon EDT on Wednesday, August 20th (what time is that for me?). Proceed to checkout. The discount will be subtracted from your cart total automatically. Note that in order to receive your swatch, you need to continue the transaction until you reach the order confirmation page. (And yes, standard shipping is free, too.) This offer works for your own designs or for any of the designs available for sale in the Spoonflower marketplace. Multiple orders from the same household and/or customer will be disqualified.

This is the fabric I ordered:
http://www.spoonflower.com/fabric/1303990

Clackamas County Fair - Part 2

Part 2 - or Where I Reveal The Real Theme....

Upstairs in Hobby Hall was about a zillion AIRPLANES!
From RC models to really cool art entries.

 Good to see kids still make model airplanes.

 Added this year were several hands-on activities: Hammer up a tool box with adult help - all kids welcome.
The other activity I observed was Tole Painting at the opposite end of the hall.

The reality of hobby hall  is that less and less people are entering their fabulous creations.
Our county fairs - part of rural America - are becoming a thing of the past.
I was happy to see the interactive activities.

 RC model of - guess what??? A Stearman Biplane. 
Who do we know that owns a real one????

 Nice photo of a P-51 Mustang (WWII fighter plane)

 Photo of the back end of a V-tailed Bonanza airplane.

 Several VW bugs & vans made their appearance. I had hoped to finish my VW Van Bag in time to enter it but it wasn't to be.

 Kids can enter their 'collections'.

The RC airplanes were provided by the Dusters RC Club from Molalla.

Clackamas County Fair 2014 - part 1

"We're Serving Up Fun" was our fair's theme this year.
Our livestock barn ~ 90 years old - was torn down and the worlds biggest tent erected 'just in time' to house the cows & piggies.
Just a few pigs as the deadly pig virus rampages on.

 Fair started out cool at 82' but finished at nearly 90' hot.

 A young Grand Champion 4-H sew-er. This one's going to the Oregon State Fair.

 An amazing & inspirational 4-H Raincoat.

I might have figured out what the art judges were looking for - the image surrounded by a black background. Minimal.

Junior award
 { ----minimal --- no extraneous scenery}

 Adult winner - wowza on black gator board - like foam core board but black throughout.
Amazing hand cuts?

Detail of above quilt which is my favorite quilt - - - we can vote!
All that hand-applique paired with embroidery.

.

 Loved this minimalist, Japanese-feel quilt.

 I won three Blue Ribbons! 
This Mega Pinnie might be my most used and favorite make of 2014.

 My Pendleton Tote, displayed oddly in the case, won a Class Champion Award (purple) along with the blue ribbon.

 Look at all these lacey hand knit scarves.

 Fused glass wall sculpture.

 Someone made a Boat!

 Upstairs; Hobby Hall

Part two tomorrow. {where I show you the real theme}

I leave you with a video snippet of the FFA livestock auction Saturday morning.
Those little piggies sold for $3.75/lb.