Book Review

I read two books this past week. Which is an amazing feat for me since I rarely read books. For some reason I've been craving to read lately. Weird.

Anyway, this week I read "Dropped Dead Stitch" and "The Hunt For The Seventh."

Dropped Dead Stitch, well, I found it, hmm, mediocre I guess. I'm into knitting right now so I kind of had a kindered relationship with it in a way but I felt that it was in no way a very exciting book. It had potential I suppose but the author really seemed to give away the plot points very easily. Several chapters before the killer was revealed I already saw it comming. I give it an "eh" on my scale.

The Hunt For The Seventh, it's funny because I bought this book for my 9-year old daughter at the book fair this week so it is geared toward the juvinile crowd. However, I still found it much more interesting than the previous read. This book instantly drew me in. I started reading it at night and it freaked me out--I fell asleep with the TV on that night. I thought it was a pretty cool book. I'd reccomend it for a good Halloween read, but I don't think my daughter has the courage to read it yet!

This week I'm reading the "The Shack" by Wm. Paul Young. Can't wait to share my thought on it.

A.D.D. Artist

It didn't take long for me to tire of my regular work after the craft fair was over. The weather is turning chillier and I've been eyeing all the goodies on Etsy lately and found my newest obcession: Knitting.

I already know how to crochet fairly well. Learned that at my telemarketing job when I was younger. We'd sit there crocheting blankets while trying to sell some lame credit card insurance.

But crochet is not my preferred style. It seems a bit...elderly, I guess. Probably because my grandmother always had crocheted afghans around her house. But knitting, that's in a whole other sophisticated catagory.

It sucks for those on Etsy trying to sell their wares because you can go to the store and buy the same thing way cheaper. But those items don't hold the same aesthetic quality as something you know was created by someone's own hands.

But, alas, I'm cheap, crafty and have a little bit of time on my hands so I'm working on my own knitting projects. It's comming along.

Heritage Days

We had a great time at Heritage Days in Warsaw, Missouri on Saturday. Every time we go it makes me want to go camping. But not just any campsite. Some place you'd have to hike to. I guess I enjoy it so much because it reminds me of how my six cousins and I used to play when we were children. We spent large amounts of time on my grandparents' 200 acre farm, so we would venture far away from the house and be gone all day. We'd play like we were pioneers or Indians or whatever. It brings back wonderful memories.
Thanks for visiting!

Boot Hunt...

I would actually love to have areason to buy these simply because I love the black & white damask pattern. However, since the '90's, I am not a big fan of Doc Martins. Still cute, though. Wanna buy them? Go here! They're on ebay.


I do, however, desparately want these boots:



They are way more expensive than I want to pay but, O! They are sooooooo cute! I have diaper bag and tons of other things that would match them! MUST have them!

Halloween Treats...

Just a quick post--

Just wanted to share these super cute cupcakes with you from Family Fun Magazine. I have GOT to make these this year. Hopefully mine will look a little like this picture!




Also, I just thought these pumpkins were gorgeous! marthastewart.com

Lazy Sunday Afternoon...

Aahhh... Just had a nice nap. Still exhausted from the craft fair.

Also, thank goodness, I'm blond again. Finally. (Those of you who I met at the craft fair, I've never been brunette before--I hated it!)

Here at the Shoemaker household, we have been cleaning out the garage and putting up the Halloween decor, getting ready for the annual Shoemaker chili cookoff & Halloween Party. We have lots of fun and everyone is invited. Literally. People just walking by Trick-or-Treating with their kids are invited in to have a bowl of chili. I couldn't tell you how many different kinds of chili we had last year. It was a very good time. In the neighborhood? Stop by! Pix to come soon.

Craft Fair Aftermath...

My family room is wrecked!



My studio is ground zero. (That hideous floor doesn't help anything.)




Miranda is wearing my pendants.


My studio (and my home) truly suffered in the flurry of busyness prior to the craft fair. (As evident in these photos.) Time to clean up and get organized. (Yeah, right.)

However, if you're going to have a massive mess in your house, what's better than having that mess made of vintage papers, glitter and other tiny treasures? (a mess of 100 dollar bills.)

I would love HGTV to come & surprise me with a studio makeover. But, alas, I suppose I'll have to do it myself. Hmmm...I'll let you know when that happens. Hopefully I'll get the flooring replaced soon, (it was there when we bought it--I did NOT pick that out!).

Until then, I'd like to know if you have an inspiring space to create? Post your pix here, I'd love to see them.

Ozark Craft Fair 2009

Well, it's over now and I have trouble remembering that I can relax now. This year's profit was not nearly as much as 2006 & 2007. Which I automatically attribute to the bad economy. However, a vendor my husband spoke with who was set up in a barn space said that her profits were 3 times as much as they were last year--which the craft fair organizers claim was one of the best years ever. So, that being said, I believe in the curse of a tent booth and the blessing of a barn booth-- I won't participate in the Ozark craft fair again unless I get a barn space.

Speaking of the curse of the tent space... Friday was one of the worst days of my life. The wind was awful. My husband, Brian, and i had to hold on to the tent and the bookcase from 11am to 6pm so things wouldn't fly away or fall down. It was extremely stressful. Thank the good Lord it's over!

Thank you to all who came out and supported us. Overall, we had a great time. I always love to meet with the people and to see how the are moved by art.

I'll let you know about any other craft fairs or art shows I'll be particpating in later on.

Thank you.

Still Working...

This is a lame preview of my booth.

Still working? Then what am I doing on the computer?

Waiting for thunderstorms to move throught before I set up my booth. Hopefully it won't be too windy, my tent is pretty flimsy.