My vision; my first ‘whatever’

Help. This new Pure Serendipity creation needs a name.

What was/is your vision that just stayed swirling around in your head until you finally decided that now was the time to just “do it?” Could be an exotic vacation that sent the palm trees of your imagination swaying; a new recipe that set you taste buds a bursting; the book that has been on your “must read” list.

Since the early days of Pure Serendipity, I have wanted to transform my table topper/wall hanging into a dream catcher of sorts.  I knew exactly what I wanted it to look like, but I was scared to try making it – mainly cause I’m always scared to try something new for fear it won’t turn out and then what? I brought my idea and the items needed to make the vision a reality to my recent women’s gabaway weekend. I knew if these eight minds couldn’t push me in the right direction that my vision would just continue to gnaw at my creative spirit.

HOWEVER –

Ta da! I completed my first “whatever.” What do you think? What should I call it? I don’t want to use the term dreamcatcher as it is a term that has special meaning to our Native American friends.

Hanging is adorned with glass beads, handmade beads and even some antique tatting.

This new “thing” from Pure Serendipity will be making its debut at the Oct. 8 Savage Art Crawl. I will be soon posting it in my store as well. But it needs some sort of name – label.

Your ideas please……Oh, even if you don’t have an idea, could you please comment on my blog. (See below). I’m not sure if I have my comment section configured properly, and this will help make that determination.

Lee Ann

Girls just want to have fun - at any age

If I wasn’t already a woman, I’d want to be one! We, for the most part, know how to have fun in style. We love to shop for hours rooting around for just the right thing for just the right person for just the right occasion. And if we do it with our gals, well Hallelujah! Life doesn’t get any better than that.

Nothing, but nothing could have prepared me for the women attending the Little Falls Arts and Crafts Fair last weekend. What show opens at 8 a.m. on Saturday? Well, this one does. And the women came by the bus load. They were prepared to shop, with their roller carts or wagons in tow. Some, as the video I took shows, came IN COSTUME!! How was I to know that every motel from St. Cloud to Brainerd would be booked by, you guessed it – WOMEN wanting to visit and shop.

Former Montevideo gals on the hunt for the perfect gifts and laughs at the Little Falls Arts and Crafts Show.
Karen Moss, Karen Welker, Connie Toftness, Lee Ann Wahi

They came in matching t-shirts, wore matching pins, matching hats. They came even by tour bus!

Really, would guys do that? Well maybe at a NFL game, holding a beer, bearing their chests and yelling “GRRRRR” in hopes that the camera would capture their silliness for the world to see. But we women, well we love to “group-it” – to the casino for a weekend, a craft retreat, and what my friends have established- our annual “gab-away.” If you’ve read the Red Tent, you’ll understand that our need to commune or commiserate with each other – even during that time-of-the-month – is part of our DNA.

Next week I’m off to spend three days with several women who I have had the privilege of walking hand-in-hand through some of the most critical parts of my life. Our kids benefitted from of the village of support we created, and now, well, I think we are leaning on each other as we face the uncertainty of our ummmmmm senior years.

Change your reality with your attitude

A profile of an inspiring artist whom I recently met at an art show. Contact: Drew Jason Mounce www.YoungMounceStudios.com

Acceptance into the Powderhorn Art Fair for me was as if I had qualified for the Olympics. When I started this Pure Serendipity adventure three years ago, I had such little confidence in my ability as an artist that I couldn't imagine I would ever be a juried participant in an art fair, let alone the Powderhorn. But creativity and prodding from my supporters has given me the confidence to keep at it ... and there is no clear end vision - yes, it's just pure serendipity!
From time to time I like to profile an artist that I have met along this journey. Drew Mounce was my neighbor at Powderhorn. He is a story teller, and his paintings, besides hitting you with powerful color, will take you deeper into your own political point of view and even your attitude about life.

See you at Powderhorn!

I have visited the Powderhorn Art Fair over the years, but now I have the privilege of being a participant in the fair set for this weekend. SOOOOO excited.

You can find Molly, aka The Happy Hooker, and her mother at booth 100, sort of on the south side of the lake, not too far from the area where the May Day pageant occurs. Hope to see you there. By the way, if you're interested in creating your own fabric-wrapped bowl etc., I have posted a short video created by Bernina. It can be found below.

Are you interested in creating your own rope basket? I'll warn you now, the process is addicting. Bernina just posted the instructions. You can find it by clicking on this link.

Broken threads, breaking threads - oh the pain of it all

There is a big difference in threads, and because I go through miles and miles of it, I am learning that some are better for my sewing machine than others. Years ago Coats and Clarks was the sewing standard, but now the choices of fiber and count are overwhelming. When I started this fiber coiling journey, I upped my choice to Guterman. The color selection is great and JoAnn Fabrics stocks it and you know that means ---- COUPONS APPLY! But, going through thread like I do, even with coupons, it is a costly supply. So on to ordering from Connecting Threads- while the color selection can't be beat, I'm not happy with the LINT and I have had spools with broken thread. What should I do????? Help. If you have some thread suggestions for me, let me know. Also do any of you use compressed air to clean your bobbin area (the stuff in a can you use to blow grime from a keyboard)? Just to let you know, this past weekend's Art at St. Kate's show was wonderful - great weather, friendly people and lots of creative fiber artists. I got word that I will be participating in the Chaska River Town Days art fair on July 30. It is one day only,

July - a little of this and a lot of that

Three art shows in June and the calendar has turned another page - I met a lot of great people and learned the hard lesson that no matter how prepared you think you are, the weather can really cause problems. Oh well, on to July, and that means restocking my hat brim inventory. I made 14 since my last show, and my fingers are feeling every twist and turn around the cord. (I hope this isn't arthritis setting in.) However, I'm taking it a little lighter this month with two new shows for my schedule - Art at St. Kate's on July 9 and Chaska River City Days on July 30. I hope to spend the middle of July up at our spot at Breezy Point, and also spend some time with my wonderful Duluth grand kids who just returned from a great trip to Norway with their Grandma Deb Sorenson. No, Molly won't be with me this Saturday at St. Kate's, but Karen Minge has offered to pitch in. Stop by if you can. Pure Serendipity is booth #69.