Thank You Friends

It's cold.  We live in Minnesota.  It snows.

I teach.  We go outside.

Thank you for snowpants, boots, mittens, jackets, hats, fun.

Thank You "Builders"

Many years ago, my friend, Marsha, said, "I want to get a group together to work on projects between Halloween and Christmas so we have a dedicated time to get stuff done for the holidays, but we can't call it 'craft night', we need a better name than that"... and 'Builders Forum' was launched.

For years, these women, among others, have been my mainstay in the world of "Nettie and Friends."  Here are some photos of a typical night... These happened to be at my place... A simple meal, some beverages, lots of laughter,

Yep, there's a lot of 'building' going on... Marsha's working on a 'rescued' quilt, Elizabeth is practicing her accordion, Cathi learned how to make earrings, Kathleen is making scrap socks, Dorothy is making more dishrags, Rita finished addressing all of her holiday cards and is getting some felted wool ready turn into the cutest pins, I finished a 'hoot hat' for a colleague, Sunny was just hanging out under the table, Kathleen showed off a find from Saver's (a Seminole 'man's long shirt' which she is working diligently on fabric dating)  there's Max, who decided that Marsha's quilt was just the thing to cuddle up in on a chilly evening and here's Bonnie working on a scarf (she finished addressing all of her holiday cards... I'm jealous!)  Not pictured: Jean J. (you wouldn't want THAT one posted!) and Kathy...off to care for grandchildren.

The Builders often help me with tagging items, inspire me to create more and support me when I'm just plain tired out.  Thank you Builders for all you have given me and others over the years.  You are the best!
Nettie

2009 Opening Reception

First, thank you set up crew!  Thank you Andrea for waiting on us and making sure I was drinking enough water throughout the evening.  Thank you 'show me the money' friends.  Thank you 'take down and pack it in Nettie's car' crew.  Thank you friends and supporters for your kind words, encouragement and enthusiasm!  Thank you friends for donating your time, your craft, your artistry.  Thank you Marsha for dreaming up a show stopping fireplace that has people talking!

Here is a very 'unedited' slideshow to enjoy!



Thank you everyone.  Now, "after ecstasy , the laundry!"

Nettie

Sneak Preview... The Fireplace is UP! The Show is OPEN!

Thank you to the fantastic crew that showed up to help with the hanging of the

2009 Nettie and Friends Show and Sale.  After eleven months of planning,

organizing, painting, building and dreaming... today is the day!

Thank you to Dave with his tall ladders, long arms and patience

for making sure our 'lodge' fireplace went up in alignment!

Take a blank wall, add some pizazz and viola' a fireplace!

 

Next add a heart warming wreath.

 

Thank you Robb for your good eye at getting the display started (and level!)

Thank you Marsha for dreaming about a 'lodge' fireplace for this year's show...

It took many hours, but WOW! Was it worth it!! 

Thanks for being my friend for all these years!

Thanks Jean for loading up the display racks with yummy, beautiful items!

 

Thank you Lynn and Jean for making so many tough decisions

about which items to display (and displaying them so well!)

 

Thank you Kim for your willingness to climb up and hang stuff

and smile and make us all a little nervous with

your creative stacking of items to 'gain height' when the ladder was in use!

 

It's really UP!  The show is ready and open for business on Monday, November 30th!

The staff at the Egg and I were WOWED with the fireplace! 

It is the centerpiece for so many beautiful items that have been donated. 

Thank you!

 

WOW! 

 

Thank you friends!

Whew!

Pricing Day! We did it! WooHoo!

Thank you to everyone who donated beautiful items for this year's show and sale.

The pricing committee met and:

1. laughed 
2. talked 
3. oohed and aahed 
4. discussed items and the present economy 
5. priced
6. tagged
7. haggled 
8. did a little arm wrestling over some items 
9. tried to tuck some items away in secret spots so they could be first at them when we hang the show
10. laughed some more
11. modeled some items
12. took very few photos
13. finished pricing everything in one day! 
14. Whew!  

A Weekend Away With William Morris

I went to my friend, Karen's, house for a weekend of sewing, laughing, creating and general fun. 

I took a box of William Morris fabric I have been hoarding for years...  Karen told me she had an idea for a quilt pattern... So, I jumped.  I took a deep breath.  I measured.  I cut.  My Singer Featherweight hummed.  I ironed.  I kept my head down and the pedal to the metal.  I've got a beautiful queen size quilt with I don't even know how many William Morris 'favorites' sewn in it!  I started out with good intentions of making a quilt for a friend.  Too bad.  I'm keeping this one! 

This is Karen's 'play room' above her garage. 

A beautiful place to sew.

Just what I needed!

http://morris.artpassions.net/

Almost Ready!!!

Can you believe this beautiful wreath?


It's great to have a wonderful friend like Marsha!

Look for this 4' wreath at the Egg and I
Opening Reception on December 5th!