70 Mile Yard Sale

This was the 11th year for the Annual 70 mile Yard Sale to benefit the Wood Islands Development Corporation....all fees for having your site listed in a booklet are used for events for the community!

I have participated in the event for the past 8 years.....It costs me $15.00 to have my site listed in a booklet that is published and is distributed by our local paper and the Island tourist information centers.

This year there were 150 sites listed....lots more that take advantage of the publicity and set up....which is too bad that they do not spend the few bucks and get their name listed it is great for the community and then it will continue...

My friend and I set up in my yard...we sell crafts, household items, car parts that hubbies will part with, food, clothing and junk...Ummm I mean treasures....lol. I made clam chowder and muffins this year and they were all sold before the end of the first day! Most years I make preserves but this year I did not and I had return customers but could not help them....next year maybe!

Grandson always does great...I sell his clothing, toys, games and anything that is from our home or his and the cash goes to his bank account...this year he was here Saturday to help...he had a great time!

I had a great weekend....met new people, seen people I have not seen for years and some people that come regularly for this sale from other areas....we had 8 couples from Florida that travel in their travel trailers every year at this time just so they can participate...they have a ball and I really do not think that they need some of the stuff they buy....lol...travelling all the way from Florida in a gas guzzler to purchase a used sweater or a .25 ornament!

Here are few pictures of our set up....I even purchased a portable garage for our crafts....I sold over $200.00 worth and my friend sold just about as much...her big sale was the beautiful Santa wall hanging....great deal for someone...$45.00! I did get a couple of custom orders..one for a baby quilt of Winnie the Pooh and 4 Christmas aprons....a mother, 2 daughters and a step daughter. I wish I had remembered to take some shots when the yard was full of people....at one time we had about 15 cars lined up at the road...

Now the next event is the Christmas craft fairs...first one is November 8st and 9th!

Etsy Angels are at it again!!!

The Etsy Angels took a break for a bit but now are out in full force ....our charity this time is helping AWBAR raise money to look after her abandoned fur babies!!! It is a great cause and we hope to be able to raise lots of funds for her.

About AWBAR:
AWBAR is located in Lockport, Illinois and is owned and operated by Amanda Smith. She rehabilitates ducks, raccoons, squirrels, opossums, rabbits, small birds and other small animals.

Relying solely on private donations, AWBAR is NOT a non for profit organization nor is AWBAR attached to any other organization. This is out of the pure love for animals.

AWBAR is currently raising money to help offset the expenses of raising and releasing wildlife in 2008. Expenses include: food, shelter, and vet bills. In addition, AWBAR is raising money to help establish not-for-profit status.

You can read more about AWBAR by visiting the following sites:
Official Website: www.awbar.com
AWBAR Blog: www.awbar.wordpress.com

As of June 24, 2008, AWBAR has lost 13 baby raccoons to the deadly Parvo virus, please we need your help!

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The Etsy Angels are donating a portion of their sales for the month of August to AWBAR ...here is the list of shops participating now but will be adding more later as some of our members are not available at the moment:

Purchases from the Etsy Angels Street Team Members and help out AWBAR!!!!


Wildlifer78 - donating 10% of August sales
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5201027

craftsbychris - donating 10% of August sales
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5197639

Sewinggranny - donating 10% of August sales
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5192730

cblandcompany - donating 10% of August sales
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=30355

MountainEagleCrafter - donating 10% of August sales
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=1451

BeadzNStonezSupplies - Donating 10% of August Sales
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5564707

TigerlilyStudio - Donating 10% of August Sales
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5354139

PaperlanternPatterns - Donating 15% of August Sales
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5561275

BCArtwerks - donating 10% of August sales
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5597256

MerkabaJewelry - donating 10% of August Sales
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5048756

MerkabaBeads - donating 10% of August Sales
http://www.etsy.com/shop_sold.php?user_id=5569272

We have a promo thread going as well...please drop in and check out our shops and help us keep the thread on top:
http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=5741022&page=1

Also there will be a number of treasuries going for the cause!!

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Wildlifer is our moderator and she is doing a terrific job....Thanks Amanda!!

My First Etsy Custom Order for a Handquilted Quilt!

It all started with a post to my team mates, The Etsy Angels, of the quilt that I was making for myself. CBLandCompany { Lisa } loved it and decided to order one from me for herself....She loved the colors of mine but wanted a different background. After sending her a sample of the fabrics, she decided to go with hunter green!

Here are samples of the colors and the blades to the fans...I cut 150 blades from 5 different fabrics and sewed them together to make 60 fans.....2 for each of the blocks. I am guessing about 10 hours work here.



Next I cut 30 blocks from the hunter green cloth and appliqued the fans on by hand...each set took1 hour, that is 30 more hours.

Then the stripes were cut from the deep burgandy print and sewn around each block to make the quilt front....3 hours work there.

The quilt front, back and batting were then pinned together and the handquilting began...It took me 1 hour to handquilt each block...it is hand quilted all around the blocks and then the fans....30 hours work!

Last but not least the binding was cut, sewn in strips, folded pressed then added to the quilt....2 more hours....

Ta Da....My master piece....and I hope Lisa's!!!!

I have never sat down and made a quilt and kept track of the hours that I put into one ...this is just a rough sample because while making the fans I was watching TV, doing other things so not quite sure how long it took to cut and make each fan blade! I would say I have about 75 hours into this quilt and loved every minute of it........would I do it again? In a heart beat!!!! Do I make any money at it ...no way!


Ok...so my pictures are not in order but I hope you can see the work that I did.....love to hear your comments.....I take constructive critism well!

I would love to make you one of your choice.....just contact me and we can work out the arrangements!

My Day at the Community Craftfair and Yard Sale

I have been doing craftfairs and placing my items in shops on consignment for a number of years and I get calls from people looking for me to join their events. I recieved an email from a lady that was organizing a huge yardsale, craftfair and bake sale in their area and the money for tables and registeration was to go to their Mental Health Group Home. It was to span a huge area and most were just going to set up in their own yard but there was a community one for those out of the area.

For $15.00 plus $5.00 per table, I agreed to give it a try and over I went on Saturday morning!
I got there....no one was sure what was going on...not a good start but finally someone said you can go inside the arena or outside. Well as I have sewn items I opted for inside...proceeded to set up tables and arrange all my items....looked around ...not many people inside and it was cold...no ice but sure felt like it!

An hour later no one was in around...uh oh not good...so some of the vendors began roaming around and found no signs leading people inside ...so off to the $ Store on lady went...purchased some neon bristle board and made signs and placed them on building....well, that helped!

It was a good day...things picked up, met some very nice people and agreed that I would do again next year.

As I was a vendor ...did not get much chance to see what was around but when I finished loading up my crafts there were a number of people with larger displays that were taking their time to get down...I looked around...wow, some really nice items there......next year I am taking someone with me so I can sneak out and have a look at some more of the other vendors items.

Some were just your ordinary yardsale items but some had some cool crafts...I especially liked the work of one disabled artist.....He made a number of different feeders for our feathered friends....I purchased 2 for my dad for Father's Day and what a deal...$10.00 each!

Looking forward to next year and I will stay for the 2 days next time.......only did the one this year.....other plans for second day!

Welcome New Members to the Etsy Angels

Today the Etsy Angels team is formally welcoming our 6 newest members:
Cindyjoy, Raisinlike, Silkcreekgallery, Tiff705, ArrivingAngels and Brynnalex! We are having lots of fun....chats, scavenger word hunt, guessing games, contests and sales today! Check out this thread for more information:
http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=5651962

I also have a treasury in honor of our new members:
http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list_west.php?room_id=12196


MY GAME FOR THE DAY:

FIND A SECRET IN ONE OF MY LISTINGS AND CONVO ME...THE WINNERS WILL BE GIVEN A NUMBER AS THEY CONVO ME AND AT THE END OF THE DAY ANOTHE ANGEL WILL PICK A NUMBER AND THE WINNING NUMBER WILL WIN A PRIZE.....ALSO IF YOU PURCHASE THE ITEM WITH THE SECRET IT WILL BE SHIPPED FREE AND 10% DISCOUNT WILL APPLY.....SO BE SURE TO JOIN THE FUN!!!

Anyone can play and join in ...do not need to be a member!

Correct entrants:
1. CBlandcompany