GMHN Knits & Quilts

Knitting Project Bag or Sock Sack, Drawstring Bag Sewing Pattern

2017-10-22T09:03:00.002-04:00

I have not written a pattern in such a long time!! Here is a new drawstring bag sewing pattern, it's super simple, once your pieces are cut, there isn't much measuring to be done. And you can complete the bag in just over an hour.

These are also great for storing small toys. The sewing pattern is available for download on Craftsy here.

Four FOs and Two WIPs

2017-08-12T08:53:00.000-04:00

I have been knitting every chance I get, which isn't often since I have four kids and work full time. I am very excited about my first finish, which is the Reyna Shawl I was working on (free pattern on Ravelry here). This was my first shawl, and it's a Christmas gift, which I am very happy that I have finished on time. The yarn is Cloudborn Superwash Merino. I love it, its soooo super soft.

Next I started and finished not one but TWO winter hats for my kids. I bought the pattern on Craftsy here, after seeing it on Off Our Needles. There is also a kit available that includes the yarn here.

This was my first time knitting colorwork, and the hat on the right was the first. My floats were a little too tight which makes some of my stitches sort of disappear. When I made the second one, on the left, I made my floats looser and you can see that it makes a huge difference. I realized this after watching the class, Modern Stranded Knitting Techniques.

One of the first classes I took was My First Mittens and Gloves, but never made any because honestly, I was too scared because I thought they would be really difficult. But with winter on the way and two hats finished, I decided I would give it a shot. So far I have finished one pair, and while the class doesn't teach the over stitching, I do have a book that does so I tried that, although I definitely need some practice with it.

I started another shawl, again intended to be a Christmas gift, but I did get sidetracked with the hats and mittens so I have not gotten very far. This is a free pattern on Ravelry called Nurmilintu. The yarn is Cascade Yarns Heritage Prints and it's generally used as self-striping yarn for socks, but I decided to try it and see how it looks in a shawl, so far I like the way it's looking.

Currently I am working on the second set of mittens for my other daughter. She doesn't want that overstitching, she wants the tops of her to be aqua, so we'll see how that turns out I guess.

While I was away my oldest daughter and I opened an Etsy shop. You can see that here if you're at all interested or curious.

Reyna Shawl.

2017-07-12T10:55:00.000-04:00

I have spent the last two weeks working on a shawl as a Christmas gift. I purchased the Blue Angel Shawl Knitting Kit from Craftsy. I did not actually get very far with it:

I found that it was a little difficult for me, since I am still what I would call a beginner. I ended up ripping that out and starting over on a new shawl, called the Reyna shawl, which I found on Ravelry here. (I'm actually much farther than the picture below, I just haven't taken any photos yet.)

I love it so far. And I am totally in love with the yarn. It's the yarn that came with the Blue Angel Shawl Kit. I do think I will go back and make the Blue Angel Shawl later, when I get better at knitting.

Also... I joined Ravelry, which I am enjoying. Add me if you have a Ravelry account!

I've learned to Knit.

2017-06-02T10:06:00.002-04:00

I have always wanted to learn how to knit but the one time I tried, about 16 years ago, I was not able to get the hang of it. In January I decided I wanted to try again.

Of course I went straight to Craftsy. My first class was Learn to Knit: My First Hat. I completed two hats and they were the first things I have ever knit in my life. You can see the second hat and a progress shot here.

Of course that was so much I wanted to do more, so I purchased 'My First Socks'. I knit two pairs of socks with that class. The socks are cuff down. Then I decided I wanted to learn how to knit socks from the toe up. So I enrolled in 'My First Toe-Up Socks'. I have since completed four pairs of socks using that method.

Currently I am working on a hat from the Fall Knit-Along (free class), as I have already finished the cowl from that class.

So those are just a few of my projects since the beginning of the new year. There are more pictures on my Facebook page. I do miss sewing and quilting but I have to say that I am really enjoying knitting.

Swoon x2 and one tiny raindrop.

2016-05-08T17:41:00.000-04:00

I made this little rain drop because I wanted to try hand quilting, and I figured while I was at it I would try hand sewing too. I did not touch my sewing machine at all while making this little quilt. Here is the binding being hand sewn on.

The finished quilt, if you can call it that, is 4 3/4" x 7".

Hand quilting!!! I am not sure I could hand quilt anything much larger than this.

Mini swoon which measures 9 3/4" x 9 3/4".

Swoon which measures 17" x 17".

That is what I spent my Mother's Day doing. My girls made pancakes and sausages for breakfast and for whatever goofy reason my stack of pancakes came complete with two lit candles. And I took some time to take two loaves of banana bread, which came out great.

I hope everyone is enjoying their Mother's Day!

Sewing Machine Mini Quilt

2016-05-05T13:04:00.000-04:00

Finally finished this mini. I started it in December and it was supposed to be a Christmas gift for my aunt, who also quilts. I worked on it for a couple hours then stopped.

I finished this late Sunday afternoon. I still need to add a label but all the rest is complete.

I guess it will just be a "Miss You and Love You" gift instead of a Christmas gift. I'm not completely happy with it, but I am glad it's finished.

Pattern is from the Snapshots Quilt Along.

Llamas everywhere.

2016-05-01T10:34:00.001-04:00

I have finally taken some time to do something crafty! First I started by crocheting this llama baby hat for my friend Mike, who is expecting his first child.

Then this morning I spent three hours on this stuffed llama toy for the baby too. I hand drew it on freezer paper after some llama Google searches.

I was most worried during sewing that the ears would be too small after the seam allowance but it turns out the ears are fine and it was legs I should have been worried about. I feel like the legs are way too skinny!! Ha.

Oh well. I think it's kinda cute.

Started my Bullet Journal!

2016-03-02T09:21:00.000-05:00

Yesterday the notebook I ordered finally arrived from Amazon. I bought three Sigel Conceptum hardcover notebooks(affiliate link). They are smaller than the ones I see other people using for their Bullet Journals, but one of the best things about them is that you use what you like and what works for you. So this is what I went with.

While anxiously awaiting my order I put what I thought I would like as some pages drawn on sticky notes and then when the book finally arrived I placed the sticky notes inside the book as a planning method.

Here is my Key/Legend. Nothing fancy at all.

My Calendar Index (Calendex). I am not entirely sure I am using this correctly, but like I said the point is to customize the entire thing to you and your own needs and preferences. So for me, instead of adding my monthly spreads to the Index, I add the page numbers of the monthly spread to the bottom of the Calendex. And in the top section of the Calendex I add what page my daily notes are on (for instance my notes for March 1 are on page12). I really don't know if this is the correct way to use this... Here is the original explanation of what the Calendex is.

My Future Planning page, which is pretty self-explanatory I think.

And this of course is my monthly spread, which I might change next month because I'm not entirely sure I like it this way. That's the beauty of the Bullet Journal.

I found some pages on Pinterest where it's a calendar type set up, one box for each day of the month and this lady draws so she doodles in one box each day of the month. I was thinking I would do the same except I would doodle some free-motion quilting designs. The pin below is what she has, I can't wait to try it with FMQ designs! At least then even if I don't have time to actually sew I'm at least doing something quilty.

Have you heard of the Bullet Journal?

2016-02-26T12:45:00.000-05:00

I hadn't until I saw one on Pinterest the other day. So of course I Googled it because that is what I do, I need to know things. Oh my gosh, so many people use a Bullet Journal, and so many of them look amazing. It's kinda crafty if you want it to be, so of course I immediately went on Amazon and ordered a couple, along with some colored pens.

It's basically all of your post-it notes, your schedule, your hopes, dreams, lists, goals, time management, etc all in one book. How amazing is that? The best part is there are no rules, you can add whatever you want to it, and it's better than a planner because months and days aren't pre-printed, so if you've got nothing you want a track for a month you don't feel guilty with the blank calendar staring back at you.

Google it. I dare you.

Here is the original website of the guy that started it. And here is his other website which explains how it came to be (found this on a Google search).

The great part is you can get started right away. You can use anything for your Bullet Journal. I ordered a couple books online but you could use a composition notebook, a spiral bound notebook, basically whatever floats your boat, whatever makes you happy, whatever makes sense for you.

I can't wait to get started. I'm hoping the time management part... which I will be including in my Bullet Journal, will somehow get me to find time to quilt!!

Hexie Quilt Confusion.

2016-02-24T14:02:00.000-05:00

I realize this isn't anything even close to a "finished" project in this photo. All my hexagons are hand sewn together though, I swear. For a while it's what I did in between phone calls at work.

Now I have completed two small tops, maybe to be little mats to go on side tables or something, I don't know... I didn't really have a plan, I was just trying to pass time.

So now I have these two tops and no idea how to add a backing to them, so I did what I do when I want an answer, I did some Googling and I came across three tutorials I thought I would share in case you have trouble backing odd quilts too.

The first is specific to Hexie quilts and I really love this one, although my hexies are kind of large and finished tops are kind of small, I think, to use this method. It has you add more hexies around the edge of your quilt on the back, it's pretty neat. It allows you to quilt your quilt layers as you normally would before adding your hexie "binding". You can view that here.

The next one is also hexie specific but has you attach your backing by sewing around the edges then using an open seam in the backing to flip the quilt right side out. I like this method also but it would not allow you to quilt the layer until after the layers are all sewing together, so you'd be quilting a "finished" quilt. You can view that tutorial here.

The last one has several methods, including appliqueing your hexie top to a square or rectangular top, sort of like your hexie top is floating I guess. Kinda neat. It also uses both methods above for other shapes. You can view those here.

I'll let you know what I decide! As far as quilting goes I think I'm going to hand quilt these, at work between phone calls, and it should be interesting because I've never hand quilted anything before!!

Jaftex 85th Anniversary Blog Hop day 11.

2015-09-11T00:01:00.000-04:00

Hello and welcome to my blog!!

If you're new here, my name is Penny and I call my blog (formerly Sew Simple Designs) GHMN Quilts, named after my four children (Gillian, Matthew, Hannah, and Naomi).

I have been sewing and quilting for a few years but first learned when I was 12 in the seventh grade. I have written tutorials and even a few patterns... You can find me around the internet by using the links in the right sidebar :)

From Jaftex I received two bundles of Peppered Cottons fabric by Studioe to create a project. They also sent me a second set of bundles to giveaway to one of you!!

First my project, a table topper I call "Peppered Cotton Leaves". I love the way it came out. I would share with you the name of the pattern and the book it came from, but that'll have to wait for another day as we are moving right now and the book is packed away.

I added hanging pockets to all four corners so this can also be used as a wall hanging and hung in any direction.

I really enjoyed working with the Peppered Cottons bundles, especially the brighter colors, they're absolutely gorgeous!!!

You can enter to win your own two Peppered Cottons bundles by using the Rafflecopter widget below AND answering this question in the comments: What will you make if you win? And if you haven't already, don't forget to visit this post and enter to win some MAJOR prizes!!

And tomorrow don't forget to visit Cow Town Quilts!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Jaftex 85th Anniversary Giveaway & Blog Hop

2015-09-02T09:33:00.001-04:00

I am a day late posting this. Things have been super hectic around here with school starting, but with the kids off to school this morning things have settled a bit.

Jaftex Corp. was founded in the 1930’s when Jacob A. Fortunoff started selling fabric on the streets of New York. At that time, the mainstay of the business was women’s sleepwear and lingerie. In the 80’s, Jacob’s grandson, Robert, dramatically changed the business of the company. The business focus was transferred to the over the counter quilt industry when Robert purchased companies like A.E. Nathan, Henry Glass, Stylemaker, Chanteclaire, Fabric Editions/Studioe and more recently The Blank Quilting Corp. Robert is now joined by his two sons, Scott and Greg. Scott currently is the President of Studioe Fabrics, The Blank Quilting Corp. & A.E. Nathan Co., Inc. Greg just joined the business in late 2014 and has successfully spearheaded the company’s foray in to precut fabrics among other contributions.

There will be lots of great prizes in addition to the prizes on the Gleam widget below. Visit each blog below on the specified day to enter and come back here on September 11th to see my project and enter for your chance to win a fat quarter bundle of Peppered Cottons.

September 1 - Kim Diehl guest posting @ American Patchwork & Quilting

September 2 - Pepper @ Pepper at the Quilt Studio

September 3 - Anjeanette @ Anjeanette Klinder

September 4 - Leanne @ The Whole Country Caboodle

September 5 - Mark @ Mark Lipinski's Blog

September 6 - Heather @ Heather Kojan Quilts

September 7 - Heather @ Trends and Traditions

September 7 - Martha @ Wagons West Designs

September 8 - Linda @ Linda Lum DeBono

September 9 - Heidi @ Red Letter Quilts

September 10 - Jill @ Jillily Studios

September 10 - Dana @ My Lazy Daisy

September 11 - Penny @ Sew Simple Designs

September 12 - Ida @ Cowtown Quilts

September 13 - Liz and Beth @ Lizzie B Cre8ive

September 14 - Melissa @ Sew Bitter Sweet Designs

September 15 - Yvonne @ Quilting Jetgirl

September 16 - Amy @ Kati Cupcake

September 16 - Barbara @ QuiltSoup2

September 17 - Erica @ Kitchen Table Quilting

September 18 - Leona @ Leona's Quilting Adventure

September 19 - Margot @ The Pattern Basket

September 20 - Sylvia @ Flying Parrot Quilts

September 21 - Lorna @ Sew Fresh Quilts

September 22 - Kim @ Aurifil Threads

September 23 - Rebekah @ Don't Call Me Becky

September 24 - Julie @ The Crafty Quilter

September 25 - Mary Ellen @ Little Quilts

September 25 - Mary Jane @ Holly Hill Designs

September 26 - Daisy @ Ants to Sugar

September 27 - Melissa @ Happy Quilting

September 28 - Janet @ One S1ster

September 29 - Jenny @ Martingale& Co.

September 30 - Teresa @ Third Floor Quilts

an app for quilting?

2015-08-05T07:58:00.000-04:00

Given that it has been six days since I finished the top and started quilting it, I wish I had something to show today, but there were a few days here and there where I didn't get to quilt at all, plus a day or two where all I had was maybe ten minutes worth of quilting. So the Quilt is still not finished...

But I thought I would share something else.

For quilts where I can't decide how to quilt them and I just sit and stare with absolutely no real ideas, I take a picture of my quilt with my iPad and then open the picture in an app called "Drawing Desk". When you're in the app there are a few "desks" to choose from, if you choose "Doodle Desk" you can open your photo in there and "quilt" on it.

It's not a bad app, really. Although it's not meant for "quilting", as you can see it does get the job done.

I used this app for my Whirl Around Quilt too. What apps do you use for quilting that aren't meant for quilting?

Scrappy Crosses Quilt Top & 300th post!!!

2015-07-30T10:39:00.001-04:00

First... I just noticed this is my 300th blog post!! That is crazy.

Anyway... still trying to use up my scraps but for some reason I seem to be using up my solids more than my scraps. Oh well. I started these blocks yesterday and finished the top this morning. I could only make six blocks because I ran out of the off-white colored solid, so I guess this can be a wall hanging or table topper when it's finished since it definitely can't be a quilt now.

I know us quilters are not supposed to point out our mistakes... but with this top alone, SO.MANY.MISTAKES!!! Hopefully they will be a lot less noticeable once it's quilted. Not sure what I will use for the backing or how I will quilt it but I'm sure I will figure something out later today. I think I will most likely end up using techniques I learned in Angela Walter's class on Craftsy. I did use what I learned on this quilt and love how it turned out.

Oh yeah... I added a page to my blog just for photos of my finished quilts, in chronological order, including my very first "quilt" from 2001. I really haven't made many quilts but lately I seem to be sewing random things less and just focusing on quilts. Funny how that happens.

Scrappy Fall Leaves Table Runner

2015-07-28T15:53:00.002-04:00

I finished my table runner! I can't remember the last time I finished something so quickly. I just finished binding it. All it needs now is to be washed. But here it is before washing (pattern can be found here)

I realize I am not the greatest free motion quilter... but oh well. It's mine... actually I was thinking I would give it to the wife of someone my husband works with since my husband has taken over their garage while building me a rocking chair.

I'm just glad to finally be using up my scraps.

Working on... something finally.

2015-07-26T08:17:00.000-04:00

I haven't sewn anything in a while really. Except two quilt blocks. I bought EQ7 and it is just so addictive I spend all my free time on that instead of sewing.

My sewing room was really messy, it happens all the time, so the other day I spent my free time in there cleaning. Then I organized all my fabric again, sorted my scraps again, moved my tables a little.

Yesterday I decided I wanted to try to use some of my scraps. I use small plastic containers to hold them and most are starting to get full. (see my craft room here, although the tables are constantly being moved around).

I went in there for a couple hours and just took one scrap box at a time and ended up with five maple leaf blocks. I didn't even get bored making the same block repeatedly like I usually do, I guess because they were different colors?

As is the norm for me, these were supposed to be 6 1/2" unfinished blocks but they are more like 6 1/8" unfinished blocks. Well at least they are all the same size. I still haven't figured out why this happens to me. My math is right!!! I mean I hate math, but this is simple math and I know my math is right. My squares are cut at 2 1/2"... frustrating for sure.

Recently I read something about thicker threads can cause you to lose some fabric in the end, and the more seams you have across a row the smaller your block will end up being. Makes sense to me.

Anyway, today is Sunday and nobody has to go to work, we can't really go anywhere because it's raining, so hopefully I will get extra time to sew today, as I really want to finish whatever this is going to be. Right now I am thinking it's going to be an autumn table runner... which now that I think of it, if I add hanging pockets to the corners it can double as a wall hanging. I think that's what I'm going to do.

For my reference and yours. EQ fabric downloads.

2015-07-21T07:57:00.000-04:00

So far this is all I have been able to find. I will update this post as I find more. But really... how much more "fabric" does a person need in EQ7?

Connecting Threads fabrics can be downloaded here.

Moda fabrics can be found and downloaded here.

Riley Blake fabrics can be downloaded from here after choosing a fabric type and then a fabric line. There is a blue button on the right that says "download images".

Fabric of the Month downloads from DoYouEQ are here and go back a few years.

Northcutt fabrics has a "download fabrics for EQ" button on each fabric collection page.

Giraffe Quilt Block and a confession

2015-07-20T06:45:00.001-04:00

I designed this cute giraffe quilt block a while ago and finally decided to try to put it together. This first one I messed up on :/ I wasn't paying attention to my diagram and I put the nostrils on upside down. Oops. He is still cute though. I used this green fabric because this was a test block and I have never liked this green fabric (somebody gave it to me) but now that I see it used I kind of like it.

My second block came out better, I did not mess up the nostrils on this one.

I have a confession to make. Some of the rows in these blocks have a lot of seams, which means my block came out too small because I suck a little. It's not just this block, but anything I do that has several seams comes out too small. Both of my lonestar quilts, which start with a large lonestar block, came out too small... and both times I watched the Craftsy video as I was working to make sure I was doing it right.... always so careful with cutting and so careful with piecing and still my lonestars were much smaller than they were supposed to be. Why does this happen to me???

Even when I use the 1/4" foot that came with my Juki... I think I read somewhere maybe my thread is too thick.

Anyway, so my blocks are smaller than they should be, but the measurements are correct. You can find the pattern for the giraffe quilt block here. It should finish at 12" square.

Playing around, here are a few patterns

2015-07-16T08:45:00.000-04:00

I bought EQ7 and I've been messing around with it. Oh my gosh it is soooo addictive. Currently I am working on two quilts that I think are super cute but writing the patterns is taking a while. One of those two I absolutely cannot wait to make.

Here are three that are finished though. Well two quilts and one quilt block. All super simple because I was learning the program.

You can find them all on Craftsy and one is FREE.

12" x 12" quilt block

48" x 60" lap quilt

40" x 40" baby quilt

So that is what I've been up to, outside of the typical mom and family stuff.

School backpack complete.

2015-07-09T13:46:00.001-04:00

I have wanted to make a backpack for a long time. I finally made one for my daughter! She picked the fabrics herself.

I used the pattern found here. I added two inches to the width and I think three inches to the height (if I remember correctly). I also added a front pocket as requested and side pockets with elastic. And I made the straps a few inches longer and a bit wider. I also made the carrying loop longer.

It is not perfect by any means. I didn't use the piping and that messed up the measurements a little bit I think... I'm not sure. But my daughter loves it, and it works, it's lined, it fits. So it's good.

I can now cross one thing off my to-do list.

In other news, I did finally finish my secret project. It came out nice and I can't wait to show you!

June's Most Popular Posts, a little surprising.

2015-07-01T09:31:00.000-04:00

The top ten posts for June were:

Sewn: a lot of little things: just a bunch of stuff I was working on for Craft Fairs.

What a Disaster: where I share with you how miserably I failed at the local Farmer's Market.

Three of my Zoe art quilt posts made the top ten this month, including, of course, the finished quilt post.

Getting Along: an art quilt I finished in 2013. My largest art quilt and the one that I am most proud of.

DIY, fast, east and inexpensive baby changing pad: a few people link to this super simple and fast tutorial

Jelly Roll Thread Catcher: this has always been popular on the blog, it is one of the all time most popular posts.

Jelly Roll Reversible Tote: another consistently popular tutorial.

And the number one most popular post for the month of June, which I found really surprising and can't quite figure out why it's the number one post: A Finished QAYG Bag

Also you may have noticed a name change on my sites. I decided to change directions and while my link is still the same because it's kind of a hassle to change it and switch all that over, I have gone ahead and changed my name from "Sew Simple Designs" to "GMHN Quilts". GMHN being my children's first initials in order of their birth.

I am almost finished with my secret project and then I can move on to my to-do list, which now includes a backpack for my daughter.

Things I Want to Make

2015-06-27T07:52:00.000-04:00

I am writing this list now to get it out of my head and for a reference to come back to later. There are so many things I want to make and my mind is always swirling.

First, I've already made my son a monogram wall hanging... so I have to make three more for my three daughters.

Second, my father asked for a quilt. I am thinking lap quilt with some kind of golf theme to it. Not sure where to even look for golf themed fabric but I will find some! ** edited to add: Just kidding. I have decided to go with a Megaman quilt since I searched online and could not find golf themed fabric that I like.

Third, my little brother asked for a quilt. Blue and black he said. Twin size or lap size is my plan, no pattern idea yet.

I bought fabric for the back of the Vortex Quilt, so I can finally finish that. Picture is of a single block, there are four in my quilt. Pattern is from Elizabeth Dackson's Craftsy Class.

These are the only things that are constantly on my mind. So these are the things I need to be working on after I finish my secret quilt.

** edited to add: First things first, I found a pattern for a backpack and have been dying to make one to see if I can do it, so I will be making my daughter a school backpack... one of a kind, of course!

Working on... a mini quilt.

2015-06-26T06:01:00.002-04:00

That's about all I can tell you. And this is about all I can show you.

I have about a month to finish this. Or just under a month before it has to be mailed out. I've never had a deadline before and it's a little stressful. I need a total of 24 blocks but I've only managed to complete 11 blocks in the last week. I was busy with the markets and summer vacation just started for the kids, but now I really need to focus on this.

It only takes me about a half an hour to complete one block. I should definitely be able to finish it in time even with the sporadic sewing time. We will see.

I think you'll see the full and finished quilt in September. Make sure you stick around because I will also be giving away some fabric at that time!!

That's about all I have to say so I will leave you with this, the reason why I love living in Northern New Hampshire :)

What a disaster.

2015-06-25T07:24:00.003-04:00

I wasn't going to talk about this because I was so very upset, angry, disappointed, embarassed and humiliated. But after some Googling this morning I realized I am not the only person this has happened to, and they all shared what happened, so I guess I will share too.

Yesterday was a beautiful day for the local Farmer's Market. Or it seemed like a beautiful day. I got there early to set up which was important because my 15 year old daughter was at work and not there to help me, my only help was my short and clumsy 11 year old son. He was such a champ though, I love him so much and appreciate all his help yesterday.

So at the North Fryeburg Community Market there was some wind and I had a gallon of water tied to each corner of the tent, and except for my cardstock price cards nothing blew away and the wind wasn't a problem really, even while it was lifting tents around me, mine stayed put. I fixed my price cards knowing what had happened and not wanting it to happen again. But I guess that wasn't enough.

Yesterday was crazy windy. I mean... I didn't even really notice the wind all day until we got there. Let me start by saying: I left before the Market even started, it was that windy and I was that frustrated and anxious.

Setting up the tent took much longer than I thought without my daughter's help. My son was very helpful but he's short so he could only do so much and we had not done a test set up together. I just thought I could direct him as we were setting it up. It was hard because the canopy kept trying to blow away before we even had it secured to the frame. But eventually we did get it up... only to have it lift off the ground. My water was still in the car so he ran to get it, but he can only carry two gallons at a time. Tent stakes? Yeah... comfy in their stake bag at home on my dining room table. Ugh. Even with the water the wind was still too much for the tent. So instead of just leaving the water sitting on the ground (tied to the canopy using the strings that came with it) I wrapped and wrapped around the legs so that the water was up off the ground. So that kind of worked.

But then we set up the tables... you know... quilts, especially small quilts, candle mats, etc, they are very light weight, which yes meant every time I put anything on the table it quickly blew away. My dress form blew over four times before I left her laying on the ground. One wind gust was so strong it lifted this plastic basket I had off the table and across the lawn. It's not even really a light weight basket, I don't understand how that happened.

Anyway, so I have anxiety. I have had anxiety for years and I can only take so much before I start to full on panic. Which is what I did. I started to panic. I took down the tent but only after I called my husband completely freaking out because my brain quit working and I just kept saying "I don't know what to do, I don't even know what to do right now, I don't think I can take down the tent by myself." Ha. I did though, take it down by myself.

So we left before it even started. Nobody else was having problems but they all had heavier items than me. Soaps, vegetables. Heavy enough that the wind wasn't taking it.

It was a huge disappointment. I was very upset. So yeah. Wind. I told my husband I am never doing another outdoor show again. Ever. He said I'm being ridiculous and he's proud of me for even trying, etc. He was very sweet, and very supportive and if it wasn't for that conversation we had, the things that he said, I probably would give up and never try again.

I need to come up with some way to weigh down my things. How do you weigh down candle mats? Or burp cloths? Mug rugs? A dress form? I really have no idea but I have one week before the next Farmer's Market to figure it out.

And I got invited to a huge show in August which I would love to do, it's not just a market... the kids will have so much fun, there will be live music and a petting zoo among other things. I need to figure this out.

I refuse to quit. I refuse to give up. Okay so I had a bad day. It's not the end of the world, it could have been worse, I read where glass blowers had all of their globes smashed at a show because of the wind, I didn't lose anything. I read where rain storms ruined paper goods, nothing of mine got ruined.

So it could have been worse. I will figure this out.

Community Market.

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Today I participated in my first craft fair... which was really called a "community market". It was hosted by a church in a Maine town 30 minutes away. The fee was small ($10) so I decided it would be perfect for my first time.

We used every minute of the one hour set-up time. And there were things I wanted for my booth but didn't have time to make in the weeks prior to the market (for instance, curtains and a back wall panel). And there were things I did last minute that actually came out okay (the table covers were done two days ago). There were also things I did as an afterthought that I wasn't happy with (my sign, for instance).

I bought four gallons of water the yesterday to weigh down the tent. I wasn't sure if I would actually need any extra weight since my tent is pretty heavy on it's own, but I had read online that it was a good idea and last minute gallons of water was all I could come up with. Which, it turned out, was a good thing, the tent next to mine was not weighed down with anything and when a huge wind gust blew through their tent came up off the ground (they staked it down after that). But mine stayed put.

A fabric curtain would have been great here!!!!

I decided to raffle a handmade basket with some handmade stuff in it.

This is one of those closet things we had, which we had bought when we had a tiny closet, you're supposed to hang pants on the bottom and tops on the top. It's a closet rack. But I took some shower curtain rings, ones that are hooks that stay open, and used those to hang some bags and purses. It worked out great.

Clothesline tied to the tent and clothespins worked great too, for hanging quilts and reusable shopping bags.

And of course my mannequin or whatever they're called had to come along with us.

It is a good thing I don't have more stuff because my car was packed. I mean... really packed, and the poor kids were crammed in there with all that stuff. The kids did well though, not a single one of them misbehaved which surprised me since we were out there at 7am to setup and didn't pull out of there until 2:15pm. It was a very long day. I have a horrible sun burn on the left side of my body, but I made way more money than I thought I would, which was great.

One thing I enjoyed was people touching and looking and commenting on my stuff, especially my quilts. Because here on the blog people don't say much. It was nice to get all those compliments.

Four days from now is the local Farmer's Market, which is much shorter (4-7 as opposed to 8-2) plus it's right down the street, and right next to the park, so it should be a lot easier than this one and more fun for the kids. Plus it's during a time when my husband can help out. I am excited to see how we do at this one.