udandi

My Sunless Tan

Andi — Tue, 15 May 2012 15:20:35 +0000

Some people have commented about my tanned legs and then talked in general about how tanning is terrible. I just smile because while I can appreciate it, my tan comes from a bottle.

The best thing? L’oreal’s Sublime Bronze does not stink like other self-tanners. I has a slight scent that dissipates quickly but nothing like what you are thinking if you have used other lotions for tanning. It comes in several applications, but I chose the spray so I don’t have to use my hands and can just hose myself down and wait a few minutes to dry then go on with my day.

Note: I bought this product at my local drugstore. I was not compensated or given free product.

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Review: Cincinnati 2012 International Quilt Festival

Andi — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 18:00:56 +0000

When most people who aren’t crafters think about quilts, they seem to think of ones that look like this

but the also look like the following, fun designs with bright colors!

The other half of the International Quilt Festival was vendors and my two favorite booths were those that were selling wool and brightly colored products, Handbehg Felts and Wooly Lady.

I met up with Tara of Tara Being Tara who posed with one of my favorite ideas, felt and spool garland! It isn’t on the project page, but check out those they have posted.

The International Quilt Festival travels to Cincinnati, Houston and Long Beach so if you have the opportunity to attend, even if you’re not a quilter like me, you should check it out!

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Cincinnati-area Antique Shows

Andi — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 20:00:31 +0000

lapel pins from an April 22 outing

It’s that time of year when weekends can be spent going to flea markets and antique shows. Some are better than others, but really it just depends on what you are looking for and what you are willing to spend.

Covington Mainstrasse Antiques hosts vendors on the 4th Sunday of the month from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the following dates:
April 22
May 27
June 24
July 22
August 26
September 23
October 28

Tri-State Antique Market is held at the Lawrenceburg Indiana Fairgrounds on the first Sunday of the month beginning in May and runs through October. I haven’t been to this show, but I’m told it has better offerings if you’re looking for antiques over pickings.
May 6
June 3
July 1
August 5
September 2
October 7

Burlington (KY) Antique Show is hosted at the Boone County Fairgrounds and is one of the only ones that charges an admission. It is $3 for those entering from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. and $5 for early birds who can arrive at 6 a.m. I’ve heard from others this is a good show for picking rather than finding antiques and that explains why the American Pickers are planning to film there this summer. I suspect that might also cause the prices to creep up. Check it out on the following Sundays:
May 20
June 17
July 15
August 19
September 16
October 21

The City Flea is held in Over-the-Rhine and is small market that hosted food vendors, small business and people re-selling items from thrift stores and garage sales. It’s not to say this isn’t worth checking out, but last year this show happened the same day as the 127 Sale and we knew the stuff was overpriced from what we would see later in the day.
May 19
June 9
July 14
August 18
September 15

The World’s Longest Yard Sale/127 Sale is August 2-5, 2012 and it is my favorite show because there are so many vendors and where I find the people are most willing to strike a deal!

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Cincinnati: 2012 International Quilt Festival

Andi — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 18:00:21 +0000

Photo credit: Woman With Two Gents (59” x76.8”) by Leslie Gabrielse. From the special exhibit “SAQA: Masters 2”.

Isn’t that quilt beautiful? To think it was created out of fabric, not paint, is simply amazing!

I did not make it to the International Quilt Festival last year, but this year I am going! While I’m not a quilter, I do enjoy admiring them and have fortunate to work in libraries that are decorated with quilts from local artisans.

To give a little perspective, the April 13-15 show in Cincinnati is one of three shows (others in Houston and Long Beach) that features incredible quilts, shopping, classes, lectures and special events. But this show isn’t about just quilting, there’s something for the crafter in me from rubber stamping, scrapbooking, mixed media to paper arts so I’m excited to explore this wonderful show.

There are certain areas where photography is not allowed, but where it is I hope to be able to some and share here or on their Facebook page. If you’re in the area or traveling here to go attend, let me know!

International Quilt Festival – Cincinnati 2012
April 13-15, 2012
Duke Energy Convention Center
Cincinnati, Ohio

Hours:
April 12: 5-9 p.m. (Preview Night)
April 13 & 14: 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
April 15: 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

Ticket prices – order and print at home
$10 daily adult
$8 seniors & students
Children 10 and under free.
$10 Preview Night (includes one free additional day)
$25 Full Show Pass (includes Preview Night)

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Make It: Spring Wreath

Andi — Sun, 01 Apr 2012 18:00:55 +0000

My maternal grandmother had a wall of wreaths in her spare bedroom. There was a wreath for each holiday and then some for in between. If you would have asked me a couple of years ago if I was headed in that direction, I would have said no way! There is something happy and lovely about spacing out after my workouts and shower and wrapping styrofoam with yarn and cutting one long spiral out of a circle of felt to roll back into a rosette.

I haven’t been blogging much because I sit at a computer all day and the last thing I want to do when I come home is blog. Plus, with the nice weather approaching I always find myself not keeping up with my blogs so if it is quiet around here, you’ll know why. You can always check my twitter or Facebook page and see I’m still promoting other projects and crafts!

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Make It: Cork Floor Mat

Andi — Sun, 25 Mar 2012 18:00:57 +0000

When I wanted to make wine cork trivets for a library program, a friend gave me a huge box of wine corks. I had plenty for everyone in the program (read about it get a PDF tutorial from the link above) and plenty more to make trivets for friends and still more left over. I started to make a square trivet when I decided to keep going to make a cork floor mat for my bathroom.

It is big enough for me to step out of the tub and onto. I’m not sure how long it will last, but since it only took a couple Monday nights of watching The Voice and using a hot glue gun to piece it together, I’m not too worried if it only lasts a year to 18 months.

Pin It

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My Favorite Find

Andi — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 20:00:39 +0000

My Favorite Find from Serena of the Farm Chicks is just my kind of site. You can find and share great local stores and events, like antiques shows, vintage fairs, flea markets,yard sales, auctions, estate sales, crafts shows and more – then virtually show and tell your favorite finds. The site launches today. To sign up, all you need to do is enter in your email address on the website.

I love this idea and that I had the opportunity to ask Serena a few questions about My Favorite Find and here’s what she had to say:

What is the inspiration for My Favorite Find?
For so long, I’d been getting mail from readers asking me how they could find out about great shoppes or events in their area or wondering how they could promote their own events and shoppes. When I realized nothing like that existed, I knew I needed to just create it myself. So I did, and My Favorite Find was born! My Favorite Find is like a virtual show-and-tell. You can search for, find, and share great events like auctions, yard sales, antiques shows and more anywhere in the world, and then show-and-tell your finds. It’s really amazing.

What has been your favorite find?
My greatest “find” of all time was a shirt that I bought at a yard sale for .10 cents and then sold for $860!

When I’m at thrift or antique stores, I feel like the world is my oyster, do you get overwhelmed by the options and how to do you decide what you want most?
When I used to sell my finds, I’d load up on anything great that’d catch my eye. Now that I just collect for me and our home, I’m a lot more selective. But I always love the hunt and don’t feel overwhelmed. You can’t ever have too much of a selection!

Along those lines do you have a couple of tips to keep in mind when looking for treasures?
I think if you’re just collecting for yourself, it’s important to show some restraint. If you buy too much because it’s a great deal, you’re going to have clutter and that’s never good. Just buy what you love and have a need for. Don’t buy because it’s a good deal.

—
Since March 19 is the launch day there might be a few glitches, but you can check the Facebook page for updates.

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Cincinnati Rollergirls 2012 Season

Andi — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 18:00:05 +0000

Cincinnati Rollergirls kick off their 2012 season on Saturday, March 10 at the Cincinnati Gardens against Arch Rival.

Yes, Cincinnati’s has a roller derby team. We have had a roller derby team for years and if you didn’t know that, make 2012 the year you come out and support this team. There are only five games this season. FIVE so pick your date, grab your friends, pack the tailgating supplies, a couple noisemakers and join the fun.

Mar 10 Arch Rival
Mar 31 Demolition City
Apr 21 Tampa; Radioactive City Rollergirls
May 19 DC Rollergirls
June 9 Little Steel Rollergirls

If you don’t know a lick about roller derby, watch this Basics of Flat Track Derby video and you’ll be good.

Last year, I was a Nastee fan but she is not on the roster so my fan-dom reverts back to Wheezy and Buckhead Betty. You can listen to both of them in an interview with Betsy Ross.

In the interview, they mention how they’re not just skaters, they’re everything from coaches, PR reps, marketers, ticket sellers, looking for sponsorship and more. All that in addition to their real lives and real jobs so it is really cool they’ve been nominated as best amateur sport in Cincinnati.

My Yelp Reveiw of the Day for Cincinnati Rollergirls
2011 post
2010 post
2009 post

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Make It: Simple Diaper Cake

Andi — Sat, 03 Mar 2012 14:00:18 +0000

When it comes to baby gifts, I’m a one-trick pony with my personalized onesies, but a friend is expecting twins and I was at a loss for what to put on the onesies so I went for a reasonable backup: the diaper cake.

A couple of years ago, a friend showed me how to make diaper cakes and surprisingly I remembered. I wasn’t sure if I would need 30 or 60 diapers. This book is one of my favorites to share with my nieces and nephews and as a board book it works well as a base for the diaper cake instead of having to get a piece of wood covered in fabric.

I opened one pack of diapers and decided something like 18 on the bottom and the rest as a second layer looked decent. I didn’t want something so large the parents would think it was a hassle to store it while they whittled away at the diapers. The whole thing fit into a large gift bag and the extra pack of diapers just had to go in the gift bag. I used the ribbon to tie on the rattle (or whatever that toy is) and in hindsight it doesn’t make sense to get one toy for twins, but this probably won’t be the first thing they share!

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Friday Fish Fry: Mary Queen of Heaven

Andi — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 15:00:17 +0000

Growing up in Cincinnati with a jaunt to Dayton to attend a Catholic college, Lenten fish fries and summer church festivals are my thing so when non-Catholics say they want to go to one, I’m all in!

Last Friday night, a group of us met up at Mary Queen of Heaven for our first fish fry of the season. We lucked out at a banquet table that was a cozy fit for 12 adults. As we waited for our orders to arrive, we admired our bookmarks made by students expressing their appreciation for our attendance. Reminds me my grade school days, six weeks of bookmark making…good luck kids!

Our table enjoyed fish and chips, fish sandwiches and haddock sandwiches along with sides of fries, coleslaw, mac and cheese and various desserts while watching the students dressed as fish mill about.

During March Madness I hear the large projection screen is used for watching the game, but we listened to music. Occasionally the Codfather or Tiny, who are dressed as mafia dons, use the mic to make you an offer you can’t refuse. No wait, they help the student order runners locate table numbers.

We were a goldmine for those selling chances on a cash jackpot to benefit the student scholarship fund and Girl Scouts selling cookies, but Ben the Beer Guy was our natural favorite with a variety of $2 beers.

On our way out to take a group photo, we enjoyed the artwork displayed in the hallway. This sweet soul will stay with my heart for a while. May Laurynn find the strength to resist stuffed crust and other delicious temptations.

As for the passports, since we are embarking on a fish fry tour around the Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky area, I felt like we needed passports. Thanks to Cincinnati Nomerati and 5chw4r7z the idea came to life and each person can write notes about the night as well as get the priest’s signature for proof of attendance. Big thank you to our Codmistress Mojo for getting and keeping us organized!

Naturally, a group sharing this experience through Twitter, Facebook and Instagram has garnered invites to other fish fries. This Friday night we do it all again…at St. Paul’s in Florence. Come back next week for my recap and photos!

Mary Queen of Heaven – Erlanger, KY
Fish sandwich, fries and coleslaw – $7.75 (see menu for 2012 prices)
Beer – $2 each
Credit cards accepted
Dine-in, carry-out and drive-thru.
Well run operation with great tartar sauce!

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