I was invited to participate as an artist to sell my needle felted hummingbirds at the September 8, 2012 “Canvases in the Canyon Art Show” in North Cheyenne Canyon Park. The show featured local artists, chocolate samples, live music and was a fundraiser for the new visitor center building at Helen Hunt Falls. It was a lovely and relaxing day, with perfect weather, and beautiful art. Best of all though, it was a day I got to spend with my brother since he came along to help at my booth.

My needle felted hummingbirds are based on broad tailed and ruby-throated varieties. They are about the same size as an average hummingbird and are entirely handmade. I am offering a few remaining hummingbirds for sale and if you are interested in purchasing one please e-mail me or leave a comment with contact info.

Once again our group of suffragettes appeared at the annual Rock Ledge Ranch 19th century Labor Day Baseball Game to protest for the women’s right to vote, temperance and the need for a servant girl’s union! Who cares if these issues are a century behind the times! We just have fun interrupting the game each year with our “Votes for Women” signs, and it is all for fun.

This year I spent Saturday August 25 doing a lace making demonstration with the Rocky Mountain Lace Guild at the Colorado State Fair. I worked on needle lace most of the time since we already had several members doing bobbin lace and tatting. Many people had never seen lace being made by hand and were surprised at the detailed and time consuming process.

My needle felted doll “Dancing Flame” took a trip to the Colorado State Fair, winning 1^st place for needle felting! She is one of my favorite creations that I have made and it was fun to see her on display at the fair for others to enjoy. She looked peaceful and happy dancing in the display of needle arts.I also entered two small pieces of handmade lace; my needle felted columbine flower won 1^st and my Idrija style oval mat placed 2^nd. I am thrilled that both pieces placed because they were class projects!

I find that the State Fair is a great motivator to finish projects that have been set aside for awhile. I finished and entered a square stitch beaded bracelet that I had started and set aside last year, but I started working on it again a few weeks before the fair and actually finished on time. The pattern was from the book “Beading Her Image” It was my first square stitch project and took forever to complete, but happily it placed 1^st for beaded off-loom jewelry! (Too bad they displayed the bracelet upside down…)

What could be better than spending an evening with my awesome brother, while walking/running the trails at one of our beautiful local parks? We love these trails so when I heard about this event I had to sign up, even though neither of us are runners! We may have come in 25th and 26th but we finished together and that is what counts! It was a perfect evening to be outside, with great weather and the blue moon was incredible. The evening was great and everyone who put on the event was friendly and encouraging. The run was followed by snacks and awards. Sometimes in life showing up is what counts. My brother was the only man running the 5k in his gender and age group, so he won one of the prizes. Way to go!