Put on a bird on it, we're done! The 2011 Craftstravaganza was a success. Despite (or perhaps because of) moderate temperatures and rain throughout most of the day, we welcomed about 3,000 shoppers through the doors. Our vendors had fun and there were very few emergencies.
Media appearancesI appeared on Fox 9 morning news with MA Rosko again. Somehow we have wrangled TV coverage every year so far. You can
watch us here.
SwagWe had good giveaways this year. There was a line out the door again this year before we opened. All the swag bags were gone by 9.
Youngest attendee: 5 days oldOne of our vendors brought her newborn baby for part of the day. This is almost certainly the youngest person who has ever come to the Craftstravaganza. Our little one went home with auntie for most of the day, which was a big help.
This year's success: new vendorsNearly half our vendors had never participated in a Craftstravaganza before this year. It was exciting to get an infusion of fresh talent and a variety of different crafts. The energy level was very high both during and leading up to the show. Everyone I spoke with afterward told me they had a great time.
This year's disaster: baby in carAnother reason to be glad of the cooler weather: an infant became trapped in a locked car across the street from our building. State Fair Police arrived at the scene quickly, then an ambulance (just to be safe), then a locksmith who opened the door. We've had medical emergencies in the past, but no deaths yet (knock wood).
Trend: welliesColorful rain boots were the hot accessory this year. Probably because it was raining until about 3:30.
Celebrity sighting: Christopher StraubOK, so he has been one of our vendors for most of the years of the show. But it's still cool that he would show up to support his fellow artists after hitting
the big time.
AcquisitionsI didn't buy as much this year as I usually do. I had trouble shifting over from management to shopping mode. But look, I did add some possessions to my treasure horde: an appropriate piece of shower art (above), a Tank Girl poster from Lonny Unitus, a secret Mother's Day card, and some soaps. Jenna got garden art, jewelry, yarn, and a diaper cover.
DestructionThe morning after the show, I backed over my nice hand-lettered sign that I spent so much time on two years ago. Oh well! Sorry about the scattered post. I'm still trying to unscramble my brains. More photos of the show are on
Flickr.
Orchid Lights Azalea in bloom. The cherry blossoms have already fallen--that early harbinger of spring--but everything else is now budding and flowering. The mystery (crabapple?) trees in the front yard are in full color. The branch tips on our evergreens are speckled with tiny cones. The Earth is fertile and vibrant.
Wild Columbine transplanted into our garden. We have discovered several of these around the yard: by the chicken coop, around the outskirts of the forest. Jenna is making some major landscaping efforts but most of the plants come from her mother's extensive gardens. This one came with the house.
Wild Iris by the barn. Our neighbors (who owned our house a few decades ago) used to have a garden back here before it got covered in weeds and fallen trees. I was surprised to see these beauties poking up amongst the dandelions!
We hauled some yard garbage down to the curb for our annual Carver Pickup Day. It barely made a dent in the giant piles of junk at the top of the hill. Baby steps! This area actually looks much better already.
I built these raised boxes (from a kit) for transplanting our berries and flowers. We are going to clear out the current vegetable garden area and move the playground over there to open up more space. Our yard is starting to look like people actually care about it again!
