It is impossible for me to even think of the Finger Lakes Tatting Conference(s) without thinking of Karey Solomon! Karey generously invites everyone to her shop (Graceful Arts Fiber Studio) on Friday afternoon before
the conference--and has tea and soup available for the weary travelers! It seems like at the conference, she is everywhere, doing everything -- organizing, teaching, being a vendor... Karey went "above and beyond" for me personally this year--because of my
recent diagnosis of fibromyalgia (and my many other health problems) I
was eating a very restrictive diet (now it is only "restrictive"
haha!). On top of all the other things she had to do for the
conference--Karey, personally fixed me individual meals so that I would have
something that I could eat each meal! It was so nice and comforting
knowing that I was not going to eat something that would cause problems
for me so far from home! Once again, THANK YOU SO MUCH!! The beginning months were rough this year for Karey personally, and I really pray her days are "easier" now.
One of the lovely things I always look forward to at the Finger Lakes Tatting Conference is the "Goodie Bag" you receive at registration! This year the "bag" was a lovely lined quilted fabric sack-type bag. (I requested a purple one and they looked through the box and found me one!) Once home, I placed a small round plastic container in my quilted bag so that it "stands by itself" and it is on my craft table being used as my pen, pencil and scissors holder--CUTE!! Inside the quilted sack was a small zippered purple bag just the right size to stick in your purse to hold your latest tatting project. A LOVELY tatted bookmark (someone went to A LOT of work!!) Then there was a little plastic container that held: some small ponytail bands (great for keeping loose threads contained on your bobbins), some hair barrettes (very useful for keeping spools of thread from coming unwound), some beads, and some safety pins (an unusual shape--a friend showed me these last year and it was very nice to receive them in the goodie bag!). Also in the container--and in keeping with the LAKE, SEA AND SHORE theme--we got some "shark teeth" and small flip flops. Last of all--there was our challenge item for next year....an adorable white stuffed teddy bear!--The theme next year: The Teddy Bear's Picnic! (Now, what shall I do with my "challenge item"?)
The tables were decorated with lovely dishes of seashells and hanging sail boats. I understand the sail boats were tatted by their designer, Diane Daiker. These hanging "ornaments" and accompaniments were a fantastic reminder of the theme of the conference and were certainly an inspiring to me personally -- not only because of the quantity of the tatted items and the perseverance it must have taken to make all of them, but also the challenge to be able to excel in my craft so that I can create not only for myself, but for others.
Thank you for continuing to follow my blog! Posting to my blog has not been forgotten, just "put on the back burner! Since my last post, I spent two weeks at Christian Youth in Action training. Last year there were no Level 2 students--so I had no Level 3 students this year. Instead I was the girl's dorm supervisor. (the worst discipline problems I had were girls who didn't have their teeth brushed yet when it was lights out!) My sweet husband was the cook for CYIA training--cooking 3 meals a day + a snack for 40 hungry teens and adults every day. Even though he only left the kitchen to take out the trash, somehow he acquired three hitchhikers during the two weeks. Ticks--they were everywhere! Ten days later, during our church's Vacation Bible School (where I teach all the Bible lessons), he got very sick--blood tests showed Rocky Mountain Spotted (Tick) Fever. While he has been recuperating, my fibromyalgia has been flaring. I would love to figure out what has triggered this flare--I have been waking up feeling like the "tin man" -- rusted in every joint, and the oil can is empty! I love the verse, Psalm 73:26 "My flesh and my heart fail; But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever."(NKJV) My earthly problems are temporary--God loves me, takes care of me and provides for me. LIFE IS GOOD!!
Next Post - Coming Soon! Projects from my classes at Finger Lakes 2015....
Looks like some fun!! :)
ReplyDeletePrayers for you and your husband!! :)
Patricia,
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing. I wish I could go with you to Finger Lakes sometime, but six days of vacation to drive to a three day conference. May be someday. ..
Patricia did a lot more than be the dorm supervisor at CYIA. She helped the kids prepare their lessons. Listened and gave suggestions. Encouraged them. and most important, she prayed with and for these amazing kids the week I was there. I cannot tell you how much love these kids have for this selfless lad! There would have been a huge hole if she had not had a presence. However, I am sad to say that my girl was one of the ones who had not brushed their teeth by lights out - EVER!
I saw a lot of tatting going on to, and I got to join her at times (but not nearly as much as my heart wanted to), but I was there to work in the kitchen too. No tick bites here though.
Blush!! Thank you so much for elaborating on my work at CYIA--But l still had the lightest load of any staff member there this year-- including you (S. Loyd) was my husband's right hand lady in the kitchen the first week of training-- and it cost her a week of vacation to get to work that hard! I thank God for all the staff who give not only of their talents but of their TIME!
DeleteBlush!!
DeleteHow very nice to post the goody bag and conference items looks like an enjoyable thing to go to. looks like you "Sailed" on through :)
ReplyDeleteI love goodie bags--it is so nice they care so much to make them match the theme, and you never know what they will have in them!
ReplyDelete