New Warming Neck Wraps

The "Girls" are modeling 2 new lavender-filled Neck Wraps today. Golden brocade swirl on one side and soft crushed velvet panne on the other -- cool and warm.  The silky leopard neck wrap has warm embossed suede on the reverse side.  The covers are washable and the lavender-filled muslin liners can be removed to put in the microwave for heat or the freezer for chill. They are large sized -- 8" x 32" to give full comfort to the neck, upper back and shoulder areas. Click on the "Photos" tab above to see more new items.

The 2nd Annual Lavender Association ChristmasFaire is this Saturday from 10 am to 3 pm at the Mesa County Fairgrounds.  I'll have my Lavender Sachet Salon booth and look forward to seeing you there. There will be so many interesting lavender related and handcrafted items for you to see ... including a distiller that shows how oil is extracted from plants.  Look for the silent auction table where you can bid on some beautiful locally produced items and check out the bake sale table too.

You can find more info on the Christmas Faire at Curtis Swift's blog    http://swiftsgardeningblog.blogspot.com/                 11/29/10

A big thank you to Analli and Christi for inviting me to their home craft fair on Friday evening and Saturday.  Not only did I meet some interesting women who were also selling their crafts, but I met some great customers. People are so fun to chat with at events like this one.  For one thing, the home setting is a relaxed was to browse and buy.  Second, there is no pressure to "sell" so it's a matter of just enjoying talking with people.  As it turned out I did sell many neck wraps and eye pillows.  Got some good ideas on other products that people could use - like palm supports for keyboarders.  I learned how to make a lightbox so that I can take better photos of my work.  And met a woman who is going to help me improve my blog.  Some people are just so nice. 
     I intended to post the names and companies of some of the craft people I met, but their business cards are in my notebook, which is in the closet, which I am too tired to pull out tonight.  So I'll do it next time. 
     It's Thanksgiving Eve and all is well.  I have so much to be thankful for ... nite nite.



1st year

       What a great time at the Lavender Sachet Salon on Wednesday afternoon.  It's so good to chat with others who are interested in lavender. Many people are surprised to know that I grow the lavender myself in my yard.  My friends, Susan and Judy, helped greet guests, show them around, and wrap up their purchases.  The kitchen was set up with refreshments and some people lingered and chatted over a cup of tea. Sales went well and I got a few tips about other lavender-filled items that customer would like to see.  



      Several "Master Gardeners" stopped by. Although I have no desire to be a MG myself, I always enjoy talking with those who love gardening so much that they continuously try to learn more. You can find info on the program at   http://www.coopext.colostate.edu/TRA/PLANTS/Lavender_Project.shtml.  While you are there, click on The Lavender Project.  Kathy's fact sheet is an excellent and comprehensive resource for beginning lavendeers (how do you like that - I just coined a new word)!  Also look at Swift's Gardening Blog http://swiftsgardeningblog.blogspot.com. 

    Many people have told me that they have a plant or two in their yards that gets ignored because they don't really know how to make it into a showpiece. So it's nice to be able to have some great resources here.  I always encourage people to go to the Lavender Association website (www.coloradolavender.org).

       I'm onto another sewing frenzy since I sold most of my eye pillows and neck wraps already this month.  I want to get a lot done because family is coming from Longmont on Wednesday for Thanksgiving and then more family will get together on Sunday.  

     Thanksgiving has always been a nice holiday for me. I have happy childhood memories of my dad fixing the turkey and us kids tearing the bread apart for the stuffing and then lots of family and friends sitting down to dinner, and the kids complaining that they had to sit at the card table. These days, Con and I enjoy creating a memorable meal for others. The Thanksgiving Day meal lends itself to several courses, savoring the aroma and tastes, with lots of talk and laughter and love.  We have so much to thank God for.  I wish you a happy and blessed Thanksgiving.

Last Rose of Summer

11/9/10 Yellow Roses

I went to Angie's house Tuesday to put some pea gravel on the lavender plants ... so they can snuggle in for the winter.  They look really healthy so I think they'll make it through the winter just fine.  That is, if the cat stays out of the planter beds. Ang is going to put another litter box outside and see if the cat gets the message.  If not, it may be bye-bye kitty cat.  I've sprinkled cayenne pepper around the beds but I'm not over there enough to know if it makes a difference.  So far so good. 

As I was leaving, I clipped the rest of her roses. A few were buds that probably wouldn't have had time to open with the temps dropping lower each night.  The rest were already open and a few turning brown at the edges.  I put them in a glass of water on the counter and the buds bloomed.  They'll probably last a few more days and then rose season is over for the year.   I think yellow roses are the prettiest. They, like lavender, lift my spirit.

LAVENDER SACHET SALON is Wednesday, Nov 17th at my house.  Please stop in between 4:00  pm and 6:30 pm and browse.  I have some Christmas items and am making more each day.  It will be great to see you so come on over.  Email me if you need directions    aboutlavender@yahoo.com    11/13/10

Fun at the Fair

Poor Grizelda -- I sold the neck
wrap right off her back!
Her eye pillow too!

I really enjoyed spending Saturday at the Senior Center Christmas Fair -- just as I did last year.  The people who organize it are so nice and accommodating. It's nice to see some of the same vendors again. It's easy to see how craft fair vendors become a little community of friends over time.  Some people noticed that I have a larger line of products this year. My friend, Janet, was there with a bigger variety of beautiful Miche bags.  Part of the fun is talking with the customers and seeing some friends who drop by.  Sales were good.  I find it so interesting that items that are very popular at one sale are barely noticed at another sale.  Some things that sold well at one place, didn't sell at all at another place. I had to say goodbye to two of my favorite eye pillow/neck warmer sets.  The brown fake fur fuzzies were snatched up right away.  So I plan to make a few more of them before the next event.  And speaking of the next event, it will be a Lavender Sachet Salon at my home on Wed., Nov. 17th. Drop in any time between 4:00 and 6:30 p.m. to see new lavender filled products.
If you can't make one of the Salon events, just call me and we can work out a time for you.

Finally ... Last Lavender of 2010



Royal Purple last of the season 10/31/10

This is the last of the lavender that will be cut. It's over for this year. This is Royal Purple and what a beautiful plant it is. Very deep purple and plump buds. I went outside Saturday to be sure all of the plants looked healthy before the weather turns cold and noticed a few lavender stragglers. There are still some trying to bloom -- don't they know it's time to quit?  The flowers in the photos are from the 16 plugs that we planted on the east side of the house in August - less than 90 days ago!!!  I laugh to think that people were doubtful that lavender would grow here in Grand Junction. 

I'll hang these flowers to dry out and then clean them to put in sachets or pillows.  The aroma is outstanding.  There are a few dried bundles in my closet that are ready to be taken down and cleaned today. 

It's been a wonderful lavender year for me. There were enough flowers to fill all of my sewing projects this year and I still have some Christmas sachets to make for a couple of craft fairs in Nov & Dec. I've been so blessed to find this work at this stage of my life. God is so good to me. Best of all, I'm having fun.
PS: See my Lavender Sachet Salon sales schedule on the right side of this blog.
I am posting new photos to the PHOTO pages. Take a look.                     (11/1/10)