Christmas Fair & 27 for Dinner

The Lavender Association Christmas Fair was wonderful.  The new location turned out to be great.  I liked the uniformity of the booth set-ups and the navy blue backdrops and dividers were nice. The dark blue color seemed a little depressing by the end of the day but the roomy aisles gave us space to talk with people without holding up the crowd.  I'm sure that if the price is right, we'll hold it at the same place next year.

The church women dinner held here in my home was really fun ...  challenging but fun. I had two helpers who did parts of the meal, table decorations, and wine buying (it's been so long since I've bought wine, I don't even know what people drink these days). We borrowed enough tables and chairs to seat all 27 women. It is so nice to meet women who go to the other services.  We go to the early service so don't meet the majority that go to the later ones.  Con made 2 pots of chili for us (pork green chili and white chicken chili) and they were great. He's such a good cook.

Have a blessed, merry Christmas.  12 18 12

The lavender has been put to bed for the winter.

The holidays are fast approaching and so much is happening all of a sudden (it seems).  I've only had a year to plan and sew and do all the things to prepare for this season. It's my best sales time of year because people like to buy lavender gifts for friends and family.  There will be an open house "Lavender Salon" at Angie's house on Sunday. And I plan on one at my house on Dec 9th, Sunday. I will have some of my products on sale at my beauty salon and at a 2-week holiday craft fair nearby.  Also my friend, Yvonne, in Delta has be bring my products to her annual Christmas open house.  Some of this happened at the last minute so I am sewing like a crazy woman to get more neck wraps and pillowcase liners (my most popular products) ready.  Of course I have had a year's notice of the annual Lavender Association Christmas Fair on Dec 1st.  I'm a bit concerned about the new location because it is a big facility and not sure if enough advertising is being done. It is one of my favorite events because the members are there and we get to spend time together and see what each other products.
Also, a group of women at church have been having a monthly dinner and my turn is Dec 4th.
So my 2 helpers and I are trying to figure out how to seat 24 or so women for dinner.  Thank goodness Con is going to make his "soon to be famous" green chili and a white chicken chili for us. That and tortillas are the main course.

I notice that the photos of my neckwraps and eye pillows has disappeared from this blog.  So I'll have to try to repost them -- cross your fingers!   Adios for now.       11 14 12  
PS:  If there are some words highlighted in yellow, I have no idea why.                              www.coloradolavender.org 

Blue Angels and Friends

I finally cut the rest of the lavender from the yards. Shaped the plants so they'll look nice throughout the winter. There were lots of blooms this year so I'm happy with the yield. I had posted some photos in the past about the plants that looked dead but they did come back to life.  One did not bloom but it will next year.  Lost 2 at Angie's house which I'll replace. Fall is actually a good time to plant.

What a great weekend I had. Lavender Assoc meeting Friday morning (more about that next post) Went to dinner with some old friends Friday night. Then we had our "funny" friends over for a barbeque Saturday night. One couple had just bought a fiery red corvette so we enjoyed teasing about "second childhood." Of course I did sit in it just to feel the luxury --- pretty nice I must admit. The other couple is/are the funniest people we've every known. So we laughed all night long. What a gift -- that ability to make people laugh. We are so fortunate that they want to share it with us. 

During the day Saturday, the Blue Angels practiced for the Sunday airshow. A couple of time I ran outside and was able to see them in formation overhead. On Sunday our church was invited to a member's home near the airport for a potluck barbeque and to watch the air show from his yard. There was so much food that my cupcake pan was missing only one. So I took them home (a potluck no-no) and delivered them to the neighbors. (Baking for the neighbors is actually a vandalism prevention tool. If kids are out looking for mischief, they'll probably bypass the "baker lady's" house.) 

Lavender Sachet Sets

 I'm making these for my friend, Ellen, and will mail them to her when all done.  These are 4x6" cotton, 2 sachets to a set tied with a ribbon.  I have also put together some hanging sachets using a lavender colored panne fabric on one side--very pretty--smells great!   9/14/12

A Bag Lady, Moi?



Angie showing latest handbag 8/21/12



12x15 Loops for adjustable strap

My worst fantasy has come true.  I've become a bag lady! Since making that first handbag, I tried a few more and they turned out good. A woman came over last week to buy a neck wrap and when she saw the bag, she bought it too! $28. Unfortunately I had not taken a photo of it. It's the same size as the first one I made but I used a solid teal color and a flowery cotton and added pockets. The 3rd one (photo) was a special request for a smaller denim bag. Instead of sewing the strap to the bag, I added loops so that it could be adjusted for a comfy fit. The first bag I made had a bit too much lavender in the shoulder strap so I put less in this one. Turned out nice. 



Fragrant lavender in shoulder strap



Writing about bag lady reminded me of a story from my "shady" past. Long ago and far away I was sitting in a food and drink establishment (ok, a bar) waiting for the clock to hit noon so I could order a bloody mary with my hamburger.  Sitting at the bar (I always liked a front row seat) I overheard the bartender say, "here comes Gladys" as he pulled out a shotglass. From the door came an ugly, dissheveled, tiny old woman hollering in a squeaky voice, "where's my drink?" She was appalling, and worse, she was greeting people as she hobbled in.  Rather than await her approach, I threw some money on the bar & fled.  Today, I say, bless that little old gal. The picture of her never left my mind.  Rather it tucked itself away & became one of the catalysts to move alcohol completely out of my life. Her trajedy became my gift. Thank you, Gladys, wherever you are.

Handbag - Smells So Good!

3 views of Handbag #1                    8 6 12

Yesterday I started on my first handbag project. Since I don't often use a purse, I don't really pay much attention to them. But while surfing the web (looking for something of which I have no recollection) I came across the DIY dish blog/website. Twin sisters, Kim & Kris do sewing projects  which they make look so easy. They are fun to watch - perky, cute and fascinating to see how exactly the same they are.  They were doing this purse and I decided to try it.

After 2 false starts (had to go back to their blog to review the steps) I ripped out what I'd done and began again. I've become very good at ripping. It turned out to be very easy to make. I added my own touch, of course, by putting lavender buds into the shoulder strap.  In addition to smelling lovely it gives the strap a bit of thickness to stay positioned on the shoulder.  This one made of green flannel and flowered cotton. It's fully lined with the same material and could be handwashed being careful not to immerse the lavender-filled strap.

It would be easy to put a closure button or snap on it, too.  What do you think?????

July and August

I can't believe how fast it went. It seems I was just preparing for the Colorado Lavender Festival and now it has come and gone and gone and gone!  It was, of course, fabulous.  Great time - sold some items - made a few bucks -- but not as much as last year.  Who knows why.  We think, perhaps, the booth wasn't attractive enough ... not enough bright colors.  Many of my neck wraps and eye pillows are on the dark side -- deep browns, blues and greens -- so didn't "show" as sparkly as lighter colors do. And perhaps too many items on the tables at one time can look a bit junky?  I've revised the layout and packaging for the future fairs and will see if it makes a difference.  Of course, there are so many variables that it could by lots of things contributing to the lower sales.  But it was great fun and so nice seeing old friends and chatting with people.

Last weekend Con and I went down to the Las Golondrinas Herb and Lavender Fair near Santa Fe, NM It's one of our favorite places to visit so I jumped at the chance to go. The weather was nice, not real hot and the place was beautiful.  We also had time to go to our favorite bookstore on Canyon Road and eat at a 100-year old famous local restaurant.  We stayed at the Sunrise Resort, an out of the way place that was once a beautiful spa resort.  We were there about 5 years ago and when I made reservations I didn't realize it was the same place.  It has run down a bit but still very nice and serene - and an outdoor pool which I love. A good library, trees and ponds, we'll go back again.  8 1 12

Fair at Los Golondrinas, SantaFe, NM 7 2 12

Festival Almost Here

The 2nd Colorado Lavender Festival is almost here and I'm so excited!  Nearly 4000 people are expected to attend. We have plenty of vendor booths, food, music, workshops and Festival Merchandise for sale.  Last year, a fabulous cookbook "Spike It With Lavender" was created by LAWC member Lida Lafferty. This year she has a packaged insert of new pages to add to the book.  Each year she will publish a new batch so the book can continue to grow with new recipes and tips.  The T-shirts are great this year, very colorful. I'm buying 2 or 3 because I last year I only bought 1 and it is almost worn out.  This year's version is so cute, I'll wear it a lot.  Check out the Festival website for prices and pictures. You can order online if you can't attend the fair. http://www.coloradolavender.org/


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lavender filled drawer pillow sets 4"x6"


I'm finishing up my sewing projects and will have a lot of new items for sale.  My friend, Roberta, helping me design my booth setup to improve the visual appeal. She has a background in merchandising and has an eye for attracting people's attention through placement.  In a limited space of 10"x10" booth, my creative ideas are pretty limited.     6 25 12


3 closet hangers full of lavender



The Little Lavender That Could .....

 

4 11 12 looks like a goner after transplant



Greetings all you lavendeers!   I'm one of those women who likes to move the furniture around and create new looks.  But I've taken that skill (it is not an obsession, regardless of what some people say) into the yard.  I like to move plants if they are looking a little weary.  What I have found - actually something we all know -- is that lavender must have a lot of direct sun each day.  This poor little guy, for instance, looks pretty sad because while small it seemed to be far enough away from a tall evergreen to get full sun. 
But as it grew larger (and the evergreen spread a bit more) it fell into a shadow for much of the day.  So I moved it  to a sunnier spot.  It looks pretty sad but I think it will be ok. 
                    

Below, a month later, you can see the green on the tips and June 2 looking greener.

5 22 12 a month later seeing some green

6 2 12  determined little critter

THE MORAL OF THIS STORY IS

"NEVER, NEVER, NEVER, NEVER, NEVER GIVE UP!"  

                        (Paraphrase from a world famous speech. Do you know who)? 

 



 

Today 6 12 12  it's blooming - purple flowers.
I'll cut out the rest of the dead wood and see what happens next. 









Red Kew Lavender

Isn't this unusual lavender?  A friend asked me if I knew anything about it.  She had seen it one time and thought it was so beautiful.  She wanted to find some and grow it here.  I had never heard of it and so did a little research.  It is a lovely red-violet color and has light pink bracts on the flower tops. The foliage is gray-green with short compact leaves.  It grows to about 16-18". The problem is that it is a Spanish Lavender that is hardy to US zones 8-11.  Here in Western Colorado we are zone 5 or 6 or 7 so it must be sheltered from low temps. To thrive, it needs more moisture than the English and hybrid lavenders that grow so well in our hot climate and dry soil.  I found a seller in Canada (Reichters) and purchased 3 plants.  I'll give one to my friend who introduced it to me and I'll try to grow the other 2.  Starting out I'll put them both in one large pot and watch them daily to be sure they are faring well.  Cross your fingers!!!     6 8 12






.

May bloomings



4/12/12  dying lav

 

5/14/12 surviving

 This is the lavender I moved last month because it wasn't getting enough sun. Photo on right is the day I moved it and the left photo is today It has  hasn't died as you can see.  It will be interesting to see how it looks next month. 

 Take a look at the change in
 these other lavender. They

                                                          were originally offshoots from

4 12 12 Two small lavs

 

5 14 12 they're going to make it



a main plant.  I moved them to the back of the yard a couple of years ago (I think this is the 3rd year).  They bloomed very well each year but this past winter was so dry that it appeared they were goners.  There is an amazing difference in just 30 days.  The lesson that is so important for lavender growers to remember is .... never assume they are dead!  They may look dead, but they struggle on through and by June they are blooming again. 

Not everything in the yard

apr 2012

is in a struggle for survival, look at this 

beautiful redbud tree and the lilacs that

line the driveway. 

When not admiring the flowers, I'm sewing like a mad woman to get enough products ready for the  upcoming fairs.                                                                                    I'll post some sewing photos next time.

One Thing Leads to Another, Darn It!

I've been working on a particularly difficult neck wrap. I like the look a usefulness of a wrap made warm fabric on one side and cool fabric on the other.  That way, whether you are feeling chilled or too warm, you fabric against your skin feels good.  I've sewn fake fur in the past but this fabric is a pain in the ...  Because it is thick and it stretches, it doesn't want to adhere smoothly to a piece of cotton.  Of course, I always try to find a shortcut first (you'd think I'd learn).  When that doesn't work, which means ripping out the thread, I turn to the internet to see if there are any new "tips" that may be useful.  I may or may not use any of the "tips" because sometimes people don't know what they are talking about but think they are expert enough to teach others.  But I digress.
Finally, I turn to the stabilizer. Actually I hunt for the stabilizer because I can't remember where I put it last time I used it. Surely it wouldn't be in the sewing cupboard were it ought to be. Finally finding it in with the candles (don't ask) I put it to use.  And the future looks brighter.  Amazing how the right tool for the job works so well.
But wait, there's more!

I thought I get something to drink before I went back to the sewing machine.  A glass of lemonade sounds great. Might as well make a pitcher of it.  Looking for my water pitcher, I remembered that I had left it in the dining room when I thought we were have friends over for dinner on Saturday (another story for another day).  Not wanting to waste good water, I just poured the lemonade crystals in, added some Splenda and ice and poured a glass.  It was awful.  Assuming it was the old water, 

A Goner or a Survivor???

Greetings all you lavendeers!  The plants are pruned and I'm looking forward to a wonderful summer harvest.  Didn't buy any new lavender plants this year because I have no place to plant them (Con threatens to fence in the front yard to keep me and my spade out).  The ones I have are actually quite enough to keep me busy all summer. 

I'm one of those women who likes to move the furniture around and create new looks.  But I've taken that skill (it is not an obsession, regardless of what some people say) to the yard.  I like to move plants if they are looking a little weary.  What I have found - actually something we all know -- is that lavender must have a lot of direct sun each day.  This poor little guy, for instance, looks pretty sad because while small it seemed to be far enough away from a tall evergreen to get full sun.  But as it grew larger (and the evergreen spread a bit more) it fell into a shadow for much of the day.  So I moved it last week to a sunnier spot.  It looks pretty sad but I think it will be ok.  You can see the green on the tips.  I'll keep you posted.

A Little Help From a Friend

 I tried "stitching" a couple of photos together but it didn't work out too well.  These are sets of lavender-filled Dryer Bags to throw into the dryer with your clothes and they come out smelling wonderful .  Three to a set tied with ribbon.  Each holds a little over one cup of pure, fragrant lavender buds.
I was  making them last year when I met Kim who mentioned that she had to order some online.  As we  talked she graciously agreed to be my "guinea pig" and give me feedback on mine.  Since she already used bags regularly she could offer comparison information.  The ones I made were fine but I was trying to find a way to reduce or eliminate the static that sometimes occurs in drying clothes. Tinfoil works but the amount that I could insert into the dryer bags was minimal and so not much of an improvement. Some with some tweaks and tips from Kim (stop drying your panties with your sweatshirts, for one) the product is great.  And sweet serendipity --- Kim is now a regular customer of mine --- bless her heart!     3 16 12

Need More Snow

Our last snowfall was Jan 24th and not much dropped. Just enough to be pretty but it melted off fast. It was great timing, though, because had it not arrived, I was ready to water by hand. We've had some rain since that time - enough to satisfy my plants for now. One of the great things about lavender is that once established it requires minimal water. But it does require water - so check your plants if it's been dry in your area.
I'm sure we'll be seeing snow here before winter is over. In fact, spring has brought some of the worst snowstorms --April -- even May at the higher elevations.

 

Sat: It’s 2012 and this morning kicked off the 4thyear of the Lavender Association of Western Colorado (LAWC). Several board members had fulfilled their termsand were given appreciation for their work. And newly-elected members have made the generous commitment to continue LAWC’s successful momentum.

Some new members attended today’s meeting. It’s so encouraging to see more and more people interested in planting lavender in their yards and fields. Some members have only a few plants, some have hundreds and some are growing thousands.

One of the things I like is the sharing of knowledge that takes place. I’ve learned so much by hearing and seeing what others are doing. It’s important to me because though I am only a residential grower (75 plants), it’s a significant investment of my (and Con’s) time, money and labor.

Though different in scale, the variables affecting crops are the same: water, soil, temperature, weeds, wind, harvesting, cleaning, distilling, costs, promotion and on and on. Thanks to LAWC, we all have access to a great deal of help in the information and experiences of others, as well as the knowledge and field research of our “mentor,” Dr. Curtis Swift of the CSU Extension office. It’s an exciting time for me to be a part – albeit a very small part – of a movement to create an industry that will benefit the economy of our beautiful Western Slope communities.

So get on board! Join up at www.coloradolavender.org ! You won’t regret it! HooYah!

(oops, got carried away there – we have a Navy Seal in the family & it’s just so fun to say – HooYah

(Go ahead, try it. There, see, isn’t it fun)?