Merry Christmas & Happy New Year

Another Christmas has come and passed and the New Year is about to be celebrated. Usually Robin and I will reflect on our craft season over coffee and decide what worked and what didn't. This year we had many new things that were well received by our customers. We are still talking about the name change and all the affects it will have on Robin's Floral Designs. We are not in a rush and we will just see which way the wind blows us. Good thing too, because the wind has been howling for 2 days! We were fortunate not to get dumped on like many others in the surrounding are. The kids were not fortunate, because they are off from school and want to go sledding, and I can't blame them. I hope your Christmas was full of joy and wish you a Happy New Year.

Christmas season and things to think about

Many things going on even though we are done for the season with craft shows. Robin and I have been talking for awhile now about setting up an Etsy account. If you don't know anything about Etsy, it's a gathering place for many artisans, who offer handmade/vintage items for sale. Our website seems to be attracting many customers who are looking for a florist or floral shop, which we are not, so we are thinking about a name change. It will be a big step for us to change an entity that we have worked hard on getting this far. We are attached to Robin's Floral Designs and have to make sure we get the new name right. When Robin started out in the craft business, she was concentrating on florals and wreaths, and then like many businesses she expanded her offerings. I like the direction we are going, so many possibilities, and great enjoyment in coming up with new items. We will keep you posted through the transition. It's going to be an exciting and enjoyable new year, lots to talk and think about.

We are open Friday and Saturday, Dec. 10 & 11 for "After De Tour" Sale! Come visit me if you missed Christmas in the Country or come back for the specials I am offering this weekend only!!

Christmas in the country update

First day of the Christmas in the country craft tour went well. Robin was busy all day and reports from the other artisans were much of the same. There are three new additions to the tour this year, which is good to see, helps to keep it fresh. We received a dusting of snow last night and the weather looks good for today.

Sculptures in the front yard

Kyle's sculptures have taken over the front yard. These were all made during his time in college.

These guys are pretty spooky when you pull into the yard at night. They are good guardians.

After I put the guy on the right up, Robin thought of the idea of making the old sleigh into a manger, and with some straw and greens there it was. She got the idea from looking at the guy on the left, with his hands on his knees, it looks like he is looking down into the manger. Caution....creative mind at work.

All signs point toward Christmas in the Country

Last show is this weekend, a home tour, called Christmas in the Country. We have been very busy getting everything ready.

These signs were popular in Plattsburgh at our last show.

This was a door of some kind that I found up in the barn and made into a display. The barn is always giving if you look hard enough.

new woodturnings

This candle holder was turned last week and I just finished the wood burned design on the top. I had this design in my head and I'm happy with the way it came out. The house is busy right now getting ready for our last show of the year, lots of creativity in the air, you can almost hear it humming. Love it!

This was my latest turning project. I got tired of my factory shifting knob rattling when I sat at a stop light or idling somewhere, so I turned this new knob, out of a piece of birch I had in the barn.

Already had the wood burner warmed up, so I just had to burn my shift pattern on there, and when I started the truck there was no more rattle. I like this kind of turning project because every time I drive now, I will have my hand on something, that my hands made.

Birch woodburnings

Trying something new for me, wood burning on birch bark, which I found it to be easy and fun. Robin is going to use these in her designs and sell them individually with some ribbon to hang them wherever you may want.

Hope you enjoy these pictures more to follow when they are finished off with ribbon or in arrangements.

New candle holders

Robin made these candle holders last night and I think they are awesome. She and I had made the wooden backs a while ago and last night she had the idea of applying the star and made her own twisted wire holder.

I heard her pounding with a hammer and wondered what she was working on and when she brought them in I couldn't believe how great they looked. The pounding was on the two staples in the back.

Then before I went to bed she had twisted this Merry Christmas. She has her groove going for the upcoming Christmas in the Country craft tour. This will be tacked on to some sort of creation I'm sure.

Plattsburgh show pics

Robin and I were in Plattsburgh, NY this weekend. It is a great show that we have done in the past, and this weekend was another good one, lots of people enjoying the nice weather and getting some shopping done early.

This was the second show for our new set-up and we were pleased with the display. We did talk about one change we would make for the next time and also got some new ideas from other crafter's displays.

It was a great weekend and we received a big welcome from the kids and dogs that always makes you feel good to be home. The hotel bed was nice, but nothing compares to your own bed, needless to say we both slept like rocks last night. Time to unpack and start getting ready for Christmas in the Country tour.

First give-away on Facebook

We had a give-away for the month of October on Facebook. The winner is getting one of our popular pipberry garlands. It was an interesting experiment and we are going to do another one. There is a difference between Facebook and the blog. For us, the blog seems like you are sending your message out to whom ever stops in to read it, and Facebook has defined people your message reaches. The opportunity with Facebook, is friends of friends, may come across your message also. Whether it is the blog or Facebook it's fun trying to build interest in Robin's Floral Design.

Busy day today finishing (hopefully) Robin's inside set-up. She is doing a show this weekend at St. Mary's in Glens Falls. She has done this show in the past and it will be an opportunity to try out the new set-up before Plattsburg next weekend.

Dinner plans

Tonight I decided to make dinner. Robin is the cook of the house, hands down, no doubt about it. She is feeling a little under the weather today, so that's what prompted me to attempt dinner.
I went with the old reliable: goulash. I try to get as close to my Grandmother's as I can. Her's will always be goulash to me, and even though I know I will never get it to taste like hers, it's fun to try. Robin had two helpings, so I think she approved, time to cozy up by the fire.

New wooden votive candle holders

Today I broke out our new wood burning tool and made these two new candle holders. Robin is going to do a little painting on these and I will drill out holes in the top and do some finish sanding. Robin and I already have many ideas for this and can't wait to get started. I am also going to turn some candle holders and burn designs on them. Very excited about this, ideas are flying around, too bad I have to go back to work after this great vacation.

Working vacation

My last vacation week of the year has been a productive one. Monday, Robin and I went to Albany to help Kyle bring this sculpture home. It comes apart at the middle, so he took the long part in his truck, and we got the middle section. It came home and is laying in the side field awaiting it's next move. Tuesday morning was rainy, so we ran errands in Glens Falls, and in the afternoon we cleared all the brush from behind our vegetable garden. I would say we picked up a strip of soon to be yard that is 8'x30'. It should get more light to the garden next year and maybe help ease the bugs when we are up there. Wednesday we had two tons of pellets delivered by Lowes and I started working on Robin's inside set-up for the Plattsburg show next month. The pool is officially shut down for the year and the outside water on both sides of the house is shut off. Yesterday I moved the pellets inside the barn, with the help of my wonderful dog Eve, she has really taken to the work detail. Just in case you were wondering, pellets come in a 40lb bag, that equals 100 trips into the back stall. It only took me an hour and that includes the many times I had to throw the ball for my "helper". We tweaked the inside set-up idea and I think today we will have a keeper. I also got through about a third of the basement clean-up during the few showers we had. Robin has been busy with our annual Grandparents breakfast at the school Wednesday, Thursday and today. The last three afternoons have been busy with soccer games, with another tonight and one tomorrow, and then that wraps up. This may not sound like a vacation to some, but to me, this is what I need to recharge my batteries for my day job. These are all things that you try to cram into your regular schedule, things you think about, things you want to get done. I am happy to say that all the items on my to-do list for this week have been crossed off and I have four days left. I suppose now I can get started on Robin's list, you know that list, I never can quite see the bottom of it. : )

Snowman Gathering

They're finished! What a good looking bunch huh? My painter/designer dropped these off today and I think you will agree she did a fantastic job!

I like the fact that each one has his own distinctive look. As I've said before, when I turn a piece on the wood lathe, each one comes out a little different. It's only fitting that each snowman's face and look is different. That's what makes handmade so special.

Remember these guys?

I turned these, among other trees and snowmen, almost a year ago! My wonderfully talented mother has had this snowman since last winter, and a couple of months ago she said he was about done, with the exception of his arms. Last week I gave her a box containing the remaining trees and gave her the go ahead to use her judgement and finish them off also. Today these were waiting for me when I got home and all I can say is wow!

I have a feeling these will not last very long at any craft show Robin goes to, so I may have to wait for the Christmas in the Country tour, to bring them out. Since they are all handmade, each will be different, and I think when they are grouped together they will look great. Can you see a little display of these sitting together in a "snowy" setting. I told her I may have found a job for her, and she replied " I don't want a job, I just want to help". Ever modest, most loving, awesome job Mom!

More from Eagle Mills

This was Robin's "home" for the two weekends.

She was happy with the set-up and even more happy with her sales! Everything looked great as usual. It's hard to achieve that homey feel but Robin does a great job with it.

Lots of fall colors. It's hard to tell in these pictures, but the twigs that are sticking out are lighted at the ends, these are one of the items Robin is finding people are very excited about.

This is another arrangement that Robin has added the lighted twigs to. The response has been very good. If you ever see anything on this blog that you are interested in, please leave a comment or visit our website http://robinsfloraldesigns.com/ and let us know through e-mail.

Eagle Mills Craftshow

When you first arrive at Eagle Mills, you can't help but be drawn to this covered bridge on the property, it stands next to the cider press area.

You can see the press area on the right in this picture. This is the view from the bridge.

This is the opposite side view, very nice setting for a craft show. The building on the left is the bakery, cider donuts and apple pie, seemed to be the popular choices.

Many crafters' tents all around. As you can tell the weather was gorgeous again this past weekend. Two weekends in a row, you can't ask for more. These pictures were Sunday afternoon and there was still many people on the grounds.

Craft Season is in full swing.

Well, as you might have guessed from our lack of posting, we are in full swing now. Robin's first weekend at Eagle Mills was very busy! She goes back this weekend and then we are at the Warrensburg Garage Sale the following weekend. It has been a little hectic around here to say the least. Robin is busy making all kinds of new creations and we will keep our fingers crossed on her taking some pictures this weekend. The Eagle Mills craft show has been going on for some time, they have events all year long, and from her description it sounds wonderful. You can click on this link to check their site out:http://www.eaglemillsfun.com.

Now I have to tell you how my day started today. I, like most people around here, love fall. So it was fitting that today, being the first day of Autumn, start the way it did. I was on my way to work this morning and was quite happy with the present I was given. Halfway there, I looked to my left, and in the cow pasture was a bank of early morning fog. The sky behind it was breathtaking, orange and yellow and many other color combinations mixed in. I feel you are rewarded with special things from Mother Nature, from time to time, and when I am rewarded with something that special I feel a need to share it. I told Robin I wanted to call her right then and tell her to go outside, she appreciated this, but I think she was glad I didn't. It was one of those moments that you wish you had a camera, but you know it was for you and anyone else who experienced it. So I'm sorry I don't have a cool picture of it, but I've got a feeling all of us have those moments in our memories, and it's just as good to let your imagination take care of the visual aspect of the story. Do yourself a favor, next time this happens to you, pull over or stop walking and take it in. There are lots of gifts around, we just have to take the time and scoop them up.

Sandy Hill Days

Sandy Hill Days was a success again this year. Robin was featured on our local TV station, the segment was taped while she was setting up, and we joked that it was not her first time in front of the camera. When she worked at a local bank, she was in a short commercial, only this time there was audio to go along. She said she was very relaxed and got a good plug in for Christmas in the Country home tour in. The new items she featured, went very well, and she is very excited for the fall season. I will post pictures of some of the items, hopefully tommorow, when we get fully unpacked. She has shows the next two weekends, and if this show was any indicator, they should go pretty well also. It is always a challenge to find the next "in" thing in home decor, but Robin has a very good eye, and seems to know what people are looking for. Sandy Hill Days is not a typical craft show, in that it has an old time bazaar feeling to it, it ends when the fireworks go off about 10pm. Outstanding weather also helped the weekend, it really felt like early fall and everyone's attitude reflected it. Fall weather seems to put people in a different state of mind, I think it is an innate feeling to plan ahead for winter. Whether it's projects or purchases, it seems people have the same reaction to the oncoming season, do it now and don't wait for the snow to fly.

Dinner items from the backyard and thinking ahead

Nothing like having Robin say "Can you go up and get me some potatoes and tomatos from the garden?" Yes! Is the answer!

I grabbed an onion too, just for good measure.

Then I had to take a picture of two of our Hubbards, they are growing patiently towards future dinners. How about Mr. Spider? I hope he isn't laying claim because he won't win.

Can you smell these cooking with butter and brown sugar? MMMMMMMMMMMM! Hard to think of that now though with this current little heat wave we have. It will come soon enough.

Vacation

We are back from the coast, well rested and we satisfied our lobster craving, for now anyway.

These are views from the marginal way in Ogunquit, Maine. The first couple days of our stay were rainy and the sea was riled from the storm, which gave us a chance to see some big waves crashing ashore.

We made the most of the weather by shopping in Kittery and walking on the beach when it wasn't raining. The wind was strong and we were bundled up in sweatshirts, which the local shops said they were finally selling, since it had been such a beautiful summer so far.

The week finished with a drastic change, sun and heat, perfect beach weather. It's always hard leaving the coast but always good to wake up at home.