Tag Archive | dragon

Slipping Back to September

When I started this blog it was with a commitment to keep it going through thick and thin… There have been a few varations on posting… Once in a while when the kids were wee… daily sharing when the homeschool life was new and fresh… month chunks at the end of the month… and now, a full on battle to chase myself back to current. I have actually found great joy in reflecting on these months long gone. It is amazing to see, now removed, how highly productive and honestly HAPPY we were back in times when I was SURE we had accomplished so very little. DSCN1119

September was a busy month. We finished up our visit with Jeff that overlapped a day with Sean.

Learning a little TaeKwonDo

Learning a little TaeKwonDo

IMAG0706Which at the same time had Ken, myself, Shandai and Ravyn at the Renaissance Festival.DSCN0986

DSCN0990DSCN0993DSCN0995Of course since we had Sean down we had to go do fun things… a trip to the Minnesota Historical Society… where we apparently took way too many pictures. But the temporary Hmong exhibit was amazing! DSCN1107

DSCN1024DSCN1067DSCN1096DSCN1104Plenty of fun times at home (of course with computers included).DSCN1133

The weather was absolutely lovely so plenty of time was spent outside in the pool…

DSCN1135At the park…DSCN1141

We even squeezed in some school time.

Wild Kratta

Wild Kratta

DSCN1145

Art

Art

Ken won beer for a year… FROM OUR CHURCH!IMAG0803We started a new year of schooling… well tried out some new ideas and photographed our one and only stating of a grade level that we do each year!IMAG0651

We even started up in scouts again!DSCN1148

Be sure to check the overflow link… I took so many pictures of the festival and the museum. It is such a waste NOT to share them HERE.IMAG0798

Rennaissance in the Sunshine

Now I am sure most people know that Ken and I do the Renaissance Festival ONCE a year, always in some sort of costume and if we can with my best friend since high school (shhh not telling the year) Shandai. In fact, when we relocated from Canada to sunny Minnesota it was at the festival that we first laid eyes on each other once again! This first time I wore the costume from She Chris and He Chris’ wedding … fun fact…547311_10151169179466151_37073558_n

Now we have gone every year for 4 visits… although it has been 3 years since we have moved… gotta love it when you move back right when festival is going on! And at this point I am totally spoiled with an AMAZING dress thanks to the combined efforts of Shandai, her roommate Emily and an amazing seamstress named Melinda. Apparently this piece is Melinda’s first dress made that she left behind to be passed to someone in need… the previous two visits I have also borrowed Shandai’s hoopskirt and created my own snood via my crochet skills! But… THIS year Ken took the initiative and his newly created sewing skills and with some input from those in the know MADE ME my own hoopskirt!

When it is muggy hot with a heat advisory you pre dress at home!

When it is muggy hot with a heat advisory you pre dress at home!

And this waist makes it all worth while.

And this waist makes it all worth while.

Note the belt, my new purchase at the fair this year. Leather and gorgeous.

Note the belt, my new purchase at the fair this year. Leather and gorgeous.

Anyway, last year we actually got to go WITH Shandai and her then boyfriend Ravyn. They had, in past years, worked there so we would only visit with them briefly and then wander on our own. Now they are both able to go as guests so we of course, go when they can. Thanks to Chris and Jeff this year being willing to not only watch the minions but also collect Sean from the airport that afternoon we were once again able to go on the date that Shandai and Ravyn (now fiances) were going.DSCN0990

We were unable to find time for Ken to make the shirt he planned to make as a new costume or afford the kilt I would LOVE to see him in but Ravyn had the amazingly brilliant thought to pull out a wizard costume he had and voila… Ken was dressed to impressed (ignore the sneakers).

With staff and all.

With staff and all.

With beer

With beer

Better yet – we all were coordinated… green was the colour of the day!

DSCN1004DSCN0986We shopped, we wandered… we ran into people we knew (cuz I finally KNOW PEOPLE!). We braved the heat advisory weather in a corset (yup another addition to my wardrobe that will be used in the October wedding). We got complimented on our costumes and even met a mermaid!DSCN1009

DSCN1010There were so many interesting characters and shops. We played, we snacked, we drank (the mead was exceptional) and we enjoyed it all. Definitely an experience I would suggest to anyone! Especially in costume.DSCN0985

I had to snap a pic of this lovely lady... Duchess came instantly to mind, does it not?

I had to snap a pic of this lovely lady… Duchess came instantly to mind, does it not?

Tell me you don't hear the Lego theme song in your head instantly!

Tell me you don’t hear the Lego theme song in your head instantly!

There be dragons here!

There be dragons here!

The wizard lent me his staff... he also bought me that basket before festival at a steal for 5.00!

The wizard lent me his staff… he also bought me that basket before festival at a steal for 5.00!

Do not question the tails.

Do not question the tails.

DSCN0997

Sitting in the romantic garden sipping mead.

Sitting in the romantic garden sipping mead.

I found the princess!

I found the princess! Well… A princess

Music break

Music break

A mermaid and a Scotsman! What a duo!

A mermaid and a Scotsman! What a duo!

the mermaids just love the children.

the mermaids just love the children.

Thirsty business

Thirsty business

IMAG0680

Playing the boob drums

Playing the boob drums

IMAG0687

A squid earring!

A squid earring!

I think this is one of my favourite images... I found a baby fairie!

I think this is one of my favourite images… I found a baby fairie!

My First County Fair…

A little slow on the post but with Renee’s support (and ride to drop the items off) Emanuel and I entered our very first County Fair (well American one, I remember entering a fair way back in 4H as a child…). The Anoka County Fair. Very exciting. I entered 7 pieces and Emanuel one. There was no fee for entry (just if you wanted to come and see your entries while the fair was going on… we didn’t) and small cash prizes for placing. 

We didn’t expect much and were over the moon when Renee reported back that it looked like we had received some ribbons! In fact, what we thought was a participation ribbon for Emanuel’s was in reality THIRD PLACE !!! He did a unique creation… a Lego version of the Minecraft zombie villager. So very proud!!!

Yours truly entered (as I mentioned) 7 items, out of the 7 SIX placed either first or second in their categories! The only piece that didn’t place was my baby hat with beard and I threw that one in more because it was in my store and on hand than anything else! IMAG0407

Now for the pieces that DID place! I have to give design credit for TWO of my first place ribbons – Rapunzel and the zebra were both designed by Kristen’s Kords. I love her designs and have had the great privilege to test many of her pieces. You HAVE TO check out her Etsy store… she also sells the amigurumi she makes herself there HERE.IMAG0401

IMAG0400

My other two first place items are both up for sale CURRENTLY in my Etsy store! I was rather surprised that my baby sweater DID get such a high ranking, it is a relatively simple pattern. Ken says it was the adorable buttons… and the comments on the back of the card DID state that they WERE adorable! (Of course HE chose the buttons) The other is my lamb bag that I made a few months back as part of my stash buster attempt (successful I might add). I have multiple bags up for sale with differing flower colours. It was fun to make and I actually really love the final look! You can find the items for sale HERE and HEREIMAG0410

IMAG0409And now for my two second place pieces! First off my Blue, White and Red Granny Square. This was a bit of a surprise to me, a very simple single granny with colour changes. Though there was a suggestion to switch to a smaller hook size midway to keep the square shape more square that I need to research further (I actually like the pulled look. It looks almost 3D when stretched out). The other was a surprise to me as well – my dragon scarf… I have one up for sale in my store as well HERE and have made multiple versions of this. This particular scarf was Ken’s Christmas present last year! With how many scarves entered coming in second was certainly a bit of a surprise! Anyway those are my placers… next year I plan to enter more things!! Just… gotta think of them first…IMAG0414

IMAG0408