Public Demonstrations

Friday night, I headed off to the Saskatoon Exhibition - not for the rides, but for a demo I was asked to volunteer for.  I did this last year, but MY GOSH it was so much busier in there this year!  I had a big table full of stitching samples as a representative of the Bridge City Needle Arts Guild.  It was a fun night.  I met a lot of people.  There was party music, food, entertainment, and lots of smiley faces.

I brought along some photos of lilacs I took at the university earlier this year, and some silk ribbon that i dyed that afternoon.  Here's a photo of what I was working on.  There's so much more that was filled in by the end of the night.  We were there for hours.  : )

a very pretty work-in-progress

I got the dyed scrim with my last order from Meinke Toy.  I have many colors, but I liked the way this looked.  The grey kept the whole thing with a very soft feel.  The silk ribbon is perfect for lilacs!  I can't wait to show you how this is working out!

Demoing with me that night was award winning local leather artist Stan Garchinski.  That's why I brought my boy.  Liam got heavy into leather work last summer.  I was told that Stan would be there, and that he is 'very friendly and talkative', so I figured he would enjoy the interest that my youngest boy shows in leather art.

my boy getting a leather art lesson from Stan Garchinski

Stan got a big red ribbon last year for a saddle he made.  I think I heard him say it took 300 hours?!  Wow.  At the end of the night, Liam said, 'this was a great birthday night, but the best part of it was that I got to work with Stan Garchinski.'  Liam won't forget tonight.  Stan made an impression on him much like Rickey Lair did with his woodworking.  I like that about Liam - he love to create, loves to be industrious.  He would rather create than play video games (GASP!)  Stan was a great teacher too.  Liam learned so much!  Thank you very much Mr. Garchinski!  : )

Stan & Liam.  The cabinet panels behind them are Stan G's creations!  W O W.

The detail is incredible.  He instructed Liam along, and Liam ended up with this!  Look at the detail!  It's not one single stamp.  Every mark in it is from a tool.  Very impressive!

After 10:00pm, my boy and I ran around out in the dark for a couple hours and enjoyed the Saskatoon Exhibition - just me and him.  It's his birthday tonight.  He got fireworks.  At 2:19 am, he turns ten years old.  (sigh) Happy birthday sweet Liam!  I LOVE YOU SO MUCH.  You rock.

xo Mama.