EXCITING WEEKEND SHOW PLANS

As you know -- I've been working with Rhonda Pierce of Schmetz Needles to teach at some of the Original Sewing & Quilting Expos -- in Chantilly and Kansas City -- and THIS WEEKEND -- November 10,11 & 12 -- MINNEAPOLIS.



Mary Mulari and I will be doing our Ya Ya Sister Act this weekend in Minneapolis. Mary will also be presenting several workshops about Designer Sweatshirts...her newest apron ideas...AND I'll be doing my Life Is Not A Dress Size.


AND we will present our BRAND NEW EVENING EVENT. Lots of quick gift ideas for the special people in your life...and I'm taking ONE NEW IDEA Mary has never seen. She doesn't even know it yet...

If you go to Schmetz Needles blog you'll see a slide show Rhonda put together.

AND if you have any restaurant recommendations for Minneapolis -- please feel free to SEND THEM TO ME. We get soo hungry working in the booth all day -- and I HAVE A CAR AND A GARMIN...

STOP BY THE SCHMETZ BOOTH this weekend to say hello.

Amy's Witch Costume

My 10-year old grandnephew, Cale, called on Wednesday to ask if I could make a "jester hat" for him.

Nooooo problem...

His Mom, Amy, came to pick it up on Friday. It looks great on her...

She mentioned that she was going to a "witches party" that night. Her girlfriend has a big party every year -- only women are invited -- and everybody MUST dress up as a witch. There is a lot of pressure to REALLY DRESS UP LIKE A WITCH...and so far, all Amy had was a hat and a pair of children's striped leggings...

Here's a picture of her in the ABSOLUTELY SMASHING black tube dress I whipped up for her. I am not kidding -- it only took ten minutes to sew -- and she looked like the most elegant witch you can imagine.

I made it long -- with one slit so she could walk in it...she already had a black velvet shrug (from her husband's grandmother -- it is stunning)...

These pictures don't do it justice. I am hoping better photos will follow...But it sure does look like a fun party, eh? I LOVE THE IDEA OF A WITCHES PARTY...

And, oh, just in case you think we forgot about the CHILDREN...here's a picture of Cale in his jester hat. I'm pretty sure the girl next to him is a boy in costume. Otherwise -- what would be the point??
Oh, yes...Halloween...

I am still hoping for a few more costumes to check in so I can post pictures...but the important thing is that EVERYBODY HAD A GOOD TIME...and I didn't eat too many Snickers...

John had ONLY ONE JOB last week -- keep the candy HIDDEN from me.

Garrett's violin

This is such a great story for me to be telling you...

Remember a few months ago, when I took two of my grand-nephews, Garrett and Landon -- to a DIY Art place? For part of their "Aunt Rita Adventure" -- they were allowed to spend $2 at a garage sale. Garrett bought a violin with one string...here's a picture of him, that day, driving home...he was plucking away...making a little music, even...

As it happens, I dropped him off that afternoon at his Grandpa's house. His grandfather is very musical -- and has always played the guitar. The minute Garrett walked in the house, his Grandfather asked, "do you want me to fix your violin?"

Fast forward....

Two months later -- this is a picture of Garrett with his RENOVATED violin. Rescued, with new strings, and a bow -- Garrett and his Grandpa booth look very pleased...

AND his Grandpa has bought himself a violin -- so he can learn how to play this winter in Florida.

When he returns in the spring -- he's going to give Garrett lessons...

And I could not be more delighted with the value Garret got that day...from his $2 garage sale purchase.

Good job, buddy!!

St. Charles Visit

During our visit to St. Louis -- I had some time to explore on my own. I always love that. And on this day -- I discovered scenic St. Charles, Missouri...

It had the sweetest little downtown I have ever seen -- with lots of quaint shops, brick paved streets, well kept public parks...

Interesting restaurants with lots of outdoor eating areas...

As I'm walking along -- this sign stopped me in my tracks. I cannot remember the last time I was in a town/village/city that actually maintained PUBLIC REST ROOMS...

I followed the signs -- to this pathway under a gazebo...

SURE ENOUGH -- a spotlessly clean PUBLIC REST ROOM...


There were also dozens of charming little shops -- with interesting merchandise...


I bought Mary Mulari's birthday present in St. Charles. There were several antique malls, and I found some books for Lilly, a few vintage aprons. My usual assortment of treasure. Although I can't remember everything I bought -- I do know that when we got home, I had to make two trips to empty the trunk of my car.

Thanks for the cheerful public Rest Rooms, St. Charles, Missouri!! KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!!

Ya Ya Minneapolis

This fall, I have been traveling with Rhonda Pierce of Schmetz Needles to teach at some of the Original Sewing & Quilting Expos -- in Chantilly and Kansas City -- and November 10,11 & 12 -- MINNEAPOLIS.

That's when Mary Mulari and I will be doing our Ya Ya Sister Act in Minneapolis. Mary will also be presenting several workshops about Designer Sweatshirts...her newest apron ideas...AND I'll be doing my Life Is Not A Dress Size.

AND we are busy putting together our BRAND NEW EVENING EVENT. Lots of quick gift ideas for the special people in your life...and I'm taking ONE NEW IDEA Mary has never seen. She doesn't even know it yet...

To get an idea about the Original Sewing & Quilt Shows -- You MUST go to Schmetz Needles blog to see a slide show Rhonda put together. There are some of the amazing projects. (including an embroidered SCREEN DOOR)...

Of course, my favorite picture in the slide show is of me eating BBQ ribs in KC...

You can download the free design for the OSQE dancing ladies...

AND stop by the Schmetz Needles booth to have your picture taken -- and be eligible for a BIG PRIZE...

Here's a picture of me, after presenting "Life Is Not A Dress Size" -- with one of my beautiful models...

Wearing an embroidered ruana...

And there are LOTS MORE IDEAS where this came from!!

So -- if you're in the vicinity -- be sure to come to Minneapolis November 10,11, & 12 -- to say HEY to me and Mary Mulari and hundreds of our closest sewing friends...we'll be hanging out in the Schmetz Needles booth!!

Mary Mulari Rocks St. Louis ASG

This is a pretty good picture of the audience at Mary's recent St. Louis ASG event...
I went to her afternoon seminar -- to pick up a few new sewing ideas...

This is a completely random shot of me taking a picture of me in a mirror...I really love doing this...

At the luncheon that day -- WHAT A GREAT TURNOUT...

Mary posed for a picture with the Hey Rita tote. That girl GETS AROUND...

It was a wonderful day in St. Louis. If your sewing guild would like to have an interesting, entertaining sewing speaker who is full of ideas and stylish projects --

CONTACT MARY MULARI...marym@marymulari.com

Linda's Upcycle Collagel

Okay -- so maybe this blog post went up last Sunday. But, remember, I DON'T BLOG ON SUNDAY...or at least, I'm not supposed to...lol...

And I intended for it go be posted on Tuesday -- my book clubber day...because it's about them...again...

Last week, Aunt Ada joined us for breakfast. She's a little miffed in this picture because when we saw her coming in, I thought it would be funny to move to another booth...where she wouldn't see us right away. I was wrong...(this is a private joke only Jackie will understand)...



In the next photo -- you can see Linda showing her latest collage creation...these are SOOO interesting...can you see what she used??

She cut up a vintage magazine to decoupage the strips around the wooden frame...and there's some antique keys, bits of jewelry...and.....what's that....??

Any guesses?

Take a really close look...that's right....you guessed it!!


DRYER LINT!! No kidding...the gray fluffy stuff is dryer lint!!

Yes, it's true. My cousin Linda is very easily entertained.

Her mother -- not so much....