Maggie French Accessories at Tweed Ride Victoria

This past weekend, Victoria, British Columbia held it's 2012 Tweed Ride. Local Victoria artist Denise Nicholls, who provided me with these great shots, sported a custom Maggie French tweed bow made from Izzy Lane offcuts that she paired with a pink feather, front and center!, on her vintage Willoughby hat.

My popular Izzy Lane tweed bobby pin sets also made a tweedy entrance. And Denise created the brooch she wore with the scraps from hemming her riding shorts. I think her and GJ look fantastic. (GJ even won "Best Socks" for his Mother of Guadelupe socks they picked up in San Fran.) Check out their adventures here for wonderful tidbits from the arty scene in their cool Old Town neighborhood (which I'd love to visit).

Denise notes on her blog, "A quick stop at The Fairfield Market on Oscar Street who provided the riders with some delicious scones. Our bicycles were judged for superbness by Fairfield Bicycle Shop, and we had a bit of time for a quick look around the Moss Street Market and the Vintage Fair."

I am obsessed lately with tweed runs and just can't get enough of the photos of these rides around the country and in London. This has led me down a tweedy path over the past couple of months, with a sponsorship for a Minnesota ride in the works, and talks with a tweedy cycle supply retailer. How fun does this look?! Is anyone in Lancaster thinking what I'm thinking?

Mother's Day Weekend ReCap

Oh it was a crazy weekend. My lovely garden faire trip was followed by a CT scan for stomach pain, which I worried about all weekend, as they gave me the cd of the images.

I "think" all is ok, but I probably should keep following up on my fatigue and back pain and belly pain. Matt gave me a Betsey Johnson necklace for Mother's Day. Whaa? that's kind of cool. and rather sweet. Saturday night, mid-cat scan worry, we attended favorite neighbors picnic wedding party in Lancaster County Park.

I called it the Martha Stewart pavilion they rented. white beams and dance quality hardwood floors set in the woods (Pavilion 11)! My former B&B managing neighbor puts me to shame. She made five cakes and then set them out like this:

these were the tables.

The kids played their little hearts out.

This weekend there was also another baseball game, and rewinding to Friday evening, a Cultural night at Max's school. Mom of many hats, I cooked several dozen (and served) Pierogies- which are a favorite to our family. And I served them to many families who had never had them. The evening ended with a wee bit of African dancing. Hope yours was memorable too:)

Landis Valley 25th Annual Garden and Herb Faire 2012

The Landis Valley Annual Garden and Herb Faire, with all of it's heirloom plants, wagon loaded shoppers, sunhats, herb cracker spreads, and potted arrangements is an annual tradition for my Mom and I. It's such a nice way to get together for Mother's Day weekend. She helps me by suggesting things for my garden and I end up with heirloom tomato plants and tasty little herbs all summer long- and I love the crowd. The same eco friendly downtown Lancaster crowd- lots of them are there.:)

This year little Mimi went along again. This time she dug in the dirt and sang to the animals.

I've enclosed some photos again this year of the textile making equipment from the museum, as well as their plant dyed fibers.

I always vow to bring more money with me the next year. I suddenly imagine becoming quite the gardener. Also I imagine being a better eater. Well, one that dines on the porch with food arranged nicely on my french tablecloth (crackers with herb cheese spread and ice tea). While cutting my cottage garden grown tomato with a knife and fork.

I really love this annual tradition of ours.

It's a spring tradition you dream about during the winter, wondering if things will ever be green and warm again.

Ahh. to a lovely summer ahead.

PS. I saw more tweed on attendees here, than I've seen elsewhere, but maybe I'm just noticing tweed more. Men's hats, ladies capes. Herringbone jackets. Tweed Ride one weekend, garden faire the next...nice lifestyle:) xx

Getting Ready for First Friday

Downtown Lancaster is hopping in preparation for First Friday tonight.

Mimi and I popped on our sandals and headed downtown to drop off these felt flower hair clips I made from Wensleydale wool.

Mommalicious and My Aunt Debbie, as well as Alicia above, looked fresher than ever.

A little assortment of my big brooches. Pick one up before they disappear...:)

I am all about bicycle tweed rides this past month, and couldn't resist this little brown plaid bow tie. I'll use the vintage clasp on a Most Dapper Gent bow tie that I'm making for a prize for a tweed ride in Minnesota, come autumn. And then I'll save this little number and wear it myself sometime, probably in my hair.

Off to tidy the front porch, and get some accessory making done. Have fun downtown. XX

Happy May Day

I have been at it again. Too much time on the computer. There were packing materials to buy, all these different components. Nearly all had to be eco-friendly. But everyday now we are outside for a while or a long while. Enjoying the big yard and the technicolor spring dream.