Last night I went to see a semi-local duo perform in a cozy little basement club in town. I saw them play at some outdoor festival 5 or 6 or 7 years ago and just fell in love with them. (Well, ok maybe a little crush. But who can resist a songsmith in a rolled up cowboy hat?) Husband and wife Mike & Amy Finders are just the most splendiferous team. Acoustic guitar and mandolin bringing folk, country and bluegrass to a boil, and seasoned with sprinkles of harmonica. I will always want a second helping.

Some pairings are made in Heaven, and these two were surely destined for one another. Amy's voice is pure gold and Mike's songwriting is nothing short of superb. He weaves a tale, and they pick and play- harmonizing like nobody's business. I have 3 of their CDs and am hoping to come across the 4th here sometime soon. (My birthday is coming.... hint)
I have a video link over here on the right, so watch and enjoy! If you really dig their stuff, check out their WEBSITE
to buy music, get a little more info or see where they'll be next! You won't regret it!


I got that new job a week or two ago, teaching classes at Michael's which doesn't seem like a job yet, as I haven't had any classes! But I have been diligently working on some projects for the workshops I will hold. When I was hired, they really wanted to try to capitalize on my magazine exposure with this current issue featuring my patriotic designs, so they asked me to at least make up 2 or 3 patriotic ideas to teach right away. I know the workshops will be held after the official holiday of the 4th, but I am hoping that I still have students sign up. The whole month of July should be patriotic! Those feelings and symbols should last all summertime anyway, as I see it. I hope others do too, because I think the projects are cute!


I saw a felt pincushion here and thought it would look sweet done up in patriotic. So I fiddled around making minor modifications to do it all with hand stitching. I think they turned out cute and will be a good workshop. I love the primitive look, so I stained it up and loved it even more. This will be a fun and even USEFUL project. We will even make a fancy hatpin to poke in it!



I always like to do a vintage style hanging cone. I think they are so fun, and you can put great little objects in them. I did one up for a workshop project and I hope I get some sign ups for this one too! This is a happy little project which should make for an exciting class.



Lastly I did up a hanging star, I have yet to schedule this one.... If you are in the Dubuque area, please join me! Click on my Calendar to see class times.

I am really looking forward to these workshops, because I will just love sharing my ideas and designs with folks. I think they'll give me an opportunity to meet some like minded crafters in my area and have a good girly time stitching, gluing, giggling and glittering. I am working on more project ideas for upcoming workshops ~ jar fairies, altered art necklaces, Halloween thingies... In one way, it's great that Michael's gave me complete free reign to go from scrapbooking to jewelry to whatever mediums I want to do. On the other hand, it is also hard, because now I jump around and can't focus on just one area. My projects will be all over the place like I am, LOL! "Jack of all trades, Master of none!" Oh well. Even if I can't Master all of them, at least I can dabble. Dabbling makes me happy. Dabbling and babbling. Dabbling and babbling..... *dances away doing a soft shoe*. (OK, not a softshoe. I'm doing a barefoot, actually~ but I will slap my feet down to make noise, how's that?)

Have a great weekend!