The leaves are changing, days are getting shorter - must be Craft fair season!
I will be at the Harvest Fair in Berlin, CT tomorrow Oct. 24.  The weather is supposed to be rainy so come down have a cup of coffee and enjoy browsing.  If you see something in my shops you want to have,  purchase it today so you won't be disappointed if I sell it tomorrow.
Have a great weekend.

My selling venues are:

http://mustlovehomedecor.etsy.com
http://craftsfromtheheart.etsy.com
http://craftsfromtheheart.artfire.com
http://lindaparedesigns.1000markets.com
http://www.zibbet.com/lindaparedesigns

My second proudest sewing project


I just finished a tapesty briefcase which I totally designed on my own and sewed with all the seams doubly reinforced and it really came out beautifully. It really reflects my style and was a pleasure to work on. I am finding it more and more important to design items I love, rather than what may sell on my online selling venues.

I call it my second proudest because my first was about 10 years ago when my son was in the third grade. I made him a total power ranger outfit from white flannel and gold and black lame. It was so difficult to work with but since it was a labor of love it came out great and lasted for years until he finally outgrew it.

I guess my point is do what you love and things will turn out for the best. It won't be such a struggle. I think we should try to live our lives this way.

How closely do you watch these races? Do you really know the messages the candidates want us to understand? Does it really matter who the President of the United States is? These are items I have been pondering lately.
The United States does not seem to be the all-powerful supreme nation it used to be. Other countries are much more prosperous and our light years ahead of the United States when it comes to technology and health care for the elderly. Does the United States still influence the ways others live?
I don't see the big rush for Levis and Nikes we once had from tourists. I am not sure if it is because we are becoming homogeneous or because it is not that important anymore to emulate Americans.
I think 9/11 contributed to much of this. The United States is now seen as vulnerable as other countries. We are no longer the teflon country. We are more likely to kill ourselves with guns on the streets than worrying about violence elsewhere. How did we get to this point? I blame part of it on egos of politicians and how the media contributes to this ego. It is more important how a politician looks and speaks than if they are qualified for the most important position in our land.
There are so many brilliant men and women in our country but they want nothing to do with politics. They don't want the past to be scrutinized. Who cares what one did in high school? Does it really contribute to what one can do for the country when he or she is middle-aged?
The media contributes by repeatedly showing what are considered faux pas like Hillary laughing a bit too hard or one of the men wearing the wrong type of tie. Unfortunately with the advent of the internet these issues are played over and over again on sites such as you tube.
I feel the only way we can gain respect for the position of the President of the United States is too take seriously qualification, including experience, character, and leadership. Let's leave the four hundred dollar haircuts to the celebrities. Let us encourage the best and brightest to run not the one with fewest gray hairs or nicest suit.

So evidently today's youth do not realize that using a landline phone is not the same as a cell phone. Case in point, my average landline phone bill runs around $45. Since my son starting dating a girl who lives in another state my phone bill has been over $200. He says, "Don't we have free nights and weekends?" Um no! That is on cell phones where we already pay over $100 per month for service.

 Now who should be responsible for this bill? My almost 20 year old for just not thinking or knowing such things or me for not educating him. Mind you, these calls are all placed after midnight and were over 3 hours long. If I had known this was happening I would have put an end to it immediately. I guess for this one time I will have to cover it but he better have learned from his mistakes.

 Each generation is growing up with such different technology it is hard to keep up and make sure both the youth and the "elders" are educated on how each works and the finances involved. I am now in the process of switching to a service that provides unlimited long distance calling. I hope this helps the pocketbook or as the younger generation would say the ATM card.

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