I have always wanted a copper tub because they look so luxurious.  We lived in one house with an old fashioned tub but it wasn't that practical or luxurious.  However my imaginary copper tub will remain in my dreams and on my cards.  This is a great card for birthdays, girlfriends thinking of you and even retirement. ​

I had a great opportunity to be a craft vendor at the Home County Music & Arts Festival in London, Ontario this summer.  I was visiting my friend in Winnipeg in May when I rather impulsively applied for a spot and got it right away.  I can't say I hadn't thought about it much.  A month or so prior I did consider it very seriously and decided that maybe my first go at this shouldn't be a 3 day outdoor affair.  Sensible.  Reasonable.  Rational.  
So what changed?  Well, as I said, I was visiting one of my best girlfriends and there was wine, but there were also the fond memories of youth that old friends invariably get into.  Memories of adventures, spontaneity and taking risks.  Next thing I knew I was pressing send and I'd applied.  I didn't really think I would get chosen.  They were only accepting 10 people.  One of them was me.  There was great exhilaration and martinis then a slow steady terror until I got home a few days later when full blown panic set in.  
What did I know about doing this?  I vascilated between the confidence of being a professional for 40 plus years and the mind numbing newbie standing there not having a clue which way to start moving.  I knew how to make cards, I loved making these lovely works of art.  Start there. 
So I started making cards.  Along the way I came up with a number of cards that I needed to make.  This was actually rather arbitrary, but I needed something to keep on target.  Luckily, my husband was very supportive and mostly  stayed out of my way, walked the dog, shopped, cooked the meals, cleaned and planted the garden .  Ok, super hero supportive!
Then there is the practical and business aspect of this to figure out and manage.  Displays, table set up, credit card machine thingy, bags, signs, and on and on. This went on for weeks and I still kept making cards. 
​One of the things that surprised me was I was still having fun.  I had to design some cards because this was first and foremost a music festival.  

This was definitely a grand adventure that I am thrilled I took with good friends and family.  Will I do it again?  I will not likely do an outdoor show. I might do a small indoor show, maybe, if there is lots of wine & martinis involved.  

This is a grand Music & Art Festival in London, Ontario.  It is spans 3 days at the height of summer.  I have never done any kind of show ever before. 
I was lucky enough to be chosen for their Creative Roots Program.  This is a fabulous opportunity for newbies like me to try something new with excellent support.  There were 10 crafters chosen and we were all in one great tent so we had the comradery of other newer crafters close by.  There are hundreds of other amazing craft and food vendors and a stunning array of musicians.  
There are thousands of people attending this festival on a daily basis.  
It rained.....and rained.....then the sun came out and it was a sauna.  This is how the whole weekend went. 
My two best girlfriends came from far and wide, well Winnipeg & St. Catharines, to help me pull this off.  They were absolutely the best help anyone could ask for.  We had a gas!  
​ 

The tent before anyone else got there.  It was hot!

Mostly set up.  The rain had not started at all but it would very soon.  The tent was very waterproof, but the wind kept us hopping.  

My friend, Leslie pointing at the display and myself.  I think this was day 2, but it is all kind of blurring.  I promised to take lots of pictures, but I only managed to take a few.  

My friend Sheila keeping things organized.  She was also the one to scope out the best food vendors and return with treats.  She also made us healthy lunches.  

This was such a big experience for me I will have to do another post on the preparation for this.  I am so glad I had this experience.  I have been retired for less than 2 years and it is nice to know I can try something totally new and enjoy it all.....well, maybe most of it.