Ice Carving Festival

If you’ve been following my blog for any amount of time, you know that I am not a big fan of winter, & really am not a big fan of snow either. There is, however, one little event that I actually like to go outside for, once a year. The Ice Festival! We’ve braved the cold for this festival just past three years now, and I am still impressed with their carving talent!

Yes it was biting cold, but even my girls didn’t mind going… might have something to do with the hot chocolate & cupcakes that await them in the sidedoor deli. It’s very nice to have a reason to walk around the plaza and get some fresh air in the dead of winter. We had awesome visuals to keep us moving, I mean just look at this talent!

   

It was exciting to see a lady carver out there as well, representing women with power tools. She was super nice, and it was lovely to have my girls see that girls can use chainsaws and such as well ;)

The girls and I had a nice time despite the cold. The mocha, hot chocolate, & cupcakes didn’t hurt either….. Like the sign says, Life is Good!

Pipe Dreams & Pipe Cleaners

*I need to first put a disclaimer on this about safety and such… help your children to make sure all sharp ends are away from eyes (obviously right?!)

When we were given pipe cleaners after story time at the library, my oldest daughter says “Let’s make glasses mommy” I thought, ‘hmmmm, why not?’

So when we went to the art festival this summer and there were pipe cleaners out on one of the craft tables, guess what was asked for once again?! Only this time it caught on! I saw many children asking there moms to make them as well. I was asked several times where we made them too. I was thinking in spirit of missing summer (again) I would share with you all my special memory.

Balloon Artists

I have been around my fair share of balloon artists in my life. As you already know, I am kinda overzealous about fairs and festivals. With them come balloon artists, right? Well, I thought I saw it all… I mean ducks, swords, hearts on a swirly staph, even full on princesses! How in the world the imagination works is beyond me, but then to make it into something that makes MY daughters imagination soar, now that I love! <3

As you can see, she was elated to have these amazing fairy wings. Now if only I could have a balloon artist around on Halloween.. she could be Tinkerbell ;)

Thanks again Twister Mike!

Fall Mantel Idea

Well you know how I romanticize about craft shows, right? Well I took this picture a couple years back, and re-came-across it. How lovely of a mantel would this make? I think it is time to start searching for all those lovely mini pumpkins! :)

Chicago - Navy Pier

As much as I love the peace and quiet of Indiana {haha}, sometimes you just have to get to “the big city”… my personal favorite being Chicago. No really! I can honestly say that Chicago is my favorite city I have seen thus far. It is easy to find your way around downtown, there is just the right amount of people around without feeling crowded, and the buildings and streets are still lovely and clean {as clean as you can get in a city}. Of course, being a woman, that LoVes to shop, Magnificent Mile is my favorite, but Navy Pier is a close second. One thing you have to know about me, is I truly do like crowds, as long as they are not “bumper to bumper”. You may have noticed from all the festivals we go to, I just genuinely enjoy being around people. Navy Pier? Like a constant festival!

There is lots to do for kids, & adults alike. Inside there is a children’s museum and a stage for puppet shows and magician shows. There is a ferris-wheel and carrousel.

There are fun things for adults to do as well… A few restaurants {like Bubba Gumps} as well as a food court, and a ton of little tourist trap shops. There is also a garden upstairs as well as a stain-glass museum in the back. There are dinner cruises, which I am sure are lovely {I am guessing}, at least the ships & the views look lovely.

BUT this mama’s favorite? Margarita to go! Yummmm…

Time to Fall into Fall…

Sorry for the lack of writing yesterday, we had visitors from California. While the California family goes back to their sunshine and warmth, it is starting to cool down a little in Indiana. Luckily for us, it is still “warm enough” out, but the leaves are changing, and we all know what is around the corner…

For now, however, it is Fall and the craftiness is in full bloom about this time! Fall brings dreamy things like: woven baskets, lawn ornaments for Halloween & Thanksgiving, stuffed knicknacks, and beautiful wreaths. I adore the crafting side of festivals, fairs, and bazaars!

Two weeks ago we went to my newest favorite, the Blueberry Festival. I discovered it a few years back, no matter what the plans for Labor Day, I try to include it.

We might not have Palms in Indiana, but we have handmade goods at their best :)

      

But, of course, the real reason the girls came along? The kettle corn… yummmm

{another one of Indiana’s finest}

Artbeat 2011

It was a perfect day on Saturday for a festival… not just any fest, this was ArtBeat. It was only the second year we have attended ArtBeat, but it’s my favorite. My daughters have a blast when we go, there are tons of crafts on either side as we walk down. The library, the art museum, & many others eachs ponsor a free craft . There was free face painting, we colored our own fish, there were hats made out of paper grocery sacks, we created rings out of pipe cleaners, and insect as well… whomever planned out this event had to be a parent, though. There was numerous craft stands between these evenly spaced free craft booths. So while we were “looking” for the next free craft project to do, I conveniently got to look at amazing jewelry, beautiful paintings, and lovely handmade clothing. I really wanted to take a ton of pictures of all this lovely stuff, but you know how people are about their crafty ideas.. they are afraid people are gonna steal em! So here are a few pictures, but not the lovely things I speak of :/

Face paint – flower I love the layers of color & princess crown, made from bulletin board trim.

Pipe cleaner glasses – made by my 4 year old & pipe cleaner ring – too cute, huh?

Everywhere you turn – balloon sets like this one.. I <3 when artsy people are involved :)

love. this. festival! I wish this post would do it justice :/