Des Moines Road Trip

 So Lovely Jean and Uber Son loaded up and we headed to Des Moines to go to the "Largest Craft Show In Iowa!"...That's what the advertising said.  But first we stopped at the flea market, which was also at the Iowa State Fairgrounds. Honestly, the flea market was free, and lots more fun. There is always something interesting to see there!

 But since we paid $6 a head to go see crafts, we did go see crafts. There are these big signs posted inside the venue, saying not to take photos. I didn't actually SEE these signs until I had already taken a few photos, so well, you know...here we go! The biggest trends, I think......

 Signs. Signs made of wood, boards, metal, windows, you name it there was a sign for you. I also saw several booths that were selling quilts and fabric items. I was surprised to see the kid sized quilts made from a panel were going for $45 and up. Sorry, no picture..I wasn't trying to be bad....

 Jewelry made from recycled materials. Like silverware, and lots of bracelets and necklaces and earrings made from found items, like watch parts, little keys and knick knacks.

 I snapped a photo of these cool wooden banks made from post office doors, and the guy there told me I would get in trouble for taking pictures. Nice guy and very cool banks! Unfortunately, they were a little out of my budget priced at $60 each and up.

The absolutely best part of the day...Tasty Tacos! I had never been, but Jean & Ben had been here lots of times. Look at this tray full! They make their flour shell tacos with the tortilla lightly fried, so it's crispy and delicious! And look at those flour tortilla nachos! My hubby makes them for me at home because no place around here serves them this way! I can't wait to go back here!!!

Riverside Casino Craft Show

SO I popped over to Riverside Iowa for the annual craft show. It's a;ways good to see what's going on in the crafty world!

 Those ceramic Christmas trees never seem to go out of style. This lady has been making them since the 70's. E&R Creations have a web page too Here

 I always like the looks and the sayings on these re purposed windows.I also saw some with chicken wire in the frames and they used them for memos and photos and cards.

 Look at this canvas Christmas tree....and asking $40!! YIKES!

 I think these are the nicest things I saw. Re purposed old wood with snowmen, and sayings painted on them. Some were also wood burned on.....

 Like these cute wooden ornaments. I do like them a lot!

 The Iron Garden had a lot of things, they always have such creative iron things.

And this one was a favorite of mine too. Wild Angels Expressions had a large display of books with the pages folded to make words. They are beautiful! I wouldn't necessarily want to own one, but I bet it's fun to fold the pages and make the designs. 

And last look at this wooden ironing board with a great paint job! This booth had small furniture pieces and they all had hand painted designs on them. Not all were as colorful as this ironing board but it was lovely art work!

Here we go Again

So DD and Me decided to check out the little craft show going on over at the casino in Riverside.

Loved this modern wood furniture from the Furniture Shop in Amana.



There was lots of jewelry-the usual beads in a clump and rock on a string and things dangling from earring wires. YUCK!

There was really lovely pottery. I wasn't able to get a photo of the lady who used horsehair on her pottery hot from the kiln-it was magnificent.

Love thes metal letters and signs from old-or old looking corrugated metal.

And LOVE the iron tree. Something about iron into art appeals to me. hmmmm gene pool ya think?
So after taking in all the crafts, DD thought she should go ahead and use her birthday free slot play.
Here's what happens when DD tries to play the slot machine

Put on a happy face...well she did come out with $5 more than she started with. WINNER!!