This isn’t what I normally post about, but I’m a fiber artist and I happened to run across this website since a group I meet with once a month just moved to The Bead Corner in Monument.  The quilt shop where we used to meet, Wild Heather, moved to Denver.  I’ll have to make it to Denver occasionally because Wild Heather carries a lot of neat stuff for fiber artists.  While searching for The Bead Corner, I found this site which lists all the bead shops in Colorado.  So if you like beads, check it out.  Thanks Rocky Mountain Bead Society for making it easier for us to spend money and help the economy!

I had a rare play day yesterday which was full of laughter and camaraderie.  I had committed last year to be a member of the audience during the taping of the online tv show, The Quilt Show.  Tapings are done twice a year and orchestrated by my fellow PDQ guild member, Lilo Bowman.  So yesterday was the big day and I and a friend drove 2 hours to La Veta, CO, a very cute little mountain town, to spend the day participating in the taping of 2 shows.  The taping was done by a very professional and efficient crew.  It was a lot of fun!  I even had the opportunity to be on camera to ask a question of guest, Carol Doak.

The Quilt Show is a great quilter’s site that is hosted by Ricky Tims and Alex Anderson.  HGTV cancelled Alex’s popular Simply Quilts a few years ago and The Quilt Show is the result of filling in that gap.  One thing I like about the site is the series of demonstration videos by Bernina.  I have a Bernina machine and the videos are great for learning new ways to use this powerhouse machine.  One of my favorite features is my needle felting attachment.  It’s a total right brain activity that’s easy to do when I don’t want to have to think too hard.

Over the weekend a local news story told the tale.  A grass fire started near Garden of the Gods and it wasn’t started by any of the usual suspects - lightning, carelessness, wind blown sparks.  Instead, it was started by a squirrel!

Apparently, a squirrel was on the power lines and touched 2 lines at the same time, thus committing squirrel suicide and bursting into flames and falling to the dry landscape below.  This started a grass fire which nearby neighbors held at bay until fire crews arrived to put out the blaze.  So the next time you see a squirrel on the power lines nearby, keep your hose handy.  You might need it.

Thanks to my daughter, I am providing you with the link to Track Santa through Norad’s website.  I checked it out.  It’s a fun place for the kids (big and small) to watch the old man with the white beard make his way around the world.  In the meantime, the kids can try out the Kids Countdown page and have some fun while they are waiting for Christmas Eve.

It looks like winter is creeping up on Colorado Springs this year.  We’ve had some absolutely perfect weather recently and intermixed have been a few snowy days.  There is snow on the ground at my house, but two days ago it was balmy and felt like summer was approaching.  The joys of living in Colorado - wait 10 minutes and the weather will change.  If you want to follow what’s happening on the peak, just peek at the Pikes Peak Cam once in awhile.  If you are a Colorado Springs expatriot to somewhere that’s a lot flatter and cloudier :-), you’ll get your “mountain fix”.

This week I spent 2 days at the Colorado Realtor Convention, took some excellent classes, met new people, and thoroughly enjoyed the atmosphere of the Broadmoor Hotel.  It is the 5 star golf resort in Colorado Springs and has an amazing history.  Presidents stay there.  Celebrities stay there.  You and I eat there. ;-p  It’s a beautiful location and has awesome restaurants.  Lots of them.  I’ve eaten at many of them.  This time my friend Bob and I caught lunch between classes at the Golden Bee.  Yum!  Great food and the prices were moderate for resort fare.  Check it out.  For a special lunch, reserve a table in the Garden Room at the Tavern.  What a treat!  And while you are there, take a walk around the lake.

 Another great place to spend the night, veg in a rocker on their front porch, relax with an aperitif in the beautiful lounge, and have a fabulous meal, is The Cliff House in Manitou Springs.

What a gem!  The Fine Arts Center downtown has rotating exhibits and you can see what’s new right here.  If you like history and you like art, see what The Fine Arts Center has to offer.

This is a great show that ends on November 1, 2008.  We have a terrific historical museum available free to the public in Colorado Springs - Colorado Springs Pioneer Museum.  Each year crafters locally and from far away take time to stop by the CSPM to view the wonderfully colorful quilts and exquisite woodworking.  This year’s show is a visual feast.  For all the facts go to CSPM.  Then get downtown, grab some lunch, and take a little time out of your day to see what people in Colorado have created and vote for your favorite.  You’ll be amazed.

Over Labor Day weekend I had the opportunity to see almost 100 balloons take off from Memorial Park in Colorado Springs.  The weather was perfect and the sky had scattered clouds which made the photos I took look great.  If you haven’t gone to this event before you should give it a try next year.  The balloons are scheduled to go up all 3 days of the long weekend.  It is also an opportunity for me to have Funnel Cake for breakfast!  To see more go to www.balloonclassic.com.  There is also a photo contest every year.  Since my photos are still in my digital camera I don’t think I’ll be entering any time soon.

The Chihuly exhibit is gone and taking its place is art from Andy Warhol now through the end of 2005.  The Fine Arts Center in Colorado Springs is a great venue and you can enjoy lunch on the veranda at the Bistro while the weather is still nice.  From here take a walk downtown and enjoy the shops along Tejon.  The weather should continue to be welcoming for many weeks to come. www.csfineartscenter.org