Tatting Day 2011 - and Maple Festival Weekend!

HAPPY TATTING DAY EVERYONE !

I spent Tatting Day setting up with our group for the Maple Festival, which is this weekend.  The following photos are from 2009 and 2010, but they give an overview of the way the Festival is  set up.  It's much larger than what I'm showing here.  There are usually Civil War re-enactors and also a petting zoo for the kids. 

Below is the view of the Lodge (from the vicinity of the main road but far away from the parking area) where everyone will eat their pancakes, sausages, and, of course, Maple Syrup!  The line forms to the left of the building, under a protective canopy, and extends down to where the buses leave everyone off (in the distance).    In the front of the photo is the creek, which was starting to overflow the small concrete bridge due to heavy rains the week before (in 2009).  We drive over this bridge to set up, but have to park where the vistors park during the Festival.  Our pavilion is hidden in this photo by the  Lodge,  It's up the hill a bit from where the folks are lined up. 

Below is a closer view of the folks all lining up.  They start at 8 a.m, and it pretty much stays like this the entire day!  The Lodge can hold 600 folks at a time!  It's buffet style, with the Boy Scouts and other volunteers coming by to give you more pancakes and sausage - as many you want!    

In the next photo you can see more of the vendors' booths along the 'main' path.

And here is our pavilion, all protected with plastic panels!  We share this pavilion with  Bobbin Lacers,  Quilters, Cane Chair weavers, and a gal who does German paper cutting. 
The local History group also has a table.

Below are photos from inside of our pavilion (in 2010)

First is a closeup of part of my table, where I brought along Janette Baker's DVD and book, to show everyone how much easier it is to learn to tat these days.  Of course, I also tell them about the internet and the free videos there.  I explain blogging to them, and it amazes them to learn that we are all able to communicate with each other almost instantly from around the world.  I emphasize that tatting is no longer a 'dying art'!!

Below is more of my display - my Christmas tree with Victorian Fan Tree Skirt, and the Victorian Doll House.  I love to take photos of the little ones peering inside the doll house!

And below is a view looking toward the entrance door, with the bobbin lacers on the right and the quilters on the left (both kind of hidden).   Evelyn (83 at the time) is demo-ing to some visitors, and Peg (Carol Lawecki's Mom) is busy tatting away. 

As it is now almost 9 p.m, I must get going to continue getting ready for tomorrow!

Costume, books, more tatted items to take, etc.  The weather is 'iffy' tomorrow, with rain forecast;  but it may clear up on Sunday.  (Believe me, the weather does not keep the visitors away!)  The temperature may make it up to 50 degrees on Sunday, if we're lucky!

Hope you all had a great day tatting - and, oh yes - eating CHOCOLATE!!!