I always welcome May with a lot of anticipation! As I am writing this on May 1, 2025 – spring and my busy season are finally here. I fondly remember May Day in Europe, dancing around the May pole and little girls selling Lily of the Valley bouquets at every street corner in France. I wonder if they still do this…

We don’t have as much fanfare, but I love May because all my houseplants will now safely move to the sunporch and heavy coats and jackets can be put away until next Thanksgiving.

Fiber Day at the Folk Art Center

May has two fun events in store for me. Of course, there is our annual Fiber Day at the Folk Art Center with lots of fiber people and animals, since we welcome rabbits, sheep, goats and llamas to the celebration. It is fun and educational for the whole family. I have my usual spot in the auditorium next to my lace-knitter friend who always brings her great wheel, which is usually the center of attention. We are surrounded by spinners, weavers, basket makers and other fiber artists.

Come on by if you are in the neighborhood and support WNC Recovery!

Family Reunion & Road Adventures

After Fiber Day I am going to take a little time out to enjoy a family reunion in Ohio. Unfortunately, you can’t get there from here since Hurricane Helene took out a chunk of I-40 between North Carolina and Tennessee and only two lanes are open for the next six months until the road can be rebuilt.

Last month I talked about my trip back from Arrowmont along that stretch and it was an adventure I don’t care to repeat. Several people suggested going north on I-26 to 421 N, then to 25 E to 75. Talking to AAA they confirmed this to be the best route and even followed up with a colorful TripTik. So, I am all set. My GPS doesn’t understand about constantly changing road closures due to the ongoing rebuilding process in this area—just some new adventures to look forward to!

Website Updates

April was a very productive month; my computer guru Jeffery and I are combining my two websites back into the original www.heirloomtreasuresfiberarts.com site, with some of the remaining Boutique items featured under the “Buy” tab.

Jeffrey is updating the site, and you might eventually see some changes as well as an automated notification for the monthly Musings. It’s hard to remember to check it each first of the month, so we’re going to make it a bit easier.

April Highlights at the Folk Art Center

Two exciting events happened at the Folk Art Center in April: my first demo session of the year and the opening of our new Focus Gallery exhibit: “Patience Makes Perfect”. I was thrilled to see what a terrific job our curator, Valerie Berlage, did with four pieces of my Quarter Turn collection. All four pay homage to heritage techniques—Broomstick lace, Hairpin lace, Tunisian lace, Irish lace and thread lace. I could only dream of seeing them displayed on that beautiful white wall as I created each canvas—the wall gives a proper contrast to the black backgrounds. I’ve already received very positive feedback from visitors who made a special trip to see us, even with large sections of the Blue Ridge Parkway closed for long-term repairs.

The Focus Gallery: “Patience Makes Perfect” exhibit.

 

Vintage Linen Restoration Spotlight

Bedspread Restoration

I had a very interesting bedspread restoration in April—an exquisite double pineapple pattern in excellent condition except for one large hole where puppy paws did extensive damage. Since some of my work is like brain surgery, diagnostics are very important. The customer reassured me the problem was from puppy play rather than age, so I didn’t expect unseen weak spots. After detangling the damaged area, I was able to restore the beautiful pattern. Dogs seem to love nice crochet work; they have good taste! This was the second dog damage I restored this year, and it was fun.

Before Pineapple Restoration

After Pineapple Restoration

I have a Dutch Windmill pattern tablecloth coming in to keep me busy later in May—along with Fiber Day and my trip north! Life is good.

Enjoy the warm spring days and lots of outside activities.

And—if you get a chance, come and visit us and support WNC Recovery.

“I do what I love and I love what I do.”