I made this today from a broken fence board, license plate letters and a piece of galvanized pipe saved from our pool demo. The wood on the back is there to prevent the front board from cracking. I added the board in the middle last because the screws are a little too long for a single board. Since I make things before thinking them through, this one is kind of sloppy. Next time, the center board will be wider and added first. This sign is large, but you can purchase small, address type letters at HD and Lowes for about 60¢ each. They're black with reflective white letters. The plant to the right is a clereodendrum. Hope I spelled it correctly. Linda

To anyone on the fence about tagging, I would encourage you to JUST DO IT! I mean outside of the fact that it is just so cool, I feel like a biologist! I found out the money you pay for the tags goes to help local villagers so they will not cut down the trees from the oyamel rainforest. There are biologist permanently in Mexico studying the Monarch and if local villagers find a tagged butterfly, they are paid $5 or 5 pesos (can't remember now). They hope this source of income will keep them from chopping down the trees to sell for firewood. Idealistic yes, but any little bit helps. It all feels so scientific too. I have to fill out a form for every butterfly tagged with all the information about sex, wild or reared, location, date released etc. I can't say it enough, it's just so COOL! Can you tell I'm excited about it? lol As for the necklaces, it's pretty simple but a steady hand does help. I take a piece of string or cord, put a dot of hot glue on the cord and then attach the chrysalis. I lift the string up slightly from the table and then just gently slide the chrysalis over to "meet" the bead of glue so I'm not constantly holding the chrysalis. It's time consuming and nerve-wracking but it keeps them safe. I never carry a cat or chrysalis in my hand, I always put them in a container so no accidents happen, which inevitably do. This year I tossed old milkweed in the compost after checking for any cats but missed one. Thankfully, he found his way to the milkweed garden and I found him and kept him safe. Opps! For those of you further south than me, it's still not too late to order your tags. Where I am the Monarchs will all be gone in a couple of weeks, but your season is longer. Have fun! P.S. I tagged two more today!

Thank You Ladies! Linda, Our guild show is held every other year. I think your show must be a lot bigger than ours. Aprox. 600 attended last year. Our spaces 10X10 rent for $25.00 for 2 days. Since I'm new to the guild, I'm not sure why we don't have very many vendors, except we must be concidered a small show. I will do a google on other area shows to see if they have a vendor list, great idea! Wow Connie! Sounds as though we might be in the same boat. May I ask how many attended your show? The 2006 show had 8 vendors.You have some really great ideas. Depending on the number of vendors, I could probably provide box lunches each day. Chief salads, crackers, fruit, brownie and a beverage one day and Sandwiches, chips, cookie, fruit and bev. the other day. If the weather cools off, maybe soup one day. Hmmm... lots to think about. Abbigail, great idea about special room rates. I'm not above begging!!! Nanajayne,I wonder where one finds a quilt appraiser? Stashie, Thanks for the link. Are you from Indiana? Again, Thank You ladies. Keep the ideas coming! Janice

This is definately on my to do list, but not this year. (I am flying out to San Diego in just a couple of hours for the SAMA Conference). I get their flyer every year and by the looks of the schedule, you will have glass & bead OVERLOAD! Luck you! Will be anxious to hear back of your experiences! becky