It’s the most exciting phone call of my year: when the Balsams’ Activities Coordinator, John Kennedy, asks if I am able to return for their Visiting Artist Series this summer.

CCM at Table Rock above the Balsams Grand Resort in Dixville Notch, NH

“Yes! Please!” is my unhesitating reply.

As a Visiting Artist, I have the pleasure of conducting knitting & embroidery demonstrations and workshops with resort guests.

Felt Hat Embroidery Demonstration at the Balsams Grand Resort in Dixville Notch, NH

My first year, I even attempted a felting demonstration, with fascinating results.

The Balsams is a treasure. Luxurious accommodations and to-die-for dining are set in the northern New Hampshire wilds of Dixville Notch (where the first voting in the country happens each election).

Enjoying the bike trails of the Balsams' wilderness in Dixville Notch, New Hampshire

Hiking, mountain biking, swimming, tennis and golf galore can fill up your days, while fantastic food and dancing to Rick Erwin’s Orchestra in the ballroom complete your nights.

If you’re looking for a fabulous getaway this summer, I highly recommend a stay at The Balsams Grand Resort Hotel.

And if you happen to visit between June 29 and July 6, 2009, I will see you there!

Spring Blossoms, my 2009 felt hat donation for NHPTV's Virtual Online Auction.

It’s that time of year again…

Spring has sprung in New Hampshire, so it must be time for NH Public Television’s ever-popular Auction.

Once again, I am delighted that my donated felt hat has been chosen to be part of the Virtual Gallery!

Online preview bids on my Spring Blossoms Hat are being accepted during the early online auction, from now until noon on Tuesday, May 5th.

The highest preview bid will then be posted as the original felt hat is auctioned live on NHPTV, Wednesday, May 6th, from 6:00 p.m. – midnight, during Gallery Night.

This is a great chance to get yourself a one-of-a-kind, art-to-wear felt hat, and support Public Television at the same time, so visit the Virtual Gallery and place your bid today!

Custom knit felt hat for the Labrador Society of Ottawa's silent auction.

Lately, I’ve been reading books about Labrador: Woman of Labrador by Elizabeth Goudie, Northern Nurse, and True North by Elliot Merrick being some of my favorites. These memoirs of rugged northern trappers and adventurers from a century ago are fascinating.

Why the sudden interest in Labrador? Well, if you happened to read my 25 Random Things about Me, or watch my TV interview, you know that I’m adopted, and that I was recently found by my birth father.

Who happens to be from Labrador. My Labradad, if you will.

Suddenly, I have a whole new culture to learn about and understand. (Although, having lived in subarctic Alaska for 10 years, I feel like I’ve got a head start!)

So, this Saturday night, May 2, 2009, I’ll be at the Labrador Society of Ottawa’s Annual Dinner & Dance. There will be the unveiling of the new Labrador tartan, as well as a silent auction.

And, just for the occasion… I’ve custom designed the above felt hat.

My Labrahat, if you will!

Great great grandfather, Joseph Michelin of Traverspine, Labrador, ca. 1910.

Great grandfather, Allan Goudie, near North West River, Labrador, ca. 1900.

Detail of freehand ribbon embroidery with caribou antler buttons on knitted felt hat.

My wet-felting neighbor, Kathleen H. Peters was inspired by the United Nations declaration of 2009 as the International Year of Natural Fibre.

So, in association with the Cardigan Mountain Art Association, she’s gathered together natural fiber artists from the Upper Valley of New Hampshire for a 2-day fiber show and demonstration.

“Twisted: A Celebration of Natural Fiber Crafts and their Modern Turns,” will feature spinning, weaving, dying, basketry, felting, knitting, rug hooking, mill history and more.

Where: Canaan Street Meeting House, Canaan, NH
When: 10am – 4pm, May 2nd and 3rd, 2009
Cost: Free! Refreshments included.

I’ll have 7 knitted felt hats with embroidery in this show, so come out and see what’s new.

Spring asparagus shoots return!

Last spring, Andy & I dug and planted our first-ever asparagus bed.

Initial trench digging after sod removal.

It was several days of hard digging, with lots of attention to building a rich soil bed for our 50 young, mail-order crowns.

Andy spreads the tentacle-like crowns over a hill of rich compost.

Technically, we’re supposed to let this year’s shoots grow, without harvesting any to eat, so they can continue to nourish the roots and develop into healthy, beautiful, fern-like plants.

Late summer asparagus plants (left) little resemble spring spears.

I’m just not sure I can wait another year to taste them!

Mmmmm... to eat or not to eat?

CCM Felt Hats at Concord TV's 5th Annual Arts Telefest.

Now available for your viewing pleasure! My 8 minute interview for the Arts Telefest is online at Concord TV.

This was my first ever television interview… let me know what you think!

Well, that was fun!

On the set with Mark at Concord TV.

Although my interview time was delayed by 15 minutes (due to the nature of live television), I really enjoyed my visit to the studios of Concord Television.

Mark and Carlos were charming, putting me instantly at ease. And my 8 minutes flew right by.

Checking out the camera equipment with Carlos at Concord Television.

And the gracious Doris Ballard, who organized all the artists, promised me a copy of the interview… So stay tuned! I’ll post it soon as I can…

Concord TV’s Arts Telefest is a celebration of over 75 artists and arts organizations in the Concord, New Hampshire area.

My 8 minute live interview begins at 7:43pm this Sunday, March 29, 2009.

The are 3 ways for you to watch the Telefest:

Tune In – Watch it live on Channels 22 & 6 in Concord

Drop In – Watch it live in-person at the Christa McAuliffe Auditorium at Concord High School

Click On – Watch it live online.

This will be my first television interview… wish me luck!

My sweet husband hand-cuts these buttons from caribou antlers for me to embellish my hand-knit felt hats.

Neither of us hunt, but we’d occasionally find shed antlers when we lived near Denali Park, Alaska.