10 July 2010

Opening Day — Bristol Renaissance Faire

The day dawned bright and beautiful, the crowd was encouraging, if a bit slow to spend, and the business hours were filled with laughter and hugs and good times. I must confess to being exhausted and therefore I submit to you, dear reader of the The Daily KRuMB, a fun little shot of the hanging basket of flowers just outside my door … and not much else!

I am, however, fulfilling my renewed commitment to photograph, write and post every day, once again. As the routine continues, I’m sure I’ll revert back to my long-winded self!

~MB

Share on Twitter

Leave a Comment »

9 July 2010

I didn’t realize I needed a break from our beloved Daily KRuMB … but perhaps I did. That having been said, it will be my hope to be able to go back and do at least some fill in/catch up posts … I’m not sure there will be sixty of them … but I’ll try. And, at least now, as I settle into my summertime routines at my home away from home, I can re-establish daily writing as the priority it should be.

We open here at the Bristol Renaissance Faire in just over nine hours. I am about to go to sleep, and likely dream of tasks yet undone. But, the good news is that my conscious brain cannot actually think of any, with the exception of the necessary switching of two plant hooks! I really think I am ready to open. So, I am going to bed, and tomorrow will tell. As my Facebook status currently reads: “ready … set … go!”

My photo today is of my precious companion, the lofty Miss Artemis, pink and white bitch cat extraordinaire. She seems rather pleased with things around here, maybe even moreso than usual, and I always wonder if she’s glad to be away from the dogs, or if perhaps she misses them just a bit?

~MB

Share on Twitter

Leave a Comment »

6 – 7 May, 2010

And, now … the real downside to the week of Kids Days … a seriously shortened work week where it seems nothing really gets done, and yet there’s not a free minute to remember to take a photograph.

So, on we go to the weekend …

~MB

Share on Twitter

Leave a Comment »

5 May 2010

I took this shot of the Pendragon booth after we had put away all the mannequins we put on display during Kids Days.  I’m not sure why I never took a single photo of the kids, or of Garry or Chuck, or of Evelyn at East Wind Games.  But, I did not.

East Wind Games, by the way, did not have a totally futile Kids Days event.  We actually made quite a few sales and I’d say we made it well worthwhile to be open.  Yay!  I also took advantage of being there without the guys to do some much needed cleaning and organizing!  Double Yay! 

~MB

Share on Twitter

Leave a Comment »

4 May 2010

Kids Days.

Always a bit of a frustrating endeavor is our participation in the annual “Kids Days” event at faire.  “Student Days” they officially call it—conjuring up a much more educationally-rich experience than most of the “students” seem to have on these two days.

Our shoppe, Pendragon Costumes, is one of the many at faire, for whom these days are anything but profitable.  With a product only for adults, and a starting price point at nearly fifty bucks—this is not a shoppe that interests the kids, or stands even a chance of coming out ahead.  This year, for the first time in many, we were given the option of paying a “fee” or “fine” to remain closed.  But, when I did the math, the expenses related to being open, and the fine itself were so similar that I opted for participation in the interest of not wanting to be noticed for the lack thereof.

So, we left most of the shoppe closed and inaccessible to prevent damage and theft, and we set up mannequins all along the front of the shoppe for the kids to view and ask questions about.   Garry brought his guitar and played and sang, and I answered a few questions, and when all was said and done, we didn’t really mind the relaxed passing of a few hours in the lovely spring weather.  Go figure.

~MB

Share on Twitter

Leave a Comment »

3 May 2010

One of last week’s posts was a shot of the “Flat Tristan” Nicole’s son made—a “paper doll” of himself that I was to photograph and send back to the school. I took him for a walk with the dogs and placed him in a local bluebonnet patch to represent his visit to Texas in the spring. The instructions from the school were to send him back with his photo and perhaps a souvenir for the child. I was sorry to say that money and time were both a bit tight and I couldn’t easily find a good Texas t-shirt that I really liked. I didn’t really know what size to buy for Tristan, anyway. I did find a really cool key ring that went in the envelope when all was said and done. I know when I was a kid and had only a couple of keys of my own, a cool key ring was an awesome thing. Hopefully, times haven’t changed much in that regard.

But, I felt I hadn’t done enough. I mean, I don’t live anywhere cool enough to have a giant arch, or statue, or widely recognized skyscraper … and my photos weren’t very exciting. The dogs added a personal touch that was fun, but … what else could I do? Then, I got the brainstorm … Flat Tristan should go home dressed like he’d been to Texas! Tristan had colored him in a t-shirt and blue pants I fancied to be jeans … so that part was done. A Texas t-shirt for the paper doll was my first thought. I made it from heavy scrapbooking paper (of which I have plenty!) and even remembered to put little tabs on it here and there like paper doll clothes always have. I was pleased with the results and then got another idea! A hat! He needed a cowboy hat. And when that turned out so well, I thought boots just had to be next.

I am very pleased with the results of my efforts and I hope that Tristan, his teacher, and even Nicole get a good smile out of my silliness.

~MB

Share on Twitter

Leave a Comment »

2 May 2010

At each festival I do, I have determined it a priority to find a way to display my Girl Glass collection of goblets and tumbers and such … a prettier collection, I cannot imagine! It’s colorful, and happy, and a constant reminder to me of the importance of “everyday beauty.”

This photo is a shot of my collection in the pretty hutch I have in the very back of the booth at Scarborough.

~MB

Share on Twitter

Leave a Comment »

1 May 2010

I cannot remember exactly why I took this macro photo of this lovely burgundy damask brocade fabric. That’s what I get for being so far behind. But, what I do remember about this beautiful spring day is that it was a day of merriment and celebration … not just because it was Beltane, but because it was Kat’s birthday, as well.

Being a Bristol faire girl, Kat had never spent her birthday at faire on a faire day … until now. And, I’m pretty sure she’s sold on the concept!

As if it isn’t enough fun to celebrate your birthday at faire, with all the songs and flowers and hugs and silliness, but on Beltane?! What a great, life-affirming combination!

So, Happy Birthday, Kat! And, Happy Birthday to KellyeBeth, Kyle’s sister, as well!

~MB

Share on Twitter

Leave a Comment »

30 April 2010

A random close-up. Another Friday. Another weekend begins …

~MB

Share on Twitter

Leave a Comment »

29 April 2010

There was sewing and seam-ripping.  There was Roxy and Damaris.  There was No Frills Grill.  And there was a spiral bound notebook.  Presumably, Kyle took notes about his work on the Iris and Rose website … at least I think that’s why there was a notebook with us at dinner in the first place.  Why it was the subject of my only photo … I cannot begin to tell you.

~MB

Share on Twitter

Leave a Comment »