ZOWIE! Life has been incredibly busy here at our humble home. It is a good, fulfilling crazy though. Ok, to remain realistic, there is also a touch of exhaustion. But good exhaustion. Swear.

Since being accepted to Twist I have been sewing like a crazy person.

What is Twist you ask?


Weeeeelllll, Twist is a super groovy, hip craft/art fair in Northampton. Lucas and I have gone in the past as a Friday night activity. I had him at the phrase "You'll like it. There's beer on tap."


We have a Twist tradition, you see. It goes a little something like this: Drive to Northampton. Park in the Murder Lot. Head up the creepy stairs and cross the street to the Arts Council building. Go in. Pay admission. Head straight for the beer table. Then it is off to see our friend Sarah and her incredible artwork. (You can check her out at sarahearn.blogspot.com. She's amazing.) After a visit with Sarah, we putt around, checking out the wares of all of the talented peeps. We pick up a little something here and there, feeling super good about the cool schtuff we've acquired. Then it's off to Mama Iguana's for 'ritas and 'ritos. Our idea of a great night out.


This spring it will be another great night out, but in a slightly different way, for I will be on the other side of the table. And while I am SUPERDEEDUPER excited about it, I am a tinge sad about breaking our special tradition. I suppose Luke will just have to drink his beer with me behind the table.

So for now I am just about living at my sewing machine. (After my daily walk or hike with the doggers, of course.) I've made 60 collars thus far and I am feeling pretty durn good about it. I am really pleased with the way they are turning out. They are bold, bright, hip, and unique. (Just like I like it!!) I have even created a line in honor of upcoming PRIDE week. I am especially excited about this. I hope some of my collars end up on cool dogs in the Pride parade in Northampton!

I've named this budding collection "Ulle's Cool Collar Collection" after my beloved late Uncle Ulle. He gave my brothers, cousin and I the greatest gift- to grow up in a family where homosexuality was not something to be accepted, it just was. It was nothing out of the ordinary, nothing to make waves about. Our uncle was our amazing man. Who happened to be gay.

Uncle Super Ridiculous Maximus (as we called him) rocked all sorts of beautiful clothing. Our particular favorite was a bright purple sequened shirt that he wore each Christmas. I actually have one of his button-down shirts, a slightly more toned-down black with pink and purple polka dots. I know he would LOVE the collars I have made for Pride. They are bright, beautiful, and colorful, just like he was. As I make each collar, I will think of him and the joy he brought to our lives. I can't wait to put one on Tucker, who Uncle Ulle really loved. And though Tuckie might not know what it means, I will.

And you can come see them at Twist. :)