hello there. contrary to what some other folks thought, i thought this autumn’s leaf display was pretty attractive. is it just me, or in past years or even decades, weren’t the leaves in their full beautacious peak around the middle of october? it seems they just hit their peak this past week and now the rain has come and knocked them all to the ground. this is probably why i have just now realized that thanksgiving is already next week! can you believe it? wasn’t i at the beach in new jersey basking in the sun with matt, kate and dalice like just yesterday?
i’m so excited for thanksgiving. although i don’t eat turkey, i do know how to tear up some stuffing and sweet potato casserole and my favorite of all pies…pecan pie. oh pecan pie…how i love thee!
so i have been a busy little beaver this past month. i spoke at the SUMMIT OF AWESOME in baltimore, which was a blast! i met a bunch of super dooper people doing really amazing things in the indie craft world. then i spent halloween in ft. lauderdale just barely avoiding that northeastern snowstorm. it rained for most of the weekend but at least it was 80 degrees and the sun did peak it’s little head out just before i left.
last week had me on a whirlwind trip back home to northeastern pennsylvania where i worked with the amazing team at EARL & SEDOR on my new headshots. we really had a blast and i look forward to going through the hundreds of photos that they took to find the perfect ones that really capture my inner sex kitten.
i also did a fun interview with my local TV station WBRE. you can check out the interview HERE.
this past weekend i was in new york city for a sewing weekend workshop with my buddy HEATHER ROSS. we had a heck of a lot of fun and the lovely ladies taking the workshop were really diligent and made some truly gorgeous things. you can read more about heather’s workshops HERE. yes, there is a workshop in palm springs. maybe one day i will make a guest appearance at that one. any excuse to go to palm springs is a good one. my favorite place to stay in palm springs is the ACE HOTEL which ironically is where i stayed this weekend in new york. the hotel was really hip (maybe a little too hip for my aging self) and the shower and bath products were freaking amazing! i could have spent all day in that shower. trust me when i tell you this.
i have also been cutting and sewing my little fingers to the bone for the past month in anticipation for this weekend. i am participating in the HOLIDAY ARTSTAR CRAFT BAZAAR. 
the festivities will begin this friday night November 18th with a VIP preview party from 6pm to 9pm and costs $25. i will also be there all day Saturday November 19th and Sunday November 20th from 11am to 6pm and that is FREE and open to the public. it will take place at the 23rd street armory located at 22 south 23rd street (on 23rd between market and chestnut) in beautiful philadelphia pennsylvania.
if you are looking for something super fun to do this weekend, please stop by and say hi (i will be located at booth #2) and get jump started on that christmas shopping you have been putting off. i will be debuting some new tote bags and scarves which i’m pretty excited about. i now present to you, for your viewing pleasure, some photos of what i’ve been working on. yes, ladies and gentleman, i am now working in the world of squares.
fear not my friends, if you aren’t able to attend the ARTSTAR festivities this weekend but still want to get your hands on some of these new items in time for black friday or cyber monday or the 12 days of christmas or christmas or whatever other holiday celebrates with gift giving, you can always go shopping on my online shop HERE. (the bags pictured above, along with several others, will be making their debut in person this weekend at ARTSTAR but will be available on the online shopping cart in the next week or so, so stay tuned)!
happy day!
xox. j
JAY MCCARROLL 