Free Fiber Tasting at Baltimore Threadquarters

 

Visit Baltimore's newest fabric and fiber supply store Baltimore Threadquarters this Saturday 5-7 pm, discover what fiber is all about! If you haven't seen this store yet, this is a great opportunity to get your hands on some great supplies. Alpaca, cotton, wool, wool blends, synthetics... Learn what you do with it in this FREE mini skills workshop. Try your hand at needle felting, crochet, & more in their classroom!

AND as a bonus for this special event,  sample some locally made artisan hummus, spicy, mango-clementine, it's like a party in your mouth! Omg, you have to taste this stuff.

 

Baltimore Threadquarters recently restocked their designer cotton fabrics, Cascade yarns, vintage fat quarters, and charm packs for all you quilters out there. There is ample street parking, plus a free lot behind the building. Let's get those fall projects started, people!

For more info on the special events happening in the
Highlandtown Arts District

this month, check out the Ha! newsletter here

Planning Your 2013 Garden

I know what you're thinking: "Planning a garden?  But, it's only January!"  This was the mistake I made last year when I finally decided to plant a small vegetable patch in my backyard.  I didn't even start looking at seed catalogs until late February, and even though I still managed to put a lot of plants into the ground by summer, many of them were started too late in the season to actually yield a good amount of produce (or, in some cases, any at all).  So this year, I've decided to be a little more proactive; I've already drawn out plans for news plots, and put together a list of the seeds I'll need to make it happen.  Timing is everything in gardening, I've discovered, and the earlier and more prepared you are, the better.

Books (and the web) are a great resource for how-to and inspiration on getting your garden started.  I received this book for Christmas: "One Magic Square: The Easy, Organic Way to Grow Your Own Food on a 3-Foot Square".  It's great for beginners who are starting off small, or for anyone who doesn't have a lot of land to work with.  If you're an apartment dweller, don't despair!  Check out "Apartment Gardening: Plants, Projects, & Recipes for Growing Food in Your Urban Home", which has a ton of awesome suggestions for small-scale container gardening.  Another option would be to rent a plot or volunteer at one of Baltimore's community gardens, which has opportunities available in both the city and county. 

 

As you can see, there are many ways you can experiment with growing your own food.  Whether you're a veteran gardener, or just have a few small pots on your window sill, cultivating your own food is one of the most rewarding experiences you can undertake. : )

Image sources: GROWtest.org, The Experiment Publishing, and BaltimoreDIY.
 



Written by Open Eyes Press

Places to Go: Celebrating 130 Years of Craft at the Women’s Industrial Exchange

It's easy to find handcrafted goods this time of the year. There are craft shows every weekend. But if it's the middle of the week, or maybe January or June, or you just want to see some new artists, the Woman's Industrial Exchange Gift Shop at 333 North Charles Street in Baltimore  is the place to go. 

For 130 years, the Woman's Industrial Exchange has been supporting the handmade movement. Its original mission was to provide an outlet for women to supplement their income by selling their handcrafted goods. The Exchange now provides both men and women crafters with both a place to sell their products and a place to learn new skills to enhance their businesses. This video, which appeared on a local TV channel in celebration of the 130th Anniversary, tells some of the story.             

There’s a lot to choose from at the gift shop. Just a few examples: There is jewelry made from buttons from Treena Moore (who also manages the shop); bags of all kinds made from rescued fabric from Phyllis Smith; plates, business card holders, mugs and more from Elizabeth Langsfeld. There are toddler and baby items and all sorts of toys. There are the wonderful hand-painted silk scarves of Susan Brandt. And Wood Art for Living just started showing their clocks, bowls and kitchen utensils at the shop.

In addition to the wide array of crafts, the Woman’s Industrial Exchange building houses two restaurants. The Women’s Industrial Kitchen reopened last year with a seasonal menu that features many old-time favorites. The restaurant is open for lunch from 11-3. Jack and Zach’s, a restaurant that features organic and local food is open from 7:30 to 4 on weekdays and from 10-4 on Sunday.

The Women’s Industrial Exchange Gift Shop is open Monday from 11-4, Tuesday-Friday from 11-6 and Saturday 11-5.

Come in and find that unique gift you’re looking for or treat yourself to something special, knowing that your purchase helps support local craft.

written by Marcia Dresner of Wood Art for Living

Big Night Baltimore New Year's Eve Celebration

It might be early but do you have your plans set for New Year’s Eve yet?  Check out Big Night Baltimore, MIX 106.5 New Year’s Eve Extravaganza!!!  It’s located at The Sheraton Baltimore City Center from 9pm – 2am on Monday, December 31^st.  http://www.bignightbaltimore.com/

There will be:

Nine amazing themed party areas

Open bars ALL NIGHT

Food buffets (included)

Multiple dance floors

Ten incredible bands & DJ’s

Party favors for all

Baltimore’s biggest midnight celebration with balloon drop, toast, etc…

Discounted hotel rooms

And two ticket options

Check it out and make it a new year’s to remember. 

Written by Abby Bohn from Abigail Leigh Handbags www.abigailleigh.etsy.com

Baltimore Life- After Hours at the Zoo

I am very lucky that I live so close to the Baltimore zoo. When we walk our dogs in the park, I can sometimes hear the roar of those beautiful lions.

Now you have a chance to experience the zoo after hours!  Every Thursday in July and August the zoo stays open late.  And you get 50% off admission on Thursday from 4-7pm until August 30th. So, take a break from the summer heat and bring the kids to the zoo for a fun stroll among the elephants, polar bears and penguins!

For more information, visit their website. 

Written by Stacey Phinney of Phinney Studios   

Sailabration

In honor of Baltimore's Star Spangled 200, the celebration of the bicentennial of the War of 1812, forty tall ships will be coming to Baltimore. The ships will be docked at the Inner Harbor and Fells Point. There will be lots of fun activities like the family fun zone, and you can even tour the ships.

The ships will begin arriving on June 13th, so keep an eye out in the harbor for these beautiful ships coming to us from around the world.

 For more information visit: StarSpangled200.com 

 Written by Stacey Phinney

Waterfront Kids

Now that school is coming to an end, you probably are looking for things to do with your little ones this summer. Try checking out the new Waterfront Kids program at Baltimore's Inner Harbor. This is a free program where they are going to offer classes in fitness, foreign languages, and crafts, just to name a few. Registration is required.

For more information visit waterfrontpartnership.org.

Written by Stacey Phinney

Baltimore Life - Broom's Bloom Diary

Want to eat the best ice cream ever created? Visit the Broom's Bloom Dairy stall at the Saturday Waverly Farmers' Market. They bring several of their available flavors already packed and ready to go. They don't really have signage with their name, but tend to be on the northwest portion of the market. They also sell other products, such as cheese, at their stall which I'm sure are amazing, but I just go for the ice cream. "Dirt" is our favorite, lots of chunky, chocolately goodness.


Tempted? As good as their ice cream is out of the Waverly market, it tastes even better if you buy it right on their farm. An easy drive up 95 to exit 80, you take MD543 four miles and look on your left. There is a nice place to eat inside during inclement weather, but I recommend sitting outside. Basically your view is fields, woods and the barns where the cows live and do their thing. There are rocking chairs and picnic tables and a little grassy area for kids to play around in. (Pets are not allowed.) Service is invariably friendly, sometimes local young people, sometimes older folks. I've met the owner working behind the counter. Prices are reasonable. They also sell products from other local farms as well as sandwiches, salads and quiche. They have many flavors of ice cream to choose from but not the same flavors every time and can run out so no guarantee that "dirt" will be there when you go. The good thing is that any flavor is good and you'd have a built in excuse to go again.

written by Susan of Susan Brandt

picture credits:
Broom's sign: granovapoultry.com
Building: scoopadventures.com

Print by Print at the BMA

After taking the time to rest and reorganize this month, wander over to the Baltimore Museum of Art and check out the Print by Print exhibit, going on now through March 25th, 2012. More than 350 prints from the museum's permanent collection- one of the largest in the country- will be on display, including works by Marcel Duchamp, Roy Lichtenstein (pictured), Albrecht Durer, and many others. The exhibit is free and open to the public during museum hours. What a great opportunity to see so many amazing prints right in our own backyard!



Written by Rachael of Open Eyes Press

Power Plant Lazer Show, Baltimore Life

So if you have not made it down to the Inner Harbor to see the Grand Power Plant Holiday Light Show Spectacular, you MUST go soon!

We took our daughter down there one evening to see the lights and take in the beautiful decked out holiday harbor. To our delight we had a front row seat to the unbelievable lights, lasers, music and really intriguing projected imagery, right on the Power Plant building facade.

You won’t want to miss this event! There are plenty of showings through the 31st, so check it out while it's around!

Saturday, November 19 – Saturday December 31
Sunday – Thursday: 6pm, 7pm, 8pm
Friday – Saturday: 6pm, 7pm, 8pm, 9pm

Baltimore Beer Week

Baltimore will once again be in the spotlight for the 3rd annual Baltimore Beer Week.

Many events will be taking place such as an Oktoberfest at the Timonium fairgrounds on October 8th, and an historical walking pub tour October 9th, through Brewers Hill and Canton. There are a lot of fun events planned, so be sure to check out their website so you see all the great events that are planned and you won't miss out!

Written by Stacey Phinney

Manifesto 2011, Celebrating Frank Zappa Day

Join us this coming weekend Sept. 17th 11am-8pm for the 2nd Annual Frank Zappa Day Celebration!

Over 13 Bands have been confirmed and will be attempting the Longest Set in History, and we are adding additional programming such as James Taylor’s Shocked & Amazed Sideshow…. Charm City Skatepark’s record breaking half pipe…. Red Emma’s Banned Book Fair…. A barely socially acceptable spectacle of Body Art….. Ahmet Zappa’s Playhouse at the Creative Alliance….. just to mention a few.

These BEST vendors will be there, so stop by and say hello!

Allison Fomich, Tigerlillyshop

Preserved botanical jewelry and Japanese textile button jewelry

Erica Wolfe and Stephanie Sackettand, Becca and Mars
Natural Bath and Beauty Products


Dana Krauss, Whoop
Handmade, vintage, modern jewelry. Vintage glass and Lucite beads, fiber, and sterling silver


Jen Wilfong, Yummy and Company
Polymer clay and recycled copper jewelry


Susan Brandt
Colorful hand painted urban street graffiti scarves

Erica Roberts, CEK Custom Designs
One of a kind handcrafted, sterling and fine silver art jewelry


Anne Madison, Atelier Adornments
Vintage and Tribal jewelry from petite to plus


Seanna Tsung, Yarning by Seanna

Urban tribal ornaments for head, heart, and home. Crocheted and knitted hats, scarves, necklaces, baskets and earrings with a twist on traditional forms and materials

For more info on the event, please visit : http://www.manifestobaltimore.com/
Facebook Frank Zappa Day