The Thicket

Just a quick note to let you all know I’m having an end of summer sale in both shops to make ready for some new fall inventory.  Receive 20% off orders over $25.  The sale will run the entire month of August.

To take advantage of this offer on Etsy, simply wait for a revised Paypal invoice.  At Foxglove Studios, use discount code “SUMMER” during checkout and it will be automatically calculated.

Although it’s still summer, “summer” is over for us.  My daughter is back to school this Thursday.  I can hardly believe it’s that time again already!  We did registration & clothes shopping last week and are doing some supply shopping tonight.

Also, she will be 16 in February… Yep, time to get the old learner’s permit. EEK!!!  I’m not worried about her driving.  In fact, I’m looking forward to it.  She’s very level-headed.  However, I am a little concerned about the process.  Teaching her to drive… *gulp*

All of this signals the slow pace of summer is over.   Not only will we be adding school to the mix,  things will be rolling at work, my needle felting workshops start again, fall art & craft fairs are looming and I’ll be out of town for a week and (hopefully) online sales will pick up.  Makes me tired just thinking about it. LOL

If you are in the Tucson area, here are a few of the festivals, fairs and events coming up:

Patagonia Fall Festival - October 10-12

Tucson Wool Festival - October 25 (I’ll be there!)

Tucson Open Studio Tour -  November 8-9 (I’ll be hanging out at UDK)

Fourth Avenue Street Fair - December 12-14

One of my new favorite places is Ravelry. It is, first and foremost, a knit and crochet community. That’s just the tip of the iceberg.

I joined Ravelry to participate in my pal Kathy’s group for those who have visited (frequently, in my case) her shop and ranch. All I expected to get from the site was an easier connection to Kathy’s events and gatherings and the people I’ve met there. What I got was so much more:

• forums for learning, discussion, product reviews and, of course, fun
• groups for everything from locality to Anthropologie fans to Star Wars geeks
• project and yarn stash management
• patterns… Oh so many patterns!
• hook and needle inventory
• library management (limited to knitting/crochet books)
• inspiration - the beautiful and the bizarre
• and yes, a little shop promotion
• no, this was not just an excuse to make another bulleted list :P

There is a waiting list to get into Ravelry but anyone can join. It took 3-4 days for my invitation to come through but it was worth the wait. I won’t tell you how many times I checked the waiting list to see how many were ahead of me. LOL

If you haven’t already, please join! If you are already a member, I would love to add you as a friend. My Ravelry ID is Foxgloves.

Hope to see you there!

Kim at The Little Black Box has organized a terrific one day Christmas in July Sale this Saturday, July 26.  There will be giveaways ever hour via her BLOG and a web page will be revealed with a list of participating shops.  Check is out to get some great deals on early Christmas gifts.

Of course, Foxglove Studios will be there with 20%-50% off selected items.  No sale code needed, prices will be reduced and there will be a special section just for this event.

If you live in the Sonoran Desert, you’ll know what this is all about. People who haven’t been here seem to picture a sandy wasteland devoid of life. However, those of us who live here know all too well we have invaded a rich wilderness! Unless you live in the heart of the city, you have probably had an encounter with one of the native desert dwellers that is not on your buddy list.

Last night Kathy arrived at our usual gathering looking a bit flustered. She then showed us all a photo she had JUST taken (at left). Yes folks, that is a Western Diamondback Rattlesnake. It was just outside her studio being entertained by Charcoal the cat. Charcoal is one of the few cats in our area that is allowed outside. She knows how to take care of herself.

Rattlesnakes are just one of the critters you might encounter in the outskirts of Tucson. Here are some other common sightings:

• coyotes (lots and lots)
• bobcats
• javelina
• tarantulas
• scorpions
• gila monsters
• the occasional mountain lion
• a rare bear that has wandered down from the mountains

Of the non-threatening variety:

• rabbits
• jackrabbits
• roadrunners
• skunks (I’ve smelled but not seen them)
• hawks
• vultures
• owls
• quail
• hummingbirds
• way too many other lizards and birds to list here

I’m not trying to scare anyone. I’ve lived in Southern Arizona almost my entire life and never had a nasty run-in. However, if you are visiting or relocating to the area, please educate yourself so you can avoid any unpleasantness. Actually, the sun is more of a threat than any of the wildlife.

For more information about the region and its inhabitants, Google Sonoran Desert or visit these informative sites:

Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum

Sonoran Desert Naturalist

Desert USA - Sonoran Desert

BLM - Sonoran Desert National Monument