"Oh Wow!"...Peace Signs and Flowers! Dare to Dream!

As my business, Cranberry Ridge Design, continues to grow, my poor sewing machine is getting a workout. As orders for my designs come pouring in, I find that I must spend more and more time sewing.

Slowly, as time allows, I am adding new products to my line. I have MANY plans for future items but creating them takes time. Building up enough stock to both fill orders and take to craft shows has been a challenge, to say the least. I can barely keep up with orders, but as you might guess, I view that as a "good thing." I take great pride in making my items and strive to make sure my finished items are truly a work of art that my customers will be most pleased with.
In keeping with my promise to share pictures with my readers as often as possible, I want to share with you a picture of another "Oh Wow!" Bag. This bag has the cutest fabric featuring flowers, peace signs and encouraging words and phrases on it. The complimentary colors made for one really adorable bag.

As I posted earlier, besides Tamarack,
my items are now being carried in a few area stores. (See previous post) For those of you who don't live in the area or those who want to order a custom one of a kind bag, you may contact me regarding a custom order made just for you. You can find my contact information in the right hand column of this blog.

Christmas will be here before we know it. Place your orders as soon as possible to be sure your items are ready in time for gift giving. Remember, I make a variety of items. If you don't see what you have in mind, contact me.

Chances are, I just might make the item you are looking for.

Thanks for stopping by my blog today.
Connie

Excitement at Cranberry Ridge!

First, I want to say hello to everyone and thank you to everyone for their support of the beginnings of CRD!

They have be so many changes in my life since I was involved in a car accident in December that I do not know where to begin. Some people may be wondering why I say I was blessed with the car accident. Yes, I have had issues going back to work as an RN but on the other hand the blessings are running over and I feel like I am starting a new chapter in my life.

The first blessing is the other driver and I walked away from the wreck. I was t-boned on the driver's side. I do have a shoulder injury and other problems from the car wreck. I have been able to set back and set my life on a different course.

Then in January 2010 our first grandson decided to come into the world 2 months early. They live in Florida and we live in West Virginia. Being off from work we were able to spend some time with them and best of all we Blake arrived safe and sound! Elizabeth did great also! I was able to be in Florida to complete his nursery set.

Then in February daughter, Debra starting having blood pressure issues and was placed on bed rest. So, of course I was able to play nurse role with her and keep a close eye on her blood pressure. Rylee came in to the world just a few days early and he was healthy and so was mom.

Then in April, my sister Judy had back surgery in Lexington, KY and I was able to stay with her. Also, I had not been able to see my son for about 1 1/2 years so I was able to stay with him and Makenize and the grand dogs. Bret and Makenzie both work at Malone's Steak House on Tates Creek Road. Enjoyed dinner from there a couple times! Bret is now executive chef! Malone's ranks in the top 10 steak houses in the US!

Now we come to May. Whew it has been a long year so far..lol. We traveled to Florida to vacation with Roger's family. Had a great time in Boca Raton! Grand daughter Shealeigh had her first airplane ride. We had a great trip going to Florida and well we won't talk about the trip home....lol.

First of June Roger had knee replacement surgery which went well! He spent a couple weeks in Healthsouth Rehab in Huntington and then home. But, in July he had an allergic reaction to meds and was in ER three times and then stayed in the hospital for 3 days. He is doing well now.




Then we get to August and and I start to have nose bleeds. Couple trips to ER and a couple trips to the ENT and surgery and I am on my way to healing.

In September, daughter Jennifer started the management training program at  Kroger's!
She has to be in Roanoke some and then she works in Charleston stores. She will found out in February what store she will co-manager.

Last week Debra's boyfriend TJ totaled her car late at night. He had a concussion but seems to be doing well now. I guess Debra will get that SUV she was wanting after all!

Well, some more good news is CRD products will be in three different stores in Charleston, WV. They are Baby Phases, Sweet Peas, and Capitol Market. CRD also has products in Daystar Bible Bookstore in Summersville, WV.

CRD will be a featured artisan at Tamarack in April, October and December 2012! I will post dates as they are scheduled.

With all this said and done I can say there always is a silver lining on every cloud! And there have been so many silver linings for me with this cloud. I can say I give thanks daily to God for all that I have accomplished since the wreck. No major injuries but so many blessings!

Come back and visit soon!
Connie

The Roadkill Festival & The Shindig: Come on out and have some fun!

Today was an overwhelming success and a lot of fun for me at the The Roadkill Festival held in Pocohontas County, West Virginia. The festival is wildly popular and had quite a turn out. In years past, this annual festival, promoted by the Pocohontas County Chamber of Commerce, has been covered by major news outlets like CNN, Travel Channel and The Discovery Channel. Programs like All-American Festivals, Fest Quest, and The Today Show have all done segments on this very unique event.  The authors of the best-selling Weird U.S. have even recognized the zaniness of The Roadkill Cook-off! It was a fun filled day for all who attended.

The Roadkill cookoff came about when, several years ago, West Virginia made it legal to take home---and use---animals killed by cars. Marlinton, West Virginia soon became the home of the very unique Roadkill Cook-off & Festival. The festival offers many unique dishes to test your palette on. You might find dishes like Rigormortis Bear Stew, Asleep at the Wheel Squeal, Tire Tread Tortillas, Deer on a Stick and lots more. While it is certainly true that citizens of the state have been picking up and cooking road kill long before they named a festival in honor of the practice, the festival is sure to offer something exciting for everyone.

Besides the amazing food to tease your taste buds, the festival also features many artisan's booths offering all sorts of crafts made throughout the state. I am proud to say that Cranberry Ridge Design was one of the booths featured. It was so much fun. I truly enjoyed chatting with all the wonderful people who came by. Many of my purses "Oh Wow bags" and other handmade items were sold today.

If you missed the festival, I invite you to mark your calendar to attend the festival next year. It is surely a "must-do" event. Let's face it, where else could you possibly get creamy squirrel gravy over biscuits with a side of deer sausage? (You can find more information by contacting the Pocohontas Chamber of Commerce.)

In the meantime, Cranberry Ridge Design will occupy a booth tomorrow at the Cranberry Nature Center at the Shindig in Pocohontas County.
It will be a lot of fun.
The Shindig, is a **'traditional appalachian festival featuring live folk dancing and music. Local artisans will be set up demonstrating and selling their goods from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Demonstrations and goods including blacksmithing, spinning wheel, basketry, fly tying, wooden bowls, homemade soap, fudge, and much more.' There is sure to be something for everyone. I hope to see you there.

Cranberry Nature Center
Located at the junction of Route 150 and Route 39/55, 16 miles from Marlinton and 22 miles from Richwood. 304-653-4826
Click HERE for more information on Cranberry Nature Center.


For those of you who won't be able to come to the event, remember, I do take custom orders for my "Oh Wow Bags" and for my other handmade items and welcome you to contact me with your design wishes. (You can find my contact address on the right hand column of this blog.) My items are also sold at Tamarack in Beckley, WV and on Etsy.

I look forward to seeing those of you who can make it to the Shindig tomorrow.
For those who can't attend, I look forward to hearing from you.

Thanks for visting my blog today.
Connie

**http://www.pocahontascountywv.com/events/1426/2011/september/cranberry-shindig.aspx

Tamarack!!

I am quite pleased to announce that on 08/11/2011 

I was successfully juried into Tamarack!!

I couldn't be more pleased to be a participating Tamarack artisan and now considered

part of "the best of West Virginia." I invite you all to visit Tamarack (Beckley, WV) to see not only my work but the work of all the fine artisans whose work is displayed and sold there.

Below you can read about what I believe is at the heart of Cranberry Ridge Design!!

Artisan Statement - Connie Ridgeway

The support Connie receives from family and friends has empowered her passion for creating memories. Whether it is a personal item like the "Oh Wow Bag", a quilt, or clothing for her grandchildren, it brings a heartwarming delight to her soul.

The reality of Cranberry Ridge Design (CRD) finally came to fruition with the creation of the "Oh Wow Bag". The first bag was made for her daughter Debra, and the next bags were made for daughters’ Jennifer, Elizabeth, and Rebecca! CRD was on the way to becoming a lifelong dream!

As a child, Connie was lovingly influenced by her maternal grandmother Iona Diamond, her mother Madge Diamond, and her older sisters. The love of sewing had begun in a young girl’s heart! Through their tutelage, the skills Connie attained became the bedrock for her creation of Cranberry Ridge Design.

It takes more than skills to foster one's craft. You need the tools for those crafts to flourish. Her father, the Rev. Amon Diamond, always kept the old family Singer sewing machine in good repair. She now uses a Janome 6600 sewing machine along with a Singer serger sewing machine to create her designs. She devotes over 30 hours a week to her passion of sewing. Her hand crafted creations reflect the values she treasures from her Appalachian heritage.

Connie frequently visits "The Quilt Shop" owned by Mrs. Vickie Fleer of Summersville, WV. Vickie provides immense guidance by inspiring creative design. She has afforded Connie the opportunity to work with customers and assist in this exquisite shop. Connie has assisted seamstresses in choosing the right fabrics and color choices that fit the color schemes of their project. Connie derives enjoyment from her sewing and quilting and uses that enthusiasm to encourage new seamstresses who come into the shop to take up the craft of quilting and in keeping that craft alive.

"May the warmth of love always surround you!" This self-authored phrase is placed on a hand created label that is added to every quilt Connie makes and presents to newlyweds. It conveys the joy and blessing she gets while stitching each quilt and her wish that the quilt will be treasured for years to come.

Connie’s goals are to be admitted into Tamarack and to participate in other ventures that feature West Virginia artisans. To have the opportunity to showcase her skills and talent in the textile medium would be a wish come true for Connie. Connie also plans to continue to provide mentoring to beginning students who have a keen interest in textiles.

Cranberry Ridge Design: "One of a kind design…one at a time!"

Connie Ridgeway Bio

Connie was born and raised in eastern Kentucky. It was there she learned the art of creating and sewing from her grandmother, mother and sisters. She was asked in high school to assist others in learning the art of sewing. She creates for family and friends.

In the late eighties Connie chose to pursue a degree in nursing. She attended a branch of the University of Kentucky and graduated with a degree as a Registered Nurse. Connie has provided care from the east coast to the west coast in top ten medical centers. Her passion in nursing has been in the oncology population.

Connie moved to Nicholas County, West Virginia in 2000. Connie is the biological mother of one daughter and one son. When she married Roger Ridgeway in 2007 she became a mother to three more daughters and a son. They now have one granddaughter and two grandsons. Of course, lets not forget her extended family - her Yorkie brood!

Thanks for learning a bit about CRD and for visting my blog today!
I am glad you stopped by and hope you will visit me here again soon.

Connie