Day 1: Last Market Day

Hello Eric,
When I woke up this morning, it felt like days since I'd seen you. It was weird though, because even though it felt like that, I knew it wasn't so and I didn't miss you yet. It's a relief to not miss you yet because, in reality it's only 8 days until I will see you again at home, and so I don't need to miss you yet.
I woke up at 5 something this morning and got ready for the market. I was so tired and slow and useless this morning. And so was the market. There wasn't a soul in sight until about 10am.
I love going to the market. It's something I get to do myself, for me (and us a little), and something I feel good about separate from you. Not that I don't love you and your opinions and your praise, cause you know I do, but it's nice that there are so many other people out there, who I've never even met before, who will do that for me in the market when they see my things.
Today I tried to make the canvases without painting the base ivory coat, which you know I HATE doing. Guess what! They turned out beautifully! I like them way better, and in comparison, I don't really like the other ones much anymore. Today all the canvases I sold were the white ones, until I only had one big one left (which was ivory) and a lady bought it. It always feels nice when a little less effort, reaps a little more benefit.

This week my mom also started a new line of old leather bags and purses. We went to the fabric store earlier this week and I picked out a fabric for her that I loved. She was uncertain, which made me uncertain, but I told her to take the risk, and it paid off today. She made a few new designs and patterns for the bags, and used one fabric and colour combination I suggested, and one that she liked as well. They were a huge success.

 My colours.

Mom's colours.

These fold over clutches were the biggest and quickest success. Two girls from the market got one each today. First Sarah bought the peach and brown one. She said she had somewhere to go last night and just had to have it to go out with. Then Kathy came over and the pink ones were gone, but she got a blue one. She said she just had to run and check with her husband, but hoped he'd say yes. Then she came back with her card. 

 (Sarah is from Vintage Pink Treasures. Her booth is across from Mom's at the market and I see and chat with her every week. This was her last week, and now she's on maternity leave. She's having a little boy in about 3 weeks.)

 (Kathy is from Made With Local, which makes these delicious granola bars, with 95% locally grown or produced ingredients. She was beside our booth about 3 or 4 weeks ago, and so we chatted with her a bit too. Her full name is Kathryn Elizabeth, which I thought was pretty cool. We traded her last 6 bars she had left on Saturday, for half the purse she bought.) 

I love being in the market. I love the atmosphere and I love the people. I want to find a market where I can do other things in Calgary as well!

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I felt a little jealous of you being home with the kids today. I'm excited to see everyone, but I just cannot wait for these two! I almost died when you sent me these pictures. 

I love you and them so much, and can't wait to see you all soon (enough)!