march/april 2015 country register

March-April 2015 | View the paper online at www.CountryRegister.com/NRGP

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Wall, South Dakota

Index: See page 14 for advertiser’s index by name and by community as well as upcoming events.

Next Deadline: Ads and articles for the May/June 2015 issue are due April 7, 2015.

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Spotlight on Betty’s QuilteryWhat was once Quilt-Tiques LLC has

been recently changed due to a shop in Nevada that owns a trademark on the name, Quiltique. Because of this, the trademark owners have the right to have Betty change the name of her store, along with anything else that has been marketed using the name Quilt-Tiques. Now faced with a challenge, shop owner, Betty Opp was in search for a new identity for her quilt shop. That is when she came up with Betty’s Quiltery.

After working in a quilt shop for nearly seven years, she missed the comradery and friendships she had at while working at the store. One day, with the help of LeAnn and Alice, they cleaned and readied a location space for a new quilt shop in Rapid City, SD. Betty’s Quiltery has been in business for 2.5 years, selling many different products from fabric,

threads, notions, patterns, books, linens and so much more. Betty states that her favorite part of owning a quilting store is: ‘Quilters are the best people in the world and having a shop helps her know even more of the best.’ One of the

biggest challenges that Betty faces is keeping up with everything that needs accomplished within the shop One of the biggest challenges that Betty faces is keeping up with everything that needs accomplished within the shop, it is always a work in progress, always new fabrics, patterns, ideas,

samples to be made, classes, changing things around.

You can find Betty’s Quiltery on Facebook, showing new fabrics, classes, samples, and ongoing groups that meet like the rug hookers (1st Saturday,) and the (18”) doll club on the second Thursday each month at 1:00 pm.


Editor’s Notes Woolly soap, not so simple

One of my favorite issues of the Country Register is the Fiber edition. I will be the first to admit that I wasn’t completely sure what all is included when thinking of fibers. I did my research and realized that I work with fibers all the time. I also learned that their are so many different types of fiber that you can choose to use for your craft. My personal favorite is wool.

Recently I attended a class on how to make woolly soap. Its the process where we took alpaca wool that had been died many different colors and formed it around a bar of soap. You had to take very hot water and mold the wool so that the fibers would adhere to each other around the bar of soap. It was a long and trying process, but with patience and diligence I finally had my own bar of woolly soap. This was such a great class that exposed me to a whole new fiber craft. Not only did I learn the art of making woolly soap, but I gained a whole new respect for anyone that works with wool and soap.

Another great craft that I recently learned from my sister-in-law is the art of arm knitting. She has become incredibly skilled with her knitting and came across a project that she felt I could pick up quickly, and that I did! We spent a Sunday morning with the family arm knitting beautiful scarves. Not only did I learn a new craft, I was able to spend valuable quality time with my loved ones.

One of the things that I have learned through the Country Register is that their are so many different types of crafting supplies and the one that fancies me the most is the abundance of different fibers and the crafts you can produce with them. I am always interested in learning new techniques and ways to work with new materials. Feel free to e-mail me projects that you have fell in love with and if time allows I will make great attempts to try them.

The Country Register of the Northern Rockies & Great Plains including North Dakota,

South Dakota, Wyoming, Montana, & Northern IdahoDee Sleep, PublisherErika Young, Editor

Produced by Chicken Creek Communications132 W. Hudson St. • Spearfish, SD 57783

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USA & Canada for The Country Register

Send $3 to any publisher below to obtain a paper from another area:* Indicates these editions are available on-line at www.countryregister.com.

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USA* Arizona: Barbara Stillman and Lolly Konecky, 515 E Carefree Hwy, #1128, Phoenix, AZ 85085, 602-942-8950* Arkansas: Lenda Williams, P.O. Box 32581, Oklahoma City, OK, 73123, [email protected]* California: Barbara Stillman and Lolly Konecky, P 515 E Carefree Hwy, #1128, Phoenix, AZ 85085, 602-942-8950 Colorado: Jan & John Keller, 16755 Oak Brush Loop, Peyton, CO, 80831, 719-749-9797* Connecticut: Michael Dempsey, 10213 Fanny Brown Road, Raleigh, NC, [email protected]* Delaware: Merle and Gail Taylor, P.O. Box 594, New Market, MD, 21774, [email protected]* Florida: Dave & Amy Carter, P.O. Box 365, New Market, MD, 21774, [email protected]* Georgia: Linda Parish, P.O. Box 389, Lexington, GA, 30648, [email protected]* Idaho (N): Dee Sleep, 132 W. Hudson Street, Spearfish, SD 57783, 605-722-7028, [email protected]* Idaho (S): Barbara Stillman and Lolly Konecky, P 515 E Carefree Hwy, #1128, Phoenix, AZ 85085, 602-942-8950* Illinois: Lenda Williams, P.O. Box 32581, Oklahoma City, OK, 73123, [email protected]* Indiana: Gail & Merle Taylor, P.O. Box 594, New Market, MD, 21774, [email protected] Iowa: Linda Glendy, P.O. Box 6, Tama, IA, 52339, [email protected]* Kansas: Cindy Baldwin, 988 9th Ave., McPherson, KS 67460, [email protected]* Kentucky: Chris & Kelly Kennedy, 5804 Whiterose Way, New Market, MD 21774 443-243, [email protected] Maine: Gail Hageman, 221 Winslow Rd, Albion, ME 04910, 207-437-2663* Maryland: Dave & Amy Carter, P.O. Box 365, New Market, MD, 21774, [email protected]* Massachusetts: Michael Dempsey, 10213 Fanny Brown Road, Raleigh, NC , 27603, [email protected] Michigan: Bill and Marlene Howell, 3790 Manistee, Saginaw, MI, 48603-3143, 989-793-4211* Minnesota: Kim & Mickey Keller, 12835 Kiska St. NE, Blaine, MN, 55449, [email protected]* Missouri: Lenda Williams, P.O. Box 32581, Oklahoma City, OK, 73123, [email protected]* Montana: Dee Sleep, 132 W. Hudson Street, Spearfish, SD 57783, 605-722-7028, [email protected]* Nebraska: Barbara Stillman and Lolly Konecky, 515 E Carefree Hwy, #1128, Phoenix, AZ 85085, 602-942-8950* Nevada (N): Barbara Stillman and Lolly Konecky, P 515 E Carefree Hwy, #1128, Phoenix, AZ 85085, 602-942-8950* Nevada (S): Glena Dunn, 4568 Carol Circle, Las Vegas, NV, 89120, 702-523-1803 New Hampshire: Kathleen Graham, 330 North Road, Deerfield, NH, 03037, [email protected]* New Jersey: Merle and Gail Taylor, P.O. Box 594, New Market, MD, 21774, [email protected] New Mexico: Jan & John Keller, 16755 Oak Brush Loop, Peyton, CO, 80831, 719-749-9797* New York: Dave & Amy Carter, P.O. Box 365, New Market, MD, 21774, [email protected]* North Carolina: Barbara Stillman and Lolly Konecky, 515 E Carefree Hwy, #1128, Phoenix, AZ 85085, 888-942-8950* North Dakota: Dee Sleep, 132 W. Hudson Street, Spearfish, SD 57783, 605-722-7028, [email protected]* Ohio: Barb Moore, P. O. Box 37, Cable, OH, 43009, [email protected]* Oklahoma: Lenda Williams, P.O. Box 32581, Oklahoma City, OK, 73123, [email protected]* Oregon: Barbara Stillman and Lolly Konecky, 515 E Carefree Hwy, #1128, Phoenix, AZ 85085, 602-942-8950* Pennsylvania: Dave & Amy Carter, PO Box 365, New Market, MD, 21774, [email protected]* Rhode Island: Michael Dempsey, 10213 Fanny Brown Road, Raleigh, NC , 27603, [email protected]* South Carolina: Barbara Stillman and Lolly Konecky, 515 E Carefree Hwy, #1128, Phoenix, AZ 85085, 888-942-8950* South Dakota: Dee Sleep, 132 W. Hudson Street, Spearfish, SD 57783, 605-722-7028, [email protected]* Tennessee: Chris & Kelly Kennedy, 5804 Whiterose Way, New Market, MD 21774 443-243, [email protected]* Texas: Lenda Williams, P.O. Box 32581, Oklahoma City, OK, 73123, [email protected]* Utah: Daniel & Stacy Tueller, 153 S 2050 W, Provo UT 84601, [email protected]* Vermont: Chris & Kelly Kennedy, 5804 Whiterose Way, New Market, MD 21774, [email protected]* Virginia: Dave & Amy Carter, P.O. Box 365, New Market, MD, 21774, [email protected]* Washington: Barbara Stillman and Lolly Konecky, 515 E Carefree Hwy, #1128, Phoenix, AZ 85085, 602-942-8950* West Virginia: Dave & Amy Carter, PO Box 365, New Market, MD, 21774, [email protected]* Wisconsin: Scott & Jennifer Hughes, P. O. Box 276, Altoona, WI, 54720, [email protected]* Wyoming: Dee Sleep, 132 W. Hudson Street, Spearfish, SD 57783, 605-722-7028, [email protected]

CANADA* Alberta: Ruth Burke, P.O. Box 97, Heisler, AB, T0B2A0,780-889-3776, [email protected] British Columbia: Bryan Stonehill, Box 1338, Summerland, BC, V0H 1Z0, 800-784-6711* Manitoba & Saskatchewan: Scott & Marj Kearns, Box 850, Kipling, SK, S0G 2S0, [email protected]

The Country Register of the Northern Rockies & Great Plains

March - April 2015 • Volume 5 Issue 2

The Country Register of the Northern Rockies & Great Plains is published every two months. Copyright 2014.

Reproduction or use, without permission, of editorial or graphic content in any manner is prohibited by law. The Country Register is a registered business trade name. Chicken Creek Communications produced The Country Register of the Northern Rockies & Great Plains.

Subscription price: 1 year, 6 issues, $18.00. Single copies: $3.00. This paper is furnished free at each advertiser, highway welcome centers tourism centers, shows, events, and other selected locations throughout North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming, Montana, and Northern Idaho.

Articles published in this newspaper, which are contributed from outside sources, express the opinions of their authors only and may not express the viewpoints of the management and staff of The Country Register. Such articles that are accepted for publication herein may be edited at the sole discretion of the publisher.

Responsibility for products advertised in this newspaper lies with the advertisers themselves. Though The Country Register will not knowingly publish fraudulent materials or fraudulently obtained materials, we are not liable for any damages arising from the purchase or use of products advertised herein.

Erika YoungEditor of

The Country Register of ND, SD, WY,

MT & N. ID


Discover new-found happiness: implement gratitudeHaving survived a long, cold winter, perhaps we

can all celebrate in gratitude, as the first signs of spring begin to appear. With longer days, warmer temperatures, no more ice and snow; these are all good reasons for which to be thankful.

What got me to thinking about this, was a brief blurb I read in a magazine about how a stay at home mother experienced fatigue and an overwhelming sense of isolation, as she no longer had contact with her associates at work. So, to overcome these feelings, she invited her e-mail friends to participate in sharing a daily item of gratitude. Even if it was something as little as drinking a full cup of tea without any interruptions, or as serious as narrowly being missed by a speeding car, she felt this would be a way to lift her spirits and still stay connected to her social media friends.

Perhaps without realizing it, this young mom cultivated an idea that would serve her well in making her days a little brighter. Too often we let ourselves become bogged down with the pace of living, that we don’t take time to appreciate the many things that day, that were blessings in one way another. If we focus on the good, we will seek out more good. By that I mean, in the beginning it may be hard to come up with a note of gratitude. But the more we practice it, the more we will begin to see things that we have been overlooking perhaps for years. Take for instance, your health. If you have always been healthy, you just take it for granted, yet it is truly a blessing that we should never take for granted.

Teaching your children to be grateful is another gift you can give your children that will serve them well all their lives. Children watch and learn from their parents. They will notice how you respond to the cashier, or the waitperson, or to their teacher. At the dinner table, you may want to go around the table each evening and let each person say for what it is that they are thankful. This could make for interesting conversations.

Take your child to a dollar store and let him or her buy something for a less fortunate child. Volunteer together as a family at a nursing home or a soup kitchen, so that your children will learn to appreciate what they have. After all not all children are as fortunate as your child might be, and they need to know that they can serve the less fortunate.

As an adult, you may want to journal in your notebook the blessings for which you are thankful. Too often, we think of being grateful when Thanksgiving comes around. But we have so many blessings we should not delegate one day a year to express our appreciation.

Besides we will forget those blessings if we do not write them down regularly.

If you are looking to celebrate spring, why not have a Gratitude Tea. This could be you inviting people who have done so much for you throughout your relationship with them, and you want to thank them for their kindness. If you are a little bit shy about expressing your feelings especially in front of others, using some fancy stationary, you may want to write each person a hand-written note expressing your appreciation and gratitude for all they have done for you. Slip the envelope under their plate or wherever you like, and at the end of the tea, ask them to pick up their plates and take the envelope addressed in calligraphy, if you or someone you know can address the envelopes for you. (The idea is to make it feel special). Or, you could host a Gratitude Tea, and ask each person to share something for which they are thankful. Of course, you want to prepare them in advance, so that they can give some meaningful thought to their answer.

However you decide to implement the act of Gratitude into your life and that of your family, I believe you will discover a new-found happiness, as together you record the many blessings that come into your lives each and every day.

–Janet Young, Certified Tea and EtiquetteConsultant, is a founding member of Mid-Atlantic Tea Business Association and freelance writer/national tea presenter. Visit her website at www.overtheteacup.com.

Sidney, Montana

Book ReviewQuilting with Doilies

Beautiful vintage doilies are given new life in contemporary quilts and sewing projects in a new book by Country Register contributor and avid quilter Barbara Polson. Quilting with Doilies provides Inspiration, Techniques and Projects with more than 135 color images and ten patterns.

Beginning with an explanation of the various types of doilies readily available, 15 quilting projects creatively incorporate them into their design. With 10 patterns and 137 color images, the techniques are clearly demonstrated and explained. They include painted appliqué, machine embroidered ribbon border trim, no math fabric-changing binding, adding embellishments and words, and tips for working with silk, denim, or upholstery fabric.

So get your doilies out of storage and follow along to make a variety of quilts, pillows, holiday stockings, journal covers and table runners—or be inspired to make your own creative item. This book is perfect for quilters, crafters and sewers of all skill level.

Barbara has been quilting for 20 years. She enjoys showing her quilts and has won numerous awards. She writes prolifically about quilting from her Phoenix, Arizona, home.

Book details: ISBN: 978-0-7643-4699-6; 8 1/2” x 11”; 137 color images, 10 patterns; 80 pages; soft cover. Price: $16.99

Schiffer Publishing, Ltd. is a family-owned, independent publisher of high-quality books. Since 1974, Schiffer has published thousands of titles on the diverse subjects that fuel its readers’ passions. From traditional subjects of antiques and collectibles, arts and crafts, and military history, Schiffer has expanded its catalog to publish books on contemporary art and artists, architecture and design, food and entertaining, the metaphysical, paranormal and folklore and pop and fringe culture, as well as books for children. Visit www.schifferbooks.com to explore the backlist of 5,000+ titles.


Ennis and Townsend, Montana

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Missoula, Montana

Countryberries LLC

Whimsies and necessaries for your country home and garden

330 North Road Deerfield, NH 03037603-463-7615 www.countryberries.com

email us at [email protected] to get on our email list

Designed by Kathy Graham

Countryberries Designs

This pattern is free for you to use. Please give the artist credit. Not for commercial use. Enlarge this pattern to your desired size. This design would be great on a shirt or a table runner. It could also be framed. Sew on buttons for flowers. Embroider the words, raindrops, leaves and stems. Have fun!


COLOR

Devils Lake, North Dakota

Sewing and quilting can help prepare your heart, while also preparing your worldOn October 22, 2014 – I

became a mother. The nine months leading up to the birth of our daughter, Joslyn Shea, were the longest months of my life! The days passed slowly, because I couldn’t wait to meet our child. I was nervous, too. We didn’t know if we were expecting

boy or a girl, so I spent my time daydreaming about having a son or a daughter.

Looking back, one of the things that helped me pass the time during my pregnancy was sewing and quilting. After the morning sickness passed, I started on some projects.

I picked up a $40 glider rocker at a resale shop. I recovered the cushions in yellow and white fabric. It was one of my first upholstery projects, so I took my sweet time on it, making sure the new covers were nice and snug. After the chair, I made a matching bed skirt for the crib and a crib railing pad. These were both from my leftovers from the chair.

My second trimester took up most of the summer, but I was feeling healthy and active. I made a baby quilt top with a yellow owl print, grays and green chevron. I shipped the quilt off to a long arm quilter and waited to finish the binding.

Next, I made a car seat cover to protect the baby from the harsh South Dakota winter winds. I lined the cover with cozy minky fabric.

By the time the quilt was back from the quilter, I was in my third trimester and feeling more tired. Hand binding was a perfect way to pass the time. I used a flannel backing so the quilt would be soft and warm.

With 10 weeks left in my pregnancy, I sewed a set of matching curtains using the yellow owl print from the baby quilt. Finally, I reached 35 weeks and I didn’t have the energy to start any new projects. I sat in my newly recovered rocker and worked on hand-embroidering a farm scene. It was the perfect, low-stress activity to pass the last few days.

Finally, the day came and we packed everything up for the hospital – including the baby blanket and the car seat with matching cover. It’s funny how sewing and quilting can help prepare your heart, while also preparing your world. Of course, our new baby didn’t need a new curtains and a matching rocker. But, the time that I spent sewing and dreaming of my growing family was good for me. It turned my nervous, new mom energy into something productive and positive.

Sierra Angell calls herself a “Modern Day Laura Ingalls Wilder” because of her new lifestyle in South Dakota as a farmer’s wife, quilter and writer. Read more on Sierra’s blog at www.sierrashea.com. Visit Sierra’s blog at www.sierrashea.com.

Scrub-a-Dub-Dub. . . a hoarder’s tale After reading several true-

life-account books on World War II shortages, rationing and concentration camp deprivations, I was impressed with the idea of stocking up on those items mentioned as treasured.

Namely, “soap” was mentioned time and time again. The soap factories

either were producing exclusively for military personnel or not producing luxurious perfumed triple-milled soaps at all. People were forced to make their own homemade soap and often it was an irritating, stinky hog fat and lye soap concoction.

The thought of it made my skin crawl and, thus, my primal hoarding instinct kicked in full speed ahead.

My first purchase was an eight soap bundle of my favorite brand in bath-sized fragrant bars. A newspaper ad featured a big sale and I stocked up with about four bundles, which brought the soap count up to thirty-two bars. Over the course of the year, I kept buying it as I found it on sale or at discount stores for pennies on the dollar. Not one bar, mind you, but that eight-bar package. Into my linen closet it all went.

Six years later, Y2K further fed my hoarding tendencies and I just kept throwing the soap into my grocery cart as it went on sale. It gave me a certain satisfaction knowing that everybody else in

the neighborhood might stink if soap shortages occurred, but my family would smell fresh as daisies. I also figured it would be like bars of gold and I could barter with the golden treasures. Y2K came and went and my soap purchasing came to a screeching halt.

Other books fueled my

desires for new “collections” and I forgot about my main soap stash in the nether world of things unseen. Years passed ... I decided to survey my linen closet and see what sheets might need to be replaced. I moved a few sheets around, pulled out some tablecloths and there it was—the mountain of soap I had compiled.

My reaction was, “What is this? Oh noooooo.”

I counted the bars I saw and it was a neatly stacked stash with about two hundred bars of soap. Put another way, I quit counting at two hundred.

Shortly thereafter, I decided to give away a lot of bars to a missionary project for hygiene packs to refugees in various countries. That made but a mere dent in the soap hoard and gave me a sense of guilty satisfaction. Between family, friends and shelters in town I unloaded more of my stash. I suppose the best news is that aged soap tends to last longer so this was an added bonus heretofore unknown.

It’s been close to twenty years since my soap hoarding began and I’m still finding packs of eight soaps in the most unusual places. I have not needed to purchase soap in nearly two decades. One consolation is that the linen closet smells great.

Susan Salisbury Springer is a home economist with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Family & Consumer Sciences. Copyright 2015 by Susan S. Springer. All rights reserved. Used by permission. Contact Ms. Springer at [email protected]


Sheridan, Wyoming

Tips for a successful children’s tea party

Hosting a successful children’s tea party can be a lot of fun if you know the tricks of the trade. Both boys and girls enjoy the teatime experience and can learn valuable social skills by participating.

Many children, especially younger ones, have an attention span of between three to five minutes so you will want to have shifts in action about every five minutes. Learning to sit properly, standing while greeting others, shaking hands in the proper manner and passing foods can be good activities with hands-on action for those who find it harder to sit still. I recommend that you consider the age group of the attendees and that each table has an adult present for every six youngsters.

Children enjoy tea and learning to finesse a cup with a hot/warm beverage is part of the experience so don’t make the mistake of serving lemonade at your tea party. Half the fun of teatime for children is pouring and stirring the tea and most really enjoy sipping tea out of a pretty china cup and saucer.

Tea should be prepared following the directions on the container. For very young children, dilute the hot tea with cold water to a temperature of 98°F, which is body temperature. This will prevent serious burns should the tea be spilled. Older children can usually handle progressively hotter teas. More tea will be consumed at the parties than you might think so plan on about three or four half-filled cups for each child.

You can monitor the sugar by using sugar cubes especially since plopping the cube into the cup is part of the fun. Milk should be available just for the tea and only added to black tea. Do not make a faux pas by offering cream, half and half or dry cream products.

Children enjoy finessing the foods of teatime so think finger foods and

make sure they are kid friendly. However, be mindful of your guests’ allergies and make sure the parents know what you plan to serve so they can advise you of any specific food concerns.

Fresh vegetables with a dip and fruit kabobs are always fun. Tiny hardboiled quail eggs are delightful to children and you can purchase these eggs at Oriental markets. Sandwiches should include various bread types for a colorful plate. When making sandwiches, begin by freezing your bread loaves slightly, cut off the crusts while partially frozen to allow a nice clean cut—then prepare your little sandwiches. Most kids will love this, as crusts are often not on their preferred-food lists. Use a favorite cookie cutter to cut out unique shapes for your sandwiches.

Scones should be about 1.5 inches in diameter and one scone will be enough for most children. Traditionally, butter, jam and clotted cream are served with the scones. I have found that Extra Creamy Cool Whip with a little added vanilla extract is cheaper and a great substitute for the clotted cream. The children love it, and if you hide the container, the adults present will ask for your recipe.

Pass the sandwiches first, then the scones and finish with an assortment of bite-sized desserts. Tiny cupcakes, tiny tarts and shortbread cookies are always tasty and child friendly.

These helpful hints will make your tea party a hit for your little Princes or Princesses!

Susan Salisbury Springer is a freelance Home Economist with a B.A. in Family & Consumer Sciences, Certified in Tea by the Specialty Tea Institute and is a Certified Tea Etiquette Consultant trained by the Protocol School of Washington, DC. She can be reached at Email: [email protected] Copyright 2015 by Susan S. Springer. All rights reserved.


Four R’s of sustainability: reduce, reuse, recycle, repurpose

I cringe now at the thought of having missed a perfect repurposing opportunity, but I was young and hadn’t been initiated into that uniquely creative world then. It won’t happen again!

Most of us know the three R’s of Sustainability: Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle. There’s a fourth R and it is fabulous—Repurpose.

My education started sometime after I spent a challenging week renovating an abandoned house in Phoenix that we bought at auction. At the time, it felt like I was participating in something really great by improving the dilapidated property, knowing that it would help revitalize the neighborhood where it was located. We spared no expense on the new windows, doors and stucco that were badly needed. That home would look great when we were done.

Of course, in the process we tossed all the old stuff we pulled out of the house—because I just didn’t know any better. But don’t worry; I have repented of my former careless ways thanks to my friends at Merchant Square Antique Marketplace in Chandler, AZ.

When I told them about the renovation, my friends winced at the thought of my trashing ninety-year-old windows. They took me to a booth in the store where a similar window lay. Someone had seen the discarded window’s potential, dusted it off and put it up for sale.

My friend asked, “How many kids do you have?”

“Four,” I replied and was told to email their photos.

There were six panes in the window. My friend typed a couple of quotes and printed them along with my children’s pictures. We taped the images on the back of the glass, using each pane like a photo frame and—well, you can see here how incredible it

looks.

That was my introduction to just how exciting repurposing can be—and cheap, since the window only cost me fifty dollars. Just yesterday, a friend commented on how great it looks. Sure, I’ve got good looking kids, but she was more impressed with the homey feeling this repurposed window brings to my otherwise boring living room.

Although easy, repurposing does take some creativity. If you’re stumped, just search the Internet for that fourth R—Repurpose—and add whatever you’re thinking about sending to the landfill.

The doors from that house we threw away could have been made into any number of repurposed treasures: a headboard, shelving, wall décor, a hope chest or even a coffee table.

Now I’m on a crusade to save others, like I’ve been saved, from throwing away perfectly good junk with the potential of it becoming something beautiful and amazing once again. I’m not suggesting that we begin hording. Clutter isn’t good for the soul, but before you go trashing old stuff, just ask yourself if that item has any potential for becoming something else. I promise you will be pleasantly surprised at what you come up with!

Jace Sanders is a manager at Merchant Square Antique Marketplace in Chandler, Chandler, AZ. For more fantastic reads and ideas, visit http://www.merchantsquareantiques.com/blog.

Impress spring party guests with surprise sweets(Family Features) Transform an ordinary cupcake into something

extraordinary with a peek-a-boo filling. These simple cupcakes are an easy addition to any spring celebration. You’ll want to serve every variety of these turned up treats for Easter and beyond.

The best part about this party trick? It’s easy. You’ll be digging this one out of your recipe repertoire for every spring soiree.

Hop to EasterWho said Easter baskets are just for the kids? Treat your holiday guests to

take-home cupcakes served in individual cupcake boxes. They’ll be delighted to find a surprise inside these icing-filled cupcakes.

The Garden Party

Spring into the season and host an outdoor party on the patio or in the garden. Your guests will enjoy the fresh air and the sweetly decorated desserts.

Add Fresh FlavorShake things up with a refreshing new twist. Try filling your cupcakes

with refreshing lemon meringue, raspberry mousse or peanut butter and jelly cupcake fillings.

No matter how you slice it, fill it or serve it, these cupcakes are a party pleaser that’s guaranteed to impress. Find tasty filling recipes, fresh ideas and easy decorating projects at www.wilton.com.

Carrot Garden Easter CupcakesServings: 1 dozen cupcakesFavorite chocolate cake mix or recipeCreamy Decorator Icing Chocolate Decorator Icing Leaf Green Icing ColorOrange Icing ColorCrushed chocolate sandwich cookies

Preheat oven to 350∞F. Place Color Wheel baking cups in standard muffin pan.

Prepare cake mix following package instructions. Bake in prepared muffin pan 18-20 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool completely in pan on cooling grid.

To decorate, tint small amount of creamy decorator icing green; tint remaining orange. Use spatula and chocolate icing to ice tops of cupcakes smooth. Sprinkle with cookie crumbs. Chill until set, about 15 minutes.

Use knife to cut out center of cupcakes almost to bottom of cupcake. Use tip 2A and orange icing to fill in center of cupcake and pipe about 1/4 inch above cupcake; pat smooth. Use tip 352 and green icing to pipe pull-out leaf carrot tops.


Chamberlain, Edgemont, Faulkton and Pierre, South Dakota

Fleece and Fiber Festival supports Think Pink Basket Drive for breast cancer patientsThe Art in the Barn Fleece and Fiber Festival, held at the Rodeo Grounds

in Newell, South Dakota was started by Barb Uhrig. Barb lives outside of Newell and has been raising purebred Cheviot Sheep for over 30 years. Her goal to starting the Fiber Festival was to bring together fiber enthusiasts with producers and woolen mills to do something more with their fibers than just taking it to the warehouse and selling them. Its a great way to bring together new old past vendors, seeing fabulous yarns, new fiber knitting and spinning supplies, spinning wheels, books and all of the other items that accommodate every fiber enthusiasts, whether they are just starting out or just looking for the right piece of wool to complete a project. She says that there are many top quality sheep products in the area that need another outlet for their wool to be shown.

Their are many different parts to the festival, included is fleece judging, which is a very educational part of the fiber industry. Along with the judging their is also classes that can be attended by anyone, which include: Made from

Wool Lead Line class where the exhibitor has to dress in wool and lead their ewe who also have an article made of wool, other classes are: Showmanship and the Spinners Flock competition where the animal is judged along with the fleece from the flock. The goat show also has some fun classes such as showmanship and the dress a goat class.

Barb has been leading the Think Pink Basket Drive for the past four years. This is a basket filled with donations of jewelry, books, makeup and beauty aids, mittens, scarves, bags and soaps. This is passion of heres since being four years cancer free and knowing what women go through during breast cancer treatments. The baskets brighten the day of the women who are undergoing chemotherapy treatment. Each year Barb has been able to deliver 20 baskets the week following the festival.

The Art in the Barn Fleece and Fiber Festival is held June 19-20th this year. More information regarding the festival can be found by contacting Barb Uhrig at 605-456-2802 or by mail: PO Box 444, Newell, South Dakota, 57760.


Needle Felting Needs the Right WoolWhen creating pictures or three dimensional

forms, the traditional thing to needle felt with is wool fiber and that’s because the results are consistent and beautiful. Accents can be added with synthetic yarns, etc. while the main body of the work is wool. Needle felted items are very tactile, good to touch or hold in the hand. Wool is available in a wide variety of colors and types, so how to choose the perfect kind?

You can needle felt anything, right? Well, you can certainly try. Those magic needles will penetrate many things, including your fingers! Some things will felt to each other easily, some not so easily. Industrial needle felting is used to create things like carpet underlay and boot liners and quilt batting, to name but a few. These, as you may know, are not

often wool.

Crafters and artists choose the wool which will give the best results for the project they are doing, so here’s a guide to wools and what I have found works best for pictures and 3-D forms. Each breed of sheep has a different kind of wool. It depends where the sheep lives, what it eats, etc. Wool is measured in microns. The finest wool would have the lowest number, 10 microns being very fine merino. This fine fiber is fabulous for spinning and wet felting, but hard work to needle felt. The longer, finer fibers take a long time to felt together with the needle and the work retains a fluffy look.

My preferred wools are Corriedale, mixed bred, Romney and coarse merino. Corriedale wool is soft, yet needle felts well. This fiber will work up fast

and produce a smooth finish to the piece. Mixed bred is just as it sounds, coming from a mixed breed of sheep. The wool is perfect for needle felting, being fairly coarse. Finn wool (from Finland) and Gotland behave similarly. I mentioned merino as being too fine, but merino comes in many microns. The heavier merino, which has been carded and made into batts, has a rougher

appearance and needle felts very well. This is what I use for details like facial features or hat bands on Santa figures. Leicester and alpaca (which is not a sheep, being related to llamas) are also good for needle felting. Alpaca tends to be expensive, but if someone offers you some, give it a try!

Wool referred to as core fiber is generally un-dyed wool in a natural colour like white or grey. It can be coarser and often has bits of grass in it. Use the cheaper kinds of wool as core fiber. Coarser wool will work up more quickly into a shape, which can then be covered with your chosen color of fiber.

When buying fiber, it is available as batts or sliver (or roping/ roving). If you can find batts, they are easier to work with. Sliver and batt will both needle felt, it’s just that sliver has been combed so all the fibers lay in one direction, ready for spinning or wet felting and batts have a more tangled, loftier layout of fibers. I prefer batt, because you can peel it apart in thin layers and build your shapes up gradually. With sliver, one must be careful to keep the layer even and not lumpy.

All the fibers I have discussed will also spin and wet felt beautifully, so if one does not work for your needle felting, try wet felting it! It’s an interesting exercise to try out the different methods of working with different fibers.

I hope this article has given you a guide to use when selecting fiber for needle felting. It’s by no means a comprehensive list of fibers, just those I prefer to work with. Have fun and experiment with this very satisfying craft.

Edwina Sutherland, Figurative artist and teacher, offers her work, classes and fibers at http://www.edwinadolls.com. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Edwina_Sutherland

Knitting origins hard to trace, several theoriesKnitting is something we are all familiar with,

but surprisingly we know little about when and where the art of hand knitting started. This is because yarn fibers are biodegradable. One thing we do know is that the oldest form of knitting (crossed knitting) was practiced since before the birth of Christ. A pair of knitted socks discovered in Egyptian tombs from the 3rd to 6th centuries A.D. is the earliest archaeological evidence of knitted garments. The earliest knitting needle is a brass rod that dates back to the early Iron Age. Spinning wool started around 4000 B.C. near the Mediterranean Sea. The first wool factory in England was build by the Romans in 50 A.D. The kind of knitting that we are used to was not practiced till quite recently, however.

The oldest form of knitting is crossed knitting, also known as single-needle knitting and pseudo knitting. In crossed knitting, the stitches are rotated a half turn instead of aligning vertically. This knitting method was highly developed by the Nazca culture in Peru (100 B.C.-A.D. 700) in the fringes of their woven cloths. Frequent color changes in these fringes were used to create intricate human and animal figures.

The origins of knitting are hard to trace but there are several theories. Some people believe that knitting started in Persia, others that it started in Israel, Jordan and Syria. Still others believe that it started in the mountains of North Africa, or even Japan or China. Some people believe that knitting grew out of the knitting of fish-nets by men.

Some socks and other items made with the crossed-knitting technique have been found in

Egyptian burials possibly dating as far back as the 4th or 5th century B.C. There have been knitted socks found in Egyptian tombs (3rd and 6th centuries A.D., knitted pieces found at the Dura-Europas site near the Euphrates River (about A.D. 200), and sandal socks apparently from Saudi Arabia (about A.D. 350). It is possible however that these earliest socks were worked in nalebinding; which is an ancient craft which often looks very similar to true knitting, and could be confused with true knitting by archaeologists with no training in the history of needlework. A pair of patterned cotton socks from Egypt, dating from A.D.1100 may be the earliest example of “true” knitting or that may be nalebinding too. Socks and stockings were the first items to be knitted because knitting was ideally suited for shaping a garment to fit the foot at a time when fabric and sewing woven cloth were less flexible.

The Complete Encyclopedia of Stitchery by Mildred Graves Ryan says that most historians agree that knitting was probably spread by (probably male) Arabian sailors and merchants who traveled throughout the Mediterranean. Many people believe that knitting was first invented by Arabian nomads who carried the craft into Egypt, probably in the 5th century A.D. Knitting was then carried through North Africa, and into Spain. From Spain, traveling Catholics picked it up and spread it quickly throughout Europe.

It was not until the early 14th century that we have the first references to true knitting in Europe. At that time, the purl stitch was unknown, which meant that in order to produce plain knitting, people had to knit in the round and then cut it

open if they needed to. The first reference to purl stitch was not until the mid 16th century, but the knowledge of how to do it may have preceded that a little.

Although nobody knows exactly where true knitting started, it would seem that knitting was probably spread by Arabian sailors and merchants who traveled throughout the Mediterranean. Then, evidently, traveling Catholics quickly spread it throughout Europe. True knitting, as we know it, is a relatively recent craft. Crafts similar to true knitting, such as cross-knitting and nalebinding, however, have a very long history, dating back to before the birth of Christ. They evidently were practiced in a lot of different countries and cultures too, from Japan to Egypt to Peru. Knitting clearly filled a need in people’s making of garments which is still continuing and growing.

Tracy Crowe is interested in the history and development of needlecrafts. For information about knitting, visit www.yourknittinginfo.com -Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tracy_Crowe


Watertown & Dell Rapids, South Dakota

Finger-less gloves are for more than just textingOften when I’m wearing fingerless gloves or knitted

wrist-warmers, the first response I receive is “Oh, texting gloves.”I’ve texted twice, both times when family in

another state had just emerged from surgery. I e-mail—and Alexander Graham Bell’s invention continues to work well. Most of the time, more can be achieved or resolved in a short phone conversation than in numerous e-mails. Beyond that, I like hearing peoples’ voices and sensing their essences.I don’t begrudge someone’s fascination with today’s

communication methods. They amaze me, too. I rejoice in medical advances and in how social media sites lead people to help each other. However, I am still happiest when the motion

of my fingers is about more than a programmed reaction. If we are blessed with the use of hands and minds, we have precious resources. After all, the brain is the original computer.Thus, I gravitate to double-pointed needles that

look like long toothpicks and work with skinny yarn to make tiny stitches. I use them to make the hand-knit warmth that has covered peoples’ wrists for centuries. The men and women, who long ago

worked close to windows for light, needed fingerless gloves when the only warmth was a fireplace or sunlight. These gloves were on battlefields to better load a musket or a cannon because, somehow, there has never been a war to end all wars. If a newspaper was to be printed, the type was once set a letter at a time. Clothing was once sewn entirely by hand since the sewing machine was yet to be invented. The cooper, who made buckets and barrels, needed steady hands—as did the wheelwright, the blacksmith and the miller. As did the spinner, the weaver and any person holding someone vulnerable and treasured. The world was as awash in uncertainty and tenderness as it is now.At the beginning of the 1800s, the power of steam

began to affect how publications were printed, how quickly fabric was woven and how far, fast and by what means people could travel. The turn of time for us today has solidified what we call the information and digital age. Then, too, the people experienced a metamorphosis in how much information they received and ultimately how they used their digits.I knit stitch upon stitch because the first time

I picked up double-pointed needles, I felt a connection to those who had lived before me. For

we are very much the same. We still grow dormant and cold in winter. We

harken to spring’s rebirth and its ensuing warmth. We hope through summer’s emerging crops and flowers and we treasure a successful harvest in autumn. And then we start all over again, just like someone two hundred years or more years ago did.We simply have different details that surround the

passing of seasons. Details that have absolutely nothing to do with the interior hopes, joys, sorrows and affirmations of the unchanging human heart.It is all too easy to be distracted from that which

means everything by that which means nothing.Our lives are still lived one heartbeat, one breath,

one blink of an eye at a time. Whether we pass that time through creating stitches or with the tap of a smart phone button, each moment builds yet upon another.In the 21st century view, I knit “texting” gloves.

But I’m also simply doing what people have done as long as winter has come. And for as long as they have hoped for a new spring.

Kerri Habben is a writer, photographer and historian living in Raleigh, NC. An avid crocheter and knitter, she learned these skills from her grandmother and mother. She donates many of her yarn creations to those in need. Kerri has gathered a decade of essays she is working to publish. She can be reached at [email protected]

Weaving can make a wonderful hobbyWeaving is basically the method of manufacturing rugs, blankets and other

pieces of clothes using the looms. The general technique of weaving is to cross two set of weaving materials like threads. There are various materials that the weavers use to make clothes like wool, cotton, silk, synthetic fibres etc. in fact the art of weaving is in practice from historical times. The ancient people used to weave different useful items using the natural ingredients like thin wood strips, long grasses, straw, palm leaves etc. In fact there are many faces of weaving technique apart from textile weaving like basket weaving, hat weaving and many more. This is the reason why it has emerged as one of the busiest industry of the world. The essential tool for a weaver is a weaving loom.Cloth Weaving

Cloth weaving is probably the most important part of the weaving industry. Moreover it has been proved that fabric weaving is the oldest art of the world which was probably invented in the pre-historic ages. There are two types of weaving that are followed in the cloth weaving industry. One is the waft technique and the other is wrap. There are various methods of weaving like knit, chok, Mud mee, Mook Woven etc. Knit and Chok both are two different types of wafting methods. Chok weaving is more time consuming than knitting. The Mud mee art is a mixture of wrap and weft. Mook Woven is no more a widely used way of weaving. As a matter of fact machine weaving is gaining much popularity compared to hand weaving.

Basket WeavingThis is also known as basketry which involves weaving baskets from different

flexible materials like wood strips and other fibers. In fact animal hair and threads are also used to weave baskets. There are quite a number of people who are their living as a basket maker. They often use vibrant dyes to color the twines used to make the basket and then weave them in atypical patterns in order to give the baskets a different look. Baskets are woven in different shapes and sizes. They are widely adored all over the world for their multiple usages.Weaving Looms

Looms are the indispensable part of the weaving industry. There are different types of weaving looms available in the market from which the weaver chooses according to his preferences. The traditional looms are the counterbalance looms which work quickly and smoothly. Jack looms are more popular in the US as they are less costly and small in size. The countermarch looms are the ones that are made according to the European and Scandinavian pattern.

Portable table looms and draw looms are quite popular in the weaving industry.

April is the co-owner of Word Wolf which has loads of articles on a variety of topics such as Paphos in Cyprus wordwolf.com/travel/destinations/paphos-in-cyprus-a-travel-guide.html and making your scrapbook embellishments www.wordwolf.com/arts-crafts/scrapbooking/make-your-own-scrapbooking-embellishments.html.


Find your fiber passion: Black Hills Fiber Arts FairPassionate or curious about knitting, spinning,

weaving, felting or do you just love natural fibers? Come to the Black Hills Fiber Arts Fair! The 2015 Fiber Fair begins Thursday, April 23rd and runs through Saturday April 25th at The Dahl Arts Center in beautiful, historic Rapid City, South Dakota. Admission is free. We are celebrating our fiber tradition and the passions, talents and labors of our local sheep, llama, buffalo, yak and alpaca producers, artisans, entrepreneurs, and the SD State University Extension . We welcome enthusiasts to

our community from near and far!

The 2015 Fiber Fair begins Thursday with a wine social and the public opening of “RAW:refined”, a juried fiber art exhibit in The Dahl’s Lobby Gallery, from 5:00 – 8:00.

There are twenty-five classes for beginners to advanced in knitting, spinning, weaving, dyeing and felting over the three-day event. CLASSES are held Thursday from 3:30 – 7:00, Friday 10:30 – 8:00 and Saturday 9:30 – 6:00. The schedule can be

viewed on our website. Pre-registration beginning February 1st and is highly recommended: www.blackhillsfiberartsfair.org.

Forty-five quality, local and regional VENDORS have something for every fiber enthusiast. There are wools, alpaca, llama, bison, silk and other

fibers to be spun; commercial and hand-spun yarn; fleeces; scarves, hats, bags, jewelry, clothing and decorative items. Need a spinning wheel, a loom, drop spindle, dyes, needles or a beautifully hand-crafted tool? The vendors have what you want, welcome your questions and are generous with their knowledge. Vendor booths are open Friday from 10:00 – 8:00 and Saturday from 9:00 – 6:00. You can also view the list of vendors on our website: www.blackhillsfiberartsfair.org.

Bring your spinning wheel or a drop spindle and create a spinning circle or bring your knitting or crochet project and just hang out. A light breakfast and a home-cooked lunch/dinner is available in the Lobby. The Adoba Eco Hotel is two blocks away and offers great room rates with breakfast and parking; see our website for the reservation code.

The Black Hills Fiber Arts Fair is a wonderful opportunity to meet others who love fiber, be inspired, learn, and get away for a day, a weekend or longer to the beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota.

Rapid City, South Dakota

Black Hills Quilt Show Seeks Entries

Quilts and quilted items are being sought for entry in the 41st annual Black Hills Quilt Show & Sale June 5, 6, and 7 at the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center in Rapid City. The deadline for turning in registration forms is Tuesday, May 5, 2015.

The show, one of the largest in South Dakota featuring over 400 quilts, accepts entries from all quilters. Quilted work can be entered in both the judged or non-judged categories that cover all sizes and techniques of hand and machine stitching. Art quilts, pillows, garments and other items stitched with three layers are eligible.

A national certified judge will award prizes for judged quilts. Viewer voting during the show will determine the ribbon winners in the other divisions. The fee for a judged entry is $10 for BHQG members and $15 for non-members. Other entries are at no charge.

Check-in of the quilts will be Wednesday, June 3, at the Civic Center from 10 am until 2 pm. Quilt pick-up is Sunday, June 7 from 4:30 pm until 5:30 pm.

Registration forms are available at area quilt and sewing shops and on the guild’s web site. For more information, please visit the web site, www.bhquilters.org, or contact exhibit coordinator Carol Doyle at (605) 342-4126.

Susan Cleveland EventSusan K. Cleveland, quilt designer, author, teacher and inventor is coming

to Rapid City April 30 – May 2, 2015. Her quilts have won awards at many International Quilt Festivals in Houston and AQS shows in Paducah. She has appeared on Simply Quilts, The QuiltShow.com and other quilting shows to share her techniques. Her work has appeared in Quilter’s Newsletter, the International Quilt Journal, American Quilter and several other major quilting magazines. She loves sharing tips for increasing accuracy and adding details to quilts.

Susan will be teaching three full day workshop, an evening lecture and an evening trunk show. The event is sponsored by the Black Hills Quilters Guild, and will be held at the Adoba Hotel in downtown Rapid City. For information on class options and registration, please visit the guild website, www.bhquilters.org. or contact Melissa at 605-348-2569.


Win a $25 Gift Certificate!The Country Register of the Northern Rockies & Great Plains is giving

away a $25 Gift Certificate to be used at YOUR FAVORITE SHOP!

Just fill out this form and send it to:

March - April 2015 EntryOR visit www.chickencreek.net, click on The Country Register to sign up online

Name ________________________________________________________

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Entries received by April 7, 2015, with all questions answered will qualify for the drawing. One gift certificate is given away each issue.

The Country Register132 W. Hudson StreetSpearfish, SD 57783

Advertiser Directory by CommunitySidney, Montana ........................................................................... 4Ennis & Townsend, Montana ........................................................... 5Missoula, Montana ........................................................................ 6Devil’s Lake, North Dakota .............................................................. 7Sheridan, Wyoming ....................................................................... 8Chamberlain, Edgemont, Faulkton & Pierre, South Dakota .................10Dell Rapids & Watertown, South Dakota .........................................12Custer, South Dakota ....................................................................14Black Hills, South Dakota ......................................................................15Belle Fourche, Hill City, Rapid City, Spearfish, South Dakota .............. 16

Advertiser Directory by Name Always Your Design, Dell Rapids, SD ...............................................12Badlands Quilting Association ......................................................... 2Betty’s Quiltery, Rapid City, SD ......................................................16Black Hills Fiber Arts Festival, Rapid City, SD ...................................13Black Hills Visitor Center, Rapid City, SD .........................................14Black Hills Woolies, Custer, SD .......................................................14Creative Closet, Townsend, MT ........................................................ 5Dakota Quilt Company, Spearfish, SD ..............................................16Flip-Side Fabrics, Sidney, MT ........................................................... 4Hill City Mercantile, Hill City, SD ....................................................16Knothole, Spearfish, SD .................................................................16North County Fiber Fair .................................................................12Nuts & Bolts Fabric Shop, Edgemont, SD ..........................................10Quilt Connection, Spearfish, SD .....................................................16Quilters Corner, Faulkton, SD .........................................................10Quilt Essential, Devils Lake, ND ....................................................... 7South Dakota Quilter’s Guild, SD ....................................................10The Fiber House, Sheridan, WY ........................................................ 8The Quilter’s Fix ............................................................................ 8The Quilter’s Nook, Custer, SD ........................................................14Tri-State Bakery, Belle Fourche, SD .................................................16Vicki’s Quilts Down Under, Missoula, MT ........................................... 6Wall Drug, Wall, SD .......................................................................11

$25 Gift Certificate WinnerJean Jones, Sundance, WY won a $25 gift

certificate to her favorite shop – Dakota Quilt, Spearfish, SD To enter the next drawing, fill out the form on page 14 or visit www.chickencreek.net.

PRIZEWINNER!

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Custer, South Dakota

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