Fiber art features variety in offerings

Thanks to everyone who worked so hard on Sycamore Arts' first fiber show, now on display at BancorpSouth in Senatobia. If you haven't visited the exhibition, here is a sneak peek.  The show will run through Sept. 27.

Nancy Patterson (left) and Teresa Pino of Hernando took first place in the
Quilt category and won Best of Show for "Feathers".  Patterson
pieced the quilt, while Pino used hand-guided machine quilting to complete it.

Genell Clayton of Sardis captured second place in the Quilt  Category with her
Burgoyne Surround. The piece was quilted by Chantay Rhone of Senataobia. 

"Just Peachie" was done by Phyllis Tayor and received third place in the Quilt Category.

Jane Thomas of Harmontown took first place in the Wall Quilt category
with her "New York Beauty Sunrise".  The quilt was part of a
Loose Threads Quilters group project.  Thomas pieced and hand-quilted the hanging. 

Cheryl Owen's "To Dye For" wall hanging  captured second place in the same
category.  Owen hand-dyed fabrics to create this modern
quilt which was quilted by Teresa Pino.

Elizabeth Lewis of Coldwater won first in the Wovcn category
for her "Symphony of Hues" woven wrap. Lewis used exotic fibers
including bamboo to make the beautiful piece.

Second in the Woven category went to Deborah Womack for her entry "Fall Chutney," a felted hat.
Sharon Williams entered "Fall Forward" a wool/mohair wrap.

Kathryn Gabbert's silk-blend scarf "Blue Heaven" was a third place winner
in the same category.

Also on display were (l to r) "Midnight Garden," a bed quilt by Marcia Sanders;
and "Woodland Memory," a Wall Quilt by Carieann Howell of Senatobia, with quilting by Chantay Rhone. 

Cantrell's second novel brings characters to life

Header from Julie's blog at http://juliecantrell.wordpress.com

You may remember in July 2012, I introduced you to Julie Cantrell of Oxford who was making waves with her debut novel, Into the Free.  Since that time, Julie has gone on to win numerous awards and honors. Her sequel to Millie's story was released recently in her second novel, When Mountains Move.

If you haven't read the first book, do it now!  Then take a journey to Colorado to find out what happens to Millie in When Mountains Move.

Here's the trailer for the book:

I couldn't wait until my quiet time everyday so I could read more to see how Millie and her new husband were doing on their ranch in Colorado.  When I finished the book, I actually missed the characters, like they were friends I had lost touch with. I haven't had a feeling like that about book characters before. Must mean they were good ones.

Thanks Julie for this wonderful story.

Downtown springs to life with improvements

I'm so excited about the good things happening in downtown Senatobia—new landscaped bumpouts, street improvements and there is much more to come.  If you want to keep up with the progress, check out the Main Street Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/SenatobiaMainStreet.

Don't get me on my soapbox about the virtues of small town living in the South.  We have historical treasures right before our eyes.  Look at this vintage photo which shows road work being done by a mule-drawn road grader. It was provided by the Williams family, not sure which one, and archived by Glenda Neal at the Tate County Economic Development Foundation office. I love my small town!  Can I get an amen?!

Hummingbird Celebration a success despite heat

While most of my friends were in Oxford yelling "Hotty Toddy" at the top of their lungs, my friend Terry and I rode over to Holly Springs Saturday for the 2013 Hummingbird Migration Celebration. Located at the Strawberry Plains Audubon Center, the celebration featured information on the beautiful hummingbirds as well as other wildlife including black bears, local snakes, bats, plants and more.

The heat made catching the little birds difficult. They were sluggish, and so was I. 

A tiny band is placed on the hummingbird.

After parking in a dusty field we were shuttled by a volunteer, a member of the state legislature, no less, to the garden and grounds of the center.  Besides the demonstrations and lectures going on in tents, visitors shopped for beautiful art—painted gourds, jewelry, pottery, hand-made walking sticks.

There were wagon rides and activities for children.  

We were also allowed to go into the Davis House (Strawberry Plains), built in 1851 by Ebenezer Davis. The home was raided repeatedly during the Civil War and ultimately partially burned. Sisters Margaret Finley Shackleford and Ruth Finley restored it in 1960 and bequeathed it and the land to the National Audubon Society.  It was their hope that Strawberry Plains be a wildlife sanctuary in the truest sense of the word.  It is featured in the Holly Springs pilgrimage.

The back of the Davis home has a viewing area where guests can stand and see the hummingbirds feeding on the many colorful feeders and plants, placed strategically to attract them back year after year. 

This is the kind of small-town festival that draws visitors from across the South. Every town should have one—something unique to the town's history and culture. I love small-town Mississippi.

Strawberry Plains

Well since I am a a heat wimp, I didn't last long, but I'm glad I went.  "If we go again next year, let's go early," I said to Terry on the way home with the air conditioner turned to its lowest setting.  She agreed.