Happy New Year

We want to thank all our family, friends, customers, vendors and fans for making this a great first Madder Root year. We couldn't have done it without you!

We wish you peace, joy, success and happiness in the New Year.

Regards, Janyce and Christina

Holiday Shipping ---Eeeep!

I just looked at the calendar and realized there are only 6 weeks until Christmas. Wow. How'd it get to be "that time of year" so quickly? Personally, I don't start Christmas shopping until I hear Santa's reindeer's bells in the far distance, but I also know those who shop online need to build in a little time to make sure packages get to their desired destinations in plenty of time for the holidays. With that in mind, I've posted holiday shipping deadlines for the more common shipping services for USPS:

Domestic (US) Mail

First Class Mail - Dec 20
Priority Mail - Dec 21

Military Mail

First-Class Letters, Cards and Priority Mail

APO/FPO AE Zips 090-092 - Dec 10
APO/FPO AE Zip 093 - Dec 4
APO/FPO AE Zips 094-098 - Dec 10
APO/FPO AA Zip 340 - Dec 10
APO/FPO AP Zips 962-966 - Dec 10

International Mail

First Class Mail

Africa - Dec 3
Asia/Pacific Rim - Dec 10
Australia/New Zealand - Dec 10
Canada - Dec 10
Caribbean - Dec 10
Central & South America - Dec 3
Mexico - Dec 10
Europe - Dec 10
Middle East - Dec 10

Priority Mail

Africa - Dec 3
Asia/Pacific Rim - Dec 10
Australia/New Zealand - Dec 10
Canada - Dec 13
Caribbean - Dec 13
Central & South America - Dec 3
Mexico - Dec 10
Europe - Dec 10
Middle East - Dec 10

For a full listing of services and cut off dates, please check out the USPS site at 2010 Holiday Shipping Cut Off Dates.

Hope this helps with your holiday planning!

Regards, Janyce

Madder Root Facebook Friends

Did you know we're giving our facebook friends 10% off every retail order placed through our Etsy shop between now and November 30, 2010? Become a fan and learn how!

"Two Houses" Installations by Kris Sader

If you missed Kris Sader's talk on her site specific artwork at Field's Pond Audubon Center, no worries. She is currently working on new pieces for inside and outside the building called "Two Houses." An ever-changing, accessible and dynamic form of art that will delight young and old alike.

Road Trip: Kennebec River Artisans

We (Christina, Maddie and I) took a road trip yesterday to visit Kennebec River Artisans, in Hallowell, ME. They are the newest Maine shop to carry our tea towels. Welcome! Here are some images from our trip.

Christina and Madder



On the highway (that's me in the mirror)



Belgrade Lake Region



Maine State Capitol Building, Augusta, Maine



Hallowell, Maine



Kennebec River Artisans



Lots of reflections in the window, but I think you can make out some of the wonderful items you'll find in the shop.



If you are in the Augusta/Hallowell area, please do stop by the shop and say hello for us!

Cheers!--Janyce

Happy Halloween

Making a Hat

I lost my favorite hat on a trip to PA last year. So, as the air turns chilly and cold in Maine, I decided to knit a hat.

I bought this Pagosa hat pattern from a very friendly seller Holly from Silly Little Lady. She emailed me the pattern quickly and was available to answer my questions. Even as a beginning knitter, I found the instructions well laid out and easy to follow.



Then I found this beautiful yarn from Jennifer at Just For Ewe. I felt well cared for by this Etsy seller and love the feel of Miss Dottie's wool. I'm reminded at how "alive" natural fibers really are--definitely a delight to work with and wear.



After a little fumbling around as I got used to using double point needles and circular needles, I was on my way. The pattern has the option of adding a visor. I decided I like this one the way it is. Here are some views:







I pretty much wear this hat all the time now! It's my new favorite!

Cheers!--Janyce

Honeymoon

Andy and I had to get right back to work after the wedding and we just got away for our honeymoon over Columbus day weekend. We hiked a 40 mile loop in the mountains. The weather was a little chilly but all of us (including madder the dog) had a great time.
No that's not a stream that is the trail (it was a little wet)
Okay maybe a lot wet
Andy and Maddie enjoying the view

Maddie taking a break

We still have to make it up and over the tall mountain in the distance that day

Waterfall coming down Old Speck
Icicles behind us as we head down Old Speck

Fiber Maine-ia

Looking for something to do this weekend?
Why not check out the Fiber Maine-ia Festival in Orono
http://extension.umaine.edu/fibermaine-ia/conference.htm

Bread

Jan and I have been developing some new organic baking accessories (still in the beginning stages) but I've been baking bread to test things out. (I know it's a tough job) We ate this loaf with some arugula, fresh tomatoes, organic olive oil with herbs, and Camembert cheese. I just love getting cheese from the Orono Farmer's Market. I'm a little addicted really.

Paint Penobscot Count Purple

During the month of October, Spruce Run is holding a "Paint Penobscot County Purple" campaign to help build awareness for those in our community who are affected by domestic violence. We are donating $5 for each purple scarf we sell through our online shop at http://www.madderroot.etsy.com. There are many ways to participate: wear purple ribbons, purchase purple light bulbs to put in your homes or work places, dress in purple, or think of your own purplicious way to show support and build awareness. For more information and ideas, please do check out this link: Paint Penobscot County Purple.

Common Ground

Unlike Jan I didn't bring my camera so there is no shot of me with a garlic head (still jealous that I missed that one) but I went to the common ground fair as well last weekend. What I did come away with is the start of a new collection of prints. As some of you may know my other job besides madder root is at the University of Maine where I am the Printmaking Tech. It seems my life revolves around printmaking so it seems only natural that I would be drawn to a wood engraver at the fair. His name is Tony Kulik. He does some amazing work and the two prints I have just make me want more. I'm thinking his veggie series would look great in a kitchen.

The Ink

The last commercial print shop I worked for used oil based inks and solvents to clean up with and I have to say I didn't mind the smell. In fact I couldn't smell that much at all. I was around so many chemicals all day with dozens of screen printers that even with ventilation the dull headache and lack of smell just became routine. Yes if I went out after work people would comment on fumes that seemed to have permeated into my clothes and skin but that was just the way it was. Well that is not how I envisioned madder root.

When Janyce and I were first fleshing out our business we knew we wanted it to have as little environmental impact as possible and we also wanted it to be fun. Dull headaches are not fun. We wanted bright long lasting colors without having to use solvents. After doing some research we decided to go with Permaset Aqua Inks, which are water-based and completely solvent free. (Some inks that look water based are instead water-soluble and still are petroleum based). They provide both an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional inks and the vibrant colors we want to see on our organic linen tea towels and napkins.

In choosing colors for our designs, we have the option of using the Permaset Inks right out of the jar or of mixing our own, custom colors.
Some people hear “water-based” and think the colors might wash right off. Nope! After each tea towel or napkin is hand-printed, we heat set them. The inks sink into the fibers and provide long-lasting images.
Organic linen and the ink colors do soften with use. We recommend washing your tea towels or napkins in cold water and hanging them on the line to dry, but have tested them out in warmer temperatures and the dryer by throwing them in with our regular laundry.

We think you'll be thrilled with how these water-based, solvent free inks look and feel on your madder root tea towels or napkins.



To learn about our organic linen, please check out this blog post: The Linen

Old Town Riverfest

"Your Momma Don't Dance and Your Daddy Don't Rock and Roll..."



Shriners



Cool Green Car



Class of 2011



Class of 2013



Very Hungry Caterpillar



Old Town Fire Rescue



University of Maine Marching Band





Vendors Galore



The Penobscot River

Common Ground Fair

Here are just a few images from MOFGA's Common Ground Fair being held September 24-26, 2010.

Garlic Jan



Border Collie Demonstration



Vegetables on Parade



Chicken



Squash and Pumpkins



Quench Metal Works



Garden



Horse Demonstration



One Woman Studio



Oxen



Composting Toilets



Sunflowers



Llama Sculpture