Your quest for supplies and a Rhode Island resource for ribbon and quilting fabric - Ryco Inc.

I buy most of my supplies online from wholesalers. If you buy in large quantities (for business) I'd recommend getting a federal tax id so that you can buy wholesale and save on sales tax. However, I also buy from local suppliers occasionally.

I'm sure this is true everywhere, but here in Rhode Island there are a few places that may fly under the radar for most residents. One of them here may by Ryco Inc. This trim and fabric outlet, located in an old mill (you know I have a thing for mills), is located along the Blackstone River in Lincoln. Nestled behind trees just off the main road, you can miss it easily. The drive (and setting) alone is worth the adventure.

Here you'll find:

*  Larger and a more unique supply of trim and ribbon than the average fabric store

*  Service that is more personal and friendly

*  Bulk discounts if buying full rolls

*  Great classes and instruction

Even if you don't sew or typically seek supplies like this, I encourage you to visit. It is amazing how you'll be inspired by something you see. You will find things you never thought you could use or need.

BTW, another local haunt of mine is Lorraine Fabrics, in Pawtucket, where you can find lots of upholstery.  I spend a lot of time on the second floor where fabric is $1.99/ yard.  Okay, now the secret is out!!

I have spent years online and on the phone to find the best prices for my supplies. I travel to NYC to scour the garment district.  Along the way I've found that sometimes thinking out of the box will  land the best suppliers. This explains my love for hardware stores.  I've made countless awkward phone calls talking to people who thought I was nuts, "what is this girl doing with seat belts and why would she call us?" I even bought webbing that was primarily used for lifting caskets (no worries, I could never bring myself to use it). I currently buy my seat belts from a local source (I'm sorry I can't share publically due to being burned one too many times by ruthless competition) whom I researched and called and convinced to sell me their overruns. It's industrial and industrious, but I get the best deal around (and there's something about talking directly to the guys in the warehouses).

So, how do you seek your suppliers?

What do you do to find your deals?

Do you have favorite local resources?

Rug rage

Rug rage, originally uploaded by alamodestuff

This is what I've seen all over the neighborhood. People are ripping rugs and padding from their basements and putting them street side. What a crazy few days it's been here. They are saying RI hasn't seen floods like this in 200 years. Let's hope it's another 200 before we see this again.  Here is an aerial view of one of the main malls in the state.

We are supposed to have beautiful weather this weekend. It's much needed for both clean-up and moral.

If you have a moment, swing by my friend Kristin Crane's blog. She featured another artist friend whose studio is under water. Some of you may know Suzanne Tanner. I'm sure she could use some encouraging words.

Great local resource for Safer Sitting Course

M, my 12 yr old, was quite upset when he found out that our local babysitting course (taught by the Red Cross and only offered in the summer, I believe) was full. He is going into 7th grade and is prime for sitting. However, we told him he had to take a safety course first. After suggesting he look online for alternatives, he found a course at our local hospital...where his dad works.

Yesterday, he completed this intensive 7 hour course. When I picked him up, he couldn't stop talking about what he had learned: the Heimlich, who to call for what type of incident/emergency, age appropriate activities, stranger danger, etc. I was very impressed and he was so enthusiastic. He even came away with a color coded folder with all the information and a certificate that he completed this Safe Sitting Course.

This class was so reasonably priced at $40.00. It was offered to kids 12 to 14 years of age. Many attendees were the kids of hospital employees, which says a lot to me. Here's a direct link to the Events and Classes page at Hasbro Children's Hospital, RI.

So, check out your local hospital for classes. You'll be pleasantly surprised at what they offer. You can also visit the Safe Sitter website

To my Rhode Island friends, M is ready and eager to start watching your kids.

Quintessential Rhode Island Summer

Stuffies and Dell's Lemonade - can't get more RI than that!

Quahogs...do you know what they are? As a Midwesterner, I didn't until I moved to Rhode Island. Quahogs are a shellfish much like clams and oysters. It isn't a town as depicted on the Family Guy. Quahogs are used in chowders, soups and the infamous "stuffie" (stuffed quahogs).

Yesterday, after dropping off M for guitar lessons, I had an hour to kill and decided to walk through the 24th Annual Quahog Festival in Warren, RI. I live in the adjoining town and have seen and heard about this festival for years, but have never gone. What a lovely surprise. I called the rest of the family to join me. Since C was on chief call [see "personal note" in previous post here] and couldn't stray too far from home, this was the perfect solution for family fun.

The festival featured seafood, and lots of it! Lobster, clam cakes, stuffies, shrimp, oysters, etc. There was great music in the band shell, plastic tables in the tents, arts & crafts vendors, and even pony rides. Set along the Narragansett Bay, this little festival was a picturesque RI event.








I love shellfish although I have had a love/hate relationship with lobsters.
Years ago, I watched a lobster go into a pot and became a vegetarian for quite some time after that. But, there is no denying that lobster and shellfish are ubiquitous on the East Coast.












Another local favorite - clam cakes. Yum! E thought that if he touched each morsel, he could stake claim to the whole batch. We are on to him, and his sticky little fingers bother us no more (although he has been known to lick his finger first which grosses us out).

I met local artist, Ed Randeau, a metal sculptor. He brings new life to found scraps of steel. He introduced me to The Steel Yard, in Providence, where he creates his wonderful art and co-mingles with other artists and students with similar artistic interest. The Steel Yard has various classes and events as well as artist studios. I can't wait to check it out.

This earring display by Jorge de Freitas, caught my eye. He took a metal trash can and placed it on top of a lamp base. It is a perfect solution for this type of display. It spins around and is quite funky in its 'lamp' like shape.


Our perfect day didn't end here. Later in the afternoon, we grabbed out folding chairs and hiked to our local beach. We sat and listened to the sounds of waves crashing while the kids swam. We took a long walk and simply enjoyed the beauty of the Narragansett Bay and our time together as a family. It is a shame that we live so close (less than a mile) and are often too busy to take an hour or two to appreciate this beautiful gift.

I would love to hear what you did this weekend. Hopefully, you were able to do something fun and relaxing!