Life in Costa Rica: My craft lady day was a great success!

My week was a little different than planned. Katherine let me know that both girls had colds so we decided to wait to get together. That was Tuesday. I expected the sewing ladies in the afternoon but they didn't come. I called Janet to let her know and she said tomorrow. They did come and I decided to try something new. Rag quilt potholders. One lady seemed to get the concept and took off sewing but the other one had lots of problems. This was very simple sewing in the shape of an X. I have to remember I have sewn since I was a teenager and this is all very new to them. We agreed to Tuesday next week.

I made Papaya Raisin Bread and Coconut Macaroons for the coffee times and Thursday morning I went shopping to make sure I had everything I needed. I helped Ana set up the tables in the Party Room and used sheets to cover the tables. I had a cutting station, sewing station, food station and a long table with all the things for sale and chairs for them to sit. I had no idea how many ladies would come but there were plenty of extra chairs just in case.

Just a little after 2:00 they started arriving and we were 12 altogether. I had also invited Johanna and she brought her daughter. It turned out Aura had been Johanna's Spanish teacher. Myra brought along her daughter, Katya, who lives in the US and it made it so much easier to have someone translating. I knew I could do the sewing lesson between pantomime and words because these ladies know how to sew. I planned to be at one machine and have one of them at another. I didn't end up sewing at all. I talked, Katya translated and Rosa, Emilio's mother sewed. She ended us sewing pretty much all afternoon long and Aura joined her at the second machine part of the time. Ileana took over for me doing the marking. Each of the ladies bought the supplies from me for one potholder and Claudia picked out fabric for 10 and asked me to make them for her as Mother's Day gifts. One day when Emilio is free I will get him to take me to her house for coffee and deliver them.

All the ladies brought wonderful breads and cake and cookies and I had Hazelnut coffee, hot and cold tea, And Coke. I made the hot artichoke dip, a double batch and everyone loved it. They have asked me to come back again and have a cooking lesson. Johanna was a tremendous help and when she looked over the table she said no chocolate. I went in and got the chocolate cookies and the rest of the crockpot candy that I had in the freezer. She and her daughter divided what was left into plastic bags for each lady and today I have hot and cold tea and some Coke. Everyone seemed to have a really good day and enjoyed themselves.

I have also been working on stringing beads for the dreamcatcher and making bows for Ziomara. I am definitely keeping busy in Costa Rica!