Last Ditch Effort with Planet Alpha Male

Sadie here, blogging from the Beyond. It's pretty nice here, plenty to eat, sunshine, other cats to play with, mice, toys, soft places to sleep. I said I would continue to blog even after my passing, because Helen is too busy. At least here, my kidneys are just fine, thanks. 

So, Helen made a lot of stuff for her pal Michael to sell at his Planet Alpha Male booth at the 4th Annual Last Ditch Effort fair, the brainchild of Helen and Michael's friend Angela . The Last Ditch has all sorts of great local handmade stuff: art, accessories, jewelry, food, reiki, massage, home decor, soaps, you name it. And it is just a few days before Christmas, for all us procrastinators. So you see, this is OUR fair.

Helen only had the chance to take a few pictures of the seasonal kanzashi lapel pins that she made special for the Last Ditch Effort. Some of them are quite unique, so I thought I would show them to you. First, Helen's only kanzashi poinsettia, shantung silk with some new mineral beads whose name Helen can't remember.....

Next, a modernistic wreath made from a wonderful iridescent silk that J9 gave to 

Helen......

And finally, a little woolen bow tie....

Kanzashi bow tie? It's easy! First, look at one of my older blog posts from when Helen had to make up her own asagao or morning glory petal, because she couldn't figure out either of the traditional ones. Read it here. I'll post a complete tutorial  with pictures and everything next time! Meanwhile, for those of you who are coming, The Last Ditch Effort is Saturday, December 20th in the Milwaukee County Housing Authority building, 650 W. Reservoir Avenue in Milwaukee! Join us 11 AM to 6 PM.