A good life lived.

I wasn't sure how or if to write this post. But this is a blog of my life as well as my craft, so it must be noted here to reflect back on and to be a huge part of where life goes from here.

On Saturday, June 8, 2013, my dad suddenly passed away.

My stomach is ill typing that. My legs are jittery. It comes and goes in waves. I'm sitting in his chair.

We are in a waiting time at present. And a time of so many family members around with so much love. And laughter. Yes, gut busting laughter. That's how my parent's families are.

 Love and laughter. 

No matter where or when. Any gathering of family will do.

I think I'll carry that outside of myself a little more in future. 

Pass on the laughter and the love.

I'll just let the words of my cousin tell you a bit about him.

  "Art had many great loves in life – first and foremost he was a true family man.  He loved spending time with his family and grandchildren who gave him a lot of joy in his life. He was never short of a warm hug and he loved a good get together. Many happy days were spent at his cabin in MacDougalls with family and friends. Art loved a good heart-to-heart chat, even if it went into the wee hours of the night. He also loved music – a talented drummer in the Newfoundland-famous Ducats for many years, Art kept the beat for everyone on many occasions, whether he was playing the drums, the “ugly” stick or the spoons. He passed that love of music on to his children and grandchildren. He also taught many a budding musician to play the spoons.  Art spent many years as a successful business man and is probably best known for his years at the beloved Donut Shop in Port-Aux-Basques, where he and Judy spent many happy years. Art liked to be a part of his community – he spent many years in the Lions Club, on the town Council and in the Historical Society. Art was a great leader and a kind, generous spirit. He always made time for his friends. He made everyone he knew feel loved and important. 
He was often heard to say “my heart is full.” 
And so are all of ours, because he holds a special place in every one of us. "

We'll be Celebrating his Life today.

And in so many little things as the time goes on. 

Much love to you dad. You were a rock!

Stella the Owl

I bought a new pattern from Abby at While She Naps.

I've bought quite a few patterns from Abby over the past year and I have to say, 

again, they are fabulous! Here are a couple:

Owl Lovey

Beastie Bag

This time, I bought Stella the Owl. It's going to be my go to baby gift. I didn't really have a designated one before, this is it.

A friend was overdue so I sewed one up in non-gendered colours. 

 The day after I finished, she had her baby girl! So I sewed this one up for her instead.

 I love the little bitty owl nesting in mama's wings. I love that the wings are not stuffed. I love that the inside of the wings are the same as the main fabric.

  I've said it all before, but it bears repeating! Abby's pattern writing is very clear and the pictures are a great aid in sewing it all up. I bought her new book Stuffed Animals. I look forward to spending some time learning as I go with her detailed patterns. Each pattern teaches a new design element. When I get to the end of that book, I'll know I can conquer anything in the sewing world of softies!

To go along with the baby gift, I'll be sending these itty bitty baby socks! Aren't they adorable?

They're from Stephanie at The Knitty Gritty Homestead. She had a giveaway some time ago and I won. Her mom made these teeny thangs. About size 0-3 months. I love them so much, I think I need to knit some for my own stash. See, inspiration is everywhere. And so is leftover sock yarn!

Ciao,

Amanda

Summer has arrived

Yellow and purple finches have been feeding together lately. What's behind it? Anyone know?

 Last week, I planted potatoes. Some in eel grass in the bed in the front and some in the ground in rows behind the bed. A little experiment I will show at the end.

I got DH to make a little hut for his beans. He planted beans on the inside and outside. I can't wait until they grow up the line and make a little hideaway for the kids. I'm sure Rafael will be in heaven to just sit in there and eat the beans off the hut.

 We escaped the heat of the town (35+) at Louis Head's beach. What a lovely place and a treat to visit. I didn't test the water, but the kids didn't mind being in it.

I did make something this week! Another market bag for a friend. Didn't she buy a happy fabric! 

 I sewed something else up on Friday.

Another fabulous pattern from Abby. It's the Stella Owl.

I made one in non gendered fabric for a family that was expecting. They've since had the baby, a girl, so now I want to make a pinkalicious one. I'll take pictures tomorrow after I stuff it.

It was a wonderful weekend with Town wide yard sale, AGM for the Farmer's Market which starts June 15, visit to the beach, dinner at the beach, handbell choir at church, watched a play by the townsfolk and another nice dinner. Loving the summer weather. Finally!

Cheers,

Amanda

Crafty Flashback

As my attention these past 3-4 weeks has NOT been on creating or sewing, (just the bare minimum for Bday presents) I'm following Laura's lead on looking back on the month of May in my previous years of creating and playing.

Last year, I was busy packing, packing, packingpackingpackingpackingpacking.

May 2012

May 2011
found lots of activity. Some tunisian crochet, new purse design, teapot cozy from sweater ribbing,

Early May 2011 lots of needle felting with penguins! A parade of penguins.

May 2010 check out the sheep fleece I obtained for only $10!! Look how dirty it is! I only washed half of it and I think I ended up giving that away later.

Some needle felting, adding skirts to Neve's tshirts, Pom Pom Skirts, and a trip to the Riverdale farm for May Day! I was so entranced by it all.

May 2009 This year was a treat. I was transitioning from card making to sewing. And boy, did I ever sew a lot of the same bag! I loved the Ikea fabric in them.

There are some cards AND a kid craft activity. those were the days when I actually planned daily or every other day crafts for my kids. They don't quite go for it anymore and lose interest in stuffing a softie that they requested I make. Ah, growing up.

May 2008 Saw us on a trip to the Pittsburg zoo, lots of card making

 and our first trip to Portugal! 

Oh and my 40th birthday.

August 2007 I really started blogging in August of 2007. With Paper Crafting.  I was into the shrink art for sure.

I made wine charm kits, a tooth fairy kit and first haircut kit using tins form Lee Valley. 

 Some One Sheet Wonders and even a set of Christmas Cards. In August.

So there you go. 6 years! Of May crafting. 

I thought this would be a quick post, but no, it turned into a trip down memory lane.

See how I've grown and changed. How my children have grown and changed and where it all has led to our life here. All good stuff.

Thanks for stopping by!
Amanda

Thrifty Finds

The Longboat Society had a sale today. I went early and scored big time!!

 I'm afraid to boast of the prices. They were that good. Rug Hooking anyone?

 Most gorgeous.

And these books. (the toy making one is from the library sale a few weeks ago.)

 This tent will find a home in our back yard. Preferably over the picnic table I want to get. 

It's octagon shape!

 Look at the shape of this jar! And I got 10 of them! Won't my pickles look good in there?

 This is the bottom of a very old cigar box.

It came with the information on this Colonel. Shoot, I've misplaced the paper. I'll edit when I find it.

And I went back to get this for the kids.

It's a skating scene that moves the skaters with magnets underneath. They love it. Me too.

What else? More mason jars, 2 balls of sock yarn!!!, 2 shoe boxes of plaster ornaments for the kids to paint at the farmer's market craft table this summer, a wooden plate charger, some lily of the valley plants, and a few more things I'm forgetting about. 

Seriously! It was the biggest yard sale haul I've ever done. 

Do you remember the Ikea commercial where the woman is run/ walking across the parking lot yelling "start the car! Start the car!" That was me today. Looking over my shoulder to make sure they didn't come after me for more money. lol

'Tis the season of yard sales! how exciting to be in a new town for that! Next week is the long awaited "town wide" yard sale. I'm gonna go nuts. :}

Ciao,

Amanda

fabric splurge

Happy Belated Birthday to me! 

I will be enjoying this tonight b/c of the kindness of small town folks. Yummmmm. Thanks.

 This weekend was Victoria Day weekend. May 2-4. It was an extra long weekend as the kids didn't have school on Friday or Monday. We decided to go for it and went to the city for the day. Took my pa to supper and then went to the Annapolis Valley on Saturday to visit my sister at her new seasonal camping site.

The trip to the valley included a trip to Avonport Discount Fabrics.

Here are some of my wares..

 Love this scooter fabric. I think it will make a lovely teapot cozy and heat sacks.

 The sail boats are for a 'go fish' game idea I have. It will be the bag to hold it.

 The schooners, anchors and Nova Scotia Tartan will be tea pot cozys.

 My son wanted the penguins. Don't know what for. And the meadow things was too cute to pass up.

 Fat quarter of this story book fabric

 And some Red Riding Hood fabric.

When I don't have a project in mind for fabric, I usually only buy 1/2 metre. When it has a purpose, I buy 1 metre.  

How bout you? What is your usual yardage of fabric buying?

We had a lovely weekend.  A nice Birthday weekend.

Here's what I posted on my Facebook status:

"Thanks for the wishes. I'm 45 today and I can happily say that I am finally in the place and space 

I imagined myself to be at this age/stage of my life. 

And good times ahead. Grateful indeed."

'Tis true that. 'Tis True.

Ciao,

Amanda

good people round here

It's our first spring here in Shelburne. We arrived in the middle of summer and all the wonders Mother Nature had to give. Then fall and winter. brrr. bare. dull.

It's nice to see all the green return and the added bonus of the blossoms on the trees.

Even though we've been here for 10 months (!) we still have some city clicker in us. It's hard to erase 20 plus years from your system of doing things.

We want to grow our own food and raise chickens.

We have like minded friends and neighbours and even people we meet in the company of others. People with experience. People with local know how.

We've been talking with a guy over the past few months about eel grass. He bestows the virtues of it. We're willing to try it out. 

He showed up yesterday with a truck full of it!

 His third load of the day... for other people.

 How good is that? Neve grabbed the pick and started to work.

 Down the hill, up the hill.

 Dumping it in the bed.

 The bed that exists because another friend got the wood and put it there. 

Help I take readily. Gratefully.

 Kind people who offer and produce. People who offered to grow our chicks until they can go outside in August! They will add them to their own growing flock. Inside. Their house! I'm so thankful for that. This city slicker, who can't sleep with the spring peepers outside the house, will not be able to sleep with growing chickens inside her house. Light sleeper I am.

 I'm truly thankful for the kindness people give, knowledge of what to grow where, when.

And thankful for the help from the littles....

 With the guidance of others, we will grow some food and 

nurture the love and abundance of nature around us.

Here's my Mother's Day present... a peach tree!

It was either that or a pair of rubber boots. The tree was easier to find. I didn't have to try it on.

The eel grass will grow potatoes! A layer of grass, seedlings and then another layer of eel grass. As the potatoes grow, you can lift up the grass, pick some and put it back over. And it also helps cut the cost of filling the bed with soil.

Looking forward to the next couple of weeks of tending the garden and figuring out how to keep the deer out! We've gotten lots of suggestions for that also.

Thanks locals for your welcoming community.

Ciao,

Amanda