Spring Craft fair

Last weekend, there was a craft fair at the fire hall.

I'm really liking my new-ish wire burlap baskets and chalk paint labels.

I decided to try some new items for summer.

 Cashmere socks!

And of course, I must have lovies for the littles.

The following items are now available at  

Studio 138, Shelburne

Bear friend in a tin

 bunny in a basket. Actually, they are sold separately.

The ever fabulous, Hand Puppets

Socks, dollies, glass plates

 And trinket tray

 This past weekend, we also celebrated Neve's 1st Communion.

T'was a lovely day for a lovely occasion with some family visiting too.

Have a good one.

Amanda

Happenings

G'day.

How is it where you are?

This is what we woke up to.

Nice isn't it?

This kind of snow is what I call "movie snow".

It means it's warm enough to play in.

This year, the spirit of Christmas is being sponsored by my 7 year old daughter, Neve.

 She created this little display. Cute.

The kids are wearing their fuzzy Santa hats everywhere. She is singing Christmas carols constantly and is learning a few on the piano.

 Secrets are being whispered to the elves. The kids were disappointed one day when the elves were suspended from a disco ball in the living room. They couldn't touch them and the elves were too high to talk to.

 I got some socks made to donate to the kids' school for a raffle.

 

Sadly, there weren't enough ugly Christmas sweaters in my travels this year. 

Guess they've caught on for all those "Ugly Christmas Sweater" parties.

If you're local or in town, pop over to the Gallery 138 shop on Water street, next to the Bistro 138.

Some nice stuff there for someone on your shopping list.

And one of my favourite small town moments..

 Mail for the kids without any address on it. 

It was a thank you for them playing the bells, tictoc blocks and whip in the Hand bell Choir selections at a concert. I don't think I have a picture. hmm, just a video. It was our 2nd year participating and it was lovely.

Today, there is no school, Parent-teacher interviews. 

There is fresh snow, sunshine, kids who are self entertained- at the moment- and a sewing list that has to be addressed. 

Looking forward to a slower paced day.

Cheers,

Amanda

craft show bonanza!

umm, hello.... 

is anybody out there?

When the blog is quiet, life is not.

Last week, i got to return to my old neighbourhood in Toronto.

What a great whirlwind visit, despite a raging cold I got whilst there.

So glad to see everyone and to do all that was on my list.

Thanks to all.

So this week, I did two craft shows with my co-hort.. Barb.

The table on the left holds my woolen bits

 On the right, from the Glass Gallery 138

 My sweater shopping in Toronto did not disappoint.

 But can I just ask, "where are all the stripped sweaters?" 

Guess they weren't trendy last year. People haven't shrunk them yet.:}

This basket of mittens is only the outers. I still had linings to make at this point. It was Friday. A day where the kids had no school and 2 craft fairs on the weekend kind of day. STRESS.

Don't they look purdy? But now, they're all gone! Save for about 3 pairs uncompleted.

Thanks to those who bought. Enjoy. I enjoy seeing my mittens about town on other people's hands. :}

hmm, let's see. in the glass world...

Was inspired by some new white glass and happy coloured glass.

the cut glass, she go in...

 And then she come out....

all nice and smooth.

Notice the little blobby bits in the corners. Now scroll back up and see how they started out.

you're back.

Isn't that the coolest thing! 

 Glass cut into pieces willy nilly with tile cutters come out as cute blobs.

I used previous blobs as the centres of the square tiles.

Well, that's seems like enough tales today.

Stay tuned tomorrow...

A full review of the chicken's first experience with SNOW!

Oh, and it seems we now have 2 egg layers. :}

Have a good one.

Amanda

Blanket of love

My first attempt at a quilt.

Lizzy Dish- House Wares

I've never wanted to make a quilt before, as I know I'm not that precise in my seams. 

(as evidenced in the wonky square in the middle.)

But when I looked the stash of my late father's shirts, a ton of them in the colour scheme of my mother's living room, and her birthday approaching with her being with me on the actual birth day, well, that gives one a desire to create something more than a quilt.

Quilt classes were being offered at the the Flying Fox to help me read a pattern and to show me the tricks of quilting. I love those tricks. they are so clever. Thanks Julie!

It came together very quickly. More quickly than I anticipated at the end. 

I was surprised that it was almost over. 

I wanted to linger with the shirts a little longer. 

I wasn't ready to let them go just yet. 

So I slept under it the first night. 

Blanketed in my father's shirts.

His arms wrapped around me.

Happy Birthday Mom.

So glad we got to celebrate with you here.

And now a little show and tell..

My Candy Corn plate in glass.

And some sun catchers (orange ones) with fibre paper relief.

I'm sure that's not the right name. 

I'm so bad with terms. I call things blobby or melted.

So wrong for the glass world of fusing, tacking etc.

But I'm still learning and having fun at it. 

What a treasure to be welcomed into this adventure.

(P.S. I'm still trying to find a good way to take pictures of things that need light behind them.)

Cheers,

Amanda

a little glass love...

I got to play for an afternoon at Gallery 138.

Cindy and Barb trust me enough to let me go at it. 

Remember this post?

Here is the result. Still has to be made into the final product.

A bit o happiness! And they sound purdy too!

I must have passed the test. They also let my kids come and play.

 Of course they loved it! It's crafting on a whole new level. 

They enjoyed cutting the glass and designing their sun catchers.

Oh, you want a show and tell? Well okay then...

Here's mine.

mine. googley eyed owl ( I have some new ideas for this)

Rafael's

 Rafael's

 Neve's

 Neve's

Whadda think? It' was a lovely afternoon.

 I was a little leary of Neve's sparkly overload.. but look..

I think she's a natural!

Thanks Cindy and Barb!

Stop by the Gallery and see what the big kids are making. 

They have some new stuff. So exciting.

I love this town and the opportunities my kids and I have!

shhhh, secret

Today, I tried something new and exciting.

Something I've been waiting all summer to do!

 Something that has limitless possibilities and will drive me crazy with creativity.

But I can't tell you what it is yet.... shhhh. 

 We interrupt this post shrouded in secrecy for this public service announcement...

CLEAN OUT YOUR BOBBIN HOLDER!!

This is from sewing many pairs of mittens in wool and cashmere. 

Lots of dust there.

But really, when's the last time you opened that baby up (without cursing 'cause your thread wasn't working) and gave it some love and oil. Don't forget to give it some oil.

And the deer picture....

Neve came down the stairs for breakfast the other day and stopped mid tread..

we had company..

ciao, 

Amanda