Cotton sewing

We are expecting a family from Syria today.

A little girl and a boy.

I thought it would be nice for them to receive a little toy of their own 

to distract them on the last leg of their long journey.

A Car Cozy!

And for the little girl, A Maisie Doll

Welcome to Canada and Shelburne, your new Home!

We hope you will like it here.

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

sweater owl

I made a new owlie out of a very happy sweater...

 It's the same pattern as this one.

 The photos from my new cell phone BITE! The colour of this sweater is very bold.

But this guy is still willing to give you a hug.

Well, he's probably giving a hug to some lucky winner.

He was sent to an auction last night.

Be sure that there will be a few more of these for sale in May at the Fire Hall Craft Sale!!

Ciao,

Amanda

String puzzle

So this.....

 became this.....

 Just a little mind bender.

 there it is solved.

 If you want to know the solution, you can go here...

Cassette Puzzle

I hope this weekend was a sign of a good summer to come.

Biking, yard sailing and farmer's market on Saturday. Even found a new bike for Miss Neve. Yeah.

Kids spent time with friends on Sunday, apart from each other. whew.

It's been a little intense around here lately. Mood swings. Wow.

And to end the weekend, dinner guests, nice enough to eat outside

 and a little of this.

 I'd like to say they were so fast, the camera couldn't keep up, but I think it was more operator error.

England vs. Portugal. England took it 10-9.

Hope you had a good one.

Amanda

Spacemen amongst us.

A few years ago, I made this little playset.

I brought it back today in this rendition.

 The spaceman helmet and air pack on his back.

 Cute little things, I think.

Come see them at the Shelburne Farmer's Market on Saturday!

Amanda

Woodland Finger Puppets

Introducing my latest friends in the finger puppet world

(my zoo finger puppet friends can be found here)

Woodland creatures.

You know it had to happen.

Here's hedgie..

 Madame Racoon

 Friendly Fox

 Barney Beaver

 and Madge the Moose

I developed a few new things with these puppets. Instead of sewing ears in between the front and back layers (except the moose), I cut the ears out of the back piece only.

Another theme is the heart shaped face for some of them. 

And then... punching the eyes out of the felt to show the under layer in the hedgehog and the racoon, instead of sewing eyes in.

They were fun to make. 

They will be coming to the market with me on Saturday. Come say hello!

Amanda

Meet Ronald

the newest furry friend.... Ronald

 And his friend, Blue Ronald.

 He was much fun to make.

Almost as much fun as deciding how to make Ronald's facial expression:

 Did he even come close?

Peace out,

Amanda

Meet Laila

You've heard me lament before about not being able to buy birthday presents in this town. 

Good thing I'm a mama who makes things!!

Here's my latest furry friend, Laila (Lay-La)

 She was fun to make and has legs. Her future siblings will have arms instead.

I also liked using the safety eyes. 

(for you local folks, I got these at Atlantic Fabric in Bridgewater)

 Of course, as soon as it was spotted upon returning home from school, there were cries and pleas to make more! Even a request to make a male version. Which, I think, I have in my mind.

 And lastly, one of my favourite photos of the moment.

Here chickie, chickie.

Its a beauty day out there. 

I think I'll go make some friends in my studio.

Amanda

little birdies

I had an order for some finger puppets

2 little Black birds, sitting on a fence, 

Once named Gordie, one named Vince

Fly away Gordie, Fly away Vince.

Come back Gordie, Come back Vince.

I know the names are incorrect, but that's what came to mind at the moment.

 It's been a few years since I've used this one in class.

5 little ducks went out to play,

over the hills and far away.

Mother duck said, "quack, quack, quack, quack."

But only 4 little ducks came back.

 This is the mother. 

She sacres me.

I need to make a new mother. STAT.

I gave her eyelashes and a bigger beak to make it look like she was older. 

Those pink french knots, meant to be a pearl necklace.

Nope, don't work. 

I think the new one will have a little bit of lace for a collar.

That is... if the coloured wings don't look like a collar already.

Geesh,

Ciao,

AP

Here come da bunny...

I finally got this guy put together.

 I love his matching pants and ears. And his watch. He's a busy bunny

Do you remember me lamenting about my sweater hill?

Well, after several attempts that were interrupted by storage bins in the city, not here,

2 weeks of the winter plague and working....

 It's finally clear!!

Whew. I can breathe in here.

Those black bins under the table were the biggest ones I could find. 

I wished they were clear, but they got the job done.

When you live in a small town with nil shopping, 

you take what you can get when you run around in the city.

And the bonus of setting up this table is another work surface. 

My sewing table needs considerable attention that I'm not willing to do today.

Must get some firewood. Can you believe it's snowing here? Wet snow, but snow none the less.

This little guy doesn't seem to mind.

Ciao,

Amanda