beaded ladies

As a visitor to Busy Mockingbird, I came across these little cuties.

And I thought of them for months and days.

Until today. When i made some of my own.

 I love when I have time to create, stretch and play.

Over the 5 ladies, I think I've found my own style. 

 I have some ideas for animals too.

And been thinking of what to make for boys.

I've also been sketching some new woodland creature finger puppets. 

I'm excited. 

 I have a whole day tomorrow to play again.

Have a good one,

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

favourites of the moment

Well Hello!!!

May is almost over! how did that happen?

So much has happened, that I can't put it all in here. But here's an abridged version.

Much driving, passing of a dear aunt- trip to Newfoundland, back and forthing to Halifax, friends from Toronto visiting us, different friends from Toronto visiting Halifax, working at the brewery, birthday and Victoria day Weekend, a visit from Prince Charles and Camilla, sock knitting,

arrival and putting together of furniture from Ikea!!!!

whew. Notice something is missing? 

No crafting! Blah.

Maybe I can do something about that this week. Who knows?

Anyhow.. here are a few of my favourite things at the moment:

Birdhouse built by my very talented uncle. Built for me. :}

Makes me happy.

 Early seasonal flowers that fit well into my mini vase collection.

 My new on the counter egg holder. Purple!

New shoes for me, from me. Happy Birthday to me. Orange!

The peach tree I got for last year's Mother's Day has finally been planted by our visiting guests.

Blossoms. Maybe there will be some peaches??!

 Last evening, the mosquitoes weren't out yet. We let the chickens out before dusk to wander around. 

Then they happily go back in the coop for the night.

I loved turning around and seeing the warm glow from the lights inside the house. 

I often don't get to see the yard from this view. 

But my plans for the back grounds ( maybe next year) will make this a common view.

 And another of my favourite things is this one. Hoola hooping with her curls. Growing up too fast.

I have a few more posts in my head and pictures at the ready. 

Maybe I'll visit a few more times before May is over.

Have a good one,

Amanda

Hair clip holder

I'm resurrecting this pattern for this summer.

I have a different flower for it, but have misplaced it. Oh, quelle surprise!

And I'm going to colourfy it a bit more this year... different colour pots and flowers.

The flower stem holds the hair clips and the pot can hold the elastics.

There are a few more on my work table.

And today... we need one of these. This weather is very indecisive. At least we don't have snow.

Thanks goodness, because these guys are waiting to go into the ground.

 We even have our cage wire up and will put plastic on it as a little green house.

Notice something new in the garden? The chicken coop has moved for the summer. 

Although, I will change it around a bit, I'd rather look at my chickens than the back of the coop.

And we'll let the kids have a red painting the coop party when the weather cooperates.

Best be going. There is a pear blackberry galette that needs making 

and a Star Wars movie blasting in the living room.

May the 4th be with you!

Amanda

Mollie Makes US edition!!!

I was so excited to see this at the Long Thread That I went ahead and ordered it. Right away!

Yee-haw. I sparingly bought the UK version because 1) it was over $$$ and 2) I don't live in the city anymore. When I did get to a Chapters store, there were none left.

So am I excited? Yes. It's cheaper and now it can be delivered to my home. I know I could have gotten the digital version, but I am a paper in hand kinda girl.

Bring on the eye candy.


Mollie Makes

a doll for Ava

A few weeks ago, I got an order to make a doll for a 1 year old.

Luckily, I had just found the extra Waldorf doll body I purchased when I made the doll for Neve. 

What fun. 

I'm always nervous to create a character. I find that mostly, the character defines itself.

The order was for blue eyes and red/orange hair.

I set about for the eyes and some clothes.

 We don't have any fancy yarn shops in town, so I saved up my shopping list for a trip to 

Have a Yarn, Mahone Bay.

What a treat! you should go.

I couldn't find orangey wool, 

so I got this.

I love it!!

 I used the 3 layer technique from here and then added an extra few strands to the top front. 

I purposely chose the orangey tones for the front of the face.

And I changed the eye colour and shape. The other eyes were creeping me out. :}

 Fun FUn FUN

 Here she is in some pjs. I also made another pant suit, but have misplaced the top. 

I mean, really!!!! Where is it? I'm so absent minded. It will show up in the most unusual place, I'm sure, as I've already checked the obvious places. Maybe it's with my wedding rings that I recall taking off in the middle of the night trip to the washroom. I remember putting them in a safe place while going back to the bedroom. Really safe, for sure. 

And the long lost, good sunglasses that I misplaced last fall? FOUND by Rafael. Out by the stick pile. They spent the winter outdoors, under the snow. 

Anyhow, I digress....

 Here she is with the Neve Doll made in 2011. Neve is an 18 inch doll and Ava is a 13 inch doll.

The girls are having a slumber party. 

Hope they go to sleep early and don't make a mess in the bedroom with their popcorn.

Ciao,

Amanda

photography shoot

Neve is a Cloverbud member of the local 4-H club. 4-H is a new thing for us. I like that it is nature based. Up until almost 2 years ago, my children's nature immersion was limited to trips away from the city or the small pockets of nature in our community. There are some delights to be sure, but nothing beats learning about nature by living in it.

This weekend, the Cloverbuds were invited to try photography.

On a sunny, but still windchilled day, she set met her friends 

and set out to shoot some pictures of her mouse friend.

(I could have paid more attention to the focus too.)

It was neat to see her find spots to put him and the different angles she chose.

 I like the mouse in the hole. There was snow in the bottom.

 Some big boulders there.

 the forest floor.

 She had a wonderful time. You could tell she felt freedom and was using her imagination.

I snapped this picture from across the harbour. 

Sometimes, I still can't believe that I actually get to live here.

Last week, we got happy mail from a relative.

That chicken fabric will make a nice tablecloth.

I think the fun paper doll cutout one will be a little dress for a little friend. 

It's been a few years since I've made a wee dress. 

That was the first thing that I returned to sewing with.. a little sundress for Neve.

Oh, so many years ago. 

After a wonderfully, sunny and warm day yesterday ( I worked inside for the most of it),

it is so down heartening to have a miserably rainy day today.

The ducks made a visit on the pond, the squirrel and birds are still eating form the feeder, 

so I'll take their cue and continue on.

I'll be creating a new life in the form of a Waldorf doll face today. And hopefully some clothes.

Have a good one,

Amanda