Little Owl Arts

2012-02-13T10:16:00.000-08:00

Ok.

First of all,

I want a goat.

And this video just makes me want one more.

Beyond cute, right?!?

Oh goodness, I die!

____________________________________________________________

This weekend was a friends birthday, so we did some celebrating.

She liked the purple leg warmers I made her, which was good.

(she told me about how she had some when she was younger that she literally lived in...)

Also, I made banana bread using this recipe.

It makes 2 loaves, which is good because the first one is pretty much gone.

Most of it was devoured yesterday hoping it would bring me out of my funk.

I think it helped a little... Until I realized how much I ate.

Anyway, it is so good.

I'm eating some right now!

And now I am off to bake some bread and do a little felting,

although, I can't, for the life of me, find my good scissors since I moved!

I looked for about 2 hours yesterday and it is driving me nuts!

Let's hope I find them today, shall we?!?

Until another day...

Genius and Sarcasm

2012-02-11T05:46:00.001-08:00

I like to wake up and see green things first thing in the morning.
I like to be able to look out the window and see the trees.

Last night the fire alarm went off at 4 a.m., not sure what was up with that!?!
My alarm is connected to my neighbors, so I wonder if they did something... Still trying to understand what someone might be doing at that time anyway. It's also nice to know that it took the fire squad 20 minutes to get the 100 yards to this building, good job fellas (that is total sarcasm)... Obviously my neighbors are geniuses and obviously me being woken up at 4 in the morning brings out my sarcasm. Oh, and it's trying to snow here, but really mother nature is just making a wet mess.

Anyway, I'm rather excited because it's looking like the boy-f and I are going snowboarding next weekend, woohoo!!! Can't wait, I'm beyond excited... And I'm going to try to actually get more photos this time. As for this weekend, we are celebrating a birthday tonight and then I have a bunch of work I need to get done.

So, happy Saturday y'all!
Make it a good one!!!

Tattoo

2012-02-10T17:06:00.000-08:00

I am a fan of body art and self expression,

may it be piercing

(within reason, I have definitely seem some that I just don't get...),

dyed hair,

or tattoos.

I have many friends with one, some or all of these things.

I have gone through phases with some of these things.

But I have never really felt like the type of person who would get a tattoo,

as much as I can and do appreciate them,

it just didn't feel like me...

Until recently.

I have been doing quite a bit of sketching lately.

Well, acutally it is something that I have always done,

but lately I am finding my work to look more and more like it would be appealing as a tattoo.

So the other day, while procrastinating,

I started to doodle on my arm.

This is what I came up with.

I think I like it.

Yay for sharpie markers!

So I don't know if I will actually go through with this one,

I am worried that I might get sick of it

or critical (as I am so with all of my work),

but it feels good at the moment.

Actually, I think that the first thing I would get would be two thin, green or green/blue

hand drawn lines going around the top of my forearm

(you can kind of see the beginning to the right of the tattoo)

I have wanted this for a while.

Simple and looks nice.

So maybe I will start with that,

although I am undecided about whether I would get them all the way around like my original idea because I kind of like the way they look meeting up with the base of this tattoo design.

Anyway, do you have any ink?

Did you draw it yourself?

Are you happy with the decision to permanently decorate yourself?

2012-02-08T09:19:00.001-08:00

Someones hat is almost done!

Looking good, he knit it with earflaps and then added a pom pom! Now it just needs the flannel lining and this will be the raddest hat ever! I wonder what his next project will be?

I sure do like a boy who knits!

2012-02-08T08:33:00.001-08:00

On Monday my friend Katrin came up from the city with her pups for a visit.

It was such a beautiful day out, downright balmy!

We went to Good Harbor Beach and the dogs were so happy to run around, chase each other and the squeaky ball...

I feel like it has been too long since we've gotten together!

We went for some tea and lunch at the tea shop in town, so nice.

Katrin is a very talented singer/songwriter,

you can listen to some of her songs here.

I hope you are all having a wonderful day!

A little glimpse...

2012-02-07T10:19:00.001-08:00

Into things emerging from my world.

New...

2012-02-06T06:14:00.000-08:00

Just in time...

Hold it near and dear to your heart,

a gift from one soul to another.

A way to always be close to nature.

Here.

2012-02-04T05:57:00.000-08:00

Good morning!

It sure feels like spring here today.

This morning all the songbirds were out and about chattering away,

such a lovely sound!

I adore birdsong.

My new home is a different setting from the cottage in the woods where I was before.

There were many, many birds there...

I brought my feeders with me and hope that they will find me here.

This morning I am listening to a mix of great music on pandora

and then will head out to do a little thrifting with my sister.

But until then, I will be drinking my tea, enjoying my music and having some quality cuddle time with the little Posey bird and of course Veda, too!

I hope you have a sunshiny day!

xoxo

2012-02-03T07:21:00.000-08:00

If you are brave enough to say "good bye",

life will reward you with a new "hello".

-Paulo Cohelo

2012-02-02T06:09:00.000-08:00

Fuck YEAH boys who knit!!!

This is all.

Ice

2012-02-02T05:27:00.001-08:00

The temperature has routinely been above mid thirties here this year...

Mostly around 40 and even 50 (or 60, like yesterday)!

WEIRD!!!

So, now that blogger is finally registering my most recently uploaded photos from over a week ago, I can share the beautiful ice I captured a month ago...

I don't mind winter.

In fact, I very much like winter,

but in order for me to like it, it needs to be white.

I don't much care for drab, grey and barren day after day.

Needless to say, I have been left wanting a bit this year,

but this is when I am glad I have a camera and can look at photos I have taken of past winter days!

Do you like winter?

What do or don't you like about it?

What is your favorite season?

2012-02-01T08:57:00.001-08:00

Everyday I am thankful...

Walk alongside the sea...

2012-02-01T07:25:00.001-08:00

Magnolia Beach

2012-01-31T09:10:00.000-08:00

Blogger finally decided to let me upload my recent(ish) photos.

I have been waiting at least a week and a half to share these.

It was such a freezing cold morning,

the sea was steaming!

It was unreal.

I had to keep walking.

I was so frozen when I finally returned home.

I just couldn't tear myself away from the beauty of the ocean on this morning

and viewing the reaction of clashing temperatures.

The sea continually amazes me.

I really don't know what else to say.

I wish you could feel how it makes my heart swoon.

Do you have anything that makes you feel that way?

New Abode

2012-01-30T07:05:00.000-08:00

This is my meditation...

2012-01-29T17:36:00.001-08:00

This weekend at Bolton Vally Ski Area in Vermont.

So amazing!
Wasn't able to get many photos, but we sure had a great time!
Great weather, great mountain, great boarding, wonderful hosts and company....

I always feel like a new person after riding. I really need to find ways to go more often. This is my meditation.

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend full of happiness!

Cabin Porn...

2012-01-27T05:44:00.000-08:00

via

Good morning.

Did my post title intrigue you...?

Have you seen this website?

Well, Go!

Immediately!

But be warned, you might swoon just a bit...

***

I always wanted to live on top of a mountain

where you could only reach my abode by hiking or helicopter.

I envisioned a rocky, craggy and steep mountain pass that was all mine,

I also envisioned a cool home made elevator system that is basically a basket with rope on a pull system like that of a tree fort (not so realistic for if I were to ever live in said mountain top dwelling, but hey, dreams are dreams).

And I would give anything to have a wood-fired hot tub,

I do believe that is the epitome of amazing.

***

Anyway, I am listening to this on this rainy late January morning while sipping ginger tea with lemon and honey.

It is perfect right now.

(You can hear more of them here.)

I am headed to Vermont tonight.

I am so excited to go snowboarding!

Aaaand, the x-games started yesterday, WOOO-HOOO!!!

I don't have tv, but you can be sure I will try to catch some, if not all of it online.

I hope you all have a totally blissed out Friday and an amazing weekend!

Hugs all around

Open Ocean

2012-01-23T13:37:00.001-08:00

Today in my part of the World...

2012-01-23T13:27:00.001-08:00

2012-01-20T20:14:00.000-08:00

Blogger is not cooperating.

I have been trying for the last few days to upload some photos onto a post, but they aren't registering...

Anyway, I didn't want you to feel lonely, so I thought I would leave you with this image:

...

and share this wonderful poem:

Sweet Darkness

When your eyes are tired
the world is tired also.

When your vision has gone
no part of the world can find you.

Time to go into the dark
where the night has eyes
to recognize its own.

There you can be sure
you are not beyond love.

The dark will be your womb
tonight.

The night will give you a horizon
further than you can see.

You must learn one thing:
the world was made to be free in.

Give up all the other worlds
except the one to which you belong.

Sometimes it takes darkness and the sweet
confinement of your aloneness
to learn

anything or anyone
that does not bring you alive

is too small for you.

~ David Whyte ~

***

Sweetest dreams to all on you boundless spirits.

2012-01-16T20:21:00.001-08:00

The sunset was awfully beautiful tonight. We went for a walk on the beach (brrrrr!!!) and enjoyed the colors.
Now it is snowing, I think I might be in shock since it has been Junevember and Apruary forever! I didn't think we would ever see snow!

Wishing you all a cozy and peaceful night!

xoxox

2012-01-13T06:28:00.000-08:00

Just a little note.

I am having a SALE in my etsy shop!

40% off everything using the coupon code YEAHYEAH...

So go check it out, take advantage!

xoxox

2012-01-09T05:12:00.001-08:00

via

I woke up to a dusting of snow covering the earth this morning!

FINALLY!

I have not really seen snow yet,

I was beginning to worry.

I truly believe there is nothing more beautiful

than a sunny morning where the ground is freshly covering in snow.

Everything looks more beautiful covered in snow.

***

It's interesting how thought patterns work.

How difficult it can be to actually change them and keep them that way.

My goal is to be able to trust.

Trust in myself.

To be able to throw caution to the wind (so to speak),

to let go

and just be.

Happy.

This is what I have been working towards and it is all fine and well in theory, but it is all subjective. I am noticing that there are all sorts of circumstances.

One day I might feel fine with it, totally balanced and in control, but the next day is a whole new day. The moon may be full, or I may have only slept for 3 hours, or someone might have done or said something that didn't sit right with me... I am still trying to find ways to harmonize these things.

I am not saying that I will always be seemingly happy,

but I feel it is realistic to be able to take life with a grain of salt

and not let it sway my inner core to the degree that it has in the past.

***

I am still in the process of moving,

good lord I have so much stuff!

The piles are dwindling down, however

and I have this overwhelming urge to just let go.

*Wishing you all a wonderful and warm Tuesday*

Some of New Years in Black and White...

2012-01-07T08:04:00.000-08:00

So I have been distracted lately with the whole moving thing...

I am trying to get all the details together, but it seems that I might be able to start moving things in this weekend!

However, I am procrastinating a little bit right now until my sister gets here to help me.

Instead of packing, I am totally dilly-dallying!

Well, I thought it was about time I edit the photos I took on New Years Eve at a friends party.

These are the black and white ones, I like how they came out.

I hate using a flash, so I didn't, and am still trying to learn about different manual settings,

especially for night time.

The color ones (which I will post another time) are a lot more grainy,

but it is kind of cool because it kind of looks like they were taken with an old camera or something.

Anyway, did you have a good New Years?

2012-01-04T16:09:00.000-08:00

Only looking forward,

no looking back...

Nope.

Starting over.

Hoping in a boat and setting sail.

Battling fears head on,

making it beautiful.

Mossy and Sunlight, Darkness in the Trees...

2012-01-04T06:44:00.000-08:00

The days are getting longer,

but the sun still falls behind the shadow of the wood and rock

sooner than one might anticipate.

I don't mind the darkness,

but I do love having longer days.

I find this pine forest so peaceful.

It is north facing, so it tends to always be darker,

but it feels so welcoming.

It is a good place for me to settle my mind.

I am moving this month (yikes!)

and I have so much going through/packing to do.

I want to let go of a lot of things,

both literally and metaphorically.

This wasn't really a planned decision,

but it was my choice.

I think it is a good step for me...

2011-12-31T12:47:00.000-08:00

There seems to be a lot of transitions going on in my life.

There is a lot of old moving out and new moving in....

It makes me unsettled, but happy.

I am working on learning to calm my mind,

letting myself be unburdened.

Life is too short to be so serious all the time.

I am not much of one for New Years,

but maybe some resolutions are in order this year.

They will only be between me and myself,

but they will be set, none the less.

***

Today I am inspired by:

GRASSDOE

(I think this might be the most beautiful blog that I have seen this year!)

URNATUR

(again, a most beautiful site!)

***

Do you have any resolutions in mind for this year?

Where the Fae Folk dwell

2011-12-31T05:24:00.000-08:00

***

The other day walking with a good friend.

Basically the whole center of the "island" is a wooded area called Dogtown.

It is magical.

We took one of my favorite paths that lead us through areas of mossy mounds

suspended in dark water,

then through the swamp where we had to walk on a boardwalk.

I am convinced this is where the Fae Folk dwell...

***

‎"your work is to discover your world

and then with all your heart give yourself to it"
-Buddha

I woke up to this quote.

I think I might adopt it as my motto/mantra,

it's a good one, eh?

Happy New Year to you all,

I hope it is a safe night full of wonderful laughter!

High Tides

2011-12-30T07:12:00.000-08:00

Same house,

different light,

high tides.

Happy Friday, Y'all!

Light against Dark

2011-12-29T07:04:00.000-08:00

This was Christmas day.

Incredible light, eh?

I think so.

This is one of my favorite views of the marsh

(from the road at least)

and I love this house as well.

The tide gets so high that it is literally under the front of the house.

The little island in the last photo is Hog Island,

where they filmed The Crucible years ago...

Anyway, just thought I'd share.

Happy Thursday to all you little chickadees!!!

observation

2011-12-28T07:04:00.000-08:00

I find peace in nature,

calm and simplicity in just looking around me.

I need to be still.

I need to walk freely.

I need to observe,

to see the tiny things that I might have normally passed by.

These are the things that keep me going every day.

My inspiration,

my constant,

my routine.

This is my observation.

Evolution

2011-12-27T08:12:00.000-08:00

I don't have many words to share today.

Even though I have said this, there are is a whole verbal dialogue going on in my head.

It just doesn't feel like coming out.

Anyway, this is what my eyes saw the other day.

I am off to go for a walk with Veda and a friend.

What did your eyes see today?

Merriest of merry to you!

2011-12-24T15:34:00.001-08:00

Hope you all enjoying this season of love and giving

2011-12-22T07:24:00.000-08:00

View from sitting behind my studio table.

(not sure why this is all underlined...)

Things going on around here today:

Gathering with friends

Walks in the woods

Enjoying 50+ degrees (!?!)

Rounding up all the presents I made to see how much wrapping I need to do

Hope your day is merry!

2011-12-21T06:05:00.000-08:00

I think I woke up in a bit of a funk this morning.

So to remedy this I am playing some loud music,

bringing in firewood for the woodstove

and making some tea...

Then I will hopefully be motivated to work on a commission I have.

I had a weird dream last night about someone giving me a mini washer and dryer

(like the size of a mini fridge)

and I was so excited!

I know, I'm strange.

Hopefully my brain will start connecting with the rest of me soon.

Maybe it is the grey sky.

What do you do when you are in a funk?

The pasture by the sea.

2011-12-20T04:46:00.000-08:00

I really love living by the ocean.

I have come to realize that I need to be able to smell the sea.

I need it to survive.

I feel very blessed to live in such a beautiful area,

I live in the woods, which makes me boundlessly happy.

I have quiet, darkness, trees, privacy, trails in my back yard...

But I can wander on down the street a couple of minutes to get to the water.

That salty air has truly permeated my being,

wrapped itself tightly like a hug around my heart

and claimed me for its own.

***

Good Morning!

2011-12-19T05:37:00.001-08:00

Oatmeal with apple, kukicha tea and the Seed Savers catalogue.

Happy Morning to all!

xoxox

2011-12-18T06:10:00.000-08:00

I am seeing my first snowflakes of winter today!

Oh, I am so excited!!!

(even if they are only small swirling bits of glitter falling from above)

If you need me you can find me outside, smiling...

2011-12-16T18:26:00.001-08:00

Look what came for me today!!!

I was beyond excited today when I stopes by the post box at the end of the road and found a package waiting for me inside!

My dear friend Vibeke from A Butterfly in my Hair had sent me the most wonderful gifts! Thank you sweet friend!

Happy holidays ahead!
Sending you all virtual smiles and hugs where ever you might be!
xoxox

2011-12-12T05:21:00.000-08:00

The past few days have really forces me to think about things that are so seemingly simple at first glace, but it is the onion effect where there is layer upon layer once sliced into.

There are things that I think about as just an everyday part of life,

part of relating,

part of being.

Things that I think I have taken for granted.

Things that I think I deserve.

There is so much push and pull in life,

I guess that is how we are balanced.

There is not light without dark,

no happiness without sadness,

it's the very definition of harmony and balance.

But as we all know, and sometimes I seem to forget,

this is a hard thing to maintain and accept sometimes.

Everything worth anything in life seems to take time and patience (something that I am continually working on having more of).

There is a fine detail to everything in ethos.

The Universe unending shows in unexpected ways how we have strings connected to everything

and everyone.

And yet we are all still human.

I am still human.

Sometimes it is hard for me to remember this.

And sometimes I have to remind myself that I am blessed to have to work so hard at this balance that I am trying to maintain,

to work so hard to continually have the gift of laughter ever present in my life.

I like to be connected.

To have connections.

To have people that smile back at me in my life.

I feel like when I am out about about I am an anthropologist of sorts,

always observing and entertaining ideas about the lives and culture around me.

Observing how and why...

I am fascinated by people.

It helps me to connect.

I hope you all have a wonderful day and maybe take a little time to connect with someone new or someone you already know with open eyes.

***

2011-12-10T05:49:00.001-08:00

There seems to be unavoidable shifts going on in my life,

the kinds that even if I wanted to protest or put a stop to it there is no option,

time keeps moving on,

and yet standing still.

I am endlessly happy, but also have some sadness in my heart.

These are things that I grow stronger and better from.

I am learning to let go of control and just trust myself in return...

I have been living by the new Feist album.

It seems to be covering all the emotions I am feeling

and evoking all of the strength that my spirit needs.

I can't even really put it into words.

Lately I have been thankful for my knowledge of using plants as medicine,

Elderberry (syrup) has been a real comfort for this obstinate cough that seems to persist

and for the numerous herbal tea concoctions that I combine for health and for pleasure...

Have I ever mentioned how grateful I am for tea?

In my mind it is a perfect and invaluable medicine,

both for the body and the soul.

When I do consultations or educate others about herbal medicine

making tea is always the first and foremost remedy that I teach.

It is a wonderful way to be present in the process of your own healing.

It requires more than just swallowing a pill or gulping down a tincture.

You have to have patience,

to wait for the time to pass and then slowly sip...

There is a need for purpose.

The plant world has helped me find purpose.

It is a lifestyle and a passion, not just an interest, hobby or job.

It is steep in passion which creates relationships with these green spirits.

A quick Elderberry syrup recipe:

1 cup fresh (or 1/2 cup dried) elderberries (always the blue ones!)

3 cups water

1 cup honey

In a saucepan bring elderberries to a boil in the water, then reduce and simmer for 30-45 minutes.

When done, smash the berries and strain the mixture through a fine cheesecloth.

Add the cup of honey (or honey to taste, which is what I do because I never really measure anything!)

Bottle and store in the refrigerator.

Should keep for a few months.

*Optional to add while simmering:

Ginger

Echinacea

Astragalus

Happy medicine making!

...

Things that I am grateful for today:

-Tea.

-That spark in my solar plexus that makes me want to create...

and have a dance party, even if I'm all by myself.

-Knowledge... Of any kind, this directly connects us to the universe, to spirit.

-Laughter and good friends to share it with.

-Music that speaks directly to my soul.

What are you thankful today?

2011-12-06T09:44:00.000-08:00

(photos from my walk on a sunny day...)

Today is gray and a wee bit soggy.

But I don't mind,

I like the rain.

It calms my mind.

I like to hunker down

and let my spirit create what it needs.

...

Things seem to be happening in my life and around me

that I don't always have control over,

but it's ok.

I'm ok.

And that's what's important,

I do believe.

Well, I'm off to be inspired by the moment...

2011-12-05T13:10:00.000-08:00

Although it has been unseasonably warm,

most of the trees have finally let go of their leaves.

However, there are still a few holding on to their blazingly bright leaves.

Knitting Night at Abi's House

2011-12-05T06:31:00.000-08:00

Once a month, my friend Abi invites friends to gather at her house for a night of knitting.

There is food, drink and laughter.

So good for the soul.

NEW! (what I've been working on...)

2011-12-01T06:19:00.000-08:00

Some of the newest nuno felted scarves.

Thank you to my friend Abi for patiently modeling for me,

I have another photo shoot this morning with my friend Evie for the last few scarves...

And of course, veda had to get in on the shoot just a little bit.

She was keeping Abi's cowl that I gave her warm while she modeled.

Some of these are in the Present shop downtown

(if you are local, don't forget about Ladies' Night tonight!!!)

and a couple might make their way into my etsy shop.

This weekend is my last fair, it is at the Winthrop Elementary School Holiday Boutique in S. Hamilton and I will definitely have some there as well...

I hope you are enjoying this lovely day!

Red and Black

2011-11-30T08:47:00.001-08:00

More knitting while on todays walk.

Isn't the red of this yarn fabulous?

Especially with the turquoise of the knitting needles!

I scored both the yarn and needles at the local op-shop,

plus so much more!

SUPER SCORE!!!

Accompanying me on my walk is of course miss Veda-lou,

but also our neighbor's dog, Cole (or Coal, not quite sure).

He is a sweet your pup with lots of energy and quite honestly, terrible humans.

They don't walk him, they just tie him up outside or keep him locked in a little room inside.

I have made it my new mission to try and find him a new, loving home!

He really is a wonderful dog!!!

Temp*Files

2011-11-30T04:20:00.000-08:00

Have you seen this blog?

I highly suggest browsing through...

2011-11-29T15:24:00.001-08:00

I have been felting up a storm.
Today I had a photo shoot with a friend for some of my new nuno scarves (that will have to be another post) and tonight I finished up a bunch of nuno felted headbands/necktie scarves.
They came out wonderfully!!!
Now I am off to card more wool for needle felting, there are owls and mermaids that need to be created.
Meanwhile I will be working up an appetite for my third thanksgiving dinner!
That's right, I will have enjoyed 3 by the end of the night.
I love it!

The Woodshed

2011-11-28T17:04:00.000-08:00

The shed is filling up with wood.

It's going to be nice and toasty in there this winter (if winter ever comes, ha!)

2011-11-28T07:28:00.000-08:00

Due to this unseasonably warm weather, my garden seems to be still growing strong.

The peppermint is still growing, there is kale, chard, broccoli, sage...

Today I am realizing how much I need to get done for ladies' night in town on thursday (getting more things ready to go into the Present shop) and for my last fair on Saturday!

Today I am dying silk, felting owls and mermaids, finishing the nest mobiles I keep saying that I am going to make and trying to get a bit more organized!

Some things I am liking today:

-I have fallen in love with the Downtown Abbey series (thank you Vibeke for this link!)

-This blog and this blog

-I am trying to make time to knit this cowl

What are some things you are doing today?

p.s. don't forget about the free shipping for anything in the shop this week.

Just use the code SHIPFREE at checkout!

Toodles!!!

2011-11-28T07:05:00.000-08:00

Happy Monday!

I can't believe the weather around here has been so balmy averaging around 60*F!

Am I crazy for wanting it to snow?

I have been looking forward to the woods around me being blanketed in white and going for hikes in the snow.

I mean, I really like not being cold, I like that I can still walk on the beach without being in pain from the wind, but it definitely doesn't feel like the end of November...

So, I guess today is Cyber monday.

I am not really sure what that means, but I am going to be extending the free shipping I had going on this weekend throughout the rest of the week!

So just use the coupon code SHIPFREE at checkout to take advantage of it!

Also, I would like to take a quick moment to say thank you to all of you for reading my blog

and also those of you who have been so wonderful by supporting my work,

supporting a local, small business!

Supporting any small business is wonderful.

I truly appreciate it!

Hugs all around!

2011-11-26T14:49:00.001-08:00

Today was like spring.
Warm and sunny and beautiful.

I have been spending time with my sister who is home for the weekend from the city, and going out to see friends.
It's been really nice.
A change a pace (normally I feel I tend to be a hermit...)

Hope you are enjoying your Saturday!

Seagulls say the darndest things...

2011-11-25T12:38:00.000-08:00

Today only!!!

Use coupon code HAPPYHOLIDAYS at checkout.

Hope you are all enjoying your post thanksgiving day!

AWESOME NEWS!!!

2011-11-25T05:20:00.000-08:00

Happy Thanksgiving!

(I know, a day late... but it still counts, right?)

I love thanksgiving, it is one of my favorite holidays

and you can be darn sure that I ate my weight in food yesterday.

After we ate, my sister and I went for a drive and saw this amazing sunset and although it was FREEZING out, we had to play around a little bit!

So now it is time to focus on getting ready for gift giving!

I have decided that all of my holiday gifts are going to be handmade by me or from another artists, crafter or small, local business.

(I call this the REAL occupy wallstreet, make a difference in your local community)

Ok, so now the awesome news:

You can support a small business and artist/crafter too because

I am having a SALE in the shop!!!

I am offering 20% off anything in my shop,

all you need to do is use the coupon code HAPPYHOLIDAYS during checkout.

Simple as that.

And you get an awesome deal, right!!!??!

Ok, now fly free...

Happy Friday!

Felt making today...

2011-11-22T10:10:00.001-08:00

2011-11-22T04:48:00.001-08:00

2011-11-21T05:56:00.000-08:00

Getting ready for the market in Beverly,

the indoor holiday market!

I really love the Beverly Farmers' Market,

if you haven't been to it, it is a wonderful little market with amazing food, produce, art and crafts, healing herbs and hands!

This is the last one of the year (in Beverly), just in time for the holidays.

Hope to see some of your smiling faces later today!

2011-11-20T05:43:00.000-08:00

I woke up to find this quote posted this morning:

‎"There is a brokenness out of which comes the unbroken, a shatteredness out of which blooms the unshatterable. There is a sorrow beyond grief which leads to joy and a fragility out of whose depths emerges strength. There is a hollow space too vast for words through which we pass with each loss, out of whose darkness we are sanctioned into being. There is a cry deeper than all sound whose serrated edges cut the heart as we break open to the place inside which is unbreakable and whole, while learning to sing." -Rashani

It has pretty much perfectly summed up what I was trying to say in my previous post.

I've had a very, very busy last two day.

The fair was beyond successful!

I am honored and grateful for all of the support

and for being able to be a part of such a great event!

Now I have to get ready for the Holiday Farmers' Market tomorrow afternoon.

I will be selling the cranberries that I gathered with my mom on our adventures!

I also have quite a bit of making to do this week to replace what sold and what I had to take out of the Present Shop.

Plus I have completely sold out of owls!

...Big breaths...

Here we go!!!

Happiest of Sundays to all you little chickadees!

morning string theory

2011-11-17T13:07:00.000-08:00

This morning I am thinking a bit about string theory.

There is a fine balance to everything.

Where everything is related and happens for a reason.

I have been thinking about how our environments and interactions inspire us, help form us.

This is whether we are human or any type of "thing" really.

The landscape is born our of the struggle between conflicting elements.

Our personalities, while I truly believe already have a mind of their own from birth, are partially shaped due to our struggles, our interactions with other human beings, animals, plants, environments, smells, colors.... The list could go on.

But it is that struggle, or what I call struggle, that I am thinking about this morning.

When I talk about struggle, there is that obvious emotion that pops up just from reading or hearing the word, but it can be a positive thing.

Like the idea that good can come out of bad (and vice-versa I suppose), light can come out of dark.

I find that many times it is this struggle that makes me do my best work. The struggle to show a deep emotion, the struggle to pay bills, the struggle to come up with a new idea...

These things can be frustrating, but they can also move us into a beautiful place if we let it.

I once read that stress can be the death of a friend or family member,

or the passionate kiss of a lover.

Struggle is all an interpretation and we all struggle in different ways,

all in different, valid ways.

There are so many times that I have been beyond frustrated, beyond upset, in a negative situation or mood, but I have come to realize that so many times, these situations make me a better person, a better crafter, a better artist in the end.

I can't say that I always enjoy being in these phases at the moment, but what is light without dark to show you how to appreciate it, right?

We have to loosen the reins just a little bit.

I often have a hard time with words, although I can seemingly speak clearly, many times I feel like I just can't quite get the proper words out to describe how I really feel. I can't do justice to my emotions and thoughts.

Maybe this struggle is partially why I love the visual arts so much.

It all comes full circle.

There seems to be a reason for everything, and if not, we can create our own homeostasis in our lives. It is instinct.

This is one of that string tangents that I often wake up with.

And this morning I was cohesive enough to get it out fast enough, type it out in the moment.

Maybe a bit rambly, but anyway, that is how mind mine works... Never in a straight line (maybe that is why I have such a hard time drawing them, ha!)

So maybe this reflection might be something you can relate to.

For me, my first creation of the day is a reflection of the morning sun!

A perfectly sunny felted scarf has sprung forth and is breathing golden light as it dries in front of the wood stove and awaits a someone to love it and adorn their body and warm their soul.

And with that, a happy Friday morning to all you sweetpeas!!!

Before the Rain Came...

2011-11-17T12:51:00.000-08:00

Just playing around the other day...

***

2011-11-17T09:59:00.000-08:00

Just puttering around,

making things, dyeing silk

and getting ready for the upcoming fairs/holiday farmers' market this weekend.

Might go on a little adventure this afternoon,

but I'm still undecided...

wordless wednesday...

2011-11-16T04:52:00.000-08:00

A second trip to the bog (by boat this time...)

2011-11-15T09:07:00.000-08:00

On Sunday my mom's boyfriend took us by skiff to the bog this time.

Let me just tell you, I am actually glad we walked in the first time because going by boat was WAAAAAY faster! *and super pretty*

Too bad it was too shaky to take any good photos on the boat...

We got a TON of cranberries.

I think I am going to bag some up and bring them to sell at the farmers' market next monday.

I was going to try to make chutney to sell too, but I don't think I will have time.

I have come to the conclusion that we need a rake with a scoop on the back to help get the cranberries faster. Also, we went further into the bog this time where it was wetter, the cranberries were HUGE and there were hoards of them compared to where we were picking on the first trip.

We had a good time, I thought it was especially amusing watching Dan (my mom's bf) trudging in his waders with his super "fancy" basket (read: found- or stolen- shopping basket).

And my mom thought that if she got a running start down one dune, it would be easier to get up the other side... It didn't work.

I think in all we picked 5 gallon bags full of craberries and Dan half filled his basket.

That's a lot of cranberries.

Now I have to do something with them.

I will definitely make pie and hopefully chutney when I have time.

Any other suggestions...?

2011-11-14T11:13:00.000-08:00

It's funny how thoughts just pop into my head

and change the whole direction of my mood.

It shows how ruled I am by my emotions,

my mind and my heart.

It seems that it can change as quickly as a cloud can pass in front of the sun

and linger or sway just as quickly as it leaves...

2011-11-14T05:33:00.000-08:00

I need a little bit of beauty to reflect in this morning.

I need my mind to be still.

Just for a moment.

Leaves windless in dark water seem to fit just right.

Feeling balmy

2011-11-13T15:10:00.001-08:00

It's an inimitably balmy night.
The end of the sun setting was neon pink in the navy and midnight hues of the sky.
It was pretty fantastic!
I loved seeing my house all lit up in the darkeness.
It looks so warm and cozy.

Come out and PLAY!

2011-11-11T07:39:00.000-08:00

A few of my newest nuno felted scarves...

They have come out to play.

The trees are quickly losing their beautiful golden leaves

so I am happy to have been able to get this photo shoot in last week with my friend Abi!

The colors do look amazing,

don't you think?

(P.S. I have put the first one in the shop, but the rest will have to wait until after my fair tomorrow...)

Flaxen and Shining

2011-11-09T15:29:00.000-08:00

The woods around my house at the beginning of sunset, looking out from the front yard...

I can't believe how golden everything is.

It looks like the sun has woven its light into the body of each leaf

or like the trees are drinking in flaxen liquor up through each cambium layer and into its veins.

Shining out from within.

I have also been enjoying the mellifluous sound of birdsong as they fatten themselves up with seed at our window feeder.

They land on the chimes on the other side of the door waiting for their turn at feeder and when they jump off in excitement, they jangle the metal pipes into reverberation!

So peaceful and melodic!

P.S. I've noticed a little green light/orb in third and fourth photo.

Do you see it?

What do you suppose it could be... faeries at play?...

the great cranberry adventure: part 3

2011-11-09T07:51:00.000-08:00

When we finally made our way back into the dunes towards the bog (and realized at that point, even though it was far, we didn't have to go quite as much further as we had anticipated), I had noticed so many beautiful textures.

The plover had made lacy tracks all over the dunes, berries and sticks that had dropped and were being covered back up, flowers and grasses that had gone past, were dried and standing still like a painting...

We found the right trail!

And when we got to the bog, we immediately got to collecting.

(Did I mention that not many people know of this bog? It's kind of like a secret...)

It amazed me how many cranberries can grow on these little tiny bushes that are so low to the ground.

We were trying to get as many as possible before we had to go.

We each managed to scoop up enough to mostly fill a 1 gallon freezer bag full and then decided the rest would have to wait for another day. (plus we were worried about being caught with the dogs since we were breaking the rules)

The walk back was definitely long, but warm and beautiful.

I can't believe how early the sun starts setting these days.

By 2 o'clock, I felt like it was 5:30!

I think the total trip was about 5 miles and if you have ever hiked in sand, you know it feels like at least double that!

So, the moral of the story goes like this:

Take the boat.

Just kidding.

Although we might take the skiff next time, if I were to walk in again, I would remember to bring food and water in my backpack instead of filling it up with layers I think I might need but don't. And of course, I always have to leave room for treasures picked up along the way, not to mention all the cranberries we pick!

This ended up being a 4 or 5 hour adventure and I had only eaten a scone for breakfast.

It was a good thing the orchard was open on the way home, I was starving!

I don't ever think a rustic meal of apple, cheese and bread with cider ever tasted so good!

So, any of you have any good adventures you want to share?

I love a good adventure tale!

(see previous posts here and here)

the great cranberry adventure: part 2

2011-11-09T07:37:00.000-08:00

So, most of the photos are actually in the dunes and on the beach (and back in the dunes) leading up to the bog...

Anyway, I was following mum, but she had only been there by boat since it is waaaaay at the other end of the beach, so it was quite an effort to get to the marker where the bog was.

We traveled on the path a while, then got lost, then ended up back out on the beach and had to talk to a few different people to get our bearings.

The colors of the day were so perfect and the light that seemed to bleach everything out created a clean, dreamy effect. Such a peaceful place!

At the point where we had to go back onto the beach to try to get there, we got to see people riding their horses. This girl was mighty jealous!

We say a good handful of people riding their horses, I loved the sound of the galloping on the sand! We also had to use Veda as a shoe sherpa for a bit since my bag was getting filled with shed layers and beachy treasures.

However, we finally made it back into the right area of the dunes, not too far from the bog!

And for the rest of the story, you will have to wait for the last post.

...to be continued...

(see previous post here)

the great cranberry adventure: part 1

2011-11-09T07:16:00.001-08:00

So finally we had time (me and mum) and a good day to go to the dry cranberry bog to harvest cranberries!

I didn't know that they could grow in a dry bog, did you?

I also didn't know that you can't harvest them until after a frost, it helps them ripen...

We set off on this adventure with pups in tow, which, come to find out, they aren't allowed on the dunes... I know, breaking the law. We're such rebels. We had to be real stealthy...

It was so beautiful. I hadn't been to this part of the beach. The dunes are like a whole other world!

It was really funny because we found mushrooms growing out of the sand everywhere!

Did you know that they could grow in the sand? I certainly had no idea...

It was very twisty and turny back there and there were many beautiful views!

Man, I wish we brought water with us.

It was so warm, I think around 70 degrees (in November!?!) and of course we were both a bit over dressed.

So we definitely ended up barefoot.

The warm sand felt so good!

...To be continued...

rust and gold

2011-11-08T04:59:00.000-08:00

Amazing weather the last couple of days

and the trees seem to be glowing!

The forest is on sparkling rust and gold...

Postponed Sunday's trip to the dry bog,

so mum and I are going today instead.

I have been looking forward to harvesting cranberries all year.

Yay for cranberry apple pie!

Happy Tuesday to you all...

And also hello, welcome and thank you to you newest followers!

...what used to be the goat barn...

2011-11-07T10:11:00.000-08:00

This is where I live.

This is actually the back side of the house.

It used to be the old goat barn where they had goats and a llama and chickens.

Kind of cool I guess, even with all it's flaws.

I always wanted to live in a converted barn.

I love the shadows the elder shrubs cast on the door this morning.

So lacy and alive.

The hardware on the doors were made in the forge which is the little building (now a rental) next to us.

We also have the skeleton of a greenhouse with a granite foundation.

I think we will be putting some of the firewood in there this year.

Maybe one day we can fix it up to be a working greenhouse...

I am blessed by the beauty of where we live.

Even if there are ungodly amounts of ticks and mosquitoes (thanks to all the vernal ponds),

but there are also loads of toads and frogs, which I adore!

I hope your monday where you are is as beautiful as it is here!

Choppy Waters and Giveaway Winner

2011-11-07T09:47:00.000-08:00

It was rather breezy the other day and here are the waves to prove it!

The weather has been so beautiful though, I can't complain.

...

I wanted to send a congratulations to the winner of the giveaway:

Cherry Blossom World!

(when you have a moment, make sure to email me so we can talk about what color you want your necklace!)

...

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend!

xxoo

Amongst other things...

2011-11-06T04:37:00.000-08:00

via

It's a wee bit frosty and cold this morning,

but the sun is out, so that is nice.

However, I think a cuppa tea is in order momentarily...

(Right now Posey is sitting on my shoulder

preening herself and quietly grumbling "yeah... yeah... yeah... yeah" to me under her breath while I type.)

Did I mention that I went to game night at my friends last night?

No? Well I did. It was my first time playing Pictionary.

It started off rather rocky, but after spending about 3/4 of the game stuck on the first space, we (we played in partners) moved quickly to the end and won!

It was a 3 hour game and totally hilarious.

Today I might go to the dry cranberry bog with my mom.

Then to my friends for a knitting circle later, I am determined to learn and finish a pair of socks by the end of this month (I started the one I am working on now about 4 years ago).

I want to make these.

via

One last thing:

Don't forget to check out Vibeke's blog 'A Butterfly in my Hair'.

I am giving away a crocheted necklace and you have all day today still to enter!

So go on, quick as a bunny!

Oh, and have a perfectly peachy Sunday!

xoxo

poetry in the sky

2011-11-05T15:56:00.000-07:00

I came home tonight after the fair to find this video when going through posts of bloggers I follow.

It is incredible.

Definitely take a look!

Murmuration from Sophie Windsor Clive on Vimeo.

Crazy, right?!?

I think so.

So in LOVE with these birds dancing on the breeze,

it's like poetry in the sky!

Hope you are all having a beautiful Saturday night.

I am now trying to decide whether to go out to game night at my friends house, see my friend's bf spin music or just stay home and go to sleep early... All I know is it will be one of the 3.

And with that, I bit you adieu!

An interview and a giveaway!

2011-11-04T13:18:00.000-07:00

Don't you just love faery doorways?

They are pure magic.

Can't you just glimps a fantastical world of mischief and play through this one?

...

The lovely Vibeke of A Butterfly in my Hair did a little interviw with me.

It is on her blog right now.

Oh, and a giveaway, too!

Go ahead, take a peek...

2011-11-04T06:19:00.000-07:00

Before I get started, I am thinking of changing my banner...

It would look something like this.

What do you think?

Yesterday was so beautiful out, I went to the beach to do some treasure hunting.

You can see in the shadow above the bag I am holding full of shells and things.

I ended up wandering around a lot longer than I had anticipated, it was perfect!!!

I wish it were that nice again today, but it is overcast.

Last night was the opening celebration for Present, a local holiday shop downtown here in Gloucester. It went really well and was such a good time!!!

Now I am getting ready for a fair in New Hampshire tomorrow.

I have to finish some nuno felted headbands, maybe a mermaid or two, get the wool I washed in for to dry, pack the car...

I am leaving tonight to go get my friend who is also doing the fair (she actually told me about it), we are going to go tonight and stay at her mother's house so that we are closer tomorrow.

I think this weekend is going to be busier that I realize.

Travel tonight, fair tomorrow, game night with friends tomorrow night, big anniversary sale going on the whole weekend at the local yarn shop (and I definitely what to take advantage of that!), then hopefully a knitting get together at a friends house sunday afternoon/evening!

I also have a lot of other things that need creating to add to the shop downtown, but I think I will focus more on that next week...

So, any big plans for your weekend?

Stringing along thoughts

2011-11-03T12:33:00.000-07:00

My whole house is basically a studio space.

I always joke that I should sleep under the kitchen sink because the rest of the space is in use!

It is kind of a jungle in here with projects, supplies and plants as they start to come in out of the cold.

The spiders seem to quickly and eagerly take over, I can't keep up.

This house is granite and used to be a barn.

The stove has been lit more often than not, to keep out the cold and to keep out the damp.

And although we seem to be losing light, I am able to catch grand moments of golden rays peeking into corners and onto tables and in shelves.

I like having the indoors feel like outdoors.

I cut some of the last flowers in bloom to bring in and adorn my studio table.

I love their beaming pink, it opens my heart.

Lately I have been finding and collecting more and more treasures from nature,

feathers, bones, stones, shells, abandoned nests...

I think I need to find a little cabinet with a glass door to house these things so I can arrange them, study them, be inspired by them.

Do you collect things from nature?

.....

Tonight is the opening of Present here in Gloucester.

It is a seasonal holiday shop open for November and December and I am very honored to be a part of it for the first time this year.

So tonight there is a celebration and I made cookies!

I hope you all are able to have a little celebration of your own of some sorts.

I think mini celebrations just might be the best,

what do you think?

Ravenswood Park... Part 2

2011-11-01T08:53:00.000-07:00

Ravenswood Park... Part 1

2011-11-01T05:30:00.000-07:00

went on a small adventure.

found some lovely treasures.

mushrooms and lichens and moss and leaves.

i could have stayed all day.

2011-10-30T14:56:00.001-07:00

The waves over on the east side of town were amazing, especially with the sunset! It looked like there were mystical creatures riding the crest of each one. The clouds were the most beautiful pink, fading into a lavender sky and neon in the distance, the ocean was teal with white foam.

I hope you are able to enjoy and beautiful sunset tonight...

2011-10-29T16:08:00.000-07:00

It has been a while since I have shared with you any of the new scarves that I have been working on. But for sure, this is the season! I am really pleased with the nuno felted scarves that have been manifesting through my hands this year.

What do you think?

Fire Falls To The Earth

2011-10-29T08:23:00.000-07:00

The colors yesterday on my walk were so incredible, it is one of my favorite things about fall! It was interesting to see the color variation depending on the trees. The poplars were all golden and green, the maples had this amazing fire on the edges or dotted throughout and the oaks were all hues of red ranging from auburn to crimson. If you haven't seen a New England fall, there really isn't anything like it! Well, I think it might be time for me to take a trip to my mom's attic to get my winter jackets out of storage.

Also, I am excited to announce that I am learning to knit socks! I went to the knitting night at the local yarn shop- little side note: I love this shop, all the people that work there are crazy (in a good way and it is very welcoming, plus they have a LOT of wonderful yarns). Knit night was great, there were a couple of feisty older ladies and a couple of my friends showed up as well. Now I am obsessed with my current knitting projects and find them to be slightly distracting at times when I need to be working on stock for my upcoming fairs. Anyway, I hope these socks come out ok...

Do you knit?

2011-10-28T14:24:00.000-07:00

This is what was in our metal fire pit this morning...

ICE!

No, we didn't get snow. We had aweful, cold, raw, icky rain.

But it was kind of pretty, all the colors frozen in momentum here.

Hope you are warm and dry :)

Feelin' kinda rambly...

2011-10-27T17:14:00.000-07:00

It is so gross and raw and wet here today. There is supposedly a chance of snow later (which I would be more pleased about, yet doubt, being on the coast, we will get). I had a hard time focusing this morning, I was so tired from staying up until almost 3 am which I never do.

I am kind of grannyish when it comes to sleep, I like to go to bed at a reasonable time because I don't like to sleep in and I prefer to get up fairly early. Actually, I have a really hard time sleeping in...

Ok, anyway, I went bowling with a bunch of friends, which we tend to do fairly regularly on wednesday nights. It's super awesome, glow bowling, with the flashy lights and black lights and everything. Yeah, it's that kind of bowling. So it goes until midnight and then we hung out for a bit afterward which was nice, but then I didn't get home until really late...

I did get a bunch of felting done, but now I need to find a model so I can photograph at least a few of the new pieces before they sell. I have also been working on knitting a new pair of fingerless mittens, that's kind of exciting (and distracting when I should be doing other things). I think I have too many things going on in my head today, focusing is really difficult.

Obviously I am a bit rambley today, I'm allowed that right?!!?

These photos are of my little walk the other day (sans icky cold rain) in Halibut Point. I think it is a state park, or maybe it's a reservation? Whatever, I can't remember. But it sure was lovely out that day. I love how blue the water (both ocean and quarry) and sky is, plus the browns and greys of the granite and the fire reds, golds and oranges that are in the low bush leading down to the water. There were also some really beautiful, fluffy clouds dotting the skyline. It was a happy kind of day...

Halibut Point is in rockport, which is the town next to where I live. I live on what I guess is basically a peninsula (although we refer to it as the Island) and Rockport is basically at the end. So you are able to find a spot and just look out over the ocean with no end in sight.

Kinda cool.

Well, I am off to tend to the wood stove, put Posey Bird to sleep and then try and hunt down some chocolate. I am hoping I can find a hidden stash or something.

Hope you are all cozy and warm.

One last thing I would like to share with you tonight (found via Jillian's twitter feed):

We must bring our own light to the darkness.

[Bukowski]

Night all.