who needs toys?

 

Because left to their own devices, my kids do things like this with cans from the recycling.

 

 Yep, that's a piñata.  And a lot of masking tape.

 

Complete with prizes!

 

Post-piñata power pose.

I honestly don't know if this affirms my belief that my kids don't need more toys or is evidence that they do...

 

wordless Wednesday

a new mushroom terrarium in the works

 

I've been doing some needling lately.  It's coming together slowly, but surely.

 

It's inspired by one of my favorite sights in the woods, the yellow Amanitas that should be popping up soon.  I'm done with the gills and am working on the spots.  I have a piece of poplar drying for the base and it will be nestled into a bed of moss in no time.  My 3 oldest kids return to school next week and I'm hopeful that it will give me just a bit more time (and precious, precious quiet) to finish up.

I've also started gathering some of the large acorns from the tree behind my clothesline.  She so generously provides the materials to make my little acorn ornaments.  I know a few of you have asked if I'll be making these this year, and the answer is yes.  If you'd like to secure one of your own, they're available for pre-order in my shop.

I've also made a few more wool acorns and added them to the shop as well.  It's that time of year and I love it.  I'm not so ready for that season that comes after, (the season that shall not be named) but I'll worry about that later

Today I'm off for a woods-wander with the kids.  It rained today and I'm hoping more mushrooms will have popped up.

Have a great day everyone.

mushrooms on a Monday

 

If you've read this blog for any length of time you probably know that I'm a bit obsessed with mushrooms.  I love to read about them, eat them, dye with them, and craft their likenesses out of wool.  But I think that even for those that aren't interested in doing those things, fungi can be fascinating.  The variety of shapes, colors, and textures are stunning.  (Google "stinkhorn" sometime and check those out...wow)  For those of you that find them interesting, please enjoy a few photos from my walk in the woods yesterday.

  

 

 

 

 

 

Happy Monday, all.

a change in the air

 

It's coming, can you feel it?

 

Happy Sunday, everyone.

wordless Wednesday

Monday morning joys

 

A crisp morning, half a cup of coffee consumed before pitter-pattering feet find me, wildflowers in bloom out every window, a small child holding a kitten making "lawnmower" noises.

It's Monday of what is sure to be a very busy week so I'm taking the first few minutes of the day to be grateful for the simple joys in life.  I may have to refer back to these in the hubbub of the week, lest I forget while I'm cleaning fleeces and sending chickens to the freezer.

What are your simple joys today?  I'd love to hear.

Happy Monday, all.

wool acorns and guineas

 

I woke to 50 degree weather this morning.  I can feel autumn approaching and I think it's more than wishful thinking on my part.  I love autumn.  If I could live in a place that was autumn all year long, I would.

 

I noticed the other day that my favorite oak started dropping her acorns.  She's a very little oak but she has big beautiful acorn caps and I had to make some wool acorns to go in them.

 

I took them outside this morning to photograph them, naturally attracting the attention of the flock.  Anytime "the feeder" leaves the house with something in her hand is cause for excitement.

 

Even the guineas came to check it out.

 

They have beautiful feathers but a face only a near-sighted mother could love.  They eat ticks for us so in that regard they're gorgeous.   But I digress.

 

I made a few acorns for me and a few for you too, if you'd like them.  They're in my shop now.

I've been working on a few other pieces and will be adding them to the shop next week sometime as well.

I hope you have a great weekend, everyone.

wordless Wednesday

a cat without a name

 

Our new kitten still doesn't have a name.

He nearly earned one last week when he scratched me in the eye, but it's hardly appropriate to share here.  So far we've just been calling him cat or kitty.  He answers to, well, nothing because he's a cat.  He could give a flip if we're calling him or not.

 

He's turned out to be pretty amusing, though I keep him at a bit of a distance since the eye-scratching thing.   The kids haul him around while he protests loudly, the dog has regular posturing sessions with him (the cat wins), and he has taken a real liking to leaping out from around the corner to surprise me.  And it does, because he leaps spread-eagle like he's doing a jumping jack, right in front of me.  Weirdo.

Hopefully he'll earn a name soon.  You know, one that I can share.  But if you have suggestions, I'm all ears.

Monday in motion

 

It's Monday.

This past week I've coaxed pink from orange mushrooms.

 

I've begun needling that multi-colored wool and am delighted with the earthy texture it's creating.

 

I've put new stuff in the dye pot.

 

And made plans, lots of plans.

 With luck and lots of coffee (and oh man, a babysitter would be a dream come true) I might get some things done.  Time to get in motion.

Have a great week everyone.

customers' creations - love the sheep!

 

Ack!  Is that cute or what?

Love?  Why, yes I do.

This is the sheep that sox and patches (who has a cute etsy shop herself) made from my kit.  Didn't she do a fabulous job?

You can buy the kit in my shop, if you'd like to make some yourself.  If you do, please share photos, I love to see the finished sheepies.

Happy Sunday, all.

quick! create! craft night

 

I had craft night this week with a few of my friends.  This time we did a quick-create using paper.  We drew a theme from a basket and gave ourselves a limited time to create something based on that theme.  Like when we made the beaded bracelets I was a bit out of my element, but the exercise was fun and darn near-cathartic for me.

 

 

We talked and laughed and worked.  Our conversation was a winding road for sure.  I walked in carrying a lot of extra stress in my chest and walked out feeling rid of it.  Art with friends has a way of doing that.

 

Sometimes these artful gatherings feel like church.  Sometimes therapy.  Sometimes both.

Always good.

Sometimes getting out of your element is just the right thing to do.

Have a great weekend, everyone.