random thoughts on a thursday

I was recently challenged to work on a stone in the color pink. You might have noticed that I don't work much in pink, but I spent some time thinking about our wild roses that stubbornly grow around the stumps in our back woods, and gave it a try. I was happy with the result and because of that, decided to try the other colors that I've been denying. This week I worked in black, and I'm kicking myself for not doing it sooner because I loved the effect. This stone was inspired by my favorite birds, the corvids (crows, ravens, jays) . Next challenge...red.

I gave up working on a to-do list, instead adapting a "to-do tomorrow" list, and that little trick of giving my brain time to think about what needs to be done has been really helpful.

I've rented a classroom at the building where I work for the weekend and am hauling lots of wool and supplies over. I'll be teaching a class on stone-making in the morning on Saturday, sharing wet-felting with friends later that day, and then working on whatever felty thing I might like on Sunday. See, I work at the kitchen table at home so having a whole room with a tile floor, tables, and a sink to myself is an amazing thing.

I watched my 7 year old make a tiny grill out of a bottle cap and aluminum foil last night, stuff it with tissue and light it on fire, and "grill" tiny shavings of carrots and peppers. It makes me proud to see her playing with sharp knives and fire, as weird as that may sound. But I admit it gave me pause when she looked up at me yesterday with a glint in her eye and told me that tomorrow she would make one that's BIGGER.

I should be in the shower by now, getting ready for work. Instead I'm tapping out this post and watching a slug make trails in the condensation on the window glass. Last night I was entranced by the wee frog who was trying to catch mosquitos on the same window. The day before, when I was having a particularly stressed-out moment, I noticed a bee on the sunflower by our door and I stopped to marvel at his pollen-laden legs. Nature is good medicine.

Up and at 'em.

Have a stellar day, all.

xo

random thoughts on a Sunday

Stitching on small stones that I plan to string up on leather as pendants. I haven't made pendants in a long while so I thought it was time.

I wanted to say a big THANKS to you that voted for my nonprofit on Thursday. Though we didn't win the money, it was such a great feeling to see familiar names among the likes. Thanks for helping out and for supporting the arts. You're my heroes.

I ugly-cried my way through the first chapter of 'Wild'. A good, hard, cathartic cry. I'm not quite ready to carry on with chapter 2 yet but my chest feels lighter. I guess I needed it.

I'll be doing a needle-felting demo on Jan. 3rd at the Northland Arboretum in Brainerd, MN if anyone is in the area. Some of my favorite local artists including my friend Haddie, and Bob and Amy Carls from Ripple River will be there too, along with new friends Carla Benjamin and Peg Serani. We're doing a little drive for the food pantry so bring along a canned good if you stop by. 4-8pm. Would love to see you.

It's the christmas season and I haven't had any egg nog. There's something wrong with that. On my to-do list...buy nog.

Speaking of the holiday season. I know this time of year can be really rough on some people. To those of you out there that struggle...HUGS. Big hugs. Tonight is winter solstice, and the returning of the light.

Have a lovely Sunday.

randomness on a Wednesday

I found a mushroom that looks like it would be perfect for a little gnome to nap under.

I was totally wowed last week at the Wicked creativity found at this quilt show in the gallery at work.

I found out what happens when a sock gets left outside too long.

My daughter found a new friend who was very good at grabbing her with his sticky feet.

I have decided I need to change my name to this.  

Happy Wednesday, everyone. 

random stuff on a Tuesday

I had a craving this week for something sweet and creamy.  I really wanted ice cream, but alas, we had none.  I did have some rhubarb stalks though and coconut milk.  I infused a simple syrup with the rhubarb (which, holy wow, is that tasty) and added it to a slushie I made with the coconut milk and grated ginger.  Yes.  Oh my yes.  About a gazillion calories, but yes anyway.

I bought this sweet little oil lamp from my friend Haddie the potter and my kids lost the wick so I turned it into a little water reservoir for an acorn.  I keep it on my window ledge at work and when I came back after the weekend I found that my acorn has sprouted teeny tiny leaves.  Happiness.

Betty thinks my patio furniture is her perch.  It is not.  Do you hear me, Betty?  Not.

In a few days I may be a grandma.  Our little Goose may be a daddy soon. Though I never count my chickens ducks before they hatch, two of the eggs in the incubator have pipped as of this morning.  They still have to make it through hatch, but there is a little hope that I might have two ducklings to love soon.  Cross your fingers for us.

Stones.  I miss working on stones.  My work life and my home life have been pretty busy and my hands are yearning for their own work.  I'm hoping to put some of these stones in them this weekend.

What's up with you?

random thoughts on a wednesday

My friend, who is clearly a Photoshop wizard, created this image masterpiece to commemorate an upcoming bike trip.  I am the unicorn.  So lifelike.

Yesterday our dog Charlie was (finally) neutered.  He has been wearing the cone of shame to keep him from bothering his stitches.  Apparently the cone of shame is heavier than its thin plastic frame would suggest as he walks with it scraping the ground as if the weight of it is too much for his neck muscles to bear.  I can tell he wants to communicate his distress to me by the way he whined the entire night long.  Yes, the entire night long.  Until we took the cone off this morning.  Now he is sleeping peacefully in the morning light.

This morning my son saw a large animal step into the woods about <this> tall with a long tail, wolf-like head, and it was skin colored.  I'm pretty sure he saw a coyote and it's more worrisome to me that we have another coyote in our yard (what with all our chickens and ducks and small children) than the possibility of some kind of were-creature, but I wonder how I'll feel when the next full moon comes about.

I woke up craving avocado on toast.  Alas, we have no avocados.  And now nothing else will do.  Does that ever happen to you?

I had brunch with ex-poet laureate Billy Collins yesterday at the local college.  Listening to him read his poems was one of the most enjoyable things I have done in recent memory.  A friend of mine said that she envied that I could understand poetry, that it was all a lot of gobbledygook to her.  That made me think and I realize that I may not be getting the full meaning of the written word, but that it doesn't make it any less enjoyable for me.  Ignorance is bliss?  I think the same applies to visual art.  I can look at a piece without knowing the maker's intent and enjoy it all the same.  If I later learn what the artist was trying to say, it allows me to enjoy it in a different way.  What does that mean?  I don't know, this is a random post after all.

I'm teaching a needle-felting class tomorrow night and I'm so eager to do it.  I hope they enjoy it as much as I do.  Also, choosing what snacks to make is more nerve-wracking than planning the lesson plan.

I've been thinking about something my grandpa says - "It's easier to pull a rope than to push a rope."  But what if you can't get people to come along with you even when you're leading the way?  Is it okay to make a lasso and drag them with the rope?

I have many, many things I need to finish today.  Funny how deadlines seem to crop up all on the same day like that.  Coffee, take me away.  

Time to start the day.  I hope you all have a great mid-week.  

random thoughts

My daughter spends a lot of time holding the chickens, petting the chickens, carrying the chickens around.  Maybe I should get her a doll before she starts dressing the chickens.

My new spoon gouge came yesterday and I'm dying to work on the ladle I started.

Despite being boiled, some of the wood pieces are checking.  That's frustrating but at least I had a good dye experiment in the process.

When I open the coop in the morning, the very first thing the ducks do is run to the pond and mate.  Very first thing.  Before eating, before stretching, they just get right to it.  I was thinking of piping in some Barry White but clearly they don't need the inspiration.

I've started eating kimchi daily.

I have some felted wool stones on the table that will get some stitches today.  The colors were requested by different customers but they all look so pretty together I'm going to have to do another set in these shades.

The sun is shining.  What a difference that makes.

This girl makes me want to build tables.  Or at least build the table I've been meaning to build for months now.

This girl makes me want a pony.  And a cold beer.  (and I find her very inspiring)

I love that Julie is putting to practice some of her pins.  I think that's a great idea.

I think I talk about my chickens too much.  Am I going to be the crazy chicken lady when I get old?

Time to take advantage of that sunshine.  Have a great day, everyone.

random thoughts on a Thursday

A few of you have asked for a tutorial on making felted stones, and I have one in the works.  I need an extra pair of hands to run the camera for me so I'll get to that this weekend when the family is home.

Right now the snow is falling softly and for a moment, it fell against a backdrop of blue sky.  I like those odd juxtapositons.

I've ordered some new seeds from Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds and to say I'm eager for spring planting is a massive understatement.  I'm trying to make my landscaping as useful as possible, rather than being solely ornamental, and I'm stoked about these new arrivals and the mushroom spawn that's on the way.

The girl had a fever last week that turned out to be strep.  So far no one else has gotten it and I'm crossing every crossable body part that it stays that way.

I really enjoyed the 'biting your tail' post by Jenna at Cold Antler Farm and it's made me think a lot about how and when to ask for things.  And my inability to ask, even when I should.  And other people's proclivity for it, even when they shouldn't. 

Cabin fever has reared its ugly head here.  Naughtiness is at an all-time high, tempers are short, and whining is rampant.  Thank goodness we're having a few warmer days, it will give us a chance to get out in the woods and primal scream breathe.

I made egg noodles from scratch last night but not enough to feed everyone so I had to mix them with some store-bought noodles.  A blind taste test revealed that mine had a "richer" taste.  Take that Barilla.  (though the chickens should get the credit as I'm positive it's their bright orange eggs that made the difference)  Also, making egg noodles is sooo easy.

I need to finish photographing the cashmere pieces I made last week.  Only one of the two hats I made has survived, one being lost at school, (or the playground, or the bus) on the first day it was worn.  Of course.

I've been doing more stitching and hope to have a shop update next week.  I'll announce the date and time and give a sneak peek before I put the new work in my shop.

I need a refill on my coffee and wish we could have a group coffee date to chit chat.  Coffee is tastier with good conversation, don't you think?

Have a good day, everyone.

random thoughts on a Friday

Just a few random thoughts at the end of a busy week.

I love this idea of Julie's...for anyone wanting to have a handmade holiday but aren't sure where to start or just need a little motivation, this just might be the ticket.  Knowing Julie, it will be amazing.

This guy and his talented feet kind of blew me away.  I can barely walk with mine, and he's making chess pieces with his.

I miss the days when kids could bring homemade treats to school.  Where are the sticky popcorn balls and pretty homemade cupcakes?  Can we get back there please?

This article comes off as a little "you kids get off my lawn" but I enjoyed it anyway.

I can't decide what I want to add more to my ultimate christmas list, a foraging trip with Steve Brill, a new workshop, or a nap.

I've had four kids, so how did I forget how difficult the 2 year to 3 year old transition is?  Shouldn't I be way more relaxed about it by now?

I've been (finally) playing with the clay that I slaked from the yard.

Snow is coming.

There are 57 days until christmas.

Yikes.

Have a great weekend everybody.

Monday Randomness

Random thoughts.

We had a good weekend here despite the youngest falling on the steps and cutting her cheek.

Hubby made soft pretzels which further convinces me we have some kind of mind-reading thing going on because I was just telling Joanie how much I loved his soft pretzels.

The kids watched a movie or three. 

I sent some birch brooches on a flight to somewhere special.  Maybe I'll have something to share about them in a few months.

The baby girl has completely scribbled out the entire month of September in my planner.  So apparently my September is booked.

Food is my hot button and I could bore everyone to tears with my views, and probably did after reading this blog post.

Not many chores got done this weekend.

Which brings me to today...

Laundry, cleaning, soup in the crockpot.

Maybe crafting too, if I get away from this computer.

Have a good start to your week.

Salutations

The other day I horrified serenaded my oldest son with this song.  I remember listening to it on my aunt's record player and thinking it was hilarious.  He was slightly less enthused.

To all of you, I wish a good weekend minus birds of paradise and elephant toe-massages.

Thinking Out Loud

I'll be closing my Etsy shop tonight and will re-open sometime in the new year.  If there's anything you've been eyeing that you'd like to get...

The temperature outside while I write this is at zero.  It makes me feel kind of hopeful, like all we can do is go up from here.

I'm looking forward to starting on some projects for us.  I found a pack of burlap feed sacks at the feed store this week and plan to make stockings, ala Maya.

After seeing Nini's messenger bag, I'm thinking I need to make a couple of those as well. 

One of my younger chickens has started laying the most beautiful speckled eggs.  Within just the past few weeks her butt has gotten really fluffy and you can really tell she's a laying hen.  I whispered in her ear (well, in the general vicinity of her ear) "It's OK, lots of us get big butts when we mature.  It happens.  Some guys like it, in fact, Roger the rooster has been giving you the eye..."

I'm looking forward to getting presents wrapped, boxes off to friends, and putting up a few decorations around the house.  Gosh, I have so many things I want to do!  It makes me feel really happy that I'm giving myself the time to do it. 

I hope to have that birch bark tutorial for you up on Saturday while I am strolling No Coast Craft-o-Rama looking at handmade goodness and eating a gyro.  (note:  I haven't had a gyro in years and I love them.  I miss them.  I will have them.) 

I have a number of wood-working projects to do out in the (un-heated) barn.  I'll have to get the woodstove fired up in there first just so I have a place to warm my hands when they can no longer bend.  Non-bendy fingers and band saws don't mix.

Someone needs some coffee.  That would be me.  Have a great day, everyone.