resurrection fern

Nature Feels

That is the title I have given to a new series of sculptural crochet covered stones. I have had these sketched out in my idea moleskin for months now but it seemed like I just never had the time to start working on them. I somehow managed to find a little bit of time yesterday to finish the first one. My idea behind this series is how wonderfully tactile spending time in the forest is. Even if one had all their other senses paralyzed temporarily and only retained the sense of touch the experience one could have would be amazing. This work is inspired by the soft carpets of mosses and lichens in the forest and also growing on my kitchen table in my terrarium. I took some pictures of these little microcosmos this afternoon.

These little works are meant to be touched and to accomplish this I used little bits of some of my most wonderfully tactile fibers and not just the vintage crochet cotton that I normally use.  For this first piece I used pure cashmere, alpaca silk, handspun cashmere merino and vintage crochet cotton. Some of the pods are filled with little vessels of living moss. I have asked you in the valentine giveaway to tell me what you love most in the natural world, and for me I think it is moss. There is nothing that delights me more than lying down on a warm summer day on a green, soft, subtle earthy smelling bed of moss. 

I am taking part in the poppytalk affordable art market that goes live today. I am also very excited to have another inspirational interview for you tomorrow with one of the most amazing crochet artists in the world. 

The Steadfast Tin Soldier

An entire month has already passed since Christmas and I still have some things that I have been wanting to share that I received. One of them is an ornament from a very talented woman named Sandra Field. I think it has to be one of the most exquisite ornaments I have ever seen or held in my hands. It is made from recycled and repurposed materials each chosen specifically to tell a tale. 

The story being told is The Steadfast Tin Soldier by Hans Christian Anderson. It came with a little note encouraging the reading of the story to enjoy the ornament fully and also just because one is never too old to read fairy tales. I couldn't agree more and I was very quick to comply with the request. I encourage you all to do the same. You can find the story here.

The craftsmanship in this is spectacular. This one is not being put away in storage. Thanks so much Sandra. You are one very talented woman.

I don't want to work , I just want to play with my camera all day.

Do you remember that song from a few years back with the word drums replacing camera. I used to listen to a radio station that would play that every monday morning which I always thought was a little cruel. Today that song is playing over and over in my head with substitute words like camera, kitties, children, fabric, fiber..... but the reality is that after a totally amazing Christmas , hey ho, hey ho, it's back to work I go. I will just have to save the rest of the fun for later. 

The Christmas Snail Explained

Here is the story for anyone who was curious about the appearance of a common garden snail in Ontario in Decenber. Every autumn I bring some of my potted plants back into the house. This year when I did this I was hoping and praying a little snail might be curled up sleeping under the leaves in one of them but I didn't want to count on it.
I placed the potted gardenia plant near the bath on the second floor where it would benefit from heat and humidity. Two days before Christmas I was having a wonderful bubble bath when who did I see out on the leaves of the plant and definitely antennae out in my direction a beautiful large garden snail. It was late at night but the next morning I found him in the plant again and he was really awake and frisky so I borrowed a little knitted cap ( had to try three before I found one that fit right) from a little gnome I had a few years ago and that is how the pictures happened. 

This beautiful little snail is becoming famous over at cuteoverload.com

I hope you can take a moment to read the comments. One in particular still has me laughing.

Some Things Last

Benjamin Button :I was thinking how nothing last, and what a shame that is. 

Daisy: : Some things last. 

We enjoyed watching the Curious Case of Benjamin Button last evening and I really loved the conversations throughout the film between Benjamin and Daisy at various stages of their divergent ages. It got me thinking about time and memories and how differently we all experience these universal things. On flickr I noticed some people were all ready talking about taking down their Christmas decorations and I know in our neighbourhood the first garbage pick up day after Christmas I will see with cloudy eyes trees tossed onto the curb. In my home we try to make Christmas last forever or at least as long as possible and I guess I am writing this to urge you to do the same. 

Here are a few images of what I think is worth hanging on to. 

I have so many other treasures to photograph and share with you over the next week and I also want to share the story behind the Christmas snail pictures with you before I get the animal rights activists on my back or those that think taking pictures of snails in tiny knitted caps is akin to taking things too far. ( an unkind comment was left on the craftzine blog. )

Small but Not Insignificant

                     "For small creatures such as we the vastness is bearable only through love." 
                                                         --  Carl Sagan 

Wishing you all peace and love this holiday season.

It is only when you slow down and open your eyes, ears and mind wide open that you will truly see the miracles that surround each and every one of you. 

ps You can read about one of my families traditions on the IndieFixx blog if you like.

Tree Trimming with Wine and Cheese from Lyon, France

Last night finally we finally were able to trim the tree , with all of us home for the holidays and the special treats of wine and cheese that my husband brought home from Lyon for us to enjoy. It might have been very cold and frosty outside but it sure felt warm in our living room where the festivities were happening. Our tree decorations are an eclectic mix of vintage, handmade by the children or myself, gifts from my family or fresh baked. Here is a little sampling of what you might see if you examined the tree. 

the pictures in order of appearance:

wine and cheese from Lyon , France

Deborah putting the art deco angel on the tree top

Tamara's 2008 ornament ( same as the one she gave her grandmother)

an ornament Tamara made when she was 4 years old

Rebekah and Deborah embracing

vintage ornament

straw rooster from poland ( my father always insisted on having a rooster on the tree)

a gnome painted by my dear friend Minnie

my little collection of jointed ornaments

fresh gingerbread matyroshka's decorated by Matt and Rebekah

Back Home Safe and Sound

I have been blog neglectful the last few days with my travels on the weekend. I had a really lovely visit with my mom but I was very happy to return home safe after a long and nasty drive home last evening. The trip took about twice the usual time and there were times when all I could see of the road was the tail lights of the truck in front of me. When I arrived home I asked for a glass of wine and a warm bath. My mom was really happy to see me and was dressed in festive colors when I arrived. Her tree is decorated with the names of all her grandchildren and great grandchildren and we went over each one and talked about them. I admired the creche that she has had ever since I was a small child and we discussed where baby Jesus was hiding until Christmas Day.  I placed her gift from me under her tree with strict instructions to not open it until christmas. Alice the elephant I made for her was already under the tree waiting to act as its guardian. 

It Snowed and Snowed and Snowed

View this photoHope you all have a wonderful weekend . I will be back on Monday . 

Soon it Will be Christmas

Here is a glimpse at some of the activities here leading up to the big day.Deborah and her friends going door to door collecting food for the local food bank. Cranberries and popcorn are carefully strung as garlands for the tree.The kitties always get really curious about these activities. That's Arwen peaking out from behind the tree.The tree decorating is one of my favorite things. So many special memories held in the handmade ornaments especially those made by the children over the years. They are little vignettes to be made around the house.Presents to wrap.I have decided to not buy a speck of new wrapping paper this year and to use up all the bits and pieces I have accumulated. Should end up being very colorful under the tree.Adding to the ice display on the porch and getting ready for all the wonderful snow that is expected to fall today.

How are your final preparations going?

Have a wonderful weekend and safe travels my friends.