resurrection fern

a creative year in review part 1

a creative year in review part 1, originally uploaded by knitalatte11.

a creative year in review part 2

a creative year in review part 2, originally uploaded by knitalatte11.

Resurrection Fern Want Add

When I collected these stones on the beaches this summer I never knew what the future would hold for some of them. The fact is I have virtually ran out of large smooth round or oval sea or river stones to gracefully cover in crocheted coats and I am appealing for your help. 

I really want to keep my etsy shop stocked with stones and I also have my first trunk sale coming up in Toronto just before Valentine's Day. I really need some suitable stones to work with. If you just happen to be a rock hound or a beach comber and happen to have some 3 to 5 inch wide, smooth stones you would be willing to part with please leave me a comment or email so that we might work out a trade or some sort. You see stones of this sort are really hard to find in my neck of the woods at this time of year with the ground covered with snow and ice. 

You would be contributing to a very good creative cause. Here are some images of what your stones could become if given a chance. ( i almost used the word break here but of course I don't want any broken stones for this project). 

My art is an attempt to reach beyond the surface appearance. I want to see growth in wood, time in stone, nature in a city, and I do not mean its parks but a deeper understanding that a city is nature too-the ground upon which it is built, the stone with which it is made.  Andy Goldsworthy

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 .