and what a happy Canada Day it was

I had an incredibly productive Canada day yesterday, staying in the city and finishing off every project I could find that only needed ten more minutes.





After I'd put the finishing touches on all the critters I had started in the last few months, I moved on to the felt'n'feather accessories

I even got all my tags ready to print before heading out for the traditional Canada Day BBQ

I sure do love my home and native land

o'canada

happy birthday

may the next year bring you good health and prosperity
an over abundance of love and creative energy
and eternal longevity

bonne fete

monkey memento

I did somewhat of an art exchange on Facebook recently and this is the monkey that I created for miss Karma, my favorite former North Ender, who now resides in Kingston.

Kingston Ontario that is! Not Kingston the town before Middleton, where I was born, and where I (quite enthusiastically) assumed Karma must be from when we first met in the tenth grade.

That assumption led to an instant love, and even though Karma is back in her own neck of the woods, she'll always live in my memories... which are vast and vibrant!

A Funky Monkey For a Frosty Friday

a little experiment of the giraffe kind...

I was inspired by a wood carving at my friend Jen's the other day and decided to attempt a giraffe. I'm just in love with the shape of his body... his spots on the other hand proved to be a bit of a task. I chose a rather thick alpaca wool for the spots, they're quite raised, creating a neat effect. He's certainly one of a kind.

for the little fellas

This Friday my little friend Finn celebrates his first year in this world! Congratulations Finn!

I wanted to make him something special, but I was having a hard time deciding on the perfect thing.

Last Christmas I made Finn a little stripped felted owl, a fast favorite, which soon became his teether.

Yesterday, after a quick stop at the Superstore, I was perusing the latest Viva magazine and came across little organic cotton vegetable teethers.

What a great idea I thought... and why not make them out of wool?

I started with a carrot, similar to the one pictured in the magazine, and moved on to make my own beans and a strawberry. I did a test soaking the berry and freezing it, to help sooth really swollen gums. So far it seems like that theory will work nicely... Finn can be the final judge!

I wanted to take a nice pic to show everyone before the sun went down and we lost the light - I'm just so excited!

Mister however was not impressed with not being the center of attention and promptly stormed my set - such a drama queen.

All my little friends, your teethers are on their way!

Fancy Feather Pins

I rewarded myself for my very productive Friday the 13th with a selection of brightly coloured feathers.

Since then I've made a pretty little bird and a variety of felted hair pins.

Now I just need somewhere to go and rock my fancy side bun.

Andy & Andy Cat

For Valentine's I crafted Bryan a very special Andy Cat.


I think Andy likes his felted doppelganger.

Friday the 13th - part 1

4 & 1/2 hours until Valentines... are you set?

I am :)

I had a great day preparing. I started with a trip downtown, a quick hello to my pals at Kinkos, then off to Love, Me boutique to drop off some critters, my new pin cushion rings and Valentine cards. I had a nice visit with Chara, popped into the loop for some supplies and then made my way back North to drop of my freshly printed application for the Halifax Crafters May show.

With all my important things done I enjoyed my walk home and stopped into the tackle shop to reward myself with some brightly coloured feathers.

My afternoon flew by as I worked away on Bryan's super secret Valentines present. Mister has stolen my white thread so I can't quite finish it just yet. I had to take a break from Valentines crafting and ended up finishing off a fantastic scruffy little fella upcycled from one of my most favorite vintage sweater of all time.

Overall I'd say this has been a pretty damn good Friday the 13th. Actually it's been a fantastic week - starting off with my 50 cent 1966 Francie find - the best present in the world. Getting the email about the open spot in the Valentines fair, The free cab ride to the fair from my old friend Ahmed (he had been a driver back at Pizza Hut where I worked while going through school - I hadn't seen him in ages).

Yes, definitely a great week, and I can't wait for mine and Bryan's fondue feast tomorrow. Til then I'm off to visit the neighbours and have a festive evening of our own. Nice day indeed.

today's project: felted pin cushion rings

Craft Show February 7th at St Arnolds Hall

Funky Monkey!

only two more days until the craft show and I've been keeping myself busy making these funky little monkeys - everyone love monkeys!

the season for love is fast approaching...

Well 2009 came in with a heavy blank canvas of snow, inaugurating the start of another creative year. I've been fortunate enough to reserve a table at the upcoming craft sale, Saturday February 7th, and have been crafting like crazy since New Years has past



I'm quite excited, the lovely miss Stephanie Nairn and I will be sharing a table as we display and sell our latest creations. Stephanie's line of jewelry and accessories, "Devilish," is highly influenced by retro pin-up art and cinema, featuring whimsical 40 & 50's icons and imagery. We will certainly have an interesting variety of crafts for all to peruse, that is for sure!



Since the craft fair is a week before Valentines I thought how lovely it would be to make special Valentines critters. Taking inspiration from Canadian musician, Born Ruffians, I have started creating little foxes to go along with their quote "foxes mate for love because they're in love."



A long time fan of the little rusty coloured critters, I'm just head over heels with my new fuzzy foxy fellas. Also I have some very special owl'n'pussycat couples I'm working on as well as a few grizzlies to cuddle with too!



Getting a little sore and cramped from the continuous stitching, and suffering a little scissor withdraw since the completion of the YES!+ 2009 calendar, I've started the first of a series of Valentines inspired quotes/portraits.



My first quote comes from the always inspirational Voltaire. This quote seems to be stirring up some additional creative juices... the wheels are turning, visions of brightly coloured felt, stone, feathers and twigs - let's see what happens...



Here's to 2009 being absolutely divine!