critters & cuteness

I worked on a felt kit over the Christmas break which has me completely smitten with the outcome.  I realize that Christmas is over and talking about ornaments in March can be a little un-nerving, but bare with me as I indulge this little christmas crafting. And besides have you ever seen a cuter bunch of characters? How could I not work on this kit year round.



The kit is made by Bucilla and called Woodland Santa, it has since been retired but I'm sure if you look on ebay you should be able to find a kit.  At first glance when I opened the kit, it took a bit for me to get my mind around the instructions.  I'd say reading the instructions are just-a-bit-easier than a japanese sewing pattern.  With perseverance and an undying commitment to the uber-cute creatures, I pressed on and managed to get a grip on things. I am a crafter after all.



I started with the bear who seemed simple enough - same colour felt throughout has to be straight forward. Next up was the bunny - oh so sweet and then the toy soldier who was a little more challenging with his fancy uniform. 



I discovered a couple of things while embroidering:

1. don't cut too many pieces at once or it will whisk you into a fury of searching when pieces turn up missing.  Only to find that said missing pieces are stuck to your sweater - felt, right?

2. keep a few zip lock bags (or similar) on hand to keep cut pieces separate - don't forget to mark the bags.

3. create a thread pallet to keep all the threads organized and untangled.

4. entry level reading glasses may or may not be required for magnification when working with tiny little stitches and bead work - ahem.

and finally

5. kind of attached to the last point: good lighting is a must - need I say more?



The last felt kit I completed was a stocking, pre-twins era, for my mum.  This will be good practice for me since along with the felt ornaments I purchase the woodland santa stocking kit for mr. duckyhouse, but shh don't tell him because it's a secret. and secrets I'm good at.

knitting imitates life

I've been spending a fair amount of time knitting this past winter. I have a relationship with knitting akin to an old friend.  There are weeks when we don't see each other and then we reconnect and it is like no time has passed.  This winter I picked up the sticks in December after an entire two season absence and together we have been inseparable. It started with socks, then knucks, dish cloths for an unsuspecting friend who thought she was giving me some cotton yarn (sorry no photos) and then a long overdue scarf that I started back in 2008 that had since been frogged due to lack of motivation.



On a roll I picked up the lonely balls of hacho, found my pattern "the juan scarf" and began the simple cast on once again.  Things felt different this time around, the repetitive 12 row pattern which seemed to give me so much angst two years ago was flowing so much easier.  In no time I was finished and then casted on for the matching "tintiri hat".  I did have to adjust the pattern slightly because I always find knitted hats a bit snug. And just in case you're wondering, my bean isn't any bigger (or smaller) than the next gals.



I dare say the ease that I've been knitting with lately is due to a renewed place of peace I've been making with the current state of chaos I live in. There are still designated work zones in my home and tools strewn about and I'm learning to live with it.  It's been over 2 years now, it will be 3 in the summer since we started this renovation journey.  If we were independently wealthy things would have been finished in record time, however being a stay-at-home/home-educating/part time working mum does not lend itself to wealth.  Instead we've been working at what feels like a snails pace (at times), steadily tackling the jobs in the limited free days we have ~ that translates to about 2-3 days every two weeks for anyone wondering what's taking us so long.



And so here I am, end of February still with no studio to speak of or a completed home. I find myself setting work schedules and then readjusting the time frame once again to make room for things unseen: spontaneous family outings on days we should be working, lazy days of mid-winter when we feel like we just can't spend another moment working on it (the house) or planning it. The distractions are so very frequent and at the end of the day what does it matter?  Life goes on right? Finding the enjoyment in today is most important, whatever that days looks like: painting, sledding, knitting.  Truthfully it's a better way to live and I wish I discovered it a couple of winter's back. I hear Morpheus (from the Matrix) whispering to me: "Unfortunately, no one can be told what the {insert issue} is. You have to see it for yourself."





Much like knitting, the end (of renovating) feels so very near and at the same time so very far off... and I keep my knitting close for those many moments when I should could be working on a house project but "don't feel like it".  I pick up the familiar sticks and lay a few more rows down.  Some days it looks like I'll be knitting forever and then bam, I'm at the end.  I suspect that is how real life works too.

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~ wishing you a day filled with love and happiness ~

january re-cap

in pictures...

:: his other love ::



:: dear hipstamatic: i love you ::



:: started pride and prejudice ::



:: noticed how little things make me smile ::



:: bright colours make me feel so happy ::





:: thinking a lot about food ::







final notes: After 1 month of the 365 photo a day, I can honestly say that this is going to be a challenge. I've really gotten out of the habit of photo-journalling life and while I love the camera, I feel rusty behind the lens. Most days I'm not sure what I should take photos of, I find myself hoping the inspiration will just show itself as I go about my day. And certainly while the light is right, if you know what I mean ;) It's a bugger when the idea strikes and the sun has set. If you want to see more of my 365 set you can hop over here to view them. all for now, xxx.