Snowshoeing along the Kickapoo

Sunday after Christmas, what a great time to get out the skis, is what we thought. However, given the conditions around the farm, (icy, crusty, bumpy) we decided snowshoes might serve us better. We have a beautiful ski trail we forge most winters along the Kickapoo River, so we thought we'd do that. The approach to the river is long, twisted, and overgrown much of the way. Part of the fun!

Winding our way down to the river, Freddie leads the way. It is quite clear skis would have been a disaster.

Bushwacking through the woods means getting tangled, tripping occasionally, and for me, being way over dressed.

We traversed three slews, being very glad that they were quite solidly frozen.

Finally we arrived at the river. It is always stunning in its beauty, a sight neither Freddie or I ever tire of.

Towards the end of the 3 1/2 hour trek these golden needles caught my eye. The color contrast was lovely, and the golden needles looked like they were ready to be spun. Doesn't seem to be a better way to spend a Sunday afternoon.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

If there is anyone out there reading this I wanted to take a few minutes from this busy day to say

Wet-felted then needle felted- photo- frames.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

JUST SOME ODDS AND ENDS

A Sunday hike around the farm ended at the top of the vineyard overlooking our home. It was just before the huge snowfall, everything seemed a bit surreal.

Looking towards my workshop, the distant vista was not unlike European views.

Two Christmas' ago, when Iris was only months old, I knit the two stockings for her first Christmas.

I love to make and I love to give. I am blessed to have these little ones to receive.

ALMOST BURIED

This morning I wasn't able to simply open the back door of the house, but had to PUSH it hard against the deep snow that had piled up in front of it. I can't say that this really troubles me, as I love snow, and winter is my favorite season. Still I can't say that shoveling is my favorite pastime, especially when it comes in such hefty amounts.

This is on the deck of my workshop...and believe me it was nearly 16" deep. As I look out of my window right now, there is an additional inch or two on top of that. The skis or snow shoes this afternoon!!!

WHAT HAVE I GOTTEN MYSELF INTO???

It seems that I just can't help myself from releasing Woolies from the enormous store of wool blankets that beautify my workshop. This is Lucy, and she is happy to be here.


This lovely sophisticate is Ramona.

This young bruiser is named Buster.

Reggie seems to be the worker of the group, with his hammer and farmer's hanky in hand.

This sweetheart is Kate, as in Kiss Me.

Here's the whole troop thus far. I'm not sure how many more are on the horizon, but I must say they haven't bored me one iota as of yet. Actually, everywhere I look, a new 'one' seems to pop up. Hmmmm....maybe I will be buried, if not in snow, in Woolies.

COLOR-FILLED SMALL SPACE

On Thursday, December 3rd, I filled this small 10x4ft. space with all that I have been working on for the past few months. Vernon Memorial Hospital had their 19th annual Arts/Crafts Fair, and it was well attended.

Another view of my space. It was a good day, despite a chair so ergonomically incorrect that I am still suffering.

Now that this show is over, my hands and mind are in perpetual unrest. So I am starting some new Woolies, the little creatures 'trapped in my blankets', as they were quite a hit. We'll see what is liberated this time.

BUSY IN THE WORKSHOP

I have a 'small' Christmas show coming up this week, and I have been making items that I thought might actually sell. It has, I must admit, been lots of fun!

This stack of blankets is one of many in my workshop. I collect old wool blankets and I can't seem to pass up any of them when I see them. I am literally running out of room to store them. I have a friend making me large barn-wood boxes to stack and store them. I love to look at them; their textures, colors.

Recently I thought I heard some faint stirrings from within that stack of blankets. It seemed somewhat like whispers and persisted for a several days until I finally truly heard it. Trapped within those stacks of blankets were multiple 'Creatures' aching to be born.

She is not actually the 'first' born, but rather the third. It was only with this third "birth" I thought to snap an image. That's her, Holly, in the center of her brothers, Zebot (the first born) to the left and Oliver (the second born) to the right.

Iris assisted in the naming of some of the Creatures. The one below, which happened to be her favorite, she named Elsa Mae.

Below is a gathering of the whole lot...at least thus far.

They are made from a variety of old blankets and new blanket ends, some of which are Pendleton blankets.


Then on to needle-felting.

I think of these 'trees' above as my watercolor trees, as they remind me so much of the beautiful, soft colors obtained with wet-paper water-coloring.

These trees were fashioned from an old, green, wool coat. They are adorned with sequins, 'pearls' and glass beads, and stuffed with wool.

I am still in-the-making of birds. I love how each one takes on its own personality despite using the same 'pattern' for each.

This week I'll spend more time prepping for the show, doing more mundane things like tagging and pricing. We'll see if I can halt the creative urges that wake me in the night!

IT'S ABOUT MAKING....

I found that I liked the results of mixing textures, wool yarn and wool blanket strips, in the last two bags I made. I thought perhaps I could weave two more bags with the warp that was left on my Union loom, but I anticipated needing to 'release' the last of the warp with extensions.

What I did not anticipate was the complicated, tedious process that involved.

The first of the last two bags, which I call 'The Hot Pepper Bag'.

I started this bag in reds and gray because I wanted to embellish it with the hot pepper ribbon you see in the left hand corner. After weaving about three inches with red/gray, I actually looked at the ribbon, which was not red at all, but a 'hot' orange. So, I took apart the weaving and started again with a light orange and gray. Approaching the end, I thought it would be nice if using tapestry techniques, I could inlay some hot peppers, which you see on the right of the bag. And it worked. I like the effect. The vintage button, which I really love, seems to be made of some kind of stone.

Next came this last bag. Which was a cinch until I approached the very last of the warp to be released...and had to figure out how to extend what remained on the warp beam. It wasn't easy, but I must say I enjoyed the challenge of it. I will further say, I enjoyed the challenge a bit more then the doing. However, I like the result.

This is the Warp-End Bag.


Recently I signed up to do what I thought to be a small Christmas show, which is coming up soon. Thinking that many of my items might not sell due to their price tags, I thought I'd make some items that might sell.

At first part of me balked at this idea. Where was my artistic/creative spirit, and how much art/creativity comes in making matching mother/daughter aprons and pot holders?? Was I just selling out, so to speak. I spent much time thinking about this, and first of all, came to realize something about myself. I love creating, and this I already knew, but what I did not truly realize was, that what I really loved was MAKING. This covers my love for weaving, cooking, baking, knitting, gardening, and just about 85% of my life. So, making pot holders wasn't really a step down, I actually found it lots of fun, and am still inspired to make more.

Potholders made from recycled wool.

In addition the kitchen is my favorite room of the house. Not only that, I think, for me at least, it is the most essential room of the house. And though I have NEVER been a Martha Stewart fan, I think if you are going to use something, in the kitchen or anywhere, having it be beautiful enhances one's life.