Summer Solstice

Sometimes motivation is the name of the game and I feel like I am on fire and magically get things done.  These last few weeks have found my fire down to bitter coals.  Although I got other things done like painting my front hall and downstairs bathroom,  cottaging and having fun.  felting was left behind.  This weekend the fire was stoked and flames licked at my felting supplies and I started felting fibers together.  Zoe and Owen even got into the spirit.

Project Priceless

Meet Jordan and Brian they are engaged to be married on August 22nd, 2010.  He proposed to her in the Gatineau hills, they are sweet and so in love.  Together they have created Project Priceless an expirement on social kindness.  Their mission is to get married for free.  That`s right at no cost but relying on their communities kindness and donations.   In Jordan`s words: ``The experiment is to see how far kindness and community giving can take us``.  Although there have been cynics those have been the minority.  In the last few months much interest has surrounded this project with many generous offers.   It is so heart warming for me to see people coming together and helping them bring their dreams to fruition.


I first met them at Wed By Hand at the Glebe community center this fall.  My friend Karie from Rehash who was also a vendor at the show told me about this couple getting married for free.  I was like wow that is so cool and immediately felt the urge to donate.  My donation was to host Jordan, Brian, family and friends at my house to make something for their wedding.  They chose to make rosettes that they will place on tree branches and use as center pieces for their tables. 

The workshop was help this past Wednesday and it was so much fun! Jordan`s friend who was also named `Annie Bananie` brought wine and snacks, I supplied hand felted orange and purple pieces of felt for the making of rosettes.  The atmosphere was warm and friendly.  For me these people were strangers but as I sat at the table stitching rosettes I felt a sense of community, friendship and love.  I love giving these workshops as it always feels more and more like a gathering than a workshop.  It`s a safe space to connect and it is through connecting to others that we connect to that deeper part of ourselves.

  

You can find a tutorial for these rosettes here.

 Jordan and Brian, My wish for you is a long life of love and friendship. Thanks for giving me the honour of helping out and it was a pleasure hearing about your love story.

Summer Fun

Ok, summer vacation is just around the corner.  What will your little one be busy with on these warm summer days. Here are some ideas I got from my blog roll.  My blog roll is like my daily newspaper where I get loads of ideas and  inspiration.  Here are some:

1. These fairy wings are so cute! We might just have to make some at daycare. 
2.  How about this Duct Tape super easy Hammock?
3. And for your child's summer reading:  Anna Hibiscus.  I am totally going to the library and getting these for Zoe.

And this weekend we celebrating one of our favorite celebrations, summer solstice.  We will find ourselves at a cottage swimming, soaking up the sun and celebrating with friends and talent show put on by the parents! Here are pictures from celebrations of the past:

 

 

 

 

 

My weekend

Saturday night's Workermade collective Trunk Show was super fun.  It was great getting to know one another and our greater community.  Stay tuned as we plan on having another in the fall.  After our show I packed up my car (yes it was after10:00 at night) with tent, sleeping bag and stuff to camp in Wakefield.  I have been craving nature and was committed to that infusion.  The drive was 30 minutes long and the tent set up was easy with the help of my headlights. It was my first time sleeping in a tent alone with the trees.  It was lovely.   In the morning I woke up to the sound  of birds, a bright blue sky and beauty all around.  In the woods I can feel stress leaving my body, leaving me relaxed and free.  I went for my favorite skinny dip in the cool lake and went for a walk in the beautiful forest.  There is a place that is filled with wild flowers. I stayed there for a long while, sitting, admiring and taking it all in.  I hope your weekend was most wonderful.

 

 

 

 

 

Idle Hands and Nuno Felting

 Idle Hands

I had a pretty crafty weekend. Idle Hands was on Saturday at the United Church on Somerset in Chinatown. My table was beside Green Acre Toys created by Amanda Porter.  Amanda and I go way back. Our paths crossed nearly 10 years ago when our first borns were in utero.  We use to live but a few blocks away and were great support for one another as we delved into the world of parenting.  She now lives in a sustainable home run by wind and solar power.  She is a yoga teacher, doula and recently passionate about woodworking and making wooden toys.

Above you can have a little peak at Amanda`s handy work.  

Have a look below at some of the Workermade artisans that will be attending the Trunk Show here at my house on Saturday from 7-10. 

 Eliza  from Indie Go Designs makes fun and funky jewelry.

Judy from Tweal makes great clothing from upcycled fabrics.

Sue from Sweetstitch sews beautiful tea cozies, children`s clothing and more. 

  Feel free to come and visit us on Saturday night here at my  house.  It will be fun.  There will be snacks and wine and good conversation that is a guarantee!

Nuno Felting

On Sunday I had the honour of hosting Petra Bokowski to give a nuno felting workshop.  Nuno felting is the art of binding fibres with wool roving.  On Sunday we worked with long pieces of silk to make scarves.  

I met Petra at the winter craft fair at Churchill public school.  We`d briefly talked and a few months later here she is in my home giving a workshop.  I love how the world works that way.   Unfortunately Petra is moving to Germany, I would love to get to know her better. 

 I love working in a group. To watch everyones work unfold is really an experience of beauty.

Zoe my daughter and I worked on a scarf as a mutual project.  It was really Zoe`s design and she decided that she was going to gift it to someone very special who I won`t mention here in case she is reading this :) It was so nice to work side by side. It seems like a life time since we`ve taken a workshop together.  Zoe was so inspired and has been felting like a queen every since.

 

I am leaving you now with this link to the cutest tutorial, have fun and enjoy the sun!

Idle Hands

Come and check out the Idle Hands craft sale tomorrow from 10:00- 17:00 at the St. Lutherans church in Chinatown.  I will be there with my felting kits, dolls and more.  My eyelids can barely stay open. I am off to bed to have a cuddle with my pillows in my comfy bed. Goodnight.

 I went to the loveliest music festival in southern Ontario this weekend.  It was on a small piece of land with lots of old trees and beautiful wild flowers. The minute we drove up in Jay's red convertible I knew we were in for a good time.  Everybody was so friendly and talked to you as though you were a long time friend.  What stood out were the people.  I met midwives,  handcrafters,  Waldorf teachers and many musicians.  It is said that to be happy we must connect with others and I feel that.  What do we have if we don't have each other?  

 

 

 

 

It's official summer has begun :)  Have a great one.