Ball Felting Workshop

Felting is a joy for everyone. This morning we needle felted some balls and had great fun.  Even the small children participated. I love giving these workshops.  It's inspiring for me to watch people fall in love with felting, just like I did 4 years ago.  My first workshop was a doll making workshop and I loved the working with the wool so much that, that following week felting 10 dolls!!!

The ball above became a pin cushion for my sister an avid sewer.  She makes beautiful quilts. You can check out her blog at this site http://greenlunns.blogspot.com

 

A Wise Old Owl

A wise old owl sat on an oak, 

The more he heard, the less he spoke,

The less he spoke, the more he heard,

Why aren't we all like that wise bird?

 

 Giving gratitude for what we have gives us a sense of well being, of satisfaction and peace. When we live in gratitude we no longer wish for things we don't have and we no longer mourn past mistakes.  Through gratitude we are able to feel complete in this very moment, we are able to appreciate the people in our lives, appreciate our life experiences that allow us to grow. In gratitude we are able to recognize that we have all that we need.  In my life I strive to practice daily gratitude.  I strive to tell the people around me how much I appreciate them and love them.  I stop to see the beauty that surrounds me. In this way happiness finds me and life is good.

 I've been very busy this last month and dedicated this weekend to slowing down.  I took long walks in the woods, did yoga, felted and just took things easy. 

 Here are some balls that I made in getting ready for my upcoming shows in November.  I am having so much fun creating and making things happen :)   I am living my promise of living life with creative passion! I hope you are living your dream :)

Mortimer the Mouse

There is something about felting that fascinates children and adults alike.  Last week in celebration of fall we made a big mouse with great, big ears.  We passed the project around and took turns felting our friend. As we worked together with a common goal, we made our mouse come to life by giving him a name and spun a tale of Mortimer the mouse whose favorite colour was grey.  Everytime Mortimer saw something grey he would smile.  One sunny day he went for a walk in the woods which he loved to do.  On his walk he met a butterfly and the butterfly was grey.  The grey coloured butterfly made Mortimer smile.  The butterfly noticed how friendly Mortimer was and asked him to play with him and on the story went.  We brought our creature through many adventures as we felted him into existence.  Once our story and mouse was finished the children very invested in their new friend.  They care for him with great care.  I believe that making toys meaningful to children is of great importance especially in these days where everything is so accessible.

 

Meet Mortimer :)

Baby and Mom Yoga

Wednesday mornings is one of my favorite mornings of the week.  This is the morning where I get to teach yoga to babies and moms.  When Zoe (oldest) was a baby we attended class religiously.  It is here that I met a group of cool moms to hang out with.  My circle of friends became my network from which I grew and learned.  Now that I teach the class and my children are 8 and 5 I have feelings of nostalgia for when they were brand new to the world.  These kids are sooooo cute!

Baby and mom yoga 

Rama Lotus

340 Gladstone Ave.

10:00-11:00

The Carp Fair weekend was rainy and cold and yet many people came out to enjoy rides, food and animal shows.  Karie and I had so much fun talking to people who came with questions and interest in our products.  The ladies who occupied the both next door were very nice and from Epicure a food company from Victoria BC that sells yummy dried herbs. I tried their mullein apple cider and it was truly delicious.  They also have yummy dips and so much more.  These women host parties at people's homes.   Janet and Lisa were really nice and were pleasant to talk to with a very good positive attitude.  I most enjoyed hearing their peels of laughter from next door.

I had help selling my felting kits from the The Ottawa Valley Weavers and Spinners Guild as they gave some needle felting demonstrations which had people intrigued.  I had many customers come to my booth saying they had just seen a demonstration which had picked their curiosity enough to buy a kit.  I was so thankful that I had to pay thanks to these ladies. When I arrived at their booth I was fascinated by spinning wheels and beautiful things made with beautiful fibers.

This is a cat that Ann the fiber artist felted as  a demonstration. The eyes still need to be added and head attached.

Zoe and Owen had fun at Ray's Reptile's tent and on the rides.  On our arrival home we were very much full of mud and cold.  A nice hot bath helped us get the chill out of our bones.  I hope your weekend was just as fun!

Carp Fair

Karie from Rehash and I (My Green Toy Box) are selling our wares at the Carp Fair this weekend.  We arrived and set up Friday morning.  Karie helped set up the tent and dropped her flaglines and be-lined back home for mom duties, I was the first to man the table.   As I went to park the car, I left our boxes under the tent. It was a windy, cold to the bone day and already a chill was setting in.  With my cute little concession parking pass on the dash of my Honda I walked back towards the tent.  As I approached I noticed a little gathering of people where our stuff was.  As I walked closer I noticed our tent flipped up on it's roof, with it's legs poking up towards the sky.  Those people were helping me get my tent straight up!!! With team work we got things straight!  Everybody was really nice and helped me secure things to the ground. Ant that's our story!  Tomorrow is Saturday and we are back at the table selling our handmade stuff! Come and check it out!