The warm glow of creating

Am feeling pretty toasty right now. Last week I responded to an SOS on Facebook from a young mom friend who wanted a box with slots for advent toys for her little girl. She couldn't find one for purchase anywhere. I commented what about making one from felt and hot gluing on the pockets. Well one thing led to another and I ended up making one for her.

This was so much fun. I knew that oversized piece of red felt from the remnants bin at Len's Mill was speaking to me for a reason a few weeks ago.

All doo dads and ornamentation made from things found lying around the house - so no consumer demand for spun plastic was generated in the creation of this piece - which can of course be used for years to come.

Guess what I'll be listing early next fall!

Bowls, needlefelt, tunes, pasta, Titanic!

Busy weekend. Fri- Benny and friend Selena painted the papier mache bowls we made in christmas colours. Next day were able to use as snack bowls for gold fish crackers and pretzels. These of course are rougher than primitive- but the whole thing has got me thinking positively about my 'gift of the season' idea.

Fave LYS called Fri to say my needle felting tools had arrived. The minute I tore the packaging off on Saturday they were put to good use. Was running out of time to embellish my Christmas coffee cosy - visions of various applique swirling in my head. But the needle felting option worked fabulously. I think is a terrific fit with the coffee pot, where the heat from the pot will weld the fibres together even more. Should make it fairly easy to launder.

Sunday has been music day. I wish we could do this every week. The girls got out their violins and we got some pretty fab trios going with violin and guitar. Even brought Benny in on his percussion set. He had surprisingly little patience for this.

However he had amazing patience for turning the crank on the pasta machine. Stan has got to be pleased to finally have a pasta pal with staying power.

Buddy nearly fell asleep in my arms at dinner, but had the endurance for the Mag Tree house Titanic book - 7 chapters! - before bed. He never ceases to amaze.

Wrapping up another fine week around the homestead!

Dawn's Birdies

Really happy I made the connection to myself about all those birds I was knitting. Of course I knew the inspiration for my all bird Christmas tree - Stan's (mom's) cousin Dawna. She had that beautiful tree in her smart north Toronto condo.

My family trees had always been a glorious hodge podge of ancient, battered ornaments with a dash of handmade by us kids. Hers was the first I saw that was so...themed.

What a great lady. Has it already been half a year since she passed away. No children of her own, but always so comfortable with kids in her and Jack's condo. Always so mindful about the births of our kids - and I'm sure those of others.

It gives me profound joy to see her name in my shop beside every little bird. Seems fitting that each bird should come to represent the little beacon of joy that she was for her family.

The opportunity to see her name posted, to create something in her memory, has been entirely worth developing the shop.

Good Yarns Ink - 1st entry!

Imagine me blogging. Actually I have a billion blogs, but not one dedicated to crafting. Or should we call it yarn artistry.

When searching for an online shop name, one that would work for knitting journalist, my daughter suggested Good Yarns. I love it!

So here's my first post under the shingle of Good Yarns. Hope you find it fun and enjoyable!