The winter hours...

It's been an extremely cold week here...at least for us on

the Coast. We don't usually get below freezing temps and

wow!, snow too!

The fires been on 24/7...



Thanks to Norene who has been perfecting the business of candle making,

She is now the wax maven,

many beeswax candles have been burning as the night grows dark...

 I've been doing a bit of seasonal decorating

around the house...picking big, fat, plump snow berries and

placing them in clear glass vases...

 I don't know if I've ever seen them so full...

 Could be a sign of a cold winter!

Setting out little winter dioramas under glass...

This is a picture of my mom when she was about 10 one long ago winter

at St Annes school in Victoria...

 ...pine cones, and faux snow in the bottom of an old mason jar cradle her picture...

I saw this idea on Poppytalk and since we just got a bunch

of very fragrant Bay leaves, I thought I'd make myself one.

Even after the leaves begin to dry and curl, it still looks quite pretty...

A big basket of pine cones sits by the fire...

And the precious little Anna's hummingbird outside our window...

 Yesterday he was just sitting there for a long spell...

 Perhaps letting the sun warm his back...

 Did you know at night when they go into torpor, they can

slow their hear trate down from 246 beats a minute to 6?!!

 Truly little miracles...

Now today I will put some outdoor greenery on the porch since its warmed up

a bit...get up some fairy lights up and hunker down into

the season of light.

Happy Sunday.



Song for Friday...for Nelson Mandela

A very important and bright light went out in the world yesterday.

Nelson Mandela died after a long and steady struggle for peace and equal rights.

There are so many songs I could dedicate to this man who, even through

the most adverse and tortuous situations, NEVER gave up.

He proved time and again for decades that

ONE PERSON CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

A line from one song in particular keeps coming back to me...

"Emancipate yourself from mental slavery

None but ourselves can free our mind."

Bob Marley wrote of the struggles of racism,

human rights and justice and I can only imagine

that Nelson Mandela probably, most likely,

grooved on his words and rhythms.

In turn, I imagine Bob Marley was thinking of men like Nelson Mandela

when he wrote this quote...

Nelson Mandela was a fighter.

He spent 27 years in prison

After his release he became the first black man

to become the President of South Africa.

He spent his whole life fighting to end apartheid.

He was truly the Father of a Nation.

And so I give you the iconic Bob Marley tune

'Redemption Song' sung here not by Mr Marley himself

but a host of singers and musicians from all over the world.

Enjoy and light a candle for Nelson Mandela.

He has left this world a better place.

Have a peaceful weekend all.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=55s3T7VRQSc

Whew!

Well like I said last week, it's seems as if I've been busy enough with

Other things that I can barely keep up with posting much but

there is no shortage of things going on in the studio / lab.

Besides trying to get a few items in the new shop, 

I've been putting up a few more things in my Etsy shop.

So I'll do a wee bit of self promotion and give you a preview

of what's been going on...

Thanks for having a look!
"The Dance"

 "December"
needle felted 'painting'

Birch bark inspired wet felted wrist cuffs...

"The Owl and the Pussycat"

All available in my shop here

One Word Wednesday...early

Song for Friday...still happening...

Well, refreshingly enough there's still some amazing

young talent out there being influenced by our modern musical ancestors.

Namely Bob Dylan...the early years.

This young lad was on Graham Norton the other night and

I am quite smitten with him.

He's Jake Bugg from the UK, 19 and chock full of talent.

So enjoy this and Happy American Thanksgiving to our neighbours!

Have a great one everyone!

Stay warm, stay safe.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=anofkW0d2ow

So it goes...

Sometimes I feel that I don't write in this space as often as I used to.

My reasoning for this lately is basically that I've been Very Busy!

You see my boss at the flower shop has opened another shop. The flower shop is still open as well

with this one focusing on a more 'boutique' style with emphasis

on the local arts and crafts scene, featuring some of the creative talent in these parts.

The shop is called 'Inspire' and we've worked hard in the last few weeks getting it looking

like the kind of shop we'd like to spend some time (and money!) in...

One of my co-workers Tricia is an event planner and makes the most elegant settings...

Shes also making these beautiful little birds and purses by hand...

My friend Irma from Geewillowkers is also part of the creative collective

with her stunning box lamps made with layers of specialty paper and real pressed leaves...

Also in the line-up is Dee from The Vintage Shed who

does great work re purposing and up cycling furniture...

...by the way those are Trish's handmade Christmas stockings hanging up below...

She's also always keeping an eye out for fun vintage items like these suitcases...

 Candice from Jordan River Soapworks makes lovely beauty products

totally natural and handcrafted just up the road...

I've contributed some of my fuzzy felted things as well...

Fingerless gloves and mitts, wet felted with silk merino...

 

Some for the fellas as well...

As well as a few needle felted sculptures...

Chillin' with my Gnomies...

So there you go...come on by if you're in the hood...

Right next door to Sooke's finest coffee slurping joint where

the beans are roasted right here at The Stick in the Mud.

(if you wish to inquire about prices and availability on these items just

email me for further info)