Can't blog....moving

I suppose this is an appropriate photo for what's happening in my life at the moment. No, not a vacation (not that this would be my vacation luggage). I've been moving and it's been hell. I am excruciatingly exhausted and I want it to be over. So if any one wants to send me well wishes, they would be appreciated. I won't have computer access for a few days, and after that, all my spare time(ha!) will be setting up the new digs. Until then, blessings to all!

Gifts from Amanda

As I'm ripping open this colourful paper with anticipation, I'm thinking about how the seemingly cold hard computer has brought me together with someone in a very tangible way. There is nothing that can replace a package in the mail! Amanda sent me a whole wack of fun things:

Paper, candles, potpourri ball, a necklace, a beaded purse, stickers, chocolates... A very vintage recipe book, full of 70's images, called The New Joys of Jell-O. ( I love it, and I will use it!) But most importantly of all, she sent me a bag that she made by her own hand. I'm trying to conjure up images in my head of her at the sewing machine, or sitting on the couch with her little ones near and sewing on the buttons. (thus my close up) Thank you Amanda! And thank you Elizabeth for setting up the Vintage vixen Swap.

Mail!

I received my very first package from my very first gift exchange. How exciting is that? Pictures will have to wait, since I have a full day of work ahead of me. I hope it's a sunny weekend!

The Power of Edna

To continue with the red theme a little. This looks like old fabric, but it was a 'new' thrift store shirt. If it had been in my size, I would have been really happy. So, this is Edna's apron for Tie on One, but I want a picture, that shows the actual apron a little better. After my last post with Edna, I remembered the power of toys, and play. I remember as a child and I remember my own children at play. A stuffed animal is real, you become an author, you are free to explore and to discover things you may never have, if you did not play.

Treasure Hunting

I got these craft magazines the other day for 49 cents each, which was amazing, since this particular thrift store usually overprice most things. I still go on a regular basis, because it's a five minute walk from my place, which is pretty irresistible. The booklets range from 1953 to 1960 and they're full of funny advertisements, and articles titled 'Women Who Make Cents' and the 'Flower Forum'. I'm wondering if it would be wrong to, ahem, cut a few up to do collage, booklets etc. What do you think?

Edna

This is Edna. She has three sisters called Odelia, Marie and Cecilia, and all of them can wiggle their ears. Edna's lived with us a long time. She has a sketchy past, and spent a brief stint in a thrift store. I made this scarf for her the other morning, but she doesn't really like it. She doesn't think the colours are bold enough for her, even though I tried to convince her it would be a lovely Easter scarf. She was kind enough to sit for this photo, somewhat begrudgingly though. She's heard about the latest Tie on one theme and has convinced me to make her an apron, but wants to be able to pick out the fabric herself. She's really excited about this and says she wants to become a big part of my blog. I don't know what that means! She can't knit, she's never used a sewing machine in her life! As far as I know she just sits there looking pretty.

Birthday Presents

This beautiful green and blue mohair and the multi coloured yarn below, were birthday gifts from my daughter. There's more too, but I'll save that for another day. I like photographs of yarn for pure esthetic value, but if anyone wants, I will give the specifics.




This yarn has a little sparkle to it, but it didn't really show up in the photo.

A very good friend gave me this very large piece of vintage fabric. It feels so familiar and so totally me. I have enough to make curtains, which is probably what I will do, since I don't think I could bear to take a pair of scissors to it.


And this is from me. . . sock yarn of course.

A Road Trip to. . .

Finn Slough is one of the last tidal communities on the West Coast and is described as "a sleepy little backwater on the mighty Fraser river". The community is in the process of creating a living museum by restoring and maintaining various heritage features, preserving the natural habitat and protecting the Slough from urban encroachment.
In the 1880's the immigrant fishers from Finland were the first people to establish these homes. There were up to 70 households in the 1940's and 50's . Today 18 households remain.

Looking into the Slough. . .


and out towards the Fraser River.

A few of the homes. . .


It was a drizzly, overcast day when I got to see this community and the homes for the first time and I fell in love with it. Just a short walk to the north side of the Dyke, you can find huge, modern houses lacking in character and to me, soul.


In some cases, nature reclaiming. . .


I've wanted my blog to primarily focus on crafts, but because I find Finn Slough so unique I want to share my photographs as well. I hope those that see the beauty and creativity of Gee's Bend, it's inhabitants and their art, will relate to this. If you would like to learn more, I encourage you to visit their site.

I look forward to my next visit here.

For Vicci

Here's a little teaser, for my swap partner, Vicci. She likes red!