Happy Christmas!

Hope you had a kind of day you were hoping for. I did!
Here is the loot ready to go to the teachers at school. What else? mittens and roving angels!

I must have been a good girl this year. I got something I didn't even know I wanted. A new lens for the camera. A prime telephoto macro lens. it's beautiful. It does just what I want it to do. So now, I'll have some photos and posts for the blog in the long days of winter. Here's a sample:
Olives that Henry cured for the last 8 weeks.

A tree shot at my cousin's house. Only tree lights. no flash, etc. I'm so happy with my new lens.

Daddy has been acclaimed the best and resident face painter.

With one happy girl. This paint is by Snazaroo Awesome quality and it washes off very easily.


So now I get to relax for a few days. Have a few naps, eat a few cookies, have some Hot turkey sandwiches, cups of tea and just general slothiness before I feel like tackling my sewing room I still have more mittens to make for family and families of friends. then I will focus on some new ideas in my head.

Have a good one!
Amanda

Where will I be?

Hi there,
just a quick note:

I will be selling my wares at 3 locations this month.

If you're local, hope to see you there.

Equinox Holistic Alternative School Winter Solstice Dec. 11, 11-2 Children's Peace Theatre Taylor Creek Park-Dawes Road (complete address to follow later) My table will be there at 11, but I won't be there until 12:30.

Lazy Daisy Cafe Tuesday December 13th 6 - 8:30
local artists featured in the Holiday Arts & Crafts Gala . Tis the season to BUY LOCAL : )
Facebook Page

Dec. 20 9:30-12 Roden Parenting and Literacy Centre 151 Hiawatha.

If I can swing it, I'll be showing my new logo on a banner:


Thanks Charlotte! I love it!

Later,
Amanda

Christmas Ornaments-Das style

I had this great idea in my head to make white clay ornaments. I went on a hunt for white clay. Bought some, it was grey. it dried grey. I tried white sculpty, it's too soft and unforgiving of little prints and mistakes. So i sought out Das. Remember Das modelling clay? Bet you forgot about the smell!! Not so bad, it just brought me back to my childhood. SO, I bought white, opened it up, it was grey. I closed it up and sulked. Then I decided to take a little piece and let it dry. it dried white! Yippeeeeeee!!

After borrowing my friend's stash of cookie cutters, (thank goodness, I have no idea where mine are) I went to work with the addition of some stamping supplies.

I'm in love. And I've hardly made a dent to what's in my head and the endless possibilities and combinations of my tools.

Like, I'm going to add some rhinestones to the edges of the snow.

And I want to add glitter to some and use a glassy glaze on top of the glitter.

Just wondering though, should I put a glossy varnish on it? So it will catch the tree lights?


Have a good one!
Amanda

mini cupcakes

Cupcakes anyone? Partially done cupcakes? they contain less calories!

These come from Betz White's book Warm Fuzzies. I made them tree ornament size and put a little needlefelted ball on top. The others will have beads instead.

I took all kinds of artsy fartsy pictures to show you, but my camera didn't cooperate. fuzzy..... grrr. I makes me crazy that camera.
Anyhow, it's that time of year, time to bury the fig tree. Fig trees cannot survive the Canadian Winter (as mild as it is in Toronto) so it is the custom to bury it. The root ball is small, so you dig it up and bury it a few feet in the soil. Then a layer of leaves to help insulate. Oh, the fig tree is in the burlap. And, I don't know what we'll do when it gets to big to bury in our little garden. Figure that out when we get there I suppose.

Have a good one,
Amanda

Yo Yo Trees

This past weekend, My church had it's annual Craft and Bake Sale Bazaar. Now you must understand, the ladies of the craft guild meet once a week for most of the year, making and baking stuff for this grand, most anticipated event. it's where I got the Snow White Doll in the previous post.
And of course, what's a Christmas sale without Christmas tree ornaments? This one made me chuckle. I love it!

A tree made from various colours and sizes of yo yos. Brilliant. They made the yo yos, cut a wine cork in half, put a pipe cleaner into it and threaded the yo yos on to it. Then they glued a wooden star to the top. Easy peasy. And effective.

Cheers,
Amanda

Ogee ornament in many styles

Hello folks!
It's been a while. I've been in a little creative funk. Well, i've been trying some things, but not so successful yet. I think instead of a funk, it's a process of trying and experimenting. So, not much to show.
Anyhow, a few weeks ago, I made these ogee ornaments from felt and heat embossed overhead projector paper. (what's that called again?)

I first got the idea from Betz White a few years ago. Check out her post. It is a most excellent tutorial.

But it was before I delved into the world of good felt. Here's my original post here

This time, I also used Stampin' Up! stamps and heat embossed on the transparency. (there, I remembered). Here's the music one.

And here is the french script one.

I originally wanted to used eyelets to join them together, but I couldn't fit my crop-a-dile in the littlest spot, so I used brads instead.

I experimented with the stitching on the felt ones to make it decorative.

A few french knots. Love french knots.

These beads came from my uncle's stash. He used to make very ornate jester stockings for Christmas with silks and velvet and these beads on the tips. Gorgeous. I claimed the beads from his stash. Looking forward to using these up.

And here they are, swaying in the breeze.


thanks for looking!
Amanda

invasion of the peggies!

THese guys have been steady companions over the summer.

And are most fun to set up...

A motley crew of pirates, gnomes, fairies, elves, santas

all coming together for a morning meeting.

some with hats, some without.

A few of them escaped!!!!! and were hiding in the garden.

Almost lifelike!

With limbs and all. And gardening tools to boot.

Oh the excitement of it all! He can't believe his eyes!


Bom Dia,
Amanda

balsam fir

Don't you miss the scent of your Christmas tree? Here's my secret. When we're taking down the tree, I sweep the needles and save some in a dish. Then I put a new bag in the vacuum cleaner and pick up the rest. Now, whenever I vacuum, the warmth of the motor in the machine warms up the needles and gives a familiar reminder of the family time of this past Christmas. The kids are getting older, they bring much joy, imagination, laughter to our home.

And when I don't feel like hauling out the vacuum cleaner to reminisce, I just give this bag a little squish and smell it again.

Stamps are from Stampin' up! many years ago. I don't know if it is still in the catalog.

I have been doing a bit of sewing this weekend. A few small projects in the works, just perfect to get back into the swing of things. Oh, and a nice clean sewing room without all those threads on the floor! yes, I can see the floor. bonus. The little foyer/vestibule at the top of the attic stairs was transformed into a lounge area today with popcorn, goodies and a movie. Lollipops. Don't underestimate the power of a lolli. I always make sure we have some on a long car ride. Keeps them busy for a bit.
k, I'm getting a bit off topic. And while I am, how 'bout those shoulder pads in the Golden Globes!

Ciao,
Amanda

she found another!

Look what my amazing friend found to put in ....

Isn't it delightful! and Magical!

I'm off to sing 50 million hours today. Once for persons dining in a very top notch club, once for last minutes shoppers in the mall and once for the coming of Baby Jesus. Fairly rounded day/night don't you think?

Have a good one!
Amanda

a quick last minute, nice looking ornament

Compliments of Elsie Marley! Go take a look.
Here's my 1st version of it.

The rest i did had the dangly bit on the bottom. i preferred it that way, just hung better. Then I glued the tail pieces to make the loops. I gave them all away. Even the one in the picture above. Have to make some more I guess. I hang all my handmade ornaments on the tree. Then when I wrap a gift or have to make up a last minute gift, I go "shopping" on my tree. So easy to see and they are all in one place.

And here is what I added to my bluebird. An eye and another dangly. I love those danglies. I ran out and then tried to remember where I bought them last year. I was set to hit the dollar stores and ended up spying them from the checkout while at Fabricland! Score! I grabbed a pack and then found out they were on sale. 40% off. bigger score! I'm sure I would have been very frustrated on my quest otherwise.


Well, feeling much better here. The last day to relax before singing takes over the next 4 days. We may even get a skate in today. Come on Dec. 27th! :}

thanks for stopping by,
Amanda

eye spy christmas ornament!

Remember those clear balls that just beg to have something inside ? But the hole on top is tiny?
My friend found something! She made and eye spy ornament. Isn't it brilliant?

And hard to photograph! :}

I love it.

And for some more inspiration, go to Montessori Beginnings and her take on needle felted friends inside.

It's finally my turn to be under the weather. So what to do with the kids who are finally on the other side of it and have some energy back? A nice load of playdoh scented and coloured with jello.
yep, they are having a blast while I'm lying down. good move mama.
here is our recipe..

Playdoh

2.5 cups of flour
.5 cup salt
2 tsp cream of tartar
3 tblsp oil
2 cups boiling water
1 pkg of jello (your choice of flavour)

Mix flour, salt and cream of tartar.
Mix water, oil and jello and add to dry. ( i don't add all of the liquid. And I usually have to add more flour. SO, I should adjust the liquid amount, but that's to much for my brain. i just measure what it says and not add it all. Math wasn't my strong point in school)
Knead to desired consistency and store in a ziplock or plastic container.

Enjoy.

Off to have a snooze,
Amanda

GIveaway winner!!

WOW! Thanks to all who commented and became followers to my little world! It was astounding the response and kind words you gave. Alas, I don't have enough for all of you, so I let random Generator choose for me:

Having some trouble getting the picture of it here.
It was 423. Winner is Amy from Radseams Congrats! I'll send you an email.

Please send me your mailing address so I can get it in the mail ASAP. Probably won't get it for Christmas, but better to have than to have not, yes?
Here is a pic of the winnings

I never was able to get a picture of the doll sling in action. My model is STILL sick. fever, napping, whining, cough, snuffles etc. at least it's not barfing etc. k, enough of that.
So here is the picture from the pattern that belonged to a friend's grandmother. I'm planning on doing a tutorial for this with my amendments for doll sizes of today. Maybe after Christmas. Quickest, easiest doll sling around. And I've been looking for a year or 2.




Once again, thanks for your words. Come back again, I have a few more ornaments to show you.

Fa-la-la-la-la
Amanda

felted acorn ornaments

I was reading the paper one morning, and I saw a picture that immediately made me think of Donni from
The Magic Onions. When I looked at the bottom, it was her shop featured. The acorns are so beautiful.

Then I drooled over the felted acorns fromLil Fish Studios

So with an afternoon to craft with the kids, we rolled some of our own. I needle felted the shape and we wet felted them into dense balls.


They are balls instead of oval so they don't fit quite right, but they are ours.


The kids are excited to give some to their teachers.


Pretty, soft and tiny. great for a tree.


I wanna eat them.


Another project crossed off the list.

thanks for looking,
Amanda