fa la la-ing

Wow, almost a week since I've been here. Busy season for a singer. I've been doing some of this...
photo from my crappy phone

It was cold on the toes. I couldn't feel them after only 1.5 hours outside. It wasn't even windy. This is good to know as I have a 4 hour gig outside tomorrow! And I have a cold! ugh. But it 'tis jolly to spread some cheer. It's nice when people stop and you can see the enjoyment on their faces. yes, 'tis nice indeed.

We're staying home today. My son has a fever and wicked wicked cough. I'm not far behind him. Maybe I'll do a little crafting or cleaning. Which would you choose?!

This a a recipe you MUST try if you have a throat ailment. it comes to us from my husband's farm living Portuguese grandmother. it works!

Honey and Lemon Tea

Peel a few slices of lemon rind about the size of your thumb. Not the pith (white part) just the peel.

Boil it in a pot of water until the water changes to a light yellow colour. You can smell the change in the water. It actually smells sweet.

Pour it into a cup with a heaping spoon of honey. Stir. ( We get our honey from my DH's godfather who keeps bees. I almost panicked this morning when I couldn't find the stash we had in the cellar. Hubby found it. thanks goodness. yummy goodness. nature's goodness. goodness of family who keeps bees and shares!

Drink while still hot. The lemon acts as an astringent and the honey is soothing. Wishing I had known this recipe when I was a singing student for 8 years. But I'm glad I know it now.

Hoping you find some cheer and a warm cuppa something.
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

Lion Finger puppet

I teach a wonderful pre-school music program called Music Pups. We are finishing up the Lion Collection. As I usually give the kids a little good bye handmade thing, I was looking forward to making these puppets for them.

Still in the trying out phase as you can see minor differences in the 3.


Was wondering how to get my tag on it. The tail of course!!


This one will be the finished one I think.


Have a good one,
Amanda

sweater fix

How cool is this patch?


My friend of the Nature Banner fame bought a magnificent sweater for her youngin' who promptly climbed a tree and make a tear, rip, gaping hole in it. So I sent her home to make a patch for it.


I'm in love with this hedgie!


I think she should start a blog of her own!

Have a good one,
Amanda

rewind

Hi Folks,
I've been sewing up a storm here. Mostly repeats of things I've done before for orders or in preparation for 2 more craft sales in a few weeks. Next year, i think i'll start making Christmas things in January. no kidding. i can't keep up.
Anyhow, Here's a post I did last Dec. The birdie from here is the same pattern for the birdies below. I just made the wings bigger and positioned them differently. Even these birds look different now, I've added a clear seed bead for the eye and have a glass drop bead hanging from the bottom.

Read on .......

Ok, so all my 'work' surfing the blogs at night finally paid off. I've been searching for something... didn't know what it was, but something to satisfy my creating beast for the season. Well, check this out
Fa la la la la Felt
on Handmade Cathy Gaubert.

I drooled over the samples and went in search for the book. It's not out until August! So i bought the ebook. A simple process and instant gratification. Only problem is that I'm a book in my hands person. So as I find a project that i want to do, I print it off and and work from that. i think i'll have to purchase the actual papercopy when it comes out. Such great eye candy and many projects that I will do.

So here is my take on Little Birdie




Oh such fun and joy and felt!


Thanks for looking,
be back soon with something new when I can get the models in order. and better light. The weather has been gloomy to say the least.

Amanda

toadstool in a bulb

Tee Hee!!! I found something to fit inside that teeny hole in the top!




Off to find more things...

thanks for looking,
Amanda

tall snowman

I bought this little one at my church's Christmas sale.

I like how he looks.

He makes me smile. It's almost cold enough to make one of these today.

have a good one. brrrrr
Amanda

wool, glorious wool!

I've been wanting to pick up the knitting needles for some time now. When i happened across this glorious wool at the open house this weekend, I traded some of my wares for it.

It is so chunky, colourful, warm and heavenly.

I only know a few stitches and can't read a pattern. But with this wool, who cares. You want to bring out the irregularity of the wool, not a design.

This one is what I bought. It is so over the top. And warm. And fluffy. I love it.


After I complete my Christmas orders, I have a few more scarves to make. Can't wait.


Have a good one,
Amanda

another rainbow playset

apologies for the dark pictures on a gloomy day. at least it's not raining now.

This one is a little too much red. think i'll switch the gnome up for blue and have a different colour flower instead of the red heart. yes?

why not have fun with the stacker?

And it fits in the bag...

Ready to take out the door when you go...


thanks for looking,
Amanda

You want an elf with that santa?

You know it had to happen.

Elves!

And aren't these tress just perfect for that computer geek of yours? Mine found these kits and made some for the kids. I sent him back out to buy more to have at my table this weekend. Think of it, perfect for that little something for your guy, computer teacher, computer fixer, the nerd, the techie, the guy that got dragged to the sale and is looking interested as his missus looks at stuff.


And here's the happy family. eyes. I think the elves need eyes. After all, they have to see who's naughty and who's nice.


Have a good one,
Amanda

Christmas Open House

If you're local, here's where I'll be this weekend...

local designer sample, handmade toys and yarn sale
save up to 75%
women and kid's clothing and accessories
hand-dyed wool, yarn and ribbon
handmade dolls and holiday gifties
114 ashdale avenue (3 blocks west of coxwell just north of dundas)
November 20th and 21st from 11am- 5pm

Getting together with Spun, Foundlings and me, By Hook & Thread

Check out our Facebook page for more info.


Hope to see you there....
Amanda

Toadstool Ornaments

Some lovely, dangly, shiny, toadstools. Of course tree ornaments would have to happen.


The weather has turned in the last 2 hours. brrrrrrrrrrrr. Reminding me that taking artsy pictures will be a chore in the silence of winter when my usual places are snowed in.


Aren't they lovely all in a row?


here's what it really looks like!


just like my brain.

ciao,
Amanda