Abba New Year!

I know it's silly, out of date and bang in the middle of glam rock land, but I really do like the old Abba song, see what I'm talking about or just to see my most cheesy side of life... terrible in a good way - sort of...

I'll need to check but I think my one year blogaversry is coming up so I'll have to redo the list and face the consequences from 2008..tee hee. Hope yours truly is better than 2008 was for so many people around the world and will continue to be.

I'm looking forward to writing dates with hubby, felting dates with friends and playdates with my kids. Better health is always good to strive for and the possibility of starting another hobby or skill to keep the brain trained!

Splash the bubbly, pop the poppers and make merry for Wassail! ( more on that soon)

Panic

So now I'm fretting, probably about nothing, too much sugar donuts, fudge and leftovers make me reach for the seltzers but I sent my fiber art stuff in today, hopefully to be chosen for a show next year.

I changed the face somewhat and popped in another couple of pieces to hopefully join the ranks of 'recognised for a day'! Then I went to look at one of the judges stuff and see what's what and realised that this show may be just for quilters etc and my sort of stuff just doesn't fit...so I'm a little down and so have allocated that last two hours on Facebook tracking down old friends, aquaintences, who would probably rather I didn't poke them, send messages or even say hi through even the impersonal non-facebook lines of communication. However, life is far too short to hold grudges or to refuse a "hi I once knew you - do I/you owe you/me money?" I already got a "I think you owe me a VHS", from an old boat buddy ha ha!!

Sponto, an art gallery owner and one of the first people in los angeles who befriended me, played many hours of backgammon with and allowed me to be a small part of something rather cool in Venice passed away recently. There is a service on the beach on Jan 11th at 11am for those who want to say farewell.

Stabalot

Just a quickie to say Happy Holiday season ( yes, all of them are celebrated here ) particularly to the NFEST team members and fellow poking wool maniacs (yes, Dragonfly Artisans, that's you) out there. I have seen such a jump in this art form over the past few years and many wonderful pieces are being created.

I would like to highlight this artist today as I feel she is unsurpassed in talent for this type of wool painting. I was stunned and awed and a little dismayed at my poor attempts so far, but fully inspired to create something whimsically wonderful to the eye in the near future.

Yes take a deep breath and enjoy these lovely pieces from Stacy Polson.......

Thinking?

I'm thinking this is not good, right? Did staying up late into the night playing with wool in poor light do this? Did a sneezing fit or major eye rub, burst a vessel or is there something else I should be "seeing"?

Anyway, I did make these pieces last eve and wanted to share them here. Not sure if they will stay like this or have more work on them, but here they are. They are works of Light ( which seemed appropriate on the Solstice), the spectrum face Kandinsky style and the more serene, face in chaotic motion that appears more of a cameo. It was the wool - not me, I was just playing with an idea which started as a bowl of fruit actually, got abandoned when the g&T came out and boredom set in.



This was an exciting evening of creating to hopefully get them into a fiber art show next spring...stay tuned for more...

P.S. Terra Firma's giant hair and skirt are being prepped by the wonderful Abi of High Fiber Homestead...am very excited to get onto that in the new year...

Solstice

Dimmest and brightest month am I;
My shortest days end, my lengthening days begin;
What matters more or less Sun in the sky,
When all is Sun within?
–C. G. Rossetti (1830–94)

and so the shortest day is here again -how do you mark the moment (12:04)? We may hike or bike during the day, will walk outside to look at the stars, light candles everywhere, share stories of winter and talk about the science of the day.

We'll break out the lemon drop cookies from our Making #2 session too, not sure they'll last until our guests arrive on Monday!

Motley Crew

Talking Heads, Motley Crew...Gnomes without Homes, call them what you will coz they are all gone. Upped and ran off with some other families at the show last Saturday - yes - it's taken me this long to recover and write something. Thankfully, the new families left some minted coinage to replace the fair but hairy faces. Custom gnomies may be gracing our tree this year..

The motley crew

Chanukah Harry....

4am and still busy....

I love this wool combo....earth gnome in hiding...

jolly not st. nick....

A heartfelt thank you to those that came to support the school and the Dragonfly Artisans, we had a ball and were swamped with peeps all day, great stuff to see, buy and make. The Mama Made booth of crafters items was swimming with people scrambling for unique precious gifts before they sold out and I think the final number for that booth may top $2K! 100% to the school, yey! More pics on that next...

Donovan Boy and Little Gandalf shopped in the Snow Fairy Market, dipped sweet smelling beeswax candles, sewed wizard hats, performed some violin pieces, ran amok and ate many brownies ( not the helpful kind in the house of course).

Today it's cold, wet and windy here in La La Land. "Storm watch 2008!!" It's so lovely to pull out the wooly tights, sweaters and wellies. The Hairy One apparently likes the winter look and is grinning this morning.

Cold Moon

December 12 — The Full Cold Moon by The Farmers Almanac....

Sky watchers will be dazzled by an exceptionally high, bright, and large Moon. In fact, this Moon is 14% bigger and 30% brighter than other full Moons this year. Why? The Moon is both in its full phase and at a point in its orbit that is nearest Earth, called its perigee. When these events occur together, the Moon is closer to Earth than usual. The effect? The Full Cold Moon will appear especially large near the horizon as the Sun sets. The Moon is also high at this time of year; when it's overhead (near midnight), it will light up the landscape. Take a magical stroll and see your world at night. You won't need a flashlight!

This is great news for me as I will be working into the night to finish up some sale-able items for a Winter Faire Holiday Bazaar the next day, with the ever lovely and talented Dragonfly Artisans.

Grow

Not your usual run of the mill growing things around here, hence to say the trellis on the balcony now has baby rainbow silks wafting in the wind whilst teeny magic shrooms that will make fairy rings pop up anywhere you wish are growing wild here.

Making session #1 for Chrissie gifts was tiring but great fun for the kids. Armed with supplies to whip up batches of "Martha's" body scrubs and bath fizzers to treat friends and foes alike!

Cheesy

long distance stilton

Yep, the big cheese was in town for a little thanksgiving time, managed to broil our Tonkey ( mmm where's that bake setting?), played some favourite games, like Risk and Stratego ( LOTR versions), hauled a 20 lb box of yummies from my hometown/Muther blighty and listened to my rants about life in person instead of superlongdistance with a vaguely interested smile.

Thanks Dabby, I love you.

Crunch time

With so many things going on at once right now it's hard to know where to start. The crunch time has come for the upcoming Winter Faire, dolls to finish, mermaid kits to wrap, gnomes to dress, silks to dye etc etc..and of course a family home to run! The crafters at OCS have created some truly lovely items to share with the community and 100% goes to the school. The gauntlets below are a testament to that offering.

The merfolk are happily awaiting new homes and eager fingers to make them complete in some new kits, silk scarves and playsilks will be duly dipped with a spectrum to choose from, and some more felted gnome heads will grace the table and these pages as soon as I can get the laundry squared away!

mermaids-in-waiting...........for some hair to grow!

Schlomo is ready for his new home with Belfry

The most awesome gauntlets/wristies by 'Fly'

Tails at the ready..

Time for fun... Donovan Boy " Look, I'm a live Waldorf doll Mummy!"

Going Dottee

..with a recent swap, um..not sent yet...of a snowy dottee and this week receiving my very own dottee doll kit from the (now almost famous) Dottee Doll mistress, down under Dot Christian, I'll probably give them to the boys for Chanukah and go mad making a bunch of others to show at WF08.

Thanks for the extra special kit Dot!

This and other projects have kept me from making what is actually on the darn list. Just dreaming up stuff whilst scrubbing the loo isn't cutting it!

This show will finance the bigger projects ( tabled earlier this year) so really I should get my noggin (which aches) and posterior in gear....what to do with pressie pics of fairies, trolls and what nots...of course. Post 'em and waste some more (laundry) time on the pretty computer...

Tomorrow is the Pasadena Elves Faire and the arrival of Grumpy who loves to fly in for his favourite "UK" holiday - Thanksgiving! Yep, it's amazing what a hot Glatt turkey stuffed with chestnuts and cranberries can do for foreign visitors! This means for me of course, half a birthday cake from m&S british treats, tea and branston pickle heaven! Thanks Pa.

Just trolling around...?

Pee wee Fairy pressie...

Matters of Whimsy

The Whimsy jar phenomenon is hitting swappers hard, but not in the pocket! It's a lovely way to share little bits of stuff you have, without breaking the bank. Just recycle an old jar - they range from a large mason type to as small as a baby food container - pretty it up with ribbon, paper or paint and fill it in all manner of ways.

Whilst I haven't made many, these whipped-up-whimsical-wonder-jars put a smile on our faces even through the coughing! They will go to the Snow Fairy Market which is basically a magical store only for children to find handmade presents for the holidays. I'm sure some eager, creative hands will find them, possibly even Little Gandalf and Donovan Boy!

Make one for a friend with surprises that are just special to them, anything goes as long as it fits into the jar! Or make a keepsakes jar for yourself or your child, to capture objects of a special trip or day out with pointers to a memory. Try mixing some fabric, or charms, magnets, ribbons, buttons, jewelry, trim, treats or even nature finds as every bit you stuff in can be as wonderful whimsy to the right receiver!

Dreaming of Winter

The following are all considered traditional signs of a severe winter ahead:

Geese fly south at a high altitude.
Oak trees bear many acorns.
Chipmunks are abundant.
Lakes and rivers freeze later than usual.
Onions grow thicker skins than usual.
Squirrels are gathering a large supply of nuts.
Woodpeckers appear early.
Lots of berries.
Corn husks are thicker and stronger.

Whilst still a little ways off, the nature table seems to beg for a white winter soon, icy thrones for the King to visit, a Mrs Thaw or Jack Frost. Of course, just conjuring up the images of felted wonders doesn't get them made, neither does blogging about wishes of wonderment, so off I trot to get something ( anything) done...

Bish bosh Beaver Bot- wot?

This post is for any swap-botters who may find themselves perusing through this site. Hallo & Happy Day!!! I do hope you enjoy your visit, add a comment and maybe look at some highlights. There may be a recipe or felting tutorial or even a mindless game. If you want to see my very silly 'other' blog click HERE or THERE.


From: the farmers Almanac:

Go outside and see the Full Beaver Moon tonight! This full Moon is a sign of freezing weather to come. For Algonquin tribes, it was a time to set beaver traps before the swamps froze to ensure a supply of warm winter furs.


No shade, no shine, no butterflies, no bees No fruit, no flowers, no leaves, no birds! -- No-vember! —Thomas Hood (1799-1845)

Apparently, Thomas hadn't been to california...!!!

Change...

This song was written 3 years ago by Texas Tea/The Hairy One, so do you believe in prefigurative hope?

Was never meant as an endorsement actually but more of a challenge for change in everyone.
Did the O man see this yet? Pass it on if you like or find it on you tube to share....

History Lesson

Well, even if you didn't vote for him or can't vote in this country ( me) - you gotta hand it to the man. I'm pretty awed by the enormity of this election and of the value President Barack Obama will bring to America, being the first real multicultural representative.

Donovan Boy ( my eldest 9yro) was so inspired by this election to see and judge for himself who he may choose to vote for if he could. We chose only to share with him the history of the country, from the sordid to the proud moments, of the electoral process and how important each voice can be. He has been so excited and so stayed up late to see both great speeches and share in the woohoo's!

I believe in the process, I want to believe in change, I believe that everyone who loves life, loves freedom and this feels like a breath of fresh air to me.

Peace.
Oh, and thanks for all the free stuff or discounts offered for voting today, from ice cream to coffee and yarn!

Them Thars Apples...

So off we trundled directly east up the 10 freeway, leaving the big smoke of La La land behind us, until the tundra changed and the hills were looming. Riley's Farm was upon us and dark clouds hoovering over the mountain beyond kept the cool breeze blowing falling leaves around us. "One landed on me!" said someone in the crowd of city kids in the woods!

bobbing apples wait for the press...

freshly picked, both tart and sweet - yum!

The curious kids, got to squish apples on the old press, pump and drink water from the well, stuff a mattress with hay, visit inside a real log cabin, ride in a horse drawn wagon through the apple orchards, pick the perfect apples for lunch and happily collect acorns from the giant oaks up the road!

Our 3rd grade teacher sent a beautiful, empassioned, rhetoric that included this thought after the day was done.

"I know that the children were changed by this outing, because after the farm trip was over, we sat down in the grass before we got in our cars and as I looked at them there was an amazing sense of calmness in them. It felt like they had all drunk a delicious gulp of wonder and joy and were completely filled up."

apres press - perfect pomme compost or treat for the animals

Whether you teach at home or have your child in a more traditional school setting, you know that the passion of teaching and of leading your child to experience the wonder of learning is such a great gift. Happy Day.

covered wagon of the old west

Shrooming

There are so many shrooms and so little time to spend playing with them! Whilst participating in last month's Magical Mushroom swap on Swap Bot ( see wild waldorf group) my magical partner gave me these!! Are you jealous? Aren't they gorge? I did not get a picture of the ones I made to send onto Paper, maybe she will share....

The last week was so busy with Halloween parties to throw, Lady Autumn divying the gifted gnomies to the kindy's and staying ahead of the laundry beast...

acorn gnomies ala Carle lined up and ready to rock n rolla......and this week is filled with mucho pumpkin carving madness. I have to admit my favourite part is roasting and chomping the seeds!!

We will be celebrating Day of the Dead this year as we sadly have reason to do so. It's a good time to remember those who have passed and celebrate our earthly life.

artist from taos wall hanging from wool felt...

And lastly but not least...I think my garden represents la dia des mortes right now..I have much digging and planting work to catch up on, just mulching and composting/making soil right now as the weather doesn't want to cooperate with my plans for cold weather veggies...bah humbug!!

Happy October birthdays to Da-doo-Ron-da, Amy-la, Maddy, and Tinkerbell.....love you all...late pressies will ensue as soon as funds allow.... maybe you can purchase these silks and help me on my way!!

Wooly Bits #2

Here's a woolly bit I finished last week...it could be better but it's a first larger 12x17" piece and done in a bit of a rush as a donation for a silent auction.

Anyhoo...are you bored yet? Really it's way too hot here to get motivated, the waldorfy winter faire is looming and I MUST make some things to show and sell!

My lovely garden is so neglected, the sun burning everything and unless I'm eating out of it, I'm loathe to waste the water on it. My silly schedule has no time before sundown to get the hours needed out there to make the soil work again and there are so many houses to look at ( dream about) in more areas than necessary...from San Diego all the way up to Calabases for goodness sakes - Yikes!

oh boy, what a horrid post, sorry. Here are some more pics illustrating happier weekends.

I think I'll start doing some highlights on other artists' work right now.... so it is my honour that you meet Marie (surname?) and she is a lovely woman I met in Taos, who is so very talented and prolific ( unlike some of us...yep that'll be me) and I wanted to share some of her outstanding work and proff that wooly faces do not need to look scary...

the jester with puppet

christmas fairy
lady with mask ready for ballReally her work is so exquistite and the details she includes, show her divine patience..thanks for the encouragement to come and teach a workshop next year..see you then Marie!

Wooly Bits #1

OK, so there are too many cool pics and moments to share with ya'll so I'll just be blatant and pop them up and be done with it..maybe you (erm...who?) will feel inspired, daunted, disgusted or just don't give two hoots - as my housematron Potty used to say.

friend to be shorn and worn...

erm...woolly and a little wobbly too...

what a shame....he can't fit in my suitcase..

artist at the festival showing her wares..wonderful!

winging my way to Albuquerque - what a view to dream on..