Monkey Lobster

I'm working on it.

I'm loving chipping away at this project. I love the organic flow of it, making the stones work together, and the satisfying smashing with the sledge hammer. I do however have a deadline. Ben would not like me to occupy our patio all summer with stones, hammers, chisels, and our outdoor furniture sitting in a pile. So I have until the end of May to finish it "or else!!!". Or else we hire a mason to spend a couple of days finishing it.

I know that there are bets out there, on whether I will meet this deadline or not, and mostly against me. So the pressure is on and I'm feeling determined and confident and strong. I'll report back in a few weeks.

Celebrating Spring

Let's just begin here. The chickens are laying like crazy. We're getting so many eggs that one day we decided to decorate and hide them in the yard. We made egg salad, smoked a ham and had some friends over to share in the excitement. 

For my birthday this year I received a chain saw from my in-laws. Bob gave me a safety lesson. I dragged downed trees out from the woods and chopped them up to make coals for the smoker.

Sarah (the stuffed monkey), is the new Meow(who went missing about a year ago). He has every meal with us. He never finishes what's on his plate, and yes, Sarah is a boy.

bit by the bug

It's been a long time since we've been craft crazy. I'd wondered if the urge would ever return. 

I already know that I will love Elsa's little owl ornaments for years to come, and remember the hours of quiet, focused work. And Cyrus is loving his count down santa.

 

getting crafty

It's been a long time since I've been crafty. And although my studio is still not set up, when Elsa asked me to make her a pair of red woolen mittens like Laura Ingall's Ma made her, how could I resist? 

If you want to join along here is a great photo tutorial and a printable pattern. To felt the sweaters, throw them in the machine with a pair of jeans to help agitate the fibers and wash and dry on hot. The sewing process is pretty quick and forgiving, and the wool can be shaped by pulling, tugging and sculpting to get the fit just right. Once you start, it's hard to stop.

swing

This is Bob, we met at camp 17 years ago. Camp friends are special. He is also one of my few friends left who still knows how to have too much fun.

The other day he showed up at my house with his tool belt, (the kind of tool belt that has a chain saw hanging from it) and the most amazing sling shot I've ever seen. He sling shot a rope up into the tree and proseeded to climb that rope using what he called the "wrap the rope around your foot and just shimmee up" technique. Then he made his was down removing any limbs that might get in the way of the swing. And that was that.

We LOVE our new swing. It's too much fun. Thanks Bob.

Spring Crafts

When three pairs of adoring eyes ask for help decorating eggs how can I resist? Soon they are not gonna want to spend the afternoon with me, so I'll take it where I can get it. Here are some links to instructions if you want to play along:

Ukranian Eggs.   Moss Baskets.   Chocolate Nest.   Fun Molds on a Stick

Valentines Past

signs of spring

Little lambs, coloured eggs, and dinner outside. Spring is really here.

three happy valentines

So my two little valentines loved their two little valentines.

And Ben loved his chocolates. He is hard to impress, easy to please, but hard to impress. Elsa said to him "Suna made those ya know", and then Ben replied "no...", and then I jumped up and down (awkwardly bracing my arm) because I had impressed Ben with my chocolate making abilities. For whatever reason the "you made this?" comment is just about the highest honors for me. 

we love dolls

We are all really loving this book (link in books list).  The projects are so cute, the instructions so great, and the patterns are all in FULL SIZE. 

 

Elsa is so proud of her doll.  I helped a little with attaching the buns and arms, but the rest of it, from reading the instructions, tracing the pattern to the sewing was done all by Elsa.  Where those looks come from? I don't know but don't let them fool you.


 

This doll is not really his but a gift for someone else.  And pants came first, cut from a shirt I bought at the GoodWill.  The poor little guy is to lanky to fit into any pants so I've been working on a few pairs. But no worries about parting with the doll, two more "Valentine" dolls are in the works.