winter inspiration

Like most of you, I dapple in other forms of creativity.  A recent trip to the craft store provided me with an excuse a well earned opportunity, to take a few hours to relax with some new winter inspiration.

I am, sadly, allergic to wool so I have to use other blends of yarns.  Loops and Threads is one of my favourite chunky yarns as it's so silky soft and knits up fast.

I (self) studied mixed media last summer so I was thrilled to find a "winter inspired" mixed media magazine with lots of techniques and ideas.

What have you been work on recently?

~ joey ~ 




Edit:  Finished infinity scarf!  So easy peasy, knit 14 stitches until it's the desired length and then sew ends together!
Super cozy!

 

wearing a cowl

Oh my have you caught cowl fever yet?!?

I see cowls everywhere right now.  People wearing them, Pinning them, knitting them and offering enticing patterns!

I consider myself a beginner knitter and yet I have had two fly off my needles in the past few weeks.  I think I'm going to start making some for gifts as they are becoming a slight addiction!

What I love most about them is how many different ways you can wear them.  Here are just a few of the ways I have been wearing mine.

(be warned:  I'm not a follower of fashion trends!)

This my favourite way, it's like a shoulder warmer!

 This way is nice when you have a scoop neck shirt on.  Also works well with a jacket.

 Just let it hang like a scarf.

 Loop it twice but leave a bit of space to show off your favourite necklace.

 And this way makes me laugh but I'm sure I'll do this on really cold days.  Wrap it twice and then pull one piece up over your ears.  It looks like two pieces and keeps your ears SO toasty warm!

So all of you fashion divas, how am I supposed to really be wearing my new knitted obsession?!  More ideas please! :o)

~ joey ~

 

it's a new year . . .

poem from Syrendell's newsletter, needlefelted catkins tutorial here

 

Today is the day that it starts to sink in that the Holidays are officially over.

The kids and hubby are back at school and work, the Christmas decorations are all put away and I have started the post-Christmas clean!  Like many others,

  reorganizing 

decluttering 

and 

cleaning

are the big items on my To Do List right now.

handmade bowl filled with needlefelted acorns

Also on my list is 

creativity

to try to keep our creative souls energized through these grey days of winter!

I have enlisted three books to help me with this part.

 This book is more for me but I think my daughter may enjoy it as well.

Some of the crafts that I hope to convince the kids to try with me are making paper beads, delicate paper lanterns, and a braided fabric hot mat.

 

This book also has instructions on making paper beads, as well as watercolour envelopes, birdseed garland, silhouette charms and recycled crayons.

Sound intriguing?...I'll let you know how we do.

What projects are you working on this January?

~ joey ~  

  

Happy New Year!

Wishing you all a safe and Happy New Year!

I promise to be back soon . . . just finishing up a few things before the end of the Holidays . . .

 All the best,

xoxo

~ joey ~ 

inspiring eco creativity

Today I wish to thank Kimara at Wee Folk Art 

for inspiring me with two very fun projects!

The first was folding German stars.  Last year I bought a kit but never mustered up the courage to give it a try.  I thought it looked too complicated but her post instantly changed my mind.  Now I'm folding stars from memory and my children have joined in and made some too!

Then I had a thought ... what other kinds of paper can I transform into these gorgeous stars?  I pulled out some brown packing paper that I had been saving, cut it into strips and made a repurposed beaded ornament.  So fun!   

Then the following week Kimara posted her tissue paper trees.  Ooh we had to try this!  The kids used an 8.5"x11" sheet of water colour paper and I used a small scrap and made a Christmas card.

What I liked most about these crafts is that they are perfect ways of repurposing scrap papers into gorgeous ornaments, cards and artwork!

 There is just something about turning "waste" into something beautiful again that is so inspiring to me.

 Please share your thoughts and comments!

~ joey ~

  
shared at:

Frontier Dreams - Keep Calm & Craft On

Happy Whimsical Hearts - Happy Family Times

Like Mama~Like Daughter - Eco-Kids Tuesday

Seasons of Joy - Waldorf Wednesday

Natural Suburbia - Creative Friday

shadows

the morning sun displays a snowflake shadow on our cupboard

 I'm not sure if it was a coincidence but yesterday I found myself mesmerized by the sun and the shadows around our home.  This time of year the days are mostly very grey, it comes with living in a rainforest climate but I've lived here my whole life so it's really all I know.

But yesterday the early morning sun...

...taunted me by making this corner of our living room so cozy.....

...fed the plants with a dose of much needed energy...

 

...inspired me to see images in the shadows it created on the wall 
(what do you think the shadow looks like?)...

...created a subtle rainbow in our fountain...


...reminded me of the benefits of Himalayan salt crystals...

 ...and illuminated these watercolour paintings on my desk so beautifully.

"If Candlemas Day be fair and bright

Winter will take another flight.

If Candlemas Day be cloud and rain

Winter is gone and will not come again."

This morning brought back the clouds and grey and, although it was lovely to visit with the sun, for that I was truly grateful! ;o)

I hope Spring is on the way for you as well!
xoxo
~ joey ~

playful learning spaces e-course

Today is a very exciting day for me!

Mariah Bruehl

 Today I start Mariah's Playful Learning Spaces 6 week e-course!

Mariah is such a lovely person and her blog, book and learning experiences pages have been so inspirational to our family.

I am so excited to start creating more inviting spaces in our home for our children to play and learn...honestly how much more fun can you get?

(and there is still time to sign up if you want to join in the fun!)

* * *

The other bit of excitement around here this morning was this....

Yes, I have recently learned that Mother Nature reads my blog!

there is an ocean out there...somewhere?

A word from the wise, never mock her on your blog and think that you'll get away with it.  Last night she had the last laugh as she literally brought our city to a halt with this snowfall.

remember the dusting on Monday?

does anyone know if chocolate mint plants mind snow?

....and tomorrow's forecast......

***   MORE SNOW!   ***

sigh...there was a compost bin there last night?!?

However, in an attempt to see the silver lining of this snow cloud

I am thankful....

~ that the oil man filled up our tank on Monday so that we can run the furnace again

~ that my husband didn't have to risk driving in this to go to work this morning

~ that the school board closed all the schools so that I didn't have to risk driving in this

~ that there's a hot pot of vegetable bean soup on my stove

~ that this weather slows us down and brings us closer together as a family

* * *

Have a wonderful day and stay safe if it's snowing in your area!

xoxo

* joey *