Yours 'til Niagara Falls

Slow and Steady

I made this projects with some students today, and they really liked the process and the finished product.

You will need: green wool fleece, felt (a wool-blend is nicest), a bowl with warm water with 2-3 drops of liquid soap, scissors, tacky glue and a needle and dark thread.

1.  Take the wool fleece and wind it into a 1 1/2 inch ball as though you were winding a ball of yarn.

2.  Dip the ball into the soapy water.  Toss the ball very gently from hand to hand for a minute.  if you are too vigorous with it at this point, it will turn into a lumpy felted brain.  After the minute, you can begin to roll the ball between your palms in the manner of rolling cookie dough.  After two minutes or so, take the ball to the sink and rinse it alternating hot and cold water.  you will notice that the ball firms up as you do this. 3.  Snip the ball in half .  

4.  On a piece of scrap paper, trace around one of the halves.  Add the head, legs and tail to the pattern.  Use the paper pattern to cut the body shape ftom the felt.  5.  Use tacky glue to put the body and the shell together.  6.  Embroider french knots for eyes, or alternately, use a pen to make eyes.

Beaded Chairs

These exquisite little chairs were given to me by friends who are members of the Tuscarora Nation.  Only a very few bead artists make this form.  They are made with glass seed beads on wire.  Tuscarora bead work has been famous for many decades.  Back in time when people would come to visit Niagara Falls (I'm talking the late 1800's, early 1900's) part of that experience would include purchasing a souvenir stitched by native American artists.  The first picture is an example of Victorian whimsey work.  I don't own that piece, and that's a shame.  The second picture is that of my sweet little chairs.  One more and I have a collection!

The Singing Revolution

My husband and I, along with my mother-in-law spent the day in Toronto with the main purpose of the trip being to see the film "The Singing Revolution".  It's the remarkable story of how the Estonian people were able to break the grip of the Soviet Union without shedding a drop of blood.  The country maintained its identity, unity and resolve throughout the Soviet occupation by gathering together and singing patriotic folk songs. The story culminates with Estonian independence in 1991.  As I sat in the theater I wondered to myself "Why don't I remember any details of the Soviet Union unraveling?"  I was an adult at the time and I have very little recollection of world events from that time*.  At any rate, the theater was three-quarters full of very elderly Estonians, chattering away in their native language.  There were some tears among members of the audience as the Estonian anthem was sung.  It happens to be a beautiful song with heart-touching lyrics. My mother-in-law left Estonia in the early years of WWII.  She said the film left her feeling sad that she had escaped and her countrymen were left to suffer for so many years.  See this movie if you get a chance.

* I think it might be that in the early 1990's, cable news didn't have the "wall-to-wall" coverage that events (even non-events ala Anna Nicole) currently receive.  Or maybe I was helplessly self-absorbed at that point in my life.

Tinsel Trading

My trip to New York City was really action-packed.  One place I stopped was the store Tinsel Trading . My oh my, what a pretty and interesting shop!  Dear Martha loves the place and sends her minions there for all her craft supplies.  German glass tinsel was just the beginning.  Ribbons, papers, books, ornaments, you name it, all presented beautifully.  Crafting lessons are offered.  The classes are held in a nearby retail space aptly named The Shop Across the Street. After my flawlessly documented sighting of the Holy Father we walked to  West 39th Street to pay a visit.

After buying some bits and bobs, the lovely salesclerck suggested that I should take a peek at the Shop Across the Street and I'm so glad I did.  I was able to meet the loveliest group of women who were winding up a class on, of all things, crown making.  The workshop was taught by an extremely talented woman named Gabriela Delworth from Toronto.  An extensive description of the workshop appears on Ellen's blog.  I was really inspired by the work the participants of the class. The paper dress in the window was just adorable.

Goosey Goosey Gander

It was a beautiful evening on the Niagara River tonight.  This guy was half of an nesting pair anticipating, I suppose, a very busy summer.

Sorry Goose, But It's Time to Buzz the Tower!

I really need to step up my crafting.  I miss making things.  On the l-o-n-g train trip across N. Y. State on Sunday, I made a Canada goose.  The needle felting kit is from Black Sheep Designs.  Sharon Costello is the designer.  Her kits have wonderful quality wool and, more importantly, really well thought-out instructions.  Practically foolproof. A sweet little estate sale hanky is also pictured here.  The trim looks like a knotting or maybe a tatting technique.  It must have taken a very skilled worker days to accomplish.  I could never use it for its original purpose.

Orange You Glad You Have Friends?

                                                   Darling Laura of Little Orange Kitchen sent me a lovely package of treats.  Tea, chocolate, a postcard and cake of lovely fragrant soap.  Thank you so much!

Please Keep Little Frida in Your Thoughts

Little Frida Kahlo is in the doggie hospital for her heartworm treatment.  We dropped her off this morning and she had the first shot.  If all goes well she'll have the second shot tomorrow morning.  Then she spends about a month on very restricted activity while the medicine works.  If people knew what an ordeal it is to cure heartworms, they'd never skip a dose of preventative medicine.  When she recovers, she needs to be spayed.

Here she is in front of the Falls.

As an aside, I'd like people's thoughts regarding Frida's ability to play.  She apparenty was not socialized as a pup and doesn't have a clue in the world how to play.  Some people who have rescue dogs have told me that their dogs have never shown interest in fetching or tug of war.  Should I keep trying?  Should I just accept her as she is?  Please advise.

Button, Button, They've Got the Button

When I was In New York last weekend, I had the chance to stop by Tender Buttons.  Oh baby, do they have buttons.  It's almost like a button museum.  They have tons of plastic buttons in every shape and hue, but that's just the beginning.  There are carved bone buttons with scenes from Eskimo villages, antique ceramic buttons from Japan and buttons which once graced the frocks of Colonial American ladies.  Some of the displays featured vintage button cards which I've always loved.  I could have spent the whole day there.  Well worth an hour or two if you're in the city.

Earth Day Greetings

Happy Earth Day!