In Joy Emporium: #winter2015

Showing posts with label #winter2015. Show all posts

Tuesday, March 31, 2015

~Gratitude~ winter makings

This is how it looks out my window this morning. Not very spring like! March came in like a lion and is going out like a mule! A slow melt may not be so bad. It is...I...afterall, that always gets anxious when winter has nearly come to an end and I haven't gotten to all my winter projects. I have, finally, accepted I will never be caught up! That is an illusion because, for me, ideas beget ideas. So here are some the ideas that have been hatched this winter and have actually been completed!

March is when I enlist the assistance of my DH for sewing machine maintenance. I lug all the machines to the dining room table and DH brings in his compressor and blows all the lint out my machines. Then we oil and grease. My newest fancy machine only requires one drop of oil. But the rest have detailed oiling diagrams. The little Singer Featherweight I found at church sale years ago, paying only $10! I haven't been using it...the sewing room is pretty crowded. Since it just got oiled I thought I should run it through it's paces. Well, folks, I think I am in love! It works so sweetly and is perfect for puppet making! There IS room for one more machine in my space and heart!

This winter I came up with a new product! I call them Pillow Puppet Pocket Pals. First came the Bunny then I made some Piggies! Working on a Panda pattern right now ideas are begetting ideas!

Bunny

Piggy!

I had some fun with my prototype bunny! Bunny has a dot of velcro on it's paws for fun positionings and goofy poses! Like this one reacting to another snowstorm!

Hanging in there with some goofy fun!

Peaceful contemplation of the winter beauty...

Here are a few more of my winter creations!

Black-eyed Susan

See no Evil * Speak no Evil * Hear no Evil

Goldie Fish

....and today's sewing...Bachelor Buttons!

I am grateful for the lingering winter that is extending my creative ideas beget ideas without the distractions of spring. And the time, the room, in my life to make them come true!

~~~~~~~~~~~My Lively Life~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Fiber Art, Weaving, Hand Spun

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Hand Made Eco and Upcycled Cutie Buntings, Clothes, & Toys

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Vintage Collectibles, Buttons, Clothing & MORE!

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Sea Glass & Copper Wire Ornaments with things I have gathered

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My Blog~~Makings, Musings, & Lifestyle on the Land:

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"Be Joyful because it is humanly possible"~~~Wendell Berry

Friday, March 20, 2015

PAUSE & SEE

winter surrender

let go of expectation

sunflowers return

Orah

I try to see something new each day. The art of seeing is essential to any creative work in my humble opinion. My favorites are the ones that stop me in my tracks! Like so many folks I have a very busy mind that I struggle to quiet. By creating this practice it has given me many opportunities to pause and be with a new wonder. I love to wonder about wonders. These little seeings can be just the jolt my creative process needs to get out of a rut. But mostly, they provide a pause which is that moment of peace I need to heal from a frustration. These seeings are grounding for me and bring me to the present. I will admit to laughing out loud with joy over some of my discoveries, they are a moments of childlike wonder!

"When you realize how perfect everything is you will tilt your head back and laugh at the sky" ~~~Buddha

~~~~~~~~~~~My Lively Life~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Fiber Art, Weaving, Hand Spun

http://www.etsy.com/shop/injoyemporium

Hand Made Eco and Upcycled Cutie Buntings, Clothes, & Toys

http://www.etsy.com/shop/InJoyEcoCutie

Vintage Collectibles, Buttons, Clothing & MORE!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/injoytreasures

Sea Glass & Copper Wire Ornaments with things I have gathered

http://www.etsy.com/shop/InJoyGatherings

My Blog~~Makings, Musings, & Lifestyle on the Land:

http://injoyemporium.blogspot.com

www.facebook.com/injoyemporium

http://instagram.com/injoyemporium

http://www.pinterest.com/injoyemporium

"Be Joyful because it is humanly possible"~~~Wendell Berry

Thursday, March 19, 2015

Not Great Weather for Ducks!

It is hard to believe that only last May these Ducks came to me. This is their first winter and they must wonder what kind of world they have been hatched into...this world of perpetual winter! It is hard for me to remember what spring warmth felt like. We are on day 3 of howling winds that are keeping temps well below freezing...at times below 0! When folk say that time flies by quickly they certainly have not lived through a winter like this one. Forever is how long last May feels to me...I can only imagine how it feels to my Duckicles!

http://injoyemporium.blogspot.com/2014/05/gratitude_25.html

A week ago we had a moment of thaw and could actually see some ground. This has since been covered by snow. Unfortunately, is was not enough of a thaw to clean out the duckhouse. I usually am able to clean it once a month during the winter but not this year. I am stretching my imagination to find ways to add comfort to my Duckies lives. By now there usually would have been enough of a thaw that they could be foraging the ponds inlet and outlets. I did make a discovery the other day that is adding to their diet. I was in the freezer getting pumpkin out to make pumpkin bread when I came across boxes of grated frozen zucchini. I thought I would make zucchini bread this winter...but then I thought of my ducks! They usually won't eat veggies like chickens, I thought I would give it a try! They love it! Unfortunately, my zucchini supply is not going to last until the thaw....next year I will freeze more with the ducks in mind....maybe grated carrots next? My sweeties are still laying eggs for me! I tell them they can take a break...best ducks ever!