Stasia's Place Of Grace

Thursday, January 27, 2005

 

The Middle Of Winter

As you may have heard, we had a huge snowfall last weekend - 9-12" overnight. Everything was so quiet the next day!

View from the kitchen window.

To the right of the fencepost is where our driveway usually is.

Good thing I'd filled up the bird feeders!

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There's a new arrival at the Saddlebrook Appaloosa farm - isn't he cute? You can get an update with their webcam.

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Mr. Valentine had a tumor removed earlier this month. He's recovered nicely, and had his sutures removed today. Now his mom doesn't have to keep a 24-hour-a-day watch on him, thank goodness - I'm so grateful it all has gone so well for him. Here he is looking for rabbits and squirrels out in the snow:

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My very talented friend Pamela has turned me on to omiyage - little Japanese-inspired, handsewn gift pouches. I ordered some batik fabric from Joann's to make them:

Hint: if you sign up for Joann's snail mail mailers, you will receive coupons for substantial in-person and online discounts each month. They often have an offer for free shipping as well.

Here I have cut out my first omiyage pattern and I'm ready to start stitching. It is the "Village Girl" from the Omiyage book:

If you like to sew but don't have time to make clothing or to quilt, these quick little projects are really cute, and they serve a dual purpose when given as gift wrappings. If you don't like to sew, the book is still lovely, colorful, and inspiring, and there's some very interesting information on the historical aspects of Japanese gift-giving as well. It has a very "meditational" atmosphere to it, and made me think about "being in the craft" while I was doing the craft, if you get my drift.

I've also been working on kumihimo to create cords to use as drawstrings on these projects - here is my first kumihimo braid, made on a recycled CD:

I have since ordered a kumihimo disk and plate from Braidershand in order to work with finer threads, like perle cotton (but Janis has the flu today so it wlil be a while before my stuff arrives - get well soon, Janis!)

Also, we had an order arrive from Mountain Rose Herbs, which is a fantastic company with truly superior products. From their own tea blends to massage oils, or the raw materials (such as essential oils, herbs, and... a little of everything!) to make your own "stuff", Mountain Rose has it all and ships quickly. They even provide an online herbal reference. I recommend them very highly! Jeff is enjoying his sassafras tea very much...

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Even though it is the middle of winter, things are humming along here at Meadowview - "It's always something," as Roseann Rosannadanna would say.

Hope you're warm, happy, and being creative in your neck of the woods today.

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