by Susan | Mar 12, 2018 | Out and About in Maine
The drive into work this morning this morning was beautiful. Wherever I passed through fog, the trees were beautifully frosted as if coated in powdered sugar. The contrast between firs and the lacy branches of the deciduous trees was striking. I loved the way the...
by Susan | Mar 11, 2018 | Critter Patterns, Felt Patterns, Woodland Patterns
Happy the Hedgehog has been a long time coming. She has been a most popular request since I started sharing my felt ornament designs. We don’t have hedgehogs in the wild in the USA so she wasn’t at the top of my to do list, but she was fun to make. Enjoy!...
by Susan | Mar 8, 2018 | On the Farm
Just when I was feeling hopeful about spring, Mother Nature showed her might. I don’t remember a February with less snow than we’ve had this year. Until today. The storm lasted eighteen hours, leaving us with heavy, sticky, knee-deep snow. It was a day to...
by Susan | Feb 27, 2018 | Out and About in Maine
Maine’s landscape is ever changing. As winter’s cold temperatures take hold and the ice builds up on the river, little fishing huts dot the horizon. Crazy temperature swings have caught a few ice fishermen by surprise – evident by the stray shack...
by Susan | Feb 19, 2018 | Backyard Birds, On the Farm
It’s been such a strange winter here. Frigid and snowy one day – balmy the next. In a typical winter we’ll have snow on the ground until mid-Spring. This year, we’ve had plenty of winter weather interspersed with January and February thaws. Our...
by Susan | Feb 11, 2018 | Critter Patterns, Felt Patterns, Sea Life
The Narwhal looks a bit mystical with it’s giant tooth. If you’re going for a more realistic look, you might choose a pale gray and add many more “spots” to your ornament. I hope you enjoy this addition to my whale series created for my...
by Susan | Feb 7, 2018 | Photography
A lull between appointments gave me the chance to pause and enjoy watching a couple of Common Mergansers floating down the Narraguagus River. I call moments like this “drive by shootings” – serendipitous photos taken from the comfort of the car....
by Susan | Feb 5, 2018 | Granny Gadget
Mom (aka Granny Gadget) sent this new bird feeder to me. I finally had the chance to fill it and put it up yesterday. Since the ground is frozen I couldn’t rig a pole for it, so I opted to hang it from the trunk of a young tree. The birds love it. It look just a...
by Susan | Feb 4, 2018 | Backyard Birds, On the Farm
This weekend I so enjoyed a charm of goldfinches at the feeders. The finches’ subtle, faded out of season colors somehow match the winter landscape. This last image is a merge of two snapshots to show the motion of the birds in flight. Shooting mostly from...
by Susan | Jan 30, 2018 | Critter Patterns, Felt Patterns, Sea Life
Until I started on this pattern as part of my whale series, I didn’t appreciate that while called a “killer whale” the Orca is actually part of the dolphin family. They are such magnificent animals, so easily recognizable with their black and white...
by Susan | Jan 25, 2018 | Critter Patterns, Felt Patterns, Sea Life
Sightings of Beluga Whales are pretty scarce in this neck of the woods. This Beluga Whale pattern is super easy ornament to make. My whale is a pale blue, but white or off white would be more accurate. I so like their “smiles” – they seem such happy...
by Susan | Jan 21, 2018 | Critter Patterns, Felt Patterns, Sea Life
The Majestic Humpback Whale is number three in my whale series. He’s already off to grace baby Elijah’s room (my nephew). Found on both coasts of the United States, the Humpback is a summer visitor to the coast of Maine. Have fun! Download Now!...
by Susan | Jan 20, 2018 | Odds and Ends, Projects
Paul doesn’t get enough credit for things he does for me around the house. He’s a very handy guy. Ponds, duck and chicken coops, pot racks, you name it and he can likely do it. The only challenge is that Paul has one speed. He calls it “half...
by Susan | Jan 17, 2018 | Critter Patterns, Felt Patterns
This turtle design grew out of an email I received from Nancy. A fourth-grade teacher, Nancy raises two Blanding’s Turtle hatchlings with her class each year. Once grown, they release the turtles into the wilds of Massachusetts. This is my second attempt at the...
by Susan | Jan 15, 2018 | Out and About in Maine
After a long morning of problem-solving work issues, not budging from my desk, I needed to move. Hannah and I set off in the car without a destination and landed atop Pigeon Hill. At 19 degrees. Our last Pigeon Hill trip was with dad last June. Our last winter hike...
by Susan | Jan 14, 2018 | Out and About in Maine
A winter’s day Sunday drive. On this marsh, yesterday’s high waters flash froze before receding. The crackle and tinkling sound of breaking ice was like a background music score. A new day, a new beach to explore. Colder than yesterday with a high of 19...
by Susan | Jan 13, 2018 | Out and About in Maine
A January thaw has descended on the region. Temps in the 50s paired with high winds and torrential rains have all but washed away the snow and ice. When the rain tapered off today it felt almost balmy outside so Hannah and I headed to the beach for a walk –...
by Susan | Jan 9, 2018 | Out and About in Maine
It was a balmy 32 degrees Downeast today – a most welcome change from the sub zero temps that have lingered. Traveling the roads the past few days has been harrowing. Snow on top of ice is never fun. Today, rich with sunshine, gave the crews a chance to clean...
by Susan | Jan 7, 2018 | Backyard Birds, On the Farm
As has become our tradition as the Christmas season ends, our Charlie Brown tree has another chance to bring a bit more joy. Hannah helped me bring it outdoors – strategically placed outside one of the living room windows. I dipped apple slices and pine cones...
by Susan | Jan 6, 2018 | On My Mind
Plan for the worst and hope for the best. That’s what we were thinking going into this snow storm. At moments it was wild with blizzardy snow whipping around. The wildlife was a bit nervous gathering food while they could. I haven’t seen Goldfinches at the...
