The Last of the Green Things

I am very proud of these brussels sprouts, because I grew them from seed.  Brussels sprouts have a very long growing season, so they can be hard to grow up here where the gardening season is relatively short.  So most years I try to grow a few of the slower growing things from seed, winter squash, melons, leeks, and mostly fail.  Usually my little seedlings are so puny by the time it is time to put them in the ground that they are pretty much doomed to fail.  But not this time!  Most of the sprouts are pretty small, much smaller than you'd get in a store, but they are very tasty.

The top picture is one of the leaves from the brussels sprout plant that went astray on its way to the compost pile.  I found it the next morning covered in frost.

Wreath Decorating

 Carolyn and I went to a wreath decorating class in Chester last week, and now I have a wreath up next to my door at the earliest point in the season ever.  The lovely woman who was running the seminal foraged all kinds of natural items from the woods and fields for us to use.  There was also ample gold and silver spray paint on hand to add a little sparkle, because sometimes you just have to spray paint something gold.

Thankful

A quick photo recap of Thanksgiving with friends.  So thankful to have them, and that they are here for the weekend. 

4th Annual Holiday Open Studio!

 

I'm sure your mind is on your turkey right now, but please make some space for December 9th in the back of your mind to come by for a glass of wine, or a cup of tea and pick up a few handmade gifts for family and friends. There will be lots of jewelry, eco-friendly collages, ornaments for your tree, and lots of one of a kind items in all price ranges.  As usual all items are about 20% off full retail prices, and this year I am so excited to be donating 20% of the proceeds to Emmett's preschool, The Little School in Weston, VT.  So please come hang out, visit with neighbors, and shop!  Everyone is welcome, and it is for a good cause!

See below for a tiny preview of the studio and the work that will be available!

Chipping Carrots Out of the Ground

Smart people pull their carrots out of the ground before the ground freezes.  Procrastinators, on the other hand, have to spend an hour chiseling them out of the ground with two shovels.  Which one of those groups do you think I'm in?

Sewing Class: Part 2, Making a Camera Tote

 

Here is the camera tote I made in my second sewing class at the Craft Studies Center at the League of NH Craftsmen!  I'm very pleased with it, even though in my rush to finish I sewed the straps on with a twist in the handles. The pattern was for a tote bag, but since I have so many plain tote bags I thought I could really use a bag for my camera that was also big enough to carry both my camera and also a few other things, like my wallet and phone etc.  I found this really cool Robert Kaufman fabric at Waterwheel Quilt Shop, near Emmett's school that was perfect for the project.  And the bag even has a inside zipper pocket, which I am especially excited to know how to do! This is by far the most complicated sewing project I have ever completed, and I even feel like I could do it again, which is the most amazing part.  Sadly, between jewelry and fiddleheads, I don't have any free time right now to play around with my newly learned skills.  But after the holidays I have lots of fun and (I think) easy projects planned.  I want to make small cushions for my uncomfortable dining room chairs, and new covers for my small square Ikea poofs.

And here is my trusty machine, which I really do feel more familiar with now.  Can't wait to get back to it!

Sewing Class

I am taking a sewing class called "Getting to Know Your Sewing Machine," and last night was my first class.  We went through threading the machine and winding the bobbin, and practiced all the different stitches, stitch sizes, and sewing corners and curvy lines.