Recently I've been focused on playing with character when photographing clothes I've made. Satatma's facial expressions change back and forth lightening fast, and I love her playful, unassuming nature that the photos capture.
Today's small shop update includes this very soft t-shirt with a batik pattern that I have cut in half circles and hand sewn along the neckline.
I made these delicate embroidered brooches from salvaged felted navy wool and embroidery floss while traveling on the ferries in British Columbia and throughout the Puget Sound. At first they felt quite tedious (taking over 3 hours each), but I came to relax into the process and loved how the colors could blend into one another when embroidered so finely. On my way to Victoria one day a lady well into her eighties stopped me and was delighted yet thoroughly puzzled to see someone my age at it with the needle and wool. It was a beautiful moment.
Today's shop update includes a whole slew of these pins as well as a tweed cotton canvas purse with a recycled leather belt for the handles.
Today while cutting up a pumpkin from our garden I was amazed by how neatly and snuggly the seeds were nested on top of one another. It smelled like Autumn.
We came home this past weekend with about 50 lbs of apples we picked from my grandmother's tree (it is grafted to make two different kinds of apples), and I finally got around to making applesauce. Somehow this has become the season of applesauce making for me, as this is my third time giving it a go. The first time I picked fresh blackberries to accompany the apples (pour it over vanilla ice cream - delicious!)
This time I tried a less frilly approach, making it chunkier and adding mulberry syrup made by John's grandmother (for sugar), ground cloves and a bit of nutmeg. The dark purple mulberries make the applesauce slightly pink and perfect for breakfast.
Do you have an apple tree? Applesauce is really the easiest thing to make in the world. Just core and cut the apples into chunks, stick in a pot with about 2 cups of water on the bottom, and cook on low heat until apples turn to sauce (usually this takes a few hours). Add sugar and/or spices like cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg to taste. Bon Apetit!
In some cultures a fifth season, called Late Summer, is a part of the cycles of the Earth. I have been very aware of this season lately, noticing all that is parched and ready for the coming Fall rains. These gorgeous, dried Datura stramonium seed pods are abundant in our garden, filled with tiny black seeds ready to be moistened.
Although I am aware (and very wary) of the great psychedlic power of the plant, I also am quite taken by its strange beauty and thought to share it with you.
Recently I've been spending a lot of time posting a major update in my shop. Too much time on the computer had me bleary eyed until I ran across these wonderful pieces by MelissaSue.
These little creatures truly made my day! Especially the eggplant, which makes me think of the book I just finished, Plant Spirit Medicine, by Eliot Cowan.
Thousands of miles up in the air by plane, then miles under the bay water by train and back to home. Yesterday was a lovely, slow birthday and now I'm readjusting my mind to remember what it was like before, what I need to do now. Above are some pieces of nostalgia I'm hanging onto - photographs of Orcas and San Juan Island.
I've missed creating things with my hands so much and now I'm back in my studio until the end of the week. Expect a new shop update on Sunday or Monday!
Lovely sailboats!
The gorgeous Mayne Island Japanese Gardens. Run by volunteers, the garden pays tribute to Mayne's Japanese Canadians who were sent to internment camps during World War II. Can you see all the tiny yellow flowers on the lily pads?
A view of the Mayne Island Ferry.
Thistle.
I stumbled upon Valhalla Gardens - a completely magical place, including this craftsman style tree house.
Also at Valhalla, some glass, wood framed structures that I fell in love with immediately.
On the ferry home we got so lucky! A pod of about 30 orcas whales swam right next to us in Active Pass, waving their fins and showing us their tails. One even jumped all the way out of the water! I was too excited by all the action to take a picture. :)
Yesterday I went for a great bike ride for about 20 km on Salt Spring Island, stopping here and there between the sleepy small farms to visit different artists' open studios. So picturesque and such a treat! I also went to the open air market in Ganges, with tons of locally grown food, hand made jewelry and other crafts.
Unfortunately, I didn't take too many photos, but I was so charmed by the island's quirky and creative character, like this "bike mailbox" above.
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