A Trip to the Sea

We are starting to take advantage of our state parks pass already. With our failed trip to the aquarium under our belt we took a trip to Two Lights state park to see some tide pools. We didn't find much this trip except tourists getting insanely close to the water (think extremely rocky and big waves) with flip flops, toddler and dog in tow. We were taking bets as to who was going to have to rescue them. Eliot got an earful about water safety.

On a more relaxing note it is beautiful to sit and watch the waves go in and out into the tide pools with the rhythm of the tide.

Ice cream is always the best way to end an afternoon exploring the seaside.

Beautiful Rugs

Eliot, my mother and I all went for a trip up to Boothbay Harbor this weekend that didn't exactly pan out as planned. We were headed for the Maine State Aquarium which turned out to be closed. It was a lengthy trip of about an hour and I felt so bad about it! I misread the website, but we made the best of it. Thankfully Eliot didn't really know what he was missing. Although, he is still talking about the shark touch tank even though he hasn't seen it yet.

We drove back through Wiscasset and found this interesting rug shop. The owner is extremely knowledgeable about antique rugs and had no problem with Eliot exploring the place and driving his cars along all of the 'roads'.

Exploring

It is a good night. Chicken on the grill, artichokes steaming and an occupied child. We have been exploring new out door spots and came across a large group of lady slippers. I haven't seen one in a long time. I also found a large group of wild blueberries that we can hopefully find again later this summer.

When I go out foraging I usually have two books in tow. I take the Audubon guide to do my initial look up and then try to find it using the flower name in the Peterson's Guide to Edible Wild Plants. So far that has been the best book for the job. It is very thorough and has many categories for looking up plants like habitat and season.

Catching Up

Well...so much for keeping up with my posts! Here are some catch up pictures.


A few new(ish) tank citizens.

Eliot looking out at the ocean, checking out the Lobstermen.

Eliot's new little cousin Sasha. He is enamored! He talks about her everyday and tells us about all of the things he is going to teach her like how to lift heavy things and how to talk. He is now daily asking me for a little sister.

Standing up for our friends.

Blogging Bus

We have been keeping busy being outdoors this past week. The weather has been cooperating pretty well. Eliot is almost done with preschool for the summer - I am curious to see if he will miss it or not. We have been getting creative around here, too. Kevin has started carving again and I have a new rug idea I am working out.

Here is a start of that. This is about the width of my hand. I am thinking about doing something a little more free form once I finish the other beaded wool rug.

I picked out my top 5 favorite patterns from my haul and decided on this shirt as my first attempt. The instructions are clear and it was already cut out. I'm winging it as far as size goes and just following the pattern exactly. I've cut out the fabric in a lightweight, dark blue gingham. I've never made a shirt before so we will see what happens...

Eliot, Kevin and I took a drive down to Camp Ellis last weekend and had a nice time roaming around on the beach and 'fishing' off of a small dock.

I took lots of blurry seagull pictures. They were following Eliot around because he was eating an apple - he thought it was about the greatest show ever.

I am trying to get a little more proactive about my postings again. Back on the blogging bus.

Our Week

Some rain some shine. Enjoying the water drops on all of the new green things coming up.

Enjoying the pink trees that make it look like it is snowing.

Drawing when it rains and emptying out all of the colors to choose just the right one.

Looking for wildlife. We heard a beaver slapping it's tail while this busy chickadee was carving out a home in a log. I had my camera at 640th of a second and it was still a little blurred! They fly fast.
Blue steel.

301!

I just noticed that the last post I did was my 300th - pretty cool. I didn't realize I had that much to say! Our weekend was really beautiful. Spring is really upon us with grass turning green and leaves unfurling. I try to be in tune with the seasons and appreciate them all but I am glad to see winter gone. Granted, we could still get a snow storm so I shouldn't speak too loudly.

We all spent the weekend outside as much as possible, the weather was perfect, and the black flies aren't out yet. Eliot had a fun Easter with an insect identification guide in his basket that we have been putting to good use. Namely, to the huge spider that fell out of my hair while doing dishes. I was much calmer than I expected myself to be.


Watching the river grass grow - I have another foraging book on the way that I can't wait to get my hands on. Time to find some good wild goodies!

Easter and Organizing

This is my modest little craft space. I will post a bigger view so that I can use it as a 'before' picture. I am trying to reorganize and make it a little more useful. My bins of fabric are stored under an alcove beneath the stairs and the remainder in Eliot's closet. I have big plans...

Rug two in the works. The next one I have in mind is quite different but using the same techniques. I can't wait to finish this one get started!

This is a little better image of the craft spot. It is tucked into the corner of the living room/playroom/everything room and I use the side of what used to be a fireplace mantel for my sharp things. Eliot is always eager when I turn on the sewing machine.

Rug Part 2 and the View

It was so clear this weekend that we could see all the way to Mt. Washington (I'm pretty sure anyway). This is the first time I have ever seen it from here. It was pretty amazing.

Here is my 2nd attempt at rug photos. Much better I think. I have about 15 or so rounds done on rug 2 now, too!

New Projects

I tried to get a few pictures of the new fish in the tank but the are really speedy. They are albino Corey Cats.


I have been busy cutting fabric strips for the new rug I am working on. I am doing it a little more methodically this time to get a better sense of time and method. This one is going to be more subdued in color. Tan, white and brown with a deep wine red - I have a feeling it will be a little bigger, too.



I have this fun pom pom trim to do something fun for me for spring and some linen for another project using up rug scraps. I'm feeling motivated by spring and light!

Scrap Buster

Now that we have more light at the end of the day I have been peering into my doll house with a photographer's eye again. Eliot has been playing with it more, too. I had to take and put away most of the delicate furniture but he is enjoying putting his figurines and cars in there.

I found this treasure way back when I found that haul of vintage patterns. The Weave-It was in one of the smaller notions boxes. I wasn't sure what I would do with it but I have been interested in weaving in general for a long time. I liked making those pot holders when I was a kid so I figured I would think up a way to use it at some point.

I decided to warp it (didn't follow any directions) to see what would happen if I wove some of the wool scraps from my rug projects. It was a little tricky with this device but I think there is potential for an offshoot project with my little scraps. The wool wove in nice and tight and I think with a proper tool to push the pieces down it could be another interesting rug.

I have a fairly large frame that used to have canvas on it back from my art school days that I think I am going to turn into a simple loom. Isn't it amazing how new ideas come so rapidly when you start working on a new project?

Curtain

I made a new half curtain for the window in our hallway. It is a long, narrow hallway that is an L shape from Eliot's bedroom to ours. We have two buildings directly to the back so it has been lacking in privacy for a while. The light shining through the yellow makes a pleasant little corner.

Our week

The reveal.

I have been trying to get a better picture of the finished rug for days. Either it is being used as a lily pad for the little frog in my house or the lighting is bad. I really like it. It is soft and squishy under foot and brightens up any corner I put it in. I can't wait to make more!

This is basically what we have been up to for a week and a half. Eliot and Kevin have been really sick and I'm trying my best to fend it off - a loosing battle I have a feeling. Between sleepless nights with everyone up coughing and sleeping all around the house, to Eliot's first course of antibiotics our house is in shambles and we are all tired.

But, on a very nice note, the weather is awesome. It was about 60 today and sunny - I went out with Eliot in the yard and did a half hazard raking up of the leaves and he put as many bugs as he could find into his bug box. I also got a few more fish for the tank. I edited several more pictures so I should have more posts up in the few days, too.

Springing

Spring is rearing it's head a little early around here. It was t-shirt weather today! Awesome. Eliot was geared up so he wouldn't 'bump his head' while he was playing.


Little buds are popping. And...I finished the rug! I will post pictures soon.

Updates and outdoors

The fish tank is moving along. It has the driftwood in it and the fish seem to love it. I had to fashion some weights with gravel stuffed inside some old paisley tights to hold them down. I am building up a hill on the right side but I didn't have enough of the good gravel to cover it. So, back to the fish store I go.

We took another trip over to the Audubon this weekend. Eliot had a blast climbing over the huge logs that had fallen down with all of the wind we have had. I had fun taking pictures without mittens on for a change. We have had some warm weather. I am happy with it! I'm planning on a rug session later tonight if I can get Eliot to bed and curl up in front of Hulu - so much for not having a TV.