The Match Factory

I won!

2011-09-30T09:33:00.001-05:00

I was lucky enough to win the attendance draw in the Dye-Version booth At Knit Trade. A box showed up with this yummy collection of yarns this week. Come on to see the hand dyed bamboo Yarn I have here at the store or head over to see their stuff at www.dyeversion.com. Thanks Jane!

Live this !

2011-08-25T15:57:00.001-05:00

Do you think our current pattern books will age this well?

I Am Woman...

2011-08-11T15:38:00.001-05:00

Hear me roar... us sewers are behind everything. Check out this great article.

Cabin Fever!

2011-08-10T15:58:00.001-05:00

Cabin Fever is going to be arriving here at the shop over the next few weeks. This great felted bag is one of the patterns this sister team publish. I knit up a sample in Kerzter's Rejuvenation and it came together really quickly on 10mm needles with the worsted weight yarn held double. It seems I'm all about these quick projects these days.

February is coming...

2011-08-08T13:24:00.005-05:00

I really have been working on my February Lady Sweater. I hope everyone else has had time to squeeze it into their summer as well. Though, I'm shocked at how little knitting time there has been in my days. Funny, when it's not dark by 8 and too cold to be outside I spend a lot more time doing out door things that aren't exactly knit friendly.

Anyhoo.. I have been squeezing this sweater in there as well as a few other small projects. Swatching commenced, I am hitting pretty close to guage the pattern is calling for. The debate for me is that I really fall between chest sizes and also I tend to need more room in the shoulder and arms than most 'lady like' cuts allow for.

The result being that I am knitting a 41. So far, so good. The body is actually all done and I've started on sleeves. Sorry, I know I just skipped a lot of good knitting in there but there isn't much more to tell. I believe there are a few more rows after the eyelet increases to make room for my shoulders but other than that... knit, knit and knit some more. Hopefully I can make the self imposed labour day deadline.

Maybe this will be a Fall Fair entry.

I can blog from my phone?!

2011-08-08T13:24:00.001-05:00

Testing... If this works expect to hear a lot more from me!

2011-06-08T14:45:00.000-05:00

First step... choose materials and do up a gauge swatch.

Knit a Long with me

2011-06-02T13:34:00.003-05:00

The February Lady Sweater has been on my short list for ages. It's cute as a button (something I admit to aspiring to), well recommended and really, I think it looks great on a variety of people. So, I am going to do a knit-a-long here at the store over the summertime. It's a quieter time for classes and most knitters aren't interested in taking classes so the Knit In Clinics are taking a break for a couple of months.

The plan is, cast on July long weekend, finished photo to me for Labour Day weekend and all the finished sweater knitters will be eligible for a swanky (to be determined) prize.

I have not knit this sweater before, so we can all do it together! Head over here to the Ravelry link. Make sure to read the wiki (the tab at the top) and print out your pattern. The designer has requested that yarn stores do not print and hand out this pattern and I will respect that request.

Mine is going to be knit out of Vintage. I love, love, love this yarn. It is so nice and squooshy. Brick red I think, as no more black or grey is allowed into my wardrobe until I achieve some sort of colour balance!

Once a Month?!

2011-04-15T14:53:00.005-05:00

I can't believe I've only managed to make it over here once a month since Christmas to post. Running my own business I have so many things that need done I'm wondering if a schedule wouldn't help keep things focused. Like Tuesday afternoon, I do some computer work (like posting here.) Not sure if I can commit to that kind of rigid schedule, but it's sure not all getting done right now.

I have finished some knitting. The Baby Surprise Jacket by Elizabeth Zimmermann.

This pattern is always fun. One of my favourite bits though is the little tiny bee buttons. They are from Button Mad the new line of buttons I am carrying.

Produced by a Cooperative in South Africa these buttons are just beautiful. With a tag line like: "Why settle for plastic?" I knew they were things I would like.

Candy for Knitters

2011-02-03T09:39:00.003-05:00

I just got in Triana by Katia. This yarn has been backordered since before Christmas and I can see why. It's completely candy for knitters. One ball, one yummy scarf. The 'yarn' is a net or mesh and you knit into the edge loops along one side.

Still Knitting

2011-01-21T11:25:00.006-05:00

I have had my needles flying lately. Things for me, things for the shop. I'm keeping busy that's for sure.

By word of mouth I have filled two sock Knit In Clinics. I'm seeing a lot more socks in my future!

I don't think anyone has seen this around here. This is Elizabeth Zimmermann's amazing Baby Suprise Jacket. Not entirely original 13 450 other people on Ravelry have made this. I knit mine in three colours of Vintage to create the random stripe. This pattern really is ingenious, I can see why so many people love it.

This is the Button Tab Hat (Ravelry link) knit again, in Vintage. I lost count of how many of these I made over Christmas. This is the one Mom got in her Twelve Days of Christmas.

And this awesomeness is my new hat. Sockhead hat knit in Serenity 20 Cashmere blend from Zen Yarn Garden. Love... that's all I can say.

De Lurker Day

2011-01-15T09:50:00.003-05:00

Hey all. Did you know it's delurker day? This is the day that all of us who read blogs all the time are asked to step up and say "Hi!" Don't worry about being witty or entertaining, just let me know you are there. I know I read a tonne of blogs and rarely feel the need to jump in with my comments.

Thanks for reading, but please, take a second and say hello. I'd love to hear from you.

A New Year, A New Post

2011-01-05T16:56:00.004-05:00

I just had to open an Knitting 2011 file in my documents. How crazy is that? I've knit so many things lately I need to share more often. So many things are samples for the shop they are all around me every day and I forget that I haven't posted about them.

This great little sweater is knit out of Sirdar's Connemara Chunky. This started out as a quick sample to try out the yarn but wow, love this sweater.

Coming up very soon is The Match Factory's second run at a Knit Clinic. We're going to be doing socks this time around. This is Kertzer's basic sock recipe from their booklet #402, knit in Kertzer's On Your Toes. I'm pleased, it's a nice vanilla sock.

From the same book is the Lacy Sock, knit up in On Your Toes Bamboo. It's a nice little pattern but, I just can't get on board with the bamboo socks. The bamboo just doesn't have that bounce that yarn gives a pair of socks. If I get the second one done I think I'll wash and wear them a while and see if my opinion changes.

Happy New Year all.

2010-11-06T06:47:00.004-05:00

Check me out!

So Many Things Going On!

2010-09-18T13:18:00.002-05:00

We are open for business! I have had a 'soft' opening for the Match Factory as I work to figure things out. Yarn is rolling in everyday, customers are finding me and my regular clients are happy to have a store front to come to.

This link got me really excited.Berroco's website

I know my updates have been sporatic. More updates to come as I get things under control. So exciting!

Extreme Knitting

2010-08-25T07:28:00.002-05:00

Oops, second inspiration video in a row. This is pretty interesting though. Knitting with 1000 strands, totally an exercise in extremes. What I find interesting though is the statement that is below the video (click to get to the you tube site). The yarn used was all deemed excess and garbage. It really is a wonder what our society throws away.

Raleigh Denim

2010-08-17T19:00:00.001-05:00

Check out this cool video. It is totally possible to be the little guy, work hard and suceed.

Raleigh Denim: Handcrafted in North Carolina from David Huppert on Vimeo.

Colour Choices

2010-08-05T07:16:00.002-05:00

Ok, I`ve been convinced to keep this light green colour in the shop. It`s nice, fresh paint and way less work to keep it! Here`s my problem, this isn`t a colour I use a lot, what could I use to accent it? I need paint in an alcove, probable the main door as well. Any thoughts? It`s a nice light leaf green, very airy. And a metric tonne of white trim.

A New Day, A New Blog Post

2010-08-03T06:47:00.003-05:00

O boy, life changed a whole lot over the last few months I've been absent around here. Where to begin for a short synopsis? Met a fantastic guy, had surgery on the leg again, renovated the little house, built a garage, expanded the coop, raised my biggest ever flock of meat birds, quit my job for the man and today... today I am picking up the keys for the new and improved Match Factory. Just a little busy huh? Oh, I also went for a quick visit to Vegas, a canoe trip, to Ottawa..mmm...4? times, Toronto a couple of times, have a tenant in the Little House and got a motorbike.

I really will try and update a little more often!

Moose IV

2010-03-23T20:48:00.003-05:00

I'm still around. I've been incredibly busy on things that aren't very exciting. Check out finished Miss Moose. YAY!

Crocus are blooming, chickens are getting frisky and I'm getting the bug to do some gardening. Check out Sharon's blog. Independence days are back up and rolling for the season. I just kind of petered out last year along with the growing plants. Stay tuned for ID2010... coming soon!

Moose III

2010-03-04T20:42:00.003-05:00

She's almost done! My portion is anyway. Matt is going to have to do some detail work but first many layers of latex need to be built up and dry on the shoes.

I helped work out fit issues mostly today. Of course we're hoping the average girl guide is taller than me! Another six inches and things look much better proportioned!

So shoes, belt and shading work on her fur and Miss Moose will be ready for her international debut.

Moose II

2010-03-03T19:29:00.007-05:00

Well, Moose is growing nicely. I arrived to this gorgeous head already built and ready for some fine tuning, and yes, I believe that is a moose with a nose ring.

The usual working conditions were in place her at Matt's. Decapitated heads, brains and weird squishy things watching you work.

I built hooves....

Over all, she's coming together nicely. Lots of pieces to put together tomorrow. I'll be sure to take pics when we put it on me to check the fit.

Moose

2010-03-03T07:43:00.004-05:00

I'm in Ottawa for a mascot build this week (and, well a specialist apt for my leg but that's another story.) More importantly I am here to assist in the building of THIS...

Girl Guides Canada is getting a new moose for their international camp this summer. She doesn't have a name, the contest is still going on to decide that.

I'll post pics when I get a break and get to sit.

Heirloom Knit Baby Blanket

2010-01-31T13:56:00.000-05:00

I'm really not sure what possessed me to knit a baby blanket. A some point I got thinking about all the knitting my Gramma Fearnley did and how so much of that knitting was baby things. This certainly wasn't out of a quantity of babies in my family! They are pretty few and far between really. So many women of her generation knit baby things compulsively it seems. I can see the attraction of those small, portable projects, you only have to look at my socks to see that. Also, often vintage style baby things are lace knitters Mecca, so much details in such a small space.

So I ended up picking up some cream coloured yarn. Apparently the yarn fumes got to me and it's not wool. Not sure how that happened?! Then I landed on the Heirloom Baby Blanket (rav link), a pattern by the Craft Council of America.

What attracted me was that the blanket is knit is strips. Sounds good huh? Small portable just became even more portable. It never occurred to me that all those strips needed to be knit together. Then the lace edge, knit separately, then sewn on. Yup, that's about 4 billion miles of seaming. So, the blanket sure wasn't done for the fall fair 2009, maybe I'll still have it around for 2010 because I don't see any bellies developing in my immediate vicinity.

Check out this pic though.... that's me working on the blanket last summer!

A Great Little Knit

2010-01-29T13:47:00.005-05:00

I have been rolling along finishing a bunch of projects this week that are hanging around both physically and emotionally. I agreed to knit this little hat up for a friend's Mom for a Christmas present. She has lost all of her hair to chemo and is finding things a little cold.

From "hats gloves scarves" by Louisa Harding (rav link) this is a great hat. Knit out of Lang Silk Dream it's going to be super warm and extra soft on her head. I hope she enjoys it!

What's On the Table 2010

2010-01-26T11:18:00.000-05:00

I have spent a few days working in an area I'm not always completely comfortable in. Home dec and upholstery. Now that it's all wrapped up, I'm pleased. Curtains are always a challenge working in the space that I have. Throw pillows are something I could do more of though, each are little pieces on their own. I'm not sure if there is a market around the area for this kind of work though. Making them is time consuming.

Revival "The Making Of"

2010-01-23T06:37:00.006-05:00

Before Christmas I spent a bit of time helping out my friend Matt with his latest Creepy Puppet Project. He bases many of his zombies on a 1/4 scale molded skeleton. Conveniently, in school I learned to draft most of my flat patterns using 1/4 scale slopers and still have them. So, making zombie clothes is just like making real people clothes only using less yardage. Excuse the bad photos of these, they were meant more as a visual communication between Matt and I as we live 6 hours apart.

I'm sure Matt worked his butt off for weeks in the interim but when Jenn, Paul and I arrived at his place he got us to give him a hand doing some green screen dancing skeleton work. This is a screen grab of what we were up to. For three non puppeteers that's a lot of limbs to get moving in coordination.

Ultimately, this is what things ended up looking like.

Please, take a minute to go and subscribe to Matt's channel on Youtube. He's working hard to expand the CPP and those numbers help.

A Slow Start

2010-01-18T08:08:00.010-05:00

It really is better to creep up on the new year isn't it? Where have I been? I've been resting a lot, I think I am fully recovered from night shift over the holidays, trying to get lots of exercise and get my strength back to where I was before my car accident, working on the back log of sewing jobs that seem to pile up. As well I have been keeping up with my schedule of therapies to get my bod back. In my defense of my lack of blogging... I give you a Year in Socks....

mmmm.... only eight pair. That's less than one a month, I'd better get crackin'. My goal this year is twelve pairs of socks.

Merry Christmas

2009-12-23T17:43:00.002-05:00

Have a fabulous Holiday everyone, however you choose to spend it.

Give Away Bonanza

2009-12-09T11:50:00.003-05:00

The amount of fabulous giveaways going on right now on people's blogs really is incredible. I can't win them all so I guess I'll share. Don't say I never did nuthin' for you!

This post is inspired by Mary Lou's Art [AD]Venture. She's giving away the beautiful bracelet shown at the top of this post. Head over and enter, you have until December 12th.

Satin Doll is giving a way a cute little cell phone charm here.

Joyful Spirit Photography is giving away prints through facebook.

Daniel Montoya Studio is giving away digital Collage Sheets here.

Last but certainly not least is an amazing giveaway of an heirloom blanket over on Irish Rose Creations. I know how long it takes to make a blanket like that and I'm amazed that anyone would give that away to a stranger. Go give her some love!

After all that... I'm going to go and give some love to A Cup of Jo. She does these linky type posts all the time and I had no idea how much work it was!

What Have I Been Up to You Ask?

2009-12-06T22:19:00.005-05:00

Why Christmas knitting of course. Which means I can't show you any of it as it is all top secret for another few weeks.

One thing I can tell you about is Anne Hanson's effort to help get people out knitting scarves for the Red Scarf Project. The idea of this is that orphans who have aged out of the foster care system have very little support. The Red Scarf Project make up a care package, delivered near Valentine's Day to show these people that they are not alone or forgotten.

As an added carrot Anne has put together a thread on Ravelry. Anyone who posts a picture of a finished scarf ready to be mailed out for the December 15th deadline is entered in a draw for an amazing prize donated by many different wool vendors.

There's still time. It took me two days to knit up my scarf. Pics tomorrow as right now it's wet and blocking (not to mention really to dark for pictures.)

Flowers Flowers Everywhere

2009-11-27T12:59:00.000-05:00

It is so grey and blah outside. I've been working to make my little flower projects into something useful AND pretty. Enter Flower Pins. These are broaches that you can use to decorate anything, your coat, purse, hat, dog. Whatever you can put a safety pin on you can put Flower Pins on. Check em out.

A little shameless self promotion here folks. ;o) If these don't interest you, do take the time to support the indie artist that does catch your eye. Shop local, shop indy.

Revival

2009-11-26T11:22:00.001-05:00

Well, Matt has been at it again. Check out the fantastic new Creepy Puppet Project, Revival.

I have to thank Matt for all the props he gave me on this project. It was tonnes of fun to work on. I'll try and post some 'making of' stuff soon.

Four Mondays....

2009-11-23T22:01:00.002-05:00

There are four more mondays until Christmas. That's serious knitting and shopping time folks. What's your plan this year? Can I suggest this year that you think about where your shopping money is going? Check out these stats from 350.org

Stop by and check out what other people are doing on Buy Handmade. Take the pledge.

Or check out Etsy. I have a shop there but don't stick to just that. There are SO many cool things, I'm sure you can find something.

Christmas scarf wall

2009-11-20T11:12:00.002-05:00

Check out the fab pic of my friend Matt wearing the Doctor Who scarf I made for him last year in this article. Matt is totally responsible for the great picture. His website link is to the right.

Christmas scarf wall

Posted using ShareThis

Seriously

2009-11-11T13:15:00.001-05:00

The world needs more beauty, more acts of rebellion, more acts of fun.... what have you done today to make your neighbours wonder?

Halloween is Always Busy

2009-11-05T11:02:00.003-05:00

And I love it! Seriously, what a perfect holiday. There's no pressure, no feelings of gotta or I should. Just what do I want to do for the night that's fun? I threw things together to make myself a vampire. Very trendy. When it all came together I felt a little like a lion tamer. ;o) Whatever, I made it out for the night, had a great time.

The picture above is me minus the rockin' leather jacket, trying on a friend's Darth Vadar helmet. Bea Vader.... that rocks.

So it was a quiet year despite feeling so busy. I made: a flapper, a Max outfit, a super hero cape (best cape EVAR, I should get permission to post those pics) a kid vampire as well as my vampire and a Bat Girl outfit. Much fun.

Happy Hallowe'en everyone!

A Happy Place

2009-10-17T13:38:00.002-05:00

The Place of Wild Things

When despair for the world grows in me
and I wake in the night at the least sound
in fear of what my life and my children’s lives may be,
I go down where the wood drake
rests in his beauty on the water, and the great heron feeds.
I come into the place of wild things
who do not tax their lives with forethought
of grief. I come into the presence of still water.
And I feel above me the day-blind stars
waiting with their light. For a time
I rest in the grace of the world and am free.

I don't know who to credit this poem to but it's worth reading for sure.

An Entire Week!

2009-10-16T10:18:00.002-05:00

Wow, time flies. I have been working away on listing things on my Etsy shop, starting a couple of halloween costumes and generally being busy. Not sure why I don't have much to show for it?! Blame the short week I suppose.

What are you going to be for halloween? I think I'm resurecting a pirate costume from times gone by. I can't seem to find the tutorial I read on making pirate boot spats but it's here someplace I'm sure. That way I can wear my sensible shoes, actually stay out past 11 and not be horrible uncomfortable! Stay posted for pics.

Cleaning House

2009-10-10T21:53:00.003-05:00

I have too much stuff. What is getting to me right now is the clothing variety. Vintage, prototypes, experiments that weren't just right. So many one of a kind garments around here that have never been worn. Saving all of it is not an option at this point so I'm going to use my Etsy shop as a clearing house. There's a link on the right hand bar of my blog or for those of you in a reader, click HERE. My goal is to list one thing everyday. I'm cleaning out so things are going cheap... all sorts of sizes and flavours! Keep an eye, something might be just what you are looking for.

Flowers, Flowers Everywhere

2009-10-07T09:15:00.004-05:00

I'm not sure where this fuss pot streak is coming from. I've been making little fabric flowers all over the place. "Oh, look, cutting scraps, more flowers....." I guess it's keeping the garbage bag thinned out but what am I going to do with all of these? Some have homes, most do not.

It's Coming!

2009-09-29T10:54:00.000-05:00

Another Creepy Puppet Project is in the works. Keep your eyes peeled for Revival.

I Have a Farm

2009-09-28T07:37:00.003-05:00

Jump over and read Sharon Astyk's post "Is it a farm yet?" So true, why do we minimize what we do and the food we grow?

While I'm talking about Sharon, her new book Independence Days is coming out soon. I've enjoyed Sharon's other books as they are well balanced between the hard reality of the future and the positive attitude that what we do makes a difference. Buy a copy, I'm sure you won't regret it.

Some Subtle Bling

2009-09-27T10:48:00.003-05:00

This is a pretty little thing I made from a clients hem left overs! She now has a broach that matches 3 of her pairs of pants. I'm not sure it's entirely original, I've seen things like this around the blog-o-sphere but I think what it is a nice little touch to give back to a great client. What would you think if something like this is included in with your garments?

Wow....

2009-09-24T05:34:00.000-05:00

Yup, that is a picture of a wheel barrow half full of green tomatoes. I've already done tonnes of g.t. salsa and g.t. pickles. Lots will get fed to the chickens I'm sure. Anyone have ideas for the cherry tomatoes?

Not Scary At All

2009-09-22T05:04:00.000-05:00

**Warning**

This post contains gratuitous photos of a pretty soft knitted item. Peruse at your own risk. No zombies were harmed in the creating of this blog post.

This lovely piece of pretty has been done for a while, in fact since July. Of course I didn't block it until two days before the fair because apparently I don't get much done without a deadline. This is Anne Hanson's Boxleaf wrap(rav link), knit up in Dream in Colour, Starry which actually has real silver threads in it. It's very pretty and smooshy, the silver isn't apparent at all to the touch. The sparkle is subtle and pretty.

Overall, a hit. Also, considering much of it was knit under the influence a large quantity of pain killers I'm happy it's even a rectangle!

Chat Noir Hijinks

2009-09-19T16:55:00.002-05:00

You should all go over to Chat Noir's blog, A Voice in the Wilderness. Check out their great blog posts on the fun window they put together for the Jane Austin take off books Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters as well as Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. That's what the zombie hand was about last week.

In fact, they have also been featured on Raincoast Book's blog.

Well done guys. We really have to do stuff like this more often. Made my week.

5, 4, 3, 2 ...1

2009-09-17T21:05:00.002-05:00

50 scarecrows
4 friends
3 trucks
2 dogs
1 beautiful day

caveat: there was a jeep, more friends and family showed up to play, not to mention two beautiful little girls... We all had a load of fun. All the scarecrows were hung in down town New Liskeard today so I'll be sure and try and get some photos tomorrow.

Down Time

2009-09-12T19:19:00.002-05:00

I'm slacking a bit and sitting with my feet up, surfing the web and I came across this.

Wow, I'm not usually one to gush over a white dress but when it's done this well and with so much thought behind it, it's worth gushing over.

More pictures and the full story here.

And In Other News....

2009-09-09T14:13:00.001-05:00

I got to work on another fun project. Stay tuned for a completed project photo.

Yup....

2009-09-01T06:18:00.003-05:00

Once again, life got away on me there. I've been all over the province, in the garden, working hard (even in someone else's garden) and in general trying to get back to some semblance of what I see as 'normal'.

I have a job to make 50 of these guys. This is 10. Where am I going to put them all!?

This is what was left of the herb patch after we ripped it out of it's back yard garden in Toronto. I wish I had taken a pic of where the herbs got moved to. Gorgeous.

and I got to make some new friends....

Yup, I've been busy. ;o)

Canoeing...

2009-08-05T08:06:00.004-05:00

What a fab week away. We lucked out and managed to park ourselves right in the sunny bubble that the storms (mostly) went around. I am tanned, relaxed and motivated to get back to work.

The Match Factory is open again and ready for business. Bring it on!

Independance Days

Plant Something: nuthin'

Harvest Something: eggs, PYO strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, beet greens, radishes

Preserve Something: frozen strawberries, zuchinni chips

Reduce Waste: scraps to the chickens

Preparations and Storage: does saving two chicks and raising them in the kitchen count?

Build Community Food Systems: Showed my neighbours around the chicken pen, mostly to entertain their little girl but maybe they will be a little more understanding of Charlie crowing "every hour, on the hour." ;o)

Eat the Food: mmmmm... lots of lovely fruit. I must get back out and see if I can get enough raspberries for over the winter.

Gone Paddlin'

2009-07-27T06:41:00.001-05:00

This handsome guy is actually my brother, but you get the idea.

More late night Adventures

2009-07-23T00:57:00.003-05:00

Please, someone tell me that having chickens is worth this kind of stress. Both of the chickens in the below pic are gone. Victims of racoons. I have now the adorable (and loud) little guy in the above pic hanging out in a box in the kitchen. One other chick hatched and didn't make it. The other 12 eggs have heat on them but I'm not feeling hopeful there. It's 2 am and I really should be sleeping. Damn. I was hours, hours away from happy healthy hatch. The damn rooster wouldn't go back to his roost so I left the door open for him. Damn.

Independence Days

2009-07-22T08:45:00.001-05:00

I didn't post my Independence Days last week. It really didn't feel like I did much around here but the weeks seemed to whiz by.

I did get some help and nabbed the non-broody chickens one evening moving them into the chicken tractor. This has solved the problem of them dumping more eggs on the sitting hen. However, everyone is incredibly unhappy with the the set up, with the exception of the one broody hen who never notices anything! The two hens are laying a lot less in the tractor and squawking like mad, Charlie, the rooster is unhappy to be no able to get to the two hens. When they squawk, he gets stressed. It's a lot more work for me as well. They are a lot less self-sufficient in the tractor with a smaller water reservoir, smaller food and having to move the tractor every couple of days. I'm on chick watch this week though so maybe this will end soon.

In other chicken news, I lost the Chantecler to a predator last week. Fox? Coyote? I'd gotten lazy not closing everyone in for the night and the culprit got right into the coop. Completely my fault. This is the other reason Charlie is unhappy, he's shut in at night and kept in the run when I'm not around.

Plant Something: nothing new, I'm afraid I've over planted the front bed. The squash seeds I gave up on and planted over sprouted. Now, do I just pull them out as it's too late in the season or just let them go and see what happens?

Harvest Something: eggs, grass clippings for bedding and mulch

Preserve Something: I got nothing...

Reduce Waste: I've started being the crazy lady that gets sent home from the cottage with all the iffy leftovers for the chickens. Free food for the girls, who can complain?

Preparations and Storage: did some chicken tractor renos and upkeep

Build Community Food Systems: share, share, share

Eat the Food: The usual eggs, meat, jellies.

A Little Something

2009-07-09T15:55:00.002-05:00

I've been wanting to play with some fabric flowers. This is one of the results. Now a dress is haunting me that needs these flowers. How does that happen, I make some flowers and end up making what's looking like a wedding dress?!

Independence Days

2009-07-07T18:20:00.001-05:00

Well, I'm working on a new computer and using some new software. Typing that title took two options changes and a help check. It's not a big deal really but sometimes it's just a little easier to stall than work on something.

What a crazy week. I started back to work Monday after narrowing avoiding having to call in sick for my first day back! I was hit by a nasty but short lived flu Saturday. I recovered fast enough to lay around in the sun a bit Sunday while it lasted.

Things did get done in the garden as well. On top of that I have two broody hens sitting on clutches right now. Does anyone have any idea of how to stop the other hens from sitting on top of them and adding to the clutch short of isolating the broody hens?

Also, does anyone have any ideas about what could be happening to my apricot tree? Second year running the fruit looks like it's coming along well and then all molds off and shrivels up to nothing before it even begins to ripen. Damn disappointing. I'm thinking this is why no one realized it was a fruit tree, a harvest is a freak occurrence.

Plant something: beets, carrots and bush beans. The planting happened in compost that I spread thickly in rows on top of the composting chicken bedding that is composting. I think it's generating some heat so we'll see if things will grow there.

Harvest something: basil

Preserve something: basil

Waste not: nothing out of the ordinary I think. Right now I'm cooking dinner completely from stuff around the house.

Prep/want not: Finally got the crab apples all pruned. I know, it's out of season but I didn't do it this winter and there was quite a bit of dead stuff to come out. One small one was mostly under the snow line and the mice had a winter feast. I may have to prune it more but the branches that appear to be girdled have some great little apples on them so for now they stay. The big crab I'm a bit concerned about. I should look back in my grandparent's records and see if I can see how old it is. It had lots of blooms but the foliage seems awfully sparse. I also draped some vapour barrier over the tomato cages. It's been so cool I got inspired to create a bit of a micro climate for them. It's open at both ends so it won't get hot but should help a bit.

Have a great week everyone. Hopefully the sun will peek out a while this week and I can get some pictures.

Independence Days

2009-06-29T07:19:00.003-05:00

This week’s post is a little sparse as was the week. I spent three days on the road to Ottawa for a specialist appointment. The good news is that my leg is looking good and unless I have any problems I’m good to go. I’ll get a hold of him in a year or so to get the plate taken out. YAY! Less road trips for me. I’m still not 100%, this is the first trip down by my self and wow, it took it out of me. I’m happy to be home and playing in the garden.

I do have a question. There are loads of mushrooms appearing in the composting bedding from the chicken coop. They appear overnight and are gone in the sunshine. Today is rainy and cool so I actually saw them while they still had caps. Any ideas what these guys are?

So on to the weekly update:

Plant Something: Yarrow, Thyme

Harvest Something: Rhubarb, eggs

Preserve Something: Rhubarb Marmalade

Reduce Waste: Fed some neglected fridge leftovers to the chickens.

Preparations and Storage: Does thinking about it count? I did use some of my water storage for ice packs from the freezer and replaced them with fresh water.

Build Community Food Systems: Not so much.

Eat the Food: Moose burgers….mmmm…

Solar Oven

2009-06-25T08:16:00.002-05:00

I found these instructions for a cheap and cheerful set up that I had to try. The windshield shade cost me $12 at Canadian Tire. A little more that what was mentioned in the article but hardly prohibitive. My pot is brown (with some funky 60's white detailing), hopefully dark enough to soak up the rays. While I was setting it up I had my hand on it contemplating the wind issue and immediately noticed how hot my hand and wrist got. This should work!

0900

The oven is set up and hopefully starting to work.

I soak some chick peas overnight. They are in there with lots of water, a dash of salt and a bay leaf to keep it interesting.

1000

Well, I don't know that the thermometer is going to work. It's a meat thermometer and may not work for ambient temperatures. Everything is heating up for sure though, the pot lid is too hot to hold and the water is pretty warm.

1100

Not much has changed. The thermometer wasn't working so it's inside the pot now.

1300

The temperature is sitting just over 40 degrees. It may cook those beans by this afternoon at this rate, maybe not. I don't think this is the solution for world hunger!?

Well, 1700 and I give up. The temps inside never made it above 50 C. That's not even boiling.Today was quite warm reaching at least 25 outside. I wonder if I need another layer? The article talked about a 'cooking bag' but I'm not comfortable with the idea of plastic reaching those sorts of temperatures. More research is needed.

I finished up the chick peas inside on the stove. Later tonight, hummous. Yay!

Independance Days

2009-06-22T09:10:00.000-05:00

Independence Days is a call to action I read about on Sharon Astyk’s blog and is an effort to get people thinking about their food sources and working towards independence from the (more and more) unreliable factory food system. You should read her thoughts on the subject. She is far more eloquent than I.

A major factor for me was the car accident I was in late February. I didn’t live at home for almost three months. Currently I’m home and thrilled to be here. I’m getting around with a cane (except when I stubbornly leave it behind to try and carry more stuff!) So things are behind, getting things done takes way longer to do that it used to and I’m trying to be ok with that.

So on to the weekly update:

Plant Something: I potted up the basil and rosemary (purchased), put some pumpkin and squash seeds in the newly mulched bed (not hopeful there, the chicken manure hasn’t mellowed enough), expanded the asparagus bed by 18 plants.

Harvest Something: Rhubarb, asparagus, eggs

Preserve Something: Rhubarb pickles

Reduce Waste: This is a day to day thing for me, can’t think of anything extraordinary.

Preparations and Storage: Does expanding the front veg garden count? I had to finish cleaning out the chicken coop from the winter’s deep litter system and had way more ‘stuff’ to deal with than compost space. So I sheet mulched with newpaper and dumped the straw/manure there. I did throw some seeds in it but it’s too fresh to grow anything this year I would think. Tried out an idea for a solar oven. Not a huge success there but I learned things and I will try again there. Also I taught myself to spin! That's worthy of an entire post on it's own.

Build Community Food Systems: gave away the excess eggs, shared the pickles so others could try the recipe. Seriously, what to do with all of this rhubarb is a community issue?!

Eat the Food: Finished off another jar of Apricot Jam from two seasons ago, had lots of eggs. Snacked on the last of the asparagus. Made rhubarb crisp. Baked and ate lots of bread.

It's Finally Looking Like Summer Here

2009-06-20T19:59:00.004-05:00

I don't want this to turn into a 'follow my injury progress' blog but it's honestly hard not to. My world has been broken apart into bits, before the accident and after the accident. Days revolve around physio therapy, massage therapy, chiropractic treatments, acupuncture, aquafit, blood tests, prescription refills... the list seems endless and really not very much fun. Right now this is my job, getting better. I've been told that I can expect 100% back from my leg but I need to make that happen. Making that happen is a whole lot o' work and not very entertaining. Hopefully I'm breaking some sort of silence here by acknowledging this and putting it out there.

Little bits of my life before the accident are gleaming through. It's getting there and I'll keep you up to date.

Now where did I leave that knitting?....

You gotta see this....

2009-04-27T19:32:00.001-05:00

Oh yes, it's a musical. Check it out.

Radio Silence

2009-04-22T14:45:00.004-05:00

I was in a serious car accident at the end of February so I've been pretty much out of the loop. The Sound of Music went ahead without me. By all accounts the show was fantastic. Go check out this review, it's fantasic!

Personally I really haven't been making much at all. A bit of sock knitting is about all I've been able to handle. Check em out....

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Still busy

2009-02-21T22:09:00.002-05:00

So I'm taking a page from the Yarn Harlot's book. I'll throw a little eye candy out there for you all. If you aren't into this sort of thing, well, admire the athleticism of this and well, if you swing that way just sit and enjoy. I have no idea if he knits, but honestly, I don't give a damn!

Thanks Tom!

Workin' Workin' Workin'

2009-02-18T08:39:00.002-05:00

I swear, there is tonnes of interesting stuff to write about. I really just don't have the time to sit and compose anything intelligent. KEEP SEWING!! I have the major fittings all Sunday.

Go and check out my friend Matt's interview at Horror Reanimated. They are always up to cool stuff. Thanks so much for the shout out Matt!

An Interesting Link

2009-02-10T13:33:00.000-05:00

Check out this article on 'Slow Fashion'. I know the Christian Science Monitor is probably an odd link for me but the really touches on a subject that is close to my heart. There is no way I can ever compete with $4 t-shirt from Walmart but I'm also pretty sure that the shirts I've made have had a long happy life keeping someone looking pretty damn snazzy!

Take a second and think about who made the next shirt you pick up to purchase.

The Life Cycle of a Show

2009-02-07T11:31:00.003-05:00

Any show, any gig or contract seems to have a recognizable life cycle. I'm trying to keep an eye on this and use it to help manage the highs and lows of the energy levels.

1. The Spark or Catalyst. This is pretty varied but usually starts with someone, somewhere saying, "I have this idea." or, "What if we?" Then a bunch of people jump on board withe craziest, most far out brain storming session that can be generated. "Yeah, we'll green screen it and replicate the zombies so there's actually an entire HORDE!" Any one at this point who has the audacity to point out that we only have two zombie puppets ready and no budget for more gets lynched or booed. This is when this is going to be the biggest, bestest most marvelous thing EVAR, of all time that anyone has ever worked on and someone points out that even the Lord of the Rings trilogy was some one's crazy idea at some point and they had hordes. Yep... this is the crazy.

2. Some people get pulled in at this point, the phone rings and someone you may or not know (or trust!?) says they have this idea going and could you... Number two either jumps you straight back to number one and the crazy brainstorming continues or you respond with a hesitant OK.... and....

3. The Buts Begin. A common quote right about now is, that's great but... insert budget limitations, time limitations, tech issues, availability. Frequently reference the time we did a set on $50 or declared the new set colour the colour "free". Lots of navel gazing is going on, one time I.... but.... then.... This is where we start being the person dialing the phone at Number 2.

4. People start to pull their shit together. Real budgets are put together, designs that might actually happen are created. People flake out, run screaming or commit. (Or the entire thing falls apart, do not pass go, do not collect $200, go back to Number One, The Spark.)

5. Production begins. Now at this point there is still a kind of high. Everyone is happy to start something new, the time line seems realistic (HA!)

6. Somewhere in here every tech starts to run out of money, time, energy, vision, patience or just general will power. Panic, depression and sheer desperation all seem like a healthy response.

Now, it's important to note that not everyone on a project (the same project) are at the same point at the same time. Not to mention who has the luxury of one project at a time? So the lighting tech gets drug in at Number two (Can you help?) while the set designer is pulling their hair out at Number Six (Hair pulling panic) and the wardrobe designer is happily wallowing in the high of Number Five (Starting Production). Hopefully you are surrounded by a team of seasoned professionals that know when to ply the other members of their team with caffeine or alcohol (whenever each is appropriate, together is a personal fav) and try and pull everyone back to .... Number Four, Pulling Your Shit Together.

7. Things start to fall in place. Fatigue is a major factor here, who seriously has time for abject terror or stress at this point. "Good Enough" becomes the refrain of most of the team. Usually at this point finding a sober coherent director or producer becomes impossible and everyone starts to just make their own bloody decisions.

8. Curtain, shoot or production happens. Really, except for the 16 year old ingenue who thinks she looks fat in purple, NO ONE CARES.

9. Rehashing the Production. This usually starts in the tech booth or the green room while the show is still happening, proceeds to an after party (if you are all still speaking to each other) and continues for ... ever? Really, the length or time you can rehash a show for is directly related to the disasters available to rehash. The show the power went out on, when the 15' foot flat fell on the 85 year old who fell and tore the lead's bodice off... that's one we're going to be talking about on our death bed.

10. You think you are finally over it, you can sleep through the night, the work room isn't curtained off with black crepe and there is a faint niggling in the back of your brain. Next thing you know you run into someone who like working with and the next thing out of your mouth is, "I have this idea..."

ARGH!!! Where are you all at with the current projects?

A Little Bit of Stress

2009-02-05T15:34:00.002-05:00

I don't know what the rest of the world does when there's too much to get done in a day. I try to slow down, breath and take dance break to something like this. So... shake what your momma gave ya boys and girls. I'll be over here groovin'!

Boom Town Adventures

2009-01-30T10:39:00.002-05:00

I wish I had some snazzy links to send you to about this new project I got to help out on. Boom Town Adventures is a 'choose your own adventure' style documentary that is being done about Cobalt, ON.

Cobalt declared their entire town a historical site some years ago and really is working hard and breaking new ground on historical tourism.

I was called in to help dress the characters for the shoot. This is Bert Dewsbury, the intrepid real estate agent turned prospector. He's looking rather dapper if I do say myself.

So the concept is that you will be able to access this documentary online and make decisions for the people as you did in those great 'choose your own adventure' books of the 80's. I can't wait to see how the final project comes together.

Puppet Stuff

2009-01-26T14:30:00.003-05:00

Hey all... you'll be happy to know that oatmeal cookies are safe to eat again, they weren't the culprit. I ended up with a nasty run of the flu. I'm back on the mend though and while recovering with lots of couch time I've been checking things out online.

My friend Matt Ficner has been up to some fun stuff. He recently was featured on a podcast called Muppet Cast. You can find it here for a listen.

I was pulling up Matt's youtube page to link to his stuff on this post and found a video someone put up in December of Matt explaining his puppet build process. Check it out, it's interesting. I've got to say though, the studio is never that clean when I'm around!

News Flash

2009-01-24T19:02:00.000-05:00

Supper = oatmeal cookies

Bad idea.

A New Addiction

2009-01-23T12:30:00.001-05:00

I didn't realize the boys managed to upload this video. This was my first day out ice climbing and I'm totally hooked. Check out Ryan making it look easy. For those of you who don't know me, I'm the one on the belay in black and Mark is videographer extraordinaire.

Game On....

2009-01-20T10:05:00.002-05:00

This is what my sewing studio is going to look like for a while. Sound of Music is a massive show, time to start cranking it out!

Etsy

2009-01-08T09:55:00.001-05:00

The Many Faces Of.....

2009-01-08T00:22:00.005-05:00

I can't decide what I want to do when I grow up either!

New Again

2009-01-04T20:02:00.001-05:00

A friend of a friend retired from her full time retail based costume shop this year. She's going to continue working from home but she's scaling back and clearing things out. I was a lucky beneficiary.

One of the things I got was an oversized paste board box (totally cool on it's own), full of silk flowers that seem to have been destined for hats back in the their day.

Well, their day came again. This is the first thing I used them on. I think you are going to be seeing quite a few of these flowers in the next while. Check it out at my Etsy shop.

Pretty...

2009-01-02T16:41:00.002-05:00

More pretty things for Etsy.

What Have I Been Up To?

2008-12-30T17:59:00.005-05:00

Christmas knitting and night shift have been dominating my world that last few weeks. This is some of the things I got done. Others I didn't get pictures of, I'll work on that over the next few weeks.

These are two pair of Target Wave Mittens from Norah Gaughan's book Knitting Nature. I made a pair for each of my nieces. This was an interesting knit, the construction is intriguing as are all of Norah's patterns I'm attracted to. The second pair went together a little better after I got my brain around how they worked.

This is a pair of plain men's socks. Pardon the pic, they really are too big for me. They are off living with a friend now.

This is a pair of Anemoi Mittens, pattern by Eunny Jang. These, I've actually had done for a while and they're for me. I've gotten tonnes of compliments whenever I wear them. The yarn is fun, the brown yarn was a present that a friend brought back for Copenhagen for me. The blue is reclaimed yarn from an old cardigan of my Grandmother's that she brought back from Edinburough. So, they have already seen the world and I've just started wearing them.

More to follow.

2008-12-25T20:16:00.001-05:00

Wow, it’s been a whirlwind month hasn’t it? I have so many projects I can show off now that they are living with their new owners. For those of you who come here for pretty things, I’ll get to that soon, I promise.
For tonight, I want to point every one over to the Yarn Harlot’s blog for December 25th because, as usual, she has summed up the emotions and the stress that can come with this time of year with grace and poise.
I truly am blessed, surrounded by people that love me and an excess of food and gifts. I just want to thank every one of you for being part of the last year and being with me on this journey. Take a second, have a look around and appreciate how good we have it. Then maybe, consider supporting Doctors Without Borders, there are a lot of people out there who aren’t so lucky.
The very best of the Season everyone.
Bea

Wait For It.....

2008-11-27T21:25:00.000-05:00

Late Friday Post

2008-11-21T22:23:00.002-05:00

Check out one of the fun little bags I got done earlier this week.

New Stuff

2008-11-19T05:00:00.002-05:00

I'm enjoying making some new bags for a few reasons. They are like doodles for a sewer, what looks fun together, challenge your finishing skills and a great way to use up all those small bits of fabric that are just too good to throw away. Of course, even though I have a small bag problem of my own I can't keep all of these so they are all destined my Etsy shop. If there is anything you like, drop me an email and I'd be happy to discount you shipping as a bonus as a blog reader.

Christmas Knitting

2008-11-18T05:00:00.000-05:00

I can't show you almost all of the knitting I've been doing, it's all Christmas knitting. Most of the people I love enough to knit for read this blog. This one ought to be safe though, if not, you are all in suspense!

Wisp, a soft breath of a scarf that really does have a lot of possibilities. Have a look at the pattern to see the wearing options. The buttons are vintage from my stash, and the wool is Elann, Baby Lace Merino.

ps.... sorry for the mediocre pic, I figure, that at least is better than nothing.

Old Can Be New Again

2008-11-15T15:26:00.008-05:00

First, I feel I need to introduce this post with sharing my thoughts on fur. I know that horrible, horrible things are done to animals in the name of fashion. Things that anyone with a soul could never condone. The thing is, there is another side of that coin. Fur has a history and a heritage that is part of our culture. I come from a family of hunters who treat the animals we kill (and food we consume) with respect and as much humanity as possible. Fur and leather is part of that food web that cannot be ignored and should be treated with the same respect. I don't want my meat served to me on styrofoam or full of chemicals, I should consider that as well when I am clothing myself.

That said, my friend came to me with her Grandmother's fur coat recently. She and her mother had kept it for years and years, knowing that it would never fit them but not sure what to do with it. Her Grandmother had loved her coat so much and it was important to her, to discard that seemed disrespectful. So she asked if I could make it into pillows so that it could be out, used and enjoyed. I thought that was a great idea.

I've never really worked in fur before but why not. I stripped down the coat, wow, things just aren't made like that anymore. It's interesting to note as well that the hides were all stamped with union stamps. No offshore child labour was used here. While I was taking it apart the cuff gave up some long stored confetti, this coat had seen a good time! So the confetti was put it into one of the new pillows, no point in stopping that journey just yet. Now from that coat there are three new pillows that will be enjoyed way more than an old coat in a closet ever would be.

My "Look"

2008-11-12T21:12:00.003-05:00

A while back I put it out there that my wardrobe needed a little work. It still does, as someone who dresses other people I often look like a bit of a yard sale. I don't feel like I have to spend a million dollars or be the consumer extraordinaire to look good, but... that's another post. This post, well, I'm excited. I wanted to up the look a bit, I'm not sure this is what I was thinking....

Where Have I Been

2008-11-08T10:46:00.007-05:00

Not your everyday book store for sure.... check it out. I could upload a tonne more great shots. Jose and Ian rocked the shoot of all of us, and everyone stepped up and found their inner model (though Carissa doesn't have a mean face in her anywhere!) Thanks so much guys.... you really did rock it out.

Watch to see pics like these up on my website www.matchfactory.ca soon.

Wanna Really Warp Your Day?

2008-10-20T16:52:00.002-05:00

Get up at 3 am. Get yourself an audio copy of George Orwell's 1984 and listen to it for about 3 hours (until dawn of so) while cleaning offices. Spend the entire day noticing how much the concept of Big Brother has permeated our society.

I think I should go lie down?!

Halloween is on it's way!!

2008-10-13T09:13:00.002-05:00

I'm sure any costumer out there can identify with my absolute love of Halloween. I've been up to my eyeballs with wonderful black fabric as I am costuming the entire staff for a Fifth Year Anniversary party on Halloween at Chat Noir Books in Temiskaming Shores.

It's going to be fabulous darling... ;o) If you are in the area come on by for a visit.

New Photos

2008-10-04T13:45:00.002-05:00

When I was in Ottawa I got smeared up in some crazy grease paint and took some new pictures of my wigs for Etsy.

The pics turned out pretty well. I'm going to be able to use these for a lot of things.

I linked to Esty over in the side bar there.... check out the new pics.

Ummmm.. Yeah, they are

2008-09-30T17:32:00.000-05:00

GO READ THIS!

2008-09-29T14:07:00.001-05:00

Seriously, go read Yarn Harlot's blog post for Sept 29, 2008.

http://www.yarnharlot.ca/blog/

Yep, one ordinary Canadian here as well thinking that Mr. Harper seems to have lost his freakin' mind.

I'm back....

2008-09-28T09:32:00.005-05:00

I'm home... and it's Fall! Crazy. Some of the trees in my yard are even naked and I missed the entire thing. Some look like this.

This looks like what may survive of the harvest of the mystery plant of '08. Every year there seems to be something sprout in the compost. This year it was pumkin with the biggest, craziest vine I have ever seen. It was HUGE! Most of the fruit got blossom end rot but I did save this four beauties. I wonder if they will ripen? If they don't, they still look like a whole lot of chicken food. Of course Garm is home with me and demanding as ever. I missed him too.

When I checked on the 'Girls. I found the most amazing brown egg ever. My friends who looked after them for the two weeks said someone had started laying brown eggs. Wow, they are super pretty. If I figure out who is laying these, she may be a candidate to over winter. I'm thinking it's the Moran, she's the only odd one out, and she hadn't started laying yet.

More of the Same

2008-09-25T09:26:00.002-05:00

We're done. There will be tech run through and set up but that's not my gig. Today is clean up my gear, get organized and do some shopping. This is the winter stock up, I may not be back to the city for a while. Casual trips are seriously curtailed with the cost of gas these days.

I am supposed to get some pics sent of Saunders up and running. I'll be sure to post them here as soon as I get them. So, I leave you with a parting shot... I'll be back next week, back working in my own studio.

A Day Outside

2008-09-24T09:09:00.009-05:00

Sort, clean, finish. That was yesterday and should be our day today. We finished the Pirate Cove, The Chainsaw Cabin and the Train Platform. If you ever wonder what needs to be drug around to achieve a day like this, have a look.

Today, before we head out, we're cleaning the car!

The Pirate Cove was updated with a few things like this.

Then there's a Train Platform. The gag being the train that is bearing down on the wagon a little way's down the road.

Then, there is a Chain Saw cabin. I don't think a haunted ride can happen without a chainsaw scare? Not for the faint of heart, we started out kind of plain, still daytime friendly. Then, not so much....

More of the same today.....

And now for something completely different...

2008-09-23T08:32:00.007-05:00

What's the title quote from? Does anyone remember? I'm thinking Monty Python but I'm really not sure.

We finished up in the barn yesterday. There are a few technical things that are going to have to be gone back over, but the dressing is done. It looks FAB. Of course, all the great stuff is impossible to get pics of, but trust me, it looks really good.

The end of the afternoon was sunny and beautiful. So to try and blow off some of the dust and unmentionable dirt from a day in the barn, Matt and I spent a little bit of time decorating the courtyard. I think it's a good transition into the Haunted Barn, a little bit of Halloween but still cute for the families who are still walking through. Of course, the fact that I consider putting a silly hat on a skeleton cute may reflect some over exposure to gore on my part lately! I'm not sure if I should be disturbed or not, as I'm laughing at the string of skulls I just put together.

Fresh air Tuesday, back to "Zey Pirates". Fun stuff planned for there.

The Haunted Barn

2008-09-19T20:17:00.004-05:00

We have put in some long hours on the haunted barn. Things are looking really good, but not quite done yet. The plan was to get it done today. That just didn’t happen. Things always take longer than what you think.

I’m at my Grandfather’s for the weekend and outside on the line are a couple of shredded sheets I dyed in a dip bath. They weren’t dry when I left the farm so I bundled them up and brought them here to dry. I wonder what the neighbours think they are?

These pics are of the barn interior, they aren’t the best. Things are lit with a lot of coloured floods, flickering lights and strobes on hidden switches. The overall look is really effective. There are also alot of different textures and levels to walk on that are disconcerting. All in all, people are going to be scared!

Ze Pirates, zey are coming!

2008-09-18T08:38:00.005-05:00

I spent the entire day yesterday in hip waders working on the Pirate Cove. It really is amazing how much work it is to walk through knee deep water all day lugging heavy bits and going up and down ladders. I feel like I've entered one of those reality work out and loose weight quick shows. Don't I need a 'target' dress or something? I think my hip waders will have to do!

Things are looking good though.

Fluorescent Paint is a Wonderful Thing

2008-09-17T08:49:00.007-05:00

Two scenes are done now on the outdoor Haunted Hayride. The Toxic Dump and the skeleton playground. The playground is really some drive by interest on a quieter stretch of road. The skeletons on that section are 1/4 scale, something that's not obvious in the pictures. The Toxic Dump is full scale. That was a lot of fun, climbing on the irrigation pipes they have assembled, hanging around throwing paint on things. All of this will be lit with black lights so the fluorescent colours will sing.

Saunders Farm

2008-09-16T07:45:00.002-05:00

Well, I'm here in Ottawa for a two week stint working at Saunders Farm with my friend Matt Ficner. I have to apologize for not getting any good pictures yesterday, the place is HUGE and I was working to take everything in and still get work done. There are now, about 4 finished scenes in the haunted barn. I'll try and get pics today.

Beading Workshop

2008-09-10T17:40:00.005-05:00

Last night I went to a Beading Class held by Connie Boyd of the Silver Moccasin. Our teacher was Hank Rodgers whose beadwork is just beautiful. Check out some of his stuff. It's going to be a long time and a whole lot of practise to even begin to live up to his work after one little three hour class. Thanks Hank and thanks to you Connie for putting this all together.

This is Hank and Connie hard at work.

These are some of Hanks moccasins. (Photo credit goes to Connie at the Silver Moccasin.)

and really.. what's a fun class without sharing it with friends. Thanks for getting me out of the house for this one Val!