by Susan | Apr 1, 2021 | On the Farm
It was a long night. I woke around 2:30 am and never got back to sleep. In the wee hours of the morning, I heard a sound outside but was too tired to investigate. When I finally dragged my weary behind out of bed to let Gidget out, I spied something odd at the chicken...
by Susan | Mar 31, 2021 | On My Mind
Mary sent me this picture of how she’s packed up the Monarch butterflies she’s created for springtime gifts for family and friends. I shared Mary’s work before with her Covid Christmas tree. I LOVE this presentation – such a cool idea. Thanks...
by Susan | Mar 28, 2021 | On the Farm
The video camera was slow to pick up this black bear lumbering passed my bird feeders early this morning. Of course I didn’t discover the video until after I’d filled the feeder with new suet cakes....
by Susan | Mar 28, 2021 | Felt Patterns, Insect Patterns
The Common Buckeye is such a pretty butterfly with its big, colorful “eyes.” For something so small, there’s a lot of detail in recreating them in felt. I’ve tried to do her justice! Enjoy! Common Buckeye ButterflyDownload Now!1658...
by Susan | Mar 21, 2021 | Bird Patterns, Felt Patterns, Perching Bird Patterns
Warblers in Maine are such a happy sign of Spring. I’ve had this Black-throated Blue Warbler on my list for ages. Download the pattern for free below, or order a kit in the SHOP. I’ve also added the Yellow-rumped Warbler to the SHOP. He first appeared as a...
by Susan | Mar 20, 2021 | Give-a-ways, Shop
It’s time to celebrate! Yes, it’s the first day of Spring, but I have another reason for celebrating. I’ve made my last college tuition payment to Denison University. Yippee! I started selling my kits, then felt, and then books back in 2018 after...
by Susan | Mar 12, 2021 | Projects
I’ve been working from home almost exclusively for a year now. You’d think I would have spruced the place up on the front end of the pandemic and quarantine. Paul says it’s because it took me this long to figure out how I should arrange the furniture...
by Susan | Mar 10, 2021 | On My Mind
A year ago tonight, the notice came that the US’s borders were closing due to COVID-19 and Hannah’s study abroad program in Denmark was shutting down. We had 48 hours to get her out of the country and on her way home. It was a crazy scramble. The fear and...
by Susan | Feb 24, 2021 | On My Mind
“There is always in February some one day, at least, when one smells the yet distant, but surely coming, summer.” – Gertrude Jekyll Today was that day.
by Susan | Feb 22, 2021 | Projects
I don’t know what it is about February, but it often involves some variety of home project. Last year it was painting our built in book shelves – all 15 feet of them. The year before it was painting the living, dining, and kitchen space. Before that, it...
by Susan | Feb 13, 2021 | Bird Patterns, Tree Clinging Bird Patterns
The Hairy and Downy woodpeckers at my suet feeders bring such joy. I designed the Downy Woodpecker a few years ago. I’ve planned to create a Hairy Woodpecker for some time, but they are so similar to Downy Woodpeckers. How to make him different? In addition to...
by Susan | Feb 7, 2021 | Felt Patterns, Perching Bird Patterns
It’s a little challenging to shoot a realistic photo of a hummingbird in Maine – in the winter. He surely looks out of place! I struggled with the colors for this throat. The color “Rufous” is a brownish-red. Yet when they sun hits this little...
by Susan | Feb 1, 2021 | Odds and Ends, Projects
We have a history of modifying board games. Nine years ago Hannah and I created our Harry Potter Monopoly game. Over Christmas break, Hannah decided that it was time up upgrade our Madagascar-themed Sorry! board game. Her nerdiness in full-swing, Hannah redesigned the...
by Susan | Jan 25, 2021 | Shop
Hannah’s been home for two and a half months. The holidays absorbed some of the time. Working on a marketing and social media advertising certification has kept her busy as well. Yet, it’s Whales in Sweaters that have truly shaped this college break. What...
by Susan | Jan 22, 2021 | Out and About in Maine
Hannah’s feeling the crunch of her last few days at home, so I suggested a beach walk. She chose Mowry Beach in Lubec – one of her favorite spots for hunting sea glass. The tide was out, and the meander was lovely. Still feeling energetic, we visited the...
by Susan | Jan 17, 2021 | Bird Patterns, Felt Patterns, Waterfowl and Seabird Patterns
The Goldeneye duck I spotted earlier in the week while beachcombing inspired this little guy. I returned home to draw him and realized that I’d already designed a Common Goldeneye. So, I chose his cousin, Barrow’s Goldeneye, for a pattern. I carted him...
by Susan | Jan 17, 2021 | Out and About in Maine
I’ve enjoyed having Hannah home for two months – but we’re only ten days out from beginning our journey west to return her to school for the spring semester. That means fitting in as many winter beach trips as we can. Our first stop today was Sandy...
by Susan | Jan 14, 2021 | On the Farm
We’ve had a rough year with our farm animals. One night a few months ago, I forgot to lock the duckies in the house at dusk. The next morning I found feathers and our drake missing. Knowing that I was responsible has been hard to accept. I set a ducky alarm on...
by Susan | Jan 3, 2021 | Felt Patterns, Sea Life
The Bowhead whale – one of the longest living whales found only in the Arctic regions. A fitting start to my 2021 patterns. Enjoy! Bowhead WhaleDownload Now!747 Downloads...
by Susan | Jan 1, 2021 | Out and About in Maine
We spent New Year’s Day hiking the Hollingsworth Trail. What’s usually an hour walk turned into a few hours on the trail. I was eager to begin 2021 outdoors. The temp was just above freezing with little to no wind – a perfect day for a hike,...