by Susan | Dec 26, 2023 | On My Mind
It was a quiet and peaceful Christmas Day at Downeast Thunder Farm – which was good as I’m still feeling a bit out of sorts. There was a bit of fun when Paul and I realized that we gifted each other the very same electronic tire gauge/inflator gadget...
by Susan | Dec 24, 2023 | Family, On My Mind
This Christmas Eve, I find myself struggling to feel the Christmas spirit. I have the next week off from work (mostly). The tree is up and decorated with happy lights. We’ve delivered gifts to friends and family. Hannah and I have a loose plan for tasty treats...
by Susan | Dec 11, 2023 | Christmas
This weekend, I brought my beloved joyful owl pattern to life in a new way! A Downeast Thunder Farm Christmas pattern book has an ornament-size full-bodied Joyful Owl sporting a Santa hat. I made some of the felt owls this weekend with a bit of a twist. Instead of a...
by Susan | Dec 4, 2023 | On the Farm
I felt a bit like a little kid on this first snow day of the season. Paul grumbles. Hannah waffles about working from home or heading into the office. And I’m out at first light filling feeders, snapping photos, and watching the snow fall. I spent much of last...
by Susan | Dec 2, 2023 | Hannah, On My Mind
WHRL’s Winter Festival launched today. I have so much fun planning my contributions for this event each year – I love seeing people’s reactions to my creations. This year seeing how Hannah’s contributions are received is even more delightful....
by Susan | Nov 29, 2023 | Odds and Ends, Projects
Oh, it’s my favorite time of the year! WHRL’s Winter Festival & Auction is just around the corner. I’ve felt time-poor this season leading up to the event, but I’ve got new designs and some old favorites for auction entries. I love Charley...
by Susan | Nov 19, 2023 | Backyard Birds, On the Farm
I’ve been home for a week, but yesterday was the first day I had a moment for myself. A gloomy but mild morning, I parked on the porch beneath a blanket with my book, coffee, and camera. A band of blue jays descended upon my freshly filled feeder. They dodged in...
by Susan | Nov 7, 2023 | Christmas, Critter Patterns, Dogs, Felt Patterns
Spending the week with Dad, I dabbled with this Scottish Terrier design. It’s a fun, quick sew. I opted to make him using plaid Christmas ribbon for his coat. I put tape on the back of the ribbon to keep the edges from fraying. Since I didn’t have my felt...
by Susan | Nov 2, 2023 | Out and About in Maine
I spotted this lone Heron wading in the shallows of our tiny little spit of riverfront. Discomfited with my presence, she took off across the river, sailing past the late autumn vista.
by Susan | Oct 29, 2023 | Family, On My Mind
Mom loved hospital gift shops. Well, gift shops of any sort, but she said hospital gift shops carried unusual things. On the last day of Hannah’s February visit, the month before Mom passed, we made our rounds to not one but three different hospital gift shops....
by Susan | Oct 24, 2023 | Out and About in Maine
The first below-freezing morning of the fall dawned with sea smoke rising from the river. And in town over Narraguagus Bay. I’ve finally had to accept it’s time to tuck away my summer shoes. There’s no denying the calendar.
by Susan | Oct 10, 2023 | Haiku, Out and About in Maine, Writing
The view at the end of my road on the way to work this morning. I was so taken with this moment that I had to stop and snap the picture. morning sun’s soft rays calm river beneath the mist moments with nature
by Susan | Oct 8, 2023 | Felt Patterns, Other Patterns
It was football Sunday, but I’m not good at just sitting in front of the television, so I drew up and stitched these felt autumn leaves. They’re super simple and quick. I particularly like the oak and can envision a wreath made of them. I tucked wire down...
by Susan | Oct 6, 2023 | Out and About in Maine
A few pictures from a late afternoon October beach walk in Maine. The rhythm of the waves seems to slow down time.
by Susan | Oct 5, 2023 | Haiku, Writing
A little haiku… autumn leaves descend ripe apples on branches bend nature’s gifts transcend
by Susan | Sep 30, 2023 | Family, On My Mind
My mom often showed her love by sending surprises in the mail. Many times, the packages came from QVC. Leopard print slippers (I’m so not an animal print kind of girl), a pair of sandals, lavender plants, a Christmas centerpiece, garden lanterns, a kitchen tool,...
by Susan | Sep 25, 2023 | Out and About in Maine
Friday was my first visit to the Common Ground Fair in years. The experience is eye candy for the senses. These are some of the colors and textures that caught my eye at this harvest festival.
by Susan | Sep 22, 2023 | Haiku, Out and About in Maine, Writing
This pond early on this last morning of summer – geese swimming in the mist – was perfection.
by Susan | Sep 15, 2023 | Shop
My mom, who passed away in March, was an accomplished painter. She loved tole painting and created hundreds of wooden Santas, angels, nativities, and other Christmas-themed items. Her mantle stayed decorated for Christmas all year long. All of us kids have these...
by Susan | Sep 10, 2023 | Felt Patterns, Other Patterns
Realistic patterns are what I usually create, but with Spooky Season around the corner, I couldn’t resist creating this super easy Ghost Garland. Creating a ghost garland from felt is a fun and creative DIY project that can add a spooky touch to your Halloween...
