by Susan | Apr 5, 2024 | On the Farm
This was the scene on Monday, a week into Spring. We had ice-out on the pond and one happy duck. Just three days later, on April 4th, we woke to this. Heavy wet snow fell all day long–more snow than all of our winter snows combined this year. It’s been a year of...
by Susan | Apr 5, 2024 | Felt Patterns
Way back in 2013 I shared this post with a pictorial of how I add legs/feet to my birds. I can’t believe that I’ve been creating and sharing patters for 13 years! Where does the time go? I am still asked questions about making wire legs, so I created this...
by Susan | Mar 23, 2024 | On My Mind
I love colors. Now and then, I pour over the felt color swatch book, dreaming about what new color to add to my bulk felt order. If I could afford them all—or had space for them—I’d be in trouble. And then there are the hours I’ve spent in the craft store,...
by Susan | Mar 17, 2024 | Family, On My Mind
One Year. Three hundred sixty-five days since the most challenging time of my life ended. Only to usher in a new ache. Watching Mom deteriorate so quickly from cancer, caring for her for weeks with hospice’s guidance. She left us before she took her last...
by Susan | Mar 15, 2024 | On My Mind
It’s hard to believe that a year ago this week, we lost my mom. A year ago today was the last time we spoke – the last time she told me she loved me. It’s been a tough time, but the arrival of our new pup has pushed aside some of the heaviness in my...
by Susan | Feb 24, 2024 | On My Mind
Hannah has been spending time on Petfinder, dreaming of a day when she can have her own pup. She texted me a picture of a pup, and I looked but wasn’t inspired. Yet I dared to linger on Petfinder and scrolled to peek at the other pups. (Dangerous, I know!) And...
by Susan | Feb 9, 2024 | Birds and Wildlife, Out and About in Maine
Hannah and I had an afternoon wander to shake off the craziness of my first week back in the office following my two-week visit with Dad in Pennsylvania. With temperature lows below freezing and daytime temps near 40, the river ice is beginning to melt. Lots of...
by Susan | Jan 30, 2024 | Bird Patterns, Felt Patterns, Perching Bird Patterns
The Brown-headed Cowbird is a fascinating songbird; they lay their eggs in the nests of other birds and let the other mamas do all the work. I’ve occasionally spotted them at our feeder and the edge of the woods. He’s on my list today because I happened to...
by Susan | Jan 28, 2024 | Out and About
It’s not as easy here in Pennsylvania as it is at home in Maine to stop in the middle of the road to capture a great view. This is the Susquehanna River on a foggy afternoon.
by Susan | Jan 26, 2024 | Bird Patterns, Felt Patterns, Perching Bird Patterns
The European Starling is a beautiful bird with glossy black feathers and a yellow beak. It’s a challenge to create a shiny feathered bird from felt. I designed this Starling while in Pennsylvania, spending time with Dad. This means that I’m not in the...
by Susan | Jan 16, 2024 | Shop
It’s been a hot minute since I added any new felt kits to the Shop. This weekend, I added four – the Black-billed Magpie, Red-headed Woodpecker, and Belted Kingfisher- older designs I’ve reworked and improved for these new kits. The Gray Fox first...
by Susan | Jan 15, 2024 | Out and About in Maine
Two storms hit coastal Maine this week. Each brought unprecedented high water that devastated our coastline. This picture shows the river at the base of our road, almost cresting the bridge and road at high tide. We watched the news and heard the stories from friends...
by Susan | Jan 12, 2024 | Shop
I’m taking some time away, so I’ll be closing the shop for a few weeks. Orders placed by Thursday, January 18th, will ship before I leave! https://www.downeastthunderfarm.com/shop/
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...
