Empty Nest Once Again
Yesterday was a momentous day. We moved Hannah into her first apartment. It's a lovely little one-bedroom situated over a barn just 2.25 miles away.Finding rents Downeast is a challenge. Good rentals are far and few between. In this instance, a...
Christmas Deer Friends
One of my favorite things about living where we do is the wildlife that comes to visit. This weekend is was a quartet of Christmas deer grazing by the pond. Their arrival never fails to make us all pause what we're doing and linger at the window.
The Playful Opossum
Here's a new project for your post-holiday crafting. I've never spotted an opossum, but it has been one of the most requested critters over the years. I've dabbled with a design on and off for years, never quite happy with the result. I like the...
Merry Christmas!
Christmas Eve has dawned sunny, very cold and icy. Rains the other night washed away the snow and left us with a thin layer of frosty ice. No white Christmas this year - despite the weather man's assurance there would be. My gifts have been sorted,...
A Note From Santa’s Helper
I received a most unexpected letter in the mail today from Santa's Helper. As a child, Hannah wrote Santa; the envelope addressed to "Santa Clause, North Pole."Santa's Helper returned to me two of her letters - this one written in Hannah's hand....
Downeast Thunder Farm Wood Veneer Birds
I splurged this fall. One little idea spotted on Pinterest that used wood veneer, and I went down the rabbit hole. After tons of research, I purchased a Cricut Maker 3. A couple of small projects behind me, and I started devising wooden birds from...
It’s Beginning to Look Like Christmas
It never fails. I'm so focused on WHRL's Winter Tree Festival that Christmas decorating at home takes a back seat. I finally managed to get a simple wreath up yesterday with a rustic Merry Christmas sign Paul carved the other year. Sunny and mild,...
Hogwarts Magical Tree and Custom-themed Monopoly
Holy moly, it's been a race leading up to WHRL's Winter Tree Festival. While I've shared some of what I've been working on, Hannah has invested her energy into two things. The first is a Whale in Sweaters wreath that is just darling. However, it's...
Judy Returns
This summer, Hannah named our resident bunny “Judy” based on the Zootopia movie. She was befuddled when I showed her this photo one morning back in June. Are they all Judy? I spotted as many as four Judys at a time in our yard. It was a banner...
First Snowfall
This morning was the season's first snow. It's perhaps the latest snowfall I can remember in the 17 years that we've lived Downeast. I delight in the first snow; I delight in almost every snow, even if I wish it away by March. Snow cover outside...
Maine Vintage Map Trees
This entry for WHRL's Christmas Tree Festival and Auction is a trio of minimalist vintage Maine Map Christmas Trees. A vintage map tree I spotted on Pinterest from Bombus in the UK inspired these designs. Paul cut three triangles of wood culled...
The Two Sides of Downeast Thunder Farm
The other morning I was visiting this little doe in the front yard. I stood on the porch talking to it and snapping pictures - Gidget oblivious of her for a bit. I returned inside and sat at my desk, unloading the deer pictures onto my computer,...
The Stealthy Northern Shrike
When the request for a Northern Shrike came in last week, I realized that I'd started the design for this fellow some time ago, but never finished the ornament. Here he is for your weekend crafting pleasure. Enjoy! Note: If you are reading this...
November in Maine
November in Maine.
The Enchanting Winter Woodland Owl Wreath
The Enchanting Winter Woodland Owl Wreath is my second entry for WHRL's 2021 Winter Tree Festival. Inspired by a wreath I spotted on Pinterest, I scoured the woods for some young trees with thumb-sized branches. Four lengths snipped 14" long were...
Maine Lobster Buoy Christmas Tree
With WHRL's Winter Tree Festival & Auction just a month away, I'm relieved to be ahead of the game and have my first entry finished.This summer, I spent many hours on my porch painting these little wooden lobster buoys. I strung the individual...
More Clever Creations with Downeast Thunder Farm Patterns
Here are some more ideas for creating with Downeast Thunder Farm birds and critters.Joyful Owl Wreaths My use of owls in wreaths began with a balsam wreath for Christmas with the Joyful Owl. She's designed with just her head and upper body to...
Christmas Mouse
Why a Christmas Mouse, you wonder? I have no idea, but it's been on my mind for a couple of years, and I've been in the designing groove now that the weather is cooling down. For this critter, I've used Silver Gray (mouse), Barnyard Red (scarf),...
Woodland Christmas Tree
Clearly, I'm gearing up for Christmas. Last weekend it was the Woodland Gnomes. This weekend it's this simple Woodland Christmas Tree. There are many ways you can create this. Use two coordinating green colors for the tree or use the same color...
Woodland Christmas Gnomes
Magical little nature spirits, gnomes have found a place in Christmas holiday traditions. While I'm not a fan of the garden gnome, I had lots of fun creating these felt versions. These woodland Christmas gnomes will make darling gift decorations or...
New Bird and Whale Felt Kits added to the SHOP
I have added ten felt pattern kits to the SHOP! They've been a long time coming. You'll find four recent bird designs, including the: American Redstart, Black-throated Green Warbler, Ovenbird, and Common Yellowthroat Warbler. And felt kits for six...
Autumn on Pigeon Hill
A glorious afternoon on Pigeon Hill. No further words are necessary.Other Pigeon Hill hikes:16 March 2020: Afternoon Tea on Pigeon Hill26 December 2018: The Day After Christmas on Pigeon Hill15 January 2018: Winter on Pigeon Hill12 June 2017:...
The Tiny Golden-crowned Kinglet
Cleaning the living room yesterday, I discovered this Golden-crowned Kinglet pattern that had slipped under the sofa. I designed it at some point but never crafted him. A gray Sunday morning was a good time to take him from paper to felt. Enjoy!...
Clever Creations with Downeast Thunder Farm Patterns
With the cooler weather setting in and the holidays coming, it seems like a natural time for handicrafts. I have fun designing my birds and critters, and I'm always delighted by the ways readers use the patterns in their projects. I thought I'd...
Gidget’s Grand Adventure: Taft Point
Hannah and I packed up Gidget and headed over to Taft Point on Flander's Bay yesterday. After a busy Saturday working, I needed the activity and fresh air. Storybook-style mushrooms lined the trail to the shore. Overcast skies loomed low over...
