My First Fine Arts Craft Fair

Last weekend was one of firsts. The very first (hopefully annually) Best Coast Fine Arts Craft Fair was held at the beautiful Marble Mountain ski lodge, a first for Marble too. The lodge was decorated with garland and glittering lights. There was a huge Christmas Tree and a crackling fire in the central fireplace. There were beautiful works by fine artisans from all over Newfoundland and Labrador and we had first class musicians helping to make it a magical event.
Thank-you to all who helped to make this Best Coast Fine Arts Craft Fair happen and a big thank-you to Humber Valley and Bay of Islands for making this a huge success for all!!!
More pictures to come.
Oh yes, A Happy Thanksgiving to all my family and friends in the USA!

Human Rain

It is amazing what our hands can do. Listen!




and I want to show you some hand-work of a different nature...






These two portraits were shipped off to Flowerbrook Pottery located in Dorset, Vermont. Thank-you, Janno, for your continued encouragement and support! Check out Janno's web-site www.flowerbrookpottery.com

Peaches in Newfoundland?

That's right, there is a peach tree growing and producing fruit in Steady Brook, Newfoundland. My dear friend, Janet Manuel planted the tree about fifteen years ago. She tells me that it just started to produce fruit three years ago, with this year being a bumper crop. I actually picked a peach right off the tree and when I bit into the fruit it was sweet and juicy, just as you would expect a peach to be. Janet has been busy making peach chutney, peach marmalade and peach preserves. Luckily for me she is generous. Thanks Janet!

Time After Time

I just discovered the beautiful voice of Eva Cassidy. I was heartbroken to learn that she died in 1996 at the age of 33. This is a live recording. Amazing.

A Wonderful Summer thus Far!

The last month has been glorious with perfect summer moments! Like doing yoga outside under a large canopy of maple leaves on the Majestic Lawn Park in Corner Brook,in front of God and everyone, without feeling self-conscious even with my butt in the air more than half the time, and no bugs to be seen or felt, just blue skies and warm air and the feeling that all was right for the moment.
Like being grateful that yoga has come into my life at just the right time. Thanks Robyn!
Like being a part of the first Farmer's Market in Corner Brook. It has been really satisfying to see people come together and celebrate hand-made products and locally grown plants and produce. I can hardly believe how sweet it is that people appreciate what I make and are as enchanted with my aprons and felted soaps as I am. Some of my friends are at the market selling their work for the very first time. Joy Burt makes awesome driftwood wreaths and Heather Smith is making beautiful beaded necklaces. The West Coast Collective, of which I am a part, is well represented and will be throughout the season.
Perfect summer moments,
Seeing tan lines on my feet while I'm in the shower.
Drinking a very cold beer in the heat of the day.
Jumping in the ice cold water of the Gillam's river.
Eating the very first peas from plants I grew from seed.
Frozen strawberry yogurt.
George.
Progress on my unfinished house and grounds.
Spending time with my cats, Annie and Hobbes, and my dog, Moses.
Hugs and Kisses from two very special people, Sage and Malach.
Getting two portrait commissions from a repeat customer.
Beautiful sunsets, good friends, new friends, knit night and so much more.
And just think, we have a whole month more of Summer! Sun kisses to you all!

The Osprey are here!

I have been trying to capture the osprey on the camera for a few weeks now. This morning we had three osprey hunting in our bay of islands. I think I got a few good pictures finally, but I am not completely satisfied. They fly so fast out of the camera frame it is hard to stay with them and to complicate matters even further I had black flies trying to get into my eyes. But my, aren't they beautiful!

We also have a family of starlings living in the eaves of our house. I can't see the babies but I sure can hear them. I took some pictures of mama bird through the bedroom window. She could sense that she was being watched and several times she swallowed the worm and flew away.

Drawing in black and white

I get a great deal of satisfaction drawing my orchids. They truly do float high above their roots and leaves. Although each blossom only has five petals, they are quite intricate to draw. I like to challenge the pencil, find out what it can do, what I can do. I don't have photo shop so what you see is pretty well it.