SPRING BLOSSOMS IN JANUARY

FORSYTHIA
I find that by February winter is getting long and I long for some hint of Spring. Two weeks ago I took some cuttings from the Forsythia bush in my back yard, brought them inside and placed them in a vase of water. Today I am blessed with a splash of color that wouldn't ordinarily make its appearance for another few months.  

INUIT WATERCOLOR



INUIT CARRYING CHILD
I was inspipred to paint this watercolor while living in Pond Inlet on Baffin Island in Canadas' high arctic. The water color painting is enhanced by using rabbit fur and glass beads for trim.
Inuit mothers don't actually carry their their children in this fashion but in a special parka called an Amauti where the baby is fitted against the mothers back, with a waist sash around the mothers middle and an extra large hood to cover the little one.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amauti



SEAL SKIN KAMIKS

ORANGE PINECONE BASKET

ORANGE PINECONE BASKET
My house always feel a bit bare in January after the Christmas decorations have been taken down. I have made up a couple of rustic baskets scented with cinnamon, clove and orange. The natural colors and spicy fragrances brings a warmth to my home welcoming all who enter seeking refuge from winters' chill. 

DRIED ORANGE SLICE

MOOSE HIDE MOCCASINS AND MITTS




MOOSE HIDE MOCCASINS

 This week saw my grandchildren head off to school in some of my Arctic clothing. They each had a "dress for the Arctic day" in their classes. After careful instruction (I wanted these items back in the same shape I was sending them) they headed into their classrooms moccasin clad and heavy mitts ready to go. Our outside temperature was above freezing making it hard to appreciate how well these articles can perform to keep one toasty warm.
I think these would be great projects to do with your older kids especially when studying indigenous peoples.

 I made these moccasins while working in Labrador. I was able to buy the moose hide, rabbit fur, sinew, and beads locally. Patterns circulated the community freely. The local Inuit people were always very generous in sharing how to make their traditional clothing.

A free pattern may be found at:   jumaka.com/moccasins

I have not used this North American supplier of hides, beads and sinew etc.www.crazycrow.com/craft-supplies Their catalogue looks to have anything you might need.

Does anyone know of a Canadian supplier, mail order or store?



MOOSE HIDE MITTS

I made these mitts while working in Pond Inlet on Baffin Island .  After examining a regular store bought mitten made from man made materials I fashioned my own pattern. The cold, sometimes minus 40, calls for the warmth of moose hide lined with rabbit fur and trimmed with coyote.

The colourful, traditional Mitt strings, were made for me by a lovely Indian lady from Old Crow, Yukon.



TOTE BAG TUTORIAL



CUTE. . . . SMART



I use cardboard from cereal boxes to make my pattern, always jotting reminder notes to myself.
This bag, when finished, will have the following dimensions: bottom panel 10" X 7", end panels 10"X 7" side panels 10" X10"




The bag is lined with a variety of pockets on all four panels.
I cut, label and assemble all pieces for the lining first.

 


The outside of the bag will have pockets on the end panels only.
Here I have cut, labeled and assembled all pieces as well as the strips for the straps and the decorative bow.




I have added a grommet to one of the inside pockets for a convenient place to keep keys. I have also sewn a patch on with the name of my bags, Heritage Woods Totes. 




Here is the seam side out of the lining of the bag. Each side and end panel is sewn to the bottom panel the sides are then are sewn together. I usually like to reinforce the bottom panel by using two pieces of fabric and then sewing them together every 1/4 " back and forth. This gives a stronger, stiffer form to your bag.





This pictures the inside lining of your bag. You will notice how I love having plenty of pockets. They quickly become filled with an assortment of chapstick, hand lotion, coupons, receits, calendar, calculator, gloves, passport, wallet, camera, phone, tissue, crayons, cookies. . you get the idea.

 


Next sew together the outside panels of your bag with the seams facing in. You will now simply place the lining inside the outside shell. The two will mold together nicely with a little encouragement.





Sew your bow or your choice of decoration, and your "clasp" elastic on the ouside shell before sewing the lining and outside shell together. This will prevent the anchor stitching from showing on your lining. I sew my fabric into a strip about 33" long, make the bow and then cut it back to the desired length. If your strip of fabric is too short it is very difficult to work with.

 


Also sew you button on the other side panel, Your elastic band will loop over this button to allow some closure of your bag. I use covered pony tail elastics.




All around the top of your bag fold the raw edges together pinning them in place.




As you come to each corner insert at least an inch of the ends of the straps, pinning them into place. I made my straps about 33" long and adjusted them to the desired length by gathering the strap to make a bow.




About 4 to 5 hours later. . . :)



ROCKETS

CARDBOARD TUBE ROCKETS

My Grandsons glued/taped the nose cones and  the fins to the cardboard tube before painting and adding stickers. The rocket on the right has ignited and flames are coming from the base. We used several coats of tempra paints, allowing each coat to dry before applying the next. These rockets are 33 inches high and almost 2 inches in diameter.



ROCKETS THAT LAUNCH
This rocket can be launched. . .for real!

To build your rocket you need: two 2liter pop/soda bottles,
tape, cork stopper and cardboard for fins and funnel.

 With bottle #1, cut 1/4 of the top off to form the cone tip of the rocket. Fit the bottom of bottle #2 the into the #1 bottle. Tape the two bottles together with clear packing tape. Cut three fins from sturdy cardboard and tape to the bottle. Paint the end of your cork stopper with brightly colored paint. When your rocket takes off it can be difficult to find your cork. It never lands in the same place twice.

To Launch: Remove the cork stopper. Holding your rocket upside down pour about 1/2 to 1 cup of vinegar into your rocket, quickly followed by about 1/4 to 1/2 cup of baking soda through the funnel. Working quickly replace the cork stopper, give a quick couple of shakes, set your rocket upright balanced on its fins and stand back. Within only a few seconds the pressure will build up in your rocket forcing the cork out and the rocket upwards. We have had great sucess with some flights reaching about 50 feet in the air.

You may have to do some tweeking with the cork. If it is too lose not enough pressure is able to build before the cork comes out. Your rocket will not reach a desirable height. If your cork is too tight, any amount of pressure will not dislodge it. If this happens simply reach over and pull down on the cork to help it out and your rocket will take off.  

The rocket pictured above has had many flights and is in need of mantainence.



LITTLE BOY MADE AND POWERED

LOLLIPOP TREE

JANUARY LOLLIPOP TREE

Lollipop trees first came to my mind when, as kids, my older brother and I had finished our very tasty red lollipops and started daydreaming. We discussed how great it would be if one could just plant a lollipop stick and have an actual lollipop tree sprout up. Deciding to give it a try we selected a spot down in the lower pasture underneath a clump of young birch next to an outcrop of  stone ledge. We carefully planted our sticks and checked for days then weeks and months. Nothing ever materialized from that tenderly cared for little garden but future generations have had a harvest of lollipops.

 When my children were just little girls I suggested  they try planting their lollipop sticks to see what might happen. The next morning delicious sweet fruit appeared on the small tree in our front yard. Another time my younger siblings, who were only a little older than my own children, were invited to try their hand at this particular type of farming. They too found an abundance of colorful lollipops taped to numerous branches, sprouting up overnight. My oldest grandson had a very successful lollipop tree several years ago but became suspicious when he noticed the tape.

This January my youngest grandson, now five, blessed Gram with the greatest excitement ever displayed upon finding a full lollipop tree. He had planted his stick the week before and was waiting quite patiently. When he came to my house for a visit I told him that the lollipop tree had finally grown and was full of lollipops. He could hardly contain himself. He quickly put his winter clothes back on, raced into the back yard yelling at the top of his lungs for his brother to come and share in the fun. As he was picking the lollipops he exclaimed, "they even come with their own tape and wrappers!!!"

       Oh the wonderment often found only in childhood . . .though I must say that as an adult I have checked on more than one occasion underneath that little cluster of birch next to the stone ledge. . just maybe after all these years . . .