Wishcatcher...flying in the breeze

I'm not pleased. I wouldn't sell it. But I put together a number of crafty items, used my teaching experience and created a wishcatcher.

I painted the hula hoop with spray paint, meant for plastic.

The ribbing was from Michael's. A bag of sinew, in pieces, wrapped together. A glue gun is a fabulous invention.

The feathers, for now, are feather dusters!
There are little beads strung into the mix.

Olive, Giraffelope and my chair

The reindeer (Olive, the OTHER reindeer) I bought in Manotick, put her on my car roof, and drove to Muskoka as a gift to my parents many years ago. The car was an Achieva. I was so proud of myself!

my front lawn!

As I said yesterday, I've done Christmas & New Year's cards , macrame (now long settled into dust), when I was in young and home with kids. I made candles. I remember the 70s!

 Inspired by Muskoka Artisans,  (see Luce! Dee in Bracebridge), and now Lanark County artists (e.g., Perth Studio Tour,) I felt I could find some inspiration and creativity.

Teaching had its moments, but mostly it was deciding what NOT to teach!
I used to just lay out the art supplies, suggest a theme, and watch them create. Some were crafty, created models, others followed their hearts. Art is for fun. I loathe art that looks like all the others. For art is good therapy. It is not something we amateurs feel pressure about. Music was good therapy too. We wrote a class song in 2003, and videotaped it!

Creative activity could be described as a type of learning process 

where teacher and pupil are located in the same individual. 

-Arthur Koestler, novelist and journalist (1905-1983)

Happy New Year Cards

Yes, I am late with cards. That doesn't mean I don't miss my family, and Ottawa friends, but one thing and another got in the way. Many Muskoka artisans are creating stock, like cards,  others are working to inspire us newbies, or preparing for the summer markets and practicing their art. But they are done, the poem is written, and they are ready to be mailed!
The photo is that of the Pileated Woodpecker that has graced my forest.

This cheery poem is here to say
We wish you well in January

Despite my lack of motivation
In contact across this very nation.

Christmas, it seems, has come and gone
And, no, we still cannot see the lawn.
The snow indeed that shut the town
We dug it out: did not slow down.

Yet, still our chores they seem to tell
That time is short with clientelle.
We walk a dog for one who's unable
Hospice care at another's table.

Muskoka time unusually precious
Birds and cats and satellite dishes
Raccoons and squirrels keep us amused
While volunteering to pay back dues.

For cards and gifts, and things like Skype
For phone calls, e-mail and all that type
We feel as close as we can be
With 2010 and technology!