Warbling Thrushes

Some of my favorite birds are the thrushes, which include the robins and the bluebirds. At my last market in Norfolk, a customer asked me to make a wood thrush and a hermit thrush for her. I told her that they were very similar - was she sure she wanted me to do both? She said her husband loves both, and to go ahead and make both of them.

Well, it was a bit of a challenge to make them so they looked different enough! Actually, the challenge was in seeing the differences; once I did that, making them was not hard.

Here's the wood thrush. He's got a redder head, and the spots on the breast.

And here's his song, so you can hear him: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Wood_Thrush/sounds
They say in descriptions that this is a bird of the deep woods, but I hear them in the not so deep woods near my house and definitely in the park. I think I saw a young one flitting among the trees in the park recently.

Here's the hermit thrush. He has a redder tail, and his markings are more streaky than dotty.
http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Hermit_Thrush/id.aspx?spp=Hermit_Thrush
That's the link for his song.

I had a bunch of purple sweaters, and just had to make an all-purple skirt. Here it is.
Hopefully it will make a woman with a passion for purple happy!

Home Sewing

Sea colors slipper clogs

Muted colors skirt

It's been a busy week. Last Wednesday a serious thunderstorm with tornadoes passed through Connecticut. We went unscathed, but neighbors had the top of a tree torn off. The tornado touched down about a mile from here and it's amazing to see what it did. I had a chance to see a lot of the aftermath as I drove to my market in Westport on Wednesday morning. That area was hard-hit, too. I had a wonderful day in Westport; if you are in the area on Thursdays, stop by their farmer's market. It's a really hopping one!

Saturday was a hot, hot day at the Litchfield market, and I was glad to get home to a cold shower and a fan! Sunday I did a bunch of yard work in the morning after Mass, and then spend the rest of the day just lazing around.

Now, back in the workweek, I don't have a market till Saturday, so I am sewing, sewing, sewing, and doing what needle felting I can. I've got a couple of skirts pinned and ready to go, and a bunch of mittens and wrist warmers. Not many people are buying them now, but come fall they'll be really popular.

Stay cool, wherever you are~

Baby Skirts

Today's is a quickie post, as I'm busy designing and getting ready for a busy market in Westport tomorrow, and I need to bake some bread for the Boy. He's not had any for a couple of days, and has put up with it cheerfully, but today is the day.

Folks have been looking for skirts for tiny babies, so here's a couple of tries. I think they may still be too long, but I know someone will love them!

A Bunch of Sewing

Here are a couple of samples of yesterday's sewing. These hats are made from recycled sweaters, most often lambswool, and they are lined with cashmere, also from recycled sweaters.

Sometimes folks like to have a hat and mitten set for gift giving (or to treat themselves!).

Today I'm doing a bunch of cutting and have 2 skirts cut and laid out as well as more in the way of hats, mittens, and slippers. I have to decide whether I will keep cutting or start in on the sewing now. I have some errands to run, so that may decide it for me!

Have a great day!

2 Weeks Already?

I can't believe it's 2 weeks since I've blogged! That's the way summer goes for me. I'm busy at markets, and when I'm not, I'm working on making things to restock the booth, or catching up on things around the house. Ah, well...

We got away for a couple of days last week. My father-in-law treated us to a tour of his hometown, Biddeford, ME. He showed us the houses where he and Mom grew up, their school, church and many other places. We went to Old Orchard, and The Boy had a blast on the rides and in the arcades. We drove through Kennebunkport, which was so cute, and had lunch at Porpoise Point, looking out over to the Goat Island Light. Beautiful! I brought no work with me (unheard of), and only a light novel to finish. It was a wonderful break.

It's been back to work since we got home. Here's a hip little black bag, trimmed with beads.

And this bag is sheepish...

Stay cool, wherever you are!