Santas for Donna

People truly are thinking of Christmas. Yesterday I met a woman who said that she has all of her shopping and wrapping done by Halloween, so she can relax, enjoy, and have fun looking at the lights come December. I might try that this year. I've always wanted to.
There was another woman in my booth who said she can't possibly think of buying Christmas gifts until it gets cold. I know what she means!

So these Santas are for a lovely Etsy customer. I'll be making more for my markets as soon as I can.

This Week's Work

When people ask me to make something that's not in my usual repertoire it's a challenge. I don't do a lot of mammals. Recently I was asked for a beaver, and here he is.

A woman from the New Hartford market asked for a firefly. It's about an inch and three quarters long.

This is a western tanager. It wasn't a request, but he's on the same page as the goldfinch, and every once in a while I have to make this one for the celebration of color that he is.

What's Black and White and Red All Over?

This is what I worked on yesterday and this morning, and it wasn't till I took the picture that I realized that it was all red, white and black. Brought to mind those silly jokes we told as kids...smile!

Keeping Busy

The boy is at summer camp this week, and I am preparing for a busy week-end of 5 markets in a row. I am taking advantage of the uninterrupted time to make lots of things to fill the booth.

I've gotten a few birds done - yesterday's hermit thrush, and today a veery and a goldfinch.
Here's the veery:

I've finished a bunch of stuff - mittens, wrist warmers, pot holders, coffee cup huggers, leg warmers:


I still have a pile that is cut out and ready to sew:

I also have a pile of cashmere sweaters ready to be cut up. I hope to get a few hats and mittens made up before the weekend. Keeps me out of trouble!

Hermit Thrush

I had a request a couple of weeks ago for a hermit thrush, and here he is. He is very similar to the wood thrush; possibly his tail is a little redder.
A customer who bought a wood thrush earlier in the summer sent me the link below. It is a clip from NPR about the voices of songbirds, and the thrushes are highlighted. Listen if you have the time, it's absolutely amazing.

http://www.wfcr.org/field_notes/animals/080616_FN_bird_songs_pt2.mp3