Hands and Heart to Work

This week I finally got into my studio to work...something I haven't done for a very long time. It was months and months ago that I promised to take part in a swap with a women whom I very much admire. As life would have it, I never did get around to completing this swap and all summer I have been brooding and lamenting this fact. Well, time seems to be on my side right now and life's ups and downs have settled and calmed. So I am happy to report that it is hands and heart to work...

With fall's arrival I am finding that my creative juices are again flowing...something about those cool crisp days seem to spark my imagination. 

Stay tuned for more home renovation photos, a blog give-away  and of course, some wee furrys that will be available for adoption here on my Mouse Droppings Blog.

 For each new morning with its light,
For rest and shelter of the night,
For health and food, for love and friends,
For everything Thy goodness sends.
~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Happy Thanksgiving

Susan

Lil Jasper say's hello...he is growing like a weed.

Lil Jasper

Jasper

Hello all...jee whiz...do I even remember how to create a blog post...it's been sooo long since I have written anything. I do have some news to share...a brand new family member to introduce you to...meet Lil Jasper, a teeny tiny Brussels Griffon pup. This little guy took over our lives about 2 1/2 weeks ago and I couldn't be happier. He makes us smile every time we look at him. His antics and clownish behavior entertain us all day and I so love it when he gets the zoomies outside in the yard, he runs around like the Tasmanian devil. Jasper is also a love bug...all he wants is to be held...especially in the mornings when he gets cold...I throw my sweater in the dryer for a while then take it out and wrap him in it...pure bliss for both of us! A morning cup of coffee, a warm sweater with a pup inside...ahhhh...life is good! 

An Afternoon Siesta

My original plans were to get a bigger dog but with my Mom getting so sick this past summer and my Dad's continuing need for our help and support, I decided instead to get a small dog. A dog I could travel with and take on the plane with me. I know my parents will be needing us more and more so the commitment of taking on a large dog just didn't make sense. I am happy and so glad I made this decision...this little guy has become a real comfort and a much loved companion to me...he reminds me of a cross between a Gremlin and those cute little Ewoks from Star Wars...a face only a mother could love...

Cheerio

Susan

Thank-You!!!

Just want to say thank-you to everyone for your sweet comments and support. I am getting a feeling that some of you may think from my previous post that my mom has passed...not so...she has been very very sick and continues to battle a host of serious ailments that keeps her in hospital. We all tried our best to look after her at home but we just couldn't give her the professional care that she so badly needed...it is a continuing battle as I mentioned...but we are staying positive and hoping that she will be able to rally.

 Again you are all so kind and thoughtful...please keep sending all those wonderful well wishes.

 Hugs Susan

On Family

It has been a rather tumultuous summer for myself and my family...for the last two months my mom has been very ill, so ill that I had to fly to Saskatchewan to help my Dad with her care.

It can be so hard to watch your parents as they age...the difficulties that aging can bring to their lives...the changes that can so unexpectedly happen.

 In a lot of ways these past two months have enlightened me and taught me many things. It has been a time of growth for me, an experience that has shown me the power of compassion, love and commitment.  

How when bad things happen a family can pull together and be strong and unbreakable...how when one member feels like giving up, another member will step in to lend a shoulder for crying, a heart for loving, and a will to help you carry on.

The battle isn't over but a least we have each other...and no one will ever be left alone.

Treasure your family...as it is the only one you will ever have!

Susan

Kitchen Renos Before & After

It has been 10 months of constant work, ripping out flooring, cupboards, bathrooms, painting...and more...as evidenced from these renovation photos. We are tired but elated at the progress we have made. I felt really good posting these before and after photos...its kinda weird to look at them and think of all that we have done in the last few months. A bit of a visual diary... 

Before

When we moved in we had decided to live in this home a while before we started to do anything...but alas the reno bug hit and I couldn't sit still. So out came my thinking hat and I started to plan and scheme.
 My hubby said go for it...so I did...and he being the wonderful husband that he is became my carpenter, plumber, tile setter & electrician...and so much more...thank you honey for all you have done. We worked hard and made a great team!

After

 Antique reproduction grey cabinet from Donald Kirkby's 18th C Atelier. The cabinet holds my collection of white Medalta farm bowls that I have been amassing for some years now. 

The small white cabinet is an antique kitchen piece which I purchased back in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. On the wall is a old grain sifter...I have placed a nest, shells and feathers on the inside rim. The ceiling mounted chandelier is from Pennsylvania. Everything sits on our new slate floor.

Antiqued oil rubbed black kitchen cabinets and island with Walnut butcher block top.
 Doing 98% of the work ourselves allowed us to splurge on the kitchen. I have never been a fan of those all white kitchens...I prefer warm and cozy...dark and rustic. 

Before

After

 

We put in a gas stove, stainless steel appliances, white apron farm sink and a granite counter-top. A tile back-splash will be installed at a later date.

Home Sweet Home

Thanks you so much for your comments...sorry if I haven't gotten back to you...spring has sprung and I have been busy in the garden as well as unpacking all the stuff that has been in the garage for the last 10 months.
Have a sunshiny day!
Susan

Plain & Simple Powder Room Reveal

Oh happy days our home renovations are 95% complete and I can finally start unpacking the boxes that have been stored in our garage for the last 10 months...time to play...hang some pictures...add the little details that make a home.

I am a bit of an old fashioned gal and I like my homes to be a little old fashioned to. When we started doing our renos I knew that I wanted an old world rather Primitive farmhouse look. 

I asked Dave Coyle...a local craftsman specializing in antique reproductions to create our bathroom vanity...a painted and antiqued pine cupboard. I really want to keep things plain and simple and his vanity fits right in with that vision. I got my hubby to install the bowl sink and the hand pump style faucet. The lighting was purchased from EBay and was handcrafted in Pennsylvania. Last but not least I hung an antique mirror and picture...& a fresh spring bouquet sits on the windowsill.

I also added texture to the wall...sanded paint that adds a bit of farmhouse personality to this powder-room. The color is Delaware Putty by Benjamin Moore...Ultra White trim color also by Benjamin Moore.

I hope you enjoyed the little peep at my powder room...hope to bring you more photos of our renovation in the coming weeks.

Cheerio and have a great week-end!

Susan

Happy Easter...& Happy Birthday to me!

Easter Greetings to you...hoping your holiday week-end is filled with family, friends and festivities.

 &

A Happy 45th Birthday to me...I have been thinking back on how fast this year has gone by...how busy and how full life has been. Thinking on the good and the bad, the transitions that took place, the lessons I've learned. What I have gained and what has been taken away. How I want to see positive change, how I want my home to stay my home for more then a few years, no more moving...time to set down some roots...grow some relationships...stabilize my life...restore my spirit and health.

Reflecting, remembering, and pondering what the year ahead will hold.

Susan

Cave Horse Hooked Rug

I  finally complete this hooked Cave Horse rug which I designed last year. Cave art is a passion of mine and a trip to visit the Lascaux Cave in France is definitely on my bucket list. Unfortunately you can no longer enter this cave due to the damage caused by human respiration. They have actually gone to the trouble of recreating this site underground so that you can get some idea of what it would be like. Below is the original cave horse painting that inspired my rug.

I have always found Cave Art images to be a wonderful design resource for primitive hooked rugs. The subjects and their backgrounds such as the cave walls have wonderful shading, gradations of color and interesting shapes...the primitive cave animals and people are similar in shape and style to North American antique primitive rug motifs.

Antique Hooked Horse Rugs

I free hand drew my cave horse onto a long narrow scrap of rug backing that I had been saving for my smaller designs...this piece measures 27" by 15" inches. I used recycled hand-cut and hand-dyed wool which I married together in a big old pot so all the colors would blend nicely.

After having this rug sit around unfinished for so long...that when I finally got back to working on it I noticed a lot of hooking I didn't like...so I pulled out a bit and redid it...the original design actually had two black stripes around the edge. I like to engage the motif shape with the outer border...makes for more interesting negative shapes in my rugs.

 I finished the outer edge with a neutral colored tweed yarn which I doubled up twice to give me the needed thickness to whip-stitch the border. The colors are a little washed out in the photos...the rug is actually very warm and honey colored with lots of desert colored greens. I took the photos outside in the early morning so they are a bit over exposed. Over all I am quite happy with this rug...looking at it now I wish I would have made the horse a little less long, more fat and pot bellied like the original cave horse. Hopefully I will find a special place for it in our new home.

Cheerio, Susan

TDIPT Update tomorrow evening March 14th.

Adopted Thank-you
This sweet little St. Patrick's Day mouse will be
 available for purchase tomorrow night on

 my TDIPT Mercantile Page.
 He will be listed between 6 and 6:15pm Pacific time.
Price $155.00 US

Shipping by airmail $14.00 US including insurance.

I only accept payment by PayPal.

Thanks so much and please email me if you should have any questions as I would love to hear from you!

Our home renovations are progressing nicely...my hubby has been working so hard(love this guy!!!)...these photos are rather boring I know...and not up to date, but I thought I would show you anyway. We have finished installing the wide plank fir flooring through out the house and all the stair railings have been replaced with a steel cable system. Lighting has been updated and we are just about finished with the moldings. I am so tired of painting moldings........!

Our kitchen is also 98% done...the kitchen is the one thing we didn't tackle ourselves...wish we would have as it has been a very slow painful process to get the guy to come and work on it! It is turning out nicely and I can't wait to show it to you.

Hmmm...what else have I been doing...painting the main level bathroom and adding texture to the walls, painting moldings, picking out light fixtures, painting more moldings, going to physio, gardening, pruning, cutting, weeding, going to physio, more weeding, painting more moldings, going to physio...chasing deer out of the yard, cleaning up bear poopookaakaa...yo, bear...go do your business somewhere else!!!

Needless to say I am missing my creative time...right now completing our home renos is my number one priority. Were almost there and then I can get back to my studio. 

Till then...try not to have a poopy day!

Cheerio, Susan

I've got a Fever

I will be in the garden...oh happy days!!!

Susan

Kiss Me I'm Irish

A wee Irish mouse to celebrate Saint Patrick's Day. 

All bundled up in his woolly green sweater...to keep him warm on those early spring days.

While out on his walk he found a patch of Clover...
decided to eat em...saved one for luck.

Diminutive and sweet...he sits on a woolen pin-keep tucked into a vintage Cloverleaf eggcup. 

Will be available for adoption on TDIPT the evening of March 13th.

Have a mice day!

Susan

Mr. Smarty Black Pants

Yep....over there...someone eating...must go investigate.

Yup...just as I suspected...food...over there...be brave...be brave...she looks pretty harmless.

Do do dooo...she can't see me...I am invisible...is she looking...is she looking....nope.

OK...shes definitely not looking...nows my chance.

Mumph...snif snif...whats over here...nope...how about over here...awwwwhhh.

A crumb...is she looking...nope...exit stage left.

Victory is mine cackle croak caw caw caw 

 Ha Ha Ha caw caw caw.

Mr. Smarty Black Pants

 

 A beach side lunch with my brother.

I sat by and watched the wildlife drama unfold while he took photos.

Time well spent...

All photos were taken by my brother...then fiddled with by me.

Digital Zoomba

Photography by Jeff Yarske

http://digzoom.dphoto.com/

Growth, Gratitude, Bliss & Balance

See...I love what I do...I love you all to. But there is only one of me...not three...just me!

So...what to do? When someone like you...OK...stop the presses...enough with the corny rhymes! 

I will get to the point as I am sure ya all have lots to do this wonderful day.

I want this post to be about gratitude and growth, balance and bliss.

I am so grateful for all of you who have shown an interest in my work. Thanks to those who have requested custom work. Thanks for your questions, your suggestions and your trust. 

You inspire me

You make me happy

You have given me a outlet for my creativity for which I will always be thankful.

If I could hug all of you...I would!

A number of you have requested custom pieces...and I have agreed to do this in a few cases. But the more I do it, the more I realize that my heart just isn't in it. My heart is in the right place when I create a one of kind...when I have to reinvent the wheel each time I sit down to work...that is where I find my bliss. I take great pride in what I do, each little stitch or paint stroke is planned with care and attention.

When I do custom work I am often repeating a pattern, recreating something I have made before....and my heart just isn't present when I do this...and it shows...and that is something I don't want to happen! I am an artist(not to toot my own horn) and like a painter or a sculptor I like to invent new works...not create the same thing over and over. This is how I learn...and with knowledge and experience comes growth...and that's a good thing.

On Finding Balance

There are many minutes in the day...in one day I may work in my studio, work in my kitchen, play in my garden, play on my puter, visit family, go for a walk, read a book, do chores, go grocery shopping, pay bills, do laundry, cook supper, take time to smell the flowers...

I am not a terribly prolific artist, I am an artist with many interests and it's these interests that I have to persue to stay healthy and feel alive. Finding balance in your life is important, and yes, I love what I do, but I don't want to do it all the time...

Find balance, love what you do, learn to say no, be grateful for what you have...take time to smell the flowers!

Have a sunshiny day!

Susan

My Tdipt Mercantile Offerings for Feb.14th

 Lil Blue Mouse Pin-keep

Adopted...thank-you

Good day my friends...these two pieces, "Lil Blue Mouse Pin-keep" and my "Longfellow's Poem Pin-keep" will be available for purchase on my TDIPT page the evening of February 14th between 9 and 9:30pm EST. Wish I had more to offer you this month...been a very busy gal!

Longfellow's Poem Pin-keep

Sold...thank-you!

Cheerio, Susan

Rabbit in the Rose Garden

I have to say that this piece was a real labor of love and I am so pleased with how it turned out. Time consuming...yes...worth it...double yes! One of my creative goals this year is to create more elaborate bases for my characters with the addition of cross stitched motifs and fancy needlework.

I am so excited about a cross stitch designing program I purchased...hoping to put it to good use this year...I was in the middle of reading this programs tutorials when I managed (what a dunce) to spill a good amount of coffee on my keyboard...LOL, the new computer is being shipped as we speak...I guess computers don't like coffee as much as I do!

"Rabbit in the Rose Garden" is part of my January Blue Bayou series. I stitched the design with Valdany variegated blue floss on white cross stitch fabric...2 over 2 threads; the pattern is an antique pattern I have modified for my own use; the two tuffets have thin tea stained chenille yarn sewn around their edges.

Last but not least...both tuffets were created with new and recycled wool fabric...and one lovely pearl button.

I still plan on having a small blog sale soon...been nursing a really bad case of tendonitis in my working arm...which is driving me bonkers...so I have been kind of slow to get things completed.

 I will leave you with these parting words...

“You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You're on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the one who'll decide where to go...”
Dr. Seuss