Monday, August 27, 2012

Good Bye....


But not for long! Join me at my new blog... By Hook & Thread
 Well, with the shift in my new place of residence (July Happenings) and a new life, I've decided to finally change my blog to it's proper name,  By Hook & Thread
 If you've been following my crafting since I've started, I started as a paper crafter. Over the years, I drifted to sewing, needle felting, crocheting and other similar stuff. 
 As such, my blog name of Late Night Stamper, just didn't apply. 3 years ago, I reserved this blog name, By Hook & Thread . It's time to come live here.  
 I'm leaving the Late Night Stamper blog up for you to still browse through and hopefully find some inspirations. 

And of course, for me to remember my crafting and life journey on the road that brought me here!
Thank you for coming and I'll see you over at By Hook & Thread

I look forward to many new things and opportunities here.

Have a good one!
Amanda

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

little things

Howdy!
How goes? We're keeping busy in this tiny part of the world. Last week, I made these hair clips. I've made them before  here. I got them from the tutorial on Craftiness is not optional.
 I'm gathering some things together for the Farmer's market on Saturday. If I don't get a whole table together, I'll put a basket on the community table. It's just a feeler to see how people react to it all. I've already sussed out 2 places to put my things in for next tourist season. 
Since I'm a little low on photos this post, here's a little mushroom. It's long gone from here now, but nice to look at, just the same.

I was up early this morning, went for a bike ride and picked blackberries along the old train track trail. I love going out early before the world has woken up. 

I'm off to go makin' stuff today. Let's see what comes out the end of the day.

have a good one,
Amanda

Friday, August 17, 2012

Friday's guess

What do you think it is? The person who made this for me is coming back from vacation. I'm hoping she'll show me how to make one and I'll take photos for a tutorial.

It smells really good. SO... what's your guess?

Have a good weekend...
Amanda

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

wool puppet friends

Part of my sewing these past few days is the cat and dog puppet from Betz White's Warm Fuzzies.
The first one took me over 1 hour and 30 minutes. 
 The 2nd and thereafter only took 30-40 minutes. 
 Let's just say that there were a lot of snacks, cups of tea and distractions on the first one. Dontcha just love the jaguar print cat? I was so excited when I spied it in my wool stash.
 And I sewed the noses on the dogs upside down.
Just a few more of these to make for some little ones' birthdays.

Cheers,
Amanda

Tuesday, August 14, 2012

stuff about.

Howdy.
Just checking in. I did some sewing yesterday, I'll take photos later. It's been raining for the past few days, but today is nice and sunny.
Here is a lovely hanging globe/vase that my uncle had. It is so precious hanging there.
 Just darling. I think I need to get some window boxes for the front of the house to get more colour around here. There is tons of green, but I need some variety. I can't wait to see what the autumnal colours will be.
 Before I left, my friend Charlotte gifted me this cute guy. No wait, that's his back....
 Oh and here's some detail. Isn't it good?!
 As, there he is. It is a Maneki-neko.. a good luck charm. And he sits just above my sewing machine on the window sill. He can't stay there where he is in the picture, alas, the treads have a problem with it.

ummmm, that's it for today. it doesn't feel very productive other than the 2 loads of laundry on the go. My brain is all over the place. Too many rooms to get lost in and distracted. Oh, the bother! :}

cheers,
Amanda

Thursday, August 9, 2012

Of a Caterpillar and a Butterfly

Hello.
I've set up my machine and made a few things in the past few days. One of the first things I made was this Caterpillar and Butterfly from Abby at WHile She Naps


And here is the butterfly.

 I like this toy because it has a little surprise.
The caterpillar is joined to the butterfly. One can go into the other!!! Brilliant.

 My daughter is turning 6 tomorrow, so I made it for her birthday. She learned about caterpillars and butterflies in Kindergarten last year and was very enchanted with the whole metamorphosis.
 The pattern called for sewing a pattern on the wings, but I had the pre embroidered fleece left over from a coat I made Neve a few years ago. It saved a bit of work for me. Lazy as I am. :}
 Not being able to stop there, I also ordered this chicken and egg.
 Hey! An egg with feet?
 Ooooo, she did it again! They tuck into each other. I love it. So does my boy. I hope the baby I send it to will like it also. I cheated a little here too. The feet were supposed to be fleece, but I had some trouble sewing such small shapes without stretching the feet out of shape. Instead, I used some wool felt. Much easier. See, lazy. :} And no, he's not dead, he's sleeping!
Go ahead, check out Abby's Blog. She has much wisdom to impart on softie sewing. And some very cute patterns too!

Cheers,
Amanda

Tuesday, August 7, 2012

Olde Time Town Parade

As I've said before, there's no lack of things to do in this little town in the summer.
This weekend, there is the Agricultural Exhibition!
Tonight, they started it off with a parade!
The Pirates are were there.

 There was livestock. The goat was ahead of this crew.
 And some blue men. I'm not sure why. High five!
 High head?
 The gang from the Parks and Rec. These guys work all day and then attend events for the children. Awesome crew! Nice to see them relaxing.
 The Roseway Manor had a float too. And some good music playing.
 The Shriners came by.
 A few long boats.....
 And a band! Looks like no one is playing. The drums had a bit of a solo...
 For the 1st time, there's going to be a smash up derby! I don't know why, but I'm looking forward to it. I vaguely recall being entranced by some kind of event like this on TV when I was a child. During the Founder's Day Festival, they sold tickets on another car that you could drive in the derby.  Yep, I'm planning on going to this one.
 The one grocery store in town had a float.
 Mmmm, not sure what this one was. Happy lot though.
 And my crew were enthralled! :} The Post office was giving out plastic bags at the beginning for the kids to put their candy in??!! Yep, most of the floats threw out candy, freezies and juice. Cool.
 Nuther boat and people in costume. There are a lot of tickle trunks around here.
 Welcome.
 And what's a parade if it doesn't have fire trucks! A lot of fire trucks from many towns in the county.

Yep, nice parade. then we rode our bikes up to the exhibition grounds to check out the schedule for the week. We'll be dropping in for sure.

I did make something yesterday. And I shall make a few things tomorrow. I'll show you later. I haven't forgotten that this is a crafty blog!

Cheers,
Amanda

Saturday, August 4, 2012

Saturday report

We found this cove on the way to the beach. Beauty
 The kids spent the morning on the water and ended the day in the water. 

Going to the beach at dusk is kinda cool.
 Here are a few apples from one of our trees. It's still early. We're hoping that when we prune the tree, it will bring more apples next year.

It took a few days for the birds to come to the feeder once I put seeds in it. But they are coming in groups of their own and then mixed up. Here is a woodpecker and a finch.

 And this guy, he's busted! And determined.

Have a good one,
Amanda

Friday, August 3, 2012

this moment....

Following Amanda Blake Soule for 
{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.



A new hanging for our kitchen, 'cause that's where the heart of the house is no?