(at the workbench) - i will follow

I love unexpected discovery (especially happy ones like this) and how old unwanted, forgotten thing can find a new home in a different time...

in a nondescript box, a collection of what must have been the much loved work of an avid naturalist, I came across the tracks of many a wild animal careful cast ....

perhaps on many a quiet, still morning, their hidden travels were in this way recorded to be saved for future times. What could have been an ephemeral moment has turned into a careful study of woodland creatures native to these parts.

I imagine now, that I am following in their tracks. They are more silent than i can ever be and this tiny muskrat's paw nearly missed from my sight is no longer.

And in a rare moment, I can now see this badger's menacing claws from a safe distance and find a place in our nature corner...

 how strange to think the foot steps of a mountain lion can find its place among  all the things we find and gather on our very own walks through the years...

ps. I have made several sets available through my workshop here ... among the tracks available (many of which are available as front hind print sets) are: antelope, elk, mountain lion, muskrat, spotted skunk, weasel, badger, cottontail and jack rabbit and of course mr badger!

(at the workbench) - the forest forager

i've been trying to think of a good way to say thank you for all the kind words and support i've received over the years and have decided to have my first giveaway! this time around i'll be hosting it on my instagram account with this sweet little collection of forest-inspired goodies. you can find all the details on how to enter over there, but please just let me know if i can help with any questions! :) happy spring!

(at the workbench) - he will return

in the back of my mind even as gorgeous autumn is still in full color, thoughts of him linger...with all his mightiness and reach... king winter like no other tells us we must prepare for his return... i share just this one quick picture for now as all things are swirling faster like the falling autumn leaves caught on the wind...sending you warming wished wherever you may be!

(at the workbench) - they grew like toadstools

who's to say where the children will find themselves today?

a forest makes a most wonderful playground for tom, harriet, sam and daisy

as "Children of the Forest" everyday brings them to some unknown adventure, but today what will it be ?

ps...  should the north winds blow, they're now ready for that too! ... such resourceful children I'd say. :) 

Have a wonderful weekend! 

(at the workbench) - hardworking forest men

our family is so very tiny (my daughter and myself), but the forest families are not so much so ... let me introduce you to forest papa who has just arrived to join forest mama and  elsa beskow's "children of the forest"

 and a resourceful forest gnome and jack frost ... who have just appeared from deep in the woods to make their way to wintry places in the southern hemisphere....

 and mr acorn who also joins he's family after his long day at work ....






















































there may just be a few more additions before the week is through! And very happy summer or winter as the case may be!:)

(at the workbench) - welcome home

hello papa ... he must have had quite a lot of work to do, but mrs acorn is so happy he's arrived home ....

and in perfect time for an early mid-summer celebration with all their friends ...



ps... it looks like forest mama and her children will not have too long to wait now either ...

(at the workbench) - soon

i have been noticing many new tracks on the snow pack these last days and wondered just who has been running about… and what restless little creatures will be shaking off this long winter ….

  

so much anticipation comes with this time of year… waiting to throw open windows…discover what has lain below the deep white of winter … the chance encounters with friends as our time outside lengthens and the very deep longing to return of all things green…

(at the workbench) - the forest children arrive

forest mama has waited a long time… but unlike other mama's all her children have arrived at once. here they are :  tom, harriet, sam and little daisy of course. they've only just started to spend their days together, so I'm sure we'll get a chance to catch with a few pictures soon of the happy family and their adventures!

(at the workbench) - light

it's that time of year again.  caught a bit off guard as the days grow so short that my senses try to convince me that it is too late, while a clock says otherwise.



and here is a lantern made as a custom request to accompany a group of children and their teacher at lantern walk this year.  it will help light their way for martinmas and hold kite paper scenes  of the changing season all through the seasons.

(at the workbench)- little picture frames

settling back into a few new projects I've had in my thoughts for some time ....

some for our little home ... crocheted squares for a throw for my daughter and some hand carved wooden waldorf picture frames to share..
 
I've been asked a number of times whether I might  be able to make these picture frames available through my workshop.... so they'll be available here soon....








and perhaps a few wooden spoons and other friendly figures for the nature table will show them selves in the days to come...

and though we are already in mid-January  and a bit late to send best wishes for the new year ...  I'm hoping everyone has a wonderful start to 2012!!

(at the workbench) - very little

It is true ....  little things are very sweet ....

  this week, as the rabbits overrun my workbench,  some wee babies have just been born ....

 I wasn't sure how small the wee ones would be, but as it turns out the baby bunnies are smaller than a pine cone

and still even smaller than a clothes pin ...

 Here are their parents Mr. Long Ears and Mama Hears a Sound (just in case you haven't had a chance to meet them), they are so very happy to at last have the little ones near by ...

the bunnies are they haven't open their wide eyes.... but they will (and I hope you'll be able to visit with them again soon!)

And a little note:  This Saturday I will be returning to my process feature sharing traditions of woodworking,  toy making, and of old and perhaps forgotten crafting techniques.  If you have time,  please come visit again.

(at the workbench) - the hungry squirrel

Here we are just weeks into summer ... and weather has turned from pleasant and radiant summer to a furious and bold summer in a week's time.


In the meantime though,  the garden grows despite the bands of silent marauders ... be they woodchucks, chipmunks, birds or squirrels ....


... they are all looking for a good meal as the abundant sun urges all green things on ... even those tender young plants that were eaten to the ground by a hungry visitor.....

I have been busy, adding quite a few new projects... among them a Mr and Mrs. Squirrel Couple and a "Dear Sir. May I Have An Acorn" polite squirrel.





Hope your are having a wonderful summer and your gardens are growing full of lovely treat for your family too!!

at the workbench - At the Center of the Earth

Stories written long ago speak of ...  an ancient tree that grew at the center of the Earth ....And  the tree is very old ... but not as old as the Earth ...



And near that tree was a village.... At the center of the village was a well .... it is at this well that all the people came together early each morning ... to smile,  talk,  and learn the the latest news of their neighbors ... but not least of all was to draw fresh, cool water from deep within the Earth.








 At the workbench, I have been building a wooden village piece by piece and wondering where our "village well" is ? ...  What gathering place we have that refreshes us in this way?

Wishing you a wonderful day and a happy Earth Day every day!

(at the workbench) - wandering little gnome

he was once a block of wood  ... which makes sense ... simple, earthy gnomes like nothing better than their woodland homes ...

he started out on my workbench during December's holiday rush ... but he is not one to be hurried ... a patient fellow ... he was cut from lovely, native hardwoods that were his home ...

 

he was shaped and carved and sanded smooth with care by hand

Polished smoothed and finished with a hand-rubbed natural finish.



He is what he should be ... a little wooden gnome that loves to wander in the quiet places.

He at last made his way to my Prettydreamer late this January. You can find him here along with the carved woodland village that is in process.