The Seed Bead Section

Loooooook, isn't this fun? It's an "oooh" moment every time I look at my neat and organized seed bead section. Just a wall of inspiration - and it's quite easy to take any of them in and out by sliding things up, though I am still debating wether they are better standing on their tops or bottoms. I've decided not to worry about it. For now.

Something is well organized. Hooray. Though a special narrower wall cabinet would be the ideal solution, and I'm sure they must make such things .. this works pretty well for now, and I find the "at a glance" capability for the majority of small beads, the easiest way to put projects together. This shelf gets good light, so I can just bring my larger components in and see what wants to join in the project. Most of them fit here, and the yellows and oranges that I seldom use live somewhere else.

Because such available space on a shelf would be like a flashing mouse beacon to several of our cats, I fill the space with two easy to remove storage containers that hold beading wire and other beading things (read beads that haven't found a home yet).

I love these containers. I use them for all sorts of things both for permanent organization and just to ferry things around. They're also great to turn over and cover up small things on-the-go that you don't want wee beasties getting into.


Speaking of wee beasties, I should introduce you to the seldom photographed Hermione. 'Minnie' seems to approve of the organization going on - HER table is now clutter free and she has really taken to hanging out in the craft room - which is welcome and new. It's a great spot for sunbeams after all.

Goodbye beautiful Quincy

Weep not for me though I am gone into that gentle night.
Grieve if you will, but not for long upon my soul's sweet flight.


I am at peace, my soul's at rest, there is no need for tears.
For with your love I was so blessed, for all those many years.


There is no pain, I suffer not, the fear now all is gone.
Put now these things out of your thoughts, in your memory I live on.


Remember not my fight for breath, remember not the strife.
Please do not dwell upon my death, But celebrate my life.
~ Constance Jenkins



Goodbye beautiful Quincy. You were amazing. xoxo

In Memory of Marley

It was a very sad good-bye last week. We love you and will miss you so much Marley. Thank-you for looking after us for all these years and for all the happy memories.

In Memory

They will not go quietly,
the cats who've shared our lives.
In subtle ways they let us know
their spirit still survives.


Old habits still make us think
we hear a meow at the door.
Or step back when we drop
a tasty morsel on the floor.


Our feet still go around the place
the food dish used to be.
And, somtimes, coming home at night,
we miss them terribly.


And although time may bring new friends
and a new food dish to fill,
that one place in our hearts
belongs to them ...
and always will.

We love you baby xoxo

Scarves, scarves, go away

Yikes! I wonder, sometimes, just how many years I have been 'sorting out the craft room'. Sigh. Yup, still at it. Todays crafty job mission - the 'done' projects must get 'catalogued' and move somewhere else. Quite simply I need the space.

Wild About You

Happy Valentine's Day from Max!

xoxoxo

Hunker down ... storm warning

Marley

Who's got it good around here? It's a cats life for sure!

Freddie

Well, I don't know what got into me today - a new month, feeling a little better, and needing to get away from the computer for a while, I've been at it non-stop since early this morning having a clear out and catching up on the laundry. Even the cat blankets are getting a wash - and that takes several cycles.

Oliver

So, as we hunker down for the apocalyptic storm of the billenium (gotta love the media), it seems a good time to introduce you go the gang and document one of the past obsessions. The novelty yarn.

Maggie

For a while, you could get this very inexpensively - never much of the same colour/style at once - but coming in waves so you HAD to keep buying it. I was re-acquainting myself with knitting and crocheting so it served a very worthwhile purpose, after all.

Quincy

Most of these are crocheted on a very large hook with multiple strands and types of yarn. So not just is there the thrill of all the variations BUT the combination of all the variations. As you can see a glimpse - it had me hooked for a while.

Maggie & Marley

So, for quite some time it was a constant production of countless scarves (many of which I sold for my 'Crafts for Kiva' project), loads of blankets (anywhere there's a surface), and what must be a Guinness record for 'kitty blankets'.

Jake

Strikes me you've got it pretty good if you're a cat in this house.


Stay safe and warm everyone!

Related articles

• Southern Ontario hunkers down for major snow storm (canada.com)

Always nice to have some "help"

The next project is underway .... with a little "help"

Job Done: Christmas Tree Skirt

Reading through other crafters' blogs I feel much less guilty about the amount of projects I constantly have 'on the go'. And this blogging format is definitely motivation to get out that (insert any project) that has needed just a teeny little bit more work for (insert any number of weeks/months/years). So, just needing to sew in some threads and add some ties, the first of my crochet Christmas tree skirts is done!

Photography: The wrist strap

If your little camera has a wrist strap, you should always put it on ... if for no other reason than to avoid things like this!


Freddie - he's such a ham! We were actually trying to take a picture of a blanket.

Wee Mousies ... to knit

Beautiful Quincy with his new red mousie

The first completed projects of the New Year seem to be a hit! Great for using up scraps of wool are these knitted mouse cat toys. Quincy seems sort of interested.