BLOCK BUCKET

These are the most useful storage units....buckets made from canvas and recycled coffee sacks. My latest is super sized to accommodate all of our Duplo blocks (there is actually room for a few more sets). The inspiration was instantaneous when I saw my daughter's newest Playmobil lady. I loved the graphic pattern on her jersey and immediately hit the recycled stash to make my own version of this bold design.

I cut loads of circles (loose definition) and arranged them in pleasing colour palettes and sizes. Together they form the nine circles that I sewed onto the burlap before assembling the bucket. I used some old burlap ribbon (again loose definition) for the handles which melds into the small hands that drag it around the house.

Fabric buckets make clean up time easy and they are a viable alternative to plastic containers. Any design could be put onto the bucket using old packaging with your sewing machine - just look at your toys or nature for sources of potential artwork inspiration.

SUMMER READING

Today officially feels like the first week of summer as there is finally sun and heat combined. We hit the library and stocked up on books and DVDs (because, in all honesty, we need downtime after the water park and beach!). I hope we can spend many afternoons lazing in the hammock reading our favourites. I intend to be diligent in filling out the children's library reading program forms to acquire stamps, stickers and perhaps a chance prize. Our fave author remains Julia Donaldson and Robert Munsch, meanwhile, I am currently re-reading Eclipse before going to the theatre in a few days (extreme excitement!!!!!).

LANDSCAPE AS MUSE...

Today we walked at Neck Point - a beautiful waterfront sanctuary in the heart of a residential area. The lighting was magic with bruised skies and filtered, ambient sun. A subtle breeze created tiny, gentle waves. Cottonwood floated through the air like a well orchestrated ballet.

As usual I took lots of photos and noticed a linear quality to them all. The "neck" beach cut through the water while jagged rocks jutted against smooth little pebbles. The sky was layered with fluffy clouds lending a softness to the distant mountainous shores. Meanwhile a small boy spends a pensive moment on a seat carved from a giant log.

Nature is inspiring as always... I wonder what creation might arise from today's outing.

GARAGE SALE FIND

I love this wooden truck that we just found at a garage sale on the weekend. It has a lovely patina and retro quality to it that makes it stand out from all of the regular plastic toys that we own. It takes one back to a simpler time where toys were powered by little hands and sound effects came from excited voices...

ROADSIDE FINDS

I simply can't resist anything with a "free" sign on it. We found this wonderful old wooden steam liner style chair at the end of a driveway on our very own road. All it needed was a clamp and it is actually quite comfortable to sit in. Now it needs one of my burlap pillow creations and it will be ready for a leisurely lay in the summer sun. (The bouquet of flowers was picked from my garden and loosely arranged in an old metal watering can - another free find)

TEA HAT!

This tea cozy is my latest creation using my previously mentioned favourite materials. I love tea and the ritual that surrounds it from warming the teapot to waiting in anticipation for the tea to steep and sharing it with a friend or family while chatting about our latest creative moments or upcoming summer plans.

I used burlap for the outer layer along with a layer of quilt batting and a faux bois (wood grain) fabric for the liner. On the burlap I designed another bird, this time sitting in his raffia nest awaiting his 'cuppa. As there was only enough space for the word "TEA", I used a 7 Gypsies clear old fashioned clock embellishment to represent the word time, thus - TEA TIME.

I really love how this project turned out. You can custom your own tea cozy to any size teapot (I think my big old "brown betty" is next). My son coined the term "tea hat" which is so endearing and actually quite relevant. Happy brewing...

LIVE SIMPLY

Another purposeful bag has been created, this time with a meaningful message - "Live Simply".

Again, coffee packaging and old burlap coffee sacks were used. As a family we try to live by this motto, omitting a lot of today's mod-cons by choice.

The latter photo is of my grandfather "Teacake" in his kitchen where he has lived happily for the last 70+ years! His little kitchen has all that is required to provide his basic needs. One is reminded that we don't need to fill our lives with "stuff" to live a content and healthy life.