craft-tastic:

 Hello tweet-hearts!

Well, we did it ~ the weekend whirlwind of craft show goodness was a total success!

I love, love, being a part of the Focus Fair, it's such a great (diverse) group of artisans.

Over a dozen of us all crammed into a cozy coffee shop.

 Speaking of crammed.. yes, I managed to get my wares all piled on to one table.

Thankfully there was wall space to use too!

(More pictures to come... if you aren't sick of all this 'craft talk' yet?!)

From our nest to yours.

Thank you.

To all the locals who came out and supported handmade.

Thank you.

For all the kind feedback, orders and online encouragements... I'm humbled.

Special thanks to my family,  (the parents said baby Hudson was an 'angel' (phew!))...

and to my guy Ben and gal Azriel... enduring a house full of craftings this past month.

Thank you.

I will clean the house (nothing like a thorough 'guilt' cleansing!) and clear away all the crafting piles (er...other than the Christmas gifts to make now).

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Today - we're setting up the Christmas tree - wheeee!

Creatively yours,

Mel ;o)

mama's boy.

 This is the post where I'm all sentimental and trying not to be.

I've never been a hugely emotional person (granted, I probably seemed like a Vulcan before the heart-mushing experience of having children).

All that to say.. there's a lump in my throat right now.

Here I am, on the eve of this Craft show weekend.

My suitcases are crammed full of crafty goodness... I'm excited.

This is my first I-bounced-back-from-having-babies-craft-show, so that's something.

It's kind of a big deal (you may recall my past artist vs. mama struggles).

But now, the thought of being away from this guy is tearing me up a bit.

I know our daughter will be fine (celebrating an early Christmas with Ben's relatives)... but the 'big Hud' the "Hud Huderson" the "big fat Hudsy"... well, he's a mama's boy.

Or, I'm a boy's mama (?).

We're kind of crazy about each other.

If you're a parent, you'll probably 'get me' on this.

This is the first day I'll be away from my 'baby' (10 mos) boy.

Other than needing that surgery when he was a newborn... I've always been here for him.

Tomorrow he's spending the day with my kind parents.

Don't worry, I've written them a encyclopedia of tips and tricks for Hudson's schedule.. (because, you know... it's not like they have had 3 kids of their own.. ever).

I'm sure the day will be a merry blur, and I'm excited to share about it next week!

I just keep feeling bittersweet about not having my boy near.

(The temptation to bring him along in a baby carrier did present itself... but my spine screamed in terror of heaving his 26lbs around a crowded craft table!)

 Tomorrow night will be extra-snuggle time with the family!

Hope to see y'all at the Focus Fair tomorrow... I may need a hug!  (They're FREE).

Mushy mama,

mel ;o)

peek-a-HOO!

 Allllllllrighty folks - here it is - the final sneak peek of handmade goodies flying the Nest!

I'm starting to pack up the suitcases for this weekend's Focus Fair (it's hilarious how most of us crafters show up with all our vintage suitcases in tow!).

So here's my latest hooty-full creation:

 Hand-painted owl pocket-pillows.

 This limited collection features a 'secret' pocket on the back to stash away lil' treasures.

(Fabric pockets come in a delicate bonny blue floral - or chocolate/smoke blue chevron pattern - atop a turquoise vinyl).

I love these cutie hoots.

*Though, truth be told, they almost got cut from the 'to-do' list.  Call me a rebel, but have you noticed that owls are everywhere lately?  I didn't want to look like just another person trying to sell 'em... but then I thought: 'Anyone who knows me already knows that I've loved owls for a long time - and they're always part of my craft shows in some form or other.'

So here they are, and I'm happy about it!

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Oh yes, and these wee hoots will be back this year too:

Soft owl plushies in a cheery Christmas cherry tone!

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In other tweet news... I received a beautiful handmade gift from around the world last week!

All these goodies came from a kindred-crafter, blog reader, caring Kiwi named Ann.

 (Annie B Homemade)!

She knew I loved owls... and embroidered this gorgeous journal cover!

She also made the adorable half-eaten gingerbreadman ornament, and gifted the Kiwi plushie from another crafter - as gifts for our kids.  What a sweetheart!

Thanks lovely!

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Well there's the hoo's hoo of recent goodness around this nest, I'll spare you any further puns and sign off for today!

Owl always love you,

er.... I mean...

Creatively yours,

Mel ;o)

that glow...

 They say that a pregnant woman has a special 'glow' about her.

(Yet, the only blush I remember was from hurling my brains out during those nine months).

You just feel huge, bloated, sore, and tired by the end... no magical fairy dust or glowing elements that I recall.

But these two.

Well, they are my glow.

Shining in sweetness,

Mel ;o)

confessions [of a Mel] part.9.

It's been a while since my last confession.

Granted, that previous one was a bit more serious (past fears of silence)...but this one: not so much.

What you may - or most likely don't - know about me:
I eat like a boss. 

If you glance around our society long enough, you'll see that people have vastly different approaches to eating.
Some watch every calorie - Some consume recklessly.
Some starve to feel 'skinny' - Some binge n' purge.

Some eat when they're happy.. or sad... or bored...
Some eat when they're just hungry.

All that to say... food doesn't phase me too much.
Put it on my plate, and I.will.eat.it.
To the very last crumb.

No matter how big - or small - a serving of food, I feel a certain compulsion to eat it all.

Once my plate is clean, I'll then survey the dinner table.

Oh, what's that?  My husband left his signature 'last bite' of food on the plate?...

I eat it.

Oh - and my daughter who eats a spec at dinner (while whining for snacks the rest of the day).. yep, I'll finish her portion too.

I think I was raised by goats.

Or, maybe I was born during the Depression.

Maybe I just learned this trait from my Dad (his plate would be cleaned spotless.. a nano-second after blessing the meal!).

Whatever the reason, it's a crazy conviction to have.

I just refuse to let any food 'go to waste' (maybe it was all that talk of 'kids starving in Africa' as a child).

Normally, this works out well for me - since Ben is an amazing cook 90% of the time (while I'm an amazing cook the other 10%).

The most comical food fiasco? 

Long ago, Ben attempted frying up some artichokes.

It tasted like corn husks fried in oil.

(Turns out you only use a tiny 'heart' of the artichoke and not the outer rinds).

While Ben refuse to choke it down... you guessed it:

I dutifully ate both our portions.

So there you have it, my latest (not greatest) confession.

What does your dinner plate look like?

Mel ;o)

sneak peeks: (craft show corkers)

 Hey there friends, this is the week.

The last week to put finishing touches on all the goodies for this upcoming Indie Craft Show!

Here's a few more bits & pieces that will be crammed on my table:

 Colourful cork mushroom magnets!

More painted feathers - in frames this time!

(Still saving one of my favourite recent project for last... stay tuned this week).

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Hope all you lovely locals will be able to come visit us crafters/artisans this weekend.. and please introduce yourself if you managed to meet me here (before in real life!). 

Hope you're having a loverly Monday,

Mel ;o)

advent: soul stirrings.

This season is a sacred one.

Those of faith - like myself - celebrate the Incarnation (God becoming a man - Christ).  

We rejoice in this reality... while many others try to remove any/all trace of Him with blinding lights and commercialism.

In a season of hustle and bustle.

Crazy crowds and credit cards.

I want to pause.

To remember a humble stable.

That the God of all glory, stooped down to be placed in a dirty manger.*

 So with this advent season upon us, I decided to inspire a 'new' tradition.

(Last year we had the chocolate for our daughter, and the verses that accompanied each day). This year I put a special Christmas tea package in each flag, too.

Yes, I'm a tea-granny.

But more importantly... the time it takes to brew, sip, savour that tea... will be the time I'm intentionally spending steeping my soul in Scripture.

Daily quiet time is always an issue of intentionality.

Having something as simple as a cup of tea in a 'calendar' helps my distracted mind.

(So far it's even working!)

I want this season to be one marked by my heart,

soul

mind

glowing in His grace and glory.

steeping & still,

Mel ;o)

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*The gospel story is much much more than my brief line above... 

this spoken word says it better (and like a hipster):