Northern Crafty

So, having lived in the North on and off for the last 5 years, I have learned lots of new things. The most awesome is my leatherwork (if I do say so myself!) I have learned to make a variety of articles using different materials indigenous to the area. I first learned how to make adult slippers of moose hide with beaver pelt trim, then learned how to make mini slippers for mini people! The leatherwork is not bad-the beading....takes a looonnngg time! Each bead is stitched down individually-crazy eh?!






I have had a lot of fun playing with different beading patterns (ie. the curling stone and broom for my sister, scotch thistle for my Mom!) I have made tiny, baby slippers for my kids, and big, man slippers for my man! I have made "canvas topped", and have experimented with different furs too! These canvas topped slippers have silver fox trim-fancy eh!?

I also learned how to make mitts (I made this pair for myself) and gloves (those are for Tim, and I am NEVER making another pair-turing the fingers the right-side out was almost impossible!)

Lately, I have been using deer hide. My Mom got me some tanned hides from a man she knows who hunts. He got the hides tanned, but then didn't know what to do with them. I am happily turning them into slippers and mitts, and will readily accept any other unwanted animal skins out there!! I know a woman in town who has a husband who traps, I traded her one of the hides for some fur and sinew-bartering is great!

I don't do a lot of beading over the summer, but during the winter darkness it keeps me occupied...and my family in cozy footwear!

The parade

Happy Canada Day!

Today was the Hay River Canada Day Parade! Yahoo! We managed to get everyone organized and downtown in time for it's 10:30am start. Peekaboo has developed a sensitivity to loud sounds like horns and kids banging their hands on a table repeatedly (this happens at play group and she gets very unhappy-who can blame her!?) At the Santa Claus Parade she cried because of the fire engine siren. Knowing that sirens make up a good portion of any decent sized parade, we needed to come up with a solution that would have her able to enjoy the parade without being bothered by the sirens. So, she wore Tim's ear protectors that he uses when shooting! She looked hilarious, but they worked!! The only problem was trying to get her attention....she couldn't hear me!

The local blackfly and nosee'um population also enjoyed today's fesitvities-ugh! The bugs were out is full force, unfortunately.

Aside from the noise, and the tiny, buzzing company, it was a lovely parade. Afterwards, there was a carnival (of sorts) with free hot dogs, and some games for the kiddies. There is also a river raft race. Only 2 rafts were entered this year, and one sank! We didn't hang around long, the bugs were too bothersome and nap time was quickly approaching...

Happy July 1st all!!