Shabby Miss Jenn

Wednesday, August 06, 2008

Stone Circle


My sister says to us to start looking for rocks that have a "line" in them as she wants to create something. So the girls and I start looking all amongst the beach rocks and come up with quite a number of rocks that have some sort of line. We bring them over to where my sister is and she sends us off for more. We have been gathering rocks for about 40 minutes and we still need to get back home and cook tacos for supper....so I tell her she needs to give up the HEART shape like she had hoped for.....but we all thought this CIRCLE turned out quite cool looking!
Ever make shapes out of stones on a beach before??? It was really quite fun! LOL

Silly Feet


LOL
While we were crusing all over the beach looking for rocks, we found this small batch of sand so we all gathered for a silly photo.
heehee
Can you guess who's foot is who's???

They Have My Heart


My sister and her family are home for a weeks vacation and my nieces, as usual, have stolen my heart! I love them to pieces!
The other day I suggested we head out to this little boardwalk that I knew about. Its not a sandy beach but one that is covered with beach stones that are all shaped by the waters of the Bay. They had a blast looking for the "perfect" stones to bring back home.
xox to Little Red and Mini Me ;)

Thursday, July 31, 2008

Tame a Raven??


Have you ever heard this folk tale?? If you shake salt onto the tail feathers of a crow or raven then it will become tame and you can keep it as your pet??
I have been thinking alot about Autumn and sewing some new fall gals to celebrate the season. When I saw this vintage postard I had to share it with you all. It makes me smile.
Then I remembered hearing that folk tale and really knew I had to share!
ENJOY!

Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Attack of the Dust Bunnies

WOW.....its kinda funny how you think a place isn't quite as dirty as it is until you start cleaning and then the mountain of dust bunnies that start rolling around attacking your feet! I thought I would do a massive cleaning of my crafting space ( the corner of my bedroom that I use) so as to distract me from my grief. I am about half way thru and sooo tired! LOL How have I managed to let so much small clutter just pile up and take over that corner?! LOL
I found 2 pieces of fabric that I so thought I'd used already....so that was a fun discovery. I think they will be the first things I craft with once I uncover my sewing machine again.
Hopefully that will happen tomorrow! LOL

Blessings!
Tracy(Cedara)Dunn of Thru the Attic Door and Thru the Attic Door 2

Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Fou Kitty~ RIP July 2008


The last few days have been so very hard on my heart. We learned yesterday that Fou had become sick and Eric's parents had him put to sleep. (When Eric moved to the city to work, his folks kept looking after Fou for him) Fou began not acting like himself and then started vomiting blood. They took him to the vet and had him put to sleep. That happened last Tuesday and they told us yesterday. Eric and I were greatly upset and I was finding no closure to my grief. They had opted to not bring him home to be buried and had left him at the vets office. I cried myself to sleep last night.
Eric called me this morning to tell me he had spent almost 3 hours calling vets offices and had found Fou's body. It had been moved to a larger Animal clinic in Yarmouth. Animals are stored there until pick up from Mt.Uniacke where there is a Pet Cemetary for unclaimed animals. If I could get to Yarmouth, I could claim Fou.
My father drove me there right away. I was able to see him and show proof he was mine.
We brought him home and buried him in the yard. I can look out my bedroom window onto the bush that he now rests under. He was buried with a blanket and a can of tuna....that was his favorite treat.
I am going to miss Fou Kitty so very much!
He was never a cat to me....he was Momma's big boy~ xoxoxoxox
Thank you so very much to my friends for all their words of support.
Thank you to my family for everything they have done during this time of pain.
Thank you Eric.... for once again healing my very broken heart and soul.
xox

Sunday, July 27, 2008

Thistles and Bees


Just a different snapshot of the thistles and the bees crawling all over them.

Can you hear the Buzz???


The front garden is ALIVE with the buzzing of bees! Bumble bees and honey bees are crawling all over these tall blue thistles we have there. Their legs and bodies are covered with the pollen.
The bees are so intent on gathering it all that you can get quite close to them....until you forget the front of your camera sticks out and you tap some of the bees on their butt while trying to get close! LOL
Blessings!
Tracy(Cedara)Dunn of http://www.thrutheatticdoor.com

My garden....today!


To say that I am happy with how the container garden has done would be silly.....because I am beyond THRILLED! LOL
I have taken cuttings of the parsley and froze it...it really doesn't take long to start taking over the barrel! LOL The oregano underneath started really sprouting and stretching toward the sunshine once it came out from under the shadow of the parsley.
The green peppers have little white blossoms and one actually has the beginnings of a pepper. It might not grow very large but I can't wait!
At last count.....this had 36 maters! OH YEAH!

My Garden


This is how my container garden was growing..... the tomato was starting to take off; the green peppers seemed stunted and well the parsely just seemed to have a life of its own.

Mmmm....Blueberry Pie


We have had a bumper crop of blueberries this year. I have never seen so many of them. They are really sweet too and so juicy. We've made muffins already and this pie turned out incredible!
SOOO Flakey! YUMMO!

Saturday, July 26, 2008

Kindred



Have you ever known that someone was meant to be in your life?? That is exactly how I feel about Sherry in mine.

Sherry of AnniesCupboards is beyond a wonderful friend. I remember joining the Primmart community and for months just lurking and reading posts. I thought that I had gotten in over my head and these talented ladies were going to see me as a crafting fraud! LOL

Sherry's posts always drew me in. I was entranced by her doll creations. OH MY GOSH....can this gal sew! Each one of her little dollies just speaks to you. We started posting to each other on the forum. We started sending emails to each other. Want to know something funny? I have the first email that Sherry ever wrote me printed out and saved in a journal! heehee I couldn't believe that I was starting a friendship up with her.

The more time passed between us, she and I were beginning to see we really had lots of things in common. My day always has laughter and joy when I hear from her or read something she had posted on the forum.

The next thing I knew..... I was meeting her in person! OH MY GOSH! I went to the Primmart Convention twice and have been blessed to see her there. That first year, I was pretty sure I was nervous enough about meeting her that I was going to toss my cookies! LOL We just CLICKED and its been so incredible.

I can go to her about anything that is happening in my life and she is right there for me. I can be stuck at a creative road block and she pushes me in another direction with a few good giggles and a slight shove. We have cried together. We have laughed till we cried too.

She blesses my soul with her friendship! Go stop by her website and see what fantastic new dolls she has managed to whip up to amaze us all. She sells patterns too so you can create your own version of her sweet little gals. Send her an email and just tell her that you needed to say HELLO to a wonderful person today that just by being HERSELF alters my life forever! I love ya Sherry!

Tracy(Cedara)Dunn of http://thrutheatticdoor.com

Glitter Shakers


When I saw this idea I KNEW that I had to also do it! I thought it was brillant to place your glitter for craft projects inside of a wonderful antique salt shaker!!!!
I was always getting it all over the place and didn't like not having control of how much came pouring out of whatever container I was attempting to use for storage.
There are a few quaint antique shops in town that I am hoping to score a few shakers in! A shaker for each color glitter! heehee
Blessings!
Tracy(Cedara)Dunn of http://www.thrutheatticdoor.com

Inside my Prayer Wheel


Showing the paper scroll inside the Prayer wheel where the mantra has been written over and over.

Tibetian Prayer Wheel


The other evening I was talking with a friend and mentioned my Tibetian Prayer Wheel. He wanted to see a photo of it so I thought I would write about it here and share it with all of you as well.
My friends that lived in China for a few years brought it back to me and I treasure it greatly.(Thank you so very much Carole and Grant! xoxo) Large versions are very common in the Chinese countryside at the temples. A prayer wheel is a 'wheel' (Tibetan: 'khor) on a spindle made from metal, wood, leather, or even coarse cotton. On the wheel are depicted prayers or, mantras and symbols.
The rules surrounding the prayer wheels are very specific (although occasionally vary according to tradition). The practitioner must spin the wheel clockwise. This was determined because this is the direction the mantras are written. Before and after the practitioner turns the wheel, he or she must repeat the mantra, or no merit will be incurred by the wheels use. However, some traditions state that repeating a mantra simply (or greatly) enhances the effects of the prayer wheel, and just turning it has benefits and merits alone. Each revolution is considered like reading the inscription aloud as many times as it is written on the scroll. The wheel must not be spun frantically, but held straight (if a hand-held wheel) and turned smoothly with the motivation and spirit of compassion and bodhichitta (the noble mind that aspires to full enlightenment for the benefit of all beings).



They brought me back this Prayer Wheel, a Tibetian Singing Bowl, a white silk Prayer shawl as well as a set of Buddist prayer beads. My friends blessed me greatly with those treasures.

My new fave Yoga Pose



NO...that is NOT me doing the pose! LOL

Oh but how I am enjoying the full STRETCH this pose is giving my body. Its called the breastroke and its working muscles I didn't even know I had!

Gymnastics at Upper Clements Park



Pale Blue Wonder


There is a whole cluster of this plant growing behind the house. The petals are such a soft pale blue. They look so paper like as well.
Anyone know what flower this might be???

Hints of Sunshine



The bumble bee had just flown away when I snapped this pic....maybe I'll catch it next time LOL

Splashes of Blue


Planted all along the side of the house attracting an array of butterflies as well as bumble bees!

Behind the Blue House



Thought I would walk around the back of the Artisan's House at Upper Clements Park to share the gardens that are planted. I just adore working at this house! LOL

I am working on a new batch of primitive style dolls to bring with me on August 2 which is the next day I work there. Its going to be a LONG day for me that day! Working from 11am until 10pm..... Park After Dark! I best remember to bring a few novels that day to help pass time LOL

Blessings!

Tracy(Cedara)Dunn of http://www.thrutheatticdoor.com

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Custom Primitive Doll.....heading to Maine


I was asked to create a custom doll for a lady and here is the final result. I have to admit that once she started coming to life I really fell in love with her. Her little rusty colored braids so make me giggle!
I hadn't done this shape of doll in awhile and it felt good to make her again. I went ahead and cut out a few others that you will be seeing in the next few days!
Her new "mommy" in Maine is a wonderful lady and I am so happy to have had the chance to make her this doll.
Blessings!
Tracy(Cedara)Dunn

Summertime Screen Tent


YIPPEE!!!!!
We can now sit outside and enjoy the breeze without being eaten alive by critters. Black flies and skitters are always so thick as we live out in the woods. Sitting outside for any length of time just wasn't able to happen.
We are going to place my hammock inside as well as some chairs. Up the road a guy makes picnic tables and we think we may invest in one of those too.
Game of Scrabble outside.....oh yeah!

Scrabble Tiles


My family LOVES to play Scrabble. Just one game is never seems right so we tend to play till we see Scrabble tiles when we close our eyes at night.
I found that we actually have managed to have a few games of it in the cupboard. You can only play one at a time though so I thought I would take the spare tiles and see what creative spark ignited within me!!!
I have been slowly gathering the different pieces I need to start playing. I am so very excited to share what has been created with you soon....very soon!
Blessings!
Tracy(Cedara)Dunn

Another Strike Upon the Drum



Feel each strike of the drum as it is carried down over the mountains edge into the valley below only to then mingle with the sounds already playing by Mother Nature

My friend Trevor had posted these snapshots from out in British Columbia and I knew I wanted to share them with my readers.