IF LIFE GIVES YOU A FENCE-BE SURE TO HAVE A GATE

Fences keep us contained. Sometimes in life we make our own imaginary fences to protect us. As long as there are enough slates to breath our lives will go on! It is said that fences make good neighbours. So true, I have a garbage dump behind our house from the hoarder who lives there and the business beside us can be chaotic too! The fence allows our property to have its own look and I do not have to look at the mess! The fences in our lives need gates so we can come and go as we wish! There have always been fences in history. The Great Wall of China is actually a fence in a different form. Fences can be climbed! Even though protective, we must watch for those that want to come into our safety zone! In my travels, I watch for interesting fences as the photo opportunities are incredible! What are your thoughts on fences? Do you have a fence keeping you contained?   

NANA SAYS HALLOWEEN IS COMING

So Halloween is one day away. The little children are excited for the fun night of trick and treating. Some safety precautions as usual are suggested by all the experts. Check all the candy. If allergic to peanuts watch for the ones that may be harmful. All my candies are peanut and nut free so parents in my area do not have to worry! It may be raining so put a light stripe on the costumes and carry a flashlight! I made special bags full of goodies for my grandchildren! As if they will not get enough when they go out! Have some plastic bags by your door in case one of the little ones has a broken bag and you can be the good witch helping out! Clear your own walkway of any clutter so cumbersome costumes will not snag on anything. As an adult have some fun too! I usually wear a hat or my deely boppers to greet the little and big ones. Along with candies, I give out cans of pop! So year round I am known as the Pop Lady! I know there are other names that I could have! So to all the ghosts, goblins and my two gransons-skylanders as well as my granddaughter is going to be Dorthy(Wizard of Oz) have a great night! Tomorrow will be parties at school but the night belongs to everyone!  

LLIFE IS LIKE A QUILT-PIECES US TOGETHER!

Life can be like a quilt. Contrasting colours patched together to make a beautiful item. The dark and the light help to make it beautiful! Like our dark and light sides! Sometimes out there for all to see! A quilt can tell a story or just be a combination of interesting patches and triangles! For the crafting hoarder- a great way to use all those saved scrapes! Do you know the pattern of the featured quilt? It is called the Log Cabin! Uses a series of rectangles! Two long and two short sides! Does it connect to our life in any way?

WHAT IS OLD IS NEW AGAIN-MODERN WEAVING

What goes around come around! The same can be said for crafts and ideas for children. The latest range for children is a psuedo loom that children can weave or loop coloured elastics into bracelets, chains or other items. My granddaughter has a set and made her Nana a colourful bracelet. Similar to ideas of old- like corking! The modern moms think it is so cool! But what is old is new again! Talk to a skilled weaver who makes cloth and rugs or other items! Yup another form of weaving. The Dad that "invented" it is given so much credit! Smart man! He just looked around at what was here for generations and put a modern plastic slant on it! I remember as a child making elastic chains to use like a jump rope. Someone held each end and we would jump over it until it was too high. As a crafter, knitting and crocheting has been a part of my conscienceness for decades. Can't wait until some Dad reinvents knitting! Actually I think it is great that little children want to make something with their hands. My girls made friendship pins when they were little. A simple safety pin that the child could put coloured beads and other items. Worn as one or chained together! An item to share with friends thus the friendship connotation! Remember pet rocks! Perhaps there is an old idea to be reinvented right in front of me! Hum-let me see what I can find!    

COUNTRY VIEWS IN URBAN SPAWL

My favourtie building in the Fall. Luckily I have lived in an area where large fields are near me despite the fact it is more of an urban area. The Richmond Hill Central library with its pink hue is a nice contrast to the Fall trees. The hill leading to it makes a good power walk as it uses  a different set of muscles than walking on a flat surface. The scene looks a little country but it is beside Yonge Street where large condos are being built. Pictures can often give us an illusion of what we want! For me, I want my area to have a country feel to it. Living in Richmond Hill, it has always been a small town on the edge of the big city-Toronto! With all the development, the urban sprawl is making it more of one big suburb! But if I aim my camera in the right direction, little pockets of country can be captured!

FALL IMAGES 2013

Fall gives so many opportunities to find contrasting images. Concrete columns with trees decked in the colours of the season.

Red bushes between rocks. Images close to home if time is given to find them! What local images have you found?

A CANADIAN HALLOWEEN

Halloween week is gearing up. Houses and shop windows are decorated to be ready for the little and big trick and treaters coming our way. The weather always plays a factor. If too cold then the coats hide the costumes. For school children, wearing their costumes to school allows some time to don them. I don't remember the last time Adolph and I went to a Halloween party! Usually I wear something at home on Halloween to greet my "little guests". Are you ready for another Canadian Halloween?