Lily & Gus Giveaway

Another Giveaway for you!

This time, I've done a collab with that awesome Lily & Gus and Shanna's Tie Dye.
With Shanna's magical rainbow skills and Ashley's imagination and talent at work, the tie dye whales were brought into being. A while ago I was asked to paint some of these beautiful creatures, and now you have a chance to win it all!


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Shanna's Tie Dye Giveaway

I am so excited to be participating in a giveaway hosted by Shanna's Tie Dye.
You can enter to win one of my Butterfly Nest prints and some other amazing pieces by some fab artisans.

Take a look at all of the great items there are to win! Good Luck!


a Rafflecopter giveaway

The oldest Sugar Maple Tree in Canada: The Comfort Maple

THE COMFORT MAPLE
"This tree, believed to be Canada's oldest Sugar Maple (acer saccharum) was accepted
for its preservation April 30th 1961, by the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority
from Miss Edna Eleanor Comfort, whose family have owned this land since 1816. She and her late brother,
Earl Hampden Comfort, to whose memory this tree is now dedicated with gratitude and affection,
reserved this plot of land for its protection in 1946"
"O Lord, How Glorious Are Thy Works"

The boys first introduction to the big tree

Looking up at the repairs.  At one time the tree was struck by lightning and repaired with  concrete.
It is also being supported by wires . 

An obliging fence post supported my camera for a family photo

Such an odd feeling came over me while we visited the Comfort Maple. I suppose it was being in the presence of something that has been living for over 500 years, and will likely be living long after I have gone. The land has changed and grown around it and there it has stood, enduring and thriving. What an amazing thing. I like to envision all of the families that have enjoyed moments under this tree's branches over the centuries! Really puts things into perspective and makes me want to relish the moments I have with my own family and cherish each day.

Photo taken by Griffin of the tree and lot

Maple Keys. Maybe we can plant these and grow our own "Comfort" maples. 

Directions to the Comfort Maple can be found HERE

Heirlooms

I was very excited to be participating in the Heirlooms show on June 14th and 15th at Vermeer's Garden Centre in Welland, Ontario. The event, in its inaugural year, was organized by the fabulous Erin Snow, who ran the First Sunday Stroll that I was a part of in the Spring of 2012. Erin's selection of high quality artisans is top notch. I will do any show that she organizes, because it is sure to attract a wide variety of beautiful handmade work by established and up and coming artists. Here's a small taste of some of the work that made its way to the Heirlooms show that weekend.
For more photos, you can find the whole album, HERE

Amazing design and branding, these are little embroidery kits. Yes, you have to do the "work", but I assure you it's all good fun, and you will feel so proud when you've accomplished making one of these quirky, sweet characters. I want them ALL!

Find them HERE

Lisa at Skinny Dip Soap was my tent-neighbor for the show. You have to smell these soaps. OMG! All natural, no GMO is the way to go. I also LOVE her packaging. One of her soaps is called "Wash A Hippy" which I find totally hilarious. 

Skinny Dip Soap

The ladies over at Heartmade Fibres were total troopers. Working away with a very new baby is a talent in itself. Great set-up and beautiful pieces! 

Proud new owner of a Heartmade Fibres hat