Studio time

For the first time in 18 months I was able to spend a block of time in the studio. 8 whole days! As the light was not sufficient for painting, I experimented with a few different felting techniques.

For a new grey bag, I started out laying out wool for wetfelting a new seamless bag:

Once the bag was felted and dried, I needlefelted locks on top to create a little sculptural touch:

And a locally made ceramic button:

This particular bag never made it to the local gallery. A visiting friend bought it before it even left the studio!

Spirit Lake Trail Art Project

Spirit Lake Trail in Skidegate has been turned into a public art space, with colourful banners and artworks suspended from trees, on top of bridges and posted in between roots, bark, moss and ferns.

More than 30 works were installed last Sunday and will continue to hang in the forest till after the weekend. The project is one of the events organised for the Sustainable Living Fair at the Haida Heritage Centre.
Enjoy your walk!

new creations

seamless bag with needlefelted sculptural details

wet felted shoulder bag

more seamless felted bags

sewn baskets

sock zebra

Slatechuck Hike

Since our move back to the island, we have been blessed with beautiful and stunning weather to welcome us back. We are enjoying many picnics in the garden and on the beach, walks through the forest, paddling back and forth in the canoe, and just being in our home. We have found many interesting blooming plants on the rocks of the beaches, but also in our garden. L. has been a great little helper. (see also: www.flickr.com/photos/atelierkiki)

Today T. had finally a day off and we headed up Slatechuck mountain, an hour and half steep uphill. L. was a trooper, he mostly hiked up on his own with a bit of encouragement here and there. Only on a few small sections T. had to put him up on his shoulders. There was one tricky section with a very steep ladder, but even that he did by himself.

I carried little S. in a comfortable seat up the mountain, he enjoyed every bit of it, squealing, kicking his legs, or just quietly taking in the view of the trees. At the top, the view was breathtaking, we could see our house shining in the sun. And L. and S. enjoyed some fruity snacks... The way down was a bit different. L. had spent all his energy for the way up, so T. had to carry him on his shoulders. L. did try now and again to walk, but his legs just didn't want to cooperate, he would lay down on the ground... But we are very impressed with his climb!

Change Islands

So this weekend it`s going to happen, we`re moving back to `our` island! L. has been asking about it for a long time. Everytime we visit the island house, he wants to spend the night, he doesn`t want to leave and definitely doesn`t want to go to the `Blue House`. I`m sure he`ll love it when we`re back on the island, though I have a feeling then he will request going to the `Blue House`. We`ll see. I`m sure we will all miss this Blue House, it has a lot of character (from 1929) and we have so many good memories!
Now our main mode of transportation will be the canoe again (see other post: visit to the island). I`ll be hauling the canoe and our groceries up and down the beach, carrying a 6 month old baby. Thankfully L walks by himself! Due to large tidal changes we sometimes have to walk quite a ways up or down the beach, through the mud, other times the tide is right up at the grass. When the tide is really low, we can walk to the `main island`. This is for sure the way to get back into shape quickly!

Run-Away Model

A gorgeous sunny morning, we went to the beach at the Haida Heritage Centre (Kaay Llnagaay), which is a stunning location and a beautiful centre.

I had brought some beanies that I wanted to document for the etsy shop and L. was a willing model. Though it meant I had to run after him to try and take a picture....

We ran along the totempoles both out- and inside.

Just briefly stopping to check things out, and me frantically trying to get a good picture...

Mostly unsuccesful, though a few good ones came out. They can be found at kikiknits.

Coffee Cozies

Are you thinking Easter yet? These new coffee cozies make a wonderful addition to a Spring and Easter breakfast table. Made of 100% wool felt and Japanese cotton linen, they do a great job keeping coffee or tea warm and bringing a smile to your face. They are now available in my shop