Yosak^hslahehle [yo-sa-gu-slaw-hay-lay]/Sage may be burned at the end of the day to give thanks for what has been given. I usually make these small wreaths at harvest time to give during the holidays. This one also has a sprig of cedar with the ribbons in the 4 colours that represent the 4 directions, 4 seasons, 4 elements
usually seen on the medicine wheel: white-N-winter-light ... yellow-E-spring-air ... red-S-summer-earth ... black-W-fall-water. Sage is one of the 4 main medicines, beginning with the first in the eastern door and moving around clockwise: tobacco, sage, sweetgrass, cedar. When all four are used in thanksgiving prayer, they form a powerful link with the Creator.

She:koli Swa'kweku/Greetings Everyone: These are a few of the lanterns I was gifted with after a beautiful wedding [yaw^ko Jaz ;D]. They're the paper Chinese lantern in a faint mauve colour. To give a 'tree ornament' look I attached a ribbon around the center then hung a tassle matching the garland. There are larger ones hanging in the kitchen and front studio. It's a neat change of holiday decor, assisted by high ceilings ;) . CBC had a piece on the day after I hung the lanterns talking to a certain mall official about the lack of traditional symbols missing from the holiday decorating at their mall ... just thought it was interesting. My neighbour loved the lanterns too and her young daughter also, so we sorted them and shared.

Carol, Irene and Sylvia each won a Christmas Tree card respectively, and thank you all for such wonderful comments and compliments. I really enjoyed sharing and visiting with everyone at the "Crop for Cancer" event. Visitors came from near and far, even with a few flakes of our first flurries. Many thanks to our hostess, Brenda as well as the cast of lovely ladies who guided participants through with the warmest hospitality. Oh, and the T-shirt fit nicely:)

Here's a little preview of another card I'll be showing on "Crop" day ... they're 2" squares folded into collapsing triangles, placed in the tree arrangement, kinda 3D when done. I've taped them onto a textured sheet then onto a 6" card folded on top for an easy stand. These 3 trees are made of 3 different paper textures. FIRST THREE CORRECT GUESSES WILL GET THEIR FAVORITE MAILED TO THEM FOR XMAS K? You'll need to email your snailmail address after the contest closes Nov. 28, 2010. ... good luck, first 3 correct answers win.

I will be teaching/demonstrating Iris Folding Nov. 27th at M&M McPherson Crafts, at the corner of Queen and Water Streets, St. Marys. Theme is Crop for Cancer: $35. incl. snacks ... everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend between 9:00 and 4:00. It will be a fun day of interesting crafts and ideas for your holiday season. Iris Folding for greeting cards/scrapbooking etc. will be a "Make and Take", using material which can be purchased on site ... so we can make one together ;) ... hope to see you there!

Well, here we are back to On^ste/corn. We've got the Cornhusk Workshop this Sat. 10am - 2pm. $10./doll. Make a doll, wreath, bows or flowers ... it's easy:) . Are you smarter than a 2nd grader? lol ... come find out! I've shown classes from gr. 2 to 11 to make them, so you certainly can make these. I'll have the big black table out in the livingroom, covered with a sheet of heavy plastic, damp husks ready to use, wire, string, scissors, snips etc. Oh, AND the coffee/tea and maybe a little snack! These little guys [check earlier post for 'lady' doll] were made to accompany the story of the 7 Dancers, but we don't tell stories till the first snowfall. We are still too busy getting ready for Kohsla':ke/ Winter but it's still Kanana':ke/Fall. At this time of year we also say Yutekhway^he'/She is storing food. ... lots to learn ;) ... last 'month'/moon was referred to as Yey^thokwas/She gathers food and next moon will be Tehut^n^hela:tuhe:'/We are giving thanks. Then Wahsu:tehs/Long Nights and the cycle starts again with mid-winter. ... more to come ;) N^ki'wa/see you 'round!

These little guys are cuffed with real mink fur. At this time of year I go to thrift shops to look for fur coats, collars etc. for the baby mocs. Usually the collars or what's known as a 'stole' are not attached to a coat so they may be relatively cheap but it's getting harder to find real fur [ it's become politically incorrect to wear ]. The prices range from $20. for baby size, $40 for youth [ age 3-10 approx.] then $60. for ladies' and $80. for men sizes. I only put fur cuffs on youth & adult if asked. They get beadwork from time to time as preferences vary. The tops of the vamp on the larger ones shown here are raw edged. Other leather work includes: beaded edged change purses $5. ... sm. fringed pouches $20. [12cm -20cm long; 9cm-12cm wide] ... I think I showed one earlier. Conchos and beaded fringe also varies; rarely are any the same as parts of the hide I've saved to do the front 'flap' makes each one distinctive. I've always preferred a natural look wherever possible.