In the midst of canning pears, dividing perennials, playing with baby toes and an increasingly curious (and baby squat afficionado… hello mama biceps!) man cub…. we decided to welcome autumn and bring some of the gorgeous leaves falling outside, in.

After carefully collecting a pile my little (though now not littlest one) arranged them on our waxed paper. It looks brown here because it truly is – it’s an eco one but you could use the white stuff for a more transluscent effect against the window.

Then she put another piece of waxed paper on top, and had her first extensive ironing experience. Yay for ironing boards whose height can be adjusted!

Tweet

When we were in Montreal this week, we headed over to the grounds of the Botanical Gardens and the Insectarium, and enjoyed some more autumn beauty. With the snow soon to come around here, it was such a joy to see the last hold-outs.

 

Tweet

It turns out that the fabulous folks at Romantic Homes Magazine included one of our handmade Marimekko picnic blankets in their October issue. What a thrill!

Thank you, Romantic Homes!

p.s. and if you are celebrating, have a fabulous Halloween.

Tweet

And just like that, it’s almost November. Around here, the trees so kindly stagger their leaf dropping so that there are still plenty left to enjoy as they scatter the forest floor. I’m trying to soak it all in – Vitamin D, last remaining warm sun, intense colors… and store it to use in the longest part of the winter…

Tweet

I’ve been noticing the energy in nature – a sort of quickened pace to store, save, prepare. As they drop their leaves (what a marvelous sound in the forest!!) from so very high up, the tall, lanky trees seem to be “tucking in”, getting ready. I thought about a nesting energy this week… it’s coming out in my work, too – it feels very powerful. The squirrels, the rodents, the frogs, even the fish – everyone is preparing, a little furiously, as the cool wind whips at them. And what a time of rich, intense colors. The bounty of the garden may have passed, but nature’s hues and textures are soooooo bountiful, it’s such a feast for the eyes.

What are you noticing around you this week?

Tweet

It’s incredible to experience the seasons in the same favorite forest spot. To watch the same huge trees strip their leaves away to prepare for the winter, leaving them seemingly tall and lanky and more fragile-looking somehow.

This year, it all seemed to happen ever so fast, didn’t it?

Hope you are having a magical autumn (or spring!) wherever you are.

Tweet

As the maples scatter leaves dripped in auburns and rust and bright shades of orange, and the burning bushes turn scarlet… it’s easy to miss the splendor of the birches.

It’s subtle, crisp and pale… but it’s oh so very pretty, I think.

The birches around us inspired a new set of felted wool acorns for the shop.

And I wanted to share some of my favorite handmade artisanal pieces inspired by the same trees.

Tweet