Natural Dyes: Acorns

I have been playing around with some new (for me) natural dyes. My grandson and I collected acorns at the neighbourhood park and I brewed up a lovely dye bath with them. 

The acorns simmered in hot water and then they sat in that water for 24 hours. The dye bath was then reheated, cooled and strained. 

Next, I added the prepared silk scarves and let them soak for about 48 hours. The scarves were hung to dry and to cure for three days. Then, a rinse and they were ready! 

I love the colour that the acorns created. Dyeing with natural dyes is a wonderful way to explore the natural environment and to create something really unique. 

You can check out my website to see some of the scarves that I have created using natural dyes.

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Journaling #6: Personal Reflection

Using a journal for personal reflection is an opportunity to explore memories, formative experiences and day-to-day events. In this safe place, writing can help you to process and understand your thoughts and feelings. 

Journaling can help you to think about how you relate to your world and the people in it. Reflective journaling differs from other types of journaling because it is a metacognitive experience, i.e. you are thinking about your thinking. 

Personal reflection does not need to be a deep, psychological experience. It can be as simple as writing about what you think or feel about a memory or experience. 

Taking something positive from your reflections is a win. Learning something about yourself is a win. Gaining a better understanding is a win. Journaling for personal reflection: Win • Win • Win

• Cupola Corner sells a curated selection of handmade and handbound journals that would be perfect for personal reflection. 

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Paper Palooza: Watercolour Paper

Watercolour paper was traditionally made from cotton. Today, you can get watercolour paper made from cellulose (plant cells) or synthetic materials, like polypropylene.
 
Watercolour paper is heavier than regular papers.  It is made in four weights: 90 lb, 140 lb, 200 lb and 300 lb. The heavier the paper, the thicker it is. You choose the weight based on the amount of water that you will apply with your paint. The more water that you use, the heavier you will want your paper. 
 
Sizing is added to the paper fibres to make the watercolour paper stronger and to help it to keep its shape. The fibres are then beaten to help them interlock. Next, the pulp is pressed and then dried.
 
Pressing is usually done by a machine. A cold press means that the sheets of pulp are pressed between rollers that are covered with felt and it is done at a cold temperature. The felt gives the paper a texture. Hot press paper has been rolled between smooth heated rollers; hence, it has little or no texture.
 
For cardmaking techniques, 140 lb cold pressed watercolour paper is great, especially if you like that awesome texture. You can use a paper trimmer to cut it and it won’t get stuck in a decorative punch. It will also handle moderate amounts of water without buckling or stretching. If you need more time to play with the paint, use hot pressed watercolour paper. Either way, watercolour paper will create new and interesting possibilities for your cardmaking. Give it a try!

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Reference: https://jenniferbranch.com/PaintingWatercolor/Art-Supplies/Art-Paper-Basics.html

Early Literacy #3: Literacy Opens Doors

Literacy is more than just reading and writing. It’s the foundation upon which we learn and grow.

Building literacy skills in children is one of the most effective ways to ensure they can achieve their full potential in school and throughout life.

Literacy opens doors to understanding, empathy, critical thinking, and the capacity for lifelong learning. (Canadian Children's Literacy Foundation)

The Cupola Corner Literacy Project promotes early literacy and helping young children learn to love reading because #readingisFUNdamental. 

The Cupola Corner Literacy Project purchases books for young children. When you buy a product that generates funds for The Cupola Corner Literacy Project you are helping to promote early literacy and helping young children learn to love reading. 

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Journaling #5: Keeping a Gratitude Journal

 A gratitude journal is where you write down and possibly reflect upon the things for which you are grateful. It has sometimes been called “three good things”, but how many things that you write about and how often you write are completely up to you. 

I am currently reading Anne Voskamp’s “One Thousand Gifts.” Anne was challenged by a friend to write down one thousand gifts or blessings. Her list included things like the iridescence of bubbles. Everyday things for which to be grateful. 

The book is not a gratitude journal. It’s about her journey and what she learned by keeping a gratitude journal. There are lots of fascinating things on her list and I’m thinking that we’d all have lots of interesting things upon which to reflect if we considered the things for which we are grateful. Do you have a gratitude journal?

• Cupola Corner sells a curated selection of handmade and handbound journals that would be perfect for a gratitude journal. 

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Paper Palooza: Mulberry Paper

Mulberry paper is a type of handmade paper made from mulberry trees. I had never seen a mulberry tree until a couple of weeks ago. It was covered in small blue-y purple-ish berries that looked a lot like blackberries. You can eat mulberries and apparently you can use them in recipes just like any other berry. I’m thinking mulberry jam. Yum!

Mulberry paper is made from the inner bark of the paper mulberry tree. The long fibres of the paper mulberry make it ideal for paper making. The bark is boiled to soften it, soaked and then beaten to a pulp. The pulp is spread out onto screens and allowed to dry. Mulberry paper can also be machine made in a paper mill.

Mulberry paper was first made in China about 2000 years ago. It was the beginning of paper as we know it today. Up until this point, people wrote on hides, papyrus or clay tablets.

Almost all mulberry papers are made in the far east where the paper mulberry tree is native and grows abundantly. The paper mulberry tree does grow in North America and mulberry paper is made in Canada and the U.S. as an art or craft.

Sheets of mulberry paper have a deckled edge which can be used as is. You can cut mulberry paper with scissors or a paper trimmer. You can easily tear mulberry paper to get a lovely, feathered edge. If you wet the paper where you want it to tear, you can create lots of different shapes.

Mulberry paper comes in lots of different colours and designs. Some of it is so pretty that you could frame it! You buy mulberry paper in sheets, but you can also buy flowers that have been made from mulberry paper. These little gems are a great for cardmaking.

You can stamp on mulberry paper. You can use if for printmaking. It can be used for decoupage and origami. Calligraphy looks amazing on mulberry paper. Need a unique gift-wrapping paper? Mulberry paper might just be what you are looking for. You can even use mulberry paper in your Sizzix or Cuttlebug embossing folders.

Mulberry paper is as beautiful as it is versatile. If you’ve never used mulberry paper, it’s time for an experience that will leave you wanting more. Mulberry paper is a little bit of luxury that leaves a lasting impression. 

The Rock (Newfoundland) #3: Puffins, Whales & Cod

There's a really good reason that Newfoundland is known as "The Rock." That's not to say that there aren't any trees. There are lots of trees, mostly evergreens, and most with the tops bent over from being constantly pounded by prevailing winds.

This summer we made our third trip to Newfoundland. If you've never been, it's definitely worth considering. It's a huge island and there are lots of really unique areas to explore. Bonus: /Newfunlanders/ really do welcome all those who Come From Away. 

Our latest trip to The Rock was to the Bonavista Peninsula and the North Central Region. Our goal was to see puffins, whales and to visit Fogo, Twillingate & Moreton's Harbour (i.e.: "all around the circle").

We flew into St. John's, rented a car and drove for ten days up and around the east coast of Newfoundland. We explored lots of little towns, saw both puffins & whales and sang "I'se the B'y" as we pulled into Fogo, Twillingate & Moreton's Harbour. 

Trinity was a lovely side trip off the main road up the Bonavista Peninsula. It is home to Aunt Sarah's Chocolates, lots of hiking trails, a cooperage, a blacksmith shop and lots of other unique places to explore. We didn't do any hiking, but we did buy some Wild Strawberry Chocolates. They were amazing!

Further up the peninsula, Elliston is known for it's root cellars and for the puffin viewing site. You won't get any closer to viewing puffins from land in North America. It is definitely worth the ten minute walk out to the site. We were fortunate enough to see a couple of "poser puffins" who landed close enough for us to get some great photos and enjoy an up-close puffin encounter. 

We spent two days in Bonavista which allowed us to explore some of the historical and natural sites in the area. We visited the Cape Bonavista lighthouse a couple of times and got a chance to watch the puffins swooping around the little island just off shore from the lighthouse. We also had lunch twice at The Little Dairy King on the way up the Cape Shore Road to the lighthouse. Definitely worth a stop!

Fogo Island is accessible by ferry from Farewell. You can't reserve the ferry so you just have to line up and hope that you are early enough. Coming back the line up was so long that most of the cars did not get on. We were one of the lucky (& early) ones. 

Fogo is pretty barren. It's not surprising that it is considered one of the four corners of the earth. Some areas have trees, but mostly there are lots of rocks. We explored some artist shops and checked out (not checked into) the Fogo Island Inn. We saw some whales spouting just off shore from the The SaltFire Gallery on the north shore and had a lovely stay at our "Escape By The Sea" accommodations in Seldom on the south shore.

On the road again, we stopped at the Beothuk Interpretation Centre in Boyd's Cove. It is located near a Beothuk archaeological site and pays tribute to this now extinct First Nations group. There are trails to the site and to the Spirit Garden. The Spirit Garden was a wonderful experience, very peaceful and magical. (See my video below.)

Twillingate via Moreton's Harbour was our next stop. Twillingate is the largest town on the Twillingate Islands. Exploring the town was fun, but we most enjoyed visiting the Long Point Lighthouse. In fact, we went there twice. During our second visit we saw several whales and an iceberg off the coast. It was definitely a highlight of our visit to the Twillingate area. 

We squeezed in a stop at Gander enroute and had the opportunity to see the "Come From Away" musical. It was wonderful and we got a mini lesson in how to speak "Newfunlander". Apparently, if you "adds" an "s" to all your verbs, you are on your way to speaking fluent "Newfunlander". That does not, however, take into account all of the unique sayings that you might hear during your visit.

We had part of a day to hit some of the highlights in St. John's, including Quidi Vidi, Signal Hill, Jellybean Row and then dinner at The Salt House.

The weather during our visit to Newfoundland was great. It was warmer than the locals were used to, but surprisingly the humidity was not an issue the way it can be around the Great Lakes in the summertime.

I ate a lot of cod during our visit to Newfoundland. Cod is intrinsically tied to the history and economy of Newfoundland. From the early days, through the moratorium and today, cod is a part of the island's essence. 

After three visits to Newfoundland, there are still places for us to explore in this beautiful province. I'm not sure when the next trip will be, but I'm guessing that there will indeed be another visit to The Rock in my future. 

The Newfoundland & Labrador tourism website is a great place to start planning your visit to The Rock. You can request a map and a guidebook through the website and they will mail it to you. So "Get On The Go" and start planning your visit to The Rock. ...and "Enjoy the Journey!"

    

  

The Spirit Garden

•Beothuk Interpretation Centre•

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Early Literacy #2: Preventing Problems & Promoting Health

 

Exposing babies (& young children) to books and reading increases vocabulary and makes it easier for them to learn to read later on. Just as important, sharing books provides babies and children with warm and nurturing interactions with trusted adults. 

Early exposure to language—whether through books, words, or songs—can help prevent problems and promote health. (Canadian Paediatric Society) 

The Cupola Corner Literacy Project promotes early literacy and helping young children learn to love reading because #readingisFUNdamental. 

The Cupola Corner Literacy Project purchases books for young children. When you buy a product that generates funds for The Cupola Corner Literacy Project you are helping to promote early literacy and helping young children learn to love reading. 

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Grapevines & Grapes!

Had to do some pruning in my "vineyard". Things were getting a bit out of control. I used the trimmings to make this grapevine wreath. Not sure how long it will take for it to dry out, but I'm looking forward to using it to create a dried flower wreath.

When we first moved to the Niagara Peninsula, I thought that growing grapes in my backyard would be a fun thing to do. Turns out that we are living on a clay bed, but with the addition of some nice loamy soil, things were looking good. Two years ago I was finally able to put in some gardens and my mini vineyard was born.

I wasn't expecting grapes until next summer. Surprise! I have a few clusters of Himrod grapes. They are a green table grape. The last time that I grew grapes, the birds got most of them. This time, I'm going to fight for some of them, too.

It's looking like I will be doing some more pruning in the near future. The vines are really growing quickly. I am looking forward to making more wreaths while I'm waiting for the grapes to ripen.

Journaling #4: Let the Fun Begin!

Journaling can be fun! There are lots of health benefits to journaling, both for physical and mental health. Put all that aside for a moment and realize that you might just enjoy journaling because it can be fun. Write what you want, when you want and about what you want. Express yourself. 

Maybe you’re a Dog Mom. Write about your pup. Maybe you like really good puns. Record them in a journal. Maybe you like trying different kinds of coffee. Start a Coffee Journal. It’s all good and I’m guessing that it will be good for you, too. Happy journaling! 

• Cupola Corner sells a curated selection of handmade and handbound journals.

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