Annie Bananie

noreply@blogger.com (Annie Bananie) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 19:07:00 +0000

In my gallery today I have these cute little guys and gals felted at a friend's home last week. It was my first workshop on the go and it was fun. Every single workshop I give I am always left inspired, not only by people's work but by our conversation and the human connection. I truly believe that a sense of happiness emanates when we connect with ourselves and others. Felting in a group lends itself to this as you felt you connect to the creative part of you and as everyone focuses on their project conversation flows easily and readily. It's awesome! I hope these little characters speak to you and make you smile :) I am smiling... Also I have been holding a secret. I will not denounce it just yet but very soon...stay tuned and no I am not pregnant! Thank goodness!

Shannen's Dream Continues

noreply@blogger.com (Annie Bananie) — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 12:47:00 +0000

Shannen's Dream

noreply@blogger.com (Annie Bananie) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 18:41:00 +0000

Today I am sharing with you some felted friends made by Theresa Flaherty. Theresa started felting a little over a year ago and has since made wonderful creations that she gives away to family and friends. I love getting a glimpse of other peoples imagination. Our imagination is truly our playground.

Wet Felting with children

noreply@blogger.com (Annie Bananie) — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 12:33:00 +0000

When children are engaged with an activity that intrigues them, they can stay focused for a long period of time. Here are some photos that were taken before Christmas where we sat down for about an hour and a half to wet felt a piece of felt with the intention of making a felted hearts for our Christmas trees. I realize that Christmas is long past and that your trees are all tucked away in your basements or has been whisked away by the big garbage truck but Valentine's day is fast approaching, a great time for heart making. I will commit to creating a video tutorial and bring it on-line for your viewing this week! For now here are some photos with no directions. Have a great week!

Kindness

noreply@blogger.com (Annie Bananie) — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 19:55:00 +0000

Last week I had the honour of attending an evening of yoga with Gurmukh. You might of heard of Gurmukh a popular yoga teacher from L.A. She follows the Kundalini yoga traditions and Yogi Bhajan's teachings. She has founded Golden Bridge yoga studio in L.A. and has authored books my favorites being; "The 8 human Talents" which describes the 8 chakras and "Bountiful, Beautiful, Blissful" which is a wonderful book for expectant mothers. This beautiful lady has been inspiring me since I was myself pregnant with Owen my second born. She has been practicing Kundalini yoga since the late 60's and looks great and beautiful. The event was at St. Brigid's Church for the arts in the market, it's a church that has now become a gallery and so beautiful.

Gurmukh speaks with eloquence, humour and grace

On this particulary snowy, icy night her message was about kindness. Kindness is inherent in all of us. If we do our yoga practice and let go of the trappings of the mind we fall into the space of our hearts which is naturally kind, giving and loving. It is there for all of us to give and experience in others. When we hear the news we might think that the world is lacking in kindness, as fear sells but if we open our eyes, ears and heart to the world around us there is kindness everywhere. From the simple gestures of a smile from a stranger, a hug from a loved one, a door being opened and all those small things that often go unnoticed. Also we have arrived at a time where people are helping others in need more and more. It is there to see for those who want to see.

Her talk was inspiring and since I have been looking at the world with new eyes, seeing the good and kindness that surrounds me. Following her talk we did yoga and ended with a healing meditation. This was my favorite part of the evening We were about 100 people sitting in a circle chanting Ra Ma Da Sa Sa Say So Hung which is a healing chant. We chanted for 11 minutes and held an orange to our hearts while vibrating the sounds. Participants came in and out of the circle lying in the middle absorbing the healing vibrations of the chant. To some of you this might seem strange, chanting, holding an orange and creating healing vibrations. To me it is beautiful. I love chanting in a big group of people, the vibrations that we create together opens me up in a deep way. It's hard to explain in words sometimes we need to experience something to fully understand it. Once the 11 minutes were over we shared, traded oranges with someone else and quietly ate our citrus fruit. It was a heart warming experience and I am still inspired by that one evening over a week ago.

Gurmukh and Annie Bananie

There is kindness, love and compassion that lives within you. Go for it live from that space and see the beauty that emanates from you and others.

noreply@blogger.com (Annie Bananie) — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 19:04:00 +0000

"Even after all this time, the sun never says to the Earth, "You Owe Me." And look what happens with a love like that, it lights the whole world."
- Rumi

noreply@blogger.com (Annie Bananie) — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 00:13:00 +0000

Happy 2012! We did it, another year has and we are healthy and happy! I love the dawn of a new year with new promises and new beginnings. If this year is as fantastic as the end of 2011, we are in for a great one!

Here are some glimpses of our holidays.

Here are the Boudreaus, my family in the house that I grew up in. Together we gathered, laughed and enjoyed one another's company. It is always nice to be with family who love you for all that you are. You can see Owen there smelling my armpit. For some reason he doesn't enjoy group photos.

Avery did that great leap from crawling to walking. Here she is gaining her balance on unsteady feet. I love how children fall and get right back up with no judgment, no embarrassment only the drive to try again. As adults we can use that as an example.

New years brought us to a beautiful cottage near Gracefield Quebec. We shared the living space with 3 other families and it was magic. The children and adults got along and worked together side by side smoothly and effortlessly. As we all sat surrounded by a big table for our meals or to play cards, I imagined living in community. I imagined us living together, helping, and sharing in our lives. It definitely agreed with the children as they got along so well with no fighting. Young children, older children and adults co-habitating side by side in harmony. It was truly beautiful. Not only was there a beautiful vibe among the people but our surroundings were of such beauty that filled one with gratitude. All around us big pines trees laden down with snow, a winter wonderland. We took advantage with skiing, sledding, and snow shoeing. One warm afternoon the children spent 3-4 hours outside building snow forts. This brought nostalgic feelings for my own childhood of forts, tunnels and creative snow play.

Here Zoe is reading books to Samara. Samara had the unfortunate happenings of bumping into a tree while sledding. Fortunately she was ok. It warmed my heart to see Zoe snuggled under the blankets, reading her a story.

Zoe and Kiah who have been friends since 2 years of age share a passion for drawing.

I loved how the adults enjoyed playing, listening and being present to the children.

May your 2012 be most amazing with lots of sparkles and magic.

Merry Christmas

noreply@blogger.com (Annie Bananie) — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 00:02:00 +0000

Merry Christmas!!! It's Christmas night and I hope that you are all cozied up with your families, sharing memories and lots of good feelings. Have a great holiday season and stay Merry! Here are some pics from my walk in the woods yesterday. The trees were glistening with snow, the brook bubbling under it's frozen surface. It was magical. I might not believe in Santa Claus but I definitely believe in the magic that surrounds me.

Where are my children you might ask? It is their turn to have Christmas with their father and my turn to stay behind. I have chose to spend my time in the woods alone but not lonely. I am up to many things and one those things is felting! This year I am stepping out of my box and going for it. Below is a picture of a man I am working on. I am loving watching his personality come out!

What you see here is his head. I am now working on his torso, arms and legs. The most difficult part so far are the fingers. I can't wait to show you the finished result. He doesn't have a name yet. He doesn't really look like anyone I know. Does he look like anyone you know?

I pick up my beautiful children tomorrow. We will drive to Corbeil, my home town and celebrate the season with my family. I am so looking forward to seeing their sweet faces and excited beings. Merry Christmas!

noreply@blogger.com (Annie Bananie) — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 18:50:00 +0000

My baby turns 7 on December 21rst the first day of winter as he likes to put it. We had a cake and party on Saturday to commemorate the big day. When I look at my Owen I cannot believe that he once lived in my womb. He is so big and grown up! I love watching him grow and learn and on the same turn I miss his tiny little fingers and tiny little toes. I miss those days and yet I relish our bigger older conversations. When my babies were babies people would say appreciate the moment Annie because it goes by so fast. "Appreciate the moment", those are such big words. As much as I try I seem to miss the mark because life just seems to be flying by and it is more apparent as my children grow older and wiser. As the new year approaches I vow to watch every breath and come into the moment. To cherish every kiss, every hug, every cuddle, to look into their eyes as they speak to me with their clever ideas. As I age along side my children I feel the vulnerability of life. I am here and within seconds it can be taken away. I am here and feel the blessings and the grace of this very moment. Happy Birthday Owen. Thanks for all that you teach me.

Christmas Gnomes

noreply@blogger.com (Annie Bananie) — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 14:11:00 +0000

Last night's gnome workshop put a smile on everyone's face. How could it not look at these guys. We loved watching their little personalities come out with each poke of our needle I love the flow of giving workshops. At times the room is bustling and conversation. At other times conversation is silent and the only sound is of needles poking into wool. It's magic.

It's as though they are speaking to me...

"Be happy with your life".

Be good because santa is coming

"Have fun with your girlfriends"

What do you think this guy is saying?

Natural Toy and Craft Sale

noreply@blogger.com (Annie Bananie) — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 17:45:00 +0000

We all learn in different ways. I, myself am an experiential learner, get me to do something hands on and it sinks in, I get it and can move forward. I am assuming that many of us learn in this way. When we experience something first hand it really sinks in and we learn the cause and effect of our actions. I saw this first hand this past weekend when Zoe, Owen and I participated in the Natural Toy and Craft Sale in Lady Smith Quebec. The weeks leading up the show we created things with our hands. Zoe made beautiful felted goodies and cards. Owen made window stars. It was nice spending this time together, head to head making stuff. This step broadened their awareness of how much work and commitment it takes to make things to sell; lesson number 1.

On Sunday morning we packed up the car and drove the 1 1/2 hours into the Gatineau hills to Lady Smith which is but a small town that boasts a cross roads with a gas station, restaurant hotel and community hall where the event was held. We walked into a beautifully decorated hall with sparkly lights and tables laid down with beautiful crafted works of art. We were 15 vendors and there were 7 kids tables. What a great vibe. Zoe and Owen were quite excited to display their wares. Owen being excited for his first sale was anxious for his first customer. He noticed that people came by had a look at his things but did not buy. One customer said she would be back and so Owen waited for her but she never returned. That was lesson number 2; people don't always do what they say.

He really wanted to make a sale and decided to take his business by the horns and took the initiative to go around the venue and sell his stuff to the people walking around and sitting at their tables. As an adult vendor I could not get away with this but as a cute, young boy he got away with flying colours. His salesman skills payed off and he sold all of his window stars. Lesson 3: It is beneficial to take initiative in your endeavors. The other children also took his lead. It was great to see them go around selling their things. Of course they spent most of their sales buying things for themselves and others. I guess the next step will be to learn to save a little bit of their profit earned :)

Zoe at her table hugging a bear, Owen purchased for her. I wish I had a picture of Owen but he refused. At times he can be camera shy.

I love the message written on this shirt by Zoe

My Annie Bananie table

Earrings made by Lindsey Ferguson. You might have heard of her. She is a local singer from Wakefield. Her feather earrings are very pretty and I am wearing a pair right now!

Lindsey's new CD release.

Now check this out. It is a wet felted jacket. I just love it and plan on learning to make one. Hannah the artist is a feltmaker from the Wakefield area. I really liked her and enjoyed our conversations. I plan on going to one of her workshops.

Just Gorgeous!

noreply@blogger.com (Annie Bananie) — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 19:08:00 +0000

It's a holiday Trunk Show!

December 14th, 2011

07:00- 09:30

Come and join 4 local crafters and a local distributor of farely traded goods from Peru for a Trunk Show at Singing Tree Daycare. It will be a great opportunity to do last minute shopping.

Also on the menu is tea, light snack from the Art is Bakery and wine.

FREE Workshop
Also presenting a needle felting workshop. Be one of the first 10 to registrants for a FREE ball felting workshop. Leave with a felted ball that you can give to someone you love to put in their Christmas tree or window sill. Workshop will start at 19:30. To participate contacet Annie Bananie at anniebdr@gmail.com

Artisans

Another Marvelous Ant (Earrings, Handbags and stones made from leather and recycled materials)

Annie Bananie (Felting Kits and Felted Arts)

Iraku - Farely Traded Goods

Amanda Stevadio from Being Green (Earth Friendly sews)

Judy Stir from Tweail (repurposed clothing)

We look forward to greeting you at the door!

Thanks for supporting your local artisans

Basics of felting a video tutorial

noreply@blogger.com (Annie Bananie) — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 01:51:00 +0000

Yeah!!! My first video tutorial. Click play to find out the basics of felting a felt ball! It's rough but it is here live for you. Enjoy! Don't forget if you need supplies contact Annie Bananie :)

Babblings

noreply@blogger.com (Annie Bananie) — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 22:35:00 +0000

I have so much to say that I want to burst. First of all I must share with you a feeling that I have been living with for a few weeks now. It is that of happiness. Yes, happiness. I can say that I am completely and totally in satisfaction with my life. I have beautiful children and we are on such a great groove. Last weekend we spent such a great time together crafting and hanging out with my sister and her crew. I am so grateful for beautiful healthy children and a wonderful sister who is so there for me. It is with her that I can open my soul and tell her all that lives there. I know that she will not balk at my most intimate fears but hold them close to her heart.

My children are a blessing. I love them so. Of course it sounds natural to say as every mother loves her children and would do anything for them. What I am expressing and admitting to you is that when I was first divorced a few years ago, I felt so stressed. It felt like the rug had been pulled from under me. It was the biggest challenge of my life so far. I began to feel feelings of anxiety and had to remind myself to believe and trust that all would get settled and that me and my children would be fine. That we would find our grounding and that I could support us on my income and provide a great home, education and lots of love. Within all of the anxiety and stress I struggled with the joys of motherhood. Although I loved my children I doubted myself and my decisions. I must say that water has passed under the bridge and me and my family of three feel grounded and that my faith and trust into the universe paid off. We are living well. I love the space, the home that we have created for ourselves and I love spending time with my soon to be 7 year old and 9 year old. We are having lots of fun learning as we grow, me as a 41 year old woman and them as children with great future hopes and dreams.

I have been a daycare provider for 61/2 years. When I started Owen was 6 months old. I am lucky to love my job. I love the women that I work with. I love greeting parents and children in the morning and I love the space that we have created to help support children in their growth. I have to say that the daycare vibe is really great. I am grateful for my daycare family and the income that it provides. Click here for our most recent daycare happening.

On Saturday I had the pleasure of selling my felting kits and felted creations at Idle Hands one of my favorite Ottawa craft shows. It had such a good vibe and I met some really interesting people and vendors. I get such a kick out of standing at my table and talking to the people who come by. Some have attended my workshops, some have purchased kits, some I know from teaching yoga or daycare and then there are the people that I don't know and get to know them a little. My table was situated right at the entrance which was great. I had lots of room and the vendors to my left and right were great people. The vendor to my left sold preserves and she was the sweetest girl. She does lots of charity work in the city and it so nice. I wish I could remember her name and have a link to her but in my business of the show I forgot to get her card! To my right was a fiber artist. Tonia Weber is partners with Laura Twiss and is an amazing artist. They make nuno felted scarves and clothing, wet felted hats, and flower pins. They dye their wool into beautiful vibrant colours and both have great vibrant personalities. I felt very inspired with a chat I had with Tonia and plan on contacting her for wet felting and dyeing knowledge.

2012 is around the corner and I plan on learning new things and expanding my creative skills. It's going to be a great year!

There is more to be grateful for but I will sign off now. There is warm soup on the stove and a good book to read in the tub. All the above to say that life is good and I am loving my 40's! Blessings to you and your family.

Meditation Ball Workshop

noreply@blogger.com (Annie Bananie) — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 22:12:00 +0000

Come and felt a meditation ball. The evening will begin with a group meditation. This meditation will help let go of our daily stresses and really come into the moment of the felting experience.

We will learn the basics by needle felting a ball. Needle felting is the art of sculpting raw wool roving into beautiful pieces by using a barbed needle. It is fun and addictive.

The ball you will create will be no ordinary ball. At the beginning of the felting process we will set an intention and meditate those intentions into our felted ball creation. Your intention can be anything that calls to you: "health", "happiness" , "prosperity"...Felting really is like a meditation and the wool is natural and healing to work with. It can be an intention for yourself of someone close to your heart. The finished product will a beautiful ball that hangs from a ribbon and can be pleased in a window sill or Christmas tree or a ball for a child to play with.

Even if you have a lot of felting experience this workshop is for you. It is more than a felting workshop. It is a time to connect with that creative part of you and to connect with others in your community. Tea and snacks from the Art is In bakery will be served. Please wear comfortable clothing.

Available spots: 6
When: November 30th, 2011
Time: 07:00 - 09:00 (please honour the time)
Where: Address will be given upon registration
Your investment: $25/includes all supplies and snacks

Waldorf Window Stars

noreply@blogger.com (Annie Bananie) — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 19:22:00 +0000

Last year I was given some Kite Paper from 3 Little Monkeys on Bank street. I knew I wanted to make window stars with this beautiful paper with beautiful colours but never got around to it. Finally last week I got to work and made a few. Although the incticate folds it requires isn't really for small hands the children loved watching me create this star that is now hanging on our window. I love how the light shines through the paper, giving it a nice soft glow. You can find the tutorial here.

noreply@blogger.com (Annie Bananie) — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 12:35:00 +0000

Handmade Harvest was nearly a week ago. So many great things happened at the show. On Friday night I met a couple who have a sheep farm. Yes, a sheep farm. For me that is big and very exciting. I've been dreaming of a local wool provider for a while now and have found one!!! Provided everything goes as planned my felting kits and felted goodies will be even more friendly for this planet we inhabit. At the moment my providers are from British Columbia and Albert. I am happy they are Canadian but would rather they be in my backyard.

Here are a few of the cuties

I am so looking forward to getting my first batch of wool from these guys. There are so many things to learn and dyeing my own wool is definitely something that I feel driven towards. So once again the universe has presented me with what I have been asking for, without me really having to do go looking for it. Thank you universe!

I was very lucky to be sitting across from Laura Daub a very talented artist. She makes prints from her paintings. Each painting has inspirational quotes. She also makes beautiful ornaments (below) and gives children art classes from her home. She is a beautiful person and I loved skipping over to her table for little chats.

All in all the show was a great success. I met great people and left very inspired. Next you can find me at Idle Hands on November 26th at St. Lukes Church on Somerset. Drop in and say hi!

Wet Felting

noreply@blogger.com (Annie Bananie) — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 23:22:00 +0000

Last week we got to making some wet felted spaghetti. We got some wool, hot water and applied friction to make some spaghetti for our play kitchen. It was great fun, kids love playing with sudsy water.

noreply@blogger.com (Annie Bananie) — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 19:18:00 +0000

I love Halloween. The kids look so cute in their costumes and I get a kick out of being something other than myself. I love the walking around the neighborhood meeting people neighbors we wouldn`t usually see, the houses all decked out in their spookiness. Within all that I do hold a little contention for this ever growing celebration and that is all that sugar that it involves. Owen who you see above was a ninja and this ninja stuffed his face with candy until he was purple, green and yellow in the face.

For years I have been trying to consider my strategy on the candy intake. Do I let them have a couple of candies a day or do I let go of control and let them eat as much as they want so I am not seeing candy for the rest of the year. They are at the age of candy wisdom now. It is impossible for me to dump half their loot in the garbage without them noticing. Garbage throwing tugs at my heart as well, as it`s such a waste. I was so glad when Zoe (click her name to see her costume ) told me that her dentist promised to give them $10 for a pound of their Halloween candy. So there you have it my solution for this year`s candy intake. Above is my little ninja happily using my scale and weighing out a pound of his candy. I am behind the camera smiling and happy for this year`s candy solution. What is your candy strategy.

noreply@blogger.com (Annie Bananie) — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 20:45:00 +0000

Today I went for a walk and this is what I saw...

My Shadow

White clouds and a blue sky

The most beautiful milk pods

A very big mushroom

Looking up at the mushroom

Deep brown mushrooms

Pine cones

noreply@blogger.com (Annie Bananie) — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 20:34:00 +0000

The sky is overcast, merganser ducks float along the shore line, swimming and ducking their heads in the water. I could sit here all day gazing out the window but work must get done. Later I might permit myself to go for a cold dip in the lake but for now it's felting and more felting.

There is such a stillness here. It is a perfect place to find inspiration. I have been working on some cutesie owls for next weekend's Handmade Harvest Craft Show and having so much fun. As I felt away with a grin on my face I take pauses to sip my tea and look out the window. There is such beauty everywhere, the trees reflected in the water, the grey branches, naked of it's leaves.

Handwork is allows you to slow down. It's like a meditation. The mind slows down as does the breath. I love it's effects on me.

These owls are fun to make. They are a work of labour and love. I love felting the eyes because once the eyes appear they come to life with a little personality.

Work in progress.

noreply@blogger.com (Annie Bananie) — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 18:15:00 +0000

Tuesday night was deemed Owen's best night ever! He received his Beaver kerchief and woggle. He loves being a Beaver and I love it too. The principals are great, sharing, working hard and taking care of the world. The parents I talk to say that their children just love being part of the troop. My little man is growing way fast and I am enjoying watching and participating in his leaps and bounds.

noreply@blogger.com (Annie Bananie) — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 17:48:00 +0000

Handmade Christmas - Needle Felting Workshops

Give something from your hands and heart this Holiday season. This workshop line up is meant to inspire and encourage the art of giving. In celebration of the holiday season we are going to put our hands at work and create gifts of art. We will participate in the art of giving and give our creation to someone special. When we use our hands to create something we infuse our energy into that very thing we are making. Come share with me this special experience of felting, sharing and giving.

Please notice that the Decorative ball and angel workshop is open to children over the age of 8 and up.

Cutesie Owl Needle - Felting Workshop

In the spirit of giving, felt a cutesie owl and give to someone you love this holiday season.

Date: November 9th, 2011

Investment: $40/includes supplies, tea and light snack

Time: 07:00-09:30

Address upon registration (register at anniebdr@gmail.com)

For more workshops coming your way click here

noreply@blogger.com (Annie Bananie) — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 16:34:00 +0000

As you might know I have been helping host a dear friend from Thailand by the name of Oiy. She is an amazing person, cook and masseuse. Saturday night we started working in the kitchen in preparation for hosting 30 people for a Thai meal. We went to bed at 03:00 got up at 09:00 to get right back to..

Chopping

Grating

Pounding (yes this is Oiy)

Frying and...

rolling.

Working in the kitchen with Oiy is such a treat. She is a person with great personality. Her laugh rings throughout the house and she is not shy to tell you what she thinks. She is not the typical shy Thai woman. As a young woman she received a scholarship to cooking school and learned from the chef who cooked for the queen. You might know that in Thailand the King and Queen hold great honour among their people.

It's my fourth year cooking in the kitchen with Oiy and I love learning how to bring out Thai flavours in foods. I must admit that I need a lot more lessons!

Spring rolls waiting their fate in the fryer.

The Partridge a Side Story

This story is not for the faint of heart. When I told my friend Whitney her jaw hung low and she couldn't believe that we had done such a thing. Another man (we won't mention his name) joked about calling the SPCA. Ok, here it is. It starts with Oiy giving me a massage, I am loving her hands kneading my sore 41 year old body when out of no where we hear a great, big, humongous BANG! The sound came from the window right above us. It was loud and startling. We step outside to investigate and find a partridge lying on it's back claws shaking, body trembling and within seconds life leaves it's body to a better place. As I stand there watching his pain I am reminded that life is precious and can be gone in an instant. Next thing I know we are...

boiling him and Oiy plucks him. We fry him with lots of garlic and yes eat him! He was delicious. We did honour him with a little prayer of thanks.

My father is a hunter and as a child I went partridge hunting with him. I have also had lots of moose and deer meat so for me this wasn`t all that strange but to some it might be very strange.

noreply@blogger.com (Annie Bananie) — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 16:50:00 +0000

Please join me in my campaign to help Burmese children in Thailand. While visiting Thailand this past winter these children really tugged at my heart and now there is a way to help. Oiy a wonderful Thai friend is in Ottawa giving Thai Massages to help raise money for these children in her community. Read below for more information. Thanks :)