There is something about going to the woods that just helps me get grounded and refreshed.  I just turned 61 and after work I did my favorite thing – go on a hike – and I choose the Dog Mountain hike up the Columbia River Gorge – you can see some awesome photos at my Instagram account MooseMatters.  I am pretty sure I got that love of the woods from my dad – He was a professor in Forestry at Utah State University when I was growing up we spent a lot of time in the woods and in the National Parks.  We took Kira and Kayla to the woods and National Parks a lot too – but I think they both would prefer to head to the beach and relax.  I am hoping to pass that love of the woods on to my grand kiddos – every summer we ‘steal’ them for a week and head to one of the National Parks – this year – it will be Yellowstone and Grand Tetons in June … so it’s coming up soon.  By the way … while we have the grand kids … Kira and Zac … and Isla …  are headed to Cabo!

Our newest pattern reflects my love of the Woods – We call it the Woodland Wonder Bags.  It six little woodland creatures – raccoon, fox, bunny, bear, hedgehog and the owl  … The downloadable version of the pattern is available on our website.

They are pretty quick and easy to make – they all start with a sphere (or the shape of a football).  You applique on the faces, create the strap, and then stitch the front to the back … and you have a fun little bag to hold all their tiny treasures.  You can often make them from fabrics you already have in your ‘stash’ – I used canvas, suede, felt, wool, shaggy cuddle or (faux fur), cotton, cuddle and even a heavy knit for mine.

I did put together kits for a few of them (fox, bunny, raccoon and hedgehog) – you can find them on our website for just $20 each.  That includes the full color pattern and all the fabrics you need to make one like mine.

I love the big tall trees in the Northwest so for our inspirational photo this week I choose a quote from John Muir … ‘Between two pines is a doorway to a new world’ and a picture I took of Unax (our foreign exchange student from Spain) when we went to Mt Rainier over MLK holiday.  The mountain was covered in clouds so we went for a walk in the woods – and I snapped this picture of him gazing up at the trees.  You can download it for free this week.

Enjoy the last bit of Spring … perhaps by taking a walk in the woods!  Summer will be here before you know it.

Sheila