Wish You Were Here

Hello from the heart of summer. It has been glorious and I have been venturing out on my trusted bicycle. Bicycling along the back harbour trail or hugging the shore line of Second Peninsula is what freedom looks like to me. The work of pedalling uphill followed by the reward of the downhill coast sets my life in balance. Somebody asked me yesterday, “How are things in the world?” I answered, “ I don’t know what to say about things in the world, but I am good in the world.”

How could I not be, surrounded by such beauty and when this is who I get to bump into on my daily adventures. Mama had just dropped her off in the bushes while she went to look for food. Apparently, the newborns have no scent, so they are relatively safe left unattended.

I admit I was a little worried about whether our tourist season would be diminished this year, but I’m happy to report that has not been the case. Both Americans and Canadians have been showing up in droves and I am very grateful.

It’s such a joy to meet so many interesting and accomplished women, who, of course, love hats. There is a direct correlation between smart, beautiful accomplished women and hat addiction.

I love receiving photos of my beautiful customers wearing my hats in far away places. These hats live in Gotland, Sweden. (Hmmm, would visiting my hats be tax deductible?)

My canvas hats are selling as quickly as I can make them. This particular Betty Bucket is made from canvas that I dyed with Madder Root. I just love it paired with this cotton and linen cone flower print. I have one left in a medium. You can find it HERE.

I had a couple of ladies request my chicken print Betty Bucket, so I searched the internet and found 1 yard left in a shop in Montreal. Sadly, the fabric has been discontinued. Why do good things have to come to an end? I have enough fabric left for 3 chicken hats.

The canvas hats are so practical and easy to wear. This means they are also easy to sell. But sometimes I have to put aside canvas hat production to make a straw braid hat…because it’s just too much fun.

My studio is filled with little treasures, like beautiful silk taffeta ribbon that is over 100 years old. The flowers are from the 1950s. Looking forward to meeting the woman who walks away with this hat. I’m sure she has a personality to match.

This is what the hat looked like as it was being formed. Straw braid hat making is all in the hands. While I could give some general tips, it requires several years of kicking, screaming, cursing and crying to become proficient.

This little cutie is also up on the wall of hats waiting for its rightful head.

I realize you are likely here for Devi, so here he is. He has been helping me knit and spin yarn…..

worshipping sunbeams…

destroying handmade curtains…

planning mischief…

and trying to teach me to nap more often.

Thanks, as always, for spending some time with me. (These coloured yarrow are my pride and joy.)

Take Care xoxo Anna