Vacation Depression

So as a New Englander I'm dreading the third weekend in a row because of ... snow. The season finale of Downton Abbey has not helped at all either. To put us all in a better mood here are some of the things I did on vacation in Florida, because we can at least think warm. 

After we landed I refused to leave the airport until I had put my sweatshirt away, because it is much to warm to where a sweatshirt in Florida right? The cold night air blasted me in the face as we left, and I felt as though we hadn't actually left home. The next day was much nicer though.

Funny I didn't realize till I got there that I'd never seen a palm tree in person before.

I never really considered myself a pool, person, but when there is on readily available, I definitely got used to it.

I got to pet a baby alligator and then...

I ate one.

Went to the aquarium and saw a sea lion do this,

while a sea turtle just kept swimming.

I also saw Ms. Attitude.

Doesn't my Woolie Alligator look just like her?

Woolie Alligator

But now I'm back and I will shovel away like all hearty New Englanders do, yet I'll be thinking about this while I do.

Even though it's a little more like this.

So everyone stay warm! There is good news here though the Sweet Carolyn's shop has tags!

Have a great Day.

Vacation Preparations

So I went on vacation, it was great, and now I'm back, but it took a lot to get there. My normal vacation plans are usually day trips, maybe a few days somewhere, but this time I headed far south for an entire week. Which was a welcome relief, because here in New England it had been a bit chilly.

I do my best not to complain overly about the cold, because I just think about weeding a cornfield in 20 pounds of wool in 90 degree heat and humidity. It's just that last year was such a mild winter, that this was a welcome break.

The downside to this trip is was that I had been instructed that all my belongings for a week needed to fit in a carry-on bag........ no it was not a joke. So after much debate and outfit arranging, I pared down all my needs to a carry on and large purse.

Incase my bag needed to get checked at the gate due to space issues (I'm a planner and a worrier, a dangerous combination), I prepared with a luggage tag to make it more noticeable. (No the fact that it is green was not enough.) So I decided to go with a nice luggage tag, how about one that's personalized that does the work for you.

Great Tag!

Unfortunately I didn't order this with enough time allotted but you can! I'm now back, safe and sound (blizzard and all) and did tons of exciting things, and now that I'm back I have great new things headed for my store, and more vacation inspiration to follow!

Great hand knit felted bags, but couldn't leave them plain, oh no.

Needle-felt whales! I think a needle-felt tutorial is in order as well, don't you think? Keep tabs on us wherever we go on instagram @sweetcarolyns.

Wishful Thinking Part 02 (Pilgrim Problems)

This is the pilgrim problem edition. These are all the great things I could do if I did not need to get back into pilgrim clothes in two months. You might be saying aw Carolyn, two months is a long time, but the start of the season always sneaks up on you and March 16th is not as far away as you think.

These are mermaid inspired nails, which I think would be great. The Problem: I'm too cheap to buy the good polish, and that is most likely the kind which would do this effect the best. Also sadly pilgrims did not know the greatness of sparkly nail polish, besides I'm doing a lot of cleaning lately and they would just get ruined.

Not permanent hair color or shadow as it is called. The Problem: My hair is brown I don't think it would look as good as on blonde, and pilgrims didn't have hot pink hair. But yes we do wear those hair coverings (which are called coifs not bonnets), but one overly zealous doffing of the hat and the jig is up.

Do I really need to explain why I would love these? The Problem: Pilgrim clothes are extremely fitted, not that you could tell because we all look like marshmallows. Yet underneath the layers there is basically a corset (we call them bodies or stays depending on the style), and one too many of these on top of the holiday 10 would mean complete start of the season disaster.

Beer Oh Beer

I guess I should explain my job a little better other than I just dress in crazy amounts of wool. I work for Plimoth Plantation in Plymouth, MA, and my official job title is Colonial Foodways Specialist. Which means I spend half my time in "old time-y" clothes, with a funny accent, and I pretend not to know what the internet is, or what iPhones are, etc.etc.

Being part of Foodways means I get to make things like this Gooseberry Tart for our recreation of a 17th century wedding this past summer.

I also roasted a pig on a spit, with fellow interpreters in our museums colonial village site.

Sorry about the blurry picture, it's hard to sneak pictures while a pilgrim (Picture courtesy of Sally Rothemich).

Now that it's the winter, and we're closed, we get a chance to do things like research, and classes which isn't as easy when we're open to the public. And do you know what a lot of people think of, other than Thanksgiving when they think pilgrims?

BEER!

"Monday the 25 being Christmas day, we began to drink water aboard, but at night the master caused us to have some beer, and so on board we had divers times now and then some beer, but on shore none at all."

-1622. Mourt’s Relation. Caleb Johnson, ed.  p. 472.

Poor pilgrims, they knew the wilderness would suck, but I bet they thought they'd at least have beer. Which leads me to my latest adventure; a couple days ago I headed to Beer & Wine Hobby in Woburn, MA for a home brewing class. It was in hopes to get more detailed information on modern brewing, how we can make it like the pilgrims, and of course to buy supplies. My wallet was not too happy about this adventure; I got a bunch of extra supplies for a kit I previously bought, and a new book, much recommended:

Long story short, brewing beer is pretty easy, (well that's what I was told), and now all that's left to do is read, and brew. So check back and see if I brew amazing beer, or just beer bombs (over carbonated beer can make your bottles explode and create a giant mess. I'm aiming not to do this).

If you want to learn more about beer or what beer to drink, or not to drink you should check out my friends The Two Kyles. They try beers and tell you who awesome or not so awesome they are. Here is one of their episodes:

CHEERS!

Hey! Nice to meet you.

So after years of thinking about starting a blog I have finally taken the plunge. I've been creating art ever since I can remember, my grandmother had a ceramic studio were she taught, and a good part of my childhood was spent there. My favorite job was when she had me open every bottle of paint and pick all the dried drips so the looked presentable for her students (or it was just to keep me busy). That creativity seemed to stick, I got a Bachelor's of Fine Arts in Textile Design and Fiber Arts, and that's when I started a little online business Sweet Carolyn's. 

Woolie Whale Hand Crocheted Plush

That's where I sell things like this Woolie Whale and all other sorts of creatures.

Woolie Alligator

Now, I'm sharing the stories that come along with running your own small business, being a crafter with far too many projects, and oh wait, I have a full time....... I would say normal but its really not, job.

Oh yes that's me! For 5 days a week from 9-5, I eat, live, breath, 17th century life, but then I go home and crochet woolie whales and ship packages all over the world. It's an exciting and interesting time and if you're crafty, geeky, or just like a good laugh you should defiantly subscribe and come along for a crazy ride.