1200 beads

For Black Friday weekend, our neighbour had a sale at her fabric and fur store (in her garage), and I picked up some beads to try my hand at beading. I've been oogling over some of the beautiful beaded moccasins since I got here 6 months ago, and decided that after successfully making my own kamiks, it was time to make some!

This upper took about 1200 beads (individually stitched) and around 12 hours to make. One more to go before I can start cutting the pattern for the rest of the moccasin.

Last night we celebrated Winter Solstice (the darkest and shortest day of the year) by lighting up some sparklers to brighten the night's sky. 

We didn't all have it quite figured out...

This morning was a community pancake breakfast. For $2 a plate, we couldn't pass it up! 

And I thought it was about time I showed off my awesome sealskin and beaver mitts that I got at the Christmas Bazaar in November, made by a woman named Suzie! My family and friends here are calling me a "lifer" now that I have office Nunavut mitts and plan on staying here for who knows how long! (they would say for life)

-23

I had an unusually eventful week.

Monday night I was babysitting my nephew so that my sister could get a bit of a break and make it to sewing class. He's the sweetest thing.

Wednesday evening there was a feast at the complex to celebrate what one couple has done for the community during their time here, before they move to Edmonton for health reasons. The children from the elementary school performed some singing and jigging, and there were many emotional speeches after a giant feast of delicious food.

Thursday was the first big bazaar I've been to here. For $10 a table, anyone can rent a table and sell crafts, carvings, sewings, baked goods, etc. I was on the prowl for some slippers to wear around the house, but I didn't see anything my size. There was a gorgeous carving that I desperately wanted, but the $250 asking price was a bit out of my budget for the evening!

Last night (Saturday) was the Halloween Social, which was tons of fun. A group of 8 of us dressed up as the 7 Tetris pieces and the game player. The costume was a hit, and we were posing for pictures all night (none of which were taken with any of my cameras).

Today the snow is falling beautifully, and it's not as cold as it has been (currently only -12 compared to -23 yesterday). Maybe I'll get out and take some pictures.

Now if only I could get rid of this cough!