frozen dirt road

I was walking to work this morning on the frozen dirt road, cozy warm with my long johns, parka, knitted scarf, headband and mittens, wondering what I'm doing here. As someone who is constantly cold, how did I end up in a place where the ground is already frozen, snow has been falling, and the temperature is below zero from now until spring next year? How did I end up as the girl with a parka, beaver and rabbit fur mitts and seal skin mukluks?
It's going to be an interesting winter, and I'm already looking forward to my southern vacation come Christmas - Toronto is going to feel so warm!
I'm hoping the clouds clear soon so that I can actually see the Northern Lights.

kamiks

Now that it's fall, many of the ladies in town (and occasionally a guy or two) will get together Monday and Wednesday nights for sewing class. They provide all of the materials, teach you how to make whatever you're making, and you pay for your project when you're finished. 

I was looking around town for someone to make me some kamiks (mukluks), but then I went to sewing and found this gorgeous seal skin: 

Just the right size to make tall, stylish kamiks.

 After finding the right size pattern for me, I traced it on the back of my hide.

Then one of the instructors showed me how to use the ulu to cut out the pattern. Using scissors would damage the fur on the other side.

To making cutting easier, it's best to put your foot or knee on one side of the hide to keep it taught.

The finished tops of my kamiks:

The patterns for the toes:

All of the pieces cut:

I decided to do a silver toe instead of continuing the spotted pattern - to add a little bit of excitement and contrast.

I finished sewing the toe on one, and half of the other. Next will be to stitch the back!