Welcome back to the Mending Migration adventures!
We're back in Canada today, in Great Lakes Country! It's funny to meet people from other parts of the world, whose identity wasn't forged by the Great Lakes. You, dear reader, are likely one of those people and it would be funny to meet you!
But today, our guest Anne is firmly rooted in the Great Lakes culture, having moved from the shores of one (Ontario) to another (Huron) in order to enjoy the natural wonders of Georgian Bay and even share that joy with others…
You can find Anne and her nature retreat offerings on Instagram at @cranberrycamp.on
"I’m Anne and I hate to waste anything! It’s wonderful to be able to repair or recreate. I used to live in Toronto and then moved to Oakville for a few years to help my parents and now live in the beautiful north, just north of Parry Sound. Winters are the time for indoor tasks and I had a big pile since I was too busy after my moves and building a house and renovating another (indoor work doing the finishing). I love to host groups and hold workshops on healthy things like foraging, composting, cooking and indoor environmental health in our Guest Lodge surrounded by the bush."
Anne has enjoyed a lifetime of busy hands and creativity, from a young age. In her words, "My mother knew how to do basket weaving, weaving, leatherwork, carpentry as well as mending and sewing. She taught me so much!"
"I like to mend or do other crafts while listening to music or to keep people company while they watch something. It’s a nice way to have company but not have to do the same things, or be interested in the same things, as them!"
During her time with the Swift Darning Loom, Anne's handiwork took the subtle approach to repairing quite the array of wool socks. You all know that I am a big fan of visible mending, but seeing these colourmatched darns was refreshing in its own way.
This has been one of my favourite parts about the Mending Migration, actually -- getting a very up-close-and-personal perspective on how each hand works to it's own signature style. Each used the same tools, with the same instructions, to create repairs that are unique to the mender and always beautiful.
Anne sends us off with one Visible Mending classic: bright orange patches on a pair of work socks.
Does visible mending "make fun of work"?
It always brightens my day! And proudly reminds us that even a beginner with any colour yarn can achieve delightful and functional results... keeping precious clothes out of landfill, and building skills as well as community towards a future of compassion and justice ❤️✨
If this is your first Mending Migration blog, please browse the stories of our past hosts! And if you'd like to become a host here yourself, you can sign up here.
