summer fare

A very happy June 1st to you! There are a few little changes around here that you might like to know about. I've decided to put off another Etsy shop update for the time being. Unless I suddenly change my mind (who knows - I surprise myself sometimes), I plan on closing up shop for the summer months. No worries that I will return in the fall with plenty of fresh ideas and things to stock it back up with.

Other small changes - you can see a minor face-lift happened here last night - new banner, and colors and things. I also moved my About page to a different - but similar page which you can find here. (Typepad users - have you seen the new "Pages" feature? It's much easier for formatting, adding links and such.) And while I still plan on updating each weekday (I love the rhythm of doing it that way), you might find a bit lighter 'summer fare' upon your visit here. Need I really warn you that there may be weeks dedicated entirely to posts of sand and baby toes? By now, you should know this of me.

Oh, and speaking of sand and the FAQ's - I want to add a wee Portland (Maine) bit to answer some of the "coming to Maine, where should I go?" emails that I get. If you're local, or a Portland lover, I'd be psyched with your help - want to give a shout out in the comments to your favorite spots - crafty and touristy alike? Thank you!

I have a few new projects in the works that I am over-the-top excited about this summer. And I'll share them with you as soon as they're firmed up just a bit (you're seeing bits of one such project in this post!). Mostly, I'm thrilled, thrilled, thrilled that summer is upon us - that the beach bag is perpetually packed, summer adventures are planned, and days are spent outside from waking until bedtime. Heavenly. Here in Maine, at least, we wait a very, very, very long (and cold) time for these few months of summer bliss. They're to be treasured, and not taken for granted. I fully plan on soaking up every moment that I can.

On that note, I wish you a very wonderful June weekend!

Comments

[erin]

those vintage linen scraps look so nice!

we have long winters in wisconsin, too...probably not as long as maine, though. but i'm so happy that summer is finally here! i wish we had a house, i could do a lot more fun, summery things.

and a small portland guide would be awesome! my husband and i want to travel to the east coast sometime and portland is on the list for sure.

have a great weekend!

[jean]

so loving that new banner. favorite places in and around: Ferry ride from Casco Bay Lines to anywhere. (Visit an island while you're out.) Anywhere near Damariscotta, Wiscasset, Harpswell, Tenant's Harbor, anyplace up that way. Beware the weekend traffic, though. Popham Beach. Flatbread in Portland. Walking downtown. Moosehead Lake. Bug Light in S. Portland. I'll stop now.

[Emily]

Reid State Park! A nice area all around there, too - Georgetown, Five Islands. Lots of meece (the proper plural for "moose", as everyone knows...)

Portland things:
Eating steamers and drinking beer on the water downtown. Biking around Peaks Island. Flying kites at Fort Williams. Piles of people with babies and dogs doing the loop around Back Cove or the East End on sunny weekend days.

[rhea]

A great little shop to visit (in my humble, unbiased opinion as someone who's worked there for the last 10+ years) is Alewives Fabrics, Gifts and Gallery in Damariscotta Mills. We have lots of funky fabrics and there's always a display of local artists shown in the gallery and we sell all kinds of fair trade gifts, too.

Other cool stuff to do in the area: take the family swimming in the Mills, go for a drive to Pemaquid Point (whose picture is on the Maine State Quarter), take a hike up Mt. Battie in Camden and go have a Lobster at the Lobster Dock in Boothbay. Those are four things that I take my out of town friends to do when they come to stay with me.

[julia]

whatever you're making looks very beautiful! i love how you seem to be able to find such a great balance between your "internet community" and your real community/family. it's important to recognize when it's time to just step back from the computer a little bit and spend some time outside with your lovelies.

have a great weekend!

[Ashley]

I, for one, think there is nothing more delicious than sand and baby toes! Summer and kids go hand-in-hand and I plan on soaking up every mintute of it as well.

Happy June first to you, too! See you Monday.

[Alison Whittington]

Happy June! I can't believe summer is here, finally. I am so, so glad. Thank you for helping me start it off in the right spirit.

[Jennifer]

Beautiful embroidery - happy June to you as well!

[Melissa]

We love picnicing at Fort Williams State Park. I always let out a little gasp as we round the corner where the lighthouse first comes into view... never tire of that scene. We also love the Children's Museum of Maine in Portland. That's always a fun stop!

[Gretchen Duff]

Hi Amanda,
I just wanted to be sure you recieved the huge long bag of upholstery fabric that I leaned up against your car while you were visiting Jessie? Enjoy, and I hope that there is something in there that you can use to make your beautiful crafty things with. I'm a big fan.

[Veronica TM]

all those 'peeks' at the new projects are so beautiful! you have a wonderful, summery, sand between baby toes weekend, amanda.

[Grace]

oooh, I love your new banner and colors! I was wondering about that "page" feature -- not sure what it was! Thanks for testing the waters!

I love the way you describe summer. You're really getting me in the spirit!

[Andrea Q]

Bull Moose Music, Popham Beach, Bradbury Mountain State Park...

[anne]

Two Lights! I just visited the Hopper exhibit at the MFA here in Boston and found out that he painted Two Lights - who knew? It's one of my favorite Portland-area spots, too. I second Reid State Park, too. Favorite Portland spots - Exchange Street, especially Books, Etc., walking on the Eastern and Western Proms, minor league baseball at Hadlock Field! Past Portland, I love the little downtown in Bath, especially a bakery called Katrina's.

[Theresa]

Favorite Portland haunt: Gritty's, out back on the patio for a beer and burger. And of course, further up from Portland, that mecca for knitters: Halcyon, in Bath ;)

[Tiffany]

I'll second Rhea's comment about Alewives Fabrics and add Maine-ly Sewing on Route 1 in Nobleboro. It looks like someone's house, but it's the cutest shop! And the owner, Marge is the friendliest person.

If anyone is coming to Augusta, come check out the Capitol Building & Museum (you can say hello to me if you pop into the Senate President's Office), have a picnic in Capitol Park or head to the other side of the Kennebec River and go to the Pine Tree State Arboretum pinetreestatearboretum.org) to walk the trails. These are a little less touristy and much quieter.

Oh and one last thing...check out LL Bean's Free Summer Concert Series - there are some great names coming (Paula Cole, Arlo Guthrie, John Hiatt & Shawn Colvin, The Indigo Girls!)

:^)
Tiffany*

[meg]

i hear you on the summer thing. i feel more appreciative every year. and the maine guide is such a great idea. i'd add something but i'm sure you know all the cool places i like already...

[earthchick]

Happy June and blissful summer to you and yours!

[Qalballah]

We have waited EXTRA long this year for our summer to begin. So much RAIN. So MUCH. But today was the first of the sun and we hit the ground running too - so much to packed into such a few months!

I pray you have a beautiful weekend, Amanda. The picnic blankets are done - game on!!

[Amy Lu]

I love your little changes. And I love the FAQ page you made. I'm going to have to try that....

[sara]

we in minnesota have a similar appreciation for summer.

[Siri]

Fun projects in the works, I see.

[Max]

Thank you for thinking of a Portland/ME FAQ! That will be of great use. I long to come up and try that tea and foot-soaking place... And what I really need is a recommendation that locals can't always give, which is a B&B! Anyone?

So happy for the weekend! I hope everyone has a lovely one...

[Michelle]

You know, I have to tell you - we don't seem to have much in common except that I love the items you make and the ability to enjoy the simple things in life. I tend to be attracted to blogs with more raw emotional writing over cool things to look at BUT... there is a certain simple honesty about your blog that keeps me popping in everyday. I really appreciate that you share a part of your life here. Thank you.

- Michelle

[paper.string.cloth]

That banner is wonderful.......it seems so nostalgic to me, but I can't quite pinpoint why.......beautiful! xx

[Susan Tuttle]

So cool to see all these local Mainers commenting on places to go/see (great reminders for things to do)--I'll add myself to the mix.

My family and I love to go to the Yarmouth Clam Festival (if you have kids, the carnival rides are the best around). Cook's Lobster House in Harpswell is touristy--but the lobster and steamers can't be beat!

If you are looking for a FABULOUS gourmet dining experience, you must check out Robinhood Free Meeting House in Woolwich.

Wiscasset is a cute town--we go to Sarah's for incredible homemade soups, breads and bakery treats. I know a couple from CT who make a point to go there every time they come to Maine.

For theater-goers--the Maine State Music Theater at Bowdoin College is top notch--lots of Broadway actors and actresses. Tickets are half price on the Fourth of July.

One of my favorite new spots is Frontier in Brunswick--a fun place to watch independent films while eating gourmet bread and cheese off a fancy wooden cutting board. They also have a room of installation art--so funky and cool!

And one last place--a bit off the beaten path--Gloria's Flea Market--on route 196 in Topsham going towards Lisbon--fabulous finds!!! Very reasonable prices!--and Gloria is a character--I love her!

Hope you all have a fun summer!

I love to visit your blog Amanda!

Warmly,
Susan, just a stone's throw away...

[Susan Tuttle]

Me again...I made a small error--Robinhood Free Meeting House is in Georgetown, not Woolich.

Thanks...

Susan

[Leslie]

I love looking at "local" blogs...it seems so real to me! I did walk by Edith and Edna the other day...but had my clan with me, so opted for the toystore instead!
Portland area favorites:
a rocky climb at Two Lights State Park (Cape Elizabeth)
a yummy sandwich from Pizza Joint (Forest Ave.) on the way to...
Artist and Craftsman...lovely art supply store on outer Forest Ave.
heading up the coast...
a beer at Gritty's in Freeport then onto
The Beading Path...an incredible selection of new and vintage beads and supplies
and no trip to Maine would be complete without a stop at
LL Bean!
My favorite, by far, is Wolfe's Neck State Park, just out of town in Freeport. It is truly what life should be.
keep heading north...
Scrapbooks and Beyond is a lovely paper crafting store at the Topsham Fair Mall
pick up Route 1 and the rest is all like whipped cream on top of that brownie sundae...

[Deborah]

I'll second Wolf's Neck in Freeport. Beautiful. There is excellent letterboxing all over Maine. I'll also add Abacus Gallery in several locations and Wyler Gallery in Brunswick. Also Maine FiberArts in Topsham. Cote's Ice Cream in Brunswick. I'm ashamed I never had a chance to get to Marden's when I lived in Maine, but you should probably add it to your list. And how about the fair at the Waldorf school -- I think that's right. I remember several arty friends found amazing treasures there.

[eireann]

I love the first photo.

And taking time off is such a good thing--I feel so much less frantic about stuff when I just let myself take the time off in-between.

Be well.

[Annie]

Hi - Max asked for suggestions on a B&B ... I very highly reccommend Harbor House in Boothbay Harbor. http://www.harborhouse-me.com/ It rocks. And the owners are really nice. Some of my favorite places are Edgecomb Pottery and Aboca Beads in Damariscotta... Renny's!!! (Bath and Damariscotta) Fort Williams. WHAT a View.

[Sarah]

When my daughter first encountered the wall of yarn at Halcyon, she sat on the floor and simply cried because there was too much choice. Other favorite southern Maine spots--Dolphin Marina at Harpswell Neck, Laudholm Farm in Wells, Hamilton House, South Berwick.

[LOutre]

so cute ! I love all of your pictures ! (and works !)

[viv]

So fun to hear from all of the local folks! Not much to add but I think a perfect day is: breakfast in Bath, stops at Popham and Reid State Park (the latter especially great for kids) and an early evening at Five Islands in Georgetown for a haddock sandwich (my fave) or lobster roll (if that's your thing) on the dock. Oh, and little stops along the way at antiquey/crafty places in between (if your husband and kid(s) will tolerate it :-)

Viv in midcoast Maine

[Stefani]

Love the new banner )and the one on your About page too!), and frothing over the projects in process :-) Have a great Monday!

[Heather]

It doesn't look like anyone mentioned good places to go thrifting in and around Portland...

[Sarah]

So many good places! I am a native Portlander, living in Rhode Island now. When I visit, I love eating at Granny's Burritos & walking around the Old Port & visiting the shops, having a drink at Gritty's or Bull Feeney's, & visiting the Portland Museum of Art. Higgins, Scarborough, & York Beaches are my favorites as well! {Great post, it made me finally come out to say hi!}