katemakes

i will love you...

2012-02-14T11:26:00.000-08:00

come rain

or come shine

Happy Valentine's Day

tools of the trade

2012-02-06T11:34:00.000-08:00

these are my absolute necessary items in my sewing kit. missing from the picture are my beloved Rowenta iron, tackle box, pincushions, chopstick, loop turners, and measuring tape. the skein of beige fluffy cotton thread (bottom left corner) is amazing for basting and making tailor's tacks. i was introduced to it at fashion design school in japan and recently ran out of it (my stash held out for 15 years!) and it took me a week of driving all over vancouver to find some more. it can be bought at daiso in richmond for about $2 and comes in a few other colours. all the driving around was worth it - some tools and supplies are simply essential.

Reading

2012-02-01T10:18:00.000-08:00

from Interweave Press

last night i rushed across town to attend a meeting that is actually scheduled for tonight. frustrating. my husband suggested i keep on driving and hit the nearest bookstore. so i did.

i spent a couple of hours checking out magazines, cook books, art books, craft books, and art and architecture books. heaven. this came home with me and on first glance it is just what i've been waiting for. two of my goals for 2012 are to take more pictures and to get my etsy shop up and running again. one of the things that has been holding me back is my lack of photography skills (and the rotten gloomy weather!). so no excuses now. Heidi Adnum gives clear explanations, great examples, 'practioner spotlights' and featuring gorgeous product photos. in addition, there is information on workflow procedure - very helpful for someone like me who needs to break things down into smaller tasks. (what mom doesn't have a little ADD?)

for years i have been using my airmiles points to buy gift cards for the big bookstore and was very disappointed to find that they no longer offer this service. my kobo e-reader is great for novels, but i really like to have hard copies of magazines, art, craft, and cook books. so in case any of my family members are looking to get me a gift, here's the wish list:

there are more to add to the list but my favourite 4 year old boy needs me to play cars with him and i don't want to miss the chance to have some fun.

happy birthday gill

2012-01-30T09:40:00.000-08:00

happy 40th birthday gill. may you always look 21 (as you do now)! hope you have a fantastic day - we all wish we were there to celebrate with you. keep an eye peeled for the postman because he should be delivering these to you soon - i made one for each decade. love you to the moon and stars and back - so glad you are my sister and aunt to my kids.

happy birthday blue

2012-01-29T09:51:00.000-08:00

from raleighmodern via etsy

18 years of being 'the boy'. 18 years of being your 'mommy'. my hopes and wishes for you are simple: that you are happy and healthy; that you find your place in the world and know that you always have a place with us; that you find your passion and achieve your goals. you have taught me so much - thank you. i love you to the moon and stars and back.

happy birthday mom

2012-01-26T19:09:00.000-08:00

vintage by alex keller on etsy

happy birthday mom! it was great to talk with you tonight. i am so happy to hear you so happy. thank you for all you've taught me and done for me. i love you to the moon and stars and back. xo K

dumb, dumber, dumbest

2012-01-23T19:02:00.000-08:00

argh. i just deleted 98% of my emails. i thought that deleting them from my web mail server would still leave them in my computer. i thought that with great conviction. so a ton of important messages deleted forever and never to be retrieved. i hope i had the forethought to print off receipts for online purchases... time for a hot bath and bed with a paperback. today is not my day for technology. hence, no picture for this post.

reunited : resolutions

2012-01-20T13:26:00.000-08:00

so it is quite apparent that my photography skills have not improved in the least. put that on the 2012 resolutions list... that along with more sewing. this bucket is directly from 1, 2 , 3 Sew by Ellen Luckett Baker. it could not have been more simple to make and is big enough to hold all the bits that float around. the fabric is from ikea and is just about the last of it after making big cushion covers for our living room. i highly recommend Ellen's book but if you're not inclined to sew yourself a storage bucket, head on over to Leslie's etsy shop, smidgebox. she is one talented lady.
resolutions: more organization. improve my skills. take more pictures.

i sewed and knitted my fingers to the bone for much of november and december in the lead up to christmas. it took me a bit to recover. in the past week i have made a long sleeved t-shirt and a pair of cords that i really love and actually wear. in public.
resolution: make stuff, lots of it.

vancouver has been hit with a bit of snow this week so we chose today to take a 'snow day' - it being friday and all. we are all still in pajamas. lovely. we are making stuff.
resolution: to have more fun with my kids every day.

reunited:
my mom brought me the sewing machine that had been my paternal grandmother's and had been in storage for over 20 years. my generous sister sent me some money for christmas so i was able to get the machine serviced and tuned up. the christmas i was 6 i received a holly hobby kid's sewing machine and quickly outgrew it. i played around with this machine (even sewing my finger at one point) until my maternal grandmother showed me how to sew properly on her singer featherweight. this beauty is a singer slant-o-matic 403 from 1958 and it is entirely made of metal. it has 9 cams to determine different stitch styles and my grandmother bought just about every attachment you can imagine. adjustable pintucker, ruffler, and even a foot that makes and applies bias strips at the same time! i can't wait to get sewing with it again. i really really still want a Bernina 440QE or 550QE but that will remain a dream for a long while yet.
resolution: learn more. use what i have. try new things.

2012

2012-01-03T12:12:00.000-08:00

sh** storm

2011-12-17T20:35:00.000-08:00

one.more.week
to date i have made:
14 hats with beards and 10 bracelets

need to make:
doll, doll clothes, doll bedding, hair accessories, 4 pouches, hat with beard, ipod case, 2 wallets, scarf

need to do:
clean house, find christmas decorations, put up tree, plan christmas menu, buy presents, wrap presents, breathe

one.more.week

books

2011-09-30T14:54:00.000-07:00

my birthday was lovely. a transformer (to play with my little boy), an itunes card (to buy more disco music to educate my big boy with), and a book (to read with my girl). but the one thing i can't seem to put down is the kobo reader. when i ask "have you seen my books?" the family knows just what item i'm in search of. it's pretty fantastic to have a ton of books literally at my fingertips. the little pouch i made the next day so i can carry it with me always. i found the tutorial on sew mama sew.

stepping up

2011-09-26T12:39:00.000-07:00

Carrie Gelson of Seymour Elementary, Vancouver, BC
(photo: Mark van Manen/PNG) Story by Janet Steffenhagen, Vancouver Sun

while getting my two smaller kids to their school today, i heard a story on CBC radio about an elementary school teacher who has written an open letter to the people of vancouver. grab some tissue and go read it, i'll wait.

when i moved to vancouver i was a single mom and it took my entire wages just to pay the rent but i had some savings and eventually i was able to find a job with an adequate salary and medical benefits. i had family and friends and a great daycare to help me with my son and still things could be very challenging. i try to imagine what it would be like not to have a job, a warm and safe home, weather appropriate clothing, and healthy food and it makes my heart ache. how would it feel to be a child and not have enough to eat or proper clothing? in vancouver? in canada?

when i got home my oldest son and i gathered up all the extra boots, mittens, gloves, and hats we had around the house. we packed them up and went to the nearest dollar store to buy more gloves and new socks and delivered it all to seymour elementary school.

i'm sure that there are many schools in vancouver and indeed, in any other city, which could use help to make sure that kids are fed and properly clothed. my family is going to do what we can. we are going to step up.

busy busy

2011-09-23T08:56:00.000-07:00

from: momAgenda

it's was a busy summer. and fall is shaping up to be full as well. but happily so. september feels like a fresh start when you live with a teacher and kids. my resolution is to be better organized and to that end i got myself a momAgenda. it helps me keep track of everything, including meal planning, kid's activities, birthdays, etc. the entire family (except for the pre-schooler) is using a planner or agenda of some sort and it has been great for all of us.

my oldest has started his last year of school and my youngest has started his first year. my best girl is loving grade two. so still another fifteen years of lunches and driving....but i am enjoying the mornings alone. there is a master list of organizing/cleaning/maintenance in my agenda and i am striking things off task by task. very satisfying. i am excited about reaquainting myself with my sewing machines/knittiing needles/etsy/blogging.

old dogs can learn new tricks

2011-08-07T09:44:00.000-07:00

Kitchen

my lovely husband and kids were away for a week. did i go out and party? did i clean out the garage? did i organize the closets? did i sew? NO. i learned how to use google sketchup. so much fun.

can't wait to make

2011-07-21T11:24:00.000-07:00

the postman very nearly got a big hug this morning. i ordered print workshop several months ago but it was out of stock. and i hesitated on 1 2 3 sew as i can already sew but it has a lot to teach. Ellen (of the longthread blog) is the only other person that i know of who sews zippers into pouches and bags in the same way that i do. both books are filled with great projects, clear instructions and a ton of inspiration. i have so much admiration for people with the ability to come up with creative ideas and who then are willing to share them with others in such a clear and approachable way.

lucky number 7

2011-07-20T19:34:00.000-07:00

happy birthday to my best girl. you are sweet, clever, kind, funny, and so creative. may you always be as happy and carefree as you are right now. i feel so lucky to be your mom.

cheerful

2011-07-14T10:03:00.000-07:00

this summer has not provided me with many opportunities to sew. there are stacks of fabric ready, patterns chosen, and notions bought but i have yet to make something for myself. i sewed this cushion cover and bolster cover for a friend and her family. i love her fabric choices - ikea, i still love you! - and it looks so cheerful in their new gorgeous house. absolutely cheerful and the perfect spot to read a book or have a cocktail.

happy canada day

2011-07-01T12:39:00.000-07:00

from: Nicole Tarasick

wishing everyone a fantastic canada day. i feel so lucky to call this place home.

happy father's day

2011-06-19T09:32:00.000-07:00

happy father's day to the father of our three. please grow the fu again this summer - you're the brave man who can! i'm so lucky!
and a happy father's day to my dad - you taught me how to tie a tie, check the fluids on my car, and to put things back where they belong. wish you weren't moving so far away.

we want the cup

2011-06-15T11:33:00.000-07:00

from legendsofhockey.net

i can't stand the tension much longer.. in 6 hours or so the puck will drop in the stanley cup final. the canucks are celebrating their 40th anniversary and if (when) we win it will be the first time ever. my husband is going and i am green with envy.

it's great to see how the canucks quest for the cup has brought everyone together this hockey season. the city is a sea of green and blue gear. throughout the year the players and canucks organization do so much for this city and province. canuck place, support for kids with mental health concerns, and kids and families facing autism are just some of the ways the team contributes to the greater community.

i will be watching at home with the kids and hope to join all our neighbors out on the street to celebrate our win!

Oh Happy Day goes to Paris - yes, the one in France

2011-06-13T20:37:00.000-07:00

from famille summerbelle

jordan ferney of oh happy day is offering the most generous of give-a-ways. a trip for two to Paris. i was there at age 12 and then again on my honeymoon. oh how i yearn to visit again. if i were to win this contest i would love to go with my mom. she's an artist with a degree in history in art and we haven't travelled together in a very long time. i'm sure sure that my husband and i visit Paris again and there are plans to take the kids in a few years, but a trip with my mom would be the trip of a lifetime for us both. try your luck at: http://ohhappyday.com/2011/06/goes-to-paris

birthday party prep

2011-06-10T14:22:00.000-07:00

been busy prepping for my best girl's birthday party tomorrow. can you tell the theme is "rainbow carnival"?

go canucks go

2011-06-01T17:05:00.000-07:00

from sportslogos.net

GO CANUCKS, GO!

lovely lucky day

2011-05-17T18:38:00.000-07:00

today has been a great day. woke up to my first fabric sale on etsy - thank you kind new yorker (that's a person, not the magazine). kids were very cooperative this morning. had a great day at work. made plans to play hookie with my kids to meet up with our dearest friends tomorrow. and heard from two potential clients for my interior design business. oh yeah, and it is sunny and warm. lovely.

i'm off to buy lottery tickets!

smells like spring

2011-05-04T08:41:00.000-07:00

it's finally starting to warm up. this is our second spring in this house and it's still a bit of a surprise to see what comes up in the front garden. so happy to have some colour. time to plant the vegetable garden. the kids have some definite ideas about what they would like. the three year old was quite sad to hear that a pineapple tree would not grow in our yard.

Good Easter Good Cake

2011-04-22T11:41:00.000-07:00

we're doing easter dinner tonight so i've been baking and cooking and cleaning for two days.

menu:
     maple glazed ham
     scalloped potatoes
     roasted asparagus
     creamed corn
     minted spring peas
     ginger honey carrots
     buttermilk biscuits

grande finale:
     chocolate pecan pie
     coconut lemon chiffon cake

whew!

spring fever = itchy fingers

2011-04-20T09:11:00.000-07:00

spring is here and the knitting has been packed away in the craftcrap closet. and with the canucks in the stanley cup playoffs i needed something to take the edge off while cheering on my team as i can't take the tension. my playoff plan this year was to load up on linen and embroidery floss and just experiment. these will likely become one of a kind pouches.

i know i'm not the only one to be inspired by the Penguins Classics covers by Jillian Tamaki. so stunning and inspiring. i would never get rid of my dog-eared copies but... maybe just get these to display.

saturday sewing: collaboration

2011-04-09T17:15:00.000-07:00

when the weather is a little gloomy i like to do a little saturday sewing. we are going to a birthday party at a pony stable tomorrow and needed a gift for our little cousin. my best girl entirely designed this: drew pictures, chose the fabrics and selected the button. it was so fun to see her working so hard to get it just the way she envisioned. i was happy to supply sewing labour. she's a bit of a taskmaster but to her credit, she let me have lots of coffee breaks. she put a little toy horse in the purse as a little surprise. sweet. but the best part, my best girl asked me to teach her how to sew. my heart is pinching with happiness.

and.... finally, after great deliberation (and much procrastination) i activated my etsy shop. in the near future i will be selling the things i make but for the time being i am selling some vintage Japanese fabric packs. my mom brought these gorgeous linens and cottons home to Canada with her with the intention of me making some quilts. i have a ton of fabric and have saved my favourites but i would like to see these fabrics go to someone who will make something fantastic. a quilt, some zakka goods, a patchwork pillow cover, a bag.... so many possibilities.
ok, now time for another saturday tradition, the saturday siesta!

lady date

2011-03-21T09:35:00.000-07:00

my best girl and i haven't had a lot of time together these days. she has been very ill for the last few weeks. but spring break has started and we are healthy and having fun. we made sweet sushi the other day. a little messy but oh so good.

Sweet sushi recipe

- 1" slices of poundcake, cut into 1 1/2" rounds with a cookie cutter
- white icing
- sweetened coconut
- fruit leather (the thinner the better)
- assorted candy: swedish fish, jellies etc.

Ice the tops of the cake rounds and wrap fruit leather around the outside using a dab of icing to hold it in place. (we used real fruit leather and it was so thick that we had to use toothpicks).
Top with coconut. place a "fish" or cut up candy on top. Enjoy.

best girl and i finally had our lady date on saturday - and she entirely decided what we would do. we took the skytrain to the vancouver art gallery and saw the ken lum exhibition - fantastic.

ken lum

and the WE: Vancouver Manifesto which included the work of Natalie Purschwitz who made all her clothes for a year. even shoes!

once we saw everything (and I mean everything) at the VAG we went for sushi on robson street, then some shopping at h&m, holt renfrew, and sephora. so all in all, a great time. a very girly time. i wondered what would inspire her - the next day she made a maze for her little brother's cars out of all manner of found objects, organized some of her clothes into 'outfits', and helped her dad make dinner. so she must have been inspired and really, what could be better than that?

japan

2011-03-11T16:54:00.000-08:00

some treasures from japan

what terrible news from Japan today. i am really thinking about everyone there and their friends and family. my husband's aunt is from Sendai and i'm sure that she is very worried about her family there. and this just weeks after the Christchurch quake. a former colleague from my teaching days in japan was escorting a group of 22 japanese students - he is safe but half of their group was not found alive - so sad and shocking.

i was living in japan when the kobe earthquake struck - there were friends we never heard from again. but japanese people are nothing if not cooperative and resourceful. they will work together to rescue each other and rebuild their communities. our family will be doing what it can by contributing to the Red Cross.

i heart art

2011-01-31T11:35:00.000-08:00

for my best girl's 6th birthday (waaay back when it was warm and sunny) we had an art party at Collage Collage for a few of her friends. i made the bag, pencil roll, and pencil case. the apron and art supplies were bought at the local dollar store. it's a real sign of how unorganized i have let things get - i just found the extra goodie bag when i did the 'big craft closet clean out of 2011' the other week!

saturday sewing

2011-01-17T11:50:00.000-08:00

one benefit of the rainy saturday was some making time. i made this bag for my sister's birthday present. the pattern is from Weekend Sewing by Heather Ross. i followed it almost exactly but added a zippered pocket and a magnetic snap closure. it was very straightforward and easier to sew leather than i expected - just need a special needle.
the entire project cost under $20 so i covered three of my 2011 sewing intentions:

make birthday presents (and cards, too)
sew a leather bag
stick to a budget - be more thoughtful of how i spend my money

obviously, the intention to take better photos is a work in progress...

tutorial: towel trimming

2011-01-14T21:13:00.000-08:00

here's a quick and easy tutorial for trimming towels. just in case you want to designate your very own towels from all the other towels in the house. after all, who knows how well your toddler is washing his little paws?

supplies:

- towel (pre-shrunk) - i used an ikea hand towel 15" wide x 22" long

- border fabric: cotton fabric (pre-shrunk) the width of your towel plus 1" and two times the depth of the border you would like plus 1/2". - my border strip was 3" deep x 23" long and the finished sized was 1 1/2" x 22".

- fabric loop: 3" x 5" cotton fabric (pre-shrunk)

- sewing machine, measuring tape or ruler, scissors, pins, handsewing needle, thread to match cotton trimming fabric, iron

instructions:

1. fold the fabric in half lengthwise and press. press in each long side 1/4". fold in each short end of fabric 1/2" and press - the strip should be only slightly longer than the towel edge.

2. lay the towel edge over one side of the fabric strip. the strip should be just slightly longer than the towel.

3. pin through all layers, keeping the edges of the fabric trim strip lined up.

4. carefully sew along the edge of the fabric trim strip making sure to catch all the layers of fabric and towel. backstich at the begining and end.

5. with a handsewing needle, slipstitch the ends of the fabric trim stitch closed.

ta da! there is your towel, just for you! if you want to add a loop, continue on...

6. for the fabric loop: fold the 3"x5" fabric piece in half lenthwise and press. press both long edges in to the centre fold and press again. sew along the long edge.

7. center the loop on the center of the towel edge with about 1 1/2" space between each end. pin and stitch along the towel hem line, backstitching at the beginning and end.

8) fold over the fabric loop and stitch along the edge of the towel, backstitching at the beginning and end.

9) fold it the way you want or hang it from a hook so high no toddler can reach it. make it really girly and chances are your husband or teenage son will not touch it either. just hoping...

wool in a new way

2011-01-13T10:32:00.000-08:00

from: crafted systems

amazing and made from wool felt. aurelie tu works with women in transition at a ywca in portland, oregon to create amazing products from textiles. i would love any of the pieces they make. beautiful and helping women find their way. i know how much 'making' helps me.

first you need the right tools

2011-01-02T22:13:00.000-08:00

from: kata bags

we bought our camera almost two years ago and i have yet to take a course or fully comprehend the manual. (why do they not provide you with a proper sturdy waterproof spiral bound manual???). the main reason i have not practised much is the too small and unwieldy camera bag we've had. carrying that and a purse/bag was just not conducive to taking pics. i just bought this camera bag today and it holds the camera, extra lens and batteries and cards, the manual, cords, video camera, my phone, sunglasses, wallet, a snack, and an extra diaper for my constant assistant/model. smidgebox - you inspire me! maybe next year i will try 365 too.

1.1.11

2011-01-01T16:33:00.000-08:00

here's the first sunset of 2011 from my front steps. what a day it's been - a great start for the new decade.
it was a fantastic new year's eve: sukiyaki and wii tournament. the cold and clear new year's day found us geocaching in the park. we left origami cranes for the next people to find the caches we found.

year of the rabbit

2010-12-27T20:41:00.000-08:00

from: dosankodebbie

2011 will be the year of the rabbit. i lived in japan from 1989 until 1996 and the way that new year's is celebrated is something i really miss here in canada. it really is the equivalent to our hannukah or christmas or solstice (depending on what one celebrates). everyone sends out a ton of nengajo - new year's post cards - to friends and family. isn't this bunny post card cute?

everyone cleans their house in order to not bring old dirt into the new year. and i mean clean - like wash the curtains clean. so there will be some cleaning and organizing between now and december 31st. and on the first day of 2011 maybe some eating of soba noodles and mochi and sushi. definitely some sake drinking and relaxing with family.

2010 was pretty good to my family and i have lots of plans for 2011. happy new year and all the best in 2011.

happy holidays

2010-12-22T23:31:00.000-08:00

we are looking forward to celebrating christmas - the baking and making is done, the shopping and wrapping is done, the cleaning and packing are done. now to relax, eat some great meals and spend time with family. and i am really going to enjoy the last days of 2010. and looking forward to a fantastic 2011.

entirely selfish christmas list

2010-12-20T08:56:00.001-08:00

from: Bernina

from: Chapters Indigo

making for me

2010-12-08T20:10:00.000-08:00

from burda magazine sept 2010

i finished this very parka for myself just in time to wear it through the deluge today. vancouver winter weather demands a good long parka with a generous hood and deep pockets. i just couldn't shell out $400 or more so i was thrilled when i found this pattern. i bought all the fabric and notions at dressew for $45. not too shabby.

from burda magazine sept. 2010

and yes, it is totally waterproof. i love everything i've made from every issue. it takes a little sewing experience and some patience to trace the patterns and follow the written instructions (few diagrams). but there are more than twenty patterns in each issue and a ton of craft ideas. i love that the local european delicatessen calls me when each new burda magazine comes in and they put it aside for me. they also make the most incredible handmade perogies.

Michael Kors

now to get the new boots winterized and waterproofed. (i did save money making my own coat after all!)

i will now commence with christmas craziness. i'm so relaxed these days that i don't even know to panic yet. uh oh!

advent

2010-11-30T21:58:00.000-08:00

i had every intention, as i do every year, of making a permanent advent calendar for the kids. and once again, we opted for the playmobil version, a big improvement over the cheap chocolate filled advent calendars at the grocery store. i really think that one of the fancy chocolate companies should market an advent calendar for adults. leave the toys for kids.

the end of an era

2010-11-19T23:16:00.000-08:00

this is the well used back yard of our old place in 2006. we moved in on january 1st, 2001 and left on january 15, 2010. we started our time there with one kid and left with three. about the only redeeming feature of the whole place was that tree and the man-shed. (but we miss the neighbors and the neighborhood!). i drove by it yesterday and nothing remains but a pile of rubble - not even the beautiful old plum tree. i felt a little sad.

but...it is now snowing and i am so happy for insulation and double-paned windows. not to mention the view, the new neighborhood and friendly neighbors, huge garden, an office/studio, and finally, just enough room for us all.

lest we forget

2010-11-11T11:14:00.000-08:00

flopping on the floor

2010-11-10T22:17:00.000-08:00

maybe it's all the years i lived in japan but i do prefer to flop on the floor. and now, thanks to pillow challenge week, we finally have nice covers for the two 40" square feather filled floor cushions. erin has a great tutorial on inserting zippers.
the boy got first flop.

pillow week: day one

2010-11-08T20:05:00.000-08:00

ok so i didn't actually make a pillow today but i did brave ikea with a 3 year old. we got some much needed bookcases, a carpet, storage for sewing supplies and even some christmas wrapping paper. i jumped on the third fabric from the top to make a cover for the huge down pillows we have to flop on when we watch tv. the boy was pretty patient all things considered. that or he just really likes the ice cream at the end of the line up.

most definitely fall

2010-11-04T07:26:00.000-07:00

this is not our front yard (though we do have an ocean view on a clear day!). however, we have at least as many leaves both on the ground and in the compost bin. i miss the old days when we could have bonfires.

pillow power

2010-11-03T13:41:00.000-07:00

from Studio35

love this pillow - hand painted and embroidered and all the way from turkey. are you going to play along with houseonhillroad? i can't wait to start sewing. the living room needs some sprucing up for fall and winter.

the small object

2010-11-02T19:39:00.000-07:00

from: The Small Object

i have been reading The Small Object Stenopad for a long time. today i finally got the chance to see some of sarah neuburger's creations in person at paper-ya at granville island and they did not disappoint. i will definitely be putting the journal on my christmas list and buying some of the stamps and stickers for a creative little girl i know.

halloween 2010

2010-11-01T12:32:00.000-07:00

Bumblebee

Alice in Candyland

mama needs a brand new bag

2010-10-20T19:06:00.000-07:00

from: medium control

from: kinies

from: arton crafts

research

2010-10-15T20:13:00.000-07:00

available through Chronicle Books

my husband has taken the kids away for the weekend. i had some time today to prepare. which would normally mean: buy wine, magazines, and snacks and also to clean and tidy the house so that i could enjoy it all to myself in a pristine state. i only managed to get to the book store but they had the book i was hunting for - creative, inc. and i am enjoying it. the previous book, craft, inc. also has a lot of great advice.

my new computer is taking up a lot of my time. i love love love it. and i don't know quite how, but i managed to find all the data from our entire (and i mean entire) photo files and install it in the computer. i thought it was all lost forever. now to figure out how to get all the music from one computer to another without spending hours....

forty

2010-10-04T17:52:00.000-07:00

happy birthday super daddy. wikipedia has lots of interesting (very arithmatical and religiousy) things to say about the number. looking forward to 40 more years with you and our family.

happy birthday to me

2010-09-27T13:37:00.000-07:00

from my front step this morning

what a great way to start the day! i feel like we've been celebrating for days. there is no way i am tired of rainbows....

my best girl drew this for me

and this is me - note the matching doll. a far cry from my usual neutral palette.

three down, four to go

2010-09-22T19:50:00.000-07:00

day two: finding patterns and cutting fabric - the tights are from madebyrae and the kimono top is from weekend sewing by heather ross.

day three: sewing

the kimono knit fabric is from textile clearance house and the grey tights fabric is from fabricana. i will make myself a skirt from the same grey jersey and the remaining patterned knit jersey will become a top for myself. once kids clothing week challenge is over of course. my machines may actually need some professional attention soon.

what to work on tomorrow? maybe knit a matching hat?

one down, six to go

2010-09-20T20:45:00.000-07:00

i could only manage something simple today for kids clothes challenge week. funny how your whole day can get messed up just by not setting the alarm clock the night before... there might have been a little yelling this morning.
the bib is from bend the rules sewing by angry chicken. made for new baby maya. i think i'll be sewing for babies all week - small items, quick, and i know of 6 babies born in the last few weeks.

halloween costumes

2010-09-17T21:27:00.000-07:00

from: thegreenhedgehog

how cute would this be for baby's first halloween? maybe i'll skip the idea of making warm clothes for my preschooler and just get a head start on halloween costumes.

i'm in

2010-09-16T20:55:00.000-07:00

i am up for the challenge. the little one needs some warm clothes and i need to do something creative.

stash buster = charity

2010-09-14T10:15:00.000-07:00

from: Ten Thousand Villages

i really really need to clear out some of my stash. and what better way than to make bags and stuff them with school supplies for kids who really need them?

back to routines

2010-09-07T10:21:00.000-07:00

from nothingelegant on etsy

back to school for the teenager and husband today. my best girl starts tomorrow. back to routines, schedules, commitments. wouldn't this perpetual calendar be a great addition to command centre? there are a ton of other great goodies at nothingelegant. and it fulfills my lifelong wish for a 24/7 stationary store. oh how i love you internet!

trend: colour (or what i've been doing lately)

2010-08-09T17:24:00.000-07:00

today's harvest. how spectacular is that? the one pink one is going on my plate. i grew it, i get to eat it.

and in other technicolour news, my best girl turned 6. this is the cake from her 'friend party'.

why yes, that is 60 litres of industrial strength jell-o. i will spare you the pictures of the cousins eating it with spoons, then their hands, then jumping right in. suffice to say that it eventually looked like a horror film and my kids had red legs for days following. the lawn has barely survived.

making mistakes a la mc hammer

2010-05-29T10:30:00.000-07:00

what a colossal mistake. colossally bulky crotch. i had intended to make loose linen cropped pants and even drafted the pattern, bought the fabric and notions, and did all my due diligence. where did i go wrong? well, i was seduced by a pair of sarouel pants in the may issue of burda.

instead of continuing on with my original pattern, i made the sarouel pants in linen despite the instructions which clearly stated 'cotton gauze'. so now i have a pair of well-made linen pants fit for a clown. or mc hammer at his peak.

birthday suit - kids' clothing week

2010-05-25T13:27:00.000-07:00

i finally found the cardreader.... these are the clothes i made for my little guy for kids' clothing week. that's the rear view of the shorts and the front view of the vest - both out of linen i had in the stash. the lining of the vest is from an old dress shirt of daddy's. the little guy just turned three and this was my present to him. the transformers are from his siblings.guess which present he liked best... transformers! more than meets the eye!

cardreader, where for art thou?

2010-05-17T10:44:00.000-07:00

i sewed my brains out last week but my cardreader has gone missing. so i will have to take the pics and post this week. i had better get pics of the kids right quick - before they blow out the knees and get grass stains all over the clothes.
wanna bet the cardreader will be found under all the fabric scraps sitting under my work table???

middle of the beginning

2010-05-03T10:21:00.000-07:00

and that's what i did on saturday. i pulled potatoes and weeds and made raised beds. if i bend over one more time i may never get up again...

love : taxes

2010-04-27T21:57:00.001-07:00

a cute calculator like this would make tax time a little more enjoyable. but only a little...

sibling love

2010-04-27T10:44:00.000-07:00

when you are a five year old girl it is all about rainbows and phonetic spelling. she made this and taped it on her big brother's door: 'best brother in the world'. word or should i say "WRD".

beautiful burda

2010-04-21T13:39:00.000-07:00

isn't this a lovely dress - perfect for spring. there is a european deli near our new place so i no longer have to make the long trek downtown to get burdastyle magazine. my sewing plans for spring include joining the kid's clothes making week. my goal is to make something for each kid and sew from my stash. the reward: make myself this lovely dress... maybe silk jersey...

black beauty

2010-04-14T22:14:00.000-07:00

came across this beauty in my search for a floor lamp. it's life size and about $7500 but it doesn't eat or poop, no stable dues, and would not cause my husband to have an allergic reaction. shipping is free and 'white glove service'. does that mean a jockey delivers? is this a gelding? i love it but the shade needs some dingle balls.

spring decorating

2010-04-13T11:29:00.000-07:00

the little guy is obsessed with cars. he sleeps with them, lines them up around his plate, hoards them in his pockets. i got him this wall decal for his room so he can drive his cars all over the ikea carpet and then up the wall. it's great because it is repositionable/reusable - great for a rental home.

big changes

2010-03-27T23:53:00.000-07:00

there have been some big changes since my last post. our rental was sold; christmas; new year's; new house; moving; painting; a sixteenth birthday; first haircut (gum bribe that backfired);
the olympics and paralympics; first disneyland trip; and now spring break. i now have a dedicated studio/office with a ton of natural light. and there has been some making, just a little, but making all the same.

chaos

2009-11-21T15:36:00.000-08:00

i am drowning in work and don't even have time to organize my desk. the other side of the room may even be worse. hard to believe that my chosen career is interior design and that i help other people create homes that reflect their style and make day to day living easier. i really need to learn some balance... so much for knitting or sewing or yoga. if i don't start saying no i'll have to give up eating and showering... sleep sounds so good. and don't even start asking me about christmas - i will either hit you or burst in to a fit of swearing followed by tears.

now, onto some organizing, a bath, and a nap. right after i come up with two furniture plans, a colour scheme, and pick appliances, carpet and tile. ridiculous.

sofa surfing

2009-10-05T13:04:00.000-07:00

i am in the midst of a fairly big and super hush hush design job for fantastic clients. my desk is a sea of paint chips, tile samples, and tracing paper. this lovely sofa is something i am suggesting for the living room. i'd bet that nobody will be allowed to eat nachos in this room. that sofa is begging me for some serious napping...

with this guy. happy birthday handsome. hope it's a gooder.

waiting

2009-09-23T11:31:00.000-07:00

it has been absolutely crazytown around here. i have given up on my usual linear approach to life. it is all multi-tasking and rolling with the punches. and there have been some big punches - both good and bad. savouring the good and waiting out the bad.

wet and wellies

2009-09-10T21:35:00.000-07:00

fall seems to be making an early arrival this year. vancouver had an unprecedented hot summer so it seems a little cruel that it will be over soon. not that fall doesn't have it's charms but rain is not one of them.
i have spent most of my life on the ~~wet~~ west coast but i honestly never wore proper footwear or carried an umbrella until last year. i also swore i would never wear a hooded waterproof anorak but succumbed to practicality several years ago. motherhood can really squash one's fashion aspirations. while i am sure there are cool coats/boots/umbrellas to be found, my budget doesn't allow for much in the way of luxury items. quite frankly, i am not much for wearing a big logo anyway. so i am on the search for new rainboots/wellies/gumboots/hipwaders.

pagoda umbrella

aigle chantebelle

i am a huge fan of aigle boots. when i lived in japan i had a lovely pair - lost to a bonfire - sad, sad story. now to find the perfect raincoat with a hood!

lunches

2009-09-09T11:03:00.000-07:00

back to school means lunch planning. new routines, new gear. while i was pretty enthusiastic about making sushi for lunch last night, it was a different story at 0700 hours this morning. thought these would make eating lunch fun (even if it's no fun making it).

mushroom lunchbox love notes from PuppyLoveCreations

reversible lunch bag from fortyducks

lunch box system from oots

vintage thermos from OleaVintage

burnt fingers (or not)

2009-09-07T12:05:00.000-07:00

how cool is this machine? this is the Simplicity Bias Tape Maker and apparently it will make 12 feet of bias tape in 60 seconds. all you have to do is cut the tape to width (various width attachments are available) and feed it through the machine. WOW. with the amount of bias tape i've been making this week, i sure could have used one. my fingers are feeling tender.

quickies

2009-08-28T09:33:00.000-07:00

these are some quick projects i managed to accomplish when i got some uninterrupted making time yesterday afternoon. the fabric box on the right is from weekend sewing and was very straight forward to make - but i used what i had and that didn't include heavy interfacing... next time. on the left is a cover for a small jam jar. we never seem to have small vases for our wildflowers and i thought this might 'pretty up' a simple jar to use as a pencil holder or a vase. easy and quick.

my mom was kind enough to give me our family teak dining table and chairs circa 1971. she thinks i'm storing it for her but possession is 9/10ths of the law, right? the original tweedy red chair upholstery is in poor condition and until my kids stop being so messy i am not recovering the chairs. the plan is to make removable quilted seat pads that can be washed as needed. with an hour left before picking up the little guy from daycare i pieced together the top for my daughter's chair. the photo doesn't show the colours very well...

back to the books

2009-08-28T00:34:00.000-07:00

i have been devouring books all summer long. while almost all have been educational, not one was about parenting. the latest two books are family oriented in the best ways. i really enjoyed amanda's first book, the creative family and was eagerly awaiting handmade home. great projects - the girl has been busy letting me know what i should make and with what fabrics.

the river cottage family cookbook has been great. it certainly encourages families to cook together and to eat local produce and meat. we're looking forward to trying to make some yogurt and cream cheese. my husband thinks the sausage making is worth a go too. we are planning to eat more meatless meals this year so i needed to find a little more inspiration and there is no lack in this cookbook.

vacation or holiday ?

2009-08-18T22:18:00.000-07:00

what is the difference between a holiday and a vacation? and does it really matter? we just got back from four days at harrison hot springs and three days at whistler. very, very restful. i am so well rested that one might call it lazy. like too lazy to upload these photos in the order they should be...

we stayed in that charming little bungalow, aptly named the, wait for it...bungalow motel. there are about 10 bungalows of various sizes and i think they date from the 30's or 40's. some of them have original hardwood floors and are incredibly charming. others have some original features mixed in with renovations more recently (the 80's) made. the owner or manager was very kind and helpful and the cabins were very clean. there is a pool and a bbq and the complex is mere steps away from the public beach in the second photo. we had some serious sun and some serious rain. lots of napping and reading and visiting with my in-laws.

whistler was also great. we ate, walked, and watched a lot of tv. i took the boys up to the village to get groceries on saturday and could not have picked a worse day. the big crankworx competition was on and there were some serious parking issues. too many big vehicles and not enough spots. i have no idea what is planned for the olympics but you couldn't pay me to try and negotiate crowds - in the cold, no less. but it was lovely there and i can see why it will be a wonderful place for the olympics. we went to a couple of little lakes and just relaxed.

and tried not to think that there are only two more weeks of summer vacation or summer holiday, regardless of what you call it.

harvest helper

2009-07-30T10:11:00.001-07:00

we have been enjoying beans, peas, and even this gnarled tomato. the other night we had a roasted baby beet salad. new crops of onions, carrots, parsnips, spinach, and lettuce have been planted and are doing well. the herbs are all growing and being enjoyed. little man helped sort everything and when i turned my back for a second, he dumped the shucked peas on the grass. at least he helped pick them up - a real exercise in manual dexterity.

it is disgustingly hot - a record temperature of 33.8 celsius for Vancouver yesterday but i swear that was the temp in our house and the yard must have been 36. i took the kids to the nearest shopping mall to make use of the free air conditioning. little man is not coping well with the heat. i know this because he refused an ice cream cone. seriously, what two year old would pass on ice cream? today he has been lying in front of the fan dressed only in a diaper.

i am in the throes of summer house purge '09. we pulled everything out of the manshed/garage and put everything we couldn't donate in the alley with a big 'free' sign. the husband grumbled about how much we could have made by doing a garage sale but he still managed to buy himself a case of beer with all the empties he returned. took a few nice suits/shoes/bags to dress for success. a ton of kids stuff and toiletries went to crabtree corner. there are outgrown clothes put aside for smaller friends. i am getting it together, heat permitting.

ahoy maties and mermaids

2009-07-21T14:15:00.000-07:00

just prior to the arrival of 18 kids we took a little lunch break. attractive, no? it's the only picture i have (argh!) of 'mermaid village'. one must look beyond the exhausted mother to the castle, pirate ship, and mermaid cave. i spent a few days with my box cutter, some very large and sturdy bbq boxes, and a lot of latex paint. the kids loved it. i may have handled the decorations but the kid wrangling/entertainment credit goes to the husband. he even went so far as to grow a pirate mustache.

that's my happy mermaid in the pink skull shirt sporting her pirate bandana, seaweed skirt, and carrying her loot bag. for the treasure hunt the dads spread gold coins and marbles all over the hillside and the kids had to collect them in their loot bags. two lovely teenagers presided over the goodie table - sticker packs, rubber balls, hair clips, bracelets etc. - for the price of 5 marbles or doubloons. it seems to be promoting consumerism but i'm going with building math skills and sheer entertainment. we followed with cake and a pinata ... and a big nap.

making mermaids

2009-07-15T10:56:00.000-07:00

the girl is having her fifth birthday this saturday and it has been non-stop making at our house. the theme this year is mermaids and pirates. she insisted on me making mermaid tails for all the girls but we reached a compromise with 'seaweed skirts'. a mobility issue - we couldn't have a bunch of mermaids falling face first while the pirates made off with all the treasure.

instructions for 14 seaweed skirts:

i got several yards of 42" wide tulle in 3 sea-like colours and cut it into 20 inch lengths. i then cut it into strips approximately 8 inches wide. i cut a piece of 1" wide ribbon to be 40" long and marked 10-12" on either side of the centre. then i folded the 8" side of each piece of tulle into fourths and starting at one mark on the ribbon, i attached alternating strips of the tulle to the ribbon with a wide zigzag stitch until i reached the second mark. i made sure to sew with the right side of the ribbon on the bottom and the tulle as the top layer - nothing like a tulle tangle in the throat plate. the girls can tie the skirts around their waists and 'swim' to their hearts content. not exactly my finest quality sewing but good enough for an afternoon of fantasy play.

then of course there are 10 stripey bandanas for the pirates and enough eye patches for all the guests. i can't take credit for the loot bag idea - that goes to lovelydesign. i simplified a bit by using a length of twill tape for a handle instead of a drawstring and printed off some clipart onto t-shirt transfer paper. my results are not nearly so lovely as Sharilyn's but this is some serious volume with 20+ kids. my fingers have blisters.

and i still have to make the cardboard castle, pirate ship, and mermaid cave....

grown-up girl time

2009-07-09T16:52:00.001-07:00

sporadic blogging due to some not so fun medical testing. but tonight i will leave the messy house to see handmade nation with this creative handmaker. i wonder if the theatre serves beer... regardless, it will be great to visit with another grown up who is not a relative or a nurse/doctor/orderly.

cruisin'

2009-06-30T10:17:00.000-07:00

via

via via

it is such a gorgeous day. perfect for cruisin' the hood on a three speed. would i remember how? i haven't been on a bike since 1996 when i lived in japan. i had a bike very much like the top picture and it was bright yellow with a black basket on the front. maybe things have changed and people in japan now ride fancier bikes and actually use helmets but when i was there everyone rode a babachalinka (granny bike). people rarely locked their bikes with more than a flimsy skeleton key bar lock. the sidewalks were very wide on major thoroughfares with one side being designated for cyclists. and unlike the folks around these parts (vancouver), cyclists actually used their bells when coming up behind someone. we live on a bike route and it makes me crazy to see people without helmets, not using their bells, with their ipods blaring, and sometimes even talking on their cell phones. kids these days! i should talk - my sister would sit on my rat trap and we'd cruise along the edge of the rice paddies while drinking cans of plum wine sodas we'd gotten at the vending machine.

while i love love love anything alexander girard i don't know if an almost 40-year old needs such a girly bike. it's just asking to get stolen. i would also need to have a baby seat put on the front for my babyman. the asama euro 3 ladies bike is now added to my birthday list - i like that it's canadian made and available locally at cambie cycles. just in case the husband is reading...

lost in my library

2009-06-24T21:17:00.000-07:00

wow - that was a satisfying book. i've loved orangette for some time and can't wait til Molly is back to blogging. her book was on my wish list but i couldn't wait until my birthday. and apparently i couldn't wait to start baking. the book was finished at 6 pm and there was a french yogurt lemon cake on my counter by 8 pm. i made italian grotto eggs to eat while i waited for the cake to bake. all of it was delicious. what a loving rememberance of her father and such a romantic love story. check it out. i feel some serious cooking coming on - lots of salads from our garden.

after a totally chaotic final week at school we headed up to whistler for some family time. lots of food, napping, and playing. it was very gratifying to watch cable tv and discover that we are not missing a thing. the same cooking show episodes from two years ago were playing over and over. (cancelling our cable tv was one of the best decisions we've made for our family). but most of the time i read. and read. and read. too engrossed in stories to blog but someone else's stories are always so much more compelling.

i whipped through seven of the little house series, then the sharper your knife, the less you cry, and a homemade life in the last week. i was one of those kids who wore out the flashlight batteries by reading under the covers every night. one of the nicest parts of being a grown up is that i can read all night if i want. nothing can distract me from a good book and it's a bit of a family joke. my parents are both voracious readers. dad favours the tom clancy/ian fleming/spies/fast cars genre but my mom reads almost everything with exception of murder mysteries and science fiction. there are vague memories of arguments about the amount of time the other spent reading and therefore avoiding housework or lawnmowing.

our current house is packed with books and although they are somewhat organized it is getting a bit overwhelming. once in a while i purge a few books and invariably they end up back on the shelves before i can deliver them to the charity book drop. truth be told, a dangerously high stack serves as my bedtime reading library - a bit dangerous in the event of an earthquake. but imagine the obituary: death by reading. buried in books.

the sun is here

2009-06-10T09:16:00.000-07:00

the last two weeks of school are busy for all parents but when one of you is a teacher it gives new meaning to the word hectic. i feel like a single parent and i know the kids miss having their dad tuck them in. it all makes the summers off so much more appreciated. and i can't complain about the weather. a big change from the dreary june vancouver experienced last year.here's some sunny inspiration.

via sunbasilgarden

via maythird

FREE via poppytalk handmade

via sevenfiftythree

progress

2009-06-04T09:56:00.000-07:00

the garden is really coming along. every morning the kids and i do a check to see how big the plants have grown while we were sleeping. the only thing that hasn't germinated is some rosemary. i can't wait until we can eat some radishes or make a salad. the herb pots are looking great and the flowers are well on their way to providing us with some camoflage for the hideous fence. grow garden, grow!

there are already bigger plans for next year (hopefully at our very own house). i was very inspired by lynne at sugar city journal. see this link for the how-to and further inspiration. my neighbors have followed a similar plan and it is looking fantastic. sunset magazine is also a great source for small scale garden plans. vancouver city hall may even put in a vegetable garden with the produce going to the food bank. our new mayor is a pretty cool guy - handsome too!

dwell

2009-06-03T10:00:00.000-07:00

this time last year i was getting ready for my first trip to LA. cousin kimi got the brilliant idea for us to attend dwell on design. we attended the conference/lectures for two days and then there were two days of house tours. santa monica was amazing and while it was a busy trip, it was the most relaxed trip i have ever taken. we were so inspired by the gorgeous modern homes and the lectures on pre-fab, green houses. we both desperately want a modern place of our own so we are searching for the perfect reno project to divide into two homes.
and we've been buying lottery tickets... vancouver is still pricey despite the global economic downturn.

this shot is of a great front entrance we happened across. it reminds me of the urban homes in i saw in japan. many of the houses have fences right to the edge of the sidewalk and have interior courtyards. the climate allows people to make good use of their yards as an extension of their living space.

kimi arranged to have us stay at her friend's place in santa monica and at another friend's gorgeous bachelor home in the hollywood hills. we did spend a night at a hotel and wandered down the santa monica pier for mexican food and margaritas. it was the least we could do for ourselves after a hard day of walking through beautiful homes...

if things go according to plan, this time next year my family will be in one half of a duplex and kimi's family will be in the other... i'll be ass deep in home renovation projects but it is just so much more satisfying when it is your own home and not some landlord's investment property.

summer holidays

2009-05-28T10:04:00.001-07:00

can you believe this was a pig shed? wouldn't you love to rest here for a week or two? well, you can. this is just one of the lovely rooms at french farmhouse holidays. i worked with marianne at riesco & lapres interior design. she is a very accomplished and talented woman. she and her friend caitlin have worked hard to make their dream come true and i really admire them for following their passion.

our summer vacation doesn't really start until august 1st when my husband finishes up the day camp he runs in july. our only firm plan for a getaway is a few days at harrison hot springs with our kids and their paternal grandparents. the rest of the time we will find our entertainment locally. vancouver has a ton of fun and economical things to do - weather permitting.
me, i will be working hard on some projects - knitting, gardening, sewing, and starting a couple of new businesses... but i plan to make time for plenty of beer drinking and bbq.

making mojo

2009-05-26T09:49:00.000-07:00

I finally have my 'making mojo' back. the catalyst was reading 'Little House on the Prairie' for maybe the tenth time. something about a family who makes everything they need - gets me in the mood to make.

there are always old sewing patterns at the local thrift stores. but lately most of the patterns seem to be from the 1980's and i'm just not willing to go back to shoulder pads and flourescent geometric patterns. not good then and not good now. one of the best places to find era-specific patterns is Lazy Susan's at 3647 Main Street, Vancouver. they also carry a ton of cute jewelry and unique gift items - all very reasonably priced. sorry, no link.

i was too ill to go to work on sunday and the grandparents took the kids to the beach for the day. when i woke up from my nap i got right to work. i had every intention of drafting a dress from a japanese craft book i bought in san francisco but then remembered I had this pattern from 1967. even had enough black and white small check cotton and the correct length of zipper in my stash. the crazy thing with old patterns is the sizing - i mean seriously, who has the measurements of 36-24-38 these days? or any day for that matter. i'm on the slim side (some might say stick like) but i haven't had a 24 inch waist since i was eleven. but this basic shift required no alterations and i wore it the next day.

one of my top three handmades

2009-05-21T13:49:00.000-07:00

this little person looks awfully suspicious. is he just gauging how much he can potentially get away with? or is he thinking: YOU are my mom? for reals? you can barely handle the other two and where will i sleep in that tiny house? you realize you will be driving a minivan forever right? are you sure about this?

making this guy was certainly one of the best things we've ever done.

mr. handsomey turns two tomorrow. despite his best efforts to do damage to himself every day, he is still very much alive. he is the most energetic of our three kids. he can scream louder than anyone and has quite a throw. he climbs onto everything and wants nothing more than to run into traffic. he is wearing me out. that being said, he is so sweet and loving. he adores his brother and sister (and they him) and absolutely worships his dad. he loves cars and balls and eats anything (including things he shouldn't - enough with the pennies little dude). i can't wait for him to talk - his vocabulary is limited to: Daddy, Mommy, Blue, ball, bubble, bottle, bath, poo poo, and doot doot (for any vehicle). so yeah, he can get pretty frustrated. but he is my baby, the last i'll ever have, and time seems to be quickly passing. on the other hand, i can't wait to be finished with diapers.

Happy Birthday Webber Luke! we love you.

super masculine boy dolly made with wee wonderfuls

archie pattern - go get one

garden plan 2009

2009-05-20T11:43:00.001-07:00

big plans for the garden this year. i've sifted the soil and sprayed the chickweed with enviro-friendly weed killer. added compost and more topsoil. made a paver brick border and added a little brick patio. built a bamboo lattice on the south facing side of the tool shed (yed it is still hideous). bought more planters and pots and put in the tomato and bell pepper seedlings. planted herbs and veggies and flowers. if this house wasn't a rental i would have the front yard planted with berries and raised beds for more veggies.

i've just read In Defense of Food by Michael Pollan. he really makes a strong argument for being concious of where your food comes from. i would love to keep a couple of laying hens but i think my toddler would terrorize them. we can't afford to buy everything organic (milk at $10 for 4 litres - ouch!) but we do go to the farmer's markets, buy organic eggs, make our own bread and our meals are made from scratch. we are trying to eat less meat and go to the butcher rather than the big supermarket. i can't wait to walk out the back door and pick our own vegetables. you can't eat much more local than that.

mama's day

2009-05-11T10:21:00.001-07:00

these kind peeps (and their super dad) gave me a wonderful mother's day. this pic is almost two years old - they have all grown so much since that wee boy was born. i slept in and then went off to work. when i got home i had a very cozy nap and then we had a fantastic dinner - all homemade - enchiladas, caesar salad a la Julia Child, spanish rice followed by angel food cake topped with strawberries and whipped cream. beautiful handmade cards and lots of hugs and kisses.

sadly, my mom called me to say that my aunt Joyce had died early on Mother's Day after a very brief battle with cancer. i barely knew her (big family spread out over a big country) but she was a legend around our house. my oldest son got to visit them in sudbury last summer and he still tells us about how well she fed him. no meal was complete without her setting out every condiment on the table and asking if he wanted more toast. Joyce was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother and did it all in a cheerful way. to honour her i am going to step back from the computer for a bit and try to find a better balance in order to spend more time just playing with my kids. they are little for only so long.

mom - spoiler alert - close your eyes

2009-05-05T09:06:00.000-07:00

here are the socks for my mom. they are made from Fleece Artist Sea Wool but I can't remember the colour way. the yarn is made from 70% wool and 30% sea cell. Fleece Artist is by far my favourite sock yarn - so luxurious and colourful and Canadian. the merino sock yarn kit makes a beautiful pair of socks with enough left over to make a pair of baby socks. i have a basket of little balls that i have been hoarding and plans to make a scarf of little mitred squares. then again it is nice to just dig in with both hands and feel all the squishy goodness.

knitting socks is another one of my tactics to beat the blahs. i find that i can mindlessly knit while watching tv after the kids go to bed. having a little stock of gifts for birthdays and christmas takes away a little pressure when i've run out of time to make a more custom gift. and socks wear out so there's always a need for more.

meh

2009-05-04T22:01:00.000-07:00

gotta bad case of the housefrau blues - must be hungover from my mini vacation. (which was fantastic by the way). my tried and true recovery formula for me is list making (after a bit of wallowing, a good cry, and some serious house scouring). it sounds like a sure way to fail by setting up too many expectations and opportunities for guilt. however, my current list is pretty long but it does not have any due dates. i'm trying to get one thing done a day and i make sure to add a few easy ones. like make the bed or put a load of laundry in the washer. it's sluggish, uninspired times like these that i appreciate having made a stash of handknit socks to send off to my mom and mother-in-law. the pressure of mother's day could put me over the edge...

leaving for las vegas

2009-04-24T09:39:00.001-07:00

my favourite trip accessory by far is a small compass. in vancouver everyone knows that the mountains are to the north so it is pretty easy to navigate. however, in a flat place with few natural landmarks or in a busy city, a compass can be really useful. just remember that the top of any map is north. i am on the lookout for a lovely compass to wear all the time and this would be perfect.

my best girlfriend and i are off for a few days of shopping and sun in sin city. looking forward to shopping, good food, a big bed to myself, and sitting by a pool with a stack of trashy magazines. and of course having a great time with my closest friend who has been like a compass through the good and the bad for many, many years.

spring cleaning

2009-04-22T10:08:00.001-07:00

i am trying really hard to get inspired this spring and spotted this today over at Sew, Mama, Sew! maybe i just need to do an overhaul of the studio/home office/junk room. i did move the book cases around so i could sit in front of the window but the books are still a big disorganized mess. do i organize them by subject, colour (wouldn't that be pretty?), or most often used? i did find two of my stand-bys, both were given to me by my maternal grandmother when I was about 10. she was a very proficient sewer and knitter - having 6 kids and little money - and her mother was a seamstress. i can definitely recommend your local used book store or thrift store for reference books. the fashions shown in the books may not be au courant but the sewing techniques are time tested and no different from more recently published books. and the more money you save, the more money you have for fabrics or your dream sewing machine.... i'm saving up for this one.

i love paris

2009-04-17T14:43:00.000-07:00

from
famille summerbelle

i love love love paris. just looking at a map brings back great memories. i visited as a twelve year old and went back with my husband for our honeymoon. even the collossal heatwave couldn't stop us from enjoying every moment. we've promised ourselves that we will return as often as possible. (it'll have to wait awhile - sigh). get your little piece of paris right here - famille summerbelle. check out the amazing family tree and cute tapes - free worldwide shipping in celebration of their one year anniversaire.

cute freebie

2009-04-16T10:12:00.000-07:00

i've been suffering from a little 'seasonal malaise' and not feeling very inspired. this little poster is just the thing to perk up my little computer corner. however, this pic is making me feel a little down - come on kate, learn to use the camera and editing software ALREADY.

my big boy is at school, the girl is busy playing with her tiniest toys and the little boy is at daycare today. thursday afternoons are for me to get some sewing and making done without having to worry about kids impaling themselves on scissors or swallowing buttons. today i am actually being treated to a nice ladies lunch. just have to remember not to have more than one glass of wine or i might just forget to pick up the kids.

i married a boy

2009-04-14T15:57:00.000-07:00

after a couple of days of mediocre weather we finally have some sunshine. on monday the kids were getting pretty whiny after a ton of chocolate and being cooped up due to rain. i happily pulled weeds while my husband set up the hot wheels track outside for the kids. they really enjoyed it but i think he's the one who had the most fun.

my lucky neighbors have this beautiful magnolia tree in their yard. i look out at it from my chair at the kitchen table every meal (while imagining that the pile of pots and pans on the counter behind me has magically cleaned itself up).