Sunny Days

Ahhh... sunny days...






We're not quite at bare toes in the grass, but we'll get there...
We'll get there...


xo

As a side note here are a couple of things I'm lovin':
This tattoo

This page of awesome goodness now also on my 'To Make' list!

These dreamy cookies. This is not their first mention on my blog, and probably won't be the last.

and every piece of beautiful art Here

Cloth Baskets

In the past week I stitched together these fabric "baskets" for the moms. SURPRISE!! (That was for the mamas). I love this project and have a list of people I want to make one for including myself.



It is quite a quick sewing project. A nice, open afternoon should about do it.
You can find it amidst January's projects in the 2011 sewing calendar.
The tutorial (by Joanna Armour) is also available online Here. The finished basket is 6 inches high and 11 inches across.

I'm just trying to decide what to put in them now. They'd make lovely gifts, holding a couple skeins of yarn and knitting needles or a set of crochet hooks.

I drew this bird template to create the applique for the grey basket.


*You are welcome to use this template for personal use

Here at Sew, Mama, Sew! is an excellent and very thorough tutorial on applique.

TRAVEL TUESDAY

I do so love to travel.

It currently is not possible for me to be traveling all year, every year, and so I need to fill those gaps by talking about it, writing about it, dreaming about it... You get the idea.

Though I'm not much for schedules, I have decided to dedicate Tuesdays to all things travel until further notice.

Just creating my space (at least one day a week) where I can dream, recall, and hopefully even lend a helping hand to the odd like-minded soul.



“People don’t take trips – trips take people.” – John Steinbeck

Weekend Thrifting

I know I should have been outside enjoying the sunshine and warmth on Saturday but, alas, I was browsing through one of the local thrift shops instead.



The container on the left is such an awesome score. It held all the knitting needles that were for sale, so I wasn't sure they would let my buy it. 3 bucks later, this baby is at my house and holding my small number of knitting needles. Perfection!
I don't have a plan for the green glass dish except that it will be in my sewing room. You can never have enough containers in a sewing room - am I right??




The knitting needles are handmade from birch in Milwaukee, WI.
This children's book is a basic intro to various fiber's and I love it!
The basket is intended to sit underneath my sewing table as a catcher for scraps that I may otherwise toss in the garbage. I'm finding more and more projects that utilize fabric scraps of ALL sizes and so, I might as well hang on to them (like I need an excuse to step-up my fabric hoarding!!).

I also picked up 3 pairs of pants for my quickly growing big little boy at 3 dollars each, and an awesome dress for myself that needs a couple alterations. Maybe a post for another day...

I think the thrift shop was the right choice for my Saturday!

ps. I did sort of enjoy the sunshine from just inside the garage while I threw a coat of paint on a couple of last week's thrifted finds. Does that count?

The Start of An Artist

It is so exciting to watch little hands beginning their exploration of art.



It gives me hope that it won't be long before we can chill out and create together!! VERY exciting stuff indeed.


*Thanks SO much to Sara at Pomegranate Chronicles for sending your Link Love my way on this fine and sunny day!!

{This Moment}

{This moment} is inspired by Soulemama, and beautifully done by so many. It reveals a moment from our week that is special enough to stand alone, without need for expression, or explanation.



Have a great weekend!
xo

I AM...

I AM addicted to, and missing out on valuable sleep in the early night hours due to, Jack Bauer and his crazy antics in Season 7.

I AM drinking a lot of Earth Mama Angel Baby Milkmaid tea and loving it.

I AM reading this amazing blog which I discovered through this other amazing blog. Man I love this world of bloggers. Isn't it cool how it has created role models, inspiration and a kind of celebrity, out of both working and stay-at-home mamas, and normal awesome chicks everywhere??!

I AM pining for these amazing pants which I WILL buy the pattern for, and then my pining will be instead for some time when I can sew them!


*image borrowed from Burdastyle.com

I AM so into adding a teaspoon or so of vanilla to my pancake mix thanks to one of my sisters-in-law.

I AM having fun with my baby boys at the Early Years Centre, which is awesomely free (for all you Ontario based mamas out there).

I AM looking forward to voting on May 2nd.


*image borrowed from testcanada.com

And even moreso...
I AM REALLY looking forward to a flight at the end of May to visit my family, where I can properly introduce the newest member of our clan, and where they can get to know Levi at this oh so hilarious, and sometimes rowdy stage of his life.

I AM eating TOO much Lindor Dark Chocolate which IS what we probably will be eating in heaven.

I AM happy for moments of beauty amidst these days of rainfall. It is spring after all! Time to let it be, and enjoy it while it's here.



...And I AM tired, oh SO tired but I AM love, love, LOVING being a mama twice over!!



Happy Thursday!
What are you up to?
xo

Sewing Treasury

Take a peek at the new treasury I created on Etsy yesterday.
SewFabulous is a collection of all things sewing - to decorate or organize your sewing room, or just a pretty spot to keep your pins and needles.

It was a fun treasury to browse for!

My Little Kitchen Helper

My new and most brilliant solution...





See how seriously he takes his "work"





When something needs doing of the baking variety, my little guy "helps" with his bowl of flour and measuring cups and spoons, transferring from bowl to bowl. A happy little man keeps kitchen work light.
Worst case scenario? Flour EVERYWHERE. ;)

Easter Weekend

We had a great Easter weekend with friends and family and WAY too many sweets! The sun came out just in the nick of time on Good Friday, so that we could enjoy watching Levi look for eggs.



I picked up a huge bag of plastic refillable eggs at the thrift store for two bucks a while back. They will be perfect for reusing each year. I plan to purchase a nice basket for each child to put their special Easter treats in every Easter, but I didn't quite get around to it this time around. I like Tonya's idea from Plain and Joyful Living to hide eggs with coins in them. We hesitate to give too many sweets, and Levi has yet to experience chocolate that isn't in the form of a glass of milk. We filled his eggs with Cheddar bunnies, dried cranberries, teddy grahams, and small ginger cookies. He was quite happy chowing down on those goodies throughout the day.


Opening a gift mailed from Grandma and Grandpa


No eggs for this little guy, but it didn't stop him from flashing his sweet little smile several times over!

While uploading, I discovered there were about 30 photos that were not taken by me. I figure these chubby little toes will lead us to the photographer...



Another tasty dinner with family was to be had on Saturday, followed by church on Sunday, and a couple of good long walks which I have been needing for a while. With another week of rain ahead of us, I'm sure glad we were able to squeeze those in.

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend!! Happy Easter xo