Projects

So, here is my vanity table & seat I FINALLY finished (with a little help from my hubby) for our bedroom. I bought it at the thrift shop for 30 bucks at about this time last year. The mirror is an old find from several years ago, the little vintage Avon jars I picked up around the same time as the vanity. My husband's aunt gave me the tree which is meant for small photo frames but they have been discontinued. It works perfect for my collection of earrings (jewellery was and is my travelling weakness).


...And here sits my next project
(Desk from the thrift shop for Forty dollars)


...And my next
(This turtle footstool was built for me by my Grandpa, but has since lost his eyes, poor guy, and worn out his "shell" a bit - He is in desperate need of love)


That's all I'm allowed right now. I have been forbidden to bring home any more furniture projects that I may want assistance with.
Oh, but he is a good sport. I'm sure he could be swayed should the perfect item appear. ;)
xo

How-To: Baby Toy Strap

I have found a toy strap for the stroller invaluable while out and about, so I thought I would share with you a simple tutorial for how to make your own. Hope you like it! They are great for snack cups, toys, and sippy cups.

The Goods:
*Easy to sew velcro
*Fabric of your choosing 2" wide by 28" long - It works out to being just under 20" long which seems like the perfect length as it won't hit the ground, but is long enough for the child to play and move the toy about.
*Matching thread

The Details:
Lay your 2 pieces of fabric out and press.




With the right side of the 2 pieces together, stitch the 2 ends and along one side

Turn right side out - You can see the raw, open edge on the left side in the photograph below


Fold in unstitched edge and pin


Stitch around entire strap, fairly close to the edge

Fold one end over 4 inches and press
Stitch in place through all layers where shorter, folded over piece meets the main length of material (You can see this on the left side of the photograph below)


Fold over other end 4 inches, measure and pin 'easy to sew' velcro in place




Ta Da! A handy, dandy, cheap & easy, made from scraps, toy strap! :)


Please NEVER leave your child unattended with this toy strap. Be careful to fasten low enough (don't hang above childs head) on the stroller or car seat to reduce the risk of entanglement or strangulation. Do NOT use on a crib or anywhere child may be unsupervised.

**When I first started making these, I placed velcro on both ends. It isn't long before your little one is quite adept at opening the velcro end nearest them and throwing the toy on the floor despite your efforts to sew them a cute little strap to prevent this very situation. The end without velcro is sturdy, and easily wraps around any toy or sippy/snack cup. Simply wrap the sewn loop around your item, and then pull the velcro end through the sewn loop before securing to your stroller, cart, or car seat.

Happy Weekend!

I hope everyone has enjoyed their weekend. I know we have!

Where did the year go?

My very special little boy turned ONE yesterday!



I know how hard I searched for party ideas, so here are a few I can share
The little container with the #1 on it came in a 3 pack from IKEA (including a #2 and a #3, of course), I will use the 2 next year (etc.), and then he has 3 little containers to keep his toys in. I thought it would be cute as a birthday centerpiece, and it also held all the cutlery.

Loot bags were made from the sleeves of thrifted men's shirts that I am collecting to make this little boy's (one day) big boy quilt

Plates, cups, bowls, and cutlery were bought (as a substitute for disposable) at IKEA to be put away and used only for Birthdays. I would have preferred something that wasn't plastic, but you'd be hard pressed to find something as durable, long-lasting, and easy for a child's birthday

And of course, the Reusable Birthday bunting made from scraps of pillowcases, dress shirts, sheets, and other bits from the stash

My one disposable splurge (besides balloons) were these sweet napkins. Couldn't help it!


All in all, a fabulous day. A year ago, we were marveling at this brand new little guy - wondering what his personality would be like, when those first teeth would come, when those first steps would happen - and now here we are looking back on his first year already. I love this little boy of mine SO much. Happy Birthday to him!

Another year

I had a very special day yesterday.
It started with the last of the very tasty cinnamon buns I bought at the farmer's market this week

Some help opening my first birthday gift

A super sweet mom-made card, and a handmade felted purse which I received in the mail.

A beautiful potted plant of Calla Lilies, yellow of course, brought home to me by my wonderful husband along with A SERGER!!! A long time dream of mine - I think I'm going to need a bigger sewing room ;)

Too many birthday wishes, a lovely card from my in-laws, a dinner with great friends, and to finish it off a snuggle with my little boy.

Another year gone by in a flash! It has been a very busy one full of amazing memories.
*The birth of our son
*A Christmas in Alberta with my family - the first with everyone in 4 years.
*The revival of my love for sewing, cooking, writing, & baking
*The beginning of this blog
*My little boys many, many milestones
*And a month long fabulous trip around Italy showing us that, yes, we can travel with our little one.

Definitely a good one. I have good vibes about this next one too. I think the older I get, the better they get.
So Happy New Year to you!

A sneak peek

2 days until our little ones FIRST Birthday!
I'm excited for my baby boy to have the best day ever celebrating his first whole year of life *sniff*. I am so proud of him and can't wait to see the growing he does in his second year!

Board Books

I love 'em. The little guy can find interest in books (his own way i.e. chewing and throwing) without me being all uptight about it, and there are just so many awesome ones. He has all his board books on a shelf that he can reach, and as soon as he is in his room he races right over tears them all off the shelf and then sits and turns the pages. It's one of my favourite things to watch.

Some favourites so far


Four new ones will join the shelf this Thursday (the First Birthday Extravaganza) :


These little hands love to flip through a good book


Any favourite board books to share?

Pizza Time!

Just had to show my 2 commemorative pizzas (before oven), and of course (let's not pretend) the mess that ensues when one takes on a kitchen project such as this.

Last week I was where??

I can't believe that one week ago today, we were sitting in Trastevere, Rome enjoying an amazing Margherita pizza, which I learned is made to honour the Italian flag with it's red tomatoes, green basil, and white mozzarella cheese.




We'll need to have homemade pizza tonight to commemorate the day. Just looking at that pizza is making my mouth water.

Pancakes

Pancakes are one of my most favourite things, for any time of day. Here is the recipe I use most often from my trusty, old, food-coated, Betty Crocker cookbook:

1 egg
1 cup all-purpose flour or Whole wheat flour
3/4 cup milk
2 Tbsp veg. oil
1 Tbsp granulated sugar (with all-purpose flour) or 1 Tbsp brown sugar (if using Whole wheat flour)
1 Tbsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt - I leave the salt out and they are just as tasty.
Beat egg until fluffy; beat in remaining ingredients until smooth. For thinner pancakes, stir in additional milk (according to the texture you like).
Use 1/4 cup measure to scoop out batter and pour onto hot griddle. Cook until puffed and dry around edges (I flip them as soon as bubbles appear and pop in the center). Turn and cook other side until golden brown.
Smother in maple syrup!



This little guy approves, especially with a touch of applesauce on top.

xo