Hipsta-cation

Like I said, a little obsessed with Hipstamatic in these parts. Here's the view from the road.

Beach Blanket Bingo

What could be nicer than a family trip to the beach, with a picnic packed and a nice picnic blanket? I started making this quilt in June -- my plan was just to do a quick and dirty patchwork quilt. A broken sewing machine (so happily repalced) and some serious binding procrastination threw me off track, but I finally finished my hand sewing last night. And I couldn't be more delighted.

What makes me most proud is that this gorgeous quilt cost me almost no dollars. The fabric on the top is all either scraps or garage sale finds, the back is a piece of solid gray from a garage sale and the binding is a very light denim, also thrifted. And the batting? Through a strange set of circumstances Aaron and I found ourselves in possession of a couple of Snuggies. While Snuggies are awesome in theory, the fabric they're made of is truly horrid. So rather than junking them, I used one as the batting for this blanket. It worked like a charm -- not as thick as a proper quilt, but with enough heft so it won't blow away at the beach.


So yes, think of me going to the lake, sitting down with my quilt and kicking back. And feeling proud that I finally finished something. Hooray!

Low Tech Tech Cozy

I got one of those fancy new iPhones. Yep. Before you judge you should know the following: this is the first smart phone I've ever had and I did not stand in line for it (they were just released in Canada last week). My crappy flip phone had got to the point where it only had a two hour battery life after a full night's charge and since I'm hoping to work a little bit more come this fall, I really needed access to email when I'm out and about with the kids. And they're just really cool. And I'm already addicted to the Hipstamatic camera app. Yes, I just said "app."

Anyway, after getting the phone through my wireless provider (thankfully my contract was almost up so I got this baby at a fraction of the actual retail price in exchange for signing up again plus I didn't have to wait in line to get it) I went to my local Apple Store, breezed past the 300+ people waiting in line to get a phone of their own and asked the nice man there where the cases for the phone were. They didn't have any. A quick trip to the online Apple Store illuminated the fact that the store in the mall wasn't just sold out, but no one makes decent cases for the new iPhone yet. If you have one of the old iPhones there are dozens of cute cases (including some really lovely Kate Spade designs). For the new one? Nada. Not a problem if you're like my husband and carry it in your jeans pocket, but if you have a big crazy disorganized purse and don't want your phone scratched to pieces, this is bad news.

I really want a decent protective case that still gives me access to my phone, but until that happens I whipped up a little slip cover for my phone. It took exactly two minutes. I folded a piece of felt, sewed up the sides on the machine, trimmed the edges with pinking shears and slipped my phone into it. Not a perfect solution, but so easy. Like, so easy.

On a side note, Aaron bought a case for his iPad (yes, we're turning into that kind of family) that is basically this, just in really thick wool felt (it would have been too thick to put though a sewing machine -- it actually offers a bit of protection beyond being merely scratch proof). It cost $45. For a felt envelope. Seriously.

FAB! (Ric)

In an effort to stop using the same five or six prints for every single thing I make, I bought some new fabric. My super awesome friend Heather directed me to a fab sale on Westminster quilting cotton over at Fabric.com a few weeks ago (sorry, it's long over) and I went a little crazy. This stuff was super cheap -- I'm talking less than $3 a yard. So, I took advantage, getting a hodgepodge of stuff with no particular project in mind. If I was thinking I would have bought from a single collection so I could make a fancy coordinated quilt, but who am I kidding? I'd way rather just stick this stuff in the stash and mix it up with my existing stash of vintage and non-vintage fabrics when the right project comes.

Speaking of which (and speaking of those same prints that I use every single time), I'm patiently hand sewing the binding on my picnic quilt, which I need to finish next week if I want to take it on our summer road trip. Oh binding, why? Why?

Weekend Thrift

Hey it's me, taking a break from my self-imposed blog hiatus. This summer has been so busy, I've barely even had time to thrift, which is just insane to me. So many garage sales, so little time. But I did hit a really crazy estate sale on the weekend -- the person in question had some pretty solid collections of random things -- mostly broken old toys and butter churns, but I did snag a couple of things.

Above, as you can see, is a decorative trio of golden nuns. If you wind them up it plays the song from the Sound of Music (you know, the nun one). I think this will come out every Christmas. I love it.


Since Aaron was busy, I had to drag the kids along and they went crazy over the mountains of crappy toys. They each snagged a lunch box (Henry wouldn't let me take his Snoopy box away from him long enough to photograph it, he loves it so) and Ruby also chose a bunch of She-ra toys. I'm about five years too old to have been a She-ra fanatic, but we did a google search to identify them. Good times!

Cooky Cooky!

My KitchenAid mixer is fixed and back in my house. It cost $120 to fix the gear -- which hurt, but is much cheaper than buying a new one (and I've realized I can't live without one). Can I bake every one of the 400 cookies in Betty Crocker's Cooky Book? It might take me a decade, but I'm gonna try! First cookie on the list attempted over at the other blog.

Happy Birthday Canada

Happy birthday to the best country I know. Canada, your government has disappointed me greatly this week, what with the complete affront of civil liberties and mass arrests that happened this weekend in Toronto. Not cool, government. In fact, holding such a meeting in the most populated area of the country was not cool. But this isn't a political blog, so I'm not going to rant. Because I do have a big ugly rant in me. But I'm saving it for my friends and loved ones. Just know, Mr. Harper and friends, you will not have my vote next time around (though, who am I kidding, they never had my vote in the first place).


Onto happier things. Check out the awesome Canadian flag that Ruby drew to hang on our window. She wanted to start her day by flinging the front door open and yelling "Happy Birthday, Canada," but then lost her nerve. She even drew out this plan. I'll translate for you -- Step 1: Make balloons. Step 2: Eat toast and peanut butter. Step 3: Eat cake. Step 4: Give presents to Mommy and Daddy. Step 5: Sing a song that she wrote. Step 6: Have a party.

It didn't work out quite that way -- instead we spent the day at the awesome historical village theme park. And soon we will eat barbequed food. And drink iced tea. After all, it's a day to celebrate.

Epherma

I hit an amazing estate sale yesterday -- I swear the woman who passed away did not buy a single thing after 1958. While I'm always a little sad to rifle though a deceased person's things (especially as their family looks on), I always assume that the previous owner would like the fact that her stuff is finding a new home. I know I would.

We found some other things, but I was absolutely thrilled to find a lot of vintage children's illustrations, in the form of books, comics and (get ready for it) paper dolls! I don't know why I'm so drawn to vintage children's epherma, but I can't get enough of it. I'm only allowing the kids to play with one book -- the rest is far too precious. I just get the shivers looking at it. I hope you enjoy it too.

7 Things I Like.

It's another indoor day here (we really wasted our money putting Ruby in soccer this year), so I figured I'd do a random list of things that are making me happy these days:

1. Contrary to the above statement and the last post, I'm loving the rain. It rains here so rarely under regular circumstances, so I'm loving it. If it continues for another week I may take that back.

2. Garden gnomes. And other lawn ornaments that strike my fancy.

3. Reruns of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. And the new season of True Blood. Yes, I am weak.

4. Smoothies spiked with Vega Whole Food Health Optimizer. Aaron calls it my "new age food" and wants nothing to do with it, but subbing my regular cereal in the morning with a Vega shake has done away with a lot of stomach problems I was experiencing. Sure, it tastes like dirt, but you get used to it.

5. Things that come out of my children's mouths. Example from Ruby: "Dad, did you know that an iPad is just an iPhone but really, really big?" followed by "Mom, have you ever had pizza made from humans?"

6. The World Cup.

7. Coconut cream green tea.

And that is all for now. Enjoy the rain or the sun, wherever you are.

Pimm's, Anyone?

There was an oasis of sunshine this weekend to break up what's seemed like weeks of dreary rain. Yesterday was a perfect hanging out in the backyard with friends day -- our first of the year. And yes, friends, there was Pimm's. I followed Martha Stewart's method, which garnishes with lemon, but I swiftly realized that omitting cucumber was a tragedy. It is a mistake that will not be repeated. The act of making Pimm's Cup on a Sunday afternoon, however, shall be repeated throughout the summer. Mark my (gin-soaked) words.

New Baby

Look what followed me home the other day. Really. Actually, my much maligned cheap-o Singer sewing machine finally met its match after years of me trying to force it to do things it just wasn't designed to do. I know I could have fixed it, but I was so annoyed with it and so tired of it being unable to hold tension and just being plain crappy that I decided it was time to hit the online classifieds and buy a new one. I managed to find a never before used (it was won in a contest -- in fact, someone in a Canadian city near you probably won one and is selling it online) Janome 2160QDC, with a quilting package included. I got it for about $350 less than suggested retail. I feel pretty stoked, I must tell you.

I didn't know it could be like this. This thing is so bloody quiet -- it's like it's whispering to me. And it has a walking foot. A walking foot! And the feed dogs drop. And it has a darning foot! Free motion quilting, here I come. Now if you excuse me, I need to go spend some quality time with my new friend.

In Production

And motivation begins to creep in. Yes, that's a stack of cut fabric. Shockingly, most of it has now been sewn together. I'm feeling good, people. Feeling good.


In other news, Ruby is taking piano lessons with an awesome musician that we know. She sent home a little keyboard picture for Ruby to colour and Ruby took it upon herself to write "I colour me and you!" This cracks me up like crazy.

Art Star

I've had one of those weeks where I was extra extra extra proud of my kiddos. Ruby participated in a summer art program last July and they held back a piece by each of the kids. They went through all the pieces, chose about 50 and curated an art show at a little gallery downtown. We went to the opening last week and Ruby decked herself out in a pretty dress and a tiara and was just so lovely and pleased with herself. The organizers asked if she'd come back this week to be interviewed by a local TV channel about her piece. Ruby is a very animated girl but clams up around strangers, so I was reluctant, but she wanted to do it and she did a great job. Proud, I tell ya.

So, here is the painting. It's a cowgirl. I'd forgotten that she'd signed her name backwards -- it was something she did for about three weeks last year and could never explain why she did it. Her drawing has changed so much in the last year and it was amazing to see this little nugget captured from when she was a mere four and a half.

Whoopie Doopie Doo

I made whoopie pies! I was underwhelmed! I shall try again!

(more info at the other blog.)

To the Moms

This is a picture of the shadow that came through my bedroom window yesterday morning. I captured it as best as I could. I feel so lucky to live in a neighbourhood with decent mature trees.

So, Mothers' Day, right? This one is a good one and a tough one for me. The reason I've been less present in this space in the last six months or so is that I have little to blog about (not making much) and can barely find the words when I do have something to say. I'm hoping that this crazy period is the pinnacle of my kids' craziness -- my two-year-old is a complete wild man and my five-year-old is a curious question-asker that insists on bossing her brother around at all times. This makes for a lot of talking in our house. And screaming. And whining. I love these children more than anything and I know I will miss this special time once they're through being little. But man, I can hardly wait until I get to a time when I can hear myself think for more than two minutes throughout the day. Although, by the time that happens, I'll probably be heartbroken that they're not babies anymore.

I'm savoring this mother's day as best as I can. I love being a mother. But I'm also looking forward to a future date when I have the headspace to be a functioning person again.

xoxo

Eh, Spring?

I wanted to make a banner for spring (a la Alicia), but I was starting to think that I'd dragged my heels for too long and the spring boat was passing me by. But, as I look out my window at a major blizzard (on May 4), I'm reminded that this has been a wacky year for weather everywhere. I originally planned to have this up by St. Patrick's Day (hence a lot of green), but with spring not quite here yet, I'm certainly not too late.

Anyway, I'm feeling good that I finished something. I had a major breakdown this week over Ruby's kindergarten enrollment next year. Basically, I was feeling less than great about our local elementary school and could envision her life being steered in the wrong direction (I realize this was kind of crazy). My instincts that the school is less than ideal for our family were confirmed after I spoke to the principal (note: it's still a decent school, just not right for us), so we've decided to sacrifice locale for an amazing school that suits our family's style and beliefs. I am so excited, but the excitement only comes after a load of stress and some sleepless nights. I have a feeling that our family's life is never going to be boring. Which I kind of appreciate, but sometimes a little boring would be nice if it means I get a little bit of extra sleep. Phew.

Ruby in Paradise

Sorry for the unexplained absence -- our little fam took off for two glorious weeks in Maui and I was so frazzled prepping for the trip, there was no time to blog. As I explained to Aaron, for a mom, traveling with small children isn't so much a vacation as it is a business trip. A beautiful, fun and sun-filled business trip, but business nonetheless.

Speaking of business, I'm back and ready to buckle down (to some degree, at least). So much to do!

p.s. I don't know why, but I have a strange tendency to dress my children like tiny senior citizens vacationing in Florida. This time Henry got the brunt of my lunacy. Sorry, tiny old man.

Randoms

Man, I've been neglecting this space. I've actually been losing followers! I'm so sorry, I feel like I'm letting you down, dear blog. But as anyone who's done it will tell you, having a two-year-old boy is craaaazy! Henry is the most lovable creature, but Ruby and I spend most of our time baffled by his behavior and energy. Roo will often look at me and just say "Mommy, I love Henry, but he is such a pain. in. the. butt."

I have been working on some projects, but mostly I've been working on being lazy and keeping my boy from jumping off of high places. So, here's some randoms:

* Above is an amazing wall hanging that our friend Jenaya gave to Ruby. It hung in Jenaya's room and her mom was cleaning out the house and sent it home with her. Jenaya immediately thought of Ruby to gift it to. This is the second time she's unloaded things that her mother is trying to get rid of on us and frankly, I couldn't be happier.

* Happy Easter, for those of you who are into such things. We spent the weekend up in the mountains, where it looks like winter, but feels like spring. Sleigh rides! Skating! Sounds like an excuse to spread hot chocolate drinking into April if you ask me.

* I reviewed the film about the Runaways a few weeks ago and it's finally opening across the country. To celebrate, I'm reading Cherie Currie's autobiography, which is awesome and a very quick and easy read.

* Speaking of rock bios, I also just finished this book about Elvis Presley and the women who loved him. It's very juicy. And very sad. I can't get Elvis off my mind. They whole time I was reading it I was hoping it wouldn't end the way I knew it would. Sad, sad, sad.

* I am working on some crafty stuff. I'm just having trouble finishing. Hopefully the melting snow will give me some motivation. Or I might just go outside and never make anything again. (Just kidding. Don't stop following me.)

Crafting With Kids

Do you craft much with your kids? I sadly don't do nearly enough. I find that while Ruby likes doing it, she has a short attention span and likes to put in the minimal amount of effort into any project. When she comes home from school with crafts the other kids seem to have elaborate drawings, and she just does a couple of squiggles and then runs off to play. Perhaps she just doesn't love making things? Yet she claims to want to do crafty things all the time...

If I've learned anything about crafting with a five-year-old, it's that you need to keep things simple (especially when you have a very demanding two-year-old boy riding sidecar). We got this very cool looking Princess Doll Making Kit for Ruby's birthday and while I love the intent behind this craft, it was a bust in our house. Double sided tape, cutting with grown up scissors, precise placement... did I mention the double sided tape that holds the whole thing together? All of it made for a sad looking doll and a sadder looking mama. With Easter Break coming up, I think we need to stick to the basics. Any ideas out there?

Cupcakes for a Big Boy

I thought it should be noted that my sweet, my love, my little Mr. Henry Pickles turned two this weekend. I don't have much to say on the matter -- I was alone with the kids over the weekend, which was tough, and I do admit that there were times when I was ready to send him off to live in the zoo. But generally, he is such a lovely little light. The world's biggest smiles, sloppiest kisses, longest eyelashes, deepest belly laughs, softest skin, splashiest baths, and most rebel-ist rebel yell all come from this tiny little boy. He is a peach, a treasure, and definitely made of snips and snails and puppy dog tails. xoxoxo

Oh, and check out more info on the cupcakes a the other blog. Henry's verdict was: "Rillly rilly gooooood!"