Write it down, Link it up

When I came across this post I wanted to know more so I clicked on this button...

To see what it was all about. Going through the links I was intrigued. I have always found writing to be a bit of a chore in one way and a wonderful outlet in another. You may not know it here but my spelling is atrocious. I don't like to admit that I rely heavily on spell checks and am shocked when I spell words like Atrocious right the first time. I often expect the little red squiggly line to show up under my words and am confused when it does not. So that is where the chore comes in. If I write it by hand there is no little red line to correct me and there is no going back when I do it wrong. It is there and that is that. You will see some spelling mistakes in this very post.

But I have spent time playing around with the "art" side of handwriting. It may not show in this post but I have spent many an hour playing with different forms of writing out my words. When I first sat down to write this out I thought I might play around with my letters again. But then I came to a conclusion. I want you to see what is real.

Here is what you would see if I were to write out a note for you on paper. (by the way if you buy something from my shop you will receive a little hand written note, Just sayin'.) This is the real me. No re-writes, no eraser. The real deal. Hope you enjoy and go ahead and follow the link to see some other fun hand writing out there in the blog world.

(also missed crossing some of my t's which I only discovered later.)



Happy Thursday all.

My take on KCWC so far

I have often come across sewing for kids week in blogs here and there on the world wide web and have always wanted to take part. So when I came across KCWC Fall 2012 I wanted to dive right in. I wasn't sure I could actually give an hour a day to sewing but now I fear what is worse.


I can't stop at only an hour. I want to sew all the time.


Now I remember why I don't allow myself to even start on a project. I will never stop. So after this week we'll see what happens but for now I am having a blast with turning out some warm winter pants for my girl.

Now on to the pattern. I have used this pattern once before and found it to be much too long in the waist for my girl and so there have been a few alterations made. For these brown pants I also brought in the pant leg as it is supposed to be a wide leg pant and I wanted something that hugged in a bit.

The fabric is brown corduroy that I had kicking around and some accent cotton that I had gotten in the scrap bin at the fabric store. Pocket design comes from here and I chose to do a flat front vs. the elastic all around on the waist band.


I didn't cut off enough excess on the front pieces and so had to do a bit of a pin tuck thing last minute but it just looks like it is part of the elastic portion of the pant so no worries. I lined the cuffs with the same fabric as the pockets so that when the pants are rolled up there is this sweet soft pink flower fabric. I figure these pants will go for a long time with so much extra cuff to roll up.


Next up were some warm jogging type pants.


Again same pattern, this time with a full leg that was pulled in with a loose elastic at the bottom.

Ah yes here is the pattern. When I took out all the kinks it works well. Really it is a referance point that I use cause it fits well for my girls bottom. Just the waist was too high and the leg to long. She is a size 4 so to speak but not so tall.



Also a little balloon detail for my balloon loving girl.

Again just using fabric I had kicking around. This was left over from a house coat I had made for my husband a while back.


Now I am off to work on a pare of pajama pants for this same little lady. Hope you are having a great time doing the things you love to do. I will say the sewing bug has bit hard and I hope to continue for at least the rest of the week if not a bit more.

Friday Fun #45 Fall and the KCWC

Here is a quick post as in mostly pictures with a few words.


Like I said back there. A few words will go along with this post.


Yeah you see that big thing. That is something really cool



See. It's big and can drive and...




It helps up replace a window in the apartment building we are working on.

Hmm. Did I not mention that. I mean that it is an apartment building? Oh I can't remember. Whenever I call it the "project" my family and friends all know what I mean. But there are those of you that read this that do not know every detail of my life. I forget this. So if you ever have any questions as to what I really mean about certain things please feel free to ask.

Anyhow what I really came here for today was this little walk that the girls and I took before the weather turned nasty. It is now teasing us with tiny bits of frozen ice crystal type things that some are calling snow but I feel it is too early to call out such horrors. We have not even seen Halloween yet. I will call it snow when it actually leaves a blanket on the ground. It does not have to be much of a blanket but I must be able to point it out in the land scape to my girls.

Oh this... I finely know for a fact that I have photo evidence of this stance. This pose. This way she goes about studying the world. She has done this from the day she first discovered her arms. I mean, laying on her belly and not even able to roll over to her back yet she would throw her arm back there and just "relax". She will walk around the yard with her arms behind her back as she takes in the scenes about her. And now for some great fun, Her little sister thinks this is the thing to do so she will follow her while holding her hands behind her own back. The two of them studying life with their arms in place.


Little sister thinks there is nothing in the world quite like her big sister.






A few pumpkins from Paul's parents farm sit out on the front steps.




They are much enjoyed.






Suzie will sit with any large book, including the phone book, and ask me if I am listening. She will then proceed with the reading of the story of Bartimaeus. He was a blind man who received his sight from Jesus.


If you ever get a chance to hear her rendition I highly recommend it.






"Mom this looks like a tree".

And to top it all off I am working hard around the house while still trying to get ready for this next week.

I am taking part in a sewing project for one week. It is one week of sewing for one hour a day on clothes for the kids. For my own kids. Not to sell. Not to give away. But for my own girls to wear. My Suzie is in need of pants and my Jade is in need of a sweatshirt or two. Lets see what one hour a day can put out.

For more check out this link here.

Hope your weekend is full of family and love. There is not much fall left here for us before the cold really takes over. Already the world shows more of it's nakedness till it will be covered in a cozy white blanket. Soon my Older Brother and his family will be here as they are moving back to from the west. Happy Thanks Giving to all my Canadian family and loved ones.

Inspired #15: The season to preserve

Suzie on seeing the small portion of clothes I managed to fold before diving into a vat full of tomatoes.

"Oh Good Job Mom. Good job on folding the laundry"

Suzie on seeing the laundry basket still nearly as full as it started.

"Oh, mom I think you need to just fold this laundry now"


This is my life. All my laundry baskets hold clean, not folded laundry. One of them holds summer clothes that need to be packed away but these are things I cannot seem to get at. In fact I feel that I am in a constant state of Behind. But this is not news to you. So instead of going on about how full life is with the "things that need to be done" Let's just pause for a minute and look at some fun things that inspire me with what is first on the list.

Putting food away for the winter.

1: I love jars and I love to store stuff in jars. Is this just not the cutest little thing ever
2: Okay fine, That last one can't be the cutest cause this one is blue
3: Fine Green, Yeesh, How am I to decide with all these great choices?
4: And these labels? Well you just know that these are a must when canning. These are stunning!!
5: I love these little baskets. I had no idea these even excisted and I am in LOVE
6: For the chokecherry syrup I wanted to make this year but then there were no berries. Next year
7: And this might not be something that can be used for canning but I think it would hold table butter nicely
8: Here's another green jar. That label just makes it all the more amazing.
9: Finely this canning pot. The lack of one of these in my life is why this year I am freezing my tomatoes.

Okay fine I don't lack the pot I lack the wire rack for inside and the guts to just do the boiling caner process. Everyone that hears me say that goes on to tell me how easy it is but I have only been canning for a few years now and I just have not yet gotten my nerve up. I will. I promise, one day I will boil all my cans and be a pro. But for now it is one step at a time. So yesterday I froze my tomatoes for this year.

Suzie is sitting next to me watching National Geographic kids animal videos. It is very distracting and I can't seem to focus on finishing up this post so I am going to leave you with that and hope you have a great rest of the week. And I think I might just head down stairs to sew. Have a lovely day.

Inspired #14 Fall is coming

Fall is most definitely in the air. The winds move more swiftly through the open windows and the leaves have taken on a tinge of gold. Soup stock boiling on the stove top and the fresh bread from yesterday are a testament to the cooler nights. When this weather hits it often brings with it a feeling of comfort and a need for warmth which makes my heart sing in a yearning sort of way.

I have been enjoying the cooler nights and the occasional need for a scarf. I am inspired to change up the wardrobe and make some new/old additions to the daily trend. So here are a few things that I have found on Etsy that inspire me for the fall.


1: These yellow vintage shoes make me want to jump into them and wear the dress next to them. Fall colors galore
2: The dress next to them, Such a great pattern, color and fabric. I love this dress.
3: And while we are putting this outfit together lets add the earrings for good measure.
4: I often see turbans and wish I could wear them. They look so warm and comfy, great alternative to a hat.
5: And if those yellow shoes are too flashy then these brown ones would do just nice. Gosh I love these vintage shoes.
6: This little cube necklace is calling me and saying that it wants to live around my neck. I am seriously this >--< close to putting it in my cart and walking to the cash register with it.
7: And for the days when I will not have the girls hanging around my neck, this is the scarf of choice.
8: If I could knit, this pattern along with so many others, would be in my list of to knit one day.
9: And for the end of the day or a nice simple grocery shopping day with a cup of coffee, this comfy looking dress. Love the color, love the design.

This list could go on forever but of course I can't sit here forever, there is too much lovely weather to enjoy.
Looking forward to meals with extended family and holidays that come with the season. Getting ready for the winter season and enjoying the cooler days and nights. Oh do go and find the joy that is out there. The newness that is around every corner.
Happy week to you all.

Inspired #14 Camping trip part two

Last week I showed you the adult side of camping. All things that would and could be inspiring to the older members of the family. Now let me take you to the child's side of such a trip. There are two sides to a kids experience.

First is what they remember and love

1: A toy trailer from days of old. My girls may not remember these but I bet some of you out there do and it brings you right back to being a kid again.
2: Ring toss is a game for any kid at any age. Even a 60 year old kid gets much enjoyment from something like this
3: And this little camper with a boat trailer is great for recreating the times you enjoyed with the family
4: What little person would not take great pleasure in having a lantern of their very own. Too cute!!
5: And now they can camp in their own back yard with no worries of touching the fire.
6: Okay this one is for Mom and Dad. It's all good kids rain or shine we camp on.
7: And I know with all certainty that Suzie would get a kick out of this whistle
8: Another camping scene to recreate those fond memories.

Okay, I admit I want these toys for myself. I think they all look like way too much fun.

Second, what you want to show them or give them

1: Mmm! Pie irons. Loved these things as a kid, love them still.
2: A little shirt to wear for the days after. If your kids are anything like mine you will skip white on a camping trip.
3: GAh!! I love this sleeping bunny and turtle. I want one hanging in my girls bed room
4: A camping guide of old. Teach them the ways
5: This simple wooden seat would be great to take just about anywhere. Simple collapse would have it fit in most any corner of the packing.
6: And this thing. OH MY WORD!! I want one for my girls. I want one for me. I love the colors and the idea of an outdoor hanging cradle. YIKES!!
7: Ha ha ha. I may not have boys and my kids may be young but I grew up with boys and I get it. I love this old photo.
8: Some fun fabric for a fun quilt or something. Maybe a shirt? Oooh or how about a jumper? dress? You get the idea.

So there you have it. Just a taste of what is out there. I still have not touched on all the things that we can do to bring the camping experience to life for the little ones. But I did manage to put together a few shirts to give to my girls for this trip. I am planning to give them to them the first day we are there as something to remember the trip by when they get home. Of course Jade is a bit young I doubt she will connect the two but I know that this will be something that will stick with her older sister.

This ones for Suzie


And this ones for Jade.


This trip is coming up real soon now and I am getting really excited. Funny thing, It's a super short trip. We will only be gone from Thursday night to Sunday afternoon sometime. But that does not take away from the anticipation.

Hope you have something grand to look forward to this weekend.

Inspired #13: Going Camping, part one

Paul came home a week ago and informed me that he had a plan to take a week off. For part of the week we would work on "the Building" and for that last portion we would go camping. The plan now stands that we will leave Thursday late afternoon and return Sunday afternoon. A shorter trip but with Jade at the age she is we are okay with that. She is right at that stage of life where running off is fun and staying put is boring. And I am sure fires are intriguing. So with that I bring you this weeks Inspired post. The first of two.


1: Vintage photos of a Coleman lantern and tent. These would look great hanging in any corner of the tent trailer.
2: And this piece would do nicely hanging next to the Christmas tree to remind of a warmer season to look forward to.
3: I would feel so accomplished if I knew how to use one of these. Maybe one day I will learn and show my girls.
4: How fun to have a postcard to send out from a camping trip
5: A vintage pack for a vintage camping trip. Love the older camping supplies.
6: And if you have not yet noticed I love the plaid blankets. This one just screams pine trees and large lakes.
7: And this fire starter is just a great vintage piece, and right from this province.
8: And coffee while sitting next to the fire seems like the best way to start a cool morning.
9: This seems like a great tool, turns any fire into a spot to cook a meal.

Looking forward to a quick trip full of camping fun. This year Suzie will remember it vs. the last time when she was not even yet three. I am hoping to get a few special items together for the girls to bring some extra  memories to this trip. Till next week there will be much packing and preparations and anticipation.

Hope your week is full of plans even if is just for a quick trip out in the back yard or a fire in the fire pit.

Inspired #12: Picnic days.

This post was finished yesterday morning in it's entirety. I needed only to link up a few more of the inspired selections and then something happened. More on that later. For now I will leave you with this inspired post. On a day that is not so sunny or welcoming to picnic in.

: :

If you follow me on instagram (link to the right) at all you will have seen a few pics of the girls and I turning our lunches into picnics.

So it is from that I have drawn my inspiration for today. I am loving the cooler mornings and the hint that fall is just around the corner. This reminds me to get out more and enjoy the weather before it turns too cold.


1: Oh the colors of this blanket I do so love. It feels so earthy and fall like. Want to lay it out for evening under the stars.
2: This little basket would do well for a cookies and fruit picnic out amongst the trees.
3: Purse or picnic I can't decide but it would do well in any environment.
4: Oh to set the picnic up with actual dishes and sunny ones at that.
5: And this blanket made from Cotton Saris. LOVE!!
6: This makes me think of going out on horse back to arrive at some river side destination for a meal.
7: This is what my mind always pictures when you say picnic basket. Reminds me of a book I once read
8: More great dishes for a meal out in a field.
9: And with fall around the corner a hot beverage would do wonders.

I just clued in to what it is about this weather and this time of year that makes an outdoor meal the thing for my heart. Harvest. The time when my Mom would pack up the roaster with the hot out of the oven chicken, hot mashed potatoes and fresh beans into the back of the truck. Driving all bumpy over the stubble of a newly combined field. Flag down the farmers which were my Father and Grandpa to join us in a quick meal as the sun worked on cutting the evening short. Knowing they will continue late into the night if the weather allows. Fall is a season that my heart sings with great joy. It fills me with gladness and a desire to wrap my neck in a scarf and head out for a refreshing walk in the cool air.

May you have a wonderful rest of the week. Be inspired to take your indoor lunch outside. Even if it is just out onto the deck. Throw down a blanket you have kicking around and sit near the earth. Grab a lawn chair and take your shoes and socks off, put your bare feet on and let them enjoy the cool grass. Sit and enjoy for a few minutes more than you might think you have. It is free to you, enjoy.

Photo challenge #2: Fun

I did this once along time ago and I really enjoyed taking part. I would like to get back into it so here is my second entry.

The Challenge this week was Fun and oh what fun was had while we did some fish sitting.


Love The Beans eyes and the joy she had with the simple swimmings of a gold fish.

Monday post soon to follow. Have a happy day.