Out the door goes another

This little beauty found it's way out from here and into a new home. The owner is someone I know and love. She is a cousin that I spent a lot of my younger years being annoyed with. She is younger than me by a few years and as we look back on it now we realize that chances are she was always driving me crazy because she just wanted to be near me. (I don't really understand why as I was often annoyed with her.) It turns out we have a lot in common and are very much alike.


This Pinafore was a joy to make and was sold even before I was able to put it up in my shop. As I sew my items I usually post little detail pics on my Instagram feed and I guess she was sold on this one even before she had seen the whole thing.

When I posted a final picture on Facebook saying it was done she told me not to let anyone else get at it before she could. So It was sold before it made it to market.


What fun to share with my own family the things that I can make. I look forward to seeing this on her little girl one day.


Thanks for the support from all my family and friends and you my readers. It is such fun to share our lives with you all.

Sold some more

When I woke up Sunday morning and opened up my ipod there was a notice from my Etsy shop. Another item had sold. In fact another two items.


What!!? Really? I pushed my husband aside from the computer to check in to see what I could see.


Turns out there is a momma of a little girl in Australia who was happy with her first purchase and wanted to have these in her little girls wardrobe as well.


Thanks so much Anita for deciding to take these little beauties home.




All packed up and ready to make it's long journey around the world.


(A little art work from both my girls to make the final wrap, Suzie colored her finger with a marker and then made finger prints all over this one)

Another part of my day today was learning the ins and outs of making English muffins.



Not to bad in the end. A few little tweaks to the technique and we are on our way.

There you have just a small part of my day and week. I am freshly showered after working a couple of hours on our project helping my man insulate two rooms. That job is done and now I am going to sit and relax for a few minutes before bed.

You know one thing I am learning again is that when you put your nose to the grind stone things can get done. You may be a bit sore in the end but a job well done feels good.
Have a good night and a great day.

Inspired #11: No ryhmn or reason

Thinking about what I am inspired about right now I could come up with no one specific thing. But there are things that I just like so here is a random inspired post. It's going to be quick cause Paul is sitting on the couch watching the Olympics and I want to join him.

1: These little bowl just look like fun. Whatever I would use them for. Food for the girls or candy dishes for guests.
2: A little plaid dress for a little girl. Plaid is just way too much fun.
3: And this little bowl I am thinking would do nice holding the jewelry that needs to be quickly tossed aside before a good nights sleep
4: A very fun candle holder to light the room on a cold winters night. Ha I know, how on earth can I even be imagining cold winter nights when all I know right now is the sticky sheets of summer.
5: Sugar and cream this looks like a good way to serve up peaches and cream or anything else that would need these two things combined.
6: A sheer dressing gown all lacy and pretty. I love lace. I love the feminine found here.
7: These little bears on the very flowing fabric seem so pleased and settled.
8: Now we're back to the kitchen though I think these things would do well to hold most anything. Tins abound in my home and I always have my eyes open to more. I love tins.
9: And a green hat. Who doesn't need a green hat with a snake skin bow? Okay, Maybe I don't Need one but it's fun so why not.

And there you have it, Random. Sleep is on my mind and the kitchen says I am not finished yet. Maybe that is where all of this comes from. The girls dress? well I have girls and they just fell asleep.

Oh what fun to have my own space to drop my thoughts. Thanks for joining me in this random look about. I hope you all have a wonderful night and get lots of golden sleep.

Inspired #10: Coffee

So here's what happened on Sunday.



And here's how I felt about it.

There is no real special value to this coffee cup. There is no real sentimental value. Really there is nothing to say about this mug other than? I loved it. I can't fully get it across in words cause truth be told I don't really know why I loved it so much. There were a few things to note. One, I loved the shape of the handle. I could stick my whole hand in there without any pinching and no big gaps. I know, really not that big of a deal. Two, I adored the color and feel of the picture. There was something to it that made me feel at home. No I did not come from an ocean side fishing village. No I did not grow up near boats at all. I just loved it. So what else is there to say.

So now comes the task of finding another. Looked for this one on ebay. There were similar ones that might do the trick but I thought why not do an inspired post on this. Who knows maybe I will find something along the way. Adventures in coffee inspirations here we come.

1: lacey goodness, Nice big handle, good colors to please the eye. This is a beauty
2: spots. I like spots. This is white and clean and super cute
3: I am taken in by that green handle.
4: No boats but it looks like water. Again I am pleased
5: The colors are pleasing. I think coffee would be great coming from here
6: Lotus cup, Oh My!

And then I headed on over to the vintage section and here's what I came up with.

1: Wee!! Fun green flowers from the past And now I could share with you when you come for coffee
2: This thing just plan old intrigues me. I want to try cause, well, who wouldn't love to make coffee look like a science
3: And a little old advert to put up in the coffee room. No I do not have a coffee room but when I do.
4: Eeek! this thing looks like a highly motiveated paper cup. Coffee has just been re-vamped.
5: When it rains it pours, indeed it does.
6: And well I could use a really cute place to store my coffee beans when I am making coffee for my new mug.

Ah well. It's not like I don't have other mugs to use. In fact sometimes my cupboards seem a bit full. But you know how it goes. There is that "one" that really makes you reach for it nine times out of ten. Here's to a great cup of java with a good friend and hopes of finding another "the one".

Have fun this week and always be inspired. Even if it is out of a broken coffee mug. Something new is around every corner.

Inspired #9 Round and Round

Inspired posts are a weekly concoction of what I find inspiring me that week. It can be anything from household goods to birdhouses. Check in weekly to see what's on my mind. 

Today I am inspired a day late. Some weeks I don't even manage to get up a post but here is what I have for you today.

There is not a lot of variety in the inspirations today but I can't help myself. I have wanted one for some time and have finally finished my first one ever. Now that it is done? Well I want more, I want one for every day of the week. I want my girls to each have one. I love it. I may not have done a perfect job on the hem. I may not have lined things up "just so". I may even be slightly unhappy with how the waist band turned out but....

 If it is your style to feel feminine and you have yet to put on a circle skirt then I HIGHLY recomend it. Talk about feeling like a girl/lady/woman. Yikes these things can become anything. Playful, dress it up, At home, or shopping the options are endless. And so I digress.

1: for the sewers who want to do it up real nice here is a pattern for you.
2: I LOVE the fabric in this little girls skirt. How can you go wrong with bold prints on the littles?
3: And if you have one but want to dress it up here are a few crochet patterns taken straight from Laurens 50s collection.
4: And this one speaks for itself head on over here and take a look at all the angles. Love this.
5: And here she is all dressed up, the circle skirt ready for a night out. YIKES! Be still my heart!
6: Lemony goodness, Oh my goodness!
7: In case the above pattern is gone by the time you get there here is another one just for good measure.
8: Eek! Too cute much or what? Pretty in pink for your little ladies trip to the zoo.
9: (inset) You know if you like circles then why not do a two for one.

Oh boy, How will I find the time. I must get to doing some more sewing. Till then I will see if I can find the time to post a pic of the one that I have finished. One day I would love to add a petticoat under there. Circle skirt goodness brought to eleven. Hope you find the time to wear that which makes you most comfortable and feel like the lovely person you are. Till then, Be inspired by all that you see.

Sold item, number three

I am so thankful. I did not expect to see any interest in what I make. I will admit there are days that I wonder why it is taking so long to sell anything. I wondered in the first few months if I should just close up shop for the lack of sales. But you know what? I've realized that I have to stick it out for a bit.

I learned that there are others who have been on Etsy for a year or more and still have no sales. So three in the first four months of opening up shop is really actually quite good. I just need to remember why I am here. To sew good quality cloths for the kids that are pleasing to the eye. And you know, I love to do the sewing. It is cathartic. It may not be often that I get to put needle to thread and thread to fabric and it may come in short stints but that does not make it any less enjoyable for me.

And so I will introduce to you the third item that has left the house in a little hand painted package.


I absolutly adore this little pinafore. The pattern is from the 40s and makes my heart melt.




These buttons are fabric covered ones that I found in a button collection of Paul's Grandmas. So fun to have a touch of history in there. Thanks Grandma for adding just a little extra something even without knowing it.


Here is how the packages are set up for their little journey across the countries. This one is on it's way to Texas. The paper is a little something that I get Suzie to do for me. Some days she is really into it and paints a lot. Other days I have to do a bit of my own to help her out. This is one she was into. Painting a large sheet that has been able to wrap two items.


Here is the mail cart on it's way to the post office.



And package deliverer. She loves to give something to the woman behind the counter when ever she can. Happy to take part in this big event.




Safe journey to your package Mary, I hope you enjoy getting it as much as we enjoyed sending it.


: :

After the post office it seemed fitting to take a short tour of the local flower garden. Not only that but with the weather we have been having it has been too long. The intense heat makes it hard to go out and when you are out it is hard to see what is around you.



Turns out the flowers have been loving it. And the rain that has rolled in the past little while has cooled things off just nicely. Now to deal with the nasty mosquitoes.




Flower garden dance.




That one...


Right there.


The little water fountain is always a hit.




And I can't turn down some pics of these flowers. Yikes I like them a lot. Day lillies in every shade.

Jade is singing into a toy egg. What else can I say to sign off but have some fun doing what may not make total sense but enjoyable non-the-less. I guess it is my turn to sing into the egg. Go figure, babies don't want to be the only ones that do these random things. They love to share the joy with their momma's. Go and share the joy my friends, it is a lovely day.

Inspired #8 Staying in

Inspired to stay indoors when the thermometer hits 30 + degrees C (that is 94 to 98 F). So here is a bit of home.

I asked Paul where the TV came from his answer "It came with the house". It turns out many things came with the house. Fun Antique things.


When I moved in to this home my wonderful husband had already renovated the main floor and so the walls were painted and ready to go. I was given full freedom to take over with the rest. (the green chair is most wonderful for sitting and reading with both babies and three years-old)


This great little number is a collaboration between the two of us. He had a box of 9 volt batteries that his Grandpa had collected and I wanted them up on the wall. What came to mind was a vintage letter tray. We took one of these and cut off one end of it. Who would have known that a collection of batteries would look so cool.



For the first corner of the sitting room a few bits of inspiration. 1: bake light phone atop the TV 2: Letter tray already made small 3: TV Salt and pepper, get the old feel without taking up the space 4: Ottoman/sitting pillow for a splash of color, 5: Green chair for sitting in (of course), 6: Old radio turned Armoire, how cute, 7: Standing lamp for in the corner, ours "came with the house".


Other half of the sitting room..

If you have not gathered yet, this is one of my favorite rooms in the house. It is a great blend of both Paul's and my taste, as well as items we have gathered from family and over time.


This lamp is something I found in the back alley behind my basement suite in Calgary and my dad came up with the lamp shade idea. The tree has been in my life since I lived in that same apartment. The little china cabinet holds tea cups and dishes that came from both Pauls Grandma and mine and my mom and other collections.


And this lovely barrister cabinet holds books and more treasures. To list it all is too much. If you want to come and sit with me in the sitting room I could tell you where most of them came from. The bunny was something Paul's Grandma knit for Suzie when she was a baby.


Second half. 1: Red and whit clock to keep the time, 2: Books to put in the barrister to add some vintage feel (not only that they actually look interesting to ready), 3: Desk lamp for all that reading, 4: Red pillows for more pops of color, 5: Ah yes and the barrister for all the treasures, 6: A red couch in any room would do well (okay, maybe not but I sure love the flash of brightness)

Inspired to stay in and enjoy the very home I live in. Thankful for all that I have right here, right now.

Friday Fun #33 Aviators cap

Friday fun is a short post of something fun that happened in the week whether it be a small moment or an epic happening.

My sis-in-law commissioned me to make a hat for her boy. She wanted something that would act as a bonnet but of course be a bit more boyish than that.

Here is what I came up with.

I looked all over for a pattern on the web and was not satisfied with any of the options. They were all either for crochet or just a ring about the head with the dome on top and the straps coming out of the bottom of the ring.


Even Paul looked and if he can't find it than chances are it's not really out there.


Only on one site was a design presented but required paper macheing the child's head with a hat underneath and I was not really in the mood for that.

In the end I took what I could figure from little photos here and there of patterns people had made and drew up my own.

I am pleased as is Gab and that is what matters most. Not too tight for those hot summer days and a chin strap for the holding on of the hat. Happy flying little buddy.

Another guest post.

As I mentioned in this post I have started to try to get my "name" out there. I find it kind of ironic that I am working on getting my blog viewed in hopes of getting people to check out the shop when I am having a hard time actually getting to the sewing for the shop. Summer is a busy time. CRAZY BUSY!!

None the less I have a guest post up on Prairie Hen where I talk a little on why I make the style of clothes I do. Check it out. Thanks Sara for the opportunity to be a guest post on your lovely blog.

Suzie is out swinging at this very moment and I just put...

This little bug...


To Bed. Nap time for baby.
Now to get some dishes done and get ready for Violin lessons. Hope you have a great day this Lovely Thursday.