Bliss Beyond Naptime

Kale in Boots

Have I mentioned yet how much I love my buddy Cheechum here yet? She sent us a really amazing care package. That's the beauty of talking to someone on the phone lots - they get to know what you like. And she apparently knows what Kale likes too. Check it out. Booties with built-in legwarmers!

He can wear them up. He can wear them down and sometimes he just can't decide so he wears one up one down. Look at those little feet!! These are making already the cutest things on Earth even that much cuter. Okay, if we all yell at the same time, she will hear: open up an Etsy shop already!!!

Opa! There he goes. The busy little bee is late for his aerobic class. Cheech didn't forget Mama in this pacakge. She tossed in the package some vintage sewing patterns, essential oil I mentioned to her once I had hankering for because it reminded me of Peru and yummy foodie fare; pasta, pastes, capers.

Sigh. We first laid eyes on each other when our first born were only about three months old at an Attachment Parenting group. She had her daughter in a sling and I thought it was sweet how they both had the same expression on their faces, not to mention the same kick-ass hairdo, as they surveyed the room. Then we really, really bonded during our pregnancies with our boys when we would talk for literally hours on end, long distance now, about food cravings and what we would be serving each other that day if we were to swing by for lunch.

And she didn't forget about Didi Bird. Edie loves it. Thank you! Now, how to get you over here for a thank you lunch?

Swap and then Some

Some deliciously sweet packages arrived this week! Some of it's gone already, couldn't resist. The remainder of the organic dark choco bar is facing a meltdown tonight to be infused with some juicy organic strawberries. There were once upon a time three pairs of original Sulu earrings but I birthday gifted my friend Peggy one already. They're so gorgeous her earrings. Check out her site to witness her photography coupled up with an ear-bangle-y creation. So inspiring! This, of course, was part of the swap we brought together. What fun, thank you Susan!

And then, out of nowhere, a "was just cleaning out my stash and thought of you" gift pack from the ever-talented crafting Diva herself, Leya. Oh, yeah. Fabrics, buttons and owls. Everything to build me up a cozy nest to squeeze out some crafty eggs. Thank you, Miss Fee-yonce.

And Happy Mother's Day to those who are. This shot, I probably shared with you before but because it's my favourite from that crazy weekend, was just about an hour before I was. We're so blessed.

Blogaversary. Kinda.

Think this is stinkin' cute? Check out the top of the hat.

Awwwww.... a big juicy thank you to Dana. She sent me a surprise package in the mail with a whole whack of treats inside. Inside there was a kind note and a reminder that it's my blogiversary; which I totally forgot that I first started off with a blogger account and my first post was on February 5, 2006. But seeing as how I pretty much forgot about that site, it doesn't quite feel like I've been doing this as for a year already. I'll wait till my typepad account runs out and go with that date (sometime in May I guess?) but I'll celebrate the fact that Dana has been reading me (does that sound weird?) for a year today. Yay, Dana!

So this is what the sweet girl sent my way. Along with the little gnome hat, here I have a much needed journal, lucious teas, starry ribbonery and, not pictured because they were entertaining the munchkin so, gorgeous buttons. I'd go upstairs to get them now to photo but I'm scared I might wake up the princess. Very scant mommy time these days. Not rocking the boat. Not making waves.

On the crafting front, I picked up one of those grimy Winnie the Pooh kid's chairs from the second-hand store and refurbished it with some white faux fur for her royal tushiness.She's so pleased to finally have her very own chair it's borderline sad.

What should we put on the shopping list? How 'bout beans?!

Filles Francais

I ordered some patterns through Jimmy Bean that just arrived. They carry the French Girl pattern collection that I've always been so drawn to. They look like simple quick knits using Big Wool. I'm all about simple and quick these days - considering I just been diagnosed (by myself and Craig) as a Slow Knitter. I got me some Lamb's Pride Bulky I'm going to double up to hopefully get the gauge, otherwise, it looks like it may be Ebay time.

I have one more batch of soap I need to make to ensure I have enough for the Christmas Season. After that, I can devote more time to my crafty pursuits that I'm so itchy to get on. I picked up Amy Butler's In Stitches in Calgary that has a quilt I want to start off with and I started on some pants from Sew U (that book I love, love, love) about a month ago cuz I literally have three pairs of pants that are in rotation and one of those I like to keep for special occasions. How sad is that? I keep getting rid of clothes but am becoming more and more reluctant to replenish my wardrobe with something that hasn't been mystically provided to me by the Universe (ie free score) or made by my mom or myself. Good thing I can pretty much get away with staying in my flannel pj's for the most part but I live in a small town now and I might be dubbed the Crazy Lady in PJ's like we use to have the Crazy Lady with Rubber Gloves walking up and down our alley.

Obi, Oh My!

This first pic's an ode to my old man. He hate, hate, hates fuzzy pictures but sometimes I don't mind them so much. It takes the edge off of the self-portait attempt cheese factor just a touch. Or maybe it's adding to the factor au fromage? Oh, I just don't know anymore!

Look what I got! My kidneys will be smiling with warmth this winter. This beautiful obi (like as in those Japanese sashes worn with kimono) score's from the amazing Leya , the designa who couldn't be more kinda. My kidneys thank you, Sweetie Pie! Plus, it seems to match my kitchen where I've been spending the bulk of my days it seems.

A couple of other FO's are breaking over the horizon. I think I'll spare Craigy the fuzzy pics and call over a girlfriend for a photoshoot sesh. Until then, keep your internals warm!

Curious Gifts

What a surprise. Just sauntered to the post office, not expecting much more than bills and the local Pennywise, then ... Bonjour! The sweet Leya sent me a happy pack filled with goodies, and cheer me-ups! Really weird too cuz I was sporting the "going to town" skirt I bought from her. What a doll. Many cyber hugs to you, Sweetie Pie. Only sad thing was wishing she lived around the corner from me. But what joy! Also included, but refusing to be photographed, was a mini-diety, I think Shiva? So strange. Every photo was blurry. Kind of spooky after a while so I thought it best to leave him alone. Maybe the schpongy Giraffe should have been left alone too come to think of it. Another item missing from the collage is a groovy pencil case she made (check out that pin by the way! So many compliments on that one this weekend) that is tucked away in my to-market to-market box cuz this was the weekend of the popular Garlic Festival in these parts and I thought it may come in handy:

Notice my spanky new display cases. Yup, I got twenty of them now. Long story. If anyone's interested in buying a soap display case please let me know, I may have one to spare. But they do perform well that's for sure.

I was also fortunate enough to apply late to get into the festival so I was "stuck" with this view the whole day.

Me and the crew jumped into the lake afterward in our panties just cuz after staring at it all day long it would have been sinful not to. Must go now. Monkey's hungry. Feeling much better after a bout with mastitis this weekend. Life is good.

Hello, Lorelai!

Good Morning! Looky what we have here! This, as most of you probably already know, is a Cagelette from Rosy Little Things. Those of you who know me in "real life" (whatever that means) know that I talk about this site/blog way too much, but reason to! Everything this woman touches turns into pretty.

I hung her in the designated sewing machinery corner of my creative nook. Once busted, Craig asked about the cagelette ("What the hell is that?" to be more specific) and I shared with him that it's a going away present to myself symbolizing how you can't stifle my throat chakra and I'm going to sing, man, and I'm gonna break my rusty cage and run (doing my best Chris Cornell impression for you, Colleen).

It's such a  disaster area right now but here are a few shots of my beloved space to give you an idea. I hung Lorelai right above not only my sewing desk but above this picture of Craig and his sister that I love from when they were little. I also use this as a healthy anger management tool for when I get "frustrated" with him (I rarely look at it, really). How can you look at this (fuzzy, sorry) face and stay frustrated?

Lots of paper work to attack-ay right now. Be sure to break out of your rusty cages and run. Rarrrr, rar.

Fully Recovered Shop-a-lot-ic

I decided I hate shopping in real life. At first I figured it was because my mom's an amazing seamstress so I see things that are super cute yet simple enough my mom could whip up for me in an evening if I asked her nicely so I could never bring myself to shell out the insane price tagged on some sterile garment with no story behind it. It's also the whole experience of being out there, trying things on. Maybe it's because I have my little sidekick tagging along now and I'm lazier now in some ways that makes the process of being in public, getting half-naked, trying things on, getting hungry, even more hellish.

All I know though is I have to learn to sew better (Mumsy says I'm going to score all her fabric and machines once she passes on, knock on wood - that that doesn't happen for a long time that is) and as soon as we get settled into our new digs I'm going to delve deeper into crafting up matching outfits for the whole entire familia. I've been owing Craig a pair of yoga pants forever! So, once we're out there I'll have my little sewing nook and I'm going to get back on board with the sew, I knit! sewalong and I finally received from Amazon (four months later!!!!) my Reader's Digest Guide to Sewing to help me out with any glitches. Before we move too my mom's been giving me some tutorials on the serger she's giving me. Thanks, Mumsy!

So, where I was going with this? Oh, yes, I have a nice alternative to shopping I am so selflessly sharing with you, my sweet friends. I love Curious Bird's vintage shop (as well as the rest of her crafty out-of-site). I love vintage and feel eco-better in general about buying used clothing but still I just hate trying stuff on and the whole ceremony of shopping out there in the real world. So, she so graciously does the grunt work and then offers her booty to the world (so to speak). You have to act quickly though cuz stuff goes fast. Scored this cute red top from her and she so kindly gifted Edie a felted carrot pin. CUte! Thanks Leya!

Tip Toe Thru the Tulips

Hotcha! Love, love, love the lovechild of the swap going ons between me and Curious Bird. What an awesome score!! I love all the stuff on her site. Here I'm sporting the Swing Skirt as I tip toe through the tulips that were waiting outside our house for us upon our return. I love my skirt! I went to my knitting class wearing it and I just kept saying "I even love knitting in this skirt!". I felt so femineme and flemenky.

The birdy bag was a surprise bonus score. Ka-ching! Her vintage clothes are unbelievable finds and her craftiness is a force to be reckoned with. Thank you, Sweetie!

Oh, how I missed you guys. Really. But it was soooooo nice to be out there. The sweet smelling air. No mosquitoes yet. The dreaming. What an amazing trip this time out. We went with the intention of scoping out what was available in terms of house rentals, thinking renting while we start building next spring. Nothing. Only thing we could find that was relatively close to our land was this tiny little "cabin" (in quotes because it was so not rustic. Just a quickly/cheaply made mini-house) for more than we're paying rent here right now.

Ack! We said, as we held up hands to "talk to". So we ended up purchasing a cute little house just 4 km from the Ranch thinking we can move now and once the house is built rent it out.  We take possession June 15 so I'm kinda freaking out right now! Moving from the big city to a rural little community. Yikes. Culture shockarama. Lots of slothing off of belongings needs to go on too. The place is super tiny but I already called dibs on a creative nook so I'm happy. We'll see how things unfold but we both don't feel like puking yet like the last time we almost bought a house.

On the creative front I didn't get much more accomplished than painting the new address on the property entrance. I was planning all big before we left. I brought along this huge bag of back-up knitting projects lest I got my One (actually Three Skein- making long sleeves) Skein Wonder finished and be trapped in a no-knitting hell. I got one sleeve done the whole time we were there. Too busy looking for a place, starting our hot tubs, then running around getting legal stuff arranged.

Mercifully, both munchkins are sleeping in super late this morning - though the pic below's from the trailer - just to help you imagine the cuteness that goes on. Allotting me time to write this quickly, return emails, read my blogs and choke back this black coffee - yuck - no cream yet! Other than that, so nice to be home!

Fabric Land

Oh yeah. Oh yeah. Look what Mr Mailman delivered right before the weekend. I'm partaking in the sewalong for bags this month over at Sew? I Knit!.

My first thoughts were this and this together (the ladies to be a lining):

Then thinking this and this together:

Or perhaps the whole thing in reverse. But I guess we'll just have to wait and see what happens. I'll let the bags talk to me and see what they want. This is so exciting. I feel like I'm pregnant with twin bags. Fraternal twins. Oh, my swollen belly.