Busy Life

Things are busy. Life is always busy, but this may be the busiest.

We're moving. This time we're moving into a house that we're having built, which isn't built and won't be finished until after 6 weeks after we move. Problematic, yes. 

We also had a LOT of family visit for a while, managed to make supper to feed 13 people. I feel I can take on almost anything. Well, except for one of those crazy Food Network shows where they feed thousands of people with an hour prep or something similar. 

Since our family were here within two months of the Monsters second birthday, we decided to celebrate early. The fact that we'll be homeless during his official birthday may have weighed in on this decision as well. 

It was a lot of fun, since the Monster is Toy Story obsessed, and Buzz in particular it was what we focused our attention on for the party. Although, I really wish I could have taken more time to REALLY decorate, other plans and worries took prescience. 

Although we did manage to get a beautiful cake from one of the youth my husband works with, and her mom. Check it out!

We were super pleased! And I was major grateful not to have to try and make it myself, certainty didn't have the time or patience the past while. 

Some beautiful family that we don't get to see often (since they live on the other side of the country) were happy to get to celebrate an occasion with us! 

Auntie Candace!

Uncle Chris and Poppy (who thankfully, lives only 1.5 hrs away)

The Monster and his Daddy checking out Buzz. 

On another note, I've set the shop to vacation mode. Since I'm preoccupied with packing and many other things, I thought it would be best to shut down until we are settled into our new home. It's sad to shut things down, but I think it's best for now. Hopefully no one forgets me! I'll be back!

Dreaming of a Red Kitchen

We're building a home.

 It's super exciting, since we've always rented or been provided housing by my husbands employers. 

Dreaming about actually having our home the way we want it. 

It's like a dream come true. I dream mostly of my new kitchen. I've a love of red and pulled a number of my favourite red/kitchen items on etsy and put it into a treasury/wishlist.

Take some time to check it out, they're beautiful items, by talented crafters.  

Children Shine

I’ve embarked on a new adventure.

It’s a blog specifically about church ministry to children.

I’ve been contemplating doing something like this for a very long time, I’ve often frequented blogs of high ranking ministry leaders and thought about what I might offer in that kind of format. I’m far from being of any rank, but I do love looking for ideas and people often ask where I got them or how to do certain things I have done before. So, why not offer these suggestions to my Facebook friends and colleagues.

It was my husband and a long drive that really got me motivated. Then it was how to go about doing it, I already had a blog. Could a person really focus on so many different areas and do them moderately well?

I immediately knew that my followers here haven’t seen this vocal side of me, and most of them wouldn’t be interested in a lot of what I had to say. So the decision to open a new blog was pretty much a no-brainer.

I realize that I’ve been a little bit MIA over here, and I don’t want to abandon this place, my shop is still running, sales are going decently for minimal promotion. I just want to reaffirm that I haven’t lost interest with this blog or my shop.

I’m hoping to get the opportunity to add a bunch of new listings in the next while. The winter is such a horrible time for photo’s and much of my time is spent trying to keep myself and the Monster warm. With the sun shining, I’m looking forward to summer and what it holds.

Thanks for reading/following!

Stuck in the Coop

This beautiful necklace appeared on my Etsy feed earlier, it describes my life effectively.

I spend most every day at home with my 20 month old Monster, keeping my home from becoming so messy, that we're eaten alive.

The weather only add's to my predicament. I'm ready for summer to finally hit my little island, and alas the next week only beckons more horrible snow.

More interested in the beautiful necklace than my current forlorn existence? Check it out here; sTuckintheCoop.etsy.com

Don't unfollow me just yet, I promise to take on a much sunnier and eventful demeanour once the sun shines on me again. Until then, I'll be here, battling cabin fever.

Too Bogged to Blog

I’ve been too bogged down to blog.

I suppose everyone has had the same conundrum over the holidays: The whirl of the Christmas season, the feverishness and busyness along with the romanticizing sparkle, and the dim comfortable lure of the glowing Christmas lights.

It’s as though I had been dancing recklessly with a beautiful partner, lost in the rhythm and I’ve been suddenly spun out of its hypnotizing embrace and smacked with the cool quiet winter and the reality of the real world. It’s not the fault of Christmas really; I hungered to be caught up into that glorious dance.

I’ve come out of it, with what I might call the winter doldrums’. I’m tired, and feel as though I’m in need of a nap. I’m being dramatic, I know.

I do want to create pretty things, and I love selling pretty things, I believe I’m overwhelmed and need to reorganize that which was hurled into chaos without my consent.

The shop is open, if something sells it gets shipped. Same as always, it just feels more like a chore today than a passionate hobby.

Maybe if I dance with my fabric, I’ll reignite the passion. It’s worth a try.

On the upside, I’ve been featured in a number of beautiful treasuries over the past two months; I’m so pleased to be recognized by those curators.

From East Coast, to West Coast

Raindrops and Rainbows

Alice…. From Alberta

Canadian, Eh?

Holy Jolly Christmas

I'm so excited, I've been excited since mid-October, or maybe earlier. Yes, cringe, be outraged, close the window and stomp away from your computer in protest. I am one of those people who absolutely LOVES to see the Christmas stock arrive in stores, one of those who gets giddy when commercials are dressed in their Christmas-consumerism best. I suppose you could blame me for the ever increasing rate at which Christmas smacks us in the face oh-so inappropriately early each and every year.

I'd happily deck my halls on all hallows eve if the husband would allow me. Although, this year I have to sate my eager desire to dive head first into the Christmas spirit, mainly because we're moving into another home and while Christmas tunes and watching Elf in September is ok, putting up my tree and dismantling it all over again to move right before Christmas isn't ok. I'm also a little weary since my Monster is 16 months old and very curious and a through-and-through boy hence, I'm nervous that my tree and other decor won't withstand the punishment he'll most fabulously dish out. I am sort of hoping that the new surroundings of the other home will keep him preoccupied for the Christmas season, yeah, not likely.

Either way, demolished decor or not, I'm still skipping around singing carols (off tune) and watching our supply of Christmas themed movies, over and over.

Since I cannot decorate, or sing in public, and likely my readers have all clicked the 'unfollow' button and stomped away in a furious rage, I'll be silent now and leave you with a treasury I've been so graciously included in. Maybe you'll forgive me eventually.

Ole Ole Ole..

I'm captivated by this tote, 'Hockey Tote Montreal vs. Toronto" by Avril Loreti Modern Home Decor on Etsy. It is very rare to find anything Hockey related on etsy (in comparison to the other trends that prevail on etsy) and what I have seen doesn't really speak to me like this does.

I am a hockey fan, more importantly I am a Montreal Canadiens Fan. My Husband on the other hand is a Toronto Maple Leafs fan. Combined, this is arguably the greatest rivalry in all of the NHL. This has caused a very interesting dynamic in our marriage and household, with contracts and oaths of silence.

Anyway, the point being that this bag reflects our 'support' of the other's allegiance while attempting not to rub-noses into triumphs/losses. I love it. The vintage style reminds me of the great days, days of the Richards, days of Beliveau, days of Plante.

Not a Hockey fan? Avril Loreti's shop has MUCH more to swoon for. One of my personal favourites was this KitchenAid inspired tote, that's sold and I hope hasn't been forever retired from her shop.

Hungry for more? Check out her Blog for more current updates of what she's doing. Oh yea, she's based in Toronto. It's great fun to buy from fellow Canadians.

Trans-Canada Etsy Team

Finally, after what felt like an eternity on a wait list, I've been included on an Etsy team. Trans-Canada was my first choice for a team to join. There are more and more sellers emerging in NL but I wanted to be part of a larger active group that had been selling on Etsy before me. A team I can contribute to, as well as learn from. Looks like it'll be a great experience, if only I had the time to take part in every challenge, every meeting and commit myself in the way I tend to over commit to everything I allow myself to be a part of (I still can't decide if this trait of mine is a weakness or a strength).

Check out our team page, a new feature of Etsy; The Trans-Canada Etsy Team as well as the Blog, the Twitter, the Team Shop, and Flickr.

There are some outstanding artists, doing outstanding things across Canada, and selling on Etsy. I'll likely mention a number of them whenever I see something that really inspires me.

In other news, lots of treasuries in the past few months, very flattering.

Here's one I was notified about today, featuring lots of items under $20!! Just in time for Christmas!

Check it out!

Fall Disappeared

Fall may have disappeared but it wasn't lost. Maybe that's why I haven't posted, the reality of life took over my virtual presence. Here are a few photos of the past two months.

I created this cushion for my son, it's listed in the shop and fully customizable. Not a fan of Rainbow colours? Not a problem, choose your own. I love this cushion and am planning to make a 'line' of these along this theme for my own home, I may add more to the shop but haven't fully decided yet.
The Monster spent a few days visiting with my mom and dad, while he was there I took advantage of the beautiful scenery and got some fall photos of him. I love his lumberjack look.

His Halloween Costume, Don Cherry. I've been planning this costume for a year, and didn't actually get around to making a pattern and constructing the costume until the night before. I usually have to build something in my mind before I can make it with my hands. So, in my imagination I made this suit 100 times before my hands actually made it. I used a dress shirt he had and laid it out to help with constructing a patter the correct size. He was asleep by the time the pattern was ready and I was cutting and piecing the jacket together. I think I'm very lucky that it fit so well.

I wasn't trained in sewing, I've taught myself and have never really made clothing before. So I thought that hand stitching the suit would give me more control over the fabric and the shape I ended up with. There's something to be said for couture clothing. It took me about 6 hours to finish. I'm extremely satisfied with the end result, but am completely lost at a way to top this next year.

At the Park

We have officially 'punched' two weeks of holidays and have about a week to go. Yesterday I took the Monster to the park where he spent some time playing with his new buddy Louis and Auntie Kara. Louis is a big puppy, and it took the Monster a little while to adjust to him, but they're now best of buds.

Today should be a moderately eventful day, we went to my alma mater (www.mun.ca) where we knew of a small group that does a church-like devotional on Sunday Mornings (www.outportcity.ca). I highly recommend it to anyone curious or looking for a small social network to connect with. I truly miss my time at University.

Off in search of a meal. Have a beautiful day!

The Haze Clears on a Sunday

(our little family at the beach)

We have one week of our holidays completed, there is still so much left to explore and enjoy as a family. It is extremely difficult to ‘vacation’ with a 1 yr old, I never would have believed this statement to be as true as it is, until I experienced it. The Monster is so adept to his own surroundings, his routine is the key to my sanity, missing naps and being in someone else’s home (which may not be particularly child-friendly) are stresses that simply pile on top of the normal unpredictable irritants in a day of parenting a 1 yr old. The simple fact that he is currently cutting 3-4 teeth has made this experience a task for all of us.

The Hubber’s job keeps him so busy we’re really trying to make the most of these few weeks, as our little family is quickly becoming a grown family. We have been doing a nice bit of shopping, since it was needed and also a little exploring. Besides for Regatta Day and this Sunny Sunday, we have had all rain, so we had to take advantage of the sun before it hid away again.

Today we visited a favorite church that we only get to attend while on holidays, had some Starbucks coffee accompanying great chat, adventured to Signal Hill and got some fun photos and then finished the day off with a trip to Middle Cove beach to try and teach the Monster to throw rocks into the water.

(The Monster just LOVES being outside, the wind and sun thrill him. He's particularly happy at the beach in this photo, walking on those rocks are pretty big excitement for a baby.)

Looking forward to tomorrow!!

Royal Regatta

We are currently on holidays, a whole three weeks of them! As soon as we return home, we leave again for a week of youth camp. Hence, I’m away from my shop and having family adventures for the next four weeks.

It’s a little scary to have my shop in vacation mode for this long; I don’t like the idea that people can’t at least browse my items. Any etsy-seniors out there know if it’s poor etiquette to have a shop announcement that items won’t be able to ship for 4 weeks? I suppose it’s closer to 3 weeks now. I wish vacation mode would allow you to either keep items viewable, like they show up in treasuries, or choose to hide them.

Holidays are going well, we’re having a lot of fun with family and friends. We spent a few hours at the Royal St. John’s Regatta, and had the Monsters face painted and treated him to a little ice cream. The entire perimeter of the lake was packed with people, food venders, shop booths, and all kinds of games/activities. Then there were lots of people happily watching the races. One news station said there were between 40-50 thousand people there, felt more like 100,000. We didn't stay long, getting a stroller through the crowds was enough to break into an anxiety attack, but we did enjoy going and it was the Monsters and Hubbers first Regatta.

Today, we’ll be hitting Toy’s ‘R’ Us, which is still more fun for us than him at this point. Hope everyone's having a great August!

And check out another fantastic Newfoundland treasury by FolkyDolky called Shopping by the Sea!

Ode to the Fashion Masters

I wrote in February how the designers were bringing in the navy nautical theme with a vengeance. Ok, I didn’t say ‘vengeance,’ but it really was (and still is) slightly violent. Don’t get me wrong, I’m still riding the nautical train, as evident in my last few postings. But, designers are prepping their fall lines, and I’m seeing a lot of shine, shimmery golds and some rich purples. I’m much more a fan of grey and blacks, vs gold, tan and browns. But pair it properly with a jewel tone and I’m all in.

Here’s some highlights of the Coming fall;

1. I’ll start with a designer dear to my heart, Jimmy.. aka; Jimmy Choo. Check out his ‘Darcy’ shoe, how can you dislike a shoe named ‘Darcy’... I get Pride and Prejudice quotes just flying around in my head.

2. Calvin Klein kept his Fall 2010 line fairly neutral with some glossy fabrics, lots of black, and some shimmery grey and ivory.

3. The Fendi line show’s a lot of black with pops of mustard yellow and olives (which is very beautiful). But there’s still the shine and shimmer of some purple finding it’s way in there.

4. Chanel has a fresh and different perspective on the trend, with it’s line that debuted on the 6th of July. I can’t say I’m dyeing to have the purple dress with diamond pattern, but I would wear the gold outfit with pride.

5. Versace’s Men’s SS11 show has given us a lot of metallic grey and pumped in some deep purples, so deep without a further glance you’d pass them off as black. The Women’s show had models strutting down a metallic blue/purple catwalk wearing metallic purple mini’s. In my opinion, no one did this upcoming season better than Versace.

In general, these designers and others used neutral jumping off points, a lot of shiny blacks, camel, and some grey. But, accents were very purple and deep, with hits of Gold and anything shiny to add glimmer as we head into the winter months.

I’ve curated a treasury motivated by these color trends, leaning mostly on the dark metallic black and purple with pops of gold and mustard. Check it out here;

In light of this, and inspired by it, I’m looking forward to pulling out my beautiful velvety purple fabric and I’ve some gold threaded lining material I’ve been hesitating to use. Now may be the time.

Henry

Blogger and Safari give me anxiety. I HATE that I cannot resize the photos in the post editor. I may go a little nutty today, it's too warm and the Monster is learning to climb onto the ottoman to get himself onto higher furniture. I just turned around and found him up in our occasional chair with my beautiful bombay keepsake photo box in both hands, dangling over the side. I need the humidity to go down so that I'll be move even tempered and maybe grow some patience. I love that he's so adventurous but I'm tired of endlessly saying 'no no.'

On the lighter side, I've finally chosen the perfect button for this nautical inspired navy weekend bag. I chose a shell button to keep the nautical feeling unified.

I've named this bag for my late grandfather Henry who had a profession as a boat builder. I have saltwater in my blood.

The interior fabric is a really beautiful medium weight cotton with creamy white and dusty red (without looking pink) stripes. It has an almost weathered look. I've plans to list this in the shop soon, and hope to make the same fabric combination in a few of my different styles.

I am a Mac

I’m new at this.

They say “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.”

Am I really becoming an old dog?

I was a PC, now I am a Mac. I’m a junior mac with a lot of learning ahead of me. I have made a few postings here since I’ve apparently changed technology species, but I’m finding my usual tech savvy is completely escaping me and I’m like a diapered child fumbling around this machine begging it to show me ‘the way.’

I like knowing what I’m doing, when I was ‘younger’ I had time to play with new technology and make mistakes figuring it out. Now, it seems my time is much more precious, like every moment attempting to understand iphoto, finder, and gimp is moment’s lost to frustration and agitation. Don’t get me wrong, I’m willing to find out, I just wish I could have learned this new system before I had a screaming 1 year old (who is cutting his fourth tooth and very unhappy about it) and felt a pressing urge to succeed in my shop and hopefully add to our income.

Just thinking about this venture tires me.

Oh well, Mac, regardless if our relationship is a little rocky, I’m willing to make it work. Even if it means sitting in bed together watching youtube tutorials about gimp, and mac command shortcuts.

I mentioned in a previous post about how I can’t possibly invest in MORE fabric, here’s a shot of one storage area for my fabrics. My beautiful stunning colorful lovely fabrics.

In this photo (besides fabric) is;

1. A tote bag full of fabric scraps too small for my bag patterns, but some of it’s perfect for coasters, cards, pin cushions, quilting patches, etc. I can’t bear to let go of it. Some of it are remnants of fabrics I used down to the last small trimmings and don’t want to part with.
2. Some packaging supplies, easily within reach.
3. Colored Pencils ready for when creativity strikes and I need to sketch out a new design, or doodle something random.
4. My trusty ‘kitchen’ scale for double checking shipping weights.
5. A photo of a friend and I having a fantastic time camping, so that I won’t forget to have fun.

(Please forgive the drab wall color and boarder peaking around the edges of the photo. We are renting the house we live in, and don’t exactly have the freedom to paint).

I also have a small shelf with fabric, and two large rubbermaid bins with fabric I’m repurposing, as well as another bin holding larger bolts of fabric. I have a problem, I am aware. Here’s my excuse, I’ve often gone to a store, bought a mere meter of a fabric I loved, used it all and searched for a year to find more. So, now when I find a fabric I love, at a killer price, I buy lots.

Now I must punish myself for my indulgence and use what I have already indulged in. It shouldn't be hard to do, I LOVE the fabrics I have.

1st Birthday

My baby is now a toddler. I'm stunned at how this year has seemed to creep by at times and yet somehow it has also passed me so quickly. We had a stiffling hot day in a house without air conditioning, but we enjoyed it anyway. The man of the day;

Newness

I'm in the throes of 1st Birthday Preparations. I really need to re-movtivate myself to finish off this day with productivity of pumping out some 50 cupcakes. I don't think I have what it takes to do it.

A friend of mine asked for a small-ish formal-ish grey-ish handbag that she can wear with most any colour. She's attending a number of weddings lately, and something that's versatile for a 'formal' setting was needed. I've been wanting to get a 'clutch' style bag into my shop but also wanted it to have my aesthetic without following my current trend too closely. I have this love for fabric, and texture, and manipulating both in a way that makes your hands spontaneously reach out to inspect it. I don't know how much of my passion I have managed to satisfy with this new creation, but I am happy with how it has turned out.

This bag is about 9" wide and 5" deep, the handle is a simple 17".

I think it's one of the most soft, textured but delicately pretty things I've made.

Let me know how you feel about this new bag, would this style make an 'okay' addition to the shop?

Dreaming in Color

Thanks to Skinnerstudio for featuring me in this beautiful treasury! 'Dreaming in Color!'
The colors are so beautiful and refreshing. I love this composition, and I'm proud to have been included with so many stunning objects!

Because he's so handsome, here is my little man playing earlier this week in the yard.

Hope you're having a wonderful Sunday!

Lush

This is one of the bags I had been using the white and orange stripped fabric for. It’s a Nautical feeling Beach-Weekend bag that I put together for a friend and made mention of in my previous post.

This bag is actually wider than the typical weekend bag listed in my shop; the opening is actually 15” instead of the standard 13.” The base is the same, but I really love the shape that the 15” opening gives this bag. My friend really wanted a beach bag, and I thought the extra 2 inches would be useful for stuffing in towels, water bottles, flip flops, sun screen, and all the other beach random necessities.

Here are the Weekend bags I currently have available; Classic Black, Sabrina, and Selah. If you're interested in a custom Beach-Weekend bag check out my etsy shop and send me a convo (if you know me personally feel free to email me or contact me via Facebook).

It's my son's 1st Birthday next week, I should go throw myself into the preparations.

Check out some awesome kid's items that I absolutely LOVE on Etsy;

Treasures Under $20

I often tag my Pixie-Mini's as 'Under 20' because I LOVE to shop for a bargain! And the thought of getting something for $20 thrills me. I thought I'd throw together some of my favorites that are under $20 into a treasury to share with you. Here they are,

I also have a special affinity for red. Check out the individual items here; Treasures Under $20

Another treasures for $20, I finished this guy today, sold him and re-listed his brother. "Bogart Bag"

This is the fabric combination that I was rambling about yesterday. I'm thrilled with him, and the larger counterpart in the form of a Weekend bag that I'm finishing up for a friend. I hope she loves it, if she doesn't, I'll be happy to give him a home.

I'm also featured in a new treasury! 'Modern' items, titled; Modern COOL!