Whoa Mama! Vintage Style

Back, slowly.

2011-12-16T19:06:00.000-08:00

Hi folks!

I've been busy...moved to a new home and am now growing a baby. Yes! So I will be back, but slowly. Our internet connection is limited (unfortunately!) but that's what we get for choosing to live in the country.

I have a few pics for you this Christmas. My old camera finally died (I will miss you, D70!) and I bought a new one....sadly inferior (D3000!). With any luck, I'll get a new lens this Christmas, and get more used to using it.

I hope you are all enjoying the season!

Today's outfit

2011-06-29T22:57:00.000-07:00

I have started *another* new outfit (and STILL haven't finished that darn crinoline! It's OK to start shaking your head, now). The skirt is finished and worn here, with a thrifted sweater and shiny red belt:

The unfinished top is a sleeveless blouse in the same fabric, with small rounded collars and white buttons down the front - I just need to do buttonholes, buttons, and a hem! I'm just hoping it won't be TOO much gingham when worn with the skirt. Maybe it'll have the look of a dress? This is my first gathered skirt, and although I was worried it would make me look SUPER frumpy, I was rather pleased with the effect. I just wished I had been paying attention when my partner took the picture. He surprised me a bit. And I was really trying to not step in doggy-do. Sorry for that image in your head.

Crafting mania

2011-05-06T20:03:00.000-07:00

So, I've been trying (with little success) to get certain vintage-style projects finished (several dresses, a suit, and that darned crinoline!) but I've managed instead to start another new dress, pine over vintage swimsuit patterns, and finally receive the book about aprons from Bramcost Publications that I won...oh boy I need to focus!

With regards to the book, it's "How To Make Aprons", republished by Bramcost Publications, and I'll be reviewing it for Amazon as soon as I can sew a few items from it. It's amazing!

Originally published in 1953, it has all sorts of lovely aprons of all kinds, for the whole family, including some accessories like potholders and such. The wonderful part is that there are patterns for each and every one of the 40-plus aprons in there, all drawn up in little grids - so easy to enlarge!! There are a couple that I'm particularly interested in, and have already enlarged one. I'll show you progress later!

As for summer, we still don't have it yet. BRRR! I want the warm weather to come so badly, I can taste it. That's why I've been pining over vintage swimsuit patterns, like these from 1959 (I LOVE the red one on the right....it's a two-piece!):

Or these, from 1957:

And I would LOVE to be able to wear these fantastic vintage summer outfits, from 1951:

Gosh, what I wouldn't do for an extra-long vacation for sewing, right now! I haven't even sewn anything new for my shop for the last....ever! SIGH

Is it just me that feels this year is blasting by at warp speed?

Spring gathering

2011-04-19T22:48:00.000-07:00

Yes, gathering. And not as in a get together, either. I'm in the process of gathering 30 meters of tulle and ribbon.

Yes, I might possibly be crazy. I'm making a crinoline! Whee!

It looked like this yesterday:

It doesn't look that much different today, because...have you ever tried to pin tulle? It's got holes (being tulle and all). I think there are pins all over my house now, from where they've fallen out as I disgustedly marched the whole darn thing back into the sewing room after spreading, pinning and re-pinning and becoming murderous.

It's currently partially attached to this (the top half)

I used these instructions at Craftster which are a fantastic translation of the instructions Alice Lon's mum provided TV Guide with in the 1950's (which you can find here on Pettipond). Alice Lon was well-known for her plethora of very full crinolines (well, and her singing). The only difference is I will only have a 30 meter hem, instead of 48 YARDS! That's too ginormous for me...I believe my workplace will think I've tipped over the boundary between "dressing up" and "costume" if I wore that large of a crinoline!!

On another note, I've recently had a lot of luck vintage shopping! Among other small stuff, I found some lovely pearl clip-on earrings to go with my pearls, as well as a cute, short-sleeved green sweater and a vintage foldable hard-bonnet hair dryer! I have yet to try it, but I'll get some pictures up soon, I promise.

I've also finished sewing up a new dark denim circle skirt made from a 1950's pattern, and a cute red, short sleeve blouse made from a 1940's pattern. I can't wait to wear it all with the crinoline...that is, if I ever get it all pinned up and gathered. Sheesh!

OH! And I'll soon be reviewing a book for Bramcost Publications They republish vintage books, and have SCADS of interesting titles. I currently have the Westmore Beauty Book, which I got for Christmas from my mom. She rocks! It's a great book with tons of vintage beauty tips...from makeup to hair to even exercises for keeping slim!

Even newer hair!

2011-04-05T08:45:00.000-07:00

Yes, I am obsessed!

I finally got the courage to cut off the last few inches (you knew it wouldn't take long, didn't you?) ;o)

My man's not as impressed as I am.....

Hair! Or hairs, if you want to get technical...

2011-03-15T20:08:00.000-07:00

So I decided to take some (unflattering and bad) webcam photos of my hair....in the process of getting ready for work yesterday. I love how it looks, after being set in curlers and brushed out.

So, Voila! Finished hair! I really wish I had a better webcam, now.

And here it is, in rollers.....I let my freshly-washed hair dry (once I've put a bit of soft-hold gel in), then moisten slightly with Lottabody setting lotion (from Sally's) mixed one part to two parts water, then roll and blow dry. The more you do it, the faster it gets!

And this is just after the rollers came out, before brushing. It takes a LOT of brushing to look good. Seriously. Isn't this hilarious?! The first time I set my hair, I was SO disappointed and washed the set away! (can you say afro?)

I think that someday I might get brave and cut the last few inches off, for that real 1950's look...but my man would be sorely disappointed! I also need to learn how to keep the crown smooth, instead of rolling all the hair, all over....hmm. I hear that practice makes perfect.

What do YOU do to your hair??

Have you ever had a day when you just COULDN'T cut a whole slice of cheese?

2011-03-13T18:53:00.000-07:00

You know. Where no matter how hard you try for a whole slice off the block, your knife mysteriously veers off half-way though and you end up with multitudes of wonky pieces of cheese and you're left wishing you'd bought an electric meat slicer after the LAST time this happened?

No? Huh. Maybe it's just me....

Recently, I'm constantly busy and don't seem to get much of anything done. Maybe I have far too many things I want to do? I do get things done, only in very slow increments. And although I'm a consummate procrastinator, I DO start to get stressed out when I have too many things on the go, and nothing gets done.

Since my last post, I've managed to:

1) Completely sew two more skirts and a t-shirt from vintage patterns. Some day, I'll put up some photos (when there's enough light and I have more time...on second thought, maybe that'll never happen).

2) Managed to half-sew a 1940/50's dress out of a vintage white cotton fabric with blue flowers on it. The fabric is neat, since the whole bolt (which was brand-new and had never been washed!) is only 30 inches wide! It was gifted to me. I have so much, I can't wait to sew MORE with it! I actually have photos of this, unfinished:

3) Managed to upload pretty much all of my vintage patterns to Etsy! Now, if only someone would buy them. SIGH

4) Cut my hair, yet again! This time, fairly short (to my man's disbelief). And when I do rollers all over, it looks SO 1950's! I should have taken pictures last night. The teenagers at the movie theater thought it was pretty funny, though.

I used the "Long Length" cut from Daniela Turudich's book "1940's Hairstyles". It's such a great book, even though it's modern. I highly recommend it, though it's no longer in print (Psst! You can download a digital copy, here)

I have several ideas floating about, but haven't been getting ANYTHING done about them. I'm going to try my hand at making hair flowers...if I can ever get a shipment of hair clips to arrive! Canada Post gives me hives. Seriously.

I also have SO MUCH fabric to sew clothes from...I just bought another $75 worth today. Enough now for SEVERAL wardrobes! (you should see some of the awesome stuff I have, now!) I guess I should get cracking, hey?

And, to make matters even more preposterous, I found a Rockabilly event that would be SO FUN to go to. "Viva Las Vegas", baby! (not like I have time for a vacation, but...I can wish, can't I?) With car shows, tons of bands, a tiki pool party and burlesque competitions (and more) what wouldn't be fabulous about that??! Plus, it's in Vegas. And by that I mean...it's WARM. I'm *so* longing for summer!

What I've decided I need, to finally get things done, is to be a house wife....

But my man and I aren't on the same page with that.... it's like we're actually reading completely different books! (That, and we haven't won the lottery, yet)

After-Christmas Break!

2011-01-11T23:54:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone (or should that be anyone...since it's been so long since my last post, I'm sure NO-one actually reads this!!)

I've been so busy and crazy over the Christmas season that I haven't had any chance (or energy) to blog. I made several custom aprons for friends to give as presents. That made me very happy, but busy, right up until Christmas. What I've learned this year - don't take any custom orders within a few weeks of Christmas!!

Our Holidays were wonderful, if not relaxing. There was the annual cookie decorating

And we had several lovely dinners with friends and family, a nice and relaxed Christmas morning together (where I was spoiled rotten with a new Guitalele! More on that, later!) with presents and coffee with Baileys, a very merry New Year's party with friends downtown as well as a large birthday party last weekend for my man....he turned 40, after all! All in all, I made out like a bandit and had such a nice time seeing all the wonderful friends and family that I don't see often enough. In a very timely fashion, I have 5 days vacation left over from last year, and I'm using them this week, sewing for my poor, neglected Etsy shop, as well as vintage fashions for myself. I need to use up some of this fabric stash!!

Soon I will be uploading (to my Etsy) the 4 aprons I finished this week, as well as a few more vintage patterns...gosh I have no idea why I even bought them! They are SO much work to upload! Although, I HAVE sold a few so far, and have managed to keep about 25 or so for myself to use.

Speaking of using patterns, here's a pic taken by my man a few minutes ago of my new outfit:

I know, they're a bit blurry, and such. The skirt was sewn from a wool blend fabric using Butterick 8018 - a late '50's pattern. The top was sewn from a plain white cotton, using Simplicity 4530 - a 1950's pattern, with the collars changed to a shawl type...I just can't get into the large 1950's collars. Maybe it's because we had them in the '70's, too. Hmm. I forgot to put on my lippy and have no jewelery on. Please forgive the wrinkles...the shirt is hot off the sewing machine!!

I wish I had a narrower, vintage waist. The photos on patterns always look so much better, don't they??

I have recently acquired some 1940's and 1950's Lutterloh pattern books. If you don't know what that is, it's a pattern system from Germany that still exists today. They've been making pattern books since 1935! It's a wonderful resource for style - since there are drawings of ladies dressed in the outfits (the hair! the shoes! Oh my!) - as well as having hundreds of patterns. You can still buy them when they come up on eBay, though they're fairly dear. I've spent so much time looking at them recently, trying to decide what to make first!!! I think I'll start with a 1940's dress, like this on on the left:

Or maybe this one on the right:

And I'd also LOVE to make this blouse...isn't it adorable?? But then, I'd need a white skirt...and I'm not so good with white...

Chances are, this week, I won't get the sundress done. I'm trying to relax and enjoy my vacation...since my last 6 vacation days were used and I was SO ill. sigh.

Well, I'm going to go snuggle into bed....it's currently -1 degrees outside and snowing. Brrr!

Buying spree!

2010-10-24T15:21:00.000-07:00

Yes, I've gone crazy. I guess now that I'm looking, I see '40's and '50's stuff or inspired stuff everywhere!

I cruise the vintage shops around here sometimes, searching for work clothes at inexpensive prices (especially since my weight has been fluctuating so much this past year) and have found some cute things.

Like these vintage tan, leather, strappy heels! They're in such good shape...they just need new lifts and the insole needs a tiny bit of glue. I honestly can't believe these fit me.

And these modern, 1940's-esque black peep-toe heels. And they're COMFY, too!

And this bead necklace....I just LOVE the soft color! I have no idea WHAT vintage it is, but I like it anyway.

My sister has lent me my Grandma's crinolines, of which there are two. I think I'd like to re-create BOTH, so if I want a SUPER puffy skirt, I can double-up. The first is a single layer of very stiff net in two tiers on a waistband (which was probably a dropped yoke at one time, but has been taken up), with a small, softer ruffle on the bottom. The seams are covered with white and silver Greek key trim.

The second crinoline is 2 tiered, as well, with the top tier being a thin dropped yoke. It's made of a very stiff net. The bottom tier has two layers. The bottom layer has 2 ruffles sewn to it's bottom for fullness. The top layer is made of a very soft, sheer fabric with a pretty scalloped edge and has flowers and designs on it in white flocking. The hems on the under-layer are small and rolled. This crin has such a nice shape!

I've also been busy on eBay, after discovering that folks sell whole LOTS of vintage patterns!! This is a serious problem :o) I've already purchased two lots, for a total of 29 patterns, and hope to have a few more. I'll be cherry-picking the ones I like that fit me, and selling the rest (if they're complete) on my Etsy. Hopefully I can make back some of the cost of the patterns! Keep your fingers crossed that I win the next 3, too! I can't wait to get them!

I know, I know...I should be sewing things for my Etsy! But I'm still trying to get things sorted out, and will be working on more aprons as time goes by, and when I have some extra free time....if that ever happens! I have plans for a little girl's ruffly apron as well as a little boy's smock. Some day soon, hopefully!

My new obsesison!

2010-10-11T17:35:00.000-07:00

Ahhhh. Well, I suppose everyone knew I had a thing for the 1950's (hence the aprons...) but I've never done much except look at things online and listen to a bit of music.

So, a while back I started thinking about sewing some 1950's clothes, and started looking at vintage patterns on Etsy. Oh my God! What a selection and so DREAMY! Women absolutely looked like women back then. Most of it I could even wear today...so I actually ordered several. These to be exact:

Wouldn't this be so cute to wear even now???!

So I know the first and last one of the three are later 1950's, but I like them anyways.

I also just purchased another pattern from Etsy and I can't wait for it to arrive!! Isn't it amazing?

I'm so excited for this pattern! It's so amazing. It should fit perfectly, though I'm thinking I might need some sort of waist cincher to get the hourglass look right...right? I'm planning on actually wearing this to work and making it in a few in different colors...black, grey, maybe some sort of brown tweedy-ish fabric...

In my excitement for all the research I've done, I decided to cut my hair. I thought I'd try and get a vintage style. My lovely aunt cut it for me, and this is the first time it's been cut so short on top since my youth. Don't get too excited, though...it's still long-ish at about 6 inches. We left it longer at the back, and layered all over. Not a mullet, if that's what you're thinking...

I'm still undecided if I like it or not, as I've been used to wash and go hair for the last, oh...decade. Naturally curly hair definitely makes a short cut a pain. It needs blowdrying and rolling in curlers for the right look, and hairspray. Lots and lots of hairspray. If only I had the courage to cut it to a shorter style, like Elizabeth Taylor in "A Place in the Sun" from 1951!! If you're interested in learning how to do various vintage hairstyles, check out Lisa Freemont Street on YouTube. She's amazing.

The fight with the curlers was...interesting. To make a very long story short, I figured out that sponge rollers work too well (think serious afro), and brush rollers are best with my fine hair and lack of interest in sleeping in rollers (my man was almost ready to run for cover. Not sexy at all!). To make my hair story even more "amusing", last week I decided to darken my hair to a nice chocolate brown - to cover up my natural roots, and for a change for the winter - and ended up with almost black. Sigh. Luckily, everyone says they like it. I hope they're not just being nice! You can see a little video I put up with my hair all done up in haircombs and curls. This is as close as I can get to the "poodle" style:

I have done a fair amount of looking for foundation garments, as well, since I don't think you can get the correct vintage look without it. However....I just can't get into the seriously pointy boobs! Am I the only one? My sister lent me a vintage dead stock bra from the 50's that she bought from eBay. It fits, but scares me in how POINTY it is. Talk about lift and separate! It's like my boobs weren't even on speaking terms. So I thought I'd make a pattern from it, and take a little of the pointyness away. It didn't really work. My man was so relieved when I took it off! I guess I need to reduce a LOT more, as it was still...dangerous. I'd heard that getting a soft cup bra (Playtex's 18 hr bra was specifically mentioned) will also give the right silhouette for those who can't afford a reproduction brassiere. So, off I headed to Wal Mart. The selection is dizzying, and depressing, at the same time. Yes, they are fairly pointy and keep your lady bits from talking to each other, however I'm apparently a smaller size than I thought...at least in Playtex's world. So small, in fact, that Playtex doesn't have a size to fit me!! Yeowch. I give up for a little bit. I'll revisit the pointy-boob issue later, once I'm desperate for the right look.

Next up, I'll need to make a crinoline and petticoat, as well as a few slips for under my new clothes I'll be making. I've also been drooling all over What Katy Did's little waist cincher. I'll need something like that if I want to get the early '50's "New Look" look right. If only I had a little more money. OK, a lot more. I never knew that the 1940's and 50's styles and pin-up looks were so popular!

Everything will be slow going on the sewing front, as I'm still in training for my current job for about two more weeks, plus I need to do some fabric shopping. Suit material isn't particularly cheap. Who knows when I'll have the time to start sewing, right?

Rain, rain, go away....

2010-09-12T14:52:00.000-07:00

It seems that Summer is finally over. The summer heat broke with heavy rains that left a puddle inside my car a few weeks ago, and aside from a few warm-ish days (like yesterday), it definitely feels like fall. And to top it off, today is afflicted with torrential rains that make me want to snuggle under the blankets with a good book!

I haven't the energy to blog about anything specific today, so here's a picture from Playland last summer (since I never made it there this year).

Baking for the dogs!

2010-09-08T20:18:00.000-07:00

So, my newest doggy is fitting right in to our family.

He's fun, playful, energetic... and a bit tiring! He can run ALL day! I hear that Min Pins are just fun like that.

The only (tiny) downer is that he is highly allergic to wheat. As in, the first week we had him, he got into the cat treats and cost $123 at the vet for medications to bring down the rash and itchyness!! The allergy is not a big deal, really, since we were already feeding our bigger dog the same wheat-free food (Origen) that Capone was eating - it's only the treats that are problematic. Grain free treats are easy enough to find at most pet stores, but the selection isn't so great, and they're not particularly cheap!

So, like any intrepid dog-lover, I decided to bake up some wheat-free treats for the pooches, and see if they compare to store bought ones. What do you think of the final product??

They're really cheesy-smelling, and they hold together fairly well. They're crunchy, and the doggies love them.

OK...so they love pretty much anything that's edible....but they seemed to REALLY like them! I have no pics, since they snapped them up so fast!

I've got some photos from the process, if you're interested. And I'll write out the recipe at the bottom of this post.

The dough. It was stickier than I expected. The recipe called for not nearly enough water and I kind of improvised. Since it got kneaded a bit more on a rice-floured counter, it stiffened up a bit.

I forgive you for thinking that it looks grey and disgusting, because it did.

I used a tiny (1 1/2 inch) heart-shaped cookie cutter. I wished I had a small dog bone shaped cutter....I guess that means I get to go shopping for one! The flour was still sticky, and after rolling out the first batch, I found I really needed to get rice flour under the bit I was rolling, even part-way through. A good trick is to flop a corner of the rolled-out dough over the rolling pin (that is above the dough) and gently pick it up with the pin, so you can re-flour under the dough. Otherwise, it sticks pretty badly.

And they cooked up fairly quickly! I just watched to make sure the cheese didn't burn. I didn't actually watch the time. You can cook them longer than these in the next photo, but it doesn't matter. They were crispy anyway.

I turned off the oven, and left the cookies in there to cool off overnight, though I DID unstick each one from the cookie sheet, first. The cheese was extremely melty!

I adapted a recipe from a book I photocopied some years ago and had never used. If you've never used rice flour (like I hadn't) it's a little gritty and seems to take more water than I expected....I never did measure just how MUCH water, so you'll have to just keep adding until it's good!

You'll need:

2 1/2 cups rice flour (plus extra for rolling)

1/2 cup black bean flour

1/4 cup skim milk powder

1 cup grated cheddar cheese (packed semi-loosely into the cup)

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

Warm water (the recipe calls for 3/4 of a cup, but trust me when I say it's just not enough!)

Preheat oven to 375 degrees Farenheit

Mix the flours, milk powder and cheese. Add the oil, and then the water, starting with about a cup and mixing in more a bit at a time until you get a firm dough. I wish I knew how much I used! Don't worry though - you can add a little more flour if it gets a bit sticky. Plop dough out on to a counter that's liberally floured with rice flour (you may want to work with a third of the dough at a time. I found it much easier) and knead until it is thoroughly mixed. Flour the surface again, as well as your rolling pin, and the top of the dough. roll out to about a 1/4 inch thickness, and then cut with a cutter of your choice. These don't really spread during baking, so they can be placed quite close together, although the cheese does melt out a bit. Cook until golden on top, or until the cheese gets crispy - whichever comes first. (the recipe says 10-15 minutes, but that sounds like too long!) Unstick the cookies from the pan with a spatula, and then place the cookies back into the oven with the heat OFF, to get even more crispy and cool until morning.

And there you have it! They jumped all over me for the treats....but then, I don't have finicky eaters. If you do, and they like the cookies, let me know!

I'm not sure how long these will be good for - the recipe recommends keeping them stored in the fridge in an airtight container - but since we're a treat-friendly family (hey....food-motivated training, anyone?) and I'm apparently living on the edge, we'll keep them in a sealed container on the counter and I'm sure we'll use them all up before they get a chance to go bad!

Hope you all have a good week!

And HI to my family in Germany!! I'm glad you like the apron :o) Happy birthday!!! Love you!

Custom work

2010-08-28T09:03:00.000-07:00

Hello again!

I've had quite a few custom aprons (7, to be exact) that I've been trying to work on in my spare time. Unfortunately, I haven't gotten pictures of them all, and I only have two left to complete. SIGH. Time restraints are KILLING my creativity!

I did, however, get photos of these two. The white and yellow apron was made for a 1050's style party!!

I'm in love with the white and yellow apron. IN. LOVE. SO in love, as a matter of fact, that I have ordered more of the cherry fabric, as well as several other types of retro-ish fabrics so I can make MORE! Be prepared for a few of this type on my Etsy....though maybe not quite so full (that's around 100 inches of fabric, gathered into a 24 inch waist. I never said I was any good at math...) I'm going to have to order a bunch of ric rac, too...and here I had been resisting. SIGH. Speaking of ric rac...this is an EXCELLENT deal, if you need to order it in bulk.

We've finally managed to get a weekend away, to do a second test-run of our new (to us) 1970's truck camper (funny, the only photo of the camper is super blurry!).

I'm loving camper camping much more than tenting. So civilized! We did find, however, that even slight bouncing on bumpy roads can lead to camper issues....like a problem with the ancient doorknob, where we had major difficulties getting in our last lunch-stop (something in the mechanism shifted) and then, once we finally got in, LOCKED us in! Good thing there's an escape hatch in the roof! A new knob set is getting installed today, thank goodness.

Some photos from our trip:

Farther along the road than before

2010-08-20T20:28:00.000-07:00

Hello again...I know it's been some time since my last post. I apologize to everyone, especially me....I like blogging.

I have been super busy with a job that keeps me hopping, a very long commute every day, sewing to do...and I've had my share of tears recently.

My little 4 year old Chihuahua pup, Puccini, was paralyzed from an unknown accident and after 3 weeks of desperately hopeful treatment, had to be put down. May he frolic happily in doggy heaven and always have someone warm to snuggle next to at night.

Oh my little man, my munchkin....how I miss you beyond all reckoning. You were the best little doggie, ever.

Shortly after that, my kitty Tatu became ill. Within about a month of Pucci, she also had to be put down, with a diagnosis of cancer under her tongue. She was 10 1/2 and will be so sorely missed. She was the softest, sweetest kitty ever, and a constant companion through thick and thin.

But not everything is sad. Two days before the decision to put down my kitty, I adopted Capone. He is a 3 year old red Minature Pinscher. His previous owners could not have two dogs in their condo and as Capone was the newest, he sadly needed a new home. He is very sweet, but not as people-oriented as Pucci was. He's also bigger, and more energetic (which is a HUGE understatement) than Pucci....he can run alllll day long and almost never get tired.

He is making it much easier to be without my two little friends.

I have also been sewing, and have several custom orders left to complete.

Here is one of the customs I've recently done so far(I just didn't get photos of the others), pardon the horrible photo! And if the lady who wanted it never gets back to me...it'll be up for sale soon!

And this is pretty much the only good photo of my stuff from the Honeybee Festival in Surrey. Potholders:

Aside from my little woes, things are moving along otherwise well. My work contract is up, soon, and I'll be working from a location closer to home with a new contract (YAY!) which will mean more time for sewing, my family, and ME! Yes. I've also passed my exam for my lever 2 Insurance License. Yes, I work in insurance....it's not as exciting as it sounds. I've sold most of my Etsy stock and will hopefully be sewing up more to list. It's neat to know that my aprons live in the USA, Holland, New Zealand, Germany and Canada. :o) And I've recently done some fabric shopping on Etsy for some new apron styles (for when I actually get around to sewing).

I'll also be putting up some photos (eventually) that I've taken this summer, and like so far. I hope you've all been having an enjoyable summer!! Let me know if there's anything you'd like to see here, and I'll see if I can manage it.

"Diet" is just "Die" with a "T"!

2010-04-25T21:05:00.000-07:00

Please can I haz a cookie??

So, I'm on a diet. Not a fad crash diet, just calorie-watching (insert huge, dejected sigh here). Ever since I injured my knee, I've managed to gain a whopping 25 pounds, since I l~~ove food~~ am unable to do any cardio or workouts. Though most of my friends say they can't really tell (they must be lying), I have managed to pop the button off of TWO pairs of jeans. I didn't even know that could really happen! Awkward!

With my doctor's insistence on some weight loss - even though I insisted that I really do eat quite healthy - I purchased the Tap & Track calorie counter app for my iPhone. (did I mention how I love my iPhone???)

With this app (though it takes a bit of setting up and getting used to) you can track your calories in, exercise, and weight, as well as get detailed info on ratios of carbs and fats you're taking in. This is just what I needed, since I MUST cut calories to lose weight and can't exercise.

I have shockingly discovered that I ate far more calories a day than I thought. Hm. The most important thing I've learned, so far, is that portion size is really not what the modern world thinks it is! As a sedentary person, I don't need many calories to maintain....however I just love eating. I love food! I can't wait until I can EXERCISE again, and eat yummy food. Like pasta. And chocolate. And beer....mmmm yummy beer!!

SIGH

I did, however, find a treats to satisfy the sweets craving that I get, sometimes. Angelfood cake!

At only 140 calories and NO fat a slice, it's my new go-to dessert. I made it from a package, since I really don't have the time to bake it from scratch at the moment, and it still turned out quite tasty.

Topped with some cooked fruit (apples, strawberries, raisins, peaches and a dash of cinnamon), it was heavenly....though a few more calories.

I know I'll get the hang of this watching my calories thing, eventually. Right now I really really want to eat something (even though it's bedtime!) after looking at my cake pictures! Am I the only one dieting???

Ahhhh...the warmth!

2010-04-23T17:19:00.000-07:00

Well, Spring has definitely sprung in this corner of the world. It's finally warming up! My garden is well-sprouted, and everything is green and flowering and growing. Even the hated weed-evilness. Yes, I hates them, and they grow faster than I can tear them out by their stubborn roots!

Here's some pics of the growing loveliness.

Also, I got a new camera app for my iPhone. Oh, how I loves my iPhone! The app is called Hipstamatic, and it rawks my iPhone world! It gives a toy camera look and picture frame to all your photos and comes with three lens choices, three film choices, and two flashes. I prefer the green tinted lens and regular flash, but I'm still figuring it out! Check these out:

Cleo the doggie is a willing model, so I have a ton of pics of her.

Sweet Easter!

2010-04-04T13:34:00.000-07:00

Happy Easter, everyone!! I hope you're all getting wonderfully high on sugary or chocolat-y goodness and Easter snacks as we speak. If not, this is all I have to share with you:

Peepshi!

Yummy-looking candy sushi made from Rice Krispie squares and Peeps!

Click the photo to be taken to Serious Eats Peepshi tutorial.
I wish I had the gumption to make up these treats, but I have to say I don't....I need to lose a few pounds. But then, who doesn't??

Other than spending copious time finding cute links online, I've been a big spender recently. Retail therapy maybe? I don't know. It's how I relax.

My biggest purchase and dirtiest little secret is my new iPhone 3G. I am now seriously addicted! Is there anyone who's bought one who's not? I've been playing with a silly app called Pocket God. If you have an iPhone and don't know about it, go get it! Hours of mindless fun. I think I'm a Thunder God, personally...
After that, I love Google Earth, Searchit and Epicurious. Anyone have any others that are must-haves to share with me??

I've also made my second-ever Amazon purchase...two exercise videos. Both ballet-related. I can't wait to get them!!

Yesterday I went to the mall, and miraculously walked out with everything I was looking for. Seriously! Mall=0 Me=4 Yay! New jeans that I won't pop the button off of (hopefully), new sneakers, and some other misc stuff. I don't think that's ever happened before :o)

Well, have a great Easter!

A Tiny History Lesson

2010-03-17T19:30:00.000-07:00

Last weekend, still raining and dreary and grey out, we decided to get out of the house and go for a drive. My partner insisted I bring along my camera...even though I thought it might be too yick outside for any photos. Apparently he had an idea of where we'd go and thought I might find it interesting.

And I really did! Little did I know that Richmond has a fair amount of history and historical sites that I had never heard of...and I grew up here in the Lower Mainland. Shame on me!

First, he drove till he found the first site: Finn Slough. It's a tiny 1900's fishing village on the water that still has something like 50 residents, though the land is very much disputed by Richmond itself. (see history links below!)

The bridge over the slough - those boards in the middle get removed to let boats pass through!

Some interesting buildings, and a boat:

Ramshackle net shed at the end of the bridge:

More buildings:

View to the right side of the bridge:

Wonderful restored building:

Another neat building (do you see all the boots attached to the building?!):

The boardwalk on the public side of the fence. There are some private areas (as people live here year round), so please make sure to respect their privacy if you decide to visit!

The Eva. A historic boat which you might read of in the history:

It's so much easier to give you links to Finn Slough's history and provide you with photos, than to try and educate you on history, here.

Some history of Finn Slough:
http://www.michaelkluckner.com/bciw1finnslough.html

http://www.finnslough.com/Heritage%20Pages/a_small_history_of_finn_slough.htm

And the Finn Slough Heritage & Wetland Society

We also visited the historic Steveston waterfront, which has quite a few restored or reconstructed buildings and lots of posted history...though it was starting to get a little dingy out, so I'll only post a few photos. It's definitely an interesting place to take the kids (or your partner) and browse around!

After the historic waterfront area, we took a quick trip through the shopping area of the Village of Steveston, but it ws pretty dark by that point...I've got to come back in the summer, for sure!!

All in all, very interesting, rain and all! The Lower Mainland area has a lot of history...which I know we forget about too much. If you get a chance, check out Richmond...PLUS the Steveston Village has tons of interesting little shops and eateries so that you can make it a whole-day trip. :o)

Updates n things

2010-03-14T12:47:00.000-07:00

So, as busy as I've been, I've managed to squeeze in sewing and finishing a couple aprons in new designs and even (gasp!) listed them on Etsy.

I've been trying to purchase some retro-style or even just pretty fabric online, but I've been getting so overwhelmed each time I'm on Etsy that I've given up in frustration after an hour of looking...has that happened to anyone else? Anyone have any great ideas for colors or patterns to sew my new "Marilyn" apron from?? Help a girl out ;o)

Other than those two aprons, I've been pretty static on the crafting front. What with being out of the house for 12-13 hours a day (commuting roughly 3-4 hours a day) and physio twice a week after that....I've been tired. I'm trying to keep my stress level down, which involves avoiding the craft room and the mess it has become. I don't feel less stressed if I have to schedule time to craft, and all my spare time is cleaning, cooking and preparing for the coming day or week.

The good news is, my injured knee is doing MUCH better and I'm able to take stairs and start some simple exercises to lose that extra 20 lbs I've gained! Wheee! PLUS, this job is only contract...meaning I only need suffer the crazy hours and commute until about September. Yeah. I know some people don't think that's a good thing, but they're being fabulous and paying for upgrading that will possibly help me get a regular position with the same company, at a closer location. As Martha would say...it's a good thing.

Shoot me now.

Anyways, I'll leave you with a couple photos I took a few years ago up in Williams Lake, BC. Beautiful hoodoos and rivers. It was so wild and wooly up there ;o)

Obnoxiously busy

2010-02-19T22:01:00.000-08:00

Well!

I've been so busy with a new job and physio that I haven't had time. No time for sewing. No time for my shop. No time for my blog.

No time for ME.

So in lieu of anything of earth-shattering importance today....here's a few recent photos....at least I had time for these.

Maybe there'll be time this weekend for me, too.

Etsy Artist Feature: Solis Handmade Jewelry

2010-01-29T20:59:00.000-08:00

So once again, it's time for another feature of one of my talented, local Etsy teammates. This time, solisjewelry! She makes very beautiful silver and gold-plated crystal jewelry, among other fabulous stuff. You'll fall for each piece...I just know it!

Remember to go visit her shop and show some Etsy love. Click on her header, below, to check it all out!

Tell us about how you started making jewelry.

It began as a therapeutic and creative outlet while recuperating from Interstitial Cystitis, a chronic illness I was diagnosed with in late 2007. At first I just gave the jewelry away to friends, but I soon started selling and volunteering at a local boutique in Nelson, BC, where I was living at the time.

How did you end up on Etsy?

While volunteering at that boutique, my co-workers encouraged me to try etsy. Since I moved back to Vancouver, BC, I have been selling exclusively on etsy, with plans to expand to a few local boutiques and to try craft fairs.

There are a LOT of jewelry sellers on Etsy. How do you compete?

I use high quality materials and spend a lot of effort making sure the pieces are sturdy despite how delicate they appear. I am also constantly trying to approve my photos as I think that is the best way to get noticed on etsy.

What do you think makes you stand out from all the others?

While in Nelson, I came to appreciate the notion of healing crystals. The mountains there are sunny and filled with quartz crystal, which some say contributes to the serene and healing atmosphere there. That atmosphere, and the process of making jewelry really helped renew my optimism in a very negative time for me. I try to infuse my pieces with that spirit of healing and renewal, hence the inspiration for my line’s name, Sol Invictus, “The Unconquered Sun”.

Tell us about an average day for you.

I wake up, walk Aggie my Jack Russell, check my shop, answer convos, mail any orders, and try to do a blog post every day. I don’t design every day, but when I do I am most creative at night.

What do you use for inspiration?

I find inspiration in nature, specifically crystals, and in fashion and art.

Share one business tip with all the Etsy sellers out there.

Don’t buy materials unless you have a plan for them! It can get expensive really fast.

Do you sell in any other venues?

I currently sell only on etsy.

Do you have a blog or any other social media people can check out?

My blog is at http://solisjewelry.blogspot.com, my twitter is http://twitter.com/solisjewelry, and my facebook is http://facebook.com/solisjewelry. Come say hi on any one of these sites. I always welcome new twitter friends!

And finally, what's your favorite thing in your Etsy shop and why?

My favorite item would have to be one of my single plated crystal pendants http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=37382773. They are so simple and naturally beautiful. Quartz is said to bring about healing and to amplify positive energies. Call me crazy, but I feel a little of that power when I wear one!

Thanks so much, solisjewelry!

Has Spring sprung.....

2010-01-17T22:13:00.000-08:00

...or are our plants just a teensy bit confused?

I was rather surprised yesterday morning. Since the day dawned fairly clear and warm, I wandered our yard with my camera, looking for interesting things to take photos of and taking stock of all that will need cleaning up when I eventually have the time....and noticed something that I didn't think would happen quite yet.

SPROUTS. I first saw the snowdrops, all about an inch or so tall....tiny buds almost visible. Snowdrops DO come out early...but last year at this time, we had REAL snow and no snow drops.

To be sure, we have had some record-breaking warm weather this January...with temperatures up to 13 degrees Celcius....but it was still a bit of a shock. Then I saw the rest of them....not sure what they all are, but there were LOTS of them!

Even my mint is growing, shooting up throught the layer of leaves in our front garden

In a way, I am excited to see the new growth, but it also makes me anxious...since our winter isn't technically over yet. I hope the little budlettes aren't in for a cold, rude awakening!! .....plus, I don't want to start mowing my lawn, yet.

On the crafty front, I've started up a new apron style, and tested my draped pattern with some spare quilting cotton I had kicking around....it's just the top half of a halter-style apron I'm tentatively calling the "Marilyn" for obvious reasons ;o)

I still need to cut neck and waist ties and the skirt, and then we'll see how it looks in a nice, bright print once I have the design where I like it! As I've barely got a half-hour a day that I can squeeze sewing in, at the moment, it might take me a bit longer till I can get a finished version on my Etsy. Keep your eyes peeled!

Meeting Goals & Organizing!

2010-01-02T13:50:00.000-08:00

Well! One of my goals for the New Year is to organize my office/guest room/craft room/closet (seriously, there's a LOT of stuff in here!). I picked up some used, large Ikea shelving units to put all my craft stuff on, and finally have the room ORGANIZED!

OK, OK...there's still ONE small pile of stuff on my sofa bed that needs to be sorted and put away, but that's it! I swear! A friend of mine will be taking a large, blue cabinet that just didn't maximize my storage and is in the way right now, but once that's gone, I'll be done.

Here's the new shelving, holding all my craft supplies and fabric. I've even started labeling everything! We'll be adding another shelf soon - we have to make one, since Ikea doesn't carry these any more. And check out my desk...all cleaned up! You have NO idea how gooey inside this makes me feel! Notice the AWESOME coffee warmer my sister got me for Christmas? It's for warming candles (I think), and it's from Michaels. I've wanted one forever. Oh, and that's my little Puccini peeking out from the chair.

Here's the sofa bed and the ONE small pile of stuff left to sort. Eventually I'll need another bookshelf, as this one is starting to overflow magazines onto the floor.

Here's my sewing area (the pic was totally under exposed, so it's a bit grainy).The plant has no home, yet. I'm thinking of getting a hanging basket. I love plants everywhere, but this is the brightest and unfortunately most crowded room in the house. SIGH.

This is a (bad) photo of the beastly blue cabinet that will be going soon, that I took last night. I hadn't finished cleaning up last night, so things are still pretty pile-y. I'll have a small wooden shelf here that I can put my laundry basket on and lean my folding table on (that I use for cutting fabric).

And voila! A neat and tidy work/live space. We'll see how well I'm able to keep it this way....

Bear in mind that this is a 12' x 11' room with a LOT of furniture in it....it has a lot of uses and I spend more time in this one room than anywhere else in the house...even the bedroom! I suppose I would spend more time in the living room if we had cable TV, but I digress...

I wish I had a "before" picture to show you, but I never thought of it...and seriously, it was terrible. It looked like Christmas threw up all over the room. In drifts. I'm sure some of you can imagine it!

What do you think??? I'd love to see some of YOUR spaces...wanna share? ;o)

Inspired

2009-12-30T18:02:00.000-08:00

These were the most violently purple berries I have ever seen and finally had my camera with me...I'm sure my friend's neighbors thought I was loony.

There are several fun and interesting blogs I follow (which you can see in my sidebar) and one in particular - though she often has lots of thoughtful things to say - has recently inspired me to make a list of goals for the New Year. See "The Sometimes Crafter" post here, and you'll probably be inspired, too!

It's important to note that this is a list of goals....not a list of resolutions. Goals are things to accomplish some day, to aspire to, to hopefully complete...resolutions are something most people fail at miserably (me especially), since they are very rigid, and leave no room for non-completion. But then, maybe that's just how I feel about it.

I hope to do many things in this coming year and years to follow. Here are a few that concern me currently, and many of them are inter-connected:

(note: I originally started them all with "I want to" and then changed it to "I will" and finally to what you see....these are goals, after all. I think that saying "I will" will only make it harder on me if I don't)

1) Continue on with my blog, as often as I am able and possibly more than that!

2) Sew more....

3) and procrastinate less...this one's rather tough for me.

4) List an item a day on my Etsy site. There's some logistics to be figured out in this one.

5) Keep my office/crafting space clutter-free

6) Take care of my injured knee and help it heal and get stronger.

7) Take exercise and ballet classes once my knee is healed enough.

8) Make my health more important to me...I'm not getting any younger, right??

9) Show my family and friends that I love them even more that I have in the past.

10) Take more photos and read my darn camera manual. And have the camera with me....can't take photos without it. At least that's what I've heard.

11) Spend more time camping and getting out of the house in the summer

12) Be less distracted and finish something before starting another. I'm a goldfish, seriously. Three-second attention span.

13) Craft something, anything, every day...be it photos, blogs, drawing or sewing.

14) Have more patience with my partner's doggie. She's so big and friendly and nice...but she licks. Oh gawd does she ever lick. And she eats cat poop.

15) Cuddle my little chihuahua more, because it's so tough being 12" tall.

Well, I'm sure there are more, but I'll stop there....for my sanity's sake.

I hope everyone has a wonderful New Year, and continues to enjoy spending time with family and friends.

Cookie Fun

2009-12-21T21:14:00.000-08:00

So a week or so ago, we had our annual Cookie Decorating day at my mum's. This is when we take a MOUNTAIN of baked sugar cookies and get funky with sugar...and colors, and sprinkles.

And when I say a MOUNTAIN of sugar cookies, I do mean it:

My mum bakes them all up ahead of time, and also whips up a TON of colored icing bags, and bowls and plates of sprinkles:

It's so much fun! My sister's friend has been coming for a few years with her daughter. It's become THEIR tradition, too!

I think everyone loves the creativity, especially my mum...she gets so into it and does a lot of details!

I like to think of it as cookie art. This year there were no risque cookies....some years there are quite a few, and my mom has to leave them home. Can't give poor office ladies a heart attack!

My mom takes a large portion of the cookies to her work to give to her co-worker's as a Christmas present. Apparently, they bug her for WEEKS prior to the day...they love it so much. They tell the new folks all about it, as well. Highly anticipated. HA

Accidents DO happen...some on purpose (you get hungry decorating for 4 hours):

and some by accident:

But in the end, we end up with sheets and sheets of amazing, funny, pretty, cool, silly and wild cookies. I hope you enjoy...even with my less than stellar photo skills (sometimes I should step away from the F1.8...seriously!!)

Klahanie Holiday Market

2009-12-14T16:41:00.000-08:00

Well. It's been much over a week since the Klahanie Holiday Market (aka craft fair)....I've been feeling too lazy and had some photo-uploading-to-Flickr issues.

This was my first craft fair, and I had a great time! I sold a few items (not as much as I had hoped, though) and met a ton of lovely crafters and fellow women business people. All of the items there were beautiful/gorgeous/well made/tasty!

I also got to display my NEW banner and give out a ton of my new business cards, both of which I recently ordered from Vistaprint which has great prices and very fast printing & shipping. I ALSO had post cards made up with the same design as my banner. I'll be using them as thank you notes in my sold items!

Here's some photos and info on these lovely, talented ladies! Unfortunately, I didn't get everyone, since I was running around AND trying to mind my table and not all the photos are great quality, due to the difficult lighting issues (and operator ignorance!). To everyone I missed...I sincerely apologize! Send me photos and info and I'll update asap!!

Christine with Sophiebelle – baby and toddler clothing (organic onesies and dresses), soother savers and sophie savers

Angela with Ripe Baby Food - local and organic frozen baby food cubes, and kamoo toddler bars (made from organic grains and produce)

I totally failed in getting a photo of her awesome packaging and great display! I'm not sure how!

Nat of Adore by Nat and Nat Supplies - handmade greeting cards and papercrafts

Marijina - hair ribbons, clips, bows and other cute accessories for girls

Aura and Leah of Bodhi Tree Designs– iron on decals for children’s clothing and books, as well as fine art

All I ended up with were these two terrible photos as they were working on setting up...sorry!! I wish I had gotten over there for a look...such interesting stuff!

ME! of Whoa Mama! Vintage Style – modern retro aprons and pot holders

I didn't get a photo of my new banner. That's because I'm an airhead.

Lori of Novel Essentials - natural perfumes, scented teas, and products for the body and home, made using 100% natural essential oils and herbal ingredients. It all looked so awesome.

Christine of Blush Designs - colourful, casual and contemporary jewelry

Maureen of Mo Funk Designs - Lovely jewelery

Aiya of Acorns & August - Jewelry and vintage refurbisher (I don't know about you, but I totally want her hair!!!)

Kolleen of Diva Dog and Diva Dangles- Coats, t-shirts, collars and leashes for dogs, as well as altered art charm bracelets

Susanne of Susie Cues -Handmade toddler bedding

Heidi of Heiditheartist - Functional art on canvas and wood panel, fingerless gloves and hats

Terri of City Creations - Handmade puppets, cards and pouches

Wendy of Cocolico - Such amazing chocolates and dessert sauces...I wish I had gotten more info for the blog, since these are some wonderfully high-end, handmade chocolates and looked DELICIOUS! If you have a WWW, sweetie...please forward it and I will update this post!

Corrie of Raindrops Baby Gear - Children's rain hats, coats and pants

Sorry Corrie! I got one dark, terrible photo...if anyone has better...I can put them up here!

I missed Aura's lovely artwork, and also Beth and Michelle's toy rental company! Shoot! I can add or amend any info if I've gotten it wrong.

Whew! Hope we can do this again this coming year ladies! Was so nice to meet you all!

Etsy Artist Feature: wildheather!

2009-12-10T09:12:00.000-08:00

So it's time for another feature of one of my talented, local Etsy teammates.

This time, it is Heather of Wild Heather Handcrafted. She makes lovely, handcrafted silver, semi-precious stone and crystal jewelry.

Make sure to check her shop and blog out and join her on Twitter. Show the Etsy love!! Click on her shop header below to head on over to her shop.

On to the interview!!

Tell us about how you started making jewelry.

I have dabbled in many different arts: tole painting, ceramics, watercolours, photography. It wasn’t until the last few years that I really found my niche. In the summer of 2006, I went into one of my all-time favourite Victoria shops and was looking at all the beautiful sparkly things and wishing that I knew what to do to put them together. I finally got up my courage and put a few things on a tray. When I had an idea in my mind what I wanted them to look like, I asked a staff member if she could put them together for me. Reluctantly, she said, “I could, but then I would have to charge you a design fee. However, if I put one together to show you how to do it, and then you put the other one together, I wouldn’t have to charge you anything!” So she did, and that is what started this whole obsession. At first, I was making them just for myself, and had no thoughts about selling. Then, people at work started commenting on my jewellery, and asking about buying it. So I bit the bullet and took a basket of earrings (that was all I made in the beginning) to work, and at the end of the week, I had almost $300 in sales! I haven’t really ever looked back since.

How did you end up on Etsy?

Hmm...I don’t quite remember, to be honest! I think it’s because a friend through LiveJournal turned me onto it. She does wonderful steampunk jewelery (nullalux.etsy.com) and I started investigating it and decided to try it. It’s been about 18 months now, and I have made a lot of great friends, even if I haven’t totally set the jewellery world on fire.... (yet!)

There are a LOT of jewelry sellers on Etsy. How do you compete?

That’s a really good question. It’s definitely a saturated category. I do my best to create items that I think women like me will love...I buy my materials wholesale now, and so I am able to keep my price points reasonable while still using the best quality stones pearls and crystals I can afford.

What do you think makes you stand out from all the others?

I would hope that my style helps me to stand out somewhat, as well as my unwillingness to cave to trends or slash my prices to barely cost plus just to get sales. As I said, I think I try my best to create items that women like me will love.
What do I mean by women like me? Forty, funky and fearless! Women who know how and when to channel their inner diva (or their ‘true redhead’)! Women who enjoy classically styled jewellery with just a little funky edge. In the New Year, I plan to consolidate my look a lot more by offering a ‘collection’ for spring. Included in that will be coordinating pieces, including bracelets in a style that is relatively rare on Etsy, but that have proven popular with everyone who’s seen them.

Tell us about an average day for you.

Ha! Nothing about my days is average! Some days I am making jewellery all day or all night long; sometimes days go by before I pick up my tools. I am a total random abstract creative thinker! Nothing lateral or linear here! One thing that is constant though: I check my email while I wait for the coffee to brew!

What do you use for inspiration?

I take my inspirations from classic movie stars like both the Hepburns, Aver Gartner, Rita Hayworth, Natalie Wood. I am also a singer and a real music lover, so I have named pieces after classic songs, whether they are from movie musicals of the 40s and 50s (My Romance, Blue Skies) or modern rock icons like Stevie Nicks, Cher and Deborah Harry of Blondie (Heart of Glass, Gypsies Tramps and Thieves and Gypsy!) One other art form that I have continued to express myself through is my photography, and I have chosen some of my best photographs to list in my shop as well. I love the beauty of this wild province of ours (British Columbia) and the wonders of Nature inspire me. I take my camera with me whenever I go walking with my two lovely dogs, and sometimes I see things that inspire me to create, other times I just see things that I absolutely HAVE to photograph.

Share one business tip with all the Etsy sellers out there.

Whatever is your media, try to keep something with you at all times that reflect it, and that draws attention to you. Pick something that people will notice. When they comment, let them know that you made it, you sell it, and give them a business card! I can’t stress enough how important it is to have some kind of pre-printed media with your contact information and shop name on it! I kick myself for having run out of business cards at this busy time of year when everyone is buying!

Do you sell in any other venues?

Yes...I have merchandise available for sale at Arbutus Emporium in Qualicum Beach, and in the New Year I will again have items at the Clothesline Consignment in Cloverdale and at Crush Clothing Company in Grandview Corners.

Do you have a blog or any other social media people can check out?

Do I ever! I LOVE social media! I have a Facebook fan page (for WildHeather Handcrafted), a Twitter account (I’m wildheather there), and a blog!

What's the one thing in your Etsy shop that you think would make a fantastic Christmas present?

All of it! Seriously, though...I think the “Many Hearts” bracelet would be a magnificent present for anyone you love. I will soon have a pink version in my shop, but only in time for local shopping. Look for more in spring fashion colours!

Here's Heather, hard at work:

So much inspiration!!

2009-12-08T23:04:00.000-08:00

I'll start with a photo I took a few days ago of the red berries on a bush near our driveway. I'd been meaning to take a photo of them for weeks, and since it was a really cold, frosty morning and I figured that they would soon be gone - I ran out in my robe to take it :o)

I have spent some (actually, most - let's face it) of my convalescence cruising the internet and have found some lovely crafter's sites that are SO inspiring! Beautiful blogs, beautiful photos and absolutely stunning crafts...it makes me want to change and change again all the colors and design of my blog site, and to take more photos and sew and knit and draw and bake and CREATE more.

More of everything! My mind is a whirlwind of thoughts and ideas.

A few interesting blogs to follow:

The Sometimes Crafter

Cluck Cluck Sew

Pins + Paper

There are so many, but that's a few to check out.

Oh! And food people (because I LOVE food more than I really should):

Bakerella

The Pioneer Woman

I'd love to know what everyone else finds inspiring or interesting to follow!!

Busy days!

2009-12-03T13:19:00.000-08:00

So! I've been quietly going crazy...I had my knee surgery last Thursday, and although it's healing well and I am already walking (slowly), I am stuck at home and it's driving me mad! Damn you, manual transmission!!

Good thing I have so much left to do to prepare for the Klahanie Christmas Market (craft fair) that I'm in on Sunday!! Making and putting on tags, pricing and ironing....I'm not looking forward to that!

Before the surgery, I was a whirlwind of sewing and preparing...getting as much ready as I could and making sure I had things on hand for after the surgery (and cleaning, too). So of course (if you believe in Murphey's Law), four days before surgery my sewing machine broke. As in: the needle snapped in three and it's now time to haul it's vintage cast-iron butt into Vancouver to Mason and have it overhauled. I'm cringing just thinking about it! As luck would have it, I wasn't left too high and dry. A loaner machine (much newer but so very inferior) was lent and I managed to sew up all my Christmas potholders. Aren't they pretty?

I've also made up new hang tags for all my product - gosh do I EVER love Photoshop.

And made up a whack of Chocolate Covered Pretzels to sell as well. They're SO tasty that I had to hide them from my man!!

At the behest of a friend, I've made up a few cute baby sleep sacks as well (but I have no photos right now). If you're coming to the fair, you'll see 'em!

I've been working on a new apron design that is a-line, but sewing with this loaner machine is frustrating, at best, so they will have to wait until AFTER I get my machine fixed. SIGH. I'm quite excited about it, though! Wait till you see them!!

That's about it for now!! Happy Christmas shopping, everyone!

Etsy Artist Feature: DeanDymentStudios!

2009-11-20T09:29:00.000-08:00

Welcome to my first feature of a wonderful, local Etsy artist. She's Lori Dean Dyment, and she works out of Richmond, BC Canada!

On her Etsy profile, she says: "Born and raised in Vancouver I went to Emily Carr Institute of Art and Design where I fell in love with printmaking. I have my own press at home where I create linocuts, collographs, drypoints and monotypes. Monotypes make up the majority of my work and are really just paintings printed onto paper."

Click her header below to go to her shop. Show some love!

So I'll get right to the interview!

Tell us about how you started creating art.

I’ve had the urge to create for as long as I can remember. Actually, I feel like a huge part of my life is missing when I’m not creating so it has been like breathing to me, it’s necessary.
I took every art course available in high school and later went to Emily Carr Institute of Art where I studied printmaking. After graduating, I got a press for use in my own home.

How did you end up on Etsy?

I found out about Etsy in a home decor magazine as a great venue to buy artwork. I had been looking for a way to create some income from my artwork while staying at home with my children.

There are quite a few artists on Etsy. How do you compete?

I find this very hard because there are so many great artists on the site and you can get something amazing for very little money. I try my best to be seen in the masses by listing an item daily. As well, I keep a current Facebook fanpage with interesting links, a blog in which I weekly feature other Etsy sellers and then I use Twitter to post links to my shop and connect with other sellers/artists.

What do you think makes you stand out from all the others?

I think my artwork is a bit different from the majority of pieces on Etsy. and it doesn’t really fit the “Etsy look”. The reductive monotype medium I use is rarely seen on the site, so you’ll definitely find something unique in my shop. I think the thing that probably makes me stand out from others is the quality and skill in my artwork. As well, I believe the authenticity of my work shows through. I create pieces that mean something special to me and are not merely one-offs of the same image in a different color.

Tell us about an average day for you.

An average day involves taking my kids to school, making lunches, cleaning house, doing laundry, playing pretend, reading stories and tucking everyone into bed. In between, when I get a couple free minutes, I check in on my shop and follow up on links and emails. Once the kids are asleep, I am able to spend a few hours working in the studio or updating my shop. I’m looking forward to the average eight hour day in the studio.

What do you use for inspiration?

I find inspiration in so many different places but I tend to gravitate towards ideas and imagery around children and animals. I especially enjoy looking through children’s storybooks for subject matter and variety of techniques.

Share one business tip with all the Etsy sellers out there.

I have found using Stumble Upon for tweeting my latest listing has really helped to increase traffic to my shop.

Do you sell in any other venues?

I have a shop with Artfire as well as various shop windows to my Etsy such as Dooreen, Big Cartel and Soopsee.

Do you have a blog or any other social media people can check out?

I have a:

Facebook fanpage: http://tr.im/mwvp

Blog: http://ldeandyment-soiwasthinking.blogspot.com
Twitter: www.twitter.com/ldeandyment
Inkteraction:http://inkteraction.ning.com/profile/LoriDeanDyment
Flickr:http://www.flickr.com/photos/ldeandyment/

Mini Vacation

2009-11-14T17:20:00.000-08:00

So since I've been waiting for a few fellow Etsy artists to respond with answers to my questions for my next feature, I thought I'd put up a few photos from a little trip to Whistler that I took this week! I was there for two nights, and had so much fun just catching up and visiting for 3 days. Just being in Whistler makes me feel more creative!

Plus they had snow! Which I was, of course, so totally unprepared for. Stupid, I know. Mountains in winter = snow, right? Next time, I'll remember to bring my boots, hat and gloves (as well as a warm jacket and my car scraper!)

My two dear friends welcomed me with open arms, even though we haven't kept up much. I used to live in Whistler ages and ages ago, so a lot of reminiscing happened. How things have changed!!

First, coffee at Starbucks (my god...there's FOUR Starbucks in Whistler!!!)

We had so much fun taking pics of each other and checking out our cameras...we're geeks!

At almost 6 years old, my friend's son is a camera whiz (well almost)!

Then, in the village, from the Moguls Coffee shop patio:

Duke the dog, who howls when you yell "POLICE!!":

The stream through town (almost frozen solid):

Typical Whistlerite tomfoolery:

Breakfast before I left:

She hates having her photo taken, but she's such a cutie:

Fun was definitely had by all, and I can't wait to go back and catch up more. Aren't good friends the best kind to have?? Sometimes I just love growing up :o)

I love sewing!

2009-11-05T21:15:00.000-08:00

Strangely enough (or not, if you know me), I met a lady while waiting in line to have some fabric cut at Fabricland. She asked me what I was getting all the fabric for, then when I told her I was making vintage aprons, promptly made a custom order with me!! I finally found the leopard print fabric and called her up. It was a go.

It only goes to show that you SHOULD talk about your business with everyone...you never know who will be interested!

I finished the apron, potholders and oven mitts set today and she came and picked them up...she LOVED them! She might also want a half apron of lighter fabric in the summer. Here they are:

Apron (with totally cute, new, HUGE pockets!):

Potholders:

And finally, the oven mitts, which were the very first pair I've ever made!

The really fantastic news is that she was having a dinner party tonight and will wear it and tell all her friends about me, AND she may be interested in a 1950's inspired summer dress, as well....or ANYTHING in leopard. She was SO nice and wonderful to deal with! Plus, she was local and came to get the set right from my house :o)

This makes me realize, once again, that I totally need business cards. She would have taken several. I should get on that! Anyone know of any inexpensive biz card companies??

Soon will be featuring some of my Metro-Vancouver Etsy Team members here. I've got a list started, already. Keep an eye out for these great artists!

Halloween!

2009-11-01T22:42:00.000-08:00

So this year, friends of mine decided to get married on Halloween. It was a wonderful, costume-filled party, with the groomsmen dressed in jeans and black t-shirts printed with tux fronts, and the bridesmaids dressed in frilly black skirts and black sneakers :o) The ceremony was quick and cute, the food was so wonderful, the costumes were fantastic - and I forgot my camera. Sadly.

We DID take some photos of our costumes once we got home. I was an ancient (as in, from long ago) Norse woman and my man was Hunter S. Thompson. Doesn't he look awesome?!

We even went the extra mile and bic'd his head on top so he looked bald! He promptly shaved off the rest when we got home, since the bald on top look was really getting to us :o))

Do you know how hard it was to find a cigarette holder? Apparently people STILL use them...and they are still being made. It took 2 days of frantic calls and searching, but we found one!

My costume was from when I belonged to a medieval recreation group called the SCA. I don't play any more, but since I already had the whole costume, it was easy to wear....and WARM! It's hand-sewn (no machine sewing) out of wool and linen and decorated with felt and hand-spun wool needlepoint. I can't believe I made the whole thing...right down to the shoes. (the bag was hand-made by a friend). The beautiful reproduction animal-head brooches were given to me by my mother and are currently the most expensive jewelry I own. How sad.

Here's the dress:

And the jacket:

Fun was had by all, but we came home at a decent hour and didn't end up going out with friends afterwards, like planned. We were both tired.

Our ages are showing.

A little update on a dresser I was working on, ages ago, if you're keeping track: it's finished! If you don't know which one I'm talking about, read the beginning, here: Finally, a Weekend

I sprayed the top coat ages and ages ago, before I actually hurt my knee (that was in April) and it's been sitting out in the garage, waiting on handles and me getting up the energy to sell it. Instead, I sold the antique dresser I HAD inside, and am keeping this one, for the time being. It's much bigger!

I'm not a HUGE fan of the white handles, however they were very inexpensive and they can be removed and replaced at a later date. Like when I win the $50 million Lotto Max soon. Ha.

Like the detail? It's a lovely, big size and I still have an extra drawer to fill up! Awesome.

Well, that's about it for now! I'll be sharing some sweet finds from Etsy one of these days, soon. See you then!

Now I've done it!!

2009-10-29T18:32:00.000-07:00

Whoa.

So....I decided it was time to switch my personal blog into a shop blog for Whoa Mama! Vintage Style. And it took FOREVER! Well, like all afternoon. And I have more to do, but at least it functions....

I found the new template at http://www.ourblogtemplates.com/ They have some AWESOME free designs that are totally customizeable, and have a great tips section....which is what THIS amateur blogger needed to get it up and running. The only sad part was losing my gadgets and blog links...so if anyone has a blog they'd like me to follow, let me know! And for the love of all that's holey, (you heard me...holey) follow this blog!

I'm hoping in the near future to do some showcasing of stuff I find interesting on Etsy or around the 'net in general. I'd also love to showcase and promote some of the Metro Vancouver Etsy Team's (which I am a member of) members, and maybe try and get a local Craft Night going...wouldn't that be fun?? Of course, I'd blog ALL about it, right here.

Hopefully I'm not digging myself too deep! :o)

Aaanywho. Glad you could pop by. I'll leave you with this adorable photo of my little doglet...who was sick today and is the reason I didn't get dressed until noon. Seriously.

Of course, he's fine, now.

Gettin' a Groove On

2009-10-27T19:37:00.000-07:00

Hiya folks!

Well, I've been pretty busy....cutting and sewing and Twittering (maybe more computer stuff than I should, right?) and I've managed to get a few more aprons up recently on my Etsy,

Whoa Mama! Vintage Style

Here's a few examples, if you don't have time to check out my shop....

I've also managed to somehow get a custom order whilst waiting in line at a fabric store!! She wants an apron and matching potholders and oven mitts!! Cool, huh?? Goes to show that you REALLY should talk about your business with people.

Sharing is GOOD!

I probably should have some business cards made up one of these days....that would help, wouldn't it?

(Side note: these and these are the cutest business cards I've EVER seen, and they're on Etsy. Made by Social Circle Cards They even come with a great little holder! Circular cards are AWESOME! I wish *I* had thought of this!!)

I'm working on a few new ideas, as well...some needle books (made from leather...once I figure out sewing leather, of course) and Christmas potholders, though I got only one pair done, and then was sidetracked from doing the next ones, since I got half way through them before I realized I cut the fabric UPSIDE DOWN. Grrrr. They are currently on the floor near the sewing machine. Where I threw them in disgust. 4 days ago. Yeah....I had other stuff to do, anyways. Psh.

I'm currently working on designs for some simpler apron styles, since there are so many bibbed ones on my Etsy.

I also want to make more of the "RITA" style...like this one I made as a gift for a Twitter friend:

She loves it, btw :o) She says that although I'd meant it as a retro-style crafting or vendor apron, it would be GREAT for those ladies who are home with their small children...there are lots of pockets to put those small things you pick up everywhere, and to keep treats like cookies in. LOL

Something NEW!

2009-10-21T17:14:00.000-07:00

Well, it's been a long time since I've put up a new post, but I've been busy...and a HUGE procrastinator. But we've discussed that before...remember? Yeah.

OK, so I've been Twittering a lot lately, and I've met tons of really nice crafters online. Not that I have anything really that PROFOUND to say, aside from how terrible it is that my coffee won't up and make itself and then drag it's lazy cup over to me first thing in the morning. If you follow me, you'll most likely be notified when I list something (as well as the non-profound coffee statements), so you'll get to see firsthand one of my creations...which is good, if you're into 1950's-style aprons and potholders!! :o)

One of the lovely crafters I met on Twitter ALSO makes aprons, but of a different kind. Out of necessity, she designed a bib-type apron with a tea-towel skirt, since her kiddos were constantly running off with hers. Now, she's never without a tea-towel in the kitchen! Very handy!!

Here's one I like. "Be Green Think Green"

You should check out her shop on Etsy, here:
apronsbymeme
Or her Twitter, here:
apronsbymeme

She does a lot of Craft Fairs and needed a good vendor apron (since she doesn't make that kind) so she sweetly agreed to test run my newest style apron, the Rita! A full, pockety-type apron, based on a real 50's era pattern, though of my own design. Here's a photo of the one I just shipped to her today:

I really hope she likes it and that the style works out. I'm MUCH happier with this one than I was with the first prototype!!

Here's a few more aprons I've been working on:

So far, I've only sold one apron and two sets of potholders. BUT I'm working the social media as best I can :o)

Check me out on Etsy:
Whoa Mama! Vintage Style
Or on Facebook (our fan page):
Whoa Mama! Vintage Style fan page
Or on Twitter:
WhoaMamaVintage

I finally DID it!

2009-09-21T22:03:00.000-07:00

Yay!

I got the Etsy site up and running, finally :o) If anyone's interested, it's here:

Whoa Mama! Vintage Style

For anyone who doesn't know, my best friend and I are making vintage style aprons for sale on Etsy. Go ahead an check 'em out. I'll even do special orders, if anyone's interested.

Here's a couple of photos from our mini photo shoot:

Sewing, sewing, sewing

2009-09-17T11:54:00.000-07:00

So. Or should that be sew?

I've been working on some vintage-styled aprons to sell on Etsy. once I have it up and running. Here are a few of the first ones...

Well, one of these days soon, my Etsy account will be up and running. I've got most of it complete, and I guess figuring out the PayPal payments, invoicing and shipping will need to be learned on the fly HAHA

Anyone want a cool vintage-styled apron? Anyone??

*tap tap* Is this thing on?

In other news, I've seen an orthopedic surgeon for my knee (he had a cancellation, so I got in a month early) and it will definitely be surgery. It won't heal at all, so the medial meniscal tear will need to be removed. Good news is that I should be pain-free after the surgery heals, and it might actually happen in December, if the hospital keeps it's weekly scoping funding! If not, then I might have to wait 6 to 9 months for surgery. Keep your fingers crossed!

I'm also currently looking for work, since I now need a sit-down job. What do you think the chances are that someone will hire me, kowing that I'll need surgery and a week off work in a few months? Yeah, I didn't think so.

Lookee what I got!!!!

2009-08-06T22:30:00.000-07:00

Damn....another piece of furniture!

Oh wait, that's what my man said. Then he heaved out a big sigh and forked over some cash. Yay for love! (awww...he's the best thing EVAH)

Anyway, I bought an antique treadle sewing machine!! See?:

Isn't she gorgeous?!

She's built by Davis, and American company. She's a High Arm, Vertical Feed treadle sewing machine from the late 1800's. And she's all mine!!

In all fairness, the cabinet's been refinished, and the machine has seen better days (most of her decals have come off and there's lots of wear and chips in the finish), so I'm sure she's not much of a collector's item. She seems to run smoothly and has all the attachments and such. Including almost all of the original manual!

Here's some of the stuff in her drawers....it's OK, she won't mind you peeking!

Attachments, including a ruffler and a pleater, among others:

Tons of thread on wooden spools:

There's also 3 original bobbins, a good needle, some glass buttons and a small collection of thimbles! Though some of the manual is in pieces, I have all the important info, like how to thread the machine....which is awesome. I'll figure out the threading once I can get some archival tape and repair the manual. It's going to be put in plastic for preservation, since it's pretty fragile.

Of course, I haven't found much online about this specific machine. I'd love to know what the model name is and get a better idea of it's age (though I know that it was made between 1886 and 1924, because that's when Davis was at that location). Anyone with info or the same machine, feel free to leave comments if you're feeling generous...

Please? Anyone?

Hello?

*tap tap* Is this thing on?

So, yeah. Forced "vacation". Wonderful

2009-07-27T14:45:00.000-07:00

And I truly mean forced. I worked full-time last week and irritated the torn cartilage in my knee, and now I'm off for a month. I hope EI will pay me (fingers crossed). It's going to be hard to live on almost no money.

This is the worst thing to happen in Spring/Summer, seriously. If I am on my feet too much, my knee swells and is very sore, though the doctor says that it WILL get better, with some time off (hopefully). My Orthopedic Surgeon appointment and MRI aren't until October, so who know how long this will drag on. So I can't go hiking, or skimboarding, or do any ballet. Still. I'm stuck at the computer, pretty much. Yick.

I've got some ideas in the works for making some extra dough. Sewing vintage-style aprons and some small things like custom doggie clothes or baby items. I can sew quite well, and am stuck sitting, so that should be good. Who knows if it will make any money though. Anyone need a cool apron? Baby sleep sack?? Doggie sweatshirt? Dresser refinished? LOL

Here's the sleep sack I sewed for my best friend (Jack's mum):

It's a copy of a big name brand one she got at a garage sale. She wished she had more, so...TA DA! I'll make one more out of some flannel she had kicking around, and she can decide if she needs bigger or smaller sizes.

Cute Kitty

2009-07-25T12:06:00.000-07:00

I've seen a few of this fellow's kitty cartoons before, but never this one...which is so adorable I had to share. :o)

Hope you like it!

the rest of his kitty and doggy vids are on his YouTube channel, here: http://www.youtube.com/user/simonscat

Such a slacker...but look!

2009-07-10T11:34:00.000-07:00

Yes. I FINALLY finished Jack's dresser. All it needs now (aside from the ride to it's new home) are new handles. But Jack's mum needs to pick something out. Not a big deal.

You have no idea how happy I am about it! Here's a before and after of it.

Before:

After:

There were a few in-between photos, but I've been such a procrastinator about blogging. But you already knew that.

It's not nearly as reddish colored in person....that's just the photos. It's much richer and darker brown. It would look fabulous with white ceramic handles!

Here's a photo of the lined drawers:

The lining is just a nicely patterned contact paper, but it's washable, and when the little feller gets older and wants a "big boy" dresser, she can pull it out without problems and replace it with something more masculine! Plus, it cost less than a quarter of the price of wallpaper. Heh heh

Jack's mum's baby shower was last weekend. Fun was had by all, including a water-drinking contest (out of plastic baby bottles). I don't know how the winner did it...all I got was air! BURP!

And there was also a "guess how big around mum's belly is" contest. I was WAY off....sorry about that. We had snacks and punch and got to see her delight with all the gifts. I heart baby stuff.

But then, I heart babies. (shhhh...don't tell my boyfriend that)

I'd put in photos of the shower fun, but I've been too lazy to go through them yet. (I took a LOT of photos of the host's doggy, Minnie, though...I should go check them out right now.)

Anywhooo....

I'm still on 1/2 days at work. My knee gets too sore if I'm on it more than that. Dr. says no stairs, no heavy lifting, no squats. Blarg. My appointment to see a knee specialist isn't until September, so that's pretty lame.

I'm still away from my ballet classes, darnit! At least this gives me a chance to do stretching, which I really need. Unfortunately, I've gained 8 POUNDS since I've been injured. I suck.

Sunny days

2009-06-08T15:31:00.000-07:00

So, the weather has been cooler, but today was still sunny. Which was nice.

I had a great day out with friends yesterday. We sat and watched the world at a Starbucks, and then had a bit of barbeque. Here's her and her dog...

We also had a short walk to the park, where I took these photos. Can you tell I really like flowers??

I've had my man haul out Jack's dresser/changetable, and have started some stuff I can do without squatting down (due to my bum knee). Poor thing will be born in less than 8 weeks and will need it!!

I've started sanding it with a palm sander and some heavy grit sandpaper to try and minimalize the gouging from the sloppy stripping that was done. It doesn't need to be perfectly smooth, as Jack's mum is happy with a slightly rustic look...especially since she's thinking that it will take years of boyish abuse :o) I also sat and started scraping yucky 1950's wallpaper from the insides of the drawers. I don't need to get it off completely, as we'll be papering the drawers again, but I'd rather I got all the colored parts off, since I don't want the color to show through the new paper.

Here's how it looks, at the moment!

I will need to stabilize a couple areas that are coming a bit loose on the cabinet, and then make sure the drawer bottoms are firmly fixed, before I continue sanding with finer and finer grits.

Seems like summer is here!

Goals for the near future:

1) Finish Jack's dresser...he's going to need it soon!
2) Start stretching regularly and doing some core exercises.
3) Get back to work asap. I'm off for maybe another week: I better not waste it
4) Pick up a paintbrush and do some art while I still have the time at home.
5) Less internet!!! My butt is getting bigger from sitting on this chair
6) Eat less. I eat fairly well, just too much. Sigh. I *heart* food.

Can we say..."procrastinate"?

2009-06-03T14:52:00.000-07:00

Yep. Procrastinate! That's definitely me!

Here I've been injured and confined to home, and I haven't even blogged. Not that there's much to blog about. But here goes....maybe this will make it seem like I've really been busy.

1) I'm still injured. My knee got better to a point, but no better than that. I am still unable to squat fully without pain, and if I'm on my feet for more than about 2 hours, or drive longer than a half hour or so, I'm kaput! And sorer for several days. Argh.

The doc had me going back to work for half days, but I only did 2. It was too much for me.

2) WCB denied my claim! Wonderful. They agree that, yes, I DID injure it at work, however they believe that there was no undue stress on my knee and that my job had no causitive effect on my injury. In other words, it could have happened anywhere and unlucky me - it happened at work.

So, now I'm applying for Medical Employment Insurance. That should take another month to process, so unfortunately (or luckily, in my case) I'll have to rely on my man for a bit. He's such a wonderful, sweet guy. I loooves him.

3) I've taken more pics of my garden!! My world is pretty small right now.

More fern! They unfurled so slowly, and I couldn't help taking pictures of them.

There are poppies galore!

The bee was really hard to capture on camera. I had to stake out the spot and take zillions of pictures. I also learned that bees aren't really that smart...I've seen more than one get stuck inside the poppy for no reason.
Help! Help! I'm Stuck! :o)

Bluebells:

And neat-o flowers which, at the moment, I can not for the life of me remember their name:

Yeah, I also have a bad memory. And hearing. Gads, I'm falling apart!

During the last 5 weeks, I HAVE been out of the house a few times. My man drives and I get to sit and visit. It's nice not just sitting at the computer.

4) We went to a friend's daughter's 5th birthday party. It was very fun, and she got TONS of Barbie-related stuff.

You know you're an adult when you look at the little pieces that go with Barbie and think, "Gosh, that'll get lost in 5 minutes."

She also had a pinata, and all the little ones had fun swinging. For berevity's sake, here are only a few photos from the party:

Her brother and her, hamming it up. Isn't it amazing what they can do to their faces??:

Her fairy pinata:

The swing that broke the fairy's back....you can see a candy flying out to the right:

5) I've recently found Dance.Net, which keeps me amused for a couple hours every day. Everything you could ever want or need to know about dance, in one place.

I've also watched a billion ballet videos on YouTube. Why do I do that???

6) I got SO sunburned! Twice! First my back (from lying in the sun, reading) and then my front (from being on a boat). My nose was actually CRISPY! You'd think I would have learned, the first time.

7) Have you seen the TV show "Rome"? I watched the whole first season (which my sister lent me). It's pretty good, with lots of blood, sex and nudity. The costuming is fantastic, as well as the sets.

8) My doggie broke a claw. Which is usually nothing bad, however it was still attached and he had to have it cut off very, very short. Poor bitty thing. Since that's painful, they had to put him under to do it. He came out of the vets all limp and sleepy. His little tongue was hanging out a bit and he slept all day.

Bye bye $150. (and who ever said that money doesn't talk?? It does. It says good bye) Yep. And since he's been licking it a lot the last few days, I took him back in today to have it looked at. Cha-ching! $66 for a cone and some anti-biotic cream.

Gads, I think I need a new vet....

So, aside from the above, things are moving right along. It's about 26 degrees out today, so I'd say that summer is here to stay.

Wish me luck in healing and getting back to work....plus I so miss ballet class!!!

April showers bring May flowers...and weeds.

2009-05-08T11:50:00.000-07:00

Yep...you heard me! Weeds. Morning Glory aka Bindweed aka chokeweed. Whatever you want to call it. I calls it...my nemesis!! I spent all of last spring/summer ripping it out, tentacle by nasty tentacle.

It didn't help.

By the middle of summer, the garden was a mat of this stuff. Everything was about 5 feet tall and covered by it. I gave up. We mowed a goodly portion of it over.

This year, I decided to take a different approach. Poison! That's right. I'll poison it all!!! (twirling mustache motions) Bahahahahahaha!

Um, yeah.

The people at the local garden center were shocked and horrified when I said that I had morning glory in my perennial garden. I'll either have to dig it up, portion by portion, and sift all the soil to remove every last piece (as even a tiny piece of root will grow a new vine, dammit), or I'll have to get in there on all fours and paint every last sprout with a poison that will kill the plant and root. God forbid you get any poison on any GOOD plants.

Or, if my boyfriend had his way, mow it all down.

Which is rapidly becoming my new goal, since I paid $25 for the poison, spent about an hour or so crawling around the sluggy garden liberally dabbing each bit of morning glory that I saw, only to have them turn a nice yellow-green colour and CONTINUE GROWING. Sigh.

And now my knee is buggered and I can't crawl around the garden. Some of this stuff is well over a foot tall, now! Well, I dipped some of the longer stuff, that I didn't need to bend down to reach, directly into a jar of WAY stronger mixed poison and can only hope for the best. Then, after about 20 minutes, I dropped the whole jar right on a good plant and about a dinner plate sized portion of grass. Splash! Blarg.

Anyways, here's some of the NICE stuff growing around the yard. Spring has definitely sprung....with a passion!

Bleeding hearts - the wild version you'd normally see in the forest here:

Forget me nots! They're so bright and pretty. And they're spreading into the lawn...which I don't mind (unlike all the Lamium that's spreading into the lawn. Grrr):

Ferns. There are a few by the front door and they're so bright and green right now:

Hope everyone else's gardening is going much better than mine is! Weeds...be gone!

Injuries after injuries.

2009-05-04T13:40:00.000-07:00

So. Yeah. Lots of things happening....or not, as the case may be.

I blew out my knee at work. Talk about not even having a good story! All I did was squat down to measure some paint. Sigh. I must be getting old. The doc says that something may be torn, so I'm off for a weeks rest, at least. Icing and elevating.

Not that I'm really that torn up about not being able to work (since I really don't like my workplace), but I am TOTALLY sad about not being able to go to ballet class, or do gardening around the yard, or driving (since I drive a standard, and it's my left knee that's wonky). I'm stuck at home with no cable and I can't sit and read for very long without disabling myself, since I have herniated cervical discs (in my neck).

I KNOW! I know.... I'm totally falling apart. Time to take me out back and put me out of my misery.

Dear Santa.....

All I want for Christmas is a new back, and a new left knee and maybe some new eyes, OK? Ones that don't need heavy-duty eyeglasses. And maybe can I have some thighs and a butt that look like they belong on an 18 year old????

PS: I'd also like a winning lottery ticket...and I don't mean for just $20. Mmm-k?

Love, Me.

And Horrors! So my bad knee means no ballet, either. And here I had just bought a new pair of ballet slippers!!! (do you know how hard it is to take a picture of your own pointed foot??? I had to use a mirror)

They're Bloch's split-sole neos. The fronts are a super-soft leather and the heel parts are neoprene! They're very very comfy. And I never even got a chance to use them in class. Please don't tease me about my terrible pointe, either. I'm working on it.

I STILL haven't gotten anywhere with the dresser past getting the black glaze on it. Now it will have to wait a bit, due to my stupid knee.

(Sorry, Knee. I don't think you're stupid! I love you and want you to get better, quick. Please get better!)

I also got a new dresser for a baby gift for one of my best friends. It's definitely a project dresser that has been badly cared for. Looks like the drawers were papered in the 50's and someone tried to tear it out. Also, they must have used a chisel when they were stripping it, since there are HUGE gouges all over it

(It's OK, Jack's mama. Thery're really not *HUGE*. I can make it look purty. Really)

And the top is slightly bowed. It's going to take some screwing, gluing and elbow grease to fix it up, but when it's done, it will make the finest little change table/dresser you ever did see!

Plans are to straighten out the top, re-paper the drawers with something nice, but boy-ish (since the baby is Jack) , finish it a lovely chocolate brown stain and add some nicer handles, maybe glass?? I also would like to add new legs, since I find the proportions of these to be a bit....shall we say, stubby?

Oh, and on a more sober note, my step-brother (really, my mom's boyfriend's kid, but they've been together forever, so same thing) has just been injured in Afghanistan and is currently in Germany, having surgery. He's OK, which is good. Collapsed lung, shattered heels and a wicked concussion, or so I hear. That's from his tank going straight up in the air! He should be shipped back to Canada by the end of the week, possibly near us, possibly not. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for close to us, since his brother and dad would really like to be near. Poor kid was only 3 weeks into his first tour, too.

Pet me!

2009-04-25T17:34:00.001-07:00

My kitty is the sweetest thing, most of the time. Here she is, being all coy, rolling on her back and stretching, looking for attention.

Is there anything more adorable than little pink and black spotted kitty feet?

Well now.

2009-04-21T20:08:00.000-07:00

So. As you can imagine, I still haven't finished the dresser. Sigh.

I bravely put a seal coat and a coat of the black glaze on it ages ago, but haven't done anything since. Well, I managed to organize my tool area and put in new shelving and stuff, but that doesn't get money in my pocket LOL

What I HAVE been doing is relaxing a bit. Taking ballet classes. You heard me....now close your mouth. (I took 4 years as a kid and this will be good for my posture and core strength. I'm a sloucher. It's one helluva workout!)

I also tried making Bakerella's cake pops! Search her site to find some AWESOME baking inspiration. One of my best friends came over to give me a hand, and it was a fun, sugar-filled afternoon, let me tell ya!

Here's my friend, after all the cake balls were rolled. It was fabulously messy.

It was a regular chocolate cake mix and I used cream cheese icing. We rolled up all the balls and stuck sticks in half of them, to dip them in vanilla candy coating!

Whee! I just figured out how to link to my Flikr photos and not have to wait ages for uploads! Yay!

We also tried coloring the vanilla coating with blue. It looked good. They looked good enough to eat!

I ended up giving away that half of the batch. They were too sweet with the vanilla coating, so I tried the rest by dipping them in melted chocolate. Milk chocolate and semi sweet. These, I LOVED. Good thing we had company, so I didn't get to eat them ALL!!

On the weekend, we went to Bowen Island to visit friends who moved there. They were awesome and fed us a great burger dinner. We went hiking the next day and even though it was quite grey out, we had fun seeing the coast and marine life, like little hermit crabs and anenomes.

We also almost ran out of gas, as the Bowen Island gas station isn't open on Sundays. A nice lady took pity on us and sold us some extra gas. Apparently this happens all the time there :o)

Daiso rocks!

2009-03-15T21:33:00.000-07:00

So! This morning I met my sis and her partner for a little dim sum. Shortly thereafter, she ditched her man and we went, with my best friend, to Daiso in Richmond.

If you don't know Daiso - which I hadn't until this morning - it's basically a dollar store full of Japanese household products! Almost everything in the store is $2, unless otherwise marked. It's two floors and I SCOFFED when my sister told me she was in there for over THREE HOURS the last time she was there.....I figured you could never spend more than an hour in a store.

Boy was I wrong! We were in there for over an hour and a half, and we didn't really scratch the surface. And the amount of stuff in there! You name it, it's got it. Dishes and plastic things, and cleaning stuff, bath stuff, toys - even some clothes and more!

I bought a cell phone dangly for my new phone, since I dropped the last phone in a 20 litre pail of paint at work....that's a story for another time. It still hurts.

Here's the pretty dangly:

Also, my sister got me an early birthday present. It's a lovely bento box with chopsticks and a little container that both fit inside an insulated lunch bag. It's so cute! Now I just have to start making some bento-worthy cuisine...hmmmm. I don't know how well that will go over, since I barely am able to throw some leftovers and fruit in my lunch kit at 5:30 in the morning every day - never mind making coffee to keep me going....

Here's the bento box, with two levels and chopsticks in the top. It has a stretchy band to hold it all together.

Here's the bento box again, with the little container in the background:

Here's the insulated lunch bag and the small container. The bag is JUST big enough for both containers and a few pieces of fruit and a couple cookies. :o) Thanks, Sis!!!

Just being in Daiso made me long to go back to Japan....I lived there for nine months and taught English when I was young. It was such an interesting place.

Needless to say, I did NOT get as much done today on the dresser as I had hoped. SIGH! I managed to get it scrubbed and cleaned up, finished stripping and cleaning the last two drawers, and moved it into the garage to dry. I'm terrified it will snow again (like it did today) and get all wet if I leave it outside. Maybe I'll be able to get some more done on Tuesday.....

Finally, a weekend.

2009-03-14T23:55:00.000-07:00

So, I've been a busy non-blogger for a while. What with some overtime at work (finally!) to picking up free stuff off Craigslist for my sister, I've been getting home later and later and sometimes not getting a chance to eat dinner, even!

But today I had a list of things to do a mile long. Did I get them all done?

No.

BUT I got quite a few done, though I procrastinated by searching blogs on the internet. Typical. Did I mention I was a procrastinator? No? Well, I must have procrastinated on it, then.

What I DIDN'T get done was clean my car and vacuum the house, which isn't too bad, right? Right???

Anywho, today I:

1) Did 4 loads of laundry, including the bedding. Yay! Is there anyone out there that dislikes snuggling into a fresh bed at night????

2) Made a loaf of fresh whole grain bread (no I didn't slave over a hot stove or anything...this is the 2000's. I used a breadmaker, duh) to go with the stew my man made in the crockpot.

3) I brushed the dog. She's such a shedder. She could probably use a bath, but this is when I start calling her HIS dog ;o)

4) I ran out to the store.

And most importantly, 5) I almost finished stripping the antique dresser I brought home some time ago and haven't had the gumption to get started. As in, I was too chicken to brave the cold in our unheated garage. Since it's starting to get a little warmer (although you might not realize it, since we had snow just last week) and I'm in need of a larger cash flow for things like um food and gas, I decided it was time to hustle on it. I didn't get a really good photo of the dresser in it's original state. You might remember this photo, which was the photo from the Craigslist posting:

It doesn't really show how badly the finish was damaged, or the chips out of the veneer on top and both sides. I have a shot of the lowest drawer, though:

It really shows the water marks and how thin the finish is. It damages really easily. I THINK it's a shellac finish. Isn't the applied design nice??

I stripped it with a gentle gel stripper that is meant for antiques and tomorrow (beacause it took all day and now it's FAR too cold to do anything more with it tonight) I will clean it and then sand it when it is dry. Here's what it looks like right now:

Even thought the sides and top are veneered, it has some nice figuring and will look great with the finish I have chosen, if all goes well :o)

Tomorrow I will scrub the whole thing with thinners, then let it dry, fill the chips with epoxy and sand it. It will be getting a lovely, deep reddish brown mahogany stain (which is probably as far as I will get tomorrow), then a seal coat, and then it will be getting spray glaze in black which will be rubbed off everywhere except around the edges - this will hide the chips in the veneer (that I have yet to fill) and will give it a nice rich look. After that I will apply a clear semi-gloss top coat in a water-based finish with a gravity feed HVLP spray gun. I've had some luck with Varathane's professional finish through my new spray gun - I used it on a cute 2 drawer antique with original mirrors that I use as a bed-side table. It looks very nice, if I can say so myself.

Wish me luck in getting some of it done tomorrow, as I'm heading out for dim sum with my sister and then to a Japanese shop in Richmond to browse the cute bento boxes with her and some lady friends....who knows when I'll squeeze in the dresser.

I'm SUCH a procrastinator!!

Whoo! It's finally OVER!

2008-12-29T19:33:00.000-08:00

So!

All that lead-up and here it is, almost New Years. And shock of shockers! Christmas Eve dinner (our usual family get-together) was postponed due to a snowstorm. Here! In the Lower Mainland! And to think, my sister and I have been wishing and hoping every year since I can remember for snow on Christmas Eve. This year, Mother Nature must have decided to give us all the prayed for snow that was owed to us. We've since had two days of rain and the over 2 feet of snow we received STILL isn't gone! I'm flabbergasted!

Definitely not tongue tied, though. Hah.

This is our garage and the tiny walkway we cleared (I say "we", but I didn't actually lift a shovel). Rapidly getting covered over with snow.

My poor little car!

Don't get me wrong! It was beautiful and loverly and it snowed enough to cover the ATV tracks in our front yard (which is a good thing) and there's nothing cuter than a 90 lb dog bounding through the snow. Except for a Chihuahua trying to pee with only one foot on the ground....

Icicles!!! These were about 3 feet long!

The Christmas Eve dinner was last night. I'm still tired. I can still taste eggnog...oh wait. That's because I'm drinking an eggnog & Kahlua right now. Mmmm. Eggy goodness with liquor.

Santa was very, very good to me this year. My family spoiled me rotten and I love them wholeheartedly for it. My man got me a portable compressor!! It's a Ridgid and very awesome, just like him. I'm hoping to teach myself to make simple country furniture. He also got me a guitar stand. He couldn't help himself, since he knew for a fact I probably wouldn't buy myself one. Even after all the times I've knocked it over. He also gave me a lump of coal. Jerk. :o)

My sis got me a slow cooker, which I've been lusting after for ages, and I also got the SOFTEST, fuzziest white robe from my mum, among other stuff. I can't stop petting it when I wear it. There's just too much to list! Even my cousin got into the act and bought us a bottle of wine. Geez! I can't believe that she's old enough to buy wine. SIGH. How time flies.

Or as my Oma loved to say: "Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana."

She rocked. RIP Oma.

Here's my cuz with her bf. Teenagers. SIGH

Well, the present I was most excited about wasn't even for me. It was FROM me, and my partner, and my sis and HER partner, to our mum. Now, my mum LOVES the colour blue. And so she painted her bedroom walls a very lovely pale blue. Which is damn difficult to match, if I say so myself. She has a cream colored vintage bedframe & matching dressers, and cream carpet. So she decided several years ago she wanted darker colored bedding to keep the look from being too light. Sounds smart, right? Yeah, but she wanted COBALT BLUE bedding. Which doesn't exist. Try and find something that's not a country quilted coverlet. She's not down with country style. There's Navy, and Denim, and Pale Blue, and Sky Blue...but no Cobalt. We've looked high and low and never found just the right color.

Then along came Ikea's Christmas fabric. In Cobalt Blue with a lovely scroll-y leaf pattern. Like the piece on the bottom of this stack, here:

I bought up a bunch and sewed up a duvet cover for her. Thankfully, Christmas dinner was postponed, or else I never would have gotten it finished! Here's a pic of it partially finished. This is just the top, without the white border or backing. It's laid out on my bed...the dog wondered what the heck I was doing. She does that a lot.

Here we are, spreading it out for all to see, just after she opened it.

Anyways, she sent me a text photo of her bed all made up today, and when I talked to her she loved it lots and couldn't wait to snuggle in. Which was the most important thing :o) Oh, and we gave her a set of 600 thread count Egyptian cotton sheets, too. That might be why she was so happy.

So the making of the duvet wasn't really THAT expensive. It only cost oh....about 5 days, (partly because we had a power outage one night), several stabbed and bleeding fingers, and a sore knee from the sewing machine knee pedal (yeah, it's really old).

Oh, and a pot and the lino in our kitchen. I almost forgot. I left a boiling pot on the stove on high for an hour and a half, whilst sewing. Do you know what happens when you do that?? I do now.

The bottom of the pot melts. Really. I picked it up and swung it over to the sink, and molten metal sloughed off the bottom all over the lino in our rented house. Then in the commotion of turning on the tap I managed to step on some hot metal and burned my foot. I ended up having to pour cold water on the floor to prevent a fire before I could rip off my sock. Strangely enough, my OTHER sock had big burn holes, and that foot was totally fine. Weird. Looks like I'll have to replace the linoleum. At least the burn wasn't bad. And the kitchen is very small. And I didn't like the lino, anyways. So there.

Whew! Only how many shopping days left before next Christmas???

HO HO hum....

2008-12-09T20:48:00.000-08:00

Geez! This is turning out to be the twice-a-year blog. I gotta keep up on this stuff.

Life is a little boring around here, or at least that's what it feels like right now. I've been working at a Fine Finishing shop since May, and it's working out OK. I'm liking the not having to spend all my money on dress clothes for work, although I could use more $ per hour, and benefits, and cleaner fingernails....

Well, lots has been going on. I moved in with my partner at the beginning of September, which is awesome. He's a sweetie and actually thinks it's CUTE that I leave half-drunk glasses of tea all over the house! (he's a keeper) Shortly after moving in (by about a week), I went to Ikea with my best friend and had the $1 breakfast before shopping. Which, apparently, was a very bad choice for me that day. I had a LOVELY gallbladder attack which landed me in the hospital for the big surgery to remove it. Who needs that extra sack of skin, anyways? Dammit all. Worst thing was having to leave all the stuff at Ikea that I had picked out. Deals and all. Oh, and the HUGE scar. At least my man doesn't mind scars.

So I was in the hospital for 10 days (I was a sick sick puppy) and was off work for a month....not getting paid, of course (hence wishing I had benefits), and couldn't lift anything heavy. Read: couldn't unpack my junk. SIGH. I had to borrow money again to pay my bills until EI could kick in a little something. I was on 6 weeks light duty at work and am just FINALLY feeling stronger.

Good news is I lost 15 pounds and have managed to keep about 10 of them off! Ha...but it's probably muscle that I lost. Who needs muscles, anyways?! Um, yeah.

Mark finally got another dog!!

This is her, Cleo (Cleopatra), sucking up to him. He'll be the boss, I can tell already. She'll wait patiently outside the BATHROOM for him to come out HAHAHAHA. She LOOOOVES him. She's apparently a Mastiff/Presa Canario cross, but since PC's are originally part English Mastiff, I'd say she's all Presa Canario. She's a love. She's almost 2, and has absolutely no manners. She's huge, and a bull, and pulls like the devil on a leash. I can't wait for my man to get home to help me out. Come hoooome!

Yes, my man has gone to Costa Rica without me, leaving me with a brand-new dog to figure out. She's very good, however I've ended up with a chipped front tooth and pee on my dining room carpet.

Let me explain....

I think my little dog is starting to use the dining room for "accidents" - although I guess you can't call them that when they're done on purpose, huh? Something to do with there being another dog, I'm sure. She's also had some accidents, but has been better than MY dog. Which sucks. Because he knows better. And I accidently leaned over Cleo last night when she was jumping up and her tooth knocked my tooth. Her tooth won. At least it's just a little chip. Because I don't have dental...see, I really could use some benefits about right now.

Oh yes. And my partner has gone to Costa Rica without me! (I'm going for as much sympathy here as possible - see how I mention it over and over?) This is why I'm bored. Cold bed, boring house. And no cable TV. Horrors. I have tons of things to do but it's just Not The Same without him. Sigh.

Oh, in the summer I bought a car. A '97 Geo Tracker 4 dr 4x4. It's cute. It runs. It gets me to work. And it lets me bring home furniture I get off Craigslist without having to bother my man to drive me in his truck. Which he really doesn't like to do. He thinks we have enough furniture, Thank YouVery Much. So....today I got a new dresser! Ha ha! I'll show him!

He wasn't surprised. I think he's resigned to it, now. Takes all the fun out of it, hey? The dresser is very lovely and the seller said it was about 100 years old. I'm thinking closer to 1920's, but who's counting? It needs one handle replaced (I already sent an email to an antique shop that deals in that stuff) and to be refinished. Easy peasy! (I work at a finishing shop, remember?) Plus I got it for only $50!!!!! Yes!

I just finished refinishing a cedar blanket chest I got off Craigslist recently and it looks wonderful! And it was FREE! I heart Craigslist. I heart good deals.

My Christmas shopping is almost complete, for once. Just a few more things to deal with (which will probably be all last-minute, knowing me) and then I can make cookies and be done with it. Bring on the prezzies!!!! If only I can go to the mall and NOT spend 2 hours trying on clothes I have no intention of buying. Yep. I get sidetracked SO easily.

Long time, no blog

2007-11-05T20:38:00.000-08:00

Wow!

How time DOES fly! I can't believe that it's been since March and I haven't posted....lots of things have happened since March....

1) I got a boyfriend! Yep...and he's a sexy thing, too. We've been dating since approximately April. We met on Plenty of Fish, just like Lorien and Steve. Who knew?Oh, and before you get weirded out by the shotgun and crazy smile, he's big into guns. He hunted with family his whole life and now just likes guns. We're big tin can hunters haha! I got a chance to try out shooting, and it's OK. It can even be fun....but I'm not really a good shot. LOL

2) I bought a skimboard! And got to use it a whole hot 3 times. This summer sucked! We had hardly any sunny weekends. I DID manage to get out camping a few times with Mark, so that's not so bad.

3) Chloe died :o( She was Mark's beautiful, sweet doggie. She must have eaten something poisonous in the woods. We were camping in the Cowichan and she got very sick. She passed away in Victoria. RIP Chloe.
4) Puccini and I won a photo contest! Proving once and for all that he is, indeed, the most adorable doggie. I took the photo with my new (to me) Nikon D70 which I bought from Steve (thanks, Steve!)

5) As per #4, I got a new camera! Whee!

6) I discovered Facebook. Bloody stupid computer program. It dominates my life...or rather, it DID, until I got a boyfriend who doesn't do computer stuff. Which is odd, since we met online....

7) I got a new job! It's closer to home (only one zone) it's better money, and it's FAR more interesting that my old job at Gore. Yay! I'm now a CSR on the broker side again, selling home insurance, among other things. Right now I'm super busy learning the system and stuff, and we're short-staffed, so we're all hopping like long tailed cats in a room full of rocking chairs.

Well, other than that, nothing much else is new. Can't wait for the winter to end. Maybe I can get a few days on the mountains this year. Sometimes I feel like selling all my junk and taking Pucci to Mexico with me to live on the beach....ah well.

Ahhhh aren't long weekends great?!

2007-03-18T21:07:00.000-07:00

Well!

I took Friday off, and after kissing pup good bye (and hoping my mom will remember to pick them up after her work...I left 2 phone messages, just to remind her) I put my bags in the car and off I went! The ferry ride was very nice, and the drive great. I haven't been for a good drive in a long time.

The weekend at Lorien's was fabulous. Despite the monotonous rain. Why is it that every time I go to the "Sunshine Coast", all it ever does is rain? And then start clearing up as I'm leaving? Hmmmmm.....food for thought.

Friday night I was introduced to Diana and her beautiful harp. The music was magical when Steve and Diana played together (aside from the occasional curse). I was so lucky to be a witness to it. And then I tried to sing...tried being the correct word, here. I couldn't even remember all the words to songs I definitely know off by heart...I had to be prompted by Lorien. *sigh*

Saturday day was for shopping and window shopping. I ended up not buying anything anyways, which was probably for the best. Saturday night, we went over to one of Steve's friend's house and they had music and wine and wonderful pot luck food (of which, I think Steve's Tandoori chicken wings were the best). I met a few really nice people and even tried to get one very nice lady to set her son up with me. Alas, he was already taken.

Sunday morning, we all slept in, and Lorien made a fantastic egg and sausage breakfast, and we lingered and chatted the morning and a portion of the afternoon away before we all had to get a move on. I came home, flush with prezzies from Lorien (thanks lady!) and a promise that we'll help each other get studying and paper-writing done. (Tuesdays at 7:30, Lorien! Be there or be square!!) :oP

After picking up my pups (who made it through the weekend no problem) from my moms (who probably doesn't want to doggie-sit anymore after this weekend) I made it home to relax. I think we were all unexpectedly happy to be back in our own place. I like it here. :o)

This weekend was great. I got a chance to get away, recharge and relax. Yah. And I made some good decisions, too. I decided it wasn't worth dwelling on past regrets. Life's too short. And I need to connect more with me. Do things I really want to do, like painting again. Getting some exercise and eating better. I am ditching my try at online dating. It's way too stressful, and I find I was spending too much time at the computer. People aren't relaxed enough. LOL How can I possibly have time for someone else right now? I have me, the dogs, and my friends to concentrate on.

Well....3 days really does make a difference.

Rain that never stops...

2007-03-10T17:38:00.000-08:00

Well, it feels like it has been raining forever. A total deluge today...it makes me want to curl up in bed with a good book, but today I feel restless. I feel as if I should be doing something constructive....but what?

I went to see the movie 300 yesterday night. Although it started out rather cheesily, it got better and better as it went along. And all the beefcake didn't hurt, either! More six-packs than a cold beer and wine store. Aside from that, I loved the artsy-fartsy film style and burnished colors of the movie. Plus the fight scenes really portrayed battle well.

I can see that blogging isn't my strong point, so I'll get on with it. I have just reached the half-way point in an insurance course, and the mid-term was a real wake up call. More studying definitely needed. My boyfriend was over last weekend, and we called it quits, finally. Long distance won't work. My life is already flying ahead of me, and I've been busier than ever.

Next weekend I will be in Gibsons for the weekend, visiting with Lorien and Steve, for Steve's birthday. I will be dog-free, and I'm not sure how I feel about that! My mom had the pups last night, and when I got home late from the movie, there were no sloppy kissy greetings or waggy tails, and no fuzzy, wiggly bedwarmers at bedtime.....however not having to rush outside directly after waking was a definite bonus...

I never seem to have enough time, yet I wander around my apartment wondering what to do....

Strange days.

And another one bites the dust...

2007-01-28T21:07:00.000-08:00

So there goes another week of my life! I can't believe how much I SUCK at this!

Not too much new. Um, let me see...

We had a lovely time at Dim Sum last Sunday at the Fraser Flamingo, with Lorien's fiancee only getting a tiny bit bored during all the SCA talk. It was nice to see so many people I haven't seen in ages! I was stuffed from all the yummy food.

With all the fussing and barking Puccini had been doing every time I left for work, I was concerned I would be kicked out of my apartment, especially after a talk from my landlord. Desperate times call for desperate measures, so I let the lady at the pet store talk me into purchasing an expensive but small bottle of herbal stuff to help calm him down. Upon getting home and reading the ingredients of "Calm Down", I found that the main ingredient is alcohol! 13% to be exact! No wonder they're calm - it hurts to bark when you have a hangover! Well, against my better judgement, I started using it, and man - maybe it DOES work! He's been fantastic pretty much every day since then, and my grouchy neighbor across the hall admitted to me today that he hasn't heard them at all!!! I have to admit that we also started playing with neighbor dogs, turning on the radio during the day, and just generally getting into a regular schedule, as well...so who knows if it's the doggie nyquil. But I'll keep using it, anyways.

Oh, I now have CIP (insurance stuff) classes on Wednesday, and even managed to get my homework done in time for class (imagine that!). Although it's dry and about as boring as you can get, it's nice to get into classes again.

And after prowling the as-is department at Ikea so many unsuccessful times, I've finally broken down and bought a new white Billy bookcase for all my books. I know, I know...not more Ikea! I put it together right away, and managed to clear up another 6 boxes. Only about 11 left! I can't believe I had almost enough books to fill up my short Billy bookcase, as well as the new, big Billy bookcase. For someone who doesn't collect books, I think that's an amazing feat! (don't laugh, Lorien...I know it's not very many books) I don't even remember buying some of the books I unpacked!

Well, as happens every time I start rearranging and cleaning up, it's gotten worse than before. I guess I know what I'm doing tomorrow! At least it's really starting to get nice and cosy. I like it. It's so nice to have my very own place :o)

How time flies, eh?

Whatta day

2007-01-20T18:34:00.000-08:00

Saturdays...gotta love 'em!

I got up early (although not as early as expected, due to a wonky alarm clock) to prowl Ikea's as-is department, have cheap-o breakkies, and pick up stuff at Home Depot, the fabric store (I was only going to get some thread...really!) and then StupidStore....I can't believe how much money I just spent. I think I blew my budget. LOL

I love my sister! She's the funniest, and agrees to be dragged along to Ikea (among other places) at a godawful time in the morning! And my best friend, Billie, who ALSO agrees to being dragged around, and who takes my odd sense of humor completely in stride. What would I do without them?? Probably be bored...wandering Ikea by my onesies...

Anywho, I have so many other things to do. Laundry, stripping the dresser, hanging the curtain rod in the bedroom, sewing a new dress, playing with my poochies....and that's just today :o)

Guess I'd better hop on it!

Ugh....Mondays!

2007-01-15T06:36:00.000-08:00

So. Even though I didn't get everything done this weekend like I wanted to, I DID manage to get most of the walls in the living room painted. I also put up the curtain hardware in the living room and the dining room, and it makes the place rather cosy, if I do say so myself! I was worried that the tan paint was more pinkish than I liked, but once it's all up, it looks like a nice neutral. Whew! I wonder if I'll have enough for the bedroom???

Laundry today, CIP class tomorrow....looks like anything I really want to do will have to wait. YAWN

SIGH.

Yeck. Back to work...

2007-01-02T06:11:00.000-08:00

I guess I'm even less original than my sister.....she has only 3 people in the States with her name.

HowManyOfMe.com

There are:
6
people with my name
in the U.S.A.

how/'>http://howmanyofme.com">How many have your name?

Ah well.

I'm about half unpack. Bloody brilliant, I'd say! And I couldn't have done it without my sis. Thanks, Nes!

Happy New Year!

2007-01-01T10:04:00.000-08:00

So. I'm all moved in.

Or rather, all my stuff is now jammed in the apartment about 4 boxes high.

It happend so quickly! With help from family and friends, the UHaul was unloaded in about an hour. Now all I need to worry about is losing a small dog to a toppling box of books! Well, that and finding my work clothes for tomorrow....

New Year's was rather uneventful. I went to bed at 11pm, since I'd been up since very early, and the banging of pots and pans, screaming and fireworks woke all of us up at midnight. I was the only one not howling, but I felt like it.

Anyway, it's all done. I'm here. Now I can get on with my life, right? Right.