Good Friday

And what a good Friday it has turned out to be. I'd show you pictures of just how lovely and sunny it is outside but my neighborhood is not very photogenic. So picture blue sunny skies and balmy spring temperatures. Just lovely.

I was perusing Kijiji yesterday night looking for houses to rent and decided to see what people were selling. I found this really cute wooden rocking horse that I couldn't resist. Yes I know Ayla already has a wooden rocking horse that I've spoken about in my other blog. But this one was so much cuter. How could I resist. And the price was practically begging me to buy it. A mere 30 bucks. These retail for way more than that in the stores if you've actually been looking. And I like to look just to be sure I'm not getting swindled. In any case, it's beautiful and hardly used because the owner bought it after her daughter had outgrown such things. Lucky me!

And speaking of daughters, Ayla has a thing for putting on sun glasses. Just look at that toothy grin!

Soon enough it will be time to sport those babies at the beach. Would have been nice if we were living next to one... Yes, I'm still bitter (see previous post).

Oh yea, Happy Easter! I might pop in on the actual day. I'm off to make Ayla a doll.

I love (Sunday edition) ...

A thrifty ten dollar find

Beautiful quilt fabric on sale

Thrifty me

So the other day we went to Once Upon a Child to sell some toys that we had gotten for Ayla from Alex's friend. We ended up getting 22 bucks for everything and I was very happy with that. As I was walking around the store waiting for them to assess our goods I found this wooden doll cradle and this wooden doll house for 7 and 10 bucks a piece.

Well if you don't already know, I'm obsessed with wooden toys and at those prices, even more so. I thought it was a very good trade for the stuff we were bringing in (read: big plastic eye sores). Ayla is not really that into toys so I'm saving them for when she is. I was going to get her a much more expensive doll house when she's older but I think this one is in good condition. It comes with all the pieces and little people. It's perfect. I threw away the bedding that came with the doll cradle because they looked a little ratty so I'll be making a new set for it one day. I'm thinking of sanding and painting it too or restaining it. I'm not sure I might also just leave it as is.

I finally finished that hoodie that I've been working on for ages. It called for a 20" zipper and you wouldn't believe the ordeal I went thru to get one. Actually I still didn't find one I had to buy a 22" zipper and tear off the prongs till it was the right size then whip stitch the top closed. I love the way it turned out but boy sewing that pocket on the front and getting everything to line up was a real nightmare! I've already started on my next sweater and I've made side pockets instead. But still, I accidentally cut the sleeves too short on that one so it's taking me a bit longer than I had hoped. Thank goodness for seam rippers!

One last thing, I have this peppermint foot lotion I got at the Body Shop awhile back and I was using it yesterday and thinking that I just had to mention it on the blog. It's such a great foot lotion and it makes your feet feel all refreshed. So if you're into that kinda thing you must go pick up a jar or a bottle.

A new beach

It's been a week since I posted last. Very unusual for me. But with going back to work and everything, I find myself with less time to just sit and write. I took out some books from the library that I wanted to finish and I've been trying to organize my sewing room whenever I get a spare moment. Before I go running off for the day and while Ayla is still sleeping I figured I'd try my best to give a little glimpse of what we've been up to.

First up we went to a new beach yesterday. It was at Gull Lake and it was perfect! Exactly how I imagined a beach trip would be. I'll definitely be going back again this summer. Lots of sand and lots of people. Ayla was not too keen on being in the water. She pretty much cried the whole time. We'll have to try again next time. We don't want her hating the water.

Earlier that morning, I went to the Salvation Army to see if I could be like one of those people that finds really amazing stuff there and lucky for me I did find some great things! One of which was a great lamp for only $2.65 that I want to redo for Ayla's room. I know Ayla doesn't have a room right now but one day she will and she'll have an amazingly cute lamp to go with it. I'm thinking of getting some either Amy Butler or Anna Maria Horner fabric to redo the shade in. Then I want to take off that elephant and buy a really nice handmade wooden ornament to put there. I'm debating on paining the white. I think I'll leave it since it's very clean looking and just do those changes.

And my last bit of news, I finally finished those shorts I've been working on for ages. Well really, I think I mentioned last time that they only needed the hem. But I was just too lazy to do it. I wanted to wear them yesterday so I hauled them off my ironing board and finished them up. I love them so much and I really want to make another pair. It turns out that pattern is not really for me. I have an awkward waist to hip ratio and so it doesn't fit me well around the waist. To solve that problem I inserted an elastic band between my top stitching at the back instead of doing another two darts like I did on my Bermudas. It actually turned out really well so I think I'll be doing that again with the next pair that I make. This picture was taken after wearing them out for the day so they're a tad wrinkly but I still love 'em that way!

PS. Yes that is my bathing suit sticking out the back. I'm not growing a tail.

I love fabric

Yesterday I got my Amy Butler fabric in the mail from Pink by Post. I had ordered some fat quarters with the intention of making something fabulous. I had no idea what at the time but as I was drooling over the prints today I realized I haven't even cracked open my In Stitches book yet! I keep eying it saying I want to make something, anything really, but I don't want to use crappy fabric and so I wait. Well wait no longer!

I really wanted to make that patchwork handbag I spoke about a few posts ago. And the summery colors and prints will be perfect for it. Speaking of fabric, I haven't gone fabric shopping since before Christmas. I've been trying to use up what I have and not accumulate a huge overwhelming hoard. But I'm really getting the itch, especially since I want to make some summer clothing and I don't really have the right kind for that. Actually, I've been looking online for a place that sells enviro-friendly fabric that doesn't charge an arm and a leg for shipping to here. So far I've been out of luck but hopefully I'll stumbled upon something soon. I see many companies selling enviro-friendly clothing made of soy, bamboo, hemp, organic cotton etc, but none selling the actual fabric which is a bit of a bummer because I want to see what it's like to sew with them.

On another note, I got some really cute pictures of Ayla today in the sunshine. Here she is wearing her smock dress I made the other day and also sitting on her lap quilt. The dress is a little big on her but I don't mind so much because there's always room for her to grow into it. Gotta love that about kids' clothing!

Also, another dress I found at a thrift store awhile back. I never got around to putting it on her but it fits very nicely now. I love the little embroidered detail on the front flap and the puffy sleeves. It definitely has a vintage look to it which I absolutely love.

Thrifty Thursday

In an effort to be more environmentally conscious I decided to go thrifting today at one of the local thrift shops. "One man's junk is the next man's treasure" they say and indeed it was today. I got an arm load of stuff and most of it will be remade into something new, something to treasure hopefully. The thing I love about thrifting and I'm sure what most people love about thrifting is the amount of things you can get for so little. I think most of these fabrics will go for the inner fabric in some of the purses and bags that I'll be making once I get my new book. =)

I also got some knitting needles for 10 cents and a practically brand new spring form pan! I already had one that I paid way too much for considering the one I got from the thrift store was only 50 cents. I couldn't help myself and got some books for my little angel as well. I just hope she'll be really into books like I am because I've collected quite a bit for her. I'll post about that another time.