Wedding Wednesday...Save the Date Revealed!

Without further ado, here is the save the date that I created (with the help of my fiance, of course)...I am going to add the website to the bottom and the "Formal Invitation to Follow" tag line, so if it looks unbalanced, don't worry...it'll be perfect soon...


These will be going out within the next few weeks, I just have to corral addresses.

I wanted to feature the gorgeous work of Etsy seller Paloma's Nest here on Pint-Size, because she is one of my favourite vendors on the site. Caroline Vasquez is the owner and artisan. She has been a featured seller on the front page of Etsy, she has also been featured in several major bridal publications...i.e. Martha Stewart Weddings and she is lovely to do business with. She works with natural materials, predominantly clay and wood, to create simple and unique heirloom pieces for weddings, or any special occasion.

Steve and I purchased this wedding ring bowl, in spite of the fact that we don't have a ring-bearer...it was too beautiful to pass up, and it would look stunning in a shadow box as a memento of the day...

I loved that it matched the cherry-blossom theme and, of course, ours says 'Oh Happy Day!'

There are other ring bowls available as well, like this one with a golden rim...


If you're seeking unique, personalized favours, Paloma's Nest features these gorgeous, simple charms which can be worn as necklaces, bracelets, or used as tree ornaments at Christmas.




Finally, if my budget would allow, I would definitely incorporate these golden eggs into my decor. Eggs are a symbol of new life, fertility and abundance, all excellent wishes for a newly married couple.


I am hoping tonight will be the start of an extended weekend for me. I have to clear that with the powers that be, of course, but there's a good chance. I have tons of meetings with vendors looming over my head right now, and I need some time to get those done and really relax. As much as I LOVE Toronto, the go-go-go pace can be a bit exhausting. As the items pile up on my to-do list, I become more and more stressed, and the only way to deal with the stress is to get things done...

Fish Babies...

As promised, I am posting some pictures of the babies that my crazy little Spotted Molly had last week. I noticed she was becoming quite plump, but I thought I was just over-feeding her. Of course it crossed my mind that she MAY, potentially be pregnant...but, fish lay eggs right? Wrong. Not these fish. Apparently Spotted Mollies breed like rabbits, and have live births to boot...but unlike rabbits, they usually eat their young...or do rabbits do this too?

There were probably thirty little babies, and they are tiny and transparent. It doesn't appear that their mother has successfully eaten very many of them either, because they tend to hide in among the pebbles on the bottom of the tank with the catfish, who would rather eat scum than them (smart, right?)

The proud mama...Her girlish figure has returned to her.


Babies...






I honestly have no idea what I am going to do with all these fish...we only have a ten gallon tank, which can hold 5-6 Mollies comfortably. Anyone want a fish?

Felted Hot Water Bottle Cover Tutorial

I hope you all had a lovely weekend. I know I did...some relaxing, some celebrating milestones with friends and family, and even some crafting. I finally created the felted hot-water bottle I'd been dreaming of for oh-so-long, and if I do say so myself, it is my chef d'oeuvre to date! I have a semi-tutorial to share with you, but I must admit, by the end I was concentrating so hard, I didn't even take a single picture...try to follow along if you're so inclined.

Felted Water Bottle "Tutorial"

You will need:
- a hot water bottle
- an old sweater that you have felted (see tutorial on that here)
- old newspaper
- pins
- sharpie
- scissors
- sewing machine

Plain and hideous...


Looks Promising...


Trace the whole bottle on the newspaper using the sharpie:




Carefully cut up the sweater, along the seams is best. It shouldn't fray if it's properly felted.


Cut out the pattern and fold it in half length-wise so it's symmetrical ("hot dog fold" is the technical term, I believe) then fold the fabric in half and ensure the folded seams of the fabric and the pattern are on the same side. Pin the pattern to the fabric:


Cut it all out:


This piece will be the front of the cover. If you are cutting the neck out, be sure to include that in your pattern, I decided to get clever and reuse the neck of the sweater for the bottleneck. The technique I used was confusing as anything, so I recommend you just keep it simple and cut it out as part of your pattern.

To do the envelopment back, as I did, use the pre-fabbed sweater hem to make your job easier. Fold the pattern in half and cut it out for the inside envelopment fold.



For the outside, fold the same pattern into a 3/4 fold, and be sure to trace the bottle neck on the top of this piece (this will be the outside fold)


Topstitch a hem on the neck of the bottle on both the front and the back (no pic, sorry)

Pin the whole shebang together, right sides facing. Whichever of the back pieces you want to be the outside portion of the envelope fold should be on the inside now:


Stitch around the outside of the bottle holder and turn right-side out. Be sure not to sew to top of the bottle neck shut!!

You are finished! Enjoy!

from the front:


and from the back:

I can't wait to snuggle up to this lovely during the impending snowstorms this winter!

Comment if you have any specific questions. I'll do my best to help!