Ah, Oui! C'est Printemps!

Finally, winter has melted and the sun is smiling warmly. Spring weather calls for long runs outside, picnics in the park and dining and drinking al fresco. I, for one, can't wait! Lately I've been feeling light and energized...On those first sunny days of the year my body feels like it's absorbed all 980 trillion kw of the energy emitted daily by the sun. I think I am so lucky to live in a part of the world with four distinct seasons. Each one is a welcome change when it comes around.

When I think of spring and summer, I think of balloons...I'm not sure why, although I'd hazard to guess it has something to do with the fact that balloons are something one usually sees on a sunny day.

via Papris

via My Polaroid Blog

via Milliemotts

via Tim Walker Photography

Source Unknown

Enjoy this fine weather in good health and comfort knowing that there's plenty more to come!

Ode to Spoonflower

Spoonflower is a website that allows members to create their own fabric from any image that can be scanned. Members create fabric from paintings, photographs and photoshop drawings. For my wedding I created fabric out of the paper that I used throughout. The fabric turned out quite lovely, but I didn't end up using it for the day.

Many Spoonflower fabrics are made by independent designers, graphic designers and other industry professionals, but I love the fact that anyone with an image to upload can crank out some custom fabric. Probably the best part about Spoonflower? You can purchase fabrics designed by other members...

Here are a few I've had my eye on:


How delicious would this Cake fabric be in a shabby-chic dining room as a runner, or place mats or even upholstery on some vintage reupholstered chairs...Nothing takes the "stuffy" out of your grandmother's antique dining set like a touch of whimsy!


You know I had to...this Queen Daisy the Boston Terrier fabric is soooo cute! I can imagine it in a little girl's bedroom or on a cute bag.


This Puppachutes and Flying Piggies would be lovely as an accent in a little boy's nursery.


I would love to see this Sterling Rose fabric on some accent chairs or pillows in a grey and butter yellow living room.


The Mustache Gallery is adorable...although I have yet to come up with a practical use for it...perhaps just frame it for a piece that brings a smile.


This Cherry Blossom fabric is a contender for the reupholstered chair to go into our bedroom.

All designs are available in a variety of fabrics (including linen blends and silk crepe de chine) at a variety of price points. Checkout the Spoonflower website for more information.

Bedroom Redux!

Hello-hello!

After a very involved FB discussion about paint colour, S and I decided to go with a colour that is almost IDENTICAL to what we have on the wall...'cuz we're just THAT brave.


The colour is called Wheat Sheaf by Benjamin Moore.

So with that decided, we are off to the races. Here is the inspiration board for the bedroom. The palette is chocolate and pink and cream...



We scored some GORGEOUS vintage chairs from the antique store by my parents house. We got five for $125! Considering our first choice costs almost $200 each, I think we did OK. Only one of the chairs has arms, so that one is getting refinished to go in our bedroom. The others are in storage chez mes parents until we have a table.

I'll keep you posted on our progress!!

J Crew Necklace Craft...

Okay, people...I can hardly CONTAIN my excitement!!!! I just found the prettiest blog with the best tutorials EVER!! The blog is called Ruffles and Stuff and the author, Disney (I know, right?) is gorgeous, thrifty and super-crafty...and not stupid-crafty, good-crafty...like here's-a-tutorial-for-a-Banana-Republic-inspired-bib-necklace good-crafty! Can you tell I'm kind of over the moon right now?

What really prompted me to write this post was this necklace:



Which is her version of this necklace by J Crew:



I absolutely LOVE this necklace, but it's gone now...so I was SURE I missed the boat when I came upon this blog completely by happenstance...Serendipity? You bet.

Find the step-by-step tutorial here and join me in making one this weekend...Bead Girl, here I come!

On an even happier note, how excited are you that J Crew is finally coming to Canada? Looks like our "strong" economy in spite of the economic downturn has spurred them (and Khols and Target **happy dance!!**) to move onto our turf. I see more cardigans and affordable designer fashions in our collective futures!

Loving this Commercial

I just love commercials with a vintage French vibe...although I suppose I could rewrite that statement as "I just love _____________ with a vintage French vibe." Last night I encountered this gorgeous La Vie Grand Marnier commercial...It's predominantly orange, of course (pssst...in case you didn't know, Grand Marnier is an orange liqueur) and it reminds me of the art on some of the books my mom has kept from her childhood in the '60's.

Without further ado, La Vie Grand Marnier!

My Favourite Things

Yipee! It's snowing today!!!
I have to say that winter is one of my favourite seasons. It's cold, yes, but it offers so many more opportunities for introspection and a slower pace of life than summer or spring. Before you write me off as certifiable, allow me to explain myself...

There is nothing better than cozying up by the fire with a good book on a blizzardy afternoon with some hot apple cider...

Photo courtesy of adrenalinecrush

I love the satisfying "crunch" of fresh, untrodden snow underfoot. This is best experienced during an invigorating winter walk at Balls Falls, or really anywhere in my Niagara hometown, where you can experience winter beauty in its purest form...

This is a picture of the lower falls at Balls Falls Conservation Area. Every year they freeze in place...it looks absolutely breathtaking!
Photo courtesy of Parente Photo Arts

I love the exhilarating feeling of whipping down the face of a steep hill piled high with snow drifts on a plastic disk. I love seeing rosy cheeks partially hidden behind thick, wooly scarves and feeling the icy winter air going into my lungs like mint, and coming out like smoke. Tobogganing is a must-do winter activity for me...even at 26...


Photo courtesy of Ferntree

There is something about the comforting foods of winter that warms through to the soul. I adore all the foods of winter, the soups, the stews, the roasted root vegetables...Not to mention the winter beverages...Hot Toddy with Apple Cider, anyone?
Photo courtesy of The Garden of Eating

Shopping can be a little trying admittedly, over the winter season. The crowds of rushed, rude people and the dreaded parking lots can leave even the most dedicated shopper turned off...But the prettily decorated shop windows make it VERY easy to do a little window shopping!




Photos courtesy of The Cherry Blossom Girl


So don't be afraid of a little chill in the air! Grab your sweetie or your best friend and take a winter stroll together. Do some exploring...Who knows what sort of beauty you'll encounter?


Photo Courtesy of Wino Fred

Keeping my Idle Hands Busy This Weekend...

This weekend, aside from picking up my sister's dog from the airport I am hoping to have some time to get a couple of projects done...I want to get a little more holiday decorating done, because I have an apartment tour planned especially for you, but I am also planning to do some sewing and some "baking" (read: mixing dough and freezing for later.) My gorgeous birthday present from my mom has come in the mail in time for me to wear it baking, cleaning, and puttering around this weekend! Excitement!

Hey, Mama...Want to see what you got me?!

Thank you so much! You have such lovely taste :)

Here are my planned crafts for the weekend...Steve says he wants to see more colour in our apartment, so some of these crafts are an effort to oblige him.

Embroidered Stocking from Purl Bee
These stockings will look soooo lovely nestled on our...entertainment unit.

Ruffled Pillow from Etsy Storque

I don't suppose I need to tell you I'll be making this in pink :)

Buttercup Bag from Made by Rae

I have been meaning to make this bag for about six months...what better excuse than Christmas, right?

Feather Tree from Martha Stewart

Also a project that would look fabulous in pink...

Laptop Tote from Sew Mama Sew

This simple project would be wonderful for anyone with a laptop... and isn't that everyone?

Enjoy your weekend, friends. Keep busy, and take some time to get in the festive spirit!

I'm Dreaming of a Pink Christmas...

With Christmas quickly approaching, I am experiencing those proverbial "visions of sugarplums dancing in my head." As soon as my birthday is over I really start to gear up on Christmas...This year I'm anxious to do something different and unique...something pink!

A few years ago, this photo in the December issue of Martha Stewart's now defunct Blueprint magazine really sparked my imagination.


These gorgeous vintage mercury glass tree toppers are the first on my list to find. I've seen a few on Etsy, but I have yet to purchase one. I actually owe my parents one too, because I smashed one from my grandmother as a child...


A wreath like this one is also on my list of things to make...but I only have four weeks, so I'd better get a move on!


These gorgeous German vintage ornaments will soon be mine...hopefully! They are absolutely exquisite, n'est pas?


I love the idea of displaying the ornaments in interesting vessels around the house. I've just purchased a new apothecary jar just for this purpose...




In terms of natural decorations I have some pretty bowls to fill...I'm thinking dragon fruit, pomegranates and lychee fruit, nature's little christmas ornaments. I can't wait to start the decorating on the first week of December. Lots of crafting, lots of scouring vintage shops, and lots of baking to come! Stay tuned!

Antiquing in Niagara

My hometown has a bevvy of lovely antique shops and boutiques featuring tchotchke of varying quality and price-points, but it is rare to find one that balances both perfectly. Vineland Antiques, however is the exception. It's located in Vineland's turn-of-the-century (the 20th century, that is) Red and White General Store, and many of the store's original features have been preserved. The original cash desk still stands, and the wood floors and tin ceiling call to mind the days of yesteryear...The service is lovely, and the wares will definitely have you drooling.

This is the shop as it looked originally in the 1920's. It actually became the Red and White Store in the 50's and 60's, I think.


This is the shop as it looks now:


My mom and I spent the afternoon shopping the boutiques, especially the antiques (I suppose you could say we went "antiquing," but it just sounds so stodgy to me...) here are some of the lovely things to be had at Vineland Antiques...

So Marie Antoinette...


You know I can't resist!




Who's up for a tea party?


Note the Blue "B" handkerchief...more on the Wedding Wednesday...enough said.


The chandeleir is for sale too!


Loved these guys...


This sign could go on everything in the shop:


In general, if you're around Vineland, definitely make this little shop a must-see on your itinerary. It's a relatively well-kept local secret, but feel free to spread the word.

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!