from my smoke free, pet free studio

...well maybe not pet-free, and I've been known to burn the odd quesadilla in the oven, so maybe I should come up with my own tag line for my studio/dining room table. "smothered with love" would just about cover it, from kitty sleeping on the fabric to Sophia draping her shoulders and running around the house with her "blanket", which she does with every new fabric shipment.

It has been a while since I have blogged, and yes that is a verb, so I thought I would update everyone. My not-so-secret project that has been on hold for the past year is coming along nicely, the girls new bags are all cut out AND I just received my newest fabric in the mail today, which should turn into a matching hat, jacket and skirt combo for Sophia, and a present for one lucky birthday girl.

Picking out the fabric online and then getting to look at it and hold it in person is so much fun. Looking at a yard or two of fabric and recognizing the potential that lies in each design is such a great feeling. Now I just have to wait and see if the fabric store, that is my dining room, will meet it's potential. If only there were more hours in the day...

Everything old is new again

As Layla gets a little older all of the toys that Sophia played with are making a comeback. However, it still seems as though Sophia is getting the most enjoyment out of the toys, but the smile on Layla's face shows just how happy she is to sit with her sister while she plays. A big sister also has other influences...

How cute is she!

In other news, my fabric came in today. I can't wait to start on the girls bags.

Like Bees to...Flowers

It is officially Spring!  I put some flowers, that Karen brought over on the weekend, out on the deck and when I turned my back they were swarmed by bees.  I must mention that the only reason the flowers were relocated to the deck is because Kitty couldn't stop eating them.  They look absolutely beautiful and I'm guessing that since they are the only outside flowers in the entire neighbourhood the bees were excited to see them.  The girls and I were also excited to see signs of spring this morning, we must have been outside for close to 2 hours and Sophia rode her bike around the block, carefully avoiding all the construction workers.

Unfortunately the weekend was not as pleasant and we spent the majority of it indoors with Grandma.  The girls had a blast and I had a great time as well.  I got out shopping and watched TWO movies uninterrupted, from beginning to end.

We also took a trip to get Sophia's haircut, as you can see she was giving some serious thought to the style that she wanted : )

...and she loved the bubbles.

Thanks for the great weekend grandma!

In sewing news, my pattern arrived today.  I can't wait for the fabric to get here.

Tick tock...

Well, I am still working away on my latest UFP (unfinished project), and no it's not Sophia, but doesn't she look like a little lady in this picture. As I get a burst of energy I take the girls naptime to sew a few things together. I have a feeling it will get pushed aside again as the material and pattern arrive for my newest project. Sewing "sweet harmony totes" for the girls, pattern AND fabric by Amy Butler, will be my next project. Since the only pieces of the bag to arrive to date are the interfacing and fusible fleece I am anxioulsy awaiting the materials to complete these designer bags. This will be the first time that I have created a bag from a professional pattern and I am following the pattern perfectly, down to the Thermolam Plus and Pelltex #70 by Pellon.

I hope they turn out as fantastic as the girls that will be wearing them!

Happy Birthday Oma

Well another year has come and gone, and I got another use out of this shirt :) Layla was so excited about birthday cake that she couldn't stop drooling. The girls and Steve and I wanted to wish Oma a very happy birthday and we can't wait until you get back from Florida.

It's a Beautiful Day

So I got the girls dressed and we headed in to the Town for a visit this morning.  You can tell we had an outing because Layla isn't wearing her pyjamas and Sophia has her hair in pigtails.  I love this photo of Sophia, anyone that spends time with her knows this little grin means trouble. 

It is a beautiful day outside and I can't wait until the girls wake up from their naps so that we can go outside for a walk and enjoy the sunshine.  The girls might actually be able to get their vitamin D from the sun today! 

I also wanted to share these photos because I didn't post any 6 month pictures of Layla.  Soon she won't be needing that chair anymore. 

Well I'm re-starting an old project today...hopefully the energy will last and I will be able to show everyone in a couple weeks.

A Week In Review

The last week has brought creation, laughter, sniffles and victory.  The creation occurred in the last 2 days when I realized that I had to turn the sewing machine back on and make something.  I looked online for bag patterns, because the one thing we need in this house is another bag, so I made two.  I have some different fabric stashed throughout the house and I wanted to try out these patterns. 

The first bag is made with more of the Laura Gunn, Lantern Bloom fabric, and it is my first attempt at using pleats.  I added an additional layer of batting to this bag to make is a little more substantial and I think it will be perfect for "jeans days" back at work.

The second bag was made with that adorable tweet tweet fabric, I think I could make just about anything with this fabric and it would turn out fantastic. This bag has already accumulated some of Sophia's books and toys in the outside pockets and has gone on a few "trips to the store" on the handlebar of her bicycle, I'd say it is a hit!

The laughter began with a visit from Liam, I think the picture says it all....one of the few days we've had snow and it has been nice enough to go out and play in it.

And just to prove that I did in fact have all 3 kids at the same time, and they were all fed...and no Layla was not drinking the Starbucks!

The sniffles have come and gone in this house over the last few months and this past week was no exception.  The girls were enjoying some sick time together in Layla's new bed.

And of course the victory which started it all, Canada's amazing 2010 Olympics.  Sophia loved her new jersey, especially when she saw that Liam had the same one (check out the lunch picture).  Unfortunately I don't have a better picture of her actually smiling in her jersey.

So it's been a busy week, Layla is officially sleeping in her own room, and quite successfully since she has now slept through the night for 2 straight nights!!!  I don't want to think about her being 6 months old...my maternity leave is now half over...I'll have to get sewing to finish all the projects on my list.