Virtual Work out Buddies

I just finished doing an Insanity work out. I comleted the entire 60 day program about a month and a half ago, and since then haven't really done much. Maybe once a week I've done an exercise, but nothing significant.

I've realized I need to have a program or a class to commit to otherwise I won't do anything. Especially when I could be using that time to sew.

So what I am wondering is if anyone would like to be a virtual work out buddy with me. We can come up with a plan together and check in with one another to make sure we are sticking to our goals. Give gentle reminders to one another to get our butts in gear:) If enough people are interested, I can do a weekly post and we can share what our goals are, what we are doing to get fit, recipes maybe even photos (yikes!).

Lets work together to live a healthier and more active lifestyle! Who's with me?!

Ready for Prints

I have had a little more time to sew this week, which I am so grateful for. The Moss St Market will be starting full day markets next weekend, and I need to get my stock filled up.

This week I made a sleeveless up-cycled dress:

Can you tell what colour combos I'm drawn to lately:)

Recognize the trim?

Front

Back

And last night I made an up-cycled twirly skirt:

I feel like both of these are missing something, so I'm planning to add a print to both. I haven't quite figured out what yet, though I do have a few ideas. 

Your feedback is much welcome:)

I will be linking this post to Quiltstory: Fabric Tuesday

Why I don't Have Boy Clothing in My Shop

Every time I make boys clothing it ends up being way too cute on my guys and I just can't bare to put it in my shop.

I made these pants the other day, and look how adorable they are on Jas:

"It's too cold"

Here comes the sun

 

Ta da!

See what I mean? Cute!

I do have more of this stripy knit, so I will make another pair, and be sure not to make it in Jude or Jai sizes:)

VI Etsy Team Meet Up

On Friday the etsy team I am part of, Vancouver Island Etsy Team (VI Etsy Team for short), had our first meet up. It was awesome and wonderful to meet so many crafty ladies (because only the ladies showed up for the meet up).

I am not going to lie. I felt very intimidated by the talent that was present. Our host Nikki from NikkiDesigns makes beautiful organic home decor. Her home is gorgeous, and I am mega jealous of her sewing room!

Hemp Duvet Cover. Gorgeous from NikkiDesign

Another shop that absolutely blew my mind was UrchinBags. Seriously, her designs rock. She makes her bags from recycled materials, such as seat belts, inner tubes, tires, scrap vinyl, and old boating material. Everything is cleaned well, and gorgeous! Really well made and built to last. I highly recommend checking out her shop.

Bag made with seat belts!!! Awesome! By Urchin Bags

And there were a couple of shops that make some really cute children's items. Wallflags, who I think may be changing her shop name. She does block printing, and has super cute designs. Also, Banbutsu, who are a friend team that make upcycled children's clothing from felted wool. Their designs are so super cute:) Both are fun shops to check out, and I am sure you will find something wonderful for your little one.

Choo, choo wall flag by Wallflags. I had to choose this because Jude loves anything train!

Seriously! How cute are these!!!! From Banbutsu

Oh yes and BarnSwallowsWares. Her designs are so beautiful, and have a rustic, vintage appeal. Her shop makes me want to head out to the country and live a simple life:) Not that country living is simple, but you know what I mean. Right?

Beautiful tote by BarnSwallowsWares

There was also SunshineJewls who makes beautiful jewelry, and at a very reasonable price. She uses only the finest materials to craft her creations, so definitely worth a visit to her shop.

Love this! From Sunshine Jewls

And another fabulous bag maker MeganLinford. She is currently transitioning from clothing to handbags. Her bags and purses are colourful, fun and functional. What more could a girl ask?

Cute clutch by Megan Linford!

If you are looking for decals check out DunningVinyl, or if you are looking for leather crafts check out KnottyLinda who also makes dog leads and collars, so if you are looking for a good quality leather lead, her shop is the place to go.

By DunningVinyl. So lovely

Rainbow Pride bracelet by KnottyLinda

For a great shop with west coast sea side creations check out A2SeaCreations. They also have a photography shop here, and have been the driving force behind the Japan Relief Project

Purple Bling Ring by A2SeaCreations

There were more and I am sure that I am missing a couple of people. So sorry! I just can't seem to find them at the moment, but I will be sure to share them soon.

You can also find the VI Etsy team on Facebook, so check it out and "Like" the page so you can find all our local talent in one convenient location:)

Okay, that's all for today. Enjoy shopping and I am so sorry I don't have pictures to share, but I promise you won't regret shopping from any of these shops.

Newest Dress

I just had to share this new dress I made. If you are new to my blog (my blog is new, so I'm sure you are) then you should know that I'm a pretty modest person. I really don't like to toot my own horn, but I really LOVE this dress. It makes me feel happy when I look at it, and even happier knowing that I made it:)

It is made from three up-cycled T-shirts:

Isn't it reminiscent of a summer day?

I love how this looks like a butterfly against a blue sky with fluffy clouds:)

The pink stripes are made from the neck of a turtle neck shirt

and my oldest son modeling the dress for me. He is such a trouper:)

My only regret is that I can't make one for myself. It's the upside and the downside to one-of-a-kind, though I would say it's more of an upside:) I love being original, and like to give kid's the same opportunity.

Spring Flowers

Last week the weather was terrible! We even had SNOW!! I know. Totally gross.

Well by the end of the week I had had enough of the dark dreary weather, and of being cooped up in the house with three energetic boys. We braved the cold and headed out to the dollar store (I don't have my license yet, so we walk everywhere in all weather) to buy tissue napkins in bright, beautiful colors to make flowers.

I used the tutorial from Dana Made It found here, to refresh my memory.

The littles weren't into making the flowers, so while Jai and I made the flowers, the two littles decided where we should hang them.

I could only reach one of the three belly casts. This one is Jude.

I think it worked, because this week has been beautiful. The sun has been shining everyday:)

Made Me Laugh

I had to share this post from Her Bad Mother. Over a month ago one of the moms on the home schooling hotline sent a link to an article from Her Bad Mother's blog. It was her response to the many negative comments people, other women especially, make about women who trade in their real life "jobs" to stay at home with their children. Because being at home with our kids isn't real work. It's pretty awesome, and empowering to read. You can find the article here.

Anyways, I like Catherine's style. She tells it like it is, and is incredibly smart. I laughed so hard when I read this article I cried. I also felt warm and fuzzy after reading the article, so it accomplished two very positive reactions. Do be forewarned, there is language, but I have to say, her language makes it that much more fun to read:)

For Japan

I am part of the Vancouver Island Etsy Team, on Etsy (of course). VI Etsy for short. After the devastation that has occurred due to the earthquake in Japan, one of our team members put a Facebook page together to encourage our team members to donate items, or portions of their sales to Japan. The page is called What Can You Do to Help Japan. So far over $6000.00 has been donated! Which is incredible. The goal was initially $5000.00, but there has been so much enthusiasm and generosity that we have now raised the goal to $10,000.00. Please visit the page to view all the generous donations and to keep up to date as we approach our goal.

I'm not sure if it's having children, or that I am getting older, but I find that I am so much more sensitive to world disasters and how this affects the people who have to experience them. I think of how it would feel for me with my kids to have to lose everything. It's just too terrible. If there is anything I can do to help, even in the smallest way, then I want to make a contribution.

I decided to donate a custom made quilt. Which means that I will donate the entire amount of the quilt to Japan through Aidmatrix. The person who purchases the quilt will have the opportunity to choose the colors and a design for their quilt. A beautiful custom quilt as well as a generous donation to help a country in need. It's a win-win situation.

Here are a few examples of blankets and designs:

Big butterfly

Tree of Life

Whale

Flowers

Small butterfly

Bear prints

Hummingbird

There are many more pictures on my Facebook Page.

If you or someone you know is looking for a quilt, and would also like to make a generous donation to Japan, please contact me, and I will be happy to work with you to make a very special gift.

Upcycled Leggings

Okay, before I go make dinner, I just had to share these adorable leggings I just finished making. I posted the pictures of the before, and here is the after:

Jude's little, so he got to model them for me. Kids legs in leggings is just too cute!

Now I must be off to prepare dinner. Have a great night:)

A New Print

Last night I did some silk screening. It's been a few weeks since I worked with my silk screener. I really missed it. It takes time for me to make the screen, so I save the screening for when I have time. I use contact paper to make the screens, and found this tutorial at Lil Blue Boo. It's perfect for native designs. There is so much inside space that needs to be covered, so this method works perfectly.

Half butterflies!

The sun is inspiring me to make butterflies again.

Any guesses what these beautiful blue butterflies are going to be made into?

Upcycled Weekend

This weekend we had no plans! Which to meant plenty of time to sew. Of course things don't always work out the way I plan them. I only had a little bit of time to sew yesterday, after gardening and watching the kids skateboard down the hill, right next to the road!! Mind you it's a very quiet road and you can see a vehicle coming 10 minutes before it gets close, but still, the city girl in me freaks out!

I have a bunch of t-shirts that I have been wanting to upcycle, so that was my goal yesterday, and I decided to make a dress/tunic.

Jai informed me once the dress was made that he borrowed the swim shirt from a friend. Whoops!!

This is the back

Thought the swim shirt would be cute for the swimming enthusiast

Cute? I think so.

It's roomy and comfy. Perfect for running, jumping and playing in. I also have plans to make matching tights out of the same t-shirt leftovers as the sleeves! I love upcycling. Every garment is unique, just like us:)

I think I will add this to the Made with Love Monday, because I like to put love into everything I make.