Tote Bag Week - Bag Three

Chirp! Chirp! On a day that finds us snowed in under dreary skies, I am happy to post some pictures of a happy and sunny tote bag. We didn't receive as much snow as some other areas, however, we are still enjoying plenty of the white stuff. The colours of this book bag are so yummy! This cheerful little winged friend is joyfully sharing a tune with us.

All five tote bags will packaged up for pick up today. I have really enjoyed sewing them, and I will miss their bright colours hanging all around me in my sewing room. 

Tomorrow I will be sharing another little boy book bag. No monkeying around! That hint ought to give  a pretty clear idea of the theme. I am off to enjoy a quiet and gray day. I have made a pot of chill, some tea biscuits, and a bread pudding is baking away in the oven right now. I have decided that today calls for comfort food and I just felt like being in the kitchen. A rare occurrence indeed - might as well take advantage of that! Check in tomorrow for another post!

Tote Bag Week - Bag Two

It seems to me that all littles love dinosaurs! So, today's book bag is just perfect for those who would love to inhabit Jurassic Park. I love this whimsical dinosaur alphabet design, a little cute and little silly all wrapped up in one!

This "Letter T" dinosaur is done in vibrant colours. Again, the tote bag is a great size for books and all the treasures that might be discovered during a day searching for clues about the dinosaurs. I enjoy mixing patterns in the same colour palette, and this tote bag gave me ample opportunity. The inside lining is a bright and cheerful star pattern and picks up on the spiky theme of the dino on the front of the bag. Because polka dots are so wonderful, I just had to add a few to the handles. I think this bag just screams "FUN"!!!!!

I hope that Thomas will enjoy his new book bag. His mom will also be happy to know that after a day spent digging for dino bones in the park, this tote bag can be washed up and ready to go for the next adventures.

Check back tomorrow for a tote bag number three. A little "birdie" told me it was very cute! Can you guess the design? See you tomorrow!

Tote Bag Week - Bag One!

By far, my favourite thing to sew has got to be the book bag. I just love that it is a very useful item, but can also be so whimsical and personal. Also, they appeal to all ages. The past couple of weeks have found me happily stitching away and working on several book bags that are heading off to new homes for Christmas. Isn't that a lovely gift? A book bag, along with a book is just perfect and so unique. This week, I plan to share a new bag every day. Today's featured tote bag is all about the fox craze that is taking over the internet! I fell in love with this adorable design, and it is just perfect for the pink/orange combination that I am fond of. And let's talk about that pink flower???? Very cute for our little friend Fox.

These tote bags are made to be used! In order to accommodate trips to the library for example, I reinforce the handles and add box stitches for added durability. A generous flat base allows the bag to sit upright and all ready to be loaded up with stuff. They are the perfect size for everyday running around, and the design is one that I created myself based upon experience. I knew the tote bag needed a nice wide opening, gussets to provide a flat base and stability, along with a generous helping of C-U-T-E!!! I also sew them so that there are no seams that have to be sewed up leaving unsightly, visible stitching lines in an otherwise cleanly finished product. However did I do that, you ask? Lots of trial and error to begin with. Then, one night I woke up with a grand plan and put it into action the next day. Success! A tote bag with entirely finished seams - my lofty goal achieved! Can you guess how it is done? 

Here are a few more pictures of today's tote bag. I recognize the last one is a bit blurry, but it does give you a nice close up view. Check in again tomorrow and have a peek at a little boy tote. Here's a hint about the design...don't get too close - it might bite! Roar!

So pretty under the tree. Merry Christmas!

Sunday Stitches

This has been a very busy season, filled with plenty of holiday orders! I have had my hands full working away on Christmas stockings for both humans and our canine companions. I love stockings! I think that they are such a nice way to decorate for the holidays, especially if they are personalized and unique. My kids love their stockings too - they always find them filled to the brim on Christmas morning. What fun! Here are a few pictures of some of the cute projects I have been working on.

Stockings for people have also been very popular! One little girl named Ayla, who is in love with polar bears, will find a special stocking hanging when she wakes up to check the treats from Santa.  I snuck in a little bit of time to make some stockings for my own family as well. Of course, they are turquoise and apple green, what else would they be?

Next up on the agenda is the matching stocking for our pup, Rosie.  I have some vintage lace and I am planning to incorporate that into her creation. She really loves winter, and we enjoyed a snowy walk last night. 

I recently finished an order for five book bags. Check back later this week to see some up close photos and a few more details. For now, here is a sneak peek of the adorable tote bags all in a row!

I just can't seem to decide upon a favourite! Stay tuned for plenty of pictures in the days ahead. Happy Sunday!

Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday

Sunday Stitches

The dog bone Christmas stockings have had their photo shoot and are now ready to head off to their new homes. Rosie and I had so much fun setting up for all of the pictures. She was such a good girl, and the perfect assistant.

Every stocking is personalized with a name and a choice of fabric to match individual holiday decor. I had lots of fun sewing these up, but more fun will be had with filling them up with treats. This week I am planning on sewing up a few stockings for the humans in my family, and of course, a very special stocking for the model, Rosie. We got plenty of perfect shots, but also had a few bloopers! Are you sticking that tongue out at me Miss Rosie?

Really, Mom? Do I have to do this? I do like the treats though!

That treat was super yummy!

I would say the good pics outnumber the bad, but I'll let you be the judge.

Feeling a bit of holiday spirit yet? I know I am! I hope these pictures have given you a good dose of "cute", but remember - the doggie doesn't come with a stocking purchase! Have a happy day. 

Wordless Wednesday

Sunday Stitches

Today was a beautiful day and it was filled with all kinds of my favourite things. Of course, it included lots of time spent in my sewing room working on some very special orders. The doggie Christmas stockings are coming along so well! I love the colours and I am getting into some early holiday spirit. These stockings are a generous size, but I know these pups have been extra good and lots of treats will arrive on Christmas morning!

Choosing fabrics and embroidery colours in only the beginning of the process. Every stocking exterior and lining has to be cut out. Before embroidery, the design must be centered using a water soluble pen. After hooping and embroidering, the basting stitches are removed and the stocking is ready for the sewing machine. Sewing the stocking up actually takes less time than designing and embroidering the name. A couple of the stockings are now at the sewing machine stage, but mostly my sewing room is littered with fabric dog bones! Tomorrow will be a big sewing day for sure.

The final touch on every stocking, of course, is a special little label that is dog-gone cute!

Fall is upon us, and this wonderfully sunny day offered us a chance to visit one of our favourite hiking spots in the York Forest. The sun was shining down through golden yellow leaves and it was almost as though we were walking along a magical path. We meandered along 5 kilometres of leaf covered trails and stumbled upon all kinds of interesting woodland sights.

All in all, a wonderful Sunday! After the dog stockings are complete, I am planning a new project. This time it is for all of my feline friends - bet you can't guess what it is? Meow. Have a happy day!

Wordless Wednesday

Thankful

There hasn't been too much sewing going on over here lately! That's because we celebrated Thanksgiving this past weekend, and we were so very busy. We were very lucky to have all of the grandparents visiting and the cousins even got to decorate some pumpkins. We do have so much to be thankful for and it was wonderful to have everyone around.

 The weather cooperated for the most part, providing lovely sunny days for walking in the woods. We drove out to York Forest, where we were able to hike in short sleeves if you can believe it.  Sunday was rainy and dark, so we headed over to the McMichael Gallery to enjoy some amazing art exhibits. On our way home, we drove by a turkey waddling along the road. The irony was a bit much, and I felt a little bit guilty about heading home to our mouth watering dinner. I trust that particular turkey had made a hasty retreat from the specific danger his kind faces at Thanksgiving. I'm sure he was one grateful bird.

Three generations and one pup!

There was no shortage of delicious food, that's for sure! Everyone worked hard to create a Thanksgiving feast that was a huge success.

Sorry Mr.Turkey. I hope that wasn't your friend we passed on the highway!

 We have decided to make an effort to use our good china more often. It is such a pretty pattern and the table looks so beautiful all set for a holiday dinner. I am hoping the girls remember all of the special touches that go into preparing and celebrating together. We gave them the job of setting the table and they quite enjoyed it - even if it wasn't set up to Downton Abbey standards!

All of the goings on were a little much for one member of the family, who sought refuge under a dining room chair. She peeked out a few times as the scent of turkey piqued her interest, but otherwise, she enjoyed her little cocoon. 

This week it is back into the sewing room to prepare for the next big holiday - Christmas! Many dog bone stocking are awaiting my attention, along with a few Santa sacks that will be great for gift giving. Have a happy day!

Sunday Stitches...or Stirrings?

Well, there really wasn't too much time to spend in my sewing room today, but that's alright! I was busy   stirring up a storm and getting all ready for our Thanksgiving festivities. It's always the same lovely routine where we gather up all of our cookbooks and set about making our grocery list.  After all of these years, I think we can almost get the veggies dishes whipped up without looking at the recipes, but every year it starts the same way, and that's just how we like it! We flip through our dog-eared cookbooks to find our favourites. The cookbooks are showing their age - full of marks and rips from so much use which makes them all that much better!

Then, off to Starbucks to fuel up for our grocery shopping adventures (ok, that part is probably not crucial, but it sure makes the process more fun!) : ) After heading home to unload our groceries, we were all set to get to work. Before long the kitchen smelled delicious!

We like to get a lot of the cooking done before all of our family arrives so that we can enjoy their company over the weekend. We managed to get three casseroles finished up and put in the freezer, and we even ordered out turkey. In all honesty, I have delegated a few jobs this year. We ordered some pumpkin pies from a lovely local bakery, and most exciting, some amazing cookies from http://sugarandlovebakery.com. I can't wait to pick them up, and I'm sure these beautiful cookies will be a perfect centrepiece for our holiday table.  I'll be sure to post a picture when I receive them.

Sweet potato casserole, veggies supreme, and turnips with apples

My sewing room was not totally neglected though. I did get a few dog bone patterns cut out and am getting ready to sew up a whole big bunch of doggie stockings for the next big holiday. Yup! That would be Christmas. It will be here before we know it so I had better get sewing!

When Is Laundry More Than Laundry?

 Truer words have never been spoken:

Over here at our house, we certainly agree with this quote! Our twin arrivals came as quite the little surprises fourteen years ago, and they created no small number of challenges/adventures for us to navigate. Some of these issues are ongoing. One in particular leads me to amend this quote to say, "There are two things in life for which we are never truly prepared: Twins. And the laundry they create." 

It lives!!! Run and hide!

The laundry at our house is never ending. We have moved along the continuum from tiny preemie sleepers to piles of jeans with legs so long they give me pause.  In fact, it has become almost like another member of the family. Soon I am going to set it a place at the dinner table, and I am considering buying "Laundry" a Christmas present. The washer and dryer are on permanent full time shifts, and I don't even want to think about the electricity and energy involved in the whole affair. Let's just say it probably equals a luxury trip around the world (in clean clothes!).  My machines have a lovely little song to let me know when a cycle is complete, like they are trying to fool me with lyrical trickery. Doesn't matter if it is a loud buzzer, or a sweet song. It's still my call to action, and the end result is the same. I am no laundry novice, and I won't be fooled.

In order to cope, I have had to change my attitude with regards to the ongoing struggle. I am trying to be glad that my girls want to change outfits so many times because it means they are establishing a firm sense of their own individual styles. I have decided that my untold trips up and down the stairs carrying baskets of clothing is a perfectly good form of exercise. Having sports uniforms to launder is a sign that my kids are engaged, healthy, and involved, albeit a bit smelly : ).  Lastly, I feel that having laundry to fold is a reasonable excuse to catch up on some TV shows that I have been missing. All this work is a sign that life is good, and I know that like all stages, the "Laundry Overload" will morph into some other form eventually. I might even miss it, and all it entails. Because it is about so much more than soap, bubbles and folding. So, you see? So many positives come from the piles that emerge from all bedrooms in this house. If I'm really lucky, I even get a little "help" from a friend!

Rosie the wonder dog always at the ready!

Happy Friday! Wishing you all a great weekend, full of good things. Like laundry.

Wordless Wednesday