String Pillow aka String Theory Pillow

I pretty sure that this is ok to post. I don't think that my Grandma Marilyn knows about this blog. If she does, I just ruined the surprise for Christmas.

I found the tutorial to make the blocks here at film in the fridge.  I love her blog, I think this site made me really want to start quilting. It's called a string quilt, but I keep calling it the String Theory Block. I've been hanging around Physicists too much.

Piecing the blocks with phone book pages. I knew I didn't recycle those for a reason.

I used the tutorial from Sew, Mama, Sew! to put the rest of the pillow together.

I honestly thought I was making a zipper closure and then part way through the tutorial I realized it was for envelope style closure. Must always remind myself to read through all the instructions before I cut my fabric. Either way it can come off to clean if need be.

I think this is my favourite completed project so far.

I hope she likes it!

Quick Change Trousers

 I made these adorable little pants for my friends baby girls. I used Anna Maria Horner's pattern from Handmade Beginnings,  I love this pattern

I made all of Jacks pant's and shorts from this pattern. It comes together so quickly and they are reversible. They are just so tiny and cute I love them.

I used some Voile from Anna Maria Horner's Little Folks collection and some solid olive and purple cotton for the pants.

I can't wait to put them in the mail, I hope they fit properly

pull apart apple cinnamon bread with glaze

I really thought this bread was going to be amazing. Maybe I didn't knead the dough properly or misread the instructions but it just wasn't that amazing.The boy's loved it but the will eat anything really.

Still on the hunt for a tasty apple bread like Sarcee bakeries recipe.

I do love my Kitchen-aid, so much so when I opened it on Christmas morning I started crying. I'm such a dork!

Jack liked the bread. 

Baking with Jackson

It has been so cold here lately and I am always trying to find things to do with Jack. So the other day when Jack grabbed some Christmas rice krispies and threw them into the cart I had the great idea of letting him help make rice krispie squares!

Please note the 2 cups of rice krispies on the floor.

Genius right? Not so much, I forgot the biggest part was melting butter and marshmallows and how hot and sticky and painful that would be to get on your hand, mine not his :P

He did however enjoy licking the spoon and the bowl and anything else he could get his hands on. He did have fun helping measure the cereal and marshmallows.

I heart Etsy & Fabric Chains

I love etsy so much! I bought these adorable little pins last week from button empire

They arrived today in pleasing adorable little package. I thought they were very fitting
I am going to pin one into Andrews work bag, when he's in Russia he will be surprised with my nerdiness. Boy's (Andrew) are silly and don't really like these sort of things, but I don't care. I am lucky that Andrew usually humours my ideas and just goes with it.

I have so many awesome completed sewing projects that I want to show, since all 4 of you readers are my family and friends I will have to show you after Christmas.

Actually I can put the gift I made for Little K on here. I seriously doubt that Little K will just be browsing around blogger searching for her handmade Christmas gifts.

I am trying to make gifts that are useful. So for the most part I have been asking for ideas and my Aunt requested a countdown chain for little K. So I made this reusable fabric chain with velcro so she can take them down by herself. I just used scraps of some of my favourite and special fabric.

I made a little pouch to keep all the links in. 

I found a tutorial at film in the fridge. & modabakeshop. I used both tutorials to make them. It was a bit repetitive to make, but I think it turned out well. I hope she likes it.

True confessions of a total nerd

Last night I made a last minute decision to go to the 10pm showing of Breaking Dawn.
I even went an hour early just in case there was a line. So I made my husband drive back to school to print off my pre bought ticket because my printer has been out of ink for  couple of years now.  I made my way in the snow to the movie theatre. There was no line, the theatre wasn't even 1/4 filled. I realized that the average crowd of 14 & 15 year old girls aren't allowed to go to the movie that late on a school night.

So it was just me and a woman and her husband complaining about $6.00 pop while she ignored him and worked on her sodoku puzzle. She also came prepared with a bright blue snuggie. Behind me a couple were bickering about the fact that she had tricked him and dragged him to see this stupid movie. I am glad I went by myself.

It was exactly what I wanted in this ridiculous series cheesy acting, bad CGI babies and irritating fellow movie goers.

Grateful that I have a husband who encourages spontaneous breaks for myself.

one year ago today

I was looking at photos of Jack from last year and I found this one. I can't believe how big he is getting. Please stop growing so fast!

This is what we came home to.

This morning we woke up to this

 The kids are all happy, I am trying to stay upbeat and positive about cold weather and slushy mess.

Jack was so happy to be out in the snow. Now if I can find some way to convince him to wear gloves.

Just strolling around, no big deal

The one thing I love about the snow is the light. It makes taking pictures inside so much easier.

This is my craft area, It stresses me out just looking at it. I have like 15 projects on the go right now. I started so many and kind of got overwhelmed and can't decide what to finish first. 

Home for a rest

We went back to the Island for a little visit. I was getting a bit homesick and this trip was perfect. It also gave Andrew the chance to let his inner workaholic out.

I think the visit was also good for Jack. Every time we come home from a visit with all the little cousins I notice a huge difference in him. He is usually picked up some new words among other things.

eating some grapes with his cousin Kathryn

Jack loved visiting with all the Family. I think that is what I miss most about living in Victoria. He loves hanging with all his grandparents so much. I love having regular adult interaction.

playing in the yard with Grandma & Grandpa

He looks like such a big boy

at the mall with Grandpa

Jack loved halloween for the most part. A few decorations scared him a little bit, other than that he loved that people were just giving him candy. He kept pulling us to the next store for more candy. 

Checking out his loot

At the neighbours with Grandpa John

uncle Alex's pumpkin

I could have done without the very turbulent scary flight home but, all in all a fun trip back home. Plus it's always nice to get home to Andrew