November 8, 2010

I've been featured!

One of the things I love about having a shop on Etsy, is the team that I've joined to help connect with other crafters and artisans.  The Oh Canada Team is a supportive group of Canadian shop-owners that strive to promote one another, offer advice and encouragement, and sometimes we even do All-Canadian Sales together.  If you like to shop local and love handmade items check out the team's blog, or catch us on Facebook, or try typing in "ohcanadateam" in the search engines on Etsy.  I've thoroughly enjoyed being a part of this team, and so, was super pleased the other day to receive word that one of my fellow teamsters had featured my shop on her blog!  Please check it out Ginger Urchin's blog.

October 21, 2010

An Assortment of Ramblings

Yikes!  Can I just say that my little man keeps me busy?  If he is out of sight, he is definitely into some mischief.  I have a girlfriend who has been watching the kids a little bit here and there, and she is always commenting on how quickly he moves.  Welcome to my world! 

Naptime is the best time of day, isn't it?  Its the only guaranteed stretch of quiet during the day (other than bedtime... oh, bliss!) where I can sit down and catch up on phone calls, emails, eating, cleaning... all the things I never have time for.  Bedtime quiet is reserved for crocheting right now as I'm preparing for the Vernon Baby & Tot Show next month.  So, naptime, is my catch up time... and look at me!  I'm actually blogging! 

Here's a couple pictures from the early birthday celebration we had last weekend when Jeremy's parents and grandparents were out for a visit!


All the grandparents and great grandparents, except for Roscoe's namesake; Grandpa Kinniburgh
 



Well, its time to run.  I have a game of Shrek monopoly that I'm being asked to play!  Cheers!

September 10, 2010

Yay September!

So, I started working in Kids Ministry at my church in May, and in between being a full-time mom, summertime, crocheting (very little), and running summer ministries for K-Gr 5 kids, I have been planning and dreaming for the Fall.  In August I gained a new partner at the church, Amy, who is working full-time (I'm part-time), and we have been planning, and training, and prepping, and dreaming, and painting, and typing, and recruiting like crazy women!  But, this weekend... is the weekend.  Our Fall Kickoff for VAC Kids (www.vernonalliance.org/home/ministries/families/vac_kids/)!  Hooray!  We don't have enough volunteers yet (as if you can ever have enough!), and we didn't get a stage or set built yet (there's always next month), but its coming together and I'm so excited!
At the same time, I am working on another local order for Chicken Little.  Apparently my hats have been selling like hot-cakes.  I've even had a local mom email to say how much she loves the hat, and would I make one for her!  So neat!  Jeremy and I have been debating whether or not I should have a booth at a local Christmas fair, but I don't really want to.  I love being out in the community, connecting with my clients, but its a big sacrifice to stand around for two days, especially when I have been doing so well with custom orders, and selling through local shops.  So, I think for this year, I won't do the Christmas fairs.
However, as I mentioned I am still doing custom orders, by email or on my Etsy site (www.buttonboxdesigns.etsy.com), and I picked up some new yarn yesterday to work on some new fall-themed designs.  Last night I made Aria a cute little beret with some pink bamboo yarn that I had in my stash.  I just have to put the finishing touches on it, then I'll photograph it, and post them online here.  I've wanted to develop a design for a beret for awhile, and I'm super pleased with how it turned out, and how quickly it worked up (considering I was designing as I went, which often means I end up pulling out rows as I go if I don't like how its looking!).  A couple of my girlfriends are having babes this fall, so they'll probably be the recipients of my first fall hat designs.
I love the Fall.  After the heat of the summer in the Okanagan, the cool, crisp air of the fall is always welcome and so fun to go out walking in!  Aria starts preschool again next week, and I'm excited to have an excuse for walking to and from the school to pick her up.  Ballet starts up next week as well.  Every morning she asks me how many more sleeps until preschool?  How many more sleeps until ballet?  The countdown is on!

August 11, 2010

Retail, and Other Summer Excitement!

So, around the middle of July I did up a whole bunch of hats for a local shop, called Chicken Little Childhood Outfitters Ltd.  This is my first opportunity I've had to sell my products out in the big, wide retail world, and I'm super excited about it!  I had a girlfriend stop me at church the other day to say she had bought some hats there, so that was really encouraging.  Chicken Little is a fabulous little shop here in Vernon, and I used to work there, back in 2005 when we first moved to Vernon.  There was a different owner then, but the new owner, Lindsay, is fabulous and such a great source of encouragement and support.
I've had a couple other shops mention they would be interested in carrying my product, which is super cool, but baby steps.  Right now, I've been busy working at my new job with K-Gr. 5 students at Vernon Alliance Church (one of my dream jobs!).  So, I'm pretty focused on that... and my kids... after all, it is summer, and we have been having fun going to the "peanut pool" near our home, watersliding, hanging out at Eagle Bay Camp, houseboating, and playing with friends and family.  Here's some favorite pics from the first half of the summer... 
Roscoe watching the boat at EBC
The food is GOOD at EBC
The kids love to try getting the ball in the net
Aria's sandcastle she built all by herself!
My side of the family on the houseboat (just missing Phil)
A stream near the beach where we pulled in one night

May 21, 2010

Excuses, excuses

So, I haven't been blogging FOREVER for a couple reasons.  One is my new job.  I'm currently trying to balance three jobs, plus my craft business, for which I have a show coming up in only three weeks!  Yikes.  I'm starting to get a little nervous.  You know classic self-doubt questions...  Will people like my product that I've poured so many hours into?  Am I charging too much?  Too little?  I don't need this stress, so why am I doing this?  Do I have enough product?  Will my display look okay?  Where will my display be?  Will I be able to fill the space?  Will I have too much to fill the space?  SO MANY QUESTIONS!


The other reason I haven't written, is because the other day Aria accidently knocked over my tea all over the keyboard!  You can't imagine how crippling it is to not be able to type the letter 'a' or use the spacebar!  I literally couldn't email anyone for two days, and when you work from home, that's tough to handle.  So, I thought "Hey! Perfect opportunity to get a wireless mouse and keyboard!".  So I went and bought them at Future Shop, got them home and realized that my Mac is too old and doesn't come with bluetooth, so I couldn't install my wireless stuff.  So back I headed to Future Shop to return the stuff and pick up a different one.  Only, I didn't have my bank card, so they couldn't refund me the money unless I wanted it on a gift card.  No thanks...  So I came home with the wireless stuff that didn't work, and the new keyboard and mouse that would work.  And then headed back to Future Shop for a third time after having scoured my house looking for my bank card.  Good grief!  Why can't things be simple????  So that's my excuse for not typing.  I was getting so desperate though, I was copying and pasting spaces and a's from other documents onto my emails just so that I could communicate with people! 

Onto other things... Jer's been working on some flowers I designed, and we sold our first one on Etsy this week!  Very exciting!  Actually to a gal in the UK... so now I'm international!  I just need to pop it in the mail today, along with birthday cards for my nephews...
And, yes!  Jeremy HAND-SEWED all these flowers!  Isn't he amazing?

Other than that life is busy but good. We've been experiencing some warmth again here which is nice, and even better are the sweet spring storms!  Lots of rain, so everything is very green and even some thunder and lightning.

April 30, 2010

My "First Real" Job!

So.  I've been busy.  Much is changing.
I received a phone call on Tuesday last week from the senior pastor at my church offering me a very part-time role in our children's ministry department as part of a team of three people working with the K-Gr 5 age group.  I can't even begin to tell you how shocked and pleased I was/am!  I graduated from Canadian Bible College in 2003, not quite sure how I planned on using my degree...  Should I go on to do more education?  A masters degree?  Should I be a pastor?  Should I work towards a teaching degree?  What should I do?  Before graduation I had worked in Hinton at a church as in intern in the student ministries department.  I had always really enjoyed working with teens, but while I was there I heard from several individuals on more than one occasion that I should consider working with kids, as they seemed drawn to me.  I was resolute in my calling to work with teens, so I dismissed the idea.  Then, I fell in love and married a youth pastor.  Pre-children (our children I mean), I really enjoyed working alongside Jeremy, supporting him in his ministry area, and building relationships with girls in his youth group.  But, I also started to take on leadership roles in kids ministry.  And, I was pretty good at it.  I really enjoy the creativity requirements, and the joy that comes from seeing a child's innocent interactions with God.  Their approach and understanding of God and Jesus is refreshing and challenging at the same time. 
That being said, I have felt a call to working in children's ministry increasingly over the past seven years.  Even in periods where volunteering in that area has been difficult (ie. when I was having babies!), I felt God opening my heart and pouring ideas into my head, and giving me opportunities for relationships with other families and leaders in this ministry area.
I am so excited to see how God has honored the desire that He placed in my heart, the calling that His voice has spoken to me.  I am thrilled to be working as part of a team, as I see that being key to maintaining a balance between work and family.  And I finally get to put to good use my degree.  I have certainly used it over the years as a volunteer and mother, and support to my husband's ministry space, but I am SO excited to have my "first real" job... a job that directly correlates to the four years I spent at CBC, and the money $$$  that I spent there on my education.

April 20, 2010

Fancy Nancy Party Part 4 - Details and the Party Itself!

Aria's 4th Birthday party with a Fancy Nancy theme was divine (that's a fancy word for great).  We invited seven little girls to come over on Saturday from 1-3:30 (right during Roscoe's nap time, so I wouldn't have to worry about him, and could just focus on the girls).  All the girls came wearing fancy dresses and accessories.  They were SO well behaved and quiet, and really into all the different activities that we had planned.  My husband and I had decorated the basement playroom with strings of white lights, and flowers we had drawn and cut out, and balloons.  I drew a big welcome sign for the front door to set the mood.  It is now on Aria's bedroom door!
First off, we made a construction paper fan.  The girls used the same jewels that we had used for the invitations to decorate their fans.  I also had some princess stickers on hand and markers.  I let them decorate the paper first, and then folded them up and stapled the end.


Then the girls spent time playing with the toys, and dressed up with some old costume jewelery that I had from when I was younger.  When they started to dress up, Aria and I handed out feather boas to each of the girls that we had found at the dollar store!  They were a big hit!
And since we were all dressed so fancy, we sat down to read a couple Fancy Nancy books!  The girls chose "Fancy Nancy" and also, "Fancy Nancy and the Posh Puppy".  Some of the girls hadn't read the books before, and they were a huge hit!
After that we played Stick the Jewel on the Tiara aka pin the tail on the donkey.  And then it was snack time, present opening, cake and then time to go home!  Aria had such a good time, the girls got along fabulously, and I had fun too!  I was wiped by the end.  It was great having Jeremy and his parents there to help and take pictures.  But even though we were so tired we went to bed around 10pm that night, the smile on this little girls face made it all worthwhile.  I can't believe my baby's four!  Happy Birthday Aria!

Fancy Nancy Party Part 3 - Cake

So, we got a bit of a hot spell here on Friday... and thus, my fondant didn't perform as I intended it to.  I also couldn't find a butterfly cookie cutter, so I improvised with a heart shaped one that I used to create both wings.  The butterflies ended up larger than I intended, but no biggie.  Fondant and heat are not friends, so I didn't even attempt to do the butterflies on sticks, and instead used some ones that I found at the dollar store.  I think they look pretty neat.  Here's the sketch of my plan...
 And how it turned out in the end!


April 15, 2010

Fancy Nancy Party Part 2 - Invitations

Aria loves to do anything crafty, so this year it was really fun to get her to make the invitations.  We went to the dollar store and bought doilies and jewels with stickers on the back (way easier than trying to glue them all individually!), and Aria decorated all the butterflies by herself.   We borrowed the idea from Fancy Nancy herself, from the book "Bonjour Butterfly".

Lately she's been drawing pictures for everyone she knows on post-it notes.  Its really neat to see how she is gaining more control over how she can colour and draw.  She tries REALLY hard to stay in the lines when she is colouring, and when she draws, she tries to draw things (like a smiley face or a pig) instead of just scribbling.  My baby's growing up!  Its crazy to think that in a year and a half she'll be starting kindergarten!  Where has the time gone?

April 14, 2010

Fancy Nancy Party Part 1 - Marshmallow fondant

So, the countdown is on.. Aria's fourth birthday will be upon us in a matter of only 4 sleeps!  And the big party in only 3 sleeps!  Foolish me, I took both kids shopping with me today to pick up some groceries and some last minute items for the party.  I came home with a splitting headache that only went away after I got the kids in bed this evening.  But, I did accomplish my goal for the evening: to make up a batch of marshmallow fondant to decorate the cake.  I used this recipe last year on a Dora cake, and everyone loved the fondant-look, but enjoyed the taste of it so much more than a conventional fondant.  I must admit, I am inspired by such shows as "Ace of Cakes" and "Cake Boss".  So we're doing a much more grown-up looking cake this year, but one that will be exquisite (that's an even fancier word than beautiful) and posh (that's a fancy word for fancy)!  Oo la la!
(Aria's 3rd Birthday Cake... my first fondant attempt)

Marshmallow Fondant
1 package (400 g) of mini marshmallows
4 Tbsp water
1 tsp flavor - I used imitation coconut because I couldn't find a clear version of vanilla, and I like to use just white fondant and I thought that dark vanilla would make it kind of beige.
1 bag (1kg) of icing sugar
1/4 c crisco (works much better than butter for this)
1. Place crisco in a bowl to the side for easy access
2. Place marshmallows in a bowl and microwave on high for one minute to start melting.
3. Add water and flavor to hot marshmallows and stir.  Slowly beat in icing sugar, one cup at a time.  Keep one cup of sugar for kneading.  ***This is VERY sticky***
4. Rub hands and work surface liberally with crisco.  Knead "dough" until smooth and slightly less sticky, using reserved one cup of sugar to dust work surface and "dough".  ***I snickered at these directions I found, because as if marshmallows and icing sugar aren't ever going to be sticky!***
5. I added the color at this point, because I wanted to have several different colors.  I divided the dough into portions relative to the amount per color I thought I would need, and then mixed in the color.
6. Spread some crisco on a piece of plastic wrap.  Wrap plastic around the fondant, and then cut another piece of plastic, and double wrap the fondant.  This ensures that the fondant won't dry out.  Then, stick it in the fridge.  I've read that you can store the fondant this way up to two weeks.  That's planning REALLY far ahead in my mind, or maybe its a way to save leftovers for use on something else later.

When you go to use the fondant, grease up the work surface and your hands and rolling pin first.  Then use CORN STARCH to dust the surface.  It makes the whole rolling it out step WAY less frustrating.  I had a friend suggest rolling the fondant onto wax paper, so that you can just flip the rolled out fondant onto the cake and peel away the paper rather than carrying the fondant, and hoping it doesn't tear.  Use a little bit of water if your fondant does tear on the cake, for minor repairs.

I'll post pics of the cake later, after the party's done!  Enjoy!

April 2, 2010

Easter Plans

Okay, so I've got some Easter activities planned for Aria and I.  Last year, we started a couple traditions that I'd like to continue this year: decorating hard-boiled eggs (of course), and making resurrection cookies! 

EASTER EGGS
So, for the eggs... I just finished hard-boiling a dozen eggs (good thing we like egg-salad sandwiches, and deviled eggs - if I find the motivation to make them!).  I put them in a pot, covered them with water, stuck them uncovered on the stove, and brought them to a hard boil for one minute.  Then I removed them from the heat, covered them and let them sit for 18 minutes.  After the timer went off, I put them in the sink and ran cold water on them to cool them quickly.  Now I need to stick them in the fridge until we're ready to colour them.

My favorite and I think prettiest way to colour them is with food colouring, oil and vinegar.  Pour some 1 Tbsp vinegar in a bowl, add a splitch (is that a word?) of vegetable oil and a couple drops of food colouring.  Top up the bowls with water.  Make up a couple different colours in a few different bowls.  Then place an egg in a colour, roll it around with a spoon, remove the egg, dry it with a paper towel, and dip it in another colour....  You get this very pretty marbled effect.  The vinegar does the job of setting the colour so that after its dry it shouldn't rub off on your hands.

The other thing I'm going to do with my daughter tomorrow (Saturday) is make resurrection cookies.  This is a really cool way to walk your child through the events of Jesus' journey to the cross and the tomb, so that they can experience it with their senses, and have it explained at a level they can understand.  I struggle with knowing how much to say to my 4 year old about the how and why of Jesus' death and resurrection.  He died because he loves us, but she doesn't even really grasp what death is!  At preschool she's been learning the song "God's not dead", and it is so cool to hear her walking around the house singing "God's not dead, NO! He is alive!"  Yes, he is alive, and that is SO exciting!  He conquered death!  He's bigger than that!  And he chose to humble himself so that he could show me the incredible depth of his love for me.  I am so blessed.

Anyways... the cookie recipe is as follows...

RESURRECTION COOKIES
Read the whole recipe before beginning.  Try to do together Saturday night before Easter Sunday.

You need: wooden spoon, Bible, zipper baggie and tape

Ingredients:
1 cup whole pecans
3 egg whites
1 cup sugar
1 tsp vinegar
Pinch of salt

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Place pecans in zipper baggie and let children beat them with the wooden spoon to break into small pieces.
Explain that after Jesus was arrested He was beaten by the Roman soldiers. Read John 19:1-3.

Let each child smell the vinegar. Put 1 tsp. vinegar into mixing bowl.
Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross he was given vinegar to drink. Read John 19:28-30.

Add egg whites to vinegar. Eggs represent life.
Explain that Jesus gave His life to give us life. Read John 10:10-11.

Sprinkle a little salt into each child's hand. Let them taste it and brush the rest into the bowl.
Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus' followers, and the bitterness of our own sin.
Read Luke 23:27.


So far the ingredients are not very appetizing.
Add 1 c. sugar.
Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us. He wants us to know this and how to belong to Him. Read Ps. 34:8 and John 3:16.

Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12 to 15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed.
Explain that the color white represents the purity in God's eyes of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus. Read Isaiah 1:18 and John 3:1-3.

Fold in broken nuts. Drop by teaspoons onto wax paper covered cookie sheet.
Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus' body was laid. Read Matt. 27:57-60.

Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and turn the oven OFF.
Give each child a piece of tape and seal the oven door.
Explain that Jesus' tomb was sealed. Read Matt.27:65-66.

GO TO BED!
Explain that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight Jesus' followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed. Read John 16:20 and 22.

On Easter morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie.

Notice the cracked surface and take a bite. The cookies are hollow! On the first Easter Jesus' followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty! Read Matt. 28:1-9

HE HAS RISEN!  HALLELUJAH!

March 26, 2010

Mother Goose

I had a meeting today with some Mother Goose friends, and we had the great news that we'll be offering two baby classes at the Library this spring!  So in celebration I thought I should share some of our favorite songs we use all the time around here!

Our favorite silly song:
A peanut sitting on a railroad track
His heart was all a-flutter (pat your chest, over your heart)
A train came roaring down the tracks (move your arms like a trains wheels)
Toot-toot! (pull a handle in the air)
Blthhhhh! (raspberry sound while squishing your hands together)
Peanut butter!

A good diaper change or tickling rhyme:
Jeremiah blow the fire, puff, puff, puff
First you blow it gently (blow gently)
Then you blow it rough! (give child a raspberry!)

And for a lullaby, to the tune of Elvis Presley's "Love Me Tender":
Rock me gently, rock me slow
Rock me where the robins go
Rock the branch and rock the bough
Rock the baby robins now
Rock me up and rock me down
Rock me off to sleepy town
Rock me gently up the stairs
To cuddle with my teddy bears.

March 25, 2010

Current Craftiness

So I feel like my current creative energies are being channeled into the extraordinary Art of Packing Tape Repairs!  I have a pile of stuff on my kitchen counter that is ever-growing, and requires me to devote several hours to the finicky, sticky and extremely frustrating Art of Packing Tape Repair.  I can't remember my daughter ever being so rough on her toys before, or her being as destructive as my son currently is.  The combination of both their efforts on their toy/book selection has been lethal of late!  And so, I sit around during sleep time taping (and cursing) and refining the Art of Packing Tape repairs.

The other stack of things in my home calling out for my attention are Aria's tights.  I swear there is a hole in the toe of every single pair (and she probably has about 14 pairs!).  I am so tempted to just throw them in the garbage, but they're not beyond salvation... they just need some attention, and darn it! Some darning.  I can't wait for the temperature to warm up that little bit more, and then I can send her along on her merry little way in skirts and dresses, and NO TIGHTS!

My husband's grandfather enlisted in WWII, and was training to be a paratrooper until he broke his leg and couldn't be deployed.  One of my favorite stories about that time in his life, is how he used to darn the other soldiers socks for some spending money!  How resourceful was he!  Maybe I should send him all of Aria's tights and see if he's up to the challenge more than I am!

Well, off I go to sort through the disaster known as Aria's puzzle box, to organize, and probably tape some boxes back together...

March 17, 2010

Spring Break!

We had such a lovely day today.  We've been spending the last week in Fairmont, with some friends, at their timeshare.  It has been such a fantastic week... full of much swimming, which the kids have loved, a muddy attempt at hiking, much relaxing, crocheting, and today, a road-trip to Fort Steele, Cranbrook and Kimberly! 
I managed to finish a mohair baby pod for my photographer friend Sharla (www.sharlapike.com), FINALLY.  Seems as though its taken me forever!  Its very soft, and I'm hoping its big enough.  I'm still trying to perfect my patterns as I venture into the world of photo props.

I also managed to do two hats to add to my Creative Chaos stock, and hope that I'll get some more done tonight... although I'll probably end up working on some matching sister hats that I've promised to a friend who just had a baby girl.
I was inspired today by a little shop I found in Kimberly called The Back Door.  I could tell from the outside that it was a shop I'd love to poke around in.  It was probably a good thing that I forgot my money in the car, and didn't have time to go back to get it!  I saw this super cute black bird coat or towel hanger by Umbra that I may have to hunt down somewhere else... The shop had all her items displayed on apple crates, which is what I like to display my hats on when I do a show... so that was what inspired me.  I liked how she had them stacked, and she had her shop name stenciled on the bottom.  So, I may attempt that for the CC show in June.  Hopefully my mom and dad don't mind, since the boxes are on loan from them!
I've been enjoying the convenience of using my husband's laptop as we've been on vacation.  Its been so nice to just have it wherever I want to use it, rather than running to the kitchen everytime I want to use the computer at home!  We debated getting a laptop when we purchased our iMac four years ago, but wanted to have a stationary computer for when the kids were older... I think I'd probably be on the computer WAY more if I had a laptop, so maybe its a good thing I don't!
We head home tomorrow.  Back to the real world of work and meetings and commitments. Its been so great to have this little holiday together.  I took some great photos that I'm looking forward to scrapbooking eventually.  And I mean, eventually.  I'm still working on Aria's baby album, but getting there.  Going away for a scrapbook weekend really helped in that department, and it was great to spend a weekend on myself with some girlfriends!  Hard to believe that was only three weeks ago.
Well, good night for today!  Cheers.

March 10, 2010

Inspiring Moms

I made a new friend today!  Her name is Michelle, and she is a stay at home mom of two who has also started an at home business selling her creative projects.  We got together today for a playdate, because as it turns out, her kids are similar in age to mine.  We had a great time chatting about life, kids, and starting up businesses over a nice cup of tea.  It is so nice to have someone local to share ideas with and "talk shop".  She makes BEAUTIFUL belts for kids and moms.  Check out her stuff at www.inspired-life-designs.com
Another creative friend that I've made since starting my business is Elizabeth, who is also local, but from Kamloops.  I am constantly inspired by how much she has going on in her life!  I don't know how you do it, Elizabeth!  She creates fantastic wraps for mom and babe, and aprons for children, among other things.  See her stuff on facebook http://ko-kr.facebook.com/pages/Bloggy-Mama-Creations/85416270331?sb=0
Another mom I want to highlight is my girlfriend Jenn.  We met in college, as we lived across the hall from each other.  We were instant friends, kindred spirits.  Jenn and her lovely mom, Jan have started a business as well sewing buggy covers and sleep sacs.  You can find their products at www.gomomgoproducts.blogspot.com
One other friend that is busy balancing family and business is my friend Krista.  I met Krista in college as well, and she was always such a dedicated hard working and super lovely person.  She makes hairclips for little girls!  They are super cute!  Her site is www.facebook.com/pages/Kristas-Clips/192595675148
Please check out these amazing ladies and their incredible creations.

February 18, 2010

Latest Projects

I figured I should include some of the projects I've been working on lately.  I'm trying to figure out a summer hat pattern for girls, but haven't loved anything that I've some up with yet.  I just don't feel as though they've been in-keeping with the rest of my designs.  But because I've been working on patterns, I don't feel as though I'm being as productive as I need to be!  Balance...  I'm trying to build my inventory so that I'm ready for Creative Chaos in June.  Already I think that I have more stock than I had when I did the show in Kelowna at Christmas.  However, I had Ralna and her creations to help "beef up" the display then.  This time its all me!  Anyways, here's some old and new pics of what I've been working on lately.
 
Shell beanie
 
Brimmed Beanie
 
Earflap Hat
 
Fuzzy Earflap Hat
 
Shell Beanie with Singed Flower
 
Singed Flower
 
Baby Pod photo prop
 
Brown Tassel Blanket photo prop
 
Stork Sling photo prop

 
Roscoe's Christmas Sweater Vest (the best part about dressing a boy!)

Olympic Fever

I have to admit, I have Olympic fever...  Its a strange sort of sickness, whereby I celebrate with each Canadian athlete, as though I knew them personally.  I also am known to cry through the special segments talking about the athletes' journeys, and of course when they receive their medals.  I profess I cried quite a bit during the opening ceremonies.  And when I'm not shedding my happy tears, I'm speaking with a constricted throat as I try not to cry.  I didn't think I'd be so emotionally invested... although I certainly have a right to be seeing as my taxes helped pay for a lot of it!  We each have some Olympic swag now, mittens and t-shirts, and wear them with pride!  Actually, with a lot of pride!  I am so thrilled with the amount of national pride that I'm seeing Canadians display this season.  As a nation often criticized for our lack of national pride, (I mean, we are fairly overshadowed in that department by our neighbours to the south) I am delighted to discover that its chic to wear Canada emblazoned across our chests, and maple leafs seem to be more popular as mascots than the strange creatures they created for the games!  One of my most favorite parts of the opening ceremonies was the poet with his tribute to our wonderful country.  Brilliant. 
 
Aria and her cousins

 
Go Canada!
 
Parade of Athletes
 
Speed-skating

Aria's class celebrated the Olympics today at preschool.  They all participated in three races: speed-skating, bobsled and the torch relay.  It was very fun to watch.  We even had a lighting of the Olympic cauldron and medal ceremony.  The kids have been practicing for weeks, and it was fun to see them learning team-play and cheering each other on.