New camera

Two months after deciding to buy a SLR camera I made the plunge! I chose a Cannon Rebel T3i because I heard lots of people raving about theirs and I already had a Power Shot which I was happy with. I am proud to say that I stuck with my Say NO! to Auto Challenge. Over the past couple months I learned about ISO, aperture, white balance and shutter speed and used them a lot on my old camera. It really helped me in choosing an SLR and I love that I know the basics of how to work it. No nasty flash pictures here!

It's so much fun to play around with. It's probably a good thing I don't show Loo and Beri's faces here on the blog or else I'd be posting new shots of them for days and days. (My friends and family of Facebook will just have to deal with all the new photo uploads.)

Here are just a few of the online resources I used to help me learn and make my choice:

MADE's camera FAQ's

Amy of Amychmamey talks child photography on Pamplemousse!

Online SLR simulator link from How About Orange.

Crap I've Made and MADE link to The Key to Taking Pictures eBook ( I haven't bought this but I'm considering it.)

I'm still a little shell shocked about paying for a fancy camera but I keep reminding myself it was our five year anniversary present and it will help us preserve memories of our little family. Also it might have been the push I needed to stop buying disposable diapers and go back to cloth (I'm only about 12 hours in but she didn't leak last night so I've got my fingers crossed this time.)

Conversations with a two (and a half) year old

Me:      Dad wants steak and potatoes.
Loo:     You don't want freaking potatoes.

Loo:     I'm so excited.
Me:      Why?
Loo:     Because I'm so happy.
Me:      Why are you so happy?
Loo:     Because I love all the kids. Mommy and Beri and Georgia and the trees and the leafies.

Loo:     That's a mushy banana.
Me:      Are you a mushy banana?
Loo:     No, don't bug me I'm trying to look at these bananas.

Me:      It's a dandelion.
Loo:     It's not a dandelion. A dandy. Yeah, it's not a lion.

Can you get me up to the moon?
When Beri wakes up I'll push her to the moon.
(On the swings.)

Blarney can't have coffee. He's got no hands.

That's not your bed. It's Blarney's. Your bed is down the hall.
(He said to Beri when she tried to get on the dog bed.)

It's a muffin. It's not poop. They're medicine muffins.
(Talking about Beri's bran muffins.)

Can you put him in his dog nest?

Things to be thankful for

Play date adventures in the park.

Yesterday we had lunch in a mall food court and we all chose healthy meals! There was a New York Fries and I actually ordered and preferred a grilled vegetable sandwich with three bean salad and fruit. The boys had subs.

A vintage thread holder from a friend. (Much better than the shoe box my thread was previously residing in.)

Beri (almost*) sleeping through the night.

Sewing on a rainy morning.

New camera! (More on that later this week. Eeeeek!)

First BBQ of the summer. We're already out of propane...

Giveaway Day. I didn't have time to enter many but I really enjoyed hosting one.

Buying three pairs of dressy work pants/capri's yesterday. It was kind of fun, the last time I bought pants was shortly after Loo was born. I was calculating yesterday and the last summer I wasn't either pregnant or on maternity leave was 2007!  I only have 2 kids and I checked the math a couple times and it's true.

Sunny Sundays for gardening, out I go.

Hope your Sunday is lovely!

* Almost meaning I'm no longer nursing in the night so Mr. Crafty Ave gets up to settle her back down. That means some full night sleeps for one very excited mama.

Baby cereal cookies

We were spoiled rotten with good food last weekend when we stayed with friends in Ottawa. Yummy delicious stuff. The babies got a nice little treat too. Cookies made from baby cereal!

They passed the test with both the babies and the toddlers. The best part? They're made using baby cereal (bet you didn't see that coming).  Beri only ate baby cereal for a couple months before she let us know it was only finger foods for her. These cookies are the perfect solution for the leftovers.

My friend was kind enough to translate the recipe from French to English and Loo and I just whipped up our first batch this morning. They're half gone already.

 

  

Here's how to make them:

1/2 cup butter, margarine or oil

1/2 cup sugar or fruit puree

2 tsp vanilla
1 egg, beaten
2/3 cup flour (white or whole wheat)
2/3 cup infant cereal
1 tsp baking powder
pinch salt
2 tbsp coco powder (optional) 

Preheat oven 375 degrees. Grease baking sheets. Beat butter and sugar/puree. Slowly beat in vanilla and egg. In separate bowl, mix all other ingredients. Slowly incorporate into butter mixture. Spoon cookie mix onto baking sheets. Cook 10 minutes. 

I used rice/pear/apple infant cereal and pear baby food (the leftovers from one of our many pit stops on the way to Ottawa, Beri flung a couple spoonfuls all over Tim Horton's, I don't think a drop went in her mouth). I didn't add the cocoa or the salt. The result is a bland cereal tasting cookie that little ones L O V E.

I love it too, did I mention there's NO SUGAR!!!

Another thing I love about this recipe is all the options, you could add raisins, try the cocoa, use different baby cereal, and different fruit purees. I might even try some vegetable puree. Maybe some sweet potato cookies?

My last refashion?

Here's my other refashion mishap. The plan was to take an old men's shirt and turn it into a nice office shirt for me using this tutorial. (The tutorial was great, it's my sewing that's the problem.)

Looks kinda cute, right?

Don't let the weird angle, funny faced picture deceive you.  I had to redo the shoulder seam a hundred times. The sleeves don't really match one another and the neckline is sloppy and keeps flipping out showing the ugly sewing inside.

I guess I could have lied and said it turned out great but truth is I might hack it up and make another dress for Beri. I think I'm officially taking a little break from sewing things for me. Remember those spring tops? I only wear the cardigan... And that tank top from last week, ahhh.  So I'm ending my refashion a week project early.

It's back to sewing kid clothes for me. They're more fun and kids actually wear them.

While I'm complaining mother nature, I'm getting sick of gloomy rainy day photos. Could you please make the sun shine? And Oprah, I already miss your show, what will me and my coffee do today at 4?

And the winner is

STEPHANIE who said

"oh my! I love this! Thanks for the opportunity, headbands have been the thing around here lately. :) "

I'll send you an email shortly and get your prize to you.

Thanks for all the lovely comments and sorry you couldn't all win. That was fun! I can't wait to participate in Giveaway Day again next year. Maybe I'll have to do a few more between now and then.

I hear a rainbow coming

Loo:   I saw a rainbow.  I hear a rainbow coming.

See you here tonight when I announce the giveaway winner.

Little clothes for friends

(If you're stopping by from Sew, Mama Sew, welcome! You can find my giveaway here.

I'll announce the winner tomorrow at 8:00 PM. Good Luck!)



We had the best long weekend in Ottawa. Lots of friends, babies, laughs and fun. As promised here's a peak at the little clothes we brought for Loo and Beri's friends.

First up, Heidi & Finn smock top dresses. I love the little smocking detail. This first one is size 12 months.

And one sized 2T, although you can't tell the size difference from the picture.

I also made another pair of Big Butt Baby Pants.

They fit my little cloth diapered friend well. (The pattern was made especially for babies who wear cloth diapers.)

I already feel a little homesick for my friends. Does that make sense?

Giveaway Day!

Happy Giveaway Day!

It's my first year partaking and I'm excited. The other night I was looking through Weekend Sewing and decided to whip up the Jane's head scarf for just this occasion.

Let's keep it simple. I'll ship it anywhere.... Just leave a comment to enter.

Giveaway ends May 25th at 8:00 PM EST. The winner will be chosen randomly.

Click the link below to see all the Giveaways over at Sew, Mama Sew.

Things to be thankful for

Chai tea.

Loo begging me to buy him an apple the other day when we were grocery shopping.

My annual haircut. (Yes annual. I know that’s ridiculous when you have short-ish layered curly hair... somebody please come drag me back to the hairdressers in two months time. I always have good intentions but I’m really bad at going, I guess I’d rather be home with my kids or sewing!)

Kale chips. Loo and Beri like them too. (Thanks to PuNk rAwK pUrL and JorDanna for pointing me in the right direction.)

Our second month of the Good Food Box. $15 for a box full of (mostly) local produce.

Loo picking me dandelion bouquets.  It makes me sneeze but it sure is sweet. (And you can see from the picture above that we're growing an excellent crop of them this year.)

My serger. I’m trying not to talk about it too much but it’s seriously changing the way I sew. I am in love.

Two more weeks home with my little ones before I’m back to work.

Visiting with friends.

Watching Loo and Beri interact with other little people.

Long weekends.

Hope you're having a great Sunday. My giveaway post will be up tomorrow.

 

This weekend

It’s a busy day here on Crafty Ave. We’re gearing up for a trip to our nation's capital for the long weekend. I’m super excited to see some great friends and the gaggle of babies we have. Together there will be 5 little one’s between the age of 10 months and 2 ½ years. Almost as fun as the visiting is the photo we do each time of all the babies on the couch. I keep them all posted on my ratty old cork board inspiration board in my sewing room.

I thought I would have sewn myself into a tizzy last week and been ready to rest. Monday night I took a break but found myself twiddling my thumbs and thinking of all the things I could be making. Tuesday I gave in and I've spent time sewing every night since. I made some little clothes for my little friends in Ottawa but to keep it a surprise I’ll wait and show you next week.

ln other exciting news I decided to take part in Giveaway Day!  I whipped up a little something last night to give to you! Make sure to check in Monday morning to see what it is and enter. You’ll also have to check out Sew, Mama, Sew's master list of all the giveaways happening.

And, don't forget to Vote for the final round of Spring Top's today at Made By Rae.

Have a super weekend!

Tops, tops, tops

If you're following Rae's Spring Top Sewalong, today's the last day of voting before the final round starts tomorrow. (Thanks everyone who voted for me day one!) There are so many good tops each day it's hard to choose but a few of my favourites have been  Mingle by Sonya, Simplicity 2456 by Nikki, Wraparound Maternity Top by Laura and Polka Dot Top by The Professors Wife. I wonder who will make it to the finals?

Speaking of tops. Remember when I said I was going to refashion a top a week until I go back to work in June? Hmmm, I thought you might have wondered what happened. Well it seemed a whole lot easier than it's ended up being. I thought my first one would be simple... I wanted to do this. Trouble is I do horrendous work when I have to draft my own pattern...

The collar is too short on one side and won't lie flat.There was supposed to be a collar around the back but it wouldn't line up so I scrapped it. I got pretty discouraged and abandoned it for now but if I ever finish it I'll let you know. I think it could be cute... 

I attempted one other refashion. We can examine it's faults next week.

Cuff links

Here's another part of Mr. Crafty Ave's birthday present. Bat-tastic cuff links from this etsy shop.

They're also a fun spinning top-like toy for toddlers. What do you think, geek chic or over the top? Will he get away with wearing these at the office?

31 months

You're 31 months old. I know I'm biased but you're the smartest little 31 month old I know. You are constantly telling us how things work. Apple seeds grow and grow and grow into trees. The wind moves things and makes the tree branches fall to the ground. You tell everyone that cow milk comes from utters and that Beri can't have it because it would hurt her belly.

We had a play date this month and you were given a gummy worm. You wouldn't believe it was food and just played with it on the floor. It was the first time you'd ever been given candy and you wouldn't eat it no matter how much I encouraged you. That kept me laughing for days.

You're a little potty animal and you have been standing to pee. Yesterday you asked if you could stand to poo...

You wear your handmade clothes with pride. You've had a growth spurt and most of the pants I made you during the Celebrate the Boy are too short. All this growing made you quite clumsy and many times you run into the living room and your body can't keep up to those long legs, landing you on the floor.

You love swimming at the pool and visiting both sets of grandparents. You've started to get a teensy bit shy and hide your face sometimes but usually get over it pretty quickly.

Margot gave you your fourth haircut and you cried and keep telling people about it. Especially about the part where I bribed you with chocolate and your suckie (soother).

You slept in bed with us the other night and cuddled up to me all night long. Last night you were so tired before your bed time that you asked me to pick you up and then said "I love you mom, goodnight".

I can't believe that by this time next month I'll be at work and you'll be in daycare. I have enjoyed this past year at home with you more than anything. Sniff, sniff...

KCWC day seven

I did it! I sewed at least an hour a day for seven days straight! I made seven pieces of clothing for my kids! I'm happy and a little tired. I'm definitely giving the old sewing machine a break tonight.

Here's yesterday's project:

Rae's Big Butt Baby Pants! I wish I had this pattern a long time ago. I'm thrilled with how they turned out and the possibilities are endless. I have to admit I was a little worried that Big Bum Baby Pants would be saggy on my little bum Loo who's out of diapers. I just went down a size and the fit is great.

I upcycled a men's stained t shirt and used argyle cotton to go with it. Loo actually requested pants out of that material but there wasn't enough so this was a perfect solution. Loo's happy, I'm happy. Crazy happy actually that he actually wants me to make him clothes now!

My week's work:

That was a lot of fun to create so much and to follow along with everyone else's sewing projects. I'm definitely signing up again in the fall.

KCWC day one

KCWC day two

KCWC day three - Blogger ate my post

KCWC day four

KCWC day five

KCWC day six



Don't forget to vote for your favourite top today. Hint hint, nudge nudge...

Vote for me! Spring Tops

I hadn't paid much attention to the fact that there were actual prizes for Rae's Spring Top Sewalong I just wanted to join in for fun. Guess what?

My yellow striped cardigan made it to the finals! I was utterly shocked when I got the news. It's humbing to be in such good company.

So why is this important? I need votes! Go vote for your favourite spring top today. Especially if it's mine :)
You can only vote for me today (there's a different batch of tops each day this week).

To vote click on the link below.

Feel free to tell your friends. I'll be back later today to show you the results from my final day of KCWC. While you're waiting go vote!

You can find my original yellow cardigan posts here and here.


It it totally within the rules to mention this here on my blog and even if it were a popularity contest I know that you, my totally awesome, loyal 35 followers wouldn't swing the votes unfairly!

KCWC day six

Smock top dress from Weekend Sewing.

 (Don't mind the prune stains. I mean what prune stains? Now you're looking...)

The elastic did not 'shrink' like the book said. Perhaps it was the fabric? Maybe I should have used a special stitch? When I sewed it it was a long fabric tube instead of a flowy dress. I didn't want to have nothing to show for my $2 of fabric or my time so stitch ripped up the back until I reached the smocking and added a big triangle of fabric to the back. You can't really notice because of the busy pattern and now Beri can move when she's wearing it. I also whipped up some little leggings from the Heidi and Finn pattern to go with her Warhol dress shirt from day one. 

One more day to go. I've almost made it. 

KCWC day one

KCWC day two

KCWC day three (might be lost forever with Blogger's recent problems, here's the linen dress I made)

KCWC day four

KCWC day five