Sunday 3 May 2015

Chasin' the clouds aaaaaway!

There are only so many sunny weekends here in Van City.  As such, BBQs must be planned with intention and precision.  As soon as my iPhone brought a sunny Saturday to my attention, I knew I needed to make the mostest of said weather situation.




Special thanks to the following recipes for making this get together a success:

*only used 1/4 c sugar as opposed to 3/4 c*



P.S.  Sunday was obviously spent lounging on my glorious postage stamp of a patio and admiring my pastel pedicure in all of its color co-ordinated glory.


To Summer!

Sunday 26 April 2015

Reducing is Really Rad.

The Minimalist movement (and just simplifying my life in general) has been something of interest to me for the past couple of years now.  I have found myself quite drawn to the {Slow Your Home} blog after listening to the roll out of Brooke's accompanying (and amazing) podcast on the "slow living" way of life.  Ironically, I feel like even the Minimalist movement has become inundated with digital clutter (endless resources, listicles, things you MUST do to achieve so-called enlightenment).  Brooke approaches Minimalism with a common sense voice that cuts through the noise.

After reading through her blog and other websites I have pinned to my Pinterest boards, I'm realizing that I already incorporate a lot of  minimalist living approaches into my everyday life.  To name just a few:  An everything box designed to be a catch all for random items before they are ultimately sorted (think bills, mail to be dealt with, things to return to their owners, gifts to be wrapped)...  Asking myself key questions before making a new  purchase...  Paring down to just 4 sets of sheets and towels...  Understanding that the first R is the most important because the third R isn't always all that its made out to be...

Anybody who knows me in real life would chuckle at my voracious appetite for articles on the topic of decluttering.  My desk at work is known for always being neat and tidy.  I really don't own a lot.  I make lists.  Add to this the fact that I have always lived in small apartments in one of the most expensive cities in the world  and you could say my actual environment has made "keeping minimal" fairly natural.

While it is true that my physical life is lacking clutter in comparison to many other people, the same cannot always be said for my mental life.  Like many of us, I frequently feel bogged down by unwelcome obligations and people who may not always bring out the best in me.  I find it hard to put down that tablet or smart phone and truly disconnect.  I am now learning more and more about what it means to be intentional in my life.  I already notice how my relationships and overall feeling of control are improving simply by being mindful with my thoughts, decisions and interactions.

One thing is for sure:  Minimalism is what you make of it.  Some people choose to view Minimalism as nothing more than a prolonged spring cleaning.  I see Minimalism as a sort of spirituality for the secular.  Minimalism is a way to live your life.  By keeping things simple, you can focus on what really matters.  Also, you get to buy some cute containers along the way...  what's not to love?  :D




Saturday 25 April 2015

Q: What did the lemon say to the lime?


A:  You're so a peeling!  ( >     < )


Full credit to this blog post from Simply Crochet for the free pattern!

* So easy - took me less than an hour.  :)  I did a sc with 2 strands of cotton yarn as opposed to the hdc that the pattern suggests.  Only made the strap 7 sc wide.  No button hole as the spaces were big enough. *

Tuesday 31 March 2015

Tell Me How You Really Felt...

I adore my Better Homes and Gardens Holiday Crafts 2011 magazine.  It is a reference book in my home.  I display it prominently in a bookcase nestled amongst the weighty literary offerings of Neil Patrick Harris, Stephen Colbert, and Choose Your Own Adventure Books 1 through 3.  You don't seem to be getting me:  If my apartment were to catch fire, it would be under my arm.  I'm that serious.

You see, I love felt crafts.  <3  Like *LOVE* felt crafts.  <3  This magazine not only contains the instructions for the wreath I chronicled in my verrrrrrrrry first blog post, but also the instructions for the wreath you see below.  I finished the autumn wreath in October 2014 after two years in the making (You can't rush my genius.).  I took a photo of my masterpiece and Pinned it before giving the real thing to my mother for Thansgiving.  She NEEDED its tasteful, shimmery ribbon and folksy felt goodness...  and she wouldn't take no for an answer.  I completely understand - it's downright mesmerizing.






SEE THIS CUTE OWL?  SEE IT?  If the wreath didn't put you into a trace, this guy's eyes sure will.  I kept seeing these two projects on Pinterest and decided that I could not legitimately call myself a felt afficianado until I had made them both a reality.  Well, I did...  and I would like to report that I have never...  felt...  better.

Monday 30 March 2015

COZY ALL THE THINGS!

I started crocheting about 6 months ago and I'm really starting to get into it.  I've been teaching myself via video tutorials and getting tons of tips and project ideas from Pinterest and various Facebook groups.  

To date, I've made:

- Sc dish rag
- C2C dish rag (gifted)
- Sc basic slippers (didn't keep but they were good practice)
- Sc mug cozy
- Granny stitch neck warmer (with fancy button closure)
- Christmas ornaments
- C2C Christmas blanket (gifted)
- Dc cowl style scarf (gifted)



My goals for the year are to finish a ripple afghan for my Dad and a Granny Square afghan for my twin.  I also feel that a tea towel topper will NEED to be made in order for me to truly earn my crochet street cred.  <Insert Hooker Joke Here>