New Slippers

Jp took a trip across the border and brought me home the cutest slippers. They just make me laugh when I put them on.

And I love the label: Colour: Monkey. Why not? Monkey can be a colour can't it?

Thursday brought to you by ECO!

Eco Bang (like a play dead)

Eco where's your ball? 

No, not your stick!

Do you want me to throw it to you? 

Yay, you got your squirrel ball!

Bring it here, drop it....

Sewing Goodies

I found a bag of sewing goodies at the thrift store this past weekend, that I could not resist. $2.99 for all these notions and $0.99 for the knitting needles. I've dipped into my Craft Challenge purse, but I'm not worried. Knitting needle gauges/rules, stitch holders and punch needle embroidery sets were all worth it.

Did I break the challenge?

Jp and I took a trip across the US Border to Bellingham, Washington where we wandered around Bellis Fair Mall. I found some cute spring clothes - which I didn't really want to buy as I was trying to 'make do and mend' but these were difficult to resist along with Jp encouraging me to buy them.

And later strolling through another department store, Jp spied the cutest little sewing basket which he said I must have. I resisted. Really I did. But he put it in the cart, and I had no part of it -  so its not going to be counted as part of my Craft Challenge 2010 - especially when it is not craft supplies - it's an organization aid, and scissors are a necessity. Do you think that's bending the rules?

And, these lovely little scissors don't count either!

Blog -aversary

Wow I totally missed my blog's anniversary - I started posting Feb 11, 2006. It's not exactly what I call a success, however, I suppose I haven't marketed it too well. How are people going to know about lil' ol' me? I guess my blog is more of an online journal and I do thank those of you who have stuck with me over the years - my faithful friends I thank you.

I definitely have learned a lot over the past couple of years and met wonderful people along the way. And I've discovered so many talented creative people - it's just been incredible.

I wish there was something I could say or do to thank you - is there anything you'd like me to say or do?

Vancouver - yay!

I used to work in a business that had many international clients - and many would kid me that I should work for the Tourism Bureau as I was always an enthusiastic ambassador for the city.

Currently, a large portion of the world may already have their eyes on our fair city because of the 2010 Winter Olympics. However, if you still need more convincing - I found this to be a very good summary.

It truly is a beautiful city. And please, it's not just Vancouver - but many of the surrounding areas, plus Vancouver Island. We are truly blessed to live in such beauty.

Toymaker FAIL!

I love all the adorable amigurumi that I see - (they're even in music videos now), and I have several pattern books showing me how to make them; however, mine just never seem to turn out nice - or even cute. My crocheting fine, but I seem to get it wrong in the sewing up - things get twisted or lopsided. I am not sure what I'm doing wrong - sometimes I think it's my choice of yarn but then some instructions tell you to use the cheap acrylic, maybe it's the big needle I use, or that I don't have tiny hands, or maybe it's the eyes I'm using.

I pulled the eyes out of these two:The pig looks more like a donkey (or Alf)
~~~
The bunny looks just plain weird!
FAIL
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I replaced the button eyes with yarn: I think she's okay, so now I just need to embellish her dress.
~~~

But the eyes are still wrong for the bunny:

I couldn't fall asleep last night because I wanted to get up and fix them, so I fixed them as soon I got up this morning, but since the bunny is still wrong, I've decided to put them away for now and come back later. Maybe I'll uncover something better in my craft supply stash that will be exactly what I need.

After my failed attempts, I thought maybe I should try knitting a toy - but he's not so great either. I'm thinking he would probably look better in different yarn:

Charity Crochet Project

Here's a little baby hat I whipped up. It's part of my stash busting and will be given to charity when I've amassed several other items to donate at once.

Craft Challenge 2010

I know I should have mentioned this earlier, but well, you know how it goes sometimes - time slips by, things slip from your mind, things just slip.

I have decided to make a challenge for myself it's my Craft Challenge 2010. I pledge to use the craft supplies/books/magazines etc that I already own before I purchase more. I will allow a few dollars to be spent on the little things needed to finish a project - such as a particular colour thread, or something like that. This will be better for my bank account, and help declutter my work space/house. And this will be a challenge to my creativity as I won't be able to see something I like in a magazine for example and just run out to my local yarn store to pick up all the supplies. It also means that some projects may not turn out as I don't always know how much yarn I have to complete a project and it will also mean that I'll probably end up with lots of little projects.

The challenge will go until the end of 2010 or until my stash is gone - whichever comes first.

Also, I'm going to make it a little bit more difficult for myself - I'm not just blast through my yarn stash with a multi-coloured afghan project - not yet anyway. I want to see how many projects/items I can make - as much variety as I can.

At this point, the object it to make things and use what I have. Completed projects are being bagged and will most likely be given as charity gifts next Christmas - this will include baby items, hats, toys, etc.

I am open to suggestions and would love to hear your comments.

Do you think I can do the challenge?

Did someone say 'cupcake'?

The dang kid has got us hooked on Big City Cupcakes, so on our way to pick up Jp from the airport the other night we swung by and picked up a couple red carpet, a couple after dinner mint, a chocolate covered strawberry and a new york cheesecake.

Can you say 'yum'?(I knew you could)

............oh and don't drool on your keyboard!

Watch out urban photographers

Oh, oh, what's this world coming to? This is from Boing Boing "photo sued for shooting a street that contained publicly funded art"

Can you believe this?

Laundry Dog

Proving that humans are not the only ones that can be creative, an unattended laundry basket left in the same room as a young dog became a new bed. Forget fancy and pricey beds from pet stores - nope, a laundry basket will do just fine!

Another finished crochet project

Here are some finished toddler booties - Courtside Booties, aka Chuck Taylor's or Converse Slippers from an old issue of Crochet Today magazine.
The pattern was right - it said for 'three to six months' and Eco's 10 1/2 month old feet are really too big for these slippers. Oh well, I'll find someone to wear them!

A Story About Jumpers

And now I love Scotland even more:



Found on the Meet Me at Mikes site.

Bittersweet Anniversary

Today is my 10 year anniversary at work. Wow. That's quite the thing these days isn't it? The same old job for 8 of those years. There is definitely lots to reflect on - it's definitely a bittersweet moment for me.

I received a quick email from one of my managers, and another took the opportunity to joke about something I don't particularly find funny (Although this is partly my fault as I haven't told him NOT to say it, I kept thinking it would go away, but he keeps bringing it up, so I'll either have to accept it, or tell him how much it bugs me).

Here's an article telling employers how they should acknowledge this special event. At some companies, an employee is given a trip for two (like to Hawaii), or cash (I've heard $1,000 - $2,000) towards a trip, or jewellry - like a bracelet (gold with diamonds). What does your employer give? I'd love to hear what you've received or what companies are giving for employee anniversaries.

EDITED: At 3:00 today, a courier dropped off an envelope with a card and a pre-paid Mastercard gift. (Manager's redeemed)