I sit here and type as little puffs of drywall dust hover over each finger before floating up and over the screen. Tiny bits of tile and assorted debris sift their way out of my hair, I feel like my Shih-tzu after the dog park with leaves and twigs trailing from all bits of fur. Bathroom demolition is not as fun as it used to be.
   We have been so busy and diligently annihilating our old bathroom on schedule like responsible adults. The new tool belt I have purchased (and promptly spray painted pink) is proof of my dedication on the journey of being an adult, not just for the fact that I bought a tool belt but also because I did not choose the already pink one for sale on account of it being flimsy. Do they think that girls use tiny hammers and dull nails? Perhaps those tool belts were designed solely to store snacks and glitter (in which case I should have got one for exercise day).

  After a very long and productive weekend, we have removed all tile, insulation, drywall and junk. We had even cleaned our workspace to prepare for the next step! And then it happened. Francis gave a drain pipe a sultry look and it just crumbled. At first with just a drip, then later with a  flood of dirty dish water from the kitchen sink into the wall cavity behind our bathtub. (After some tightening to repair the drip, a hole opened up in the bottom of the old rusty pipe)
 
   I guess I just felt like we should have gotten a prize for being so responsible on our project, like maybe a pizza party! I'm learning that adult prizes look more like: not having to rip out your newly tiled shower while dirty dish water has been draining into your walls for who knows how long? A wiser me would tell myself that the sense of satisfaction that goes along with doing something new and scary should be prize enough. If that's not enough, the firm steps taken farther into adulthood by not calling on a parent as well as developing a resilient marriage, surely are. A special bonus: no dishes will be washed today unless they fit into the bathroom sink!

From hole to window!

   I have a secret. I am not really so fabulous that every new project I try works out perfectly. I just have this trick where I really only try things I know will work out (or at least I think I know), and then I don't really talk about my failures! Oh and I do fail. Proof is in the jar of bright blue-ish giant dill pickles sitting on my counter, mocking me with it's oversized sideways sign.









I read on my Costco pickles that there is colouring in them and I wanted to see what home made pickles look like with colour… I just used maybe the wrong tint, too blue. The sign was just poorly planned, and had to be sideways to fit… The 'giant pickle' part I'm happy with.



Moving on.
Yesterday, I had a huge hole in my wall. After 10 hours of two people working and the hole is starting to mock me in a familiar blue-ish pickle kind of way, I start to think it cannot end well. And then it happens, at the 11.5 hour mark, the sun is setting and we are putting on the final step, the foam. We had laughed, almost cried, outlasted all shift changes at Home Depot, and YouTubed. We had shimmed, levelled, foamed, framed, cut and re-cut, drank, and ate crackers for dinner.

   After it all we understood why (other) people say they may get divorced over renovations. We are tandem bicycle aficionados! (Also known as the divorce bike.) We are not most people! When the last foam was sprayed, we had a fantastic sense of satisfaction and more importantly, a window instead of a hole!

What have we done?

   I sit here and stare at the giant hole that leads to the outside world in my bathroom wall and wonder if maybe this time I chose a project I am just not qualified for. The mould and leaking tiles chose me as their leader, they wanted out.
   Who's to say what will happen. I may have a hole there for years, not unlike the piece of vinyl that was a makeshift tile behind the bath tap, for years…
   Lately it's been on my mind to try scary things. I'm pretty sure this qualifies.

So if you would all just send me your well wishes on this project I will keep you updated on the progress! (And if you see Francis around, tell him he's doing a good job.)

Three cheers for Lacquer!

   Anyone who knows me, or has even spent an afternoon with me, has heard these words from my mouth: "That needs some lacquer", or "That's a  real nice lacquer".
Perhaps some of you thought it was a regrettable attempt at humour on my part. I am here to clear up any misconceptions. Nothing makes me more at peace than a carefully poured, perfectly set lacquer.

   I spent today finishing up some projects, one of which was a fun breakfast in bed tray make-over. I'm the only person I know who regularly receives breakfast in bed- yes, you can be jealous. I regularly phone my sister to remind her of this fact. Here's a tip though; if you own a sweet tray, you are more likely to be treated to breakfast in bed! I know this for sure, as our last tray broke down, and I was left sad and hungry.

It started life as a sorry white and natural wood coloured tray. After a coat of spray paint, I added some tape (to cover the new paint) and vinyl letters. Then I sprayed a bit of adhesive and covered it all with glitter. After the magical moment of removing the vinyl to reveal the shiny white letters, it's now time for…Lacquer.

 I love this stuff. Love it. Great for table tops, bars, really any surface in your house.

It's just so Shiny. 

(Just be sure to follow the detailed directions on the box.)

Now you to can cover all of your furniture in sweet sweet lacquer.!

   A new secret family recipe just established itself in our kitchen all thanks to my ideal husband;
Popcorn twist caramel corn.
 
   Many of you know that all of our secret family recipes are exactly copied from the handy and free recipes printed on the back of peanut butter jars and cracker boxes. Many of them have quite successfully gone on to represent our lineage and even convince an individual or two that we are in fact great cooks (with the exception of my Aunt Judy and late Aunt Ruth who really are/were great cooks). I guess it comes as no surprise that my husband should partake and carry on this important tradition (whilst I try to join the ranks of 'the Aunts').
 

 This popcorn twist caramel corn is (probably) no exception. So mouthwateringly sweet and salty, and will be a delectable addition to our afternoon picnic. Since it is already 26.5 C outside on this fine last day before fall, you needn't call, dwellers of warmer provinces. It is really warm here, no snow, so you will be met with disappointment when you ring me to see why we would possibly be considering a picnic at this time of year. So I saved you the trouble. Your'e welcome.

hand made clothing tags!

  People have big dreams; huge houses, nice cars, important jobs. Me, I have small dreams; winning the lottery, living to be a hundred and one, and having my own clothing tags.

   I'm still working on living to a hundred and one, and I'm sure the lottery is coming for me soon. Until then, I have taken my fate into my own hands and have been making my own clothing tags! They are a bit time consuming but when faced with the cost and steep numbers associated with ordering personalized tags, I figured I know somebody who is really good at making stuff who also seems to have excess amounts of time on their hands… ME!
   Ok, so they take longer than most people care to devote but lets face it, this project is not for most people. The important thing is that my tags can have pictures or logos, lots of colours, you could even put your grouchy face on it! All for the low price of an entire afternoon of your life that you will never get back and about $25.

   So I started with a PDF of my logo and in the 'Layout' tab is where I turn on the 'gridlines' as well as 'snap objects to grid' option. (This is so my logos are evenly spaced in rows so I can cut them with a rotary cutter or paper trimmer.) Then I use Avery Dennison brand iron-on sheets  ($17 at Staples) for Dark Fabrics even though I use a light fabric. Dark Fabric ones are so much better because you do not have to flip the image, the colours are much bolder and the edges of the image are crisp. Also, this brand washes and wears really well even through the dryer.

   This is Stan, 'helping'.
Best Pinterest tip ever: anywhere a cat is bothering you, I mean helping you, put down a cardboard box! He just cannot resist it, it's even better than rubbing his face on my face apparently.

  Once they are cut, they could be ironed-on to the project as is. I prefer to put them on a soft pre-washed fabric, then cut them out again only to sew them on by hand. I just have a thing for making crafts more mingled (complicated).

It's Important to keep the ironing surface cool so when you place an image on the fabric, it doesn't start to react before you get your iron on there.
This system of two rows also allows ones to cool while you work on the next. If you peel the paper off while hot it smudges all ugly like. Then they get yet another trim to square them up.

   And here they are all sewn on! How nice.

Sewing my pockets together…oops.

   My dream for today was to occupy my morning sewing a fancy new skirt for myself while sipping tea and listening to the radio. Maybe squeeze in a call to my sister to report all of my spare time and peace & quiet. Sounds good right? It was! I was on track to wear my fancy skirt to my weekly visit at Len's house (Francis' Grandpa), when I did something that made me feel fifteen again. Young, stupid, and all for the wrong reasons. As a adult I always hoped that to feel young again would be for something exciting and fun! But the sad point is this; I sewed my pocket openings together.

So instead of posting a picture of said skirt, I have killer dinner nachos! Because why not nachos and rice beer for dinner?

I did however learn a technique to make a tiny hem! Very neat and pretty small. 

 First you fold and press.

Then sew very closely to the edge.

Trim the excess off carefully (as close to the stitching as possible).

Then press again folding the edge inward, on top of itself.

Then topstitch!

That simple!

 OOh, so pretty and so tiny!

   No matter how old I get the Waterpark always makes me tired. Today was a hectic day jam packed with so much fun I don't think I can handle it anymore!
  I got home so exhausted, it happened. I made a casserole.
  I feel similar pity to the casserole as I do the colour brown. Something that once was good, then got all mixed up beyond recognition. New and un-improved. All of the elements of a casserole are delicious on their own and then we have to mash them all together into a pot of suffering until all trace of texture has been distorted to a featureless pulp.
  With that in mind, I actually made a casserole I enjoyed!
It all starts with Million Dollar Spaghetti- if you have never tried it, Do it. (It's on my Pinterest on "My Style" or you could probably just search it.) Bacically spaghetti with a layer of a cream cheese, sour cream, and cottage cheese mix between the noodles and sauce.  Finally a spaghetti I can get behind! Then comes the casserole part. I swapped the noodles for rice and added sautéed mushrooms on top! So good.

   I tried to take a picture but of course it turned out looking like a pile of mush, like every casserole. Then my computer won't load my crappy picture anyway so, no disappointing picture today!

   Today I awoke,stretched out my arms, had a cup of coffee, and sewed five fabulous summer dresses.

   Ok, maybe I didn't, maybe I have been fixing my glossy gaze at pinterest since five this morning, scheming my way to a better bathroom. Maybe I made some of these a couple years ago. However I did have a mad frenzy of sewing this year and made four dresses with two more loyally  awaiting my handiwork.

In this picture I made the one on the right.

I can now turn out a dress faster than I can shop for one, and shopping is on my list of skills. I am guaranteed a great fit, colours I love and natural fibres No Polyester Lining!

   Here's my secret; I use the same pattern over and over. I chose a very versatile pattern that offers different details (like collars or sleeves) and include co-ordinating accent colours for the waistband or collar. The combinations are so endless that I've made nine, eight of them for me, and I'm not sure people have caught on! 

  

   The second secret; I make them sweatshop style now. After making one or two dresses to establish fit, I go to the store and buy two meters each in assorted cotton fabric, (on a Sale day don't forget). I then wash it all, iron it all, and cut out pattern pieces for three or four dresses in different colours. Then it gets pretty fast to turn out three collars one day, then all three bodices the next. My mistakes are fresh in my mind so I never make them twice. Pretty soon you have three brand new dresses! 

   -Be forewarned: if you cut them out and sew them one at a time, it increases the risk of every crafters dreaded condition, Unfinished Projects Disorder.

Whoops, there's another one! They are everywhere!

   I love Sunday! The weekend had an air of adventure to it. I'm not sure if it was the smell of a new chainsaw cutting for the first time or the familiar yet rousing sound of The Waterpark horn announcing a new crack at the waves. Lets not forget, one bathroom cupboard  ripped from the wall, one pleasant picnic, two campfire roasted marshmallows, a stack of painted tins, a giant pot of spaghetti, a broken down Ford (surprise) and a bushel of homegrown beets that everybody got in on.
   All in all, very reflective, very productive, and a little silly.

Spray painted mint tins turned out great! Very necessary after I brought out a tin of junky treasures, offering them out, after I thought they were mints!

Everybody love beets, including my dogs it seems...

   I know you missed me yesterday, I was busy having the Ultimate day!
It started off great but who knew it would be an Ultimate day? There was a roller coaster ride, black  light mini-golf, a new coffee mug, an extravagant coffee,  hot tubbin', the creamiest scrambled eggs, bargain patterned duct tape,  and delicious dinner with no cooking.
   Ok, they were leftovers but I don't think we should let that detract from the 'ultimate' points.
The roller coaster may have you wondering. We got West Edmonton Mall Multiplay Pass! So much fun for the winter, one low-ish price. Who wants to go to mini-golfing, backlight mini-golfing, the Waterpark, Galaxyland, bowling, billiards, Sea lion show or sea life caverns?
   Oh! I almost forgot, the Government called Francis yesterday morning, asking all the usual vague questions that make the most honest of taxpayer start to sweat a little strangely in their bathrobe, only to discover the purpose of the call was to help him save money on his taxes!
   Yes, you read that right. The Government of Canada called my husband at home to help him save some money! I'm surprised, but it figures that Francis of all people would have that kind of fortune. The only person I know who loves doing taxes (it's all the paper and stapling I'm pretty sure). The lesson in all of this is if you can find a way to be excited (about anything even if you normaly dislike it), it will pay off, sometimes in the strangest of ways.

   With that I decided to fix my ironing board, which rudeley and abrubtley collapsed to the floor as if to declare exhaustion, sometime last month. Instead of granting it any form of

rest or recuperation, I propped it up like a 'Weekend at Bernie's' four and I'm pretty sure I stumbled upon a higher life form of The Ironing Board.        
                                                                 








This is exciting! Now, it is higher and holds my junk, all while being more rugged (for the iron-on transfer mega-pressing I enjoy so much). So I got to finishing a giant pile of aprons. I should lie and tell you all I just whipped up 29 aprons this morning, you know, between breakfast and lunch! I need to make tags that say "This took Forever!" or a picture of my judgy face guilting you into keeping it after you received it as a christmas gift!
   I think I better open some wine, it's starting to feel sweat-shoppy in here.

Grey day.

   So yesterday I got to participate in an adult treasure hunt, of sorts. Mystery goo on my kitchen floor had me following a trail of poo (not goo) all throughout the house. With three dogs and one cat (I already know, were crazy) the list of suspects was lengthy and whomever committed the crime had no sense of shame when questioned, leading me to place all my suspicion squarley on the Shih-tzu.
   I super mopped the whole upstairs while boiling noodles, chopping veggies, frying mushrooms, and sampling the dinner wine. After working up a sweat and eating dinner, I hear "I think it was Stan, (the cat), and I think he pooped in the bed."
   What the hell, cat.
   I really just want to smear some of my poo on his favourite spot, ya know? Like to send a message, cat style. Maybe just barf on His feet, (since he doesn't have any socks). But then I would start an un-winnable war and I lose in a phenomenal way in this scenario. In decided instead to make my favourite peanut butter cookies, which I will enjoy in front of Stan, no sharing.

   I can't even remember where I got this recipe, probably a family heirloom recipe (so, off the back of the box).

The Only Peanut Butter Cookies.

1 cup of peanut butter (Kraft or any other no sugar added variety)
1/2 cup sugar
1 egg

That is it! Drop by teaspoons and you gotta put fork marks (wet the fork), bake at 350 about 10-ish minutes. Depends how big you make them and how squishy you want them.

   I'm telling you, I can make these drunk, people will think your magic. People will think there is no way you could be drunk! They are SO good. Guys, make these for your lady, She'll be all "omigowd, I can't believe you baked for me!" then you can be all, "I've never baked for anyone before".
   There is a secret, they are Gluten Free. I know that's a dirty word when recommending recipes however, I was making these WAY before gluten free, they are just that good.

Also, I picked up a new skirt pattern for winter. This on has some interesting techniques in the kick pleat, and I think I can give it a vintage vibe with buttons down one side of the front seams. I'm telling you ahead of time so when you see me, you can compliment me on it! Just joking, sorta...

   The weather is crappy. There, I said it. Not for lack of topics, but because I live in Alberta. We have a right to take a minute and complain because yesterday, it snowed. Not only did it snow, but there was snowfall warnings in my province! So, before all you So & So's that live in the nice provinces of Canada call me and ask "Are you alright? We heard about the warnings!" or " Oh really, I hadn't heard… it's 27 here." let me just tell you, We Know. We know all about it, the crazy weather, the super cold don't leave your house weather, the car won't start gas froze three hour tow wait weather, the weather where your cheeks get chapped for months because of the extreme cold. We know it's coming.
   But guess what? I don't care. Secretly it's part of why we stay because along with that comes some wild thunderstorms, super hot sunny prairie days, picturesque winter wonderlands and miles of sky. Also, giant hats, larger than your head! Now that we have that out of the way, yesterday I made some note cards! Nothing extravagant, simple but nice, just to write a quick note.

 First I sprayed a clear varnish on top of flat, dried leaves, then sprinkled with different fall colours of glitter. The I flipped them over, after a couple minutes dry time,  and sprayed the back with spray adhesive (I like 3M brand spray adhesive). Gently position on a blank card and flip over the card to press on the back, to fully press the leaf on and stick all areas without rubbing the delicate leaf.

 Then I made a bunch of these with my favourite stamp and some glittery embossing powder. Easy-Peasy!
   AND THEN, I've been working on a business card of sorts for family and friends to be able to find my blog. They became pretty complex, I printed double sided, made a button stamp to then stamp the centre and affix some embossing powder, then to melt the embossing powder, and punch out the card. Then there's the envelope. I used double coloured paper and a fancy Cricut machine. And finally, super glue to affix the paper button (made from a paper punch) and glue the envelope together. This IS my idea of fun! Although not really great of you ever give out cards all willy-nilly like.

Why Lego helps me with hooking.

   Lots of you know that I am a hooker. That is to say I hook handmade rugs with the Alberta Handicraft guild and we meet once a month. There are a lot of members (around 50-ish) and since I volunteer to run the store, I see most of them face to face at my table, so they can see the shame all over my face when I forget their name… again.  (Did I mention I have been a member for three years?)       It's something I'm working on.

   To help others avoid the same discomfort, I have decided to make myself a nice Lego name tag!

 Here's the glue I used, LePage Super Glue, and just glued two small magnets to the back (as well as used two more small magnets for the inside of my shirt) and the rest is just clipped to the front so I can change it but you could glue the mini figures if you felt fancy and committed. Tip: glue second magnet only after the first one dries, which is very quickly, but man those little magnets are strong!
 



   I have to say, the hardest part  was choosing all the little pieces and fitting them all in while still being able to read my name! ( I used my label maker for the name part but I think a print out  and some tape would do.)


And that's it! Now you are in the know. These make great gifts for all the Lego aficionados in your life young or old, Francis was so excited to make one with me! I still think his needs some flowers or jewels.