Teaching the Basics

I wish someone had taught me to sew when I was a kid.
I would have been the best (or worst) dressed girl in town.
I had quite the rockin' 80's style and topped it off with a hairsprayed mat on my head but non the less my clothes still were not too imaginative.

K has quite the fashion sense, like most young ladies I am sure, and she loves to create new looks and change her style.
I thought it would be a great time to teach her how to create her own style and be able to sew it herself.

I had my old sewing machine spruced up last month and now it is a perfect starter for the girls.

I am showing them how to make their own patterns and to come up with simple ideas to start with.
This little purse/bag is a knock off of Martha Stewart's one in this months mag.

K traced out a pattern onto to newspaper and cut it out.
Because it is felt that we were working with, it was very easy and forgiving and it requires no edge seams she was free to cut without pins and such.

They know the basics on the machine, but each project always helps them expand their scope of sewing skills.

This project was great for the pattern making and a bit of stitch ripping as well.

E was thrilled, and concentrated, as she worked away on her bag.

I couldn't resist a picture of her little foot sewing away.

They are getting really good at knowing what all the buttons and such do and why they need to and when they need to use them.

Now turn it right side out to examine the finished project.

Success and smiles.

And a few giggles.

Both of the bags are already full of treasures and now we are starting to make wallets.

I have to allow myself to think that homeschooling isn't just about the worksheets and structure.

I think this is an example of homeschooling at it's best.

A Super At Home Kind of Day

K saw this months issue of Martha Stewart's Magazine, which I have religiously subscribed to for over 5 years.
Even J has come to like them, although he may not want me to air that.
It is always has great ideas, recipe and easy crafts, like these terrariums.
We make these often but in the winter it is quite nice for a bit of indoor greenery.

I had an old pair of linen pants that I had never worn and found that it would make a great scarf.
I cut it on an angle with a bit of a bow in the strip and double layered it for sturdiness.
I adorned it with some buttons just as much for some flair as a way to weigh down the ends.


Although I made this weeks ago I finally got to taking a picture of it with a willing model.

This is my spontaneous gratitude moment of the day.

E's hair had so much height and with her resistance to brushing today she sported this 'do all day long.

Kept me laughing silently to myself.

And then she proves yet again that she is truly my comedic relief.

As we were heading outside these were her socks and there was no convincing her otherwise.

Another Martha craft for the day was this super easy and quick ruffle ball.

Not the best for young kids as a hot glue gun is required but still a charmer in the end.

The Staff of Life

I love to cook with the kids and truly believe that food and learning the basics in the kitchen is a major life skill in order to make good healthy decisions throughout their lives.

I adore these little fist prints after they punched down the dough.

Stretch.

Making some indentations.

The finished product....MMMMM.

I was desperately in need of some yummy snacks and so out came my trusty recipe folder and we made a large vat of granola.

I saw this cute idea on Design Sponge and finally found the perfect sock to fit the vase.

Quirky and fun.

Now I just need some flowers.

K loves to dress up and always asks for new little treats from my sewing table.

I thought this was a great necklace and she fell in love with it.

Easy to slip on over any shirt and look classy.

I like it in myself as well.

This was the starting point for the above necklace.

I had lots of material left over and made more jewelery but will post that later.

Here is my version for K to wear.

She said she didn't want to stripes and it had to be pink ribbon.

Always so many things to make.

If I were to Open a Store.....This would be it!!!

A creative haven for kids of all ages to explore and nourish their bodies and mind with nature and goodness.

A place to discover and get involved with stimulating activities without being over-stimulated.

An atmosphere to connect and build memories and adventures.

I believe that every neighbourhood in every town should have a cafe like this.
I think I want to enquire about a franchise for this cafe, as this idea is brilliant.

I stumbled upon it while goofing around in the blogasphere.

Seldom does something captivate me like this has.
I cannot stop thinking about it's potentials.

Why does it have to be in New York......???

I must share it with you and if anyone wants to start one up with me please let me know.

Check it out and look around their site.

http://www.moomah.com/about/

Wishing You a Happy New Year

Make a Smilebox greeting

Consumer Christmas

Here is my girls' favorite movie at the moment.
Doesn't this eary morning smile show all her glee.
She is truly captivated by the marketing machine that is Twilight.

This Christmas was a great time.

Full of parades, carolling, traditions, dinners, crafts, family and friends.

With everything we did, the hampers we put together, the toys we donated, the baking we shared, over all added up to a true Christmas full of spirit.

But it left me considering many things.

How much of the things we got do we really need?

I am not being ungrateful in any way and I am the first to say I am in love with everything I received, but I mean in the overall sense of consumerism and materialism.

How many people lose the real meaning of the holidays and become greedy, un-enjoying spendy elves?

I spent the better part of yesterday reorganizing the girl's room and the house to accommodate the new things.

We really didn't need anything but you cannot fill the tree with homemade gifts that I make all year anyways.....they would have a pretty good idea that Santa wasn't real if that happened.

So toys and trinkets were stuffed under the tree and spread all over the livingroom before long.

We recycled and burned copious amounts of rubbish and packaging.

Why is there such a need for 3 times the plastic packaging than the product is itself?

As we can burn and recycle most of this I consider ourselves fortunate but I wonder what everyone in the city does.

How much of all this goes into the landfills?

I have decided that next year we are sewing bags for Santa to place our gifts into and I am going to practice the fine Japanese art of fabric wrapping, Furoshiki.

I have more than enough beautiful fabric and although it will be hard to part with it, I see the benefits.

Maybe we should start a wrapping revalution and practice kindness to our earth.

The Perfect Place to Shop for Me

I admit I am quite an avid shopper but I can usually take or leave most things.

There are few places that I can shop and seriously want everything.

This is not a good thing....unless your husband knows this and shops there for Christmas for you.

Smoking Lily in Victoria is a favorite little store front on Johnson Street that has captivated my heart for over 20 years.

SO needless to say when I opened my gifts my heart fluttered as I saw a new little black dress, a silk ascot and a bike bag. (not quite as shown but you get the idea)

Along with these and all the other gifts that he and the girls got for me I was extremely spoiled.

I guess I was a good girl!!!

How can I have such an amazing man who knows me so well and takes the time to indulge me in all my whims and desires?

I truly do know how lucky I am and I feel blessed.

Thank you my dear.

Family X-mas Dinner

In the spirit of the season; sweets, sugar, treats and more treats.

What kid won't perch themselves at this chair and eat till a parent noticed and scooted them away,

How do Hillbillies do Christmas dinner?

Well we saw our 50lb homegrown turkey in half so it will fit in the oven.

It was the best moistest, turkey we have ever had and believe it was in part to the side cooking method.
This pic doesn't justify 25 lbs of bird crammed into the pan.

Nana home is always the epitome of Christmas and decked out mid November in beautiful fashion.

K spent an hour lovingly wrapping these gifts and chocolates she made for all the family.

We decided that we are making fabric gift bags for next year and smart girl, she caught on for this season.

Beautiful, happy, dolled up girls.

A few family photos we took by the waterside.