Boo!

Happy Halloween!

I'm off to my nephew's after work for a little trick or treating

(followed by the mandatory adult candy tax that all children must contribute to.)

How will you be celebrating?

Sunday Find!!? Herriott Grace

I've got two more days to run amok before the boss lady is back so I figure I'll really shake the place up and have a Sunday Find!

I'm currently devouring a gluten free cupcakes (for the first time in years)!! As I was piling on the icing (cupcakes need icing) and licking my fingers I was thinking about how I really should care about their presentation, even if it is just me that will be seeing it.

I started thinking about one of my favourite hand made serving ware sellers- Herriott Grace. Hold your breath, their items are pricey (items are constantly sold out). I look often at their store and admire the crisp photography and the smooth finish of all their items. It is clear that each item is made diligently, with love, and time.

I like to imagine that using my (pretend) Herritt Grace rolling pin is very nearly a reality.

Even if you aren't in the market for a $72 juicer it is a lovely place to spend a few minutes.

Do you ever like to browse boutiques that are above your price range or do you find it too tempting?

Cats and Coffee Dates

When I told Kate that I would take on her blog while she was gone I seriously underestimated the planning blogging everyday requires. It is fun, but I do find myself thinking, as I'm getting ready to go to bed, that I need a blog post for the morning. Well, I had a lovely coffee date with my dear friend Karl, and you know what? I'm beat, unorganised, and would rather go to the market early in the morning than stay up late tonight...

SO what does that mean for you?

A CAT!

He kind of looks like me when I hit the shower and need to save my straight hair (yes, I have been known to use plastic bags).

Today one of my conveniently nerdy coworkers told me about a woman who roasts her own coffee beans. No, really! It is from Not Without Salt. Watch this quick video and you will want to try it yourself!

Then I started looking at the rest of the blog... Lets take a peek together, shall we.

Nutmeg Pot De Creme!

Pasta!

Roasted Apples

Tomato Pesto

The recipes are riddled with beautiful photos which is wonderful for a visual person like me!

PS-I haven't forgotten about Halloween, I'm not a big fan of the holiday so I'll leave it to Kate to recap her spooky eve for you in November (Right Kate? You are coming back one day?)

Pen Down

I listen to BBC Radio 1 all day at work, and there is a presenter by the name of Zane Lowe. He takes time from his chatty ways to stop talking and just play songs in a feature called 'mic down'. It is a lovely way to get lost in the music without the DJ popping in between each song.

Since I don't have a microphone, Lets call this Pen Down:

Lucy Rose.

Pat LePoidevin.

Emily and The Woods.

Have a lovely Thursday.

It's a Crewel World

On Friday my sister Catherine, her daughter Abby, Kate, and myself all met down town for a little retail fun. It wasn't the hardcore professional shopping that Kate and I are used to, but we did make it to our usual haunts (after we left Catherine and Abby). It turned out that 6 year old (as of yesterday!) Abby had the best haul of all. Kate and I found matchstick pencil crayons, which, every crafty little girl needs. Abby also walked away with this crewel kit from Wool and Hoop.

She was so excited that she wanted to stay in the hotel room all night and embroider.

Her stitching was perfect. Straight and even and professional. Catherine made lavender pouches with little cross-stiched hearts on them for my mom one year (to hang with her clothes). Now I would very much like to make my own set.

I, however, need to focus on the bracelet I am repairing for Dilia, the Christmas presents I'm making my mom Alyssa and Dilia, my pen pals, oh and work... If I finish those tasks then I can consider stiching, but lets face it I never finish anythi

lol

I have never been into lol cats. Years ago Kate and some friends dressed up as lol cats for a bowling tournament (was it big brothers and sisters?). Just recently I have been seeing them again and think they are hilarious...

Are lol cats over like msn messenger? Am I like my Aunt who thinks she is so cool to be on msn when actually it really isn't done any more?

Traveling Pants

Vancouver looked lovely today. I stopped in at the Regional Assembly of Text with wonderful friends and lusted after wonderful hand printed goods.

My visit with Kate was too short, but Victoria was lovely. We did get a few hours together which I'm grateful for as she was not feeling well. (Leave it to me to drag her out of bed into the rain.)

Time for some cats:

Christmas in October

What? Christmas? I'm a big believer in one holiday at a time, but when planning on crafting most gifts a girl has to think ahead or be triple stressed in December.

Here are a few ideas I have:

Amy over at H is for Handmade created this beauty. (Though I might just make if for myself?)

I have so many beads this necklace is prime for replicating (I might want to keep this one too?)

I thought this organiser would be cool for the moms I know, but I'm still trying to think of something a bit sturdier than ziploc bags. (Come to think of it, I could use one in my car.)

Ishtar made these wonderful hot pads. I inherited my grandmothers fabric collection complete with lots of little squares. I think this would be a perfect way to share a little bit of Grandma Tithecott.

Looks like I know what I want for Christmas! Have you started thinking about the jolly season yet? Ok, lets go back to pre-halloween now.

Glitter and Gold

The minute I saw this I thought it screamed Kate. I have yet to figure out why she hasn't blogged about this genius idea.

These gold animals were featured on The Sweetest Occasion a few months ago. The process is so easy that I wish I had thought of it. Animal, drill, insert, paint, light on fire!

How awesome would these be for an adults birthday? They would be completely unexpected and lighthearted.

On an gold note, I found this little tutorial yesterday over at Ardor

The concept is the same but everything is a little bit larger.

What else could we use these gold beauties for? Paper towel holder? Toilet paper holder? Bracelet stand? Lets brain storm a bit as I clearly need to fill my house with these!

Tail Above the Rest

With the help of my google chrome, I ended up on a Japanese web site with these genius cats!

I guess these works of art needed to be reworked.

There are lot more before and afters but here are a few of the interpretations.

That was fun and educational.

Where in the world is Carmen Sandiego?

I don't know where she is, but I know where I am...

Victoria! With my niece! And Kate!

We will only have the day to spend together, but I am very much looking forward to just hanging out together.

Due to this little trip followed by my last visit in Vancouver before it snows in the mountains, posting will be intermittent.

SO EXCITED TO SEE KATE!

What do you like to do with your best friend?

Secret Saturday

My weekend visit with my dear friend Emily was put on hold Saturday when her Best friend delivered a lovely baby girl! Babies trump breakfast dates. (Aren't they both beautiful?)

What happened next?...COOK! For six hours.

I asked Pinterest for acorn squash and it found me this recipe from Simply Recipes.

I mashed it and love the sweet flavour mixed into the sqaush. There is no need to sneak a little bit more topping as its all mixed in and wonderful.

Then, vinegar potatoes from Oh She Glows.

These were so good, but don't inhale the vinegar. That first gush when you open the oven is dangerous!

I made more of the rosemary walnuts (great call on reducing the salt).

Then, masala! I started with this recipe again, from Oh She Glows.

I, however, was lazy so I bought a package of masala spices from Super Store, chick peas, and rice! Yummy!

By Sunday night I threw a spaghetti squash in the oven to toss with olive oil, pesto, and (gluten free) spaghetti.

No Emily, but lots of food! Hurrah!

The Hardest Thing...

The hardest thing about blogging for Kate everday:

I want to pin things to blog about later, but if I do Kate will see them and the blog post won't be a surprise! Phew, I'm glad I got that off my chest. I have this constant internal struggle every time I pin something on my "Kate's Spam Filter" board. I should note that I'm talking about Pinterest. I trust we all know about the happiest place on the internet by now (if you want an invite we can hook you up).

Look at these darlings. I sat looking at them for a few minutes...

To pin or to blog...

(Note to Kate- I still don't condone berets on humans...sorry)

Do you bloggers out there ever struggle whether an event/picture/tutorial is blog worthy?

Thrifty Monday

While we are on the topic of thrifty craft projects, take a look at what Bolig Liv has done now!

Now before you follow the link, you should know this isn't an english site. I thank my lucky google chrome for automatically detecting and translating non-english sites for me. How this has changed my life and allowed me to pretend that I live in Europe is a whole other blog post.

In anycase, if you don't have chrome fear not. This craft it is pretty simple, and I have even translated it.

Find some boxes. (Danish boxes are best.)

Cut the top off and put it in the bottom (for a seemless back).

Paint and Put on the wall next to awesome hanging stars!

I doubt the "shelves" would hold much weight, but the depth and colour would be fun.

Especially since you will have a bunch of topless shoe boxes left over from yesterday's blog.

(How nicely that all tied in!)

Mid morning post today

I'm really loving vignettes (you know, for the house I don't have...)

This one on Pinterest caught my eye the other day. It is shoe box lids wrapped in fabric.

I have never subscribed to the idea that crafts have to expensive or perfect. That is why I like this idea so much. Think about the shoes we all buy. They are different sizes, depths, and shapes. A quick trip to the bargain section of the fabric store and this could be a simple project done for less than 10 dollars! And the best part? If you have a short attention span like me, you won't feel terrible if you rotate it out in a few months!

Pretty fun idea! I can think of a certain blogger who is wishing she kept the box to her knee high boots!

Sleep in Saturday

I love when friends are in town and we get to go out for breakfast.

(You bet we get a side of bacon to go with our green eggs and ham)

Friday Find: Ikabags

How lovely is Paris in the fall?

I have no idea... (Check back with me in 5 years?)

Short of being in France, the next best thing is having a beautiful Parisian tote from Ikabags.

Just look at Feyza's wonderful colours and designs. I love the green, but think the seafoam would be wonderful in my life. The best part? She is having a bit of a sale until the 17th!

Which one do you like the best?

Ladies Card Night

Look what happened last night...

Card making!

My afernoon started with getting a filling at the dentist, awesome...

BUT I picked Sarra up for a wee sushi date (we sat on the same side of the table, natch). Then headed over to mine for an evening of crafting and eating. Wendy, Cindy, Sarra, and I spent the evening around my dining room table and boy did we get our card stock piles ready for pen palery.

When I first started pen paling I realized very quickly that the cost of buying cards ($5 EACH!) was not sustainable, so I started making cards with scrap paper and quipy sayings. When Sarra wanted to have a card making night once a month I was ALL OVER IT!

I thought about showing some of the cards we made but lets face it, most of the cards will be sent to Kate and it's her blog. You will have to remind her later to show them to you.

Last night was so much fun that we will be doing it again next month (just like TRAOT! We will pretend).

Do you have pen pals? Have you always wanted one? I'm one half of the best pen pal pair ever (the other half being Kate) so if you want a letter from Exotic Canada drop me a line (not Kate as she is STILL healing)!

*I had pictures of us all smiling and such, but they deleted somehow and are gone forever. So here is a picture of a cat.*

Meowy Christmas!

So I found Xavier from a random site yesterday while I was looking at these beauties!

Are you sitting here thinking "Salt and pepper shakers....what gives?"

Well, Kate loves salt and pepper shakers. Actually LOVES them so much she has multiple shelves full. When I was visiting last we debated the merits and shaking abilities of each set prior to choosing one.

And if you were at all doubting Kate's salt and pepper geekery I can promise you that she is going bonkers over these shakers!

Robots! Collections! And wind up toys for the triple win! These are from my favourite online store, Suck. (Don't worry it isn't questionable, just shopping goodness.)

Do you have any collections?

Xavier Gallego is a graphic designer that I know very little about. He makes lots of animations under the 'eyesore' title like this beauty:

I love that Xavier has fun characters. This one's over emphasized shoulders down to his little spindly legs makes him instantly 'manly' without being over the top.

THEN I started flipping through his flikr site...

OH MAN! I love all his illustrations!

Look at these!

They are SO educational.

Xavier has also made an app for phones and Facebook. If I had a fancy phone (or cared about FB) I would make his works all mine!

Do you think Kate will love these? I think so!