When a mistake becomes an opportunity...

So this afternoon Ben was napping and Sarah went to the wading pool with her cousin. I have about an hour before Ben wakes up. I meant to make a few more cushion covers to replace the ones I have right now, which are kinda winterish looking. I know which fabric to use - the Joel Dewberry leftover from my spring top. I even bought matching zipper last week. I have to act quick if I want to get it done before Ben wakes up.

I pulled out the fabric and started snipping and ripping - the best and fastest way to get rectanglal pieces of fabric that's guaranteed to be on grain. I ripped a 12.5" strip across the width, and then, as if the number 12.5" was engraved in my mind, I snipped at 12.5" along the strip and ripped, resulting in a square. Half way through the ripping I realized the mistake - I should have cut at 18.5"! Do I have enough to re-cut? No. There was a brief moment of silent between me and the square.

I turned my head to stare at my stash, and then my eyes landed on this beautiful Japanese linen I got from San Francisco. Is it time to cut this?

And so, the mistake turned out to be the excuse I needed to cut this fabric. Words cannot describe how much I love this cushion. It's soft, fresh, and crisp.

And look how well the zipper matches the fabric!

Apparently I am not the only one in the house that likes the new cushion.

A sinkful of goodness

Buttercrunch lettuce, red leaves lettuce, arugula, mizuna, and underneath is a big bunch of pea shoots - great stir fried with some garlic.

Another summer top

The first one was so comfortable, I found myself reaching for it in the morning all the time. When I started a load of laundry just so I can wear it the next day, I know it's time to make another one. This time, I made the back narrorier, and added pockets!

It's perfect for a hot summer day like what we had last weekend. I will probably make more. But first, I need to find the right fabric - something with a better drape.

A blanket and pillow for strawberry shortcake

Happy strawberry and cherry smocket

Here it is... such cheery prints and simple pattern... and fully reversible!

Sarah was watching the little mermaid movie so she wasn't interested in trying on the smock! Nonetheless she said she likes it, with her eyes still glued to the TV.

The PDF is for 2T so I spread the pattern pieces by about 4 inches. It fits Sarah quite nicely. The shoulders are tied in the original pattern. I tried it on Sarah (see the cherry print picture). but wasn't too keen on the ties so I sew buttons on instead. I love the strawberry print so much that I am going to make myself something with it! The best part, it's remnant from Fabricland, buy 1 get 3 free. I got 2 pieces of this print, each is 0.7m.  I don't have much left now, just enough to make some bias tape and bottom ruffles for my perfect summer top!

Sarah's first embroidery project

I picked up Soule's book The Creative Family from the library a couple days ago. It's filled with great activities to do with the kids - perfect for the just started summer holiday. Here's the first thing we tried: embroidery. This is something new for me as well. We spent yesterday afternoon sitting side by side sewing away. This is what Sarah made. Isn't it lovely?!

Here's what I did...

And she drew the butterfly and the cute ladybugs on it when I wasn't looking...

I think I will embroider the cute drawing. Maybe I can make a quilt out of of Sarah's drawings... so many fun thing to do!

Crazy Weather

This, is my backyard yesterday...

...this is today, right now, thundersnow...

 No wonder some say Calgary is the toughest place to garden in the country.

Father's Day Breakfast and smoothie season, finally!

Scramble egg on toast with cream cheese, salsa, mixed greens and basil.

The greens and basil were fresh picked from the garden.

And finally, it's smoothie season!

My quest for the perfect summer top

I am attempting to make a perfect summer top. I started from Stylish Dress Book 2 Dress "C", which I made a while ago but gathered around the neck too much.

Here are a few things I look for in a perfect summer top:

• No too low cut but still breezy enough for a hot sunny day. I raised the neckline by an inch so that I can bend down to pick up Ben without worry about exposing more than I should. It turned out perfect and is super comfortable.
• Allow me to throw a cardigan on without bunching or lumpiness. This is why I fore go the tie and simply sew in the straps. This is also why I choose a sleeveless top to start with.
• The bra straps from my favorite lululemon bras won't show. Or at least it won't be the first thing you notice.  So I made the back narrower hoping the straps will be just over the bra straps. Am I crazy to be so particular about this? Anyway, this is only simi successful - the front is not bad but the bra straps are still showing on the back, although I don't think it is too ugly. What do you think?

A few other changes: I took in about an inch from each side and make the armholes about 1/2" smaller. I also shortened the bottom pieces so the ruffles are not too puffy. Next time, I will make it a bit longer and add side pockets.


I had so much fun making bias tape since I discovered this technique, I will be sewing more projects that uses bias tapes.

My husband fried my beet garden!

First off, I am not mad at him. In fact, he was very sweet and protective of my beet garden - a 8' x 3' raised bed next to the deck planted with beets and swiss chards and a couple other things. This was what it looked like on Thursday:

On Sunday he stained the deck. And to prevent the stains from dripping down to the beet garden, he covered it with a sheet of clear plastic, on a sunny day, at 28C. This, is what it looked like after a mere 3 hours:

For the next 2 hours after the discovery, I was not able to talk without choking up and breaking into tears. Yap I am very emotional when it comes to beets.

Allen and puddled around in the backyard and cleared up the patio area, which was filled with gardening tools, pots, dirts and compose and toys and you name it. After the decluttering excise I felt much better. I replanted the bed the next day. It will be beautiful and delicious again!

On a brighter note, the rest of the garden seems to be doing ok.

And I made a new cushion for my chair. I love the yellow and the birdies on the fabric. It's such a happy print.

Cardboard Fun

This morning we spent time together to make a cardboard roadmap, completed with little cars, apple trees along the roads, a pond with mermaid and birds, a parking lot and a supermarket. It is inspired by the cozy car caddy. The good thing is the three of us can do it together!

A ruffled top for my little girl

I sewed this a couple weeks ago. The initial idea was to have wide ruffled straps slightly over the shoulders. But then when I put them on they were not wide enough to have the semi cap sleeves effect. So I took them out and let it sit while I muse over what to do next.

Then yesterday was really hot and the forecast for today is even hotter. I need to get it done so Sarah can wear it today! I also want to try making bias tape with this technique, which worked wonderfully, except when i cut the bias tape at the last step, I was a little distracted by the kids and accidentally cut both layers. Luckily it was a small cut at the beginning of the bias tape that I can just discard the small section. I used the fresh bias tape as spaghetti straps.

Anyhow, back to those initial straps that were too narrow. What to do with them? Matching hair band, of course!

So I have been thinking... so far most my sewing projects are for Sarah and myself. I don't want Ben to feel left out. And then I reminded myself to be realistic - he will like a trip to the playground and fresh strawberries much more than a new pair of pajama pants!

Read this if you have a little boy in your house

Make the cozy car caddy and you will be his hero! Created by Jill from homemade by jill.

Microgreen Salad

Here's a micro green salad...

... which is actually thinning from the garden. I put some on my breakfast...

... and ate the rest as snack, dressed with olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Yum!

Here's my brandywine...

The tomato is looking good, but the plant overall is looking a bit weak. I hope it will grow better as the weather warms up.

Cute spring apron for my sister

This is a belated birthday gift for my sister. The pattern is by Jona from here.

I love the little bugs.



*** Update (Jun 10): I made another one last night in half the time (partly because I already had matching threads and didn't need to wind the bobbin). Not only is it made faster, it is of better craftsmanship. Practice makes perfect! I will give the better one to my sister and keep the practice one for myself. :-)