More coin pouches

I have been busy the last couple days. Here's me all organized for the coin pouch assembly line...

One for Carol from Toronto...

...one for Faye from a couple blocks away...

...one for mama me, to match my favorite pillow...

... and the last one for Ben?!

I also made two aprons for Carol's little boys, although I wish I had done a better job sewing the bias tapes... oh well.

Don't you think the little gift pouch is a nice touch?

Eggs in the nest

My beet garden is completely overgrown, which is very amazing considering the mishap from just 6 weeks ago. A couple days ago I made arugula pesto with arugula from the garden. It's has some kick to it since the arugula was getting pretty big and spicy. This morning I pulled the rest for the composter since they are bolting.

I also thinned the swiss chards, beets and lettuce. It should have been done a long time ago. I cooked eggs in the nest with the big bunch of chard and beet greens as dinner. There's no onions in the pantry so I pulled a few red onions from the garden, even though they are still tiny. I added chickpeas and sprinkled the left over peas and corn on top. It's fresh and delicious, and very healthy.

A wallet for Sarah

I was going to sew a coin pouch for myself, so I made this and put it on the console table. The next morning Sarah saw it and asked if it was for her. Well, it is now.

A blanket for Sarah

I got my machines back from the shop! The sewing machine sounded different when I sew, but I wouldn't say it made a huge different. I have to do a few experiments before I can say whether it's worth the money spent. I inherited the machine from my mother-in-law. The machine's 10-year-old and it has never been serviced, so it's probably ok to spurge to have it cleaned and checked.

Anyhow, here's a blanket for Sarah, which she promptly used as picnic blanket for tea party with her dolls.

I took apart one of Ben's minky blanket for backing and hand quilted the random circles. I wanted to add a few more but Sarah couldn't wait!

I miss my sewing machine

I dropped my sewing machine and serger off for service before I went to Vancouver. I am still waiting for them to come back. I so miss my machines!

Beach Day

We are back from our vacation. The day before we left, we decided to drive to Vancouver instead of camping at Kelowna. It turned out to be a good thing since there were wild fire in the region and some areas were evacuated.

Our trip in Vancouver were relaxing with lots of good food, as always. The highlight of the trip has to be our day at English Bay. We spent 6 hours on the beach, playing and laying on the sand. Ben napped for a few hours in the stroller and therefore missed getting wet.
 
Look at the yummy "clam dish" made by Sarah!

After the beach we went for some real sea food at Raincity Grill. We ordered the 3 course dinner and I had the wine pairing. It was very delicious and considering what we got, very good value.

Seared scallops with scallion risotto and carrot foam

Halibut with garden vegetables

More bird print cushions

I was hoping for two square cushions with the bird prints, but then I didn't have enough fabric, so I have to patch the second one with my all time favorite Joel Dewberry. I still prefers a set of matching cushions, but I think it looks ok now. The back of the cushions is a super soft black micro suede.

This one is for the beach!

The few of you who followed me are probably tired of seeing the same summer top made so many times, but I made it again, partly because I have no time to trace another pattern, but mostly because this style is so comfortable that it's all I wear now. This time, I used a cotton voile from my stash. It is so light and airy it feels like I am not wearing anything. I considered lengthening it to make a dress, but then I don't usually wear dresses so a top will get much more used.

We are leaving for Kelowna this weekend, and the forecast is sunny and 35C. I am going to bring all my summer tops! Yes, I am the type who will buy the same style of clothing in different colors from store. Happy Summer!

Some like shoes, I like books

A couple weeks ago I went into an online shopping spree and ordered a bunch of books. Today, the books from Amazon arrived via UPS. I am so excited! Didn't really have a chance to sit down with them yet, but I did checked them out at Chapters before ordering. I can't wait to put them to use and sew up a storm!

 Here are some books from the library... all are lovely lovely lovely.

I am still waiting for some Japanese craft and sewing books from YesAsia. What can I say, I am such a sucker for books!

A matching apron for me!

Wow two aprons in one day! That's a record for me. I love Sarah's jungle apron so much that I made one for myself.

I have no more orange bias tape, so I have to improvised. I decided to use the leftover bias tape from my summer top. It's hard to say whether I like the orange trim or this one better. I like them both! How about you?

A jungle apron

I got the corduroy a little while back because I was in love with the color, even though I had no idea at the time what to do with it. Today I had a spark of inspiration and here's what I come up with.

I think the jungle print works perfectly with the corduroy. And I am oh so lucky to have the right colors and just enough bias tapes to finish the apron.