And then he was two...

January has felt nice and slow.  After the fullness of the months leading up to Christmas, and then lots of family time and traveling, January has been fairly relaxed for me.  I haven't put too much effort into my shop, just slowly making a few things here and there.  Madeline is back at school, basketball, and soccer, and right now is in exams, so keeping her running is enough of a job!  We did have a birthday last weekend, but even that was pretty low key - I didn't even make a cake!  We had a few little families over for a playdate-party; opened a few presents and had some ice cream cake from DQ.  Nolan opened and enjoyed some of his gifts; we opened the ones from his friends first, and when he ran out of enthusiasm, we just put the ones from us away for the next day, which was his actual birthday anyway.  I did make some playdough for the little ones that came though.  I'll post that recipe and pictures soon.

Some highlights of the boy being two:

• hearing him sing happy birthday to himself - the whole song!
• when we went to Dairy Queen to pick out a cake, he climbed up into a booth, ready to eat it NOW!
• learning to make a 'pop' sound with his finger in his mouth - I tried to help him with my finger, but when I told him to tighten up his lips, he tightened up his teeth... OUCH!
• a trip to the doctor for a check up: he didn't want to climb on the scale to get weighed, but as soon as the nurse went to get a sucker to bribe him, he got on to 'practice'
• He's 30 lbs and over 3 feet - that means he'll be tall when he grows up - over 6 feet.  I've heard for boys double their height at 2, and for girls, double their height at 18 months to find out their end height.
• That's 95th percentile height and 85th percentile weight
• He loves shoveling - we've had some good weather this week and he's agile in the snow and handles the shovel like a pro.
• He can talk really well and make himself understood.
• He is getting good at knowing his colours, and his letters are even starting to come along, thanks in part to his favourite show, Super Why!

'Calling' Granny from a phone at M's soccer game.

After swimming with Riley.

Playdough!  He loves to eat it, too.  Mmm - salty.

At the family center - rock a bye baby!

At DQ wanting to eat the cake.

Party day!

And the rest of the fam...

This 'LeapTop' is a new favourite.

A shot I love sent from a friend.

Gramma & Grampa came on his birthday.

He got himself in Daddy's boots.

In action - from the pile back on to the deck.

Mass Production Card Making - a Tutorial

I rarely buy cards.  Partly it's because I'm too frugal to spend the money, and partly because I have the supplies on hand to make my own.  Add to that the fact that I like making cards and giving cards I made myself, and I've got a win-win.

It's a win except when I need a whole bunch, now, and I have none made.  They do seem to get sent as soon as I can make them and I rarely have a good stock on hand.  I often fall on 'mass-production' to solve the problem, but thankfully, I quite like the ones I make in bulk. I thought I'd take pictures of this last bunch and share with you my marvelous mass production technique.  Feel free to copy away!

The only tools you really need are a cutter and some sort of adhesive - I always use plain old Scotch double-sided tape.  Start with a handful of cardstock and the secret ingredient - a 6x6 pad of scrapbook paper.  You can use any patterned paper, but a set (small or large, doesn't matter) does so much of the matching work for you.  (I have bought some of these little pads online, and some I have found at Winners at a good price.)

 Pick out a bunch of papers that you like and match them up.  You'll be using about one third on top and two thirds on the bottom.

Then trim your cardstock into half, so it's 8.5 x 5.5.  Either 65lb or 110lb works fine - I like the heavier one for a crisper feel.

Fold them over, and you'll have cards that fit 'invitation' sized envelopes.  Buy a box at Staples or wherever and you'll be set for a few mass-production sessions.

If you'd like, round the corners.  Totally optional; they look fine left square, too.

Trim your papers down to slightly smaller than your card size.  I finally nailed it down to 4 x 3 3/4" for the bottom piece and 4 x 1 3/4" for the top so I could give you sizes, but feel free to wing it, too, if that's more your style.

Round your corner pieces to match, if necessary.

Tape the pieces on the card front.

You can see my uneven gaps - I'm not too worried about that because of the magic next step...

Take one of your cardstock sheets, cut off a piece 4 1/4 " wide, then trim into roughly half inch strips.  These ones are slightly less.

Using your adhesive, nail that strip down edge to edge over the join of your papers.  Voila!  Your stash is ready to go!

The finishing touch, when you know what you are going to use it for, is to write on the strip - Happy Birthday, With Sympathy, Just a Note, Happy Anniversary, Congratulations... they are good for whatever occasion comes up.

This is the super basic model - it does the job, and very nicely, too! - but you can step it up a notch in a number of ways.

• If you don't like your handwriting, or want to make them fancier, print your sentiment on the computer, then cut it out and attach.  Or if you have stamps, use those, trim and attach.  
• Add a flower or other embellishment two thirds of the way along the strip, instead of, or along with, your words.
• Add a strip of ribbon (maybe with a bow?) instead of the paper strip, and do your writing inside the card.
• Use an inkpad to ink the edges of your paper strip to make it pop.
• Use a brad in a coordinating color through the end of the strip before you tape it down - maybe a fun heart one?

Hope you found this helpful, and I'd love to see a picture if you make some, or one in my mailbox, maybe??

January, Summer, and Fall

After a long slow few months on here, today I've got about four different things I want to show & tell...  Ha ha - is that what this blog is? A glorified version of kindergarden's show and tell?

Today I have a few scrapbook pages that I made, and then next week you can watch for December's suggested reads, a card tutorial and maybe a look at the bow I made for M.

I've had these pictures ready for a long time, but somehow never got around to them at the retreat.  It's just a 'get it all on there' layout, but I'm okay with that.  I figured since his second birthday is next week (!?!), I'd better get this one done now.

These two I'm quite happy with, especially this first summer side.  I had printed off a bunch of shots of things I wanted to remember but didn't necessarily need a whole page of, and I had just enough of them, (and all the right orientation!) to use the Project Life design F page protector.  I had picked up the Project Life Wellington Mini Kit and used that for all the backgrounds, adding just a few details here and there.  I love the way it turned out.

I had printed off a bunch of singles from the fall, too, and they fit well into the backside.  Mostly bigger shots, but where there was space I used the Project Life Seasons Mini Kit.  I fit this into the album right between the summer and fall layouts.

Once again, I am contemplating doing more Project Life style pages, but will likely go monthly or even seasonal like this, and then do lots(?) of regular pages, too.  I'll decide as I go, sticking to my 'happy with what I get done' and 'no guilt over what I don't' laid back approach.  It's supposed to be fun, right?

One LIttle Word / Verse / Prayer

We just drove home today from the last of the Christmas family gatherings, so I haven't really even began to consider the new year and what it might hold and what I hope for it.  In the back of my mind, though, there has been the hope that this year might be less stressful.

I checked out a few blogs on that long ride home today, and browsed Pinterest yesterday, so I did come across the seasonal glut of reflection questions / goal setting ideas / One Little Word / #Verse2014...and I think I've already got what I want to focus on this year.

About six weeks ago I wrote about choosing big prayers to pray for each of my family members.  I didn't share what each one was at the time, but the one I was praying for Nolan was that he would have a cheerful heart, based on Proverbs 17:22 that says, "A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones."  Maybe it was the stage he was at, or maybe just bad habits that needed nipping in the bud, but he was easily upset, and I was praying that a cheerful heart would make him more open to trying new things, enable him to go sleep on his own better, and be less resistant about obeying. 

That prayer, more than the others, has stuck with me, and I've found myself praying it for all four of us.  So while relationships are still important to me ('relationship' was my word for last year), this year I really want to focus on my family, and that each of us would have a cheerful heart.  We each have different struggles, but that is one medicine that I think will be a cure-all.  And I can't change them; I can only change myself.  So if I focus on remembering to have a cheerful heart myself, I am hoping it will be an inspiration to them as well.  Especially if I start to print it on the walls or some other visible reminder for myself!

Thank you for reading.  I wish you a blessed and cheerful 2014, and if you have any tips on how you keep choosing to be cheerful in your life, I'd love to hear them.

(You can read about the other words that I've chosen here.)

Mix It Up

We had an expensive bowl of popcorn the other day.  I thought popcorn might be a good afternoon snack for the kids, so I got the popcorn maker out from over the fridge where it sits behind my hand mixer.  I then opened the freezer to get out the popcorn (does everyone keep theirs in there?), forgetting that I had moved the mixer just out of the cupboard, onto the 4 inches of exposed fridge... half of which was the freezer door.  And of course it fell.

Honestly, I'm pretty sure I've done the same thing before.  This time however, when I turned it on, the motor sounded a little funny.

I mentioned it to the resident fix-it guy that night, and yesterday he took it to work with him to see if he could fix it.  In a text that morning, he said it was done for.  Oops.  So then I got to thinking that maybe I should think about whether or not I wanted a stand mixer... I was aware that I kept noticing them in multiple flyers this year, and even thought I've never felt the need for one in the past, I was maybe thinking that maybe I would like one after all...

So while N was napping, I looked through all the flyers to check prices.  While I was doing that?  Sean went out on his lunch hour and bought me one.

Looks pretty good there, I think!  Now to find some time to bake...

An Etsy Update

December 10 marked two months of having my Etsy shop up and running.  I wanted to take some time to look back, figure out the stats and think about what I've learned. 

My first two sales were to people I knew, but the third and fourth were to strangers - that felt like success!  (Five of the 12 total orders so far have been to people I know.)  The first sale was 11 days after opening.  The first month had three orders. 

Some orders were for multiple items; this is the summary of what I've sold through Etsy in these past two months:

Wheat Bags - 11
Zip Pouches - 3
Coffee Cozies - 2
Camera Strap Covers - 1
Handwarmers - 7 sets
Bean Bags -  1 set
 
It's encouraging to see that I've sold at least one of everything I offer... it also shows that the wheat bags and handwarmers are the best sellers!  I've got 13 more pairs beside me in the works as I type.

To compare, these are the sales for the same amount of time that were not through Etsy.  These numbers include:

• my only craft sale of the year - a table at a women's event in Winnipeg that I wasn't even at!
• an order for 60 coffee cozies to a local coffee boutique
• three orders through Used Regina / Kijiji
• many were because people were made aware of what I sell when I began promoting it

Wheat Bags -29
Zip Pouches -3
Coffee Cozies - 72
Camera Strap Covers -2
Handwarmers - 4 sets
Bean Bags - 2 sets

So 25 items sold through Etsy out of 137 total...  Still, it's been a great opportunity to brand my little sewing habit and have an excuse to sew different items.  I've been thrilled with this experience and have a couple ideas for new products to add after the holidays.  I'll be sure to give you the first peek here!

The Etsy shop also provides a good upsell to orders from Used Regina or Kijiji - I only list my wheat bags on those sites, but when someone sends me a message asking about them, I can direct them to my shop in case they see something else they'd like to pick up at the same time.  The last girl that came wanted 4 bags, and left with two sets of handwarmers, too.

I am figuring out the whole shipping thing, estimating and adjusting, ordering packaging materials and making friends with the post office ladies.  *Rookie tip: go to the same post office all the time so the workers get to know you.  Oh, and I got a small business card that saves me 5% on shipping with Canada Post - my first piece of plastic with Alice&Victor on it!!  So exciting.

People can make treasuries or collections on Etsy - I was featured in one made by another Regina Etsian.  That was kind of exciting... Etsy is like many other online worlds in that some people are slightly addicted.  You can follow people and shops and see what they are liking and making, and some people you see on there lots.  Obviously more activity and interaction in the forums gets you noticed, but moderation is key.

So there are a few bits about my first two months - I think beginning just before Christmas was a winner time, but here's hoping the new year is just as fun & profitable!

Recommended Reads - November

Here are a few books you might enjoy.  Not all are lighthearted Christmas holiday reads, though...

Left Neglected by Lisa Genoa.  I read her book love anthony last month, and this was another good one, about a career wife & mother who has an accident and ends up with a brain injury.  Really interesting to read of a disability where the person is unaware of the disability...

A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry.  It's on the Regina Public Library's 100th Anniversary, 100 Favorite All Time Books list that I have been checking for recommendations for years, so I was glad when it was a book club pick for this year.  Character driven rather than plot driven, this one is set in India around the time I was born.  Fascinating to read of a world so far away in space and culture, yet so close in time.  A real everything goes wrong tale, but with touches of hope and joy.

What Came Before He Shot Her by Elizabeth George.  I read this right after A Fine Balance, eager to read something more entertaining, and less tragic... bad pick for that.  It was compelling, but a sad story of how a good kid gets into a bad situation through circumstances outside his control.  An Inspector Lynley novel - sort of - it's the back story of how and why his wife was shot, and the usual characters make minimal appearances.  It's also on the same 100 Books list.

The Boy and His Bed

As promised:

 

We will take down the crib this weekend and move things around... and have a little boy's room.  Crazy.

The Tree & The Lights & The Boy

Our Nolan is wonder-filled at 'Mis-mas' as he calls it - the trees, the houses with lights on... It's been awesome to watch him take in the decorations of the season, and to explain all brand new what it's all about.  Here are a bunch of photos so you can enjoy, too.

This one was when Sean was getting the outside lights ready to put up.  (That was in October, but they didn't get turned on until this past weekend.)

Sean and I set up the tree Sunday night after the kids were in bed.  We wanted to do it all together Sunday, but with nap time and a friend's Christmas party, it didn't happen.  These are from Monday morning when Nolan first saw it.

And Monday morning we ran out to get a second strand of new blue and white lights, so this is Nolan enjoying the lights on the tree after his nap.  (And meet Rabbit, Brownie, and Blankie - he's not attached like some kids I know, but they are his bedtime friends and help him move from Mom to bed!)

Wednesday night was the next chance we had to be home all together - basketball and soccer take up lots of Madeline's time!  So the boxes got brought up and the tree got decorated.  Not many 'in-process' photos, but a few posed ones will do.  You'll notice Nolan was all dressed for a photo shoot...

And this morning...

In this first week of Advent we think about Hope (Madeline and I did the reading at church this past Sunday); may you be filled with hope as you head into this Christmas season, and may you, like Nolan, experience just a touch of the wonder of it all.

Thoughts on a milestone.

December 3, 2013.

I wondered what I would do to mark the milestone of yesterday - ten years since we said goodbye to Neil.

His brother put a notice in the paper, his other brother and sister both shared links to it on Facebook. It's so nicely done and here, if you want to have a look.  (Those links all have comments, too, if you'd like to read other people's memories of him.)  We received notes from a few friends who also keep this date in mind each year.

I wanted to do something, to write something, to find the words to honor his life again, but for some reason, words escape me.  I feel simply a quiet acceptance.  He was an important part of my life for a long time and will never be forgotten.  I believe that he would be pleased by the way we have carried on living and loving.

It is important to remember.  It is a good thing to honor loved ones who are gone.  He was loved by many, and I know many are remembering and honoring him now.  I believe we all will continue to live our lives changed because we knew him.

New Beds

Nolan will soon be waking from his nap.  In his new bed...

We were not planning on moving him out of his crib anytime soon; hadn't even thought about it yet.  But a friend sent a text "...selling Kaleb's cars bed and wanted to give you guys first dibs..."  So we picked it up yesterday and as we have nowhere really to store it, we set it up in his room.  He asked about sleeping in it last night, but was fine with the answer that he could play on it but still sleep in his crib.

At naptime today we sat on it to read stories, then he just put his head on the pillow and snuggled in.  I did have to pick him up for a song (lately it's London Bridge, sung as Daddy's Bridge), but back into the bed with Brownie, Rabbit, and Blankie, and out he went.  So I guess bedtime in the crib and naps in the bed?  We'll have to play it by ear, I guess...

I'm also writing with one ear to the door, waiting for the people delivering OUR bed!  Sean's back has been complaining about ours, so we found a good bed and a good sale and went for it.  It will come today between 2 and 5; I'm hoping for soon after Nolan wakes up, and not before.  I'm thankful for the takeaway and recycle service they provide.  No moving beds for me!

I'll try to snap a pic of N in his new bed; it might be tough because he rarely stays still long enough for me to get a shot, but I will post one as soon as I get it.

Sleep well, all!!!

22 = 2 to 2!

Translated: Nolan turned 22 months old yesterday, and that's two months to two years old!

I can ask him to get me out the cutting board, or an onion and the celery, and he does. (With a little help, of course.)

He does dishes almost daily (that just means playing in the kitchen sink), and can help unload the dishwasher, too.

Today's laundry folding got hampered (pun intended) by a Ring Around the Rosie party under the bedsheet parachute.

Chop Chop Timber, Duck Duck Goose, the Grand Old Duke of York, and the Hokey Pokey are new favourites thanks to swimming lessons.  Watching videos of himself at swimming lessons is also a favourite.

He notices Christmas trees and lights in the flyers - this is going to be a fun season!

He still wakes most nights needing to be re-covered, and it's not uncommon for his dreams to wake him, but his going to bed and sleeping till our alarm are great.  He's also going into the nursery at church and staying with other people very well, too.  A little freedom, there.

We've borrowed a couple of movies from friends - Tangled and Cars.  He's a fan, although Wallace and Grommit is still his favourite.  His joke today: Tom. Tom? Mater!!!  We want to pick up Madagascar next since he and dad have been singing Move It lately.  (I like to move it move it...)

Discovered he loves oranges - eats a mandarin almost every day.  He peels it mostly himself, then eats it 'hole ting!' - no sections for this guy, he likes it all in one piece.

 

Happy Anniversary!!!

Seven years ago today...

This is what our families looked like at the time:

... and now add 3 more babies!

... and now add 6 more babies!!

Here's to the next seven, and the next seven, and the next seven...

XO

Praying Big Prayers

Do you ever get into a routine and then realize that something's missing?  I don't expect myself to have a perfectly routine anything with Nolan and our days and weeks that are often similar but ever changing.  That includes reading my Bible and praying... It is a priority for me, but that doesn't mean it looks the same every day.  Today it felt like it has been a while since I prayed, and I remembered something we talked about in small group last month...

In our first small group of the year, Lisa brought a video she had found that was about praying big prayers.  We were challenged to think beyond the 'routine' prayers of "Keep them safe and healthy..." and to ask for big things.  I thought of one big thing that I wanted to pray for each of my family, and it seems now that even if I only have a few minutes to focus on praying before I'm off keeping Nolan out of danger, I have those top big things at the front of my brain, and it makes it easier to pray specific prayers for things that really matter.

Just thought I'd throw that out there.   

What are the big wild crazy things you'd like to see happen in your life or the lives of those you love? 

What tips do you have to share about keeping prayer a priority in your life?

Recommended Reads - October

Just a few for this month:

My Mom recommended the Inspector Lynley series by Elizabeth George, and I've read three of them lately... I won't list them all, but recommend them if you like long mysteries with lots of different threads winding through that all come together in the end.

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime by Mark Haddon was what we read for book club last month, and it is a good, quick, and often funny, read.  Told from the perspective of a 15 year old with autism, it's a good glimpse into how an autistic mind works.

Right after that one I read Love Anthony by Lisa Genova, which also deals with autism.  It is a touching story of two women, dealing with different kinds of loss, and how they end up helping each other. Genova has a degree in Biopsychology and a Ph.D. in Neuroscience and has also written Still Alice, about Alzheimers (which I've read and recommend) and Left Neglected, about brain injury (which is sitting on my shelf to read after I'm done our monster of a book club read for this month).

Happy reading!  As always, I'd love it if you'd leave me a note telling me what great book you've read recently.

Little Elephant

Here are a few shots of my little elephant. Madeline talked him into the costume when the neighbour called to say he had a bag of goodies for Nolan, and he kept it on till Dad came home half an hour later.

Back home with the goodies!

A lot of goodies!  Open this one first!!

Waiting patiently.

Sour gummie worms...

Mmm... I like it!