Pip n Milly Creations » family life

Slow down!

admin — Sun, 23 Oct 2011 15:02:53 +0000

Time is passing by far too quickly! Slow down, world, I’ve got lots to do! Hard to believe that we are approaching the end of October, Halloween is almost here and that means Christmas can’t be too far behind. I am working on orders, planning some new designs, trying to remember to write lists for everything and getting pushed off my chair by the things the children pile there for repair or alterations! Considering my love of handmade and my ability to put together Halloween costumes, I am a little embarrassed to admit that the girls will both be wearing bought ones this year! They are going as Queen Lucy and High King Peter from The Chronicles of Narnia. I’m not sure how many people will understand that, but the girls do and that’s what matters. (We did try to persuade Milly to be Aslan, but no luck there!)

The weather has become decidedly autumnal – and by that I mean that it is chilly and raining. The upside is that I can definitely justify wearing the results of my knitting challenge – scarves, shawls, hats and gloves. As it is “Socktober”, I really ought to be working on some socks, but I have so many other projects on my needles at the moment that the socks will have to wait. I’m doing another test knit for a designer at the moment (third designer, fourth project), so my own projects are languishing in their respective WIP pouches – which, incidentally, I need to make more of!

This is one of the knitting projects I have completed:

Dolcetto

This is ‘Dolcetto‘, designed by Dani Berg and featured in the Fall issue of Knitcircus magazine. I was fortunate enough to win the pattern collection and started with this beauty. I knit it in Madeline Tosh ‘Toshlight’ in the Vermillion colourway.

I have also knit a couple of purple hats for the Click for Babies Purple Cap Campaign to raise awareness of shaken baby syndrome.

In order to compensate a distraught child after she realized we had sold the play kitchen, I knit this lacy, ruffled scarf with beaded cast off in a really soft, pretty yarn. Did she know about selling the kitchen (two months ago)? Yes. Has she worn the scarf yet? No.

Ruffle scarf with beaded cast off

I have actually done some sewing, too! Here is a large yoga bag I made for someone who has trouble rolling her mat tightly enough to fit in a regular yoga mat bag.

Yoga mat bag

Black and white messenger bag

Interior of black and white messenger bag

These two shots are of a custom order messenger bag. The exterior is plain black, but in a beautiful, soft, yet heavyweight fabric, whilst the interior is in a combination of black and white prints. The lack of vibrant colour is a bit of a departure for me, but I think it is fabulous and the new owner is delighted! The bag has an adjustable strap with the new deluxe hardware, a side release clip closure and padded pockets and a zippered pocket under the flap. The interior features two key clips, a cellphone pocket and expandable pockets for the particular things this lady carries. It also has a water bottle holder and a magazine pocket on the rear of the bag.

I will be participating in the Treasure Chest Christmas Extravaganza at the Costin Hall in Lantzville on Saturday, 3rd December. It will be a fabulous event and we will be partnering with the Child Development Centre in our “Share the Magic” campaign! We will be collecting donations of unwrapped toys, clothes, and other gift donations to share with families of the Child Development Centre. Admission and refreshments are free and there will be a great selection of quality vendors. Mark it on your calendars and come join in the fun!

September projects

admin — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 13:25:31 +0000

Summer definitely is on the way out and fall is on the way in. Summer was late, short and hot this year and the sudden change to chilly, grey rain was a bit of a shock to the system! The rainy days have been interspersed with sunshine, but the early mornings are decidedly brisk. The advantage of this, of course, is that I can totally justify making use of the scarves and shawls I have been knitting! It isn’t quite cold enough to necessitate gloves, but it won’t be long, so I’ve cast on a new pair in a beautiful green alpaca. I have also been doing some test knitting for a couple of designers, so am well-stocked with hats for the season! I can’t show those for the moment, but I can show a few other things:

Dolcetto shawl on the needles

This is “Dolcetto”, a beautiful shawl designed by Dani Berg. It was one of the patterns in the latest issue of Knitcircus. I fell in love immediately, chose yarn, then joined in a Knit Along on Ravelry (a completely fabulous resource for knitters and crocheters). I’m using Madelinetosh Tosh Merino Light in Vermillion, a sumptuous, rich colour and a beautiful yarn.

Saroyan

This is Saroyan by Liz Abinante and is knit in Vintage DK by Berroco.

Asking for Roses

This is “Asking for Roses” by Amy Swenson, knit in Tosh Merino Light in Smokestack.

Just one more bit of knitting for now!

Holden Shawlette

This is the Holden Shawlette by Mindy Wilkes, knit in two strands of Centolavaggi Laceweight yarn in a beautiful teal – my go-to colour this year!

I have also been doing some sewing, surprise! Last Saturday, I participated in the Treasure Chest Local Business Fair.

Booth at Treasure Chest Local Business Fari

Diaper bag

This is a messenger-style diaper bag, designed to fit everything you could possibly need for an outing with baby, but not look like a diaper bag! The adjustable strap means it can be adapted for use across the body, on one shoulder, or strung across the handles of a stroller. There are ample pockets inside and out, of course, a water bottle holder, key clip and parachute clip closure.

WIP pouches

These are a couple of the large WIP pouches I have been making for knitting projects. The front is clear vinyl, which is ideal when you have multiple projects on the go. These WIP pouches have turned out to be pretty popular, as they are so practical, made to order and unique.

Just one last thing before the end of this photo-heavy post! Last night was domestic bliss for us. We live in the city, but are hearts are a little more rural and after a few games of hangman together, Daddy read “Little House in the Big Woods” to the girls while they took turns making butter and I sat in my chair, working on my Dolcetto knit-along! It was relaxing, peaceful and a great end to the day. Now we’re looking forward to lovely, buttery toast for breakfast!

Homemade butter

How does your garden grow?

admin — Thu, 05 May 2011 04:37:46 +0000

Out here on the west coast of Canada the winter can be long and wet and the glorious summers are much yearned for during those months. I suspect it would be a little easier to bear if we got more snow, as the rain does get a bit much after awhile. However, I appreciate that I might feel differently about it if I had to deal with snow at this time of year! We have had a chilly spring and the recent arrival of warmer temperatures has been good for the spirit. Last weekend was particularly enjoyable, as it constituted two of my favourite things: gardening and productivity! I love it when everyone feels like getting things done. We recently bought a playhouse for the children and have been planning a Secret Garden area for them, a very exciting prospect for the whole family. Having made a few trips to the Barton & Leier Gallery, we are really inspired to make more of our large space.

In addition to work on the Secret Garden, there is always weeding to be done, things to be tidied, plants to be pruned and seeds to be planted. I’m limited in the extent to which I can do most of that, but I pushed it as far as I could and enlisted Mum’s help to get the veg garden planted. We have decided to add a path this year and are removing strawberries to make way for blueberry bushes, plus we’ve shifted the herb garden over a bit to make it easier to pick without walking on the beds. I always find spring very refreshing, enlivening and invigorating, as do many others. It is wonderful to see the garden coming back to life again! The next few weeks will bring greater beauty every day.

This is the current condition of the garden and I’ve no doubt it will change quickly, as is to be expected at this time of year.

Garden

Garden, Spring 2011

In an ideal world, we would have a studio in the garden somewhere, so I could work out there in the summer evenings! Had better start planning now!

Winter in Nanaimo

admin — Thu, 25 Nov 2010 04:44:20 +0000

The snow is hanging around and the forecast is promising more will come tonight. Yippee! I am embracing the season, especially now that I have a warm pair of boots! The children are thoroughly enjoying the snow and hoping it stays all winter. The change in temperature has been, I think, instrumental in a resurgence in P’s interest in knitting and she has found a willing and able teacher in Grandma. A Grandma who hadn’t picked up a knitting needle in 24 years, yet was able to knit a beautiful cable wrist warmer at her first attempt! She is definitely a better bet than mommy!
Here are a few photos of the happenings around here over the last few days:

M. shovelling snow

Snow shack

Sunrise over Departure Bay, Nov 2010

Sunrise, Departure Bay

Christmas stockings

Snow!

admin — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 15:38:32 +0000

Here in Nanaimo, on the east coast of Vancouver Island, many people will tell you that we don’t get snow and it stays relatively warm all year long. Yes, it rains a fair bit, but there is hardly ever snow. Well, DON’T BELIEVE THEM! I think there may be some technical term for the condition, but we call it weather amnesia, because it does snow here. We’ve been living here for 8 years and visiting for 18 and it does snow almost every year and it does get cold (-1.8 C so far this morning). Of course, it is all relative. I lived the first 12 years of my life north of Edmonton, Alberta and the average winter temperature was -30 C and the snow sometimes started as early as September and stuck around until April. Other Canadians may scoff at what the Islanders call cold and snow, but it all depends on what you are used to. Anyway, we got snow this weekend (which was unfortunate for all the craft events taking place over the last few days) and the kids are ecstatic about it. Me, not quite so much! I genuinely love the look of it, but I’m pretty sensitive to the cold and am more than a little concerned about the very real possibility of falling over. I’ve had a herniated disk problem for 21 months and the thought of falling and wrecking any progress I’ve made in my recovery fills me with dread. Still, I am determined to put my biggest, safest boots on and get into the garden to take some photos of the fantastic scenery and the brilliant snowman the girls made with Daddy. I’ll be back!

Note: Now -3.5C, schools are open, snow still coming down.

Family life

admin — Sun, 08 Aug 2010 02:54:16 +0000

A lot more goes on around here than just sewing and I can’t even remotely claim to be the only one with old-fashioned domestic skills! In the last few days my multi-talented, software developer/database administrator/musician/handyman husband has made raspberry gin, peanut butter ice cream, coconut ice cream and butter! I think that is pretty impressive.

As it is the summer holidays and our children are still young enough that they like spending time with us, we set aside time to go on fun outings together on a regular basis. Generally we make the most of the many (free) family-friendly events and locations on our beautiful island, and this week was no exception. Early in the week we went to the amazing Barton & Leier Gallery. They have a lovely gallery/gift shop, but the highlight of the place for us is the incredible, quirky and inspiring garden that is open to the public. Here are some of my favourite shots:

Hippo in the pond

More garden art

Bright and beautiful

Arbutus bark

Old Fargo truck

We also had a picnic at Blue Heron Park and a lovely walk in Hemer Provincial Park.

Yesterday we took advantage of Philippa’s birthday gift – tickets to Butterfly World – and headed up to Coombs for the afternoon. I have to admit, we were prepared to be disappointed, but we had a wonderful time. There was plenty for us all to enjoy, from the 3 year old to Grandma and all of us in between.

Butterfly

Another butterfly

One more for good measure

In addition to butterflies, there were tortoises, turtles, koi, quail, spiders, insects, lizards, finches and some lovely garden areas outside.

Passion flower

Water lilies

The crazy days of summer

admin — Sun, 01 Aug 2010 14:23:42 +0000

My life isn’t just about sewing. Well, not entirely! We are enjoying our wonderful summer on the west coast of Canada, taking the girls to the huge variety of parks we have in Nanaimo, to the beach and to community events. There is so much to do here in the summer months, much of it geared to families with young children, which suits us perfectly. Even better, many of the events are free, so everyone can join in. If you are looking for a holiday destination, you can’t go far wrong with Vancouver Island. Here’s a teeny tiny sampling:

Rathtrevor Beach. Parksville

Kite Festival

Car shows

Canada Day, Maffeo Sutton Park

This photo was taken on July 1st, Canada Day, during the celebrations at Maffeo Sutton Park in downtown Nanaimo. It was a fabulous day, with a good turnout, despite the rain. We haven’t had rain since that day. We get so much during the winter months that the return of the sun, blue skies and heat is always welcome!

Sea star

Change is in the wind

admin — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 21:17:39 +0000

As you may know, I have decided to put my sewing work on a more official, business footing. As part of that transition, I have decided to separate my family and general home-related posts from my work-related posts. I will soon be moving all of the latter to the Pip ‘n’ Milly Creations website (www.pipnmilly.com) and the former will shift to http://thewinkingfrog.wordpress.com (family/home stuff).

The new Winking Frog blog is active now and that is where all new crafty, domestic, family, scenery, cookery posts will be. I might even do a giveaway in a few days…..

We are working on the move now and hope to have it all completed very soon. Please feel free to visit either or both. I would be grateful if you could leave a comment so I know you have found me!

Don’t forget to change your bookmarks and links!

Still here!

admin — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 14:51:31 +0000

Sorry for the long gap between posts. It has been a whirlwind of activity around here, between settling in to a new routine with the start of kindergarten, playschool, business, job-hunting (DH), puppy-sitting, enjoying the last warm days of summer, playdates, sewing and general home life! We have been getting the house and garden sorted out, ready for the winter months ahead. It tends to rain a lot here, so we don’t spend a lot of time in the garden over the winter, so we needed to create some new storage for the playthings. DH has been occupied with replacing the rotten steps leading to the garden (side effect of building with wood in a rain forest climate!), staining the fence, to protect it from the afore-mentioned moisture, making a gate for the archway he built earlier in the year (in order to keep the pesky deer out of our veggie patch and flower beds), picking up soil for a new flower bed, planting a hedge and generally tackling my “any chance you could do …. list”. He is a superstar.

It has been a very exciting time for my little business, too. The new placemat is a great little product and I am so happy that other people like it too. I am working on a number of new handbags, but I am keeping those under wraps until later in the month. I have an amazing retail opportunity coming up. I will definitely tell you more when it is all confirmed.

Halloween is fast approaching, so when I need a breather between sewing for others, I will be working on costumes for the girls. They have decided to be a witch and a cat this year, teaming up to go as a pair! Last year they were a super hero (OOAK, of course) and a one-eyed, one-horned flying purple people eater (remember the song?). I will, of course, be posting pics of the little cuties when the costumes are done. They both seem to have quite specific ideas of what they want, so I hope I can satisfy them!