Trick or Treat!

My friend C came over today for some vanilla bean hot chocolate and to give me this! Can you believe how cute -- she's one of those people that does the sweetest things for people just because. I was so happy to recieve it just in time for the little trick or treaters!

Happy Halloween!

clutch, clutch, clutch

this week I decided to take the zip pouch from bend-the-rules and make a little wristlet. i also made my first yoyo -- how fun! I think I'll make a million of these little beauties -- they're such a fun away to dress up a project! I got the tutorial from Heather Bailey and I honestly didn't realize how easy it would be.

Then I made what I am calling a portfolio clutch - I'm sure the term has been used before but that's ok. I saw this style first at Club Monaco a while back -- it was quite a bit smaller, and then I saw this pic and loved it!



I decided to make my own -- ok so mine doesn't look like it's made of butter and would melt in your hands but I'm pretty happy with the outcome. I made it based on Amy's BTR clutch. I will make it much smaller next time -- this one fits my laptop I'm sure. M looked at me kind of strangely when I showed him, but it does fold down into a longer type cluch if you don't want to be carrying this massive purse around.



Happy sewing!

eating your greens

I've been hearing a lot lately about how the food you eat can have a greater impact than imagined on the body -- especially when it comes to cancer. It may seem like a no-brainer, but it seems the majority of those in NA don't pay particular attention to the way they eat, opting for freezer meals and other processed foods.

i first started hearing about it from a friend of mine who had a freelance job writing about raw foods and the benefit they can provide the body. She went to a camp of sorts where several cancer patients were housed, eating only raw foods and partaking in spiritual programs and yoga. my friend said that she heard many a story of people going to the retreat with stage 3-4 cancer only to leave in remission. This is all because of mindset and eating lots of veggies and fruits.

Then on Oprah this week there was a woman - Kris Carr who has stage 4 cancer and she managed to control and essentially stop the growth of the tumor. she still has cancer but she's managing with diet and exercise. It was truly eyeopening.

Last night I was listening to CBC on the same topic and although i can't find the link to the radio program, the interviewee did say that all we have to significantly reduce our cancer chances is to eat according to the Canada food guide. Seems simple right? After the show i looked up the food guide and it's actually quite informative. Check it out here. he also said that supplements are a waste of money and the only ones we really need (if we follow the food guide properly) are vitamin D and Folic Acid. I'm going to do more research into this and try to make more of an effort to follow this thing -- paying special attention to getting my veggies!

October fun

we were spoiled for a few days with the amazing weather we've been having and now that it's gone I really miss it. it's raining today and feels so dark and gloomy. At least the rain gives me more time to be on the computer and sew.





Last night I made these napkins -- I kind of followed the Bend-the-Rules sewing book but mostly I made these from a set of napkins i already have. I was looking through the book last night and realized that I have made so many things already! It really is a great book and I feel that it really is helping to establish this online crafting culture that I love being a part of.

These napkins are part of a gift -- shhhh -- I don't want my giftee to find out! these will accompany a BTR table runner which I think will go quite nicely together.

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On another note -- I've been quite busy this fall. On Thanksgiving we went to my mom's house where she participated in some town activities. She's the mayor of our little town and it was quite fun to see her talking and having so much fun with everyone. Here is a pic of my mom and my grandmother at the festivities.



And last weekend we went on a wine tour in Niagara-on-the-Lake with M's work. It was so much fun -- we were picked up in a limo and taken to five or so wineries. I have to say although all the wines we tried were scrumptious and wonderful, I will not be drinking wine again for awhile!

etsy

I've been obsessed with window shopping at etsy for some time now - I just love all of the items people have on there to sell and I love that it's all made by independant artists. Today I was searching around and found the cutest earrings! I was due for some new ones so I bought these from sulu-design. Can't wait to get them!