good-ness

i was making bias binding for a quilt on the weekend. i think that's what it's called. and i made way too much. i have an extra 2 1/2 metres of it. it is 7cm wide when it is opend up. would you like it? if so, leave me a comment and tell me how much you weigh. i'm kidding. tell me why you love spring. and i will randomly choose one of you in a few days.

i have been slowly working on another japan quilt wall hanging. i sold the first one to raise money for japan. i am hoping to enter this one in the umbrella prints trimming contest. but the deadline is fast approaching. i need at least an extra hour every day this week.

i made my very first pot holder on the weekend. it's the perfect quick gift project. for my aunt. who hosted easter dinner. after opening it she told me she has recently started collecting bird things. yay. and those rounded corners with binding. that was a first for me. and i am pleased with how they turned out. double yay.

** genevieve is the lucky one who gets the bias binding tape. yay!**

my first quilted star. it took patience. and i am pleased with how it turned out. i can see more stars in my future. yes, i can.

my good friend. (hi ruut!) over in denmark. made me an awesome little bag after anika was born. it is big enough for a couple of diapers. some wipes. a sleeper. and a toy or two. and it fits into my purse perfectly. i love it. and decided i needed to make one too.

well. a good friend of mine is pregnant. so i dug out some of my favorite japanese fabrics. and that awesome pale yellow abstract fabric. (thanks, jen!) and sewed up a little bag for her. i copied the bag that was given to me. and i love how it turned out. i think this will be my standard gift for all pregnant friends.

the little one loves putting anything. and everything. in her mouth. so last night i whipped up this little toy. i am not an embroidery guru at all. i think this was the first time i've done something like this. it was kind of fun.

anika loves it. and has played with it numerous times today. yay.

you can make one too. there's a tutorial here. or you can just wing it. like i did.

// four months //

baby doll. you are four months old. that is one third of a year. it is amazing how much has changed in the last while. you have wiggled your way into every part of our lives. and i love how we have adapted to having you here. i am loving our new normal. loving it. a couple of weeks ago i was carrying you while you were falling asleep. i got all teary eyed because you are getting so big. and i won't be able to carry you forever. but i am excited for the next few months. and years. and watching you grow and develop. and being a big part of it. anika. you are my daughter. and i love you. love you. love you.

// you are my sweetpea // you sleep awesome during the night but struggle during the day // you listen to waves and the tide coming in while falling asleep // you like to hold the edge of the book when we read // your hands are often in tight little fists // but you recently started crossing your fingers together // your cousin calls you her sister // you love it when your papa sings japanese kids songs with you // you are rolling over more // you arch your back and cry when you are still hungry // you smile so easily // your belly button pops out when you stretch, are full or cry hard // you wore jeggings for the first time // you are so cute when you stretch // you like doing cheers // you smile when i get you up from a nap // your right ear sticks out a little more than your left one // your poo is getting stinky // you are sleeping longer at night // you are losing your neck // you are my little stink bomb // you went out for your first japanese meal // you stopped using your sleep sheep // you started sleeping much longer at night // you are starting to teethe // you are no longer my little newborn // you like to chew on sophie the giraffe // you have rosy cheeks // you got your papa's eyebrows // you like laying on your change table // you often curl your toes // your legs are always moving // you are my chatterbox // you breastfeed all day but take a bottle before bed // you got blood taken from you the first time // you nap better on the weekends // your hair is getting longer // you try to sit up while leaning back on me // your ears are bendable // you didn't poo for three days // your papa does excercises with you // you have a bit of hair at the front growing faster than the rest // you can push yourself up into a standing position when we are holding you // you try to grab the pictures off the pages of your books // you slept in your room all by yourself for the first time // you get big crocodile tears when you cry // you have stinky farts // you are still 25th percentile for height and 50th for weight // you laughed for the first time // you have rediscovered your tongue // you smell like anika // you survived your first set of shots // you recognize your name // you are my baby doll //

 

my good friend, ali from the dotted line, put together an online pop up shop.called one thousand wishes. the goal is to raise one thousand dollars, which will be donated to the canadian red cross japanese earthquake and tsunami fund. i donated a couple of things. and i am super excited to see all the other goodness that other gals have donated. the shop is now open. yay.

my japanese wall quilt.that i originally made for anika's room.

and a patchwork heart made out of some of my favorite japanese fabric.

lots of goodness going on around here today. yay.

i had time to quickly sew another patchwork heart. i have found something new. that i love to make. yay.

the heart was for this new little girl. who i had a photo shoot with this afternoon. and i have found something else that i love to do. yay.

and we had an amazing dinner. with my sister and her family. and my mama. something we do almost weekly. never tire of. and are so thankful for. yay.

i am carving out. bits of time. here and there. to sew. i have my own dedicated sewing corner now. where i don't need to clean up projects. i am trying to sew for twenty mintues a day. small, attainable goals are AWESOME.

first up on never ending sewing list was a new spring bag for myself. well, this is not it.

i never follow a pattern when i make bags. i just make things up as i go. this time i followed a pattern. and hated how the outside of it turned out. so i chucked it. but kept the pink lining that was already sewn. turned it into the outside of a new bag. and i lined it with some blue fabric that says "twinkle twinkle little star". a perfect gift for a special mama who doesn't know if she is having a baby boy or girl.

now i have to put a new spring bag for me back on the list of things to sew. along with a crib sheet. drool bibs. a quilted wall hanging. a quilt for her crib. some grab toys. a playmat. regular bibs. some buckets. some blocks. a couple of hats. a sewing machine cover. and a few more gifts.

 

more randomness. because that's how i roll.

1. i joined the umbrella prints trimming competition. yep. now i just hope i have time. to sew up something magical. in the next month. more details here.

2. i have eaten way too many. tin foiled chocolate eggs. i need to stop.

3. i took the wee one to get her first set of shots last week. but instead i got shots. go figure.

4. i wanted to sew something small. to feel like i accomplished something. so i made a couple of coasters. well. in the process i realized. that i am not destined to make little, fidgety things. you need much patience. and little, fidgety skills. two things i need to work on.

5. spring is coming. yay.

what are you up to these days?

our connection to japan is strong. my little lovebug is half japanese. and her papa is from japan. h-kun's family lives quite a bit south of sendai but they definitely felt the earthquake. they are all safe. our friend's and friends' families who live in the sendai area and tokyo are also all safe. everyone we know is safe physically. but emotionally and mentally they are drained. the sadness and loss over in japan continues. and it is all so overwhelming.

thank you to all of you who have sent me emails and left me messages during the last week. your thoughtfulness has been appreciated.

there are lots of ways to help japan. right now. the red cross might be a good place to place to start. and all over the blog world folks are donating money raised from their time and goods.and my good friend, ali, is putting together an online pop-up shop. called one thousand wishes. the goal is to raise one thousand dollars, which will be donated to the red cross. if you have a handmade item or photo you would like to donate, please visit her blog. our family will definitely be donating something special. to do our small part in helping the people in japan.

// three months //

crazy. three months already. your papa and i were just talking last night. that things with you are starting to feel normal. that looking after you is getting easier. and that is all good. we still all have a lot of adjusting and learning to do. but i am thankful that things are starting to feel comfortable. phew. i love watching you grow. and develop. and love that you are becoming more interactive. i can't wait to see what this next month will hold, my little lovebug.

// you are my honey bear // your hair is growing over your ears // you like going for walks in the park // you don't like sharp loud noises // you don't wake up slowly // you don't wake up slowly // you react to dairy and wheat when your mama eats it // you are full of smiles // you sometimes gag on your soother // you are eating much better // you are super strong // you are my baby doll // you grasp my fingers // you blow bubbles with your spit // you had your first two trips to the children's hospital // you have chubby knees // you are getting a bald spot on the back of your head // you don't scratch your face so much anymore // you adore your papa // your thighs are getting chubbier // you sometimes fall asleep after i do // your finger nails grow so fast // you have the best hairline // you sleep longer if we snuggle and sleep together // you like talking with me and answering my many questions // you hated your puffer when you were sick // you love floating in the bath tub // you don't like load chaotic places // you sometimes get a rash on your face // you smile a lot // you discovered how to suck on your hand // you fart a lot // you have a stork bite on each eyelid // you recognize our voices and smile when you hear us // you love us reading books to you // you giggle // you like it when your pap makes animal noises // you have cute little hiccups // you got the flap under your tongue snipped // you are noticing your toys more // you like to hold onto the rings on your toys // you react to my silly antics // you have stylish hair // you often suck on your right fist when you are hungry // you have conversations with us // you love looking at lights // you met a new little friend // you experienced your first valentine's day // you sometimes dive for your soother // your arms and legs are constantly moving // when you sleep you turn your head to the left // your eye hand coordination is improving // you pop your soother out to get your hand in there instead // you have started to suck on toys // you love looking at the ceiling // you have the most adorable little voice // you like looking in mirrors // your bangs are growing longer // you are my lovebug // you have the cutest little nostrils // you already love your mama's iphone // you don't need to eat right away after you wake up for the day anymore but instead will lounge in bed with me for a bit // you like to push against things with your feet // you like holding your giraffe's tail // you love your mr. jangles toy and try to get his foot in your mouth // you like your singing japanese book // some of your three month sleepers are still a little big on you // you mimicked your dad waving at you // you can roll over from your tummy to your back and are so pleased with yourself // you often curl your toes // your cry doesn't sound like a newborn one anymore // you slept in your crib for the first time // you get dirty fingernails // you prefer napping with your mama or papa instead of on your own // you love staring at and talkking to the pictures in your books // your mama bought you your first swimming suit // your cousin joelle calls you "my ani!" // you have started sleeping longer at night // you are loved so much //