Happy Friday my friends.
Today is a very short post. I have the day off to prepare for a whole weekend long yard sale I'm having! I'm taking a 5 min break to write this and then it's back to the boxes and setting up the tables. Last year we made over $1,000 so it's worth the hard work....a win win ...we get rid of clutter and make money at the same time!!!
Anyway I thought I would tell you about my friend Lisa who is currently working for a very demanding crazy family who have little manners and respect for others. One day Lisa was asked to buy red apples for the family as part of her grocery shopping. No problem, she picks up plenty of red apples for this family of 7. The next day Lisa arrives at work to this......
"Lisa I know I asked you to buy red apples yesterday but these apples are just far too red!!! We like the ones with a little red and a little green"
NO JOKE!!!! Lisa had to go out and buy the apples with a little red and a little green!
You can't make this up!
P.S. Names have been changed to protect the innocent!
Have a great weekend.
From Norland Nanny to small business owner
Friday, May 17, 2013
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
Crafters A.D.D. picture update
It appears I'm still have a problem with blogger with my pics.....going to be switching out of blogger in the near future....but meanwhile for all of you that didn't receive the pic via email yesterday I think I've solved the problem.....
Here's the hoop art that didn't come through yesterday
Here's the hoop art that didn't come through yesterday
Pretty cute for a first attempt right? I still need to finish it off....it will have a nice neat edge and back when I'm done.
Monday, May 13, 2013
Crafters A.D.D.
I think I have Crafter's A.D.D. Is it a real condition?
I seem to be able to focus well in plenty of other areas in my life but when it comes to playing around with fabric, paper, glitter and glue I can't seem to keep my attention focused on one thing for too long.
I start one project and half way through get an idea for another and then another and another and it spirals until there's barely room to move in my studio (I should insert a picture here but I'm far too embarrassed)....I'm tripping over boxes of ribbon because i have to find the perfect match and swiping my tables and shoving things to one side to make room to focus on the most dominant project for that 10 minutes of attention.
I'm not always like this! If my studio is tidy and I am focused for example making blankets that morning, it runs very smoothly. I think it's when I'm in design mode....trying to piece coordinating fabrics together, to get the pattern for a new item just so, to decorate the card with just the right trimmings, a little of this a little of that and before you know it I can't find the table.
My space is designed pretty well I think, I painted it my favourite colour, a bold Kelly green and made sure I had lots of white accessories to brighten it up. It's a small room but I managed to squeeze 3 tables in, 1 for sewing, 1 for the computer and 1 for designing, cutting, crafting etc. I have those IKEA cubbies that everyone seems to have but they are very useful (I have the 16 cubby version) and the closet is a pretty good size - I pulled out the clothes rod and my carpenter friend John put in 4 huge, strong shelves and everything is in plastic totes and labelled. If you catch me on a good, tidy day you would think I'm as organized as Martha Stewart (which is my nickname amongst my friends).
Unfortunately it's a mess right now! I had a designing day yesterday.....had the house to myself and nothing essential to do so I thought I would get a couple of projects knocked off that's been on my mind (and several 'To- Do' lists for a while now). I have created a new style of bib, a bib for droolers so it's shorter....and it's so pretty....it's definitely leaning towards 'I need to be a girl bib'. I'll share it soon but first it has to go to my test baby so it can be 'mother approved'...heads up Katie!! Hopefully it will be in the shop in the next few weeks, I'm very excited about this so I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I don't have to redesign it.
I also worked on 'Hoop Art' which I convey as a stitched picture in an embroidery hoop. Here's my first attempt ( I need to trim the fabric and finish off the back but this is just to give you an idea).
The creative mind is just so amazing. I mean I do love it.....but I feel like I don't relax or sleep as much as I should....I envy my boyfriend....he can take a nap sitting upright on the couch at any given moment....even half way through a conversation if he's really tired. But I've always leaned towards the 'being productive' mode rather than the 'relaxing' mode! I guess it's genetics! Any other crafters feel the same way? I know I can't be alone :o)
I seem to be able to focus well in plenty of other areas in my life but when it comes to playing around with fabric, paper, glitter and glue I can't seem to keep my attention focused on one thing for too long.
I start one project and half way through get an idea for another and then another and another and it spirals until there's barely room to move in my studio (I should insert a picture here but I'm far too embarrassed)....I'm tripping over boxes of ribbon because i have to find the perfect match and swiping my tables and shoving things to one side to make room to focus on the most dominant project for that 10 minutes of attention.
I'm not always like this! If my studio is tidy and I am focused for example making blankets that morning, it runs very smoothly. I think it's when I'm in design mode....trying to piece coordinating fabrics together, to get the pattern for a new item just so, to decorate the card with just the right trimmings, a little of this a little of that and before you know it I can't find the table.
My space is designed pretty well I think, I painted it my favourite colour, a bold Kelly green and made sure I had lots of white accessories to brighten it up. It's a small room but I managed to squeeze 3 tables in, 1 for sewing, 1 for the computer and 1 for designing, cutting, crafting etc. I have those IKEA cubbies that everyone seems to have but they are very useful (I have the 16 cubby version) and the closet is a pretty good size - I pulled out the clothes rod and my carpenter friend John put in 4 huge, strong shelves and everything is in plastic totes and labelled. If you catch me on a good, tidy day you would think I'm as organized as Martha Stewart (which is my nickname amongst my friends).
Unfortunately it's a mess right now! I had a designing day yesterday.....had the house to myself and nothing essential to do so I thought I would get a couple of projects knocked off that's been on my mind (and several 'To- Do' lists for a while now). I have created a new style of bib, a bib for droolers so it's shorter....and it's so pretty....it's definitely leaning towards 'I need to be a girl bib'. I'll share it soon but first it has to go to my test baby so it can be 'mother approved'...heads up Katie!! Hopefully it will be in the shop in the next few weeks, I'm very excited about this so I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I don't have to redesign it.
I also worked on 'Hoop Art' which I convey as a stitched picture in an embroidery hoop. Here's my first attempt ( I need to trim the fabric and finish off the back but this is just to give you an idea).
|
| Hoop Art....soon to hit the shop! |
The creative mind is just so amazing. I mean I do love it.....but I feel like I don't relax or sleep as much as I should....I envy my boyfriend....he can take a nap sitting upright on the couch at any given moment....even half way through a conversation if he's really tired. But I've always leaned towards the 'being productive' mode rather than the 'relaxing' mode! I guess it's genetics! Any other crafters feel the same way? I know I can't be alone :o)
Thursday, May 9, 2013
A Book Review - The Night Before Mother's Day by Natasha Wing
'Twas the night before Mother's Day
Dad told us his plan
to get Mom out of the house.
Who can resist an opening like that?
This is a paperback book (not sure if it comes in hard back) and it's not just the beginning that resembles the poem 'The night before Christmas' it has references and similarities the whole way through.
It's a cute little story about preparing for Mum's special day and cost only $3.99 at Target.
Monday, May 6, 2013
A new trend in gift giving
So I've been a nanny for over 20 years and in those 20 year I have attended A LOT of children's parties! And what wonderful parties there has been.
The amazing spring time tea party where invitations were a spring flower planted in a teacup with saucer, laid in a pretty box with a tag attached with all the party details. The box was hand delivered, the cake was absolutely amazing made by a renown NYC cake maker, made to resemble the garden of the house the child lived in. The girls wore their best party dresses and had afternoon tea in the formal dinning room.
Then there was the Medieval Times outing with I don't know how many 10 year old boys to round up and keep in line.
Petting zoo parties
Ice skating parties
Pony riding parties
Build-a-bear parties
Candy shop parties
You name it I've been to it or heard of it.
Anyway with all these parties come all the presents! And when you invite every child in the class it's such an excessive amount!
More and more I am seeing party invitations with 'No Presents Please' attached to the end of the invite.
I'm also seeing a lot more 'In lieu of gifts *name of child* requests that you make a donation to her favourite charity'.
Ms. 'I' (the little girl I take care of) turned 7 yrs old last month and opted to ask that instead of gifts from her school mates they make a donation (if they would like to) to the charity of her choice!
I have to say I think this is very big of any child to do this and a wonderful life lesson. Pay it forward and help others less fortunate than yourself!
Interested in having your child donate? Here are just a few charities that help children who are less fortunate.
- March of Dimes www.marchofdimes.com
Improves the health of babies
- Make-a-Wish Foundation www.wish.org
Grants wishes to children with life threatening medical conditions
- Locks of Love www.locksoflove.org
Provides hair pieces to children with long term hair loss medical conditions
- Canines for Disabled Kids www.caninesforkids.org
Provides assistance dogs for disabled children
- My Stuff Bags Foundation www.mystuffbags.org
Provides bags to children who are pulled out of dangerous homes. The bags are filled
with items they need to settle into their new environment.
These are just a few of the amazing charities, there are so many more. Here is a link to help you decide http://www.more4kids.info/652/top-childrens-charities/
The amazing spring time tea party where invitations were a spring flower planted in a teacup with saucer, laid in a pretty box with a tag attached with all the party details. The box was hand delivered, the cake was absolutely amazing made by a renown NYC cake maker, made to resemble the garden of the house the child lived in. The girls wore their best party dresses and had afternoon tea in the formal dinning room.
Then there was the Medieval Times outing with I don't know how many 10 year old boys to round up and keep in line.
Petting zoo parties
Ice skating parties
Pony riding parties
Build-a-bear parties
Candy shop parties
You name it I've been to it or heard of it.
Anyway with all these parties come all the presents! And when you invite every child in the class it's such an excessive amount!
More and more I am seeing party invitations with 'No Presents Please' attached to the end of the invite.
I'm also seeing a lot more 'In lieu of gifts *name of child* requests that you make a donation to her favourite charity'.
Ms. 'I' (the little girl I take care of) turned 7 yrs old last month and opted to ask that instead of gifts from her school mates they make a donation (if they would like to) to the charity of her choice!
I have to say I think this is very big of any child to do this and a wonderful life lesson. Pay it forward and help others less fortunate than yourself!
Interested in having your child donate? Here are just a few charities that help children who are less fortunate.
- March of Dimes www.marchofdimes.com
Improves the health of babies
- Make-a-Wish Foundation www.wish.org
Grants wishes to children with life threatening medical conditions
- Locks of Love www.locksoflove.org
Provides hair pieces to children with long term hair loss medical conditions
- Canines for Disabled Kids www.caninesforkids.org
Provides assistance dogs for disabled children
- My Stuff Bags Foundation www.mystuffbags.org
Provides bags to children who are pulled out of dangerous homes. The bags are filled
with items they need to settle into their new environment.
These are just a few of the amazing charities, there are so many more. Here is a link to help you decide http://www.more4kids.info/652/top-childrens-charities/
Friday, May 3, 2013
Making handmade cards
I have a few cards for sale in the shop, all contain fabric in some shape or form. So I thought I would do a quick tutorial today on how I make them.
I chose this versatile dress template, it can be made into so many different occasion cards!
Fabric for the dress
Iron on interfacing
Ribbon
Card and envelope
Template (I used a stamp)
Fabric and paper scissors
Pencil
Bone folder
Multipurpose glue
 |
| I used a stamp as my template. Stamped it with ink, let it dry, cut it out and voila you have a template. |
 |
| Take your iron and iron on the interfacing to the wrong side of the fabric. |
 |
| I always place the iron on the fabric not the interfacing.....follow manufacturer's instructions....usually it's no steam! |
 |
| Trace around your template onto your fabric and cut out making sure you cut inside the lines so you have no pencil mark on your card |
 |
| Position your trim on your dress |
 |
| I glued the trim on with a permanent fabric glue but the multipurpose glue works fine too |
 |
| Once the glue on the trim is dry flip over the dress and trim off the excess |
 | |
| Glue your dress to your card and let dry. I printed my card with the wording before gluing on the dress |
https://www.etsy.com/listing/150160768/quinceanera-card-feliz-quinceanera-15th?ref=shop_home_active
https://www.etsy.com/listing/150039570/sweet-sixteen-birthday-card-sweet-16?ref=shop_home_active
https://www.etsy.com/listing/130968355/first-holy-communion-card-confirmation?ref=shop_home_active
Hope you all have a great weekend.
Wednesday, May 1, 2013
Highly annoying!!!
Hi all.....I'm a little frustrated today....my blogger doesn't seem to be accepting my pictures. I had a great post for you on making your own handmade cards with lots of pics and I have been stalled!
It's taken 4 pictures and it won't take anymore....I think it's on strike! I've tried rebooting the computer, closing down windows and opening them up again and nothing is jolting this lazy bloggers butt! So I have to give up for today (worked on it this morning and tonight) grrrrrrrrrrr hopefully tomorrow!
Stay tuned!
It's taken 4 pictures and it won't take anymore....I think it's on strike! I've tried rebooting the computer, closing down windows and opening them up again and nothing is jolting this lazy bloggers butt! So I have to give up for today (worked on it this morning and tonight) grrrrrrrrrrr hopefully tomorrow!
Stay tuned!
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