She would be proud of me

I have been told that my grand-mother was a very crafty woman. She created pretty things with almost nothing. She knew how to use the resources available, without wasting anything, since money was not abundant. Like a lot of women of her time, in rural area, she had to use her creativity in order to go on: to cook healty meals for her family, to sew clothes for her daughters, to grow pretty flowers in the garden, to decorate her house tastefully, etc. My grand-mother died many years before I was born. I think that if I had the chance to bring back to life somebody, just for an afternoon, I would choose her. I’m certain that I would have the best “crafternoon” ever!

When I told my mother that I wanted to learn how to knit, she gave me an old book that belonged to my grand-mother. While flipping through pages of knitting techniques, I came across a vintage squirrel pattern. I had to make it! I took a knitting class with the sole purpose of learning how to knit a squirrel on a pillow (I think that it traumatized my teacher). I finally reached my objective! This is more than just a pillow on my bed, it is a sign that I inherited my grand-mother love of crafts.

Lazy Sunday

The sky was gray and snow from the last storm was slowly melting creating unpleasant puddles of slush. In our loft, the cat and the dog were minding their own business (aka sleeping). It was a perfect day for board games. What can I say! I guess that we are seniors stuck in young adult bodies! We have a bookshelf full of games. I honestly think that board games are very popular but that people are just ashamed to say that they appreciate a little “family game night” once in a while. We played Ticket to Ride. It’s a cross-country train adventure in which players collect and play matching train cards to claim railway routes connecting cities throughout North America. That game fits our criteria: it’s short (30 minutes), sweet (pretty board) and even though you need to think strategically…it doesn’t give you a headache!

Because squirrels are cool

I have been living in Montreal for almost 7 years. For the first part of my life, I was a resident of a little village of less than 500 inhabitants where deers, raccoons, foxes, groundhogs, and sometimes mooses were visiting our property. I left those country critters for pigeons, seagulls and…squirrels. I like squirrels. I don’t think that they are rats with fuzzy tails and that their only purpuse is to rip open garbage bags (even though I occasionnaly see an evil looking one working his way into a big bag full of stuff you don’t want to see on the sidewalk)! Squirrels amuse me. Especially at this time of year when they are fat...ready for winter. Those city critters are a little reminder that nature is everywhere. Even on a busy street, between a tiny patch of grass and a beatup tree.

Pretty squirrelly items from Etsy:

Squirrel Tea by groundwork
Print of an original painting (colored pencil and watercolor)

Squirrel in Tree/Tree in Squirrel Scarf by caitiesellers
Double weave scarf made out of super-fine, super soft alpaca

Squirrel pull toy by matsutake
Made out of a very fine grade papier mache

Grey Squirrel Tags by dappledesign
Part of a set of a dozen metal rimmed hang tags

Small vintage fabric bag by littleblackrabbit
Bag is made from fabric dated 1974 called "Pooks Hill"

Squirrel necklace by imogeneANDannie
Hand pierced from an etched sterling silver oval

Birdies are ready for takeoff

I finally finished my ornaments for the swap (2nd holiday ornament swap) and I’m very happy with the results. Each bird is made out of felt and embroidery floss. The colors and the design are scandinavian inspired. It was really nice to see those little birdies slowly taking shape.

I now have to create nice gift tags and find pretty envelopes that will carry the ornaments to their final destination (Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and USA). I should wait until at least december 1st to mail the packages to my swap partners (give them the time to get in the holiday mood) but it is going to be very difficult. I want to send them now, now, now!!!

Already thinking about the holidays!

I have always been facinated with everything scandinavian: the design, the culture, the traditions, the language, the landscape and the fact that they always look good! Last summer, my husband and I went on a two weeks vacation to Sweden. We were not disappointed! I believe that scandinavia is just the right balance between contemporary and traditional, urban and country, individuality and family.

Since I’m already in the spirit of the holidays, thanks to the ornament swap, I’m slowly planning to add a little bit of scandinavia Christmas to my apartment. Beeswax candles in abundance, nature inspired decorations, simple country-inspired tree, red-and-white fabric and knitted stockings.

I also think that I will try to get a little tree like that to hang the ornaments that I will get in the swap!

Pies and murders

When Gilmore Girls ended last year I wondered about the next TV show that will captivate me enough that I will voluntarily not answer the phone while it is on...not even during the commercial breaks! I had Friends and Gilmore Girls. I tried Desperate Housewives but without much success...I answered the phone a couple of times. Then I found Pushing Daisies and I just love it. I know that the ratings are not very high but that show is just so sweet and unusual. I like everything about it: the sets, the costumes, the characters and obviously the scenario. How can you not love a show that is set in a pie restaurant?

Holiday swaps and "crafternoons"

I’m so happy that I have the chance and the time to enter two swaps (I didn’t even know what swaps were last week!).

The Holiday Traditions exchange hosted by Montessori by Hand is basically an opportunity to learn a new holiday tradition. It is also a reflection on the meaning of the holiday in our families. I have to introduce my swap partner to the joys of a traditional French Canadian Christmas! I will also send a CD with typical French Christmas music, an ornament and a family recipe.

The 2nd Annual Holiday Ornament Swap hosted by freshly blended and cake & pie is about creating pretty ornaments that you send to 8-10 people and after...very excited…you get 8-10 ornaments by the mail. It is much better than getting credit card bills!

After I entered, I quickly realised that I have no background in design (I have a business degree) and that I don’t have an Esty shop full of nice objects. I’m just a crafter wannabe! I needed to get encouragement from my friend Donna who is a very artistic and crafty person. We had two great “crafternoons”. I made tea and we talked about crafts and other things. We only stopped to walked our pooches and get some fresh air!

I’m quite pleased with my ornament prototype and I can’t wait to see the final result.

I'm "aux petits oiseaux"!

Bonjour and welcome to my little world!

After some hesitation (a lot actually), I decided to start my own blog. Reading amazing blogs from all around the world is one thing but writing on my inspirations and on my thoughts is something else… something intimidating but also very exciting!

I’m planning to use this new opportunity to express my thoughts on parts of my day to day life, on nice things that I come across and on projects (knitting, sewing, cooking, etc.) that I will try to make.

À bientôt!