Lazy Winter Days

In the summer I was so gung-ho about getting projects done and working on the condo. But now it is cold and evil out and honestly all I want to do all evening is sit here:

Maybe with a cup of cocoa, but I am trying to cut back on the junk food before the Christmas (AKA chocolate heaven) hits. So it is more like a cup of Coke Zero, but I am still quite happy to be here! And yes, I totally put the fireplace channel on for that shot. And yes, I still suck at using my camera and editing my photos. haha! But I have started taking some weekend courses on Lightroom and hopefully this area will improve leaps and bounds!!

One of the main reasons I want to be sitting on my couch (though maybe not watching the fireplace channel) is that I am knitting again! What is it about cold weather that makes me want to weave yarn into intricate patterns and get hand cramps?

I am currently working on my very first patterned scarf! I have always been afraid of pattern because I don't know how to fix it if I do the wrong stitch. So far I have managed to not screw it up, but I bet I just jinxed myself on THAT point.

This is two evenings worth of work (ok, not a lot of work cause my hands get sore)

It is coming along though! I am a terribly slow knitter (and my purls are even slower) but hopefully I will get better with practice!!

What are you doing on these cold winter days?

Feeling a Little Crafty! {Felt Owls Ornaments}

Look at these cute owls!


I pinned these ages ago and I only just got around to trying to make one! See, I have a Christmas tree for the first time this year (even though I am still trying to give it away to my brother and sis-in-law who want to buy a new tree) so I need some decorations for it. And while buying decorations can be fun, I wanted to see how many I could craft!

This craft was made by Juicy Bits so please check her out for these and other fun crafts!

First thing I did was print off the pattern for these suckers. That meant I needed to set up my printer. I really need to get one of those wireless printers, but I have no idea where I'd put it, so I keep lugging down this 8 year old beauty from the closet when I need it!

Once printed, I cut those little pieces out. I think next time I might size it up a bit because this was so tiny and finicky! Plus, it would be fun to make big owls too (maybe for a certain niece of mine).

I then used my paper guides to cut out my owl pieces in felt (I used leftover felt from my flower magnet project). I am seriously going to be using this felt for a LONG time. haha. I stuck my hand in this shot so you can see how small this sucker was.

I then sewed on all the pieces to the front piece and then sewed on the back, leaving a inch or so at the bottom. After that you shove your stuffing up it's butt and sew it shut!

I didn't have beads for eyes, and I couldn't find that wavy ribbon anywhere, so my owl is a bit plain compared to the picture. And honestly? Not as cute. I need to try some different colours next time I think. Plus I forgot to add the ribbon in (the instructions skip it) so I sewed a strip of folded felt to the back. If you are thinking ahead you can sew it inside to the owl.

What do you think? Worthy of a Christmas tree? I would probably have to make like 50 more to fill up my tree. haha

The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair

On Monday evening I had big plans- I was going to sit at home snug as a bug in a rug and work on a new scarf I am knitting (I am trying a pattern!!). If you thought my life was all "Sex in the City", I hope this statement didn't shatter your image of what I do in the evenings.

But anyway, that all changed in the afternoon when I got a text from my friend Erika saying she was volunteering for the Mixology Contest at the Royal Fair and did I want to come out and get into it for free? Heck to the yes I did! So I waited for my friend Maggie after work and we headed out to the fair, which is conveniently located just down the street from me! I had to buy admission, but it was 2 for 1 after 5pm so I have another ticket that I plan to use on Sunday!!

Once we got there I picked the healthiest thing I could find for dinner.

I got a size small and there is a Coke Zero in there too so I saved SOME calories, right? ...right? *crickets*

After my delicious poutine, Maggie and I went in search of dessert (of course). I didn't buy any dessert, but Maggie made up for it by getting two! mmm they looked good!

Then I went in search of Erika, while Maggie went to the horse show. On the way, I passed all the usual fair do-dads like butter carving contests, giant vegetables, and a petting zoo. By the way- is that a lettuce???!

I finally found Erika at the best. booth. ever. Basically the fair has a cocktail mixing competition and this year they opened it up for visitors to the fair to try the drinks and vote as well. For $25 you got 10 drink tickets and they were NOT little samples, as we suspected they might be!! Also, I got in for free (it helps to know the doorwoman) so this was basically the cheapest night out I have ever had!!

There were 10 cocktails to try (I think?) I had corn dog flavoured, sno-cone, something served in an orange, apple bobbing cocktail, some cidery one, a chocolate one. And some others I forget. SO GOOD. Sorry- it was only Monday night so it is over now!! :( I wish I had known it was only one day because it was seriously awesome and I would have told everyone to come!

Sno-Cone Martini

Cidery one?

You voted by giving your beads to the best bartender. I gave it to corn dog guy because c'mon, the man rocked a freaking corn dog cocktail. That is impressive. There was a hot dog in there!!!!

Since Maggie was at the horse show and Erika was selling tickets, I was flying solo at this event (lame) but then a friend of a friend hooked me up with some other friends who were there and they were nice enough to let me hang out with them like some awkward 4th wheel :)

Finally, Erika joined me and we enjoyed a second round of corn dog cocktails (for free, since I gave him my beads, but double free since I didn't buy my own tickets in the first place. woohoo!). I stayed until they announced the winners (apple bobbing one and another I never tried) and then took my butt home because I had to work in the morning.

So that is the story of how my life in the city actually is pretty awesome sometimes! But I do want to finish that knitted scarf before spring (I am a terribly slow knitter), so I better start turning down plans. But maybe not the free cocktails type plans. Thanks Erika!!

Anthralin Out, DPCP In

I know, I haven't done an update on my Anthralin Treatment in awhile so I am here to update! Finally!

Anthralin didn't work. I started In July and endured 3 months of spreading cream on my head and having it stain everything and making my head itchy and ugly. Not to mention it took an hour of my evening each day. I had no real changes after all that. So I am happy to be done! Thank the lord I can have clean sheets again!

Now the doctor has me trying a new treatment. I wanted to start this one first, as it is the best option available, but it is only in clinical trials so you have to wait for a spot to open up. I thought I would have to wait until next summer, but luckily they opened up some new spots!

So here is my new treatment. I have to go to the hospital once a week and have them put this stuff on my scalp. My skin with probably turn red and itch again, but at least this time it won't stain! The big downside is that I can only go during the scheduled clinical trials and they are almost always during working hours! Some weeks they have one before work on Monday's but otherwise I have to leave work early on Thursdays to get to the hospital in time. Therefore I had to clear it with work which is just lovely. I have no idea what people would do if they worked in a large organization. How would you get the time off?

But it is all good! I just did my first treatment (no reaction yet, they increase the dosage each week until I get the "right" allergic reaction) and I continue doing this for the next 6 months of my life. Yikes. The chances of it working too are pretty slim. But basically once this ends (for better or worse) I will be done treatments.

So that is my update! Sorry I don't have any fun DIY posts or anything but I was away all weekend!! I will for sure get to some projects this week. Or just slack off like usual. haha

What Happens When You Let Me Watch Your Kid

I stayed out late tonight and didn't pre-write a Friday post. oops. So to distract you, I am going to show you photos of me watching my niece last weekend because everyone loves babies!!

Playing with a new toy from Grandma

Crawling up Auntie Casey's leg

Laughing at how hilarious I am

Practicing walking!

Playing cowgirl

Just being ourselves!

Learning to take self portraits

Peek-a-boo!

After a strenuous hour of playing, we put that little cutie to bed and then we watched Magic Mike, which was a terrible terrible movie. And I know terrible movies- I've seen Gigli. But it was easy on the eyes at least. haha. 

I hope this weekend is just as much fun! Though I don't think there will be quite so much peek-a-boo ;)

Have a great weekend!

Felt Flower Magnets

In advance of this post, I would just like to mention that I am still at a complete loss on how to take photos in artificial yellow light. And apparently white balancing in photoshop later. These photos just suck. hahaha

So this weekend has been long and tiring. On Monday and Tuesday I was at the Ontario Tax Conference, which meant getting up at 5:30am so I could leave by 6:00am. And then I was going to the office afterwards, meaning I got home after 7:00pm both days and rushed to write some posts, eat food, and shower, before crashing into bed again. So I am just TIRED.

I wanted to get some projects done on the condo this week, but obviously I am too tired/strapped for time to bother doing anything. And I was away all weekend so I lost all the good light. Today I had some thoughts on what I would write about...and then I thought of a fun little project to do!

See, I have a lot of appointments with various doctors/dentists all over my fridge, along with photos of some beautiful babies that family has be giving me, and I have run out of magnets. Plus I am cheap and every time I go to buy magnets I talk myself out of it. Today I decided to make some!

Last month I made a wreath and with that I made some small felt flowers to decorate it. So why not make felt flower magnets??

Genius.

As luck would have it, I happened to have just bought a lifetime supply of felt for another project I want to do!

And I knew I had some magnets from years ago, but they did take me forever to find and I almost had to give up on this project! Plus I also had glue gun glue. Woohoo for projects that you don't need to buy anything for!

First, I cut my felt into circles:

They do not have to be perfect. In fact, your flowers look a bit more charming if they are imperfectly cut. I did end up choosing to do 3 big ones and 3 small ones later, so I cut 3 of the circles down to about half this size.

Then I cut a circle in a spiral pattern:

After this, you just roll up the spiral, keeping the edge you cut to make the spiral even (this will be the base of the flower). Secure with a dab of glue on the bottom.

Next, you just need to glue a piece of magnet on and you are done!

Ta-da! New magnets!!

This project took me about 15 minutes. And if I remember correctly, I bought the magnets and glue at the dollar store, and sheets of felt at 50 cents at the craft store (one sheet can do one big and two small in one colour) so this entire project can be done for $3. Way better than buying boring magnets for double that price!

Now I just need to go back this weekend and take nicer photos in nicer light. Except I am gone this weekend too. Sigh. Come back summer?