Guest Blog Post

I will be travelling through the virtual blogsphere tomorrow to do a guest post at Accustomed Chaos about our journey into cloth diapering. Accustomed Chaos is a great blog find - you can follow Devan a SAHM as she navigates the chaos that comes with raising 3 little ones in a gluten free household.

Bloomin Earth

This past weekend I had the pleasure of being a vendor at Bloomin Earth, a seriously fabulous annual event in Kitchener Ontario. Bloomin Earth is a handmade marketplace and eco-fair, there was everything from fibre artists to organic clothing and skin care.

Here is my table:

Here are my snuggle quilts (with Lynn from Patchwork Butterfly in the background)

And my good friend Lynn from Patchwork Butterfly (check out her blog for new dress listings that are available to go home now).

I didn't get a chance to take photos but I also wanted to share the shops of some other great artists. The event's creator, Megan of U ROCK, Jasmin of Ribbonheadz, and .... Stephanie of lealou..

Thank you to everyone who came out and supported KW's growing indie handmade scene!

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Mama and Baby Photo Shoot

My great friend Stephanie over at SC Photography is holding her first ever giveaway on her blog for a free mama-and-baby photo shoot. Fabulous! If you are in the Kitchener area you really should head over, she is wonderful and so great at shooting with children (maybe it is because she herself is mama of 2 adorable little girls, with a 3rd on the way).

You may remember me talking about Stephanie back in November she did some wonderful family photos for us just before Christmas and we couldn't have been happier.

So go on over to her blog, check out the contest and maybe win yourself some great pictures!

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And the winner is....

KELLY!!!!

Kelly, random.org said you are the one! I'll be in touch to get you your prize. Congratulations!!!

Apron Love

It has come to my attention that I have never shared any apron love on this here little blog... which is strange considering I am completely smitten with the apron. I love everything about them, their look, thier function... and I just LOVE to wear them. Until recently I have never made one... again... strange.


Last night I was up sewing for Bloomin Earth (it is this Saturday by the way and if you live in the Kitchener area you should definitely check it out) and around 10pm I realized that I really needed (ahem... wanted) some sort of a "vendor's apron" to hold my business cards, change, pens etc. So off I went and the best thing was that I had the perfect amounts of fabric in my stash. My apron is based on this tutorial here by Kitschy Coo. I have seen vendor aprons before that have a bunch of cute looking pockets at the front, but was drawn to the clean look of this one. As Amanda says herself there is nothing worse than pens and cards falling out of those all too cute tiny pockets. This was a super easy sew but I did make a few modifications.



First, I made the actual apron part a little wider, I like to keep an order/reciept book with me and wanted to have room. So instead of making it 18" wide, I cut is 22" wide (I kept the length the same). I also decided against putting in a zipper pocket for change. I like to keep my money on me but don't like to to be zippered into the actual apron, so I will be using a separate zipper pouch for change and bills that will fit nicely in the apron but not be a part of it. Its nearly impossible to see in the picture but the apron part is basically 2 large pockets - which is perfect (nothing worse than a bunch of small pockets that nothing - including your hand - can fit into!).


I used a heavyweight brown linnen/cotton canvas for the backing fabric, my favourite carnival bloom for the front and a super fun coordinating aqua/brown dot fabric for the lining and straps. Speaking of straps, did I mention how much I love these thicker straps? Amanda was right, they really are the most flattering strap for this type of apron. I also love the look, they feel like they should be in a 1950's diner - which is fabulous!


Anyways, I am just in love with my new vendors apron, and am sure it will get a lot of use as a crafting apron as well (how many times can one loose her tape measure, pins and scizzors when sewing?).


I do hope to continue this little bit of apron loving around here... and hope that in the near future I will have a few new aprons to show you!

And don't forget about my give away for a free snack and sandwich saver from beebee buttercup! The contest is on until Sunday night. All you have to do is leave a comment on yesterday's post to be entered.

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Earth Day Giveaway

Happy Earth Day everyone!

It is so important to do as much as we can, no matter how small an action, to promote sustainability. Whether it is cloth diapering, shopping locally, growing our own food, avoiding purchasing pre packaged foods, turning off the TV, walking or riding a bike, or repurposing and using what we have there are so many ways that we can each do our part.

So in honour of Earth Day I am hosting my first ever give away here on "Hands and Home". I am giving away one (1) Snack Saver and one (1) Sandwich Saver in the "Around the World" print (as shown below).

These Snack and Sandwich savers are reusable snack bags. Do away with bulky Tupperware and disposable plastic bags and wrap. Snack Savers are made from 100% cotton fabric and lined with water resistant RipStop Nylon making them the perfect choice for crackers, grapes or other fruit, trail mix, or sandwiches. The Velcro closure makes them easy for even the littlest of hands to use! These are perfect for storing wet washcloths, crayons, diaper creams or medicines you don't want to leak, or anything else that you need to carry with you!
Click here for more information
To enter simply leave a comment on this post. To gain an extra 3 entries mention this give away on your own blog (and mention that you have blogged about it in your comment here). The winner's name will be drawn via. random number selection and the contest closes at 5:00 PM Thursday April 29, 2010. The winner will be contacted via email.

Have a great Earth Day!

**Edited to add. 1 week is so far away, I will be closing the contest Sunday April 25 at 8:00 pm (and then this way the winner should receive thier prize by next Friday at the latest). Thanks for understanding!!

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Next up on the "TO READ" list

If you have followed my blog at all you have probably noticed that I cannot go very long without writing about the latest book on my bookshelf, or on my "to read" list. You have probably also noticed that I am naturally drawn to books about natural childbirth and parenting. Well, Elizabeth Pantley has a new book coming out: The No Cry Separation Anxiety Solution. It will be a welcome addition to the "No Cry... Solution" series and I am particularly excited about it mostly because I am going through some major separation anxiety issues with my little Ladybug. At just 12 months it is positively earth shattering when I dare to leave the room without her, do anything that doesn't directly involve her, or have the audacity to ask someone to hold her for just a second while I... (insert action here). I don't (usually) begrudge her this because I know that soon enough she will not need, let alone want, me to be with her 24/7 - but for now I would love to make it a little easier on the both of us.

A little about the book from the author:

"SAY GOOD-BYE TO SEPARATION ANXIETY

Does it break your heart to leave your crying child at daycare, school, or with a babysitter? Do you worry and wonder how to help?

Nearly all children experience separation anxiety-it's natural-but finding a solution can be frustrating. That's why Elizabeth Pantley, author of the bestselling No-Cry series-developed gentle, effective solutions for every separation situation. Whether your child is a baby, toddler or first grader, these tried and true techniques will help them to:

* Say goodbye at the door - with a smile and a wave-and no more tears.
* Conquer anxiety at daycare, school, parties, trips, and play-dates.
* Go to sleep peacefully-and stay in bed - at naptime and bedtime.
* Feel comfortable with caregivers, babysitters, and new people.
* Explore new places with joy and confidence."

I'm still alive... but currently chained to my sewing machine

I think it just needs to be said... I have turned into a very bad blogger lately. Its one part lack of time, one part lack of sleep, one part lack of new projects, and one part lack of having anything remotely interesting or worth while to blog about. But that being said I just thought I'd let you know what I've been up to these past few weeks.

I have been up to my eyeballs in fabric just trying to get read for Bloomin Earth this weekend. I am so stoked for this show I cannot even tell you. I mean, come on 70+ local vendors selling their handmade and/or eco-friendly wares? Um... YES PLEASE! (and it doesn't hurt at all that beebee buttercup is going to be there as well). I promise to have pictures first thing Monday morning.

And here is just a little sneak peak at what I'm working on tonight: Snack and Sandwich savers. A fabulously fun and colourful alternative to wasteful Ziploc bags and bulky Tupperware. More information here.

I doubt I'll get a chance to check in before the big show on Saturday so I'll see you on Monday (and thanks for stopping by even though I've not been over in this space as much as I'd like to).

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