CHARM-ing new quilt....

For a little while now, I have been searching, and searching.... and searching for the perfect fabric to make new bedding for my girl-babe's bedroom.... Well, I am pleased to say that I have finally found something that has fit into the picture I have in my minds' eye.... What do you think of this????


I've purchased a charm pack... what's a charm pack you ask??? It's a pack of pre-cut 5" squares that includes the whole range of fabric in a line.... So I've chosen the Central Park line by Kate Spain.... aren't these the YUMMIEST looking patterns E-VER???? I think they'll work up really nice into the perfect size quilt for my girl-babe's little toddler bed.... I'll just need to get my hands on some yardage from the same line (slated to be released this month.... patiently, I wait).... the hard part will be to pick just one or two fabrics for a pillowcase and bedskirt.... what a dilemma.... how can I pick just one or two???? Any suggestions on which I should pick????

As for paint colour.... I'm thinking this link;
http://www.cil.ca/my-swatch/palette/162216231621/ a smoky, hazy purple.... something soft and muted.... with some green accents.... Any thoughts????

Have a warm and cozy weekend everyone ;)

Busy times....

It seems like I've transformed from just Plain Old Mom to Hockey Mom in the past 2 weeks.... It feels like all we've been doing is eating, sleeping, dreaming hockey.... It's a good thing we love it like we do....

Aaanyway, all of the crafting I had promised myself that I'd be doing after the new year has not materialized; not one bit. And now this week, I am extremely happy to report that I've been requested to fill an order for 5 skull and crossbones hats.... that makes a total of 7 hats that I need to complete within the next 2 weeks!!!! YAY!!!! I'm always open to new business :)

So, for the next couple of weeks, my hands will be busy.... happily busy :)

Have a great day everyone ;)

I'm stoked....

After months of trying to be seen... TA-DA!!!!!

I was featured in an Etsy treasury! Check me out here!

This is the item featured...


my beautiful boy wearing one of my hats, photographed by a fantastic girl, Stephanie... check out her work here!

Hard work paying off... check....

Have a fabulous night all! :D

What's next, a wash board?

I've been making my own laundry soap for quite some time now... seems like forever, really... and I find it's been working just as well as commercial grade soap. Of course, I still use bleach once a month in my whites just to fight the dinginess that somehow overtakes anything that is white; and I can't seem to give up my fabric softener addiction.... admittedly though, I have cut back to half of what is suggested per softener usage and started buying bulk Costco brand instead of my favourite Downy scent.... Aaaanyway, here's the recipe for the soap if anyone is interested in trying it out:

Laundry Soap
1 bar pure soap grated fine (I use sunlight laundry bar)
1 cup washing soda
1 cup borax
3/4 cup baking soda

Mix everything together in a large freezer bag or an air tight container. Use 1-3 tablespoons depending on your machine and water hardness.


After much experimenting, this is the recipe that works best for my extremely hard water (that by the way, is also softened with a water softener...uggg, I hate hard water and so does my hair) and my 13 year old trusty Maytag top-loader. You can certainly use this recipe as a guide to find your own formulation... much is dependent upon your own water and machine...

This recipe makes roughly 32-48 loads (1-1/2 to 2 tbsp soap)... here's the cost breakdown of the ingredients:

Soap Bar $2.49 for a package of 2 (wal-mart or grocery store)
Washing Soda $5.99 3kg(Zehrs grocery store)
Borax $5.99 2kg(Sobeys grocery store)
Baking Soda $4.99 2kg(any grocery store)

I haven't yet calculated how many cups are in each ingredient box... and will keep track from now on, so I can give a more accurate price per batch... Roughly speaking though, each 32-48 load batch is under $4.00 .... but; this is also a variable cost, as the ingredient prices will vary from store-to-store and town-to-town and be dependent upon the bar soap you buy.... so many variables, is it really worth it???? I say yes... for me anyway... I like knowing what is going next to my children's skin, I like knowing that I am making a more environmentally friendly choice, and that I'm saving a little money too. Hey! Works for me!

There are soooo many recipes on the net if you're looking for something a little different, all you need to do is search Homemade Laundry Detergent... the possibilities and recipes are endless. You'll find recipes for liquid or powder... I like the idea of liquid; but, as I found it a little difficult to find a 5 gallon pail and the space in my crampy laundry room, I opted for the powder and have been very, very happy with my choice.

This time around, I chose Dr. Bonners Peppermint Castile Soap (available at most health food stores) which was definitely not cost effective; but every now and then I like to change the scent up a bit... and a light minty scent is very energizing... I guess my point in this is that I know the ingredients, they're pure and natural and not toxic to my family.

Have a fantastic Monday everyone ;)

Slow start....

I'm in catch up mode around here.... my house is screaming for me to put it back in order and get rid of all the Christmas decor.... my laundry room is wondering why it feels so claustrophobic, that could be because all of our clothes seem to have relocated themselves there, hmmm....

Aaaaanyway, I'm not going to bore you with my day to day house chores that have been neglected by a certain someone who's name starts with J and ends with E and has a ULI between.... no, no, I'm not pointing fingers....

I'll be back next week with some crafty-like projects.... PROMISE :)

Have a great snowy day all ;)

Out of the hat....

The Crochet Skull and Crossbones Hat Giveaway is officially CLOSED....

And by random drawing........

With help from a pretty little red haired monkey who wouldn't sleep in even though she stayed up until 11:30pm.... arrrgggg :(

Thee-ee winner issss........Input fireworks here.....


DONNA, who said her favourite winter memory was "...when I got back home to Colorado. It doesn't snow in California..."

Congratulations Donna! I will be getting in touch with you today!

Thanks to everyone else for entering this fun little giveaway! And if you didn't win, but would still like to order a hat, custom orders can be made through my Etsy shop, 3 monkeys inc; or if you know me, just call, e-mail, yell from your front door... you get the point....

And a special thanks to everyone who takes the time and interest to read along... I really appreciate all of you!

Happy, Happy 2011 everyone ;)