Christmas Craft - terrarium gifts

This year we had a couple people that we wanted to find a nice (and inexpensive) gift. I also wanted a gift that is a nice gift that wouldn't just be thrown away. So when I saw this post, I had to try it!

I couldn't find a small globe like the ones they used in their post, but I did manage to find a nice vase at Michaels for about $2.00. Also at Michaels I got the fast tongue depressers - you can buy them already coloured, but they were more expensive. So, I took my felt marker and coloured mine. And instead of stamping the letters on the tongue depresser, I used stickers (I didn't want to buy stamp stuff).

For plants - I went to a local flower shop and they helped me choose the plants. I got one plant for $3.50 that I was able to split into 3 mini terrariums. I also bought some extra dirt - about $5.00 and I have lots left for future use.

I took this mini terrarium to work and people were trying to steal it for their desks! Since then, I have had a couple people at work make larger versions.

Overall, it took me about 10 minutes to put it all together. I made a couple for myself too! I couldn't resist!

Christmas Craft - Fabric Christmas Ornament

I couldn't post any pictures of the crafts that I made this Christmas season in case friends and family saw this blog.



My sister and I created this fabric ball by using instructions from the Whip it blog. It is fairly simple to make and looks very nice once complete. We finished the top a little differently than in the original blog - we used a perl pin (can get these at most fabric or craft stores) for the top and bottom. We dabbed the pin in a little glue and then stuck it in. The pin also held the joint of the fabric pieces and the tie.

I would definitely make this ornament again! This is a great way to use some of those fabric scraps.

I will post more of the fun stuff that I created this week!

Happy New Year!

Well, 2008 is now gone and we welcome 2009. This year has been full of lots of fun, friends and many fond memories. I look forward to seeing what 2009 holds for us.

Some great news this past week: Sean & Liz got engaged; Erin & husband had a healthy baby boy; Amber & partner had a healthy baby boy! Congratulations to all!

Now it is time to look back on what I wanted to get done in 2008 and see how I did:
1. Get water heater replaced
2. Buy a new bed
3. Refinish bookshelf -started!
4. Finish unpacking (Yikes!!)
5. Finish Guest Suite (aka - mother-inlaw-suite) - uh oh!
a. hang shelves - didn't get a chance to buy them yet!
b. curtains?? - naw - scratch this off
c. side tables - still deciding
d. shelving???
6. Touch up downstairs bathroom paint - paint is out... not done yet... yikes!
7. Paint bedroom
8. Find wallpaper for office I didn't find wall paper, but I painted a feature wall in the office and am putting up a wall sticker! Pictures to come soon!
9. Go to London to see Steph - planned for March 2009
10. Find somethign for above fireplace - ughhh - I have had no luck finding anything
11. Hange tiles above stove - seriously? Why haven't I done this?
12. Find coffee table decided not to get a coffee table but a small side table. Still haven't found "the one" yet
13. Write more to Jenn - I know, I was horrible this year. This is the year!
14. Get Poster framed and hung Fefff! Got it back on December 19!
15. Take more pictures I did pretty good... now need to get better at posting them!
16. Get hallway painted - Maybe this year?
17. Find flooring for bathrooms and kitchen - Maybe this year?
18. Hang wordpress drawer - Can't do this until the hallway is painted!

So, as you can see, not too bad. Still lots of little things on the to-do list. I will be making a new list for this year soon!

Hope everyone has a fabulous year!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas everyone! Hope you are enjoying the day with friends and family!

My parents made the 9:00 ferry last night from Vancouver by the hair of their chinny-in-chin.

We had a lovely day and ate too much of course!

Let it Snow??

It may be pretty out there, but this snow has caused much havoc. My parents were due to arrive last night, however, the bad weather in St. John's caused so much delay that their flight was cancelled at 1:30am. They are on a flight today to Vancouver and then hopefully they can make the 9:00pm ferry to Victoria. If not, then at least they can catch the 7:ooam ferry on Xmas morning.

We did get some snow last night - but now it is melting as fast as it came.

Everybody keep their fingers crossed that my parents do indeed make the 9:00pm ferry tonight!!

Defeated by Shortbread...

This weekend is baking weekend. Unfortunately I have been defeated... by shortbread. The 3 ingredients in shortbread are out to get me. Every year I try and make shortbread and every year it doesn't turn out. This year it is the worst year ever. I am not sure what goes wrong, but it has this terrible after taste. I use fresh ingredients. I follow the recipe. And no joy. Maybe it is my stupid little hand held mixer. One day I will buy a Kitchen Aid mixer... one day... Maybe that will produce good shortbread.

New Layout

Okay - I was bored with my blog design... so I am in the process of changing it. Any suggestions? What do you think so far??

Well, the results are in... my sister and I got Olympic tickets. We didn't do too badly... we missed out on getting speed skating tickets, so I was slightly disapointed. Oh well, this is what we got:

- 2 tickets to the Pairs Free Skate
- 2 tickets to the Men Free Skate
- 4 tickets to the Ladies Short Program
- 2 tickets to Women's Preliminary hockey
- 8 tickets to the Women's Bronze Medal hockey - will be selling some tickets
- 4 tickets to the Women's Gold Medal hockey
- 2 tickets to the Men's Preliminary hockey
- 2 tickets to the Men's Curling Tournament
- 2 tickets to the Women's Curling Tournament
- 2 tickets to the Aerial Ladies Final

Still in a little shock that we didn't get any speed skating... or any tickets to the aerial men's finals.

Wreath Making Class

On Sunday, I went to the annual wreath making class with my friend. Here is how our wreaths turned out... not bad!

4 Weeks Until X-Mas

Well, my life has been pretty crazy. Since my last post, I have been traveling all over the island for work. I spent a lot of time in Port Alberni, which I loved. If you ever get a chance to stop there, eat at the Crab Bucket... wonderful food and service.

Once I returned home, I have been busy getting ready for X-Mas. I have been making gifts, but don't want to spoil the surprise, so I will post pictures after X-Mas. I also have been making lots of towels and other gifts. My good friend Rowena had a baby shower this past weekend and I made her 2 towels and 3 bibs - all with some Beatrix Potter fabric. Everything turned out beautifully and I was extremely proud to give them to her.




The next couple weeks are going to be a bit nuts... we have a bunch of pre-Xmas parties to attend and getting the house ready for my family's visit. My sister is flying in from London and I have a big to-do list for us. We are going to be redecorating my office. So stayed tuned for posts about how it turns out.

Hope everyone is doing well! I will try and post more of the stuff that I am making and doing over the next couple weeks!