Hanna's Life is Cool

Moses Basket Makeover

2012-01-27T11:50:00.000-08:00

This is not a tutorial exactly (as I was too lazy to take photos while I was doing it), but I thought I'd give you a bit of a rundown of how I revamped this basket to help out if you are thinking of doing a similar project.

So with little S I had borrowed a bassinet from my cousin, but I can't for this one as said cousin is also expecting soon! Of course what I love are moses baskets. Particularly the really nice modern organic designer moses baskets. Oh look, that one is $350. Plus shipping. To Canada. Not going to happen!

So I picked this one up for $30 from a lovely lady on our local facebook swap group. It's a jolly jumper basket on a rocking stand. It's from 2003 and is obviously not terribly gender neutral. Also, all the bedding and the rocker seemed a bit big for the basket itself. Not sure why. Also it has ruffles. I don't really do ruffles. But $30 is pretty awesome.

For this project I used:
- 1 yard cute flannel fabric (it was barely enough)
- 1 metre (yes I buy my fabric in the US and Canada) brown flannel
- 1 metre(ish) unbleached factory cotton (you could use anything, it doesn't show)
- 1 metre nice quilt batting
- 2 things of green ribbon
- wrapping paper

I stripped off all the bedding and the hood and made a pattern for the basket with the wrapping paper. I made a piece for the bottom of the basket, and one for the sides. The side piece was half the basket on the inside, I then reused it for the other half and the outside.

Prewash everything. You don't want it to shrink after you spend all this time fitting it.

Mattresses:
- Using my bottom pattern piece, I cut enough flannel and batting to make 2 mattresses. So 2 pieces of the brown flannel and 6 of the batting per mattress. I cut them all with a lot of seam allowance, I should have done even more.

- I layered the mattresses with 3 pieces batting, two of flannel then three pieces batting (think, right sides together). Then sewed all the layers together around the edge, leaving a hole for turning. I flipped it right-side-out and ran a few seams across the top to quilt it (so that it would hold together better in the wash) and then hand sewed the hole shut. I broke a normal machine needle doing the top stitching, and a serger needle when cleaning up the edges. C'est la vie. Be careful, it's a lot of work for the machines.

Basket Cover

I wanted to have it be soft and comfy but not poofy or sloppy, there are a lot of tutorials for big fat fluffy bumpers for these baskets and that just doesn't strike me as terribly safe.

- I cut one piece of the factory cotton for the bottom.

- For the inner sides I cut 2 pieces of cotton, two of flannel, and two of quilt batting. One layer of batting was enough to make it soft (so you can't feel the basket through the sides) without being poofy.

- I then layered one each of the cotton, batting and flannel. I measured where the hole for the handles would be and sewed the edges there first to have a finished hole. Then I ran some quilting lines up them. So I had two quilted sides and a one layer bottom.

- I then did a lot of pinning and trimming and sewing together until I had it perfectly fitted to the inside of the basket. Thus the seam allowance. I am no expert in these things, so it was good to have some wiggle room. Because of the shape of my basket, I was very careful to line up the curve where it slopes up at the head when pinning.

- For the outside, I used my side pieces again and cut two pieces of the cute flannel. These were shorter because I was running out of fabric (plus, they would be shorter anyway), but the important thing was the shape of the top of the piece. Especially with the way my basket is taller at the head. I again measured where the hole needed to be for the handles and finished that bit of edge.

- I sewed the outer pieces first to the inner pieces (right sides together) at the top, leaving the hole open for the handles. Then the two outer pieces together. These weren't as tightly fitted or I wouldn't have been able to get the cover on and off with the shape of the basket.

- Then I pinned the bottom edge all the way around the basket to attempt to make it a straight line (it totally was, until I added the elastic later. Curses) and hemmed the edge. This was getting a bit awkward to do with the sewing machine...but it worked.

- Once everything fit nicely I finished all the raw edges from the back of the cover, so that it will wash up nicer. I used the serger till I broke the needle and then used a zig-zag stitch. Either way is fine, just finish the edges and trim off the excess bulk.

- To make the cover tight while still possible to get on and off, I added a bit of elastic to the seam at each end.

The Base

- The base has a white plastic band around it to hold the basket. You couldn't see it before because it was covered by gingham ruffles. It wasn't put together quite right and thus was too big for the basket. I didn't want the basket sliding around when it was being rocked so I got Craig to unscrew it and make it tighter.

- Then I wrapped the whole band with some pretty green ribbon (I hot glued the ends) to cover the plastic.

So there you go! Tadah! I totally think this is as cute as the designer versions. And I only had to buy the basket, batting,and the ribbon as I had everything else kicking around the sewing room already. So probably spent about $40 total, although it could probably cost up to $100 depending on your fabric choices.

I'm super happy with it, and glad to make something new just for baby #2!

Helping the daddy

2012-01-20T13:22:00.000-08:00

Little S is big into "helping" these days. Helping with dishes, helping put things away, bringing us random objects while piping "help? help?". It might take longer to get things done, but it's very very cute.

In other news:
-16 days until baby. Give or take.
- I am nesting. It's strange as I still have almost no energy, but have sudden urges to sort out my sock drawer (which is quite nice now, thanks). I'm done over half my list, just some more cooking to do as I have time and energy. The moses basket I redid turned out very well, I'll try to take photos soon to share.
- S is having a sleep regression which is super fun. I hope she's back to normal in say...15 days. Sooner would be better because mama needs her naps!
- I keep craving chocolate cake with chocolate icing. Even though sweets make me pukey, so I obviously can't make a whole cake and ice it or I will be ill. Maybe by the time we go for our next midwife apt Lucky will be open again and I can get a cupcake.
- S is calling us "the mommy" and "the daddy".
- And right now she's running on the spot screeching with laughter. And it's nap time. Wish me luck?

Cloth Diapering Confessional and Why I am Loving Rockin Green.

2012-01-13T21:19:00.000-08:00

Time for another cloth diapering post. Because I feel that it's good to be honest, or else people think you are super woman. Hmmm, I wouldn't mind some super powers this week. Here goes:

- My adorable little S has the most sensitive skin known to mankind. If she eats tomatoes her face goes red where the juice touches it. If she has a wet diaper for more than an hour she gets red. If she has a wet diaper for more than 8 hours she develops open sores that take weeks to heal over. At one point she got a bacterial infection. I am not willing to wake her up during the night a few times to change her diaper (strange, I know). Thus she wears disposables at night. Always, for the past 6 or so months. And she has no rash. This killed me, as I am very stubborn....but her poor little bum. And believe me, I tried everything (stripping the diapers, treating for yeast, elemination diet, various creams, stay dry liners...). I don't even use super eco-friendly disposables as they don't hold as much and she rashes anyway. We use the Huggies Pure and Natural because they are unscented and gentle on her princess skin. I really hope that #2 will be in cloth full time, I hate throwing those things in the trash.

- We are crap at early potting training. All three of us. Being pregnant so doesn't help. She still doesn't get it. She's starting to understand a bit...but not enough to actually tell us that she needs to go to the potty. I am trying not to get too frustrated about this, but I honestly thought it would have clicked by now. Still she spends half her home time in panties because of the whole rash issue. It's fine. I've made my peace. I really wish she would just pee on the potty.

Confessional Over.

Recently our local baby boutique started carrying Rockin Green detergent and I have to say, I think my diapers are staying nice for much longer between stripping then they were with Natureclean. I think it's just tougher. We have pretty average water and so I use the Classic Rock in Bare Naked Babies (unscented).

Then I pulled out the size one diapers to prep them for #2 and after a good really hot wash they still smelled...just a little off (only a cloth diaper mom can understand sniffing your laundry as you shift it to the dryer). So last week I picked up their Funk Rock - Amonia Bouncer and after soaking with that my diapers smell like...nothing. Which is of course, the point.

I also picked up the Shake it Up pail freshener for our wet bags (in Mighty Mighty Marshmallow scent) as I am not doing laundry quite as often with the whole disposables at night, pretending to potty train during the day fiasco. Again, it works! Less stinkies all around. I don't notice a marshmallow scent, but I also don't notice a diaper scent, so all is well.

Dear Rockin Green, thanks for making our lives smell a little bit nicer.

Oh Pinterest

2012-01-11T15:57:00.000-08:00

5 recipes from my Pinterest foodie board that I recommend you make. Soon. Because they are yummy.

Shrimp and Grits

Source: joythebaker.com via Hanna on Pinterest

Salt and Vinegar Roasted Chickpeas

Source: ohsheglows.com via Hanna on Pinterest

Crash Hot Potatoes

Source: thepioneerwoman.com via Hanna on Pinterest

Quinoa Patties

Source: eatingwelllivingthin.wordpress.com via Hanna on Pinterest

Wonton Chips

Source: dashingdish.com via Hanna on Pinterest

Wedding Portrait

2011-12-31T16:13:00.001-08:00

A commission I did up earlier this month. A Christmas present from him to his new wife. Awwwww.

Did you have yourself a merry little Christmas?

2011-12-30T19:42:00.000-08:00

Because I did. And I'm leaving my tree up for another week. Because I like it.

Hey guess what? I'm having a baby soon (photographic proof above. I am in fact ginormous. My adorable cousin and sister in law are doing their best to catch up), It turns out that February 6th is only 5 weeks away. To which my brain goes "eeeek" but the rest of me goes "oh thank you". This child is killing me slowly. Of course so did little S, and look how cute she turned out!

Oh wait, maybe this one:

Photoshoots with toddlers are the best.

Before I bring this little person into the world I need to get a few things done. So I thought I would share.

To Do (before going into labour):
- Finish Bassinet. (probably soon, I think I only have an hour or two of sewing left on it)
- Wash all the gender neutral baby clothes (yes I washed them before putting them away. But I will wash them again. Nesting)
- Wash all the little cloth diapers (ditto)
- Rearrange the nursery to make room for diapers and baby clothes. (Or maybe our room? Not sure.)
- Pick up car seat.
- Make and freeze copious amounts of food. Such as:
+ Carrot Pineapple Muffins
+ Bran Muffins
+ Burritos
+ Cannelloni
+ Spanikopita

That's not too bad. Perhaps I will make some muffins tonight. After I have a bath...Anyone got any suggestions for yummy food to freeze for those crazy newborn days? Bonus points if I can eat it with one hand while nursing.S has lots of food for me, but it all seems to be invisible. At least it's fat free?

Snow

2011-12-19T15:44:00.001-08:00

S's first time playing out in the snow :) And now it's melted to icy little slush puddles. I would like the snow back please.

oooh, it sparkles

2011-12-16T18:00:00.000-08:00

So I finally replaced my nifty fifty lens that S broke the day she learned to crawl. I would like to pretend that a lack of good lens explains my lack of photos, but really I just mostly sleep these days. Setting this shoot up almost killed me. Can I be not pregnant soon? Naturally, when I tried to take photos with myself in them, S had a toddler breakdown and we were All Done the photos. Just imagine that there's a cute family photo with my pregnant belly in it...

And now back to teaching her that the tree is just to look at No Touch!

For the baby

2011-12-10T19:08:00.000-08:00

Because I promised Coty that I would get off my bum (although technically...I am still on my bum) and make a list of things I would like for the new baby. Now this is tricky for a couple reasons. To start with, we don't know little baby's gender. People either think we are super cool or quaintly weird for wanting a surprise. We are neither. In our neck of the woods the ultrasound tech is not permitted to tell you. No joke. We would have to drive 6 hours and pay $200 for a 3D ultrasound to find out. And we are too cheap/lazy to do so. This is unfortunate because I really want to know if I can buy cute little boys things or not.

The other reason it's tricky is because of course, baby is getting some things handed down from S, and I have turned into a super second hand bargain hunter for a lot of the other big items. It is amazing the things I have gotten in brand-new condition for less than half the price! It's a fun game for me.

But here are a few things I'm sure the baby would like (and as with baby #1 we love handmade, organic items and would prefer no plastic or batteries):

1) Muslin swaddling blankets.
I had a bunch of flannel blankets with S and only one muslin one. They are seriously wonderful for swaddling, especially come warm weather.

2) Baby safe plushie (such as, but not limited to, this cute one by blabla).
By which I mean: embroidered face (not hard eyes), little and soft, preferably organic. S got lots of plushies, but most were better for playing than to have in the crib. She has a super cute hippo that my cousins got me that she's been sleeping with for ages. She calls him Poppo. I tried to find a photo online but apparently Poppo doesn't exist.

3) This diaper bag.
Because while I loved my epiphanie bag (love!) it's a bit fat on the bottom for the stroller.

4) Wooden teether/grasping toy
(look how cute this one is!)

5) Cute onesies (like this one!).
Because it's impossible to have too many.

6) And on a less adorable but more practical note: I'd like to try these new inserts from Applecheeks.
I'm very happy with my hemp inserts I bought for S, but they were too bulky for her as a newborn. These are supposed to be very trim and they have a stay-dry side, which is great for a sensitive little bum. Also cheaper at $8 for two! Commercial over, but I want a few :)

Hey, it's December

2011-12-07T19:10:00.001-08:00

My last little house commission for a bit; I'm feeling a need for a change. I thought this one turned out pretty cute though.

Hmmm, sorry for not posting for an entire month! This pregnancy thing is killing me, and I never feeling writing about how I threw up this morning and then took a 2 hour nap. My thrilling life. Only 8 weeks till baby! I'm working on redoing a moses basket, will be super cute. I promise to take photos when I'm done. Which will hopefully be less than 8 weeks from now!

I do have some other fun projects on the go, but too many of my family and loved ones read my blog and it's all Christmas surprises at them moment.

I hope you are all well and enjoying your Decembers. Make some shortbread! Mmmmmm.

Cakiness

2011-11-09T19:30:00.001-08:00

Yay, I finally get to show you these pretties! This was a very fun project for me :) Sandie Bricker, who writes delightfully amusing girly Christian novels, commissioned me to draw 6 wedding cakes for her. The idea is that Emma, her diebetic wedding cake baking heroine, is getting married in the final book of her series (I so far have read, and am full of love for, book one: Always the Baker, Never the Bride). Sandie is running a contest where you get to pick which cake you think Emma should have for her wedding. If you win, not only does your favourite cake feature in the book, you get written in as a character who helps Emma choose. So fun! Sadly I am uneligable. These are my three favourite cakes of the bunch (especially the cupcakes, I love pink and gold these days) but you can see them all on Sandie's contest page.

Art Love: Jia Lu

2011-11-06T20:18:00.000-08:00

Love these paintings by Jia Lu, isn't the light amazing?

More paintings on her site (nuddy pants warning)

of dishes and other things

2011-10-31T15:12:00.000-07:00

S loves dishes. We tell her that when she gets bigger she can do aaaaall the dishes she wants. We can't run water in the sink without her lifting up her arms and asking "up?" In other news:

- S says over 30 words including short sentences ("no more" or "it's a kitty!"). At least half of those words are only understandable by Craig and I. None of those words are Mommy or Daddy. Still.

- She loves to play phone. Sometimes with a phone, sometimes with an alarm clock, sometimes with a belt buckle(?). She says "hello" and then talks for a bit with lots of "yeah, yeah" and some laughs, Then says "bye" and presses a button to hang up. It's so cute it kills me.

- Being pregnant is still full of crap. But baby is healthy so all will be well in the end. Right? Right.

- I have finally taken the chair to pieces. Now I'm struggling with whether to stain it or just paint it white. Stain would be sturdier. Paint would contrast nicely against the fabric (which I don't see on the site anymore...good thing I bought lots! It's the charcoal grey of this. Opinions?

- Our current favourite show is Leverage. Which is delightfully on Netflix.

- Speaking of shows, was it just me, or was this cycle of project runway super lame?

- Everyone just woke up from naps, see you later!

Experiment

2011-10-28T22:56:00.000-07:00

eh meh neh

I was playing around with painting realistically without a reference (I always us refs for paintings...almost never for my cute illustrations). Not sure if I will finish it, it's good practice, but not really that great a picture.

Tiger Lily

2011-10-22T22:03:00.000-07:00

I started this back before I go pregnant, but it got put on the back burner with low energy and illustration work.

I've always kind of avoided drawing fairies, maybe because it seems like such cliche fantasy art? But truly, I love them. And tiger lilies are my favourite wildflowers around here, I love how they look like little chinese lanterns!

You can view it bigger here: link
And some close up details here: Link

How did I do?

2011-10-07T19:49:00.000-07:00

(an unrelated photo, because I love it.)

As a side note, I'm not sure that I actually believe that I'm 30. It's rather odd. Anyway, a year ago I made a list for myself to complete before this birthday. Want to see how I did?

1 Lose 20 lbs - actually I've gained 15...because I'm pregnant again!
2 Recover chair - well I recovered A chair...but not that one
3 Paint desk - DONE! forgot to take photos. It's mossy green, much nicer
4 Redo portfolio site - DONE! (and done again)
5 Get kids book ready to send out - Erm, not done, having a style crisis
6 Do a craft fair - DONE!
7 Learn to use goache - Well I bought some...haven't really painted yet though
8 Sew little S’s quilt - DONE!
9 Finish baby book - DONE! (and featured on Ohdeedoh...ooooo!)
10 Be published for something - DONE! Well I will be, but I can't talk about it yet!
11 Draw more little houses - press release - DONE! Well I didn't send out a press release, but I didn't need to and I drew enough that I'm not doing anymore for a while.
12 Sew little S a dress - DONE DONE aaaand DONE!
13 Sew myself something to wear - DONE! I made a cute maternity top. Forgot to post it up.
14 Read every Jane Austen book - DONE!
15 Get my art in a local shop or gallery - Erm, no
16 Perfect cupcakes - DONE!
17 Grow garlic - DONEish. Well the plant grew, and then it rotted out. To rainy this year I think.
18 Build a bookcase - Totally did not
19 Learn to shoot manually - DONE! or at least well on my way
20 Organize basement - DONE! of course it's messy again...but with less junk in there.
21 Organize my jewelry - DONE!
22 Make 100 sales on etsy - No. I went from 32 to 64. Best year so far, but not that amazing.
23 Totally finish s’s nursery - DONE! didn't take pictures...I keep thinking I'll do better than a large chunk of blackout fabric for a curtain...
24 Memorize a chapter in the bible - Now this was just laziness
25 Learn a new Chilean dish - This too
26 Watch every Audrey Hepburn Movie - DONE! will post later.
27 Totally finish the kitchen - DONE!
28 Draw a family portrait - DONE!
29 Make bagels - DONE!
30 Make lasagna from scratch - DONE!

Okay so that's 21 finished (or close enough). I am going to try and do #'s 2, 7, 24 and 25 before baby #2 arrives to complicate life. #'s 1, 5, 15, 18, and 22? I guess that's what my 30's are for! I like this list thing.

30

2011-10-05T12:16:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was my 30th birthday. When my alarm went off, Craig jumped out of bed, went downstairs and came up with a dozen roses and card (also my daughter, who had woken up with my alarm...usually she's my alarm). I had a midwife appointment in Nelson in the morning so we had a quick breakfast and drove over. Baby is good, I am good, everyone is happy. Then we went to the Mainstreet Diner for lunch and learned that little S loves calamari just as much as we do (they have the yummiest greek food there). Afterwords we went to Lucky, a new cupcake bar and got four cupcakes to go (Classic Chocolate with vanilla icing, Moroccan Lemon Blossom, Chocolate Sea Salt Caramel, and a mini Strawberries and Cream for S). They were amaaazingly yummy and I'm excited to go back and try more flavours next time we're in town.

We then drove out to Ainsworth for a swim. It was a misty, rainy day; the best kind of day for hot springs! By the time we got home I was beat (silly pregnantness) so we had spinach cannelloni and some cottage cheese pyrahi from a local market that sells homemade food. Then S went to bed and we curled up to watch the last two episodes of Dr Who for the season (sad!) and the second episode of Terra Nova (potentially good). All in all, a lovely day!

I got another couple years of ImagineFX for my birthday present from Craig as well as a serger (yay!) and a delightful crepe pan from my parents.

Good times. Wish I had me some Lucky cupcakes today...

Autumn Walk

2011-10-01T21:46:00.001-07:00

Little family portrait. I can't wait for the leaves to start falling!

Sorry Dora

2011-09-29T10:00:00.000-07:00

So I've been looking for a chair for little S for a bit now. I was thinking of finding one of those foam chairs to recover, but when I found this one at the consignment store I thought it was way cuter. Except for Dora. No offense to Dora (well a bit of offense, her eyes are super creepy!) but she doesn't get to live in my living room.

So the padding comes completely off this chair, and has these zippers so that you can take out the foam to wash it. This seemed like a great idea to me, but I was way to lazy to deal with sewing three zippers and two pockets and whatever all else. Therefore, I took the easy was out and simply seam ripped the front section off, used it to make a pattern for a new front, and sewed it onto the existing back. Took me a total of...maybe two hours? Less than her afternoon nap yesterday.

What does little miss Bed Head think?

She loves it of course! Well, she loved it before too...but now I love it too! And I'm pretty proud of myself for not letting it sit around for months or years like I usually do with furniture that I say I will refinish. Maybe if that living room chair had Dora on it, it would be done already?

Out for a walk

2011-09-20T20:36:00.000-07:00

Working on a little family portrait.

Salmon Run

2011-09-18T14:46:00.001-07:00

I took these photos earlier this month when we went to see the salmon spawning. Little S was fascinated by all those bright fishies. Afterwords we had a picnic and went for a swim in the lake. A lovely end of summer day!

In which I discuss nursing bras

2011-09-05T13:13:00.000-07:00

Now that both of my male readers have wandered off...I hope these reviews will be helpful for others trying to get a decent nursing bra in a large cup size.

As some background here: Little Miss S and I got off to a moderately rocky start with our nursing career. Well, she was perfectly happy, but I was, literally, bleeding. Also crying. For the first six weeks or so she spent nearly all her waking hours eating. She would nurse for an hour at a time, easy. In the evenings before bed, even more. So even though we got our latch issues figured out early on, it took weeks for me to heal because I got no rest.

Then, at 6 weeks she got a soother and decided that it was pretty good. She still nursed a lot, but not every moment of every day. And eventually I could manage to feed her without pain killers (again, not exaggerating, here). Then at about 3 months she dropped to eating only 10-20 minutes at a time and I was able to leave the house. After that, life was easy and we happily nursed until about a month ago, when she decided she was done. 17 months. I'm pretty happy with that. I never had trouble with my supply, for which I am very grateful. I also (maybe not a coincidence) didn't lose much weight nursing. Oh well, she is a happy healthy kid.

Okay, so 17 months of nursing. I fully intend to go a similar amount with #2 (and I am very stubborn) so something needs to change this time. And that something, is my nursing bras.

Full disclosure: I was a 32 GG before I got pregnant with S and went up to around a 34 J while nursing (US sizing). I'm a bit smaller now that I've weaned, but not a ton because I weaned while pregnant. There are limited options in the small band/large cup area for any bras, and even more so for nursing. Which I find strange, as everyone is bigger when nursing. Whatevs.

Here's what I had first time around:

1)2 Bravado Tanks
I wore the 34 F/G while pregnant and after 2 months. I wore a 38 for the first 2 months until my size stabilized. Trying to wear anything tighter in that time gave me plugged ducts (super funs!). These are great. I can't wear them out of the house due to the cleavage factor, and I can't wear them under shirts due to the ruching. They are fantastic to sleep in and wear around the house though, and pretty supportive even at my size (although not perfect). Comfy for maternity with full belly coverage. My cousin is closer to a D cup and wore these everywhere when nursing.

2)Bravado Body Silk Seamless nursing bra.
If you are anything above a D cup, this bra has next to no support, sadly. Great sleep bra though. Moderately busty girls love it, but at a J cup? No.

3)At the advice of the girls at my lingerie shop (who normally I love to pieces, they find me the cutest Freya bras, which is all I wear, normally. I miss my Freyas!) I bought two Royce nursing bras, the Sadie and the Charlotte. The Sadie actually busted seams on me and I hated them both. They were supportive but made me look super dumpy. Also, they have no give, with means I usually spilled out the top when full, even in the correct cup. I spent a lot of money on these and am very sorry I did.

And at a year or so, I started wearing my Freya underwire again whenever I left the house and buried the Royce bras. Grrrrr.

This time around? I want cute bras that make me look good. Thank you very much. So I went to Breakout Bras and ordered 4 bras in two sizes (so 8 total). They have free shipping to Canada (and the US), a great return policy and good prices. Also, reviews by customers and the store owner. I like reviews. I picked 2 and am returning the others next week.

The runners up:
Elomi's Goddess Soft Cup Nursing Bra
Lots of girls love this. I thought it made me look weird.

HOTmilk's Luminous
This is a super cute bra, and if I was smaller I'd like it. It has a cute lace detail under the cup, which just ends up being all squished in my size.

And what I chose:

Elomi's Seamless Underwire Nursing Bra.
Great fit and smooth under t-shirts. A lot of people will tell you not to wear underwire's while nursing. This is true for the first few months, but then you're body figures out what it's doing and mastitis isn't much of an issue if you're wearing a properly fitted bra. And busty girls do better with an underwire. The wire doesn't hit my breastbone, but otherwise it's a good fit.

HOTmilk's "Her Tangled Web Tantalised" Nursing Bra
Three things I like about this bra: 1)It fits supportively 2)It's super cute. The straps are fairly wide, but covered in really pretty ruched ribbon. Overall it just feels pretty. 3)They make it for maternity as well, it has over twice the hooks that an average bra has, so I won't need an extender with it at 9 months. And it's comfy and wireless so will be great when I can't wear an underwire.
The only downside is that the straps don't have a lot of play, I might end up sewing them up as I tend to need the straps at their shortest. I got this one a cup bigger than the Elomi, so that I can wear it when I am pretty big still at the beggining.

Phew. Hope that helps someone! I found it a very frustrating (and expensive) experiment overall, so I wanted to share my findings and maybe save some of you some grief. And the rest of you have a new found happiness to be a smaller cup, don't you?

Art!

2011-09-03T23:04:00.000-07:00

See, I do still draw! This is a prayer card for Erin, who I knew in Lethbridge. She lives in Mexico now and is mommy to a bunch of beautiful kids at Dulce Refugio ("Sweet Refuge") Orphanage with Children of Hope. To learn more, and support this great organization, you can check out their website: www.ChildrenofHope.info

Friday Five

2011-09-02T19:30:00.000-07:00

Five bits of Disney fanart for the little girls at heart out there:

I'm wishing by *shoomlah on deviant ART

Tiana by *Jace-Wallace on deviant ART

Jolly Holiday by ~bluewolf487 on deviant ART

L'aurore by ~Blumina on deviant ART

Disney Wedding: Aladdin by *spicysteweddemon on deviant ART

have you seen this awesomness?

2011-08-30T10:48:00.000-07:00

For the computer art nerds out there. Now I know what I want for my birthday!

It is Warm

2011-08-28T10:49:00.000-07:00

Although I know I shouldn't complain about the beautiful sunny August we've had. But when you are prego and ill feeling...it's just warm. I'm looking forward to fall, which is always my favourite time of year.

Life in point form
- Still ill, not as much, but still ill. And starting to feel rather pregnant looking. Which is good because I hate the "is she just chubby?" phase. But unfortunate as I seem to be running out of shirts.

- I made myself an excellent shirt, will post later.

- We spend an or so most afternoons in the kiddie pool. If I had more energy we would make it to the beach, but...kiddie pool it is. S looooves it.

- S has started to make animal noises in addition to knowing animal names. Still doesn't call us mama or dada. We just aren't as fun as horsies?

- Still busy drawing things I can't share, but will be revealed soon I think!

- When I'm pregnant I can take or leave chocolate. It's very unsettling to not be craving it all the time.

- Choosing a baby name is hard.

- Oh look, it's nap time!

How little S was born

2011-08-12T23:01:00.000-07:00

I think I felt the baby moving earlier today, but I was almost asleep so maybe it was a dream. I just watched The Business of being Born, because it was on Netflix. Holy Hormones Batman, I almost cried every time a baby was born ("it's so beautiful!"). Good thing I'm by myself tonight. Anyway, it reminded me of how lucky I was with little S's birth and as it's mulling around in my head, I thought I would tell you a story. Because I think that everyone really really likes to tell scary birth stories, but normal ones? Not nearly as fun. Which gives women an unfortunately scewed view of childbirth.

If you don't care, and wish I would just post more art? Me too. But tragically, while my current project is adorable, I can't share for a few more months. C'est la vie. You are stuck with my pregnant hormones. Unless you're gone already?

Everyone told me that S would probably be late. First babies are always late, apparently. Something like 60% of babies are late. Then, why is the due date not later, I ask you. Anyway, she was due on our anniversary, and we politely requested that she not be strictly punctual. And as a rather largely pregnant one, I voted for early. She agreed.

The night before I went into labour was the big earthquake in Chile. Craig's family is in Chile and I phoned him at work and first made sure he figured out that I was NOT in labour. But that his family was MIA as the earthquake had wiped out all communication. Eeeee. We found out that they were okay before S came along (barely), but we weren't able to contact them for a bit. Very nerve wracking stuff.

So then the next night I went to bed at 11. I had had maybe...2 contractions and I was like "Meh, if I'm in labour I'll wake up". So then an hour later I woke up. I read online once that contractions feel like an impacted fart. If you don't know what I'm talking about, good for you. If you do know what I'm talking about, it's true. So I got up, made some toast with cheese (for energy!) and took a bath while calling Craig again ("no, this time I'm actually in labour!" "yes!" "Please come get me to the hospital!"). Craig works night shifts, if that didn't make sense. Then I called my Midwife. There are actually three of them, they just take turns with the pager. I got to know all of them in my prenatal care. I said "I'm in labour! I'm in the bath! Should I come in now?" and she pretty much said "oh it'll probably be hours and hours still, but if it makes you happy, come in." It did, in fact, make me happy. I live 40 minutes from the town with the hospital, and babies come fast in my family. Craig got home, we ran around in circles for a couple minutes (okay no, I got out of the tub and got dressed) and then got in the car.

I didn't enjoy having contractions in the car. For the record (because they are super fun otherwise...). Also, we called my parents at some point.

I don't remember when we got to the hospital. Because it was two years ago. The nurses were all "oh, you're barely in labour, it'll be hours and hours still. I'm going off shift, but I'll probably be here to help when your baby comes, you know, tomorrow." To which I said "Feels like plenty of labour to me!" It might have been about this point that I started yelling a lot. Yelling was my preferred form of pain management. I found it surprisingly effective. Probably because I was so loud. The whole hospital (and doubtless most of the surrounding area) knew I was having a baby. I was okay with this, I liked the yelling. Also crushing Craig's hand (only hold two fingers, very important!). My midwife was...busy? I don't remember. I hung out with Craig and the nurses (who were lovely) came in every now and then to make sure I was good. I liked telling them that I loved it. The one nurse was sure I wasn't really very far along, because no one says that they love it. Apparently sarcasm as pain management is not widely taught to nurses. I kept asking if I could go in the tub now? Please? And they told me that they didn't want to slow me down, so we would wait until I was really in labour. Moral of this story? Don't tell your nurse that you love contractions, or she will not fill the tub for you! Oh yes, our hospital has a tub built in the maternity wing (shared between two rooms). My hospital pretty much rocked.

Finally, they let me in the tub, yay! At this point (8ish in the morning?) my midwife had arrived. Craig was in the tub with me so that I could continue to crush his hand. My water broke and I went through transition in the tub. I liked the tub because it did help a lot with the pain, and I got a comfortable(ish?) position in there. They didn't want me to push in the tub. This was okay, because there wasn't anything really to hold onto, and I was quite tired (one hour of sleep...). I was kind of bummed though, because I did want to have the baby in the tub, but I trusted my midwife's judgment.

Okay so time out, by this point I was at 7 hours of labour. Wait, the math is wrong. I must have woken up later? I don't remember! I remember it as 8 hours total...this is what happens when you write your birth story a year and half later. Anyway, up to this point, even in transition, I did not regret the lack of drugs at all. I was always thinking "This is hard, but I can do more if I have to."

I hated pushing. This was my wall; this was where I just wanted to quit. But I couldn't because there was a baby lodged in my pelvis. She had hiccups at this point, by the way. Pushing! Horrible! They made me squat but I just wanted to lay down. Laying down is not the fastest way to have a baby. There might have been crying at this point. I pushed for an hour. Then, finally, baby! 10:30 AM. The midwife has me written down as 3.5 hours of actual labour.

I got to snuggle her right away, while they checked her out. Craig cut the cord. Blood everywhere! Seriously, he cut the cord and blood sprayed across my face. A charming moment for all. Apparently the cord had not quite finished pumping.

Then it took me an hour to get stitched up. I wish I was exaggerating. It fully sucked. I asked if I could have the epidural now? No. I had to be refrozen more than once, and she didn't tell me how many stitches I had. It took 6 weeks to heal. That was maybe the worst, because I was done! But had to lay there for another hour with my legs shaking from exhaustion.

When they finally sat me up and gave me back little S, my parent's came in (they had been around for a while, my dad had to leave for a bit...the yelling was rather traumatic) to meet her and I called the important people (except Craig's parents and brother...booo). I felt amazing. They aren't kidding about those natural birth hormones. The nurses kept telling me that I should try and sleep but I was on a crazy adrenaline rush. I grew a person, inside me, and then gave birth in eight hours with no medical interventions! So pretty much I was invincible. I actually had a couple nurses come in to tell me that I was awesome. Then we hung out and watched Canada win the Olympic gold in hockey. All the nurses were watching in the next room, it was pretty funny. My midwife checked on me during commercial breaks. We do indeed take our hockey rather seriously in Canada.

We stayed for a couple nights, until I had the breastfeeding down(ish, not an easy journey for us). The nurses were lovely and helpful, and I felt very supported. Still, it was great to go home where people don't keep waking you up to give you awful hospital food or sweep the floor or a million other things.

So, that was S's birth story. Nothing traumatic. Craig says it was the most intense day of his life. I agree. But for me, it was a rite of passage. Maybe I went in a girl and came out a woman? Maybe if I could handle that, I could handle anything motherhood threw at me? I only hope this little one has such a smooth entry to the world!

news

2011-08-05T17:39:00.000-07:00

So a month or so ago, my aunt bullied us all into having family photos done. And by all of us I mean my 40 some aunts, uncles, cousins and assorted others. I'm very excited to see the whole set, but here's the sneak peek of our little family. Photos by Natalie Santano, who did a lovely job of keeping us all organized.

Notice the strategically placed toddler? That's because our little family is growing! Another little Sandvig will be joining us early February (making me just pregnant enough to look like a giant roll in photos, very attractive). Which, for those of you keeping track, will be a couple weeks shy of S's second birthday. Kills me how old she looks in these photos. Who stole my baby and where did this...kid come from?

In other news I am really quite ill again. Yay. I gave in a couple weeks ago and went on diclectin (which wasn't much of an option last time around with no health benefits). There is a whole lot less throwing up since then, but still a lot of sleeping and just...getting by. I'm reading a lot. However, since I started on the diclectin I have been able to start cooking more like a normal Hanna again which is nice. It was getting a bit warm to keep eating frozen pizza's anyway.

And that's my excuse for being such a crap blogger of late. I've been too busy sleeping, and trying to keep my food down. Gestating sure is hard work!

Happy BC Day!

2011-08-01T15:06:00.000-07:00

Yes, British Columbia, the most beautiful place on Earth, is 140 years old today. It's a beautiful long weekend for those who are out camping...we are not because a)My husband works weekends, no exceptions b) I was busy on Saturday being the photographer for my lovely friend's wedding. Wasn't she the prettiest bride?

Friday Five

2011-07-29T19:39:00.000-07:00

A little Korean inspiration for you today, I love these versions of a modern Hanbok!

Source: blog.taekphoto.com via Hanna on Pinterest

Source: weddinginspirasi.com via Hanna on Pinterest

It's Monday

2011-07-28T19:22:00.001-07:00

it's not Monday? Well here's the photos I took on Monday for the Week in the Life project. Recording my whole day every day was a daunting idea this time around so I'm sticking to a story a day. This was an outing with my friend Lorelle, who's getting married on Saturday. I'm doing her photos so we were scoping out locations.

A week in the life

2011-07-17T09:21:00.000-07:00

I've mostly decided to do Ali Edwards' "A Week In The Life" project. So next week from the 25th to the 31st I'll be taking lots of pictures and doing some journaling of our everyday lives. It seems like a fun way to remember what life is like right now. Not just the big things, but the small important things.

I'm going to try and get the layouts mostly done ahead of time, to make the process easier. I'm thinking that I will use Paislee Press' "Hello, Love" set (and maybe try and be a bit more scrapbooky, her stuff is so inspiring). I'm planning on doing it with my CM program but I may print it through Picaboo as I've heard they are decent and the price is lower. It's just a small project, so a good one to experiment with. It's going to be an 8x8 custom hardcover.

Soooo, anyone up for joining me?

Baby Led Weaning Update

2011-07-16T09:01:00.000-07:00

I thought it was time to update you guys on how Baby Led Weaning worked out for our family. If your curious why we skipped purees and started with real food from the start, read the original post here.

Firstly, the weaning part. I've always breastfed S, we were lucky enough not to need forumla at any point. I'm kind of an on demand parent, but more that I try to figure out what she wants and then make a schedule around it. So at six months when we started solids she was at about six good feedings a day (I think...the memory is slipping). They steadily tapered off over the next six months as her solid intake increased, until she was down to two, one first thing in the morning and one in the afternoon. She's stayed with that schedule for four or five months and this week seems to be dropping the afternoon feeding. She takes a couple sucks, gets distracted by something shiny and wanders off. I always said that I wanted to nurse for at least a year but no more than two. S seems to be weaning herself off in that timeline so...good deal?

As for the solids, it's worked out awesome! She sometimes got some yogurt or applesauce on a spoon, but that was it. I waited until she was a year to start on wheat and uncultured dairy, and avoided things you really need molars for until she was big enough. She's always liked a good mix of things, although like most of us she loves carbs and sugar (she hardly gets any sugar, but I'm guilty on the carbs).

It's not that she's a perfect eater. She won't even try some foods (lettuce, sandwich meat, potstickers), but we just keep offering her everything in small amounts and she's pretty adventurous. Her very favourite foods are berries (and cherries as you see by the photos), bread, and peanut butter.

We have always made some changes to what she eats, it's not exactly the same as us. She gets an egg for breakfast every morning (in fact, she usually eats more than I do for breakfast) and we cook her carrot sticks and apple slices. She gets applesauce instead of syrup on waffles and plain yogurt instead of vanilla (at some point she'll notice, but for now I figure the less sugar the better). I really don't mind, it's not like I cook her whole extra meals. It's still a lot easier than making baby food!

Um, so yeah, baby led weaning for the win? Any questions?

Friday Five

2011-07-08T19:54:00.000-07:00

I love old photos...I love wondering who these beautiful women were and what they were like. I'm pondering a painting but it's still pretty vague.

Source: flickr.com via Hanna on Pinterest

Source: hollyhocksandtulips.tumblr.com via Hanna on Pinterest

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S's Baby Book

2011-07-07T10:59:00.000-07:00

I was very excited yesterday to get little S's baby book! It's an 8.5x11 hardcover done in chocolate brown bookcloth from Creative Memories. At 97 pages it's a pretty decent sized album and barely within the printing limit (100 pages).

It's just as pretty as I had hoped! Even some of the less wonderful pictures look pretty good at small sizes.

The cover is plain, I wish you could get it with a bit of text, but they don't do that with the bookcloth. I thought about doing a window, but I really wanted the first page to be the ultrasound pics and that's not the cutest for the cover!

Every month starts off with a full page portrait shot and a wordle collage. I love how these turned out!

I kept (and still do) a simple word document that I write in every couple weeks with what she's up to, so I have a spread in every month with those notes.

And then of course just a lot of photos and some journaling of her adventures!

I'm feeling pretty good to be holding it in my hands when she's only 16 months old! And that's number 9 checked off my list!

More Little Houses

2011-07-06T08:33:00.000-07:00

Here are a couple Little House commissions I recently finished up. I can draw your little house started at just $25!

Continuing Adventures In Cloth Diapering

2011-07-02T16:21:00.001-07:00

For today's classy photo, here is S in her pj top and underwear playing with shoes in the entryway. Her favourite game ever, by the way. I thought it was time for an update, considering that she's in panties part time these days and my cloth diaper last post was at the five month mark. So here's how it's going.

- I'm still using only Applecheeks diapers and I still love them. She never leaks or blows out of them. Love the colours. Love that all my diapers are the same. This makes it an easy learning curve for everyone in her life. Also, she can't get the snaps undone and she can pull a disposable off.

- We constantly battle rash. I don't blame the cloth diapers for this, I blame the eczema. She also rashes in disposables but yeast rashes are trickier with cloth. I find that if I boil all my inserts and then dry them in the sun it kills the yeast. But you can reinfect the diapers again if the rash isn't cleared up. So lame. Thus if she get's a yeast rash she usually gets a week in disposables while it clears up. I hate this, but it works.

- I can tell the difference if I don't put her in unscented hypoallergenic (read: expensive) disposable diapers. And I have to change her every couple hours still. There is no way we could afford disposables full time (we use them for rashes and when we will be out of the house for more than a couple hours...to prevent rashes), even if we wanted to.

- S has a skinny bum but is tall for her age. Cloth diapers keep her pants up!

- As mentioned, she has been battling diaper rashes since she started solids. We've tried taking her off dairy and wheat (she doesn't get any soy to speak of anyway) and it doesn't seem to help. She has also had nasty peanut butter poo (sorry, but this is a diaper post) since around her birthday. This makes her rash more, and us crazy. She often screams bloody murder when we change her. We are all so over diapers, no matter how cute.

Thus:

Early Potty Training
We started at about 14 months and I'm using the method from Diaper Free Before 3 in which you pretty much just get your baby used to sitting on a potty at regular times and they gradually get the hang of it. It requires a consistency I've been having trouble with at this point but I'm hoping to get her daytime trained this summer. She hates being wet and seems pretty aware of her functions, so I think we can do it. She gets pretty excited when she pees on the potty :)

I'm not trying to train her early to prove how awesome we are, I'm just really tired of fighting diaper rash. I think it will be healthier for her to be potty trained and I don't really care if "I'm the one who's trained, not her" as everyone says about early training. I have to deal with the mess anyways, it might as well be in a potty!

Hrm, so yes, that's diaper time over here. Exciting, neh?

Steampunk Treasury

2011-06-25T10:40:00.001-07:00

A few fun steampunk finds on Etsy in my treasury here!

See you later!

2011-06-19T20:04:00.000-07:00

We're going camping for a week with my parents. Fingers crossed for nice weather! The garden may be liking all the rain, but I'd rather camp in the sunshine.

So little S keeps growing on me. She has 11 teeth and just started walking. She's very pleased with herself.

Yesterday she was wandering around the house with a silk scarf covering her head. She couldn't see, so she kept bumping into walls and giggling. Silly girl.

So I hope you guys are enjoying these last few days of spring! I took these photos last month on our local footbridge, it was recently restored and is beautiful.

Steampunk Family Portrait

2011-06-14T07:52:00.000-07:00

A commission I just finished up. Apparently they get their portrait done every year by a different artist in a different theme. Very fun! (click the image to view it properly)

An awwwww Friday Five

2011-06-10T20:24:00.000-07:00

Need a bit more cute in your life? Don't we all?

Source: zooborns.com via Hanna on Pinterest

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Not quite dead yet.

2011-06-09T16:00:00.000-07:00

I am dying of a cold this week. Especially yesterday, but I'm still quite sneezy today. In other news, little S is finally walking (finally because she's 15 months old now)! All the excitment seems to have tired her out, as she has been napping for ages. Givinh me plenty of drawing time this afternoon (I should clean the house...but...sick!).

I'm pretty caught up on work so I'm drawing for fun today. I've been drooling over Brittany Lee's illustrations lately, so I'm attempting a portrait of our family, in papercut style. I'm planning on making the elements digitally, then printing and assembling it in a shadowbox frame. Wish me luck!

Pretty inspiration by Brittany Lee:

My sketch:

Follow the Yellow Brick Road

2011-06-05T20:28:00.000-07:00

Sorry for the lack of posting again lately. Big stuff going on over here (all good). Also it's so sunny out! Hard to spend much time inside.

I think I need to do a Wizard of Oz fanart, it's one of my favourite stories. In the meantime, check out the treasury I put together: here

Scrapbooking Sunday

2011-05-29T19:48:00.000-07:00

I'm finished S's baby book! Still have to proofread but all the pages (97) are done. Now I just have to scrape together the money to get the thing printed...

Anyway, each month has a full page photo and a word collage for the title spread. I didn't have a decent headshot for her 12 month (we were pretty sick most of that month...and the lighting was not so good) so I did a collage of her from each month. She was so little and squishy!

Oh oh, and I have a facebook page now for my Creative Memories business. Like me!

A Crafty Friday Five

2011-05-27T21:41:00.000-07:00

Fabric Bows:

Source: fortheloveofblogtherapy.com via Hanna on Pinterest

Plaster Flowers:

Source: urbancomfort.typepad.com via Hanna on Pinterest

Succulent Planter:

Source: craftberrybush.blogspot.com via Hanna on Pinterest

Rhubarb Leaf Garden Stone:

Source: sunsetgurldesign.typepad.com via Hanna on Pinterest

Glow Paint Firefly Jars:

Source: weheartit.com via Hanna on Pinterest

Pillowcase top

2011-05-25T18:20:00.002-07:00

So this is another S's third dress sewn up using the Sweet Little Dress pattern by Leila and Ben. I made it the 6 month size because I wanted it to be more of a top. We've started potty training, and little short dresses are easiest at home, and look so cute with shorts or her skinny(ish) jeans when we're out.

I used a thrifted pillowcase I had kicking around. I always thought the print was sweet and it's very soft. Perfect for summer

So she has two in this size now, and I want to make a couple more. I just love how simple and pretty they are. Also easy to make. She took a three hour nap (hooray!) and I made this top from start to finish in that time.

Scrapbooking Sunday

2011-05-22T22:25:00.001-07:00

A spread from little S's baby book. I got many pages done tonight! Self high-five!

Friday Five

2011-05-20T21:46:00.000-07:00

So we've been working in the garden this week. The back is all planted and the other two sides are ready to go for this weekend. Our garden is actually just a flower bed that wraps around three sides of our very small house. When we moved here it was so overgrown that we ripped everything but two rosebushes out. It's going to be mostly vegetables this year but with an ornamental shade garden by the door. Very pretty I hope.

However, in my dream world:

Source: bhg.com via Hanna on Pinterest

Source: girlyme.tumblr.com via Hanna on Pinterest

Source: homedesigndecorating.com via Hanna on Pinterest

Source: remodelista.com via Hanna on Pinterest

Source: garden-photos-com.photoshelter.com via Hanna on Pinterest

WIP Wednesday!

2011-05-18T15:42:00.001-07:00

A snippet of a rather complicated commission.

#14

2011-05-15T08:00:00.000-07:00

So I've finished my last Jane Austen novel (another item to mark off my 30 before 30 list) And I thought I'd do a post with my thoughts on her books. First off I will admit that I was introduced to her novels not by reading one but by watching the wonderful BBC miniseries of Pride and Predjudice when I was a teenager. I probably saw 5 other movie adaptations of her work before I actually sat down to read one of her books. As I average a novel a week (even now, with a toddler), this was kind of embarrassing. I did read a couple of these before starting my 30 before 30, to be fair.

So, in acsending order of how much I liked them:

6) Sense and Sensibility
I twice started this book and got bored and stopped. I often get a bit bored at the begginning of her books but this one was honestly boring all the way through. I don't know why. Also, I was completely unimpressed with Edward as a romantic lead, even at the end.

5) Mansfield Park
This one was okay. I admit that 21 century Hanna went "but aren't they first cousins?" Also everyone was so mean to Fanny for the whole book. I know that's kind of the point, but it still made me want to slap all the characters more than once. Including Fanny for putting up with it.

4) Northanger Abbey
I just finished this one and I found it very readable and cute. The dialogue is light and fun, and I loved how Catherine's imagination runs away with her in the gothic mansion.

3) Emma
I love Emma. It's as fun as Northanger Abbey but with a more satisfying romance. (Also, the new BBC miniseries was wonderful)

2) Persuasion
Persausion starts off a bit slow for me but from the halfway point on I had trouble putting it down. One part gave me goosebumps. Love it, great for the romantic in me!

1) Pride and Prejudice
Honestly, my love of Pride and Prejudice could be a full post on it's own. I love the book. I love the BBC version with Colin Firth. I consider the 2005 movie to be my favourite movie (most of the time, I'm fickle when it comes to movies). I also love Bride and Prejudice (so amusing!). I don't know why, it's just a great story.

Home again

2011-05-14T19:31:00.000-07:00

Want a quick recap of our adventures?
First we went to visit my family in Creston for a couple days. This is little S playing with (crawling after?) her cousins.

Then Craig had to go home and work so S and I caught a ride to Edmonton with my parents to visit my best girly friend, Kait. Her youngest is only a week younger than S. So cute to see them playing together!

Then a couple days in Cranbrook with my cousin and her little boy. She's been perfecting macarons, we were only too happy to taste test.

Then back to my parents farm again to meet up with Craig (who we missed!).

And then home. On the way we were lucky enough to see a herd of Caribou, a first for me!

So there you go, it's good to be home! Although poor little S has a fever and has slept most of the day away. Pushing molars through I suspect.

Away

2011-05-10T23:07:00.000-07:00

Just a note to let you know that I'm away...if you hadn't noticed. We were in Creston for a couple days, then Little S and I caught a ride to Edmonton with my parents for the weekend and now we're in Cranbrook visiting my cousin and her little guy for a couple days. Then back to Creston and finally home again on Friday. My schedule happy, unflexible little girl is doing very well with all the traveling and I'm enjoying spending some time with my girlfriends!

On the other hand, I miss my hubby and home will be very welcome. Not yet though, we have more fun food to make and glass to break and miles yet to go before home. I will update you later!

(picture taken by my mom during a pitstop on the way to Edmonton)

WIP Wednesday!

2011-05-03T11:42:00.000-07:00

Here's a screenshot of my tiger lily fairy. I'm currently working on the flowers. The reference image is a photo I took a couple of years ago on a hike. You can see that I again have two windows open of my painting, one is a close up and one is zoomed out. You can do this using the Window>arrange>new window. The two windows are linked so you can draw close up and see the results further away at the same time.

In the middle is a seperate file with my pallet on it. I'm trying something new this time around. I got James Gurney's Colour and Light: a guide for the realist painter (which is a fabulous book, I learned so much!) and am using his method of gamut masking with a cool tool from this site.

So here's my gamut map, I can only paint with colours from within it. Then I chose a few colours from it to work from (my digital tubes of paint) and set up a pallet with colour strings to work from those original colours. It's a bit more involved than my usual "what looks pretty?" approach and I'm very happy with how it's turning out!

The littlest Tegan and Sara fan

2011-04-30T18:35:00.000-07:00

So I had this t-shirt I got at a Tegan and Sara show a few years back. It honestly never fit me that well to start with (trying shirts on over clothes at a concert is an iffy thing) and now, not at all. Even if I lose all the weight, and more I still think it wouldn't look great on me. But I couldn't get rid of it. I mean...Tegan and Sara! And it was such a fun show!

So naturally I hoarded it for just such an occasion as this. This is the Urban Unisex Hoodie by Heidi & Finn. The back is cut from my t-shirt and the rest is cotton jersey. It was my first time sewing with knits and the most complicated pattern I've sewn. I did make a few mistakes, but none too visible. The pattern was very easy to follow!

So here's my little Tegan and Sara fan. 14 months old! (and eating the dead leaves in the yard...)

In other news...my hair is very short now.

I can't help myself

2011-04-29T22:22:00.000-07:00

If you have been paying attention to the Royal Weddingness you could probably skip this post. And if you haven't you probably don't care.

But look, pretty!

Trees!

Source: dailymail.co.uk via Julianne on Pinterest

Dresses!

Source: 3.bp.blogspot.com via Megan on Pinterest

Tiara!

Source: thefrisky.com via Becky on Pinterest

Kisses! (check out the little girl!)

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And finally...

Hats! (I was going to have 5...for Friday, but I got carried away)

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Source: img2.timeinc.net via DuolyNoted on Pinterest

Source: thedailybeast.com via Conni on Pinterest

Source: abcnews.go.com via Wendys on Pinterest

Source: bunnyvictorious.com via Raleigh-Elizabeth on Pinterest

Hats?

Source: abcnews.go.com via Wendys on Pinterest

Seriously? Hats?

Source: None via Nora on Pinterest

Little van Doesburg House

2011-04-28T14:41:00.000-07:00

New little house commission! If you want me to draw your house in this style for only $25, drop me an email!

WIP Wednesday!

2011-04-27T14:21:00.000-07:00

What I'm working on this week!(in between drawing houses, wedding cakes, jungle animals and a steampunk family portrait...my artistic life is not dull!)

Friday Five

2011-04-22T20:09:00.000-07:00

Five pretties from my Dreamy Pinboard

Source: gypsyvibe.tumblr.com via Hanna on Pinterest

Source: forestgirl.ru via Hanna on Pinterest

Source: simplyseductive.blogspot.com via Hanna on Pinterest

Source: weheartit.com via Hanna on Pinterest

Source: tumblr.com via Hanna on Pinterest

Almost Spring

2011-04-20T18:16:00.000-07:00

Once again I have no WIP for you this Wednesday. I'm drawing lots, but currently all for work which I can't show off. I should start a new personal piece, obviously!

I took these photos a while ago but forgot to post them up. Here's Little S, in her coat made by Aunty Jen, attacking a daffodil.

Baby Gear Part 2

2011-04-18T07:16:00.000-07:00

So once upon a time I did a post on what baby gear we used for the first month. How about an update on what I found useful for the first year? I have been very grateful for the advice I've received from my mommy buddies, so hopefully I can pass some good advice on to you!

Transportation:
Carrier:
We went from the sling (nice until she got heavy) to the wrap (annoying when not wrapped perfectly, never used by Craig) to the Ergo. Ah the Ergo. I am full of love for it. We used it from about 4 months until a year as the only way of packing little S around. It's comfy and we got one that is totally unisex. Craig loves it too and I will probably get the infant insert next time around in hopes of skipping the other carriers altogether.

Car Seat:
We went through two borrowed bucket seats, then bought the Radion80SL for her big girl seat. I love the colour (we have the metro) it's super comfy, easy to get her in and out of and very safe. Also it takes up less space in the car than a lot of seats do.

Stroller:
So we didn't actually use a stroller until she was over a year old. For our family, the Ergo was enough. But then she got heavier! So we got the G-Luxe by Uppababy. It's light and sturdy. It's perfect for errands and evening walks, which is just what we needed.

Seats:
Bumbo! Loved it. We borrowed ours, but I would say it's worth buying. So nice to have a little seat for them before they can sit up properly.

Instead of a high chair we have a Fisher Price booster seat. We don't have room for a high chair, and this one fits under the table (the one in the pic is the one my mom got, she also doesn't have room for the high chair!)

And while we're on the subject of seats, how about a potty seat? The BabyBjörn Smart Potty is small enough for a little 13 month old bum. Yes we are starting potty training at 13 months. More on that later. Maybe.

What we haven't used
In our family, with this little girl, we never used an exersaucer. Or any plastic or battery operated toys. And she doesn't watch TV. Not to judge anyone who goes that route, just to let you know that it was easy for us to do without. She honestly loves playing with her books and the cat and wooden blocks and plushies. It helps that 4 days a week she has two parents at home to tag team it. She did love her Jolly Jumper for a bit, but we have no large toys (our house is small). She's happy. I'm happy. It's all good.

Scrapbooking Sunday!

2011-04-17T23:01:00.000-07:00

Still missing summer.

#16

2011-04-16T08:00:00.000-07:00

Perfect cupcakes anyone? I was at Alpine Grind the other day and had the best cupcake ever. I have since been trying to replicate it. I started with this recipe but while the raspberry buttercream was awesome, the chocolate cupcakes turned out rather...well they shrunk. Tragic. But I still had some yummy frosting left so I had a do-over with my favourite chocolate cake recipe. I think it was my grammas. Not sure. But if you want to make amazing cupcakes, here you go!

Classic Dark Chocolate Cupcakes with Raspberry Buttercream

cupcakes:
2 cups sugar
1 3/4 cups flour
3/4 cup cocoa
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salk
2 eggs
1 cup buttermilk
1 cup strong coffee
1/2 cup oil
1 tsp vanilla

Beat for 2 mintues at medium
Makes about 2 dozen cupcakes
Bake at 375 for 15-20 minutes

Raspberry Buttercream (from Completely Delicious):
1 cup butter, at room temperature
3 cups powdered sugar
1/4 cup raspberry puree, seeds removed
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
pinch of salt

Beat until smooth.

Friday Five

2011-04-15T20:47:00.000-07:00

Sorry, I didn't have a WIP Wednesday post because I didn't have a personal piece in progress this week, just work. Here's 5 things from my craft pinboard

1)pretty paper flowers

2))Concrete garden balls (totally making these)

3)Embroidered Patterns

4)Patchwork Pincushions

5)Stuffed menswear bunny

Shopping

2011-04-11T16:00:00.001-07:00

What I did this weekend :) (drawing that is, not shopping)

Scrapbooking Sunday

2011-04-10T19:58:00.001-07:00

I can't wait for July to come back!

Pillows!

2011-04-07T15:41:00.001-07:00

So I decided that it was time for some new throw cushions in the living room. I wanted something cute and light. Literally light as the cat wasn't matching the black and red cushions very well, so they always looked icky. These are made from a sweet fat quarter of green fishies I had in the stash and some unbleached cotton. I was inspired by this cushion to play with some free-form pintucked pleats. Love how they turned out. Love love love.

2 hours and zero dollars later and I'm much happier in my living room.

By the way, I took these photos on manual...and knew what I was doing. I still have a lot to learn, but I'm crossing off #19 from my list.

WIP Wednesday!

2011-04-06T14:41:00.001-07:00

Here's a little animation showing my work on the Clockwork Bird painting:

Scrapbooking Sunday

2011-04-03T19:05:00.001-07:00

July title page for my 2010 album. I was wandering about pintrest yesterday (as I am in the habit of doing when procrastinating) when I stumbled across Paislee Press. Full of love! I can count on one finger the times I've ever been tempted to buy premade templates. And that would be this set. You should check her stuff out, is very pretty and simple! And you can use it for the most part in Storybook Creator.

Clockwork Bird

2011-04-02T20:18:00.000-07:00

So the story for this one is that she's off on some sort of airship adventure, but had to leave her sweetheart behind. He's made this little clockwork bird and sent it off to find her. To say that he misses her.

Yes I am pretty much a sap.

Thanks to my cute model, Marlee.

Friday Five

2011-04-01T21:15:00.000-07:00

Five magical adventures

1)Making Of Water by Victorior

2)An Offering by ScarletHawk

3)forest by tahra

4)Flying Whale by darkmello

5)Golden Fish by ldiehl

WIP Wednesday!

2011-03-30T12:29:00.000-07:00

Here's some details from my current project:

In other news:
- Sick sick sick. I am so over this winter, we have been sick for most of it. Little S is disgustingly snotty and has trouble sleeping because of her cough. Bah.
- I made cannelloni last night with homemade spinach noodles and homemade lemon ricotta. I was too sick to clean the house, but apparently not too sick to make yummy food.
- My house is a mess.
- I am feeling very very creative and very insecure about my freelancing. I want to draw all day long but worry that I won't ever get to the point where I'm making real money at it. This will pass. I think some sunshine would help!
- We have been watching a lot of Merlin.
- I am out of chocolate.
- Little S has learned to shake her head. Sometimes for "no". Sometimes just for fun. It's tricksy.

WIP Wednesday!

2011-03-23T08:49:00.000-07:00

Sorry for the lack of posting this week! I've been a busy lady with a cranky/teething baby, you know how it is. Here's a snippit of a family portrait I'm working on:

Kitty

2011-03-19T16:39:00.001-07:00

View it bigger here (blogger makes it...not as pretty)

Hooray! Well this was epic. You know when you decide to paint the "best picture you've ever painted!"? And then you realize that you don't know how to paint a decent background. Or anything in the dark... or fur.

Eeee.

Anyway, I'm pretty happy with the outcome, especially the dress. It might be one of my best ever, but I still have a lot to learn!

Reference photo from: Magik Stock

Friday Five

2011-03-18T20:05:00.000-07:00

So I do a lot of posting pretty Etsy links, and I thought that this week I would post five things that I've actually purchased off of Etsy and love:

1)A Walking Snowstorm by The Brilliant Magpie.
Pretty and $5. Nice.

2)Changing Pads by Hip Baby Pad
These are really fantastic. They are little changepads that fold up really small. They are cute. They are soft and no pee soaks through them. All I needed. I could change Little S in her car seat with these.

3)Kimono Style Robe in Darling Jardin Bleu by Plum Pretty Sugar
Because when you have a newborn you might spend a lot of time in a robe (or at least I did) so it might as well be really pretty. Love. Although it was a bit shorter then I thought it would be.

4)Holiday Cards for 2010 - A Winter's Ride by The Black Apple
I didn't send them out though. I'm hoarding them. And one will get framed for my Christmas art collection that I'm working on.

5)Perry Purse by Bayan Hippo
Okay, so I just bought this and it hasn't shipped yet. I assume I will love it. I needed something smaller for when I'm out without Little S and don't need to lug diapers and spare clothes around.

WIP Wednesday!

2011-03-16T19:18:00.000-07:00

Are you tired of this painting yet? It's taking a while, but will be full of awesome when finished. Here's some background work:

Happy Pi Day!

2011-03-14T11:05:00.000-07:00

In honour of Pi Day (the 3.14th) here is a secret family recipe for you. This is my grandmothers fool proof pie crust. Perhaps I shall make a batch today. If the baby ever naps.

Pie Crust
5 cups flour
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
2 cups butter

Crumb

Beat 2 eggs in a 1 cup measure, add 2tbs vinegar then fill with cold water.

Mix wet into dry.

Makes 7 balls of dough (so 7 pies if you are just doing a bottom crust).

Or for a fat free version, you could go with the felt pies above by Little Cricket

Scrapbooking Sunday

2011-03-13T19:17:00.000-07:00

Something simple

Pintrest

2011-03-12T19:20:00.000-08:00

I am addicted to Pintrest! I am here if you want to add me: http://pinterest.com/hanasu/ (and let me know if you want an invite)

Friday Five

2011-03-11T22:03:00.000-08:00

For little girls.

1)Pastel Kitty Crayons by kitty baby love

2)Banana plush sushi doll by Contemori

3)Piece of me by Thalitadol

4)Little Lamb Hat by Sweetpotatoadtots

5)Cream felt hydrangea Lou and Lee

Birthday for reals

2011-03-10T20:17:00.000-08:00

I took these on little S's actual birthday. We were all pretty sick (as you can see in the first pic) and spent the day at home in our pj's. I wanted to take some pictures of her just playing in her room, everyday stuff. I was experimenting with my speedlite flash. I should have figured it out before her birthday party, I sure could have used it there!

Can you tell that she loooooves her kitty? Her first sentence was "Hi Kitty!"

Spotted!

Cruising on the furniture

Sitting on her kitty

Petting her kitty (actually he just tried to attack her, so she sat on him and patted his head...firmly)

Reading kitty a story

WIP Wednesday!

2011-03-09T13:18:00.000-08:00

Well, most of what I've done this week has been work, which I can't show off. But here is an update on my lady with the kitty:

Starfish

2011-03-06T18:17:00.000-08:00

So this is the test page (2 page spread, actually) for the kids book I'm hoping to get published. Let me know what you think, I want it to be perfect before I mail it out! (Click the image to view it bigger)

Scrapbooking Sunday

2011-03-06T14:50:00.000-08:00

I love this page. I really need to try and take some photos like this again. I have a remote now, so it would be a bit easier (these were taken with my point and shoot, by me)

Art Love: Pascal Campion

2011-03-05T14:09:00.000-08:00

I stumbled across Pascal Campion's deviantart gallery last night and stayed up too late (there's always something to distract me at bedtime) looking through every single picture in it. He tries to do a sketch a day and my favourites are his pictures of his family. They are so warm and joyful, it just makes me want to draw nothing but my daughter and husband all day long. Also, it makes me want to get some serious practice time in, his sketches are better than most of my finished works! Here's a few of my favourites:

You can also find him at his website, shop, and blog.

Friday Five

2011-03-04T09:52:00.000-08:00

Five Snuggly plushies for you today.

1)Wool Felt Eco Friendly Bunny by Julie Blanchette

2)Shiitake by Go Buggy

3)Tan Fawn by Wonder Forest

4)Serge, the cat who wanted to be a deer by One Little Red Fox

5)Clarence by Lori Nichols

WIP Wednesday!

2011-03-01T19:57:00.000-08:00

A screenshot today so you can get a glimpse of how I work. For detailed images I like to have two windows open with the same image. That way I can paint on the blown up window while seeing how it looks zoomed out at the same time. Like being able to take a step back from your work...at a glance.

I'm a bit frustrated with this piece, usually I looove my latest greatest work, but not at the moment. I'm too aware of how much I have to learn before I will be satisfied. Oh well, the only way to learn is to practice, so back to work for me!

8 years

2011-03-01T14:05:00.000-08:00

Eight years ago today I married my best friend. Eight years? Really? I guess time does fly when you've having fun.

Speaking of having fun, we will celebrate next week, when we are (fingers crossed) all better over here. Little S is the most pathetic, with her goobery nose and coughing in her sleep. It is sad. We need some good health over here soon! In the meantime, that wonderful man is getting me ice cream because I said it would feel nice on my sore throat. Love.

My Top 7 Books About Babies

2011-02-28T07:09:00.000-08:00

So little miss S is one today!. I thought that some of you might appreciate a couple posts on baby gear and such, so we start with books.

My theory on parenting was to read a lot (okay that's my theory on most things). I prefer books that deal with facts about developement and how babies grow and learn, as opposed to too many books that tell you how what to do. I like to know as much as I can about what's going on in her little baby brain and body, and from that decide what the best way to deal with it is.

Here are my favourite pregnancy books:

1)Ina May's Guide to Childbirth
Just what it sounds like. The first half is birth stories and the second half is explaining exactly what your body does when you give birth. This may sound traumatizing, but it's a fantastic book and very...empowering? A rather feminist word but it fits here.

2)Real Food for Mother and Baby
I loved Real Food, so I ordered this one in. It covers your nutritianal needs from fertility to babies first foods. I have read it twice, and then each section again as I am at that stage. Love it. Totally not overwhelming either, as it is all just real food. Well, a little overwhelming when you puke everyday, but still good to know.

I also think it's nice to have a week by week pregnancy book, although I thought the one I had was a bit outdated and annoying.

And for the first year:

3)The BabyCenter Essential Guide to Your Baby's First Year
This was a nice general milestones book. It's cool because it has polls from parents from it's website that give you a nice idea of what's average for each month.

4)The Happiest Baby on the Block
Buy this book if you have a fussy/colicy baby. No, actually, take it out of the library. It's super boring and you don't need to read it more than once. However, for us, this book was gold. This book taught us how to make our baby stop screaming. It also has a bunch of information on colic and mental development and I didn't read any of that. Because I was too stressed out about my screaming child.

5)The Wonder Weeks
Another book regarding fussy babies. The idea is that sometimes babies are cranky not because of growth spurts or teething or any of the other things that your loved ones, neighbours, and complete strangers will tell you. They go through fussy periods due to jumps in mental developement. And this book tells when they happen and what the baby is learning. I found it super boring to read, however it has been dead on for us with each mental jump. It doesn't make her happy, but at least I know why she's upset and don't worry that I'm a horrible mother.

6)The No-Cry Sleep Solution
I'm not endorsing her exact methods, because I have no idea if they work (although they sound good). We were blessed with a baby who likes to sleep (when it's not a wonder week!). What I like is that this book explains how babies sleep and what is reasonable to expect at each age.

7)Baby Led Weaning
For those who think it's a good idea to let their babies start on real food instead of boring rice cereal goop. It's worked amazingly for us.

I might have read twice this many books (okay I read at least 20 books on pregnancy, baby gear and childbirth), but these are the ones I found truely useful. Hope that it's helpful for some of you!

Scrapbooking Sunday

2011-02-26T21:57:00.001-08:00

A little rainbow birthday party

2011-02-26T09:35:00.001-08:00

So we had Little S's rainbow birthday party last Monday. It was a family party at my parents place.

Cake (the pennant banner has her name on it):

Birthday Banner:

A photo for every month of her life so far:

Pom poms stolen from her nursery:

Crazy Uncle Joel:

The birthday girl!

Presents! She got a teepee made by Great Aunty Kathy and coat made by Auntie Jen, and lots of fun new books to read:

Rainbow Cake! I was so excited to make this cake. It's a lemon cake with swiss meringue buttercream between the layers and whipped cream frosting on top! Very yummy.

And this is the most sugar she's ever eaten...probably in her whole life put together!

A Geeky Friday Five

2011-02-18T22:57:00.000-08:00

I've been watching too much Dr. Who. I'm not kidding, I watched all 5.5 of the new series and then Craig came in at the last season so I'm rewatching it with him. Love!

1)Easter Dalek Card by Brown Paper Bunny

2)Bow Ties Are Cool tea set by Bugs & Monsters

3)Wibbly Wobbly Timey Wimey ....Stuff Bracelet by foxwise

4)Doctor Who new regenerations peg people by Randomly Generated

5)Dalek - Amigurumi Pattern by Hands of Hope

WIP Wednesday!

2011-02-16T14:07:00.001-08:00

Here's what I'm working on this week!

Mushy

2011-02-14T06:05:00.000-08:00

Because I love love. Happy Valentine's Day!

1)4 Valentine by le mai anh

2)Belle by Eric Canete

3)My Dearest Prince by Alicechan

4)Dream of...second chance by Tanya Anor

5)Such Great Heights by skylat

Scrapbooking Sunday

2011-02-13T21:58:00.000-08:00

In honour of my poor little kitten. He lost his manhood and got a cone around his neck this week. And to add insult to injury he keeps getting kicked out of bed for waking me up with his efforts to groom through plastic. We love you Finny!

Oz

2011-02-11T21:52:00.000-08:00

Check out this photoshoot by Annie Leibovist for Vogue December 2005. Featuring Keira Knightly.

Friday Five

2011-02-11T19:36:00.001-08:00

Five site with adorable printable valentines! For Free!
1)Small for Big

2)ollibird

3)mmmcrafts

4)Inside a Black Apple

5)Oliebollen

WIP Wednesday!

2011-02-09T02:34:00.000-08:00

Little Valentine Fairy I'm playing with!

Little S is turning 1!

2011-02-08T16:27:00.000-08:00

Invitation I did up for little S's party (yes her full name is on the ones I sent out :P)

Rainbow party, here we come!

Cutie Kitchen

2011-02-07T07:00:00.000-08:00

So here is my little kitchen. If you want to see what it used to look like click here. We rent, so there were limits to what we could do (or wanted to pay for).
What I did:
- Replaced all the cabinet hardware with brushed metal. Not that the white plastic wasn't sexy...no it really wasn't.
- Repainted. It was a dated and dingy paneling. Now it is Seashell and with Simply White Trim by Benjamin Moore on three walls, and the third is some bright green I had in the basement. Thanks to Barb for helping me paint!
- Hung a light, not sure why this took me a year as it is sooo nice to not have the florescent on all the time.
- Papered the back of my Gramma's china cabinet with pretty paper from Smock.
- Used my pretty Silhouette SD to cut the bird and list things for the window. It's a window to nowhere, so it's nice to have it pretty. I write on it with a dry erase marker.

Scrapbooking Sunday

2011-02-06T06:44:00.000-08:00

A two page spread from Little S's baby book. I've been keeping a file with notes every month of things to remember. Then I usually do a page of them each month for her book. Some are milestones, some are just cute little things I want to remember.