Kitty Daisy & Lewis

Nice 'after the market' music...

Sad Song

Such a great music video, I would like to be best friends with all three of these girls and we could bake cookies and have dance parties every day.

My Hero.

I justed watched this Handmade Portrait on Etsy and I am in awe. Mimi Kirchner is my idol. Her strong man dolls? Awesome. I am in awe.

For Today...

For today, August 23, 2009:

Outside my window is a lovely wind and a not too hot not too cold summer day.

I am thinking of new projects waiting to be started.

I am thankful for yummy bread for breakfast.

In the kitchen a hot pot of tea is steeping for me.

I am wearing hand me down jeans and messy hair.

I am creating a new dress, if all goes well.

I am going to Prima Strada for a lunch date with my sweetheart and then... Inglourious Basterds.

I am reading the calendar… fall’s almost here!

I am hoping to go shopping this week.I am hearing the RENT soundtrack, Light my Candle.

Around the house is a mess from yesterdays market.

A few plans for the rest of the week:
Puppet Show for Anna.
Dinner with friends.
Silk Road tea.

Here is picture I am sharing that I took in Saussignac, can't wait to go back.

The Red Dress Shoppe

Things I love:
Dresses check.
Vintage anythings check.
Shop spelt with the extra pe at the end check.

This looks like the place for me, my check list is full. I wish these were mine. This online boutique, the Red Dress Shoppe, is fantastic. They specialize in new retro clothing with vintage inspired styling. These dresses even have lovely names there's the Memphis Blue, the Bella Swing, the Sugar Crystal, the Clover and my personal favourite, the Metroliner Stewardess Doll.

The Feel of August

Flickr is one of the greatest things out there in the world of the internet. It’s an unending source of inspiration. Here are a few pics I've loved lately. 1. English Summer 2. the mad tea party 3. cats 4. dream bedroom 5. shine like the stars 6. happy bike 7. Chaise de jardin

Dream Home?

This re-vammped pigeonnier built in 1750 is the cutest little guest house ever! Would I be the happiest girl EVER if this was mine?? Yes. Would I stand by the top window calling my while pigeon friends? Yes. Would Matt want to live in a tiny castle with no kitchen? No, probably not, but I bet Maurice our cat would love it. Would I be willing to move down to Louisiana to have it? Unfortunately not likely. I suppose it is simply not meant to be... maybe I can visit. Thank you Apartment Therapy for finding such lovely thins for me to spend my hours gazing at.

Lost that Lovin' Feeling

Okay, don't judge me but I have recently become quite tired of all our music, it all sounds the same and I simply needed a break. So my solution was to get something awesome to listen to. Now my ears are enjoying the soundtracks of Grease, Dirty Dancing, Top Gun and, to make me feel better about myself, Amelie. The urge to re-watch all these movies and all others like them is very strong and I am weak. Oh Tom, I would have gone to the ends of the Earth for you... sigh... I'll always have Maverick.

Animalia

Love this! Animalia has been around for ages, but I still love it as much as the day I saw it. Mikel Uribetxeberria created this series by mixing pictures of animals found in internet with photos of places he's taken. This gorilla is by far my fave!

For Today

I found this awesome daybook prompter in the wilds of the internet from the Simple Woman's Daybook Blog. I love it and I shall use it hence forth and life shall be simple. It's a sort of fill in the blanks finish the sentence sort of thing.

FOR TODAY August 20, 2009

Outside my window our neighbours house is being raised and built upon.

I am thinking of having a nap already… is 9 am too early for napping?

I am thankful for the cup of tea Matt made me.

From the kitchen are the sounds of Bread by Matt in action.

I am wearing oops, the same thing I wore yesterday… my new hand me down summer dress from Anna.

I am creating 7 new big animals and several new minis for the market this week.

I am going... well, today I don't think I'll be leaving the house but tomorrow is bread baking day at Cafe Brio.

I am reading Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke.

I am hoping this hot hot weather goes away and I can break out my boots and scarves soon.

I am hearing drilling next door and Minisnap.

Around the house are reminders we haven’t quite finished rearranging the furniture and reorganizing.

One of my favourite things right now is the peach tart Matt made last night that we are going to have for breakfast.

A few plans for the rest of the week:
Finish reorganizing.
Assist Bread by Matt in his bread making
Work on these animals
Think about bettering my market display.
Here is picture thought I am sharing of my favorite #2 guy, Maurice, who hates the hot summer days asmuch as me. Don't worry I'm not going to be one of those blogges who's all about their pet, I just like that h's glowing in the morning sun...

Sights of the Market

I love Saturdays. I love waking up early and rolling out breadsticks and baking off croissants with Bread by Matt. I love wheeling down with our displays and seeing everyone slowly set up. I love listening to all the musicians that come and play and help the time pass. I love Cutie Pie's pies and cupcakes that she shares with us. But most of all? I love all the supportive market goers that are so encouraging each week. If you’re in Victoria or on the Island and have yet to come down to the Moss Street Market, you are really missing out! Come on down and don’t be shy.

Lost Mojo

I threw my back out a month and a half ago. Spent a lot of time weeping in pain on the floor, and have since found out it was from working. When hunched forward focused on the sewing machine apparently you are doing damage to your body. I've been mobile for a while again now, however every morning I have to ice my shoulder and neck and once a week I have started seeing Victor, the massage therapist.
Is there a point to my whining? Yes, I feel as though I've lost my mojo. I'm finding so many excuses not to work... So I ask myself, as most people do when in a conundrum, what sage advice would Julie Andrews sing to me if she was my mentor? Would she say be like the robin and sing while you work? Would she say find your own spoonful of sugar and make it a treat to work?
Would she sing my workroom clean for me? I guess she'd tell me to stop moping about and work through it. I like to think that Julie is a tough sort of mentor... I wish she was nicer to me.

My Favorite Thing.

Been spending a lot of time doing my favourite thing... eating. The Moss Street market just happens to be filled with some of the most amazing farmers and the best pie maker known to man, we have been eating well this summer. It makes it even easier to eat well is having two fantastic cooks at your finger tips. My loving husband of Bread by Matt fame and Anna's husband Grant from Brasserie L'ecole who I believe may be the most passionate man about food that ever graced this earth, cooked up a storm last weekend... it was heavenly. Then finally my sweetheart treated me with a date night at Brasserie L'Ecole either the best or second best restaurant in Victoria... and it was all we could have hoped for. Olives, frites, good wine, great atmosphere, what else is there in life?

An Elephant, a Rabbit and a Wolf Walk into a Bar...

We rented a movie last night and I'm pretty sure the video guy judged us because of our late fine of $40 for Repo a Genetic Opera. Don't bother watching it if you haven't; just becaue a movie has Giles from Buffy the Vampire Slayer does not mean it will be gold. Hey lesson learned video guy! In an effort to not be judged a second time I thought it sensible to return our movie on time.

So, with the moral support of Minto the wolf, Oscar the Rabbit, Chester the Elephant and of course Anna, I set out to return my, yes unwatched movie OTTO, with a few stops along the way...
First Minto needed to take a rest as it is hard work being carried around all the time so he took a time out with Anna, then Chester had some calls to make to Asia, and boy did those rack up, let me tell ya, and finally one must never pass a playground with out a few turns on the monkey bars..

Jailhouse Rock

Don't you ever get in the mood for classic Elvis? I sure do.

The Conversation

Customer: The last time I bought something from you I got your business card and have been reading your blog.

Me: Oh! That's fantastic. Which animal did you get?

Customer: A rabbit with black and white ears, but what I wanted to tell you was there's no more posts on it.

Me: On the rabbit?

Customer: Your blog. I'd like to read your blog but you haven’t written anything for quite a while. Why put it on your cards if you don't use it?

Me: (Speechless) Ummm... you are right.... ummm, I'll start posting I promise...


So consider me told! I am a bad blogger no more. I'm getting organized, I'm writhing lists, I'm preparing to be the best darn blogger I can be. Starting now...
ish.

Where did I go for so long?

We went to Vancouver to see the Decemberists at the Vogue. The concert was spectacular. They put on such a great show and left me feeling like we should really go to the Treasure Island Music Festival. What did I learn you ask?
1. To begin with I am pretty sure that the band and I could be best friends if we ever got to know each other. I’m not one of those fans who says things like that, I just know in my case it would be true… right…
2. My life would be better if I too was in a band.
3. I need to learn to play the Xylophone. It is an oft overlooked instrument and I believe it may be my soul instrument.
4. People that listen to the Decemberists have great fashion sense. At least the women. It’s unique and colourful and lovely.
5. The Decemberists sound even better (if possible) when they’re load and live.

Yes, I have become even more smitten.

Well It's About Time!

I have finally found what has been missing in my life, someone to sit in my home and harass me until I have accomplished something. The end product? Five, that's right 5 new items in my etsy shop. I'm really happy with my photos; I upended our table and shoved our old dresser against it then threw in a pinecone for good measure. I even got my hands on a natural lamp for the perfect lighting. It just takes so long, but no my loyal friend sat behind me (doing the dishes and making smitten buttons no less) until there was an end result. Yep, lazy procrastinators all across the land should all have such a friend.

Paper Cranes Bring Joy

I've decided to take the week off sewing as it turns out sewing is ruining my neck, making it hard to move (not fun). So I'm making a paper crane mobile out of old maps. This way when I'm bedridden I can gaze up at these little guys and they will bring me joy.

A Post-It Love Story

Seriously. I love post-its.

Art Collecting

Yes, even the poor can have beautiful things surrounding them. Some art doesn't cost thousands of dollars. Lately I have been blessed to have Vil beside me at the Moss Street Market. Her art is quirky, colourful and amazing. This is the most talented artist EVER!!! So we're pretty much buying one every week as it is all under priced. And she is just as awesome as her art is! Example... you my have seen my sweetheart biking around sporting a new bike trailer which she graciously gave us as she is *sob sob* leaving the province. Anyway, check it out, Disco Bunnies and Pelican (which I've been calling Pelicant because I'm so very very funny)

Now I can't brag about my beautiful art painted by beautiful people without mentioning Rachel Ann Austin. I was beside her at the One of a Kind Vancouver show this last November and felt like I was meeting a celebrity as I stocked her online every chance I got... not that I do that sort of thing...

It worked out well as Matt loves anything map related and I love anything pretty so we scored and every day it brings me joy.

Moral of this story boys and girls, find yourselves some local artist to support and to bring you joy.

I wish I wish I wish

I wish I had an extra $230 US kicking around because how amazing would this music festival be. I suppose I could go without my husband, cut that cost in half...

Oh No!

Yes, you may have noticed the new link to the side, it has finally happened...

I joined facebook.

All I can say for myself is it seemed like a good idea at the time. Now my newest and shiney-est friend has created a Becoming Smitten fan page. And I have 9 fans. Yep, already addicted to facebook. What will my husband say when he gets home to find me glued to the computer.

On another note I managed to take some time off from making things to sell to design 2 new animals for some dear friends. I made a penguin in the wedding colors offriends who got married July 4th and a panda for my shiney friend who comes and helps me cut out fabric and make smitten buttons.

Focus Focus Focus

I have ever so much to do but all I seem capable of today is daydreaming out the window. The sun is coming out and the wind is nice and breezy… perfect for kicking off the shoes and gazing up into trees at the park.

Old Time's

This music video is from Whispertown 2000's latest album, "Swim". I find it just charming o a day like today.

All I want for Christmas

Found this video on a new favorite time wasting blog. They call it printing porn. I call it all that I am now living for. Is it too soon to start writing Santa?

Shame and Blame!

Well, it’s been exactly 2 months since we got back from France and about the same amount of time since I last blogged, SHAMEFUL!!! So sorry for abandoning you. But it hasn’t been all fun and games for me, as 3 days after I got back, I started again at the Moss Street Market. I’ve been busy trying to get my stock back up and the market-goers haven’t made it easy on me, as they are buying almost as fast as I can sew. Yes it's a burden I can live with. It has been really nice to see the familiar faces on Saturday, and if you haven’t made it to the market yet this year, be sure to stop by and say hi when you do.

If you have stopped by my booth in the last few weeks, you may have noticed the handsome gentleman taking up half of my space. My husband Matt has been selling his delicious bread on Saturdays, and luckily the market coordinators didn’t have a problem with us sharing the same space! So now market time is also quality husband and wife time too.

I sill have a few thousand pictures to go through from the trip so as I will be posting the odd 'wish I was still there' blog in the weeks, months... years to follow.

Depressed

Spent the day packing up, getting ready to come home. We leave for Bordeaux tomorrow morning, then for home in 5 days. Yes, right now I am in a pit of dispare. Its a hard life we live.

A Chefs Garden

There is no garden I prefer more than a wild garden and everything here is just that... wild. And ever so beautiful.

Rain Day

Getting caught up with putting pictures on my Flickr page, don't forget to go have a peek!