We're off!

We're off for the family vacation. Touring the West Coast for three weeks of fun! Starting with visiting friends in Kamloops, then on to the coast where we'll hook up with some other friends and head for a week or so of camping on Cortez Island. We'll finish it all up with 4 nights in a HOTEL(yay!) in English Bay in Vancouver. It should be so much fun and I'll have tons of pictures to share!

I have several auction sheduled to start the third week of August so keep your eyes open! As always, I have tons of new ideas swirling around in my head that I can't wiat to get started on when I get back. Hopefully I'll pick up a little new fabric along the way ;)!

Sometimes we forget...

...it's the simple things in life that are the most fun!

Home again, home again...

Well I gotta say if there is one thing I can truly appreciate after a week at the lake it is a HOT BATH, mmmmm, it's just the best thing. We have been home a couple of days, and have been doing laundry, getting caught up on emails, and I've started working on my orders. I took a ton of pictures. Here are a few. I've gotten a little obsessed with silhouettes.



A typical shot of all three

We came across this birds nest under a lupin in the meadow the day before, but damn if one of those little eggs didn't hatch and ruin my shot! The kids were completely grossed out!

The weather was pretty nice, however we did get some rain while we were there. This was just after the rain, and it was almost dark so it's a bit grainy, but I love this shot.

Yahoooooo! Happy Summer!

Well it's the first official day of summer holidays. DH and the dudes finished up at school yesterday. We are headed to the lake for some much needed R&R. We will be away for a week or so.

I plan on taking TONS of pictures, hopefully some of them decent, and I can't wait to share them. I also plan on working on my fall line. I promise there are going to be some fantastic new outfits! Hard to believe it's already time to start thinking about fall, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas, but I have to order fabric so far ahead I need to be on top of it.

Have a fantastic week!

Patricia

A heavy heart.

Today I write with a heavy heart. I had to say goodbye to a dear friend. My cat, Ziggy was 18 in March, and no longer in good health. It was a tremendously hard decision to make, and once I had made the call, I still debated whether or not I was doing the right thing. The vet came to our house, and it was very peaceful, he didn't feel any pain. My neighbours were here, too. A lovely older couple from next door. And really he was more their cat than mine in the end. Goodbye my old friend, you will be missed.

I am such a suck!

This is a picture (a REALLY BAD picture) of my little Miss on the stage. She was asked to be the "flower girl", in our local pageant. Each contestant walked to the centre stage, at which time she had to come out, present a rose, curtsy(?) and cross to the other side of the stage. Why is it at times like this all I can do is bawl?!? Seriously, when my oldest won his first race at the district track meet, I cried. I guess I just feel so proud that it's overwhelming.

I am SO excited!!!! I've just finished three ready to ship skirts in sizes 2, 4, or 6, and have listed them on Etsy. I mixed it up a little with some Ginger Blossom, and a fabulous little Asian print form my stash, and I think the mix is AWESOME! I hope you love it too!

Hurry - there's only one available in each size. I can only make a coordinating tank or tshirt for fall for only $14.99!

So here's my plan...

for Father's Day that is. I had this brainstorm when we were out at my MIL's a couple of weeks ago. DH's dad passed away shortly before our oldest was born. The kids have held on to his old Barracuda for a number of years, and we've not really had any money to put into restoring it yet. Anyways I thought for Father's Day I would take a bunch of picture of the kids in/on the car, and of the car itself, and put together some sort of a collage in a frame or? I am so excited about it. The pictures have exactly the right feel I was looking for.





So now I just need to figure out how to put them together and FAST!

Where's the sunshine?

It's a chilly cloudy weekend and we're holed up inside with the fire on. I had hoped to plant my garden this weekend, but I'd sooner be out doing it when the sun is shining. I'm not planting anything fancy, just things I know I can grow easily - carrots, peas, beans and some tomatoes. Don't ask my why but I can grow tomatoes. My potatoes absolutely suck, but the tomatoes are great.

I am almost finished my first surprise auction that I did awhile back and I am so excited about it. My customer Jade had some awesome ideas and I am proud of myself because it really pushed me to do something a little more challenging. I'll post pictures soon!

I have been practicing with my camera every day or two, and when I'm outside, they're not too bad. The kids hate it when I play Mamarazzi. This is one of the pictures that I am really happy with:


It was one of my fastest, easiest shoots with her majesty. She didn't have time to get impatient with me, and it was pretty spur of the moment, with no expectations or pressure. I have the skirt and top listed on Etsy.

I am trying to diversify things with my business a little and am sending some things to a consignment shop close to here to see how it does. I've not done much locally so it'll be interesting. If you are someone interested in wholesaling some of my products, please drop me a line.

"What's new?", you ask.

Well, thanks for asking. Things have been the usual busy busy with this three ring circus. We got away for the long weekend which was FABULOUS! Just one night at the cabin is enough. Here is a picture of one of Beth's projects while we were there. Guess what this is???????


On the design front, I finally got a hold of Sandi Henderson's Ginger Blossom fabric and what fun! I've put together a gorgeous mix and match line that I just listed on Ebay yesterday. All the pieces work together and I'll remake them up to a size 8.

Hippity Hoppity

Well, it official - we're ready for Easter! We did our eggs today and are off to the lake for some much needed R&R. It always so much fun to do the egg hunt out there, so many places to hide 'em.



Hope the Easter Bunny is good to ya!

Is there life outside of sewing?

Some days I wonder! What I have been working on lately besides sewing is improving my photography, especially the indoor stuff. Outdoors when there is lots of light and a great back drop I am okay. But 7 months of the year in this part of the world, it just isn't possible! And just to show that I do in fact have other people in my life besides my DD I forced them ALL to sit today. They didn't seem to mind to much, tho, there was a pack of gum in it for them!

This is my middle son, who will be 8 on friday. *sniff*. Don't know when that happened!

Euro Prairie Girl

I wanted to share a peek at my new Etsy listing that I'm Calling Euro Prairie Girl. I am loving this new skirt. I had so much fun with the applique on it. If the fact the Beth wore it for three days straight is any indication...

Visiting with Aunt bEtsy

White February?!?!?

Got up this morning to...You guessed it, MORE snow! What is up with that? It's February. It's not supposed to be winter anymore, is it? Not by my account, anyways!?!? I know DH, and the dudes are thrilled, and they'll be headed for the hill this weekend. Here's a couple of pics:



What's it doing where you are?

World wide Ebay Boycott Feb 18-25

One of the Jaynes posted this on the board this morning for discussion. I think I'll be joining in the boycott so I won't have any listings up during the week of February 18-25. What will I be doing with all my spare time, you ask? Well, I am having my website redone, adding NEW products, as well as adding to my listings over at Etsy. Please feel free to visit me at Etsy or at www.lilyssuitcase.ca. Or if you are in need of something in a hurry, or want something special, please contact me directly!


http://youtube.com/watch?v=23TomS5--nQ

Fresh Berries!

I just finished this sweet little outfit for the Pop!kids Jam launch that was supposed to be on the 5th, but got pushed ahead to the 11th. Guess who missed the post about that! Anyways, I was ready, photos, and all, so I just had to list. It's like having a secret you just have to tell!

I've been trying some different places around my old house to do photos, and I think I like this one. This is our newly renovated kitchen. I plan on painting that lovely wooden door, but I'm not sure what colour. The walls are soft yellow, trim is mustard, floor is b&w, and apple green checks. Any suggestions?