I like kids. But I couldn't eat a whole one.

As per my last post I thought of something else to add to my "good things" list.

Having someone else clean my glasses.

Every now and the I'll treat myself to having Brad clean my lenses.

I don't know what it is, but he gets them so much cleaner than I do.

Anyway. Who cares right?

Just thought of it and had to post.

For all of you crafters out there, have you really introduced yourself to the blogging community?

It's HUGE! 

And so inspiring.

I found the BEST sites on Friday while I was at the shop.

Here are just a few of my new faves:

Spoonflower

A quote I found on this site read: "Spoonflower promises to be the most exciting and revolutionary service to come along in the craft world since Etsy.”

People. 

We can design our own fabric! 

We can die now!

I have to do this in my lifetime.

Knowing me it will take me 17 days just to decide what I want to design, and another 11 to choose the colours. But I will do this.

I need to make a life list (another post).

Ikat Bag

This woman is SO generous with her tutorials.

And I LOVE tutorials.

Clementine definitely has a princess teepee in her future. 

(Clem, if you're reading this, don't scroll down).

Here's one that got me wanting to silkscreen again.

Apples for Poppy Anne

Isn't that shirt a riot?

And her simple little bird print appeals to me for obvious reasons.

Her tutorial is so simple. Love that.

Ugh! My stinkin' blog just got prematurely posted.

You'll only notice this if you get my feed, but still. Annoying.

I suppose I'm done anyway.

I should probably look up from my screen to make a sale or something.

I'll leave you with this.

No I did not end up making myself a tunic or a wrap dress.

But I DID start (and almost finish) a sweet sweet sweater for the Clembot.

And I'm currently butchering one of Brad's dress shirts to make her one of these (I found it on etsy...of course):

Oh. And I also have to make these:

I know.

You wish I was your mom.

Good things

I was listening to CBC (I think) months ago and on the air was some dude who'd started a blog listing all the good little things in life that sometimes we take for granted.

No I'm not getting all airy fairy, hippy dippy, gag me with a spoon on you here.

Some of the things were actually pretty funny (though I can't think of a single one of his now of course), and made me think of a few things I'd add to his list.

It's fun to think of the things that make us happy.

Here's a few I thought of this morning:

1. Having someone else refill the milk bag so my cereal doesn't get soggy going to the fridge for a new one.

2. Waking up to coffee already brewing in the pot.

3. Eating all the veggies in the fridge before they can even think about going bad.

4. Vacuuming up dust bunnies. 

5. Sleeping 6 or more consecutive hours.

6. Having someone schedule an event on a day you already have off.

So apparently I'm lazy and like to eat.

And occasionally I clean the house, but only if it's dirty enough to be satisfying.

That's really what it comes down to isn't it?

There are more. Plenty.

But this is what I've got for today. Feel free to share your own.

On a less cheerful note, my dear dear dear dear friends John and Josie had to put their pooch down this week.

Sexy Lexy. Lexy Lou. The Lexmeister.

Dear old Lex.

Look at this beautiful dog. 

She was John's best buddy and the dog that made Josie love animals.

If anyone could do it, Lex could.

I've lost my share of animals in my life, and it is tough.

Tougher than losing a human sometimes. 

Lex, I hope you're in doggy heaven eating straight off the table.

Actually, I hope you're in regular heaven so John and Jos can hug you again someday.

Dog breath kisses,

Em

Bicycle Month

Hi Friends.

June is Bicycle Month in Mississippi Mills (aka Almonte & Pakenham for you old schoolers) and Blackbird's very own Sadie Dupuis got a major shout out for her artistic contribution.

Last month Sadie had the lofty idea to build a sign announcing Bicycle Month out of old bikes.

When she told me I thought it sounded incredibly creative...and possibly impossible.

I should have known better.

We're talking about Sadie here people. Sa. Die. (pron. "dee")

Check out her masterpiece that's now been mounted on the side of the Flour Mill turned condo she lives in.

Kinda makes me wish every month was Bicycle Month.

Read more about Bicycle Month and Blackbird's pride and joy at mmbicyclemonth.ca

The Friendly Town

Well, would you believe it, I have readers!

So many people have introduced themselves to let me know they've been following my blog. 

How disappointed you all must be that I've been such a slacker in the blogging department.

Send me comments people!

If I'd known so many of you were out there I'd have written sooner.

You know who you are.

Hello!!

So let's talk about the shop for a minute.

Blackbird is rocking and rolling these days. Our weekends are getting busier and I'm back in the shop full days Fridays and Saturdays now.

Almonte's looking pretty fantastic lately too. We have some new shops, gorgeous store front makeovers and lots of great ideas on the horizon.

So hey! You there! 

Been to Funmonte lately? 

Had a brewskie on the new Barley Mow patio overlooking the Mississippi River?

Walked with an ice cream down the Riverwalk?

Enjoyed a locally roasted fair trade coffee at the Groundz?

Peeled your thighs from the charming burgundy vinyl seats after breakfast at the Superior?

Twirled in a crinoline prom dress at Vintage Wear/Ware?

Indulged in a glass (or three) of vino at Fitzgeralds?

Giggled over the New Yorker cards at Blackbird?

You're kidding me.

You haven't? Are your legs broken? Did your car die?

Are you ALLERGIC to fun?

I have a new baby at home and not only do I manage to enjoy downtown Almonte practically daily, I sleep here!

So come to Almonte. 

Come on. 

It'll be fun.

You already know a great tour guide. 

I'll just get Clem to watch the shop while we go for ice cream.

She's got to earn her allowance somehow damn it.

Makin' Stuff

My mom bought me a great sewing machine about 6 years ago and though I've sewn my share of pillows and curtains and cosmetic bags and baby slings, I really haven't done anything truly useful with it.

Clem is behaving a kazillion times better these days (has a maximum of 2 melt downs a day and sleeps (read: practically) through the night) so I'm starting to think maybe crafting is back in the cards.

I just might try my hand at clothing. 

We're not talking resale quality here, just maybe fashion for personal use. 

My fitness kick is still in high gear and my jiggly bits are starting to look a little less jiggalicious, but shopping still isn't a barrel of laughs and girl needs some cute stuff for summer.

I'm thinking a tunic might be a good place to start. Or a wrap skirt.

Or a mu mu cleverly disguised as a sundress. 

Belts can do that you know.

Here are a few cute Amy Butler patterns I found online. 

I think I could make these.

I think.

Guess we'll just have to find out won't we?

I should probably make something for my girl too.

But Clem's got enough clothes to last her until she's 3.

At least.

Colleen made her the CUTEST tiered skirt the other day. Which she promptly pooped in (she liked it THAT much).

No I don't have a picture of her in it. But I will take one. I know how much you want to see it, and Col deserves a shout out for making it (and for being pooped on).

What else.

Brad is now taking Friday's off until September in lieu of vacation and I'm working Fridays and Saturdays in the shop. Which I am so happy about.

I can't help but be curious about how today is going for those two at home.

Not worried. Just curious.

xo Em

The luckiest girl I know.

I am one of the luckiest people I know.

I had (another) rough week last week and you'd hardly know it for all the support I've got around me. I'm not going to get into the details because Mondays are for moving forward, but I will just say that I have the BEST friends, the BEST parents and the BEST employees a girl could ask for.

My dad gave me the awesome gift of a personal trainer since I wrote last and I've been to the gym almost every day since. I've even begun using the child minding service they offer and you can't imagine how liberating it feels to drop Clem off for an hour without the guilt of having left her with a family member.

We have a standing appointment with the sitter Tuesday and Thursday mornings until Clementine is 13.

So yes (thanks for asking) Project Em is going well. 

The weather is gorgeous today and I'm in the mood for a little reshuffle at the shop.

The place could use a good Spring cleaning and my displays need to be looked at with a fresh set of eyes. Maybe a new window display is in order.

I think so.

Brad, Clem and I are heading out on our first road trip this Friday and it's bound to be an adventure. 

I hope this doesn't screw up her sleeping patterns too much. 

She's been so good lately (I've just jinxed it haven't I?). 

Saturday we were at a party at Scott and Andrea's and we were even able to put her to sleep in their nursery. 

Like a REAL kid!

And last night she slept from 9:30pm to 4:30am. 

That's 7 hours people.

SEVEN.

I can actually perform on seven hours of sleep. Pretty well too.

This is sort of a nothing blog, so I'll just leave you with a few of the pretty darn cool 

things I discovered this week:

The first: Ana Whiting. 

Petrice and Jason had their little girl a few weeks early and though I've only laid virtual eyes on her, the kid is cute. Kaaaa. Ute.

The second: Cherry Creek Charms on Etsy. This girl makes charm necklaces with Blackbird's EXACT bird logo. 

Obviously I'm going to have to buy some.

And by some I mean lots.

The third: This great web store called Mahar Dry Goods.

Colleen sent me this link a few months ago but I've only just now had time to appreciate it.

I want an online store like this. Amanda, if you're reading this, let's do it.

Last but not least, what's a post these days without a shot of the girl?

Who is getting CRAZY tall.

Or is it long since she's not exactly vertical?

Check out these pics. The first is Clementine at about 5 weeks. The second was taken around 9 weeks.

She's in the 90 something percentile (a good mother would know the exact number I'm sure) for height so hopefully she'll be tall like her daddy.

Until next time.

Em

If you don't get real about fat, you're going to get real fat.

So the last thing I want is for this blog to become about weight loss but, seeing as it's become a pretty major issue in my life these last few (read: since we got married in August 2007) months, I am feeling the need to talk about it.

Spare me the "you just had a baby Emily! Give yourself a break." and "it took 9 months to put it on, it'll take 9 months to get it off" and "well I think you look great" emails. 

Liars. All of you.

The fact of the matter is that I gained a whopping 56lbs while I was pregnant. Of which I've only lost 30. 

9 of which were baby.

And I was 10lbs over weight when I got pregnant. 

And I STILL have about 40lbs to lose.

I think "daunting" is perhaps the best word to describe the battle I have ahead.

The worst part about it is that I have recently been able to identify my triggers for over eating.

There are more than a few.

Stress, boredom, lack of time to plan a meal, exhaustion and, oh, babies. 

And stress.

And exhaustion.

Babies are trouble I tell you.

I have started going back to the gym, but sometimes it's hard to choose between my bed and a treadmill. (Actually, the real problem is that it's NOT).

My dad has even offered to pay for a trainer to help me get back on my feet.

I can't pass that up.

So let's just keep this short.

Today I am (don't tell anyone.) 182lbs. I would like to be 145lbs by my 30th birthday on August 7th.

I have four months to lose 37lbs. That's two pounds a week, which may be totally unreasonable, but well worth the try don't you think?

How am I going to do it? Here's where this blog will keep me accountable.

I will:

-Plan my meals, and make as many as I can in advance to avoid temptation.

-Go to the gym at least 3 times a week.

-Walk every day with Clem.

-Drink water in place of all other beverages.

-Avoid snacking.

-Eat balanced meals so I won't want to snack. (yeah right)

-Write down what I eat.

My measurements are even more embarrassing. 

But Dr. Phillip (initial) McGraw says "if I don't get real about fat I'm going to get real fat" and I think that's some sound advice.

Bust 104cm (40.9")

Waist 102cm (40.2")

Thigh 69cm (27.2")

Arm 31cm (12.2")

Whhhaaaat? My waist equals my bust? Terrible news.

Time to put a stop to that.

I suppose here's where I put a before picture. Lucky for me I don't have one, or a camera at the moment so it'll just have to wait.

That's it for now. I'm sorry I've had to succumb to writing about this junk (in the trunk).

I'll try not to make a habit of it.

xo Em