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

My Etsy Shop...and other stuff that Saturdays are for.

Well it's not even Sunday night and I've opened my etsy shop!

I haven't posted everything, but it's a start, and it means I stuck to my word and got it done.

So line up and place your orders people.

Or, at the very least, check it out.

This is an incredible feat really, considering my darling Clementine is officially colic.

We've had a rough few nights that ended in mornings that looked liked this:

A 4am photoshoot that almost made the 8hrs of screaming worth every second. 

But not quite.

I was so tired I thought I was going to ralph (any opportunity to use that word), but that's passed and we're into the weekend now, which means I've got an extra set of hands.

Brad's out with her now enjoying "Father/Daughter Saturday" at Canadian Tire. 

Hence my ability to get things done!

Another reason we've been able to manage is because...da da dada!!! Stephanie Raycroft to the rescue!!!!

Stephanie is the older sister of one of my dear friends Kim.

She's also the mother of a formerly colic little girl. 

The moment she learned of my plight (like we needed another reason to love Facebook) she offered to help.

And help she did.

She gave us some advice, and this unsuspecting little toy:

The Sleep Sheep.

It makes sounds that are supposed to lull little ones to sleep. And (would you believe?) it actually works! 

Here it is in action (with a little help from the bouncy lounge, a quarter teaspoon of Gripe Water and her pluggie).

Okay. So it sort of works. 

That left eye never did fully close...but her mouth did, and that's what's really important.

So while the loves of my life are out and about, I'm nurturing my other love, crafting, and finishing up a little knit toy that I'm making for Cole (Andrea and Charlie's kid) who turned one this month.

And I'm starting a sling which I've coined "The Clementine Survival Sling" and plan to make for every one of my friends who is expecting.

Here's the one my mom made me working like a charm:

And here's the one I'm making for my gf Petrice:

Taking this picture I was struck by how much joy it brings me to have an ironing board cover that matches my iron.

Does my obsession with matching make you want to ralph or what?

I did other things too.

Like make cupcakes for my thoughtful neighbours who gave us a shower gift like A MONTH ago, and who we had yet to thank.

And put up my wacky wreath that I made out of fabric scraps and a grapevine wreath that wasn't selling at the shop.

That's it.

Tomorrow I will write whining about how tired I am and how I "should have slept yesterday while I had the chance" and blah blah blah.

Until then.

xo Em

Pretty Little Things

I'm a blog-o-holic today.

Or a blog-o-matic.

Or a blog-o-rama (if you're Melissa).

Whatever I am, I am feeling the need (no, not for speed) to share today.

I have been meaning to post two of my very favourite baby gifts that we received from two wonderful friends.

The first was from Ryan. 

Remember Ryan? I made him that embroidered picture of a bike for his 30th. Which, apparently he loved, because he returned the handmade favour in a big bad way.

Check out the fabulous gift he gave little Clementine.

Introducing Kabuki Kimono Kitty:

Die for it.

I think it's the cat's pyjamas. And not just because it's a cat in pyjamas either.

Don't we LOVE Ryan?

And you know what's even cooler than him giving us this?

He and Leila (his wife, so don't freak out or anything) are giving Clem a FRIEND too!

They're expecting their first in September and I couldn't be more excited if my own sister was having a baby.

Wait a second...my sister IS having a baby!

In October.

Baby Boom you say? Baby KaBOOM!

The second amazing baby gift we got was from sweet sweet Melissa. Of course.

A few months back she took a letterpress course (another reason I'm so jealous she lives in Toronto) and purchased this adorable print from an artist.

I even love the frame. 

And the monkey, which she also gave us.

Don't you think art is the best gift? Handmade truly is the way to go. 

That's IT!

I am ONLY going to give handmade from now on.

If you think those gifts are cute though, check out what I made:

Hold me to it

I have decided that this will be the week that I finally open my Etsy shop.

Sunday evening will be my official deadline.

I need that much time because although I've started creating items already, it's rare that I have both hands free and it's almost impossible (not to mention irresponsible) to operate a soldering gun with a baby on my lap.

Not that I've tried.

Yet.

Spring is in bloom at Blackbird and the place is a sight to behold. 

I just love this season and all of the colour it brings to the shop. 

Funky tin flowers to tie you over until the garden comes back to life...

Fuzzy chicks to add a little whimsy to your home...

Not your grandma's silk flowers...

Lots of cute stuff for Easter-inspired decorating.

April marks our 2nd year in business on friendly Mill Street in Almonte. 

Stay tuned for specials and events to come!

xo Em