Squeezing out the last bit of Summer

Well that's it, I think Summer is officially over. You know, at the begining of September I thought, well I better start putting away the sandles, tank tops and shorts, but the warm weather just stayed, and I loved it. Not to hot, not too cool, just right for me. But today, I saw it, and I yelled to Steve as I looked out the window. It was.... the neighbour's furnace. On and the steam was rising into the morning air.
So yes, it's over... but here are a last few images of the longest, warmest, driest summer that I can remember.

C, getting quite good at her sidewalk chalk

Walking the drive, enjoying the drips of a fresh watermelon.

After a bath, love those pearly whites!
Chillin' on the deck aaaww craftiness, I am still managing to fit some in. But I was more inspired by Bonnie who thankfully invited me to her Homespun Salon. I was needing some creative juices to flow and by having us over for the evening I got enough of my creativity out to keep me sane for a while. And also I am STILL talking about her homegrown, home smoked, home made salsa! I loved it, and now I need a garden, a smoker, and a bit more time so I can make some! (BTW, I didn't even think I liked smoked food, nor was I that keen on salsa before)

This is what I worked on, which I may be doing as gifts this year, so I don't want to show too much !

My nephew turned 5 yesterday. I find it so hard to find inspiration for boys... so I came up with this. He's got a pair of pants to match, and I am excited to see how it looks after a few washes so the fabric can fray a little aaaah, yes another B-day present. Butterflies :)
And what a great segway in to my next topic....

I got out the RIT so I could dye 1/2 of my corda belt for Capoeira! (by the way I have tonnes left if anyone needs anything dyed royal blue) My Proffessor sat down with me on Sunday and told me that I deserve my next belt for my dedication, my improvement, and my knowledge of the martial art. The belt(Corda) system works differently for many groupos but they mostly all move up 1/2 colour at a time. My next corda will be all blue.I have been training for almost 3 years, and I can't imagine what life would be like without it. I find it energizing, extremely challenging and it gives me my 'break' from life many times a week. While I am there for my hour and a half, I dont think about anything else except for what I am doing at that moment. It could be singing, playing the Pandeiro, working the movements, or sweating buckets!

So tonight, I will wear my new colours for the first time, and I am sure my Proffessor will challenge me with a game in the Roda...... and I will be very sore tommorow!

Mish Mash

This is a mishmash of things I have enjoyed during the summer, yet have neglected to tell you about. We visited the coast during early June, and to tell you the truth, the best part of the whole weekend? Throwing rocks in the water. It was enjoyed by all, including buster.

C's makeshift bed. The room we stayed in was so tiny, Y, Mom and Dad all slept in the same bed. C and Buster slept on their own. Can you say COZY?

A full moon, taken one night from my deck

I just love this photo. Their eyes are so similar(among many other things) But they were just so happy cuddling together. Tell me this love will last forever.

I wasn't the only crafty one this year. Calliope made beads from dough, baked them, painted them, and made a really trendy, bracelet

And this is how I enjoyed my birthday. (we went out for dinner on the weekend) But while the kids were napping, I decided to pour myself a glass of wine, have some delectible chocolates, and write in my children's journals.... and I think I even made a few phone calls. Very relaxing... if only for a short while

Crafty Crafty Me

I I find it so easy to be inspired to make stuff for little girls. It so hard to find things to do for boys. Sorry, it's so hard to find COOL things to do for little boys. So I found this great fabric with Koi fish on it..that I thought I could make something for Yannis. Steve thinks it's very skateboarder like, I'm not sure if that was a compliment or not.
My friend had a baby this spring and her name starts with a V. I love doing the initials of kids names... it's so easy and very simplistic. Calliope helps me paint the brown. I really should make one of these for my own kids. I also sewed a little head scarf to match a baby blanket for her. I love making the blankets, one side Minky and the other a fabric that I think will match the new addition. The fabric is more for Momma to be trendy. In this case I bought fabric before baby was born, and once I met her I thought "that fabric does not match the baby!" So this was the new choice of fabric.

I've made quite a few blankets for new ones, the size is perfect for the stroller or carseat. Calliope still uses hers in the car. My Niece has a Siamese cat at home, that's what inspired her Birthday shirt and matching head scarf.

Some inspiration....
I found these fabrics a few weeks ago, I think I have found the perfect outfit for Yannis. Now i've just gotta wait for the fabric to go on sale :)

The fabric store is a terrible place for me. I could say I'd only be 1/2 an hour just to quickly pick something up.... but that would be lying! I could look at fabric for hours, dream about all the time I could have to make projects and then realize that I'm nuts... I couldn't possibly have THAT much time to create. I know there will come a day where I will have more time to put my crafting skills to work.

I almost forgot! In the spring I made a shrug for a child. My friend was doing a fund raiser and this was part of her auction. It was simple easy (with lots of help from my Mommy) haha

The button was even handmade out of wood by a friend of mine.

Here is me wearing the same shrug

Just as I wish I could post on here more often, I wish I could craft more often. So as time allows I hope to post more of my creations in the future.

Our summer thus far

Hey everyone, I can't believe that summer is almost over! It's been so quick, and adventurous that it's hard to imagine we will all be wearing sweaters soon.

Calliope had ballet classes in early july. You know, her Yia Yia bought her a black leotard and she just wouldn't get out of it, to tell you the truth she still wears it at least once a day. So, her classes served very well, and she still talks about it all the time.This photo isn't the best, I just love her face and smile in it. I know exactly what dance she is doing :) Yannis, in his new outfit that Mommy made, I'm not sure if he is crying because I am once again trying to take his photo, or if he doesn't like fish!
A favorite pass time, Chalk!!
Rainbow Butt!

Awww friends drawing... or at least friends until one steals the other's pencil!

The suspension bridge... boy is it scary to carry a little one on your back going over this deep ravine. I know I was holding on tight, Calliope was very brave and crossed all by herself! On the otherside... throwing rocks. One of our favorite things to pass the time.

Here we are, on the way back home!

I just loved this photo, and thought I'd share. Our little lady is always running... full speed.