Our Sunday Morning - Mother's Day

We had a lovely day here. The cherry blossoms are out, finally, so we had a bike trip down to the park to enjoy them. I woke up to J teaching Lil C how to say "Happy Mother's Day" and was treated to hand-picked flowers and pancakes for breakfast. With Champagne no less!

Happy Day indeed.

Bon Voyage Mom!

As a Mother's Day present for my mom, i thought of a fun idea! Since she only likes handmade gifts from us, i knew i had to make something that also fit with my limited craft time. So, since she's going to London and Paris with my dad, i created a fun passport holder.

Now that they're both 'retired' (but still oh so busy!) they are traveling more, so i know this holder will get some good use. I also know my mom is already pretty organized, so didn't need to make an extravagant wallet or anything. This one fits 2 passports, and has space for some other things like their itinerary and a spot for her notes of the things she wants to see.

I made this from scratch but used Thimble's travel organizer as a basic guide. Instead of an elastic or snap to close, i used left over binding strip from another project to keep the holder closed. I also had an excuse (er, reason) to use a fabric marker that i ordered on-line recently!

Happy Parents Day

I'm off to see my parents today, to celebrate Father's Day and a belated Mother's Day with them. I'm looking forward to a day away from Toronto - I know my mom and i will end up chatting about knitting patterns and looking through her stash of fabrics. They will feed me, and we'll get to chat about life in Toronto, and most likely sit around in the air-conditioned house watching TV.I wanted to make my mom something that i'd know she'd like. So, since she bought me Amy Butler's In Stitches book and said specifically she wanted to borrow the book from me sometime so that she could make the Patchwork Handbag, i thought i'd make it for her.

It was a bit challenging, mainly because it is a long process. I use a lovely vintage barkcloth fabric as the main and i'm quite happy with it overall. I'm sure she will be too!
I also wanted to make something for my dad, he never seems to get handmade things from us anymore. What can you make for a dad anyway? Since he's having some back problems, and is a carpenter by trade, and a great support to my mom's crafty neeeds (of wood cut-outs and birdhouses, etc), i thought i'd make him a sturdy pillow. I filled it with stuffing and dried lentil beans, to add a b it more texture. I might be crazy but it feels nice and my dad will appreciate my attempt at a hammer! I added a nice little detail on the backside, too. See it here.

My parents have always been such a great supprt for me and i just wanted to thank them for that. Have a wonderful day, and i everyone else who's a mom or dad also does.