Stuffed Dog Prototype

I sewed up a prototype for a stuffed dog that I am thinking of making. I did a very hasty stitch job to see how the pieces worked. Already there are changes that I am going to make so it is easier & faster to produce. 

Pattern pieces drawn up & cut out

Stuffing & assembly

Here he is

Some kinks to work out. You never know how something 

will turn out till you try it. It is a good starting point.  : )

CSA Box #5

Another instalment of the local agriculture we get every week.

I never tire of the variety and beauty of the local crops. : )

In The Front Yard

The garden in the front yard is shaping up nicely this season...

In bloom right now...

Hostas

Pink Cone flowers

Spyrea  

Most summer mornings you will find me sitting out on my front porch swing,

 reading a book, drinking my coffee and enjoying nature.    : )

Cottage Weekend

Went to a friend's cottage this past weekend up in Muskoka Region. It was so great to get away and relax on the dock, go swimming (Lake was really warm!) boating, and even did some antique shopping! Awesome time spent with great friends!

On the dock

They had this cool Heron sculpture. 

Every morning there was a fresh spider web masterpiece.

These are about the only flowers that the local wildlife hasn't eaten!

Aaaahhhh. Nothing like an early morning swim before breakfast! : )

New Book Ends

I was spending the day with my friend shopping and having

 lunch when we went into a store and I saw these book ends. 

Of course they were just like my dog and I had to have them! LOL!

If you know me then you know I have a bit of a thing for dogs. 

Especially if they look like my dog. LOL! : )

CSA Box #4

You never know what you're going to get....

I am finding new recipes for all these veggies... : )

Bike Panniers!

I just got these stylin' vintage bike panniers! They are SWEET!

Got them on Etsy from The Reclamation Dept . 

They are made from vintage Swiss army bags and modified to fit on your bike rack. 

They are awesome! Used them today when I went to the store for a few groceries.   : )

Garden Beauties

The flowers in the garden this year have been really amazing.

This is what is blooming in the back yard right now...

Impatiens

Day Lilies

Hostas

Phlox

I don't know what these are called but they're pretty.

: )

Raspberry Jam!

Oh boy, raspberries are my all time favourite fruit! I love this time of year because not only is the weather great but, the raspberries are in season at our local farms. Of course I went picking, careful to make sure I picked a little extra just for eating. Then I made jam... YUM!

Fresh picked berries

Adding ingredients

Sweet fermentation

Put into jars

Labels on and all dressed up, ready for gifting

After all that work Mocha is pooped! : )

The Great Outdoors

At my house we spend as much time outdoors as we can in the summer. 

We eat outside, garden, swing, read, play, ride our bikes, etc.  It all happens here.

The back patio...

Mocha admires the flowers

BBQ! It gets used a lot!

CSA Box #3

Here is the third instalment....

YUM... Roasted beets with goat cheese. 

Raspberries & Ice cream.

Fried zuccini with green onions.

The possibilities are endless...  : )

Is it a book or a box?

A little project I'm working on. These are book forms that are boxes. You finish them 

however you want and then you have a cool keepsake box to put your treasures in.

Step 1

Choose paper to cover the box and line the inside.

Step 2

Cover the box with Mod Podge (that is great stuff!) And place your paper 

on and stick it down on the surface for the book cover.

Step 3

Place some lined paper on the edges of the book for the pages 

and stick down with Mod Podge.

Step 4

Cut  some paper to fit inside the box for a liner. Stick down with Mod Podge. 

Told you it was great stuff!

Step 5

Once the box is all covered inside & out you are ready to 

embellish it with whatever theme you like. I'll show the finished books soon... : )