by Sherri Sylvester | Sep 3, 2013
I supposed that it would happen eventually, but I was NOT ready for my oldest to be in school “all day” yet! But it happened, and now our lunch table holds one less set of cutlery – which I found myself tearfully removing today. We are so used to all being home, all day, every day (we own our own business, so my husband works from home as well), it was a strange thing for one of us to be missing!
My youngest and I will have to sort out our own schedule over the coming weeks – she’s never been away from her sister for as long as she was today, not even once before in her three year old life. Thankfully she’s a good helper and loves to be cleaning, or cooking, or sitting on my lap when I’m working! I’m looking forward to spending some time with her, just like I was able to do with her sister when she wasn’t around.
I finally finished my “back to school sewing” last night. The list was not so long – just a pencil case this year! I took the “less time” route and bought her a new dress to wear for the first day. The pencil case is a “copy” of one my friend Laura posted on her Facebook shop page – I love the peekaboo plastic insert – so you can see what’s inside. I also got to make another zipper pull, this time with a covered button! I say this case is a “copy” because I just had the picture and should likely have just gotten Laura to explain how she did it. I wanted to fully line the inside and was having a hard time getting my head around the construction – might have something to do with a lot of late night sewing… This is actually my second try, the first has been relegated to an “at home” pencil case – never to be seen by anyone who knows I can sew! Do you have projects like that?!
Likely much to my teacher friend’s dismay (don’t laugh Leanne!) I followed the bus to her school, 5 minutes down the road! It was comforting to see her getting off the bus – though she tells me later she got a bit lost on the way to her class. I want so much to protect her from everything that might be scary or make her nervous. It is strange to have to let go of your kids, let them sort through life and figure out how to deal with it – just like you did when you were their age. Thankfully she is excited to go back and kept asking us “what we wanted to know about her new school” during dinner.
Apples for her new teacher in hand, second year running….
Here we go – ready or not – back on schedule again until next June! How was your kids’ first day of school this year?
by Sherri Sylvester | Aug 23, 2013
We are having fun this summer and it has gone by too fast! I think because we have two more mobile kids (no more babies anymore, boohoo!) it’s easier to go to places that require a little more patience – like museums and such. Also, I am finding that places like museums and art galleries are putting more emphasis on being kid-friendly, and have set up great areas for them to play.
Here’s a snapshot of a few things we’ve done this summer. Check out the captions!
Photos in the Fiat my husband rented me for my birthday! They are fun to drive, but have the power of a small lawn mower!
“Look mom! It’s a fish/bug/stick/rock/_____ (insert nature item here!)”
Can’t be up North without S’mores for dessert every night. Thank goodness swimming wears off the sugar high! (shorts here)
Night Swimming! (bathing suit here)
In Killarney to get some AMAZING fish and chips from Herbert Fisheries. (tote bag here)
The kids dressed up to do “A Show” for the adults. Hint: It involved a Princess!
“I caught a fish!”
So peaceful. (The kids are “over there” with my husband!)
Can you find the girls?! They are in front of “The Crystal”, the not-so-new addition onto the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto.
We’ve got one week left before school – boo! We’re going to make the most of it, starting with a weekend visit to Niagara Falls and a little stop in at Bee Modern Fabrics and Yarn in Niagara-on-the-Lake. Can’t hurt to stash a little fabric while you are on a family outing! What was your most memorable event from this summer?
Hopefully I will be able to announce the winner of the Warp & Weft on Facebook over the weekend! Watch for it!
by Sherri Sylvester | Jun 7, 2013
I’m feeling sentimental today, and amazed at how many readers come back to Thread Riding Hood to check out what is happening.
As I go on this blogging journey I have so many hopes and dreams in tow!
My one year Blogiversary is a month away and I am in the process of coming up with a great giveaway for you guys to celebrate. I’ve been thinking a lot about where I was a year ago, and where I am headed.
Blogging is so much fun, but it is also hard work. It helps when you can see progress. I was so grateful to find out recently that my daily readers are now numbering more than everyone who visited in the entire month of February!
I love what I do (more than I ever thought I would!) But even when you are excited to “go to work” everyday you still need a break once in a while!
My family went on a trek “Up North” this past Monday to a favorite (and popular) restaurant that we love. I have a feeling it will become an annual trip for us. One day every spring that we take off during the week to slow down and think about family instead of getting caught up in “the rush”.
It reminds me of the times when my parents would let us get fries and a milkshake at McDonald’s – instead of a “proper” meal. And how I can get too caught up in parenting to remember to let my kids have “just fries and a milkshake” once in a while.
Looking back at the photos we took reminds me to stop and think about where we are headed. It makes me think more about how fast my kids are growing up and how I don’t want to miss any of it. It makes me remember that I should say “Thanks” to my husband more often. He works so hard to take care of our family.
Hopefully you enjoy hanging out with me as we journey along. Sewing is amazing, relaxing, driving and sometimes maddening! We all hate seam rippers. Cutting out patterns is the worst part of making anything. Scissors and rotary blades will slip. Bobbins run out (all too often) right before the end of a project. There will never be enough time in your day as a creative person. There will always be too many pinned projects (or works-in-progress!), and never enough that are actually done.
I have to remind myself to remember that, and slow down. It’s normal, and it’s okay! There are others out there like me (and you!), and they abandon the housework for a more interesting project all too often too!
Thanks for hanging out to the end. I appreciate you and I love to hear what you have to say – it really makes my day! Thanks for reading, see you again soon.
by Sherri Sylvester | May 12, 2013
Happy Mother’s Day!
…to all the moms (especially my Mom and Mother-in-law!)
I am thankful for the beautiful girls that made me a mama. They gave me flowers I can plant this year – so they won’t die in a week. I am thankful that I am able to take care of these two and “grow them up” as best I know how. And thanks to my wonderful husband for helping me out!
by Sherri Sylvester | Feb 28, 2013
Tomorrow is the day, we are having a second gathering of the “People I know that Sew” club! The consensus last time was that we would work on the same project together this time. So we are sewing the Library Tote by Noodlehead. (I have posted my version of the bag here.) Exciting news also, we have grown by 2 people since last month! Now we will have to fit 7 sewing machines around my dining room table. What fun! I am also interested to see if we can all finish the bags between snacks and sewing talk! I am hoping to be able to get a photo of our work this time around.
In other news, my “Canadian Online Fabric Stores” pinterest board is growing, hooray! We now have 18 Canadian online shops listed for you to choose from. I have received amazing help from two readers, Jennifer from South Alberta and Lindsay. Both have given me links to the new stores. Can I remind you just how much duty and shipping we pay buying fabric from the US? Now – go and try them out! It will take me into next year to order from them all one-by-one, so if you try them let me know how it went. I will do my best to secure an interview with the owners and post it here.
On a completely different note (and in case you are wondering about the photos!) Last weekend my oldest daughter participated in her Awana Grand Prix and managed to win Third Place for Speed! We (being normal parents) are super excited and super proud of her. The making of her “Pig Car” that she named “Happy” was completely her idea – and of course it involved pink paint! We have had no experience (’till now) in making a derby car, so we didn’t expect much – what a great surprise. It’s really fun seeing your children when they are so proud of themselves for things they have worked hard on. It makes all of the hard work you put into being a parent worthwhile!
by Sherri Sylvester | Feb 15, 2013
Hope you all had a happy, chocolate filled yesterday! Here’s how our day went down… some hand-sewn gifts, some treats and a LARGE chocolate fondue = some super-hyper happy children. Thankfully we decided to go for a family drive after bathtime – 1/2 hour later we were back with sleeping children – works every time!
Plate walls are good for more than just plates.
Handmade cards are the best. Check out the caricature of me that my husband drew! I love handmade cards from the kids too, these are keepers!
I sewed the kids each a skirt on Wednesday night. Just a simple one – but I’m really happy with them. Especially the pink/gray one. I think the blue one might be a bit TOO puffy (if that is possible!) But my oldest LOVES it, the frillier the better I guess!
I made my husband a pencil holder bookmark to go with his drawing book, and found the ninja pencils at the local bookstore. They say “Hi-Ya” on the lower portion – really funny – good gift for someone who draws! I am going to post a tutorial for the bookmarks sometime in the near future, they are really handy.
We have a tradition that my husband buys flowers for the girls as well as myself on Valentines day. We are so lucky! The pink mini roses are so pretty!
Of course, not to be left out, we had to try out the bubble cards we gave my oldest daughter’s class ourselves.
This is my favorite vase. I received this blue owl last year on Valentines and mostly it stands empty as decoration. It’s extra nice, though, when we have some flowers to put in it. They match the decor perfectly!
Mmmmm… mashed potatoes anyone? My husband commented that “Most people let their kids eat the beaters when they are baking” not the potato masher! Hey – whatever makes her happy! I have to say, mashed potatoes are a lot healthier than eating the leftover icing! (Don’t worry, it will get sterilized in the dishwasher!)
Mmmm…. the best part! Our fondue pot fits enough for 8, so we had enough chocolate left over to save in the freezer. We’re going to have amazing chocolate sauce on our ice cream sundae’s for a while!
My youngest was having trouble keeping the marshmallows on her fork…. so she took the best way out a 2 and a half year old could come up with!
Just a reminder, It’s your last day to use the coupon code for fabric from Mad About Patchwork! Check it out!
