Random thought
*It has been so hot and muggy here, I feel like I am living in a testicle.

I think a day at the seashore moved the little craftbug in me. Olivia and I were collecting seashells (Audrey looked on in the wagon) something I hadn’t done in years, because frankly– what the hell do you do with seashells?

I remember as a kid collecting a wide assortment of sea crap in my bucket, bringing them home to stink on the porch and a few days later, after I had totally forgotten about it, dad would chuck them out.

So this last week when the girls and I were out at the beach and the tide was unusually this far out, I found all these wonderful rigid shells – which inspired me to do… something…

Needless to say, i decided this time would be different and I brought home a bucketful sea crap.  So far instead of leaving them out on the porch, I bleached them – because that’s what you do with shells – totally just learned that, I just thought you boiled them – but no!  A 50/50 water bleach solution kills all the little fuzz and life that grows on the dead shells (it takes off the barnacles as well) and they now look like this:

So far I have only come up with the idea to sparkle the outter portion of the shells  (love sparkles), add a pearl and ribbon, and use them as Christmas decorations, along with a beach day photo of my cutie pies. I will let you know how that develops…

The seashells then sparked another project, one that I had been talking, with myself, about doing for months. FYI – I happen to be a great internal conversationalist.

I was watching the Martha Stewart Show randomly when her guest, Heather Ross, made these wonderful smocked sundresses. They looked simple enough and although my printer is not working I figured I could guesstimate the pattern. (The dress pattern and instructions are free on her website and she also included them in this book –Weekend Sewing-  I just ordered it – i’ll let you know if its worth it).

I bought some super cute fabric…

 …and realized… a weekend project with a husband and two kids does have its disadvantages.  Sewing in between doing laundry, making dinner, and cuddling can be time consuming.

However, the project was easy enough that I could finish it without getting to the ‘I just want to get this done, I don’t care how straight these lines are or how finished the edges are stage’. That clearly means it was a rousing success- That and the four compliments I received while wearing it means it was THE BEST SEWING PROJECT EVER!!!

- Wait there’s more!-

The completion of the dress sparked an even craftier project, still   is in its infant stage.

While IN the dress at the Ladner farmers market (twice a month on Sunday and its wonderful) I came across lovely scrabble tile necklaces which screamed at me “YOU CAN DO THAT”… so now I need scrabble tiles…  

Speaking of farmers markets – did I mention how great the one in Ladner was; it had live music, crafts, fresh fruit and veggies, and the smell of baked bread wafting in the air… The main highlight is this market had more than 5 booths; in fact it had about 50.

I have been to so many farmers markets lately which are really small and very disappointing. What happened to huge street markets bustling with energy? – Yes, there is the Richmond Night Market, but honestly, doesn’t that feel like an overpriced outdoor dollar store with food?

Also exciting, speaking of farmers markets and crafting, minutes ago i was sent this link – talk about train of thought – Modern Urban Guide

Note to self

*I love bread; carbs are good, dress hides carbs

PS – are we enjoying the book ‘punny’ titles as much as I am?

 PPS – Those bags in the wagon… are all filled with fresh bread!!!