things I've been thinking about lately

Yes. I guess it's time to man up and confess I've been thinking about yarn bombing my house!!!!

I haven't told the hubs yet, I'm not sure how he will take it, he will probably smile and then say "you are crazy!"... or something sweeter like "I'm sure you are probably beginning with the -nesting- phase of pregnancy"... to be truly sincere with you, it's probably true... I am a little crazy and I've been feeling this strange compulsory need to start arranging everything for the new baby.

But don't you think it would look awesome if I just did a little yarn bombing here and there around the place? maybe the staircase and then the sofa in my office... I don't know, I think it will look cool and at the same time I think it will look super tacky!!!

Maybe I should just let it be an idea. One of those ideas that is always there in the back of your mind but that never truly gets done.

When we lived in Vancouver we saw some public spaces like benches and parks with some yarn bombing, I thought it looked neat. I haven't seen anything like it here though... so maybe it isn't such a good idea.

I guess I just had to say it out loud to realize how crazy the whole thing is! It does make me happy though to be able to write it down and put it out there. 

I embrace my weirdness! 

crocheted cushions

There's been so much going on around lately that I don't even remember most of the things I want to blog about!

The weather has been so nice, we have spent most of the time outside on our little backyard! 

Pekka and I spend most of little S's naps there, enjoying the sun and reading peacefully while the baby sleeps... It's been awesome!

Although little S keeps me super busy all day long, I've managed to find some "me" time. If I'm not reading you can find me crocheting... here are some pics of my latest project.

I must confess I have developed an addiction to granny squares... just last night I started a granny stripe blanket to go with my cushions!

Hope you enjoy!

let's keep it simple

As much as I love to sit down and admire lovely and wonderful blogs, I sometimes get overwhelmed by all the amazingness out there and wish design glimpse could get a little (or a very big) upgrade.  –Sigh-

And then I land back into reality. Santi is trying to get control of the keyboard, the mouse and everything else his little hands can reach…. Seriously, try to keep a 15 month old still while you try to figure out how to write a code (I believe that is how they’re called) to make your blog look nice.  It is not easy at all!! Then add my OCD to the mix and somehow I end up sitting on the floor coloring with little S and trying really hard not to get upset about my blog.

This has been how I have spent the last few days:

I’m trying to blog and upgrade design glimpse. Santi wants to sit on my lap and type or use the mouse or grab a pen or just do whatever a 15 month old can do with a computer. I put Santi on the floor and bring lots of toys for him to play. Pekka gets frustrated nobody is throwing her rat at her so she can play and starts barking. Pekka ends up sitting behind the safety gate at the stairs. Santi is walking all around the place carrying things from one room to the other. My computer is about to go to sleep and I’m still staring at my blog’s “template” design page trying to figure out how to make it work. .... It’s never ending.

So I’m keeping it very simple and I will not worry about the template, the codes and whatever else I was worrying about.

Besides nothing beats coloring with little S! (Even Pekka is starting to like that activity and she sits next to us and takes little naps while we are just having fun.)

ps. I've been working on some crochet cushions for my bedroom... I'll post pictures soon!

Little S's Elmo's first birthday party

Although Santi's bday party was three months ago... I'm posting some pictures of all the food and decor we (the hubs and I) made for him and his little friends.

I got many ideas from Pinterest, and I'm adding the links here.

Elmo Cake Pops 

Food and table setting 

Birthday Hat

Tissue Paper Pom Poms

Hope you enjoy!

Red and white polka dots... oh! and Elmo

This week little S turns one!!!! I can't believe it... it's been so fast. He is no longer a little baby!

We have been crazy busy planning his birthday, of course it is an ELMO themed party! What else could it be?

Since I want to do everything myself, there are some things that need practice like cake pops... so here is pic of our first try at Elmo Cake Pops!  

I followed bakerella's instructions. You can find them here. She has the most AWESOME ideas ever!!!!

Oh!!! and I also did this little hat for the birthday boy! It still needs some work done, when everything is ready I'll share more pics!

I found a super cute tutorial on how to make your own birthday hat! You can find it here.

Have an awesome week!!!

(I can't believe he is turning 1 on Wednesday!)

spring is here!!!

We went to Ikea on Saturday to buy some shelves, but it just seems impossible to stick to my budget when I go there... we bought the shelves, and got a little something for S's room!

We had some friends over on Sunday. It was Renee's birthday and they brought a yummy carrot cake...

There's still some left, I might just go get a little piece and a cup of tea! 

It's been so nice, sunny and warm the last couple of days and that makes me very happy!

keep on bloggin'

For the last couple of months I've been trying to decide if I should keep design glimpse or not.

I kept thinking, and thinking, and thinking about it. I still couldn't make up my mind. 

Yes, I enjoy blogging. Yes, I like to share. No, I'm not good at being constant about it. 

So should I or shouldn't I continue with this project? ... decisions, decisions.

Yesterday, as I was unloading the dishwasher, I was making a mental list of things I want to post on the blog... and then I got my answer. I haven't blogged in like forever but I have a little notebook (yes, I'm the kind of girl that carries a Moleskine and a pen everywhere) full of ideas for the blog. 

Some doodles and silly things I like to draw just because!

Yes. I will continue blogging. 

I like it, it makes me happy, and it gives me a sense of accomplishment.

a dino-hat for S

Life can definitely get a bit crazy with a wee one around the house... specially when he starts crawling!! But we have managed to survive and also have some "free" time to crochet a bit.

I saw a super cute "dino spike crochet pattern" on Pinterest and of course I had repin it to my never ending lists of things I want for the little one. 

The pattern was only for the spikes, so I started looking for a baby hat with ear flaps and ended up finding this amazing baby crochet monkey hat (which is next on my baby to-do list).

I added a bit of my own to the patterns, specially since I had my little model around. It was way easier this way, I tried the hay on him several times until I was completely happy with the results and then went on to crocheting the spikes! They were easy and I decided to make a little one and three of the same size, just because I thought it looked cute!

So here are the pics

Here are the links to the spikes and the baby hat patterns.

So, what do you think?  (I think he looks adorable! the hubs thinks he looks like a little hooligan... hahaha)

almost thanksgiving

I can not believe it's been almost two years now since I started blogging!

Having this project has been amazing and I have enjoyed everything I've done and posted on the blog so far! 

Thanks to all of you who read and follow the blog, I really enjoy sharing my thoughts, ideas and projects with others.

Have a great weekend everyone!! 

welcome to S's room

I have finally managed to take some pictures of the nursery… It has been lots of fun to start working on his room, specially trying to display all the special things I got for him from my friends and family!

a little bumble bee hanging above his crib... my sister did this cutie (and the rest of the mobiles creatures)

S doesn’t know it but his room has a lot of “hand-made” things made especially for him, which is what I like most about his room! All those owls, mobiles and little details that remind me of my friends back in Vancouver (I miss you a lot guys!).

Here are some pictures I've been working on. I will post more pictures when the room is completely ready… it is still missing a couple of things… I want to print some family pictures, frame them and hang them over his crib… and I’m also working on a garland I want to put on his closet doors… and lots of other things that I will eventually do.

I love the colors of the bedding... what I like the most is that owl's hair!

my sister and I worked on this mobile... she did the stuffed animals... I did the display! (she's awesome!)

we found this amazing rug 2 weeks ago.. the colors work perfect with Cheryl's  painting!

Cheryl's mobile close-up

All kinds of owls for Santi! (thanks Cheryl... he loves the painting)

Cheryl sent me some pics of the process for the owls! How amazing!!! (she's so talented)

Cheryl's mobile and owls for the baby!

  

The baby shower owls and a special little guy Cailin made for Santi and I! (thanks Cailin!)

 For now I hope you like what I've been doing with his room!

** special thanks to everyone who has made Santi's room possible... thanks for taking the time to do such lovely things for him! I truly appreciate all your talent and hard work! xoxo** 

I've been entertained...

I don’t blog much during summers. I kind of prefer being outside, enjoying the sun and blue skies. But this summer has been quite different, now that the baby is here; I have been home a lot!!

I spend most of my days enjoying him, playing, trying to make him laugh and just having an amazing time as I get to know my little one!

I've been promising some pictures of his room, which I’ll post next week… but for now I want to share with you my sewing endeavors (if you can actually call them that!)

I don’t know how to sew but I’m trying to learn and do simple projects I can use around the house as I learn. My first project was a tag blankie for the baby inspired by my Simple Sewing for Baby (by Lotta Jansdotter) book and I also dared to do a little embroidery…

I think the results are quite good… it really helped that it is such a simple project that makes any beginner feel secure behind a sewing machine (they can be scary… I least I thought so). The thing I love most about this blankie is that it has become the baby’s favorite! He loves staring at the ribbons and putting them in his mouth… we carry it everywhere!

So this is my first completed sewing project so far!

(I know it is very simple but I’m learning… so yes, I’m proud of it!)

Two fabulous blog discoveries from last week

I have no idea what I was actually looking for when I came across Craft Snob… and I say I have no idea because it is clear to me that whatever I was looking for was not important at all! As soon as I entered this blog I totally forgot about everything else and was just so happy!

Obviously my first pick was the “knitting 101 with Elisa McLaughlin”… I already know how to knit, but the picture of that headband / cowl on the button was just fascinating to me… I read all of the 4 posts, downloaded the “it’s a cinch” pattern, looked for my smallest needles and started knitting! Two days later I had my own headband which I really want to wear but haven’t had the proper weather to be wearing such a warm headband…

Obviously I am now following Sara’s and Elisa’s blogs! 

my sweet tooth is kicking in

I have always been more inclined to salty food (and chocolate of course) … but since the last couple of months of my pregnancy I started developing an addiction for sweets! Obviously I blamed it all to the pregnancy and started eating tarts, cakes, cupcakes, cookies, you name it!

My baby will turn 3 months tomorrow and I have to confess that being pregnant had nothing to do with my love for sweets. I still have crazy cravings and eat a lot of chocolate and ice cream… thank God my metabolism is up to speed and you can’t really tell I eat so much sugar!

Another addiction of mine for the last couple of months is “pinning”… oh yes, I spend hours looking for inspiration and cool things on Pinterest, and since they came up with their mobile app I must confess my addiction has gotten worst.

I decided (about 5 days ago) that if I was going to be pinning so much I might as well try some of the things I’ve been keeping on my boards, specially my 3 favorite boards (cute little things, food and other goodies and loving handmade). Yesterday after two or three days of procrastination I finally started what I’m calling my “pinning adventure”. I’m choosing some of the most amazing stuff I’ve pinned into my boards and I’m following the tutorials and recipes from the original posts and see how they turn out. 

I’m sure this will make me a better crafter/cook! (you can find my boards here http://pinterest.com/carmendlp/)

Having said this, I finally jumped into my cooking groove and prepared Nutella Meringues (seriously people… Nutella is the MOST addictive thing ever… since I bought some for the meringues, I have had Nutella and toast for breakfast -and sometimes lunch- every single day!)

The recipe is SUPER easy and the instructions are very clear (I’m kind of a control freak and need to do everything perfectly and find it is much easier to try new things when the instructions are easy to follow). I originally found the recipe on Pinterest and was directed then to http://creampuffsinvenice.ca/  just in case you’re feeling curious.

Here are some pics of how my Nutella Meringues turned out!

I’m going to do some more during the week to practice more on my presentation skills… I kind of like the way they look but I would like to perfect them a little bit!

Feel free to leave your comments and suggestions if you have any ideas of how to improve my "meringue skills", I always appreciate feedback!

Stripe Mania party @decor8

Many of you may not know this but one of my favorite blogs is decor8... and I also follow Holly on pinterest and for the last couple of days I have been seeing all this pictures of people wearing stripes going into one of her boards called "stripe mania"

So I got a little curious and decided to have a look at her blog and see what I've been missing and came across with #stripemania  virtual party!... Seriously, I just have to be in it! I love stripes!!!!

So I asked the hubby to be my photographer for the day and here are the pictures we came up with!

(oh yes, I forgot to let you know that Pekka decided she should be joining the party, guess she left little space for us to participate!)

don't you love stripes?