Beach Days

           This past weekend was filled with fun cousin time- my sister and her family made their annual trip to Ikea- which happens to be fairly close to where we live. Obviously they could not travel all the way to the land of Swedish meatballs with out stopping to visit us. We had hoped for sunnier weather but on the coast we take what we can get and in spite of the ominous skies we headed out to the beach.

        As is often the case Spanish Banks was much sunnier and warmer than in the city- so no rain and loads of beach time! The cousins live on a lake and so collecting shells is super novel to them- buckets of shells were collected and discussed- beach glass was discovered and lots of holes were dug- good times for all!

          We have not been to Spanish Banks all summer- too busy exploring new beaches and swimming in lakes- so it was with much excitement that we headed back there- it is our favourite beach in all of Vancouver after all! The little kids played and the big kids (us) visited- caught up like only families can- had a few libations and of course sandwiches- everything always tastes better outside!

          We love when our family comes to visit us- it's true we have chosen to live away from them- but we still miss them- it is so special when either the Mr.'s sister or my sister comes to visit. We love to play tour guide and show off our favourite spots in our fair city! Regardless of how far apart our children live I think my Littles have a pretty special relationship with their cousins.

           It was fantastic to be able to spend the day with a few of our favourite people in one of our favourite spots- great to get back out to Spanish Banks before the end of the summer. It feels like Saturday was one of those days that memories are made of- hopefully each Little will tuck something away from our time spent on the beach in Vancouver and carry it with them always.

Wedding Weekend Away

 

       Way back in the winter my dear cousin Caitlin and her fiance Kent approached me about making the invitations for their up coming nuptials. I was excited to be asked but a little hesitant- if only due to a lack of confidence on my part. I feel that when someone buys what I have all ready made then they obviously like what I have done- but to custom make invitations for a wedding is a great deal of pressure! Invitations really set the tone for the party or event- this would be the first tangible evidence- besides the ring- of their wedding plans.

    After I got over my initial case of jitters and actually got down to the business of making the cards everything went smoothly. The happy couple claim they are happy with the outcome and I will admit I think my fears were unfounded- the invitations are really cute just like Caitlin and Kent!

    The details: I worked with Caitlin to come up with a theme- a bicycle built for two seamed to be really appropriate and the balloons are just straight up fun and whimsical. I created a custom screen and printed all the cards by hand in my studio- A.K.A. kitchen table. Caitlin had the stamp made with all the pertinent details made and sent it out to me where I stamped each card by hand. The finishing touches were the balloons cut out of co-ordinating paper which add another dimension before I went in and sewed my Plain Jane signature touches.

    That brings us up to today-my bags are packed- this weekend is the wedding and I will be joining my sister on our own sans kids and husbands to fly to the metropolis of Saskatoon.  Magazines have been purchased and sit whispering promises of an uninterrupted read with a latte in the boarding lounge at YVR. I know this time away spent with my sister and parents and cousins and aunts and uncles will be any thing but relaxing and restorative- I will more than likely need about a week to recover- but oh it is much needed!

    Friends- I hope where ever this weekend finds you it is a good one- filled with love and joy, laughter and reminiscing, family and friends!