Visit to the vet (twice) and the Kitty Mitt

What a week!
We hadn't really planned on visiting the vet twice - the first time around Sammy got his mandatory annual shots - but a day later we noticed that Sammy was sneezing, rubbing and licking his nose and shaking his head. It looked like he'd caught a cold. So, off we went to the vet again. The whole trip there in the car was awful and nerve-wracking with Sammy making heart-wrenching sounds throughout the ride. Just seeing him so afraid breaks my heart every time :(
Sammy had to endure another couple of shots plus the vet sent us home with medication. Cat owners will know how difficult it is to administer a tablet to a sick kitty! It would be so much easier if they came cheese-flavoured!
While we were there, the vet did a general check-up and apart from the cold Sammy is a healthy cat...well, except for one other thing. The vet pointed out he's a tad overweight (we know) and she recommends he exercise more (we know). Sammy isn't an active cat. He likes licking his toys or snuggling down with or lying on top of them, but you won't see him running after a toy mouse. The one thing that makes him get some exercise is "attacking" the oven mitt - except our arms would always get shredded in the process!
So I sat down one evening and devised a new "toy". I've coined it the Kitty Mitt :)

It's basically an elongated oven mitt. It goes over the elbow. I made it from a cotton fabric with a fun kitty print, added lining and a double layer of interfacing in between. Of course we'll only be testing it out when Sammy is all well again and back to his good old self :)

Hope you all have a great weekend!

Chop!

As I mentioned a couple of posts back it was our wedding anniversary this month, and this is the gift I received from my husband:

I was intrigued by the carving on the box -- it kind of reminded me of where expensive cigars are kept! Not that I would ever be getting those ;-)

And this is what was inside...a chop and sealing wax! What a wonderful gift. The carving on the chop is what makes it extra special. Look at the close-up and you'll see my shop name plus my initials within an intricate design. I love it!

Thanks for stopping by and hope you have a wonderful day!

Monday Moodboard

Uh oh. I think I have a case of "blogger's block" coming on. A first for me after blogging consistently for three years! To counteract this I've been browsing Etsy, where I've discovered some really beautiful items. Here are a few of my favourites. Enjoy!

Il mare Atelier

 

 

 

MaiAutumn

Thrush Vintage

Short - Shorter - Summer Shorts!

These floral shorts are the shortest and most figure hugging shorts in my PeriDot collection! They are perfect for warm weather picnics or lazy days on the beach. Pair them with a simple tank top and you have a cute ensemble for lounging or sleeping in! I added two darts to the front to shape the silhuoette, while the elastisized waistband makes them easy to slip on over your swimsuit. This style will be available in sizes S, M, L and XL. Each pair of shorts is edged with a charming trim in different colours and patterns - no two shorts are alike!

Ruffles...

This is so cute :) 

Cultivating Compassion

Off topic today, but close to my heart nonetheless.

"Compassion is universally revered and universally ignored" Deepak Chopra

When I was about nine years old I had a minor accident while roller skating. I lost balance and fell on my tailbone. Hard. I still remember the biting pain that shot up my spine. There were two boys about my age who had watched me fall and I sort of half expected them to help me up. But when I looked up they were doubled over in laughter! I didn't know which hurt most -- my backside or my sensitive soul.
From that day forward I promised myself to never laugh at another's misfortune, to never gloat, backstab or be hateful in any way. Instead I was going to be compassionate.
It wasn't always easy. One needs to practice to become so. Compassion is closely related to love and requires one to open one's heart completely. Sadly, compassion is seen as a weakness nowadays, not a fit platform for anyone aiming to reach the highest rung on the corporate (or political) ladder. However, in its absence societies will become more negative, more aggressive and hostile than they already are! Being compassionate takes courage.

"The essence of compassion and love is understanding, the ability to recognize the physical, material and psychological suffering of others" ..." by listening with calm and understanding we can ease the suffering of another person" Thich Nhat Hanh

I truly believe that by cultivating compassion we can create a more healthy and sane world to live in - and isn't that what we all want for us and future generations?

Here are a few simple steps to cultivating compassion:

1. next time you're at the supermarket checkout - engage in eye contact with the cashier and smile
2. engage in and respect nature and animals
3. listen
4. do volunteer work
5. open your heart and be genuinely interested in being compassionate!

Much love,

Poetic Peonies

Amelia Kay Photography

My favourite month of the year has always been May: the fresh green of the trees, the air fragrant with the scent of spring flowers, mild temperatures plus a handful of public holidays to look forward to. Peonies, one of my favourite flowers will be in full bloom at the end of this month. Perhaps that's why I insisted on getting married in May nine years ago!

Studio Wed by Mirela

This morning the green fists of the peonies are getting ready
to break my heart
as the sun rises, 
as the sun strokes them with his old, buttery fingers
and they open ---
pools of lace, 
white and pink...

 (excerpt from Mary Oliver's poem Peonies) 

Soap Rhapsody

I hope you get some time off to enjoy and soak up nature's beauty this month...

PJ Set in Paradise

I was so, so lucky when I received yet another of the missing parcels the other day! There was a huge gaping hole on one side of this one, but someone somewhere in the postal service had been nice enough to saran wrap it, so the fabric was undamaged. I was finally able to finish this new pajama set. What's so special about this one? Well, first of all, the fabric is gorgeous! It's light-weight and thinner than regular cotton, more like a cotton voile - perfect for summertime! The large-scale modern print depicts lush flowers on an off-white background. I made this set in large (US 14). That's why the top hangs a bit loosely on my mannequin and the armhole is too big, because she's a standard size. As soon as I get round to it I will be making a similar set in a medium, and if there's some fabric left a pair of lace-edged shorts. Also, I took heed of all the previous comments regarding the wig and will use the blonde one for my product images, but will replace it with my personal favourite (the brunette) the rest of the time. Amazingly enough -- according to my Etsy stats the views went up when I changed the images to the ones with the blonde wig! Btw, I'm tickled pink whenever people initially think it's a real model. Here's the 'secret' to making her look more real -- in Photoshop I cover all the lines with the make-up tool where the limbs are attached :)

Work in progress - Pajama Set

Many a customer asks me how long it will take to have a custom pajama set made. Well, excluding ordering, pre-washing, ironing and cutting the fabric (and not working on anything else) it will take an entire weekend.

Also, all seams are professionally finished or serged as we say in the sewing biz. All of my handmade items take time, and before I list anything the pieces are scrutinized before being put up for sale. That is probably the reason why I'm hesitating to outsource, although I could really use some help at this point.

Currently, I am offering sizes small, medium and large per style. I would love to have three sets of each size. At the beginning of this year one of my goals had been to have 50 items listed in my shop by the end of April. Didn't make it. Anyhow, unless I outsource, it will take weeks, if not months. But isn't that distinctive of handmade products?

Btw, which wig do you prefer? Brunette or Blonde?