Porch Pillows

After our porch renovation last summer, I secured the perfect furniture set but had not found the right pillows to complement our new house paint colour. I love bright summer prints, but wanted something that really worked with our victorian house. So, I had this vision to create pillows with historical photos of the City we live in and from the year our house was built.  I scoured our local archives and found a number of digital photos from 1895. I copied them to my desktop and printed them in a 5x7 format on Jolee's iron-on transfer paper for dark fabrics ($9.99) from Michaels. You must use an inkjet printer and I suggest cutting your images down to exactly what you want transferred on your pillow, otherwise you'll end up with white borders. I used IKEA cushion covers ($5.99) and a quick iron on your highest setting and voila, they were done. I now have some very unique porch pillows that are a real conversation starter and look so good on the porch.

A Delicious Summer Pasta

I'm a cookbook junkie and recently picked up The Oh She Glows Cookbook by Angela Liddon and just had to make the 15-Minute Creamy Avocado Pasta. Boy, was I not disappointed - it was so good. I didn't have the suggested basil, so I substituted cilantro. It's a super summer pasta recipe and guest worthy too.

http://ohsheglows.com/2011/01/31/15-minute-creamy-avocado-pasta/

Baby Shower Gifts Vancouver Style

I'm often asked about my favourite gifts for baby showers.  Here a few suggestions from the complete DIY to a high-end option as featured on Shaw's That Talk Show.

I am in love with these "lovingly curated" mom & baby gift boxes created By Broken Arrow.  All local Vancouver products including a fresh flower arrangement from my go-to florist, Flower Factory.

These adorable wool slippers from Padraig Cottage I have mailed all over Canada.  They are durable and oh-so-comfy that I would like a pair for myself.

Looking to up your presentation on those baby onesies you are gifting?  Look no further then the cupcake wrap.  It's a modern twist on the diaper cake and the complete instructions can be found here at Chica Circle.

Lastly, the felt bird mobile is very easy and inexpensive - this entire mobile cost under $2! All you need is felt, craft cord, scissors and a branch to hang it from.  The bird template for your use is here. Trace the template onto the felt and cut out each bird.  Cut a small hole in the top of the bird for the cord to tie onto. Then tie onto the branch at varying lengths.  This gift is nice because it can be customized to the theme or colour scheme of the nursery.