Transformation: From drab to fab

A little while ago I was asked to come take a look at the facility for one of our local churches.  The Barrie Gospel Hall is currently temporarily renting a facility, and it needed a little help to soften the look of the space.  As you can see below, the back wall of the facility is a harsh looking metal wall with brown studs with a garage and exit door.  Needless to say, it is a bit of an eye sore when you walk into the building, so they decided that draping may be a good option for sprucing up the space.

Thanks to my 10 years of event decor experience and the knowledge of some handy men, we were able to quickly devise a plan as

What we've been up to

It's been an awfully long time since my last post, and while I have a few ideas for some more meaningful posts brewing, a simple post will have to due for today.

Here's what we've been up to:

*I braved fabricland with the three kiddos.  They had some incredible deals on this past week, culminating to a 50% off the whole store on thurs, fri and sat.  I've been eyeing up some fabric to make some drapes (for when I get the courage up to make-over our bedroom) so it was a perfect time to pick up the fabric. And the three kiddos did amazing in the store (with lots of mum mums and the ipod).

Here is a little sneak peak of

Heigh-ho, Heigh-ho, It's back work I go.

Yes, the day has come, the dreaded time to head back to work.  I have to say, I was avoiding thinking about it as long as possible, but yes, the inevitable moment came, and until the sewing picks up a bit more, this is where we are at.  I'm back at Rachel A Clingen Wedding Design and Eventure Custom Environments.  It fits like an old comfortable shoe, because it was my position of ten years at one point.  I have the blessing of slipping back into a flexible position, working when Dale is off, and when we can co-ordinate childcare with my mom.  Because honestly, by the time you pay childcare for three kiddos, there is not much point in working.  I'm so thankful that I can lean on my mother in times like these, and it's also given Dale a great opportunity to bond with the babes.  When I know they are with their daddy or grandma it makes leaving them a little easier, knowing that they are in familiar hands.  I've also had to do the whole childcare thing, when I went back to work after Levi was born, so I understand that side of the coin too.  I'm taking a deep breath, heart a little heavy, a little torn, and stepping out in God's strength.  Cause Lord knows I can't do it on my own.  

What does that verse say?...

 " I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" 

Philippians 4:13.  

Right, all things.  Not some things, or certain things, all...period. 

Honestly, I'm still feeling quite scattered right now.  There are so many hats that you seem to wear as a mom, and now adding on the work hat, stretches things a little more. There are some days that I have enjoyed being back at work, having a break from the everyday, and others where for whatever reason I'm just longing to be home with my babes. Those are the days when I come home, and their cheeks seem a little fuller, their shoulders a little taller, feet a little bigger and fingers a little longer. The days when they seem to have grown a few months older, all in one day, and I feel like I've missed out on so much. There are also the days when they are not overly excited to see me when I get home, which is a good and a bad thing for me. Good because it means they've had such a great day that they haven't even noticed I was gone. Bad (for me) because they didn't need me. But, I suppose that is a whole other lesson in itself. So I'm taking in this stage, good and bad, working on trusting Him more, because He holds all these plans in His hands...and He does know best.  How to grow me, shape me, and change me.

Being back to work certainly does make me appreciate the days home with my babes.  Yesterday, we enjoyed some time at the beach with some friends.  Boy, it sure is work in itself, packing up for the beach, but the reward was just so sweet.  Time off with them, feels like more of a luxury now, a vacation in itself.

Later yesterday evening, I enjoyed a dinner out with a friend.  It was a night filled with great food, fun conversation capped off with a waterfront walk with ice creams in hand. What more could a girl want!?

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I'm excited to show you the most recent sewing table project, and ipad bag!  This was made up with some fabric that I picked up in the states. Check it out here for more details!

Home again, Home again, Jiggity Jig & Friday Photo Post

On the last lag of our Chapman Family Special Trip, we needed to fuel up before the long journey home.  Okay, so it was only about 4 hours, but with three kiddos, it might as well have been a trip to Florida.  

When we checked into our hotel the night before, we noddled with the idea of ordering a late night pizza.  If you know anything about Dale, it's that he has a serious passion for food, especially pizza.  So when we stumbled on Buddy's Pizza's website, we nearly caved, but unfortunately they were closed, so we agreed to stop in on the way home. After all, they were voted top 5 in the nation! So it was a little off the Primal diet that we have been trying to stick by lately, but when in Rome...

Let me tell you, this pizza did not disappoint.  It was absolutely delicious. As perfect as pizza gets, this side of heaven.  Here is my official review.

Crust: Crispy, light and chewy.
Cheese: Stringy & gooey.
Toppings: Chalked full of flavour, perfect amount, great combinations

The staff wonderful, especially to us... that family.

We will be returning to Buddy's Pizza again when we are back in the Detroit area.

Thank you Michigan, for a great visit and accommodating our Chapman Family Special Trip.  We will visit you again soon!

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Here are a few shots from our trip to Barrie Hill Farms this week... oh and the fry picnic that we enjoyed on the way home.  Our picnic blanket was a little small for us...I think this might mean a quilt in the near future.

 Primal Coconut Cream Pie

Check out the fabric that I scored in the states and at my favourite local quilt shop.  I would LOVE to hear some suggestions on what you would like to see come out of this Fabric...I have one ipad bag on order that I'll be making this weekend, but besides that I'm open to ideas!

Old and New

I adore when Dale has a day off. Gives us time to spend as a family, regroup, relax, reconnect and sometimes cram in a project, though the latter rarely happens.  I try to think of it as a day off for myself too and let things slide around the house a little more than normal, letting some toys scatter and dishes pile up.  Dale's day off landed on tuesday, so we made a long overdue visit to Dale's grandparents in Bolton.  The whole affair was about a three hour journey, but oh so worth it to see their smiling faces.

Time has taken it's tole on them, wrinkled their once smooth faces, faded their once sharp memories and weathered their once nimble and lively bodies.  Quite the opposite of the young sprites that we brought with us.  Yet, the gathering of the old and the new is a great reminder of this circle of life. They were once our age, with five beaming children running around the house.  There was laundry, cleaning, diapers, dishes, stress, some sleep and repeat.  Here they are, 80+ years in this world, having seen & experienced all that they have, and still ever grateful for the fresh reminder of newness of life.

At one point, she looked at me, her piercing blue eyes looking into mine.
"They sure do keep you young don't they" she said.
"Yes they sure do" I respond.
"Maybe, this is what I need, to pull me out of this sickness, the young ones keeping me going" she answers back, holding on with her hand while Levi pulls the other hand, urging her to come along.

By sickness, I think she meant the sickness of being old; weary bones and growing tired.  Or perhaps there is more that she doesn't want to share.

We sipped juice, and caught up, as much as we could, whilst wrangling children back from the stairs, and away from the ornaments and statues on the coffee table. When it was time to pack up the kids, they didn't want us to leave.  She showed us out to the car, carefully making her way down the concrete front steps.  When we were done snapping in car seats and fastening seat belts, she took me by the arm, grasping it with her frail hand and said: "Love each other"
I automatically respond " yes, of course, we will"
Dale comes around the corner, and still holding on to my arm, and reaching for his she says again: "Love each other" her eyes piercing deeper into mine, nodding her head.  As if the first time she knew that I would just instinctively respond with a "yes", and that it needed repeating, so that I could really take in the seriousness of her request.  No need for the third time to do the charm, I had it at the second.  In all her years she knew it came down to that, just love each other.  Simple words of wisdom.

On the way home we stopped at one of those ole fashioned burger joints, the kind with fresh greasy fries, melt in your mouth hamburger and over watered fountain pop.  I love the entertainment at these types of places.  There is always the news on the T.V paired with easy rock playing in the background, old couples sipping on coffee in those old cream colored china mugs, and someone in the corner reading a newspaper.  Now that I type this, it doesn't sound that entertaining, but because of my love for people watching, it was for me at the time.  

It was relatively quiet when we came in, besides the hum of the t.v, there wasn't much excitement going on.  And cue Chapman family of five entering the scene.  The old couple look away from the t.v, weathered china cup in hand and the man in the corner wearing his slippers, folds down the corner of his paper to see the tornado that just blew in to the restaurant.  This is the way I feel when we enter a lot of places, entering as a hurling whirlwind with babies on hips, toddler in tow, and the sweet smell of pampers encircling us.  It tends to catch a bit of attention sometimes.  Though I love being entertained by watching those around me, I'm beginning to think that they had quite the show from us too.  After feasting on their famous "Tower Burger" and a shawarma, we blew that Popsicle stand, and packed up for home.  It's great to be able to chat in the car. I like to think of these times as car dates.

And when the day couldn't have gotten any better, I took an  hour for myself to check out a new fabric shop downtown that my neighbor had told me about.

Oh be still my heart, there are so many beautiful fabrics and patterns to choose from, I most certainly need another visit to take it all in.

The store carries a variety of sewing machines and notions, as well as a plethora of inspiration in every direction that you look.  I have to say that I was truly impressed with the service.  I showed up just a little over 20 mins before closing and the owner was more than happy to chat it up, and show me around the store and wasn't in a rush to sweep up, and close shop.

They have great sewing classes available, that I'm sure to take advantage of one day and hone my sewing skills.  Their cute shop is located downtown at 45 Dunlop St. East. Check out their website here.  Be sure to give them a visit when you are looking for something to do on the weekend, or when you have the next project brewing. When you go, ask about their re-usable bag program.  I purchased one for $5 and received 15% off my entire purchase and subsequent purchases. Can't wait to visit again, and bring mom for a visit.  She'll be in fabric heaven!