what to do?

Since the kiddies will be home this week for March Break, I've been on the lookout for fun activities to do with them. I'm thinking of doing some finger painting and maybe painting some little bird houses too. Or we could go to the AGO or ROM, but I figure that all the museums and art galleries will be pretty crowded this week. Hopefully the weather will be pleasant...enough that we can dust off the bikes and go for a ride around the neighbourhood at least:) I think for the most part, we're just looking forward to having a relaxing and lazy week, spent mostly in our pajamas! What are your plans for March Break?

start small

I have big hopes for Little Papercuts.

Over the past few years I've come to realize that while it would be wonderful to have a website, a blog can be a great forum to promote your work.

I would love to have a a big airy (read organized) studio space, separate from my kids' play space, but it's nice to be able to watch 'Twilight' as I work and listen to the chatter of my funny monkeys:)

Even though being busy with artwork is something I enjoy, I am content to put it on hold because the mini papercuts are only young once, and I don't want to miss even a second of it.

I really need to get my etsy shop up and running, even if it means only offering 5-10 custom orders a month in the beginning. (Yes muffin, I hear you and I know you're right)

Word of mouth can be a girl's best friend, and really help out the pocket book. I am lucky to have such wonderful customers, family and friends!

If you have a great product, it will speak for itself. Start small and dream big...yup I think that's right:)

sew, sew, sew

I finally got around to sewing up all of those beautiful fabrics I had purchased last month. I still have a lot of things I'd like to make, and enough leftover fabric to do so, but for now I thought I'd give you a look at my new lovelies:)
















I haven't had a chance to get a new sewing machine yet (Thank you Julie for all the advice!), so considering that I made all of these with my little toy sewing machine, I'm pretty happy with the finished products.





















Thus far I've made 2 reversible changing pad covers that double as portable change mats, a crib blanket, 4 reversible bibs, a pacifier clip and a light-weight blanket, not to mention the crib bumper, crib skirt, duvet cover and pink pillows I made while pregnant. I was able to get more sewing done this past weekend and made a cute little pinafore for the mini papercut. I have a couple patterns for more baby clothes that I'm eager to try out, but I think I'll wait for my new sewing machine before attempting them.
















I never thought I'd enjoy sewing as much as I have. I was never all that fond of Home-EC class, but now that I have little people to sew for I'm having lots of fun!

almost, but not quite

© 2010 little papercuts

I'm trying to get back to work. Everything that I've tried to use as a substitute is not really filling the void. I finally dragged out my makeshift light table and I'm determined to finish up some artwork that I had started for my niece while I was pregnant, before my belly got in the way. I 'm not sure if I'll be able to devote enough time and attention to Little Papercuts, but it's a start. I had high hopes that by now I'd be back to work and whipping through orders while the mini papercut watched, content to play on her own and watch from her bouncy chair. That is obviously not the case.

Even though I've found the time to sew, I have come to realize that not having an actual studio space to do papercut stuff (and working in a medium that is prone to fly off the table if someone walks past me at a brisk pace, causing a gust of wind) could become a bit of a challenge.

For those of you who are patiently awaiting my official return to work, I say 'Thanks'. I promise I will return, I'm just not sure as to when that will be. Sorry :( Hopefully it'll be soon!

warmer temps and a cold

It figures that just as the warmer weather seems to be on it's way that my two older kids would be home sick with colds. I guess I should keep my fingers crossed that the mini papercut doesn't get sick too, but we've been down this road enough times to know that it's pretty much unavoidable. My eldest has almost completely lost her voice and my son has a really bad cough (sounds like a smoker's cough) and is really congested. Hopefully it's going to pass quickly, but I'm not holding my breath. And with my luck, hubby will be sick next week...and he's the biggest baby of them all when he's sick;) Oh well, I'm off to the pharmacy to stock up on cold medicine, Vicks vapor rub and Benylin plugs. So much for enjoying the spring-like weather. I hope it's here to stay though:)

yummy in my tummy

My baby's growing up. On Monday the mini papercut went for her 4-month check-up at the pediatrician and he gave us the green light to start on baby cereal. Yesterday was our first attempt at 'eating', and she LOVED it. I'm a little sad because it feels like she's in a rush to do everything her older siblings are doing, and I'm just trying to enjoy my last little one.























But we are very excited about trying all these new foods, and if her reaction to rice cereal is any indication of what this food journey will be like, it's gonna be a fun ride :) Oh and there's a little hint in my pics as to what I've been up to lately with all my pretty fabrics...can you guess?

a b c d e f g....

I made this a few years ago, but I thought since I wasn't doing anything papercut related, it might be nice to give you all a little peek at something I made for my daughter a while back. Enjoy!