what a mess!

This is currently our breakfast bar. Actually, this is only half of our breakfast bar. The other half is covered in paperwork, notebooks, fabric tape and Japanese fabric.

Yes, it is a mess.
Yes, I am sorting out 4 lbs of buttons.
Yes, 4 lbs of brand new, vintage buttons from 1950!!!!

shopping like Brina

Rob was in need of some deodorant and found a good deal. So, in the words of Brina, if you need it and it is on sale, then stock up! (I apologize if this is totally false, but this is what Teenie says is how Brina shops)

cake

Oh, I am so full of delicious cake!

We spent the day co-hosting consultations with April Cakes and Marliss Productions and eating lots and lots of cake. Lemon, Strawberry Shortcake, Hummingbird, Chocolate Ganache.. oh my!

Rob and I met with some great couples and told them all about wedding planning while Kathy showed us her video and told us all about wedding videographers. We also talked about where everybody was getting married and all of their wedding details in between mouthfuls of cake of course!

Thanks April and Kathy! We look forward to a busy season filled with delicious cake and no cheese wedding videos!

fabric fabric everywhere

I had a crafty shopping adventure today! While Rob was in a meeting at the Pan Pacific, I walked over to Dressew, then to Button Button, over to the toonie store at Tinseltown (a.k.a. Daiso, but it has a different name .. exact same stuff though!!) and then over to Chinatown. Rob then picked me up somewhere on the streets of Chinatown (I have a tendency to wander aimlessly when I walk alone) and we crossed the bridge to North Vancouver.



This is what was waiting for us there!! We had breakfast with Albertine today and she told me all about Thread Bear. So when Rob looked it up and told me that they were going out of business in March then I knew I had to get over there pronto! The fabrics there were definitely better quality than Dressew, however, their prices matched the quality. I bought these stack from their discount table where they had fat quarters for $3 and when you buy 10 or more than it is only $2 each. I searched through the chaos and came across some nice Amy Butler fabrics so I am uber happy. I'm not sure what I am doing with them, but right now, I am pretty happy just staring and petting them every so often :)

meow

cleo looking pretty in the morning sun
............................................................

Thanks Dawn for inviting us to be a part of the BC Hospitality Foundation's media reception at the Pan Pacific last night. We had a great time catching up and we can't wait until the gala on January 28th.


The room looked gorgeous courtesy of Art of the Party!

quiet Saturday night

Operation Cakes in a Jar Attempt #1 didn't turn out that well. Basically, a note to people who are going to bake some cakes in a jar.. when they say fill them 2/3 to 3/4 full they actually mean fill them to 1/2 full and no more!! We had an eruption of chocolate cake goodness in the oven. Anyways, my mind is already thinking about Attempt #2 ... maybe lemon cake? or vanilla cake?

Jars being prepped:

Jars being buttered and floured:

Jars are filled and ready to go (do not fill them this much!):

They were tasty when they came out .. at least according to Rob. (I like to bake, but don't usually want to eat it.) Anyways, the spilled over cake didn't look that appetizing after they came out of the oven so i didn't take a picture of the final product. Don't worry though.. Once Rob polishes the 8 jars of cake, the banana bread and the chocolate chip cookies (haha) that I made yesterday then we will try try try again!

uh oh spaghetti oh

Our little geisha doll that was posted on January 1st, 2008 had an accident and now this is all that is left. Rob is in the other room trying to glue her together, but we don't have high hopes. Life goes on ....

Update: Please excuse the crack going across her head. She is currently in recovery.

bring on the darkness

before

after

This is my first batch of candles and sorry for the grainy photos.

We have:
Peppermint
Vanilla
Cranberry

Why soy wax?

CLEAN BURNING -- Soy wax is non-toxic and burns cleaner than paraffin, with no petrol-carbon soot which
can blacken walls, ceilings, and furniture, contaminate ventilation ductwork in your home, as well as add toxic
carcinogens into the air you breathe.

LONG BURNING -- Soy candles burn slower and cooler than paraffin wax, creating a longer burning candle.

RENEWABLE RESOURCE -- Soybeans are a renewable source, unlike paraffin, which consists of petroleum.

BIODEGRADABLE -- Since soybeans are vegetables, soy wax (basically made from hydrogenated soybean oil)
is naturally biodegradable. Soy wax is also easier to remove from materials and other surfaces than paraffin wax.

Soy candles are simply better for you, your family, and your environment.

a good read

I am currently reading A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini and you should too. He also wrote The Kite Runner, but I am like #150 in line at the library so maybe I will blog about it sometime in November - haha!

score!

On our way back from the library, Rob wanted to stop at the local Salvation Army to see if there were any pots that he can use for paper making. Do you know what was waiting for me at the very back of the store on the top shelf? This lovely find! A box of brand new mason jars for $3.50. Wow!

What am I going to do with a dozen mason jars you ask? These cute little things are being saved for these luscious cakes in a jar. I will let you know how it goes. Update: I read that jars may explode when placed in the oven so please make sure not to turn the oven on higher than 350F

Update #2:Fat Daddy Bake Shop Licensed Bakery Original Cupcake in a Jar Just came across this!

Rob's parents also brought over a few mason jars in various sizes, but these are going to be used for soy wax candles as soon as I find enough time to brew up a batch.

Lastly, our little fur muffin was really sick last night. She was so sad and this is a picture of her trying to be all lovey dovey.

it's mine!

So I have been flip flopping back and forth the past week... should I buy it.. should I not.. if i buy it which one should I get...

well... happy to announce that I finally bought it. yup. it's all mine :)

tea for two by the black apple oh how I love you.

of course.. i continued shopping and bought these:

They are custom made by pixel by pixel and will say lotus events inc. with our website address on them.

YeeeeeeEEEEeeeeee... i'm so excited and can't wait for them to arrive! I have some more items on my shopping list, but I'm waiting to hear back from a few sellers before making a purchase. Don't worry.. I will definitely post my goodies!

update: holy toledo! i just learned how to add links to my text!

cats, terrariums and cupcakes in no particular order

I am feeling rather blah today. It is gross out and freaking cold. I have a huge list of things to do, but can't seem to sit down and do anything. Blahhhhhhh

In other news...
I am absolutely thrilled that I have finished my two new terrariums. We had a few setbacks last night as I couldn't find sterilized soil or any cute figurines plus 2 out of the 3 plants that I purchased was too big for the bowl. So I went to Home Depot this afternoon and returned the two plants. Went down to Art Knapp and bought 2 plants to replace the ones that I returned plus a bag of soil. Then swung into Michaels and found an adorable bambi figurine that was the perfect size. If I don't mind saying so myself... they look fantastic! I cut up some twigs from my longan fruit that I bought at the store this morning and made a little path from the stones outside of our house. I'm so proud of myself!!

They were really easy to make and you can use old bowls and jars that are lying around the house (just make sure you wash them first with hot soapy water). They also make great presents for the new year. Just google Terrariums for some help and of course, feel free to email me!

Other than that, Cleo got a new year bath. I meant to post the pictures earlier, but didn't get around to it. Cleo hates our new camera, because of the light that shines in her eyes even when there is no flash which makes her look grumpier than she actually is.

Last, but not least, pin cushion cupcakes are finally done. I made a dozen of them. Lemon Raspberry Swirl, Blueberry, Strawberry, Vanilla, Lemon Lime, Grape and more! I will be posting them up on etsy (http://roxypop.etsy.com) soon, so stay tuned.

looking forward

I seem to be blogging quiet a bit lately so this may be a good sign!

some things that I am looking forward to in 2008...

1. learning how to bookbind, make soy candles and gocco print
2. the launch of 2 self produced events ... details to follow ... shhhh
3. the return of got craft at a bigger venue, additional date and new additions
4. more events and weddings
5. continuing to do what we love most

It's 2008!

Happy New Year folks! Hope everybody didn't party too hard last night! Rob and I managed to stay up until midnight and fell asleep shortly after our neighbour ran out his door and blew a little ballard on his trumpet.

Just wanted to say a quick CONGRATULATIONS to all the couples that got engaged in 2007!! We still have dates available for full planning and day of planning services, so please feel free to contact us for a complimentary consultation to discuss your wedding day!

We, at lotus events, are busy little bees making and creating tons of fun FUN fun stuff!

What's in the works?
Some crafts ... Rob is busy perfecting his homemade paper technique and I am crocheting a fresh batch of cupcake pin cushions.

Some events ... Getting ready for the new year and completing a few event plans, details, consultations, site visits - the list never ends!

Some baking ... enjoying a cup of coffee (thanks to Rob's parents for the coffee maker!) and delicious lemon cake. Banana bread with chocolate chips is next on the menu!

Some reading ... Just finished Wicked (awesome book!) and I am currently reading Strawberry Fields by Marina Lewycka.

Ps. We took a trip to Daiso and bought these fantastic items - cute little Japanese notebooks and our new geisha doll. I am currently obsessed with Japanese items and can't wait to go for a visit. I keep joking with Rob that he is going to have to restrain me from all the cuteness that I will be tempted to bring home!