Slowing Down For Summer

Hello again!

Here we are on the other side of summer (well, yes, technically, there are still a couple more weeks... but there's something about Labour Day and that first day of school that feel far more final than a number circled on a calendar).

How was your summer?
Did you soak up all that hot weather goodness?
Eat armloads of peaches and melon and tomatoes, dip in the lake, roast marshmallows over a friendly fire, leisurely read a good book (or one of those oh-so-good-because they're oh-so-bad ones) under a tree?

Over here we've been soaking up the sweetest slowest summer on record. Well, after being busy as... you know whats.

After moving at the end of July (big thanks to whoever scheduled that delightful heatwave to hit just as we were packing!), I spent much of August finishing up two book projects. But we'll talk more about those at another time! Then we hit the road for a leisurely road trip around Ontario... during which I took not a single picture - can you believe it? But we wound our way (or should I say, ate our way) through Prince Edward County to Kingston to Ottawa through Algonquin Park and Muskoka and back. Ontario is full of some mighty fine trees and lakes and sunsets (and chip trucks) you guys!

But in between it all, we've been spending plenty of time hanging out in the garden with the flowers, the birds and the bees...

And the chipmunks! They're my favourite!

It's been a summer of finding quiet moments. Pausing to take it all in. The sound of wings fluttering past. How the spider spins his web, the chipmunk dives head first into his hole, the blue jay squawks if you haven't provided him with the perfect peanut and the bumblebee collects pollen with unbridled enthusiasm.

And, of course, daily admiration of the morning glories who climb all over each other (and whatever else might get in their way) in an unofficial contest to see who blooms the brightest each morning. They all do.

This summer has been equal parts chilly and downright tropical. But temperature ups and downs are no match for zucchini-filled summer baking to warm up and tromping through icy streams to cool down.

I'll be sad to see Summer and all her bright colours and heat-heavy slow days go, but, at the same time, we're excited for the crisp breezes, cozy smells and fresh beginnings of Fall.

How about you? How was your summer?

Collecting Wildflowers - Washi Tape Vases

Labour Day weekend is always bittersweet. There is nothing quite so lovely as a long and leisurely weekend... especially when we manage to escape the city... but Labour Day brings with it the unofficial end of summer. The days already are noticeably shorter, nights chilly enough to need a sweatshirt or that extra cover you've been kicking to the foot of the bed all summer long. But gardens, luckily, are still in full summer bloom. So why not bring a little of that summer beauty inside?

Having run away to the countryside for the weekend, the garden was full of all manner of wild and not-so-wild flowers. Perfect for an impromptu bouquet!

Grabbing a handful of washi tapes (what? you don't travel with tape?!)...

I wrapped the slim ones around the vase (this one an Ikea bargain), to make skinny stripes.

And filled it with flowers. Love how the washi tape stripes balance out the bounty of colourful flowers.

For the second arrangement, I applied the tapes closer together. Overlapping colour and patterns for a ribbon-like look.

Isn't the lace-like pattern on this tape so pretty? I thought orange was a nice change from my usual love-for-pink and perfect for our almost-Autumn season. The best part of this oh-so-simple DIY, is that you can easily change the tapes to match your mood, decor or the flowers!

Hope your long weekend was a leisurely one too. Once the flower-arranging was done, there was much relaxing with a good book and plenty of s'mores-by-the-campfire action.

Washi Tape Popsicle Card - Version Two

Did you see our first version of Popsicle Cards? If so, you might be thinking another popsicle card post?! But, bear with me here, because we love options! And while some of you may love a shaped card, for others it might be a little intimidating - or maybe you simply prefer a card-shaped card. So options it is!


To create your popsicle, lay strips of washi tape onto a piece of waxed or parchment paper. Make sure to lay the strips so that they overlap slightly.


Cut out your popsicle shape. I freehanded this one, but you can also draw or trace the shape onto your waxed/parchment paper before applying the tape.


Grab a blank card (or make your own out of card stock). Take a strip of wood grain washi tape, round one end and stick onto your card. Carefully peel the popsicle shape off of the paper backing, ensuring that you start with the bottom-most strip that you applied. If you laid all the tape strips overlapping and in order, your shape should pull off of the paper backing in one piece.


Finally, stick your delicious popsicle tape sticker onto the front of your card!


Experiment with different washi tape combinations to find the most delicious one.


Wouldn't these make sweet invitations to a backyard summer party?

Happy summer & happy crafting!