Christmas Crafts

This year I've decided to do my best to make some gifts and decorations for the holidays rather than buying everything. Although I still have to purchase materials to make these lovely items, it's cheaper in the long run and I'll be able to create more than just one thing. The bonus is that Q is incredibly creative and I have a stockpile of odds and ends that we already had many of the base materials required. Anyways, here's a little sneak peek at one of the crafts:

For all my Instagram friends, this is old news. For those who are not following me on Instagram, here it is! We are hosting a Christmas party this week and to give it a bit more jazz, we are setting up a photo booth (photos to come once complete). I've been gathering props and made these little signs. Tedious (I have to figure out a better way next time), but so worth it. I love them! Especially the fonts. You like the fonts too? Here's where you can find them: www.dafont.com

This site is fantastic! An ungodly amount of fonts that are free! FREE! Very easy to download and install, plus they're extra fun for graphic and photo editing projects. The ones I used for this project were "Happy New One" (Nice) and "Christmas on Crack" (Naughty) at 200 and 160 point font size respectively. All I did was print them out, use an artists blade to cut them into stencils, trace onto scrapbook paper, and fill in with a black marker. Simple. But tedious for sure. 

Are you trying your hand at little projects like this? What are you making? Share!

More crafts to share with you in the coming weeks!

breathe

xoxo

The Secret Project

Remember that little mention of a secret project from the Mother's Blessing? Well wait no more (I've kept you all waiting long enough)!

By this time I'm sure a lot of you have seen this in Little E's room and I hope that you feel good whenever you do see it because you helped create it! The second bead that everyone brought was added to a homemade dreamcatcher for Mister Babe. It now resides in the little man's room. I put as many beads as I could fit (on the varying types of string and yarn; sorry to those I may have missed, Jenny Babe has your beads). Have a look!

xoxo

breathe.

A Mother's Blessing

You've met Jenny Babe before. She's wonderful, big smile, big laugh, big heart.

Last month, a lovely lady friend (Vee) and I planned a party for this dear friend of ours. And now that it's getting closer and closer to welcoming a little life to this world, I felt I better finally share with you.

This particular type of party was completely new to me; not just the idea of it but also the message and power behind it. I had never heard of a Mother's Blessing before and it seemed that some of our friends we invited hadn't heard of it either. "So...it's like a baby shower?" was the most common response to the invitation. Truth be told, it's not. The focus is the mother-to-be, not the baby-to-be-born. It's about the combined support, strength, and encouragement of the woman. So all of us girls got together to show our love for Jenny Babe. Our invitation read:

"A mother's blessing is about empowering the mother to be for her upcoming birth. You are invited to participate in this rite of passage..."

We had a very natural and earthy theme filled with spirituality. So we pulled from my aboriginal heritage and Babe's love of the culture. Dreamcatchers, feathers, flowers, moss, and soothing water set the tone. Calming music certainly put everyone into relaxation mode.

Food is always an important part of hosting a party, big or small, so we went the route of a potluck. Each guest brought one (or five!) favourite dishes. We had such a great variety and so much food left over that everyone took a couple of plates home. I totally stuffed my face!

While we all chowed down, we had a few activities planned. Unfortunately we ran out of time and were unable to do some. Hopefully we will be able to partake in them in the future. The first activity was one where we could all introduce ourselves, how we met Babe, and a little taste of our relationship. Many tears were shed and I couldn't even finish I was sobbing so hard. Such a suck. Everyone raced for tissues when Babe and her Mom shared their special soul link. It was so touching and so meaningful, I love those two gals even more! We incorporated a candle lighting ceremony with the introductions. Each guest lit a candle after they spoke, then they took it home at the end of the party. I hope that everyone will light their candle at home once Babe is in labour as a symbol of our connection and support, even though we aren't with her in that time. We used simple votive candles and wrapped them with blue and red embroidery floss to symbolize the umbilical cord. To top it off, the votives surrounded an earthy and delicious scented candle for Babe to keep. Babe was also treated to a rosewater and petal infused foot bath. Talk about spoiled! :) 

Each guest was asked to bring two beads, one bead was to be placed on a bohemian style necklace that Babe will have with her when until she's in labour so she has a small and portable momento from us girls to remind her that we are still with her and sending her positive energy. The second bead was used for a special little side project which is still a secret to everyone.

We also had a henna artist come to treat everyone. Here's a few of the great designs:

Finally, we had a final project: a bunting flag banner for the little one's room. Different flag shapes were provided in a variety of colours and patterns so each guest could find something that they fancied and would convey their personality. Metallic and colourful pens were available for everyone to share a thought or message for Babe, her man, and their little one. I think it turned out great! So fun and unique, and certainly filled with love and encouragement.

I adore these silver tree place card holders!
Guaranteed I will use these many times at home.

Hopefully you can use some of our party as inspiration for yours! Jenny Babe, I am so thrilled for you and the Mister! You two will be amazing and fun parents. I'm thrilled to meet the little one soon and know that Q and I are here for you three anytime for anything. We love you tons!!

Vee, I had so much fun planning this Blessing with you. You are so thoughtful, kind, and loving, I'm so grateful that you are in my life. I look forward to many years of growth in our friendship and I am also super pumped to plan another party with you for these three kats in the near future.

To our guests that came to the Blessing: thank you so much for your input and energy! I'm so glad you were there and that we each got the opportunity to make new connections and friends, to share stories and advice, strength and many laughs (and tears). We are all so grateful for each of you. For the guests that were unable to attend: Wishing you were with us but don't fret, there will be another party in the near future that I hope you will be able to attend.

I hope you feel inspired!

xoxo

breathe.

San Francisco

My beautiful friend Mik Mik opened my ears to this fun song. Have a great Sunday evening!

xoxo
breathe.

The Corpse Flower

Saturday: totally excited

This remarkable flower was at the Muttart Conservatory in April here in Edmonton. Beautiful isn't it? I was so excited to hear about it that I had to go see it (3 times consecutively). I went on the Saturday because I was too excited to wait, then on Sunday with Q, then immediately after work on Monday because it had bloomed overnight. Unfortunately when we arrived most of the scent had dissipated and would only be very faint. I mostly drank in the scent of gardenias, and it was delightful.

Putrella, as it was aptly named, stood a glorious 8 feet tall (give or take). It was stunning, I could hardly believe that this was a real living thing in our world. It didn't seem real, absolutely motionless. I loved it.

Sunday: a close up

Monday: the full bloom

xoxo
breathe.

Inspiration

My love took this fantastic photo after the tornado warning storms had passed. Man he's good!

Hope you're all enjoying your summer! Despite the jaw dropping floods of our sister city in the south and the comparatively minor floods here today, it's been pretty good for us at Breathe. We have planted some new greens in the back garden, dismantled and turfed the busted hot tub, healed our lawn, watched the seeds in the front yard grow (although some of them look suspiciously like weeds...), and were completely elated to discover the mystery plant by the front door turned out to be a 15 year old peony bush. 15 years old! I'm so glad we decided not to rip it out last year!

The Canadian Death Race is approaching and we are training As best we can. I would say that we are making great progress while enduring the sprains, strains, and little injuries that pack a big punch. We are also running in the Color Me Rad 5K on July 7. I'm really looking forward to that and I hope to acquire some photos to share.  

All wonderful things aside, I have been lacking a little bit in inspiration for the past while. So I've been peeking around on Pinterest and searching the webernet for some new-to-me blogs. Big thanks to Creature Comforts for introducing me to Oh My Little Dears. It's a bright, light, and fun blog with great DIY projects and sweet things. Pretty sure I'll find some inspiration from this lovely lady behind the bright ;)

Tell me, what inspires you?

xoxo

breathe. 

Star Wars Identities

This has been waiting a while to make it on the blog. Star Wars Identities was a blast! As one of only two cities in Canada to have the exhibit, it was a must-see. We went in the morning in an attempt to avoid a cramped crowd and we were successful. There weren't too many people but a good number, mostly families with small children. When you arrive, they scan your ticket, give you a blue bracelet similar to the livestrong ones but with a fancy computer chip inside, and you also get a headset that you have to wear throughout the whole of the exhibit. As you enter there is a video to watch which was pretty cool. It was about what makes a person unique: the choices in their life, the outcome of the decisions made, the influences, and the ambitions each one of us has. All of those qualities combine to make each of us unique; our identities.

Once the video ended we were free to enter the exhibit and along the way there were 10 stations that we had to complete in order to form our character. Some stations had a variety of choices and some had a simple interactive activity. Despite the arrangement of the station, there was always an area to place the chip of the bracelet on. It would store the information of which area you selected and would combine all your choices at the end of the exhibit to show your character in full. I looked really cool.

This station was a little ways into the exhibit but it shows you how some of the stations were set up.

Identities was such a great experience, I wasn't ever big on Star Wars (I didn't dislike it though!) but after this I certainly was a fan. We got to see the costumes used in the films, the models used, the concept art, film clips to go along with certain stations, and so much more! It was great. Prepare for a flood of photos from the exhibit...

There was podracer. A giant pod racer. Very cool. 

There was a father and son at this point and the father had his son take his photo with Leia (Q and I were right there and he didn't ask us to do it). Then got upset with the kid because he apparently moved so the photo wasn't clear. "Take it again, I know it's blurry, I saw you move!" This kid was probably 6 years old. One day he will understand and perhaps resent his Dad a bit.

This is Momma and her beau when they went to Identities. They chose to be good.

We chose the Dark Side. Everyone that was at the final station before us didn't give in to the Dark Side. All the little kids wanted to be heroes. It was cute. We couldn't be cute.

This is Q, Dark, badass, and a sweet name.

And this is me. Told you I looked cool.

 I hope you feel like watching the films now, I sure do! Unfortunately the exhibit is over in Edmonton but if you're really keen you could head over to Vancouver! I think that's Identities second and final Canadian stop. Check out the Identities website for more info.

May the Force be with you...

xoxo