January 1, 2022

Social Saturday | It’s 2022!

Nicole social saturday diy, handmade, life, life lately, lifestyle

“Happy New Year” Dear Readers! Does it feel like it should already be 2022 to you?

I’ve had an enjoyable and productive last few weeks of 2021, how about you? Above, I received this lovely pottery dimensional candle holder for Christmas, and it’s so nice to have it sitting on my windowsill reflecting the light in the evenings.

I like to change out my wreath depending on the season, so I put gold stars on it for New Years, just for fun!

I don’t often get up before dawn, but the last time I did I was met with this beautiful sight. I haven’t gotten up that early since, though, I guess it wasn’t enough of an enticement to leave my cosy warm bed.

One of my mom’s succulents is blooming. I have no idea what this plant is- it didn’t have a tag. Do you know what it is? We call it the “alien plant” since it has long stems with round leaves and spines that look like antennae.

As for projects lately, I’ve been enjoying some more embroidery. This time a little pouch for my sister. I’m really enjoying making these, and I’ve been contemplating adding some to my Poshmark Shop.

I’ve really been wanting to make things with my hands lately- embroidery, sewing etc. However, I haven’t felt like sewing anything for myself because fitting patterns is the worst part of sewing, so instead I’ve started making other things- like baby clothes. Not because I’m having a baby anytime soon, but because kid’s clothes are so fun to make! I plan on creating a bit of a stockpile of them to gift to families in my church who have little ones on the way, as well as bringing some pieces to the pregnancy care centre.

These little felted boots are so adorable, aren’t they? And little hair bows are a quick and easy (and cute!) project to whip up in an afternoon. I’m having so much fun making these, that I may have been dedicating just a bit too much time to them lately…. well, it’s the New Year now so time for a fresh start!

Do you make New Year’s resolutions? I make a list of 3-4 goals for the year, whether personal, creative etc. Last year I planned to finish organizing my hard drive and compiling a photo album of all of my Instagram photos…but I didn’t get to it…so, it’s back on the list for this year. Other than that, I haven’t thought of any other goals, but I’m sure I’ll come up with some in the next few days.

I hope your 2022 is off to a great start! Happy New Year!

December 22, 2021

Joy to the World…

Nicole social saturday christmas, holiday

..the Lord is come.

And what a glorious statement that is! In a world full of despair, darkness and fear, it can often seem like things truly are hopeless. And what a year we’ve just gone through, the second in a row….when will it end? We’re waiting. And as we approach Christmas, we are reminded of just how much the world waits in eager anticipation. We’re waiting…but for what?

Let earth receive her King;

Into the darkness the Light comes… through the birth of a baby in a stable thousands of years ago. The world waits, and the answer comes in an unexpected way. God leaves heaven, to come to earth; God with us, Immanuel.

Let every heart prepare him room

If you are burdened and weary this Christmas, and wondering what it is we are waiting for anyway, I invite you to turn your heart to him. In the darkest month of the year, we remember Jesus, who “came into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in Him will stay in darkness”. He is the one who brings hope and salvation to our weary, groaning world.

And heaven and nature sing.

I hope and pray that you will have a wonderful Christmas this year, remembering and celebrating the birth of our Saviour Jesus Christ!

Merry Christmas!

🖤 Nicole

Joy to the world, the Lord is come!

Let earth receive her King;

let ev’ry heart prepare him room

and heav’n and nature sing,

and heav’n, and heav’n and nature sing.

November 20, 2021

Social Saturday | November 20

Nicole social saturday

It’s Winter! Well, not officially on the calendar, but we did get our first snow this week. It was strange to have made it all the way to the middle of November without even a small bit of snow, but when it finally did come on Monday- it came in full force.

Since my last social Saturday post, I did finish my bedroom, and have moved in. I’m only sharing a sneak peek of that, because I want to do a full room tour eventually, once I’ve got pictures up etc.

This past week I also created my studio space in what was my previous bedroom. The room is going to house my work computer, art desk, and sewing supplies. I hung some shelves up on the wall above my desk to hold (most) of my personal supplies. I thought this would be enough shelf space, but honestly I could have used another one! Maybe that’s an indication that I am involved in too many kinds of projects and artwork?

Well, I think I’m going to spend today in that room, trying to move in more of the sewing supplies while also doing a bit of a reorganization. Maybe I’ll even get some time later to do a bit of creative work!

I hope you have a great weekend, whatever you have planned. ❤︎

November 6, 2021

Social Saturday | November 6

Nicole social saturday lately, life lately, sewing

Here we are already in November, it doesn’t feel like it should be almost at the end of the year yet…does it? I’ve been looking lately at my list of goals to complete by the end of this year; when I wrote that list it seemed like I had all the time in the world… but now I’m thinking I might not complete them all! Oh well, at least I did fulfill my biggest goal on that list: opening an online shop and getting my artwork into a gallery!

Lately I’ve been busy with some other kinds of projects; the biggest one being painting my new bedroom! Currently my bedroom is right over top the boiler room, which gets loud in the winter when the heat is running all the time, so I am moving one bedroom over. This meant painting and replacing trim…and then I decided to do a feature wall in bead board wallpaper. (Did you know that they make dimensional bead board wallpaper? It actually looks quite like real wood once it’s installed!) The project has taken a lot longer than I initially thought it would; I thought I could finish the room in a week…and it’s actually taken me three weeks. Oh well, I learned how to hang wallpaper in the process and am finally finishing up the last coat of paint today, which means I can start moving in next week!

Another quick project I zipped up (haha) is this little embroidered pouch. I needed a slightly larger one than the one I had, for my purse. I keep all of my “essentials” in a little pouch, so I can easily switch between purses without forgetting to transfer all of the things I need. It also makes it easier to find my lotion or lip balm without having to dig. I haven’t embroidered anything for a while, so this was the perfect little project. The only sad thing is that the orange floss I used on the bicycle seat bled dye when I pressed it. Suffice to say, I do not have that colour anymore.

Well, that’s what I have been up to lately, and what I have planned for this weekend. Do you have any special plans this weekend?

October 23, 2021

Social Saturday | October 23 (Some Exciting News…)

Nicole blog + shop, social saturday

I have some very exciting to share with you this social saturday….I have started to display my artwork at a local gallery!

This is a dream of mine that I have been wanting to happen for a long time, and I made it one of my goals for this year. And now, just a few months away from the end of the year, I have actually taken the plunge and got my photography and watercolours hanging on the walls of the Upper Level Pottery and Art Gallery! I will be there for the next four months (maybe more). I’ve brought just a small amount of work to begin with, but have a few more pieces almost ready to bring and add to the wall. Anyways, that’s all I have to share for today…I hope your weekend is going well!