Gift Wrapping : How to Make a Crocheted Flower and Button Topper

c="http://www.loulou.to/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/beginner-crochet-project-flower-gift-topper-bow-decoration-with-button-free-pattern.jpg" alt="" width="640" height="480" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-41665">Hey hi! Here's an idea for the crocheters out there, who would like to add a handmade touch to their holiday packages.These small three-row flowers are easy and quick to make and are a good project for beginners.Here I've turned the flowers into gift topper decorations by adding a button to the centre, but I previously used the same pattern to make a garland, seen in this post, which is hanging in our living room.

Our Anniversary Dinner at Beast : Nineteen Years!

c="http://www.loulou.to/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/anniversary-selfie.jpg" alt="" width="640" height="480" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-41642">Nick and I recently celebrated our nineteenth wedding anniversary. And, since we were married exactly one year less a week after we first met on a blind date, it marked twenty years of being best friends.We went to one of our favourite restaurants, Beast. It's a great place, loved by many who live in and visit Toronto.As we knew it would be, dinner was great, from the friendly service, very nice wine, delicious tapas and dessert.Here are some photos of our delightful evening ...

How to Make Tassel Earrings with Embroidery Thread and a Comb

c="http://www.loulou.to/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/how-to-make-tiny-tassel-earrings-using-a-comb.jpg" alt="" width="640" height="480" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-41620">Hello hello! With December upon us, you might be wanting a pair of dangling earrings to accessorize your festive outfits. Today, I'll show you how you can make your own, in any colour you desire.These tassel earrings are made with embroidery thread, resulting in all the drama of statement earrings, but none of the weight usually associated with them. They are feather light. In fact, you can't even tell you're wearing them. Well, that is until you look in the mirror or someone pays you a compliment.With the aid of a re-purposed (brand new, never used) comb, they're easy to make, although they do require the patients needed to work with tiny things. Each pair will take you no more than 45 minutes to make and cost under $2 in supplies.The comb is the same one I used to make ribbon gift toppers, in this post and in this one. It's one that came in a package of several when all I really wanted was one. All you need to do is break off four prongs in the middle, to make it useful for making these small tassels and those other two styles of gift toppers.Here's how to make some tassel earrings :

A Beautiful Brunch with Fine Friends

Sure, I was going for a bit of alliteration with that title, but, as illustrated by the photo above, I didn't have to reach too far to come up with the B-word "Beautiful" to go along with the word Brunch when describing the lovely time Nick and I had on Saturday morning, at the home of Julie and Guy and their sweet sweet children Lila and James.

It was one of those cold drizzly days outside, but as soon as we stepped through the door, greeted by the sight of these much-loved people and the aroma of bacon cooking and coffee brewing, things warmed right up. The welcome was further enhanced when we were nearly bowled over by two-almost-three year old James, when he ran down the hall to say hello and give us a hug. Swoon.

Six year old Lila helpfully set the table. It was interesting watching her proficiently figure out the fact that mom had given her one extra plate than was needed.

Dinner in a Building With a History and a Personal Mystery Solved

My friend Andrea let me choose the restaurant for a dinner out last week and it took me no time at all to pick La Carnita located on John Street, between Adelaide and King Streets West. She'd been there before, so it didn't take any convincing for her to agree on the place.While I was eager to try their delicious sounding tacos, I must admit that I was particularly interested in seeing inside the historic building in which the restaurant resides.We'll begin with dinner and then talk about the building, which has a unique story to go with it ...