A Robot Party and Daft Punk Tribute Band

We had such a good time on Saturday night, going first to a Robot Themed birthday party for our friend Andrea at her place, and then heading out to see a live performance of Daft Punk songs, played by an 8 piece band of skilled musicians.

The party included a buffet dinner which included some delicious baked macaroni and cheese, a nice bean salad, potato salad crostini sandwiches, a cheese board and vegetables with dip. And we contributed this crowd favourite, an Olive and Cream Cheese Spread. After all that savory stuff there were two kinds of cupcakes including a chocolate one with peanut butter frosting, and some homemade oatmeal cookies for dessert. To drink there was a sangria punch and we brought along some beer too.

Stitched Hearts Greeting Cards : Two Styles

c="http://www.loulou.to/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/stitched-heart-greeting-card-diy.jpg" alt="stitched heart greeting card diy tutorial valentine" width="640" height="640" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-22054 blk-brdr">We have two ladies in our lives celebrating birthdays around Valentine's Day, so I decided to make them each a Birthday and Valentine Card combination, by stitching them up some hearts.One is a two-sided pendant card and the other is a standard style greeting card.I've added a new tool to my card-making supplies - an awl. It's a bit nuts, but I love that thing! So handy for punching holes, that act as guides for where to stitch and make passing the thread through the paper easier. So if you have an awl, get it out. If you don't but like stitching on paper, I highly recommend you get one. I found mine during this shopping trip to the fabric and notions shops on Queen Street West. But, if you don't have an awl, no problem ... just use a push pin, and maybe a light tap of a hammer if required, instead.Both cards use the same supplies :

Bits and Pieces : January 2014

Hi. Here is the post where I put some pictures taken during the previous month, that didn't fit in with any other story. I try to only show you the most interesting images. I hope you like them.

↑↑ The Big Thimble : This sculpture has been on the corner of Spadina and Richmond for as long as I can remember. There is also a big button seen to the right, and a measuring tape painted along the sidewalk. This area used to be filled with warehouses and designer showrooms and is where I used to shop for my suits back in the early days of corporate life. You could get a well made and stylish suit for a very decent price and it allowed me to 'dress like the boss', which was a piece of advice given to young people entering the world of business. The area has changed dramatically in the past decade and those old places are pretty well all gone now, except for a coat store.

Out for Dinner With a Friend : To-ne Sushi

Nick and I used to go out for Sushi fairly regularly, always to the same place in our neighbourhood, called Izmi Sushi. We loved it there and were sad to see it close down last year. And we haven't been out for sushi once since it closed.

It isn't like a replacement for our old favourite wasn't available because there are 6 sushi restaurants that I can think of within walking distance (which is probably part of the reason our beloved Izmi shut down). That was too many to choose from, so we just didn't make the choice and knocked sushi off our list of what to have when out for lunch or dinner.

But I've been craving it, so took to the internet to find a replacement for our former favourite. And based on what I found on both Urbanspoon and Yelp, there was a clear choice. To-ne Sushi at 414 Queen Street West was the place to go for good, well-priced sushi.

Pink Blanket in a Basket

When I came upon this little scene last week I could almost hear the conversation that must have gone on between Nick and Eddie. 'Come on ... Give me the nice cozy pink one, Dad. She won't mind. It's really old.'

Whatever transpired, cat won out, and my vintage blanket was found to be suitable bedding material.

I usually take this blanket out around Valentine's Day anyway as it suits the season, except it is usually to cover me while I read or watch tv. I guess I'll just have to steal it back.