Note to Self: bring duct tape next time

I had to take my two older boys to get fitted for tuxes yesterday (they're in the wedding party for our niece's wedding in August), so I thought I'd make the most of the trip into the city with a few stops at crafty places. The boys were not as bad as they could have been, but I should have thought ahead to bring a roll of duct tape to secure their hands to their sides so that I wouldn't have to say, "don't touch that" several hundred times in the space of a few hours. I wasn't the only one though. There was another mother in Michaels who was ready to abandon her children and go drinking with me. To be fair, I was the one who suggested it.
First stop ... the LSS. I think I did very well ... this is all I bought. More Stickles (of course) and some new Rouge de Garance product. The package comes with a double-sided patterned paper and coordinating die cut cardstock. Love the colours of this and the paper is very heavy weight. The also had some beautiful Rouge rub-ons, but as I said, I was being good so I left them where they were.

Next we went to the pet store to get some things for the new kitty. We've only had outdoor cats before, so I needed a proper litter tray (instead of the lasagna tray I was using ... and no, I won't be making lasagna in it again!), a brush for her long hair and some different bunny litter for Bunnybunnybunny.
This next stop was probably a mistake ... an antique marketplace. Oh heavens! Such beautiful furniture. If only I had a bucket of money buried in the field somewhere. I saw some wonderful things like a printer's tray which would be perfect for displaying rubber stamps. I was justified in leaving it though because my stamps are mostly acrylic. The only problem with a place like that is that I found things very expensive compared to my local antique store or yard sales. I'm very lucky in that I have a lot of things that have come down to me from family. Much more sentimental value too.
I was also very good in Michaels. A few beads (half price) and rhinestones. These little notecards are fantastic for $1.50/8 cards. I like that the design is b&w so that you could jazz it up with embellishments if you were so inclined. I think they also would be great for journaling on a layout.

I keep checking out this Etsy shop and love the beautiful fabrics she uses on her bags (and check out the matching key fobs!). The one I want is still there so I may break down and order it if I have a weak moment! But she's been adding new ones lately and now there are several that I am lusting after. When I saw these beautiful fat quarters at the local quilting store, I knew I wanted to make a tote from them. I had an awful time matching up fabric for lining though. The checked fabric is what I ended up with yesterday. Cost way too much, but there was nothing else even close after visiting 3 different fabric stores. I hope I like the finished product because this little project is quickly becoming much more expensive than actually buying a finished bag!

And after much fiddling, I have a completed layout from the June Studio Calico kit only hours from the reveal of the July kit. Is it just me, or is it difficult to find time to scrap these days? If only I could spend all my waking hours crafting. It'll never happen so I better stop dreaming about it!

It's the long weekend here. Nothing too exciting for us but there are some town wide yard sales on one of the local towns tomorrow. My father-in-law takes his woodworking to sell every year and does quite well. We may go in to check it out if it's not raining. You never know what lovely little pretties you may find!