Tomiko and I spent a night in Ottawa on our way home from our Quebec Culinary Adventure. After checking in to our hostel, we took a stroll down to the ByWard Market, one of the oldest and largest public markets in Canada. Lieutenant Colonel John By, who also built the Rideau Canal, laid out the street plan […]
Dufflet Tiramisu Birthday Cake
We picked up a Dufflet tiramisu cake for Karlos’ birthday last month. Last year I made him a chocolate turtle birthday cake, but this year he didn’t want a homemade one and the only alternative to a homemade birthday cake is one from Dufflet! Dufflet Pastries is a local bakery chain that has three locations throughout […]
DIY: New Look 6262 V-Neck Dress with Gathered Skirt
The New Look 6262 dress is the first dress I ever sewed for myself! I made View C with the v-neck, but added the short sleeves of View B. I purchased the lovely plain weave cotton in a bright pink and orange poppy pattern from Fabricland during one of their sales. Fabricland is fortunately (or […]
DIY: McCall’s M7317 Pleated Surplice Dress
McCall’s M7317 pleated surplice dress is a great summertime dress. I made this out of a beautiful white rayon challis patterned with green leaves and orange flowers. This was the first time I sewed with rayon challis so I used a microtex needle instead of the usual universal type. It was also the first time I ever […]
DIY: McCall’s M7193 Gathered Surplice Blouse
I made this McCall’s M7193 gathered surplice blouse in a pink rayon challis print.









