Pinch of This and a Squeeze of That

I'm finding it so much easier taking photos with this strong Spring sun. Instead of having a 20 minute window of ok lighting, it's now the better part of the day. This morning I was out taking some photos of some things I had made and actually had to come in as the sun was too intense. The sun was too intense - that just gives me goosebumps of joy.

Got to hang with Annie a few days back and she brought me a wonderful and thoughtful gift from Thailand - some beautiful cotton sarong material. It's gorgeous. I don't know if I'll be able to cut into it. I think I have to add it to my pile of material that I can't bear to use (not just yet anyways).

I have been exploring various techniques of needlecraft over the past few months. The pieces make up a series which I call Stitch Bytes. They are experiments in old school needlecraft with what I consider to be, new spins. I just completed a project that I started on a whim last week. I grabbed some material from my pillow case stash and I needlefelted some details on it. The flowers were pre-existing (printed on the fabric) and the butterfly I added. It was fun to do and I'm anxious to find some more fabric to explore this technique further. Here she is...

And a close up...

And this evening I completed my application for the Prince Edward County Women's Institute Craft Sale that is in July. I will mail it off in the morning. Yes, as in, post it. With three hard copies of photos. Country charm. Wish me luck - it's a fantastic show.

That's what's going on around here. Oh! And perhaps I haven't mentioned - I'm a student. Just started my first class (Accounting) on Friday. I love its uncreative nature strangely. It really feeds my numbers and structure needs and doesn't take from my creative headspace. I'm telling you everything is just so finely balanced in my pumpkin.

Looking forward to this Wednesday's workermade meeting. I don't know if I have mentioned it before but Annie and I started a handmaker's collective back in January. We meet the first Wednesday each month. It's an opportunity for local makers who are selling their wares to get together to support one another, promote the handmade industry and each other, share ideas and resources, and have a night out. If you know of anyone who would be interested please let them know about us!

Annie's Felting Goodness

Annie's back and she has opened registration on a brand new workshop that is very sweet and perfect for Spring. Yey! Check it out here. Love.

Here Comes The Bride

Annie and I have been felting fiends, preparing for next weekend's Wed By Hand. We are really excited about our beautiful needle felted bride and groom dolls that we have created. Couples can have their likeness replicated in 100% wool - felted with care, best wishes, and attention to detail. All we need is a photo of the happy couple in their wedding finery and we can take it from there.

In addition, we will be promoting a variety of felting workshops for the wedding party, bridal party, friends and family. Workshops will focus on making thoughtful and meaningful gifts for the couple. Possibilities include "The Wishing Wreath" or "Love Heart Garland," or perhaps it's time to get the gang together to felt-up all the wedding favours (key chains, magnets, pins...).Think: all your best girls, the moms, sisters, and aunties...coming together for an evening of laughter and creative expression to celebrate your upcoming nuptials. Or perhaps the couple, the bridesmaids and the groomsmen choose a get together to create the centrepiece for the head table or a felted doll of each of themselves for place settings. The ideas are endless and the emphasis always on celebrating the couple with love and laughter and creating a very fun evening for all those dear to the couple's hearts.

Annie has been working on the groom and he is a stunner. Hopefully she can send me a picture of the handsome devil soon and I can post. I have a good feeling about these two. LOVE.

Anybody seen my phone?

I am missing my kids.

It is amazing what you have time for when you are are not responsible for children.

Even if most of what I am accomplishing is in my head, it's good. Plans are hatching, business ventures percolating, dreams solidifying.

Very excited that Annie and I have finally set a date for the first "workermade: the handmakers' collective" meeting. And it is this Wednesday. We haven't given people very much notice but it was a definite case of now or never as the next month or so is pretty packed. The idea behind holding these meetings is to create a supportive community for handicrafters who are pursuing their craft as a business. We see it as a forum to share our personal handicraft journeys, expertise, and frustrations; a nurturing environment to ask questions, take steps and venture forward in our pursuit of what we want to achieve. I look forward to hearing what everyone wants out of such meetings - I think we can accomplish alot and that these meetings can become a very beneficial resource if that is the will of the people!!

Here is my go at a logo. Refer to second sentence of this blog. If I had Adobe Illustrator, I could actually do a logo rather than a PDF and save it in this ridiculous format which requires an hour to upload to blogger because I don't know what I'm doing. (I'm not that pissed tho, refer to second sentence of this blog).

Annie has just listed some awesome workshops this month on her blog. The kids and I are signed up for the family and felting workshop and I am doing the wet felting workshop as well. Looking forward to it. If you haven't done one of Annie's workshops or met Annie yet, you are missing out on a wonderful experience. So, go sign up!

And here's a little something I dream about doing one day...sooner than later. Love.

workermade: Holiday Workshop

I'm really excited to tell you about my upcoming workshop Wednesday, December 15th. I will be promoting and teaching alternative wrapping techniques for holiday gifts and beyond! Participants will learn various techniques and make their own upcycled festive wrappings. I read today that in the U.S alone over 5 million tonnes of waste is generated during the merry season; 4 million tonnes of that crap is attributed to wrapping paper and shopping bags. I would love to see you on the 15th. Please RSVP by December 10th.

Alternative Wrapping Workshop

And even though it's not Hump Wednesday, I'm gonna shake things up a little bit over here and tell you all what I'm grateful for today. My friend Annie. I know I talk about her alot and because of that, some might even think she's my only friend! (don't worry, I am soo blessed with many fabulous, generous, awesome, and gorgeous women in my life whom I am a thankful for every day). Annie is my crafting kick-in-the-pants and cheerleader and she has offered me her workshop space so that I can hold this workshop and I love her dearly for it.

AND...I have such a big head right now. I can not believe I just got this invite posted in my blog. I feel like a technological wizard which is 180 degrees (see I don't even know how to find that little degrees sign), from what I actually am. Ask me anything, go on...

SEW...what else is new?

Feels like that is about all I'm doing these last few days. Flaglines, flaglines and more flaglines. I'm pumping it out this week preparing for the McNab Craft Sale on the 27th. Annie just asked me to do another craft sale on the 4th of December. I think I will despite the fact that I wasn't going to take anything on in December as I want to get my own stuff accomplished (make stuff for kids, bake, enjoy the hols!). I think it will be a good one though - it's at the Waldorf school and they are also having their winter festival so the kids will have a good time too.

Eager to put aside the flaglines and start on some other things I'd like to start selling. I have some dress-up kits for kids that I still have to finish off. The themes I have are: scientist (lab coat, safety googles, supergoop, badge), cowboy/cowgirl (vest, bandana, cowboy hat), asian princess (au dai, beaded slippers, fan), princess (tulle skirt, beaded slippers, tiara), superhero (cape, mask, superhero vitamins, power cuff), chef (apron, hair band for girls, bandana for boys, wooden spoon, chef's towel, recipe book), tea party (tea set, fancy hat, boa). They require a bit more thought and a bit of sewing and they will be finished!! The thought requred is how to package them? I'm drawing a bit of a blank - would love it to be reuasble, (or at least not environmentally horrid), cute, inexpensive and/or easy to make...hmmmm.

As for what the kids and I are grateful for (Wednesday), I am grateful for a lovely morning tea with Samia at Wild Oat yesterday plus the added bonus of running into the gorgeous and positively good-for-the-soul, Annie. Love. Samia is grateful for her new ballet skirt she just got for her upcoming recital.

Jackson is grateful for his new library book.