Can you believe how perfect this gift is? This cedar bead necklace came in a cedar jewellery box, both designed and handmade by Andrew. The necklace is so beautiful. I just love the lightweight feel of these faceted cedar beads. The box matches the other jewellery box Andrew made for me a couple years ago. The wood is reclaimed and has so much character, you can just stare at it and see a new detail every time. It’s pretty amazing to watch Andrew explore wood as a medium. Especially since he almost exclusively uses reclaimed or scrap wood.

Like I said perfect gift.

Two new prints by Leah Duncan that I bought at White Elephant in Hamilton. I am so in love with the colours of these prints and everything that Leah Duncan does.

Trying to decide what to put in this cool tin that I got at the 400 Market.

I haven’t worn fragrance in years, but when Bre mentioned Black Coconut perfume a little while ago,  I really couldn’t resist. I LOVE coconut and this is absolutely yummy. Long Winter Farm also sent me a chocolate mint lip balm and it’s so great. I’m totally looking forward to exploring some of their other scents.

My mom recently got back from a trip to Scotland. She brought me Clotted Cream Fudge and it’s pretty delicious.

I bought this awesome necklace at the Spring Trunk Show. It was a collaboration between Rachelle Wilson and Emily Cumming.

Fabric is always one of my favourite things. I’ve been organizing my fat quarter stash into bins. Spending time looking through my stash always gives me so many ideas for new projects.

All I have to say is, “Thank Goodness For City of Craft!”. In the couple days prior to the show, I was entering a holiday meltdown mood. I was really starting to freak out that I was so unprepared with only a week to go. I have only finished a few of my gifts and none of the major ones.

This year was the first year that I went to City of Craft with the sole purpose of shopping. The last few years, I had done a little workshop and had ten minutes to rush around the floor before heading back to the workroom to teach a class. This year I had about an hour, but I could have stayed for twice as long.

The vendors were really incredible! I had a very hard time making my final selections as I had given myself a set budget for spending. But I was able to pick up some great Christmas gifts and a few special treats for myself.

Congratulations! to Becky and everyone City of Craft-related on a wonderful show. Next year I will allot even more time, so I can spend even more money! If I can’t make all my gifts, it feels great to buy gifts from such talented locals.

Details on the fun goodies I picked up:

Watermelon Pair by The Maple Ridge
- these guys are for me! i could not resist these matching figures, especially since they were holding watermelons. Becky told me that Andrew Zangerle was just about to give up on making these figures before doing City of Craft. Please don’t let that happen, they are too awesome.

Mini Blackboard Necklace by Killside Krafts
- okay, this is also for me. Melodie laser cuts her books and cute accessories at the workroom. These mini blackboard necklaces are perfect for someone who loves anything blackboard.

Pin Cushion by Needlebook
- um, this is also for me. I have a few other items by Claire and you can just feel the love crafted into them.

Ceramic Heart Brooch by Julie Moon
- This is a gift for Andrew’s mom. I could easily purchase one of everything Julie makes.

Glow in the Dark T-Shirt by Hieng Tang
- This is a gift for my brother. He loves t-shirts and monsters and you can’t go wrong with something that also glows in the dark!

Asparagus Brooch by Denture Thief Productions
- Oh dear, this is for me.

Cat Tea Towels by Lines by Davis
- This is another gift for Andrew’s mom. I’ve long admired Davis’ cat pillow, so I was really excited to see a tea towel version.

This really shows you what happens when I go out shopping for gifts… 50% for me and 50% for others. Luckily, I don’t get out much! I’m working away on making the rest of my gifts and will post those photos soon-ish.

April 16, 2010 of 365 : my new kitty made by stitch face

I had been planning for weeks to buy myself a new bunny from Stitch Face at the Spring Trunk Show. Somehow this little cute kitty stuck out in the crowd and ended up coming home with me. I just couldn’t resist the grey plaid and crochet scarf. Her name is ‘Bunny’, so it actually works out!

March 28, 2010 of 365 : cottontail bunny made by claire milne

This was actually a really sad day for me. My Uncle Pat had passed away very early in the morning, surrounded by many of my family members in the hospital. I went to Quilt Sunday for some crafty comfort and dear Claire gave me this darling bunny gift. The timing couldn’t have been more perfect. I’ve named her, ‘Cottontail’, from one of my favourite stories, “Peter Rabbit”. Her tail is actually felted wool, but I think this is okay. Thank you, Claire! This bunny is very special to me.

Claire will be at the Spring Trunk Show this Sunday. Cross your fingers that she’ll be bringing some more bunny friends!

I was surprisingly restrained with my retail spending on this trip. Usually I view a trip to New York as a ‘free pass’ to spend like crazy. I tried really hard to find a new pair of jeans, but nothing was quite right. I very rarely get out these days to go shopping, and even still I just found myself making mental notes for ideas I wanted to try making for myself.

When we were at Erie Basin, Andrew saw this pair of vintage earrings that caught his eye. He had me try them on and we both loved them, so he gave them to me as a gift! Just looking at these earrings makes me imagine all kinds of wonderful stories of where they have been.

I bought a Mango Butter soap from Saipua. I can’t wait for my current soap to run out!

I finally bought a ‘Found My Animal‘ leash for Maisy. I almost bought one on our last trip to New York, but didn’t. Then I saw this photo on the Sartorialist – it kinda looks like me and Maisy. (Now I just need to make a cute blue layered dress) I was so happy to find that they had them at Smith & Butler. The concept behind Found My Animal is really great. They are trying to raise awareness and money for adopting animals. Each accessory they make is numbered to indicate how many animals have been helped by their products.

I bought a stack of Fine & Raw chocolate bars as gifts. (and a couple for myself) I love their packaging and couldn’t resist the one with the Fafi artwork. (I LOVE her) That bar has dried wild blueberries in it – YUM.

The last morning we were there I went on a solo mission to B&J Fabric. When I want a little ‘fix’ of NYC fabric shopping, B&J is my best bet. It’s so well lit, organized and not too big. I’ve really been liking checks, gingham and plaids recently. The navy blue fabric is linen with gold thread detail. I imagine this future dress will have a cute yoke or perhaps bib front. The purple and grey plaid is cotton shirting and I’m not sure just yet what that will turn into. Hopefully I’ll be showing you real soon!

365 : crochet necklace

These are the vintage tins I picked up a couple weeks ago at St. Lawrence. The graphics and colour palette on the cigarette tin are so awesome. I have not idea what I’ll put in this tin, as it is very slim. I couldn’t resist picking up the orange nesting tins from Japan because they are so fetching and in perfect condition. I don’t think they were ever even used!

Here are a some links to distract you on a Monday.

• a tree ring print, the real deal
• most amazing home. swiss, of course
• i love chocolate & peppermint together, especially in cookie form
• ‘mitten‘ is the cutest!
• very excited about Gayla’s new book – Grow Great Grub and the book launch party!
• all summer long, i didn’t make any ice cream. now that it’s winter, i’m thinking – magic vanilla ice cream
• embroidery & wood, two things i love, especially together
• eva is solar dyeing and it’s incredibly interesting (wheels are turning!)
• japanese online shop, “billet” = zakka overload
• a new blog to love (via a blog i already love)
• i need to start a fabric diary, this one is amazing
• i REALLY like this industrial chandelier
• free origami wrap sweater pattern from uniform studio!
• this pygmy hedgehog is the crazy cutest thing!!
• learn something new everyday (via swissmiss)
• very cool lights made from used spray paint cans
• thinking about making vanilla bean rice pudding
• awesom-est bike accessories

365 : recycled newspaper shoes

It was really cold & sunny. It snowed a little flurry. I wore my new shoes for the first time.

I ordered these shoes for myself just before Christmas. They arrived via my friend Michelle who lives in Michigan, but were too big. Sigh. This is the trouble with ordering shoes online! I shipped them back and they mailed me the correct size. I finally got to wear them for the first time yesterday. I wore them indoors only and just stepped outside for a second to snap this shot with the snow.

I love them. They are made with three and half pages of newspaper folded and woven together. And they are grey.

Here it is. My handmade cedar jewellery box from Andrew. Designed to sit atop my teak dresser, the box is three feet long. The lid is divided into three sections of varying lengths. The smallest section is meant for jewellery I wear often and is placed on the right since I am right handed. The lid is also designed to fit snug on top and has a felt lining down the side. The top of the box beneath the lid is lined with a single piece of felt that runs up the sides and across the bottom. When the lid is put back in place, the cedar brushing on felt makes such a lovely soft sound. There are seven compartments inside that allow me to divide my treasures into little collections and categories. I can’t help but marvel at all the thoughtful details and care that went into making this gorgeous box.

One of my favourite features is the delicious cedar smell everytime I peek inside.