Archive for the 'hello' Category

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HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Published on January 1, 2009 in hello and vintage. 6 Comments Tags: , , .

Happy New Year!

It’s so nice to be tucked inside on snowy winter nights. Right now I’m cozy in bed about to fall asleep into 2009. It’s been an outstanding year. Thank you so much for being a big part of it!

A very Happy New Year to you!

p.s. One of my favourite things to do at the beginning of the new year is to read my horoscope.

{NOTE: I wanted to add in that the lovely owl fairy light was an ebay purchase a few years ago. I have a special love for owls that has the potential to grow into a full grown collection. It holds a little tea light and was made by Fenton. I did a quick search and there always seem to be a few for sale in various colours. This particular colour is called, ‘custard’.}

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HOLIDAY HIGHLIGHTS

Published on December 30, 2008 in hello. 4 Comments Tags: , , .

Christmas Dinner

I’m starting to feel somewhat mellow now that the holiday race is over. Many of my gifts have not quite been completed or delivered/mailed, but the pressure of the 25th has finally past. The night of the 23rd, I stayed up until 5am trying to get a few of my handmade gifts completed on time. I’m not going to lie, at about 2am, I was cursing my crafty self and wishing I had gone out and shopped with the masses.

There are a few things I would like to note here for my future self in hopes of avoiding this possible meltdown next year.

  • The more pieces of fabric involved in making a gift, the more time it will take to make. Small patchwork potholders with home-made bias trim and two layers of batting are not a quick gift to be whipped up the night before giving.
  • Googling new sewing techniques in the middle of the night makes for a steep, pressure-filled learning curve.
  • Keeping a plentiful supply of chocolate on hand makes anything less painful.
  • Switching over to another project that is much simpler will give you the instant gratification and drive you need to get the harder projects done.
  • Start making holiday gifts well before December 20th! (or celebrate Christmas in mid-January)

    • That said, I’m really pleased with the things I made/am making. All will be revealed shortly.

    Besides all the crazy delicious foods I consumed over the holiday extravaganza, my other standout highlight would be trying Rock Band 2 for the first time. Apparently, I really like to play the guitar (easy level only) and I’m not very good at the drums. I had no idea it was so fun!

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    HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

    Published on December 25, 2008 in hello. 8 Comments Tags: .

    Happy Holidays!

    I’m surfacing momentarily from traveling between Christmas visits and dinners. Up until now the holiday season has been rather blurry! I wanted to take a moment to wish all of you the coziest, cheeriest, craftiest holiday!

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    OMFG

    Published on December 12, 2008 in hello. 6 Comments Tags: , , , , , .

    OMFG

    I’m posting this mostly because I NEVER remember when Gossip Girl is on and I do like to watch it ‘live’ once in a while. I ventured out into the world outside the workroom on Monday – Pages (stack of magazines), Get Outside (winter boots), King Textiles (stack of fabric) & Lee Valley (legs for my cube)…

    I’m not ready for the holidays even though I’ve been spending my days getting everyone else ready for the holidays.

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    NEW AGENDA

    Published on November 18, 2008 in accoutrement, hello and vintage. 10 Comments Tags: , , , .

    There’s nothing like a brand new agenda or notebook to get a girl excited. All those fresh blank pages, full of possibility. That was probably one of my favourite parts of the school year when they handed out the new agenda books. Some years I went over the top with decorations and drawings and one year I actually made my own agenda. Shocking, I know.

    These day, I’m perfectly happy to just buy a sweetly illustrated agenda and concentrate on all the lists I’m going to fill it with. This is the second year in a row that I’ve gotten one by Shinzi Katoh. I bought it at The Paper Place, one of my all time favourite shops. I couldn’t resist picking up some sweet coloured pens with super fine tips. Everybody knows that if you have the right pens, you’re sure to be way more organized.

    January is still a ways away, but these agendas start in November, so I can get a head start on that ‘new year feeling’.

    You’ll notice I also picked up a big fat eraser. I won a vintage schoolhouse pencil sharpener on ebay yesterday!

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    A NEW DAY

    Published on November 5, 2008 in hello. 3 Comments Tags: , , .

    YEAH! The first thing I did this morning was watch this.

    These photos were taken on my way to work yesterday on Brock. When I went home at night, they were still there. If only there was some kind of universal lost and found for mitts and gloves. I would be one of its best customers.

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    IN MY POCKET

    Published on November 4, 2008 in accoutrement and hello. 3 Comments Tags: , , , , .

    It’s just so lovely out today, so I decided to wear a jacket I haven’t worn in a very long time. When I reached into the pocket, I pulled out a few memories… a transfer from the TTC airport bus, a couple heart-shaped dog cookies and a pink pin from the MET in New York. These are from a trip I took two years ago! I love finding old treasures in pockets and purses.

    I also wore my felt brooch by Nightjar today.

    Today is one of those special Indian summer days that totally lifts your spirits. I’m making a few wishes today, one for a country and a couple for some friends who need a little extra wishing power.

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    UNDER CONSTRUCTION

    Published on November 3, 2008 in hello and the workroom. 2 Comments Tags: , .

    Please excuse all the exposed seams and threads, I’m stitching up a new outfit for the blog and it’s a tricky one. Things might look funny or appear broken while I’m doing some testing. I’m switching back and forth between the new look and the old look while I figure it all out.

    I’m also making my first upholstered cube! the workroom was filled with the sounds of tapping hammers today as we built the wooden bases. I can’t wait to see all these little cuties finished.

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    HAPPY FRIDAY

    Published on October 31, 2008 in hello, local and the workroom. 5 Comments Tags: , , , .

    I’ve missed you!

    I’ve been busying myself this week with many things, including a fall cleaning at the workroom and a coat room makeover. Next week, I promise you lots of photos and completed projects.

    I also got a new camera. (As the ever observant Melissa noticed) I just LOVE it! My degree is in Media Arts from Ryerson and my major was photography. Having the workroom and a flickr account has re-ignited my love of the camera. I’ve been using a little Olympus point and shoot, which takes great photos but has some serious limitations. (mostly silly rechargeable batteries that last for 5 photos) I’ve been saving up for months to upgrade to an DSLR. I did tons of research and read everything I could, but I was pretty set on something in the Nikon D-range. In the end I chose the Nikon D40 rather than one of the new models and got myself a plush lens, a Sigma 17-70mm. The lens does macro, since I never tire of getting in close on the tiny details of things. As you can see, Maisy is already bored with me taking photos of her every move.

    Laural and Jen from goodEGG Industries did a lovely Toronto City Guide on Poppy Talk that you should check out. It covers Queen East and Queen West and mentions the workroom. Thanks Jen!

    Lastly, I watched the latest episode of Gossip Girl last night. Can we dish about Jenny’s makeover? the Blair & Chuck saga? the artist love interest for Serena? Blair’s huge collection of lingerie?

    Have a scary, fun weekend! Don’t forget about Daylight savings on Saturday night. I always do and end up being late or early the day after.

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    THANKING YOU!

    Published on October 17, 2008 in hello and the workroom. 4 Comments Tags: , , , .

    This week the workroom turned one. Actually, today (October 17) is the day I opened to the public last year and made my first sale… to Johanna, the workroom’s quilting instructor. Thank you for coming by that day and buying some fabric from me, Johanna. I was so nervous cutting fabric for the first time! It was actually almost two weeks before I made my next sale. That was a bit nerve wracking.

    Tuesday night was the anniversary party and I was just so overwhelmed at how many of you dropped by to say hi and celebrate this special occasion. I was even more overwhelmed by the fact that so many of you brought sweet gifts and beautiful cards! It will take me a few more days to send each of you my personal thanks, so I wanted to make sure you knew that it meant so much to me that you were there. Your thoughtful gifts and words remind me what a beautiful and vibrant crafting community the workroom supports. the workroom exists for you and because of you.

    Thank you!

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