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.

I like things pretty simple. Plain, even. I have a hard time ‘layering’ clothing, choosing bright colours over grey tones and the phrase ‘ with wild abandon’ doesn’t usually apply to me. But, I do like to mix it up and I definitely like to challenge myself when I can. You’ll notice that the holiday windows at the workroom this year are all about that.

This year’s holiday window was put together by the fabulous Tiffany Pratt of Glitter Pie Studios. Tiffany is all those things that I am not, in the very best way, so I knew she would create a window very different from what you would normally expect at the workroom. I had one little request for ‘glitter stars’ and I left the rest up to her.

Tiffany arrived at the shop armed with the hugest jars of glitter and mod podge that I’ve ever seen. She gathered cardboard from our recycling pile, scraps of fabric and put us to work. (or rather put us to ‘play’) Painting and covering things in glitter is FUN. This is really what Tiffany does best. Her Art Studio in a Box (we have these at the workroom!) is designed to get the recipient to be creative using all the fun bits and bobs found inside. I love checking out her YouTube videos. You will also find her doing fun DIY segments on the Steven & Chris show.

Debbie, Rosalyn & I had lots of laughs putting the window together with Ms. Glitterpie and those glittery stars in the window cheer me up every single day.

p.s. Check out Tiffany’s super cute button down vest that she made in our class!

I’ve been really lucky to be involved with Uppercase Magazine right from the beginning. I can’t believe this is the 10th issue!! Janine has done such an incredible job creating a rich and vibrant publication. Every bit of the magazine is so delightful and engaging.

If you take a look at this issue, you’ll see that I did an interview with Sian Keegan. I have long admired Sian’s pet portraits, so it was wonderful to get to know more about how it all started and how she works on these three-dimensional fabric likenesses of people’s furry friends. Sian recently announced that she has caught up with her waiting list of commissions, so I should hop on it and get a little Maisy portrait done!

You’ll also find lots of wonderful features and stories, including the cutest couple in craft Shauna and Stephen of Something’s Hiding in Here and the lovely Pia Jane Bijerk.

Of course, we stock Uppercase Magazine here at the store and also in our online shop!

I’m so super proud to be included in the Toronto City Guide in the August issue of Lucky Magazine. Since Lucky started I’ve always loved their city guide feature, so it’s kind of a dream come true to be in one! I also think that the editor who has the job of traveling around and putting them together has one of the best gigs around.

We are in brilliant company in the feature, listed among our favourite places (& people!) including Bookhou, Fawn, Mjölk, Robber, Russet & Empire, Shopgirls and Smash.

p.s. Two things I’m currently obsessing over : this pie plate & this half square triangle dress. I want both!

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.

March 15, 2011 : Spring haircut by Darrell Walsh

Hello! This is my first official 365 post of the year. Yep, I’ve got 73 photos I need to post to catch up for the year. But in case you thought I had abandoned the project, I wanted you to know I’m still doing my daily photo. One thing I’m trying to do with my 365 this year is to share my favourite local places and people.

Haircut day is something I look forward to. I’ve been seeing Darrell for 15+ years and he’s the best. Since we’ve been together so long, I don’t really have to tell him what to do and I always leave happy. Haircut day is also the only time my hair gets dolled up and this time he made it full of cute curls. Now I just need some cute spring tops & dress to go with my new hair!

Darrell is at Solo Bace if you’re looking for a spring pick-me-up.

What a great weekend! We were invited to brunch in Hamilton at Jen & Kyle‘s place on Saturday. This was an extra special treat for me, as I work every Saturday, so it felt like a mini vacation to steal off with Andrew for the morning to visit with friends.

The first thing I spotted when we entered their home was their Presto Nine Patch Quilt. What a thrill! I never get to see where all the quilts go to live when they leave the shop. It made me so happy to see it laid out over their couch.

We had the most delicious brunch that included amazing blueberry pancakes, egg strata, sausages, chocolate granola, mimosas, chai tea (thanks celine & jin) and SMORES (thanks roz)!

I had to get back to the workroom for the afternoon (to make moccasins), so we didn’t have a chance to explore Hamilton. But I’m crossing my fingers that we might get invited back for a second visit.

Thanks so much for a fun and delicious morning, guys!

p.s. Happy Valentines Day, friends. A big hug to all of you!!

I hardly had a moment to take any photos at the Love & Rummage 3 Trunk Show on Sunday. When I arrived at the shop there was a line up outside for the City of Craft giveaway bags and from the moment we opened the door until just past 5pm, we were pretty busy. (some moments were Crazy Busy!)

I hadn’t had breakfast that morning so I snacked the day away on delicious chocolate heart cupcakes, brownies and cookies. Thank goodness we always do a snack table at our trunk shows. It was so busy at some points that many of you came and went without me even spotting you or saying ‘hi!’. I hope you had fun. I definitely did. It’s hard not to in a room filled with so many friends.

At the very last second of the show, I managed to run around and buy myself a few necessary treats. A ceramic heart from Krystal Speck, the tote I’ve been wanting so bad from Fieldguided, some postcards by Dead Weight and a very pretty Queen-filled envelope ready for mailing from Send More Mail. Coriander Girl gave me a little posy in a cute vintage bottle.

Thanks for supporting the show! Did you get some cute stuff too??!

ADDED NOTE : Celine took photos of the show for Toronto Craft Alert. Check them out here!

Surprise! It’s time to shake things up with another big fabric sale at the workroom. It’s February already and I don’t know about you, but planning for spring and making spring-y things gets me through the last few months of winter. Now is the perfect time to treat yourself to some fabric love and plan some happy projects for these cozy winter nights.

I haven’t posted ANY clothing pictures for a few months, but I’m about to change that. I have a few back posts of clothing that I need to photograph AND I just finished a cute spring-y top that I’ll be wearing on Sunday at the Love & Rummage 3 Trunk Show. Fabric Sale + Love & Rummage!! It’s going to be a pretty great weekend!

The Love & Rummage Trunk Show weekend is finally here! This year will mark the fourth year we have done this annual Valentines event with City of Craft. (OMG… this means this is the workroom‘s fourth year of existence!!!!) For me, this is always a wonderfully cheery event in the middle of the long winter. I absolutely LOVE that frigid temperatures, snow storms and the fact that we keep scheduling it on Super Bowl Sunday don’t seem to deter crowds of you from dropping by to support our favourite local artists at this love-filled show.

For the early birds, there are gift bags available to the first 25 shoppers. Plus, a cute mini bunting make & take workshop sponsored by Etsy and facilitated by Michelle Renaud from 3-4pm. City of Craft has been posting vendor profiles, so you can get a sneak peek of all the fun you can expect on Sunday!! Are you coming? I hope so!