Archive for the 'spotted' Category

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WEEKEND TULIPS

Published on March 15, 2009 in spotted, textiles and the workroom. 4 Comments Tags: audrey tatou, coco chanel, globe and mail, modern seamster, neptune, tula pink.

Andrew bought these lovely tulips yesterday and for me they are the perfect marker for the end of a crazy work week and the start of a heavenly two day weekend.

I wanted to share a few bits and bobs before I head off to devour some rare free time.

Glorious new fabrics arrived this week including Tula Pink’s Neptune collection and Japanese treasures like nani IRO, kokka and echino. Oh dear, what to make next?

I’ve created a new page on the blog where you can see all the ‘Tutorials & DIY projects‘ in one place. Hopefully this will make it easier to reference some of my past projects and get me going on doing some more tutorials for you!

Reva told me about a new sewing magazine that has just come out called, “Modern Seamster“. You can download the first issue as a pdf. With all these magazines closing, it’s so nice to see something new.

I love Audrey Tatou, so I’m really excited about the new Coco Chanel movie. The trailer is in french which makes it even more intriguing. I am marking this one in my calendar, I want to see this in the theatre. Wanna make a date? {via NOTCOT}

The Globe & Mail’s article on craft and the economy came out yesterday. This seems to be a very big topic of interest with the press. I’m wondering what your thoughts are on this? Are you crafting more right now? Do you craft and sew to save money? Are you buying more or less locally made and handmade stuff?

SPINNING LOVE & RUMMAGE

Published on February 2, 2009 in spotted and the workroom. 3 Comments Tags: Becky, love & rummage trunk show, Toronto Star.

The weekend went by really fast! I hardly had a chance to realize it was here.

I spent Friday night hanging out with Becky at the workroom promoting the upcoming Love & Rummage Trunk show. This included having our photo taken in various “un-posed”/posed situations. Becky was smart and had props (balls of yarn), while I laughed nervously the whole time, not knowing what to do with my hands. The great part was chatting with writer Tabassum about all manner of things crafty and talking up all our fantastic vendors.

If you read the Toronto Star or if you are my mother, check out Thursday’s fashion section to see how the story spins out in print.

2009 RESOLUTIONS

Published on January 6, 2009 in hello and spotted. 6 Comments Tags: resolutions.

Before we get too far into the new year, I thought it best to set out some achievable resolutions for myself. I find list writing to be a very useful tool. I’m constantly surprised at how much more I get done, when a list has been made. Hence the reason behind ‘My crafty list of things to do‘. I’m making a separate list of goals for the workroom, but I’ll keep that private for now. I don’t want to give everything away just yet.

Eat breakfast every morning (not just pie and cupcakes)

Increase my calcium intake (so I don’t feel guilty at my yearly check up with my doctor)

Do yoga classes (there’s a yoga studio right across the street!)

Take a week long vacation (while the shop stays open!)

Read more books (i’m now part of a book club, so i hope this helps)

Finish unfinished projects from last year or before (quilt sampler, queen-sized quilt, patchwork pillows, pair of pants)

Take 2 days off a week, rather than 1 (some weeks)

Keep reducing the amount of plastic in my life (must make re-usable bags for the bulk food store)

Get organized & keep writing lists (my new agenda is waiting to be filled)

On a side note, one year I kept a running list of various things in my life such as how many cartons of orange juice or eggs I had bought, how many movies I had seen, books I had read, how many flights I had taken, etc. It was a fascinating list and I really wish I had kept it.

I was on television last night for about five seconds on a new HGTV show called, “The Decorating Adventures of Ambrose Price“. We had filmed for the entire afternoon and part of a class and in the end they used the tiniest slice (thankfully). It was both thrilling and horrifying at the same time.

FOUND : METALLIC LINEN & CORDUROY

Published on December 18, 2008 in DIY, found, spotted and textiles. 5 Comments Tags: B & J Fabrics, CBC, corduroy, Liberty of London, metallic linen, new york, Simplicity.

Okay, this is not my usual ‘found by the side of the road‘ post. This is about discovering something in your possession that you forgot you owned. Like finding a $20 bill in an old purse you haven’t used for a few months, only I think this is much better. When talking to Debbie the other day about her metallic tote bag, I suddenly had a flash that I had bought myself some gorgeous metallic linen when I went to New York over Labour Day. When I went home, I scavenged in my spare closet and pulled out a beloved B & J Fabric store bag. Inside it, I found a yard of silvery linen fabric and also a couple yards of the finest wale corduroy in purplish grey. I can’t tell you how delighted and inspired I was.

One of the things I miss most about living in New York (besides French bistro fare, sample sales, Chelsea art galleries and the Strand) is aimlessly wandering the Garment district, slowly scanning shelves piled high with bolts of delicious fabric. I would often spend hours dreaming up creations and carefully choosing which fabrics would come home with me. B & J Fabrics is one of my favourites. This is where I first discovered Liberty of London fabrics. Just to be near those bolts of fabulous prints made me giddy.

Usually I find that the fabric tells me what it wants to be. The soft corduroy demands to be a dress and the linen a little sparkly top. As I start having some down-time over the holidays, I’ll be ready with my Gingher scissors to cut into these two fabrics and start creating.

p.s. There was a piece on the CBC radio show, ‘Spark’, yesterday about the resurgence of sewing. You can hear my funny voice for a few seconds here. Just fast forward to 12:30 for the part on sewing. The piece starts and finishes with cute audio clips from the 1948 film by Simplicity, “Pattern for Smartness“. It is extremely entertaining.

SPOTTED : REFASHIONISTAS

Published on October 20, 2008 in delicious, spotted and the workroom. 10 Comments Tags: 13 dresses, breakfast, globe and mail, pie.

Spotted: Printed proof of dress 13 in Saturday’s Globe and Mail!

Also spotted, little K eating the last piece pie of for breakfast this morning. I hear she ate the whole thing! Apple, cranberry and walnut pie made with love by Willa. Days don’t start any better than this.