making, learning & sharing a crafty life
I never know what little treasure I’m going to find on my walk to work. Looks like Martha’s been up to some more happy-making art. This appeared the other day on Brock, on the same pole as her knitted cozy. Is anyone else inspired to make a little public art?
It seems perfectly timed that I spotted this Guerilla Knit Up on my walk down Brock Street to work this morning. A lovely blast of pink in a grey landscape. So pretty and cheery.
The feeling of that stayed with me all day and then tonight I went to see the Toronto premier of the indie craft documentary, ‘Handmade Nation‘, by Faythe Levine. What a fun time seeing so many of you out at the screening and sitting packed in the Lennox Gallery together. I’m going to have to sit down with the Handmade Nation book over the weekend. There were so many people featured that I want to learn more about.
I was particularly inspired by a patchwork dress they showed. It reminded me that I’ve been wanting to make a piece of clothing out of patchwork, so I’ve just put that on my list. Also, the opening credits were pretty fun and you can watch bits of it here.
There was a crafty chat after the film, but I had to leave to pick up Maisy. Did anyone stay to discuss? Did you have favourite bits or people from the film? It really made me feel very proud to be a part of this community that is just bursting with talent and creativity.
And thank goodness for Google! I just found out that this Guerilla Knit Up is the handiwork of Martha Brown. You’ll notice that she even added paper tags and a pencil, so people have been adding their comments. You made my day today, Martha!
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.
I am a big fan of urban art, stenciling and graffiti. I especially love to spot clever pieces, like this one, which is currently in the east side of the underpass on Brock just north of Queen West. The bling-y gold spray paint is the perfect touch for the couple it references.
I was looking up the history on the word, fiancé, and just learned that the phrase ‘Beyoncé is my fiancé’ is technically incorrect. When referring to a woman who is engaged the proper term is ‘fiancée’, the former refers to a man who is engaged. I did not know that.
Will you be in New York on September 6th? You may want to join in on this performance art piece that will re-create the parade scene from Ferris Beuller’s Day Off. Um, how cool is that?
What is it about things that are tiny? Slinkachu works on a small scale, really small. He creates little scenes using tiny people set in our large scale urban setting. The project is appropriately called ‘Little People’. His newer, sister project is called, ‘Inner City Snail’. It documents snails that he as altered slightly (but not harmed) and released into the world. I would love to stumble upon one of these works of art on my way to work.
Bench for the garden, originally uploaded by the workroom.
Have you ever done something crazy for love? I have. Too many times to count. Most often it involved something I had found at the side of the road. I guess I am what some people refer to as a ‘dumpster diver’ or my new favourite, ‘urban forager’. I love to find stuff at the side of the road and bring it home. My house and now the shop are filled with these found treasures. How can people throw this amazing stuff away? But, thank goodness they do!
What is even better than finding some random thing, is finding exactly the thing you had been hoping for. I have had this experience many times. Some people call this manifestation or the power of ‘The Secret’. One of my former roommates was an astrologist and she used to say that I have a very close connection to my spiritual guide. Thus, the things I asked the universe for were more often delivered than the average Jill. All I know is that it has happened over and over again.
The universe delivered to me again yesterday. I had been thinking very hard about a bench for the back garden at the workroom. I knew exactly the style I was hoping for, just a simple homemade-looking bench. At the corner of Brock & Chesley, I found my bench. Not only is it the exact construction I was hoping for, but it is painted in my favourite colour, grey.
Over the years, I have made a few rules with myself about finding stuff and what I’m allowed to bring home with me. As a general rule, I need to be able to carry the item by myself or be able to throw it into the trunk of a cab. This bench is six feet long, so cab was out of the question. I took a deep breath and picked up the bench. It wasn’t THAT heavy. Mind you, I did also have a dog (Maisy) on a leash and two tote bags. It’s quite a hike from Chesley Avenue down to Queen Street, along Brock. It’s 1.5 km according to Google Maps. I definitely felt like a crazy lady and today I feel sore all over. But really, there was no way I could leave that bench behind. We were meant to be together.
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