fine hand

Project Priceless & Sweetstitch Interview /Giveaway

2012-02-02T21:54:00.001-05:00

retro owl!

Jordan and Brian are two young people who were involved in a fantastic social media experiment...the experiment was to plan and put on a wedding free of charge. In their own words the experiment also involved "stretching the realms of:
-eco-stewardship on a budget
-social media and its magical powers of connection
-thinking outside the wedding 'box'
-utilizing local and indie vendors to create a stellar event"

whoever contributed got a huge shout-out on their blog..they are hip, crafty and not afraid of DIY...so I was really excited to be their Indie Artisan Spotlight on the sister blog: Project Priceless: The Nest- which chronicles the next stage of married life. Check out the deets here to learn more about the project and the sweetstitch giveaway! The draw will take place February 28th...good luck!

visual art by my son

2012-01-13T08:41:00.000-05:00

Pencil Portrait of my husband

mountain and sunrise

clay sculpture

inspired by naive painting style

My son is getting ready to apply to an Arts High School in our city (the only one actually) and he has been hard at work on his portfolio...I am so proud of his accomplishments I just had to share them! It is quite competitive to get in ..out of 500 applicants every year only half are accepted so I am hoping he gets in...it really is a passion of his to create. He was even thinking of doing some pencil portraits for tourists in our downtown market area this summer. Enjoy!

sewing a wrap jacket

2012-01-12T09:00:00.000-05:00

I have been trying to do a bit of sewing for myself recently and here is the result! It's a chic wrap style jacket/top from the book Chic & Simple Sewing. Love the pattern and can't wait to try one maybe in a solid colour? Christmas was a whirlwind with ups and downs...my grandmother passed away on Christmas Day however despite this sad time there were joyful times spent with family too. I hope all of your holidays were filled with laughter and love.

a new look

2011-12-12T09:40:00.000-05:00

well here she is ...my new logo! i hope to convey modern, vibrant, sweet and little bit bold...the sweetness comes from the two S shapes forming a little heart! Aiko did a wonderful job creating this design...many thanks to her hard work. ...will be concentrating on pouches/small items for the shop i find them so much fun to sew and love that they are so handy. To prepare for this i will have lots of pincushions on sale some are listed ..more to come!
curious to know what color combos you favor? pink and brown, blue and gray....??

new colours!

2011-12-01T12:49:00.000-05:00

Some new colours for christmas zipper pouches...these are on their way to Flock and Workshop Boutiques in Ottawa! what do you all think of greys and reds?? right now i am so loving these colours...check out these
boutiques and shop local this season...i know i am trying too as much as i can! what about you? these won't be in the etsy shop as they are limited editions but just contact me if you would like some for little gifts under $20 (i can duplicate a few in the fabrics above)- for colleagues, secret santa, girlfriends, teens - let me know! cheers

so sweet pics

2011-11-14T13:30:00.000-05:00

photos by Natasha Redekop

I usually don't get to see items I sew after they leave my hands so I was so grateful my sister-in-law sent these
sweet photos of my little niece wearing a pink top I gave her! soooo sweet! especially that action shot! Do you have any follow-up on items you craft or sew? wondering....

what i have been up to...

2011-11-11T13:22:00.000-05:00

after a lengthy illness i have been.......sewing sweet zip pouches for holiday time...

...and little wallets......i won't be doing any shows but will be keeping my retailers stocked...also i felt it was
time to create a new website for sweetstitch...so feel free to check out our new home at www.sweetstitchshop.com thanks for looking!

upcycled eco zipper pouches

2011-10-28T10:04:00.000-04:00

some little pics of the eco-line i have been working on...these zippy pouches are made from upcycled fabric..i just love finding new uses for fabric. These really remind of Orla Kiely prints which is why i love them so.
Graphic and modern-simple and practical ,,,,just had to throw in a little Rudolph too!...

w.i.p.

2011-10-25T08:15:00.001-04:00

soo busy getting ready for shows! here's a pile of brooches getting ready to be completed...going to have

lots of zipper pouches too!...i'm introducing a new line of eco-zipper pouches made from upcycled fabric..pics coming soon! i really try to reduce my imprint on the planet when i can and see soo many fabrics begging to be transformed into something new..are you working on any crafty projects? getting ready for holiday shows?

...some cards in the works too!

2011-10-19T11:43:00.001-04:00

last weekend was spent at a wonderful retreat....too cold for swimming..lots of activities such as this bizarre
giant swing which basically catapults people into the air then swings them back and forth! )that's my daughter up there..and yes it was as high as a telephone pole...my family was brave except for me (being flung through the air did just not appeal to me at all!) i am super busy getting ready for craft shows - sometimes i just need a clone of myself to get things done...i will also be a part of this.....so come on down and see what we come up with to destash!

happy weekend

2011-10-14T11:21:00.001-04:00

just a little pic to end the week of the Empire State Building taken from the High Line...if you are ever in
New York I urge you to check out this pathway built on old above ground railway tracks..kind of lifts you physically and mentally from the hustle and bustle below with nice little benches and gardens along the way.
there is also a cool little popsicle stand called People's Pops which have unusual flavor combinations ..(i had
ginger-blueberry)...will be catching up with sewing next week...lots to do with Christmas just around the corner! have a great weekend blogging friends!

some fall images...

2011-10-12T07:56:00.001-04:00

Just a few fall images from the thanksgiving weekend...we are so lucky to live a five minute drive from this
spectacular trail! what a glorious weekend it was...on the shop front i have added a few zippy pouches (it's never too early to think about christmas shopping, hostess giving, and secret santa office parties!) and I am hoping to land my first U.S. shop in the near future! I will keep you posted...until then happy Wednesday!

photos from urban craft and sneak peek!

2011-10-06T11:08:00.000-04:00

Purple Urchin Soaps

my table

My Green Toy Box -love that felted mushroom!

Urban Craft was great! such a nice venue and I heard around 400 people came through the doors. It was a great opportunity to try out some new products...the cards I made were a hit so I will be carrying more of those..(christmas ones are in the works)..what was nice about these were each one has a story. It was so nice to have people ask about them and to bring back memories of each photo. The framed photos went well too - so nice to see people respond well to them (now i just have to figure out how to display them!) I love when I can share my passion with others. I have two more shows coming up so here is a sneak peek of some brooches I am creating to liven up fall/winter coats...these will soon be available at Flock Boutique and I recently dropped off some new zipper pouches at Adorit Eco-Boutique...so pop on by to have a look

a little peek..

2011-09-28T13:59:00.000-04:00

...a little sneak peek at my mock set up for urban craft this saturday...frantically tying up loose ends and working at my other job in the evening ahhhhhhhhh ....hope to see you there!

2011-09-22T09:14:00.000-04:00

there was something about the title of this piece of music that i found haunting and poetic...really enjoy music photography of any kind. Below a sneak peek of some cards i am bringing to Urban Craft. Hope you all enjoy your weekends!

a little tuesday inspiration

2011-09-20T07:42:00.000-04:00

when i have been working hard i just need a little inspiration....i hope you find this photo inspiring too! what quotes do you find inspiring or who do you find inspiring?

minis!

2011-09-16T10:12:00.001-04:00

you guys inspired me to make mini fall wreaths! I was really pleased with the big one but hey...everyone likes mini versions of products! these babies are coming with me to Urban Craft along with the larger fall version..i have so many amazing color combos to try...keep you posted...i would love to customize colors to occasions too...weddings, parties, seasons you name it..after Thanksgiving I will have some minis in the shop ..if you are local (Ottawa) send me an email for more deets..♥

it's almost here

2011-09-13T12:25:00.002-04:00

Fall is just around the corner and in anticipation of it I designed this felt wreath .I am loving the charcoal gray, mustard, dark brown and slate blue combo...I was going to bring it to Urban Craft however I just might keep it for myself! Designing some mini wreaths too! Do you put seasonal wreaths on your door or just at Christmas time? I usually just put up the Christmas one but I kind of like how this turned out.

yay! Urban Craft Market!

2011-09-09T12:56:00.000-04:00

I was thrilled to be accepted into next month's Urban Craft Market in Hintonburg! I went as a shopper to the first one and was mighty impressed with the awesome vendors! Produced by the ever inspiring Krista Leben of Urbanite Jewelry and her partner Robin this duo really knows how to craftrock (yep..i just invented a new word) it in the nation's capital...hope you come out to see how cool Ottawa really is (deets to follow)

love is better...

2011-09-07T08:36:00.000-04:00

...this just makes me smile...love this quote from our former NDP leader Jack Layton who passed away recently. It is from his letter to all Canadians written two days before he died..if you want some inspiration you can read it here.
i might have to turn this into a print....
what are some inspirational quotes you live by?? would love to know

plan B

2011-09-02T15:32:00.000-04:00

Remember a while back I was fascinated with pinwheels (still am!) and planning to make cuffs...well...had to go to plan B because my supplier of wool won't be carrying the kind I needed! aaarrghhhh..I still needed to see some pinwheels so i am making drawstring bags made from a natural fabric with the sweetest pinwheels sewn on them! I have nice fall colors which I want to use so as soon as the kids get to school you know what I will be doing. I think these would make fab gift/hostess bags, christmas gift bag, party bags, shoe bag..you name it. I also would love to hear your ideas on unusual christmas color combos. Not red and green...please let me know what you would like to see!
(p.s. these particular colors were inspired by the urban craft market poster!)

new announcement!

2011-09-01T19:57:00.000-04:00

I have loved photography since I was a little girl and my father showed me the basics of operating cameras - actually the one pictured in the above photo! I have always wanted to share my love of photography and am now pleased to share one of my passions. My style is simple, vintage inspired and harks back to days gone by, inspired by nature, rural and urban life (i love the duality of both)...I try to convey more of a feeling and mood with my photos..be it romantic/dreamy or retro...please feel free to check out a few in the shop..more coming! (have a few cards in the works too!)I love incorporating text in photography too so keep a lookout. I hope you enjoy them as much as I enjoy producing them!

..still sewing some goodies too..have some new shops I am supplying so this is keeping me busy!

fall fabrics!

2011-08-24T08:18:00.000-04:00

here are some new wallets listed in the shop! some are made with gorgeous japanese echino fabric..(if you don't know about this fabric the colors are so rich and vibrant..i ♥ it!) the interiors are lined with white Kona cotton. Recently I was sent some samples of wonderful new teas! They were from Jess at Steeped Tea. With cute names like Strawberry Sunrise, and Last Mango in Paris how could I resist. They are delicious!
I tried the strawberry as a cold iced tea...perfect! With summer drawing to a close, kids getting ready for school...it's already time to think about sewing some Christmas goodies (I have a few ideas up my sleeve)!...keep you posted!

glimpses of New York City

2011-08-23T09:49:00.004-04:00

Angel of Waters - Bethesda Fountain, Central Park (designed by Emma Stebbins 1868)

bronze inlay in sidewalk on...Fifth Avenue!

Rockefeller Center - Prometheus bronze gilded statue designed by Paul Manship

glimpses of New York City.......more to come........

new tea wallets coming soon too..........check post tomorrow morning!

mmm jello

2011-07-28T09:29:00.000-04:00

just a cute little pic from a magazine i had from the 1970's (my love of retro again!)...the classic jello molded salad..actually looks pretty good when the weather is sooo hot out. have you ever made this??

sneak peek

2011-07-24T18:25:00.000-04:00

here's a prototype I am working on for a cuff. I currently am loving pinwheels and wanted to design something that incorporates them. So...there is a little pinwheel sewed on to the cuff...they will be 100 percent wool with a possibility of contrasting colored pinwheels...this is just my mock-up. Far too often I see perfected images of items with no part of the creative process being shown (which sometimes can be messy!)...so I have decided to be brave and show how I start my process of trials and errors until I have perfected an item to my satisfaction. I am working on a neat little arrow design to secure it on (not shown)...I hope you follow along to see the final results. I also posted some pics of completed limited edition Blackberry Cases which is another project I have been doing...check the shop tomorrow when they will be listed. Do you like seeing pics of WIP? I know I am always curious to see how a project evolves over time..

new crafty adventures

2011-07-14T21:08:00.002-04:00

so excited to be visiting NYC soon! (tips would be totally appreciated!) will keep you posted on our adventures...am also super excited that Ottawa will have a monthly craft market starting this fall...have a NEW project I am working on that does not involve fabric! already started on it and am loving every minute of it...stay tuned...

the little luggage case used to belong to my mother during her time as a stewardess living in Queens, NY...do you have any sentimental items which are practical too?? I use this to store all my childrens' special creative artwork..

new tea wallets!

2011-07-07T11:45:00.000-04:00


new wallets!!

so excited to have some new patterned tea wallets in the shop...my fave has got to be the retro radio one at the top! finishing up some other items today and my mind is buzzing with a new project i am dying to get started on....enjoy!!

canada day weekend

2011-07-03T20:39:00.000-04:00

happy birthday canada

the most awesome shirt ever - cbc 1970's logo

a trail of summer fun

didn't do much work this weekend....too busy enjoy canada day festivities. some pics from some wonderful bbq pool parties we went to..swimming, eating amazing food, watching the fireworks...what more could you ask for on a long weekend...too bad it passed so quickly...what did you do to celebrate canada day or july 4th??

character building

2011-06-30T08:48:00.000-04:00

having fun at the beach

my husband playing some folk music to keep spirits up

a few little images of a camping weekend...despite torrential downpours, lightning, severe winds...we managed to get a huge tarp up and go camping...while i was protesting going my husband kept tellling me and the kids it would be a "character building" experience. he loves "character building" experiences...me, not so much, but in the end i am glad he pushes me out of my comfort zone once and a while. It ended up being lots of fun...meeting a bunch of new people..hearing some great campfire music with three guitarists..and roasting giant size campfire marshmallows! do you enjoy camping? do you go in the rain?? i think next time we might upgrade to the trailer from the old school tent..my back would be ever so thankful!

you may have noticed i changed my header to a little more funky and hip - a little less plain...it was time to have a new style to go together with some new products i am busily creating...stay tuned!

still waters

2011-06-22T19:56:00.001-04:00

This picture was taken biking with my husband along the Ottawa River, a beautiful calm morning - not a ripple in the water. I have been busily working getting more products into shops. If you ever stop by Almonte check out Blackbird {neat stuff for every nest} for some of my items (tea wallets are popular this time of year for teachers gifts!)...gearing up for summer and two fun trips planned. ..a New York City getaway and then a trip to Boston....never been to either so any tips on what to do or must sees' would be greatly appreciated!
thanks and happy weekend everyone!

neighbourhood show!

2011-06-15T17:15:00.001-04:00

Workermade is a collective of Ottawa area handmakers. What I love about this group is there is a nice combination of creative chatting but also business chatting. This is their first trunk show which promises to be exciting! The atmosphere will be cozy and intimate (no church basement fluorescent lights!) These kinds of shows are wonderful because they encourage shopping within your own neighborhood. Chances are there are birthdays, weddings, end of school year teacher gifts to buy...instead of travelling to a big box store - try the house down the corner...you'll never know what you might find and you will support your local crafters at the same time! Hope to see you there!

at the show you will find wooden toys, jewellery, upcycled clothing, sewn practical goodies. buntings, tea wallets and bags, hats, cute sewn owls, amazing gluten free goodies, skin care products, felted goodies and felting kits and wonderful illustrated prints....(in other words something for everyone!)

do you have neighbourhood shows? do you shop local? i would love to hear some comments on your viewpoints.....♥

Thank You for supporting local handmade!

2011-06-12T10:23:00.001-04:00

...just a quick thanks to all who came out to support local handmade! it was a great day...super busy! lots of friendly faces, good music and a festive vibe! thank you to everyone who came out to support sweetstitch! (even had some customers who saw me at Handmade Harvest!) If you want to keep updated with sweetstitch goings on, my creative process, upcoming special offers sign up for my newsletter at the right of this pic -promise i won't inundate you with spammy emails!) my next show coming up is next weekend (..if you want to spend a fun evening chatting and shopping with amazing local crafters come to ...
the workermade artisans trunk show...will give the details soon...

tomorrow Idle Hands!

2011-06-10T23:43:00.001-04:00

............The Deets'

what: Idle Hands Spring into Summer Craft Event
where: St. Luke's Anglican Church, 760 Somerset Street West, Ottawa
when: 10am - 5 pm
$2 admission....cash only event
why: support local artists , buy local, awesome event, meet your friendly neighbourhood crafters
         grab a bite to eat, something cool to do on a saturday, find one of a kind items that you won't find at    wal-mart,
   be unique - be different - have people at the office say...hey i love your (insert crafty item purchased here)...followed by ...where the hec did you get it??
         be unique - be different - ....come to Idle Hands!!

...see you there!

idle hands this weekend!

2011-06-09T20:32:00.001-04:00

I have little details to finish up for the Idle Hands craft show I am participating in...of course I added a new item at the last minute..(why do i do this to myself)...come and see me saturday at 10-4 ..st. luke's anglican church...760 somerset st. (chinatown). Do you have any cool craft shows you like to attend?

Above are pics taken this morning of some iris coming up and peonies. have an awesome weekend! and hope to see lots of Ottawa locals out shopping...great time to get year end teachers gifts, birthday presents or hec something nice for yourself!

feelin' mellow

2011-06-04T10:19:00.002-04:00

Mellos Restaurant, Ottawa.

I think I have posted this picture before but I have such a nostalgia for vintage/retro typography, signs, buildings in my city. Mello's is one of those old school diners open 24-7...What spurred this fascination again was seeing some illustrations from local artist Colin White. He has completed a series on confectioneries in the city, buildings which are slowly disappearing and being replaced by modern, sleek condos. Check out his work here. ( for Ottawa locals - June 2--29th, 2011, Confectionaries, new prints by Colin White will be showing at the Raw Sugar Cafe.) I think I have mentioned it before..but I am on a mission to photograph these signs around town before they dissappear forever. Are there vintage signs left in your neighborhood? or have condos replaced them?? would love to know!

another vintage sign..the good ol' fashioned dq..gotta love the giant ice cream cone!

summer beginnings

2011-06-03T19:01:00.000-04:00

some simple images of a log pile ready to dry in our backyard and blooming white spirea....can't wait to see the brighter blooms of summer to come...what is blooming in your backyard?

workermade

2011-05-30T09:47:00.002-04:00

Getting ready for another great show! ....more details to follow!.....

Gearing up for Idle Hands 2011!

2011-05-26T09:27:00.001-04:00

Sat. June 11th. St. Luke's Anglican Church. Chinatown.

I hope to see some of you at this amazing craft show I will be participating in on Saturday June 11th. There are so many talented artists and creators this year...too many to name! ...but hec I have to name a few...

Annie Bananie :: amazing felted moon dolls
Urbanite Jewelery: Krista creates modern jewellery that is city inspired
Manusmade: Tania's love of linen shows in her line of homewares
Purple Urchin: wonderful natural soaps (the only ones my daughter uses!)
...of course myself, sweetstitch (i will be bringing tea wallets, lavender sachets, cute pincushions and sweet little girl tops and hoping to get some tea cozies completed -might have a bunting bin or two), and plenty of other artists with their goodies too!

see ya'll there♥

p.s. trying to get into facebook --see link at right! pop by for a visit

how i spend my monday mornings

2011-05-25T17:29:00.001-04:00

mmmmm fresh bread out of the oven!

I never thought I could make bread...it just seemed so time consuming and hard to do. Well, I tried it. I loved it. Now every monday I start the day by baking three loaves of bread (which lasts about one week in our house). I love the ritual of kneading the dough and adding different flours for the fun of it...and the smell in the house is amazing! My husband grew up with his father baking bread every weekend and he is widely known for his homemade buns. I guess I am trying to carry that mennonite tradition. Have you baked bread from scratch? What kind do you make? whole wheat? flax? pumpernickel? I am so curious now......

made in canada

2011-05-20T11:23:00.000-04:00

canadian style checkbook cover!

our checks are side-tear eh!

Recently a customer of mine requested a check book cover. I thought these were a dime a dozen but the catch was they are all made for American checks which tear top to bottom. The more I researched I realized this is one more thing that differentiates us from our neighbors to the south. Canadian checks are side tear checks! ...so I designed this cute little cover for her. I was even thinking of putting some in the shop.
..is this something you have had problems finding??? good idea??? comments?? i would love to hear from you!

2011-05-13T15:45:00.002-04:00

Having fun at Handmade Harvest!

Thanks so much to everyone who made it out to Almonte, Ontario for Handmade Harvest! It was such a busy busy day...tons of people through the doors (there was even a line up to get in). Here's my table with all my goodies. The venue was amazing...an old historical building with the feel of a big barn...twinkle lights and bunting flags wrapped around the poles...the water bottles for sale even had little sewn cuffs around them...too cute!. Emily and Colleen put on an amazing show...loved the reusable bags they were selling...nice to chat to everyone from Almonte and Ottawa. Now on to preparing for my next show....(details coming soon!) if you want checkout the pics on the show's facebook page here! :: photos by jemmTale photography

Handmade Harvest ...sneak peeks!

2011-05-02T15:43:00.003-04:00

...some of the sweetstitchshop goodies that are going to be at the show!

wanted to share some sneak peeks of my table for Handmade Harvest this Saturday!...i like to be prepared well ahead of time (ok i'm a bit anal that way) so i decided to try a little set up of my table...

good things come in small packages and these are little tiny mini versions of my larger pincushions..

and on a completely different note i had a request recently for a tea cozy. I have been dying to try this Retromama pattern for a long time and this was a great opportunity-ties in with the tea wallets i sew too (...yep right before a craft show i decide to tackle something completely new...why do I do this to myself!) here is the prototype not bound yet - i always do a quick and dirty version first not for sale gives me a chance to get the feel of a pattern ...tea cozies like the one above will be coming available in the shop in the near future. Do you try a million different projects too?..at the same time?? Do you use tea cozies?

top 5 mother's day gifts!

2011-04-28T12:55:00.001-04:00

With mother's day fast approaching I have been searching Etsy to find some creative, gorgeous and cute gifts!
...so here it goes...Enjoy!

From Tilependantjewelry

I have always loved typeface items...this is too cute!

From PillowThrowDecor

Loving the Ikat trend!

. From urbanitejewelry

Krista is donating all proceeds from the sale of these earrings to the American Red Cross' Japan Earthquake and Tsunami Fund - these would make such a thoughtful gift!

From KeepCalmShop

with the Royal Wedding fast approaching Kate & William just might need a few extra cuppas!

From sweetstitchshop

...and of course a little wallet to hold their tea bags!

budget girls room!

2011-04-14T16:48:00.003-04:00

You know those "high/low" features in design magazines? Well, I usually ignore the "high" version and go straight to the low ($3000.00 for a light fixture? seriously? - i think not!). I find inspiration and try to do better ( we are on a budget and bargain always means better!).

We did a switch at our house where my daughter took over her brother's bedroom. There were dirty brown walls, lots of patching and painting to do to freshen it up and make it pretty. So with my daughters help I am proud to say we did it all and with a modest budget. Here is the LOW down:

paint - Benjamin Moore "White Dove" $55
faux leather stool - Bouclair Home $30
Duvet- Bed, Bath and Beyond $30 (I normally don't buy "bed-in-a-bag" deals but this was to good to pass up and provided a graphic black and white element)

lack shelf - IKEA (already had - just lowered it to use as vanity table)
dresser - thrifted and painted white dove by my parents
knobs on dresser - Michaels -dollar bin..yep gray striped and polka dot ceramic knobs cute!
wall decals - dollar store
turquoise pillow on bed - dollar store
small black and white pillow - yardage from Rockland Textiles - LOVE LOVE LOVE this fabric!
space plannning - interior designer sister-in-law (free) thanks Tasha!
...so for about $ 100.00 an entire room makeover and update!


vanity made from Lack shelf-lamp decal dollar store


thrifted dresser painted white dove


love this graphic black and white fabric with the turquoise!

...I love doing these makeovers....if you are doing any let me know - I would love to see your ideas!

this took two entire days to do...so i won't do a friday fave this week...have a great weekend!

eggciting!

2011-04-07T11:36:00.001-04:00

easter eggs

Please forgive my absence here - but with getting ready for an upcoming craft show and my father's recovery from a heart operation I just haven't had the time. I have been whipping up some eggs...so fun and quick to sew...now I just need more stuffing. Has anyone tried sewing these? or are you sewing any Easter time projects? I just love the little mushroom fabric I grabbed from my stash!

friday faves and a big thank you

2011-03-25T21:25:00.001-04:00

This week I wanted to wish a huge thank you to the doctors and staff at the Ottawa Heart Institute for saving my father's life. A roller coaster week with lots of ups and downs he has gone through emergency coronary heart bypass surgery but is on the road to recovery. I am amazed at the skill and talent of the surgeons and nurses - they truly are special people.♥ Needless to say I am a bit behind on my sewing but I did manage to complete a spring top (it was started before) and above is a little fabric bunting bin...I like the colors they remind me of spring coming!

I have been thinking about heart healthy eating lately and find these sites to have excellent and inspiring recipes:
the huge organic chain Whole Foods recipe section is amazing...the one pot meals are very appealing!

Chocolate & Zucchini : I picked up Clotilde Dusouliers' book in the library a while back and was intrigued..her recipes are very interesting with a touch of France added to them. Nice combinations of ingredients.

and I always like to check in with Gone Raw for some neat raw food recipes...i think i will try the raw brownies soon....

sue♥

Handmade Harvest...fast approaching!

2011-03-15T10:58:00.023-04:00

Well, the Handmade Harvest show is fast approaching and I have soooooo much to do! I am waiting for fabric...waiting for labels....waiting to start sewing again..I hate this waiting part..just want to dive in. Check out the Blackbird blog (the owners of Blackbird-the funkiest little shop in Almonte- produce the handmade harvest show) to give you an idea of the amazing talent coming to the show...can't wait...I will be sooo tempted to shop myself (probably won't have time). I plan on presenting a few sneak peeks in the coming weeks so check back often..
On another note I am so excited to have some of my items across the river - the Ottawa river that is - in la belle province Quebec. Some of my goodies are at Boutique Le Local in Gatineau. This boutique is funky and cute - Marc and Marie-France are totally supportive of 100 percent handmade! You can check out their facebook page here. hope you have a great week!

Liebster Blog Award!

2011-03-03T09:14:00.000-05:00

To my delight when I opened my inbox the other day I found out I was nominated for the Liebster Blog Award by the lovely Venus of Happy Find. I have so admired Venus' creations for such a long time...her style is modern and cute! She just had a baby girl but somehow squeezes in some time to sew, craft and create...thanks so much Venus! (do check her out when you have some time...you will be amazed!)

Normally I don't get involved with tagging or games as such but I think this one really speaks to the idea of community and connecting...no silliness involved!
Here is how it goes....

1. If you are tagged, and you want to accept, then create a post on your blog and add the Liebster Award pic shown above.

2. Link back to the person and say you accept.

3. Choose 3-5 of your favorite blogs to tag, link them in your post as well and tell the lucky winners they have been chosen. The aim of this award is to bring unknown good blogs to light, (less then 50 followers is ideal), therefore, please don't tag someone with 3000 followers!

....so VENUS I accept! and nominate the following three blogs for awards. They are quickly becoming my favorites:...drum roll please....

1. Alessandra Gutierrez of Tribal Times Blog her photos are beyond amazing and she makes the cutest little baby snugglies...check out her snack ideas..rosemary infused nuts..YUM!

2. Boston Sea Glass....I don't know the name behind the blog but she makes beautiful jewellery and well because I just LOVE sea glass and try to collect as much as I can when I visit my sister and her family on Vancouver Island..

3. Jennifer from Parrish Platz - a California girl living in Germany ...she sews the coolest items..check out the frilly girly dress she sewed recently..

..anyways that's it for this week and that will be my friday faves also...have lots to do for an upcoming craft show so i will be dissappearing for a little bit...

enjoy!

Sue ♥

hopping along

2011-02-24T15:22:00.001-05:00


easter gathering bucket-sweetstitch

I have been smitten with the idea of gathering buckets for the longest time. I love the idea of a soft fabric bucket being used year after year instead of those plastic, weird color ones at the dollar store that tend to break quite quickly! (then the cat starts eating those little plastic scraps - well...that's another story). Determined to make some this year this is what I came up with - essentially my little fabric bin with some cute cotton handles. Do you use fabric buckets? My kids still like to do the easter egg hunt and I always try to get them an edible treat. If I have time I will try and make some for them. I have been preparing for an upcoming spring craft show a little bit outside of Ottawa...more on that later!

applique detail - can't help it..i ♥ applique!

easter and friday faves

2011-02-18T19:51:00.002-05:00

fabric easter eggs

I realize I am a bit behind in my blogging...missing my friday faves so without further ado here we go. In anticipation of Easter I have been whipping up some really sweet fabric eggs - unlike chocolate ones these can be re-used year after year. I adore home decorations such as this which are handmade and recyclable - I always wanted to make some and found a pattern from Retro Mama who has kindly agreed to selling eggs from this pattern - hopefully will get some in the shop soon! ( I might just have to keep those pictured for myself!) *update* I have added them to the shop here! Here are a few blogs to check out this week...

♥ obviously the talented Kim from Retro Mama...her carrot and bunny patterns are the cutest!
♥ Heliotrope -..no not the flower (cheeky blog with interesting products) ...the blog

...have fun reading and a great weekend to all!

sue

spring dresses

2011-02-10T08:39:00.000-05:00

Here is what I have been working on lately...gorgeous little modern dresses/tops for little girls. I love making these and sourcing the fabric is half the fun!. I thought they would make sweet easter presents for special little ones. I guess I am tired of winter and am secretly hoping to hurry on spring by sewing these. These are not in the shop but I am hoping to have some ready soon...can't wait to make more!

friday blog exploring

2011-02-04T09:49:00.001-05:00

I was recently lucky enough to "meet" Sofi Stellar of the sophisticate a new blog to me that is so inspiring. Sofi blogs about fashion, activism, politics, ets, - a lifestyle blogazine -and in her words " working on inspiring people-particularly younger girls-into becoming strong, independent and active individuals" Her pics are great, her writing is thoughtful and hec...this girl just has it going on! I urge you to check her out.

An article I found interesting this week via the New York Times was a photo documentation of the deterioration of Coney Island. I am fascinated by vintage 50's signs and typography - not just for the style but for a reminder of times past. Nathan Kensinger documents the Playland arcade opened in 1935 and closed in 1982. You can find the article here with a link to his blog....hope you are as interested as I am!

Enjoy the weekend...I would love to hear your thoughts on these two new sites!
p.s. (I took the above photo to document a vintage sign in my hometown) and I will be back with some fabulous fabrics just in waiting to be transformed!

friday faves

2011-01-28T14:17:00.000-05:00

Today I have two more blogs to share with you, the first having to do with interior design by fellow Canadian blogger and home decorator/stager, Linda Macdonald find Restyled Home here-it's a lovely blog - check out her Top Ten Projects of 2010 (lots of robin's egg blue color which I love at the moment)

The second is actually a store based in London, England called Keep Calm Gallery. If you are a fan of letterpress prints you will LOVE this store (I know I do). I think their tea towels are awesome - check it out when you can....have a great weekend all...and happy shopping!

friday faves

2011-01-21T11:04:00.003-05:00

organic lavender sachet in the shop

thought i would start a little series of "friday faves" - interesting items, ideas, pics, blogs etc. from blogland - there are so many favorites out there and i have bookmarked so many links thought i would share them with everyone...so today i have two favorite blogs to share ..enjoy!

inspirational blog:

Dottie Angel -what i love about this blog
* the old time typewriter font
*the shabby-chic look
*...and hec Tif is just an amazing writer!

the Yvestown Blog -I have followedYvonne Eijkenduijn's adventures for years and am always
amazed at her positivity regarding each challenge she faces. Her style is
gorgeous - she is also a big Cath Kidston fan (as i am too!)

Are any of you familiar with these ladies? any other inspiring blogs to share?

flock

2011-01-20T20:06:00.000-05:00

♥ Lovely Treasuries ♥

2011-01-18T14:48:00.005-05:00

My tea wallet with japanese linen cups and saucers fabric was featured in a treasury (My Sister is Gold when I am Blue) by Marilee's Boutique! thanks so much and a local Ottawa crafter who does crochet, needle felting and sewn items featured my heart trivet in a treasury she created (A Little Love ♥) comprised of crafters from the national capital - her name is Keri and her shop can be found here..thanks! I am amazed at the talent found in these treasuries...I'll have to try and make one myself...speaking of talent check out Stamp48 blog it's chock full of inspirational photos and ideas! (have a peek at the happy work rooms - love them) Have an inspired week!

♥ Sue

inspiration...

2011-01-13T21:04:00.002-05:00

no this is not my studio - sigh! it is my inspiration studio......

images via spring chick

my sewing studio has moved up from the basement and into my daughters old room! finding wall color inspiration from spring chicks' studio...isn't it lovely! fresh. lively. bright. all feelings i want my room to convey...

this is also a little project that i want to do...what a fabulous way to showcase yummy fabric!
have any of you used this robin's egg blue color? i always wondered what it looks like in "real" life??

Love is in the air

2011-01-11T07:12:00.001-05:00

my little pincushion was featured in a cute treasury curated by simplychiclily ..cute jewellery to be found in her shop! i am definitely thinking about valentine's day coming up and have some ideas to turn into reality (one involves a romance language and thread) stay tuned for the other sweet idea...are any of you already crafting for valentine's day?

Etsy Shop Open

2011-01-07T14:17:00.003-05:00

I have decided to open an Etsy shop for all those Etsy fans out there (of which I am one!)...the big cartel shop is still open for awhile too...you can check out the etsy one here.

limited edition valentine's items coming soon....can't wait to give you all a sneak peek! enjoy the rest of the day!
♥Sue

hexagon tote

2011-01-07T09:36:00.002-05:00

well here is the bag i made thinking i would make a ton of these but....it just didn't grab me like i thought it would. still loving the hexagon flower idea but...do you ever have these ideas in your head and when you put them in reality it just isn't what you expected? all part of the creative process but a little frustrating! please tell me i am not alone...would love to hear from all of you!
p.s this one was gifted at holiday time

happy new year

2010-12-31T10:56:00.002-05:00

* happy * new * year *.......and best wishes for 2011!
...sneak peek of new designs coming up....

ready to go

2010-12-29T14:54:00.002-05:00

after much food and good cheer over the holidays i had some time to complete this little teddy..he's ready to go to a home to be loved! (with all of his hearts there is lots of love to share!) he's waiting in the shop as we speak! did you all have a good holiday? sad that it is over but good to get back into a routine...

2010-12-24T08:53:00.001-05:00

sweet little teddy

2010-12-20T12:11:00.002-05:00

I have been trying my hand at teddy bears recently..and here is the result! I want to introduce something for kids...something classic, sweet and small. Out of all the animal toys out there I find teddys never go out of style and these are the perfect size for small hands. I have an idea for a more boyish one but I will have to experiment...can't wait to have a whole bunch lined up - ready to loved and cherished. Does anybody still have childhood teddys? we have one my husband made in home ec class - it is kind of different as it has angel wings sewn on and he never got round to putting the eyes on!

...sweet little stocking stuffers

2010-12-15T16:41:00.002-05:00

just did a shop update adding a few of these little sweeties for the crafters you know...i love making these pincushions - every one is like a little flower blossoming right before my eyes...Enjoy!

hello again

2010-11-30T19:05:00.003-05:00

after taking a wee break from sewing...i am slowly starting again - i have a sweet raglan sleeve dress to finish for my daughter and a few christmas gifts to complete. are any of you sewing christmas gifts? i also have some of my items available locally at a wonderful store called Mother Earth. I love that Dawn, the owner, supplies tons of natural products without any chemicals to support a holistic lifestyle. My daughter has sensitivities to anything with SLS (sodium lauryl sulphate) so I know how hard it can be to find soap and shampoo without this. We also have a new addition to our household...take a peek at the little button above...stay tuned.

happy sewing! and thanks again to my customers who came out to local shows! it's nice to see support of a handmade holiday!

craft show fun!

2010-11-15T12:11:00.003-05:00

I had a great time at Craftilicious and thought it was a wonderful experience! Lots of nice remarks and encouragement from everyone who came out to support me - thank you! Donna,
Holly, and Krista and other vendors participating were really supportive - there were so many great booths I barely had time to look at them all. It was a really busy day so it went by very quickly -my daughter was such a great help - hope she comes to my next show at the RA Centre on November 28th! I really do love sewing so time to get back to it....

Craftalicious!

2010-11-07T09:05:00.002-05:00

Only one more week until Craftalicious - for locals in Ottawa come and check out this fabulous event, there will be lots of great holiday shopping! I am still preparing for this and probably will be right up until the last minute...I am so happy my daughter will accompany me to help out at this event - she has so much energy which will be great!

nostalgic flowers

2010-11-02T20:47:00.004-04:00

I recently made this little girls boutique top...i guess i wish spring was here instead of winter! I love the nostalgic feel to the red and teal flowers with the cream background. I changed up the sleeves to a co-ordinating green diamond print and added a little diamond stitch sewing to the edge of the sleeve to make it unique. I could totally see a little girl having a pretend tea party in this dress! Secretly I don't want to go through winter...instead i will bring the sunshine to my sewing studio and dream of warmer weather!

little houses

2010-10-29T21:48:00.002-04:00

couple of little stuffed houses i made...but what you can't see is the secret pocket in the back which will hold a candy cane come holiday time! these are quite fun to make but very time consuming (about eight pieces in total to cut and sew) ...i am curious do you like quick projects to sew or craft or time consuming ones?

Stitch blog!

2010-10-27T15:45:00.005-04:00

another version than the above of my baby bear and mini mouse (pattern from Stitch) has been featured on Stitch magazine blog (flickr group update)! yay! thank you very much to Stefanie Berganini, Managing Editor of Stitch for asking me a few questions about baby bear. you can check it out here. Other than that exciting news i have been sewing away for an upcoming craft show...i just don't know how much inventory to bring...also am working on a custom order for an apron (the person i am making it for wanted fall colors so i chose AMH innocent crush in golden...it is fabulous the colors are rich and warm. promise to comment on all your blogs soon...just been too busy as of late..

raglan sleeve dress

2010-10-14T08:32:00.003-04:00

I have been wanting to sew a raglan sleeve dress for the longest time - i just love coordinating the colors and patterns. This is a size 1-2 dress for a little girl - the body is hemp/linen which i find has a nice drape to it. I also added a little gingham trim to the sleeve to give it a little flair - you can never be too young to wear a little flair! This is a sample with more coming up for spring/summer.

kids tote

2010-10-08T14:48:00.002-04:00

this is a sweet little tote made from my little scraps of designer fabrics ...elephants, polka dots, and small orange polka dots..the body is linen..listed in my little shop along with some other little goodies!

burlap

2010-09-30T20:21:00.002-04:00

a simple little ornament I designed....but let me tell you, it ain't no fun to sew with burlap! Love the texture of it, the look of it, the feel of it but do not love what it does to my machine...the fibers are everywhere..any tips?

apples, pears, and hearts oh my!

2010-09-23T20:48:00.002-04:00

well....here is what i was up to these past few days...sweet table trivets! they are a little zakka - and a little grandma - old fashioned yet modern in design. i was thinking they might look cute all displayed on a clothesline. i love sewing items that are cute and functional at the same time and i like how they fluff up a bit after laundering. by the way you may have noticed i have put a picture of myself on the sidebar - strange it has taken me this long but i find i remember people better by face...feel like i know them a bit better. happy thursday!

end of summer canning

2010-09-22T16:04:00.002-04:00

A few jars of spicy pepper jelly! this was the first time i canned by myself. Usually my husband is into this (being Mennonite he has a strong tradition of home canning). Without the extra pair of hands to do this I was running back and forth from the stove to the kitchen table to keep the jars warm while pouring the jelly in. Quite satisfying to hear those jars pop while being sealed! This spread is so delicious on crackers with a little dab of cream cheese - maybe a few will end up being given away as holiday gifts. Next up....peach jam!

...sneak peek!

2010-09-17T15:33:00.002-04:00

I have been madly sewing these past few days and here is a little sneak peek of what I have been working on. The fabric is called "buffet - pink" I believe (love the retro wine bottle and goblet) - I bought it ages ago just waiting to use it. This is one of a series I will have ready soon enough. I find sewing those straight lines to be so meditative - I love when that happens! what projects have you all been working on?

in anticipation of christmas...

2010-09-06T10:02:00.002-04:00

already thinking about holiday time... and halloween hasn't even passed! I gathered up the courage to apply to my first organized craft show...hopefully I will be accepted. Either way I will try to have some sort of show so that is how I am looking on the bright side. Lots of hard work ahead but work that I so enjoy...will keep you all posted. good luck to all the kiddos returning to school this week and good luck to the parents for trying to get back into the fall routine!

end of summer

2010-08-25T15:03:00.002-04:00

Friends of ours have a beautiful cottage named "Woodwinds" (lots of playing with woodwind instruments goes on here during the summer months). We spent a bit of time up there and the kids had a blast catching little fish at the end of the dock. Getting back into sewing mode slowly but surely... where has summer gone?

pillows

2010-08-06T09:51:00.002-04:00

A snapshot of some pillow covers I made...loving the garden trellis pattern at this moment - strangely enough I bought this fabric about three years ago...now it is suddenly in style! just waiting for the right moment I suppose.

cutlery rolls

2010-08-03T08:17:00.003-04:00

I have been wanting to make cutlery rolls forever - finally got around to it. The inside material on this one is thrifted bed sheets. Love repurposing fabric when I can. The outside fabric is a nice sturdy gray linen. Love the little napkin I made - these are great for traveling or bringing to work...it just elevates your eating experience using silver cutlery then cheap plastic. Seems to me I sew items at the end of the season (had this in mind for spring sewing!) oh well better late than never. I will have a little more time to sew when the kids are off to school. I might participate in a craft show this Christmas too...do any of you have craft show experience? any tips for a newbie? how much inventory do you bring?

brown bunting tote

2010-07-25T10:24:00.003-04:00

A simple little tote made with bunting printed material and a wooden kitty button. Currently loving the bunting trend! I always seem to be a little late to the party with these trends but when I find them I love them. Finally the hot weather seems to have lifted...enjoying the cool summer breeze. Working on painting our front steps and garage door...the summer is just flying by...

oliver & s ruffle top

2010-07-16T09:28:00.002-04:00

Here is a cute little ruffle top I made for my daughter. The fabric is a lightweight unknown fibre?...it was on sale can't complain! It's light and summery..the pattern is from Oliver & S. The strap is a blue and white check...what is nice about this is that it is cut on the bias (my first time attempting this!)..was a little fiddly to sew but the first time you attempt a project this always seems to be the case. Have three other clothing sewing projects in my head...just need to find some time to create them! enjoy the hot summer weather

find the buckets!

2010-07-07T21:42:00.005-04:00

Haven't had the time to write lately...cleaning house...kids home from school..you get the idea. I was excited to see my lil' fabric buckets featured on whip up here. I am at the bottom right hand corner...fun!!

1. Doll Quilt Swap 9, 2. doily, 3. carpillowingrass, 4. far far away 2 strip quilt, 5. french knot B slanted, 6. the basket, 7. Naturally Dyed Embroidery Floss, 8. Charm pack quilt, 9. Crocheted soap saver, 10. brattleboro hat, 11. sewing ♥, 12. Softie Mama and Baby Kangaroo Nesting Doll Set, 13. Rounds, 14. orange and aqua, 15. DSCF2043, 16. lil’ fabric buckets

Have been making some summer clothes for my daughter and am excited to make myself a jacket (think japanese wrap style)..are you doing any summer crafting or sewing or just taking a break?

summer sewing

2010-06-09T09:37:00.004-04:00

Here is a simple summer top I have made for my daughter sewn with a little tag in the back - love this! I made another with contrasting sleeves...you can check it out on my flickr page (click link to right) . In the midst of making one more with a light blue polka dotted fabric and of course she requested one with "animal" fabric preferably horses! Have to see what I have -maybe an animal applique would suffice. Do you have experience with appliques?

possibilities....

2010-06-03T09:12:00.003-04:00

Haven't been crafting much as the guest part of my sewing studio is being occupied now..we have a friend staying with us who is town for the National Forgiven Summit. He has been traveling from Saskatchewan to Ottawa since March by walking and busing so a little rest will do him well!

A peony in the garden looking all soft and feathery! I am working on a skirt for my daughter which has kind of unconventional colors...orange, pink and brown (think seventies!) it is my first time trying a different method so we will see how it turns out..and hopefully she will wear it. Will be getting a simple summer shirt pattern for her soon too. Do you have any good patterns for simple summer sewing? it would be great to hear if you do..i love to see what other people create. Possibilities seem to be opening with the sunshine!

little fabric buckets

2010-05-27T15:52:00.003-04:00

You may have noticed I changed my header...again! I have so enjoyed making these little fabric buckets - think several look great together or a group of three. In the above picture you may also notice little gray polka dot knobs I recently put on my daughters new (old) dresser. A friend of hers said they look like little mushrooms! The heat has been extreme here in Ottawa so no sewing or crafting has been happening. Our little garden is starting to grow...will post pics another date. Keep cool and keep crafting!

pretty package from winning giveaway!

2010-05-19T19:31:00.002-04:00

I received this scrumptious package from Lula Dahl! I never win anything so I was pleasantly surprised. Check out her seriously cute aprons and quilts. The fabrics have me thinking of Valentine Day projects - can't wait to use them. Well it is such a beautiful day here - time to garden. Happy gardening to those who are able to enjoy the nice weather!

little purse

2010-05-18T10:30:00.005-04:00

another pincushion...can't stop making these!
I have been terribly busy sewing - no time for blogging! lots of spring projects on the go...my studio is getting crowded. Here is a little purse I made from a swatch of fabric included with a fabric order. I don't know who designed it but it is lovely in its earth tone palette. The rick rack was a last minute addition. It can be used as an adult on the shoulder bag or a childs messenger bag. I just love making items for little ones ...the fabric is so happy!

a little garden sewing

2010-05-12T11:45:00.002-04:00

We have been sooo busy lately! My son is in a production of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory at school along with the usual end of school madness. My sewing has suffered slightly but I am excited about some new ideas I want to try out. I have made pincushions for other people but never for myself so finally this is what I created...have about five more in the works with scraps of gorgeous fabric. What have you been creating lately?

2010-04-28T09:50:00.002-04:00

Lately I have been working on these amazing little beach bags! Made from upcycled fabric I love the colors and how they just scream BEACH. You can stuff so much stuff into these - I made one for myself and am already using it quite a bit...now all I need is warm weather to actually go to the beach! I am also excited to be working on a new design (based on this beach bag). The new design will be smaller and possibly for kids...so many possibilities. My wip pile is getting down too..so glad about that..keep you guys posted! Ciao!

It's blooming spring projects!

2010-04-22T10:54:00.004-04:00

Well, I have been busy sewing lately...completed some zip pouches, little elephant crown for my niece and little fabric bucket. I love making these! lots more to come. If I have enough productivity in me I might just have a little spring craft show...for now the pouches will be available in the shop. The top picture has got to be my favorite pattern right now...who can resist birdies on couches! I am also working on a burlap project...does anyone have experience working with this fabric? special needle required? hard to cut? let me know.

memory apron

2010-04-12T21:02:00.004-04:00

I posted a while back about a vintage tablecloth from my grandmother...finally I have turned it into an apron! I love the fact that it is practical yet full of memories at the same time. The side panels are from a thrifted Ikea duvet cover (love this pacman pattern!) I added a little lace trim just under the waistband to give a vintage flair. I blended a couple of patterns up in this one to create my own style..the only thing I screwed up on was the length of the waist ties. I love super long ties that wrap around in back and front. I will have to harness my impatience in the next one I sew to make sure I get the length right. Slowly tackling my list of wips...keep ya posted! one down...tons to go.

super soft and cosy

2010-04-11T10:52:00.004-04:00

A baby blanket all packaged and ready to go with a sewn little owl tag...details below
Here is a little baby blanket I finally finished! I wanted to try and work with minky but this was way cuter - minky like fabric with small embossed hearts. The gray fabric is a soft flannel type of fabric. I found this quite hard to sew as it ended up being quite thick to go through the sewing machine. I would love to know if anyone has any advice on how to deal with this problem. I gave up sewing a decorative edge around the corners because of the thickness issue. I wanted to keep this one simple and in non-traditional colors. Maybe one day I should try my hand at a quilt...just worried about the thickness factor.

Easter Eggs...a little late

2010-04-07T15:59:00.002-04:00

A few little eggs done by my kids for Easter...a little late! Oh well...better late than never. Hope your Easter Holidays were wonderful! Will be organizing the sewing room soon..so those wips will just have to get done! a small messenger bag is one I want to complete asap. Navy blue with a touch of Echino fabric...hope it turns out well..will let you know!

Tackling other projects...

2010-04-01T14:13:00.004-04:00

I have been working on other projects lately other than sewing. Spring cleaning mostly! My part-time job comes to an end in June so time will be slowly freeing up for me. I scored the white carpet above for $13.00 at a local rug store. I was tired of the bright colored pink rug in my daughters room. I will be painting a second hand dresser white for her and replacing the knobs with gray and white porcelain polka dot ones I found at Michaels of all places! (in the dollar bins). The white dresser in her room now was mine in high school! it's falling apart at this stage. There is one accent wall in "lavender lipstick" by Benjamin Moore , the rest is raspberry ice - I might revert the dark purple to the lighter tone. Some sewing in her room might involve drapes and accent cushions - I am loving the bold garden trellis patterns lately...lost the sewing mojo for a bit but I know it will return! There are other pretty big painting projects which will have to be done too (garage door, front porch and front door)...are any of you tackling these kinds of projects? even if I don't blog much in the coming weeks I still check out all of your blogs! Happy Easter Weekend to all!

I hear the sun calling my name

2010-03-10T19:58:00.003-05:00

beachglass2
Originally uploaded by photos by finehand

The spring weather had been beckoning me outside lately...needed a summery photo so here is some beach glass...love the colors found in here..watery and muted. There is plenty to keep me busy inside (many wips are piling up!) but ahhh they can wait...it's too nice out. I think with this nice weather I might start some painting projects so bare with me as my posts fluctuate from sewing to interior decorating to any other crafting projects that peak my curiosity! A redesigning of my daughter's room might be on the menu. She is at the age where she is outgrowing some toys and expressing an interest in "hanging out" with her girlfriends so her storage needs have changed. Have you been enjoying the weather where you live?...I hope so!

fabric and photos for spring!

2010-03-06T09:57:00.005-05:00

....here are some yummy fabrics ready to be cut for some spring sewing! don't quite know what to make with them yet-some ideas are starting to form. I'm starting to have a polka dot obsession- this could get serious. Do you have any spring sewing projects started? I found a great tote pattern in Weekend Sewing by Heather Ross - has anybody tried this one? or any projects from this book? I would love to know! - I like hearing honest, real reviews of sewing projects...kind of helps me decide what to pursue.
...here is another photo in the shell series. The sun was just setting when I captured this on film.
and lastly a bucket full of shells and beach glass. I love beach glass so much-the colors and textures. Unfortunately I don't live near any sort of ocean (lots of lakes and rivers) so whenever I visit my sister on the west coast I stock up. Smooth beach rocks are so common there I try to take back as many as I can. To make them black and shiny she rubs them with lavender oil. If you do this and line them up in a simple narrow olive dish you will have a great little display...(plus you have the added bonus of lavender scent). Well if you are into movies don't forget to enjoy the Oscars tomorrow - I know I will be! Happy weekend crafting!

sidetracked creativity & mini tutorial

2010-03-04T16:09:00.004-05:00

Sometimes I just plain don't feel like sewing. That is when I pursue my other creative interest...photography. I love learning and seeing other people's styles of photography. I am really liking simple, clean minimalist photos at this time...(this could change in an instant!) because I am also drawn to pop, bright, explosive colors too! well I guess I just love experimenting. The top photo is a collection of shells and rocks from the beaches of Vancouver Island. This is one of a four part series I will complete and have framed. They will all be photos of objects found in nature.
Here is a a little photo I will be hanging in ...you guessed it! my kitchen. Composed of vintage silverware laid on white posterboard...you could try making your own words..use different colored paper..the possibilities are endless...a simple yet elegant project. That's it...my first mini tutorial!..I would love to know if you give it a try!
vintage silverware