spring craft fair season

springs a comin' and i have been busy working on sweet little coin purses for an upcoming craft fair called
Ravenswing...it's my first outdoor show but i am excited to see everyone downtown in the heart of Ottawa.
I am also writing a little article about the crafty side of Ottawa for an entrerpeneur marketing company...check back soon to get the deets.  I have really enjoyed photographing my favorite little spots of Ottawa for the
article...enjoy the day!

sewing zips

I have been busily sewing zips for some of the shops I stock.  I can't wait for some new fabric to arrive...ordered some for spring..have also been working on finishing curtains for our living room..(about time after nine years of living here!) and sewing some designer pillow covers to bring spring in.  Am totally loving a print I found which is green-blue geometric.  Trying to tackle invisible zips too...any advice would be appreciated.  Enjoy the sun!

Project Priceless & Sweetstitch Interview /Giveaway

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

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

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

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!

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

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...

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

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.

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!

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

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...

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!

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..

...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!

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

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!

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

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.