fiona bailey

art crawl review

2012-01-12T20:13:00.000-05:00

This past September I had the chance to once again exhibit at the Queen West Art Crawl. Above are some images of my booth. Thank you to my family for all of your help with the show, as usual I couldn't do it without you! Also, thanks to those friends, old and new, who stopped in to say hello and to purchase some of my work, it is greatly appreciated.

a new year

2012-01-11T21:09:00.002-05:00

I hope everyone had a lovely and relaxing holiday season. Now it is a new year! I would like to take this opportunity to introduce you to Earl Grey. He is our dear new companion. He brings lots of joy to my life and also a little stress; he is still very much a kitten and seems to have a knack for getting himself into trouble!

on the bruce peninsula

2011-09-25T16:09:00.001-04:00

Here are a few photos from my summer holiday to the Bruce Peninsula. The landscape is truly breathtaking there.

QWAC is fast approaching!

2011-09-15T19:22:00.001-04:00

Just a quick remember that the Queen West Art Crawl is this weekend. The Outdoor Art Show & Sale is Saturday September 17 & Sunday September 18, 11-6 both days. Located in beautiful Trinity Bellwoods Park at 790 Queen Street West, Toronto, ON. I'll be there selling my hand needle felted sweaters, pillows, cards and more. You can find me in the green section C, at booth #C71. I hope to see all of you there!

For more information about the show and other events at QWAC click here.

Below are a couple of views of my booth at last year's show.

upcoming show

2011-08-01T11:41:00.001-04:00

Hello! I'm pleased to announce that I will again be a participating vendor at QWAC this September! You can find me at the Outdoor Art Show & Sale held in Trinity Bellwoods Park both Saturday Sept. 17th and Sunday Sept. 18th. I will update you closer to the date with my booth information and more details about my work and the show.

Hope everyone has been having a great summer!

the sunshine state

2011-03-13T22:10:00.000-04:00

I recently travelled to Florida for a week long holiday with my family. Below are some of my favourite photos from the trip.

avocado & freesia

2011-02-07T22:34:00.000-05:00

On a hum drum day there is nothing quite as nice as buying yourself some pretty blooms and preparing a tasty meal.

hard twist reminder and review

2011-01-09T22:01:00.001-05:00

Just a reminder to everyone that Hard Twist 5: Chroma is coming to a close at the end of this month. So if you haven't had a chance to check it out at the Gladstone, now is the time! Find out more about the show by clicking this link.

Also, click here to read a recent review of Hard Twist from the Globe & Mail. Below are two images of my work in the show. You can find more images from the opening night by clicking here.

Photos by Oliver Banyard

dresses

2011-01-08T16:13:00.000-05:00

After a walloping of snow overnight it's pretty obvious that we are in the thick of winter. However I can't help but dream of sunny summer days. Especially after doing some online window shopping and finding these cute new dresses at Anthropologie.

a new year

2011-01-03T21:12:00.003-05:00

Happy New Year to All!

I hope you all got a chance to relax and rejuvenate over the holidays, as well as spend time with loved ones. I certainly had a lovely holiday. Just prior to Christmas I participated in City of Craft, a fantastic local craft show and sale. Many of you stopped in to say hello and even buy a thing or two, and I greatly appreciate it! Thanks to all those who came by and took interest in my work. At a show like this I am always inspired by the growing number of people who value, produce and have a passion for hand made goods. Thank you to Becky and the City of Craft Gang!

Me with my work on day two of the show. And in case you are wondering, the glass paperweights in the foreground are by neighbouring vendor Patrick Fisher.

some news

2010-11-07T22:02:00.009-05:00

City of Craft
I am very excited to announce that I am participating in City of Craft this year! I received the news from the organizers that they have managed to secure more vendor space within the venue. This means that all of the artisans that were on the waiting list are now joining in on the crafty fun! Needless to say I am very pleasantly surprised and grateful to be a part of the show. I have a tight timeline ahead, but will enjoy the chance to showcase some new pieces that are currently in the works as well as old favourites!

City of Craft
December 18 & 19
The Theatre Centre, Toronto

find more details about the show here

Hard Twist 5: Chroma!
Coming up at the end of the month, I am exhibiting a small collection of photo based works in which I explore colour through needle felting and hand stitch. This new series I've created is part of this year's Hard Twist, the Gladstone Hotel's juried annual textile and fibre based art show.

Hard Twist 5: Chroma!
November 26 to January 30, 12-5 pm
Opening Reception: Friday, November 26th, 6-9 pm
The Gladstone Hotel, Toronto

learn more about it here

Monthly Email Newsletter
I am working to create a new and easier way to keep you informed. I am creating a monthly newsletter that will be sent right to your email inbox. In this letter I will bring you up to date on events such as craft shows and other exciting news. If you would like to be added to my contact list for this newsletter please email me to subscribe.

new fabrics

2010-11-02T20:52:00.002-04:00

I recently shopped for fabrics and notions at the Creativ Festival. I found some great fabrics! I bought these precious reproduction 1930s printed cottons in fat quarters. I am very excited to use them in my first attempt with quilting. Two colour schemes that I think will work nicely are: in the image above, a classic blue and red primary scheme; and below, a cute minty aqua and orange scheme. I am considering either a hexagonal pattern, which I hear can be quite tricky, or a pinwheel pattern. Wish me luck! I will keep you updated on my progress with this project in future.

Below are a few fabrics from the Japanese company Echino and sold through a fantastic local company Kallisti Quilts. I was instantly drawn to these fabrics for the saturated (and very me) colours. When I pulled them out for a closer look, I fell in love with the modern yet vintage imagery. The cute camera print reminds me of my dear minolta.

sweater photo shoot

2010-10-18T20:33:00.010-04:00

I couldn't have asked for a better afternoon to take photos of my sweaters! This is a little peek into what you can expect to see soon at fionabailey.ca. All of the sweaters shown here are vintage cashmere. I embellished these quality finds by adding hand needle felted wools in my signature botanical motif. The colour palette, design and wool selections vary from sweater to sweater, making each a unique piece.

Here the lovely Rebecca is modelling a red cashmere turtleneck:

Zsuzsa, our flash girl

We had two surprise encounters, one with my friend and fellow textile artist Joey Suriano, who just happened to be walking by the shoot. The other was this coy little creature:

We climbed a beautiful stone wall to get these photos just as the sun was setting:

I couldn't have asked for a better model and crew. Thanks!

Model: Rebecca

Photographer: Patrick

art crawl review

2010-09-25T19:58:00.004-04:00

Recently I had a booth at the Queen West Art Crawl. What a great show! Thanks so very much to all of the people that stopped in at my booth, bought something, had a chat and showed interest in my work. I would also like to thank my family, you were a very big help! It was great to see friends, old and new, as well as lots of familiar faces. For those of you that could not make it, below are some images of my booth.

the summer

2010-09-20T20:37:00.015-04:00

Over the summer I spent my holidays in the North Bruce Peninsula region of Ontario. The landscape is so beautiful there, I wanted to share some of it with you.

upcoming craft show

2010-09-03T18:33:00.003-04:00

It's coming up fast! I'm really excited for it, and hope that you can check out the show!

Here's the info:

Outdoor Art Show & Sale

Trinity Bellwoods Park

790 Queen St. West (at Strachan Ave.)

Saturday, September 18th &

Sunday, September 19th

11:00 am to 6:00 pm

I will be at Booth B17 in the red section. For more information about the show and the other events taking place, visit the QWAC website.

back from holiday

2010-07-11T19:23:00.003-04:00

What a lovely extra long weekend we had on the beautiful Bruce Peninsula. It hardly feels like I've been back for a week already. I thought I would post two of the few images that were taken on my digital before the battery ran out and I realized I forgot to pack the recharger! But thankfully I brought both my minolta and canon film cameras so I have many more images from the trip (that I'm not in!) just waiting to be developed. I will share some with you later.

Along with relaxing and enjoying the summer while it lasts, I will also be very busy preparing for this year's Queen West Art Crawl. I am very pleased to announce that I will be participating in the art show and sale happening September 18-19 in Trinity Bellwoods Park in Toronto. I will update you more about it as the summer continues.

portable library project news

2010-06-09T19:52:00.003-04:00

The Portable Library Project is coming to Mixed Media in Hamilton. The show opens this Friday evening, and runs until July 3. I am glad that the show is happening a little closer to home, so I will actually have a chance to see all of the other talented artist's work.

Check out the show if you can! For more information, click here.

pillows

2010-06-07T18:14:00.006-04:00

These are two new pillow designs that I recently completed. Emily and I had fun taking photos of them in the garden.

window herb garden & little birdies

2010-05-01T15:59:00.004-04:00

Upon arrival home from work the other day, I had a little box wrapped up in brown paper waiting outside my door. I was quite surprised by it, and couldn't wait to open it and see what was inside. When I had unwrapped it, I discovered this sweet little salt & pepper set:

I think it's one of the cutest things I've ever seen! Thanks so much to Amanda for the sweet thoughtful gift. Also, I recently created a kitchen window herb garden. Now I can quickly and conveniently add flavour to any dish. I planted up four pots; rosemary, parsley, sage, and thyme. I still need to get basil (a must for pasta dishes), marjoram (perfect for stew), and chives.

spring things

2010-04-22T20:46:00.008-04:00

sunny days

2010-03-08T20:32:00.003-05:00

With all these wonderfully sunny days we've been having, I feel like summer's not too far away.

valentine's day treats

2010-02-14T15:08:00.005-05:00

I made these delicious carrot cupcakes as a valentine's day treat.

Click here for the cupcake recipe from marthastewart.com

Happy Valentine's Day & Family Day!

art and crafts

2010-01-30T13:06:00.015-05:00

Today I took some photos of new art and crafts in my apartment. This is my current mantle display, I have a lovely little collection growing of amber coloured glass.

The following shot is of my herringbone wool pillow, one of a set of two. I hand needle felt them using a variety of wool roving. I think this one looks particularly good on the green velvet slipper chair.

home news and shopgirls interview

2010-01-25T19:13:00.007-05:00

This past saturday I spent the day cleaning and organizing and creating; some of my very favourite things to do!

I finally hung Nadia's paper lamp above the table for a more ambient dining experience! Thanks Nadia!

Just as I was finishing up, the light coming in the front window looked quite pretty mixed with that of my star pendant...the only xmas decoration I haven't taken down.

I displayed my favourite jewellery in a front opening shadow box above my dresser. I can easily see each piece, and pick out what I feel like wearing. I also like how it makes each piece seem very special.

In other recent news:

I am currently featured on the Shopgirls Gallery Boutique blog! Check it out: Mini Interview with Fiona Bailey

IDS 10

2010-01-24T22:12:00.010-05:00

There was lots of inspiring work at the Interior Design Show this year. Here are just a few of the things that caught my eye.

Textiles

Glass

Ceramics

Furniture

Heidi Earnshaw Design

images courtesy of N Vasrani, heidiearnshawdesign.com

megan park

2010-01-21T20:29:00.009-05:00

Megan Park is a textile and clothing designer from Australia. Her work makes me dream of summertime.

www.meganpark.co.uk

anthropologie

2010-01-10T18:24:00.009-05:00

www.anthropologie.com

new year

2010-01-08T20:38:00.010-05:00

I had a great holiday and hope you did also. Now it's the beginning of another year. I thought I would start this year's posts off by sharing a few things that I've been meaning to post for some time.

1. Beautiful art work:

2. Some of my recent work:

This pair of wall mounted framed works is entitled Holiday. Each was taken while I was on holiday this past year. The top was taken in Wales, the bottom New York. I distressed the photos and added hand stitching details to each. They are mounted on a beautiful wool herringbone fabric. The work was recently shown in Toronto at the Cream Tangerine Cafe, as part of a group show in conjunction with City of Craft.

While at City of Craft I also launched my new pillow designs. I am very excited to be making pieces that will work in a home setting, adding a special, handmade touch to a space. The pillows are all hand made with hand needle felted wool, silk, and/or bamboo on wool fabrics. Each is constructed with an invisible zipper, and has a water fowl feather insert. I welcome custom orders, as the wool fabric used for the basecloth comes in many different beautiful colour options! These pillows are currently being showcased at Robert Allen, Toronto Showroom.

3. Inspiring Craft:

Inspiring work from the students of the Bauhaus. While I was in New York I got a chance to check out the amazing show at MoMA, Bauhaus 1919 - 1933: Workshops for Modernity.

xmas decorating

2009-12-18T22:53:00.008-05:00

I finally got a chance to add a little holiday touch to my home.

city of craft review

2009-12-16T23:11:00.004-05:00

Well, City of Craft has come and gone for another year. The show was a lot of fun! Thanks to all those who stopped in to say hello, inquire, and buy a thing or two! Also, thanks to Jen, Becky and Leah, and all at City of Craft, and to T and P for helping me transport my wares to and fro.

this weekend...

2009-12-07T19:01:00.004-05:00

Just a quick reminder that City of Craft is this weekend!! It's a full weekend of craft, as the event is both Saturday AND Sunday this time around! There will be even more installations and workshops along with the craft sale, which is were you can find me with all my wares. I'm trying out some new things this year with my work, I would love to get your feedback. Hope to see you there!

upcoming show

2009-12-01T22:38:00.007-05:00

I'm excited to announce that I have been invited to participate in a group show developed as a preview to this year's City of Craft, where I will also be a vendor. The show opens this friday evening and goes until the end of City of Craft, December 13th. Here are the details from the press release, hope to see you there:

A thematic group exhibition brought to you by City of Craft

Opening Reception:

Friday, December 4^th. 7-10pm

Exhibition runs December 3-13, 2009.

City of Craft takes place December 12-13^th at The Theatre Centre, 1087 Queen St. West

Location:

Cream Tangerine Café

At the Great Hall

1087 Queen Street West, Toronto

Artists:

Lizz Aston, Fiona Bailey, Amy Borkwood, Leah Buckareff, Marta Chudolinska, Heather Fagan, Meags Fitzgerald, Sara Guindon, Melinda Josie, Genevieve Jodoin, Serena McCarroll and Tyler Brett, Laurie McGregor, The Misanthrope Specialty Co., Jen Spinner, Gillian Wilson and more.

The Exhibition:

Craft processes and acts of making have a way of rooting people to their surroundings. People make or purchase craft items to enhance their domestic spaces and make themselves “at home.” Alternately, people take comfort in craft and art making when they find themselves in unfamiliar territory or when situated in transitional spaces such as on planes and buses and in waiting rooms. Home and Away (and In-Between) is an exhibition that strives to explore how the act of making enables us to relate to where we are.

Home and Away (and In-Between) is a thematic group exhibition of selected vendors, organizers and installation artists involved with this year’s City of Craft event. The exhibition also includes a few invited special guests artists. Home and Away will serve as a pre-fair party as well as a public preview of the wares in store at this year’s City of Craft. Please join us in celebrating our third awesome year!

About City of Craft:

City of Craft is a collective of craft-engaged locals who aim to build community in the Toronto craftscape, support independent craft businesses, and encourage the larger community to get involved with crafty happenings in the city. City of Craft is also a community-based craft culture event where community-arts groups, craft based initiatives/projects, studios, and other organizations are invited to do outreach to the public alongside a curated craft fair and craft-based installations. City of Craft is a place to buy, observe, experience, chat about, share and re-imagine all things handmade. This year’s City of Craft event takes place December 12-13^that the Theatre Centre. Don’t miss it!

new york city

2009-11-28T20:40:00.017-05:00

A selection of photos from my recent trip to New York:

Early morning in Brooklyn

The biggest post office I've ever seen

City lights from the empire state building...what a view!

The Guggenheim

Central Park and the reservoir at sundown

A circus mosaic in the subway

The Metropolitan Museum of Art was vast, fascinating and very inspiring.

I had a great time, lots of fun! Thanks D & D for your hospitality and P for your company.

pretty pictures

2009-10-21T23:32:00.003-04:00

Some photos that P took in my bathroom the other day.

Portable Library Project & City of Craft

2009-10-05T21:37:00.005-04:00

As stated in my last post, I will be participating in City of Craft again! This year, among other exciting changes and additions, the show will be two full days! Visit the website for more information.

Also, next stop for the Portable Library Project: Halifax! So if you happen to be in the neighbourhood, check out the show.

kitchen

2009-09-22T21:07:00.005-04:00

Over the weekend I rearranged the living room/bedroom space to make it more functional. I am quite pleased with the results. Now I must, must tackle the kitchen!

I recently rediscovered the above fabric at my work, I just love the colours and overall feel it has. I am going to use this as a jumping off point to create a fresh scheme for the room.

In other news, I am lucky enough to once again be a participating vendor at City of Craft! This year the show will be a weekend-long affair! It's being held on December 12th and 13th at the Theatre Centre (Queen & Dovercourt). I am very much looking forward to it, and hope all of you will get a chance to come out!

More info on the show, and the work I will be showcasing there, coming soon.

orange

2009-09-08T21:52:00.006-04:00

Just thought I would post some inspiring images. This theme: orange!

felt

2009-08-24T21:33:00.003-04:00

Over the weekend, Patrick took some photos of my work for me. Looking at my needle felted pieces makes me antsy to start felting again! I'm on the lookout for vintage sweaters to create new designs with. I also have many photos from my trip that I can't wait to experiment with. As well as this, I'm hoping to branch into the interior accessories realm with my work (more to come on this soon!).

Detail of green t-shirt style cashmere sweater. Hand needle felted wool motif.

Bleached photo with needle felting embellishment.

Red turtleneck cashmere sweater with needle felted wool.

Postcard, tea stained and embellished with wool.

Framed and mounted tea stained photograph with needle felted wool.

fun fabrics & yellow walls

2009-08-03T22:04:00.007-04:00

I've been trying to decide on a colour for my kitchen. The other day I came across the image above on design sponge, and thought, maybe a really good yellow could work.

The yellow on the walls in this living room is more warm and golden, another option.

wales

2009-07-30T19:35:00.015-04:00

The last few days of my trip were spent in Wales. It is truly beautiful there. We only had time to discover a very small part in the north of the country; the town of Conwy and surrounding area. It's funny how such a small town has everything one would hope to see on a trip to Great Britain. It is an ancient walled town, has it's own castle, has a quaint little harbour and many tea rooms and fish and chips shops. Also, just a little ways outside of the town is a very grand house with gorgeous gardens open to the public. It really was a perfect way to end my holiday.

I've had a lot of fun doing these posts, and I am a little sad that this is the last one. I hope you've enjoyed them (I know Mir has!!).

the lakes

2009-07-27T20:45:00.012-04:00

While in the Lake District we visited:

Castlerigg Stone Circle

Navigating along the winding, narrow roads, we saw many beautiful vistas and quaint little towns

We also visited Hilltop, Beatrix Potter's home

And Levens Hall, with its remarkable gardens, and fantastical topiaries.

hadrian's wall

2009-07-24T20:26:00.007-04:00

edinburgh

2009-07-23T19:49:00.015-04:00

A bus tour was a great way for us to see the city quickly:

We stopped off at Edinburgh Castle:

Our second & final day in Edinburgh was spent at the zoo:

brighton

2009-07-22T20:17:00.009-04:00

We took the train to Brighton for a daytrip. We explored Brighton's two most famous sites: the Royal Pavilion & The Brighton Pier. The weather was perfectly hot & humid!

london

2009-07-19T22:41:00.008-04:00

The first few days of my trip were spent in London. Here are some of the sites we saw:

Selfridges

Liberty

The London Eye

And its views

Waterloo Bridge & Big Ben

Downing Street

Westminster

And of course, Buckingham Palace

decoupage

2009-06-25T22:23:00.010-04:00

I recently purchased a trunk from the flea market that I really love. Some of its best features are its size and shape. It is quite dainty and petite as far as old trunks go, which suits my apartment well. It also has a nifty little shelf inside that is handy for storing smaller items so that they will not get lost in amongst all of the bigger things in the bottom of the trunk. My favourite thing about it though, is that it has these little decoupage flower bouquets all over the outside of it. It is the decoupage that really sold me on it when I first saw it at the flea market. That's what makes it unique and special.

I have a couple of decoupage projects in mind that I hope to work on after I'm back from my trip to the UK. One being to paint and decoupage the dresser that I salvaged from the basement. And the other being to decoupage a vessel and turn it into a lamp, or maybe just keep it as a vessel (this idea is not concrete and may change).

I will be sure to post pictures when a project is complete. But for now, below are images of inspiring decoupage.

back online

2009-06-21T21:54:00.004-04:00

Hello everyone!

I finally have the internet hooked up at my new place. Now I can get back into the swing of things!

You can expect to see new posts and hopefully some photos and new recipes very very soon.

Today I had a wonderful day. What gorgeous weather to mark the first day of summer! I made a lovely dinner for Dad and Emily, as a little Father's Day celebration. Here is the recipe for the blueberry crisp (from the June issue of Martha Stewart Living) that we had for dessert:

Filling:

6 cups blueberries

1/2 cup sugar (I found this to be a little too much sugar)

1 tbsp cornstarch

1 tsp fresh lemon juice

Topping:

3/4 cup flour

1/2 cup rolled oats

1/2 tsp baking powder

6 tbsp butter

1/3 cup sugar

Preheat oven to 375 F. Mix filling ingredients and transfer to 8 inch square baking dish.

Stir together flour, oats and baking powder. Cream butter and sugar until pale and fluffy. Stir dry ingredients into butter mixture. Using your hands, squeeze topping pieces together into clumps.

Sprinkle topping evenly over filling. Bake for 1 hour, or until bubbling and brown on top. Let cool.

Next time I will put less sugar, we found it a little too sweet. I will probably add some cinnamon too. And you could basically use any combo of berries you wished.

a new space

2009-04-18T11:12:00.003-04:00

Some inspiration and ideas for my new apartment:

More to come soon!

springtime

2009-04-02T21:28:00.004-04:00

Some of the new fabrics at work that we just got it...very exciting!

dianne bos

2009-03-20T23:08:00.007-04:00

Recently I discovered the pinhole photography of Dianne Bos. Her work is so stunning and vivid. I love them all but here are a few of my favourites. Her entire portfolio is on her website, http://www.diannebos.com/index.html.

my table at city of craft

2009-03-14T10:15:00.005-04:00

Here are some photos (also from that same old roll of film) from City of Craft 2008. For those of you who could not make it to the show, this is what my table looked like. The show seems like ages ago doesn't it? I thought the brick wall behind matched perfectly!

portable library project

2009-03-12T19:06:00.007-04:00

After many weeks of it sitting on my dresser, I finally decided to develop the roll of film. On the roll were photos of my portable library project that I completed back in early november of last year! I took my camera around with me for a week in october and took shots each day. I then selected my favourite ones and crumpled, distressed and sanded them (no teastaining this time around), and highlighted some of each image's details with hand stitching in black. I then mounted each on a beautiful piece of woven silk. My project, as well as many others, can be viewed at the following locations:

June 2009
lowercase gallery and reading room
at the Regional Assembly of Text
3934 Main StreetVancouver, BC
Opening: Saturday, June 6th. 2pm

July 2009
Toronto Zine Library
at the TRANZAC Club, 2nd floor
292 Brunswick AvenueToronto, ON
Opening: TBA

October 2009
Roberts Street Social Centre/Anchor Archive
5684 Roberts Street
Halifax, NS
Opening: TBA

*find more details at http://theportablelibraryproject.blogspot.com/

Hopefully you will check out the show nearest you!

beautiful things

2009-02-28T15:15:00.002-05:00

places!

2009-02-26T20:00:00.007-05:00

The following is a list of places I would like to visit sometime in the near future:

1. AGO
2. Spadina Museum
3. ROM (specifically to see the textile exhibit which I did not have enough time to look at thoroughly the last time I was there)
4. Casa Loma
5. Bata shoe museum

I'm thinking Spadina House and Casa Loma in spring when everything starts to bud and bloom! The others: any time soon...who would like to come with me?

fabrics!

2009-02-10T19:56:00.006-05:00

These are two of the fabrics on my wish list:

1. Lost Island in colour Aged Gold

(Amanda and I think this one would be perfect in a Wes Anderson film)

2. Coral Creek in colour Lacquer

(Amanda thinks this one is "fiona in a nutshell")

highlights from IDS09

2009-02-08T20:17:00.006-05:00

Here are some of the companies that really caught my eye at IDS on friday.

1.Morrocan lamps from Palmyra designs:

http://www.palmyradesign.com/

2. Repurposed vintage furniture from Chroma Lab:

http://www.chromalab.net/

They had this yellow telephone table on display with a cute vintage rotary phone sitting on

it...perfect!

3. It was a very pleasant surprise to see Katy and Hilary at their booth:

http://www.schoolyardstudio.com/

I was also inspired by Montauk Sofa's room display, as well as a beautiful yellow dutch door from Bauhaus. The image below is not the door from the show, but I thought it was a very nice example of a dutch door, so I decided to pop it in anyway.

http://www.interiordesignshow.co/

http://www.bauhausdoors.com/

http://www.montauksofa.com/

vintage valentines

2009-02-03T19:10:00.005-05:00

I wish they still made valentines as pretty and sweet as these!

new inspiration, old houses

2009-01-31T10:31:00.004-05:00

I bought a book last night that was some what of an impulse buy. As Emily, Mimsy and I were leaving Indigo I saw this gorgeous book called Old Toronto Houses, I briefly glanced through it and decided to get it. But unlike some impulse buys, this one I do not regret. It is a beautiful book full of beautiful images, and they are all structures which I can see in the city, some even on my walk to work every day!

This book has already got me thinking about dollhouse ideas. Using it as an historical reference, I will be able to make my dollhouse more realistic. But for me it also just simply brings me joy! I love old buildings, but old houses are especially great because people lived in them and still do. And it reaffirms why I chose this city to live in and gives me a refreshed feeling of home that I missed for awhile.

city of craft review

2008-12-17T14:31:00.002-05:00

City of craft has come and gone. Thank you to all of those who enjoyed my work.

It was quite a successful, although tiring day for me. I got some great feedback for future ideas and work. It was fab to see friends and family and fellow artists, as well as folks who bought/remember my work from last year's show (that made me feel a little famous!).

Thank you to the City of Craft Gals, Mimsy and last but not least Emzoo, for all your help!

dollhouse time

2008-12-02T18:16:00.007-05:00

Just recently Emily and I have come up with the idea of buying a dollhouse kit and building it! Here are a few images of some of the ones we've been considering.

http://www.thelittledollhousecompany.com/

city of craft

2008-11-29T12:04:00.007-05:00

I've been needle felting up a storm...here is all the info for this year's show:

Come forth crafty citizens to City of Craft 2008 - an innovative craft culture event where craft shoppers & makers come together to celebrate the handmade spirit. No ordinary craft fair, City of Craft 2008 features free workshops, craft-based installations, and outreach by community arts groups & studios, all alongside a curated craft fair of modern handmade goods.

Details:

WHAT: City of Craft 2008

WHO: 50+ craft vendors, community groups, installation artists, workshop leaders & satellite participants

WHEN: Saturday December 13, 2008, noon-8pm

WHERE: Theatre Centre, located at 1087 Queen Street West at Dovercourt

Some show highlights to get you excited:
*FREE STUFF ALERT: the first one hundred visitors will receive swag bags printed by Studio XIX filled with coupons for the show, plus fantastic goodies from indie publications local and international craft artists.
*AWESOME STUFF ALERT: Check out amazing handmade goods on offer by more than 40 talented makers: http://cityofcraft.com/2008/cityofcraft/vendors.html
*NEIGHBOURHOOD CRAFT CRAWL: City of Craft takes to the streets with crafty programming in local businesses and galleries. (Those of you with a sweet tooth should not miss out on cupcake decorating & knitting activities at the Knit Café.)
*CRAFTY-COOL INSTALLATIONS: Stop by the window of League of Lovers and Thieves to check out Tara Bursey's installation of hundreds or origami shoes made with tea bags, or have a Victorian silhouette portrait taken by Danijela Photography, featuring a papercut frame by artist Li Sui. Get lost in a landscape of fibre, photography and sound by Lynn Harrigan, Scott M2 and dreamSTATE.
*MAKE YOUR OWN HANDMADE GIFTS (FREE!): Workshops include origami star books by the Paper Place, fabric covered magnet sets by The Workroom, recycled felt ornaments by Mr. Sköna, and screen printed cards by Kid Icarus.

So there you have it, there is really no better place to be on December 13th, 2008.

Visit the show website at http://cityofcraft.com/2008/cityofcraft which is being continually updated with more details.

red

2008-11-16T11:37:00.007-05:00

resources:

http://www.robertallendesign.com/

http://www.patrickfisher.ca/

http://www.projectalabama.com/

gold

2008-11-15T12:17:00.006-05:00

resources:

http://www.projectalabama.com/

http://www.beaconhilldesign.com/

http://www.marthastewart.com/

november

2008-11-02T12:00:00.001-05:00

Well, it's november. Today I am going to:

1. set back the clocks (well, I already have but just a reminder to those who forgot).

2. clean up the deck and compost the dead plants.

3. roast a chicken.

4. find a storage solution for my hallowe'en make up, including giant container of baby powder.

magazine clippings

2008-10-20T21:09:00.008-04:00

Last night I went through all of my magazine clippings that I keep in an awesome manila accordion folder. I decided to recycle all of the ones that don't inspire me anymore...and I feel great about getting rid of them! I am making way for new inspiration, which leads to new ideas and new exciting directions in my work!

ps...I cannot wait to get my martha stewart subscription!

pearl lowe

2008-10-19T18:13:00.004-04:00

While watching fashion television today I discovered a designer who I think is really great, her name is Pearl Lowe. Here are some of her dresses. The cute brunette model is Pearl's daughter Daisy, who's father is aparently Gavin Rossdale...who knew!

city of craft 2008

2008-09-16T19:07:00.004-04:00

The next show I will be doing is City of Craft 2008. It's going to be a great show, but it's still a long way away, so write it on your calender so you don't forget to check it out!

City of Craft

Saturday, December 13, 2008

The Theatre Centre (Queen and Dovercourt)

More info to come!

emily's birthday

2008-09-13T18:20:00.012-04:00

This is how we celebrated Emily's birthday today:

1. we went to an NDP rally, where Jason Collett performed!

2. took some photos

3. went to cindyloowho...purchased this cutesy chair for my room and a make up trunk for emily.

4. I also picked up my cigar box for the Portable Library Project.

And currently we are awaiting the arrival of Stefan and Alison. When they get here we are going to have dinner and watch Burn After Reading...Happy Birthday Emzoo!

living room

2008-09-01T12:16:00.002-04:00

One of my lastest projects was making these pillows from samples that Robyn sent me when she worked in the memo room. The fabrics work well with the new couch and ottoman. They also look nice with Nana's chair. I backed the pillows with left over fabric from our curtains.

2008-08-31T11:34:00.004-04:00

I thought I would write about some things that I am excited about, as opposed to the big thing that is making me sad:

1. Miranda is going to make me a beautiful felted bead and ribbon necklace...in one of these potential colours: black, yellow, or teal, I can't decide which is best, each option sounds so delightful!

And I am also trying to persuade her to come and visit me...I hope she does.

2. I am participating in an art project!! My first real, genuine, bonafide project since school. It's called the Portable Library Project and here is a bit about it:

The Portable Library Project is a project involving the creation of small works exploring ideas surrounding archiving, journaling, libraries, ephemera, and incorporating an art practice into everyday life. Invited artists will be sent/delivered an empty cigar box, roughly the size of a hardcover book. Over the course of a week, individuals will be asked to create a 'book' (loose interpretations of 'book' welcome) a day reflective of each person's day-to-day activities and artistic process. Books are ideally made (mostly) while on the go; boxes are intended to be carried with the participant, where books will be added and collected each day for seven days.This project will culminate in a web-based archive, an exhibition, as well as the inclusion of each Portable Library into a local alternative library for viewing and circulation.

When I first read about it I couldn't believe how perfect it sounded, I can't wait to get my cigar box!

3. My house is really starting to come together. It feels so great to have a spot for everything. It's still in the works, however, but that is the best part, after all! I will have a post coming soon about some of my little projects...with pictures too!

more pretty fabrics

2008-08-19T19:28:00.003-04:00

These would look great in my bedroom.

more about double dutch

2008-08-09T16:10:00.005-04:00

I just found out that a very talented and lovely glass blower, Emma Gerard, will also be a part of the Good Catch Double Dutch Craft Show, I can't wait to see what beautiful work she will be selling!

Here is the flyer for the show, please come out and see us!

ps...I am tea staining photos for the show as I write this to you!!

double dutch craft show

2008-08-03T11:11:00.003-04:00

It will be a great day to be in parkdale on August 17th. Why you may ask? Well, because there are two cute and fun craft shows happening! One is happening outside of Good Catch general store, at which I will be selling new cards, postcards, framed art and more! And also a kid themed trunk show happening at the Workroom, where my good friend and fellow textile artist Meghan Kraatz will be selling her wares. Very exciting indeed!

Good Catch Double Dutch Craft Show
Sunday, August 17
Noon-4 pm
at Good Catch General Store
1556 Queen Street West(at Sorauren)

and

Trunk Sale
at The Workroom
1340 Queen Street West (at Brock)

...more info to come.

august...hello!

2008-08-03T10:27:00.005-04:00

So far my long weekend has been very nice indeed, and seeing as though there are two more days to it, I think it will only improve! It's august, which means I have been at my new job for over a month now, wow, it really doesn't seem like it. I've started to fall in love with many of the fabrics I see everyday, they are so beautiful, I really love being surrounded by textiles every day, I couldn't have asked for a better job! Here are some of my favourites.

at home

2008-07-13T10:37:00.005-04:00

I took these photos while I was at my parent's home recently. I love taking pictures there.

lavender

2008-07-08T20:09:00.004-04:00

My mom and Emily recently visited Victoria (lucky ducks!). When they were there, they took a ferry to Washington state where they visited a few lavender farms, and brought me back some lavender to cook with. It's classified as culinary lavender because it is washed more thoroughly. So I made a batch of the lavender cookies, but with lavender this time instead of rosemary. You can find the recipe in my May posts. I shared the cookies with everyone at my work, and they were a big hit! The flavour was so different from the ones with rosemary but just as tasty. If you can get your hands on some culinary lavender, or just wash some really well, definitely try the
recipe!!

Emily took this photo while she was at a lavender farm in Sequim, Washington.

busy week

2008-07-05T11:40:00.003-04:00

Wow, it's July! Anyhoo, I thought I would write a quick entry about my week. I started a new job that is nine to five. A schedule I haven't really had before. It's a little hard to get used to, the subway is incredibly busy at those times for one thing. But I am starting to get to know the best places to stand on the platform, to ensure I have at least a little personal space.

Tuesday we watched the ontario place fireworks from the same vantage point as I did on victoria day, but I must say these ones were even better than the last. I don't know if it's because it's nicer weather now, or what, but they were way longer and even more spectacular. One of these times I'm going to actually go down there to watch, because that will really be something.

Last night we watched one of my very favourite movies, O brother where art thou? Which is so great, if you haven't seen it you really should. Then today I slept in, which was really nice.

Here is a photo of the plates I got from the rummage sale last week. They were only 25 cents each!

rummage sale

2008-06-26T12:54:00.002-04:00

Earlier in the week I was at my parents house. I went to the rummage sale. It's in the old schoolhouse in my small town. This rummage sale is one of my most favourite places to go for really great second hand stuff. They have everything; clothing, fabrics and notions, dishes, toys, etc. etc.

And everything is sooo cheap. I got quite a lot of stuff yesterday and it all totalled $3.25! Now, that's my kind of place. My favourite things that I got are these cute and lovely little plates. I also got some great frames that I am going to use for framing some of my art, as well as a really adorable needle point of a field mouse to add to my collection.

Last night I put field mouse up on my wall with my other embroideries, he looks so cute and content, in his little patch of dandelions and foliage!

I wish I had some photos of my wares, but alas I am currently without the use of a digi cam. I feel a little lonely without it!

centreville

2008-06-26T12:04:00.004-04:00

Over the past weekend, we had some delightful company. My sister Anne, her best friend Stacey, and Stacey's daughter Adi. On sunday we wanted to do something really fun for Adi because it was her first time to the big city.

Our initial plan, going up the CN tower, was ruled out because the day was very humid and the view would have been terribly non existent. So we then decided on taking the ferry to the island. We knew of Centreville, but all kind of assumed it would be a little lack lustre.

Boy were we wrong! Have you been to Centreville? If not, I highly suggest it, kids or no kids (we were four mothers for one kid and we had a blast). We first went on this very fun, slightly nerve wracking, gondola, that is sort of like a ski chair lift. It had a beautiful view of the city. To get off the ride you have to lift up the bar, then jump off and run to the side...that was the nerve wracking part.

Then we went on a bunch of really fun rides that were similar to those at a good fair/carnival. One was really fun, you got all twirled and twisted around, then the lights go out and "Beat it" comes on with all these disco lights. It's really fun. They have a fun, and quite fast little roller coaster. They also have a pretty antique carousel. There is also a little farm that has very cute, pretty animals. Goats, sheep and some baby lambs, as well as donkeys and horses. It's not a petting farm though, which I was a little disappointed about. They also have this incredibly huge (I took a photo but it just doesn't do it justice) pig/hog of some sort. It was probably the largest one I've ever seen. It even had these giant teeth sticking out of it's mouth.

We ended up spending the entire day there, and we didn't even go on every ride. If you want something fun to do, go to Centreville.

goodEGG

2008-06-24T19:11:00.003-04:00

I now have bookmarks for sale online at http://www.goodeggshop.com/. I am so excited because the website is really fantastic. It is a brand new online shop created by Jen from Toronto Craft Alert and Laural from Thimble Handmade Goods. The designs are made by talented Canadian designers, the work is really unique. I am so thrilled to be a part of it!

in bloom

2008-06-20T12:23:00.004-04:00

It's summer! To celebrate the season here are some photos I took recently of beautiful flowers. With the rainy and hot weather we've been having there are always new blooms to see as I am walking by all of the pretty gardens on my street. It 's so lovely to be out walking on a summer's day!

fresh herbs

2008-05-20T15:36:00.004-04:00

I planted a variety of herbs today, including marjoram, rosemary, two different varieties of thyme and flat leaf parsley. I have already used all of the different types I planted in a least one recipe. I made these really delicious cookies from a recipe I saw on a cooking show called French Food at Home. Although the host is not my favourite person, I watch the show because the dishes are quite appetizing.

Here is the recipe, the cookies are buttery and melt in your mouth sort of the way shortbread does. The rosemary adds a nice savoury element. I am excited to try them with the lavender when I source it out.

Lavender Sables (I made mine with rosemary)

1/2 cup butter

1/2 cup brown sugar

1 egg

1 tbsp lavender or a few teaspoons of chopped fresh rosemary

1 &1/2 cup flour

1 tsp baking powder

Heat oven to 350 F. Cream the butter and sugar until smooth, beat in egg. Add lavender (rosemary). Beat in flour and baking powder. Roll into balls and flatten on a cookie sheet. Add pretty patterns to top of cookies with the tines of a fork. Bake 15 minutes.

I cooled my cookies on paper because I don't have a wire rack. The recipe says it yields 24 cookies, but I got about 18 out of the dough.

photo pins

2008-05-19T16:21:00.004-04:00

Today I updated some of my photo pins by adding tea stained fabric behind the photo. After I machine stitch the layers together I fray the fabric. I am very pleased with the way the fringe frames the photo, and also adds another textile element to the pin. I am selling these for $10...anyone interested?!

the weekend

2008-05-19T15:56:00.003-04:00

Over the weekend my little nephew Colin came to visit. We had lots of fun together. When we were at the grocery store he spotted a spiderman painting kit. Colin is pretty much obsessed with spiderman right now, and wants anything and everything spiderman. So my sister decided to buy it for him. It turned out to be not exactly what we thought it was, but Colin had a really great time with it anyway, which is the most important thing.

Last night many people were setting off fireworks in the neighbourhood. We watched them from the deck, they were so pretty, and of course loud! I tried to capture the fireworks on film, but it is an extremely hard task. This is the best picture I got.

I am a blogger!

2008-05-12T18:52:00.000-04:00

I have started a blog, which will be my way of showcasing my textile work. Please visit back often to stay abreast of any new designs I create and ideas I may discover. I will also post shows and sales I will be participating in.

Above is a photo of hand needle felted bookmarks I created recently for a client.