A Whole Lotta Hat

I've made a few of these lovely hats from Simple Sewing - with a modification or two. This one is really nice - orange Kaffe Fassett fabric called paperweight, brown cotton/linen interior, and reversible to boot. This book is a great one for simple sewing project ideas - or just to browse and be inspired once in a while.
And while it is impressive that I seem to be talking on the phone AND taking a picture of myself, I think I'm just listening to messages...!

First Knitting Post - what?!

How can this be my first knitting post? I knit all the time! Ahhh... I know why, because every knitting project I've done is usually late or "just in time" and gets sent out the door before I remember to take a picture! For example, these little fishies were wrapped and then unwrapped and then re-wrapped for precisely that reason - the photo shoot. This sweater is from a Zoe Mellor book that I found in our library (which has a great selection of knitting books, long winters you know...) and then my mom bought us each a copy. Mom went on to knit a zillion sweaters from it (I'll have to ask her for the official count but my guy alone has a rooster, a tiger and a puppy dog!). I used the rooster sweater pattern and mixed it with the butterfly border and then found the fish motif in another library book to come up with this 3-in-1 sweater. It's in a merino style cotton from Knit Picks and I'm wondering how it will hold up. To be honest it was very fluffy while knitting, I'm wondering if there will be anything left of it but the fish (which were knit in a different, lovelier cotton from local Knit Now shop) after a few washes. I like the idea of a cotton sweater and it is incredibly silky soft but time will tell how to holds up... I have visions of it getting wider and shorter, while the intended wearer, my super duper cute niece River just gets taller and slimmer! This could be a "buy local" lesson, I'll let you know.

Vintage Sundress

Here is a dress from a pattern my mom used for me (I assume!) in the 70's. It's Simplicity 7047 (see below). Fun and quick in Kaffe Fassett daisy print. I made the overalls for my guy when he was one but the colours I chose just weren't right and overalls in cotton are just not cozy enough for our climate up here unfortunately! In fact I had a box of one year old shorts and t-shirts and cute onesie suits that he never got to wear due to the cool temps. Some days we wonder why we live here, when we look at all that green grass, cherry blossoms and flowers you southerners are enjoying... But most days we wonder why you aren't all living up here instead!! Luckily, I know a little girl or 2 down south that will have no trouble wearing this little cotton dress... I just have to get going on something for her big sister next!

Spring Trunk Show

It was a beautiful sunny day and we had a lovely turn out. Thanks to everyone for their hard work - see you at the next one! Check here for more photos.

Q&A's with Spring Trunk Show Participant Emily Woodruffe

The Spring Trunk Sale happens on Sunday, April 26th, from 10 to 4pm at the Chocolate Claim. Local artists and designers will show up with a trunk full of handmade, creative works you will love. This is part six of a six part series of interviews from the Trunk Sale vendors.

Describe your medium – what will you show up with in your trunk?
My medium is stoneware pottery. Functional works with a playful twist.

What do you enjoy about pottery?
I enjoy the meditative nature of throwing on the wheel, and as much as I hate to admit it, the symmetry of it all. I also enjoy the surprises of opening the kiln to see what has worked, and not so fondly...what hasn't.

Do you have a favorite tool, tip or skill that’s made things work better for you?
Right now my favorite tools are some old rusty nails and nuts and bolts to make impressions in the clay.

What do you listen to while making?
I usually listen to CBC. For no other reason than my hands are too dirty to think about changing CD's or anything!

What are your favourite colours right now?
My favorite colors right now are earthy greens, metallic greys and turquoises.

What’s your website address?
No website as of yet...

Do you have a favourite blog or website?
www.etsy.com

Where else and when else can we find your work?
You can sometimes find some of my work at the Arts Underground on main street. Otherwise my home studio is the best bet. Best to call first.

Q&A's with Spring Trunk Show Participant Lara Melnik

The Spring Trunk Sale happens on Sunday, April 26th, from 10 to 4pm at the Chocolate Claim. Local artists and designers will show up with a trunk full of handmade, creative works you will love. This is part five of a six part series of interviews from the Trunk Sale vendors. (Lara is such a good friend, I just have to add that it's so nice to see her smiling face on my blog! See you soon Lare!).

Describe your medium – what will you show up with in your trunk?
Polymer Clay; small works of art and jewellery.

What do you enjoy about your work?
Blending blocks of clay into intricate patterns of flowers, shapes, bugs and words. It’s like magic and I never get tired of it.

Do you have a favorite tool, tip or skill that’s made things work better for you?
I use a hand-cranked pasta machine to blend the clay – that makes things better for me. I love my stylus tools – essentially a set of pokey sticks with balls on the end.

What do you listen to while making?
CBC or CKRW (the Captain) sometimes my iPod.

What are your favourite colours right now?
The rainbow.

What’s your website address?
www.laramelnik.com

Do you have a favourite blog or website?
http://polymerclaydaily.com/

Where else and when else can we find your work?
Jewellery at the Chocolate Claim during their business hours, year round. Arts Underground on main street for art work and some jewellery. Bean North Café on the hotsprings road for jewellery.

The Spring Trunk Show, Sunday April 26th, 10 - 4pm

Q&A's with Spring Trunk Show Participant Tara Kolla-Hale

The Spring Trunk Sale happens on Sunday, April 26th, from 10 to 4pm at the Chocolate Claim. Local artists and designers will show up with a trunk full of handmade, creative works you will love. This is part four of a series of interviews from the Trunk Sale vendors.

Describe your medium – what will you show up with in your trunk?
pretty much anything that can be sewn or glued! I enjoy using felts, vintage fabrics and ephemera to create my pieces.

What do you enjoy about your folk art?
For me, it is almost more the thought processes thinking up each piece, and then when I realize that I can actually make it, what an awesome feeling!

Do you have a favorite tool, tip or skill that’s made things work better for you?
Spray glue, spray glue, spray glue! I wish I had found this stuff out years before! Also my mom's ancient Singer, fab tension.

What do you listen to while making?
Usually CBC, but if that gets too depressing then This american life.

What are your favourite colours right now?
Well since the other girls have already taken my two fave colour combos ( grrr) then I would have to say hot pink and grey will always be a classic combo.

What’s your website/etsy/flickr address?
flickr.com/photos/wishfactory and www.etsy.com/wishfactory.

Do you have a favourite blog or website?
Well of course georgiannacraft.blogspot.com I also love flickr and etsy to see other peoples creative ideas.

Where else and when else can we find your work?
Right now, I am also selling some pieces at the Greenhouse at Cliffside.
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Q&A's with Spring Trunk Show Participant Tara Dias

The Spring Trunk Sale happens on Sunday, April 26th, from 10 to 4pm at the Chocolate Claim. Local artists and designers will show up with a trunk full of handmade, creative works you will love. This is part three of a series of interviews from the Trunk Sale vendors.

Describe your medium – what will you show up with in your trunk?
My main medium is paper so in my trunk there will be a variety of paper goodies. Notebooks, journals, mini-albums, cut paper illustrations, etc...

What do you enjoy about paper crafting?
I like how versitile paper can be. And I love all the textures, colours and prints.

Do you have a favorite tool, tip or skill that’s made things work better for you?
Exacto-knives and good lighting.

What do you listen to while making?
Usually my 3 kids playing and my husband watching sports.

What are your favourite colours right now?
My fav colours right now are red and aqua as a pair.

What’s your website/etsy/flickr address?
darling.typepad.com and I have a group on facebook.

Do you have a favourite blog or website?
lmnop.com.au
ohdeedoh.com
www.etsy.com

Where else and when else can we find your work?
Right now, you can find my work on my website and I am trying do more craft shows throughout the year.

Q&A's with Spring Trunk Show Participant Michelle Easton

The Spring Trunk Sale happens on Sunday, April 26th, from 10 to 4pm at the Chocolate Claim. Local artists and designers will show up with a trunk full of handmade, creative works you will love. This is part two of a series of interviews from the Trunk Sale vendors.

Describe your medium – what will you show up with in your trunk?
Everyday Photographic Images on mailable cards, square mini cards, bookmarks and matted 5x7 images.

What do you enjoy about photography?
The creative process and challenge of trying to get what is in my head out on paper. Sometimes it's just about being able to capture, forever, a certain way something looked and felt.

Do you have a favorite tool, tip or skill that’s made things work better for you?
A tripod. Without mine nothing turns out exactly right.

What do you listen to while making?
My mind is buzzing with the process (both while shooting and processing)... I wouldn't notice music even if I put it on.

What are your favourite colours right now?
Vintage, washed out colours.

What’s your website/etsy/flickr address:
www.flickr.com/photos/crayonjazz