Dear Canadian+Handmade friends… if you follow us on Twitter or Facebook, you likely know that my family is just days away from the moving truck arriving to start the journey from Alberta to Ontario. Jenn has some exciting news as well (I’ll let her share in her own time), but all of this means that we have made the difficult decision to take some time off from C+H for the rest of the summer.
I will be road-tripping across Alberta, Saskatechewan, Manitoba, through Northern Ontario (including a trip on the Chi-Cheemaun ferry, which I’ve never done and yet heard about my entire childhood!) to our new home just outside of Guelph, Ontario. A month-long odyssey of camping and adventuring with our 2 little girls – and 2 cats and a dog! – means I won’t have much access to internet until Fall.
We’ll be back then, with regular posting and (hopefully) a new website look to go with our cute new logo that we debuted back in the spring. In the meantime, please follow us on Twitter (@canadahandmade and @mrsgryphon), or visit us on Facebook (Canadian Handmade) where I’ll post trip updates when I can, and Jenn will pop in once in a while as well.
Stay safe, enjoy the rest of the summer, and we’ll see you in September!
~Sarah + Jenn
Sarah's "Home away from home"!
It has been a while since I last wrote about pretty coloured glass. I have made an “executive decision” (ha!) that this needs to change… today. When I was away on my European Adventure, one of my favorite things was seeing so many incredible stained glass windows. It seemed like everywhere we looked there was clear summer sun streaming through beautiful colours, throwing ever-changing patterns of light that danced on the floors. So I think there is no better time to share some authentic and lovely *Canadian* stained glass with you, our lovely C+H readers!
Tara Sawchuk is a Winnipeg artist who designs and creates her own unique stained glass panels. Art has always been a lifelong passion for Tara, and while she has produced works in several mediums (including designing tatoos!), her glass works have been her biggest calling since 2006. Take a peek at some of Tara’s lovely panels:
I love the colour scheme, and the "lucky sevens" theme
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The graceful, clean lines of this panel really appeal to my eye!
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Maybe you don’t have a spot to hang a whole panel, but you still want a little piece to dress up a room? Maybe something like this gorgeous music box would be just the ticket.
Pretty colours, and pretty music, a fabulous combination!
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My absolute favorite though, is this awesome celtic symbol with an abstract twist. A little bit different, a whole lot fabulous!
Deep colours, but still light and airy feeling, it just begs for you to keep looking a little closer
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To see more of Tara’s work (including an adorable panda, and super-sweet fox), drop by the Etsy shop!
Have a great day, and go ahead and indulge *your* obsession,
~Jennifer
If you’re looking for something unique and a little romantic to wear this summer, look no further than Edmonton-based Pondhopper.
These gorgeous dresses and accessories are all made with reclaimed, previously- loved garments and bits and pieces of textiles and sparkle. The many layers and overstitching are Pondhopper signatures, and lend even more texture to these pretty pieces.
The dresses in particular, with their jagged hemlines and almost patchwork effect, remind me of some long-ago (and imaginary) Shakespearean wood-nymph!
Something as simple as grey and white t-shirts can become… this breezy little number:
Swing it, girl!
The "Unchain My Heart" dress - so romantic!
This Promenade Jacket is In.Credible. Incredible!
Stunning and gorgeous and spectacular.
What a fun, summer-filled skirt!
Here’s a sentence I never thought I’d say: These spats are so pretty!
A fun way to add some spice to your outfit!
You can find out more about Lorraine and her creative, organic pieces on her blog, her Facebook page and you can certainly do some shopping from this Edmonton based artist at her Pondhopper Etsy shop!
Enjoy!
~Sarah
I admire people who get dressed up every day. That whole “pulled together, with just the right accessories, make-up on and hair nicely done” look eludes me almost daily, so I truly am impressed by those who pull it off on a regular basis! If I had unlimited time and wardrobe options, I would likely choose a simple but classic knee-length dress, some super cute peep-toe kitten heels, and just the right bold and eye-catching accessories to top it all off. In reality though, I am usually happy if my outfit is clean, co-ordinated, and not terribly wrinkled. When I can sneak in a pair of cute shoes I am on a roll!
When I spotted these fabulous pieces by Filomene, I immediately added them to my mental collection… (to go with all those perfect Audrey Hepburn dresses of course!). Just check out this fun and bold bracelet, and you’ll see what I mean:
Pretty and versatile, you can pair it with casual wear or something a little dressier!
Filomene is the work of Audrey, a graphic designer from Quebec. Her inspirations include life, colour, buttons and even candy.
- This “Sunny Dalhia” necklace feels organic, fun and lively.
“Lemon Twist” is fresh and bright, the perfect accent to a little summer sundress:
The hollow circles remind me of lifesavers!
Of course we can’t forget about earrings, and Filomene has some great ones, including these two very different but equally awesome pairs:
- I like the green colour, and the teeny tiny buttons!
Just like little picture frames for around your face!
See more of Filomene over at the Etsy shop, you’ll be flipping out too!
Cheers,
Jenn
Today’s the day! Happy 144th Birthday, Canada! We hope your day includes bbq, parades, maple leaf temporary tattoos on faces, unabashed flag-waving, fireworks and some sponataneous singing of the Canadian national anthem. Maybe also a chance to see Will & Kate if you’re in the Ottawa area, or to take in a ball game, climb a mountain, or head to one of the best fresh water beaches in the world (my vote goes to Wasaga Beach… no, maybe Sauble. No, wait, Grand Bend!!)
However you choose to spend today, we hope that you’ll celebrate Canada with more than just a red t-shirt and a Sleeman beer – take a few minutes to support a Canadian artist! They’ll be out at plenty of events across the country, sharing their work and talents.
And, just to get into the Canada Day spirit, some YouTube link love!
So bad it’s (sort of) good! Canadian, please!
(I know. Ridiculous. But also hilarious!)
Cheers, Canada! Here’s to another great year!
~Sarah and Jennifer
