Long weekends are always a good thing. They are even better when you can mix in some crafty goodness and handmade shopping! If you are in Southwestern Ontario or Vancouve, you have a great opportunity to satisfy your appetite for all things handmade… you won’t want to miss it!
Kitchener, ON: The 21st annual From Our Hands To Yours show takes place at the Kitchener Auditorium this Friday and Saturday. It’s a fantastic Easter tradition around K-W, and full of great local talent! Doors open at 10:oo am both days, and you can even save $1.00 on admission by printing this coupon. Not sure how to find the Aud? Directions are here. I’ll be stopping by on Friday, hope to see you there! *Insider’s Tip: make sure you get a sample of the delicious garlic spread, it will have you coming back for more, guaranteed!
Vancouver, BC: Portebello West
This monthly art market presents their Easter weekend sale! Their new location at the Creekside Recreation Centre in the Olympic Village has enough space for 90 vendors and, according to their website, has a fantastic view too :)
March 26th and 27th from 11am to 5pm
Admission: $2 for non-members.
Do you know of an event that we should be sharing with our readers? Send us an email, we’d love to spread the word…
Cheers!
~Jennifer
Yesterday I spent the day working at the MS Walk near my hometown. It’s a great fundraiser, and I really enjoy helping to organize the event each spring. But there is one thing that is not-so-great almost every year… the weather. Doesn’t matter if the weekend before was beautiful (it was), or the weekend after an absolute delight (it probably will be). Without fail, come Walk weekend, it will be cold, windy, possibly raining, or even hail and a mini-blizzard. This year we had a wonderful combo-pack including a little bit from all of the above. Understandably, much of the conversations after the event were about the weather, and someone was telling me how sad she was that she hadn’t thought to bring her thrummed mittens. Since I had never heard of thrummed mitts before, I had to ask what she meant. Her eyes lit up and she said that they are truly The. Warmest. Mittens. Ever.
I am told that thrumming is an East Coast tradition where raw fleece is knitted directly into the mitten. This gives it an incredibly warm lining that is even water resistant, and keeps your fingers toasty and snug in any weather. The process gives the mitts a distinctive appearance, with little “v” or heart-shaped dots spaced regularly across the whole thing.
They may not look that different from your average mitten...
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... but check out the inside! How could your fingers be cold when they are all snuggled into this?
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There are several colour options to choose from, I particularly like these brown/beige ones:
Nice and neutral
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Now it just wouldn’t be fair if the adults in the house had toasty warm hands, and the wee ones were left shivering… so of course there are thrummed baby mittens. (all together now… awwww)
Cute and cozy thumbless mitts for baby
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I know what you are thinking “Gee thanks Jenn, but where can I get some of these super fleece-powered mittens for myself?”. I found these ones at the abitofthisabitofthat Etsy shop. Lucky Maritimer’s can probably find them easily at Church Bazaars and such, but we know that there are crafty East Coast folks scattered all over the country, so ask around! You may find someone who could make you a pair, or maybe even teach you to make your own (if you are so inclined).
Oooooh, I wonder if they make thrummed socks*.. We could banish cold feet forever!
~All thawed out and ready for a new week ahead,
Jenn
*Update: Of course they do, I knew that idea was so great there was no way I was the first to think it up!
Sometimes you don’t know that you were looking for something until you find it. Such was the case for me when I stumbled upon Polymer Playin’. These pieces of wearable art made out of polymer clay left me wondering how I have ever gone this long without one!
- The colour, the pattern, the bold chunky-ness… I love it all!
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Oh My. How have I gotten this far in my life without owning this? How?
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A love of colour combined with the versatility of clay combine to produce these great works. The somewhat mysterious artist behind Polymer Playin’ resides on the east coast, (Nova Scotia to be exact).
The swirl has drawn me in... I cannot look away
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There’s even some that are suitable for those whose tastes run a bit more to the rocker side of the spectrum. Like this fantastic “flaming” guitar:
- *throws the goat*
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See what else Polymer Playin’ has to offer by visiting the Etsy shop. You might just find something you never knew you couldn’t live without…
~Jennifer
Everyone has different aspects of their personality, even if they don’t often get to see the light of day. Right now I am usually wearing my “busy working mother” hat, with the occasional “goofy friend” or “cheesy romantic wife” thrown in for good measure. But lately I am missing a few other sides of myself. I am currently working on re-introducing myself to the “adventuring traveler”, and maybe someday I’ll have the time to get reacquainted with the “wistful daydreamer” who used to hang out for hours in the branches of a favorite tree.
It is she, the wistful daydreamer who would feel perfectly carefree and at ease in the beautiful bohemian inspired clothing from the Barefoot Modiste.
It has a hippie feel without being shapeless, and the fabrics are lovely
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Milli is a self-taught seamstress who calls Edmonton home. She started sewing at the tender age of eight, and hasn’t looked back since. You can sometimes see the influence of her African roots in her work, and there is a freewheeling gypsy vibe that brings to mind music, laughter, and stories around a campfire.
- I love the colours, and the fitted top/flowy bottom combination in this skirt!
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This shift dress has such a simple shape, but the African print gives it such energy and personality!
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Milli has a mild obsession with fabrics, and is always on the lookout for fabulous finds that make their way into her pieces. Many of the materials she uses are reclaimed from thrift store or garage sale finds, so you can be sure that anything she makes is truly one of a kind.
- I really like the textures in this skirt, and the mod feel of the shapes on the front!
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You can see more of the Barefoot Modiste’s free-spirited creations in her Etsy shop, or stop in and say “Hi!” on her Facebook page.
~Here’s to embracing all the different sides of our many-faceted selves!
Jennifer
As the parent of a toddler, it sometimes feels like I am living in the eye of a hurricane. My girl is one pudgy-cheeked ball of motion, noise, and sometimes utter chaos. So when bedtime arrives and she is feeling snuggly and quiet, my husband and I really soak up those moments! Of course when a kiddo feels like cuddling there is nothing better than a special squishy friend, and these adorable buddies from Stephanimals are so cool that every kid is bound to love them.
Each one is handcrafted to be “Unique Like Nature”, and they even come with a soft story book that helps kids learn about the animal and their habitat! The quiet moments are a great opportunity to talk with kids about things that are important to your family, and Stephanimals share stories of conservation and knowledge about the world’s critters.
This sweet duck would make a great Easter gift, don't you think?
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At the moment, my girl makes a "Roar" sound for almost every animal... perhaps she is trying to tell us she wants a lion?
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But wait! It gets even better! Stephanimals donates $2 from every single sale to charity, (in 2011 all funds raised will go to Nature Canada) Awesome, right? They don’t just talk the talk, they walk the walk… and you can too!
Counting sheep never looked cuter!
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There are lots of different fabric choices for each animal, make sure you visit the Stephanimals site to see them all. There’s also links to lots of eco-friendly groups and products, a fun page full of activity ideas, and an animal info section where curious minds can go to learn and explore!
~Remembering my special childhood bedtime buddy. Her name was Ellie… she was an elephant. Yes I know, the creative juices run deep in me, can’t you tell?
:-) Jennifer
I am always amazed by the way an artist can convey a certain feeling so clearly, just through the use of colour and shape. The way that they can capture movement, emotion, and even bring to mind particular sounds and smells is truly amazing. One such talented artist is Shelagh Duffett, better known as Alice in Paris. The moment that I saw her bold and energetic prints, I was immediately drawn in and transported into the seaside world that she creates.
Can't you just feel the salty summer breeze?
Many of Shelagh’s prints celebrate her Nova Scotia home, and there is often a friendly feline or two making an appearance as well. They strike a perfect balance, managing to be both youthful and vibrant without being childish.
So peaceful and calm...
This just sums up a carefree childhood, doesn't it?
I love the strong colours, and the composition of her work. Each one can send you into a new set of daydreams, losing yourself into a whole different world full of possibilities and adventure. Even a few flowers in a vase have an element of lighthearted fun:
I don't know what I love more: the whimsical spirals on the vase, or the "kapow!" red background...
To get a taste of what Alice in Paris is all about, you won’t want to miss her great Blog. Then grab a cup of tea (yes, this is a requirement!) and cruise through the Etsy shop to check out all the wonderful prints. Once you’ve done all that, come on over and join the conversation on Twitter!
Daydream believer…Oui oui!
~Jennifer
We use so many little things in our daily lives without even thinking about them. But how much fun is it when something useful can be beautiful and even have some special meaning to you? That’s why I love these coasters from Jonathon Wayne Design. They have an old-school vintage feel, with plenty of opportunity to customize a set that really speaks to your personality. You could capture the soundtrack to a special time in your life, or have a daily reminder of that incredible road trip with your best friend as you sip your morning coffee.
Available with Broadway favorites, Christmas carols, timeless Opera... or whatever music sings to your heart...
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There's just something about a map that makes me want to grab my keys and hit the road!
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Encyclopedia and Dictionary themed coasters could protect your tables while you are doing the Sunday crossword, reading a favorite novel, or engaging in a spirited game of Scrabble… (on that note, how DOES my husband get 62 points from the word “spell”… How??!!?)
Word nerds unite!
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John is a full-time student, activist, and artist, based in Winnipeg. His coasters have a cork backing, and he is always open to custom orders and special requests. Check out his Etsy shop for more details (and the scoop on whether or not he was really named after *that* John Wayne…)
Here’s hoping we can all infuse a little bit of individual flair into our daily lives!
~Jennifer
Feeling a little bit extra lucky today? You aren’t alone! Today we all get to be just a little bit Irish, so practice your brogue, put on something green, dance a jig, and (if you are so inclined) enjoy a cold, green beverage of choice. In honour of this fun-filled day, we have gathered a few handmade gems for the Irish at heart… Enjoy!
- These four hearts together form a lovely clover pendant. Beautiful any day of the year…
Why should us humans have all the fun? Let your beloved pooch get in on the St. Paddy's Day action with this cute collar!
And for those who really go green from head to toe, you’ll probably need something like these:
Warm, comfy, and festive to boot! (get it? boot... 'cause they're socks... *giggle*)
This would be perfect for those looking for an elegant and understated way to mark the day...
May the luck of the Irish be with you today and always!
~Jennifer
I am having a bit of fun getting ready for Easter this year. Now that my daughter is old enough to have a little egg hunt, there is something a little more exciting about the whole experience! We already have some colourful plastic eggs to “hide”, a basket for her to gather them in, and she will probably even get a little treat or toy to play with. She is still a bit too young for much chocolate or candy, but that just means more for Mom and Dad, right? In fact, this year I think the Easter Bunny may go all out, and leave a few treats from Charlinda Belgian Chocolates when he/she hops on by!
- Nothing says Welcome Spring better than (delicious chocolate-y) flowers!
But chocolate shouldn’t only be an Easter treat, it’s so versatile that it can be perfect for any occasion or no occasion at all!
Who knew you could make a piano from chocolate? It's music to your mouth...
Perhaps there is an upcoming wedding or baby shower that could use some decor that doubles as a small gift or an extra desert…
- You may *want* to nibble on the real baby, but people tend to frown on that… so nibble on this instead!
Charlinda is a mother-daughter team from Stoufville Ontario, and they use an old family recipe that has stood the test of time. They have mouthwatering almond bark, truffles, chocolate cherries, and chocolate in multitude of shapes and designs. There’s even a 3D canoe filled with maritime goodies, and I really like this sleek sailboat:
There are so many shapes, and they come in a variety of flavours too.. yum!
The ladies can make almost anything your heart desires, and custom work is welcome. Weddings, trade shows and other events can have a little something extra that won’t end up gathering dust on someone’s shelf, or in next year’s garage sale! Contact them for more details, or visit the website to see what is available.
Wishing you and yours a day filled with sweetness,
~Jennifer
Monday was a big day for some very dear friends of mine. They welcomed a beautiful baby girl into their lives, and she has since stolen everyone’s hearts! (Funny how babies can do that so fast… You just can’t fight those eyes, and the adorable little fingers and toes). So I have had “baby girl brain” all week, and thus have stumbled upon Little Jumping Beans. They have the sweetest little shoes, bibs, and crib sheets, all in fabulous fabrics that any fashionable new parent will love.
Oh I think new baby P and my wee girl need matching shoes (proper girlfriends always share style, right?)
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So pretty and feminine... soft and washable too!
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Jaimie is a mom of two who has a soft spot for pretty fabric and hollywood gossip. She sews all of her creations in her Calgary home.
You choose the fabric, Jaimie will sew up a safe and snug crib sheet for baby.
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- That’s one small step for baby… one giant leap for baby-kind…
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As an extra bonus, 10% of sales are donated to a different charity every month! I love it when you can shop and do good things for the world at the same time. Visit the Little Jumping Beans Etsy shop for more great stuff, or drop by Facebook and say Hi!
Celebrating the sweetness of new life,
~Jennifer
