The work shed

Earth Day Goodness

Last week was one of the most hectic this year as it was the official roll-out of this 14-month project I've been managing @ work. During the 14-hour days and despite a car collision, I had a sunshine moment: winning an organic fabric sample set from green crafting guru Betz White! A habit inherited from my mom, I 'secretly' enter contests - not the kind where you can win an all-expenses paid cruise from your grocery store but rather the small, simple kind. Like the one organized by Betz and 11-other organically-minded fabric designers. Can't wait until I receive the Indian Summer sample set. I think I'll make another bird mobile with it.

Louise's knitting bag

My first solo sewing project. With fabric from The Workroom, I replaced the tired floral pattern on my sister-in-law's knitting fold-out bag with this fresh, fun pattern. I was so proud of myself. The Hub said all I needed to do was practice and well, he was right.

A valentine note

A handmade post-card for the Hub.

Homemade meatballs for me from the Hub.

Four strands of colourful hearts (reclaimed from an old gift bag) hung from our bedroom door.

Everyday is the 14th.

mandy's craft studio - part two

mandy's craft studio - part one

Christmas wish list

Poppytalk Handmade's Holiday and Gift-Themed Market opened today and there are some very lovely goodies I'd love to find in my stocking on Christmas morning. Wink, wink, nudge, nudge, hub, hub.

From top to bottom:

1. hand-printed fat quarters from repeat.

2. le sac from lines by davis.

3. precious recycled soft wool gloves by dear pony.

4. anything from the letterpress wizards pistachio press.

Christmas countdown

The calendar tells me that Christmas is only five weeks away. The thermometer however, tells a different story. One of climate change and a late November reading of nine degrees c. Sure, I'm not quite ready to done my sleeping bag parka for five months but it's hard to ramp up the holiday mojo when its so temperate outdoors.

(Christmas letterpress blocks via Style Files)

Branches

I'm off to collect branches and other sticks of natural beauty for our Kitchen Party centrepieces. The egg-shaped glass bottles above display birch branches beautifully.

(Photo via Apartment Therapy)

Wordy gift idea

Brooke Reynolds of Inchmark posted this lovely - and wordy - gift idea on Design Sponge today. An alphabet stack gift card for someone you know really well. For each letter, you pick a character trait (flattering of course) that best describes that person. Putting this one in the craft trunk. 

A Darn Sarn-inspired Christmas

Okay, I know I am rushing it but this pic always cracks me up. The hub and I, inspired by our Sarnia 'neighbours', did a holiday photo shoot on our balcony last winter. One of the resulting pictures made its way onto the front of our Christmas card; the hub is wearing his $35 Made-in-Winterpeg down parka and his vintage Adidas running shorts (he actually ran a race in those in Melbourne, Aus.), and I bought the lovely green sweater and sparkly pin from a hand-me-down shop. Giggles. 

kraft paper packages

There is nothing like coming home from work to discover a kraft paper package in your mailbox filled with surprises from a good, old friend. Jazz-rama, this one is en route. 

rainy day pencils

Rain since 11:30 a.m. The future husband is out collecting soil samples for work. Inspired by Laura Normandin's guest blog on Design Sponge, I decided to craft up my own storm this morning. The paper was left over from one of my Big Sister craft nights, 20 pencils for two bucks from the dollar store and the forgotten about Mod Podge. LOVed that stuff as a kid. 

Homemade wedding card

Designed for our dear friend Matty J's September nuptials. Enjoy the long weekend. 

s-LOVE countdown

The two-month nuptial countdown is on. I designed and printed this calendar for the future husband so he could appreciate how quickly the day is approaching. It is on our front door clipboard.