Sparrow Avenue

2012-02-02T04:24:00.001-05:00

If you haven't visited the shop lately, you might not have noticed that there are new tea towels there. I will be trying very hard this month to have more items.

I had posted this on Facebook a few days ago. You can find more of these wonderful microscopic designs here. They remind me very much of Margie's crochet works of art.

Hope your week is going well.

Wednesday's Work

2012-02-01T04:47:00.003-05:00

Working away on a wack of wonderful whale (and other animal)baby bibs that are in the shop starting today! O, and these too.

As well, I have been working on new drawings. I know the last batch of bird drawings I did never amounted to much. I have higher hopes for these:

They are only pencil sketches now but I hope to make some kind of patterning with them; not so much a compositional group but more of a repeat.

As well, I wanted to show you what I picked up when I visited the Do design show this past weekend. Aren't they beautiful?

tumblers by Bookhou

Tuesday's Treasures

2012-01-31T04:30:00.015-05:00

There has been some time to work on a few of the new ideas I had spoken about earlier. These are a couple of proto-types for baby bibs (which have changed since this image was taken) and I decided to use flannel; it is so so soft!

This is the first time I've printed on flannel and I've learned that it's great to print on. Even the finest lines of the Balloon Ship came out. Well, at least those that came through in the exposure: you can see I had a bit of trouble with this one. But the porcupine printed beautifully! Even on cotton fleece (shown below) which I'll be using for more baby stuff to come.

And by the way: this is the last day for the set sale in the shop.

Mosaic Monday

2012-01-30T04:27:00.003-05:00

How was your weekend? Here in Toronto most of the winter has had little or no snow. It is quite unusual as January has always provided sub-zero temperatures and enough snow (even though the rest of Canada would scoff).

This mosaic has images, not only of some of my recent drawings, but some of the little treasures I have around the house (except for the door knobs which are from a photograph I took in Montreal). The bird house is by April Gregory. She uses up-cycled materials and I love the textures and colours in her work.

Sparrow Perch

2012-01-27T04:24:00.001-05:00

It would seem like a perfect vehicle for a perching sparrow: ya think? I'll give it some thought.
I'm looking forward to checking out some of the work for the DoDesign show tomorrow. Here are just a few of the things I might see:

Bookhou

Alexx Boisjoli

Reed Hansuld

Here's wishing you

a great weekend

The Studio

2012-01-26T04:50:00.003-05:00

In light of all the talk about January clean-up and organization, I thought I'd take a rare photo of the work table at it's neatest. You can see my little Featherweight and the piles of work slowly building. I have so many ideas in my head, I feel like there's not enough time.

Just thought I'd remind you that the sales in the shop will be finished on the 31st of January.

Wednesday's Work

2012-01-25T05:02:00.020-05:00

It's still pretty dreary here but I suppose that's to be expected for mid-winter. I'm thrilled to pieces the temperatures aren't sub-zero.
This is my screen for the porcupine drawing I did last year that you may have seen in my 2012 Calendar (which, by the way, is on sale in the shop, if you still need a calendar). If you look closely you can see the "ghost" images of previous screen burns.

I have been printing on this tea towel linen/cotton blend material now. And the cut is very generous. They will be in the shop later this week.

Hope your week is going well.

Tuesday's Treasures

2012-01-24T04:31:00.006-05:00

Last week I began Tuesday's Treasures:

journaling new things that

I've taught

myself.

I was quite pleased when I put this chickadee of mine onto this old French label. As I've said before, I really like the combination of graphics and images, let alone the mixture of time periods. I also like how the bird's head is right under an emblem making it look like it's wearing a crown.

This Photoshopped postcard has a little drop shadow behind my drawing of a sparrow, making it look like the bird was a cut out that was only lightly taped down.

There are lots of tutorials on line that explain how to do Photoshop techniques. But if you're new to all of this it can be rather daunting.

Over the weekend I was working with my new light table, exposing screens. Here are two of my new images for 2012.

(Actually,

the owl is in my 2012 Calendar,

so there was a sneak preview of it last month.

But the humpback,

as you know,

is this month)

I have to tell you that this was my first time applying emulsion and burning screens without any help. So I was a wee bit nervous in the process. But aside from the lousy emulsion application,

(the first one I did was perfect

but the screen was exposed for too short a time

and the whole thing washed away)

the images, themselves, turned out pretty well and I've been printing up tea towels ever since.

Hope it's not too dreary where you are.

Mosaic Monday

2012-01-23T04:25:00.002-05:00


All drawings by Barbara Di Lella

Such a full weekend. I hope yours was the same. I had spent it burning new screens with the Light Box Art had made. I'll show you the new designs later this week.

Part of my January studio organization

involves re-thinking Sparrow Avenue's Journal.

Monday will now be a place to record images in a Mosaic format.
I've seen others do this and it's quite wonderful to see unusual things juxtaposed with other images.

sparrow drawing, books from adorevintage , sparrow postcard

old Bingo card, sparrow in grass, Margie's vintage lace

white throated sparrow postcard, vintage heat grate, robin nesting

Something New

2012-01-20T04:26:00.002-05:00

It was 10 days ago that I was lamenting about other people's schedules. It's a drag when you haven't all the skills that you need to do a project. There's a whole post right there about self-sufficiency, I guess. On the other hand, 10 days isn't really all that long (if you only knew at the start, that is)

As of today I have

a new light/exposure box

with which to burn my screens.

Very excited!

Thank you so much, Art

Along with that I have some new images that I am finally and completely satisfied with. Some months ago I was working on a number of bird images and everyone was so generous with their kind words but somehow I still wasn't pleased with them. These new images though, are much better. This is one of them:

I can't wait

to start

printing

this

one

Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend

full of accomplishments

and happiness.

2012-01-19T04:30:00.003-05:00

Sparrow Avenue

I hope your week is going well.

This is a small corner of the studio.

The hand is mine.

Art must have molded and cast it 10 years ago.

The spools of thread were a gift from

Arounna when she used to have time

to go to yard sales.

The sparrow

was a collaboration

of which Art did most of the work.

One day I'll show some of the other collaborations

that we've done.

I wanted to show you the final drawing of the air ship I've been working on. Something's still a little wrong about the perspective and I'm pretty sure I know what it is but it would mean starting all over and I'm not sure I want to do that. Seeing as the idea is a little wonky, I don't see why the drawing shouldn't be as well.

Vintage Inspiration

2012-01-18T04:30:00.002-05:00

Part of what I try to do with my work is combine images and graphics. Maybe it was game boards when I was little, that started that attraction, I don't know. The one above I found at Margie's last year when we were doing Natural Dye.

Mostly it's the vintage items that compel me. You can find this one here.

And this one here.

What images inspire your creativity?

Tuesday's Treasures

2012-01-17T04:28:00.000-05:00

Last year I had recklessly said that I was going to try to learn something new everyday. I quickly learned that that was a wee bit ambitious. However, I'm thinking that something new each week might be manageable. Tuesday's Treasures

The image above was done in Photoshop. Most of you would think nothing of that but for me: it's something new. In the past I would have done this direct. I would have found an old post card (of which I have boxes and boxes), photocopied it, aged it, stamped it and drawn on it. Simple.

Tuesday's Treasures

will become my catalogue of new things learned.

Winter Work

2012-01-16T04:17:00.000-05:00

Sonee

The last few days have been pretty cold: the girls and I stay curled up in the studio instead of going to the park. This gives me a lot more time to work out drawings and patterns.

Winter Trees

Air Ship

And then later on I have these to print and sew and hopefully put them in the shop this week.

Hope your weekend was

restful

warm

re-energizing

for this new week.

Drawings and Sales

2012-01-13T04:59:00.003-05:00

original sketch (copyright Barbara Di Lella 2012)

I don't have a sketch book anymore. When I stopped painting I didn't think I needed one. Now I just scratch out my ideas on any piece of paper lying around and half the time there are scribbled notes pertaining to other things. Anyway I wanted to show the beginnings of this idea.

Here it is, still not quite done but the idea is definitely there. Sorry I didn't show the process of the humpback, but it was coming so quickly and easy, I just didn't stop to document it. Actually, the idea isn't fully presented because I'm tweaking it just a bit more. Hopefully by next week it will be done.

The 2012 Calendar with all my animal and bird drawings is now on Sale in the shop.

Here's wishing you

a lovely January

weekend.

Early Morning Drawing

2012-01-11T04:31:00.001-05:00

Because I wake up so early in the mornings I have to work on quiet things. Drawing has proven to be quiet enough and, as I have a cup of coffee, I'm at my best for this. (During the day the concentration required just knocks me out)

Still a long way to go but bit by bit I'm straightening out the perspective. I have great plans for this. Perhaps by the end of the week it will be further along...

Hope your week is going well.

O, and by the way, check out some of the sales in the shop

Toddler Hat

2012-01-09T04:32:00.001-05:00

What a glorious weekend we had! I hope you had some of it too.
I've had a bit of time to fine tune the little toddler hats. I'm wondering if a band of brown across the bottom might just give it that extra little bit of accent?
Nothing ever seems to happen quite as quickly as I would prefer; other aspects of the studio are being worked on and someone else's time schedule has to be considered...more about that later.

Sales Ready to Go

2012-01-06T05:04:00.004-05:00

A Fresh Start

The significance of this picture is that there is nothing there! This is my work surface (well, part of it, the printing part) and it's absolutely clear of work. I've tossed, I've purged, I've sorted and rearranged. There's still more to do, but I can at least start this year's work knowing that I don't have to look under piles of other work to find it!

And speaking of work, I have been putting some "sales" in the shop. One is here and another here. There will be more coming next week.
Have a great weekend. I hope the weather where you are is as great as it's been here: totally unseasonal and brown!

2012-01-04T04:18:00.000-05:00

Peter and the Wolf

Inadvertently while cleaning and sorting, older work comes into view. I have a few of these small oil paintings left over from a show I had a number of years ago.

Out With the Old, In With the New

2012-01-02T04:39:00.001-05:00

I've finally come to the conclusion that I have to clear out a lot of my old stuff. There is so much that accumulates over the years. I organize it and put it in boxes but then what?

So it has to go.

And what a struggle that presents!

I've always worked in very tiny spaces making do with just a little square surface space while things pile up around me. You'dthink I'd be claustrophobic; but not.

I wonder if I'm just one of those

who needs the mess to inspire the work?

See what I mean? I've been working on Summer Hats for Kids: a new project I'm quite excited about. This is just a prototype. But just look at the stuff all over my work space. And yet that seems to inspire me.

Nevertheless, wish me luck in my endeavors to "Out With the Old, And In With the New.

2012

2012-01-01T00:00:00.001-05:00


Gung Hay Fat Choy / Sun Nin Fy Lok * Gong Xi Fa Cai / Xin Nien Kuai Le * Wishing You Prosperity / Happy New Year

The year of the Dragon: a year of success and happiness

You can go here to find out which symbol you are.

Good-bye 2011

2011-12-30T04:28:00.002-05:00

Good-bye 2011

This has been a crazy year for me and, I have to say, from almost the beginning I didn't have a good feeling for it. On the other hand, there are a few people I know who have had an amazing year and I am so happy for them (they know who they are).

2011 was a year of challenges and learning new things; but then aren't most years like that? I wonder what it was like for you??

This morning I was reading a very appropriate post for this time of year. Sometimes we need to be reminded about things we might have taken for granted.

 I was commissioned to do a very large version of my whale shoulder bag. For sure it would fit any lap top with room to spare.

In January I will be posting some SET SALES in an attempt to clear out stock and make room for some new work. If there is anything you have been interested in but were afraid to ask, NOW is the time. I look forward to hearing your wish list. 

2011-12-28T04:29:00.001-05:00

A sweet little message to download from Cartolina.

It's a bit of dull day here but I've been working away at some new ideas although they're not ready for show quite yet. I was also hoping to straighten out the studio but there is so much stuff that it's just too overwhelming. I know the trick is to start in a corner but you've no idea how FULL the corners are!

And then again, I sometimes wonder if working in a mess is the only way I know how to work? At any rate, I know I'm not the only one. Through clothpaperscissors I found this article which sums it up pretty well.

A Small Window

2011-12-27T04:50:00.000-05:00

Returning from Christmas dinner on the other side of the Lake. Lots of family, food, laughter and prezzies. Hope you had a wonderful time too. It was starting to snow where we were but nothing as ominous as these clouds out my studio window. But, like my girls, the bark was worse than the bite (meaning: it didn't snow)

This little window between Christmas and the New Year is my opportunity to work out potential new designs. There are a few things kicking around in my head that I hope will see the light of day.

Sometimes there are spin-offs from the work Art does. These are life size casts of sparrow skulls. I'm not really much of a bone person although I do see how intriguing they can be.

Just to give an idea of size, the skull in the background is of a small dog (the size of a fox). Art has lots of animal skulls. Maybe one day I can convince him to do a post of them.

2011-12-24T17:00:00.000-05:00


Happy Holidays Everyone

2011-12-23T05:08:00.002-05:00

A Merry Holiday Season

I would like to thank all of you who visit me here and talk to me via the comments. To me, far more than Thanksgiving, this Holiday Season is the time to express love for family and friends.

I have lost some so close to my heart

and I have gained some along the way.

And sometimes it can be confusing

piecing it altogether

so that it makes sense.

But I am grateful for everyone in my life

and I wish you all the best.

Walnut by Laruelapalooza

2011-12-21T04:14:00.007-05:00

Mid-week and I'm still working away. I wouldn't have thought the pillows would be so popular. But these will be the last ones for a little while so I'll probably put them in the shop after Christmas.
Hope your week is going well these last few days; that everything is in order and you're not tearing your hair out in traffic or line ups to pay for prezzies and groceries. Certain people I know would have heads rolling with their sharp tongues. I guess that's stress. Nothing a good drink, at the end of the day, wouldn't cure. ( is that too many double negatives?)

This is the first year that we have decided to scale way back. Ithas been a tough year in many respects. In the past, it has been the routine to damn the torpedoes and ignore the difficulties.

Sometimes it's important to do that.

But reality and perspective have hit their mark this year and we will do with less. I don't mind. Small and simple and definitely handmade are the main thing. A salute to Margie and Sonia for their focus on these ideas.

I just thought I'd leave you with this article to read and ponder.

Serindipity

2011-12-19T04:15:00.001-05:00

Another busy weekend; I'm sure for you too. But even so, Christmas shopping hasn't even begun yet. The weekend was partially spent at hospital emergency. Nothing to worry about; an infection requiring antibiotics. And even though I'm glad there was nothing horrific to deal with, it's still time you don't get back.
But do you ever notice that if one unusual thing doesn't happen, then another won't either? That sounds vague, I know. But on the way home I saw two beautiful bistro chairs being tossed and if I hadn't been coming home from hospital then I'd never have seen them.
They will now be seen in some of my product shots as I've been looking for some time now for a special "vehicle" for them.

2011-12-16T05:23:00.000-05:00

By the time the sun was rising back on Monday I was in Ontario with my first cup of coffee for the day.

The Lake was so incredibly dark and blue and no doubt, cold.

The hi-way home was clear and easy the whole way, totally unlike what it was to Montreal. But wouldn't you know it: once in Toronto traffic was almost at a stand still enabling me to take this image of the Lakeshore.

Hope you all have a great weekend.

Although I guess it will be hectic

as it's the last one before

Christmas

2011-12-14T15:02:00.001-05:00

Just a quick little reminder that I will be in the Sassy Little Craft Show tomorrow night. You can find it here

2011-12-14T04:19:00.001-05:00

One of the things I love about Montreal is the architecture. The buildings and atmosphere seem so much more European than Toronto. Walking is a bonus when you come across fascinating windows like these:

This shop on Saint Laurent was crammed with so much vintage and antique. Wish I could have come away with one of these amazing marionettes.

To get to the Puces Pop show you have to go through this long dark tunnel to the basement of the church. Something rather medieval about that which I like: something to build the mystery of what you are about to see.

When the show is crowded it's impossible to take a picture. So this was a small window of opportunity towards the end of the day.

But one of the other things I love about the show is the people watching especially the little ones.

Puces Pop

2011-12-12T15:17:00.000-05:00

St. Enfant-Jesus Church, Montreal

Merci a tout ceux qui sont venus a Puces Pop!

My weekend was spent in Montreal doing the Puces Pop Show at this beautiful church. It was a bit of a messy day driving there and it seemed like Montreal's first bit of snow too.

A big thank you to everyone who came to show and supported Hand Made. The show was so well attended.

I'll tell you more about it later.

Hope your week has started beautifully.

Back home in Toronto,

the sun is shining

as if it was

Spring!

Puces Pop

2011-12-09T04:22:00.009-05:00

Part of doing shows in other places (I'll be in Montreal this weekend for Puces Pop) is the organization that's required. I usually take over the living room as it has so much more space to spread out. Then it has to be packed really tight.

Usually a hockey bag is borrowed but this time it wasn't available. So off I went to find something and spend more money than I want to just because "cheap is expensive". But, I gotta tell you: there really is a Santa Claus! Because when I went to pay for it, it was half price. Such a deal!

But the hardest part about doing a show in another town is saying good-bye.

Hope you have a wonderful weekend.

A Hazy Shade of Winter

2011-12-07T05:00:00.001-05:00

Look around

leaves are brown

And the sky is

A hazy shade of Winter

Coming home from the park the other day with the girls and the sky and light filled the streets with an amazing pink glow. By the time I got my camera this rainbow was all that was left.

These wonderful clay pieces came in the mail while I had been making dinner, setting the girls barking their brains out (if there's anything I can't stand it's senseless barking!) They are a gift from Laura: so sweet. Thank you. They will be hanging on the Christmas tree.

Shows and 'Shop

2011-12-05T04:39:00.000-05:00

Mondo Bazaar was a couple of days ago now and I'd like to thank all of you who were able to come out to the Gladstone and support the show. Lots of wonderful artisans there and it's always such a pleasure to talk with everyone from past years and newly met.

Next on the list is Puces Pop in Montreal. This year we're going to take a chance with the weather and drive out instead of taking the train. Not til Friday though, but wish us luck anyway?

The pictures above are little experiments trying to learn a bit more about Photoshop. I am so used to doing collage the old fashioned way (actual cut and paste) yet I'm intrigued by having the capability of manipulating the transparency of any image. The photo is of the Di Lella family taken in the 1930's in Florida.

New and One of a Kind

2011-12-02T05:07:00.002-05:00

I hope to be making more of these pouches in the new year. When I saw it in my shop, the colours just popped out from the rest of my quieter work. This fabric was printed from a collage I had done last year. The young girl is my aunt when she was 14. It was her passport picture from when she came over from Belgium to Canada after WW II. Isn't she beautiful?

I finally got myself over to the One of a Kind Show and saw a few friends and new artisans. I've always loved Danielle Hession's work.

Her collages are like no one else's

Always nice to see Bookhou there as well and had a nice little talk with John. Apparently Arounna is a bit under the weather which never happens so I hope she feels better soon.

In the Rising Stars section I saw and spoke with Jenny Kuri whose artistic dolls/animals just called out to me. I have a strong attraction to "toys" but they have to be different, they have to exude a story. This attraction goes way back to this little guy:

He's quite old now and a little bit faded, especially around the mouth but he used to "dance", at least to me he used to dance. My grandmother made him when I was quite small.

Lorraine Chien's work was very special with lots of personality let alone the articulation of legs and head. His nose is a long carrot shape and his hat has patches and holes lending a complete curiosity to hear his story. All my guys sit in an old wooden crate in my studio. They and the "girls" keep me company while I work.

Now there's a story too!!

Just before I wish you a great weekend, why not go here and check out the wonderful Giveaway the Paper Place is having from now til December 15.

Hope you have a wonderful weekend

and check out all the local

Handmade shows

2011-11-30T11:20:00.000-05:00

This is actually a colour photo out my studio window

but it has been

so bleak and grey the last few days

and actually s n o w i n g

(not my favourite weather, for sure).

Sutcliffe and Harrison

Yesterday was the 10th anniversary of George Harrison's death. I can't believe it's been so long.
I've been spending lots of time building stock for the Holiday Shows coming up. They seem to be happening one on top of the other starting this Saturday at Mondo Bazaar being held at the Gladstone Hotel. I hope those of you in Toronto can stop by.

I trust where ever you are

that the week is going just fine for you

2011-11-28T11:31:00.000-05:00

Aprons are such an awkward shape to photograph being so long and narrow. The person who commissioned it wanted a large divided pocket and I thought the sparrow in the grass would look nice.

Originally it looked like this with no pockets and a little wren.

2011-11-28T07:16:00.000-05:00

Hope you had a good weekend especially with all the Black Friday and Cyber Monday going on. The pressure seems to be slowly mounting for the Holiday Season. I've been getting ready for more shows. Mondo Bazaar next week is a lot of fun and I'm looking forward to it (sorry for the poor image). After that I'll be going to Montreal for the Winter Puces Pop: another festival I'm looking forward to. As well, I hope to visit the One of a Kind which opened last week. A few of my friends are there. You can see them here and here.
Over the weekend I spent some time working on a commissioned apron. Last year I used to make these and I really don't know why I stopped because they are a good kitchen apron. I'll show you it later when I've had a chance to take some pictures. Hopefully the sun will be out later today.

Hope you have a good start to your week!

2011-11-25T04:32:00.001-05:00

I trust that all my American friends had a scrumptious Thanksgiving

I'm so lucky not only to have such a wonderful cousin/friend who lets me come for lunch at a moment's notice but also lets me use her beautiful kitchen (with it's incredible light) for a photo shoot!

Thank you Nancy!

The new (and improved) i-Pad covers are now available here. And I've also made them with my other favourite animals and Natural Dyes.

Have a wonderful weekend everyone.

New and Improved I-Pad Covers

2011-11-23T04:35:00.001-05:00

I have been revising the i-pad covers I showed last week as they were a wee bit tight. Not having an i-pad myself I could only go by the dimensions on the spec page which isn't as good as having the real thing.

But I still love this new natural dye colour that I've been working with and now that I've combined it with some brown it has even more of that WWI era feel about it.

This image shows it a lot better. All that mottled colour is the dye but somehow it comes across as looking like vintage army surplus canvas or postal bag canvas that has seen some weather.

Come Friday I hope to have it in the shop. In the meantime, all the other ones I made seem to fit Blackberry's "Play Book" so I'll probably have them there as well.

Moosie

2011-11-21T07:30:00.000-05:00

There are a few of these headed to Australia and I've been so curious as to why. I finally got up the nerve to ask and I have to share this wonderful story:

Hi Barbara,
I'm a born and bred Australian (about 6th generation). The pillow is actually a present for my sister who found it and put it on her christmas list. My sister went overseas with the army and they took a toy moose (moosie) as a mascot. No idea why, just a random cute toy. Moosie ended up in every photograph and featured in some of Saddam's Palace pictures that she took. The moose thing just evolved from there.
You've got an awesome website. I'm meant to be studying! At least if I fail I'll have seen many pretty things. :)

2011-11-21T04:35:00.000-05:00

Hope you had a great weekend. Here the temperatures were unusually warm for this time of year which is really nice on my heating bill! It was a weekend of replenishing for me. Lots more pouches on the go. I've been concentrating on making them sized for phones.

Pillows are also high in demand. I work in stages, it seems to go faster that way. This picture is just after I've put in the zippers. By tomorrow, they'll take over the couch as I've no where else to put them until they're delivered. Have you checked out Scout, the newest store in the neighbourhood? That's where these are going.

2011-11-18T05:11:00.000-05:00

I'd like to thank everyone who came out on a very cold day to the Howard Park Craft Show. It's always nice to meet new artisans and share their interests: Janice from Dandy Tiger and David from kynk to mention a few.
After every show there is plenty of straightening out of the studio to do.

Hope you have a great weekend and bundle up if you're north of the 49th!

Red

2011-11-16T04:32:00.003-05:00

Red

isn't usually a colour that comes to mind for me. I'm more the quiet, subdued type.

But Christmas is coming and people usually ask,

"Does it come in red?"

So...I've made some totes and i-phone pouches for the coming

winter shows.

If you're in Toronto's west end please stop by the show on Thursday (click the link on the side bar)

Hope your week is going well. It's been sunny here but I hear the snow is coming.

i-Pad Covers

2011-11-14T04:06:00.001-05:00

Hope you had a good weekend. I spent mine working with a new Natural Dye that I had completed last week. It's pomegranate and logwood. It reminds me of buckskin and WWI khaki. I really love it and hope to do more. But this weekend I made i-pad covers with it and some logwood.

The mottled effect of the dye gives the impression of being under water: that's why I use it with my Right Whale.

Remembrance Day 11/11/11

2011-11-11T04:00:00.007-05:00

image from www.timeanddate.com

Remembrance Day is always a difficult time: family lost in wars.

In just a short time, it will mark 100 years since WWI. Unfathomable.

Have you ever read "All Quiet on the Western Front"

by Erich Maria Remarque?

My Dad gave me a copy of this book published in 1929. It was one of the reasons why he (18 yrs old) refused to fight in the Second World War. The other reason was that his father, who fought in the First War, encouraged him not to go over, to abstain.

There is so much that can be said, and then there seems to be so little reason why. There are definitely others who are far more eloquent, more capable.

Autumn Colour

2011-11-09T04:45:00.001-05:00

This gorgeous bush lives at the front of my house, originally bought because of it's sharp thorns! There is a retaining wall there and in the summer people like to sit and talk and smoke. Well, you get the picture...

There were piles of pillows waiting to go off to stores today. As well I have been working on more Market Bags for the shows coming up. If you're interested in one you can e-mail me because I won't be putting them in the shop, but they are available. I just sold some to someone living in Hearst (pretty far north of here).

Enjoy the rest of the week

It has been so beautiful the last few days!

2011-11-07T04:28:00.002-05:00

Hope you've had a wonderful weekend. The sun was certainly generous where we are and it shows beautifully with these golden leaves in our backyard. I thought it was a perfect backdrop for my Market Moose Bag.
I have a small show coming up in a few days and I've been working on it as well as a number of others coming later in the season. I'll post about that later.
Boy, is it getting colder, at least early in the mornings when the girls and I go to the park. And yes, we have a new furnace! I can tell you I was feeling like Sam McGee.

O, and by the way the calendars are now in the shop. You can find them here.

2011-11-06T14:37:00.000-05:00

Pascale Palun, who hates to have her photo taken. I told her I know few who do. I also told her she was beautiful, in which like many of us, cannot take a compliment said, "I would rather you take a photo of my objects, of things I have collected."
But you know beauty cannot be contained, it is a source that has no boundaires, it runs with those who are willing to capture it, hold it, give it, share it... live it. Pascale breaths it giving it wings.

I found this here...

2012

2011-11-04T04:35:00.003-04:00

I finally have the finished printing of the project I was working on the last few weeks. Laura might recognize the robin that she had photographed this past summer and gave me permission to draw.

The lighting today is just dreadful: no sun. So I'll more than likely be reshooting these. But I just wanted to show you. By next week they'll be in the shop!

In the meantime, I hope you all stay warm this weekend.

(I only say that because our furnace bit the dust! )

Margie Influences

2011-11-02T04:54:00.002-04:00

When you stop and slow down, you inevitably see things differently. It's been a few weeks since I went up to Algonquin and many of the pictures were never posted. But while I was up there I couldn't help but see things that reminded me of Margie.

Of course, I don't have her amazing eye nor the camera and lens but there you go...

Scout, Lane Ways and Pumpkins

2011-10-31T00:05:00.003-04:00

Scout is my latest store. If you can, check it out. Here is a bit of a sneak preview.

On the days I'm off to the printer, the "girls" and I usually go through some lane ways. It's quieter, less traffic and you never know what you'll see. It's like a peak into another time, which is kind of cool.

Of course, this is kind of cool too.

After today we won't be seeing much of these. Although the park where we go for morning walks has a gorgeous display of the neighbourhood's pumpkins. Everyone brings them after Hallowe'en. There are hundreds of them! Or you can go here to see what I mean.

I hope everyone has a very scary night tonight, have fun with all the costumes and make-up.

I've been crazy busy clearing out the basement for a new project. And what a time to do it too as it was sunny all weekend and I was in the basement! argh. Well, in the end, it's for a good cause. I'll tell you more about that later.

2011-10-28T05:01:00.000-04:00

With these colder grey days it's always been my firm belief that people were meant to hibernate, instead of this incessant drive to work.

I suppose that's why they invented furnaces.

Over at the shop many people from all over have "hearted" my Moose Pillow. Actually, it would be quite nice to curl up with and read a good book, I think.

Have a warm weekend.

I hope to show you what I've been designing soon.

The Colour Purple

2011-10-26T04:13:00.002-04:00

The last clematis and morning glory in our yard. I thought it appropriate to show them with my logwood hanging to dry.

Out back is full of green and yellow but soon the leaves on the coton easter will be brilliant red. They look so amazing against Art's studio.

terra cotta head by Art Di Lella

The Owl, The Lynx and The Wolf

2011-10-24T04:51:00.000-04:00

Hope your weekend went well. We finally got some Sun yesterday which was more than welcome. I spent my time jumping between dyeing, drawing and printing. This is my finished drawing of the owl I showed you last week.

And here is the finished wolf drawing. Actually it's not the one I showed before, but one I started all over again. It's a bit dark but hey...maybe it's one of the black wolves.

I actually started this one yesterday morning and finished it too in one go: pretty rare.

Can't wait to tell you what I'm planning to do with them...

New Drawings

2011-10-21T05:54:00.001-04:00

My head is still in September but it's almost November and I just can't understand how fast the time seems to be flying. The furnace was reluctantly turned on today: grumble grumble hiss hiss.

Thought I'd show you some of the drawings I've been working on for this "new" idea I gave mention to a few days ago. I think the ink drawing of the wolf looks better here than in reality because I was going to do another one. You know me, not easily satisfied.

This one, a Boreal Owl, seems to be going in the right direction so far. Let's hope I don't mess up the eyes. I have a tendency to do the hardest thing last which is really dumb because if I'm so close to finishing and then mess it up, well...you know.

Stay warm this weekend

Algonquin Part II

2011-10-19T04:33:00.003-04:00

It was a week ago I escaped to the wilderness Just thought I'd visit it again with some of the pictures I didn't post before.

a small pebble dropped by a glacier

I know they would love to be back there as much as I would.

Enjoy the rest of your week. I'm loaded down with more drawing and printing for a "new" idea I have. More about that later...

2011-10-17T05:21:00.000-04:00

Autumn is definitely settling in here. I hope the weekend went well for everyone.

This is something very special that I wanted to show. Perhaps you can see the writing (which must have been done by the teacher). Helen Devor is my aunt, Clinton was her public school and 1936-7 was quite a while ago!

Don't you just love the exploded patterns, use of colour and shape, let alone the beginning of fine motor skills and observation?

In the news I hear that the use of computers has virtually eliminated the need to learn how to write with pencil and paper. I don't even know where to begin about that...

A Time For Everything

2011-10-14T05:57:00.001-04:00

It was a time for wiping the slate clean. What better way to do it than to disappear? This is Algonquin Park: for me a place of renewal, a place to begin again.

All these images have so much meaning for me, so much symbolism. Exactly what I was looking for.

I hope these pictures give to you what they have given to me. All you have to do is add the silence of the trees, the "chick" of the chickadees, the rush of the rapids and the smell of the earth.

Enjoy your weekend

close your eyes

breathe the air

and take your time

2011-10-13T20:01:00.000-04:00

Found myself on someone's Pinterest here. Still not quite sure about these. On one hand they're for organizing; on the other, they seem to get way out of hand.

Old Photo Effects

2011-10-12T03:34:00.000-04:00

Hope your week is going well. Apparently the "girls" still are a bit wiffy according to some.

What with all the family gatherings, let alone preparation, there hasn't been much time for work. Still fooling around a bit with old photo effects. This one I found here. You might want to give it a try.

2011-10-10T07:44:00.000-04:00

Just quickly checking in during this amazingly beautiful Canadian Thanksgiving weekend. Wherever you are, I hope it's as lovely.

I was spending some time fooling around on photoshop. It kills me how obscure some of the steps are to achieve certain effects. But if I keep plugging away at it...well, you know.

Collages at Mitzi's in October

2011-10-07T00:37:00.001-04:00

For those of you unable to come to the show, I thought I'd just post sort of what it looks like. In the past I've taken shots hanging in the cafe but it never looks right: the angles, the light, all wrong.

Hope you like them.

Here in Canada it is Thanksgiving weekend and a time for families to get together or go to the cottage and close it up for the winter. The colours are in full view and I feel like hitting the hi-way.

Wherever you are, I hope it is a great weekend!

Old Yet New Collages

2011-10-05T02:17:00.002-04:00

Hope your week is going better than mine. Let alone all that uncalled for cold wet and depressing weather, the girls were skunked during our walk yesterday morning. Pictures wouldn't begin to describe the smell! The only saving grace was that it wasn't a direct hit. But if you ever need to know:
1 litre hydrogen peroxide
1/4 cup baking soda
2 tsp. dish soap
Rub it in and rinse with warm water about 10 - 15 minutes later and repeat. Do not store with a lid as it could explode!!

Later today I will be hanging yet another impromptu show and these are some of the pieces. As I've had absolutely no heads up about this, all I can do is go over some older pieces that I still have.

Enjoy the rest of the week, the sun should be out with the promise of warm hugs.

Montreal (part 2)

2011-10-03T06:50:00.002-04:00

One of the discoveries we made while wandering around Montreal was Style Labo, a shop full of industrial vintage pieces. I would have loved to have brought home something from this place.

But even the used postal bags were way out of my reach, let alone those wire baskets. Darn.

And what's traveling without food? "Beauty" was another wonderful find. A sun-filled cafe in the old Jewish district and filled with patrons. Not only that, but the original owner, Hymie, who easily pointed out a table for two during the packed lunch hour.

Hymie Sckolnick at 90, 2011

Random Lines

2011-09-30T05:11:00.003-04:00

In the mornings, long before dawn while the house is so so quiet, the girls and I go up to the studio. With a cup of coffee and the CBC on the lowest volume, I putter in my sketch book/journal. Lately I've been trying to work out pattern ideas. Random lines that have no meanings but lots of suggestions.

I've also been replenishing the card stock. I love making these even though they're so time consuming. Something about the implied distances traveled...
And so with this weekend we'll have kissed another September good-bye.

Hope it's a beautiful autumn/spring weekend where ever you are

Puces Pop (cont'd)

2011-09-28T17:15:00.001-04:00

Just a quick little mention: Annex Vintage wrote a great piece about this past weekend's Puces Pop. You can see it here.
It was a nice little surprise to see my work so beautifully photographed too.

Montreal

2011-09-28T06:22:00.000-04:00

While looking for somewhere to have dinner we passed this sign that was irresistible. Walking Montreal was total eye candy. Everywhere there was plenty to see.

Dinner that night was at Schwartz's. I haven't had a corned beef sandwich like that since before ever having gone to school! And with a pickle the size of a small dog.

Hope these first days of autumn are beautiful where you are.

Montreal's Puces Pop

2011-09-27T04:50:00.000-04:00

St. Michel Eglise, Montreal

Montreal has to be one of the most beautiful cities in Canada. It is almost like being in Europe or as my friend Roisin, says: it is so "civilized".
St.Michel is the venue for Puces Pop's handmade show. I would like to thank everyone who came out to support all the people involved with putting the show together and those exhibiting. So much beautiful work!

This was Saturday morning's set up; a bit sloppy, I admit. It was drastically changed on Sunday.

When we arrived there was plenty of time to just walk the streets of Montreal. Let me tell you, Art and I did a lot of walking.

The streets of Montreal are so beautiful, the architecture, ironwork, woodwork and gardens are as you see and everywhere not just a few little corners.

Even the laneways were intriguing.

and abandoned store windows.


St. Viateur Bagels

One of the things Montreal is known for is their bagels. Personally I love Toronto bagels especially Gryffe's. But one of the jokes about Toronto bagels is that they are more like donuts as far as the centre is concerned as Montreal bagels are more like a ring. As St. Michel was just down the road from St. Viateur Bagels, that's where we bought ours with a cappuccino down the street.

Later in the week I will show you some of the other things we saw during our too short trip.

Thank you to everyone who left comments about my bird drawings. I hope to get them printed on stuff for the winter.

2011-09-23T00:22:00.002-04:00

At it again with more drawings. I suppose the more I do the happier I become with them; so it's not such a bad idea to not always be pleased with what you do: it helps to push you just that little bit further. These sparrows are headed in the direction I wanted to go and the picture below shows where they've "landed".

I might play with the composition a little bit more but I think they definitely work better now.
As well, you can see the very quick sign I've made for Puces Pop. Yes, as you read this Friday morning I'm heading off to Montreal. Should be a great show. I'm quite excited about it. I won't be back til later on Monday but I hope to have lots of pictures to post of this energetic show.

Until then, have yourself a wonderful weekend.

2011-09-21T02:35:00.004-04:00

Last Year's Winter Coat seems to translate to many different things. I found this sweet little piece on our early morning walk. I was looking for something with drawers for display at some of the shows I do (like this weekend's Puces Pop).

Here it is cleaned up a bit. Still must find some hardware for it. But it should do and it is amazingly light to carry.

Hope everyone's week is going well

It is now officially Autumn

Drawings

2011-09-19T04:59:00.002-04:00


Hope you had a lovely weekend. I was busy with more bird drawings. Somehow the drawings I had shown before just didn't sit well with me. In the end I decided that most of them were just too cute. Further work will put these into a group and then that will be combined with some other ideas that I will show you soon. If you look closely you will see a ghost of a bird on this page.

Birds

2011-09-16T04:46:00.001-04:00

anon

For weeks now I have had an image in my head of little birds on a branch of apple blossoms. I've been trying to find it with no success. Very frustrating.
However, along the way there have been some really nice finds.

anon

Imao Keinen 1845-1924

I am still working on those drawings of mine...not totally happy with them. But I've gotten a pile of work finished and off my table so perhaps over the weekend I will work out the bugs.

Have a great weekend. I think I'm making soup and pumpkin pie: it's so cold!!

Queen West Art Crawl

2011-09-14T03:32:00.011-04:00


Danielle Hession


xavier peterson This weekend is the Queen West Art Crawl in Toronto.

2011-09-12T04:48:00.002-04:00

Such a busy/productive weekend; working away on these new canvas bags. Not quite the army bag I carried my school work in but a serviceable school/work bag nonetheless.

I've combined it with different colours and really l o v e the combinations. There will be snaps at the bottom corners of the front flap-closure.

Canvas Bag Ideas

2011-09-09T05:07:00.013-04:00

OMG it's Friday again! I have been building stock for a show coming up in a couple of weeks and every time I need to be building stock, that's when I start getting new ideas distracting me from production.
Years ago I used my dad's army bag as a school bag. I always loved that bag for it's design and strong canvas. It looked something like this:

Then I happened across this beautiful bag and of course I can't afford it so why not try to have it influence something?

So I started playing around last night and today I went to my all time favourite store and hopefully by early next week I'll have something to show you.

Until then, have a wonderful autumn/spring weekend.

Last Year's Winter Coat (part III)

2011-09-07T05:23:00.000-04:00

Coming home from the printer's this lovely piece of architecture dropped out of the sky (actually, a tree). I've always wanted a nest. I love the tangled mess that creates such an efficient structure. It reminds me of my hair, my studio and sometimes my life (the tangled mess part, not so much the efficient structure)

I started drawing a nest for a new screen print. I wanted to make it different from what everyone else is doing. But in the end I abandoned the idea.
Hope your week is going well so far: school schedules and all.

talk to you soon

Sparrows

2011-09-05T05:49:00.004-04:00

Hope you are enjoying this last long weekend. I've been working on the drawings, trying to push them a little further along.

The pencil sketches are gone over with black ink as a strong solid black is required for the silk screen. You can see this in process in these pictures. This is also the time I play around with the composition. I like the new little bird (second from the right)

In order that I get the best possible lines, I decided I'd enlarge the drawing to double it's original size. Once it's the way I want it, it will be reduced.
Hopefully by the end of the week, I'll have a new screen! (or two)

2011-09-02T00:58:00.000-04:00

I can't believe we're into September! I know I've been going on about the cooler temperatures and certainly the darker mornings (although some of them are quite beautiful and foggy). This morning we had a bit of an encounter with an opossum which immediately played "dead" and confused Sonnee.

With the new month I am putting new items in the shop. I'm quite excited about this bag. I love it's sturdy fabric and it's size. Great for going back to school.

I also can't believe it's Friday already too! I've been working away at the new bird drawings (sometimes getting quite frustrated too) but they're coming along and I can't wait to show you next week how they've turned out.

It's a long weekend with Labour Day. Hope you have a wonderful last go of it before the school schedule takes over our lives...

As the West Wood Evening Glows

2011-08-29T04:35:00.012-04:00

August evening

Hope your weekend went well with friends, family and whatever work that needed to be accomplished.

The weekend for me was somewhat of a mixed bag. With the passing of Jack Layton and his funeral on Saturday it was a painful reminder of my dad's death 6 months ago, almost to the day. Both of them were very generous, intelligent, articulate and good listeners. My dad, however, was a very private person. It took me a long time to understand him only to come to the realization that we had a lot in common. We were such good friends.

As the West Wood Evening Glows

Behind us is a picture of a snow covered meadow with the woods just beyond. The sun is setting in an orange glow as a flock of sheep are nosing about for blades of dead grass. My dad bought this at an auction years ago; he loved the title of it, like poetry.

I have buried myself in work as it is the only thing that keeps me from going under (disregard the unintended puns).

And so it was a very busy weekend, cutting and sewing. In there as well, I had to find time to finish off a small piece for the Paper Place call for submission of work done on Etchu Hagaki Kozo paper. Would I more of this paper to work with I would have had a great time experimenting.

This is the piece after I "played" around, adding and eliminating. Cutting out the leaves and berries was a bit of a challenge but, hey, I like that. The rusted and crushed bottle cap was something to take the piece just a bit further.

The finished piece. Must find a title.

Good-bye, Jack

2011-08-27T20:41:00.001-04:00

Good-bye, Jack

There are few politicians that inspire one to believe in a system that otherwise seems futile. Jack Layton was one such person. He will be sorely missed.

This says it all
or this

Elements

2011-08-26T05:05:00.001-04:00

Playing is a big part of finding a composition that works. Elements have always been of huge importance to me. They are easily moved around 'til something "clicks" and that satisfying rush tells you "this works".
The crane scissors is my collage scissors. I can cut the tiniest of details with it.
The letter is actually a photocopy of a letter written to my grandmother from her brother: check out the date!

These are the beginnings of me working out some new designs. I have a lot more "playing around" to do.

There's my favourite new bird from a couple of days ago.

Maps have always intrigued me, especially the map of Canada as I've traveled across this country many times (and hope to do so again)

This is our last weekend of August

and the Summer months,

Lazy sunny days are coming to a close

and walking barefoot won't be possible for too much longer

Enjoy your weekend

"What Was" Wednesday

2011-08-24T00:12:00.002-04:00

When I first started doing collage work it was pretty random; drawings mixed with torn text book pages.

Always there was a fascination with image and text, which of course created some conflict in my painting days as I just couldn't mix the two.


"Paris Post Cards: The Golden Age" by Leonard Pitt

Post cards combine text and image beautifully with the added attraction of all the imagery and fonts of postage and cancellation stamps. I've collected postcards for years and have boxes and boxes of them. Is it any wonder that I started making a few of my own?

Sparrows

2011-08-22T00:17:00.001-04:00

Oy, what a busy weekend.

Cutting, sewing, printing and drawing.

I wanted, though, to show you some of the drawings that I've been working on. Mostly sparrows (what else?) But I haven't done any in quite some time and I have a bit of an idea as to what I'm going to do with them.

These are just very rough sketches and they're done on yukky newsprint as I don't have a proper sketch pad. Usually I just draw on the 8" x 11" paper used for printers (but we're out of that right now), even opened up envelopes if I'm really stuck.

So far, this guy is my favourite.

And just for fun, I've added this one just to mix it up a bit.

Blue

2011-08-19T04:38:00.000-04:00

Earlier this week I found this gorgeous blue linen/cotton. It reminds me of some of the blues you see in France with a touch of purple in it.

A tote seemed appropriate but I'm also using it in those new wallets that I'm working on. It will be busy here in my studio from now on. Even though we are still in August there is lots to do in preparation for December. I'm still working on drawings for new screens that I hope to show you soon.

I hope your week went well

and that you will enjoy

a gorgeous summer weekend

"What Was" Wednesday

2011-08-17T04:54:00.000-04:00

A few more pages from old sketch/collage books. These were part of the experiment I did a few summers ago whereby I did a collage each day. Most of my work, I must say, has no predetermined idea; it's all random, whatever comes out is what it is and so always a surprise for me.

The middle collage is an alphabet. Some of the letters are obscure. The "n" is missing and only a few people will know the "z", but have some fun with it if you want.

The last one is ambiguous, it's what comes from combining odd but related things: Michelangelo and Caravaggio. But I have to admit I rather like the two angels peeking down from above (in the upper left corner).

2011-08-15T04:52:00.000-04:00

The evenings are coming sooner: the calling of autumn and sweaters is near.
My work space was heaped with wallet pieces ready to be assembled. Last week I was deliberating over button closures and it was suggested that perhaps snaps or zippers might be a better solution. But "I had it in my mind" to do something different.

I've chosen to use an elastic closure; much less complicated in construction (it's sewn into the seam) and easy to slip open or close. It still has the two hidden pockets as well. As you can see, there are still a few little imperfections but I'll fix that, no problem.

Wallet Prototype

2011-08-12T04:39:00.002-04:00

For a few years now I've wanted to come up with a design for a wallet that had little pockets to hold the various cards we all have to carry around with us. Sometimes during the process I got so frustrated and abandoned it altogether. But this was the week I was determined to finally come up with something and make it work.
This is actually the second design. And like I said about the bags I'd been working on last week, I changed things as I was working. In the last picture you can see that I added 2 hidden pockets( one behind the zippered pocket and one behind the card pockets.) I'm still not sure about the button closure, however, but I definitely don't want to do snaps.
This weekend in Toronto has the Bloorcourt Street Fair and a few people I know will be there. I'm looking forward to taking a bit of time off and checking it out.
Also this weekend is the show of a good friend of mine whose work I just love.

If you have the time on this gorgeous weekend go take a look.

(wishing a certain someone a happy 28th)

"What Was" Wednesday

2011-08-10T03:50:00.001-04:00

If I was clever, I'd have an animation of this old sketch book of mine opening up.

Last week I showed a few pages from it and so I think that reserving Wednesdays for "what was" would seem like an interesting thing to do.

This one came about from a book that Nick Bantock had published a few years ago: Urgent, 2nd Class. A book that encourages unusual juxtapositions. I thought it was kind of fun but it really hasn't shown up in my regular work...not yet

I'll admit that some of my private work has an eerie quality to it. This is actually just one image. "Ever" is written on one side of the card and "after" on the other. It slips inside the small manilla envelope underneath.

With these last two pictures I was trying to work out small textile pieces which I actually have more-or-less finished but then, as so often happens, it was put away. The young girl is my mom when she was 15.

2011-08-09T07:49:00.000-04:00

When I picked up the mail yesterday there was a package quite surprisingly addressed to me. It was the giveaway I had won from Rupert Girl: a beautiful "skinny" scarf. I just love the spark of the turquoise.

Thank you so much Anna.

2011-08-08T04:19:00.001-04:00

"Last year's winter coat" has become a small collection of wooden spools of thread: another interesting find on the way to the park with the "girls".

Same bag, different look.

When I had first started this blue bag, I was quite excited by the size of it. Less of a tight fit so-to-speak compared with my Day Bag.
Well, I had mixed up a bit too much of the blue textile ink so I started cutting out this black heavy weight twill and printed a few whales. But the blue seemed just a bit too bright. And that's when I remembered something I had thought a few weeks earlier and I added some black to get this lovely ghost like grey. Sometimes it's referred to as "gun metal" grey.

I Love This Grey

I hope to have these in the shop some time in September.

Pillows and Bags

2011-08-05T05:27:00.001-04:00

My week has been filled with pillows and bags, pillows and bags. Sounds like something Edward Lear or, at the very least, Pooh Bear would say.

Pillows and Bags.

Every September for years now, I've had a show of my paintings or collages at the local cafe. This year they decided to forget about me and now someone else is showing instead. :( But then today I had a call saying that I could show this month. Hurray! Except that there's no time to prepare. So, not hurray.

Now I can't figure out if I should just go ahead with it,or forget it.

Well I'm sure I'll have a busy weekend one way or another as there always seems to be stuff to do.

Hope you have a beautiful August weekend

Atwood for Mayor

2011-08-05T03:53:00.002-04:00

Would that it could be true.

This is the result of a local issue that is quite worrisome on a larger scale considering all the cutbacks that have happened to cities throughout the world. Cut backs to education, health, public transit, environment...it goes on and on.
Here in Toronto there is a deficit; what else is new? It is incredible, however, that the first things considered to go are always the arts and anything to do with women and/or children (Michelle Landsberg said it years ago: "women and children first"). So when Margaret Atwood chooses to rally, watch out. You can read more about here where it explains what is going on far better than I ever could.

Old Sketch Books

2011-08-03T02:54:00.001-04:00

A couple of years ago I was trying out some lino cuts. I thought it might be a more interesting way of creating a print. The carving is certainly enjoyable but I wasn't very quick at it.

Playing around with collage has always been a lot of fun. There was a time when for a year I had challenged myself to do a collage a day, just to see if I could break out of my own limitations. I should show some of those some day.

I've been working away at pillows and bags and thought it was just too boring to show more of that. Perhaps I will bring out more of my "behind-the-scenes" work. There are so many sketch books dating back to when I illustrated children's books and painted...such a long time ago.

Just to let you know, there is a **Summer Sale** that you can get to by going here.

1947 Featherweight

2011-08-01T04:15:00.001-04:00

A number of times I have mentioned my 1947 Featherweight Singer Machine. Many people have been so surprised by the size of it (the body of which measures only 10in. or 25cm.) and even more surprised when I tell them that a large portion of the sewing I do is with this little guy.
I have seen others like this one and this one but I have to say, at the prices being asked, I think mine had to have been a steel.

Even the detailing is so very special. What's not to like?

2011-07-29T04:26:00.002-04:00

Spent the day working on these new bags. As always, while I'm working, I came up with new ways of doing them which makes me want to do more and more. So much in process right now and not much to show.
This is our last weekend in July. It always makes me a little sad when August comes. Already it is dark when I leave to walk the girls in the morning.
There was a huge rainbow in the sky before it rained this morning; which was odd. Perhaps that will turn things around.

Have a lovely weekend:

it is a long one here in Canada

and I hope to get a lot done

2011-07-27T00:47:00.001-04:00

The other day I had the rare pleasure of spending with four inspiring and gracious women. Margie was hosting an indigo dye afternoon along with Arounna, Geninne and Sonia and I was invited too. The day had started off with thunderstorms but by the time we arrived the sun was coming out.
As you can see, Margie has the indigo set up outside which is best because it was getting a little wiffy. But her vat was strong and we managed to get a fair bit done.
Lots of talking and eating and even time for a little manicure.

Piper fingers with Geninne designs

Geninne introduced us to Mexican style corn with sour cream chilli powder, salt and lime juice. D-E-L-I-C-I-O-U-S! And we sat outside on the wrap-around porch. So Nice.

Good-byes aren't always nice: like a kid, I never want it to end. This visit was so relaxed and easy as if we hadn't just met. It's so nice when you can connect like that.

a gift from Sonia

Thank you to Margie, Sonia, Geninne and Arounna for such a lovely day

Busy Weekend

2011-07-25T09:19:00.000-04:00

image from bookhouathome

It was quite a busy weekend starting off with the Winged Migration Exhibit at Bookhou. I love the birds just eying all the food. What a lovely evening that was: meeting and talking with everyone. Arounna and Margie did such a great job organizing everything and the work was just beautiful.I also had a chance to speak with Sonia (who is here from France) and Margie about natural dye which I very much enjoyed. I hope you had a chance to come see the show. Just before we were leaving I got the courage to introduce myself to Geninne who seemed to already know who I was!

The next day we had an opening to see the Amy Swartz "Pest" Exhibit. Amy's work is highly meticulous and requires a magnifying glass to view the intricate work. If you have the chance it's at the Angell Gallery til August 20.

In and around that plus a number of family picnics I started (and finished) work on a much simpler and lighter tote than the others. I used the blue linen which just begged for the whale design. In the midst of the heat wave, it seemed appropriate to work on something "cool".

2011-07-23T11:42:00.000-04:00

Just thought I'd mention that this new bag had sold last week at the Muskoka. I hope to make a lot more of them this fall.

Hope you're have a great weekend