for my imaginary office

the holiday portobello west market was a success! traffic was a little on the slow side on saturday, but still ok and sunday was much better. thankfully the beautiful and seasonally appropriate snow stopped in the morning - i was worried that if it kept up then people might not be able to come! as a native ontarian, i can't manage a straight face if i call a snow-day for anything under 30 cm of snow (or at least 1 cm of solid ice), but you've gotta roll like a local... in the past i've stayed home from work for just a skiff and now i wear gum boots and carry an umbrella in the snow.

thank you to all who stopped by to see my table! it absolutely makes my day seeing how people react to my little army of stuffed creatures.

i was able to check a few items off my xmas list too - good news, since i was so busy with prep that i hadn't started! of course i can't share, since i don't want anyone to get the inside scoop on their gifts!

but i did fall in total love with one thing for myself. i promised that i would be good, but i couldn't resist the amazing mobiles from lovably. i kept going back to look at the most beautiful laser-cut neon pink translucent acrylic and birch bird mobile. cole is too big for a mobile now, at least in the traditional sense, and our ceilings are concrete so not the best for hanging things. but i really needed one for my office. future office, make it. right now my office is a desk in the middle of our open living space (pros - i can see the tv and it's close to the tea kettle) but i have visions of a space with a waist-high cutting table, a l-shaped computer/sewing space, a little table & chair for cole, exciting light fixtures and the kind of elaborately organized closet usually reserved for shoes in homes of the very wealthy. it is in this space i hope to hang this beautiful mobile.

it's called 'birds fly by'. mine has four pink birds and one birch, and the fancy top part is pink too. i can feel the relaxing, creative environment already. and if there's space beside my bay window with leaded glass panes i might put a big cozy chair. and a tea kettle. ;-)

day one: portobello west holiday market

today was the first of a two-day holiday edition portobello west market - the last one before christmas. here's a quick (not-very-good) shot of the table:

i displayed some new stuff: fleecy baby hats, felt xmas ornaments, some new felt pins. and of course all the faves: tartlet pincushions, gnomes, tooth fairy pillows, bunnies, pillow clubs, barrettes, baby accessories and more.

if you're in the area come on by tomorrow! rocky mountaineer station (map) from 12-6. awesome shopping to be had!

yay portobello!

i was so happy with how yesterday's portobello west market went. it was my first time on the other side of the table, and truthfully i was a little nervous for the few days beforehand. i am such a fan of so many folks i've seen exhibiting there, and more than a little in awe of their talent and creativity. but i was feeling good once we started to get the table set up. my trusty and crafty friend kim of milkybeer was there to help all day and i am so grateful for both the moral support and help - and bathroom breaks! ;-) it's so wonderful to me to meet people face-to-face and see their reactions to my smiley creatures and creations.

for this event i brought my always-popular gnomes and bunnies (and this time a version stuffed with organic cotton fill), my felt pins and vintage button barrettes too. and i had some new lovely stuff - coin purses, modern caveman pillow clubs (which drew many laughs) tartlet pincushions that seemed popular (and suprisingly so with the kids!), and also tooth fairy pillow kits!

my tooth fairy kits (in the etsy shop later this week) are one of my very favourites. they're made of unbleached organic flannel and stuffed with organic cotton, both industrial leftovers from a local supplier who makes fabulous organic bedding. shaped like a tooth, and with a lovely pocket on the back made of japanese linen/cotton prints - perfect for stashing lost baby teeth in preparation for visits from the tooth fairy! and to keep those little teeth all organized, each pillow comes with 20 tiny envelopes stamped and ready to inscribe with name and date for posterity. so many folks, i mean the tooth fairy, keep baby teeth, but nobody really seems to know what on earth to do with them!

i'll be at the market again on october 25th, and also for the christmas show on december 12 & 13. there are so many lovely, lovely vendors and so much to tempt. i had to restrain myself from shopping while there! instead i've started dropping not-so-subtle hints to jamie about christmas stocking shopping.

please do come see me at one of the next markets! and for anyone looking for something specific that isn't in my etsy shop yet, please just drop me an email.

coming soon - a use for teeny envelopes

i've been working like mad, wrapping things up for this weekend's portobello west... am just about to finish a batch of something fun that uses these little teeny envelopes, and i couldn't resist a tease. more info tomorrow!

tartlet pincushions

i could not resist making a fresh batch of these lovely tartlet pincushions. the idea is based on a pattern from the lovely book zakka sewing. they're small - about 2.5" across - and perfect for folks who routinely end up stabbing themselves with needles poking through the bottom of their other pincushion (um, that would be me). the fabrics are all sturdy home decor weight japanese cotton-linen blends.

they'll be in the etsy shop too, once i confirm the shipping cost, but i really can't wait to put these out on my table at portobello west.

hi ho, hi ho

making gnomes for my next craft show. am so excited/nervous about my first table at portobello west in september... am simultaneously working on the graphic design project that will.not.end and trying to make enough stock for my table, and then there's that caring for a baby thing that i do all day long...

but i'm super excited about my gnomes. i do love these fellows so. and hoorah - have added "girl" gnomes. they have pink hats and chocolate bottoms, but they do still have beards. ;-)