Tag Archives: fabric

I went to Sweden!

And never shared it it seems.  Well I did on Instagram and such but not all in one place.  My boyfriend was speaking at a conference so he was flown there, had a hotel for a week and some fun activities.

I tagged along as a +1. I just had to buy my ticket and ask for a few days off, which at the time seemed like no big deal.  However when I got back and was faced with some credit card bills and a pay cheque missing some days it was sort of a big deal, but hey, worth it!

It was far colder than I expected (says the Canadian).  Apparently it was unseasonally cold.  My boyfriend was there 2 years ago at the same time of year and it was much more fall like vs the sharp cold we were experiencing.

Yeah, there’s pictures of me with mailboxes, I love noticing the little differences while traveling.  We were very close to Denmark so spent a day in Copenhagen, just a quick train ride from Malmo, Sweden.

Of course I had to do some creative shopping, found a fabric store in Denmark.  Not understanding the exchange rates fully, or having access to data to check on it, probably didn’t help with the previously mentioned credit card bill!

This was a catalogue for a hobby store we found in the mall in Hylie.  It’s an amazing looking mall made with this great curvy shaped glass in all sorts of brilliant colours.

I picked up some fun fabrics there and in Copenhagen too.

Other things I settled for taking pictures of because I knew I couldn’t afford everything I wanted.  Well I didn’t think I could but wasn’t 100% clear on how the currencies exchanged with the Canadian dollar. Figured it was best to be modest with my spending.  Kinda sorta.

We had a fancy dinner with the mayor of the town in the town hall, which was built in 1500 something.  It’s so crazy coming from such a young country to be around things that old.  Gravestones older than my entire country.  So neat.  We found a neat little shop full of handmade goods.  Again I resisted buying it all up and just took some pictures instead.

There were a lot of really wonderful design elements all over.  We found neat dishes and house ware items in various stores.  As well as the souvenir shops being full of things with Scandinavian design featured.

I brought back some goofy stuff from a store that seemed to be sort of like it IKEA was a dollar store kind of thing.  Mostly it was candy to try with my kids once I got home.

The day we landed the first place we stopped was a convenience store in the train station.  I saw Flow magazine AND their Mindfulness Workbook I really wanted to pick up but couldn’t find at home in Canada.  I grabbed them up and paid right away.  Then when I had access to wifi I tried to figure out what they cost me.  I’m still not sure because the numbers keep saying it was about $90 and I feel sick to my stomach if that is the case so I just sort of choose to not really accept that and remain blissfully unaware of what I spent.

It was a quick 5 day trip but was a great experience and other than breaking the bank and missing my kids I have no regrets! I added 2 countries to my travel list and had a blast. My fingers are crossed he speaks in other cool places this year!

 

 

Rag rug still in progress.

Here’s how it all started!

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Since I’ve been chronicling the progress of my rag rug on my Facebook Page and Instagram but here are some of the pics all put together.  It’s nearly done so there will be one last “KABOOM! lookit it’s all finished” pic coming soon.  There are instructions around online but I used  Creativebug’s class.

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I’m not a great crocheter, as illustrated by my attempt at an ‘apple cozy’ years ago.

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This project is great and goes quickly once you’ve got your fabric ready to go. But you’ll need some muscles for tearing up sheets or lengths of fabric. They look pretty neat all balled up.

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I had a really hard time getting my rug to lay properly. I struggled with it curling up, then being warbly and I’ve sort of been making my own pattern up as I go. Laying the rug down here and there to see how it falls. And I’ve been writing down what I do on each round so that *if* I do have to do some ‘reverse crochet’ I’ll know where I left off.

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Wheee fabric surprise!

I got some beautiful Marimekko fabric cuttings from my elementary school friend Annhy! Thanks to the wonders of Facebook and now other such social media we can be in touch with all sorts of people we wouldn’t konw a thing about otherwise! So while we went to school from grades 3-7 together in Toronto she now lives in sunny Miami. Strangely she’s got 2 adorable little boys just like me.

A while back she wrote asking if I’d like some odds and ends of Marimekko fabric she had lying around. Free fabric? I’m in! I pulled them right out of the package and photographed them. I suppose in hindsight I could have ironed it all. Oh well.

This particular piece is HUGE. Not sure what I’ll do with any of it yet but I’m sure something will pop into my head.

USA shopping scores

Well I guess it’s about time I actually sit down to write this post about the fun things I picked up on my USA excursion at the beginning of the month.

I got this amazing bag, that I’ve been using almost non stop since, for $3. Actually, not even $3 I’m rounding up. Insanely good find.

I got some great clothes, which I suppose call for some outfit posts. But that’s a tricky one since I’m usually the one behind the camera, I really need to change that.

Other than that my scores happened in JoAnn’s, surprise surprise.

Some FQs just because.

A taste of Denise Schmidt.

Some yardage. Apparently I was in a floral sort of mood.

Whales because how could I not buy those!?! Sure I had a moment of “Gee I’m 30 something should I really be shopping from the juvenile section for myself!?” but I *had* to get these whales.

And I found an english translation of a Japanese craft book I already own. Since I had some coupons the book was half price and I figured it might work like a little guide to help me decode my ever growing stash of Japanese craft books. I have 2 new Cotton Time magazines and today I figured out which symbols say ‘fold’ so I’m pretty proud of myself.

I know it involves more hexies but I need to get around to making this, again it’s just too awesome.

I also picked up some ridiculously cute scrubs that I plan to hack to bits and sew into other stuff.

Scrap Swap Time!

Sooooo who wants to scrap swap?!

I’ve done a bunch of summer sewing and hope to do even more during the fall so let’s revitalize our stashes!

Leave your name here, make sure there’s an email address/blog/contact info and I’ll find you a buddy.
Sign ups are open until Sunday night, September 22nd, and then I’ll match us all up and let you know Monday who your partner is.

The keep everyone happy guidelines:

– scraps must measure at least 2 inches by 2 inches, there is no maximum size
– scraps must be clean and in usable condition
– scraps can be new fabric or vintage reclaimed pieces
– fabrics should be of relatively the same weight (cotton preferred) to allow for quilting, or mixing with other fabrics and use in the same project
– be ready to send 10-ish ounces to your partner by Monday October 1st.

Swap is open to everyone so please be aware you may be shipping internationally unless you tell me otherwise.

Friday’s stop over in Watertown, NY

On my way to Ottawa this past weekend I left super early on Friday morning to make a pit stop across the border in Watertown, NY because there was a Target and a Joann’s. There was a big line up heading into the US and while I was waiting I saw the huge line to get back into Canada and was worried I’d be super stuck travelling back at about 5pm but all was good.

I thought getting through the border would be pretty easy, I’m a girl, you’re a girl, I’m going to Target, but I was asked a lot of questions and had to open my trunk and such . . . but then I was let into the US!

I picked up some fun fabrics in Joann’s.

I’m in love with this mustardy print.

I paired it up with this pretty grey fabric, no project in mind at all, just love the combo.

I also picked up some woodgrain, because you can always use more woodgrain fabrics!

And this vintage rose sort of print. I must be developing a thing for yellow recently.

Now what to make, what to make . .

NYC loot

Cute notebooks, far too much washi tape, amazing fabrics and some silly cards.

This KOKKA fabric was $20/yard but I was smitten. I picked up 2 yards. No project in mind but I’ll find one I’m sure. Most likely a bag or tote . . . who am I kidding? I’ll make a bag or tote.

Glad I bought it!

I certainly don’t need another craft book, but I’m sure glad I picked this one up.

It’s by Sue Kim and I didn’t even connect that she’s the lady behind I Think Sew, and I certainly didn’t know she lives in Toronto just minutes from me!

See all those cute stickies flagging pages? Yeah, I want to make all those. I’ve got a bag problem . . and a sewing problem . . . *sigh*

I also picked up this one to add to my collection of fabric printing books. Hopefully I’ll get to spend some time reading them someday. I’m dying to get into making my own fabrics.

Winter cleaning happy mail?

I’ve been clearing my work area and I plan on kicking butt on all these half finished projects cluttering up my space. While I was going that I came across a bunch of neglected, unloved supplies. Perfectly good things but I haven’t used them in ages or probably won’t get to using them.

I had the idea of doing a giveaway but then I thought maybe other people are having the same problem and we could set up a swap. I’ve got some things that came as freebies with Etsy orders, or items from other swaps, cute sticky notes, stickers and of course ribbon, fabric and buttons that I’ll probably never get to using!

Sooooo anyone want to play along? Sign up below until Wednesday January 11th. I’ll match us up (open internationally unless you tell me otherwise) and email partners so you can work out addresses and such. I suppose the contents should cost about $10-$15 but I’m hoping we can all just share some neglected creative stuff and pass it on to someone who may be inspired. Of course you can also include a handmade by you item, I know I will.

I was also hoping this post will distract from the fact that I haven’t completed a CreateAlong project in a while . . . next week I’ll reveal all my neglected projects, I promise!

It’s my birthday! It’s my birthday!

Annnnnnnd my BFF is pretty awesome.  Here’s some of the fun goodies she got me (she snooped in my Etsy favs). There’s a really cool nautical patterned fabric.

Some fun vinyl stuff, nice linen/cotton blends, fun ribbon and a button.

And this cool piece with vintage images on it, it’s some sort of panel type thing. I’ll find a use for it.

Luckily it’s a half day of work for me so here’s hoping Nate has a nice nap and Wesley is enamoured with his LEGO yet again this afternoon and maybe I can wander off and create something fun with all this pretty new stuff!

I’ve also got a DIY post featured here today, a little back to school organization sewing project that anyone with little kids to get ready will love. Hope you all have a great day, even if it’s not your birthday!