Goodbye, 2012!

I'm not too big on resolutions, but one thing I definitely want for next year is to spend more effort on this blog. With that in mind, I used my new year's coupon and enrolled in the Shoot It! A Product Photography Primer Craftsy class. Bad photographs are the major reason I don't post as many finished projects as I'd like, and I figured it was time to actually do something about my half-there skills.

In the same vein, I decided to try not being afraid of bust darts after the unblogged Tiny Pocket Tank disaster. Apparently I would need double darts to accommodate 6 inches of difference without horrible little pucker point thingies? Two darts being bad enough, I decided to try doing a darted FBA on a Scout Tee. Here it is all cut out in some wild print cotton/linen and waiting to be sewn. FYI, I have not actually begun that photography class yet.

The tissue fit looked okay, and I checked the size with a similar shirt I have that fits and that also looked okay, but I still totally believe it could go horribly wrong at any moment... Tune in next year to find out.

In other news, my Etsy shop now has a Facebook Page, with a discount coupon for fans. The 15% off Boxing Week Sale, which can be combined with the Facebook coupon, ends tonight at midnight EST.

I hope everyone had a fabulous holiday, and have a blast ringing in the New Year tonight!

HOME Reception Tomorrow

I have some pieces up at Elephant Shoes this week as part of the group show HOME.

If you're around, stop by this Friday for a reception with wine, snacks and the artists in attendance. The show looks pretty great, and it's an interesting mix of work. Something for everyone!

Personally, I made some terrifying dolls.

And a strange little house.

All the work is available after the 9th, so it's a good chance to pick up some art for gifting. Sadly, the work I have up at Mitzi's won't be down until after the holidays.

ChoreoKAL Geysir Stretch

I joined Stephen West's ChoreoKAL after seeing Roo's post on it, and I'm having a pretty great time so far. The first pattern is the Geysir Stretch, a striped shawl/scarf, and we were supposed to base our yarn choices on our surroundings. This being Toronto, I went with the avalanche of rotting leaves we're currently buried under.

The yarns are Diamond Yarn Galway in 8920, Malabrigo Rios in an unknown colourway, and some Americo merino in a burgundy. The colours are a little truer in the next photo. My camera doesn't seem to like the orange tones in the first yarn.

This is a conversation friendly knit. In that I can still have one while working on it. It's also been a fabulous too-sick-to-go-outside project. I hate head colds. 

We're on day 3 of the KAL, and I'm hoping to get the stripe section done tonight. Wish me luck!

I'm Not Dead

Really! I have been super busy though. With what, you ask? Well...

There was some painting. 

And the painting led to some shows.

And then I got an awesome chance to do a residency at Spark Box Studios, the most amazing place ever. This was my studio space during my stay. The rooms are super adorable/comfy. And Chrissy and Kyle are the nicest folks around. I loved it. Can you tell?

Now I'm doing my best to get into grad school, writing away, and choosing and documenting my best pieces. It's a ton of work, but I'm feeling pretty good about it this time around.

There's also been some sewing and frantic Christmas knitting occurring. The countdown for crafty presents has begun!

Work in Progress

Things are going slowly around here, but progress is happening. Remember when I started this mini quilt? Yeah, me neither. Now it's getting some hand quilting, a vintage fabric backing, and some pretty pink scallop binding. No matter how long it takes.

I also have some exciting art news, but I have to wait for a few things to finalize before sharing. But believe me, I'm itching to.

10 Word Book Review: The School

The idea behind this is a review I could tell someone in less than 5 seconds if the need arises. That and it might actually help me remember what I've read?

 The School by T.M. Wright: Boundaries between life and death crumble. Better than its cover.

First Finished Quilt!

There was going to be a photo shoot. Possibly involving the amazingly decrepit pear tree in the back yard. With close ups of the stitching and the neat little corners (mitered!) But... Then it reached 30 degrees inside my apartment, worse outside, and the A/C died. So I bundled the quilt off to a nearby air conditioned cafe and chilled (literally) until it was time to deliver it to it's new recipient.  

Here it is in it's new home, on the end of little Madelaine's bed (though not where she sleeps). The front is made of 4 nine patch blocks, each square is 5" finished for a 30" square quilt. I hand stitched in pink Cosmo embroidery thread just inside the edge of each square. The fabrics are flannels from Anna Maria Horner's LouLou Flannel line, except for the wavy gold fabric which I think is Little Folks. The binding is a cute blue bird flannel by Valori Wells. I like how they're just hanging out on the edge of the quilt.

The back is some cupcake flannel I picked up at the Fabricland. Because everyone loves cupcakes. 

My other excitement yesterday was when this bundle showed up in the mail. I won 2.2m of this gorgeous silk from the Tessuti gals last week, and they zipped it all the way to Toronto from Sydney. I'm thinking about what to make, but a Gabby dress would be pretty perfect (they sent enough to make any size in either length). I'm still working on getting the fit just right, with the massive fba I need, but hopefully soon you'll see me rocking some silk tulips. This has got to be the nicest fabric I've ever gotten to pet. Tessuti has also made their fabulous New York Cape pattern available as a download which is first on my list for fall sewing. Thanks, ladies!