No Knit Scarf

I found this project on the Martha Stewart website, and I just love it! A few of the comments on the Martha site say it's made with Twinkle yarn, which looks absolutely delicious! I have been thinking of things to do to pass the time while we are on our 25 hour plus journey to Australia, but I wasn't sure if I could take knitting needles on the plane with me. This could fit the bill - but do you think I can make it in economy class on a tray table? Maybe not...

New Glasses

I got new glasses. You can't really tell from this photo - but they are tortoise shell on the front, and pink (!) on the back. And, they were designed in Canada. I always have a love/hate relationship with my glasses - I'm really nearsighted, so I need to wear them all the time, and I hate that - but I'm loving wearing these right now.

Second Sister Jewlery

I was recently convo'd on etsy by April of Second Sister Jewelery. I am so glad she contacted me, because not only do we have a shared love of vintage clothes and all things Asian, but it allowed me to discover her amazing work! Case in point, the Double Happiness bracelet pictured above - I just think it's so beautiful - the beads, the colours, everything. Second Sister has a full range of pieces including bracelets, earrings and necklaces made using a variety of materials, but all with the same lovely style. If I wasn't saving up for my holidays, I could do some serious spending in this shop! But, enough of my blabbing - just check out the shop and you'll see what I mean.

Need a Snuggle-Hug

These days, it's dark when I leave for work in the morning, and dark when I come home at night - so it's hard for me to take photos for my blog. So - please see above a photo I took this weekend of a "snuggle-hug" salt and pepper shaker set. My mom recently received a lot of old china and glassware, and these two cuties were amongst them. They fit together in a "hug" so that you can pick them both up at once to dispense your salt and pepper. Apparently, they are quite rare and sought after by salt and pepper shaker collectors the world over - who knew?

Anyhow - hope to take some more photos this weekend and resume normal blogging. Meanwhile, I am sitting in here in the winter dark, drinking a mug of tea and planning to pop on the second episode of the box set of "The Riches" that I rented.

Meow! Want Wool

Went antique/junk shopping with my mom this weekend and found one of my favorite things ever - a yarn bag with kitties on it. You put your yarn in the bag, and pull the string out of a hole near the big cats bottom creating a tail - so cute! I am halfway through a knitting project - this hat from Treats and Treasures - so I can't use my kitty bag yet, but I'm looking forward to it. No more tangled yarn!

Anthropologie New Years Resolution Outfits

Seems like pretty much everyday, I get an email from Anthropologie tempting me with some great new clothes. Today, they featured a series of outfits each linked to a resolution. The one above is "journal daily" - which I have never been able to do. But, now I know what's been wrong - I haven't had a cute little outfit to wear! (: Seriously though - I am totally addicted to looking at clothes on the Anthropologie site. Fear of high duty fees keeps me from ordering anything, but it's a great source of inspiration.

Speaking of internet addictions, I think that Etsy pounce is going to be a pretty dangerous one for me!

New Books in Shop...

I've listed a few more books in my etsy shop. The one above is a particular favorite - it's bound with a pearlescent bookcloth which is really lovely and shimmery - it's quite wedding-y. And, I love the interior pages - they are papaya coloured. Yum.

And, is it just me, or does it take everyone forever to list things in their etsy shop? It seems to take ages to go through each step. Maybe my photos are too big?

In totally unrelated news - Goldfrapp is releasing a new album, and I like the sounds of it.

Watching

I watched quite a few films over the holidays. Thought I'd share them with you - I'd love to hear your opinions if you watched them too:

Once - I really loved this movie. The music is great, and the whole thing was so real and heartfelt.

Eastern Promises - A bit violent - but an interesting glimpse into the underworld. I really like Cronenberg, and it's not just because he's Canadian.

Atonement - This film was excellent - beautifully shot and an amazing story. Go to cinema, see now.

Stardust - So much more than I expected. This film reminded me of the Princess Bride - which is to say that it was funny and whimsical and I liked it very much.

Zodiac - I had read some lukewarm reviews for this film - but it was really very good. Suspensful and creepy without being gory. I loved the fact that it was focussed more on solving the crimes than on the crimes themselves. After watching - I googled the Zodiac Killer to get more information and it's so interesting - I can see how people become obsessed with solving these crimes.

Paris Je'taime - Another film to love. 18 little stories about Paris - just unrelated little snapshots of life in the city each created by a different director. Highly recommended.

I'd be such a crap movie reviewer - I don't know enough adjectives and I seem to like just about everything. Well, that's not true - we also watched Ocean's 13 which I thought was style over substance, Mr. Bean's Holiday - turned off after 5 minutes because it was so idiotic (and I usually like Mr. Bean!), and La Vie en Rose - the story of Edith Piaf which was a well made film, but her life was so unbearably sad that it was difficult to watch.

So, how about you - seen any good films lately?

Tout changer c'est possible....

...roughly translated, that's "all change is possible." I took the phrase from the cover of the November issue of "Marie Claire Maison." That's what I've been doing over my holiday break - relaxing, eating, drinking, flicking through my magazines and thinking about change. The change that Marie Claire is talking about is the home variety - the November issue is great because it talks about how to change your home with basic items on a budget. An example - the bedroom pictured above - the headboard is made of placemats! I love the slightly rumpled, messy aesthetic of the French home - for more inspiration check out the website of artist Nathalie Lete and the Jeu de Paumes books.

I like this photo too - it looks like something you might find in my house. But, I'm digressing - the subject of this post is change. I'm hoping to change lots of things in my home - just try to be more tidy and organized, and make my house more an expression of "me" - and do it all on a budget, of course. Another change that I want to make is in my art and craft work - I want to be more focused and accomplish more in the time that I have available. Right now, I'm working in fits and starts - I always seem to be scrambling to meet deadlines. I think that slow and steady is the answer, I'm hoping that I can make it work.

That brings me to a final change - I'm hoping to claim back some time from my day job and art and craft work to do the "little things" - cooking yummy meals, spending time with friends and family, taking walks with Milo, learning new things. Just being present in the moment and enjoying - without stressing about work and deadlines. I had a great year and feel that I worked hard and accomplished a lot - but I think that if I get find some more balance, I can do even more.

So, that's me. Back from a wonderful relaxing break, with a muddled resolution of sorts. Wishing you a happy new year, and hoping that all your resolutions come true!

Happy Holidays

Just a quick post to wish everyone a happy holiday season. Thanks to all who read and comment on the blog - it's so appreciated! I have been busy getting ready for Christmas, and haven't really had a chance to do many posts lately, and I've needed a bit of a break after a busy season. So, I've decided to take some time to try and recharge. I hope to be back in this space by the New Year with some new ideas and work.

So again, all the best for a wonderful holiday season. May you enjoy many celebrations with family and friends!

Flying Away

I've been away from the blog for a little bit, but it's not for lack of news. I've been super busy with double happiness - which is great - and also just getting ready for the holiday season. I guess my big news is that in February, I will be "flying away" for a holiday in Sydney, Australia. My husband is from there, and I lived there for eight years, so it is like a bit of a homecoming. I'm looking forward to seeing family and friends, and also going to some of my old haunts - gelato at Bar Italia, pizza at Moretti, checking out the Paddington and Balmain markets, swimming in warm water, browsing around Newtown, drinking really nice coffee...it's going to be really nice. I'm also hoping to do some shopping for paper and book supplies, and I'm wondering if anyone out there reading might have any recommendations in this regard? I know a few places, but it's been a while since I've been back, so I'm wondering if there is anything new and exciting I should check out?

Right now, it's really hard to imagine going away. It's been snowing lightly all week, and we are due to get another storm starting Sunday afternoon. So, right now I've got some red wine and magazines, ready to hunker down for a long winter evening...

Glitz Gallery

My books are now available at Glitz Gallery in Winnipeg! Glitz is owned by Jennifer, who wanted to create a space for Canadian artists and makers to showcase and sell their work - she calls it a "gallery gift store". She carries a wide variety of work including ceramics, jewellery, wall art and now - books! If you're in Winnipeg, drop by and have a look - I wish that I could hop on a plane and have a visit. I think the gallery gift store is a great concept, and I'm so happy to be a part of it.

The Great Wave

I'm slowly listing more items in my Etsy shop. This "Great Wave" album is available in both blue and red. They're the biggest albums that I make, at 10 x 14, and because they're so big, they really show off the prints on the Japanese paper. I'm hoping to list a few more things this weekend, slowly - but surely....

1, 2, 3, 4...

We went to see Feist on Friday night, and she was absolutely amazing! I can't emphasize enough how much I love Feist's music - and respect her as an artist. This is the second time that I've seen her, and each time she reinterprets the songs from her albums so that it's a totally unique experience. The last time I saw her, she was at a small club venue. This time she was in a large "multipurpose" room - it was actually the place where the craft market I participated in was held a couple of weeks ago. She kept making jokes about the space being a "multipurpose" room, and I think I chuckled a bit too hard and long. The bigger venue meant that she could have "special effects", which I loved. They were so delightfully low-tech - finger painting and cut paper shadow puppets that illustrated the songs. I can't pinpoint one particular favorite song or moment, it was all just great. Amazing music, amazing rapport with the audience, amazing special effects - amazing, amazing, amazing....

Etsy!

I have just opened an Etsy shop! Right now, I just have my Hummingbird and Sakura Bird cards listed, but I am hoping to have books, prints, and perhaps even some originals there in the near future. I have even had my first sale - Lyndsay of LouLouBell bought one of my Hummingbird cards. Even if I don't have another sale - it's just nice being part of the Etsy community. And, I think that Etsy is going to be huge this holiday season - the Globe and Mail even did an article this weekend in their "Style" section.

A New Roost

My humming bird and sakura bird collages are now on display at Henhouse. They couldn't have a better home, but it's bittersweet - I worked really hard on these little guys, and sort of became attached to them. Does everyone who creates artwork feel this way? I hope that they sell, but feel like I might need to interview the buyer to make sure they're going to a good place and that I'll have visitation rights. I plan on making lots more, so I hope it will get easier with time!

Back from the Market

I spent this weekend at the NSDCC Christmas Craft Market. The prep was hard work - but I had a great time. The weekend started on Thursday afternoon, when we loaded in our booth. Because of my crazy perfectionism - it took us about six hours to set up, but I was happy with the results.

I really wanted the booth to feel cozy and homey - like an extension of my studio - and I hope that I acheived that. All the furnishings either came from my studio, my nana's house, or were bought on a (very tight) budget. Lanterns and fairy lights always make a space look warm. (: So many wonderful things happened, I don't know where to start. I met lots of Nova Scotian artisans, and had such supportive feedback and comments. I met Austen of Stripey Pebble who bought a photo album from me, and is as lovely in person as she is on her blog.

The market took place in a renovated cargo warehouse on the waterfront. It was nice to be in a market space close to the water, with floor to ceiling windows. I love these industrial views. I also had my first Oscar nominated customer - Emily Watson - who is in town shooting a film and stopped by the market and bought some of my work. But, everyone who came by, said hello and had a chat is a star in my eyes. Thanks to everyone for their help, support and kindness. I couldn't have done it without you! I've taken tonight to sit back and reflect with a glass (oops! nearly a bottle!) of red wine, but tomorrow I'll be back at work for the holiday season.

A few more photos on my flickr.

Happiness is...

...a warm puppy. It's been a while since I posted. In that time, I've made lots of books, Milo has turned 1 and got a sweater (don't judge me - it's really cold here!), and I've been reading a lot about Charles Schultz.

Now, it's back to making more books. I might not post again until after my show. So long for now...

Double Happiness is now Online!

Well, I'm already online, but now even more so - I have a website! You can find it here. I absolutely love my website. I have been working with a local artist/designer - his name's Matthew - and he's been really great. We met, and he totally understood my obsession with everything Japanese and built the website around it. There are a couple of finishing touches to be completed - but it's 99.9% done - so I'm just going ahead an announcing it now. Oh, and did I mention that I love it? I hope you love it too. ( :

Thanks Matthew!

LouLouBell

I recently picked up this cute little pouch from etsy seller LouLouBell - and I love it! LouLouBell is Lyndsay - one of Martin's workmates - and I had no idea that she was making these lovely things and selling them on etsy. And, it really is lovely, so many great details from the denim lining, to the gorgeous Amy Butler fabric, to the cute little ribbon tab on the side seam. It's amazing that there are so many talented people out there - sometimes right under your nose. Thanks LouLouBell - can't wait to use my new pouch! ( :