Portland, ME

Off to Portland, Maine this weekend.  Driving from here, stopping to check out Saint John, and then heading down the coast.  I've read the Design Sponge guide to Portland, but if anyone has any tips, they'd be much appreciated!

New Albums

I recently received some new Japanese paper, and decided to make some new albums.  I think my favorite pattern is the Bohemian Tie Dye (above)...

But, I am also quite partial to these pretty Dots and Lines...

And I love a good floral too, like this Summer Garden.  All in my Etsy Shop.

Daisy

In the garden this morning.  Enhanced with Picnik's "Ortonish" effect.

The New Vegetarian

I recently discovered "The New Vegetarian" column on the Guardian UK website.  Written by Yotam Ottolenghi, who owns a few restaurants in London, it highlights delicious, modern vegetarian dishes that have a middle eastern twist.  I am planning to make the pearl barley risotto (above) for dinner tomorrow night - yum!  He has also published two cookbooks - I have been wanting his first book for ages, but it was a (very expensive) UK edition, but I noticed that it's now been released in the US - hurrah!  Amazon shopping cart, here I come!

UPDATE - This recipe was just as yummy as anticipated!  A hint - make double, because it was only about 3 servings, and you might want (a lot) more.  I grilled zuchini and marinated with lemon zest and olive oil to have on the side.  I have now purchased both of his books - looking forward to a lot more yumminess.

Just Finished....The Children's Book

I just finished reading A.S. Byatt's "The Children's Book" and would recommend it.  It took me a while to get into this book, but once I did, I was hooked.  The book is set in the early 1900's and centres on children's book author Olive Wellwood and her large bohemian family and extended group of  friends.  The book has a rich cast of characters, many of whom are involved in the Arts & Crafts movement (which I have a soft spot for) and moves between the narrative and fairy tale stories that Olive is writing for each of her children.  At first glance, life seems idyllic - midsummer picnics, children roaming the English country side, beautiful pottery, fairy stories - but lurking beneath is a darker reality and the looming spectre of the First World War.  And, not that books should be judged by their covers, but it does have a really nice cover. 

Red Spruce

Congratulations to local rug company Red Spruce, who are debuting their collection with NYC's Odegard, and will be having their work sold in outlets throughout the US.  I saw their work recently at a gallery here in Halifax, and loved it.  After perusing their website and learning more about this exceptional company, I love it even more.  Contemporary artists, many local, create the designs (above is the Sand Dollar) and they are then made by traditional rug-hookers in Nova Scotia.  It's just fantastic to know that Nova Scotian artists and makers are being supported in this way.  Kudos Red Spruce!

Blogging Mojo

Regular readers may have noticed a loss of "blogging mojo" over the past few months, perhaps even years.  I can't really explain it - just somewhere along the way it all started to seem too hard - days would fly by, and posting anything just seemed impossible.  When I first started blogging, every comment on a post was thrilling - but that thrill just kind of disippated.  Even the joy I would get from reading blogs seemed to diminish.  But now, I feel as though the "mojo" might be coming back a little bit, and maybe this blog will change direction slightly.  You would never know by reading this blog, but I love fashion, cooking, decorating, and watching my husband garden.  I think that I have to incorporate more of my loves into this blog - just capture all those little moments while they are happening.  Baby steps though - not sure if I will be posting every day, or even every second day - but I will try.   Today, I leave you with an archive photo of some tulips - photo, courtesy me - hard yakka in garden - courtesy, Martin.

King of all he surveys...

...Milo on our new backyard deck.  Hope it's sunny this long weekend so that we can use it a little bit!

Letterpress Class

I have been taking a letterpress class for the last few weeks, and I'm really enjoying it.  Letterpress printing is pretty labour intensive, but I can see how it's also pretty addictive.  We were partnered up in class, and I am lucky to have Crystal as my partner - she is a great graphic designer and knows all about layouts, kerning, type, illustrator - all those things I am hopeless at!  One of our classmates Daniel took some great photos (see more here) and I thought I'd share them with you.  Above, Crystal and I looking, quite seriously, at one of our projects.

Us next to the letterpress with our instructor Paul, getting ready to print.  This is my typical pose when printing - looking confused and wringing my hands!  This week will be our last class - I feel as though I've just got a taste of letterpress and I want to learn more.  One fun option to play with at home could be the L Letterpress with custom polymer plates - a great review of this tool can be found on the Boxcar Press website.

New Papers!

Lots of new paper options for book covers - I'm excited!

Dream Job

I think that my new dream job is to be the drummer for Vampire Weekend - just love these guys. Oxford Comma is my favorite - always listen to it in the car. Cousins is a very close second - I'd really get to show off my drumming skills in that one.

Amy Butler Wallpaper

 I was searching the Graham and Brown website, looking for wallpaper for the kitchen backsplash, and I was pleasantly surprised to find new wallpapers designed by Amy Butler.  I am quite partial to the pattern "Momento" shown above in both colourways.  I am leaning toward the dark grey but have ordered samples of both, and a few others, to try out.  I am happy to say that the kitchen is nearing completion.  It's now freshly painted, and after a few hiccups, the countertops will be arriving soon - photos to follow!

Halifax Crafters and a Spring Thing

Just popping in to say that Halifax Crafters was awesome!  I had such a great time meeting customers and my fellow local crafters- it was truly fantastic!  Unfortunately, I forgot to bring my camera both days.  Martin brought it in to me with half an hour to go on Sunday, and I took a few crappy snaps that totally do not convey the fabulosity of the actual event!  Everything at the show was great, but I took a special shine to the jewellery of Vanessa Neily, the dolls of Third Street Crafters, the cute pouches by LouLouBell, screen printed goods by bespoke uprising, merit badges by Lee Meszaros...I am probably leaving loads out - it was all so good and I barely had any time to shop!

Before I go, I just wanted to mention another special event that's taking place this Friday night at Love, Me.  It's called "A Spring Thing" and some local artists and crafters (including me) are coming out to meet their customers.  It promises to be a great event - I'm so looking forward to meeting the people who buy my books and fellow local artisans.  And, did I mention there will be refreshments?  Hope to see you there!

It's Halifax Crafter's Spring Fling Eve!

Tomorrow is the big day - Halifax Crafters Spring Fling will be taking place this Saturday and Sunday at the Olympic Centre.  I'm nearly ready - just tying up a few loose ends.  Look forward to seeing lots of you there, and seeing the amazing work of all our local crafters! 

More Kitchen Inspiration

The mini kitchen makeover I mentioned a while back is slowly coming together.  We have redone the floors in "faux" slate tile - which is a huge improvement on the yellowing white vinyl we had previously, and in a couple of weeks, we are having new countertops installed - yay!  Again, they are a "faux" slate, but this is a budget makeover, remember?  Above I've done a little collage of other finishes and things I'd like to have.  I'm planning to paint the walls Spring Melt (top left, a Martha Stewart colour from Home Depot), I've already bought the Price Pfister faucet featured (on clearance - woo hoo!), the Red Kitchen Aid was a housewarming gift (and is one of my favorite things), the kitchen island is from Ikea (not available for delivery on their site - I'd like to find something similar locally), the wallpaper - which I'm planning to use as a backsplash is from the Countour series from Graham and Brown (it's made for kitchens and bathrooms and can be wiped down), finally - the lightfixture is from Schoolhouse Electric.  The other picture is just an inspirational photo that I love - and I am planning on incorporating a chalkboard wall, as well as giving the cabinets a fresh coat of white paint.

Phew, I get tired just thinking about it!  But, I'm really excited for it to all come together, and to have a kitchen that's more functional, and more "us."  Stay tuned for some photos...

rosa mosa

While indulging in one of my favorite hobbies - shopping for shoes on ebay - I discovered an amazing shoe company called rosa mosa.  Based in Austria (with one designer from Japan - explains why I like them so much - two of my favorite countries combined!), they use local materials and workers, and like to explore traditional design and methods.  Some of their shoes are available here in Canada at Gravity Pope (another place where I like to drool over shoes online).  I wish I had known about these when I was in Austria, for now, I will save up and dream!

Feathered Friends in the Shop!

Around Christmastime, I had a bunch of the collages I had made printed up into cards. I finally uploaded them to my Etsy shop today - so, without further ado, I'd like to introduce the "Feathered Friends Card Set."


Each set has five cards for $20, and will come wrapped in parchment paper and tied with some lovely striped string that I bought in Austria. Austrian string - you don't see that every day! Unless you live in Austria of course, then you would probably see Austrian string on a regular basis.

But, I digress - the sets sell for $20, which is a five dollar saving over buying the cards individually. They are perfect for gifting, or for framing as art. Enjoy!

Gritty Dartmouth

Some photos of a recent walk along the Dartmouth waterfront trail using the "gritty" effect in Picnik. That effect just seemed appropriate...

Halifax Crafters Spring Show

I just found out that I've been accepted to the Halifax Crafters Spring Show, taking place on April 17th and 18 right here in Halifax, of course! I've been wanting to be a part of this show for a while, so I'm really looking forward to it. Mark your calendars and come out and see me in April. That's about six weeks away - better get to work!

Japanese Paper Curtains

Saw this awesome project on the paper place blog for making curtains from Japanese tissue papers. I love the way it filters the light, and alll the different textures and patterns. This stuff also comes in a wide variety of colours - I think it would look beautiful in pink. Now, I just have to get over my fear of the sewing machine. (Photo from paper place blog)