Year in Review

Is it me, or do all crafters post their year in review mid-January? Darn those handmade holidays!

I'm thankful this year for all of the crafty inspiration from friends near and far. Oh internets, what would we do without you? Here, some of my favourite projects of the year.

Welcome, 2012! I'm hunkering down with new projects and craft room bliss (once the floor is laid, and the shelves are hung). I can't wait for spaces and places for fabric scraps and sketches, wool felt pine cones and vegetable-dyed fabric fungi. There are boutonnieres on the way, and terrariums, too; shadow boxes and wall plaques. In sum, my forest fantasies are taking over.

Fabric Family

Far and away, the hit of holidays were these photo family dolls I made for my nieces. That's my sister Louise, her husband Rick, and Audrey and Violet in softie form. Audrey, three-and-a-half, was a little freaked when she opened these, but they were a hit with the grown-ups, and over time, the wee ones took to cuddling their plushy parents.



Want some? You can make them, too. I based my fabric family on a pattern found in super blogger Amy Karol's "Bend the Rules with Fabric". The toughest part of this project was tracking down an inkjet printer to print the photo faces on fabric paper (purchased from the office supply store). Turns out, ink jet printers are hard to come by. They can't be found in copy centres anymore. If you're lucky (like me) your dad has one in the basement.

Hollydays recap

Handmade presents are always my favourites. So I was happy this year to have a little time to fill my friend's stockings with gifts made with heart and hand:



First up, a (super-luxe) merino and cashmere monkey (lucky Linden!), all soft parts and cuddly. Next: Golly Manor biscotti, anise-almond and orange chocolate.

Not pictured here, two "true-to-life" wool pine cone pins, made for pair of sisters, who (I'm told) wore them to school one day, and before bed, asked if they could sport them again in the morning. There's no higher praise than that!

Woodland Wreath

Remember last year's New Year's Resolutions? Well, this year, I need to get back on the blogging horse. My writing really benefits from a daily post. That's top of mind for 2012. In the meantime, here's a little catch up from craft land (my dining room table). This weekend I bought some greenery and some teeny, tiny mushroom pics. This woodland wreath is decorating my door for December. Happy almost-Holidays!

Halloween Happiness

Our tribute to Fantastic Mr. Fox, and Wes Anderson, whose old-school stylings inspired these handmade costumes. Super analogue! I think I'll sport that fox cameo on my jean jacket.

"And above all, watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places." - Roald Dahl,(such a kindred spirit!)

Nuit Blanche

Oh City Mouse! You had me by the nose; your evergreen scent, perfuming Scotia Bank plaza. Your (longish) line couldn't dissuade me.


My favourite installation, by Artist Julia Hepburn, was cheeky in its placement, square in the heart of the financial district. City Mouse (and raccoon, owl, wolf and bear) was full of wonder, sentiment and nostalgia. I'm sure there's a whole other meaning here, something darker and more sinister (why else the wee sculpey figurines - all anthropomorphized fantastic Mr. Foxes, - shredding papers and calling meetings, in their business suits and cubby cubicles?) Whatever the case may be, goodness knows I love a miniature, especially a la woodland.

Fall updates

"Creating is a way to find personal achievement in something small and lovely."
- via Etsy, feature sellers Sundries and Plunder



I couldn't agree more! I'm busily working away on small wonders at present, all in the secrecy of my basement studio (i.e., the corner by the tv!)

Just as my day job ramps up (Fall is always a bit bonkers), crafting follows suit. And it's not just the turn of seasons that has me switching gears. My job is super-administrative, but an administrator, I am not! (just don't let my boss hear that). I need handwork to keep my mind active, and my heart full. At work, I've been spending lunch with my sketchbook, instead of my sandwich.

This weekend, I ran into my friend Kalpna at the Queen West Art Crawl. She had a new booth of birch trees, and it looked spectacular! I confessed that I didn't apply for City of Craft - the first time in three years that I'm not ramping up my production for a sale this holiday season. I felt a wee pang of regret. But then I remembered I had one of my *top secret* felt prototypes with me; I pulled it out of my purse, a bit rumply, but none the worse for wear. Kalpna loved it, and I was ever so glad! She put spring in my step on a cool, fall afternoon.

It can be hard to create in secret, but there is so much joy in working slowly, at one's own pace. For me, this is when new directions come.

Last night I dreamt of the woods in winter (that's a hint).

photo credit: loveliest woodland mask by Sundries and Plunder. p.s. if my sweetheart is reading this post, this would make the most excellent birthday present!