Big News...really.

Sometimes I wish I was one of those just-this-side-of-twee uber-bloggers that post stuff like:
“Oooh! Something divine is in the works, but I can’t spill the beans just yet. Hold tight, my darlings…I’ll be back with an exciting announcement soon! In the meantime, look at these adorable kitten-heel slippers! Smooches!”
Of course, a non-announcement of that magnitude is then followed by 187 comments which range from "Squeeeeee! Can't wait! Hugs!" to "Squeeeee! I need those slippers! Hugs!" I know, I know. It's exciting stuff. It's a wonder that more monitors are not ruined by the 187 low-fat, extra-hot caramel macchiato spit-takes that I assume accompany such outbursts.

As you may have guessed, I’m NOT one of those bloggers. Don't get me wrong; I can be twee. I can even be a drama queen at times (just ask my fella). Generally speaking, though, if I have news, then I’ll tell ya. If I don’t have news, I’ll stay mum; allowing my poor blog to collect cobwebs and dust bunnies from sheer neglect.

:brushes away the cobwebs:

So, my…uh…darlings, I have news! After much mulling (thoughts, not wine), I have decided to join an “eco-craft collective”. I’m still vague on a few of the finer points, but I can tell you that the group will be comprised of some very clever/creative/crafty chicks, the shop will be located on Osborne in the old Ken Segal Gallery space, everything for sale in the shop will be eco-fabulous…and it’s opening soon. Like, really soon. Like, I-gotta-get-busy-and-make-some-product soon. (I think July 10th is what we’re shooting for…)

I’ll have more details and updates for you as we get closer to the opening date, but, like I said, I have to get my craft-on. Wish as I might, those domino pins ain't gonna make themselves while I sit here thinking up ways to make people "squeeee".

On that note, here are some fabulous, kitten-heel slippers to look at while you wait…



Smooches! (I couldn’t resist.)

Sharing Craft - Wednesday, June 16

I'm really looking forward to this event, which is happening tomorrow night at McNally Robinson. I'll be bringing my Domino pins and pendants, new Scrabble pendants, and upcycled t-shirt "spaghetti" necklaces and bracelets.

I think it's going to be a really interesting mix of items, as all of us are a little bit left-of-centre when it comes to jewelry-making, and definitely worth checking out!

The Manitoba Crafts Museum and Library invite all crafters - the veteran and beginner - to drop in between 7:00-9:00 pm in this casual and creative environment where you are encouraged to share your craft challenges and joys with skilled crafters from MCML. This is a special session dedicated to the art of jewelry making featuring Rebecca Hadfield and her creatively recycled and whimsical creations, environmentally friendly jewelry courtesy of Ruth Schulz Smith, Studio Lune’s own Melanie Welsey who is known for jewelry made of everything from beads & charms to leather, and leather and feather creations from Sigourney Burnell. MCML is dedicated to the study, preservation and an understanding of craft and to the promotion of the work of craft artists. Sharing Craft has become a great way to meet those goals.

Sharing Craft Wednesday Jun 16 2010 7:00 pm, McNally Robinson Grant Park in the Travel Alcove

Re:mix Re:cap

I must've been flying high after the Stitch & Bitch because I totally forgot to come back here and blog about how it went.

In a word: great! We had about a dozen S&B'ers out for the afternoon and fun was had by all. It was a really mixed group and I think everyone really got into it. They all left with a completed project*, so that's something! In a fabulous show of support, my good friend Ruth and her daughter came out and cranked out 3 or 4 projects between them. Had they been the only ones there, it would have been a good time, but they turned out to be the proverbial cherries-on-top of a an awesome afternoon.

The event was over at 4, but I ended up staying a little longer to chat with Tracy while she finished off her dress project. While we were talking, I think we may have come up with a plan to have another altered-clothing day in the fall. Fingers crossed!

* I made 2 halters, an empire-waist t, a skirt, a couple necklaces, and a rockin' altered Rolling Stones shirt (which turned out so good that I am going to whip up a few more just like it to sell). All in the interest of demonstrating, of course. ;-)

Remix - tomorrow!

Let's see...
T-shirts - check
Scissors - check
Sewing machine - check
Illustrated instruction sheets - check
Anticipation - check
Excitement - check
Nerves - check

Well, I think I'm all ready for tomorrow's Stitch 'n' Bitch at MAWA. I have more than a half-dozen projects for people to choose from. Ironically, only two require actual stitching. I'll just have to make up for that with a little extra bitching. I kid.

But, seriously, I have some really cool, fun ideas for restyling plain ol' shirts. Now I just have to worry about whether or not people actually show up...

Stitch 'n Bitch with Rebecca Hadfield: T-shirt Restyling
Date: Saturday, June 5, 2010
Time: 12:00pm - 4:00pm
Location: Mentoring Artists for Women's Art (MAWA)
Street: 611 Main Street

Countdown to Remix!

Today's horoscope: You could temporarily turn into a nerd as you get so excited about an idea that you lose track of your emotions today.

Temporarily? What?


...did I mention how excited I am about leading Stitch 'n' Bitch at MAWA this Saturday?!?! The mascot and I made a Value Village run tonight. I bought 5 t-shirts for "Remixing", including a Bengals shirt that I will wear with a healthy dose of irony.

T-shirt Remix!

Look what's happening at MAWA in June!

Free! Stitch ’n Bitch
T-shirt Remix
Saturday June 5, 2010, noon-4 pm at MAWA
Facilitator: Rebecca Hadfield

Rebecca combines found objects with decorative papers, ephemera, vintage images and text to form the basis for her collage pieces, magnets and pins, which she sells online and at local craft shows. In this workshop, she will be showing us how to restyle t-shirts into tank tops, purses, belts or bags. Perfect for summer! Please bring a pre-washed t-shirt (or two) and some sharp scissors. T-shirts without side seams work best.

I am SO excited!!

XXX stitch

Things that you wouldn't know by looking at me:
#875 - I heart cross-stitching.

Don't laugh. I really do. There's something so zen about making all those neat little stitches and filling in the background with pixelated goodness. Plus, it's a fabulous way to kill time and keep the hands out of the ol' cookie jar. Or, in my case, popcorn bowl.

As much as I enjoy it, though, I haven't done it in ages. I think a renaissance is in order! It's time to bring back the aida cloth and get hooped.

One of my fave sayings is "Ha! Stitch that on a pillow!", so it seems pretty obvious that my first project should be a little pillow for the living room. I have the perfect saying in mind, too, but I'm not sharing it 'til its done!

In the meantime, have fun playing with this Alphabet Generator.
I know I did!

Have art, need walls.

If I could have just one wish, it would be for the children of the world to come together...no, wait. That's not my wish.

My one wish (ok, my one wish of many), would be to have more walls so that I could display more art and objets trouvés. Right now, there are no fewer than 6 framed pictures (photography, collage, watercolour, pen & ink) leaning up against a cabinet in my living room, waiting to be hung. Somewhere.

I have a big picture over the couch that I am definitely not married to, so that could go...I'm just not sure that the motley little group of treasures I have gathered is the right thing to take its place. What to do? What to do? It almost seems like it would be easier to move...

Tuesday, Bluesday

It's funny, after spending almost a decade on the wet coast, you would think that a little rain couldn't get me down. You would think. It's raining AGAIN and I can't seem to shake the Tuesday Blues.

So, in the interest of cheering myself up, I give you three things* that made me happy today:

- this Etsy shop: Vantiani So awesome.
- this song: Delphic - "Halcyon" So, so 80s.
- this blog post: Congrats, Brandy! Sew cool!

* besides the funny text-message exchange with my fella, which I am not posting here. Deal with it.

Sharing Craft

I am getting very excited about this upcoming event, which is being presented by The Manitoba Crafts Museum and Library.

The drop-in session will be a an opportunity to meet and discover the work of four local crafty jewelry makers (including myself, although I didn't notice until now that what I make is actually "jewelry") and to share the "joys and challenges of craft"...or something along those lines.

Not only am I looking forward to getting together with my friends Ruth and Melanie, I think it'll be a fun way to show off my "blingy" side. Of course, by "bling" I mean old game pieces and t-shirt scraps. To each his own, right?

Come out and see us on Wednesday, June 16, 2010 from 7:00 - 9:00 pm in the Travel Alcove at the Grant Park McNally Robinson store.