PIN PALS

Jeanne-Marie in Gay Paris

I picked up this book at a Goodwill in Toronto when I was last there.  I love old children's books but I particularly like old cast offs from local libraries because they have all markings of where they've been.    The author and illustrator of Jeanne-Marie in Gay Paris is Francoise Seignobosc, a French American author and illustrator born in 1897 or 1900 and  the author of over 40 children's books.  She past away in 1961.
Posted by: Sara

The Return of L'hibou

Back in the day, well, a year ago, I was making these owl pins.  Lately, I've been focusing more on drawing than craft and I've been missing those days of gluey-needle pricked finger tips.  So, this weekend I gathered some buttons and (insanely bright) wool felt, ran off to a cottage in the Laurentians and whiped up some new owls to sell at the Telephone City Craft Show in Brantford Ontario and Ladyfest Ottawa's Tarts N' Crafts.

Posted: by Sara

Pin Pals take Winnipeg!

We just sent our little Pals off to a great looking shop in Winnipeg called Lune Vintage . If you're in town be sure to stop by 453 Rathgar Avenue and check out one of a kind goods and special vintage finds. photo by Lune Vintage

Posted by: Sara

Telephone City Art and Craft Show

That's it, we're looking forward to selling our wares at the Ford Plant in Brantford, Ontario. I believe these guys also played there and I've heard good things:-)

Posted by: Sara

Draw, Draw, Draw

This spring I'm going to draw and paint my little hands off. Posted by: Sara

Chris Ware Animation

Not to be such a lazy blogger and keep posting youtube videos. I just had to post this Chris Ware animation that was done (awhile ago) for This American Life about a couple's recount of a meeting with Jackie O.
You can also listen to Chris Ware and Marjane Satrapi talk about their work here.

Posted by: Sara

Horsetail Feathers

Wicked Final Fantasy video by artist and director Tracy Maurice

Posted by: Sara

March Fatigue

We're ready to wear shoes again.

March is like all weather wrapped in a month. I always know winter has over-stayed it's welcome when I look longingly at my shoes and dream of strolling out of my house wearing them! Patience, patience...

New buttons in our shop

 

Fuzzy evergreen trees on a bright blue day!

Posted by: Sam

Pysanky Inspired

Recently, we ventured to the St.Michel flea market in Montreal and walked amongst the aisles and aisles of collectibles and antiques. 

I had a mission as soon as I set foot in the jam-packed place to find a book I had seen the last time I was there. It was a Time Life book about Russian cooking and culture, and I had left it there because I wasn't sure if it was worth the $5 asking price.

Of course, for months now I've been kicking myself for not buying it, and I was sure someone had snatched it up because of it's eye-catching cover, but rejoice! you can imagine my surprise when I found it again. The cover took my breath away like it had the first time!

I've been wanting to create Cross-Stitch patterns based on Pysanky for awhile now, I'm hugely inspired by Ukranian design and embroidery and the intricate patterns on these eggs is enough to send me to my graph pad for hours. I'm still playing around with colours, but so far I've come up with a few earring designs.

Also, notice those two eggs laying there? I scooped booth of them up at the same market for $5 each! Best $15 I've spent in awhile.

Posted by: Sam 

Wiggles and Giggles

My animation for the Hothouse.
Visit the nfb.ca to see tons of films, documentaries and animations and see the other Hothouse films from this year here.
Posted by: Sara