PIN PALS

Nightcap

Meet our new puppet friend Anna.  She bought some groceries to make dinner,

and the leftovers have lasted for days.

Anna and other loners and lovers will be hung up at Assemble shop in Seattle starting February 11th (Friday), for my show Nightcap.  If you live in the area pay them a visit.

 

Posted by: Sara

A wee bit new

We've been up to some things as of late and we'd like to share them with you!

 
Meet Joséphine, she's a new hanging paper doll, and I was lucky enough to receive the first ever of her for my birthday awhile back. I love her. Look at those pom poms!

The Joséphine's and their beau homme were Sara's entry in the Hiatus group show at the Long Haul.


My entry was a Cross-Stitched piece of a fictional ferris wheel called the Hiatus. 


We're gearing up for Puces Pop Printemps happening this weekend, so we've been stitching, and cutting and pasting away.
 
A couple of new barrettes include watermelon hearts and cat hats.






 Mini Joséphine's will be for sale this weekend, along with other spring Pin Pal goods.
We hope to see you!

Posted by: Sam

Assemble Yourselves

As Sara alluded to in the last post, a very charming gallery and studio called Assemble Shop in Seattle, Washington commissioned some Cross Stitch pieces for their March ArtWalk.
These pictures are courtesy of Assemble Shop and show a cozy space brimming with creativity.






 The two girls behind Assemble, Andie and Emily (R-L) are as sweet as the store they run



For the art show, I decided to theme my work around the phrase "Welcome Home". 

"Welcome Home presents a glimpse inside the creative & cozy spaces we build around us. Each piece is designed and hand-stitched with the home in mind, along with the individuals who live there. From modern day samplers expressing the love of a dwelling, to small-stitched stories representing the quiet and not-so-quiet everyday activities. This series celebrates the indescribable feeling of creating surroundings that you can truly call your own."





If you are in the Seattle area tonight, feel free to assemble from 6-9 at:

Assemble Gallery and Studio
7406 Greenwood Avenue North
Seattle, Washington 98103

I suspect you'll feel right at home!

Posted by: Sam

En Masse and bus stops wearing knitted hats

Sara participated in another round of En Masse last night on the first floor of the Eaton Centre in downtown Montreal. 




Her work looked amazing! We arrived around 10pm, so the mural was just coming together, and it already looked spectacular. I would love to see it finished in it's entirety, hopefully some pictures will pop up.
It was surreal to walk around the mall at night while people made art, I have to say it's worth a trip downtown just to see this lit mural showcased within a winding staircase.


It features past En Masse work, and it stands like a beacon amongst a sea of stores.
There was more interesting work on the second floor, including a series of black chalk boards with bold, graphic artwork produced with coloured chalk.



I always find myself a little unprepared for Nuit Blanche, and I know we definitely didn't take full advantage of all the free exhibits around town, maybe next year I'll get my act together and plan ahead!

I did, however, spot some creative marketing on the streets as we walked around. 


I just love the milk campaign that's happening right now! I can't get over the fact that there are gigantic knitted hats all over town. And this is the best, 


It's too bad these pictures were captured at night. That hat is bright pink, and it just tickles me to think you could wait for a bus at a bus stop wearing a hat. I say hats for all bus stops from now on!

Posted by: Sam

Janvier

Today was a cold and blustery day.





The wind was howling through the windows, and the snow was coming down in thick white patches, covering everything in it's sight. 

I stayed warm by stitching the first of four panels for an upcoming show. This one is called, The Stair Climber, and while he's not completely finished, I think he will get along nicely with the rest of the "People Doing Things" gang.



Sara's been working on a little piece of magic which you can see a preview of here, and we'll be sure to post new items as we scheme them up.

January is easily a month to burrow yourself in against the wind, and resort to nothing but hot coffee and work, but there is also inspiration to be drawn from the clear, white landscape, and crisp, cold nights.



Posted by: Sam

Starting December 3rd I'll be a part of a craft inspired exhibition at Cream Tangerine Café in Toronto that's being put on in conjunction with City of Craft.  I wish I could be in town for the opening this Friday but I'll have to wait and see it when I visit my hometown for the City of Craft fair on December 12th.  If you're in the area on Friday, stop by the opening and let me know what you think
.
Here is a little copy & paste about the show taken from the City of Craft website:

In conjunction with regular City of Craft programming, our ambitious (or possibly crazy) new installation co-ordinator, Tara Bursey, has taken the expanses of blank wall space offered in the Great Hall's cafe space as an invitation to curate a ten day art show around the stretching concepts of 'home'. The themes within come from themes overwhelmingly present in the installation programming (mostly selected from submissions).

Opening Reception:
Friday, December 4th. 7-11pm
Exhibition runs December 3-13, 2009
(on facebook)

Location:
Cream Tangerine Café
At the Great Hall
1087 Queen Street West, Toronto

Artists:
Lizz Aston, Fiona Bailey, Amy Borkwood, Leah Buckareff, Marta Chudolinska, Heather Fagan, Meags Fitzgerald, Sara Guindon, Melinda Josie, Genevieve Jodouin, Serena McCarroll and Tyler Brett, Laurie McGregor, The Misanthrope Specialty Co., Jen Spinner, Gillian Wilson and more.

The Exhibition:
Craft processes and acts of making have a way of rooting people to their surroundings. People make or purchase craft items to enhance their domestic spaces and make themselves “at home.” Alternately, people take comfort in craft and art making when they find themselves in unfamiliar territory or when situated in transitional spaces such as on planes and buses and in waiting rooms. Home and Away (and In-Between) is an exhibition that strives to explore how the act of making enables us to relate to where we are.
Home and Away (and In-Between) is a thematic group exhibition of selected vendors, organizers and installation artists involved with this year’s City of Craft event. The exhibition also includes a few invited special guests artists. Home and Away will serve as a pre-fair party as well as a public preview of the wares in store at this year’s City of Craft. Please join us in celebrating our third awesome year!


City of Craft on Facebook


Home & Away (& In-Between) on Facebook


Posted by: Sara

In Stitches

I was overjoyed to be a participant in an upcoming Spotlight Series at the Renegade Handmade store in Chicago starting next weekend. The show is called, The In Stitches Showcase, and features the Cross Stitch and Embroidery work of 14 amazing stitcher's!

Here is just a sample of the participants:



Miniature Rhino



Chez Sucre Chez


Moxiedoll


Atlantic Tree Fox


Mummysam


 I packed and shipped my bundle of goods last week, with finger's crossed that everything makes it there safe and sound. I half wish I could have packed myself, for I'm sure it will be an amazing and inspiring show!

As part of the opening night, beloved stitcher, Jenny Heart from Sublime Stitching  will be there signing copies of her new book, Embroidered Effects, what a treat of a day.



My piece is titled, The Night Choir, and I was able to snap a few pics, along with some smaller pieces before they flew to the Windy City.












If you find yourself in Chicago over the holiday season, I highly recommend seeing the show. I am certain it will give a new appreciation to the time and skill that goes into a hand-stitched piece of art. If cross stitches were pennies, I'd be there with bells on!

Jenny Hart book signing for Embroidered Effects and workshop
Saturday, Nov. 21st 4pm - 7pm

Opening Reception for the show
Saturday, Nov. 21st 6pm - 8pm

Renegade Handmade
1924 W. Division St.
Chicago, IL

Posted by: Sam

"Ferment" Vernisage at our studio, the Long Hall

A Long-awaited weekend at the Long Hall!

 

This January 2008, the Long Hall grew l o n g e r. Once a small little-known visual arts work space and gallery made up of 15 artists, it has now doubled in size! With twice the number of artists, and twice the amount of studio space, the Long Hall has survived the trials and threats of its past and has much to look forward to. Our renewed space is relaunching, with 2 events in three days:

FERMENT:
The Long Hall / Le Corrid'art presents its 7th Annual Thematic group show. This year's theme is "Ferment". 28 of the Long Haulers have visually responded to this active, textured, and visceral word. Painting, sculpture, drawing, photography, performance, video, plant art, and installation. Beer, wine, vodka, sauerkraut, and all things fermented will be served!

Vernissage, Friday May 23rd, 2008, 7:00pm to midnight. With special guest deejay N O M N R Y N
Gallery hours: Saturdays and Sundays the 24th, 25th, 31st of May and the 1st of June from 12noon - 6pm
Weekdays (May 26 - 30) by appointment only : 514 948 0227

OPEN STUDIOS
On Saturday and Sunday, May 24th and 25th, the Long Hall will open its many doors for a weekend of visual delight and open arms to you, the public! 30 artists working under the same roof welcome you to their private studio spaces. Artists will be present. Works in all media will be on display, much of it for sale! Ferment show will be open for viewing and the beginnings of the Long Hall sculpture and garden project will have begun.

Open Studios: Sat. and Sun. May 24th and 25th from 12 - 6pm

Come and be a part of our thriving community!

The Long Hall / Le Corrid'art : 450 Beaumont ave. Park X ( bus #80 N, or metro Parc)