We donated two items to a great etsy store called Craft Hope. All the proceeds from sales will benefit Doctors Without Borders in Haiti. A truly inspiring way to harness the power of craft!
Posted by: Sam
Posted by: Sam
Craft
January 18, 2010
January 12, 2010
New
Two new necklaces in the shop.
I have discovered that trinkets and cross stitch go hand in hand!
Posted by: Sam
I have discovered that trinkets and cross stitch go hand in hand!
Posted by: Sam
December 07, 2009
Double the Pal : Week 1
Well, so far so good. We managed to make it through the first weekend of duo craft fairs, and we're happy to report, although a little worn, we did it!
Let's start from the beginning. I mentioned in the last post that we were living off of peanut butter and coffee, I wasn't joking. In fact I took pictures! Along with the state of our studio before this past weekend.
This is our mock craft fair table, it's a set-up made from rubbermaid bins and strips of wood.
Needless to say, things are a little hectic! But in a good way, like we don't have time to make sure everything is neat in place because we're busy being elves. Also, it's so much more rewarding to clean up a bigger mess right?
I stayed in the cutest house in Ottawa Friday night, hosted by two very gracious hosts, including two very charming cats, and snapped a couple of pics of the pre-show label cutting and pricing.
A highlight of the evening was digging through the cutest fabric collection I've seen, and being lucky enough to take home some quarter's to be made into bows. I was doing everything I could to keep my composure (and maturity) at the sight of each one!
So Great!
The next day was the Tarts''n' Craft fair which was a real success, and busy from beginning to end.
After a long day and a good meal, myself and my fellow Montreal crafters headed back home, and I got the best sleep I could in order to get up and join Sara at the Bazar de Noël Puces POP & Rusty Plum sale.
We decided to take full advantage of the Polish food being cooked in the kitchen of the church basement, by ordering the $7 Polish plate, and expressed our fondness of the sauerkraut, sausage, and perogies by taking portraits.
Combined with a good coffee, we couldn't have asked for anything better!
So that wraps up the first of two duo fair weekends for us, the next starting Thursday night with the opening of the [email protected], in Montreal where I'll be selling our wares, followed on Saturday by City of Craft where Sara will be representing us in Toronto. The Double Pal saga continues...
Time to get back to work!
Posted by: Sam
Let's start from the beginning. I mentioned in the last post that we were living off of peanut butter and coffee, I wasn't joking. In fact I took pictures! Along with the state of our studio before this past weekend.
This is our mock craft fair table, it's a set-up made from rubbermaid bins and strips of wood.
Needless to say, things are a little hectic! But in a good way, like we don't have time to make sure everything is neat in place because we're busy being elves. Also, it's so much more rewarding to clean up a bigger mess right?
I stayed in the cutest house in Ottawa Friday night, hosted by two very gracious hosts, including two very charming cats, and snapped a couple of pics of the pre-show label cutting and pricing.
A highlight of the evening was digging through the cutest fabric collection I've seen, and being lucky enough to take home some quarter's to be made into bows. I was doing everything I could to keep my composure (and maturity) at the sight of each one!
So Great!
The next day was the Tarts''n' Craft fair which was a real success, and busy from beginning to end.
After a long day and a good meal, myself and my fellow Montreal crafters headed back home, and I got the best sleep I could in order to get up and join Sara at the Bazar de Noël Puces POP & Rusty Plum sale.
We decided to take full advantage of the Polish food being cooked in the kitchen of the church basement, by ordering the $7 Polish plate, and expressed our fondness of the sauerkraut, sausage, and perogies by taking portraits.
Combined with a good coffee, we couldn't have asked for anything better!
So that wraps up the first of two duo fair weekends for us, the next starting Thursday night with the opening of the [email protected], in Montreal where I'll be selling our wares, followed on Saturday by City of Craft where Sara will be representing us in Toronto. The Double Pal saga continues...
Time to get back to work!
Posted by: Sam
November 30, 2009
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
November 15, 2009
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
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
July 26, 2008
The Workroom
This past weekend I was in Toronto cutting my paper puppets at the Workroom in Parkdale. I was advised to pay a visit to the workroom by the lovely ladies at Toronto Craft Alert when I was looking for a place to have my puppets cut. The Workroom is equipped with all the necessities, sewing machines and sergers and is a welcoming space where you can sew and craft by the hour. It's also run by a great lady named Karyn accompanied by her lovely dog Mazie. When I was there Karyn was sewing a cute ironing board cover and I notice on her blog that she posted a tutorial on how she did it, I'm definitely going to look that up in the future. The Workroom also sells fabric, I picked up a fat quarter of this amazing print. I meant to take my camera to take some pictures of the cutting but I forgot. Luckily Karyn took some pictures.
Photo by Karyn Valino
the Workroom, a cozy place to get your craft on.
Photo by Karyn Valino
Laser cutting the puppets. Each sheet is placed one at a time and a vector image in the computer tells it where to go. Pretty neat!
Photo by Karyn Valino
Thelma, Margot and Ricky parts peeking out of envelopes.
Photo by Karyn Valino
Burnaby's arms.
May 12, 2008
Ladyfest Spring 2008
This past weekend The Pin Pals did the annual Ladyfest Spring show. We presented some of our new styles and colours for Spring. Here's some pics of what's new!
One of Sara's newest illustrations, titled Ladytalk, can be found on bright new Tshirts and Tote Bags!
Also, check out Boycart and our Bowtie Tshirt!
April 16, 2008
Leaves and Peas
I've posted some new Cross-Stitch brooches on Etsy! They are based on original designs which I made in studio. I really love making these, especially because when I'm done I have cute smiling faces staring back at me! I've thought of creating some with frowny faces just for a reality check, but so far I'm enjoying the smiles!
March 24, 2008
Worn Buttons and New Spring Pins!
Serah-Marie of Worn Magazine kindly asked if I would create a cross-stitch design to be made into buttons for the upcoming issue. So of course I jumped at the chance and this was the fruit of our labour!:
Also, Check out our etsy site for an update of new spring cornet brooches and accessories. We will also have some new puppet family members and Tshirt designs really soon!!
February 18, 2008
New Pins in the Shop!
We've added some new cornet pins to our etsy store. check them out!
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