Year of Knitting: Moonstone Pullover

        When I read the description for this knitting pattern I knew this was just the pattern for us -"Named for the magical beach full of towering sea stack rocks and tide pools, this unisex child’s pullover can be worked in stripes or in a solid colour" . Hello a more perfect image has never been written! So it was with out hesitation that I dove into knitting my first Moonstone Pullover in some grey worsted wool from my Mom. When I say dove in I mean dove in- I didn't read the instructions properly and a sweater that was supposed to be for my size 10 boy has now landed on the size 8 frame of my girl! I misread the pattern- oops!

     That was just fine with her- she happily slipped this cozy little bit of knitting on right away and claimed it for her own- picking out the hand worked silver buttons which I think are just perfect! The Moonstone is a quick and easy knit- the first top down sweater I have attempted and with the exception of knitting the wrong size it was really so simple. From cast on to cast off I was done in two weeks. 

    It's so funny that a short time ago I didn't consider myself a knitter and now my hands get antsy if they aren't busy! I love how portable knitting is- I can have my basket with me wherever I go ready to continue with just a few rows if needed. I think what appeals to me most of all is the fact that I am making garments for my family- from my own hands- that might otherwise not be so ethically sourced. I am a part of the solution- it's easy with a gorgeous pattern such as the Moonstone.

       Friends it is Friday again! We are likely on the road headed over the hills to the Okanagan as you read this- my knitting basket at my feet- my kids squabbling in the back seat behind me. I am looking forward to a large glass of wine once we hit Peachland! Happy Friday Friends- much love and creativity!

YOTH Hat

          I recently finished off this incredibly slouchy, soft beanie- wait for it- it's for myself! Squee! A little bit of knitting with the softest of cashmere blends in one of my favourite colours- my hat matches the landscape.The yarn colour is Wild Rice but lets call it driftwood- it is perfect for these first gentle days of the year.

        Almost a year ago a few friends and I want to a YOTH Yarns trunk show at our local yarn store- YOTH yarns are about as local as we get here in the Pacific Northwest. Created by a brother and sister duo in Washington state YOTH or Yarn On The House is some of the most luxurious wool I have had the pleasure of working with to date. So it goes without saying that I have been hoarding this skien for just the perfect project!

          These are toque days- as in the days when I like to sport a hat both outside and inside- all day long to cover up what is a questionable head of hair that is still mid grow out from a pixie cut! My slouchy, perfect YOTH hat is a very loose take on the free Purl Soho Boyfriend Hat- this is supposed to be a watchman style cap but I decided the slouchier the better and here is the end result!

Year Of Making- Looking Back

         When I started out on my Year of Making journey about a year ago I had no idea what I was in for. I had vague notions of knitting a sweater and possibly sewing a portion of my own wardrobe- no clue how important making had become in my life. Over the past year I have learned so many things as I made things carefully by hand- along with learning how to knit button holes I discovered just how intrenched being creative is in my daily life. If a day goes by that I don't work on a project- no matter how small- something feels to be missing- it just does!

       One major lesson learned is how no matter how slowly my consumerism may be it still exists. I have just switched gears- slowed it way down and most importunity become so much more aware how my daily decision of what to wear is so important. Making much more of my wardrobe than I thought is possible- creating a thoughtful closet full of pieces I love. Creating small garments that are slow and made with love for my Littles- walking just as softly on my earth as they do on my heart.

         When I sat down to pull this post together I thought perhaps I would use a project from each month- I was very surprised to see how industrious I actually have become! No way I could only pick twelve of my favourite projects- many of them didn't even make it onto the blog- simply thrown into rotation immediately- on my bod or in the laundry!

       While 2015 is all wrapped up I am looking forward to continuing my making ways- perhaps a life of making instead of only a year- so limiting! I have a stack of projects on my sewing table and in my knitting basket- so much goodness coming in the months ahead! So knitting needles at the ready lets get ready to rumble!!!!

Shop Small: Shop Local

       Just a super short post to mention there are a few little goodies left in my Etsy shop- the last day to ship with in Canada before Christmas is December 11- so if you have been lingering over a purchase now is the time! This year I took things pretty slow- there isn't a tonne of offerings but each one is special and made with love!

P.S. Plain Jane Designs can also now be found at Leap Art Supplies and Gallery in Vernon- go pay Melissa a visit and buy some art!

Year Of Making: The Hayward Sweater

           Remember like months ago I started knitting myself a sweater- and it seemed to be taking forever? Even though all the knitting experts surrounding me assured me this is totally normal I couldn't help but think it was slow going- and then I took a ceramics class and the knitting went even slower! Well good news! Seven months after I started on this journey to knit myself a function able sweater that fit me I have completed my task!

           This sweater is a sum of it's journeys- it has traveled with me back and forth to the Okanagan all summer- it has been to the Painted Hills- it has been to Portland. Part of this sweater comes from Victoria! Knit into the fibres of this sweater are my fears- left by the wayside- I have come out the other side warmer and much more confident. Knit into the fibres of this sweater are deep talks on the road with my partner in crime- three seasons of laughter- and a lot of wabi sabi character- I am learning to let go of perfection.

        I will admit I am super proud of my first attempt at a hand knit sweater- I feel I am a bit further down my slow fashion path- this is knit with intention and care- it was not purchased haphazardly off a clearance rack. This sweater was knit by my hands and no other- the fibres traveled a very short distance- this is a sustainable garment- a fact that like knowing where my food comes from is growing increasingly important to me.

      As the days grow dark and rainy- my thoughts turn inward towards nursing my family once again and I am so pleased to be starting yet anther knitting project- this one a bit smaller for Miss Lo. My list of skills keeps growing and something I was once scared of is now like an old friend. Ummm also the yarn- hello new obsession!

         Friends it's Friday again! I know I always act so shocked when Friday rolls around but the fact of the matter lies that these weeks and months fly by just far too fast! This weekend we are staying at the Coast- tucking in and taking it slow. Happiness and Sunshine always dear Friends!

In The Studio

        These days I am completely obsessed with the statement necklace- but not any statement necklace- the handmade- chunky bead variety. So it was only natural that I would start to make them myself at the studio- the bigger the better! I'm totally loving how these beads are turning out- especially when pared with some chunky indigo dyed cotton rope. I'm feeling super inspired by my surroundings these days and it's indigo for days- blue on blue on blue! The perfect pallet for these balmy summer days!

      Friends it's Friday again- the days are just flying by so swiftly I can barely contain myself. This weekend we are hoping for a chilled out couple of days- so if you need me you can find me dockside with a fine glass of boxed wine! Happiness and Sunshine always Friends!

Year of Making : Soap Making

          At the beginning of March my friend Andrea and I decided to take a soap making course- we are both a little "crunchy" OK maybe quite a bit and really wanted some control over what we use on our skin as well as on our children. Fuelled by the wish to learn more we both signed up for a one night workshop at a favourite local shop- The Soap Dispensary. Using all natural materials we would at the end of the evening walk away with a box of handmade soap.

          While it is true that we could have just followed a recipe we both wanted to learn from someone well versed in soap making the why and the how. For me my desire to make soap has always hit a wall whenever lye was discussed- I always wondered could lye be avoided- it sounded like such a dangerous material. Our instructor was really straightforward in her explanation on lye and it's role in soap making- there is no such thing as a lye free soap- it's necessary. She showed us how to safely and properly handle the lye- completely dispelling any remaining worries I had about working with the material.

           As promised at the end of the evening each student walked out the door with a Chinese take out container full of fresh soap- carefully wrapped in a towel to keep a consistent temperature as the soap worked it's magic over the next 48 hours. I waited patiently and finally unwrapped my new soap- carefully sliced it up into three even bars which now sit curing in my art room for another week.

         I'm really happy I took this little workshop- it's one thing to read about something in theory online or in a book but I learn best by doing- seeing how the soap changes and comes together is only something that can be experienced in person. With my new found soap making knowledge tucked firmly away I am looking forward to making more soap this coming fall- for our family as to give away as gifts. All natural and made by me!

Year Of Making: Ceramics Part 1

        I know things have been a little quiet around these parts- my studio updates have all but ground to a complete halt- the good news though is that the radio silence is not all for naught- wait s that a double negative? I don't care- sounds good. What I am trying to say is that most of my "spare" time which to date has been spent painting is currently being spent in the clay studio! This year in my year of making I decided that instead of buying boring store bought plates I would first attempt to make myself some really unique pieces for daily use- bowls and mugs mostly. I had some big plans for some plates but at this point I am realizing just how much skill potters need to trow a really nicely balanced item- so I think I will be sticking to bowls for the moment!

              Perhaps I was overly confident walking into the clay studio- I have never met a craft or art material that is not totally intuitive- I wedged my first piece of clay like no bodies business and then sat down at the wheel to centre the piece- it was then that things got awkward- real fast. This was the first time in a very long time that I struggled to grasp a concept immediately and it was humbling wen my cylinder refused to not collapse. Several classes later I have grown to accept the long journey laid out by clay in front of me- this is something that takes time and a peaceful heart- clay will not be rushed.

           Slowly I am making things- cylinders- shapes- bowls- they look like real things- at the very least I will have several containers to organize my pens and pencils into! This year of making is a long process- my projects are not short ones. I knew this going in but now that I'm in the thick of knitting a sweater and throwing bowls one thing is abundantly clear- I take for granted how easy it is to walk into a store and just buy things. I always thought I knew the importance of and values the cost of stuff- but at only three months in I am realizing I have really underestimated what it takes. So the next time I am at a craft market or artisan sale I will not question why a hand thrown mug is $35- because I know that sometime that artist was where I am now- struggling to keep their cylinder from collapsing!


PS a big thank you to Andrea Walker- Collins for taking my picture in the studio!

Intention- Also Known As A Post About More Knitting

             Whenever I knit something for someone else I always find the process in fact turns out to be more of a meditation on the relationship- I fill each hand knit piece full of intention and blessings before sending it out into the world. I have not knit many things for other people- mostly hats for my own kiddos- a few baby hats for cousins here and there- knitting for little ones is so fast and easy- it is never very difficult to fill those wee garments full of love and sunshine.

            Knitting for adults is another story- these pieces are larger and take longer- giving me more time to meditate over them as I rip out stitches or pick them pack up- figure out new  processes- and think about my relationship with the end recipient. Enter into the picture the slouchy hat I have been working on for friend Erin- this was a really fun knit- I actually learned a lot for this project- for example how to shape a crown properly on a hat!

           It is only natural that this hat is filled with pieces of our friendship- not just a hat to keep one's head warm- but a hat pre filled with wonderful memories. So to share a bit of that here with you- this hat is filled with many trips to the beach- muddy forest walks-green Hunter boots on city sidewalks- ice cream affogatos and Spring- the promise of Spring and warmer days. Not shown are more lattes than you can shake a stick at-  they definitely played an important role in the making of this hat!

P.S. Sadly after almost 5 years my green Hunter boots have been permanently retired- I am still struggling to decide between black and navy!

P.S.S- because I know my mom will ask- an affogato is ice cream and espresso- because we needed another reason to drink more coffee and eat more ice cream!

A Year of Making

         Last night I stumbled across the most interesting of tags on Instagram- Year of Making- something about this personal tag appealed to me- it challenged me- it really excited me. I thought yes- this is something I can get behind- a personal challenge to myself to document all that I make over the course of a year! Of course for me every year is a year of making- but this year since heading back to work- I have become more focused on finishing things that ever before. That is of course in part due to the influence of my uber creative co-workers who are always pushing themselves to try new things. I think the largest part of me making more this year is for the shear joy- having a job frees me up to take more risks with my won work- as I have discussed in previous posts I am no longer working for an audience larger than myself- which is a wonderful thing!

          I have so many textile projects on the go right now- works in progress- all at different stages- patiently waiting their turn- I'm assured this is a very normal thing for knitters! I have a stack of sewing patterns that I am excited to jump into- my birthday wish this year is an hour of uninterrupted fabric time at Spool Of Thread- they have so many good things on their shelves right now- I need some quiet planning time there.

        I'm also very excited to venture out into unknown making territory- I'm taking a class with a friend- beginner wheel throwing- clay- dishes- bowls- mugs! I seriously can't wait- it's such a gift to be able to take this class. I haven't worked with clay since my art school days and way back then it was all hand building and Raku firerings- very primitive and beautiful in it's own way. Now I'm excited to be building functional objects- our current plates are in sorry state and quite frankly I just don't like them! Heres hoping I can manage to make some new useful items for own house.

         My plans sound lofty but as mentioned I have been making almost every single day for years now- if a day goes by with out some outlet of creativity I feel off kilter- quite simply making is my life. The challenge for me will be to document what I am making- often I finish something and just start wearing it- or document it in the most hideous lighting in our hall way- my challenge will be to plan out the documentation- so I can show off my finished items in a way I can be proud of! OK enough sitting around talking about the plan- I have knitting to do- followed by a trip to the fabric store!

ps if anyone wants to play along with me or even just follow my progress- head on over to Instagram- #yearofmaking

Thrifted Thursday

          This Thrifted Thursday item will be familiar to a few folks already as it has quickly become my favourite item to throw on this winter. A long-woven - wool vest- I suspect it is handmade as there are no tags and it is quite rustic- it just has that made by hand feel to it. One day last month I was hustling up Carroll St to get over to the school for child pick up and as I was speed walking past Community Thrift I noticed this gem in the window- I didn't stop. I obsessed all the way to the school in the pouring rain and decided that if it wasn't there on my way home then it simply wasn't meant to be- thats just how I shop.

         Well clearly the vest was still hanging in the window upon our return- had it not been such a miserable day out and the streets deserted I am sure this would not have been the case. Luck and the Thrifting Gods were on my side that day and I walked away with this beauty- truly a thrifting score! To me this vest evokes a totally 60's art teacher vibe- I can just imagine some complicated housewife sipping gin and tonics while perhaps spinning ceramics on the wheal or rushing off to a life drawing class.

        Lately my style has been described as cozy- more specifically like a tea cozy- and I do feel this to be the case. This fall and winter has been all about the layers of wool- the more layers to keep me warm and cozy the better. This vest fits that bill perfectly- keeping my back warm and my arms free- for anyone who works with their hands will tell you this is a key issue when wearing sweaters. At any rate as mentioned this is one of my favourite pieces to wear this season!

PS- also my super cute shoes are thrifted from the Salvation Army- they were brand new- handmade in South Africa- another mega score for this fall!

PSS- yes I know that is coffee in my cup- this is an older picture from over Christmas- the super cute mug was handmade by my friend Andrea- the tea challenge is still on!

PSSS- why yes that is a glorious tassel hanging from my neck! It was gifted to me by my secret Santa- Portia who makes all sorts of glorious tassels!

New Threads

         Today- as is often the case- I really have nothing exciting to share- and yet the desire to come here and write all that nothing out is still strong. So here I am on a chilly January morning- possibly it's in part due to my reluctance to head outside and into this foul weather that I pull up my chair to the desk and sit down in front of the computer. I have already consumed all of the tea- in an effort to kick the coffee habit I have switched to tea- a friend and I are challenging each other to last the month- we figure it is sort of a good personal goal- which is shocking because I love coffee- but it turns out I ca live with out it! I blame all the tea drinkers at work- the lack of a fresh pot of coffee in the staff room has prompted me to turn towards a quick cuppa to get me through the afternoons.

      At any rate what I really wanted to share- aside from my tea induced ramblings on the state of coffee- is my new thread stash. Just before the holidays a friend and I ventured down to Granville Island- remember those crisp- sunny days we experienced in Vancouver- before the rain came- yeah those days I spent a tonne of time outdoors! A trip to Maiwa is always called for when one heads to Granville Island- nothing I love more than touching every single thing in that store! I came away with a variegated selection of grey silk and wool thread to use in my embroidery projects. We also paid a visit to the silk weaving studio where I indulged in some beautiful white silk thread- perfect for my quilting project!

       New threads being out to use immediately in a custom order- more pillows- always more pillows! You know it's the little things like a fresh skien of thread that keep me interested and going- a few new colours keeps the work fresh- immediately updating and changing the entire look of a design. So if you need me on this grim January day- you can find me curled up on the sofa- surrounded by beautiful colours and lovely textures. And maybe another pot of tea or two- just maybe!
       

More Knitting For My Small Being

         So much making went on in this past month- it was difficult to show much of it off as most went off as gifts- secrecy was paramount- and so a modicum of online silence was necessary. One small bit of knitting that I was desperate to finish was for my Girly- I had visions of a snuggly warm vest covering her back as we iced through the forest of Christmas day- but it just didn't happen. I knitted on our way to the Okanagan- I knitted through out our holiday and then I knitted on the way home in the car as well- super simple garter stitch- just knitting back and forth. Still this small bit of snugness was left in pieces until just last night.

          Once stitched together and the ties added on my first hand knit garment was complete- this is almost but not quite a sweater- that is next onto the needles for the Boy! Miss Lo was so pleased to wake up this morning to one last Christmas gift- it fit perfectly and nicely matched her new Holiday dress from Mabo Kids. My little city elf is all set for a chilly winter in an old school- which tens to be either overheated or crafty- depending on which room you find yourself in- layers are important in Vancouver!

          With this small garment I have gotten a bit more  confidence in my knitting ability- I feel confident to cast on that sweater I have been dreaming of- Ok well I have two sweaters I'm itching to knit- but one thing at a time! I here by declare 2015 the year of the sweater!

P.S- also how is my little Miss getting so darn grown up? Every time I turn around she has grown another inch!

In The Studio

            In my studio I have this growing pile of naturally dyed and printed fabrics- just sitting there waiting for "one day". So this week- even with the time crunch I decided to dive into that pile of goodness and start a quilt- for myself! I'm so excited about this project- I have been planning this quilt in my head for so long but have always been intimidated by the actual making of the quilt- it's clearly time to get over that and just start making it. Heavily inspired by a quilt I saw last winter at Oakland's a Verb For Keeping Warm I chose a very natural pallet of fabrics dyed with onion skins, turmeric and- my favourite- indigo.

             Although this is clearly still a work in progress- I only have half a quilt top- I needed to share- I'm really loving how it's coming together! Using up all the leftover scrap natural linen is pretty satisfying as well- all the end cuts from pillows and custom orders from the past year. It's nice to see my scrap pile shrinking away and being put to use- repurposed- and enjoyed.

              These days I don't have much time to sew- the urge to create still doesn't go away- sewing this quilt is a bit like itching a scratch. This is the business that satisfies my soul- gets me excited and keeps the creative juices flowing. I'm hoping to have the rest of the top finished by our holiday so I can get my mom to help me bind the edges. I really can't wait to have this little bit of handmade in my living room- curl up under it and read a good book. Merry Christmas to me!

P.S.- all picture taking was done after work!
P.S.S- thanks Kate for taking this picture of me!

Maker's Series: Mary Kim Ceramics and Paintings

        With my mind wondering more and more to gift giving I thought today's local maker should be Mum of two and maker of all things imaginative Mary Kim. Mary's work is very illustrative and she has over the years created everything from one off zines, super cool patches, colouring sets to her colourful and fun ceramics. This year Mary has come out with mini mugs- perfect for little hands on a chilly days- my own Littles are each getting one in their stockings- sure to be used for many an after school hot chocolate!

       Mary's work has always interested me- I wondered where she got her inspiration from not to mention the illustrative nature that encompasses all of her work. Fortunatly for me Mary was gracious enough to answer a few of my questions as well share a few of her new designs! Born and raised in Calgary she attended the Alberta Collage of Art and Design followed by studies at the Nova Scotia School of Art and Design in Halifax. Mary's ceramics and paintings clearly show her love of the off beat and quirky- from her monster shot glasses to special unicorn mugs!

In Mary's own words:

I started becoming interested in monsters when Tim Burton came out with Nightmare Before Christmas.

I like the friendly, smiley types, not so much the dark and scary ones. There's lots of darkness out there.

I also like the cute and fluffy things; having a three-year-old awakened a new found interest in little forest animals, things with hearts and stars, and pastel colours…..I'm okay with it. Maybe it's cheesy or corny, but I'm okay with that too.

     

        As for inspiration? Mary cites a number of influences- nature- flowers, leaves, bugs- artist Charley Harper, monsters- hairy, toothy, many eyed. Bears, cats, cartoons, comic books, children's books, wall paper design. It seems that Mary takes in the word around her and translates it into fantastical creatures that may or may not be lurking!

         Be sure to check out Mary's work in person at Ainsworth Design on Granville Island- found at 1243 Cartwright Street this little gallery may be tucked away off the beaten path but is chock full of handmade, local treasures- all things we love! You can also check in online with Ainsworth Design to see what other goodies might grab your eye- as well get all the deets on things like the upcoming ornament show- their Facebook page can be found here- Ainsworth Design.

Keep Calm and Knit On

          Folks who follow me on Instagram know of my current obsession- knitting socks! I feel like it was a slow learning process but once I got the hang of it my needles flew- the end result is this snuggly pair of wool socks- perfect for these cooler late summer days! Now I'm not referring to this current time as fall- it certainly doesn't feel like it- with our kiddos still on "summer break" thanks to the labour dispute between our Provincial Government and our teachers. We are hanging onto these final days of summer for all they are worth- beach trips for impromptu picnics in between rain storms- lots of hiking- and a tiny toe dip into the homeschool pool.

          Not to get side tracked by the lack of school- the disappointment of my youngest who was ever so excited to head off to Kindergarten- the bummed out expression of a six year old who just wants to play unsupervised by Mum with his friends! Our family has spent a tonne of time together these past three months and while nerves are starting to fray we just need to roll with it- make a conscious effort to take time apart when we need it- keep things fun and interesting for all of us. Personally I will be diving back into my knitting basket again this week- starting yet another pair of socks- a small and portable project that can travel with us to park, beach or sit in- while the kiddos roam I can relax and let me fingers fly.

       This was my first pair of socks ever- aside from a pair of mitts and a lot of hats and scarves I have always been a bit intimidated of knitting actual garments- with the easy to follow instructions from one of my favourite books of the summer- Made By Hand by Lena Corwin- these socks were actually a snap. Now they may not be the most evenly knit of socks they do fit my feet and they do over all look like socks so I am incredibly happy with them!

         So my motto for the coming weeks will obviously have to be Keep Calm and Knit On!

Playing In The Studio

         Good Morning! Today is not so much of a studio update so much as just showing y'all what I have been up to in the last couple of days. Currently I have no pressing deadlines and that has given me the time and freedom to play around a bit in the studio- something I don't get to do very often these days. I'm excited to be revisiting natural dyeing- something I dipped my toe into last fall with a class on Solar Dyeing. In the fall I dyed a few skeins of wool with a variety of natural dyes- I really enjoyed the process of colouring textiles in an environmentally and natural way.

      Yesterday I thought I would try my hand at dyeing with black beans- heaven knows how many times I have inadvertently stained my counter top while soaking dry beans! I bundled up a spare piece of white linen and bound it tie dye style- threw it into a big pot with pre soaked beans and a table spoon of Alum. So simple- I boiled the whole pot for about a half an hour- perhaps I should have kept boiling but I am an impatient gal so I pulled the fabric bundle out. Once I rinsed and unbound the linen a beautiful and subtle tie dye effect was revealed- I am so excited about this!

     I'm sure this half yard will be sewn up into yet another easy breezy summer top for my Girly- not that she doesn't already have quite the Momma made wardrobe already! I'm excited to try this entire process again on a much larger scale- you will can be certain to see this popping up in a few new goodies for the shop!

     I love the idea of making something from nothing- I think that is the magic of handcrafting- you start with a blank slate- or paper or fabric or board- what ever your chosen medium may be- and after hours of hand work and imagination the previously blank slate has morphed into a one of a kind item. I think it is a rather addictive process as I'm constantly searching out the special and unique in this world- no longer content with sameness! Be sure to keep an eye on Instagram for updates on my creative mayhem!

   In slightly other news I have been chosen as one of twelve new feature writers over at Modern Mama Vancouver- it would mean so much to me if you popped on over there and had a look at the other talented writers I will be sharing that space with!

Studio Update

            It feels like forever since I shared a proper studio update and yet it feels like I never stop working! I'm very pleased to announce that Plain Jane linen Heritage pillows can now be found and Nineteenten Home Boutique on Main Street here in Vancouver- this is such a lovely store- every item is carefully chosen and assembled into a gorgeous collection of treasures. It is simply thrilling that my pillows have found a place on their shelves- and in the window!

            I feel this last order really pushed me to create a well thought out and well finished item- I changed a few things including my embroidery thread- switching from a traditional silk thread to a heartier merino and silk blend- the impact on the pillows is much more graphic and I feel a lot warmer. Another change is how I finish the backs of Heritage pillows- these small decorative pillows now come with an envelope style closure which means the insert can be removed if tragedy strikes and a spill occurs!

         Over the past month or so I have really been thinking about the nature of Plain Jane and where it's going- my first love is screen printing however I feel there is a bit of a glut in the screen printed textile market- it is time to move on from that. Also cards- I love, love, love creating my one of a kind cards- however I have noticed that demand for them is down- like way down- sadly I feel folks are just not mailing love anymore. So while I will still have limited runs of Plain Jane cards in the shop they will not be the back bone of the business anymore- it's a sad day but when something is just not working it's time to move on! It can be a difficult thing to be really honest with one's self and change behaviors when something just doesn't work- I am trying to be really realistic with myself.

          The flip side of that sad coin is that now I am freed up to try out new products- I am super pleased to be introducing my new line of feather pins into the shop at the beginning of April! Of course they are available now but just in limited numbers- shown below each small, hand embroidered pin is about 2" long- backed with linen- each mini work of wearable art is only $15 right now. Designed in memory of my Grandma who loved bird watching- I'm wearing mine everywhere this week.

           So you can see that a large portion of that radio silence was in part due to how busy I have been in the studio- a new exciting direction has me all fired up! Not one to rest on my laurels I am already hard at work on the next batch of Heritage pillows headed for the old Etsy shop! I am happiest when my hands are busy- I love the portable nature of this craft and how I can be busy just about everywhere.

         I remember the summer I learned to embroider- I thought it was the most boring thing on earth and I am sure my sampler went unfinished- as many summer projects tended to be for me. I must have been about thirteen- we were living in our new house way high up above town- all my friends were down at the beach but it was too far for me to walk alone- so I sat moping for most of that summer. In an effort to staunch the moping and the whining that I am sure accompanied it my Mom put a blank piece of cotton and a hoop in my hands and showed me the basic stitches- I think the first pattern I worked on was a Holy Hobby type Prairie girl. Hello irony! Proof that you never know what you learn as a child you may one day use to make a living!

PS- as an added bonus I am offering 25% off in the Etsy shop on all in stock items! Just use code Spring1

Macrame- My First Love

      Back in the day- which was a Wednesday- I made hemp necklaces and sold them- I did pretty well selling them on the beach in the summers - well enough that I didn't have to dip into my school money to pay for fun stuff- like beer. Truth be told I loved making  these macrame gems- laden with awesome beads and plenty of imagination- I was fortunate enough to have an outlet to sell them at a time well before the likes of Etsy or really any online store. The popularity of hemp necklaces started to wane but I held onto all my beads and jewelry making supplies and still dabbled now and again over the years.

      Recently there seems to be a resurgence of handmade wrap style jewelry- the friendship bracelet led the call a few years back and now fibre jewelry is popping up everywhere! One of my favourite artists are those behind the small objects and jewelry shop Object & Totem- based out of Philadelphia- Object & Totem offers a minimalist, rustic aesthetic that I totally dig. Click here to see my current design crush- on my wish list and not going anywhere- this is one beautiful necklace!

       Another example of fibre based jewelry can be found in this collaboration between the ladies at 3191 Miles Apart and Quince & Co- I spotted this lovely wool creation the other day and decided to give it a try- with my own twist of course! P.S. adorable blog and magazine- just fantastic!

        The beads on the above left are actually belly beads from Ghana- another treasure brought home by my cousin years ago when our first Little was born- these beads were the inspiration behind the creation of my new necklace on the right. The imperfection of this string of beads could not get any better- the dangling white cotton threads against the perfect line of beads- this was to be my jumping off point.

      This new fibre necklace may hearken back to my roots of hemp necklaces sold by the beach on a summer's day- but the fibre used is a little more sophisticated than the coarse hemp of my University enterprise! Linen and Silk yarn in variegated blues are punctuated by a single vintage glass bead- the wabi sabi simplicity is what I think makes this work.

    This little project was a great way to spend a day making things with my hands- so tactile and working with the linen yarn was a dream. While I do spend a great deal of time sewing and making- it was nice to free style it and just let my creativity loose on some yarn- a trip down memory lane that perhaps my hands should take more often!

Spreading the LOVE!

       OK by now we all know of my abiding love for the Holidays- pretty much any chance to celebrate I will grab on and hang on to for dear life! Valentines day however holds a special place in my heart- February has always been a very lovey dovey time in our house- not only is it my parents anniversary in February (40 years this year- not too shabby!) but it is also my birthday as well as the big love fest that is Feb 14! Growing up in the Okanagan February was always a tough month to have a birthday party in- you never knew if you were going to get snowed in or not- or if there was even going to be any power for that matter ( I once lost an entire pony tail in a candle incident due to a power outage on my birthday). My mom always made sure to make my birthday extra special- and the love and treats always over flowed to the next day which is Valentines day.

      Even when I was a single gal on my own I loved Valentines day and treated the day as an extra birthday day for myself-  home pedicure and extra long bath with a giant bottle of wine? Yes please! That is how I roll! Now that I am married and have these wee ones Valentines day is not about me any more- but more so making the day fun and special for them. Enter in my love for a good Valentine card- I have been busy in my studio again this week working on a fresh batch which I am going to offer up on my Etsy store next week. I thought I would give you all a sneak peak here and if anyone is interested please feel free to Facebook me on Plain Jane Designs.

    Also just to spread the lovey dovey feelings around a bit more I am offering a give away- a pack of three one of a kind cards along with a cute banner made up of Dilly Dally Party Alley hearts! To enter all you have to do is comment over on my Plain Jane Designs Facebook page- if you haven't liked my page all ready please go ahead and do so! Starting today and running through until Feb 2- so I will have plenty of time to get these Valentine goodies to the winner well before the big day! Let me know what you think- corporate baloney aside- Valentines Day- Love it or Leave it?

       All my cards are hand screen printed on cotton card stock- I then go back in and collage with bits of ephemera like vintage stamps and papers and then finish the whole thing off with sewing or other embellishments like vintage ribbon- rendering each card one of a kind. I make every card with love for people to mail to their loved ones- I just love spreading the love!

     Once again it is Friday dear Friends- we are up for one more hike this weekend- exciting stuff in our family! I am also looking forward to some quiet time with my family just chilling out around the house- lots of snuggles and slow, quiet hours spent together. Friends I hope that your weekend is full of light and love in these dark days of January- just remember brighter days are only as far away as tomorrow!