Loose Ends

   This post today could also be called Nerding About- but really I just have so much to talk about that I needed to get it all out in one post! You may have noticed some changes to my little blog- I am starting to get the hang of things here- with the help of my trusty I.T. guy- also known around these parts as my Mr. He is such a huge part of what I do- not only does he believe in what I am trying to do but he also fills in all the blanks when it comes to technical stuff- for someone like myself who is more comfortable on a sewing machine than a computer there are a lot of blanks!

     As many of you know I have over the years created a little paper company called Plain Jane Designs- I have talked about it sporadically here and I occasionally post pictures of what I have been working on with promises to post them for sale on Etsy- well the truth is those items often get purchased before they make it online. I have been hard at work to increase my stock levels and I am officially back up on Etsy- with lots more goodies to come over the month of November- just in time for the holidays! Click on the link at the right hand side of the screen to head over to my Etsy shop or feel free to message me for custom orders!

   Along the same lines as Plain Jane or perhaps hand in hand would be more accurate I have been invited to do an in store demonstration at Opus Framing and Art Supplies. Needless to say I am thrilled! In full disclosure I worked at the Granville Island location off and on over the past ten years, last spring I felt it was time for me to move on and face new challenges- terrifying but necessary- I am so happy they haven't forgotten about me!

        The topic of my demonstration is Art Exploration - Saturday November 24 2:00-4:00pm at the Downtown Location at the corner of Hastings and Cordova St. I will be talking all about how to encourage your  young child to be creative and explore art beyond crayons and paper. I will be demonstrating three fantastic projects ranging in difficulty to help challenge your child depending on where they are artistically. I will also reveal my top five favourite Opus products for kids to use and how we like to use them. It should be a fun couple of hours and I will be available afterwards should anyone care to pick my brain!

      In other news I received a package in the mail from England today- when I heard the mailman buzz from downstairs I practically levitated with excitement! It was an order  "sent with care" from
 Merchant and Mills- purveyors of the most gorgeous sewing notions known to man. Everything came so carefully wrapped in layers of tissue and brown paper- it was exactly how I imagine the line from the sound of music to look "brown paper packages tied up with string, these are a few of my favourite things.." I can hardly wait to cut into the fantastic organic chambray- shirt, dress, bloomers- I'm not sure what these three yards will become yet!

     In a final nerd moment - how gorgeous is this Misty Alpaca? I have most definitely caught the knitting bug and as if hoarding fabric wasn't bad enough it looks like I may also have a wool problem. Purchased at Maiwa Handprints on Granville Island this yummy bundle is 100% baby alpaca- this would make beautiful hand warmers for someone special! Lets not even get into how much I love the knitting needle selection at Maiwa- or the natural dyes- or the books- or the buttons- oh Lanta! Clearly what I need is a bigger studio and more hours in the day!

p.s.- if you are interested check out Alabama Chanin's blog- filled with textile beauty and inspiration!