PERFECT TIMING

Advanced Style: Age and Beauty on Nowness.com.

Sometimes I feel like these are the things they should actually be teaching young women.

THIS TIME LAST YEAR...

My little sis and I would just about be rolling off the metro, towing our bags behind us in search of snacks and naps in our tiny apartment on rue du Cherche-Midi. Was it really a whole year ago Mary? Another Paris spring sounds just delightful right about now.

Looking through my many photos of Paris, Spain & Morocco, I'm immediately brought back to this wonderful trip and hungrily contemplating another. What do you say sis? Should we try for spring 2012?

For some inspiring reading, visit my sister Mary over at www.anemonehoney.blogspot.com

BE GONE

You know those times when you realize you've been having a bad day for like two weeks, and nothing seems to work out right and everything makes you feel small and insignificant and all you obsess about is what you're NOT rather than what you ARE and you're kindof trapped in your own mental prison of anger and frustration? Maybe you're thinking a lot about aging and afraid of not making a mark on this world and wondering what's the point of making a mark anyway and maybe you're missing summertime and familiarity and your family and you're really craving a good conversation with someone you can relate to?

But then one day, maybe a Wednesday, something just snaps, and the sun is shining and you know you'll get to talk to your sister on the phone later and you put on David Bowie's Pin Ups and kindof just dance around your work space a little. And then your friend Jenika sends you this video at just the right moment and it makes you happy because you realize you're just a normal human being and maybe even extraordinary in your own little ways and that just you is enough, something to explore and cherish in fact, and that you don't have to try to be anyone else, for a little while at least. Somedays it just hits you that all's well, and that you are capable of making beautiful things, of making a beautiful life, and that you're allowed to open yourself up to the people who care about you because they're still there on the other side of your self-centered gloom and they're kindof wonderful, really. Some days the clouds just clear, and it's so nice to notice when it happens.

SLICING

Still madly attempting to get SOMETHING done for spring, I've been working on a series of leather/part leather pieces over the past two weeks which should hit my shop soon. The first, this hand-cut leather shimmy skirt, is sooooooo close to done. Just a few tweaks with the lining and a little fiddling with the closure and we're good to go. Look for it posted up on etsy next week.

LE PAPIER

I've been running out of drafting paper for weeks now, which has in turn been slowing down my production (so I say) as I don't want to use up the last of what I have.

This Monday saw the problem solved as our pal Steve introduced R and I to paper Mecca. This little hidden warehouse just west of the old port was stuffed with huge rolls and sheaves of paper stacked to the ceiling. They had gigantic machines for cutting and rolling too, including one called the "sheeter" which made us giggle, 'cause we're 8.

I came home with two great big rolls of craft paper in the only colour they had available - vibrant shiny peach. Looks like my patterns just got a whole lot fancier.

WISHY WASHY AND LOOP-DE-LOO

Montreal weather has been fairly nice lately, though it's snowing a little again today. Wishy washy, that's Canadian weather for you.

Now, I wanna know, are Canadians the only people who talk about the weather this much? Cause I feel like we talk about the weather ALL THE TIME. It's seriously the opening to every conversation. Is this normal??!

Anyway, on that note, I have a new piece in the shop perfect for weather that can't make up it's mind. The Loop Cardigan is a long-sleeved version of my Wool Tabard from last season. This time around I used fantastically soft french terry made from a blend of bamboo & organic cotton. Like the tabard, this piece features a soft draped loop of fabric falling from the neckline which can be wrapped and wrestled into any way you please, giving one the option of many different variations and looks. I like it. I'm wearing it right now in fact. Go check it out here if you like.

And let's all wish for the sun to come out again soon.

WITH ST PATRICK'S DAY JUST AROUND THE CORNER

Carltonware mug from my Nana via my Father.

Today is another work day, another rainy morning, and I am holding out for green beer and stew at my pal Genevieve's house tomorrow night. For now it's slippers and Satie.

AS PROMISED

Two new styles freshly in the shop this morning, er, afternoon!

I finally got it together to design & sew myself a definitive leather tote for use over the next few months. My specifications (as usual): simple, sleek, sophisticated. Bereft of unnecessary adornment but containing just enough texture and detail to keep one interested. Impeccably crafted (if I do say so myself) of the highest quality materials. Darkly elegant, slightly sculptural, perfectly polished.

And voila! The Cubist leather tote. I liked it so much I even made a little pochette to go with.

Some details: This bag is entirely crafted of black motorcycle leather that I dragged across the country with me from Alberta. It's lined in a snake-print cotton twill and contains two interior pockets and one attached key hook. I hand braided the straps while watching old episodes of Two Fat Ladies on youtube and attached them to the bag with hidden stitching for extra strength. I also made tassels, cause tassels are a good thing. Here are some photos:

As for the pochette, I used the same geometric design as the leather tote but in a nice, compact little zippered package. I think this would make the meanest make up bag in town and that's just what I plan to use it for.

Both are now available for purchase online so please visit the link to my etsy shop if you so desire. I'm hoping I can have another productive week this week and get two more styles made and in the shop for Monday - keep your eyes peeled for a leather skirt (!)

IT'S A NICE LITTLE PRISON, AT LEAST

The next few days are working days so blog posts will likely remain sparse. I've got two styles on the go that I hope to have done by the week's end, go me. Wish me luck - I'll need it if I'm going to stay on task!

BABY IS THE STAR OF THE FAMILY

Our friend Marc Rimmer was over taking some photos yesterday when he snapped this one of our little girl for his 365 project. Yeah that's right, Cleo likes to sleep on the amp just east of Ayn Rand and north King Crimson, let your freak flag fly baby. Utopian free-enterprise prog hippies all the way my friend.

Check out more of Marc's work here and see his other 365 photos here.

Oh, and did I mention that my Hub was featured on Poppytalk yesterday? Well he was, so go check it out right now right here. RB is also the star of the family.

xo

FLOWERS FOR A FABRIC PERSON

Yesterday at Jean Talon R & I picked up these stems (stalks ? twigs ?) of cotton which visually appealed to us both. Perfect flowers for a textile junkie like myself.

A START

OK! Hardly groundbreaking news here, but I've finally put a new piece in the shop. With Spring just around the corner (cross yer fingers!) I wanted a leather scarf for summertime & what's more summertime than soft and tawny natural suede skin? I have enough leather to make two scarfs so check them out if you're interested. Perfect for playing Pocahontas.

Also: I FINALLY found some more good quality bone-coloured suede, so if you've ever wanted a pale, creamy, fringed leather scarf now's your chance 'cause I just renewed the listing in my etsy shop.

A NEW MUSLIN

This piece has been coming together ridiculously, laughably easy even. I need to take a break from it now so I can come back with fresh eyes in a few days.

In the meantime I'm taking a hiatus from designing to really focus on getting some new pieces in my shop, something which is long, loooong overdue. By this time next week I WILL have an updated shop, even if it means adding just one new piece. I'm also working on an account for an Australian company's private label and I think I just got a new commission that I'm excited to begin on.

Hopefully the next two weeks will be much more hands on for me, I feel I need it.