Another way to recycle scraps...

Sometimes when I resell vintage dresses, I shorten them to make them a bit more flattering. I frequently end up with bits of material that already has a nice hem at the bottom. (Lazy sewer's dream!) I came up with this little ruffled caplet as a way to use that material:


Make your own or buy it in my Etsy shop!

Tree cats

This is just so weird and cute that I can't resist posting it. (I don't know the story behind this photo. I merely stole it from my friend James B.'s facebook.)

Another thing that is both weird and cute:

CAT THUMBS!

(This is Sylvester, a neighborhood cat that used to hang out on our deck last summer!)

Ok, I promise no more cat posts this week ;-)

knit and purl

I thought you guys would get a kick out of this music video, since most of you are probably into craftiness and handmade stuff. The animation was made using 700 knit "frames"! Wow, I would never have the patience to do something like this.



The band is Montreal-based Tricot Machine
The knitter is Lysanne Latulippe

Making Valentines for a good cause

I think Fred Flare is great. I really love the fact that they try to provide an true interactive online experience for their fans and customers. It's the future!

For one of their latest projects, they're asking their customers to make a Valentine's Day card and mail it to Fred Flare. They will be sold online for $4 each, and 100% of the profit goes to Elder Craftsmen, an organization that brings crafty workshops to senior citizens.

Go Fred Flare!

EDIT: Ohhhh, and they set up an awesome Flickr set showing all of the Valentine's they've already received. It's great way to get inspiration for your own V-Day cards...

Recycled cat pillow

My friends James and Emily just emailed me this adorable photo of their cats. OHhh my gawwwwwd....I'm freaking out. They are soo cute!

Cuties Mitch and Monty are lounging on their recycled cat pillow that I made. I usually use vintage fabric on the outside, however I used Amy Butler fabric for this one. Fancy!

If you sew a lot like I do, you probably have a mountain of tiny unusable scraps. I felt so guilty throwing them away, so last year I started using them as stuffing for "cat pillows". Believe it or not, the scraps add up, and I've been able to make close to 15 already! I usually give them away or donate them. So yeah, don't worry, my line is not heading in a cat pillow direction!

I love when my day starts with photos of cats :-)

Uncovering a slump...

I finally felt creative this week!




Those who are close to me know that I've been feeling really "blah" and uninspired for the past few months. At first I couldn't figure out what was causing it, but then I decided to write it all down and that helped me sort it out. I came up with these reasons:

1. I'm still getting used to living in a snow kingdom (a.k.a. Montreal). I feel like I'm stuck inside a lot of the time and it's kind of depressing. Even going for a walk in the neighborhood becomes a huge ordeal. I've always been really low maintenence, like, I just throw something on and go, so getting dressed in a bazillion layers is too much work for a leisurely walk. Then by the time I'm finally dressed I don't even feel like going anymore. Man, I'm so spoiled.

2. I'm oversewing. That definitely kills my creativity. I really really want to hire a sewer on a permanent basis this year.

3. I felt "stuck" with my clothing line. I didn't have any real goals for it before, because I was happy making enough to make ends meet. I guess not having goals will make anyone feel uninspired. It was right at that time because I was still adjusting to living in Canada, but now I'm ready!

I'm feeling sooo motivated and all I have to do is just make sure this feeling sticks for a while. YAYYY.

I'm starting a blog!

I made three New Year's resolutions this year:

1. Exercise more.
2. GET ORGANIZED.
3. Start a blog and stick with it.

I used to be really good at blogging...I had a livejournal for almost 5 years but towards the end I got really lazy and only updated when I added things to my online shop. I want this blog to be a compilation of things I like- fashion photos, recipes, diy ideas, cat photos, weird news, daily updates, etc.

So...here goes. Let's see if I stick to it!