One of A Kind Show

This year's show was a great success, I sold alot of bags and met alot of great people.

I just got notice that I got into the One of A Kind Spring Sale from March 28th until April 1st. I guess I won't get that January break from sewing, the machine will have to be fired up in the new year. I have a lot of bags to get done. But very excited.

Thanks to all those who came to visit me, help me and those clients that purchased a Krave bag. Happy Holidays!

One of A Kind Show

Yes it is that time of the year again. The show is creeping up and I feel I am so behind in my sewing, not to mention all the other things I have going on. But I promise to be ready so come visit me at Booth O21, I am at the show from Nov 29 thru Dec 4th (last 6 days only).

The Vermont Collection

While I was in Vermont, our wonderful host took us to the fabric store. Since it was our first stop of the day I didn't buy as much as I should have. I bought some great faux fur and some beautiful Chinese Brocades. The brocades were so cheap compared to up here in the great white north, but what else is new, eh? Of course I should have bought more. Here are a few clutches and wristlets from those purchases.

A Visit to Vermont

I recently went on a road trip with some girlfriends to Burlington, Vermont. It started out a bit dicey with downpours of torrential rains and wind for most of the drive. But as we made our way across New York State the clouds finally began to break and we arrived safely in Colchester, Vermont. We visited the friend of a friend and now she is a new friend, funny how that works. This woman has a lovely camp on Lake Champlain where we experienced three fun filled days full of shopping, hiking and good times. Here are a few pics of the glorious outdoors.

We went for a terrific hike at Shelburne Farms, a 1400 acre working farm, framed by Lake Champlain. It was established in 1886 as the agricultural estate of William Seward and Lila Vanderbilt Webb. The relaxing and rejuvinating feeling of the property was intentional. Frederick Law Olmstead, the father of landscape architechture, guided the design of Shelburne Farms to refresh and relax the mind and spirit. The landscape is a beautiful canvas for the mind. Every mile is as beautiful as the next. The farm contains a gorgeous working barn, the summer home which is now an inn, a working dairy and a coach house.

Art of Fashion 2011

On Saturday Oct 1, 2011 I attended the Art of Fashion event in downtown Toronto at the Pantages Hotel. It is an event that is held each year during Nuit Blanche (when art galleries are open to the public from 7pm until sunrise). The event features 10 emerging Canadian designers who are competing for a first place prize. As well as the competition there are 25 Canadian designers, like moi, selling their wares. Although there were thousands of people, there were very little shoppers. However, the event and the whole experience was worth it. My gal pals came down and helped out. Each designer had to design their exhibit area and 5 designs to relect the theme of Choreology (movement and dance).

Back to healthy eating

I recently found a recipe for healthy cookies that has no sugar, butter or flour in them. I adapted it to my liking. You can really add in what you like. They are great for that sweet craving without all the bad crap in them.

Mix together 3 pureed ripe bananas, two cups of oats, 1 apple diced, 1/2 cup of walnuts (or whatever nuts you like), 1 tsp of cinnamon, splash of vanilla, 1/4 cup unsweetened apple sauce. Let sit for 10-15 minutes.

Scoop onto greased cookie sheet and bake for 20 minutes at 350 degrees, or until golden.

They aren't the most attractive cookie, but they hit the spot without too many calories. And they are good for you.

Summer Days

This summer I have been fortunate to visit many great Ontario summer spots. This is Muskoka, where we went on a boat trip and we saw the most amazing places, they call "cottages".

This is a tree that is growing upside down into the rock face.

A perfect view from our balcony of the lake.

This was taken in Haliburton. This year there seems to be an abundance of dragon flies. I loved the colouring of the rock and the bug together.

I took this shot because it is the perfect "y". I thought of those photographs where they spell out words using natural elements.

This is in Haliburton where you can sit in the river all day or float down it in a tube.

This was a perfect summer's eve on Lake Simcoe.

Pizza, Mmmmmm

This summer I have made some really amazing pizzas. This BBQ Chicken pizza was especially delicious. I used a whole wheat dough, and barbequed a couple chicken breasts (with bone in - they have much more flavour than boneless) with a bit of your favourite bbq sauce, as well as I carmelized an Vidella onion ( which I did on a the bbq on a tray, slice your onion super thin toss with a bit of oil and when they are translucent add a tbsp or two of sugar and continue until they are golden). I cut up my chicken and tossed it in a bowl with bbq sauce until nice and coated. I used president choice's Smokin Habanero sauce. Spread the chicken over the dough and add the carmelized onions and top with grated mozzeralla and provolone. Bake at 425 until done. I have also made them directly on the bbq grill ( you bbq your dough first in smaller rounds and then top them with the ingredients and put them back directly on the grill to bake the cheese.)

Graduation

My son graduated from high school this week. We had a wonderful family party on the weekend for him. I made him this chocolate cake shaped in a grad cap. It was a hit.

Summer Blooms

I designed this one of a kind clutch for a bride who will be getting married in Turks and Caicos. The clutch is made from a beautiful creamy white bridal satin. The bouquet of white and cream flowers are handmade and accented with Swarovski crystals and organza leaves. I love to design these bouquet bags because each one is entirely different from the next. Every bride needs a custom piece for their one of a kind day.

A Visit to Chicago

Chicago is a beautiful city with it's mix of old and new architecture. There is lots to see and do in this wonderful city. It was our first visit to the windy city and yes it was windy and cold!

We took the architectural boat cruise along the river and saw some great buildings. One of my favourites was the Carbon and Carbide building. It was built in the 1920's. Some say it was inspired by a champagne bottle. What made it so unique was it's greenish, grey colour and gold top. An example of the 1920's art deco movement. It now houses the Hard Rock Hotel.

The trains make their way around the city, snaking over the streets.

This is part of the gorgeous Wrigley Building.

On Saturday we took in the famous Chicago Blues Festival at Grant Park where we listened to some great bands.

This was the Duwayne Burnside Band, who were from Mississippi.

New Spring Wristlets

I saw a wristlet at Winners the other day that had a vinyl flower on it, so I decided to add them to my wristlets for some summertime fun! They turned out really cute.

The wristlets are great for any time you do not want to bring a big purse with you. It fits your phone, your lipstick, money and keys.

And it never has to leave your wrist, perfect for those summertime patio bars!

Spring Is Somewhere In Air

It's been a long cold winter. I should have been sewing more but the old creative juices were not flowing too readily. Now that spring is in the air (is it?), I have started to produce some spring and summer bags. These are my Happy Eco Bags that I make with all my remnants. I have tons of scraps that would normally end up in the garbage, so I decided to use them wisely. Someone once called these bags Happy because they are so bright and fresh.

This brown bag is made with a colourful polka dot fabric and embellished with a rainbow of buttons. A fun summertime bag.

This bouquet clutch is made from a boiled black wool with a garden of handmade flowers and Swarovski crystals. It has a detachable chain handle. I am entering this bag in a contest with In Style Magazine. What the heck.