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.

Featured Artist of the Month

My bags are now available at Meta4 Gallery in Port Perry. It is a beautiful gallery featuring local artisans and their work. They also offer workshops in their back studio.

For the month of March, I am the featured artist of the month. They did a fantastic job of diplaying my bags in their window display.

If you find yourself in Port Perry, be sure to drop in to the gallery and check out the work.

Weekend in Myrtle Beach

I went down to Myrtle Beach, SC to visit my mom and dad who were down there for the month of February. It wasn't the warmest but it was nicer than here. Some crazy kid, (my nephew) went for a dip in the 50 degree ocean (and air temp). He carried on the Canuck tradition.

Myrtle Beach hasn't changed all that much since we were kids, just more hotels and restaurants. They built a nice boardwalk down near the pier. It was a nice escape from winter.

Great New Restaurant

My husband and I went to a new restaurant last night for Valentine's called Sarpa. The food was great as well as the service and atmosphere. We started with grilled calamari with sweet peas and fried pancetta, then I had pumpkin and veal ravioli with sage, pistachios and truffle oil, my husband had eggplant and zucchini stacked parmesan. It was all so delicious, finally another decent restaurant in York region.

What a Beast!

I finally invested in an industrial sewing machine. I bought a used machine made in Japan. It is a Juki ddl5500. It sews super fast. I am still getting used to the speed.

The sewing machine and table weigh a ton. This baby is staying put.

The first three bags fresh off the presses made with the Juki. It can goe through heavy material without as much as a hiccup. My Kenmore broke needles at least every other day.

I will be delivering my bags to a new store tomorrow in Port Perry called Meta4, a fine art and craft gallery. I will take some pics, if I remember.

Personal Training in My Basement

I bought the family the Kinect for the Xbox 360 for Christmas. I went out and bought the Your Shape Game by Men and Women's Health. It is awesome. This is the personal training program where you can choose from a variety of different sessions. It actually scans you into the picture, as you can see I am taking a picture when I am suppose to be lunging! You enter all your weight and height information and it scans your arm and leg lengths.

This is called the Skinny Jeans Workout. You do a number of reps of different exercises with weights in 20 minute increments. I actually get a better workout with this program then I do when I'm at the gym. There is also sculpting and toning sessions as well as a Men's program.

At the end it lets you know your status, how well you did and calories burned. Sometimes you score low because you get out of rhythm although you are doing it accurately. There is also classes, a yoga/taichi and a kick boxing as well as some gym games to play. So if anyone is looking for something to do and have xbox go get yourself Kinect! I am really impressed with this program, you actually get a decent workout.

New Clutch Style

Over the years, I have been asked to make clutches with a removeable handle. After a few tries this is my proto type. I made it with a pretty chain that can be easily removed or tucked into the bag itself.
I am entering a contest for InStyle magazine in April for an evening clutch that requires a removeable handle. Now that I have worked out the glitches, I can begin to make one. When I have finished it, I will post a picture.

Spring Sewing Has Begun

I finally got my sewing mojo back on! Had to get in the creative spirit, it takes awhile sometimes. I am still searching for a new machine, my old Kenmore is dying a slow death. Next week I will hunt for a faster machine.

These are the only flowers around here. It is cold and snowy again. This bag is a breath of fresh air.

Happy New Year

I am finally getting motivated again. It took a while since the One of A Kind Show, Christmas and New Years. I took the first couple weeks of January off from sewing but am now back in the swing of things. Although I am currently looking for a new machine, since my sewing machine is finally wearing down. I have been trying a few new recipes. My husband went salmon fishing in Northern BC last summer and we have a freezer full of fresh salmon. This mango salsa was amazing with the fish. He also caught halibut which I also made.
I made a great orzo salad with feta, cucumber and tomato with a lemon garlic dressing. Delicious!

This was my leftover lunch the next day. I sliced some baguette and topped them with the grilled salmon and halibut and then put them under the broiler. When they came out I topped them with the mango salsa. More tastier than the first night.