bathurst

2012-02-20T11:39:00.001-05:00

Before the new year I was on an awesome roll with blogging and then I stopped. Time just flies by and I have no idea where it goes. Probably because I am keeping busybusybusy. The day job keeps my days filled with phone calls, meetings and the like and my nights are filled with emailing and packaging up orders for Falconwright. Sandi and I have been burning the candle at both ends and the pay off has been awesome. So much work but so much fun at the same time. I can't imagine a better bud to work with. We're scheming and working on our new collection and I can't wait to share :)

Mike and I celebrated another year together and for lucky number seven he surprised me to dinner and a night of pampering at a downtown hotel. Guys- even after almost a decade together, he's still pretty great. This was a pic from our room- cellphone cam! (Remember: cellphone technology is still new to me so I'm still so excited about it even though cell phone pics are terrrrible). Future plan: take more mini time outs like this to treat myself for working hard.

2012-01-29T18:29:00.000-05:00

Lazy weekend drinking tea in my newly purchased handmade mugs, eating these AMAZING cinnamon buns, watching Adventure Time (sooooo good), playing cards with buds, trying to stay warm (frosty windows!) and listening to this mellow Tearjerker album. What did you do?

2012-01-19T14:27:00.002-05:00

After a long blogging break, here's an update on what's been happening in my world:

I started a new job working 9-5 again. Working alone can be so isolating and I am really loving human contact again. I also got a cell phone like the rest of the world (seriously- I didn't have one). I have a lot to catch up on.

I turned 29. My mom at Christmas gave me this plaster cast of my hand I made in preschool at age 4. 25 years ago. Hard to believe I was ever so little.

Taking a bit of a break from jewelry casting. After working really hard to prepare for the holiday shows, I developed some scar tissue on my eyes -sounds worse than it is- but I still think it is a sign to slow down for a bit on the casting front. I'm not stopping, just taking it easy for a bit and probably delaying a Caboto shop opening until later in the winter. Stay tuned!

Taking a break from jewelry gives me more time for Falconwright though! Sandi and I worked feverishly to make our launch date on Monday happen which for me meant many nights sewing up a storm. With the help of friends Tim and Shayna (and Mike too) we shot a look book and the results were fantastic. If you haven't checked out our new shop, you should.

The response to our shop launch has been nothing short of awesome. Thanks to everyone in internetland for all the wonderful things you've said about our work. You're great.

2011-12-20T16:54:00.002-05:00

After craft show mania I've been trying to catch up on all my personal holiday crafting. I've failed on the decorating front and this little tree is the only way you can tell it's Christmas around here. That and the GIANT mess that has consumed my apartment. You won't see those pictures.

I send out Christmas cards every year and even when I'm really busy, I'm so glad I make the time to do it. It really is nice to be able to sit down and write to all the people who make my life wonderful. And who doesn't love Christmas mail? Especially when it has goofy smiley faces on it?

Casted some last minute gifts for my sisters (shhhh- don't tell). This is what it looks like before I polish them up and make them pretty. Will I have time to finish these? Let's just hope I have some Christmas magic working for me.

Sandi and I gifted ourselves each a pair of super sharp scissors for Falconwright and it may be the best thing I've ever done. Cuts through leather like butter- LOVE IT.

And one last bit of holiday news- Sandi and I are giving away these lovely things to one lucky person over at the Falconwright blog. Enter before Christmas Eve to win these beauties as a gift for yourself.

Happy Holidays!!

2011-12-12T14:35:00.002-05:00

City. Of. Craft.

I don't even know where to begin... This weekend at the show I met so many wonderful people, bought wonderful things from wonderful people and sold wonderful things to wonderful people. The response we got from everyone to both Caboto and Falconwright blew me away and we were so happy to be among such amazing creative talent at the show. Big thanks and hugs all around.

We didn't take photos of our stuff (of course) but Celine Kim was the show photographer and took the top three pics of us and our wares (not only is she a fabulous photographer but a super cool person too :). I look a bit mean in the bottom photo (from the great photo booth put together by these guys at the show) but it's actually just a look of pure exhaustion on my face. I feel like the sleep I got last night was the best I've had in months. I plan on catching up on all my missed sleep for a while :)

2011-12-05T10:35:00.001-05:00

Christmas less than a month away. Whoa.

Why is it when I have a million things to do I end up on the internet?

This baby is from a 70s craft book I borrowed from a friend.

I'm feeling a little like him right now- holidazed.

Handmade Holiday on the weekend was a wonderful success! So many awesome people, lots of yummy food from Miss Cora's Kitchen and so many talented crafters! I picked up a few things from some of my favourite makers and sellers- vintage stamps from send more mail, tea towels from Bespoke Uprising, prints from Deadweight and more prints from A Floating World.

Next weekend is City of Craft and you'll find me and Mike peddling our wares there again next weekend. Hopefully I will make it there in one piece :) Hope to see you there!!

2011-11-30T13:31:00.000-05:00

It snowed this morning which really puts the holiday fear of god into me. SO MUCH TO DO- hence the to do list (which seems to help although blogging is not on it haha). When I get really busy I forget to eat or eat pretzels all day so I have made a point to make myself some filling things. I am really into eggs and guacamole (with pita chips and baked beans it's the best breakfast ever!) and this delicious tomato soup recipe; I have been living almost exclusively on these things lately which honestly is pretty damn awesome.

Whipped up these canvas bags last night for Mike's wallets and pouches. I know-a bag for a bag may be excessive but c'mon, it's nice for gifting. We also got our Caboto cards yesterday from the printer so now it's REAL because it's printed on a card.

We're really pumped about this Saturday's Handmade Holiday to show you our new stuff from Caboto (with me and Mike) and Falconwright (with me and Sandi). Come out and say hi!!

2011-11-21T08:49:00.000-05:00

More working! This weekend was filled with dust, dye and debris as we work away on Caboto things. We managed to sneak out briefly for brunch and a walk to avoid getting utterly stir crazy. The finished piece above is destined to become a necklace- and is maybe destined to be yours? ;)

We also watched Werner Herzog's documentary Cave of Forgotten Dreams about the Chauvet Cave in France where they discovered the earliest dated cave drawings ever found. The caves are truly incredible- I got goose bumps watching it.

2011-11-17T09:57:00.002-05:00

Sandi (of the ever amazing Deadweight) and I are so excited to introduce our collaborative project Falconwright! The two of us have been scheming for months and months on this project and are finally ready to share it with the world. Together we are making a line of small screen printed leather goods that includes pouches, change purses and clutches with the possibility of expanding into other larger items in the future.

We'll be selling our items at the Handmade Holiday and City of Craft shows and will hopefully have them for sale online soon too. You can read more about our collaboration on the Falconwright blog.

2011-11-16T13:37:00.002-05:00

Here's a preview of some of the things we've created for our two holidays shows coming up oh-so-soon. Mike has been making some black and natural coloured wallets that I think are incredible (and you better believe I will own one soon). The amount of work that goes into dying, sewing and finishing these wallets is pretty mind blowing- totally worth it though because you get a long lasting, durable wallet that only gets better as it ages. Mike has carried his wallet for over a year and it has worn in beautifully.

On the jewelry front, I've made many pyramid style necklaces as well as some other more organic shaped pieces. The pendants are cast in bronze, brass and silver and they're on brass, silver and gold fill chain. Many pieces are one of a kind originals and I'm probably going to have a hard time parting with them :) The bottom pic is of the clasp style that is on most of the necklaces, made by hand in sterling silver.

This is just the tip of the iceberg- we've been working on many other things that you will have to come out to see. I have also been working on a special project with Sandi that I'll be sharing soon too. Exciting times!

2011-11-07T12:18:00.001-05:00

Recent projects around these parts:

- A new grey bedroom. Finally a sleeping space for grown-ups.

- My annual purchase of irresistibly soft wool yarn for me to knit into that cool thing that never emerges. The grey is this year's purchase; the brown is last year's. When will I ever learn??? My closet full of yarn tells me that I probably never will.

- Mike working hard making beautiful leather goods.

- Dyeing leather for Mike to make into beautiful leather goods.

- Pretty nail polish to cover up the massacre that has happened to my hands from daily filing of jewelry projects, soon to be destroyed.

2011-10-31T11:00:00.002-04:00

Here is spooky pic of me and Mike in our Halloween attire from the weekend. I hope you spend tonight watching creepy flicks and eating too much candy. Happppy Halloweeen!

2011-10-24T16:23:00.002-04:00

Lots of craftiness going on around here these days. Mike and I are really excited to be participating in 2 craft shows around the holidays- Kid Icarus' Handmade Holiday and City of Craft! We've decided to combine our crafty efforts into one endeavor and are calling it Caboto. We'll be selling some jewelry and leather goods and we are MEGA excited! Lots of work to do- so long free time. Here are a couple of glamourous process pictures of me making jewelry- they'll have to do until I have pictures of some actual finished work :)

2011-10-19T15:51:00.000-04:00

Soggy day here in Toronto. I've spent most of it working away on a special project I'm doing with my bud Sandi (more on that later) and altering some thrifted clothes I found yesterday. I bought a pair of wide-ish leg pants, thinking that buying second hand ones were the best way to decide if I like the latest trend. Can't decide if I'm in or out yet- but they are comfy. Rainy fall days like today go perfectly with crafting, soft lighting, smoky tea and woolen slippers (I have the best Padraig slippers from here).

We're supposed to have nothing but rain for 2 days- and I'm ok with that :)

2011-10-13T12:53:00.002-04:00

OH Thanksgiving- what a great time of year. The weather was beautiful which meant multiple hikes in the countryside where we stumbled upon some sheep and wild apples for an apple crisp (not the ones pictured though- those red beauties were terrrrrible). We also hit up the Norwood fall fair with rides, greasy fair foods, giant vegetables and lots of farm animals including bunnies and fancy bunny-like chickens.

We had a campfire with sparklers where we had some fun with extended exposure photos. Though we didn't have any at the campfire, my little sister later showed us her culinary skillz at making indoor s'mores. Amazing.

2011-09-27T16:20:00.002-04:00

Right now is that tiny window we get in Canada where the weather is absolutely perfect. I am trying to take advantage of it as much as possible and go walking around the city. Went out walking the other morning to take pictures of shapes that inspired me for possible future jewelry projects. And also took pics of a certain (now bearded) handsome dude.

I've also been baking a lot lately now that it's cool enough to actually turn on my oven. This recipe made the alllltime best blueberry muffins ever. The secret is making a blueberry compote to cut back on the mushiness that happens with most blueberry muffins. Genius. I also have a house that currently smells of challah bread. It's the only bread I've ever tried to make and it's actually not too difficult. I've made the Joy of Cooking recipe a hundred times and it's an oldie but a goodie. Nothing beats fresh bread.

2011-09-16T10:00:00.000-04:00

Eeeep- how cool are these?! The Nikon Small World Contest has some absolutely amazing pictures of very little things and creatures. The top picture is the eye of a water flea! (via)

2011-09-15T13:42:00.002-04:00

More things from lately:

Ty Segall is on repeat. Some good garage rock tunes.

Rewatched They Live, a movie about sunglasses that reveal aliens living among us. GAWD it's great.

Vintage Sebago shoes from 69 Vintage. Mike wanted to find a pair like this for himself but we stumbled upon these me-sized ones that were too cool to pass up. Can we both get pairs? Everybody loves matchy-matchy couples right??

2011-09-12T15:46:00.000-04:00

Random things that are recentish:

- Drying a ton of mint for tea. It's pretty blairwitchy around here with all these bundles hanging on the walls.

- We made MONTE CRISTO SANDWICHES yesterday and they were awesome.

- Zinnias from my Mom's garden. Truly the best flower and it lasts forever in a vase.

- Thrifted silk shirt that is my favourite right now. Just look at that pattern!

- Cherry Beer. Two things I love combined- but I think I prefer them separately after drinking this. Mike liked it though.

- Praying mantis chillin' in the pool- where I wish I was right now.

2011-09-06T10:49:00.001-04:00

Some glowstick madness and a peaceful campfire from the long weekend spent with family. My three sibs and I always get together for the labour day weekend every year at my Mom and Step Dad's for summer's last hurrah and we always have a blast. It's always full of jokes, good food and drinks, games and relaxing outside on the deck- the best way to cap off the summer. We are really a family that is all about rituals and this one is probably my favourite.

Yesterday right on cue, fall weather slammed down. It made me a bit sad to see summer go but at the same time I'm ready for the new season and the changes that will happen in the coming weeks and months for me. And also wearing pants- I've really missed them.

2011-08-26T08:56:00.000-04:00

I love folk art. So much. And I really, really love the style of folk art they have in the east coast with bright colours, goofy faces, wonky proportions and cheery scenes. So when we were cruising around the Cabot Trail in Cape Breton we stopped in a small Acadian town called Cheticamp and I got myself a couple little pieces. The hand carved bug-eyed whale was made by local artist Reed Timmons. I also got a cute little hooked rug that now hangs with my clocks.

Speaking of art- look what Mike made! After a long break from leather working, he's been working away once again. He made me this to hold my sunglasses but I might use it as a large wallet. I haven't used it for anything yet though- it's too pretty to use :)

2011-08-22T08:23:00.001-04:00

Mike and I escaped for a week to Nova Scotia and spent a large chunk of time in Cape Breton. Despite living in Halifax for 4 years, I had never been and had no idea that it was going to be so beautiful. The ocean! The mountains! My pictures really do it no justice so you just have to go and see it for yourself. I'll come with you- I'm really missing the seafood chowder.

2011-08-09T08:55:00.000-04:00

Ah summer eatin'. The best part of having the garden.

And summer drinkin'. Had Red Racer IPA from BC on the weekend- yuuuuuuuum! If you like a bitter beer you better go buy some.

Mike and I are heading out to the east coast this week for a summer vacay. I used to live in Halifax but haven't been back in over 5 years. I'm excited to see how it's changed, to swim in the ocean and to eat some chowder. Mike (who grew up in New Brunswick) is mostly excited for the eating and plans on taking me to the sub joints and chip trucks of his youth. We better find one that has fried clams because otherwise I will have one disappointed boyfriend.

2011-07-26T08:57:00.001-04:00

Life around here has been pretty slow. The major heat has been killing me this summer requiring many weekend retreats to north of the city for swimming and nature fun- I forget there are so many stars! When here in the city not much is going on. Work, come home, sit in front of the A/C until bedtime. The combo of inactivity and beer to combat the heat make me feel like the all time slug champion.

I finally picked up some tools last week though to finish some of my projects from the casting class I took. Voila:

So exciting to have finally finished some of these pieces and to have done something more at home than watch the batchelorette (yeah- I know). I have a few more to finish and (hopefully) will start on some new ones. Now if only the sun would cooperate...

2011-07-18T17:12:00.002-04:00

A spooky pic that I found last week in a long-lost box of photos at my mom's. I just like it.

2011-07-04T17:18:00.003-04:00

You know- there's just something about growing your own plants that makes you kinda giddy. Up until a couple years ago I had zero interest in flowers or gardening but now my brain is totally consumed by it. I stop when walking down the street to just stare at pretty flowers. I can't grocery shop without being impatient for eating our little crop. Our garden is staring to actually produce veggies and we had some yummy pesto from our basil last night. I don't want to be one of those boring people who just wants to gush about their garden- but people! It's consuming me!

Did lots of long-weekend eating. BBQ'd Salmon on cedar planks- yum! But I can't stop thinking about the pancakes made from scratch we had yesterday. NEVER use box mix again- they totally blew my mind and are mega-easy (you probably knew this but I am late to the party). It also helped that we had some Ontario strawberries and whip cream on top :)

We bought this carpet for our living room at a vintage shop in Kensington Market. I love it but wonder if my living room is on pattern overload. I'm definitely not a minimalist in my decorating and wondering if the carpet may be too much. Hmmmm...

2011-06-19T21:45:00.001-04:00

Busy-busy weekend. Thinned out the carrots in our garden and ate many baby carrots. Got both some garden onions and a dog from my mama (we're babysitting Spike, my mom's dog for a week). Went to High Park with my dad and Mike for Father's day and saw this cute chipmunk. Annnnnd had a yard sale on Saturday where we actually offered this for sale:

This was found in a box that contained Mike's childhood video games. I had no idea that this existed but the world is better place with this game in it.

2011-06-16T18:06:00.004-04:00

This is what I spend a lot of time doing these days: tending to my veggie garden. Mike and I got involved in this really cool program in which we get to make our own garden in someone's backyard who isn't using it. It's in our hood which makes it almost as good as being in our own backyard. So here are some (not so great) pics of our little vegetable plot from a couple weeks ago- think of these as the 'before' pictures. I'm hoping that our little garden will get big and delicious really soon

And just because we're talking about vegetables, here's a link to how close a train can get to a vegetable market.

2011-06-11T08:29:00.003-04:00

Jennifer Davis is probably one of my favourite artists. I bought this painting that I lovelovelove from her a couple years ago, even though I was mega broke- but I just got that twisty feeling in my guts that I had to have it. I'm having that now about her bat painting. Oh No.

2011-06-07T12:33:00.001-04:00

Happy things from my weekend: neighbourhood googley eyes and flowers :)

2011-06-04T08:39:00.004-04:00

New summer look for the blog! If you're from Toronto, you might recognize my header from Dupont subway station :) And more in Toronto news- go here to play the cutest 5 minute game created, drawn and voiced by a 5 year old Toronto girl.

2011-06-03T08:56:00.005-04:00

Yep. Summer is here Toronto- which for me means hanging out on my deck instead of inside my house. Mike and I spruced up our dinky little porch and I have to say that it looks pretttaay good. We stumbled upon some table legs put out by someone on our street and voila- porch bar! We also turned some crates into planter boxes for more herb-planting spaces. Best part though: our new BBQ. I've never owned one and now I will never go back. Our little charcoal Webber barbeque makes everything delicious with no effort. The best? Grilled Ontario asparagus!

2011-05-20T08:37:00.003-04:00

So like everyone else these days I think I've become a dye-hard (harhar). In my quest for new work duds that are both cool and affordable I've been hitting up the thrift shops for skirts and blouses to wear to the office. I found a couple blouses that were nice silk fabrics but barf colours so I tried my hand at dyeing. Verdict? It's actually really easy to do! I didn't take before pics but the blouses above were nasty yellow colours (nasty for my skin tone anyway) and are now nice pale gray-blue shades.

I think I will join the band wagon and try my hand at more complicated dyeing like dip dyeing and tie-dye but not yet. Not being adventurous enough to try that on my own yet, I bought the tights below. I wish I could wear them every single day.

2011-05-19T09:56:00.004-04:00

Some pics from my morning- moody & misty view from my porch, my new cactii (with a map of my home land of Georgian Bay) and some delish ginger carrot muffins (recipe from here if you want them to be a part of your morning too :D).

2011-05-19T09:47:00.000-04:00

I posted this pic already but it was deleted by blogger last week so here it is again. It's a cute pic of my bro and his gal on their recent travels in the Salt Flats of Bolivia. The seemingly endless flat terrain does some really cool skewing of perspective.

2011-05-13T13:35:00.000-04:00

So SUNNY and lovely today here in the Tdot. Hi shorts- I missed you! If the rain stays away I plan on gardening and BBQing all weekend long. I hope to have an entirely edible potted garden on our little porch this summer- yumyumyum.

My sis sent me this uber cute video yesterday and I have watched it an obscene number of times since. Happy weekend peeps :)

2011-04-21T14:27:00.002-04:00

I thought I'd share some projects that I have been working on with in the past little while (after complaining about creativity drain in my last post). The thing that's been so great about these projects is that they're just for ME. I find that I'm always making things for other people. Don't get me wrong- making things for friends (or for money$$) is wonderful too. It's just nice to take the time to work on things that are for numero uno once in a while :)

First: a linen and leather sailor bag!! I've been making bags lately for friends which made me want one too. I stitched my name inside to make sure I'm not tempted to gift it.

Second- My first casting project!!! I have to say I'm pretty impressed with this sucker for a first go around. I wear it everyday (which I have to stop doing because I need it graded before I loose it!) It is unbelievably satisfying to be able to make something that until a month ago seemed utterly impossible to me. Triangles are pretty much the theme of the new pieces I'm working on too- this ring has made me obsessed!

2011-04-19T13:58:00.001-04:00

I am consider myself to be a collector of craftsy hobbies. I'm guilty of trying out a million different crafts and sadly never develop a real skill at most (oh man- you should see my knitting :P). One of those hobbies I did continue with is Stitchface but I have finally decided to call 'er quits for good. I feel after making animals for almost 3 years that I am done with them. I took multiple breaks throughout the years but this time I feel like this is permanent.

Somewhere along the line I stopped enjoying making dolls and it felt like a chore instead of a creative fun. I continued to stick with it though because I felt like I had developed a skill at one thing and it would be a waste to give that up. And I really met so many wonderful people through Stitchface and that was so nice for a geeky introvert like me. Moving onto new things though is exciting and giving myself permission to drop out feels good.

Anyway- I guess that collecting crafty hobbies isn't such a bad thing. The casting class I'm taking is going really well. I am finally feeling creative again and that is such an awesome feeling. I will share the results soon!!

I guess you never know what you're good at. Who knows- I might even try my hand at gourd painting. Apparently it's a thing.

2011-04-15T09:17:00.003-04:00

Hooray for Friday! I am looking forward to mean night of karaoke singing in Korea town tonight. My perennial favorite is "Kissed by a Rose" from Seal- go big or go home! I am also starting a new job Monday so it's the last little hurrah before going back to the grind.

I'm going out today to pick up some new biz clothes for the job so I thought the pics above were appropriate. They're from an old 30s Popular Science magazine I found at a used bookstore years ago. I don't think I can pull off this look but hanging around with a puppy around my neck all day would be awful nice :)

2011-04-12T15:41:00.005-04:00

Mike and I like to joke that my taste in movies makes me the best date a dude could take out. Rom-Com? Never. Gross-Ooozy-Explodey-Alien flick? I am there. I love flowers, puppies and pretty dresses- but I also love space ships, monsters and time travel machines (the last being banned in china- whaaaa??).

David Cronenberg is up there with my all time fav movie makers ever. His movies are totally weird, loaded with bizarre gross body horror and are really well cast. I re-watched The Fly this week and was mesmerized. Monsters, teleportation, shots of 80s Toronto (I spied shots of the neighbourhood where I used to work)- what more could you ask for? And besides: what other movie would you see Gina Davis and Jeff Goldblum paired together as romantic leads???

I am seriously considering this awesome print for my house:

2011-04-11T12:05:00.000-04:00

Nedroid may be my favourite place on the internet.

2011-04-08T10:55:00.001-04:00

Received the Mountain Equipment Co-op catalogue in my mail box a little while ago and laughed so hard at their 40th anniversary pics from their catalogues of the past. I love a company that has a sense of humour. Don't mess with the biker gang in the bottom pic- they mean business.

2011-03-22T12:48:00.004-04:00

I'm having one of those good days that remind me not to sweat the small stuff and keep on truckin'. I wish I could remember this the other 364 days of the year ;)

(find these here, here and here!)

2011-03-18T15:40:00.002-04:00

I went to the AGO this week and checked out the David Blackwood exhibition. I fell in love with his whimsical yet eerie etchings. I think you would too.

2011-03-10T13:51:00.003-05:00

Not usually a big fan of the key jewelry trend but am loving this pendant by Toby Jones. What can I say- I'm a sucker for smart design :) via here

2011-03-09T14:51:00.000-05:00

Dreaming of escape to these sweet and surreal worlds right now

(pics via here and here)

2011-03-03T12:06:00.000-05:00

It really is amazing how sunshine can lift your spirits. It makes it so much easier to get up when it is sunny and sparkly out instead of dark and dull. The news told me that we are getting an extra 4 minutes of daylight every day here in the Tdot (or El Toro which is apparently the new nickname for our city- not gonna lie: I love it). I had to snap a pic of the lovely sun streaming in my window this morning as I got up.

I'm officially over winter. Spring: Bring it on!

2011-03-02T10:51:00.001-05:00

I just started taking a jewelry casting class last month and am now officially jewelry obsessssssed. I am constantly finding myself spending way too much time clicking through to pretty things on the internet for inspiration.

I am excited about learning a new skill but MAN the class is hard. Did you know that jewelry making is math heavy?? Well stay in school kids if you want to make pretty things! I took a jewelry metal working class a while back (8 years ago!) but forgot about how measuring intensive it is if you want to make things correctly.

Here are some things I wish I had thought of (and had the skill to make):

by Satomi Kawakita

by Upper Class Metal

by Miju

by The Broken Plate Pendant Company

by Mini Cyn

2011-02-28T10:25:00.001-05:00

Happy Monday all- A tune above to get your week off to a good start.
Mike just introduced me to Dirty Beaches yesterday. The moody-distorted-rockabilly vibe is rocking my world. We listened to it while he gave me a tutorial on how to hand sew leather which I think is totally fitting. Sewing leather may have the dangerous possibility of becoming a new (and expensive!) hobby. Oh dear...

Results from yesterday's first attempt at a simple wallet:

I already have dreams of a leather sewing empire.

2011-02-11T13:59:00.001-05:00

National Geographic has an amazing picture gallery of a French mansion that was closed for over a hundred years and has now been opened as a museum for the public. The mansion features wonderful oddities like the frog duel pictured above along with other taxidermy and architectural wonders.
One word: coolio.
(via)

2011-02-10T12:59:00.016-05:00

I just discovered the late Louis Wain's work. Later in his career he suffered from schizophrenia and he started drawing psychedelic kitties. Despite his sad story, these kitties are amazing.

2011-02-04T14:06:00.003-05:00

I met a tall, handsome boy named Mike when I moved into an apartment with him and 3 other roommates. The first time I saw him he had on an eighties far west jacket and jeans with so many holes they barely held together. He would wear one piece long johns around the apartment but would have to tie up the top half around his waist because he was too tall for them. He now opts for better fitting duds but I've can't help thinking of him in his old converses with the bottoms falling off and sigh. He makes this squeaky noise when he laughs really hard, always does the dishes and is a fierce dancer (he always does the running man).

Mike is the best guy a girl could ask for and tomorrow we celebrate 6 years together :)

2011-02-03T17:43:00.002-05:00

Become my new best friend and buy me this drawing from greasy chicken face

(oh jesus I love that sleepy one!)

2011-02-02T12:05:00.001-05:00

This is making the internet rounds but it is tooo funny not to share. I am obsessed.
(Via catparty)

2011-01-31T12:41:00.002-05:00

I have a thing for Canadiana- the more kitsch and strange the better. Went for a stroll through the St. Lawrence antique market yesterday and picked up this dreamy Niagara Falls postcard. Big Love.

2011-01-28T14:46:00.002-05:00

~~Hi blogland. My name is Danielle and this is my blog of likes, goings ons and inspiration- a real hodge podge of the weird and wonderful. I hope you read beyond this post...~~

Hmm... Let's try that again.

I'm Danielle and I am writing this blog to you dear reader as an experiment. I am a very private person and am kinda shy about sharing. I've decided to start this blog to help me get over this hang up I have and to give me a place to catalogue my random musings. Phew! Got that outta the way...

It sounds pretty serious but I promise you it won't be- I'll make sure to include lots of animals in costumes.