Wednesday, December 31, 2008

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This year was my favorite and my best. It was also the busiest and the most intense, but I say - it was worth it! I got my first grey hair, my first kid in grade 1, my first embroidery illustration, first broken finger, first month long family trip to Europe & of-course - my first blog!
Thank you so much for all your support and positive energy! I cannot describe how much I appreciate it:)
My hopes and dreams for the next year are grand! I want to enter 2009 with good feeling about the future!
So.... Here's to love, health, prosperity and dreams!  CHEERS!
see you on Jan 5th:)

Tuesday, December 30, 2008

contrary mary and her garden...




Inspired by vintage Scandinavian dishware, this pattern was originally meant to be just one color (traditional blue)  against the white background.... but I couldn't resist the too-muchery! The retro rainbow was calling and I was way too eager to answer:)

Monday, December 29, 2008

Oh, Santa....

It's good to be back:) Hope you all had a cheerful and toasty holiday. I had a great one! Hosted a little Christmas party and then spent a few days out of town with my husbands family. Missed working... a little:) 
I must have been good this year....'cause Santa (Mike) brought me exactly what I wanted - a super duper fantastic camera (plus a whole bunch of other wonderful things)! I'm still learning what it is capable of. Can't wait to go 'trigger happy' with it:)

Monday, December 22, 2008

last minute magic...




A little fairy tale pattern for you today. It's about three magical sisters.
HAVE A MAGICAL AND HAPPY TIME WITH YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY!!!
See you sometime after Christmas:)

Friday, December 19, 2008

the holiday sweater...

This was a first for me. I've made an illustration for Boston Globe using fabric, embroidery floss and a needle. Mr. Mac and Mr. Adobe (and his commander 'Z')  had no part in it. It was fun:)
I only regret that the actual embroidery didn't get to Boston in time to get professionally photographed. Next time I'll count in all the extra time one needs to allow for 'hand work' and customs.

Thursday, December 18, 2008

Girard on wheels:)


Thanks to apartment therapy, I now have one more thing on the ever-growing list of wonderful things I want and can't afford.
I'm not even much of a bike (or any kind of outdoors activity) person, but for this Electra Girard bike I could change my ways:)

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

inspired by...



Aldo Londi (Bitossi) is one of my favorite ceramists. He makes me want to go glaze something textured;) If I would ever seriously consider collecting something, it would be his quirky Rimini Blue animals.
Santa, if you are reading my blog (fat chance), I want that orange Rosso kitty one of these christmases:)

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

After sending out over 200 copies of the festive dog pattern last week, I realized that I've underestimated the amount of the crafty ladies out there. So, this post is for you - crafty wiener dog lovers! Feel free to copy this pattern and use it:)!

Monday, December 15, 2008

Meet me in the garden...




Knock knock...who's there? ... New pattern ... New pattern who? New pattern about secret meeting in a garden:)

Thursday, December 11, 2008

how stars are made:)




When one can't find their ideal christmas tree star ornament - one must come up with a solution!  And, than, share the solution... of course.
First, I have to tell you, I did look. High and low. It's always the same gold or silver, sometimes crystal (plastic) star that just doesn't speak to me. So... I made my own, and I like it!
If you like it too - here's how to make one for your christmas tree:

You will need: vinyl/pleader in 2 colors, thread in 2 colors, scissors, needle, sewing pins, synthetic stuffing and the pattern provided above.

1. Copy the pattern onto your desktop. Print it out. Cut it out.
2. a) Trace the star you've cut out with a color pencil onto the back of the red vinyl (red pleader, fake leather). Twise - for the front and the back.
b) Trace the mouth and eyes onto the the white vinyl/pleader.
c.) Carefully cut it out.
4. Place the eyes and mouth where you need them onto one of the red vinyl stars. Pin them on with sewing pins. Using the running stitch attach with white thread.
5. Put the two red vinyl star cutouts back to back so they match. Secure them together with pins.
6. Using the running stitch and (leaving 3mm  away from the edge) attach the 2 sides together. As pattern indicates, leave the space at the bottom open.
7. Push a bit of synthetic stuffing (old pillow, perhaps?) to fill out the star.
8. Trim and clean  the top of your tree (3-4 inches) and put your star on.
9. Proceed with the rest of the decorations:)
I hope this makes sense. 
HAVE A WONDERFUL WEEKEND!

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

got my long stockings...



I have not been this exited about a book from my childhood since J. Otto illustrated Alice in wonderland. When one of my favorite illustrators does one of my favorite books... how could I resist?! That's a must have!
Lauren Child ( an author/illustrator behind Charlie and Lola series) - made my kind of Pippi! Fun, quirky and charming:)
It's snowed so much in past couple of days that the yellow buses have been cancelled and the gang is all here today. Looks like we'll be reading some of the famous Pippi adventures today.... and maybe even tomorrow...

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

human empire...





A little inspiration for you today - HUMAN EMPIRE
I've stumbled upon this awesome Hamburg based graphic design and illustration studio through the amazing ffffound site. I really enjoy their style and fun approach to design. They make toomuchery look good:)

Monday, December 8, 2008

a ceramicist dream:)




Still crazy about ceramics...Can't wait until I could afford some time to take a course or two. I think I'd make a good ceramicist. Mmmmm...
This pattern is all about the many vases I wish I could have taken home last time I went antique shopping. 

Friday, December 5, 2008

good luck:)

I'm working away on some fun cards for the next few days. Busy as a bee:) 
HAVE A WARM AND LUCKY WEEKEND, EVERYBODY!

Thursday, December 4, 2008

Now that the snow on the ground is here to stay and the sunlight deems at 4 p.m. it's taking some extra work to stay happy. For me, holidays on the horizon is a part of a cheer up program I signed myself up for. Also, staying warm is a large part of it! So, stay warm... and get happy... 'cause you are now a part of my cheer up program!

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

do something crafty...



I know I'm not the only person that does a bit of embroidery now and than... so here's a little holiday DIY project that doesn't require a lot of time, money, material or a long attention span. In other words - my kind of project.
This part is for the first timers:)
You'll need - vanishing fabric marker, embroidery floss, embroidery needle, embroidery hoop, a bit of plane sturdy fabric, lil' sharp scissors and an hour.
1. Find a festive image you love (if you are interested in my festive dog pattern e-mail me for the pdf).
2. Print it up (the size you want). 
3. Using a vanishing marker, trace your pattern (festive image) onto a piece of fabric using you window as a light table. Leave 10' (or so) fabric around your image.
4. Place you fabric into a hoop, emroidery floss into needle and start embroidering!
a. use simple stitches such as straight stitch, back stitch or split stitch for the outlines.
b. use satin stitch to fill out a shape.
5. Frame your handy little work (just like you would a print).
6. Walk around the house feeling festive and accomplished.

I know these directions are very general, so... don't be afraid to google... or, better yet, wait 'til my LITTLE MISS CRAFTY (Walter Fosters) book comes out in February.

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

vikings at play...



This is turning into one patterned week. This time, it's vikings on a wild goose adventure:) Wouldn't this make a great pajama party theme?! In fact, this pattern should be on kids pajamas!

Monday, December 1, 2008

organic factory...



A new pattern to share with you today. Sort of a mix of industrial with organic. Little factory of life (if you will).

...

Randomly chosen (by Lola) winner is Nina from Southern Sweden! Please e-mail me your address (dardik@sympatico.ca) so I could send it to you asap:)
Many thanks for playing to all! I had a ton of fun reading all the wonderful comments. I might have to move into a larger house (to accommodate the huge ego and swollen head you've given me this weekend:)
I with I had 92 ornaments and some friends at the post office.