January 28th 2010

White Squirrel

I finished my illustrations for New York Magazine today and decided to take the afternoon off. I met up with Anthony at White Squirrel cafe, which is the sweetest little coffee shop across from Trinity Bellwoods Park. I loved the idea they used for their table, (which I took a photo of, above). They repurposed old parquet flooring! It looked very cute. Their coffee was great, too.

I also wanted to thank Bianca D'Amico for posting about my work on her blog today! I met Bianca a couple of years ago when she was showing here in Toronto. She now curates a small boutique in LA called Pergolina.

January 24th 2010

It's a little odd, but I think even better than stumbling upon a beautiful art or design blog, nothing makes me happier than finding a beautiful new FOOD BLOG.

I just found La Tartine Gourmande. The photos are gorgeous; slightly over-exposed and right up close with the perfectly prepared food. The site is put together by Béa Peltre, a food writer/photographer. She includes her recipes with each post, which look like they've been typed on to a lovely recipe card, (sometimes adding a french version, as she's a French expatriot).

I'm so glad I found this site, although I should be working like mad, and have already planned dinner for tonight. Oh well, it'll be something sweet to explore when I have a bit more time.

Happy Sunday!

January 21st 2010

I should be working like mad on my illustrations today, but in a moment of distraction I found this post on Mieke Willem's blog. It makes me warm looking at this amazing collection of mittens. Okay. That's enough diversion for now.

January 20th 2010

When the Day Breaks

National Film Board of Canada

I saw this film when it was first released, and have never forgotten it. It makes me cry every time I watch it.

{ If it doesn't come up fully on your screen, click on the link below the video player to view it on the NFB website. }

January 19th 2010

While I work, I love to listen to audiobooks. I've started to listen to the Chronicles of Narnia, which I read when I was really young. I forgot how good they were! Or maybe I didn't realize it when I was little.

I'm a bit silly about making sure that my audio files in iTunes have the prettiest covers included so that I can see them on my computer and iPod while I listen. While I was searching for covers for these seven books, I found the original first edition covers, illustrated by Pauline Baynes. I love stumbling upon new children's book illustrators that I'm not familiar with. Her work is really sweet and beautifully drawn. From what I gather, she illustrated a lot of adventure books, including the Narnia series and and edition of The Lord of the Rings books.

I've included all of the original covers below. (I especially love the "Silver Chair" cover!).

January 18th 2010

It's our 68 month anniversary today. (Okay, I realize that it technically isn't an "anniversary" because those are yearly, but you understand).

I stumbled on a really great website the other day. It's called Mieke Willems and is run by two belgian ladies, Veronik Willems and Mieke Verbijlen. They have one of the nicest collections of the things I enjoy that I've ever found in one place; from sweet stationery and notions to hand-knit wool bedsocks. If you have a little extra time online to spare today, take a gander.

January 13th 2010

Yesterday started off sort of slow. I tend to get a little blue during this time of year, and as beautiful and sunny as it was outside yesterday, I was feeling down. I decided to head out for a nice walk to get a little fresh air and send off some packages at the Post Office. After I'd finished that I wanted to keep going, so I thought of a couple of errands that I'd been wanting to do. I wanted to start seriously looking for a dress form, and look at fabrics and notions that I may need to make a dress.

I was in luck! I'd asked Karyn from the workroom if she knew of any places in the neighbourhood that were selling vintage dress forms. She mentioned that there were a couple of antique shops between Bathurst and Portland on Queen Street that usually had one or two in the window. I checked them, and found the prettiest old dress form in just my size! I didn't even have to get an adjustable one!

I ran some more errands and got more fresh air and exercise, and was feeling great by the time I got home. When I got there I opened up my email to find a wonderful surprise waiting for me in my inbox! The art director at New York Magazine was looking for a set of illustrations for their upcoming Weddings special edition issue! How perfect! I couldn't have been happier.

January 9th 2010

I love the way 2010 looks. It's much prettier than 2009.

{ Vestido Lazo } La Casita de Wendy

I stumbled upon La Casita de Wendy this morning, and I'm madly in love with this dress. The fabric is adorable, (and totally inspiring; I've been thinking up ideas for new fabric designs), the length of the hem and sleeves is perfect, and the bow at the neck is the a sweet finishing touch.

I've decided that, for now, the only way I can afford to get fabric printed is to order a bunch and make articles out of it myself. I can still sell yards of it to those that are interested, but it's more practical to make things out of it to sell. I plan to make housewares, and maybe eventually the odd article of clothing.

I made a batch of potato latkes for breakfast this morning and they were delicious! I've never made them before, but they're now a new favorite recipe! (I just used one of Martha Stewart's). I topped them with plain yogurt instead of sour cream, and I think I liked the yogurt better.

Time to go enjoy the sunshine!

January 6th 2010

I had a coffee date with Anthony this morning at Saving Gigi. I've been meaning to try it for ages, and one of his good friends runs it, so he highly recommended it. I'm so glad he did! I loved it! We had great coffee, and the most delicious apple crumble muffins (with candied ginger in them!). Yum.

Unfortunately I forgot to bring my camera along as I would have liked, so the below photo comes care of Georgie_grrl on Flickr.

I also went to the Farmer's Market at Dufferin Grove, which I haven't done for ages. The last time was during the fall, while there were still vendors outside. They move in to a community centre during the winter. But they still carry a few of my favorite things from the summer; the bread, which was still warm when I picked a loaf up, and the chocolate. I do miss the wild flower guy though. I love picking up a bunch to bring home. He ties them in the prettiest coloured jute twine. I'll be happy to get them again next spring.

I'm going to go eat some tasty bread, then get back to work!

January 5th 2010

Brrr.

It's chilly. It's finally feeling like winter. I'm finally getting wind-burnt cheeks every time I go for a walk. I found a new favorite word in that Tove Jansson book I started reading, that perfectly describes the light that comes in to our house during this time of year; "snowlight". I think it's probably a word made up during translation from Swedish, but it's so pretty. I love the winter light. Everything looks so cool and bright, even when it's cloudy out.

I was out first thing this morning. It's been snowing for the last day or so, but everything is still just dusted over. I hope we get a lot more!

Now that I'm back home again, I'm going to get to work on a new painting. Actually, I have a couple of ideas, but there's one that I need to finish up in the next few days. I'll post all about it when I'm finished.

January 3rd 2010

I love Sundays. It's an especially pretty Sunday today because it's snowing and blowing like crazy outside. I'm planning on spending the day tidying and organizing after all of the holiday-homemade-gift-madness in our studio, making a nice homemade dinner and... beginning to plan our wedding!

Chris and I decided over the holidays on a date. It's over a year away, but I'd like to get a rough idea of what we're doing so we can get started on planning in the spring. I'm debating starting a blog dedicated to planning the day. I feel like, even if it's quite small, there's a lot to keep track of and this may help me out.

Yesterday, I dropped off the pair of mittens I made over the holidays for Celine, (third pair I've made!). I got to drop them off at their new home! She and Jin just bought their first home together and it's going to be beautiful, (and they're just around the corner from us!). I can't wait to see what they do with it. It's a great old home in a nice neighbourhood.

I'm glad I dropped the mitts off just in time for a bit of a cold snap! Time to go throw on another sweater!

January 2nd 2010

I've been trying for a little while to figure out how to load this video to the internet in gif format, but instead used my digital camera to take a video of it! Here's hoping it works this time!

The little wooden toys are a set from the story "The Town Musicians of Bremen", a Brothers Grimm fairytale.

This is a Christmas present that Chris made for me a few years ago. (I promise, this is the last of the Christmas posts!)