tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52200485861249660392024-03-13T17:59:50.240-04:00left of nerdyalison annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03826800144579267804noreply@blogger.comBlogger81125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5220048586124966039.post-75733328362292063922016-01-29T15:08:00.001-05:002016-01-29T15:13:24.916-05:00Well hello once more. <br />
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So excited to say that my kids clothing adventures from the summer turned out awesome!<br />
I did a handful of shows, met plenty of fun inspiring people, and I learned much along the way(namely how to secure your tent in the event of a storm!!). <br />
It was really fun to put my experience in retail to work for myself too. I am so accustomed to displaying and selling other people's work that it felt really good to finally put all that energy into my own work!<br />
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It also felt really good to have my work acknowledged by other makers!<br />
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I decided to go with *goldiemilks* as a label. you can find it here:<br />
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Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/Goldiemilks<br />
Instagram: http://iconosquare.com/goldiemilks<br />
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I keep a daily Instagram too: @themisspencil<br />
in case you wonder about my silly world.<br />
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NEHOW.<br />
Here are some samples:<br />
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The itty bitty swing tank! a most popular item.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rOYH5yttpS4/Vqu9mg7gNVI/AAAAAAAAAdk/kPrdDHGhJxw/s1600/Aliphone2015%2B780.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rOYH5yttpS4/Vqu9mg7gNVI/AAAAAAAAAdk/kPrdDHGhJxw/s320/Aliphone2015%2B780.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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The light little party dress. made w upcycled sari bc I live in little India!</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gf6iHMfxOJQ/Vqu9zDLyNGI/AAAAAAAAAds/TK-1eIVa-iM/s1600/Aliphone2015%2B1535.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gf6iHMfxOJQ/Vqu9zDLyNGI/AAAAAAAAAds/TK-1eIVa-iM/s320/Aliphone2015%2B1535.jpg" width="282" /></a></div>
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A light summer toddler jacket inspired by the Japanese Yukata.</div>
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These were also a hit!</div>
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What's next? Well first thing is first. We up and bought the place next door and are completing a full gut and reno job on it with the hopes of renting it out. So in between full time momming and art and crafting my energies are spent over there. </div>
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It is such a cool project to completely dissect a house! While my partner is the building scientist and has a greater scope of knowledge in this department I am a trusty sidekick who is learning to "do" on the job. Thus continuing on my personal trajectory of becoming a person who can make anything. </div>
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Of course amidst all the things, momlyfe, home renovation, mini tiny itty bitty upcycling business I still have my art chomping at the bit to get out. A friend asked me if all the projects and the crafting were a good equivalent to just making art itself and sadly for me no it is not. All those other things require a type of creativity and a type of intelligence but none of them are actually the answer to what I am seeking. </div>
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What am I seeking then?</div>
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What is in my gut?</div>
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Objects. To make weird colourful, textured objects and two dimensional works that reflect my accidental permanent state of optimism. </div>
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I do not have a big agenda. I cannot solve the stupid issues of the world by making art however, by making art, I might be able to make the world a more tolerable place.</div>
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Right now my projects bring me joy and bring me income and potential future income. </div>
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Right now I am building stability because you cease to be able to fuck around when you have a small person relying on you for their future.</div>
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My actual mantra since Adaire was born has been "I don't have time to fuck around." I have said this to my very patient partner Jack, I have said this to my mom, I have said this to the door to door people that want me to 'blah blah blah', I have said this to the overly yappy sales person at the pet food store, and I might even say it to you one day. But I am holding onto it as we get into this year because I need it right now.</div>
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Welp this has been a rambly post!</div>
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Enjoy!</div>
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Have a good week!</div>
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And for dog's sake quit fucking around.</div>
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xo</div>
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a.</div>
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alison annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03826800144579267804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5220048586124966039.post-38756337460429371142015-03-29T16:02:00.000-04:002015-03-29T16:02:58.922-04:00Just makin some clothes for kids<div style="text-align: center;">
you know, keeping busy.</div>
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Working to expand my knowledge, and practice some skills.</div>
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Use up some old fabrics, found items.</div>
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Make some stinking cute things for my babe and other peoples babes to wear.</div>
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So I dress my kid every day.</div>
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Which is great because we were gifted soooo much clothing!!</div>
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Sadly for the gifters I have passed on much of it. (sorry gang)</div>
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Still I sense we have way more than we need/ way more than what our teeny tiny Toronto home can handle but much of it is lovely and cute and there. I 've been duped into owning more than I need.</div>
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So why then would I elect to make children's clothes you ask.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gX1jpV-a1EY/VRhTvOR3A7I/AAAAAAAAAck/2IqWdsgWGz4/s1600/GoodMama-11softeepant.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gX1jpV-a1EY/VRhTvOR3A7I/AAAAAAAAAck/2IqWdsgWGz4/s1600/GoodMama-11softeepant.jpg" height="320" width="203" /></a></div>
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I am an avid maker of things.</div>
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When I became pregnant I became super excited to make things for my own kid instead of buying.</div>
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Now was my chance to change the typical pattern of Mama has baby, mama buys all kinds of crap, mama carves a deep baby shaped hole into the planet with her crap pile buying skills.</div>
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Low and behold, even without me being the central buyer we have a household full of stuff.</div>
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I pare and pare down, currently paring as we prepare to celebrate the first year milestone.</div>
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I am so excited for my child, she is so much fun she has challenged me to think outside of all of my expectations about everything. In a way too she has challenged me to strive to understand this stuffing of <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9GorqroigqM" target="_blank">stuff</a> in our culture. I cannot necessarily stop others from doing it, I can almost hardly stop myself, but I have been and it feels very empowering. </div>
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What I am doing now is taking the old and used things and making new things. It actually feels good to see my kid wearing something made out of fabric that was wasting away in someones basement. It feels so good that I am making more and looking to share what I make with others. </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ICpfaGZcwkg/VRhTzUXko9I/AAAAAAAAAcs/Vr8BxuiBKNc/s1600/GoodMama-10styledkimono%26pant.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ICpfaGZcwkg/VRhTzUXko9I/AAAAAAAAAcs/Vr8BxuiBKNc/s1600/GoodMama-10styledkimono%26pant.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
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It is a peaceful process.</div>
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It brings me joy.</div>
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What can you find and remake today?</div>
alison annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03826800144579267804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5220048586124966039.post-28060542938033224242015-02-24T15:42:00.001-05:002015-02-24T15:42:08.357-05:00Dear Blogland,<div style="text-align: center;">
I haven't actually forgotten to write I am simply a new mother who is also a crafter, and an artist, and a kitty momma, and a wife, and a daughter, and a good friend and a...., and a....., and a........ </div>
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This, that and the other thing too.</div>
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And I am not apologizing for my absence either. Humph.</div>
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Soo much to keep up on in this life my attention to internet is less right now. </div>
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However I am still staying active, I perfected the art of baby wearing while knitting when my baby was sick and didn't want to be put down for naps. I have completely quit caring about what I look like/ultra streamlining my beautification habits so I can have ten-fifteen minutes in the day where I read about different sewing/knitting techniques or essays on art. (Currently reading the wonderful BEAUTY by Dave Beech)</div>
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I am still working to simplify everything in my life and honestly the internet makes me feel more complicated than I need to be. Partially because it is a device of distraction and partially because of my own personal mania of over stimulated joy when I see any little thing that inspires me. I get so easily overwhelmed that I need blinders just like those carriage horses in the city. I spook easy on the internet. So I keep a distance.</div>
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This is why I am not pinterested in the least. It will destroy me. I have even quit the big all knowing facebook temporarily while I learn to navigate my life as a mother and then maybe I'll leave it forever.</div>
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As I go simple I ask myself what are the things I wish to use my time for?</div>
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The list is as follows: family time, healthy food, knitting, sewing, drawing, painting, walking, gardening, friend time, book time, running time, quiet nothing time.</div>
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Given this list I should prolly ditch the smart phone.</div>
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Anyhow here is a quick picture of a stylie winter set I just made for a fundraiser. It is a pair of upcycled mittens, and head band accompanied by a super thick neck cowl. I normally work with itty bitty yarns and meticulous patterns so I found knitting so big to be quite a joyous event.</div>
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All the proceeds from the raffle that this charming gift is a prize for will go to support <a href="http://www.delisleyouth.org/" target="_blank">Delisle Youth Services</a> . A cool organization that works to help teens in the city cope with the variety of challenges that they face. It is important that young people are supported in our culture of strange media, social pressure, and complicated lives, if you are interested to learn more click the link and find out more. </div>
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Maybe you are super wealthy and you can make a donation to them, that would be rad.</div>
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Yup.</div>
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Caring is totally cool. </div>
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WWRD</div>
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(What would Raffi do?)</div>
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alison annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03826800144579267804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5220048586124966039.post-31297600222752428292014-03-31T08:30:00.000-04:002014-03-31T08:30:31.837-04:00The Marks We Leave Behind.<div style="text-align: center;">
At one of my contract jobs this year there was an area with plenty of old leathery seating. I discovered these old seats while trying to find a quiet place to read during my longer breaks. The seats sat in a perfect row basking in the winter sun with little tables in between where one could take one's lunch without the staff room nattering. </div>
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It was my ideal escape from the day. I also quietly observed the others who found peace in this odd little corner. Mostly it was other people who had reading to do and nursing mothers. A pretty peaceful bunch. </div>
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What I discovered there after lunch one day brought on feelings of disrupted privacy, and surprise but only in the hilarious way that an old leather chair could do. </div>
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As I got up to go one after~lunch, conscious that I had left a flock of crumbs on the seat, I turned to check and dust it off when *GASP* there it was as clear as could be my perfectly preserved but/thigh/lady part image impressed into the old leather seat. Like a little leathery mould of my booty left behind for the next sitter to ponder.</div>
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Immediately I gave up feelings of violation for those of curiosity and checked all the other chairs.</div>
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Butt Prints Everywhere!!!! </div>
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How exciting!</div>
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alison annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03826800144579267804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5220048586124966039.post-81903635117277779102014-03-17T17:35:00.000-04:002014-03-17T17:35:24.490-04:00I learned something really cool this weekend<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
So my partner of many years (10+) and I finally decided to get married. </div>
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We decided it almost exactly one year ago while hiking around in the great smokey mountains.</div>
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We then told everyone that we were planning a wedding and then something happened, I got pregnant.</div>
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Increasingly all of my wedding concerns dissolved into concerns about how to be an awesome mom, a solid partner, and still keep my head about me, care about the world, the cats, art and craft.... etc...</div>
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As my gears shifted some other people's gears did not. I was faced with some individuals in my life perpetually wondering if I was going to this wedding show or that wedding show, what silver I would like at my wedding, what kind of dress I should wear, what about a caterer, what about a baby sitter for the wedding because our baby might disrupt the ceremony (!!!!).</div>
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In the face of a wedding my opinion has always been, "oh, cool let's have a picnic and go swimming!". As it turns out many other people expect a little bit more and because of this pressure whole affair stopped making sense to me. </div>
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As we are "expecting" there was also the question of will you have the wedding before the baby? How will we let all the relatives know in time? Party? No Party? </div>
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UGH!</div>
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In the end we decided together that a simple little city hall ceremony would do the trick. </div>
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I went in and got a licence and booked a date and we told no one until the day before when I sent out a little note to some friends in the Toronto area asking if anyone could be a witness for our wedding.</div>
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Ten or eleven friends came out, we had a short little ceremony and proceeded to go out for nachos and champagne.</div>
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It was actually perfect.</div>
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I found my dress for 16$ at a thrift shop, made my own hair piece, did my own hair and makeup.</div>
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Voila, the easiest thing looked so good!</div>
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Not only that but the whole day felt good too.</div>
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I discovered why it felt so good as I spoke to my pals about it at the pub.</div>
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Several of them are married couples who's weddings I've attended and they each expressed to me how they love the way we chose to do it. Not only was it so completely "Us", but that the day was so unhindered by the out of control bizzaro wedding pressure/ wedding culture. We didn't need any of it and thus were free from the superficial ideas that seem to dislodge the actual meaning behind a wedding in the first place.</div>
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This realization is something I always knew but needed the experience to reinforce. It was a moment not unlike watching "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" EVERY Christmas just to be certain you get the vibe of love and family right. Now that we have had the experience I can honestly tell you all that a real wedding has nothing in the world to do with all that hustle and fuss. The hustle and fuss is for those with spare money and time and something other than love to prove.</div>
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My next challenge however is attached to a wee little promise we made to host some kind of reception where the family gets to celebrate..... After the baby is good and strong.</div>
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I am working on a way to share what I have just learned with everyone in the form of some kind of celebration.......... I was thinking of a quilting bee potluck keg party where people get together and share.</div>
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We'll see if that goes over.</div>
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alison annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03826800144579267804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5220048586124966039.post-90556678581080175452014-02-24T14:54:00.000-05:002014-02-24T14:54:24.578-05:00Another day, another pair of socks<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Maybe it is this cold winter. </div>
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My dedication to the art of socks is growing still.</div>
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Thanks to my handy book, `Knitted Socks, East Meets West` by Judy Sumner, I am still enthralled with her work translating Japanese Lace inspiration into footwear.</div>
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This one is called Tatami.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kJAPnbSLpBM/UwudX-xUssI/AAAAAAAAAaE/ojGud-ARGg0/s1600/IMG_20140221_123715.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kJAPnbSLpBM/UwudX-xUssI/AAAAAAAAAaE/ojGud-ARGg0/s1600/IMG_20140221_123715.jpg" height="236" width="320" /></a></div>
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I used size US 2 needles with Noro Silk Garden Sock Yarn. </div>
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I didn`t track how long it took me to make this time because I was simultaneously embroidering something hilarious and beginning a home reno project. These socks saved my piece of mind as I go incredibly crazy when my studio has to be packed away(due to reno). One and a half weeks to go before I get it back...</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BIMxWaTS3UE/UwudUN65vOI/AAAAAAAAAZ8/vWKBFMSsUvc/s1600/IMG_20140224_134656.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BIMxWaTS3UE/UwudUN65vOI/AAAAAAAAAZ8/vWKBFMSsUvc/s1600/IMG_20140224_134656.jpg" height="320" width="236" /></a></div>
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Of Course I love colour so working in this yarn in this pattern was an absolute treat!</div>
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You can find the pattern <a href="https://www.etsy.com/blog/en/2009/how-tuesday-tatami-socks/" target="_blank">here</a>!</div>
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(on etsy via Judy Sumner`s Ravelry page)</div>
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If you are on <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/account/login" target="_blank">Ravelry</a> I suggest you check her work out, you will be inspired!</div>
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When googling I also discovered an interview with her. </div>
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<a href="http://www.melaniefalickbooks.com/qa-wknitted-socks-eastwest-aut/" target="_blank">Enjoy</a>.</div>
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Be inspired. </div>
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Go make something!</div>
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alison annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03826800144579267804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5220048586124966039.post-63707810609471163452014-02-19T10:28:00.000-05:002014-02-19T13:07:31.258-05:00Sometimes I Want To Take All Your Smartphones Away. A True Story<div style="text-align: center;">
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If only for the reason that you're being annoyingly irresponsible about it all- I want to take all your smartphones away. You try to rationalize a way through it. "I was into a game", "I was reading", "I was so absorbed by some new app", "I was mid text". When really you need to accept that you have a problem.</div>
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That problem? You spent your hard earned money on a gadget that you have decided to focus on all the time which causes you to miss out on normal social cues and awareness.</div>
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I have been witnessing (and potentially participating in) this behavior for a long time now. I observe the habit most clearly when I am on a streetcar or subway here in Toronto. People enter the transit, sit or stand, pull out their phone and completely ignore what is going on around them. Then it gets interesting.</div>
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Elderly enter the same car or bus, obviously having a difficult time with their groceries and not a single person moves to assist or accommodate. </div>
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Then there's me, a big, round, 8 months + pregnant woman. You can no longer mistake me for "maybe she's just a bit fat". My coat does not fit, my belly is huge, I waddle and as a result of said hugeness my balance is a tiny bit off making transit rides a bit more challenging. I am no fat drunk, I am a mom in the making. And no one ever offers me a seat. I watch other mothers in the making in my midst and no one ever offers them a seat either. We have to ask, which is fine but it is hard to get your attention when you are plugged in and ignoring us. Ignoring everything. </div>
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The True Story</div>
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It happened just a few weeks back. It was one of those things that I should have been mad at but felt was so absurd that I can only laugh at it. Laugh and then put it into a blog post with the hopes that someone will read it and share in my shock, laughter, whatever it is.</div>
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So I come onto the subway at St. George Station two Thursdays ago, heading Eastbound about 8:30 at night and it is busy. Not rush hour busy but busy enough for me not to expect a seat. As I am standing there watching people I begin to watch the two women in the seats in front of me. One face first into her phone, refuses to look up and sense her surroundings. The other likewise, is into a hot game of Jewel Drop. When I raise my gaze to my reflection in the glass something odd strikes me about the woman next to me, she is having a difficult time standing. I am not surprised when I discover why. This woman, too polite to ask for a seat, has a full leg cast on and is standing with one arm on a crutch and the other holding on to the ceiling rail. </div>
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Immediately I tap the Jewel Drop woman's phone and ask her to give the Leg Cast woman a seat. Jewel drop looks up a bit shocked and then surrenders her seat. I help Leg Cast into place and feel I've done my civic duty du jour. </div>
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This incident left me wondering how it is that you can actually not notice at all when someone is having a difficult time with mobility. Even when I am reading I can notice from the corner of my eye a difference in pace of a person, or how much volume they have in groceries, body, herd of kids or other. A leg cast is a large and glaring thing to miss especially when paired with a crutch. How does another adult completely ignore this?</div>
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I think as a way to tell this story short form and make people think a will try to work it into a joke.</div>
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" A very pregnant woman and a woman with a broken leg and crutch stand next to each other on the TTC." </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RoLpSIYzWvw/UwTLPGHsWgI/AAAAAAAAAZs/idmoayEMRpk/s1600/subwaydrawing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RoLpSIYzWvw/UwTLPGHsWgI/AAAAAAAAAZs/idmoayEMRpk/s1600/subwaydrawing.jpg" height="271" width="400" /></a></div>
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hmmm that line is funny enough on it's own</div>
alison annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03826800144579267804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5220048586124966039.post-6886563707165015622014-01-27T17:28:00.000-05:002014-01-27T17:28:22.504-05:00Winter Socks<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f9cb9c;">About two years ago I started on the path to sock making. I have been nothing but delighted with this journey. To make a pair of socks is an act of love, not only is it a love of the craft but a love of the person who will wear them because a sock takes time to be perfect and a sock may become damaged through daily wear. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f9cb9c;">In a way, the relationship one has to a hand made sock is similar to the relationship we have with those we might actually make the sock for. Skill and patience apply colour and texture to an object that will inevitably become worn and get a few holes. Of course if you care enough about the sock and the wearer of the sock you can repair them by applying the same skill, patience, colour and texture.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f9cb9c;">Making something and keeping it in good repair are life skills and it is in this way that the handmade can become a perpetual act of love.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f9cb9c;">These socks are ones my mum just made for myself and the little person I am building.</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mQhCV1QcEe4/UubYdQOrNjI/AAAAAAAAAZU/ov5J6c95Fbk/s1600/rainbowmama.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mQhCV1QcEe4/UubYdQOrNjI/AAAAAAAAAZU/ov5J6c95Fbk/s1600/rainbowmama.jpg" height="286" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f9cb9c;">And these are ones I completed over a weekend spent knitting with my mum.</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--5LuusSRB5s/UubYhucuf0I/AAAAAAAAAZc/ITu7qn2Jals/s1600/tealmama.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--5LuusSRB5s/UubYhucuf0I/AAAAAAAAAZc/ITu7qn2Jals/s1600/tealmama.jpg" height="298" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f9cb9c;">The pattern for the teal coloured socks above can be found in Judy Sumner's book, '</span><a href="http://knitting.about.com/od/sockknittingbooks/fr/knit-socks-east-west.htm" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;">Knitted Socks, East and West</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;">'</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f9cb9c;">. I highly recommend borrowing or purchasing a copy if you like to treat yourself to a challenge of new techniques. </span></div>
alison annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03826800144579267804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5220048586124966039.post-73642677256427390632014-01-15T22:50:00.000-05:002014-01-15T22:50:55.729-05:00Cat in Tub.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: yellow;">Oh 2014, hi.. it would seem that I fell off the internet a little while ago.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: yellow;">Things have been busy you know job, house, wedding plans, pregnancy.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: yellow;">Exciting times + living with a phone as my computer = web absence.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: yellow;">It's been good though. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: yellow;">Please accept this happy little series taken with hand phone of my cat in the bathtub as my way of re-acquainting myself with your platforms.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: yellow;">He utterly adores the bathtub.</span></div>
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alison annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03826800144579267804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5220048586124966039.post-48866312386412314922013-07-10T13:16:00.000-04:002013-07-10T13:16:05.028-04:00Unpacking <blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: center;">
We`ve unpacked the library and as I went through books today I thought it would be fun to take pictures of a few of my favourtie ones. Books are influential things that often save me from getting bummed out after reading doom and dumbness on the internet. Even if the book itself speaks of doom I think - <i>It will be alright someone wrote a whole book that I can practice understanding and problem solving with!</i></blockquote>
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Here some books I love in no particular order other than matching-ish size.</div>
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PS. I also love the undistractedness of a book. </div>
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<br />alison annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03826800144579267804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5220048586124966039.post-78871004760256592272013-05-07T13:48:00.000-04:002013-05-07T13:48:01.292-04:00Yes, no posts for over a month means.. Manatees<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I was traveling. I was. Now I'm back.</div>
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It was a great adventure driving all over the USA, camping in all the beautiful forests, swimming in the big ocean and the best part that I cannot resist sharing is this:</div>
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The <a href="http://www.tampaelectric.com/company/mvc/" target="_blank">Manatee Viewing Centre, in Tampa</a>, as part of their Electric energy facility. Which may strike you as a weird location for Manatees to hang but as it turns out, it is the perfect place for Manatees to hang. As the Electric, Big Bend, power station operates it pulls in fresh canal water to cool off it's reactors. Then the same water is cleaned and put back into the canal at a warmer temperature which is ideal for the Manatee. So they gather there.</div>
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While it may not be a perfect system, and no one could really tell me about the other effects of this industry in this location. It does make for a great location to see this wonderful <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manatee" target="_blank">Sea Mammal</a>. The centre is also full of information about the Manatee and how to preserve them. </div>
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Humans, <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">we are responsible for this animal's decline, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">for the most part it seems through fishing, motor boats, pollution, and taking over their space. <a href="http://www.savethemanatee.org/whatyou.htm" target="_blank">And</a> <a href="http://www.wikihow.com/Help-Protect-Manatees" target="_blank">more</a> I'm <a href="http://www.humanesociety.org/issues/endangered_species/tips/help_manatees.html" target="_blank">sure</a> but I wanted this post to be up beat and celebratory about this animal!!</span></b></div>
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If you are lucky, when you go to the website you will be able to activate their on site <a href="http://www.tampaelectric.com/company/mvc/webcameast/" target="_blank">web cam</a> and look around for yourself at the location. </div>
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While I was there in person I was very fortunate and got to observe a wee baby manatee surfacing over and over again while her big momma stayed under the cover of water beside her.</div>
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A totally enchanting moment to experience. I'd like for there to be more moments like this for all of us human and manatee alike, please zip through all the links I have included in this post to learn more!alison annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03826800144579267804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5220048586124966039.post-70128906416456342352013-05-06T14:01:00.002-04:002013-05-06T14:01:58.034-04:00Pan Collar via Honestly WTF<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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So a little wee week ago, or more, a girlfriend asked me if I had seen this <a href="http://honestlywtf.com/diy/diy-peter-pan-collar/" target="_blank">tutorial</a> on <a href="http://honestlywtf.com/" target="_blank">Honestly WTF</a>.<br />
Of course I had!! I love reading their blog and often am inspired by all that they have to share.<br />
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She asked me if I could use my crafty ways to make her one and I said "Yes", in fact I had been wanting an excuse to make one for a while now but never had because maybe I didn't need another collar....Then again....<br />
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Anyhow I made some helpful discoveries about the project that I ought to mention from my experienced craft table.<br />
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#1- Don't glue it, sew it! Seriously hot glue will not hold up effectively over time especially if you move between fluctuating temperatures, like the ones we get here in Toronto. Or if you wear the item frequently- neck things get tugged on more than you initially imagine. Pick a thread to match your ribbon and felt and sew neat little stitches that connect the ribbon with the felt. Once, in an emergency situation, I discovered that once stitched into, the surface of a felt can also be roughed up and iron pressed to disguise where stitches lie.<br />
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#2- If you go with felt felt, like plain old everyday felt, it is wise to run to a fabric/craft store an get yourself some iron on inner facing aka fuse-able inner facing. This will help add crispness to the form of your collar and help the felt sustain a bit more wear and tear. In the picture below you will see my primary cut pieces laying atop a square of fuse-able inner facing. After ironing I allowed the material to cool before neatly snipping around the curved edges.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VwabamJ0tk0/UYftdxWZqqI/AAAAAAAAAVo/5r7zItX6TCY/s1600/ipcoll.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VwabamJ0tk0/UYftdxWZqqI/AAAAAAAAAVo/5r7zItX6TCY/s400/ipcoll.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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#3 - A fabric that might also make a nice collar is wool coating. I have used this for collars in the past and have found it to come in a variety of colours and weights which could help you customize your project nicely to your own style. It would also require the facing for stability.<br />
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#4 - As always, with everything SAMPLE! Make a quick sample to test the facing/felt combo, to test your sewing, to test your hole puncher. You may be annoyed by the extra time it takes but when compared to the time/resources it takes to start over because a mistake is made.... you will be thankful.<br />
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I really loved how this one turned out and recommend it to everyone to make for humans and kitty cats alike, even little bunnies and dogs!!<br />
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The template is downloadable and prints to the perfect size so don't be afraid to dive in ok!<br />
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See it turned out just darling!!<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-r_GGx1Ty_fk/UYfu_C4-Z5I/AAAAAAAAAV0/sB7pBeVH3Q4/s1600/fincoll.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-r_GGx1Ty_fk/UYfu_C4-Z5I/AAAAAAAAAV0/sB7pBeVH3Q4/s400/fincoll.jpg" width="266" /></a>alison annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03826800144579267804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5220048586124966039.post-28779699946103753542013-03-04T16:39:00.001-05:002013-03-04T16:40:58.579-05:00Paper House Talisman <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Whoah life.</div>
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Made this little 5x2x6" house out of hand made Japanese paper as a talisman.</div>
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It worked you guys!</div>
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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!</div>
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alison annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03826800144579267804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5220048586124966039.post-18717080503063139452013-02-05T21:43:00.000-05:002013-02-05T21:43:05.495-05:00Winter is a busy time.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Working in water colour again and listening to far too much <a href="http://www.thisamericanlife.org/" target="_blank">This American Life</a>.<br />
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When my friends heard that I was doing audio books to keep my company while I work and live like a hermit- just a little- many suggested I try the famous podcast/radio show This American Life. I enjoy it's quirky little way of telling a story and how it presents ideas that are not too opinionated one way or the other, they let you wonder a bit and ask your own questions. It is refreshing to listen to media that encourages you to decide on your own. <br />
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On my own I have decided not to post images of the new works yet. Still unsure about it all.<br />
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Soon.<br />
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"Nothing is either good or bad, only thinking makes it so." - Shakespeare.<br />
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and then I think of Ubu Roi and all those swears!<br />
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yay!alison annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03826800144579267804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5220048586124966039.post-47782019787216100882013-01-29T18:42:00.000-05:002013-01-29T18:42:46.229-05:00Big TV's<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The large TV in my living room reminds me that it is a wormhole and I'd rather not look at it today.</div>
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I think TV's like this belong in low dark places. In cozy cave where you go to be comforted by repetition and the ability to stop and start things. Turn them on, turn them off, on, change channel, glow.</div>
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I didn't like it facing me while I read my book. It felt as if it were trying to suck on my eyeballs by licking them away from my studies.</div>
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A cold thing warm and asking.</div>
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Today I declined the offer by covering the screen.</div>
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Next time I will keep my reading in the studio.</div>
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p.s. there is new work coming that I will share soon, the process is simply slow</div>
<br />alison annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03826800144579267804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5220048586124966039.post-48093729976091400562013-01-15T14:46:00.000-05:002013-01-15T14:46:48.398-05:00DNA<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
With some of yesterdays newly spun yarn (unwashed/set) I tried crocheting a small sample with it just to see....</div>
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Such a tiny legnth, 1.5", 2 rows, one single, one double. So pretty.</div>
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Looking at this makes me think about exactly how much intelligence is encoded in objects.</div>
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Like all that which is encoded in living things. </div>
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I just get excited by the little things.</div>
alison annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03826800144579267804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5220048586124966039.post-27470399687495398672013-01-14T17:39:00.000-05:002013-01-14T17:39:31.950-05:00Spin those Blues Away.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Nope, not actually "blue" today. However several Torontonians have expressed their dismay that the cold weather has come back to us today. I am not dismayed because I got to spend the day working on improving a really great craft. Spinning!! One of my projects today has been to practice spinning yarn with my <a href="http://joyofhandspinning.com/types-of-drop-spindles-for-spinning-wool-yarn/" target="_blank">drop spindle</a>.</div>
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As I finished I looked out the window and noticed how much my roving resembled the cold bearing clouds out there. </div>
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Well isn't that nice.</div>
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What's more is that I found this great video of Navajo Weaving Master Clara Sherman explaining the art of spinning. A very inspiring woman indeed!! </div>
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alison annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03826800144579267804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5220048586124966039.post-24239876583658057282013-01-03T11:20:00.001-05:002013-01-03T11:20:48.255-05:00In 2013 I Knit Some Socks<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
A great way to start a new year is to sit down a knit something useful.</div>
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I cannot exalt hand knit socks enough. They are warmer, they are fluffier under your feet, and when they get holes they can be repaired to a sturdier degree than their machine made counterparts. The only drawback is they take 2 days plus skill to make. Thus making the disposable ones a better economic choice in our current time space. </div>
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One day when I qualify as a granny I hope that socks like this will only take me 1 day plus skill to make. Then everyone I know can have socks that are made by hands.</div>
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I found the recipe for this pair at <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/account/login" target="_blank">Ravelry</a> the mecca of the online knitting community.</div>
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<br />alison annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03826800144579267804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5220048586124966039.post-3044406723768409662012-12-17T01:25:00.000-05:002012-12-17T08:41:52.596-05:00Sometimes you just have to Shhhhhhh.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Really, you do. <br />
You probably need to right now. I know I did. After over a week of lovely guests to my home, one concert, three holiday parties and the completion of an intensive holiday embroidery contract all on top of working through my second last week of retail my brain is flat out zonked. This evening I was planning to get to work on my last holiday crafting contract (hooray people are still interested in hand knit garments!!!) buuut I found myself too exhausted to focus on work and too restless to nap with the cats. So I turned to my two favourite activities for problem solving: wandering and cooking. Both wandering and cooking seem to help me sort my thoughts and energize my body. It makes sense activity + nourishment ='s yes I can complete the revised pattern tomorrow before I go to work!<br />
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What I wanted to share with you tonight is a recipe. As food is one of those lovely places where art and craft unite I thought this post would be appropriate. This is a simple, simple, simple recipe. I first experienced a version of it when I was a fourteen year old hostess in a <a href="http://www.victorianrosetearoom.ca/" target="_blank">restaurant in my home town</a>. It was a great job that started me on my long journey in the food industry where, by accident, I wriggled my way up from hostess, to waitress, to bartender, to cook, to finally assistant kitchen manager! I could have stayed in food too...... But I didn't, I chose to finish university, and chose to live a bouncy life in many fields.<br />
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The ever healing soup du jour is a rendition of Leek and Potato. <br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sPOERW5qm98/UM602mojCeI/AAAAAAAAAS0/2hOw21QSjHk/s1600/DSCF1571.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sPOERW5qm98/UM602mojCeI/AAAAAAAAAS0/2hOw21QSjHk/s320/DSCF1571.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a><br />
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Ingredients:<br />
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2 cups of just larger than bite sized potato bits that have been roasted in the oven till golden<br />
*please roast these in oil and salt<br />
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1 Bunch of Leeks- thinly sliced and well rinsed<br />
1 bit of garlic- minced<br />
1/4 c of butter (please use butter unless you are allergic or vegan- then use a cooking oil at 2.5 tbsp)<br />
1.5 tsp of sea salt<br />
2 tsp ground black pepper-I love pepper if you do not then only use a little to taste<br />
2 tsp worcestershire sauce<br />
2 tsp tamari sauce<br />
1/4 c of fresh thyme rinsed and picked- don't chop it though the leafy appeal is nice.<br />
6 cups of water<br />
1 package of organic instant Mashed Potatoes- while this sounds a bit lazy it is actually amazy!<br />
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Ohkeh now with all that you do the following:<br />
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1-Sautee the leeks in the butter until they soften(8-10 minutes on medium heat), then add the garlic sautee for 5 more minutes. <br />
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2- add 2 cups of water, the salt, pepper and the thyme bring up to an even heat before adding the rest of the water.<br />
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3- once the rest of the water is added you may put in your pre-roasted potatoes.<br />
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4- once this is all consistently warmed up add in 1/2- 3/4 of the package of instant mashed potatoes, stirr it in with a fork. Then put in the worcestershire and the tamari.<br />
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5- Let simmer on medium for the length of time it takes you to read a few interesting things via twitter.<br />
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6- take off of heat and allow some time to cool.<br />
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7- dish it out into your favourite bowl or cup, top with uncooked thyme.<br />
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8- eat and smile.<br />
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Now this is a hearty version, if you think you may be serving delicate (babies/very old/very wealthy) people you may want to follow your cooking by pureeing the soup so that it is smooth.<br />
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My suggested friends for this soup are : green beans with almonds, frisee and kale salad with shredded beets, little airy pouffy crackers, and a fireplace, bonfire, blanket or cat.<br />
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yep, it was delish!<br />
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ps. I am not a foodie I simply am familiar with eating because I like to eat most days and I really like the idea of the rest of the world doing so as well. Please do yourself a favor over the busy holiday season and make some kind of soup to slow down with- it does a world of good.<br />
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goodnight.alison annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03826800144579267804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5220048586124966039.post-78408438488149066982012-11-13T08:57:00.000-05:002012-11-13T08:57:27.867-05:00Baudelaire was Way Cool<span style="color: #ffd966; font-family: Helvetica Neue, HelveticaNeue, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 19px;">"To be just, that is to say, to justify its existence, criticism should be partial, passionate and political, that is to say, written from an exclusive point of view, but a point of view that opens up the widest horizons."</span></span>alison annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03826800144579267804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5220048586124966039.post-68808657635278202252012-11-07T23:17:00.002-05:002012-12-05T08:55:42.733-05:00Some fun in between the working and the progress.It has been a busy fall for me. In many subtle ways I am looking for balance in the simple completion of tasks (this week I sorted and cleaned and mended every sweater I own, case in point!). Things I can accomplish in one sitting that will help me to feel empowered as I enter the next phase of applications/proposals that are just a little bigger than the ones I have previously applied for... New work cycle...<br />
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I am also reading a great deal. All summer long I was sick with the desire to read and read and read. I suspect this came from having next to zero time to sit and even look at words. Looking at words is something we do every day, for many of us it is all we do all day, I hope to never take my literacy for granted again. As a solution I am reading three books right now. Two are books of essays about Art and Craft, and the third is a densely written autobiography that I thought I should read because I do not often read autobiographies and it helps to keep the art/art theory dialogue in check.<br />
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The first book, <a href="http://www.parisstaronline.com/2012/09/25/discovering-the-art-of-barbara-caruso" target="_blank">Barbara Caruso'</a>s 'Wording the Silent Art', is currently on the top of the stack as it recently fell into my hands and I don't want to put it down. I really enjoy the way she neatly presents her ideas, and how she offers insight that is both critical and reasonable. I will likely have more to say on the book when I complete it. Right now I am impressed and wish that she were still around so I could follow her on twitter, and re-tweet the intelligent things she would have to share with the world.<br />
Reasonable, somehow I think that all her tweets would be very reasonable.<br />
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The second book is another collection of essays published by <a href="http://www.yyzartistsoutlet.org/" target="_blank">YYZ</a> in 1998- I was still in high school when 1998 happened!! Hooray for <a href="http://www.yyzartistsoutlet.org/" target="_blank">YYZ</a>! Maybe if you aren't doing anything with your life tomorrow you will read this and decide to visit them, I hope you do. The book is called 'Material Matters, The Art and Culture of Contemporary Textiles'. I found it in a thrift shop and decided to get it because the topic was so close to my heart, that and there was a creepy super weird picture of a child in it that I could not help but want to own and wonder about. I have been thrilled with this find as much of the writing is useful to my own work/research on the language of craft. It is nice to have a reference for the work that has come before me, mostly to help me not feel alone and second mostly so that I may have a small foothold of support theoretically. <br />
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The autobiography, is <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mohandas_Karamchand_Gandhi" target="_blank">Gandhi</a>. I thought that because I did not often read autobiographies that I should start with a big, good one. Then I was gifted a chapters gift card. Then while in the store I realized I had enough money for two whole books!! Soo naturally I decided to pick 2 biographical books and compare the individuals lives and values. The other person in my comparative study is <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coco_Chanel" target="_blank">Coco Chanel</a>. I am going to discover if there are any common things between Gandhi and Coco, judging by both of their followings today, I think I can!<br />
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Well now that you have read all that I will thank you with some juicy new pictures I have been playing with in my spare time. I am really just making pretty things that I would later like to reproduce in other media. So enjoy them now for the sake of enjoyment. One of them is a self portrait. Can you guess the one?<br />
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<br />alison annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03826800144579267804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5220048586124966039.post-20249256855335014942012-10-22T16:03:00.000-04:002012-12-05T08:56:33.129-05:00Ghost Hole IV<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NAr9akLrjtc/UIWhDrZTw7I/AAAAAAAAARk/EP7uoXrFo64/s1600/gh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="323" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NAr9akLrjtc/UIWhDrZTw7I/AAAAAAAAARk/EP7uoXrFo64/s400/gh.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Yes, yes, yes, darlings and delinquents. An awesome spooky time is just about upon us. </div>
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Come see some great art, hear some music, and get friendly around a bonfire with the smart and lovely people of <a href="http://ghosthole4.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Ghost Hole IV</a>.</div>
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I cannot even begin to tell you how cool and different this art event will be. </div>
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For a great night mingling between art, and the other side........</div>
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If you are lucky I will be packing my Tarot Cards.</div>
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To get you primed I will now link a video for one of my favorite Toronto musicians.</div>
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<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aJU4k1Lrhh0&feature=relmfu" target="_blank">Timber Timbre</a> </div>
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I cannot get enough of any Timber Timbre album, to learn more about why visit <a href="http://www.myspace.com/timbertimbre" target="_blank">HERE!</a></div>
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or <a href="http://www.timbertimbre.com/" target="_blank">here</a>.</div>
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Thanks for visiting!! Hope to see you in the future.</div>
alison annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03826800144579267804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5220048586124966039.post-71264629182485028342012-10-16T21:41:00.000-04:002012-12-05T08:58:00.041-05:00Back to the BeginningAgain. After much success of the Pom Pom Project (Thank you <a href="http://www.harbourfrontcentre.com/" target="_blank">HFC</a>!). I begin again to develop a new project to add to my body of work. I had been thinking on this for a while now and today I finally sat down and got to business working out a sample. I hope to have the first edition finished for the end of november.. If I can swing it. We shall see. I must remain diligent at my work as I step towards winter and back into a standard issue retail job ( baby's gotta pay the bills!!)<br />
Today things looked like this:<br />
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This project involves all that you see here plus a little pizzazz and a great deal of handiwork!<br />
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On other fronts I am excited to mention here that I get to be in a whole new show with my little herd of Craft Witch Houses!!! Hooraaaaaaay!!! It is called <a href="http://ghosthole4.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Ghost Hole IV</a>, and it takes place on Toronto Island! Are you excited my pals? This means that Toronto will get it's very own personal look at the houses and all sorts of other great art! This time the very spooky nature of the work will be highlighted. So maybe you want to bring a buddy just in case you are the nervous type. <br />
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I will post more on this next week, but for now: Ghost hole: October 27th : Toronto Island: Be There!<br />
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Here this will help inspire you! <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4vmD0lqLgP0" target="_blank">BOO!</a>alison annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03826800144579267804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5220048586124966039.post-9488088217409522202012-10-05T19:41:00.000-04:002012-10-05T19:41:43.761-04:00How to make a POM POM<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Ok for those of you who know me, you will already know that I LOVE POM POMS!!</div>
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For my next project, tomorrow, I will be working with a zillion kids to make a giant pom pom sculpture for the <a href="http://www.harbourfrontcentre.com/summer/festivals.cfm?id=4411" target="_blank">HarbourKids Folk Festival</a>.</div>
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If you can't make it this weekend, or if you simply need to brush up on your pom pom making skills I have included my diagram for pom pommery.</div>
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Enjoy!</div>
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<br />alison annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03826800144579267804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5220048586124966039.post-46507406557799708192012-10-01T15:20:00.000-04:002012-12-05T08:51:46.554-05:00All the writing and thinking before, during, and after production..<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Results in thoughts like this.........</div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue Light";">“The act of
hand embroidering is a slow process where each stitch can be measured in time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The time and consideration put in to
such work acts as a reminder of the potential and unknown effort invested in
every object we live amongst.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>These efforts may go largely misunderstood if we forget to practice
making.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is my goal to practice
making, so that others can be reminded.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue Light";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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alison annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03826800144579267804noreply@blogger.com0