neonfoxtongue

Back on the blog-horse thanks to City of Craft

Well, hi. Let's not even talk about how long it's been. Or how I've agonized on how to have a great comeback. I've decided I've got to lose the guilt about (not) blogging and just jump right in. Can we just forget about the months of silence (though not on Twitter) and move on? I'd be ever so grateful...

Thanks - you're swell. x

Once I decided to just get back on the blog-horse (inventing new words is fun), it was obvious what my first post would be about: City of Crafts's upcoming event, Love & Rummage 3!

I've attended a number of City of Craft and the workroom events since moving back to Toronto and in December I helped out at *the* City of Craft event of year (or as I like to call it "The Big Show").  I guess I did a decent job, because becky asked me if I'd be willing to help out at Love & Rummage. And of course I said yes, because I had lots of fun last time and because the job she asked me to do involves bunting! And bunting makes me very happy and slightly giddy.

I'm not 100% sure of the details, but I know that Etsy was a sponsor City of Craft's December show and one of the many goodies they provided was DIY fabric bunting. I believe that these particular goodies didn't arrive in time for The Big Show, so we get to use them for Love & Rummage instead. And I think it's for the best because as you can see, the bunting is **ah-dorable** and perfect for adding a bit of cheer the usually dreary month of February.

So if you love bunting like I do, come by Love & Rummage this Sunday at the workroom at 3:00 pm to partake in a little (free!) workshop that yours truly will be facilitating. And let me say that this mini bunting is pretty easy to make, so it's an easy gig for me. I'll just be handing out scissors and cheering people on.

And if for some reason you are allergic to bunting or have somewhere else to be between 3 - 4  pm, you can still come by from 12 -5 pm to see all the amazing and talented vendors (plus more!) who will be selling items that are guaranteed to warm your heart and put a spring in your step.

What more could you ask for?! More bunting? Okay!

(Photos courtesy of The Leopard. Thanks Sweetie!)

See you Sunday! (And back here soon! No, really!)

 

Friday I'm in Love: Shop local

I'm really happy to get the nft weekly feature Friday I'm in Love back on track because catching up on all the blogs I follow after a month away from them yielded some pretty cool things in the craft and handmade world.  However, I do like to come up with a theme for FIIL so I did a little extra searching on my own.  Seeing as it's Good Friday, an Easter theme would be an obvious choice, but I felt it was just a little too obvious.  And since I just moved to a new city, I thought it would be neat to check out what Toronto has to offer a lover of craft and handmade items.  I did a search Etsy's Shop Local feature and discovered some great finds that I'm happy to share with you today.

First up is bananastrudel - a shop that sells "antique maps, antique prints, unusual vintage objects and all sorts of ephemera, collected over the years and in the course of trotting the globe."  Love it!  And love this vintage map of Romania .



They also have a map of how London looked in 1604! The selection is great and the prices are very reasonable - I'll definitely keep this shop in mind when we're looking for art for the walls of our new apartment!

I'm also really digging the enamel jewellery from Sour Kitten Enamel, especially this lovely dandelion pendant.

Last, but not least, Pretty Raccoon (such a Canadian name!) caught my eye with her cool screen printed clothing.  I love it when original images are printed on clothing that aren't plain t-shirts; it's like a double whammy of cool, original style.  It was difficult to pick a favourite, but I'm very partial to the Chandelier print scarf.

 

pretty and funky = pretty funky! :)

So it looks like I won't have any trouble finding awesome handmade items locally.  Now I just need a job so I can splurge on some!  I'm also looking forward to checking out the local wears at the Hunt and Gather Trunk Show taking place next Sunday at the Workroom.  From what I can gather (heheh), a number of famed local crafters, artists and makers will be selling both their creations *and* vintage items they've collected.  Should be a great time!