killside krafts

new for renegade chicago: mini blackboard necklace and pennant banner

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

A few more new things for Renegade Chicago! Both are variations of the originals, but still fun!

New mini blackboard necklace with heart cutout:

And new mini blackboard banner - pennant style!

Okay, off to the airport to Chicago. See you there!

new for renegade chicago: stained baltic birch wood veneer journals

2011-09-08T00:46:00.000-04:00

A variation of the original Baltic birch cover journals for Renegade Chicago! This new version has been stained with a dark walnut wood stain. I think they look quite stately.

Excited to be bringing them to Chicago!

new for renegade chicago: plush birch log keychain

2011-09-06T22:35:00.000-04:00

New plush birch log keychain for Renegade Chicago!

The birch pattern is printed and designed by me! I've wanted to print my own log fabric for a while now and I finally got an opportunity to. Huzzah! I used the Print Gocco and I'm pretty pleased with the result.

Currently, there is only the plush version of the birch log keychains, but there are two versions of the original log keychains: plush and floating (they float on water. Really!)

If you're going to be at Renegade Chicago, come by our tent to check them out!

renegade craft fair: chicago

2011-09-05T19:46:00.011-04:00

Did I mention I am going to be at Renegade Craft Fair in Chicago? Well, I am, and I will be sharing a tent with Old Weston. September 10 and 11, along Division Street in Wicker Park. Hope to see you there!

I've made a few new things for Chicago, so I'll try to post those over the next few days. Exciting!

lightning strikes

2011-08-25T22:27:00.005-04:00

... the CN Tower. Light show from last night. Only realised that the lightning was hitting the tower at sort of regular intervals towards the end! I caught the least impressive bolt of lightning on camera. Darn.

(I like the photo on the right even if it's grainy and not completely in focus - the lightning disappearing looks awesome.)

the remains of rock oasis

2011-07-29T16:27:00.006-04:00

I can't believe I never went to Rock Oasis when it was at this location. Only a few minutes away (the new location is somewhere ridiculously east of here). Now it's just a pile of rubble.

I found this in the parking lot across the street as I was lamenting my missed opportunity. I really like random, colourful graffiti.

summerlicious 2011: king street social

2011-07-22T22:31:00.008-04:00

Summerlicious at King Street Social was delicious.

The grilled lobster, apple and smoked cheddar sandwich (it was like a super special grilled cheese sandwich) and the mango sorbet were excellent.

(I haven't even posted Winterlicious yet... where Far Niente totally cheated us of mango sorbet. When we ordered it they didn't tell us they were out! That was weak.)

the laser cutter

2011-06-26T11:41:00.006-04:00

Thanks for the sweet mention, The Laser Cutter!

More photos of killside krafts, uh, crafts, here.

paper hearts

2011-06-09T22:43:00.008-04:00

In keeping with my tradition of posting things at least a few (okay, 4 this time) months behind (and usually when I'm procrastinating), here's something from February (just in time for Ros day! Happy Ros Day!)

Ros had a lovely dinner party back in February and I only managed to get one shot of Ros' cozy abode as I was leaving:

And she gifted me with the cutest mug rug ever:

Yeah!

The ANTHOLOGY OF RAP Launch Party @ Type Books

2011-04-26T00:24:00.007-04:00

So... a million moons ago, Kalpna asked me to help her modify a ginormous t-shirt to create a dress for her to wear to The ANTHOLOGY OF RAP Launch Party at Type Books that she was organising.

We met up a few weeks before the event to have a delicious lunch at St. Lawrence Market. Oh, and to discuss the reconstruction of said t-shirt:

And in typical procrastinator fashion, we didn't get to making the dress until the weekend before the event. Kalpna came over and worked on her playlist for the party while I sewed and made her try on the dress about 50 times before we decided it was good enough. Making something for someone else to wear is HARD (even if it is a simple tube dress. Pfft.)

Finished product and random photos from the event below:

Check out Kalpna's awesome window display!

love and rummage 3

2011-03-17T22:45:00.007-04:00

Presented by the workroom and City of Craft, February 6, 2011.

I got there early so I could get free stuff:

But I bought some awesome stuff too. It's impossible not to.

More photos here somewhere.

wavelength eleven: day four

2011-03-08T16:02:00.009-05:00

What happened to day two and day three? Who knows. I spent them with my friends Laziness and Apathy. But on day four of Wavelength, we went to see Hooded Fang at The Great Hall. Things were going well until a group in front (it's always a group in front) decided it would be a good idea to dance aggressively. And by dance aggressively I mean pushing and shoving people. Oh well, I had moved up to the balcony for better photo opportunities by that point and was enjoying the view from there. My days of standing around in pushing and shoving crowds are over.

wavelength eleven: day one

2011-02-23T09:50:00.005-05:00

Went to a couple shows for this year's Wavelength (Wavelength 11th Anniversary Festival).

On day one, Sandi's band played at The Boat! Good times.

(Photos of Bruised Knees, The Guest Bedroom, and Anagram. Check them out!)

post city of craft haul

2011-01-26T12:39:00.005-05:00

In all the craziness of packing up and clearing out of City of Craft back in December, I didn't get a chance to pick up a few things from Deadweight as I had planned. So, Sandi and I got together recently to do a post City of Craft exchange. Fun times ensued. I was talking too fast and eating too slow so I completely forgot to take photos to commemorate our candle lit dinner at Le Petit Dejeuner. And the goods that were exchanged. Photo above was taken a few days later when I got unlazy and went outside when there was light. We all need some magic in our lives.

city of craft 2010!

2011-01-19T13:12:00.008-05:00

Another long overdue post, but you know. Things. Anyway, I had a terrific time at City of Craft this year! Everyone involved was amazing. And it was so inspiring to be surrounded by all that talent! It's been an honour to be invited to participate. Thanks for organizing such a great event, City of Craft!

Look at all the shiny happy people and shiny happy things!

This lady had the best accessory of the weekend: a knit chain necklace. She knit it herself!

More photos here.

An amazing end to a craftacular 2010!

buying handmade in 2010

2011-01-01T23:35:00.006-05:00

I am a billion years late in updating, but here are the awesome things I bought (or traded for) at A Handmade Holiday and City of Craft in December!

From A Handmade Holiday:

Orphan doll from ATAW illustration and design, screen print from Alex Westgate Design & Illustration and rolled up poster (it was a gift so I didn't take a photo, but it's a Stars poster) from Doublenaut

From City of Craft:

Trip Print Press; Doublenaut

Denture Thief (did I ever mention how much I love skulls?); Julie Moon (and hearts?); petit flaneur (and food?)

Needle Book (and robots?)

bespoke uprising (Super cute tea towels! Hm. I don't want to give them away anymore.) ; Trip Print Press

Old Weston (Who doesn't want to craft their day job?)

I also made money (with Miriam Grenville)!

This 2 dollar bill is pretty amazing. I still have to finish it with some sewing though.

And, while I was cleaning up the debris from the two shows, I came across this:

An original collaboration between my wonderful tablemates at A Handmade Holiday: Deadweight and ATAW illustration and design. Hahahaha. Product of our waiting between customers. My contribution is the paper, pen and a few random scribbles. I will frame this. Heh.

Happy 2011 everyone!

a handmade holiday 2010!

2010-12-13T13:28:00.006-05:00

Thank you to everyone who came out to support local and handmade!

A craft show just isn't complete until some kid manhandles your display...

Or spills some milk...

And thank you to Kid Icarus and Sewing School for organising a fantastic event! I had a super fun time.

t minus 4.5 days: a handmade holiday

2010-11-29T23:34:00.004-05:00

Come check out the show on Saturday, December 4, to support amazing local crafters/artists! You know you want to. Oh yeah, also, holiday shopping.

i hate winnipeg

2010-11-10T15:19:00.010-05:00

OT and I went to see the Toronto screening of We're The Weakerthans, We're From Winnipeg at The Royal as part of the Images Festival on October 18th. Highlights of the film include: awkwardness, John K. shaving while talking to the camera, John K. waxing poetic about clean laundry, the band canoeing, concert footage, roasting bacon wrapped marshmallows (...yeah). All in all, a very entertaining doc. Could've used a bit more behind the scene band footage and less concert footage, but, still fun! Oh yeah, and John K. did a short solo set before they showed the film. Nice!

happy 3 year anniversary, the workroom!

2010-10-21T13:15:00.009-04:00

I'm a week late posting this, but better late than never. Had a fantastic time at the workroom 3 year anniversary wine and cheese (neither of which are featured in the photos, because I was too busy consuming both...)

(a few more ~~funny~~ photos here.)

ALSO! I won the Heather Ross Far Far Away II fat quarter bundle! Happy days!

Happy 3 year anniversary, the workroom!

queen west art crawl 2010

2010-09-28T14:03:00.008-04:00

Sunday of the Queen West Art Crawl could not have been nicer. Aside from the fact that I was stung by a wasp (holy f*ckin' hell did that ever hurt). Several decades I've managed to avoid being stung by a wasp or bee and it had to happen on one of the nicest weekends. It figures. At least I have photos to remember the day by. Some taken before the sting and a few taken after. Medical emergency be damned, I have my priorities straight. Oh, and it was loads of fun helping Old Weston man her booth. Nicest display in the park, hands down. Don't know why Don McKellar walked right past. His loss!

The pencils were a big hit!

I couldn't resist and bought this amazing piece of embroidery. Skulls are the best. Look at how perfect the fabric is with the yellow lines running through it!

heart

2010-09-16T14:43:00.005-04:00

When I found out one of my favourite artists, Audrey Kawasaki, had laser engraved wooden brooches for sale, I couldn't resist. I had tried to get one of my favourite prints awhile back, but it sold out so quickly (that and I managed to click the wrong button...) Anyway, imagine my surprise when it turned out the brooch came with a laminated card of my favourite print (cropped, but it'll do)! Everything's coming up Milhouse!

and I'm leaning on this broken fence between past and present tense.

2010-09-03T11:44:00.006-04:00

So, my mp3 player died on my plane ride home and I didn't realise how much I depended on it. I'm sitting here going crazy because I can't listen to whatever I feel like while I'm doing mind numbing work. Anyhow, iPod nano (5th generation; none of that touch nonsense) in my future? I guess so.

Here's a music related image to accompany this post. I would like to listen to some Weakerthans right now (and, oddly enough, some Smashing Pumpkins - damn Scott Pilgrim, just watched it last night), but CBC Radio 3 will have to do.

may 25, 2010: the weaktherthans @ the horseshoe

scarf 1

2010-08-31T23:20:00.007-04:00

Made this scarf sometime in June (or maybe May? I can't remember!) The French General 'Rural Jardin' fabric I used is so nice and light and soft! It's perfect for a spring/summer/fall scarf (I'm so glad I brought this with me to Scotland. Saved me from the freezing temperatures in Edinburgh.) The ends were finished with some cotton lace trim from Mokuba. I wasn't sure how to finish the corners with the loose trim so I used Liberty of London Fairford to bind the corners. I think it worked pretty well. And I love all these colours together. The scarf measures approximately half a meter by two meters.

welcome home ebs!

2010-08-29T18:05:00.003-04:00

Went to pick up a few meters of this awesome Liberty of London ebs print fabric at the workroom a few days ago. I can't wait to make a dress out of it.

pedestrian sunday

2010-08-16T00:16:00.004-04:00

Just back in time for Pedestrian Sunday at Kensington Market today (yesterday?).

Thanks to Old Weston and Kid Icarus for inviting me to set up shop! And friends for stopping by!

I pretty much only took photos of Old Weston's display, so, enjoy!

nani iro fuccra

2010-07-14T21:23:00.005-04:00

My favourite Nani Iro double gauze design yet! I wanted to make a dress from this, but I'm really impatient and wanted to wear it right away, so I made a top instead. It started out as just the top of dress A from Stylish Dress Book 1, but I added some sleeves, opened the back up a bit and finished the bottom with a wide tie. So... it's kind of not really like dress A at all. No matter, I love this colourway and the double gauze is so nice to wear. It's so comfortable!

Thank you to Karyn for helping me take these headless shots! (I'm never doing self-portraits. It's way too hard.)

(Also, just ignore the loose threads everywhere. I had just finished the bucket hat class at the workroom and I forget to clean those loose threads off. I always forget!)

customize your own book cover: generation a

2010-06-11T12:23:00.008-04:00

Inspired by Customized Coupland, I made my own. I re-used some crumpled up kraft paper to wrap the cover, stamped it with white ink, and drew on the "a" (unfortunately in silver because my white pen dried out). I love how the used kraft paper gives the cover so much texture. (I even placed it so that there's a bit of a gradient in crumpling from the front right corner.)

I even added a bookmark!

fabric flower garland

2010-06-09T13:49:00.007-04:00

I made this fabric flower garland about a month ago for ot's belated birthday gift (it's a tradition - the belated part). Her signature colours are red, white and black (and sometimes grey.) I based it on this tutorial I found. I folded the squares a bit differently and placed two up and two down so the pattern sides are visible from the top and bottom.

I kind of liked it, so I made one for myself in orange, yellow and blue (my favourite is the orange chiyogami print.)

yard sale trunk show

2010-06-03T19:41:00.005-04:00

June 13, 2010 @ the workroom - fun guaranteed!

ocw magazine

2010-05-31T22:23:00.004-04:00

Killside Krafts got a super nice mention in OCW Magazine's blog! It's a neat independent, not-for-profit arts and culture magazine based in Vancouver, BC.

If there's one thing I want my books to ooze with, it's the "charm of something made by hand".

Thanks for the kind words and support, Tracy!

wild rabbit

2010-05-16T12:32:00.006-04:00

A few weekends ago, we found this guy (girl? I don't know, I'm going to assume he's male.) lazing under a tree in the backyard. Look how camouflaged he is! He was hard to spot from far away.

As soon as I took the photo, he bolted. I caught up to him a few seconds later on the other side of the trees.

I probably shouldn't have chased him, but it was fun.

say: all your bases belong to us

2010-04-13T16:48:00.004-04:00

April 8, 2010 @ Queen Elizabeth Theatre

kid icarus

2010-04-10T13:20:00.004-04:00

Dropped off a few books and logs at Kid Icarus earlier this week. Go visit and keep them company.

burger bar

2010-04-05T15:05:00.006-04:00

It looks like we spent hours at Burger Bar. But really, it went from light to dark in a very short period of time. My tealight candle holder spontaneously combusted. Well, it broke suddenly. Also, I am going to start drinking out of mason jars. It's fun.

mmm... diabetes

2010-04-01T08:37:00.003-04:00

Delicious.

bookbinding sunday

2010-03-18T13:10:00.007-04:00

On Sunday, a few crafty pals got together to attempt bookbinding. Snacks and paper were flying. We had a blast. Thanks to Jaime and Tanya for organising!

This time, I made my own cover (with the gray gingham fabric), but next time I'll attempt to use this cover (generously donated by Tanya):

And the result of Sunday's book wrangling (more photos than I've ever posted):

it's a pig

2010-02-17T13:59:00.010-05:00

A friend came by the trunk show last Sunday, took one look at the pink log and decided it should be a pig. And because I never turn down a challenge, a pig is what he got.

Stay still!:

Much better.

The nose is a little off-center looking, but I don't remember it looking like that in real life. Oh well. (Also, there are no eyes. I didn't think it would look good with eyes? I don't know. Too late now!)

The tail:

Thank you Karyn for providing the pink button nose and Rosalyn for the crafting inspiration for the ears and nose.

This little pig has since been packaged and shipped off to greener pastures. I hope.

i will live and die let the sea, the sea decide

2010-02-14T12:05:00.007-05:00

I don't know why, but I love sea/ocean themed things (does seafood count? Because I love seafood too). When I saw Tula Pink's preview for her Neptune line, I knew I had to get it all (I didn't; so disappointing!) and I couldn't resist Heather Ross' Mendocino fabric either (made dresses with fabric from both lines with contrasting pockets from the other, hahaha). Anyway, I found this emedemarta anchor pendant and knew I had to have it. It arrived late last week! Exciting times. The package and thank you note (handwritten note in the back!) were way too cute.

How could I not wear the anchor with the Deep Sea Neptune dress?

post love & rummage trunk show 2

2010-02-12T23:35:00.007-05:00

The show on Sunday was great fun! It was really nice meeting all the vendors while trying to peddle my wares.

OT came by and surprised me with some money jars by sweetie pie press! I thought there was only one (in a red pocket - great timing), but there were two! They're awesome. Then Rosalyn traded one of her fabulous wire crochet necklaces for a log and tag (hardly a fair exchange if you ask me, but she refused to accept my money... pfft.) Again, I only asked for one (a shiny copper one!) but found TWO. Love them. I've been wanting both these items since City of Craft in December. Success!

Thank you to City of Craft & the workroom for organising a great event.

(I had my camera with me the whole time but didn't manage to get any decent photos. Oops.)

love & rummage 2

2010-01-26T10:11:00.009-05:00

Come one, come all:

City of Craft & the workroom present
The Love & Rummage Trunk Show 2
Sunday February 7, 2010
Noon-5pm
the workroom
1340 Queen Street West

killside krafts promises that they will have something other than the meager offerings seen on this blog (although, don't we all wish john k was on sale? well, okay, just me.)

2009 holiday card, kraft paper and rock band

2009-12-28T21:07:00.017-05:00

My holiday card for 2009:

The card design was hand punched (I can't get enough of the tree punch.) The "snow" was created with two different bit sizes with the Japanese screw punch (it is also very awesome. I tracked it down at Lee Valley a few years ago.) and the eyelet in the top left corner was set using an eyelet setting tool that is way too easy and fun to use. The card is finished with a piece of hemp cord tied at the corner. I didn't have envelopes for the cards so I ended up re-using (environmentally friendly and economical!) some kraft paper (of which I have a lot from my many, many trips to The Paper Place) to make envelopes. I decided to try stamping with white ink and now I can't stop using white ink on kraft paper:

(This is why I make, like, 5 cards a year. It's so labour intensive. I need to come up with less complicated ideas.)

In non-craft related news (or the reason for why I haven't done any of the crafting I had planned for the holidays yet), I may or may not have spent upwards of 4 hours a day for 3 days straight playing Rock Band 1 and 2 (Rock Band 2 is so much easier! Classic rock and metal (metal!) are way too complicated.) on Wii. Despite the many hours of "band practice", I can't say that I've improved all that much in fake singing, fake guitar playing or fake drumming. Favourite fake instrument has got to be the drums though. They should have a fake keyboard. I think I would be better at that. At least the years of piano lessons should come in handy, right?

gifts

2009-12-26T19:46:00.007-05:00

I made this snap coin purse (drafted the pattern myself! I love how the lining fabric is perfect for the outside fabric, especially since I bought it to contrast with another fabric. It has gold leaves! I also love the Denyse Schmidt County Fair fabric) for a friend and I got this gift in the exchange:

It's a Raffy! Sweet! I had been thinking about getting one. I love it when people know exactly what I want.

I also made a few new books for a friend to give as gifts.

It's so hard to be productive during the holidays.

unproductive

2009-12-10T22:38:00.005-05:00

Meant to do a little crafting (gift-making catch-up) on Tuesday, but I got distracted by the delicious baked brie and cookies. It's hard to craft and eat at the same time. Priorities, you know.

Then I hopped over to the Dakota for the Basement Revue. Finally, some nice(r) photos of John K.

it's bigger on the inside!

2009-11-19T17:04:00.007-05:00

Boo to the naysayers. I like the new logo. Tardis shaped initials! (Which is the best part, and better than the current logo. Boring!)

random stuff

2009-09-09T23:09:00.012-04:00

Went to the workroom last night to get a fat quarter (or 20) to finish the straps of a dress I made on Labour Day. Time well spent (on both counts). I don't have a bias tape maker at home, so it took a lot less time to make my straps at the workroom. I can't tell you how amazing it is to use one. Ah.

I love using this cute cup to hold my thread.

I also made a new camera strap cover a few weeks ago (while having a Doctor Who marathon - on in the background) when I got tired of my Joel Dewberry woodgrain one. It's also a better fit. My old one kept slipping.

Liberty of London looks so happy.

Unrelated, I got this pocket watch necklace in Kyoto. Apparently it was made by some local artists who work at the store. It reminds me of a Time Lord's watch. Well, the back does anyway. I would like to be a Time Lord.

jetlagged

2009-07-24T17:57:00.008-04:00

Back from Japan for 4 days now and I'm still jetlagged. What's up with that?

Anyway, I'm so lazy with uploading photos that it will probably take me years to get through all the photos I took (too many). So here are a few to start (mostly for Yaz's sake. Heh.)

Flight to Tokyo. Exciting. (Look at the cloudlets!)

In-flight entertainment! Look what I found:

Another for Yaz :-D

So many hydrangeas.

vintage handkerchiefs

2009-06-15T14:07:00.005-04:00

A friend was cleaning out their linen closet and found these vintage handkerchiefs they bought at the Harbourfront Antique Market (used to be at Lower Spadina and Queens Quay) years ago. (Hm, I'm not sure how "vintage" some of them actually are, but they look pretty ~~old~~ vintage to me.)

Oh, now they're mine!

bag makeover

2009-06-08T23:42:00.014-04:00

This is what I did over the weekend - I covered a pretty hideous looking bag (that I did not make) with some gingham fabric. I won't talk about how long it took me to do this because it took longer than it should have. I will say, though, that I did it by hand.

And how the bag looks now:

Gingham fabric, is there anything you can't do?

(All this for a flimsy plastic bag. At least it's reusable...?)

new skirt.

2009-06-08T22:13:00.007-04:00

I've been wanting to make this skirt ever since I finished my last skirt. I finally got around to finishing it mid-May (and only got around to posting it now...)

As usual, I couldn't leave well enough alone. I added slash pockets to the original pattern with Kokka's Eiffel Tower fabric as the pocket lining and made a few small fabric covered buttons (using red-with-white-polka dot fabric I had left over from a previous project. Oh, and a button kit, because I don't actually know how to make buttons.) to use as details on the side of the left pocket.

Also: It's the matching skirt to this book!

welcome!

2009-05-21T20:51:00.006-04:00

I finally got around to making the banner. Bought two sets of cups, saucers and plates at an antique store the other day. Now we can have afternoon tea at home in style!