So I went downtown to the fabric district around Queen and Spadina in Toronto today to pick up a few supplies. I paid for more than enough parking time, and had over an hour left on my ticket as I was getting ready to leave. These two cute girls pulled up behind me as I was packing the stroller back in the car, and I spontaneously decided to give them my parking ticket with the extra hour.
On the way home while I was on the highway, I noticed that I had a parking ticket shoved in my windshield wipers. I thought, “that’s weird. Is that from this weekend, or just now? Did I miss a sign or something?” When I got a chance to look at it when I got home, it turned out it was from today, and the infraction was “failure to display reciept in windshield”. Which is total BS! I paid, and displayed – and those girls have my ticket to prove it.
So yeah, what are the chances. . . my spontaneous gesture costs me 30 bucks.
I am trying to quit attributing everything that happens in my life to some sort of mystical force, but really, why?
I’ve been workin my bum bum off on this! Please do me the honour of perusing my new webstore.
20% everything until June 30th. Coupon code- welcome20
I just came across this little nugget that I wrote five years ago, in an attempt to put myself in a nutshell.
“My aesthetic is based on a complex recipe of contradictions and loves. My inspirations can be somewhat cerebral, yet the outcome totally wearable. I believe in simplicity and functionality. But each piece will have an element of surprise and perhaps be a bit challenging, and require some guts from the wearer. I believe in the individual as a form of inspiration. I don’t design with a specific person in mind, but I get excited about maybe meeting the one who will fall in love with it. I use a lot of recycled materials, not because I feel the need to make a statement, but because it makes sense in a mathematical equation kind of way. X + scissors + sewing machine = Y I have a huge love for cotton, especially the vintage variety. So there you go, that’s what you get with me- maybe cotton, maybe recycled, definitely wearable, definitely loveable, 100% Canadian wholesome prairie wheat goodness.”
Still true. Especially the part in BOLD.
I’m a nerd. I like what I like. I just ordered these gems from L.L. Bean! Happy Birthday to me.
Black duckboots! So hardcore.
I also ordered these pants, which are embroidered all over with little ducks, impossible to tell from the crappy picture but they’re there. Oh yeah. I may have to alter them to make them skinny, we’ll see how they look. Then there will be nothing stopping their infinite coolness ; )
the embroidery!
the pants!
I was hoping to do this very thing for my imaginary fall 2010 collection. Read the blog post.
Oh, well. It’s pretty damn interesting how these things always happen to me. I should be recording all my ideas in hyperspace- my little contribution to the big picture.
I’ve been lucky to have some spare time in the recent past to complete a few sewing projects for our family, because I love to sew. I am trying to fill my suburban house with a little soul, you know? Future heirlooms, maybe.
The baptism dress I made Loenne, back in September. It is made of cotton, the skirt is 5 layers- 3 top layers with the scallopped bottoms, a layer of crinoline, and a cotton lining. I made about 50 of those scallops, that were then sewn on the dress. It is very heavy!
front
back
The stocking I made Loenne out of boiled wool, with appliqued ribbon details and double layer appliqued lettering.
A nifty make up bag I made a friend for her birthday. I’ve been contemplating this idea for years, and finally did it. I’ve been meaning to make another and take some better photos and sell them, somewhere. You can open it anywhere! I think it’s pretty cool. It’s a dozen zippers, a zigzag stitch, and some scrap leather.
A pillow- I know, just a pillow, but I love it. I found the fabric at my fave fabric store in Winnipeg, a soft brushed cotton with a wood grain print that was begging to be made into something representing a wood panelling basement. I’ve been meaning to make another with some kind of other carpentry references, perhaps multiple mitred corners. I am in love with anything wood, or faux wood these days. It cozies up my stark white kitchen and living room. The pillow is a basic pattern of strips and slot seams with a dark grey velvet behind.
More to come!
I had an interesting proposition last fall- make 60 Caninjas for ING Direct. How would something like this even come about? Well, the marketing/social media maven at ING- Gloria Chik- is a popular fashion blogger here in Toronto and I’ve known her for years. She approached me at the Clothing Show in September with the project, and thus the process began.
I usually make Caninjas out of sweaters or sweater fabric- and it is actually near impossible to find sweater fabric by the metre anywhere (believe me, I’ve done the research). It’s hit and miss and never would I find it in the trademark ING orange, so we opted for a jersey that was then printed by a printing house here in Toronto. The neat key print was designed by the in house graphic designer at ING.
The 60 completed ING-branded Caninjas were delivered on Christmas Eve morning last year. Things take a long time when there are so many parties involved! It was an interesting project that I would definitely take on again. In fact, I think the corporate division of Caninja was born. Watch out all you construction companies, film crews and postal workers. . . I’m coming after you this fall.
you must choose
As seen yesterday on Design For Mankind - I am challenging all you folks out there to send me your referrals.
Do you know a retail store in your city or town that you think should be selling Caninjas? Then email me at caninja@butikofer.com with the name and location and I’ll do the rest. If the store decides to carry Caninjas in the fall/winter 2011 season, YOU GET A FREE CANINJA! Isn’t that fun?
Click, click. Tappity tap tap. Easy!
p.s. Design For Mankind is an awe inspiring blog that you should definitely check out, love everything on there.
p.p.s. More Caninja fun added yesterday to the all new Caninja Etsy store. Mitts and Gypsies! More to come. 15% off everything until the end of January with the coupon code januarysale.
Caninjas now available on Etsy!
http://www.etsy.com/shop/caninja
15% off for the month of January with the coupon code januarysale
