January 2, 2013 9

It’s still Wednesday

By in friends, love, work

I was sent this picture today and thought I should share it because we look so adorable in it. Me and my employer, Therasa. I’ve worked for her for more than 5 years now and most days feel like I am the third sister she never had (and realistically would probably hate me if I were, haha!). She is kind and funny and is a great distraction from days when my real life is getting me down.

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It’s pretty obvious I adore her.

I’ll post a picture of my haircut as soon as a decent picture of me is taken (this one is about 2 months old).

December 18, 2012 4

More about the new space

By in Art!, daily grind, work

Here are a couple more pictures that I posted on Instagram but probably need a more permanent home.

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My sewing area. I finally did a little Xmas sewing a couple days ago, that felt good.

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This is the other window, it’s in the middle of the south facing wall, between the previous window I posted and my sewing area.

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Nail art, across from the couch. I want it moved to the right another foot but that can wait.

I actually did a bunch of work on the space today, hung a ton of paintings and art, stashed what isn’t going to be displayed up in the loft, sorted out a pile of boxes, and organized storage. I also did a mountain of laundry, all folded and put away, went grocery shopping, made dinner, and swept. I spend a LOT of time sweeping here, the concrete floor is crumbling in spots and there is dust all the time. And the kitty litter is in the bathroom so that’s always a mess. It’s coming together and we are getting used to the noises and temperatures of a new home.

Tomorrow we are going to see The Hobbit.

December 13, 2012 3

Moving on

By in a good day, daily grind, love

Shannon and I moved on December 1. We actually traded spaces with a cooperative circus school, we went from about 3,500 square feet to about 1,000 square feet and the transition has been difficult and cathartic. We got rid of mountains of stuff, not only ours but furniture from the woman who had our old space before us. We hadn’t gotten rid of it because there was so much room, why bother? Our books got pared down from about 12 full cases to less than 3. We also sold and gave away lots of tools and art, art supplies and clothing.

Our new space is wonderful, full of natural light and I sure do like that. Still lots of room for suspensions There are issues that are taking time to get used to, the radiators are crazy loud and there is no escaping them, for instance. Our new bathroom only has a shower stall and I find it hard to navigate. There is very little in terms of storage and after years of unlimited space, that’s a funny one to suck up. I’ll also be using a laundromat for the first time in 4 years, I hope I survive.

Anyway. It was the worst move ever, in so many ways. I’m eternally grateful to our friends that helped out, especially Dave and his room mate, and Badur who always comes through. I’m also relieved that Shannon survived it all, I’d had my doubts leading up to the day but he seems so be in such better spirits lately, that’s encouraging.

When I’m feeling a little more settled, maybe in January, I’ll have an open house and invite everyone over.

Windows-good.

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October 10, 2012 8

Anxiety

By in hmmmm, making stuff is good, seriously?

My best friend and I have opened an etsy shop. We had been talking about collaborating for a long time and finally came up with a name, a logo, and stock. For some reason, however, I find myself completely unable to actually put my baby quilts in the shop. I have no real excuse for this, I’m sure it’s making my friend angry, but I just…can’t do it. In an ideal world all I would have to do is make the quilts and maybe take the pictures, and someone else would write a clever description, decide on a price, upload it all to etsy, field any and all questions, and deal with the post office. It sounds so stupid, in my head, out loud, and especially written down.

It takes me back to when I was in school and didn’t do homework or projects. Or practice music, or try at all at gymnastics. The only thing I’ve ever done that made me feel proud and brave was running the 100m sprint in grade 7, I came in first place. That is the first and last time I can remember feeling confident.

I promise, none of this is intentional, I hate it more than anyone who I’ve pissed off, I assure you. I just really, really, don’t want people looking at me, judging me, thinking about me. Maybe that makes no sense, especially with writing a blog that’s named after me, but there it is.

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You should buy the magic zigzag pillows, all of them, they are seriously fucking amazing.

September 28, 2012 3

Old dog, new tricks

By in making stuff is good

There’s this old footstool here, it’s incredibly ugly but a decent shape, so I’ve decided to recover it. Re cover. Which is it? I got some very awesome fabric and what I’m doing is called free motion quilting. You drop your feed dogs (the little teeth on your sewing machine that keep things flowing) and just sorta slide things around. I’m new to this, it seems that there is a bit of practice requires, but so far I’m very happy with the results. Not perfect but I’m digging the scribbled look.

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I was trying to go around the edges, haha. I’ll update footstool status as I get more finished.

September 20, 2012 7

Because no one asked

By in Art!, crochet, making stuff is good

I picked up 3 fat quarters of the new Heather Ross fabric, Nursery Versery, at The Workroom yesterday. Heather Ross is possibly my very best fabric designer and every time I look at the back of my green quilt I wish I’d saved some of her Far Far Away 2 line. Then I remember that it probably would have wasted it anyway and I’m glad there’s a big chunk to look at every night. Last night I looked around online and found some patchwork bath mats and I thought, hey, I could do that.

Then I thought, hey, I could do that with one fat quarter. Ok, two. The fq I used is one of the cheater prints, fakey patchwork. I cut that into 5″ squares, 12 of them. Then I dug through my scrap stash and pulled out various solids and prints and I very nearly used some vintage sheet squares from Ari’s Traveller quilt (the yellow and blue is from that, the light purple from my sister’s hst quilt!), then I dug through my pink pile and found this special circle print that Libs gave me and it seemed perfect. I used an old yellow towel for the back. The mats I found online didn’t use binding but I’m a weirdo that likes binding so I pieced together some yellows from my log cabin and voila!

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The binding is pretty brutal so if you’re ever visiting, don’t look too closely. I was going to use this opportunity to try out some free motion quilting but it’s so daunting I just went with white thread in the ditch and then straight lines of blue, pink, green, and orange.

So, who wants one? These might wind up on etsy.

September 19, 2012 4

Knitting season

By in Art!, crochet, making stuff is good

The weather has cooled considerably and I’ve resumed knitting. It helps that purl has posted a few simple but classic patterns. I also resume knitting this time of year because there is suddenly an influx of tv things to watch.

This is the second version of this hat I’ve knit this week. One may well wonder just how many hand knit hats I require. The answer is simple: all of them. This yarn is Madelinetosh merino and it’s gorgeous. This colour way is called Robin’s Egg.

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It’s soft and knits up quickly.

Have I mentioned the fish lately? Dylan, who was Donna’s replacement, has finally chilled out. Initially he was pretty scared and hid under rocks and was confused by Kelly’s desire to hide under him. I mean, really, she’s way bigger and it was pretty silly. Now he seems content to lurk at the surface and eat bubbles. All pet fish beg for food, I think, but for me it never gets boring. He is just about the cutest thing around and I’m hoping that when I move he comes with.

September 12, 2012 0

The fabric sitch.

By in Art!, caitlin's crap, making stuff is good

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about organizing a fabric swap. This has been rolling around in my brain for a while but has felt more urgent recently because I am moving and wouldn’t mind paring down Mount Fabric and because I started a project and want more assorted pink fabrics from other people’s stashes.

Pure selflessness. And greed.

Here is what I’ve started and can’t stop now:

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It will eventually be a 60″ square quilt made of navy+assorted pinks. I have made 455 half square triangles so far and need another 345 to start putting it together. I have a bunch of pink fat quarters in my stash and while I don’t mind cutting into them (well, sort of, like a lot of quilters my stash is almost as important as any finished project) I feel like it might be nice to have people give me pink scraps to use, that way they become part of the quilt.

I most probably should start going to the Toronto Modern Quilt Guild meetings again but they happen on the last Sunday of each month and somehow I’m always busy that day. Or forgetful.

Anyway, about the original thought, the fabric swap. Does anyone think this might be fun? Would straight up trading be good or would a point system work better? Can we make requests for specific fabrics? I have a couple dream things I’d like (hello, Heather Ross’ Far Far Away II!) if you have that. And I have the space to do this, who is with me?

September 9, 2012 18

Moving sale!

By in Art!, caitlin's crap, Old crap, seriously?, work

We are moving soon to a much smaller place and need to do some serious downsizing. If you have ever had your eye on any of our stuff, now is the time to speak up. Included, but not limited to, items are paintings, books, games, a boat motor, wood carving machine, tools, a Mustang, more books. I’d really like it if this could all go to homes where it is wanted, loved, and needed, rather than landfill.

Of course, I’m super reluctant to ship anything, so pick up is best. Plus then I’d hug you, win win.

August 28, 2012 0

On the road again

By in hmmmm, kitty

Sitting in a car for hours at a time isn’t my main idea of fun. I’m not able to focus on a book or video game and I can barely knit. Luckily this trip took us through some very beautiful states that I’d never been to before, namely Pennsylvania, West Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina. Lots of trees, lots of windy roads, lots of deer, lots of roadkill, lots of weather. And these guys.

Right in the middle of a 4 lane highway, enjoying the morning’s hit and run. I like the attitude on the little fellow, he’s already tired out from eating. I hope neither of them got smushed.

I don’t know what else to say. I’m tired and I need a few sleeps to gather my thoughts and feelings.

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