winter time

a winter's tale - snow gently falling at twilight :: irene suchocki {ISphotography}

snow. something we rarely see this early here in vancouver, softly falling from a crisp grey sky. winter is here.

a grand giveaway.

do you remember these lovelies? back in the summer, my super talented friend jan of daisy janie asked me if i would make some sample peekaboo buckets with her organic fabric line, geo grand. of course, i was delighted, even a little giddy! this is the result of our collaboration, and off they went to pennsylvania to live with jan in her home studio.

fast forward a few months, and jan was prepping for her international quilt market debut, where she was set to reveal her newest organic fabric line, shades of grey. i was completely honoured when jan asked if she could take my buckets with her to market to display in her booth. if you haven't seen jan's blog post about her quilt market experience, you should definitely have a look. not only is the booth to-die-for gorgeous, but jan's story is inspiring and uplifting. she also won the award for best new exhibitor! awesome. i am so excited for her as she grows + nourishes her business. jan is definitely headed for huge things, and an amazing ride.

anyhow, this week, jan has been having a week full of giveaways on her blog. she is generously doling out some of the samples that made up her booth display at quilt market, and our nesting buckets are among the goodies up for grabs today!

it's super simple to enter, just leave a comment here on this post, and you're in. but wait! i do ask one favour. i'd love to hear what you would do with these buckets, if you won. can you think of a spot for them in your house, or what you'd store in them? be creative!

the giveaway is open until sunday november 21, 8pm eastern time. jan + i will pick one winner, to be revealed on monday.

:: edit - congrats to dani, who has won the nesting peekaboo buckets! ::

now that you're all pumped for giveaways, you should head on over to the daisy janie blog, where jan's giving away even more goodies.

and that's not all! another incredible talent, laura of pansy maiden, is giving away a stunning handbag that she made for jan.

so there you go, three giveaways today! good luck :)

circle craft :: in fashion

yesterday marked the opening of the 2010 circle craft christmas market here in vancouver. it's actually been several years since i've been able to get to circle craft. my husband + i used to make it there every year, but since i started my business, it's been way more difficult. it falls right in the middle of my busiest time of year, where i'm literally glued to my sewing machine. this year, however, i was able to get out and see some of the fresh new vendors.

i thought i'd share a few posts about my favourite things, beginning with some of the fashion + accessories. over the years, the fashion being shown at circle craft has definitely made the jump to being more modern + forward, often ecological, and definitely in tune with my style. here are a few of my faves.

images via wildhagenwear.com

i'll preface this by saying that i totally love hats. i would probably be happy to wear one every day. these hats by wildhagen out of toronto are absolutely incredible. it's hard to say, but i think my favourite is the top left, called the arctic fox. all the hats are very fashionable, beautifully made [in canada!], completely unique, and gorgeous. i'll take one of each, please. also, if i could look as good in said hats as the models, that would be great.

images via lilikoiclothing.com

also fun were the clothes from lilikoi. screenprinted illustrations on great looking tops, dresses, skirts, and bags. all sustainably + ethically handmade in canada, to boot. i especially love the inga top, shown above left in black with a fun skyline print.

images via shibangdesigns.com

i thought these cosmetic bags by shibang designs were simply gorgeous. layers of boldly coloured textile + thread adorn the simple pouches + bags, giving them a unique, fresh look. now i'm wishing i'd gone back and bought a couple for gifts, they were fantastic! designer robyn stevens studied textile arts at capilano university right here in north van, and then went on to complete a bfa at the nova scotia college of art and design. i definitely have my eye on that textiles program, i've heard that it is amazing.

one other textile artist i must mention in this post is designer jill harrop and her studio, heartfelt. her clothing, shawls, and scarves are fairly traded and then beautifully yet minimally embellished by the artist, with needle felted wool. the subtle colours woven into these natural textiles are just so lovely. i also love her philosophy on sustainably managed, minimal impact clothing. inspiring! visit her website to have a look at some images and find out more.

and, gloomy.

have you noticed that a lot of my finds have to do with the weather? well, i guess you can figure out what's coming down here in vancouver today. it's funny how the weather can shape your mood, at times. but today, i will try really hard not to feel as gloomy as it is outside. maybe some shopping would help.

images via shops as listed below.

original watercolor cloud dark droplets :: draw gabby draw

silver raindrop outline lariat :: paperface studio

mini notecards - weather pattern :: anna ruby king

clouds and stars pendant in polka dot fabric and denim :: verte adélie

it's not you.

dear blog,

it's not you, it's me. i am so sorry to have neglected you lately, but i am drowning in fabric + thread. i promise i will post when i can. it may not be much, but it's all i can do right now. i still love you.

xo,

lesley

it's not you it's me stamped moleskine :: one up designs

snow white buntings

i'm feeling a little festive after yesterday's shop update. these buntings are inspiring me to make some of my own for the holidays. my friend adele reminded me of this tutorial, i think i see some fabric flowers in my future.

images via sources as listed below, top to bottom

white felt garland {reserved} :: erin dollar

fancy edition pretty fabric garland white or cream :: hank + hunt

party bunting d - black and white :: paperklip design

book page garland :: dandee designs

it's beginning to look a lot like...

there was a healthy dusting of snow on the local mountains this morning, which seems like a fitting day to bring the holidays to my shop + blog. i gave my headers a mini festive makeover, what do you think? i also got my stockings listed today, head on over to have a look!

{edit :: the stockings were a hit! i'll be saving the rest as exclusives for my local craft shows. if you simply must have one, just contact me and we can chat about making some just for you!}

shift

now, these aren't as blatantly gold as what i shared yesterday, but they all have hints, and they are all a small step away from what i normally gravitate towards. lighter, brighter, fun. i'm enjoying the shift, seeing where my eye is drawn these days.

oh, and just because i can't get enough of pamela tang, i have to share this dress. love.

stripe sequin boatneck tee :: j.crew

silk peacock feathers - luxury clutch :: red ruby rose

glad rags t-straps :: seychelles, found at anthropologie

wool dress with stitched front panel :: pamela tang

what about you, do you find your tastes change and evolve? do you tend to follow trend, or just stick with your tried + true?

cast in a golden light

lately i've been finding myself drawn to sweet, delicate gold jewelry. i have always been a silver gal, but i'm loving the warmth + glow of yellow gold. perfect right now as we head towards some much cooler weather. maybe i need some of these to keep me warm.

images via shops as listed below, top to bottom

satellites :: elephantine

3 ophelia cuffs :: lotus stone jewelry

saving grace :: elephantine

tiny luck necklace :: beau & stella

smidgebox stockings

november first. seriously? wow. there is a whole lot of stuff to get ready around here. i have a huge amount of sewing to do to prepare for my two big craft shows {here and here}, and i can't wait to get my holiday stuff rolled out in my shop!

so, i thought i'd share a little sneak peek of my first line of christmas stockings! of course, they have peek-a-boo appliques, i just can't help myself. there will be kiddo friendly styles, more grown-up versions, and eventually a collection of linen stockings for the peek-a-boo naturals holiday line.

i just love the little squirrel, isn't it the sweetest? i'm glad now that i hoarded this fabric for so long, it is so perfect for holidays.

anyhow, joining the stockings for my 2010 holiday line will be fabric buckets + mini buckets + pouches, all holiday styles. stay tuned!