There's a great event happening in Vancouver June 18, 2011.  It's called Swap-o-rama-rama and it's part giant clothing swap, and part diy clothes refashioning.

Description:
The core of the swap is the gigantic pile of free clothing sorted into categories such as pants, skirts, shirts, shoes etc. These piles are the collective total of each guest’s contribution of any size bag of unwanted clothes, so start cleaning your closets! Take as little or as much as you like! All remainders go to local charities.

A series of DIY stations will be on-hand to unleash your creativity through the recycling of used clothing including screen printing by Blim and sewing stations by Spool of Thread.

Where/when:
Museum of Vancouver   (1100 Chestnut Street,  Vancouver, BC)
Saturday June 18th, 2011     11 am - 4pm

Admission: $6 + bag of clean clothes to contribute

Details here: http://swapvancouver.tumblr.com/

There's a great event happening in Vancouver June 18, 2011.  It's called Swap-o-rama-rama and it's part giant clothing swap, and part diy clothes refashioning. 

Description:
The core of the swap is the gigantic pile of free clothing sorted into categories such as pants, skirts, shirts, shoes etc. These piles are the collective total of each guest’s contribution of any size bag of unwanted clothes, so start cleaning your closets! Take as little or as much as you like! All remainders go to local charities.

A series of DIY stations will be on-hand to unleash your creativity through the recycling of used clothing including screen printing by Blim and sewing stations by Spool of Thread.

Where/when:
Museum of Vancouver   (1100 Chestnut Street,  Vancouver, BC)
Saturday June 18th, 2011     11 am - 4pm

Admission: $6 + bag of clean clothes to contribute

Details here: http://swapvancouver.tumblr.com/

I actually started to make a blanket with a different pattern, but got 1/4 of the way through and wasn't happy with it, so I went back to a pattern I know makes lovely blankets: the Tiramisu!    It makes a nice, thick blanket which I'm told is a good play surface for little ones because it's so cushy.   

Link to the fabulous free pattern: http://rosylittlethings.typepad.com/TiramisuBlanket.pdf

Used Elann's superwash bamboo yarn which wasn't terribly soft as I was working with it, but after a soak/wash it became much softer. 

Photos!
 

A Michaels is opening in Vancouver!   On Broadway @ Heather (in the old London Drugs storefront), near Broadway & Cambie.   A Michaels in Vancouver proper, finally!!       The sign says it's opening Fall 2010.... so a bit of a wait yet.   Thought I'd share the news!

I started down the craft road as a beader and for a long time did nothing but beadwork.  Then I learned to crochet, and sew, and weave.... and my beads didn't get out much.   Lately I've started to get the urge to play with them again and have some finished projects to show off!

The pendant I started over a year ago and just lost all enthusiasm for (all that wire wrapping!)... but I'm super glad I finished it, I think the end product is pretty special.   The chain necklace I whipped up much faster, it's a simple asymmetrical dealie.       It's good to have finished projects to show!

[excuse the large images!]

I snagged a nifty small floor loom a few months ago - so happy to find something that (sort of) fit into my tiny apartment.   Over the holidays I got a chance to warp it up finally!    I used some yarn I had on hand that I recycled from an ugly sweater (it's an angora/wool blend, super soft).   I didn't do anything complicated, since it was my first go on a floor loom ever!

Once warped up it went really quickly.   I still have to finish the edges and wash it so it'll relax but I couldn't wait to show it off....

here's the floor loom, and my view while weaving (of the heritage house next door):


And here's the almost finished product:

 

My first finished project of 09.... it's a small one, but it's done and I love it!

It's the Divine hat - pattern here: http://www.rheatheylia.com/index.php?page=patterns&id=0

Done in Bernat Satin yarn in a fantastic purple colour.   I love this hat!

I went to London last year to visit my sister, which was awesome. She lived in Notting Hill at the time and I loved the neighbourhood - the streets with picture perfect Georgian rowhouses... I'm a sucker for that stuff. There was one cute little shop there full of delightful things that you would expect to find in a charming, quirky shop in Notting Hill. Including a fabulous umbrella. I loved it, had to have it. Bought it. Forgot that I still had several international flights ahead of me. Needless to say, the umbrella did not survive the baggage handlers. So, I mourned my umbrella - Vancouver would have given it lots of use too.

Here it is being enjoyed by my cat. Notice the handle has broken off. It took forever to get the umbrella open once it had broken.... then we couldn't get it closed again. It sat around, open, looking sad for a while.


Then, inspired by a friend, I decided to use the leftovers as a light cover!

I had a drab, boring light in the little entryway alcove to my tiny apartment so I decided to string it up there. A hacksaw shortened the remainder of the pole, and then it was just a matter of some eyehooks screwed into the ceiling and some wire - and - bob's your uncle - it was done.

Here are the before shots (yawn) - we've got nice high ceilings, otherwise this wouldn't have worked:
 

And after - much sassier, I think:


I encourage everyone to use pretty umbrellas as light covers!

Anyone know of a place I can find padding compound (the glue for making notepads) in the Vancouver area?   Or do I have to order online and wait?   

I made this super simple scarf following this pattern: http://littlesliceoflife.wordpress.com/2008/09/02/cascade-scarf/

I think it turned out pretty and romantic-looking.... and it means I've finished one christmas present !  whoo!