tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45146014217450704672012-01-23T22:19:49.996-05:00roisinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04706058594594137539noreply@blogger.comBlogger3001100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4514601421745070467.post-1242692332870737662012-01-12T15:38:00.003-05:002012-01-12T16:05:37.736-05:00

back in Calgary at ACAD for the winter term - so far, relatively mild weather, and lots of wonderful sun. it's great to see faculty and students from last year, and to see what they've been up to. I'm living near a fantastic bakery, Prairie Mill, and have been enjoying their great sourdough bread. Also perusing the great range of microbrew beer available here - above is Phillips Brewery

roisinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04706058594594137539noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4514601421745070467.post-59060333565186802602011-12-09T18:07:00.002-05:002011-12-09T18:17:59.157-05:00

wow, tomorrow is city of craft already! also, I haven't blogged in almost two months. I've managed to wrangle up some non-existent time to print a fun gift for the amazing volunteers at the show. pardon the crap colour in the photo, this was at four in the morning, or something like that. I'm at that point where everything is taking me waaay longer than it should, and I've got the coffee

roisinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04706058594594137539noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4514601421745070467.post-53375762454938354762011-10-14T09:35:00.000-04:002011-10-14T09:38:29.560-04:00

happenig tonight, finally!

roisinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04706058594594137539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4514601421745070467.post-66414012599148462522011-10-11T09:45:00.003-04:002011-10-11T09:54:27.742-04:00

hamilton is wonderful in so many ways - one of them is the system of parks and waterfalls directly in the city. over the glorious holiday weekend, we took a day to celebrate my 30th birthday, just the two of us, and went for a hike to albion falls.honestly, I haven't altered the colour on these at all. it was such a spectacular weekend, warm [even hot!] sunny weather, clear blue skies and

roisinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04706058594594137539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4514601421745070467.post-30534930513704484862011-09-23T11:32:00.002-04:002011-09-23T11:34:39.640-04:00

I'm in Montreal for the PucesPOP show this weekend - as well as croissants, bagels, beer, and cheese. I had packed my laptop so that I could hopefully blog everyday, but of course forgot that bag at our apartment, in the hall. thanks to our cat-sitter heather for rescuing it, and thankfully I didn't leave it on the fire escape, as I thought.

roisinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04706058594594137539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4514601421745070467.post-31720288617292204522011-09-01T08:50:00.002-04:002011-09-01T08:55:49.383-04:00

I get asked for smaller items a lot - these zippered pouches made their debut at the beehive show, and I'm busy making more for the PucecPOP show, and maybe Supercrawl. I'm still debating opening the studio for Supercrawl, it is only 9 days away, and between now and then we are heading up to the farm for the long weekend, i start teaching again, and I also have two other jobs here in Hamilton.

roisinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04706058594594137539noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4514601421745070467.post-28178662957675747212011-08-29T12:56:00.002-04:002011-08-29T12:59:40.571-04:00

a new pattern, or rather, two new related ones. based on ikat weaving, I'm layering and experimenting with scale and grid. burlesque in a new colourway, teal & coral. I can't stop printing some of my most successful prints, so to keep it interesting for me, I change up the colours.

roisinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04706058594594137539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4514601421745070467.post-64687257538419109862011-08-26T10:34:00.002-04:002011-08-26T10:46:34.299-04:00

finally received my new camera battery charger in the mail, I've had so much going on, and it has been hard not to have a camera around. my studio has a big back deck, and along with basil and dill for eating, I have about 40 marigold plants that I am harvesting for dyeing. above, new work in the dyepot. and here, one of five new scarves I made for the beehive craft fair, the only one

roisinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04706058594594137539noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4514601421745070467.post-23856736394365856112011-08-11T15:41:00.002-04:002011-08-11T15:43:51.328-04:00

happening this weekend in Hamilton - hope to see you there! I have some new things that I've been working on that I'm excited about, but haven't been able to photograph - I haven't been able to find my camera battery charger since we moved. I tried to buy one the other day downtown, but there isn't one available. I've purchased one online, and hope that it arrives soon.

roisinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04706058594594137539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4514601421745070467.post-1166024026331571572011-07-27T07:00:00.000-04:002011-07-27T07:00:16.994-04:00

while out walking in our great new city, ted & I discovered that wild black raspberries grow everywhere here. he's been getting up early on the weekends, really early, and going out picking. I went with him one morning, but I'm a bit unreasonable before breakfast, so he goes by himself now.I think he's picked about a dozen pints now, and he's made the tastiest wild black raspberry jam. these

roisinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04706058594594137539noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4514601421745070467.post-42092504242167400972011-07-26T11:17:00.002-04:002011-07-26T11:42:18.946-04:00

a peek at what I spent some of my Calgary evenings doing. above, teeny tiny circles/squares on indigo dyed cotton. below, the pattern I drew up and worked with throughout the term. I like to take one pattern and alter it to use in a variety of demos from repeat printing to multi-colour printing and layering, layering, layering. for this one, I used my collection of vintage hangers as

roisinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04706058594594137539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4514601421745070467.post-20163546821343454592011-07-20T12:21:00.002-04:002011-07-20T12:24:55.659-04:00

my canning jars fabric was used by Ellen Baker of The Long Thread for a project in her new book. the pattern for the lovely lunch bag is being shared on the sew mama, sew! blog, here.

roisinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04706058594594137539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4514601421745070467.post-85757134613855628312011-07-07T11:35:00.002-04:002011-07-07T12:08:05.514-04:00

things that are great - getting to spend time with these two - little Roisin picking strawberries right off the plant at the Buttrum farm. just after this, she started learning over and biting them off the plants, saving time, I guess.staying hydrated while weeding the turnips and dill. what a dry few weeks its been . never thought I'd say it after the tremendous rains of spring, but I'm

roisinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04706058594594137539noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4514601421745070467.post-81422838681550001592011-06-11T15:27:00.003-04:002011-06-11T15:29:02.895-04:00

gary has been working away on the studio, and took this photo after sealing the floors. such a beautiful space!

roisinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04706058594594137539noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4514601421745070467.post-21954611203541829972011-05-13T15:43:00.002-04:002011-05-13T15:45:18.127-04:00

after a long silence - I am back from Calgary, and have been madly packing and purging since. we are almost done the move to Hamilton, with special thanks to my brother and Masayo for all of their help. the new landlord here in London will be tearing down all the trees, including this huge black walnut - to put in a parking lot.

roisinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04706058594594137539noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4514601421745070467.post-40102451588189867522011-03-22T17:19:00.001-04:002011-03-22T17:21:13.060-04:00

I've loved these for a long time now - I can just imagine the sound that the porcelain leaves would make hanging from my ears.

roisinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04706058594594137539noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4514601421745070467.post-29653584796301303682011-03-17T03:17:00.003-04:002011-03-22T17:19:23.021-04:00

I was searching for some form of my work to bring with to Calgary, and chose embroidery - something that I love to do, but rarely find the time. it is also small and compact, perfect for traveling. above is one of two that I have completed using naturally dyed threads and screenprinting, part of a set of two available in the ACAD Fibre Department miniature show and silent auction, which closes

roisinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04706058594594137539noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4514601421745070467.post-20866549287952654962011-03-13T12:24:00.002-04:002011-03-13T12:30:50.191-04:00

what is there to be said? I am grateful that my family, though in the northeast, are safe. they sent videos today of the baby delighting in eating pasta, and of the sunset - so glad that they have the little one to offer a simple perspective. this is the most interesting set of photos that I've found.

roisinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04706058594594137539noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4514601421745070467.post-14061374000924745592011-03-09T00:59:00.003-05:002011-03-09T23:09:31.488-05:00

is anyone there anymore? I feel like I lost the conversation I had going, by being so slack in the blogging department! because you can't have nice things happen without immediately something bad happening:on the same day ted got my grant news, we also got an eviction notice from our landlord, so out we go. it is, of course, more complicated than that, but is also a long, boring story. if

roisinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04706058594594137539noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4514601421745070467.post-78130363026069491702011-03-09T00:43:00.000-05:002011-03-09T00:44:25.023-05:00

because I love art with a sense of humour. via kottke.

roisinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04706058594594137539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4514601421745070467.post-75395402373699334812011-03-03T11:54:00.001-05:002011-03-03T11:56:45.952-05:00

oh my goodness - I've been awarded a grant from the ontario arts council! I've been pestering ted every day for a month, sometimes several times a day, to check the mailbox since I am out in calgary and the results were to be mailed to my home in london.

roisinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04706058594594137539noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4514601421745070467.post-83968851226197269222011-02-24T00:38:00.003-05:002011-02-24T00:47:01.738-05:00

things I've been missing, while in calgary. I'm home for reading week, and think going back will be harder than leaving in the first place. the light in our flat, especially in the bedroom in the afternoon, especially as spring gets closer.my own mugs and other lovely objects that I'd clearly been taking for granted. living in a student house with it's eclectic collection of mainly booze-themed

roisinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04706058594594137539noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4514601421745070467.post-57607473349963465442011-02-13T17:43:00.001-05:002011-02-13T17:44:18.612-05:00

happy birthday to my brother in japan, where his birthday comes a day early. we love you, old fart!

roisinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04706058594594137539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4514601421745070467.post-75464582822824879302011-02-06T20:14:00.002-05:002011-02-06T20:26:30.759-05:00

I was invited to go on a mini fibre retreat to canmore with some of the women in contextual, a studio group here in calgary. It was a gorgeous weekend, and having never been to the Rockies, I fell like I was a little spoiled by our location and activities. This is what the day looked like when we woke up saturday morning.some of us went cross country skiing, something I hadn't done since I was

roisinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04706058594594137539noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4514601421745070467.post-49749576306345250422011-01-15T15:57:00.002-05:002011-01-15T16:09:47.826-05:00

settling in a bit in calgary - the school is up on a hill overlooking the city, and the views from the fibre studios are gorgeous. there is a balcony off the print studio that is great - this is looking out towards where I am living.this is my main classroom, with 6 print tables! a fabulous space with great windows and lots of space to work in. interesting to note that ACAD has the same carpet

roisinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04706058594594137539noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4514601421745070467.post-67866159573349856972011-01-03T18:26:00.002-05:002011-01-03T18:33:14.967-05:00

two of my three orchids - one purchased at last spring's london orchid society show, and another a gift from my fella - have decided to bloom while I'm gone. I've never had two flower spikes on one plant before. here's hoping ted can keep them alive and happy to enjoy and document the flowers for me.speaking of going. I never really mentioned it here, but I leave for calgary tomorrow, to teach

roisinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04706058594594137539noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4514601421745070467.post-49906952744857941422010-12-28T23:36:00.003-05:002010-12-29T11:16:36.853-05:00

since city of craft, I thought I'd have a few days to relax and maybe do nothing, but it seems to be all rush in preparation for the big move to calgary. I've been trying to take the time in my life to enjoy the company of some of my best friends, above, who have been with me since 1995 or so. we reunite as often as we can, and almost always at lauren's annual holiday party. cara even left her

roisinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04706058594594137539noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4514601421745070467.post-46712930889066636482010-12-16T19:10:00.001-05:002010-12-16T19:11:58.067-05:00

I made ribbons for vendors and volunteers to wear at the city of craft show - you can read a bit more about them [and a lot more about the show] here.

roisinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04706058594594137539noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4514601421745070467.post-70777687915227125682010-12-14T16:16:00.000-05:002010-12-14T16:17:31.655-05:00

it just keeps coming...

roisinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04706058594594137539noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4514601421745070467.post-25946199389580321222010-12-11T23:58:00.001-05:002010-12-12T00:01:27.887-05:00

so much of it!I returned from a much needed trip to halifax very late on Tuesday, after the city of london had been getting big snow squalls for four days. the city was essentially shut down - schools, post offices, shops, airport, everything closed for three whole days. it was unbelievable, there was nothing when I left on friday, and nothing about a half hour past the city. my flight got into

roisinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04706058594594137539noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4514601421745070467.post-64604546933009556162010-12-02T18:48:00.002-05:002010-12-02T18:51:24.328-05:00

leaving tomorrow for halifax - can't wait to see everyone I so dearly miss. busy night of packing, teaching in the morning, popping by the sheridan textiles sale at the workroom, and then off to the airport. my favorite part of flying to halifax is seeing kyla at the airport. she always picks me up, and it's always one of those scenes where she is on the other side of the security door jumping

roisinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04706058594594137539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4514601421745070467.post-68402183246075636192010-12-01T18:07:00.002-05:002010-12-01T18:10:45.899-05:00

I've never made anything so holiday-themed! a set of fifteen little trees, each made of six layers of hand-dyed fabric, and decorated with tiny strands of bunting. ted made a spice mix that smells like delicious baked things, and i popped a little in with the raw cotton stuffing. these are now on their way to bookhou for the ornament show.

roisinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04706058594594137539noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4514601421745070467.post-25904682780788036442010-11-23T11:09:00.001-05:002010-11-23T11:11:29.644-05:00

wonderful product shots of soap - such great styling. by prunella soaps of portland, oregon [must get to that city].

roisinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04706058594594137539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4514601421745070467.post-33020006989413235422010-11-22T14:30:00.002-05:002010-11-22T14:32:58.265-05:00

I've finisher re-drawing the farm fields pattern, and here is the result. I decided to make the colours a little warmer and richer, and switch up the crown jar contents from beets to beans, too. the original colours were so bright, and very hard to photograph. I love this shade of green, and the rust-red barn.

roisinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04706058594594137539noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4514601421745070467.post-57445097013566669452010-11-21T21:04:00.002-05:002010-11-21T21:17:12.723-05:00

this is chantilly [great name!]. I met her recently in montreal, when we were across from each other at the puces pop show. we did a trade, and she wrote about it in the nicest, sweetest way. I'm still glowing, and blushing about all the great things she said.

roisinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04706058594594137539noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4514601421745070467.post-64605709832829642010-11-16T12:28:00.002-05:002010-11-16T12:31:19.197-05:00

a new book in the mail, just released the other day. I've been waiting for this - Karen Diadick Cassleman is a brilliant woman and knows so much about natural dyes.re-drawing my farm pattern - going from two colours to one, so I have to combine the field and object images onto one piece of tracing paper to expose onto my screen. I think I'll stick with the green, the orange always does this

roisinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04706058594594137539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4514601421745070467.post-32569577942483939692010-11-10T14:53:00.004-05:002010-11-10T14:57:09.009-05:00

I won a giveaway over on the inkello blog - christy is a letterpress printer in kansas, and did a draw for one of her lovely matchbook calendars. I chose the tomato red one, I love colours named after food.

roisinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04706058594594137539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4514601421745070467.post-16703003599115366482010-11-04T14:18:00.002-04:002010-11-04T14:21:44.266-04:00

I'll be at an opening tonight at the OCC on Queen Street - I have a piece in the show, as well as a square in the quilt featured, as well. I hope to stop in to see arounna and john, as well as karyn. I also hope to take a good photo of my work in the show, as it is something I always forget to do.

roisinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04706058594594137539noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4514601421745070467.post-7470362250263066692010-10-25T10:08:00.002-04:002010-10-25T10:11:47.061-04:00

I'm a part of the poppytalk handmade market for the next few months - such fun to be included with so many other great artists and craftspeople.

roisinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04706058594594137539noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4514601421745070467.post-4848688334837910452010-10-19T21:00:00.002-04:002010-10-19T21:07:49.875-04:00

taken thanksgiving weekend, early on Sunday, when it was still scarf weather, and before it went up to 24 degrees. my mom and I get our potatoes from a farm not far from my parents' house, and at this time of the year he has a wagon of pumpkins and gourds out, too - and really good prices. he was out and about while we were there, and told us that his four kids run the stand, and earn the money

roisinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04706058594594137539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4514601421745070467.post-86321580406272705842010-10-17T11:27:00.000-04:002010-10-17T11:28:40.521-04:00

happy birthday to a lovely little niece - one year today. hope to see you soon!

roisinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04706058594594137539noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4514601421745070467.post-76932804058503950702010-10-07T12:45:00.003-04:002010-10-07T12:56:00.322-04:00

we found the patisserie Maestro Traiteur last year when we went to Puces Pop - it is on St-Viateur, the same street as the craft show venue, and so is perfect for croissants and café au lait on the Saturday before the show. closed Sunday, but we went back monday and tuesday. a new find - fuchsia epicerie fluer on the corner of duluth and coloniale - rose petals on the café au lait, fresh orange

roisinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04706058594594137539noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4514601421745070467.post-43850496688923914352010-10-01T18:10:00.002-04:002010-10-01T18:14:38.818-04:00

we are on the train headed to montréal for the puces pop craft fair this weekend. the trees are all orange and red and yellow, it is such a nice time of year to travel by train. if you're in montréal this weekend, stop by St. Michel's church on St. Viateur and St. Urbain and visit myself, arounna and davis. I'll be eating as many croissants and bagels as I can this weekend.

roisinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04706058594594137539noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4514601421745070467.post-12582159882656775212010-09-28T13:51:00.002-04:002010-09-28T13:59:27.276-04:00

we've had a bit of a sick cat on our hands for about a month now - poor guy is overgrooming, we think due to allergies. we tried the vet route, and he just got sicker, so we went to the little pet store here in wortley village, A Village Tail. they recommended a new type of food, and some homeopathic drops for irritated skin, and they seem to be doing the trick. much cheaper than the vet trip,

roisinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04706058594594137539noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4514601421745070467.post-13823283760097619372010-09-27T13:39:00.002-04:002010-09-27T13:42:53.448-04:00

busily working away for the montreal puces pop show this weekend, and trying to remember to properly document my work. above are three of the pieces form the show I had at bookhou in June - wonderful to make non-production work sometimes.

roisinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04706058594594137539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4514601421745070467.post-11487927431170868852010-09-20T14:46:00.002-04:002010-09-20T14:49:20.641-04:00

doily teatowel sets are now available in the etsy shop, and at distill in toronto.

roisinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04706058594594137539noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4514601421745070467.post-85275336565148242512010-09-16T11:45:00.005-04:002010-09-16T12:03:42.197-04:00

thanks to all who stopped by during the cabbagetown show - the weather held out for us, and it was a beautiful weekend.to celebrate fall, and a lovely rainy day [I miss the maritime rain], I'm having a fabric sale in my etsy shop, until monday.

roisinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04706058594594137539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4514601421745070467.post-5762640700205046562010-09-09T20:41:00.003-04:002010-09-09T20:47:01.247-04:00

tomorrow is going to be one of the busiest days of my life - the cabbagetown art & craft festival starts, and I also begin teaching the first year fibre students at sheridan college. thanks goodness for ted, and good friends like kate and lee, who are also doing the show and will help out tomorrow.

roisinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04706058594594137539noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4514601421745070467.post-29734893016857276262010-09-07T16:43:00.002-04:002010-09-07T16:46:46.929-04:00

all from our little garden out back - raspberries, red bell pepper, poblano peppers,two-legged carrot, scotch bonnet [maybe] pepper, round yellow cucumbers, roma tomato and a giant green-yellow heirloom tomato. we have trouble with root veggies, our soil is so heavy and compact with clay. we thought we worked in enough sand and compost, but all our radishes, parsnips and carrots are stubby.

roisinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04706058594594137539noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4514601421745070467.post-21438596893132301392010-09-06T10:27:00.002-04:002010-09-06T10:32:09.892-04:00

...#45, Kate Jackson! [one comment taken out of the running, as it was a duplicate]. actually, the first number turned out to by my comment, but I thought that I shouldn't give them to myself :) send me a note, kate - roisin at roisin dot ca - and I'll send you a fun parcel.if you're feeling sad - head over to arounna's blog for her wonderful back-to-school giveaway.

roisinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04706058594594137539noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4514601421745070467.post-92186960621297319372010-09-05T02:35:00.002-04:002010-09-06T01:28:00.672-04:00

look at this - I noticed a new 'heart'on Etsy [found with the Heart-o-Matic], from a shop called FlowerPress. turns out, she also likes teatowels, and doilies! here is her interpretation:and, a quick etsy search found these two others, by littleclouds and artgoodies. so much fun - I'm going to see if they all want to do a doily-teatowel swap with me, so that I can have a collection, a sort of

roisinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04706058594594137539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4514601421745070467.post-38586781193735033402010-09-04T01:18:00.003-04:002010-09-04T10:21:33.523-04:00

I realize that I am outing myself as a bit of a crazy cat lady here - but how great are these custom cat portraits by sian? I would love a pair of our chubby fellas.

roisinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04706058594594137539noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4514601421745070467.post-37138072882367382662010-09-03T12:04:00.003-04:002010-09-03T14:58:22.678-04:00

we went to the masonville farmer's market this morning in the torrential rain and were rewarded with these gigantic puffball mushrooms! they are one of the strangest things I've ever seen - we are taking them to ted's family camp-out this weekend, to slice and fry in butter like giant mushroom steaks.I think that they look like the moon with all those craters. the woman selling them says that

roisinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04706058594594137539noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4514601421745070467.post-47056615149155294372010-09-02T10:44:00.002-04:002010-09-02T10:47:17.154-04:00

here they are - I am loving plummy mauves lately. to celebrate these new teatowels, I'm giving away a set. Please leave me a comment, and I'll use the random number generator on monday to choose someone.

roisinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04706058594594137539noreply@blogger.com51tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4514601421745070467.post-11091623978935735162010-09-01T12:19:00.002-04:002010-09-01T12:27:37.173-04:00

this is how I feel, too - it is so hot again. I just want to nap all day in front of a fan like the cats.

roisinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04706058594594137539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4514601421745070467.post-65517241364245456532010-08-31T21:21:00.000-04:002010-08-31T21:21:00.915-04:00

this was what awaited me when I got home one day a few weeks ago - forgot to post about it until now. the delivery man was less than thrilled about the construction on our street - he had to haul a huge heavy bundle [somewhat resembling a dead body] up the street and our driveway - all gravel.

roisinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04706058594594137539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4514601421745070467.post-2014580236015042302010-08-31T14:19:00.002-04:002010-08-31T14:21:06.722-04:00

new pattern - my love of fabric structures and vintage shopping is creeping into my drawings! now to decide on colours... any thoughts? I'm thinking plum and another colour - soft grey?

roisinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04706058594594137539noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4514601421745070467.post-26422444060829810672010-08-27T11:14:00.000-04:002010-08-27T11:15:51.378-04:00

so excited.

roisinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04706058594594137539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4514601421745070467.post-33788612288983395742010-08-25T11:58:00.002-04:002010-08-25T12:07:22.953-04:00

new bags - its been a good couple of weeks for me, both creatively and work-wise. I hadn't been to a fabric store in a long time, usually just ordering from wholesalers over the phone or through email. I found some wonderful materials and inspiration in the sale section, and came home and sketched some bags, which then took me two days to work out and make.shoulder bag with stitch line on the

roisinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04706058594594137539noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4514601421745070467.post-75206083736456193532010-08-24T11:09:00.003-04:002010-08-24T11:14:35.889-04:00

I scattered a packet of poppy seeds back in the spring, to fill in some of the spaces around the peppers and marigolds. they are gradually blooming, and are so delicate and beautiful.we went with my mom to her favorite garden centre, parkway garden centre, on the weekend. they have a spectacular range of plants, and these Japanese Windflowers, a variety of anemone, were on sale.a peek at some

roisinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04706058594594137539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4514601421745070467.post-44633545844346212472010-08-23T11:49:00.002-04:002010-08-23T11:53:25.441-04:00

my work table is also my print table, so I can't print at the same time as I cut or work out new designs. the one thing I would wish for in my space is a separate cutting/drawing table, so that I don't have to clean up so much work every time I need to print. I tend to be very messy when I am working out new ideas, simultaneously drawing and pattern drafting and test-sewing things. currently

roisinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04706058594594137539noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4514601421745070467.post-12235354758419582192010-08-11T13:31:00.001-04:002010-08-11T13:33:28.216-04:00

still a few spots in the screenprinting workshop at wyndham art supplies in guelph this sunday - call them at 519.767.1317 to register.

roisinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04706058594594137539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4514601421745070467.post-3001873037211693212010-08-06T10:48:00.004-04:002010-08-06T11:00:28.442-04:00

we finally had a chance to get to a beach over the long weekend - friends invited us up to a cottage that they rent, and it was a glorious three days. above is the view from the back deck, looking out to lake huron [slightly darker blue patch along the horizon], which faces west and gave up a stunning sunset every night. we were in bayfield, one of my very favorite towns. it has great

roisinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04706058594594137539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4514601421745070467.post-77794252051488986152010-07-25T22:46:00.002-04:002010-07-25T22:54:24.061-04:00

we went out to a berry farm on saturday for raspberries to make ourselves a store of jam. raspberries are my absolute favorite berry, and I am always that crazy girl at the market paying $6 for a pint the first saturday they show up. we had to wait for the raspberries, as they are picked after the dew has evaporated, so we perused the garden centre attached, and came home with a flat [10 pints]

roisinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04706058594594137539noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4514601421745070467.post-30541055580519158072010-07-15T00:15:00.003-04:002010-07-15T00:18:44.058-04:00

we are heading up to muskoka this weekend - back to back shows are a bit gruelling. I am looking forward to being in this beautiful area of ontario. and visiting jenn & terry from artech. you can find me in bracebridge, at the show in annie williams memorial park on friday, saturday and sunday. I'll be in booth 37.

roisinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04706058594594137539noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4514601421745070467.post-73485216683216787492010-07-12T21:28:00.002-04:002010-07-12T21:33:28.464-04:00

thanks to everyone who came to visit me at the show - after a very rainy move in, the weather was mostly lovely. above is a painted photograph by Jennifer Lawton of my booth at TOAE last year - she had it at the show this year [just two booths down from me, coincidentally], and it was the first to sell on friday!

roisinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04706058594594137539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4514601421745070467.post-53295853340216296802010-07-08T22:53:00.001-04:002010-07-08T22:55:40.380-04:00

we'll be heading to toronto very early in the morning for TOAE - I'll be doing some handstitching while ted drives. please come visit me at the show if you are in town this weekend.

roisinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04706058594594137539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4514601421745070467.post-22897521671257439172010-07-05T09:28:00.002-04:002010-07-05T09:30:58.139-04:00

I know - there is no 'e' on the end of 'tomato', I just like how it looks. here are my heirloom yellow pears, the first of the 9 plants to fruit. most of mine are roma, for making sauce and canning, but there is this one and another mystery heirloom or two as well.

roisinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04706058594594137539noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4514601421745070467.post-24260953974016067472010-07-04T18:11:00.003-04:002010-07-04T18:14:24.106-04:00

to my toronto friends - the fringe festival is on now, and one of the plays in it is Georgia & Leona, written by and starring two good friends, Misha and Lara. find out more at their website, intheroom.ca

roisinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04706058594594137539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4514601421745070467.post-13043536310719518132010-07-02T18:22:00.000-04:002010-07-02T18:22:00.595-04:00

letterpressed goods from paperlovelypress, via etsy. love the green in the garden tools notecards, and the details on the clippers. the font on the recipe cards is just beautiful, as is the dotted line.

roisinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04706058594594137539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4514601421745070467.post-59921895498239026992010-07-02T09:45:00.002-04:002010-07-02T09:52:57.149-04:00

as always happens before a big show, i have an idea for a garment, and it takes over my work, forcing it's way into my crowded making schedule. when my brother and Masayo were visiting with the baby, i had the chance to grill them on baby clothes. they told me that as often as they can, they buy wrap-front tops rather than over-the-head tops, as they are easier to get on a fussy, wiggly

roisinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04706058594594137539noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4514601421745070467.post-45894013712675704762010-06-21T14:35:00.004-04:002010-06-23T14:35:16.763-04:00

taking some inspiration from someone, I thought it was krystal speck, but I just tried searching for the blog post, and it's not there [check out her amazing looking bird commission - can't wait to see the finished work]. anyway, someone is posting a picture a day about their garden, as a way of getting out of thier blogging rut, so here I am . here are some of my cosmos, one of my favorite

roisinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04706058594594137539noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4514601421745070467.post-91666347896692727142010-06-17T11:21:00.002-04:002010-06-17T11:28:12.477-04:00

very little work getting done in the studio in the last two weeks - too much fun with my niece, Roisin, and brother Colum and his lady, Masayo. she is just the smiliest, lovliest little girl, and rewards all of my funny faces and singing and dancing with big grins and giggles.little Roisin also sticks out her bottom lip when she's deciding wheather or not you're being funny enough to warrant a

roisinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04706058594594137539noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4514601421745070467.post-34994390838187147012010-06-08T09:07:00.000-04:002010-06-08T09:09:07.032-04:00

happy birthday dad - I was trying to save this for father's day, but I just couldn't resist posting it for his birthday instead. my brother Colum at 6 years old, me at two weeks. look at that great wallpaper in the background!

roisinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04706058594594137539noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4514601421745070467.post-44149567938656426072010-06-07T11:24:00.003-04:002010-06-07T17:15:08.765-04:00

I've been searching for a good radio for the studio for a little while now. I lucked out at a fantastic estate/yardsale this weekend, with the vintage Admiral and RCA Victor tube radios. the Admiral works perfectly - such great sound from the wood casing. the gentleman that I bought them from told me that the Victor needs a new tube, so I'll be contacting Kyla's dad for help, he's a collector

roisinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04706058594594137539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4514601421745070467.post-5628010027682927032010-06-02T11:38:00.002-04:002010-06-02T11:42:09.207-04:00

my brother and Masayo are coming from japan for a visit - I get to meet my niece, finally. can't wait to see them all.

roisinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04706058594594137539noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4514601421745070467.post-46210999085689413462010-06-01T07:30:00.000-04:002010-06-01T07:30:00.323-04:00

I am heading to toronto tomorrow to hang some new work at bookhou - it has been wonderful to return to some of the ideas I was working on in my last year at NSCAD. it runs from june 1 - 26, please stop by if you're in the area.

roisinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04706058594594137539noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4514601421745070467.post-39036414728946539512010-05-31T23:31:00.003-04:002010-05-31T23:50:03.683-04:00

I love this drive - through new bunswick and into nova scotia, lots of trees and hills. here we are, entering nova scotia after a few wonderful days with brenna, joel and family.after the halifax crafters show, which was fantastic as always, a small run of rain, cold, wind and even a day of snow [!], the weather turned around in time for ted's birthday, and lasted for the rest of the trip. we

roisinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04706058594594137539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4514601421745070467.post-57705550998194460342010-05-12T12:06:00.008-04:002010-05-12T12:24:38.634-04:00

well, here is the long-overdue post about our drive to halifax and home again. we are good roadtrip-mates, ted and I - we both like to stop and eat at truckstops/diners/chipwagons, and we both like to sing loudly in the car. above, powerlines in ontario. near kingston, I think, at a truckstop. i'm always impressed with how the truck drivers can back their giant trucks up so neatly.we stopped

roisinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04706058594594137539noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4514601421745070467.post-40338752693576459162010-04-30T14:29:00.002-04:002010-04-30T14:31:31.906-04:00

in honour of her son's fourth birthday, arounna is giving away one of the lovely alphabets - go here to enter!

roisinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04706058594594137539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4514601421745070467.post-52015713785186005902010-04-22T19:04:00.003-04:002010-04-22T22:51:34.648-04:00

we are still in Halifax - finally got some sun yesterday after days of cold and rain - just in time for ted's birthday. I ordered a birthday ribbon for him from amanda, it is so beautiful and he wore it all day. we spent part of our afternoon lying in the commons enjoying the sun. i have so many photos to share, but will wait until we get home as we have so little time left, we hope to leave

roisinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04706058594594137539noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4514601421745070467.post-43689111232615252962010-04-16T23:00:00.002-04:002010-04-16T23:03:14.539-04:00

we drove to halifax this week - spent a few days with friends in new brunswick on the way, I'll post photos soon of that.the halifax crafters spring show is this weekend - I am here with both repeat and a little of my bespoke uprising work. I love coming out here for this fun little show and to see all of the friends that I miss so much.

roisinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04706058594594137539noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4514601421745070467.post-74701652109113528172010-04-11T06:29:00.002-04:002010-04-11T06:29:00.210-04:00

I worked at a flower shop for a time when I lived in Halifax - the flower above, craspedia, is one of my absolute favorites [along with ranunculus]. flores del sol does the nicest, most modern preserved flora arrangements I've ever seen.

roisinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04706058594594137539noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4514601421745070467.post-4937078813508264372010-04-10T23:59:00.000-04:002010-04-10T23:59:00.686-04:00

in preparation for next week's road trip, we took the car to our mechanic, Sam, to have a look at it. my mom was in our neighbourhood on Friday, and went with ted to drop of our car, and then brought him back home. after she left, it started snowing.a few hours later, Sam called to tell us everything looked good, and to come pick up the car. so, we hopped onto the scooter, which only I have a

roisinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04706058594594137539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4514601421745070467.post-59558849014114935162010-04-10T14:00:00.002-04:002010-04-10T14:03:19.699-04:00

the new pattern that made it's debut at the one of a kind show has been added to our etsy shop - 'laundry' is available in three colourways:white on naturalturquoise on creamwhite on royal blueit's hard to pick favorites,but i'm just so happy with how this prints up.

roisinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04706058594594137539noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4514601421745070467.post-36121300090121015422010-04-09T14:35:00.000-04:002010-04-09T14:35:00.134-04:00

the first ladybug of the year, burying herself in the huge forsythia. there was a tiny patch of sun this morning, so I ran out to take a photo.this is from monday as well - the other cat sussing out a hairy caterpillar, before half-heartedly smacking it and returning to rolling around in the dirt and lying in the sun. he is terrible - always filthy.

roisinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04706058594594137539noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4514601421745070467.post-29293695843413147292010-04-09T12:31:00.002-04:002010-04-09T12:35:23.824-04:00

hard to think about today, with the snow starting to fall again - monday was beautiful [as was the weekend, but I was inside at the show], and we arrived home to the garden blooming. the blue scillia all around the old black walnut tree is almost gone already, its show is so brief but so beautiful. here is one of the cats, happy to be out in the sun with us.

roisinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04706058594594137539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4514601421745070467.post-10811630246145810972010-04-08T12:07:00.001-04:002010-04-08T12:09:34.871-04:00

my teatowel sets and ruffled knickers are now available at distill gallery in toronto - thanks to allison for carrying my work.

roisinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04706058594594137539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4514601421745070467.post-60648656304576207412010-04-06T11:33:00.002-04:002010-04-06T11:35:51.496-04:00

a big thank-you to everyone who stopped by the repeat booth at the one of a kind show last weekend - what a busy & exhausting time those big shows are. for those of you who could not make it, here is a small sample of the products arounna & i made out of our fabrics for the show, to be added to the online shop soon.

roisinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04706058594594137539noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4514601421745070467.post-34283671040848664882010-04-01T07:31:00.002-04:002010-04-01T07:34:15.384-04:00

repeat is at the one of a kind show - the show runs until sunday. please visit us in booth G-21.

roisinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04706058594594137539noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4514601421745070467.post-80561508658023650032010-03-27T21:14:00.002-04:002010-03-27T21:16:56.871-04:00

I don't know how anyone does a big show like the one of a kind show without help from family & friends - here is my mom, turning, pressing and snipping threads all day with me.

roisinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04706058594594137539noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4514601421745070467.post-90263359195929788192010-03-24T13:10:00.002-04:002010-03-24T13:13:58.383-04:00

we have a large, unruly forsythia bush in the yard that I just love. last year for the spring one of a kind show I clipped some branches in bud, and brought them inside to force into bloom to have in my booth. last week I checked my dates, and did the same - except with all this warm weather, they are a week and a half early.we are enjoying them in the house while waiting for the little crocus

roisinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04706058594594137539noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4514601421745070467.post-84864582145613547752010-03-23T12:55:00.002-04:002010-03-23T13:01:47.204-04:00

so, here is what I think is the hardest part of printing - choosing colours! I'd like your opinion on this one. I've already decided on a turquoise on cream, and white on oatmeal, but I'm thinking of trying to find the time to print a third colourway, one of the four above. the green is looking pretty washed out in the above photo - light is terrible with this weather.which do you like best?

roisinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04706058594594137539noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4514601421745070467.post-66948479592693204512010-03-18T11:11:00.001-04:002010-03-18T11:12:28.430-04:00

sneak peek at a new pattern I'm working on for repeat - I always seem to be inspired to draw when I should be heat setting and sewing.

roisinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04706058594594137539noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4514601421745070467.post-24262621602655960092010-03-16T13:53:00.003-04:002010-03-17T09:06:38.992-04:00

most of my artist and craftsperson friends and I have a common love - our tools. this is my rotary cutter, from Lee Valley. I grew up not far from a Lee Valley store, and remember riding my bike there and browsing the catalogs. this rotary cutter is solid cast aluminum, and is very well designed for the hand.

roisinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04706058594594137539noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4514601421745070467.post-71473048398078473472010-03-15T10:09:00.002-04:002010-03-15T10:11:49.555-04:00

when i'm feeling a little stressed about being able to make the amount of things that need making, or about doing all the paperwork heaped on my desk, I usually visit silly websites to take my mind off of things. my current favorite is Sleep Talkin' Man. be warned - contains lots of cursing!

roisinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04706058594594137539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4514601421745070467.post-27947846526101792932010-03-14T11:11:00.001-04:002010-03-14T11:22:00.274-04:00

I go to the market on Saturday mornings, and then over to my parent's to bring them whatever good things I've found there. Often my mom and I will spent the afternoon visiting a few of our favorite thrift shops - I found this linen tea towel yesterday with a fantastically coloured fox & foxglove image - it says 'pure Irish linen' and ' fox a design for oxfam'.

roisinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04706058594594137539noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4514601421745070467.post-80005680588942918092010-03-11T10:18:00.005-05:002010-03-11T10:22:27.083-05:00

another gloriously mild & sunny day - I peeked in the yard yesterday, and these hadn't popped up yet, but here they are today, little tips of crocus I planted in the fall and these blue flowers that surprised us en masse last year. such a wonderful sight!

roisinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04706058594594137539noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4514601421745070467.post-49235855337097685932010-03-10T18:31:00.003-05:002010-03-10T18:36:23.664-05:00

I will admit here to my love of espresso-based drinks, particularly those that I can get at a drive thru, and that are consistently good. I know, I know - starbucks of all places - but it is on my route to physio, and it is always good. one of our cats, WuTang, has some peculiar eating habits. he couldn't care less for coffee, but if you have espresso anything, he is right in your face, and

roisinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04706058594594137539noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4514601421745070467.post-12361414842815580282010-03-08T09:37:00.001-05:002010-03-08T22:01:31.552-05:00

after my very enthusiastic recounting of my experience with arounna's letterpress last month, ted decided to come down to toronto with me this weekend to do some himself, while arounna & i worked on repeat. above is arounna teaching ted how everything works.examining the test prints - john giving ted his opinion on ink colours, and making adjustments on pressure and placement.here is what he was

roisinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04706058594594137539noreply@blogger.com4