2008 August Archive at make something

Archive for August, 2008

I HEART NYC & THE PASSPORT OFFICE

Published

on August 30, 2008

. 5 Comments

I lived in New York for five years. I’ve flown back and forth between here and there dozens of times. For a six month period I even flew with an expired passport without even knowing it. Yesterday when I peeked at my passport and realized that it had expired a month ago, I knew it was a huge problem… because I’m flying to New York City this afternoon and things have changed.

As of January 2008, if you’re flying to the US, you MUST have a valid passport. Expiration dates on passports are not like expiration dates on yogurt. Yogurt is still good just after the date on the container. Porter Airlines confirmed that passports are not valid if they are expired, even if they just expired. Even if you have your birth certificate, driver’s license, health card and sing a sad song.

If you know how I feel about New York, you’ll know that not going on this trip was not an option. Especially when this is my first holiday in two years.

I decided to attempt to get my passport done in less than one day. My brother went through the same horror before a trip to Cuba a few months ago. (does this run in the family?) He got his processed in eight hours. I had less than five. By the time I got all my signatures, photos and forms filled out, I arrived at the passport office at 2pm, leaving 3 hours for processing. The Urgent passport service requires 24 hours for processing. I expected the pre-screener to laugh at me, but she just listened to my apologetic story and put me in the front of the line. No questions asked. The processing agent also listened to my tale of woe and seemed skeptical, but went to confirm if it could be done. As long as my references answered their phones, then I could get my passport in one hour. At 3:30pm, I went to pick up my passport and it was ready!

Impossible is possible.

I’ll be in NYC until Tuesday afternoon. Next week I’ll be back with too many stories and photos and you’ll probably have to tell me to shut about it and get back to making stuff.

{i owe a huge huge debt of gratitude to every single person who made the passport renewal possible. xox}

HOPE

Published

Karyn

on August 30, 2008

in art

. 1 Comment

Obama X 4, originally uploaded by smallworldpodcast.

NEW RUNNERS

Published

Karyn

on August 28, 2008

in accoutrement

. 2 Comments

I finally wore my new runners for the first time last week.

DIY : LOTTA LIGHT

Published

Karyn

on August 27, 2008

in DIY

. 5 Comments

Lotta Jansdotter is an inspiration in so many ways. I’ve been a fan of her prints and books for a long time. The September 2007 issue of Blueprint featured her Brooklyn studio. The thing that caught my eye was the light fixture above her desk. It was so organic looking, almost like some complex molecule from chemistry class. (I wouldn’t know which one, since it was hardly my best class) I learned after closer examination, that the fixture is extremely simple to make. The light is made of twin socket adapters that you can pick up at any hardware store. There are infinite possibilities with the configuration, you just keep screwing the adapters into each other and the fixture grows. It’s probably the best lighting project for someone with absolutely no electrical knowledge. There’s no wiring involved.

I’ve made two of them for the shop. One of them is in the bathroom hanging above the Julia Rothman print. There was just an ugly socket sticking out of the wall there. This was a great solution to sprucing that wall up without major expense. If you want to get fancy, check out these fractal chandeliers. They are made with the same adapters but follow a more mathematical approach to construction and use up to forty four adapters.

Speaking of fractals, I found this amazing paper fractal sculpture and a fractal cabbage!

{Blueprint magazine photo courtesy of Reva}

13 DRESSES : DRESS 10

Published

Karyn

on August 22, 2008

in delicious, local, stitchery and the workroom

. 5 Comments

Pattern: Amy Butler Anna Tunic
Fabric: Art Gallery Fabrics Pink Le Fleur

There is just over a week until Labour day and somehow I’ve fallen behind in my dress challenge. Reading back on my first post about the challenge, it seems a bit fuzzy as to when the challenge officially ends. I did say the end of summer, which technically isn’t until September 22. I still have three more dresses to make! What do you think? A little leniency for a busy girl?

Dress 10 is from Amy Butler’s Anna Tunic which many of you may not know can also be turned into a dress. The photo on the cover of the pattern is deceiving as it only shows the top version. The dress goes together quite easily, with only a few fiddly parts. I found the instructions on how to attach the facings to the body of the dress slightly awkward and wished there was a more elegant way to do this part. I had to read the instructions several times slowly at this point to make sure I understood what I was supposed to do. Basically it is just top stitching the facing closed after you have pressed under the seam allowance and pinned each section around the yoke. There is no zipper in this pattern. For those who fear zippers, you may enjoy doing the button loops and buttons. I like the button detail very much.

Amy Butler’s patterns always seem to be quite a-line. Often times it’s too much for me and I end up straightening out the silhouette. On this dress, I quite like it. I made the longer version of the Anna Tunic and even wore it with the belt. (I rarely wear belts) The dress is fully lined which makes it feel slightly formal, in a good way.

The pink fabric by Art Gallery Quilts is clearly inspired by Art Nouveau. I love the swirly motifs which remind me very much of Paris.

I wore this dress on Sunday at the Kids Trunk Show. For once I thought I’d show you photos of the dress in action and me without my head cut off. Looking over the photos of the show, you’ll notice a good percentage of them include cupcakes. The night before, I baked four dozen cupcakes from scratch. I also made 7 minute frosting for the first time, which I really loved. Most the kids only ate the tops of the cupcakes. That probably had more to do with all the candy piled on top of them than the ‘Madagascar Vanilla Bean’ or ‘Shaved Dark Chocolate’ frostings.

p.s. Yes, I ate all the leftover cupcakes for breakfast this week.

READING : JAMIE AT HOME

Published

Karyn

on August 20, 2008

in delicious and reading

. 7 Comments

It is a Sunday night tradition at our house to watch, “Jamie at Home”, on the Food Network. I’ve been a dedicated fan of Jamie Oliver since the days of the “Naked Chef”. He just keeps getting better and his newest show is brilliant.

The show focuses on Jamie cooking with ingredients straight from his garden (and sometimes he actually cooks out in the garden). He also shows how easy it is to grow your own food, wherever you live. His recipes are down to earth and delicious. I’ve spent the last year jotting down the recipes as I watched the show on television. I finally went to pick up a copy of his new book, “Jamie at Home”, at Pages on Monday.

When I brought the book home, I sat out in my garden with some homemade peach and lime sorbet and carefully flipped through it. The book is beautiful. Lovely graphics and photography fill the 400+ pages. Plus, of course, all the recipes. I’m excited to have all the recipes properly written down in one place, instead of on random bits of paper. I know many of them already. The mothership tomato salad, tomato basil sauce with sausage meatballs and proper chicken Ceasar salad have become standards in my cooking repertoire. I can’t wait to try out more, like the pizza bomba and the beautiful zucchini carbonara. This book will be my inspiration for many future meals.

Jamie is my cooking hero. (and his British accent is sweet music to my ears)

BEYONCE IS MY FIANCE

Published

Karyn

on August 19, 2008

in art

. 4 Comments

I am a big fan of urban art, stenciling and graffiti. I especially love to spot clever pieces, like this one, which is currently in the east side of the underpass on Brock just north of Queen West. The bling-y gold spray paint is the perfect touch for the couple it references.

I was looking up the history on the word, fiancé, and just learned that the phrase ‘Beyoncé is my fiancé’ is technically incorrect. When referring to a woman who is engaged the proper term is ‘fiancée’, the former refers to a man who is engaged. I did not know that.

Will you be in New York on September 6th? You may want to join in on this performance art piece that will re-create the parade scene from Ferris Beuller’s Day Off. Um, how cool is that?

What is it about things that are tiny? Slinkachu works on a small scale, really small. He creates little scenes using tiny people set in our large scale urban setting. The project is appropriately called ‘Little People’. His newer, sister project is called, ‘Inner City Snail’. It documents snails that he as altered slightly (but not harmed) and released into the world. I would love to stumble upon one of these works of art on my way to work.

KIDS TRUNK SHOW

Published

Karyn

on August 18, 2008

in local and the workroom

. 7 Comments

Happy Monday!

Wow, what a crazy fun day yesterday was! The Kids Trunk Show couldn’t have had a sunnier day or a better crowd. It was so delightful to see all the kids running around, decorating cupcakes with piles of candy, having their portraits done and just generally looking as cute as can be.

Today I’m going to take it easy, by my standards. I’m riding my bike downtown to pick up a new pair of flip flops and have lunch in the park.

I just posted most of the photos the Trunk Show on flickr. Did anyone out there visit the show yesterday? Did you have a good time? Did you buy a special treat (or two)?

INTRODUCING : OPERATION SOCK MONKEY

Published

Karyn

on August 16, 2008

in DIY, local, stitchery and the workroom

. 4 Comments

photographs courtesy of Lindsey Hodgson

The sock monkey has a long history as a popular children’s toy in North America. The design ingeniously transforms a pair of socks, a pair of buttons, stuffing and thread into a lovable creature. Traditionally, the red-heeled work sock has been the most popular choice for sock monkeys. The red heel forms the distinctive mouth on the stuffed monkeys. But nowadays the monkeys come in all sock varieties, each one cute and ready for some monkey fun.

Lindsey Hodgson believes in the power of these monkeys to make a difference. She started up Operation Sock Monkey to create awareness for Clowns without Borders and to send sock monkey ambassadors to children affected by AIDS/HIV in South Africa.

How was Operation Sock Monkey born?

Lindsey: Operation Sock Monkey (OSM) was born from a love of sock monkeys and a belief in their healing powers on the human soul. No matter who you are or what you do, a sock monkey will cheer you up when you’re feeling blue!

Why is this cause so important to you?

Lindsey: Can you imagine losing your most or all of your family to an epidemic? Who would be left to ask you what you want to be when you grow up? Who would sing songs with you and make you smile? Who would let you know that you are loved?

I believe that the work that Clowns Without Borders does is vital in the the healing process of those bereaved by or infected with HIV/AIDS. Daily life is often a struggle when faced with challenges meeting very basic human needs, such as food shortages and drought, on top of having or living with someone who has this debilitating virus. The clowns provide much needed comic relief and emotional support in the form of shows and workshops. Sometimes they also provide food and other resources to the communities they work in. They are bringing extreme positivity to a very negative situation and the response they are met with is astounding! I am delighted to fundraise for them through sock monkey sales and sponsorships. And I’m absolutely floored at how many others have lent their energy, creativity and resources to OSM.

How many monkeys have you been able to donate so far?

Approximately 150 monkeys have been sent via clown-courier to HIV/AIDs orphans living in South Africa. More than half of those were sewn by volunteers who have donated their time and talents to the cause. It’s really inspiring to be moved by a project happening around the world, and then do something about it here at home, and to have others join in and say – ‘Hey! we want to help too!’ It brings a sense of of global community and citizenship that seems so difficult to attain in this big crazy world. Small acts of love can make a huge difference.

Why do you think everyone loves sock monkeys?

The sock monkey is a magical creature who lives for many human lifetimes. Their very nature is Reincarnative. Some will have 5, 6, 7 owners. Imagine the stories they could tell, the things they have seen, the feet they have warmed! Humans can sense the innate wisdom and omnipotence of these marvelous beings and are easily enchanted by them.

Lindsey & Operation Sock Monkey will be at the Kids Trunk Show at the workroom, 1340 Queen Street West, on Sunday August 17 from 12-5pm. Show your support for this worthy cause and purchase a sock monkey or three.

If you’d like to learn to make your own sock monkey you can join a workshop taking place next door to the Kids Trunk Show at Shop Girls, 1342 Queen Street West, on Sunday August 17 starting at 1pm. The cost of the workshop is only $15 or free if you donate your monkey to Operation Sock Monkey. All materials and supplies will be provided. All ages are welcome and youngsters are encouraged to bring along an adult to partner with.

Sock monkeys can be purchased anytime from the Operation Sock Monkey website. Monetary donations or even material donations of new socks or stuffing are accepted, as well.

photographs courtesy of Lindsey Hodgson

INTRODUCING : TANIA HOWELLS

Published

Karyn

on August 15, 2008

in art, etsy, introducing, local and the workroom

. 4 Comments

photograph courtesy of Tania Howells

As much as I tried, I was never very good at drawing. That didn’t stop me from taking art classes all the way through school, hoping that one day something would ‘click’. The problem was, unlike many of my talented friends in art class, I had no style. There was absolutely no magic in my drawings.

Tania Howells has got oodles of style. Her illustrations are fun, whimsical and overflowing with charm. I wish colouring books had been as cute as Tania’s when I was a kid. I may have to get one this weekend, so that I can pretend that I can draw.

Tania’s first picture book is coming out this fall, called ‘Berkley’s Barn Owl Dance’. Whoo hoo! I have to know what happens at this owl dance.

Did you always love to draw?

Tania: I did- when i was a kid and friends would say “what should we do now?” I always wanted to draw, but we usually ended up doing lego.

Is illustration something you went to school for?

Tania: I went to Etobicoke School for the Arts in high school. Then I went to OCAD, but back when I went they had “interdisiplinary arts” which I don’t think they have anymore. It let me take all kinds of classes including wood, jewellery, ceramics, enamelling, metal, textiles. Mostly craft stuff and oddly no drawing or painting at all. At graduation, I was making mostly wooden shadow box scenes and hoped to use those as illustration work, but it all morphed into drawing as it was easier to market.

What would be your dream illustration job/client?

Tania: I have always wanted to work for Chronicle Books. They do such amazing projects.

Are the characters you create based on people you know?

Tania: Not really. Although some look like me. They are usually based on a small child in the way that each character will have an innocence and optimism that you tend to see in little kids.

What’s your biggest influence right now?

I am really exited about the poppies blooming in my garden, checking out what everyone is doing on flickr, Jeu de paumes books, reading and knitting on the porch and visiting the workroom! {note: how sweet!}

I just found out that Tania designed the logo for Buddha Dog on Roncesvalles, which makes me want to go there even more. I really really love hot dogs.

Tania will be at the Kids Trunk Show at the workroom, 1340 Queen Street West on Sunday August 17, noon – 5pm

If for some reason you miss out on Sunday, check out Tania’s etsy shop and pick up something to make you happy.

photograph courtesy of Tania Howells