Hi Honey.

Well my parents are heading back to Kamloops this morning and it looks like things will be getting mighty lonely around these parts. Fraser is finished with classes for the semester and will be off to Kamloops for his practicum soon - leaving little old me to fend for myself in Victoria. I am extra tempted to get myself my own beast pillow to keep me company (like this one I saw in Pikaland):


I love the colour combination on this guy and can totally imagine coming home to him after work and watching some nice Turner Classic Movies on the couch with him. He looks like a Fred don't you think? Unfortunately there is at least a two month wait for one of these pals in debivanzl's Etsy shop so either I need to make my own or go without. *Ssigh*. Maybe all my alone time will give me ample motivation to get knitting! What do you think? Anyone want to come over and teach me how to make a Fred friend?

Friday Find: Flapper Girl

About a year ago I did a post about making ascot bows to jazz up an outfit and although the response was a little cold (apparently only I was into the giant bows on my front), they haven't left my mind. I did manage to make one ascot last year but never actually got around to wearing it. It goes with a skirt I thrifted and altered and need to re-alter so I can wear it again this spring! Well as you can imagine, when I came across an etsy shop full of retro inspired lady ties (not ascots, but ascot-esque ties for women) I fell in love! Check out the lovely selection of neck pieces from Portland's Flapper Girl:


I really like how the pearl snap holds it together and the variety of prints, fabrics, and embellishments with that underlying shout out to the sweet fashion trends of the 1920s. What a fun way to add a little flair and personality to an outfit! I also really like the idea of wearing one of these on "Tie Tuesdays" at work and having a feminine tie that is still dress code. Although I must admit the brown shirt and jumper in that lower left hand reminds me a bit of an A&W uniform, I am sure you could work it into an outfit without making it look hokey. Heck, Christine's sold loads of these so I'm not the only one who thinks they're rad! What do you think? Could you pull of a lady tie?

Friday Find: Alison Rose

I think it is time for me to get a new wallet. My current wallet is on its last legs and although I adore its old lady "with a touch of discrete skulls" look, it is almost 6 years old now and might be time for retirement. It's always difficult finding one that is just right with enough pockets for my ridiculous amounts of cards and quirky enough to be proudly toted around with me everywhere I go. I think the amazingly fun screen printed kitty wallets of Etsy shop Alison Rose might fit the bill perfectly. Just check that wallet out:
Great colour, size, pockets, and fun print? Seems like a winner to me! Heck it even has a nice sized zippered pocket on the back for lots of change and a little clear window for you to stick fortune cookie fortunes in! What detail! Not into cats? Don't fret. Alison Rose has lots of other handmade and screen printed goodies to check out in her shop. So go - shop, and let me know what you think of my potential new wallet.

Friday Find: Pinch Face

This week's find is yet another shop showing us how everything is better when it comes from the UK! Pinch Face is an adorable and charming etsy shop fully stocked with handmade creations using the sweetest cotton prints. Take a peek at a few of my favourite picks:


I love her use of 30's style prints and the unique combinations and personality of each piece. I (of course) am particularly fond of the plush owls but since I already have two owl pillows in my living room (you can see them here in with my handmade doily throw on my striped couch), I'm not about to start buying any more. I really like the fake hearth and K backdrop she uses for her plush images and all the beautiful florals! Pinch Face totally inspires me to do a whole bunch more pattern mixing and that simple shaped animal toys are extra adorable! I totally want to start searching through my fabric scraps to make my own Pinch Face inspired pillow for my niece! Or maybe I need to do myself a little fabric shopping! (woo hoo!) What do you think? What is your favourite handmade piece from the shop?

Friday Find: Fairy Folk

This week's find is etsy's Fairy Folk - a shop full of amazing needle felted goodies! I have always been a big fan of felt, but after my painstaking attempt at wet felting, I feel increasingly drawn to the world of needle felting! Not only does it mean I wouldn't have to stand at the sink for hours with wrinkled hands, but there are so many options with what to make and I love seeing the neat things people do with it! Check out this amazing bouquet of felt billy ball flowers from their shop:


Am I ever jealous of those flawless felt balls! But they don't stop there, Fairy Folk has felt rocks, acorns, animals, decorations, and DIY kits too! OoOo! And don't forget to check out the felt jewelry:


How neat! They even do party decor with garlands, bouquets, and boutonnieres! Oh my! What do you think? Have you ever done needle felting? Which one of Fairy Folk's items do you like best?

Friday Find: Appetite

Today's find is the lovely screen printed bags and wallets from Portland's own Appetite. I am a sucker for handmade bags and the printed details and textures are just to die for! Take a peek at a few:


Aren't they awesome? Clearly a girl can never have too many bags (and clutches!) and I am totally in love with the detail in each design. The brown wool messanger style one in the left corner is particularly swoon-worthy but with spring and summer right around the corner I might lean towards the nice flowery mustard coloured one! Oh! So many to chose from! Take a peek into Appetite's shop and see for yourself. Which one is your favourite?

Friday Find: Osnat Har Noy

This week's find is one etsy shop that I have fallen head over heels for!! Behold - the most amazing gold geometric ring loveliness from Osnat Har Noy:


Oh! *swoon!* Although the whole shop is packed full with awesome statement pieces perfect to accent any outfit, that geometric ring is certainly my favourite! This is where I would usually add a nice montage of a few of my other choice picks, but since I'm using Fraser's new laptop (that doesn't have photoshop on it yet) I will let you go and visit the shop if you're feeling the need to do a little Friday online shopping! Hooray! What are your end of the week plans?

Friday Find: Greenlight Goods

It isn't often that I put paintings up on my Friday Finds, but when I saw this amazing avocado oil painting in an etsy treasury my felt brooch was featured in (link), I fell in love! Just look at the texture and colour in there:


I am in awe! I love how Robert catches the light and realism in his piece it practically makes my mouth water! I also really enjoy the asymmetry with the pit and think this would be an amazing addition to any kitchen. It also reaffirms the fact that I really want to visit Portland since everything I have seen and heard from that place is pure gold. Yup. Time to add that to the life to do list! What do you think? What is your favourite type of painting?

Friday Find: Little Ocean

Today's find is the wonderful necklaces from Janelle's etsy shop Little Ocean. Even though the majority of her shop is clothing from vintage and recycled fabrics, I quickly feel for her wonderful chevron necklace. Just take a peek:


Oh the colours, the shape, the simplicity, and that long hanging length! Turns out I'm not the only one who has fallen for this one, when I looked in her sold items list there were loads of these! Funny how that works isn't it? I'm really loving long necklaces these days since they seem to elongate my super short torso and really top off my jersey dress outfits. Chevron now your thing? How about some lacy triangles?


Regular triangles?


Yup, I'm in love! What do you think? Are you a long necklace fan?

Friday Find: Lova Revolutionary

With hearts polluting the love filled month of February it is no surprise that I fell for the darling hand stitched polka dot loveliness of this heart brooch from Lova Revolutionary:


Oh! How wonderful! Under further inspection - Jodie's etsy shop is a perfect match for me! Seriously - felt, cuteness, embroidery hoops, yetis, acorns, and owls! Oh my! Take a peek:


Yup - she's a crafter of my own heart. I guess it is possible that many people love these things and we're both just part of the handmade masses - but I like to think I have some limited uniqueness to my tastes. What about you? What do you think?

Friday Find: Each To Own

I figured we would start the month off with a bang and feature the lovely etsy shop Each to Own. Why you may wonder? Well it is the month of heart related products and this shop has probably the coolest (and most drool worthy) heart craft I've seen in a while, check it out:


That's right - geometric pattern, sweet colour scheme, and heart jewelry? Sounds like this handmade wonder is a triple win in my books! I'm in love! If you aren't into hearts you can always get the same geometric print on a bunny or dear too. Heck, if you're not digging the blocks of colour you can always go for the realistic prints or polka dots! Ah! So many choices! What do you think? Have you got any heart-felt gifts for your valentine yet?

Friday Find: Made by Anna

Today's find is none other than the fantastic brooch wonderfulness of Etsy's Made by Anna. If I have ever fallen for laser cut pins before, it was nothing when compared to these lovelies. Take a gander:


Oh! The colours, subject matter, shapes, and awesomeness! I'm positively smitten. Here is an instance where I legitimately can't decide which one I like best (and I always have an opinion)! Eek! I'm in love. Yet another situation where everything is better from the UK. Good work Anna Betts, you rock! So what do you think? Can you pick a favourite?

Friday Find: Allisa Jacobs

Since January is all about new starts, organization, and cool wintry blue tones (or at least I think it is) I thought I'd chose the lovely sewn goods of Allisa Jacobs for today's Friday find. Her shop is stocked full of wonderful pieces each with perfect fabric choices and lovely details. Just take a peek at this amazing chevron pouch:


Isn't it darling? I love the contrast of colours, simplicity, and that awesome red poppy pin that you can detach and stick on anything! If you're swooning over the pin (much like I am) you can buy them on their own as a brooch, or if you'd prefer some different designs how about one of Allisa's clutches, snap pouches, or to do list organizers:


I must say the list organizer on the right hand side there is really calling to me. Maybe it would even help me stick to getting things done? Okay...probably not, but I do love all the goodies in the shop! What do you think? Which is your favourite?

In other news - Mom and Uncle Gary come to visit today! After an early morning of work I'm off to the airport to pick them up and then we've got until Sunday afternoon to see the sights and get some visiting in! Now to decide what to do...

Friday Find: Nicola Clare

Feeling extra lonely lately? Not to worry! Manchester's super talented graphic designer Nicola Rowlands has you covered with her selection of pocket man friends in her etsy shop Nicola Clare! Meet Ray:


Each man friend has his own special name and traits and conveniently keeps your company in your pocket. Take a peek at a few other men to pick from:


I love all the little details and packaging! What an awesome gift this would make! Not into men? There is a selection of female pocket friends too! If these little handpainted pals don't tickle your fancy Nicola has a huge selection of odd and charming prints, cards, pillows, brooches, earrings, and totes for your shopping pleasure as well! Oh my! I must say next to the man friends, the feed me tacos kitty earrings are on my favourite list! What about you? What do you like best?

How Clever!

Once again the internet comes to the rescue with loads of clever ideas to make life easier! I may not have got around to my entire house organization/cleaning this past weekend like I had hoped, but with these ideas I'll be motivated to get a smart jump on things as soon as my torn ab muscles are feeling better! Even though the daily buzz's list has 25 ideas, here are my favourite three storage tips:

Clever idea #1 - Folding matching sheet sets inside a pillowcase! If you've ever struggled with a disastrous linen closet, here is one to drool over! It seems so simple and obvious to fold them inside each other but I certainly wouldn't have thought of it on my own. Thanks internet!


Clever idea #2 - Putting a line of velcro on the wall to store stuffed toys. Okay, so this one is really aimed at people with children, but I do think it is genius. I suppose baskets would do the same effect, but velcro is certainly an easy solution for cleanliness!


Clever idea #3 - Putting a magnetic strip in your bathroom drawer/cupboard. At last! A solution to the never ending bobby pin search. I feel like there are little bobby pin elves living in my house (and purse) that sneak around and move (and steal) bobby pins. I just keep buying more of them and they just keep on disappearing. A magnet is such a brilliant way to keep them all under wraps and doubles as a new home for tweezers too! Aha!


After I execute these I just need to figure out a brilliant way to store my yarn stash and I'll be set! What do you think? Any genius organization tips for us? Are your linens a disaster too? How about M.I.A bobby pins? Oh, and while we're at it - how do you store your yarn?

Friday Find: Gemagenta

Nothing like a little handmade jewelry to perk up a raining Friday! This week's find is the lovely hand cut silver goods of Gemagenta. Full of tiny details, symmetry and asymmetry, and some geometric charm - these pieces are sure to make you swoon. Take a peek:


I may be more of a gold person, but I am totally in love with each and every one of the silver items in this shop! I love the facets on the silver gem shapes and the tiny tear drop cut outs is almost doily-esque. Oh my! I think the lingerie inspired ring is my absolute favourite, but it is tough call - what do you think? Too bad my new year budgeting doesn't have room for a few splurge items, but with reasonable pricing and ample shipping time these would make great Valentine's gifts! What are you up to this weekend?

Friday Find: Rain!

Happy Friday! Today is my very last day of xmas vacation before returning to the working (very early in the morning) world and boy have I ever had a blast! Luckily the Kamloops weather was actually quite mild and pleasant during my little holiday but now that we're back in Victoria I am loving the warm temperatures and rain! In fact, I've been extra enjoying the wet weather here and spent the last few days browsing around downtown (with an umbrella, layers, and wellies)! Hooray! I figured since I seem to be so set on rain I'd share some with you:


Yay! Adorable rain themed buttons! Okay, so that is a little shameless self-promotion, but there is another precipitation related site I thought I'd link you to as part of my Friday find. If you're a rain lover (or just someone who needs some relaxing background noise) you must check out rainymood.com! Hurrah! Soothing rain sounds at your fingertips perfect for some soothing euphony while you sleep (and no actual rain required). Are you as excited as I am? How do you feel about the rain?

Friday Find: Pretty Tape

Ever since making this ATC out of washi tape, I've been hooked:


How fun is it to get masking tape in all sorts of patterns and colours? Oh my! They are the perfect arsenal for any paper crafter and I've been dying to get my hands on more. Although my attempts to find some good washi tape sources have been unsucessful in Victoria, never underestimate the power of Etsy! Pretty Tape is an awesome shop just jam packed with all sorts of washi tape and loads of other crafty supplies to keep you busy. Just look at these gorgeous rolls:


Oh think of the handmade card possibilities! And if that wasn't enough - look at this:


Ack! Doily stamp! If xmas wasn't two days away this would certainly be on the top of my wish list. Looks like I may be investing in some new supplies in the new year...what do you think?

Friday Find: The Blooming Thread

Florals, buttons, felt and brooches combine to make one fantastic accessories section over at etsy's The Blooming Thread! Just take a peek at these beauties:


I love the combination of different textures, patterns, and colours to make such gorgeous pins! Brooches not your cup of tea? Not to worry - the blooming thread has a wide variety of handmade goodies to chose from so I'm sure you'll find something to swoon over.

In other news - today I am heading home for xmas vacation! Goodbye mild loveliness of Victoria and hello well loved friends and family in Kamloops! It also means I will be away from the etsy shop for the rest of December (which, isn't really that tragic since the holiday shipping deadlines are long past). And don't fret my wonderful blog readers, I may be away from the WiFi, but I'll you'll have lots of festive kate posts to keep you company while I'm away! Happy Friday!

Friday Find: Cornflower Blue Studios

Today's find is the lovely fibre art wonders of etsy's Cornflower Blue Studios! Nothing like a little free style crochet to inspire some craftiness don't you think? Check out this magnificent piece:


Isn't it amazing? I love how it sort of looks like it came from the sea and think it would look super awesome hanging up in my apartment! Yellow not your colour? Not to worry - Rachel has a variety of awe inspiring fibre art pieces in all colours and shapes (link)! Still not your cup of tea? How do you feel about some adorable red or green xmas wrapping bows, hand drawn silly kitties, or embroidered love notes:


Ahh! I love them all! What can't that girl do? Maybe I will take a note from the page of Cornflower Blue Studios in a few weeks while I take some holiday time and do some craft projects for me! What do you think? Are you swooning over crochet art?