Event: SpeakEasy Spring Craft Show

Remember to stop by the Gladstone Hotel later today for the SpeakEasy Craft Show. Hours, 7pm-11pm. Diana and I will both be there selling our our wares so come by and say hi!

A Snowy Spring & Event Meetings

Late this morning: spring in Oakville, Ontario. Please go away snow.

Last night, pre-snow, Diana and I met about the table layout for our upcoming event - the SpeakEasy Spring Craft Show, held April 7th at the Gladstone Hotel, Toronto.

(Sorry about the bad pics. We took them with a camcorder...)

Diana thinking. (Or is she bored?)

Blurry me.

There's now a couch in my bedroom and it's brilliant!

Diana bonding with our linens.

Until next time...

::: Nathalie

A little closer to Spring...

Shop screen printed aprons

It's officially March and we're that much closer to spring!

I launched an assortment of handprinted aprons on the shop today along with the beautiful handcrafted wooden keys by my husband, Geoff. Be sure to check them out and spread the word!

And just because - here are 5 random facts:
1. thelimeshop.com re-design launched today. Diana and I spent all weekend working on it so be sure to check it out. : )
2. My iMac died last night making all future site updates a little tricky. RIP iMac.
3. The spring issue of Sweet Paul is out today. Check it out!
4. Spring means I have to think about what vegetables to plant this year. Yum!
and finally...
5. Diana and I will be at SpeakEasy on April 7th. Anyone local should stop by to say hi!

::: Nathalie

In Memory

I just want to take a moment to remember Yulanda Yee, photographer/ blogger, who passed away last year after loosing a second battle with lymphoma. I really can't believe it's been a year.

We miss you and you're still in our thoughts.

-nathalie & diana

Thinking Ahead

It's the dead of winter in Ontario but Nathalie's dreaming of spring. We have a bunch of new designs in the works and here's a preview of one of our new aprons. Nathalie was pretty pissed that I made her go outside to take pictures of her in the snow, but whatever. I think the pictures look awesome.

-Diana

Bunnies, Shoes & BFF's

This year I'll try to share more about myself and will even post pictures of me... doing stuff... (Kinda scary since I'm camera shy.)

Here we go...

1. During the holidays I was crazy about Fifi Lapin. (Geoff, my husband, now thinks I'm nuttier than ever.)

2. I can't stand the Miu Miu's I bought last year. They hurt my feet so bad!

Diana and I - 1999 & 2009

3. This September Diana and I will have been bff's for 20 years. I'll be throwing an anniversary bash to celebrate with our closest friends and family.

::: nathalie

Happy New Year

Photo by Diana Aldea, BFF and 1/2 of The Lime Shop

I've never been one for new years resolutions but I'm a big believer in setting goals in order to stay focused. (Is that the similar?)

The last couple of years I wasn't able to accomplish my goals - I worked hard for a promotion that went to someone else, worked hard for people set in their ways and somewhat accomplished expanding my designer wardrobe (I wish I was kidding on that one). Funny enough, when I lost my 9-5 job, that's when everything became clear.

I took classes to explore printmaking, focused on my art and began producing accessories that I really love to make and am proud of. Most importantly, I developed a stronger bond with my husband, friends and family.

Of course I have artistic goals in mind but otherwise, I can't wait to see what the new year will bring. Over planning can be worse than not having a plan.

I'll end this post with a nice quote from this morning's newspaper -

"As you think, so shall you become." - Bruce Lee

Happy New Year everyone. : )

xoxo

Nathalie

Happy Christmas

Wishing everyone a safe and happy Christmas. : )

xo -

Nathalie & Diana

Pic Source

It's Time for an Etsy Update

Etsy shop update - Elephants handprinted Tea Towels

Diana and I printed, pressed and sewed these last week. They're printed on a hemp/ cotton blend textile which washes and wears very nicely.

The tea towel features my original artwork which was inspired by a CBC elephant documentary and my fondness for Indian design. This is my take on the two.

Etsy shop update - Hearts/ Moomin Reversible Kids Apron

We made these back in August and it's about time they made their way to the shop. Keep your eyes peeled for more kids arpons to come.

The reversible kids aprons were inspired by Geoff's nieces. I made Mackenzie an apron for her 6th birthday and the idea just spun off from there.

SpeakEasy Holiday Craft Show - Dec 2

This week has been crazy busy as I get back into the groove of things after playing mommy for a week.

Have been busy screen printing cottons, linens and hemp blend fabrics into one of a kind zippered pouches and tea towels for our 2 events this week.

Tomorrow, Thursday Dec 2, (HAPPY BIRTHDAY DIANA!) from 7pm - 11pm, marks my first solo show. Stop by the Gladstone, Toronto, for SpeakEasy's Holiday Craft show and say hi.

::: Nathalie

A Handmade Holiday Show

There are so many wonderful events in Toronto around this time of year! I can hardly wait for December.

In addition to SpeakEasy (Dec 2nd), Diana and I are excited to announce that we will be part of Kid Icarus's Handmade Holiday this December 4th. Be sure to stop by and support your local craft scene.

Kid Icarus presents: A Handmade Holiday Show
Time: Saturday December 4th (one day only)
Time: 11-6pm
Location: St.Stephen-in-the-Fields, 103 Bellevue Ave (College and Bellevue)

“A Handmade Holiday” is a one day gift show & sale where Torontonians have the opportunity to buy directly from local creators of high-quality handcrafted goods, such as paper products, poster art, soft toys, children’s clothes, knitwear, jewellery and more. Crafters flock from all parts of the city for a day of selling and swapping goods. Shoppers visiting the event are treated to mystery loot bags at the door, raffles throughout the day, and of course, a piece of artistry with every purchase they make.

General Admission $2.00

Thanks La Casita

Thanks to Alessandra of La Casita for such lovely words (and photos) on our tea towels. You've made our day. : )

-nathalie & diana

Break Week, Day 1

Diana, 1/2 of The Lime Shop, at Canzine

Last night marked our first Canzine in four years and it was excellent to be back. Thanks to everyone who came by to say hi.

It's always inspiring to attend Canzine because of all the talented and ambitious artists just doing what they love. If you've never been to this event, try to go next year. It always rolls around at the end of October.

Now post Canzine and before our next event, SpeakEasy, I'm taking a much needed break to relax and recharge. First on my agenda, opening up my eyes to what's going on in the world of design.

Beautiful handmade baby cloudzzz from La Casita

The Exquisite Book as featured on Print & Pattern

The upcoming Spaces issue of Frankie

The Lime Shop studio space in my home. Gathering ideas to redecorate.
**PS - The sewing table was a recent gift from my husband. We designed it together and he made it for me. The greatest gift a girl could get.

Functional and pretty studio space featured on Design*Sponge

Gorgeous space and area rug featured on Bloesem
The pillow textile on that chair looks familiar...

Our After Dark tote, email us for availability, info@thelimeshop.com

Signing off for now, Nathalie

Things We Love

We're furiously prepping for the Clothing Show which starts this Friday. Hope we'll see some of you there!

While working, it's essential that we have entertainment. We've been listening to a lot of audiobooks and have been streaming TV shows online, so you can only imagine our excitement when we found out that Netflix is now available in Canada! Right now they're giving out a one month free trial, afterwards it's only $7.99 a month! Crazy. Be sure to check it out.

Back to work,

Nathalie & Diana

i Heart Egg In a Basket

Diana, my not-so-savvy-in-the-kitchen bff, the same one who used an espresso spoon to scoop ice cream, made heart shaped egg in a basket for us. Aw. What a good bff.

To make this, simply use a cookie cutter, to cut out the centre. (Diana opted for the no egg yolk egg in a basket, which means the egg whites and white bread were very close in colour.) Regardless what bread you use, yolks or no yolks, this is a nice simple treat for anyone.

::: Nathalie

With A Little Love

I got my Little City order yesterday of Yulanda Yee's Cinnamon Hearts.

I remember instantly falling for the simplicity of this photograph. Yulanda always had a way of capturing inanimate objects and making them absolutely beautiful by breathing life into them.

Anyway, I'd intended on buying this piece when Yulanda was still with us and it broke my heart to purchase them the day after she passed.

The Little City folks okay'ed it with her family first, and once approved, I was notified and told that proceeds would go to the Lymphoma Foundation of Canada.

I bought 2 pieces, one for myself and one for Diana, who had known Yulanda for years from their younger blogger years.

I'm glad to have this piece to always remember her by. Even if, I don't think I could forget her. She was an amazing, talented, good person. I miss our dear friend a lot.

::: Nathalie

Picture Blog: Aprons, Bracelets, Cake Fail and Diana

Busy weekend with 2 birthdays for the in-laws, hosting Sunday lunch at our house, baking, and making aprons and bracelets. I'll let the pictures do the talking.

My niece Mackenzie with her Moomin apron. I made it for her 6th birthday. That's me trying to hide behind her.

An array of new bracelets coming soon to The Lime Shop.

Diana modeling some of her favorite picks.

Cake Fail! I cut corners and bought Duncan Hines cake mix and frosting. It was the worst cake I've ever had to work with. Crumbs galore and it was on the brink on falling apart. Yes, those are Reese's Peanut Butter Cups heaped on top.

More cake fail. Cupcakes were also Duncan Hines. They didn't rise well and were kinda greasy. They tasted decent though.

Diana making faces.

The End

::: Nathalie

Featured on Etsy Site of the Day

Lots of thanks to Jackie at EtsyToday for featuring our iPhone cases on the Etsy Item of the Day website! We're super excited!

Today has been pretty busy. We spent a good chunk of the evening brainstorming for ads that we're putting in crafty/local publications and made some friendship bracelets.

Now off to bed.

XO,

N & D

Using your Lime Shop case

Ok, first things first - making videos like this kinda sucks.
1. I get why lighting is so important. Getting it to look right sucks.
2. Shooting a video without having your hands shake sucks.
3. Finally getting Nathalie to decide what accessories her hands should wear sucks.
4. Trying to sound coherent, when I never do, really sucks.

But it turned out well for a quick shoot (only three tries! ok, four).
And now you get to see our cases in action, which is pretty neat.
You can get one here: thelimeshop.etsy.com.

Hungry & tired & sleepy,
D

The Gluttony That Ensued

I've been a bad, bad girl.

Have you ever seen the movie Julie and Julia? If not, we highly recommend it. However, I would advise dieters to be careful, because watching it made me go WAY over the 1500 calories I'm supposed to eat a day.

Nathalie had me over for dinner tonight (because a good bff always feeds a bff). We had pasta and lemon drizzle cake. Here's the thing, when people say 'cake' they usually mean a slice (or two if you're being bad). We took bad to an entirely new level and ate an entire cake between the both of us.

Now our breathing is labored and Nathalie's threatening to vomit lemon.
It's a good thing that I'm wearing a skirt, because if I was wearing pants I'm pretty sure I wouldn't fit in them.

With a heavy heart (and body),
D