Here's to new beginnings.

Handmade and screen printed chevron tea towel.

Hello and Happy New Year! It's been a while since I've written here. The later half of the previous year, I was busy with my new job at Anthropologie. For the first time ever, I felt settled with my job and being in a workplace with like-minded individuals.

One of the wonderful and talented people I've had the pleasure of meeting and working with, is Andrew Ritchie, blogger for Martha Moments. I thought I was Martha-obessesed until I met Andrew! His blog even scored him an invite to the Martha Stewart show a couple of years back.

Andrew did a lovely little feature on yours truly (moi) on his blog and for that, I wanted to say thank you Andrew - for a lovely start to the new year.

With that being said, I've done a quick update on the shop - featuring one of my favorte new designs - chevrons.

My mum and I screen printing. She's become quite the pro!

Hanging my textiles to air dry. Next phase: sewing.

Stop by the shop and... shop(!) and stop by Andrew's blog if you haven't already.

xoxo

Nathalie

Back to work I go!

Got back from visiting family in Miami last week. I miss everyone and the weather like crazy. What I would do to hang by the pool right now.

In the meanwhile, this is what I was up to today. Loading new items on etsy.

Indian Florals & Hemp Linens

S/S No.03 Hemp Tea Towel in White

I just uploaded a new tea towel onto etsy. The pattern is inspired by Indian design.

I've been meaning to do a few more sketches based on my studies, but sometimes it seems impossible to find the time to sit down and draw. Until then, I hope you all like this.

::: Nathalie

Printing In My Home Studio

After taking a textile printing course, and reading numerous books, I finally set up my home printing studio. Through some minor trial and error, I finally devised a system where I know exactly how long to shoot (burn) my screens for the perfect print.

Since the screen is so big, I'm using clamps to keep it in place while I print my tea towel. Typically Geoff or Diana help me with multiple registered prints.

I'm really happy with the end results - an eclectic print with serene colours that would match just about any table setting. These tea towels will be available on the shop soon, but the one pictured here, is mine to keep. : )

::: Nathalie

It's Really Spring!

Geoff started a spring tradition last year - growing our own flowers. We started 3 weeks ago and our plants are already looking happy and healthy. I can't remember what we're growing - morning glory and something else... Regardless, it's fun watching them grow.

Happy Birthday Grace!

Spring also means birthdays galore- husband, family, friends and Diana's mum's birthday. I baked her 2 (!) carrot cakes with cream cheese frosting - her favourite. Of course, I couldn't resist baking one for keeps. The last cake came out of the oven at 8pm last night and half is already gone.

My favourite carrot cake recipe is from Canadian Living and is aptly named Canada's Best Carrot Cake. It contains crushed pineapple, which gives the cake a soft and moist texture. Added bonus, your home will smell really yummy, like carrot spice goodness!

I recommend CL's recipe to the one's I made last year (from Martha) any day. Martha's were too greasy and gave me a bit of a stomach ache. Ick.

Happy baking!

::: Nathalie

Recipe: Canadian Living - Canada's Best Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

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

Sample Sale - Tea Towel

Sample Sale - Handprinted, handmade tea towel, $10

I've been pretty lazy since the holidays but I finally got around to experimenting with drawing fluid and screen filler. It's a bit tedious but fun. The result is an organic hand drawn print, which is what I was looking for.

Geoff built the frame from scraps and I stretched the screen. (I found it's much easier to do when you wet the screen first. I'll have to post a tutorial on this another time.)

From there I printed my pattern on cotton to make a tea towel. The repeat registration came out a bit off so I'm selling it as a sample sale on our shop.

That's my Friday news. Have a good weekend!

Gifts for the Grandparents

Custom tea towels - Happy Christmas family!

Instead of gifting useless things for people, Geoff and I have gotten into the habit of giving yummy treats (and of course crafts) during the holidays for relatives who already have everything.

Last year, we made a big batch of Nigella Lawson's delicious Rocky Road and gifted it in a cute glass canister from Crate & Barrel.

Picture Source: Sweet Paul Magazine

This year, we're giving out Sweet Paul's Cranberry & Maple Loafs (baked in mini loaf pans) accompanied with custom tea towels that Diana and I made and screenprinted by hand.

I think these are great gift ideas that can be used all year round for the people in our lives who have everything.

Interesting tidbit - I heard the average person was spending over $900 on Christmas this year. That's kinda crazy.

Austen Inspired Linens

I'm going through an Austen stage and it seems to be coming through in my designs - the above pattern came to mind as I read Emma.

From a sketch it soon became a block print. I'm really happy with the results. I'll have the one-of-a-kind tea towel on our Etsy shop tomorrow.

On the weekend, Diana and I stopped by the Yorkville Anthropologie. I really dug the pattern on these candle tins and bowls...

... and fell in love with the spooled candles.