Snapshots from London

Just got back to London late last night. We had a great time overthere, despite having very limited time to walk around the city, taking care of/ keeping company to some elderly relatives. So we stayed mainly in beautiful Islington where we still encountered a few treasures such as these bird houses:

Also went to the recently opened sewing store / cafe Ray Stitch, ran by some ex Selvedge employees:

Couldn't resist these strips of woven fabric which are in fact selvedges from the weaving shop Wallace + Sewell:

I'll probably turn them into pillow covers at some point.

Also got this postcard to post in my studio:

Voila... on these words, heading back to the studio!

Pod Brookline & Regine Ramseier Dandelion Installation

So many good things at once.. Last week I had the great suprise to be contacted by Julie of Pod, one of my top top top favorite shops EVER... to show her some of my leather accessories. If you ever come to the Boston area, you must pay her shop a visit, it's really one of the most pleasant shopping experience around. Be warned, you will be tempted to buy the store, from Fog Linen towels

to slightly glittery thigh high's

to lavender filled kantha pillows

and now some Stitch and Tickle clutches which picture would go

there

if I hadn't forgotten the camera at the studio :(

To follow soon...

Well,  not only is the shop fabulous, but Julie also has a most inspiring blog where I found this other German artist, Regine Ramseier:

Yep... I can't tell you much more because I don't speak a word of German but you can see more images on Regine's website  here.. And while you are at it, check her whimsical  bra/bug installation there...

Less than a week til Berlin..

Back to work... with PoppyTalk Handmade!

My niece and nephew left this week end after a fun-filled (and exhausting :) vacation; who knows what they will remember the most - the food (burgers, hot dogs, getting sick..), New York or Newbury Comics but I think they had a good time... I loved having them but am glad to go back to the studio today. 

AND I was delighted to learn that the Stitch and Tickle Store got selected to be in the Poppytalk Handmade market.

Here are some of my favorites from their selection this month:

Visit  here to find all links to these beautiful things and much more!

And check out this tutorial for this perfect pouf which I am going to have to make for myself :

Allright.. back to work!  More soon..

The Stitch and Tickle Store Now Open on Etsy!

Yes! If you've been reading this blog for a while, you might have seen a few comments here and there about me toying with the idea of opening an online store.. During the last couple of months, I decided to embrace the fact that I am indeed a maker, and that I would much prefer to make beautiful things and sell them rather than go back to a corporate job (who wouldn't actually??). I realize it could be a long way before it is successful  but decided to give it a try and stick to it. So far, the journey has been pure bliss - I love going in to the studio every day and just make things. I am of course inspired by materials and enjoy working with beautiful linens, soft leather, unusual yarns, etc.. I found this amazing leather hides a couple of months ago in NYC and I started making bags.

Sitting at the computer to get everything set up has surely felt more like work, but today, I finally started posting the first few wares on Etsy, all made by me :)

While this may look like a handbag store right now (it is!), it is my intention to add other items such as jewelry, home accessories, and whatever else I'll come up with. So stay tuned, visit often (I plan to post a couple of times a week) and please please please,  let me know what you think!

Oh, and if you are a follower of this blog, you get a 15% discount on any order placed between now and Sunday, midnight, Eastern Time (discount doesn't apply on shipping or tax).  So please visit the shop and see if you like anything (enter coupon code: OPENINGFRIENDS)!

Thank you for your continued support! It is always SO appreciated.

Stitch + Connect.. (oh oh, look what I got..)

I had a little weakness today.. I can't remember how I landed on Zakka Nouveau blog but it didn't take me long to buy this cute tote:

Now I could spend time justifying why I needed another bag or tote, but most of you wouldn't believe me. However, what I'm sure you will approve of is that

1) it's all handmade by Satsuki in L.A.
2) it's part of her inspiring "stitch + connect" project, where, until the end of the month, she makes one item a day which sales proceeds will go to an Aid organization in Japan (you chose which one);
3) there's no better way to spend money...

Oh, and last but not least, it looks faabulous...

So there.. And watch out, if you want one, we're less than 2 weeks til the end of April so don't wait!  Visit her blog here everyday for her latest project.

Thanks Satsuki!