Margarita Island

Back to reality. After spending 7 glorious days on Margarita Island, Venezuela, I am home in the cold winter embrace of Canada.

The four of us went to spend Christmas with my husband's extended family. Our 2 daughters had a wonderful time meeting their distant cousins who were close in age to them. I feel very lucky to be a part of such a dynamic, interesting and loving family!


The many beaches on Margarita are spectacular. I loved how you could get away from it all or be amongst the happening crowd; depending on your mood...

We had grilled fish at beachside restaurants, read books lying under thatched shelters, sipped pina coladas, body surfed on the waves and just enjoyed being away from all the hustle of our daily lives.

Christmas Eve was enchanting. Our relatives brought us to this amazing private restaurant. The food was fantastic and the atmosphere was something very special as you can see from these pictures...

We exchanged presents in a very fun way. We all brought one wrapped gift with us and set them in a pile. After drawing numbers we picked from the pile one at a time. Each person that followed the last had the option to switch their gift with any that had previously been opened.

I loved how this brought on lots of laughter; it was a perfect way to share gift giving without any stress or expectations!

This was a lovely way to wind down 2009 and prepare for 2010.

I hope you all have a great New Year's Eve...
We will likely have a low key dinner with a few friends.

See you in 2010!

2009 Holiday Marketplace

Yesterday concluded the four day craft show that I, greavesdesign, participated in.

It was held at a very interesting arts building/former warehouse that now houses 4 floors of artist studios and other creative businesses.

There is an inherent warmth to this building that seems to be generated by the talent of so many creative people as well as the natural materials all around such as the vintage wood floors and brick walls.

The participants in this annual show are always a delight to be around for this 4 day event. This year I was not disappointed in this regard and made some new friends as well as catching up with old ones.

Here is a photo of my overall display. I like to change things up a bit each season and was quite happy with this year's version. I added my photographic cards to the mix as well and they complemented the textile work as well as provided an under $10. purchase.

The photo to the left includes a couple of my most recent cuffs made from some fabulous red and white broad striped linen. A jacket had caught my eye at a thrift store with this bold stripe and low and behold the label inside read 'Christian Dior'! There was a bleach stain on the collar so I did not feel too bad in cutting it up... So far I have produced 3 cuffs. One was purchased at the show by Sheila, a super talented hat maker.

Sheila is modeling her cuff as you will see and I think it looks stunning on her. She will soon be opening an Etsy shop and I will introduce her on my blog as soon as her store is stocked up.

My next introduction is Sigrid, who makes her own line of wildcrafted skin cream products. They are incredible. My whole family has been using them and we all love them. Sigrid is also getting ready to open on Etsy and I will let you know when she is in business!

She also happens to be very beautiful and posed in some of my pieces for me. I couldn't be happier with the results... she really wears them well.

Even though sales were down for me this year at the show I have no regrets. I think of it as a rather relaxing long weekend spent with friends and a real change of pace from my normal hectic days. I have been very focused on my FoundVintageStyle shop this year. I get a lot of satisfaction from finding and selling vintage decor. Now I have to figure out how to bring balance back and continue to evolve my art as well...

My Lotte Lamp

This lamp came from my parent's home.

Purchased in Montreal in 1960's, it has been a part of their decor for as long as I can remember.

On my last visit I decided to have a closer look at it. All of a sudden I realised it was nowhere to be found. I was a little panicked at first, hoping they had not recently given it away.

Finally I spotted the base behind a chair without it's shade. Then I discovered the shade on a standing lamp in the guest room.

I swiftly put them back together and made my request...

My fantastic mother said of course you can take the lamp...

A Lotte lamp with sentimental value on top of exquisite aesthetic value... priceless!

Love this Lamp

I came across this table lamp recently at a local thrift shop. I immediately recognized the fibreglass shade as being of importance. It was a trend in the 1960's.

In Canada a company was producing them and they were called Lotte Lamps. It was a family business run by the Bostlund family, originally from Copenhagen, Denmark.

What is so special is the quality of light that results from being filtered through these textured shades. Very soft and subtle, it adds a warmth & glow to a room...

I love the simplicity of the shapes and the contrast between the curvy base and the straight lines of the shade.

I can't be a 100% sure it is a Lotte. Not all were signed. Regardless, for $8.00 I am very happy with my new lamp!

Sexy Vintage

I adore color.

Magic can happen when 2 objects' colors & forms 'pop' side by side...

To my eye, this is a perfect example.

That they are 2 stylish and usable objects pleases me no end...

Lately, one of the criteria for my shop items is they
must be unique/beautiful + useful.

Not to say that that excludes a piece of fine art.
(one of the most necessary items we should have in our lives).

These 2 beauties have parted ways however.
The fabulous Tensor light sold quickly, leaving behind it's swish partner.

Never mind. One thing I've learned is that there is always a new treasure around the corner.

I can't wait for the encounter...

Timepiece

Found. A vintage, circa 1962, electronic wall clock;
the ATO-MAT S, made by Junghans, a German company known to be one of the most innovative watch companies in the world.

I love the look. Uber sophisticated with it's deep metal frame inset with the matte brushed finished face. Topping it off is a substantial leather strap with hefty brass 'hook'.

I like to give all items I sell a good test run. It is currently ticking consistently in my hallway. When I am confident about it's mechanics I will be listing it in my shop...

Cabbagetown; Neighbourhood of Grace

This is my neighbourhood. I have lived here, in the largest Victorian enclave in North America for 25 years. We have a working farm in the community which is amazing considering we are a 20 minute walk from the downtown core.

Throughout my children's childhood this was the anchor of their everyday lives. From joining the farm's programs, strolling through to check out the animals with Mom or Dad to visiting on their own with friends as they got older to having their first summer job leading day campers... the farm was an unquestioned presence.

Each year, the weekend after Labor Day, we have a 3 day festival. A huge arts & crafts show in the park, bands playing, the main street closed to traffic... it is a hub of activity and community bonding.

My first thought was to record all these events for a blog post. Sunday morning however, I got up early and took a walk. The streets were quiet, the crowds were still sleeping and I felt my own personal connection to this beautiful place I call home.

I went back to get my camera. In the early morning light I captured these images of this 'Neighbourhood of Grace'. (my own term which came to me as I was reflecting on how lucky I was to live in such a place).