Sewing, fundraising all in the name of Projet Kenya

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2012!

Now that the holiday vacations are upon us I have time to prep for all of the fundraising 2012 will bring. I am currently taking the time to sew some tote bags that the group going to Kenya will bring with us. I am grateful that I am able to do something that I enjoy so much (sewing) for the project. Today I will have to go out and ask for donations of fabric from local retailers.
I think I will also make some of these tote bags and create a silk screen and sell them on etsy - all profits going to Projet Kenya of course!
Here are the tote bags that I have been sewing up. 31 down and about 120 to go!
If you are interested in donating fabric or your sewing skills please let me know
Merci!

Kenya 2012 Fundraiser!

Hello!!!

The fundraisers for Kenya 2012 have just gotten started. You can fallow my progress on this website to see how much of my goal has been raised up to date. Right now it is quite low as this has just been started yesterday, and I ask of you to consider giving to such an amazing cause. I really believe in this project not just because I am going but because it reaches out to so many people and aspects on a global front. Everybody that gives from close or afar are able to participate through this by helping me fund. I would like to take the time to thank you in advance, wether you choose to donate or not, I thank you for reading about this project and being aware of the changes that can be done in the world.
Here is a video demonstrating some things that I too will be doing in May 2012.

Kenya 2012

Here is my fundraising page, if you have felt inspired that you can contribute to this wonderful project please donate. If you know of someone that would equally be interested please pass it on!
Thank you so very much!


Pendant by designsbytaylor2u

KENYA 2012!

okkkk... so I realize I have not posted on here for MONTHS. Which is almost like years here in the blogosphere .... To be completely honest there have just been so many things happening in my life lately that my blog was the last thing to think about!

So first thing is first, I have officially returned to school this fall, starting my Bachelor of Education which I am super excited about. Living life as a student is possibly the most inspiring and fun thing to do ... except for the whole I have no money, I need to study, I need to work on projects and oh lets not forget I get sick around midterm season! BUT regardless of all of that I am making my way through it all.

The second most exciting thing is that with the Campus I have the opportunity of going to Kenya in May for 3 weeks to teach and help build a community. This is such a huge trip for me as it will be reaching three goals that I have always dreamed of:
1) Going to Africa and seeing elephants in wildlife
2) Doing a volunteer global citizen type of trip
3) Teaching!

This being said, you will be hearing A LOT about this trip. I will be posting about my fundraising goals and all of the progress.
Here is a link of the last years group that went to Kenya so you can have a better idea of what this is all about.
Projet Kenya
I hope you will all be as inspired about this project and help in anyway that you can.

thank you!


Picture from kat4526

Sapling Press

Through my daily Etsy search I came across these amazing cards by Sapling Press. I seriously want to purchase and frame these, they brought tears to my eyes.



^definitely my favorite. I want this in the kitchen^

dear icebergs.

dear twilight fans.

^too cute^

Please visit Sapling Press to check out more of their adorable and witty press cards!

Fascinating Fascinators

Of course there were some interesting hats and hair accessories when the Duchess of Cambridge was in Calgary. Lots of cowboy hats and mini cowboy hats on a hairband to create a fascinator cowboy hat. They were cute but I wouldnt be caught sporting one if my luck were to cross Kate Middleton! A few creative fans crafted a fascinator and boy were some beautiful and others.... Well kitchy to say the least. Here is a picture of my ultimate favorite one.

Will + Kate in pictures

The Duke and the Duchess of Cambridge leaving Rotary Center and getting ready to leave Canada.
Thank you for a wonderful tour!




The Duke of Cambridge inspecting the guards




This is as close as I could get with the purple wristbands! And they past by wayyyy too quickly. But they sure look good in cowboy hats!

Chronicles of a desperate Kate fan continues for the last day

This is it! This is the last chance that I have to see Prince William and his Duchess of Cambridge! We are all crowded at the Rotary Center where there will be the inspection of the guards done by Will of course as well as the official farewell from Canada. I believe I have quite a great seat and really hope to shake the hand of the future King or the commoner turned Queen! The media is getting ready and the band is playing as I am trying to keep my cool (literally the sun isnt as hot as yesterday - 27 degrees! But 16 shinning is toasty as well!). I believe I have an ok view. Check it out yourself!

Chronicles of a desperate Kate fan continues

I forgot to update yesterday but you will have to forgive me, I was border lined sunstroked, a little burnt and majorly blistered feet!!!! BUT I got to see Will and Kate in person. I had to line up with my purple wristband at around 330 in the afternnon in order to see them at 730 or 8 I kind of lost track of the time. They arrived on a old school horse drawn carriage sitting uptop for everyone to see them. Waiting for the moment was definitely painful having 50 year old women pushing me and pulling my hair just cause I kind of snuck in front of them. Oh and thewy complained that I was rude!!!
But that was the worst of it (although my blisters were AWFUL!!!!). I will upload pictures once I get on my computer. William looked dashing in a green plaid shirt jeans cowboy boots and the official white cowboy hat he fit right into the Calgary Stampede and looked like your typical country Albertan boy! Kate was also wearing a similar outfit and looked beautiful just as usual but I have to admit that for once I think William stole the show! They looked a bit awkward on the carriage but then again I also felt funny wearing a cowboy hat yesterday. If you know me well you know that this is a very rare affair! But I needed a hat and go figure it was the only type to buy at a Stampede!!!!

Chronicles of a desperate Kate fan continues...

oh I forgot....
WE GOT TICKETS!
A pair for each event!


Friday afternoon's farewell






BMO white hat event (I think) for Thursday evening

Chronicles of a desperate Kate fan continues

The lineups to get ready to receive wristbands!

Chronicles of a desperate Kate fan continues

So here I am waiting in line since 6 am to get these so called access wristbands with my dear cousin whose pretty much just here to keep me company (thank you J!) There have been people camping out here for what looks like a better part of the evening and this is just the people we can see from this part of the building. We were quoted that there was 31,000 people here but clearly that lady was not good at the estimation part of math. But theres for sure a few thousand people which if they give 2 tickets per person like they've been announcing then we are probably already too late. But at least were here willing to give it a try! The morning has been nice with the sun shinning in my back - anything is better then rain! Fingers crossed that we each get a wristband.
To be continued in a few hours....

Chronicles of a desperate Kate fan in Calgary

Traveling towards Calgary this afternoon on the Queen Elizabeth II Highway felt like a great start to a Royal Visit Week.
Tomorrow morning (eeeearlyyy morning like 5 am) I will have to line up in the hopes of receiving a wristband to attend a few of the public events where the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will be visiting.



More news to be fallowed after tomorrow mornings line up venture!

Young Blood

Also here is my FAVORITE song.
Perfect summer tune.

sewing

I have finally gotten back into the swing of things with my thread and needle, rulers and fractions, drawings and sharpies. I am finally falling back in love with fashion design and sewing. It only took me 4 years, but I am now there. Of course right around the time that I have been accepted to go back to school in a completely different direction; education! And I am equally excited about that as well. Oh how my little heart is torn between these two career paths. But I have hope. I will make them both work. I mean I do have four months off of school for the next three years. Thats some sewing time right there. Enough to even make a fall collection :)
I have actually graded (successfully) a pattern for the first time. I am now making normal sizes for the every day woman. My pattern making teacher would be so proud. I often think of exactly what she would be telling me, "Marie-Claude, why didn't you just take 1/2" here instead, don't make this so complicated on yourself....." I am excited to be venturing into this new and exciting challenge I have made for myself. I will keep you all posted on my progress and of course pictures will also fallow.


In the meantime heres a cute necklace from JustJaynes

Kate Middleton

I am royally obsessed with Will and Kate's big day. I have been ever since they were engaged and even a bit before that. While traveling through Europe this past fall tabloids and headliners of "are they" or "aren't they yet" were already filling the magazine stalls. That's about the time that I got the itch to hear more about the royal couple to be. It was particularly special to me for a few reasons, having been newly engaged on this past trip with the man that I have been with for now 7 years. And now their big day is just around the corner!
The Edmonton Journal did a feature over the weekend about a local couple that started a katemiddleton website where everything Kate and the Royal Wedding updates, articles and features can be posted and read. This is my new first page go see anytime I am on the net. Not many people share or understand my excitement for the Royal Wedding but alas there is a place where I can rejoice with others like me. And so begins my first guest feature as a blogger! I am quite excited for this and even though you do not share my enthusiasm for April 29th, 2011 I hope you can at least share my guest feature accomplishment!
Check it out
Cheerio!

designing....

So....
I was greatly inspired after doing my menswear outfit this past March and I have been designing, cutting and almost at the sewing up of that prototype skirt! yay! Heres to hoping that I will be able to put together a small fashion show in September... but I have a heck of a lot of work ahead still. Heres a small preview of what Im working on. I sure hope that first prototype will work first try. Anyone that knows anything about sewing might be laughing right now.. as we all know it takes at least 3 prototypes to get it right. But who knows!



notice that my small grocery list is in the left hand corner...
Hopefully the pieces will be sewed up by the end of this week!

All while watching Gossip Girls or listening to Britney's new album... Guilty pleasure ;)

Etsy

I was browsing on my number one addiction: ETSY and I stumbled upon this wonderful shop, Plum and Posey that makes wax seal pendants which I absolutely love, I then noticed she is local! She will be selling at the Make It in May. I cannot wait to see these beautiful pendants and purchase one.
There will be other amazing designers and sellers at Make It the Handmade Revolution
You should check it out this May 13th-15th! I know I will :)


Hope Sustains Me
from Plum and Posey

A Dying Art

This is for all of those people out there that bring their buttons to be sewn on by the tailor and get charged 7-10$ each. I have recently been discussing with a few different people who cannot fathom the idea of sewing on a button... if this is rocket science then I'm a genius!
If you still haven't succeeded after this video, please feel free to bring your fallen off buttons to me... I'll only charge you half of what the tailor's charging!

Meese on 124st

After a wonderful night out with friends Saturday night, when waking up Sunday I needed a heck of a brunch! So my mister and I went out for Dim-Sum one of our ultimate favorite things to do on a Sunday. We went to Noodle Noodle downtown off 101St. In my opinion the best place for Dim-Sum! After that we started driving around downtown as I wanted to check out some new nail polishes from Lux Beauty but did not get around to it since I finally saw the new store location of Meese! I was so excited to check it out especially since they are usually closed on Sundays. The store is so sweet and has a cozy vintage feel to it. You forget how small the store actually is since there is so many wonderful things to look at; clothes, light fixtures, accessories, and more wonderful clothing! I was really happy to find a store that was able to replace going to Nokomis. Please check out Meese for amazing 100% canadian made clothing!

stylist contest!

alright so here are the results of the styling contest



So the contest was for styling an outfit from GoodWill Industries using only $75.00 provided by GoodWill. The winner received a $750 GoodWill voucher to create a 10 piece styling outfit for next season.
I chose to do menswear for a personal challenge as well as I was thinking nobody else would give it a try! It turned out to be a lot easier then I thought.

The shirt that Mr. Cody is wearing comes from 3 shirts. I was mostly inspired by the gingham shirt that I found and used as an accent on the blue collar shirt. And the three big buttons came from another one. The bow tie that he is sporting is actually a neck tie that I was able to transform in thanks to a wonderful YouTube video. The pants were taken in to give more of a skinny pant look and the shoes just played the part. I wanted to give a "Sunday Stroll in the Park" look worn by almost anyone (hence the blue collar shirt...!) à la 50's. The glasses really gave that perfect 50s look.

I was extremely proud of myself for pulling this off since menswear is something so very rare that local designers tap into but I have been told...for years that I should give it a try. And you know what? I really enjoyed it and might do more of!
I really love the MadMen look for men right now... it is so nice to see them all dressed up for a change.

I won an honorable mention for doing menswear and a free showcase for next season! Even though it wasn't first place I personally think it's even better then that since I get to showcase whatever I want.

The judges definitely had a difficult task ahead of them since there were some great outfits out there.
Congrats to everyone that gave it a shot, and of course to the winners.

a big thanks to my friends that came out and supported me and a special thank you to Lady Kipp for helping me out on Monday evening!!!

stylist contest

I have entered in the Western Canada Fashion Week (which is coming up quite soon!) stylist contest.
This consists of reworking some items from Goodwill and making them fashionable and wearable. I have yet to choose my items to rework but am equally excited and completely nervous! I am going to try to do (if possible) a men's outfit and a women's. I have to find inspiration soon! The clock is ticking....
I am also quite nervous since I have not sewn for a while... I feel like I should have the fallowing poster from Etsy seller KeepCalmShop in my sewing room!
I will keep you all posted on the progress!



KeepCalmShop

GemFaire bijoux

Today I spent the day taking pictures of my mom's jewelry and uploading them on Etsy!
Here is a sample of a few of them. I've only started posting her jewelry online so please be patient... there's maybe just a few items on but please keep checking regularly for more updates.
Here's her link:

GemFaire Bijoux

dictionary ideas!

littlebluebirdstudios


While browsing on Etsy today I found some inspiration for my dictionaries! I stumbled upon these images randomly, I was looking for some french quotes and this is what I found by littlebluebirdstudios
Now i myself would never be able to draw like this so I would definitely need to purchase these. But what a brilliant idea! I absolutely love the Alice in Wonderland series as well as the utensils set. I'm not really sure why the octopus is so popular lately, this creature has been popping around quite a bit on Etsy and I still can't wrap my head around it, nonetheless it makes for beautiful art. Enjoy!



littlebluebirdstudios



littlebluebirdstudios


littlebluebirdstudios



littlebluebirdstudios

dictionnaries

Remember when we used to recover our school books in elementary to protect them? We had pretty wrapping paper or Christmas wrapping paper, newspaper, or just plain kraft paper? Well I've been doing quite a bit of that lately and having some fun with it. I was given a box full of dictionaries and I started recovering a few of them. Some are all mangled up and I have to find a use for the pages... maybe papier maché of some sort. Could be interesting! I'll keep you posted on that project when I have some time! Here are my results of my project:














Book: Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen
Music: Mumford and Sons

Carousels, Cotton Candy and Cabin Fever!

I am starting to get cabin fever. This snow and this terrible weather is really making me feel cooped up and grumpy. I don't even want to park anywhere and get out of my car for anything, not even a coffee and a delicious treat! I have been looking through my Europe pictures lately and I immediately want to hop on a plane to anywhere-but-here country. Here is one of my favorite pictures taken at the bottom of Montmartre. I just feel like a kid every time I look at the carousel. I don't think I've ever actually had the chance to go on one of these as a kid, or ever for that matter. I guess I should of gotten on it! I can hear the laughter of children and a carousel melody and I feel like I can almost taste the cotton candy or ice cream. Oooh to be a child again!

M.I.A

I realize I have been away from blogging for quite some time now and was recently re-inspired by a good friend of mine who just started her blog, Lady Kipp LOVE her blog! Check it out! I was planning on featuring some special moments from my Europe trip but this seems like such a long time ago now! I will post a few pictures with some anecdotes from time to time. Since then I have moved in with my fiancé and is even more so into vintage home décor then ever! I have found a few great stores and will post some pictures of our recent purchases.
That will be it for now. Keep checking because I will keep posting!