charlotte and stewart

happy place | Depeche Mode edition

2012-01-29T06:54:00.001-05:00

I don't know about you, but this video makes me as happy as can be. I bet this guy's been planning this since grade nine.

shop update!

2012-01-08T19:05:00.000-05:00

Just updated the shop with some pocket dollies.

European holiday.

2011-12-31T12:17:00.006-05:00

Way back in October, I took a trip to Europe. I spent the first week visiting London, Paris, Geneva & Milan for work (rough life, I know). That portion of the trip was pretty jam packed, so I didn't get to take many pictures. Luckily I was able to tag an extra week on to the end of the trip as vacation, and met up with my boyfriend in Bologna. We spent the second week driving through Italy visiting his relatives and sight seeing. It was pretty much the best trip ever.

Our first stop was Venice. We didn't stay long, but it's one of those places that you kinda have to see if you're in the area. It was beautiful and not very busy, which was a treat.

We drove through some scenic little mountain towns in northern Italy & Austria. Of course we had to stop for schnitzel and beer and chocolate along the way.

Our trip ended in Collelongo, a tiny town nestled on a mountainside in central Italy. The people were extremely hospitable and friendly. I felt right a home, even though my Italian is virtually non-existent!

We stayed in an old tower in the middle of town. I was kind of hoping it would be haunted...but it wasn't. It was pretty magical though.

There are way more pictures on my flickr if you care to take a peek. Click here to link.

sailors

2011-12-08T11:54:00.014-05:00

These little guys are off to the Collective show.

I miss them already.

The Collective is a gathering of creative artists and artisans for 12 days in December, from December 8 to December 19, 2011 at Triangle Gallery, 38 Abell St., Toronto, Ontario. Gallery hours 11a.m. - 6 p.m. daily.

a gang o' wee dollies.

2011-11-25T19:17:00.001-05:00

Just a few of the pocket dollies that are going to the Collective show in a couple of weeks. Hope to see you there!

dolly doodle | pirate

2011-11-16T13:13:00.002-05:00

This little guy's been floating around in my head for a while now.

cashmere awesomeness.

2011-11-02T15:29:00.007-04:00

I am slowly but surely wading through the mass of photos I took on my trip and I thought I'd share this little bit of awesome from Stefanel in Treviso, Italy.

I'm not a knitter, and I have no idea how they made this, but it has got to be the softest and most magical thing that I have ever touched. I'm kind of glad the store was closed, because if the stuff inside felt anything like the stuff outside, my bank account would have cried a thousand salty tears.

When I got home I googled "Stefanel" and it pretty much made me want to wear nothing but layers of super soft knits for the rest of the year...and maybe move to Europe and get a dog...le sigh.

super fun, exciting news!

2011-10-31T07:14:00.003-04:00

My dollies are gonna be in a show!!! I'm really excited because this is the first time I've done anything like this. If you're in Toronto in December you should check it out.

Check out the Collective blog.

hello Europe!

2011-10-11T09:45:00.001-04:00

Today I'm leaving for Europe! I'll be gone for 2 weeks. So very excited. I'll try to remember to take pictures this time. Sometimes I get so distracted by all of the things that I totally forget.

Isabella

2011-10-08T10:55:00.004-04:00

This is Isabella. She's a custom dolly for my friend's daughter who's turning 3! I really love making dollies for little kids.

When I was little I had a stuffed monkey. I put a diaper on it and called it Donkey Kong Jr. (I loved that game!) I used to take that monkey absolutely everywhere. It was well loved and my mom had to repair it many, many times. I like to imagine that my dollies will be like that for other little kids.

fabric magic!

2011-09-30T23:37:00.003-04:00

Today I got a pretty sweet package in the mail from spoonflower. FABRIC SWATCHES! Spoonflower offers a neat-o service where you can create your own design and they'll print it up on fabric for you. You can order as much as you like, or as little as a swatch in a whole whack of different fabric options.

For my first attempt, I tried a classic little gingham type print with a nautical twist. I'm gonna make some dolly clothes with it. If you like it you can get some here.

Max

2011-09-14T06:44:00.005-04:00

This is Max. Max is the friendliest little zombie you'll ever meet. He adores people and doesn't even want to eat their brains at all!

Pinky swear.

goodbye august.

2011-09-08T22:08:00.001-04:00

Gah! I can't believe that August has come and gone! I have been working pretty hard around here, but I feel like I have very little to show for it. Over the last month or so, I've been doing a tonne of prep work for future dollies and pocket dollies. Cutting and painting and organizing. I have managed to almost fill a 37.9L tub full of dolly skins, all ready to be stitched up and stuffed.

excuse the poor picture quality...ziploc bags are shiny!

I'm also pretty stoked about some new snaps I ordered from Cowgirl Snaps on etsy. New eye colours are kind of exciting, no?

photo courtesy of Cowgirl Snaps

So much in the works right now! I'll be updating my wee shop very soon...I'll keep you posted.

the workroom

2011-07-17T17:44:00.004-04:00

the workroom is a super cute and amazing shop/studio space located in Parkdale right here in Toronto. I can't believe it took me so long to visit in person! It's the first space in Toronto where you can craft or sew by the hour. If you don't have a sewing machine or a serger of your very own, you can use theirs for a nominal fee! They also offer classes if you're starting from scratch.

store front

one of the lovely work stations

The shop is full of the most beautiful fabrics from Kokka, Lecien, Amy Butler, Denyse Schmidt, Heather Ross, and so many more (I can't believe I've been ordering these off the internets for so long). If you ever find yourself in Toronto you should really visit. If you're anything like me you'll feel like a kid in a candy shop. In the mean time...visit them on the internets theworkroom.ca

the most laid back dog I've ever met

fat quarters

The workroom is located at 1340 Queen St. West in Toronto.

invasion of the pocket dollies!

2011-07-10T13:46:00.004-04:00

I finished my first batch of pocket dollies and they're available in the shop! I think next time I'll make a dozen. Which one's your favourite?

There are bigger pictures after the JUMP.

I love CONTEMORI | bottega creativa

2011-07-07T10:43:00.000-04:00

When I first started this little blog, Laura was one of the first people to "follow" it. I was so excited and inspired that somebody so talented would be interested in little ol' me. Today she is opening a real live bricks and mortar shop in Italy and I couldn't be happier for her!

She makes super cute handmade toys and more! Below are a few of my favourites. Check out her site here and etsy shop here.

all photos from contemori on etsy.

wee works in progress...

2011-07-02T11:47:00.000-04:00

Little pocket dollies soaking up some rays on this lovely Saturday.

Happy Canada Day!

2011-07-01T15:17:00.000-04:00

I am thoroughly enjoying this long weekend so far! A little beer, a lot of sewing and some beautiful sunshine! I hope that all of my fellow Canucks are enjoying this perfect day too.

Chrissie & Kiterie

2011-06-19T19:22:00.002-04:00

These lovely little school girls are a custom pair that I finished recently. I love the little uniforms! I totally overhauled my button down shirt pattern, and created a new blazer pattern for this project. (I think I see a little boy in a seersucker suit in my future.)

I hope their new mama loves them as much as I loved making them!

Chrissie

Kiterie

concept sketch

har-har!

2011-06-18T15:51:00.002-04:00

My sister was over the other day and I guess she thought it would be hilarious to have pocket zombie busting out of regular zombie alien style, so she did this when I wasn't looking. She's a funny lady!

The regular zombie is for baby Max. I hope to have him clothed soon so I can gift him before baby Max hits kindergarten! (it was supposed to be done in February but I am a lazy slag...doh!)

the best mail day!

2011-06-07T20:25:00.001-04:00

Yesterday was the best mail day yet! These beautiful vintage pearl buttons arrived and I couldn't adore them more. I bought them on ebay in lots of 24, but the seller was sweet enough to keep them as a bunch on the string with the original tag attached.

I'm going to use them as eyes on the pocket dollies (although they are so lovely I'll probably find a way to use them on the big dollies as well).

fun times | Niagara Falls edition

2011-05-29T16:35:00.002-04:00

Yesterday my boy & I took a little trip to Niagara Falls to do some outlet shopping in the USA. He got some really great deals on clothes for his new job, and I went to Jo-ann Fabric for the first time! The place is HUGE! I probably could have stayed there all day, but we wanted to visit a friend and go to the casino, so I only had about half an hour.

I got some fat quarters on sale...

...and a bunch of these storage boxes, perfect for buttons & trim.

spring has sprung!

2011-05-25T13:20:00.002-04:00

The sun has finally decided to visit these parts which makes it much harder to stay inside and sew and blog!

Lately I have been working on a few custom dollies (which I will reveal soon) as well as some of the cutest little pocket dollies you ever did see!

I also spent a lazy Saturday making this wallet-clutch thingy for a friend's birthday. I used a pattern from Napkitten on Etsy which is easy to follow and has lots of pictures. I'm pretty happy with the way it turned out. I think I might use the same fabrics for a dolly outfit in the very near future!

shop update

2011-05-07T19:37:00.000-04:00

I've put some new paper dollies in the shop. Check em out here.

what's better than a 4 day long weekend?

2011-04-21T18:40:00.003-04:00

...getting a package in the mail just in time for said long weekend! Sweet action! My parcel from Superbuzzy arrived today. Now I can get to work on all those projects I've got planned!

pocket zombie...

2011-04-17T10:45:00.001-04:00

Isn't he the cutest ever?

unstuffed...

2011-04-10T19:29:00.000-04:00

My weekend project...he's a little limp and nekkid and he's got no ears. There's always next weekend.

zombie goodness!

2011-04-07T19:45:00.001-04:00

Some new paper dollies. Everybody loves a little zombie action!

scooter chick

2011-04-02T16:37:00.003-04:00

She's all dry now, so I scanned the little scooter chick. I'm really happy with how she turned out. She reminds me that summer is just around the corner!

...and here's me on my Vespa. I could never wait for summer time to start riding (that's why god made parkas).

hooray for road trips!

2011-03-28T18:00:00.034-04:00

This past Sunday my boyfriend and I took a wee road trip. He wanted to buy some rims for his motorcycle in Kitchener, so to sweeten the pot and convince me to tag along he proposed that we check out St. Jacobs country. I had never been so of course I said "yes".

The Village is really cute & cool. There are a bunch of unique buildings and the area is well known for it's antiques and Mennonite crafts.

The Mill and Silos are home to a maple syrup museum and a quilt gallery (apparently this region is the quilt capital of Canada). There are also pottery and weaving studios, shops, and other exhibits.

Inside Market Road Antiques where I found the cutest, teeny-tiny pearl buttons ever! We also got some vintage Pyrex mugs, maple syrup and Turkish Delight.

Aren't they sweet?

On the way out of town we stopped to eat an ungodly portion of the most delicious schnitzel!

I did not sew a stitch or paint a stroke, but it was a super fun and relaxing day! I think we'll go back in the summer time for the Farmer's Market & ice cream...yummy.

sneaky peek | scooter chick

2011-03-23T12:45:00.003-04:00

I just finished this little one! Once it's dry I'll scan her, but in the meantime here's a pic. Dang oil paints take so long to dry, but I think the depth and texture are worth the wait.

fancy fabrics from London town

2011-03-22T17:30:00.009-04:00

Got these fancy fabrics last week on my trip to Europe and I can't wait to use them! The best part about sewing for dollies is that you can buy remnants and still have plenty.

From the Cath Kidston outlet store...cheap & cheerful!

From Cloth House, my favourite fabric shop in all the land!

I love that their bags are made from repurposed Indian newspapers!

I love stuff!

2011-03-06T10:53:00.003-05:00

I ventured outside yesterday even though it was cold and rainy and grey, and I'm so glad I did because I got some awesome stuff!

I found the fabric at a hole in the wall fabric shop down the street that's run by the cutest little old Italian lady. The place smelled like delicious old fabric and was like some sort of textile time capsule. I was really excited because I've been looking for some fine striped red & white cotton so I can start work on the sailor dollies and I couldn't find it at the big chain fabric store (strange but true).

The magazine and book I was going to order off of the interwebs anyway so I was pleasantly surprised to see them on the bookstore shelf. Yay for no shipping!

Miss Yonkers' film debut

2011-03-05T13:20:00.003-05:00

A little while ago my friend Uzuric made a wee film with a cameo of Miss Yonkers. I'm not quite savvy enough to embed the video, but you can check it out here. It's hauntingly beautiful.

anchors aweigh!

2011-03-03T15:31:00.004-05:00

Here's a little sketch of some possible new dollies. Now I just have to figure out how to make a 3D plush bob hairdo!

thinkin' about wee sailors

2011-03-01T22:29:00.000-05:00

Spring has got me thinking about new dollies in super fun outfits. Right now I'm leaning toward wee sailors. I've collected a bunch of nautical inspired fabrics and findings over the last little while and I'm growing anxious to use them. Here's a peek...

Viva Las Vegas!

2011-02-27T09:57:00.001-05:00

I love Vegas. It's one of those towns that can be anything you want it to be (and of course it has palm trees).

One of my very favorite places in Vegas is the Neon Boneyard. The Boneyard is home to over 150 historic, unrestored signs and if you're into 20th century pop culture nostalgia it's a definite must see. You can learn more about the Neon Museum and their preservation efforts here.

Siobhan

2011-02-24T11:50:00.004-05:00

This is Siobhan. Little Siobhan loves scooters and big dogs. She also really likes cannoli, but she's still too little to try the espresso.

Siobhan's dress is made of Japanese fabric from Superbuzzy and embellished with vintage buttons from "the jar". Her socks were recycled from a sadly shrunken merino wool sweater.

Hucklebones

2011-02-15T09:57:00.000-05:00

Lately I've been spending loads of time lurking Hucklebones. Their Spring/Summer 2011 collection is so cute and inspirational! I love their naive yet refined take on clothes for little girls. Take a gander...

Annabel

2011-02-11T13:36:00.007-05:00

This is Annabel. Little Annabel loves to read. She has 2 cats. Annabel is a quiet girl who prefers the company of adults to that of other kids.

I got the fabric & buttons for Annabel's jumper dress at a really cute shop called Cloth House in London. I think I could have spent all day in that shop, it was packed to the rafters with goodness.

I heart fuzzy slippers!

2011-02-08T21:32:00.008-05:00

Nothing beats the winter blahs quite like a pair of warm, fuzzy sheepskin slippers. I got these babies at the One of a Kind Show and I love them to bits. If you're in the market for something to keep your tootsies toasty, check out the awesomeness over at garneauslippers.com.

BUTTONS!!!

2011-02-06T17:03:00.002-05:00

Okay, so I have a serious addiction to buttons. I am sure that I have many more than I will ever be able to use in this lifetime. That said, I still buy them ALL THE TIME. Today I went down to the St. Lawrence Market with some friends to look at junk and stuff and I bought some buttons. I think the ones with palm trees on the card are my favourite, but the old timey "MADE IN CANADA" jar is pretty sweet too.

Tildie

2011-01-23T11:50:00.001-05:00

Tildie is a happy go lucky little girl. She loves window shopping and feeding pigeons in the park. Tildie's best friend is named Lucy. Lucy is imaginary, but that's ok.

Heinz & Hanna

2011-01-11T14:49:00.002-05:00

Who doesn't love lederhosen? I mean really...too cute. I almost didn't want to give them away, but who can say no to their grandma? I think she'll give them a good home.

Jason & Joey

2010-12-27T14:51:00.000-05:00

These 2 little guys were a custom order for a Christmas gift. They were really fun to make, especially the super cool hip-hop jeans. I finally got to use the neon green thread I've been holding onto!

one tiny reindeer

2010-12-12T18:35:00.001-05:00

Just in time for the holidays! A little reindeer friend. This one is sewn totally by hand. It seemed easier than trying to stitch together teensy-weensy bits on the machine. Now how many more can I crank out before Christmas?

i heart mail!

2010-11-30T10:02:00.000-05:00

Yesterday I got some loverly vintage trim that I ordered from EmmaDear on ETSY. I'm going to use it on a little German dolly that I'm making for my Grandma for Christmas. I love mail so much!

I'll have so many new dollies to show you all after Christmas. I would show you now, but I don't want to ruin any surprises!

Mrs. Tucker

2010-09-12T21:03:00.001-04:00

Mrs. Tucker is the sweetest little schoolmarm. She's got on her best red jacket and her hair's pulled back in a neat & tidy bun...totally ready to welcome the little kiddies back to class.

Undead Dan

2010-08-28T23:23:00.003-04:00

The zombie dolly is finished! He went home tonight with my uber-talented friend Dan over at Skulluxe. This little guy was so much fun to make. Now I gotta figure out what to do next.

zombies love...b-r-a-i-n-s!

2010-08-08T17:52:00.003-04:00

Here's the zombie tee! Thanks to everybody who threw in their two cents on facebook. The little dead guy is getting all ready for his big debut.

happy birthday little blog!

2010-08-04T20:49:00.006-04:00

Thanks to all of you who read my wee little blog. I'm super happy to be able to share pictures of my dollies and paintings and things, and even happier that anybody bothers to look. You are all awesome!

Sunny

2010-07-18T10:50:00.000-04:00

Sunny loves daisies and tea parties and polka dots. When she grows up she's gonna move to a place where it's summer all year round.

zombies eat brains.

2010-06-09T20:52:00.007-04:00

If you found yourself caught in the zombie apocalypse, got bitten and became one of the undead...which t-shirt would you wear?

p.s. you are a zombie and you eat brains.

Miss Yonkers

2010-06-07T10:19:00.002-04:00

This is Miss Yonkers. She is my very first custom dolly. Very challenging but so worth it.

yummy new fabric!

2010-03-26T22:25:00.003-04:00

There was a big sale at ye olde fabric shoppe, so I picked up some yummy fabric I've been eyeing. Linen & gingham & seersucker oh my! Also some fun buttons to boot.

BIG NEWS!!!

2010-03-20T10:29:00.003-04:00

I've finally opened an ETSY shop. Right now it has dollies & paper dollies, but I'll be adding some buttons & magnets over the next couple of days. Super fun, right?

Melinda

2010-03-15T15:51:00.006-04:00

This is Melinda. Melinda loves duck billed platypusses and always eats her vegetables (even brussel sprouts).

coming soon!

2010-03-10T19:11:00.002-05:00

Paper dollies!

teeny tiny business cards

2010-03-09T09:08:00.001-05:00

Look what I just got in the mail. Teeny tiny business cards that I ordered from moo.com. It's funny because I had never heard of moo before and then all at once about 3 different people told me about them. It's weird how things work like that sometimes.

Magda

2010-03-07T08:57:00.004-05:00

Brand new little dolly.

i love mail.

2010-02-24T21:03:00.003-05:00

I am so excited! I got some fabric in the mail today from fabricworm on ETSY. I can't wait to make it into something(s) sweet & cute. You would be surprised how hard it is to find plain old polka dots now a days.

So many polka dots, so little time!

Katie

2010-02-20T12:45:00.004-05:00

Here are some pictures of the newest little dolly.

p.s. I am hoping to open an ETSY store mid March if I can get enough done by then (wish me luck). I'll keep you all posted.

winter...

2010-02-18T19:26:00.003-05:00

I dislike winter. It is cold & dark. The only good things about winter are fun coats & cute boots. Also toques, toques are good.

I think one day I will move to a place with palm trees. In the meantime, here are some bundled up little lovelies.

buttons!!!

2010-02-14T13:00:00.002-05:00

Yay buttons! I don't know what I'm going to do with them yet, but they were fun to make. Who wants some buttons?

Thanks to Dan for lending me the button maker & to Elaine for the super fun button making party.

Lola

2010-02-09T19:47:00.000-05:00

This is Lola. She has a loverly outfit made from new & vintage fabrics, plus some more of the wonderful fabric I found at superbuzzy (did I mention that I lurve superbuzzy.com?)

Right now Lola is hanging out with Charlotte & Tinkerton, but I am thinking she may be the first wee dolly to pop up in my empty little Etsy shop.

new clothes

2010-02-08T19:02:00.002-05:00

This weekend I made a new set of clothes for Charlotte. I had really been dying to make something from the cute black floral fabric that I got from superbuzzy.com . I love their site and have ordered Japanese fabrics from them a couple of times with great success.

Richard

2010-01-31T16:37:00.000-05:00

It's a boy! I made this little guy for my nephew.

Lily

2009-12-13T21:22:00.001-05:00

So...I finally finished some of the dollies that I have been working on for the past couple of months. The new dollies have new & improved removable shoes!!! who doesn't love shoes?

This one also has a super cute bubble dress. Fun times.

Rosie

2009-12-13T21:16:00.000-05:00

This wee dolly is one I just finished for my Mom for Christmas.

pretty paris

2009-10-19T18:38:00.002-04:00

I haven't made anything new lately, so I figured I would post some pictures so you don't all lose interest. These are some pictures that I took on a buying trip to Paris early this summer. It was three days of hardcore shopping and sightseeing from the outside.

A very pretty flower shop.

Some of the most delicious looking fruit I have ever seen.

So cute.

Outside of the Louvre.

First glimpse of the Eiffel Tower.

bunnies & toe socks

2009-08-30T16:39:00.000-04:00

This is a little 6" x 12" oil painting that I did just before Christmas of last year.

the first wee paintings

2009-08-15T09:27:00.001-04:00

Here are a couple of little paintings I did a while back. They are 4" x 4", oil on canvas. I made them so that I would have something cute & small to put up in my new apartment.

happy birthday seester!

2009-08-12T19:14:00.000-04:00

This little dolly was made for my seester for her birthday. She is part Little Lord Fauntleroy, part Anne of Green Gables with a dash of 70's lady reporter thrown in for good measure.

(the dolly not my seester.)

Here she is with her friend Charlotte & Tinkerton the cat.

dolly making madness

2009-08-05T19:39:00.001-04:00

This past weekend i decided to try my hand at doll making. I thought it would be neat-o to make something three dimensional and tactile. This is the result...