Long overdue update...

It has been an extremely hectic past 6 weeks here in The Studio...  full of changes and anticipation for the coming New Year...

First, the Christmas craft show at The Commons here on Gabriola Island went well and we received many compliments on our assorted wine bags, gift bags and bread bags. We are most definitely going to be keeping them in our line of handcrafted home decor. In the project works is an entire product line based around the "bread and wine" theme so watch for those in the upcoming markets this spring and summer.

Photo courtesy S. D. Jackson Photography

Photo courtesy S. D. Jackson Photography

 

As some of you may be aware, we have been using Facebook to post updates on the goings-on and latest developments around here. The biggest (and very exciting!) news is that we are in the process of relocating. Most of the cabin is packed and ready to go... and the creations are still in progress amidst the packing and new studio hunt...

Some time between Monday morning and Wednesday evening, we will know if we will be located in Vancouver or in Victoria... Both cities will bring new opportunities for us in the business and in our personal lives. New markets... new friends... new inspirations to stitch...

Follow the adventure on our Facebook page... we may not be around the blog as much but we are on FB on a regular basis... and we will be posting pictures of our latest needlework and stitchery projects as we go.

At this time, Carla's Victorian Heirlooms would like to wish you and yours a healthy and prosperous 2012! Thank you for your support and we look forward to seeing you at the markets this year.

Until next time... keep warm and safe sailing through your winds of change...

Wonderful weekend...

Good evening to everyone...

Hope everyone had a fantastic weekend. Did anyone have snow over the weekend? It sure felt like it was going to drop some big, fat, wet flakes on us yet all we got were cold raindrops overnight and a bitterly cold wind that is out of the norm for this area. Felt like I was back on the Prairies in winter...

The Nanaimo Professional Craft Fair was a delight to attend. Many talented artisans and crafters filled the room with everything from soup mixes to welded nuts on metal sculpture with several choices of sweet treats for dessert... including melt-in-your-mouth shortbread! It was well worth the hour & a half spent wandering the aisles. Christmas 2012 will be our turn to be behind the table instead of wandering.

Next fair on the list for us is the Parksville Kris Kringle Craft Market that runs November 24th to 27th. This one has almost twice the vendors so I'm thinking it will take about twice as long to wander... As soon as we are finished in Parksville, it's down to Departure Bay ferry to cruise over to the Lower Mainland for Saturday's (November 26) visit of the Make It! Vancouver market...

Photo courtesy of S. D. Jackson Photography

 Now for the best news of the weekend's ventures... Carla's Victorian Heirlooms has secured a table for our first ever Christmas market! Yay!!! Stop by the Gabriola Commons' Christmas Craft Fair on December 3 between 10am and 4 pm and check out our growing selection of reusable bags... 

These particular bags are suitable for a bottle of wine (or other smaller gifts) and another bag will hold a yummy loaf of artisan bread. The bag collection is only the beginning of our household linens selection that will be available over the coming months...

Photo courtesy of S. D. Jackson Photography

The best part about all the bags we will be making here in the studio is they are reusable, time and time again. This line of gift bags is made with poly/cotton fabrics... we have a range of jewel-toned colors with contrast prints to choose from available year-round... each one can be ordered with a hand-embroidered monogram for a more personal touch... and they cut down on waste in the landfill sites...

Until tomorrow... stay warm, stay safe, be happy.

Happy Hallow's Eve

photo courtesy of S. D. Jackson Photography

Good morning to all,

Hope everyone had a great weekend with all the parties and festivities. As today marks the end of October, tomorrow marks the official grand opening of Carla's Victorian Heirlooms. Long hours and hard work to get to this point, and it won't be slowing down anytime soon. It certainly has not been without its challenges but that has just made it a bit more interesting. Challenges help us to see if we are actually up to the task. They can also guide us down a different path to the same result; I like to think of it as "taking the scenic route". It may take a bit longer to get to where we intended, but we get there eventually with a bonus of seeing different sights along the way. So even though it took us almost 25 years to get here, it was definitely worth the detour of twists and turns along the way.

The weekend had its challenges as well. A new project went smoothly up until a point. The bags were cut with casing lines and buttonholes marked in no time. However, the transfer pencil took its sweet time transferring to the fabric. It eventually showed up after about 5 minutes under the hot iron and the motif is ready to be hand stitched today before I stitch the seams. Another challenge is the fabric has a pattern that is somewhat hiding the lines of the transfer... easily dealt with under good light. The 'scenic route' again.

Stitching time yesterday was fun. I met some ladies that also have a passion for needle and threads. I also had a quick lesson in lace making. I have heard of it but had never seen it done so now my curiosity is satisfied. The results are absolutely gorgeous to behold... an heirloom art for sure. I am still undecided as to whether I will attempt to learn the technique. It would definitely fit with the repertoire of the studio...something I will ponder. I actually didn't get much stitching done on the little project I took with me as we were too busy chattering about threads and patterns and the different cloths we use for our art... next week's sit & stitch will see the finish of the first piece in a set of Victorian Christmas ornaments in the works for the craft market booth display. 

Today will be a stitching day as we have sunshine and a break in the rainy weather... A day of work and then over to Twin Beaches tonight for some cocoa by the bonfire and watch the Halloween fireworks. To all the ghouls and goblins out there... safe trick or treating and have a Spooktacular Halloween!

It's official...

Today was another exciting day in the studio! We picked up our first box of business cards from the print shop and they look great! Thank you to Rene at Impact Visual Communications here in Nanaimo ~ he did a great job and had them ready for us in no time at all. Business cards just somehow make it all official that the business is up and running... can’t wait to do some networking and start handing those cards out!

Over the next few months, we will be working on “branding an image” for the company... designing a logo, letterhead, invoices, envelopes, packaging... the works. Part of our branding will also be to create a portable store front that we can move around to attend shows in the craft markets. So many ideas, so many options! Color schemes, display units, even technical requirements such as lighting. And, of course, costuming for us to wear as part of the image we want to create at our shows. (What better reason to sew a new wardrobe!)

So keep checking back to see what is new with our “brand”, along with the other updates and information and goings-on here in the studio. You can also leave a comment below, or on our companion Facebook page, if you wish... we’d love to hear from you. 

Until next time... be safe, be happy.

a Work In Progress...

Tulips

Foundation Pieced Pillow Top

someone to watch over me

from the Fabric Gallery

it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

New adventures...

After a long summer of business plan writing and workshops, I am about to embark on a new journey... with tons of love & support from my photographer husband, SJ, I will be offering treasures created in our home-based studio. My specialty is hand-stitched embroidery & bead work embellishments on items that will add a finishing touch to your home decor... indulge your castle or your cave. Stay tuned as the pages unfold and the creativity flows forth...