Goin' On A Trip

{travel essentials}

When you go away for a week or even a weekend it is important to bring things that will keep entertained while on a plane (train or car), something to read, and something that will make you feel at home. These items evolve over time and with gained travel experience. Here are some of mine and Aaron's (I figured out his from years of observation).

For Him:

- A stylish toiletry bag (I made him this one for Christmas)

- A good magazine

- Playing cards

- A men's essentials kit (comb, scissors and nail clippers)

- A bottle opener

For Her:

- Notebooks and Paper

- Bubble gum

- Travel size products (Static Guard - Don't forget it)

- Newspapers and Magazine (New Monocle Newspaper!)

- My trusty Travel Organizer

A travel organizer is very important for me, I have to have everything in the same place or I am bound to forget something. This one (that I made) has space for passports, travel documents, a notebook and a pen. I am much more prepared for Check In and Security with this pouch and it fits nicely into my carry on.

Are there any travel items that you find essential? I'm always looking for new items and tips!

Make: Punk Rock Chic

Inspired by Rock and Roll and Hermes I came up with this bracelet. I love studded items and wanted to find a way to incorporate them into the everyday without looking cheesy.

You will need:

- 1/2" wide leather strapping

- pyramid studs

- embroidery floss

- a flat head screw driver, utility knife, hammer and punch

(if you don't have a punch you can use a drill with a small bit)

Cut a length of strapping to fit your wrist. Now get studding. The studs fit perfectly around the strapping and with a little help from the screwdriver the prongs easily bend.

Next, punch the holes for your embroidery floss ties. Mine are about a 1/4" in and centred.

Last, thread two lengths of embroidery floss through each hole and tie a knot. I also knotted the end of each strand of embroidery floss to keep it from unraveling.

Tie it on and you're done! It is a great gift and easy to make for yourself or a friend. Now you can add a touch of Rock and Roll to any outfit without it looking cheesy or over the top.

Don't Waste the Proof

This past Christmas I gave my Mom a gift that I was more excited about then any other gift I have ever given. During a trip home in the fall I was looking through some photos with my Mom and found a beautiful snapshot of my grandparents from before they were married. I knew that we needed to preserve some of these photos so I brought a couple home with me with the promise of digital files. My real plan was to scan the photo, touch up all the cracks and creases, enlarge it, have it printed on archival paper and have it framed. It turned out beautiful and was the focus of conversation for much of the holiday.

Part of the printing process was the approval of a proof, the proof was in itself beautiful and I had to come up with a way to display it. The proof included a section of the full size image and a full size snapshot. Below is how I took the proof and found a way to display it.

Above are the materials I used - the proof, a piece of mat board, a ruler, utility knife, some photo corners and a frame.

Next, I took some measurements - the frame, the photo and the border factor. I decided to just use the large portion.

I trimmed the photo and picked the larger photo corners. I moved the photo around and took some measurements and used the eraser and knife to hold it in place while I attached the corners.

Place it in the frame et viola! A beautiful piece of art with a great story.

Winter Wonderland

{These are the people in my neighbourhood}

I live in a very interesting neighbourhood in Toronto. It is just above downtown and feels like a real neighbourhood. In the last couple of days it has snowed more then it has all winter so I went for a walk and took some pictures to show what winter is like in my neighbourhood.

(taken with a Nikon with the Diana+ lens)

First, a woman cross country skiing down the sidewalk. Not something you expect to see in the city.

(taken with my iPhone with a Retro Camera App)

Next, a couple of blocks over is a house with a giant elephant in their front yard, covered in snow. Not it's usual habitat.

(taken with my Nikon)

One of my favourite houses in the neighbourhood the greek house. Good anytime of year but even better covered in a blanket of snow - like a gingerbread house. What makes your neighbourhood unique?

New Year. New Stationary.

A new year means a new start and new stationary. I had a wonderful Christmas and recieved some beautiful things to start 2011 off right.

Together all of my new paper goodies have a feeling of glamour (the gold binder and lacroix notebook and postcards) and rock and roll (my biker notebook).

But the most exciting part is the L Letterpress that I received. Above are a couple of my first attempts and below the magical machine. I have not even scratched the surface yet. The best part is that you can order custom plates for a reasonable price.

I'm so excited for a new year and all of the opportunities that it brings. Get ready for a new year of crafts, design and hand written notes.