I took a course at The Workroom last week, and I must say it was a great experience. It’s a local do-it-yourself-with-a-little-bit-of-help-from-others sewing shop.

I haven’t sewn anything since elementary school, and the Workroom made it easy for me to complete a great project in record time. Working on a finely tuned sewing machine and being able to consult an expert seamstress made the project a breeze. It’s also social: you’re side by side with other students. And if you need inspiration, just check out some of the great finished products and the huge array of fantastic fabrics they carry.

In addition to courses you can also bring your own projects and simply rent a machine for $7 per hour.

The Workroom is a great place not only for people who know what they are doing when it comes to sewing, but also for those of us that aren’t naturals with a needle and thread. Pop in sometime when you’re in the neighbourhood.

Technorati Tags: Artists, Craft, Parkdale, fabric, Queen Street, Sew, Toronto

It’s Friday! Hurray!

And how fab would it feel to be sporting panties like these around town all day? I could dig it. It would feel more official. It would make me smile first thing, before I even had a sip of coffee.

The candi factory right here in Toronto is producing artisan panties for those that like to be fashionable on all levels.

Hmm… since Fridays are already awesome, perhaps I should really be investing in Monday panties.

Technorati Tags: Artisan

Saving Grace is an old favourite place for lunch/brunch on Dundas near Trinity Bellwoods Park. The delicious food is homemade, and the menu is always changing. It feels as though you are at your grandmother’s house eating food made with love. This is a true neighbourhood cafe, with quaint, unpretentious decor and the food served on vintage dishes. The outside looks a little run down, but that’s OK… it keeps certain types of people out, and since there are only about 8 tables, that’s a good thing.

Technorati Tags: brunch, homemade, Dundas Street , cozy, Toronto

A good hat goes a long way. Especially when it is handmade of high quality fabrics and a unique design that flatters.

Wildhagen is a fantastic shop on Queen selling hats with attitude, elegance and lightheartedness.

Located on the second floor, the shop is a delight to visit. Check out this local family business on the south side of Queen Street West, just east of Bathurst.

Technorati Tags:
Toronto, Artisan, Hats, Design, Queen Street, family business, handmade

Susan Szenes is a fantastic Toronto artist that I first discovered on a gallery crawl. For me her art invokes a whimsical feeling of childhood: child-like interpretations, perspectives and memories.

I’m reminded of returning to a familiar place a decade later to find that it’s not at all the way I remembered it. The place has stayed the same, but my point of view has changed.

Many of her paintings create a feeling of vastness. You can see it in these, below: small images of cars crossing large empty swaths of land.

Remember what seemed like long rides in the back seat of your parents car? Eyes below window level. Only the sky and skyline are visible. Everything is oversized. That’s the perspective I’m brought back to when I look at this piece. I always wondered what those crazy towers were.

Szenes uses found materials such as ceiling tiles, radiator covers, keys, shipping crates and painted wood remnants. Not only do these pieces add interesting textures, they also bring about a feeling of nostalgia and reminders of the past.

I think her pieces also comment on the connectedness of people. We are all connected… by roads, powerlines, airplanes, telephone lines, and more and more the internet. It is these connections that allow us to feel closer, no matter how physically far apart we may be.

The images of cars and roads also leave me thinking about our state of perpetual motion and change.

I am surprised how much these pieces have made my head spin in thought.

My photos can’t do her work justice; you should check out Susan’s work live.

Technorati Tags:
Toronto, mixed media, paintings, arts, canadian

With a name like hawk eyes I expected a lot. I was not disappointed.

This recent addition to Roncesvalles Avenue is set up full of amazing little vignettes that make you feel like you are in a storybook.

The fairy tale awaits you from Wednesday to Sunday. The hours are roughly 12-5.

Not to mention the prices being reasonable, Rachel is lovely and her dog Tullulah is pretty cute too. Here’s a close up of Tullulah and her smile when you say “Gremlin”.

Technorati Tags:
Toronto, Vintage, Furniture, Roncesvalles, elegant, antique

Have you seen her? I feel like she’s everywhere I go.
She’s sophisticated, demure, and sometimes a little sad.
Curious indeed.

Technorati Tags:
art, graffiti, Toronto