Fashion Friday (3)

Well it is Friday again. I have to admit last night as I sat in my old tattered pj's and slippers I was somewhat dreading thinking fashionably. BUT fear not!

Yesterday me and Shane went to see Sweeney Todd, staring the very beautiful Johnny Depp. I LOVED the clothes in this movie and I noticed
some of the lovely knits. I couldn't find a picture from the movie to show of the Neck Cozy as modelled by Depp. This was the best I could get

SO I got home last night and got knitting. I dressed myself today with a little bit Burton-esque charm. In this pic I am wearing two neck cozys. The petrol navy one is my fav and I will have a few of these for sale in my etsy shop over the next week.

The Sloane Bag

This is Heather, she got a Steen Ink bag for Christmas. I made a squiggle on the bag because it reminded me of Heather, she is a darn right marvelous doodeler.
You can check out her lovely squiggles at her
blog and you can see the lovely designs of her and 'er hubby, Peter at the Atto blog.





A lovely heather drawing.

Fashion Friday (2)

I heart layers.

I was going to make this Friday all about layering, then i realized that layering is pretty much all I do with my clothes. So this is the first of many dedications to layers.

I don't believe in 'winter clothes' and 'summer clothes'. I think it is much more affordable to just have clothes, and layer according to the weather.

This little ensemble is something I am getting a lot of wear out of these days. A corset over a sweater, I love it. The pistachio sweater/jumper is way too small for me but I will squeeze my way into it for a few more years yet, me hopes.

a Steen Ink Publication ?

The Art of Avoiding

Crafty Christmas tree2
Originally uploaded by steen ink

Tonight I started the task of clearing out the guest room in order to make space for a place to work and keep all my supplies handy...a 'studio' I guess if I wanted to sound really fancy.

We've been jokingly calling the guest room our 'walk in wardrobe' because for a long time now you couldn't see the floor for the clothes lying everywhere. So I began and wasn't long into the job before my little mind had figured out a way to become completely distracted from the task at hand.

"A creative Christmas tree! That's what my 'studio' needs!". I had already stumbled across this craft project online, a Christmas tree made out of a magazine. So tonight's productivity is dedicated to the art of avoiding .

Buy handmade, because these people look both cool and nice :o)

Buy Handmade Video from Etsy on Vimeo.

Fashion Friday (1)

I'm introducing a new feature to the Steen Ink Blog, you excited?

A wee while ago I stumbled across the crafty blog of Klay Dough, she came up with the idea of 'fashion thursday' for those of us who make interesting fashion choices.' So I'm taking up the challenge, but I'm making it 'fashion friday', because I like alliteration (is that the right term?) and because I can't sleep and It's kinda still friday and I want something to do that isn't knitting.

I must confess, I am addicted to fashion, I'm a total fashion snob. I often (though not always) hate it when I see someone else with the same piece/style on, outside of Elle and Vogue* that is. I love experimenting, often I will open up a fashion magazine and point to a picture I like and say to myself 'tonight I'm gonna look like this'. I know that must sound totally vain, but, after spending over a decade absolutely hating the way I look (and I can't stress that enough), I am finally taking pleasure in my appearance. The pendulum has swung. **though 'bad hair days', 'bad skin days' and 'does my bum look big in this' days still prevail :o) **

People often say to me 'I wish i could wear that, but I just can't pull it of', to this i reply "nonsense!". Because it is all about confidence, it's all about having big balls. Throw your head up high, Don't slouch and walk tall! And when I lose confidence myself, I usually have Shane to rehearse my speech back at me. Of course there are unwritten rules and tricks, but the most important thing is to have fun with your clothes and take risks.

So my first ever fashion friday is dedicated to me wonderful ol' Doc Martens, oh how i love thee. They are, chunky, old, beat up and barely ever laced the whole way but somehow they always make me feel dainty! I especially love wearing them with pretty summer dresses, which may look and sound odd but I suppose it puts on a bit of 'edge' so i don't look like too much of a 'girly girl' , we wouldn't want that.

These pictures were taken by the budding photographer that is Shane Magee, husband o' mine. He got a fancy camera (Nikon D70) for his birthday and since then every walk turns into a photo shoot.

* Now that I'm in Canada I am lamenting the loss of British Vogue, Canadian/American Vogue is SO safe and conventional, I have given up on it all together.

Today is International Human Rights Day

It's 11pm and I only just now bothered to open the email I got today from Amnesty International. It turns out its International Human Rights Day.

This September I was enrolled to go to the College of Law, London, and begin my training in law. I want/ed to become a human rights lawyer. Why? Because often I feel so overwhelmed at the oppression and injustice in the world and I thought that having a background in law would help me change it.

Well I made other choices, and good ones, i think. Yet I don't want to stop wanting to make the world more just, to look out for those on the underbelly of what we call 'civilisation'.

Take some time today (be it the 10th of December or not) to think about what you think are the fundamental rights of humans.

What can we do? What can I do?

Maybe this is a small start.

Introducing The Man Brooch :o)

man brooch2
Originally uploaded by steen ink

The other night my partner and I were going out to a Christmas banquet with friends. It is one of the rare occassions when Shane sports a shirt and jacket. Feeling that he might look 'boring' and 'normal' he commissioned me to make a 'man brooch' for him. this is the design that emerged!

The body of the brooch is made out of handknit felt in a deep marbly purple. It is ordained with a handmade button in a pinstripe cotton, some bright green embroidery and some golden woolen tassles. And it attached safely to your garment of choice with a safety brooch pin.


I think it looks a little bit like a badge of honour.

Go on, get in touch with your metrosexual side.
otherwise you might be normal and boring.

my first capelet

Made with suuuuper soft acrylic coffee-coloured wool. She fastens together with a lovely handmade flower broach, made with handknit felt and a bright green handknit leaf.

She will be up for sale on etsy this next week.

You like her?

In the bleak mid winter...

meet Pontificate

Greetings, I'm the Pontificating Bag.

I was lovingly handknit in 80% wool from one of Canada's oldest woolen mills, Briggs and Little, In a lovely teal colour. Then I was felted (which 'felt' good and is perhaps what started my pontificating) to make me strong for all your lovely belongings.

I have been embroidered with a lovely cream tree, maybe it's a birch tree or perhaps it has been struck by lightning, which could explain why my tree has no leaves or fruit. Nothing except for a sweet and lovely little red bird. This little creature of flight is taking some time alone, perching in the tree, to mull over life, to pontificate.

I am of ample size. Together we could easily carry a notebook, glasses case, purse, a small camera and some other items. Just enough to take on a little afternoon pilgrimage me thinks. My measurements are: 10.5" wide at the top, 7.5" tall, my base is 3.5" deep and my straps are 6" high at their peak.

**Please feel free to take out a measuring tape and have a good think about what size I am**

I close together with a clicky-snappy-fastener. Finished beautifully with some pale blue cotton with white hearts (you'll understand when you see my picture). And I even have a fabric covered base to keep my shape.

I'm looking forward to our Pontificating Pilgrimages together.

Yours Expectantly

me.

I've been busy

I'm working on a bunch of custom bags these days. I've decided to take custom orders on when I feel like it. I don't want to become bogged down with what everybody else wants that I forget to use my own creative license. But for now, I'm happy to do em.

We got major snow! snowed in snow. I think it's time to get the ol Christmas tree up. Shane (hubby) has requested a 'man bag' for his Crimbo pressie. Shall i translate? he wants a big strong massive messenger bag. I can feel my hands hurt already!!

i froze my bum off today getting pics of my bags...

It's one of THOSE days.
I can't even show you the pictures i took this morning of my bags because we are currently borrowing a friend's old laptop and it can't handle the format we took the pics in. I wanted to get some bags listed already today but i cant find my measuring tape to get accurate measurements for the listing. Arg!



Though it ain't all bag news (sic)! We heard from immigration today. Our applications have been processed and we are still legal. Phew. That horrible knot in my stomach is suddenly gone. So the photos, the cold and the measuring tape, small potatoes.

I've been knitting away trying to get a bunch to put up every day or so in the lead up to Christmas. And I'm pleased with the results. mostly. I fear I shall always be my worst critic.

Some of these bags have been knitted when I've been in a very dark place, it's nice to see
creativity come out of chaos.
I've even had a go at an ipod sleeve and i like it. It is helpful to have small items I can churn out faster than the bags.

It's off to an encouraging start!

Oh my goodness! My shop is empty, I've sold three bags in the last week and I've been told this is unusual. Doris was only for sale for an hour, maximum before she was snatched up! Needless to say lots of 'i just sold my bag' dances have been performed :o)

Ok so stay with me, there will be more and soon! As of tomorrow I will have 4 more bags (of some shape and form) felted and one big big bag embroidered and ready for posting. So there is plenty more to come and lots to go around.

I'm getting lots of ideas ticking around in my head. I have ideas of fabric covered buttons and felted flowers on the bags. And I am getting a little faster. Me and Shane went for a beautiful drive today to see the winter landscape and Shane took some pictures (we really do live in an incredibly beautiful place). I was suprised to see that I had almost knitted a whole bag during the drive!

The whole process all together takes longer than I'd expected. I had assumed that once I got the knitting done it'd be a breeeze. But there's alot more:

felting
trimming the fuzz (the most tedious part)
embroidery
cutting the base out
sewing the base cover
taking the photos
writing the description
listing the bag
packing it up
posting it

this all takes time! oh but it's still fun and I get delight from nearly all of it.

When the first bag sold I couldn't sleep because I kept imagining the buyer receiving it and not liking it! I've chilled out a little bit since then, had a good look at my creations and thought 'these are darn cool bags!' Polly the Peacock Bag is being taken to Holland for a 'Sinterklaas' gift! a Dutch tradition of present giving before Christmas. So I must wave goodbye to my 'babies' , yuck, did I really just say that!?

meet Doris the Bird Bag..

Hi Guys, I am Doris, The Bird Bag

I am knit lovingly in a 100% pea-soup-green wool from one of Canada’s oldest woollen mills, Briggs and Little. Then I was felted to keep me strong and sturdy for the many, many items you will cart around in me.

I have a little bird embroidered on me in wool and cotton yarn. When it isn’t too busy flying about with a twig full of berries it tells me little secrets, if you listen very carefully he may tell you some as well. The bird is sewn in cream with lovely dark turquoise wings and a tail. The beak is orange. The twig is brown and it is full of bright berries in orange, red and maroon.

I am indeed spacious, my measurements are: 12 inches wide, 11.5 inches high, 4.5 inches deep and my straps are 10 inches high at its peak. I can easily carry a large magazine, book, water bottle , purse, small camera and all the other bits and bobs you simply must have on you. My straps are so fun as each one is twisted together with two knitted, felted cords, so from every angle I am an eye catchin’ delight!

**Please feel free to take out a measuring tape and have a good think about what size I am**

I clasp together with a nice, big wooden button, sewn on with the contrasting turquoise colour and the crochet button loop is the same fun bright colour as the rest of me. I even have a fabric-covered base to keep me in shape and always looking good :o)

I am going to make you a very happy little owner, I know ya see, a little bird told me so.

Yours Expectantly

Doris (the bird bag).

p.s. You can read about me and my friends at www.steenink.blogspot.com

i can empathise

my bags just got featured!

Check it out. High praise indeed!

I've been knitting all day in The Red Whale Coffee Comapny, I have become a regular fixture in 'The Whale' - experimenting to see where the embarassment threshold lies exactly when asking for yet another top up of hot water in my tea :o)

I was even graced with the wonderful presences of Heidi and Shane and David. What a lucky girl I am. I am working on a really nice pea-soup-green bag, it should be ready for felting this evenin'.

first items on etsy!!

eek! the time has come, my first bags, mary the contray bag and polly the peacock bag, are for sale.

i am really proud of them thought its all a bit scary and new.

gone sewing