Talk to me!
support@thebluebrick.ca

recent posts

  • Mi Casa

    I’ve been MIA for a week working on putting together my kickass new condo. It took a lot, but I’m there, I’m in love and here are pics =o)

    The view, one of my favourite things about this place.

    Aaand – the condo. I’m proud to say I designed it from scratch, almost everything is new and I did it for under $5000. It accomodates everything Tito and I love to do while still making a small condo feel calm, open and comfortable.

    • Couch – easily the most expensive thing. Pavillion on Queen West – $1600
    • Accent chair – Pier 1 – $299
    • Rug – IKEA – $29
    • Mirror – Pier 1 – $200
    • Accent table – got from an antique store that was going out of business for $400
    • Dining table and chairs – IKEA – $475
    • Expedit bookshelf – IKEA – $229 for the big one, $69 for the narrow one by the easel.
    The bookshelf is the realm of organized clutter.
    The Tito-zone
    The bedroom – bright and airy with a view that’s heaven to wake up to.
    My knitting/reading/guitar playing corner
    Swift table and working area
    Left to right – Tito, my uncle Len and my dad enjoying the balcony.
    There it is! My own sweet little piece of downtown Toronto. It’s been a rough year, but totally worth it =o)

  • Minions!

    I have been sooo busy these past few days, between work and packing … and work… and packing.

    This condo is going to be gorgeous. I spent a ton of time putting my core skills to work in designing it, of course – I drafted a top-down, to scale schematic of the apartment and laid in each piece of furniture as I considered it to find the perfect fit. Everything is being delivered after the move and I already know where each piece will go. Tito and I are excited to see the space we’ve been planning finally emerge. It will be elegant and functional while maintaining an efficient and open layout for such a small condo.

    In the meantime I’m also still planning on attending the Knitters Frolic this weekend, despite the proximity to our move. (Tito has known for weeks that we had to pack specifically to leave this weekend free for yarn shopping on Saturday and being at the Beading and Jewellery fair with mom on Sunday – and he doesn’t mind any of this. One of the things I love about him =) Speaking of the Knitters Frolic I just delivered 8 gorgeous new yarn bowls to the Purple Purl – look out for them at the show!

    I’m also excited that my first sweater has been featured on the TFA Tuesday entry for Tanis’ Blog – Thanks Tanis!

    Now, on to a few cute pictures.

    These guys were the best part of Despicable Me! Who doesn’t want their own minion army?

    Crochet Minion

    I’m far from having a whole army – but I had to try making these cuties!

    Crochet Minion

    He (she?) can be found lurking around corners and in sock drawers. This one was gifted to my friend Chris, but someday I hope to have time to make a bunch!

  • The finest thing I have ever knit.

    Yarn: Mirasol Tupa, in gold.

    Pattern: The Travelling Woman by Liz Abinante

    Mods: I did 5 repeats of chart A – and used 5 mm needles on a light worsted instead of the recommended fingering weight yarn.

    Finished size: I haven’t taken proper measurements yet, but it’s roughly 6 feet feet across the wings and 2 feet deep. It took just over 4 skeins.

    I love this yarn – what a pleasure to knit with, and it blocked so beautifully! This shawl was knitted specifically to wear to the Lion King (which was spectacular, absolutely go see it if you haven’t already) and the colour and the sheen of the yarn were perfect. Tito bought me a dress specifically to match the yarn – that’s how beautiful this stuff is. The shawl has gorgeous drape, shows off the lace beautifully and is warmer than it looks.

    It is, in my humble opinion at the moment, the very finest thing I have ever knit.

    travelling woman shawl

    travelling woman shawl

    travelling woman shawl

    travelling woman shawl

    Awww =o) Couple shot. We took this with a self timer right before finally seeing the Lion King – which I’ve been dying to see for about 10 years but due to a series of mishaps never did until now. Best. Christmas Gift. Ever.

  • Bella

    Today my mom had to make the heart breaking decision to put our dog Bella to sleep. Rest in peace Bella, and thank you for 14 beautiful years. We will always love you.

  • It’s spring – really….

    To get away from the trials of packing Tito and I went for a walk in Mt Pleasant cemetery last night with the cameras. Thanks to his amazing eye for little details we managed to photograph a lovely Robin, a male and female Blue Jay and a beautiful Cardinal.

    On our way back it snowed. In fact, it’s snowing today. I don’t want to talk about that.

  • Cadillac Fairview run for POGO

    This past weekend I got to volunteer at Cadillac Fairview’s annual walk/run in support of POGO (Pediatric Oncology Group of Ontario). I was there as the photographer, and though Tito had come just to keep me company he ended up spontaneously donning a red volunteer shirt and working very hard that morning – is that sweet or what?

    The weather started out pretty iffy and graduated to rain that was torrential by the time we left the park, but that didn’t stop 600 folks and countless volunteers and support staff from coming out in support of a great cause. Everyone had a wonderful time, despite the rain and I wanted to share some pics here!

    Cadets from the Metro Toronto Police force came out to help organize the run.

    Lots of amazing families came out to run or walk together and support each other.

    At 10 am sharp the race was on.

    Even doggies were running in support of POGO =o)

    In total, $200,000 was raised

    And Tito, though soaking wet, stayed out til the very end of the race to congratulate the last runners as they came in. Look at that face!

    We had an amazing day and have already committed to shooting the run next year!

  • Kickass Mary-Janes

    crochet mary jane slippers

    Found this pattern by Goodknits.com on these super adorable Mary Jane style slippers. The tutorial is for crochet, is beautifully easy and fast and I definitely recommend it for anyone looking for a super comfy, quick and fun project. Either for yourself or as a gift – these are perfect!

    crochet mary jane slippers

    crochet mary jane slippers

  • Glass Goodies…

    lampworked glass

    These goodies are all from last weeks lampworking session – enjoy!

    lampworked glass

    lampworked glass
    I also made this red pendant –

    lampworked glass

    …which goes so beautifully with one of my favourite scarves…

    lampworked glass

    And these earrings

    lampworked glass

    Which had to be rescued by all the glue I spilled on them…

    lampworked glass

    Hope everyone is enjoying the morning =o)

  • Engagement photos at Union Station

    I wanted to share a few shots I took last weekend of my dear friends Mary and Perry (Doesn’t that sound adorable?). We did the engagement shoot on the weekend at Toronto’s beautiful Union Station, and I’m looking forward to shooting the wedding later this spring. They’re both amazing people, who are great to work with, and I wish them every happiness in their lives together =o)

     

  • Lampworked glass, session 4

     

    lampworked pendant

    Here is a view of a glass pendant that came out of the kiln on Monday. I had foolishly decided to use glue on the post, which resulted in Tito having to rescue the piece by cleaning it up and grinding off the glue. Good thing though, because I really loved the piece and felt terrible after I thought I had wrecked it!

    lampworked pendant

    Here is the other side. There are 4 different colours of glass involved; white, two different kinds of clear and a warm lilac.

    lampworked pendant

    The piece is an inch long (not including the post) and is the largest piece of glass I’ve worked so far. The rectangular shape is hand-pressed while the glass is still red hot. It’s topped off with a sterling silver post and strung onto a sterling silver collar. It’s lovely and classy – and as usual, I can’t wait to get back to the studio so I can improve on it!