Jordynn Mackenzie blog

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2010-03-20T19:54:00.001-04:00

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Thank you for a fantastic Winter Fling!

2009-12-11T11:34:00.002-05:00

Photo by Karpov the Wrecked Train - Jordynn Macknezie's table, originally uploaded by A Craft Thing.

I just wanted to say thank you (again again!) to everyone who helped us make Winter Fling possible.

Check out the Flickr Group here: http://www.flickr.com/groups/winterfling09/

New Pattern: Round Shoulder Bag

2009-12-02T11:10:00.000-05:00

JM401 - Round Shoulder Bag

This pretty round bag comes in two sizes, and both sit nicely on your shoulder. The darts make it roomy, but there's an inside pocket to keep your necessities close at hand. The top flaps are held closed with a magnetic snap.

This intermediate sewing pattern includes 5 pages of illustrated instructions and full-sized computer-generated pattern pieces that you can print at home.

You can buy the pattern on my website as an instant download, or on Etsy if you prefer.

Jordynn Mackenzie's Indoor Craft Show Necessities Checklist:

2009-11-30T20:36:00.000-05:00

It seems like there are more and more people selling handmade goods at craft shows these days, and that's awesome!

Every time I do a show, I make a list of little things to bring with me so I have the most comfortable day possible. I've never actually typed this list up. So I thought I'd do just that and then share it with you.

The list includes everything except your inventory and display furniture, so it should all fit in a small suitcase or box.

But beware - you'll be the one everyone goes to when something suddenly comes up and they need a piece of duct tape :)

Jordynn Mackenzie's Indoor Craft Show Necessities Checklist:

float with lots of change (fanny packs are great for this)
calculator
receipt book
pens + pencils
sketch book for writing and doodling on
paper for extra sign making
a sharpie
tape - a couple of kinds if you can
twine
clothes pegs
safety pins
an ironed table cloth
clear signage or price tags
sewing kit (including thread, needles, pins, thimble)
scissors
business cards
fliers promoting your other craft shows
sign up sheet for your mailing list
gift bags and tissue or other packaging materials
a bagged lunch and some easy to eat snacks
reusable water and coffee containers
napkins or wipes
hand sanitizer
a bag for garbage

Feel free to print and use this list and share it with any crafters you know.

Winter Fling... a Craft Thing

2009-11-27T14:28:00.005-05:00

Winter Fling ...a Craft Thing, originally uploaded by jordynnmackenzie.

For those that I haven't told, I am super excited about a show that I am helping organize called "Winter Fling ... a Craft Thing" on December 5 at St Stephen-in-the-Fields (103 Bellevue Avenue at College St. and Bellevue)

We have 24 AMAZING vendors for this show and lots of SUPER FANTASTIC volunteers to help the day go smoothly. And of course, where would we be without our OUTSTANDING Sponsors?

With the printing help of Kid Icarus, some sewing and pressing by myself and Krecklo, and donations from our Vendors and Sponsors, we've put together some really great looking loot bags for the door that are going to go FAST.

But that's not all! We're also setting up a number of raffles so that if you don't get a loot bag, you'll have the chance to win some super cool prizes donated by our Sponsors and Vendors. (more on that later though...)

So you should plan to be in Kensington Market on Saturday, December 5th for some fun holiday shopping and general crafty goodness!

Oh did I mention I designed the poster and website? :)

Sew... sew... eat... sleep.. sew... sew..

2009-11-04T09:57:00.005-05:00

Been Preparing for a couple of shows coming up:

CBC Charity Craft Sale this Thursday, November the 5th from 9am to 6pm in the CBC Atrium - 250 Front St West
United Way Benefit Show Friday, November 13, 2009 at 12pm to 2pm
29th floor of TD Bank Tower (55 King Street West)

Movies & Makers Saturday, November 21, 2009 at 10am to 4pm followed by Faythe Levine’s Documentary, “Handmade Nation” at 4:30pm
Fox Theatre (2236 Queen St. East)

And not to mention....

Winter Fling... a Craft Thing Saturday, December 5, 2009 from 11am to 6pm
St. Stephen-in-the-Fields, 103 Bellevue Ave (College St. at Bellevue), Toronto

This is a show I've been feverishly working on (I got to do the graphic/web design for this project) with a lovely group of friends. We've got an excellent venue, 22 AMAZING vendors and really cute handmade loot bags filled with awesome goodies.

Experiments in fabric printing - Linoleum Block

2009-10-10T15:30:00.000-04:00

I've been experimenting with printing fabrics (up next - screen printing) and here's the first repeated pattern I've completed.

It takes a good amount of pressure and ink, but I really like the finished result.
I made the repeated pattern into a sort of puzzle piece and mounted it onto plexiglass so that it would be easier to line up the repeated pattern. As you can see, I'm still pretty new to this and am not very good at printing without seams.

But I think it looks fantastic made up into wallets!

Blog Neglect

2009-09-21T15:40:00.004-04:00

JM booth Sept.19 2009, originally uploaded by jordynnmackenzie.

My poor blog I haven't updated you in a while.

This weekend I was at the Parkdale Crafter's Market and this was my booth.

Thank you to everyone who came to visit :)

I also have a show on Thursday at the Drake Hotel in Toronto with a few other lovely makers

Here's the Facebook event

Event: Parkdale Crafters Market TODAY

2009-09-19T07:36:00.001-04:00

Queen West Art Crawl 2008, originally uploaded by jordynnmackenzie.

Come visit me at the Parkdale Crafters Market TODAY and Sunday:
Green P Parking Lot, 1325 Queen Street West Toronto (Queen and Cowan)
11:00am - 6:00pm (both days)

I'm booth number 10.

CATS CATS CATS CATS

2009-09-09T10:05:00.003-04:00

So someone on the internets decided that today shall be a 'Day Without Cats'.

And, well I just flat out refuse to comply.
There should never be a day without cats.

So I bring you some of the cutest pictures of my cats, Chutney and Samosa.

Red and Yellow Tomatoes

2009-08-29T08:04:00.000-04:00

Tomatoes, originally uploaded by jordynnmackenzie.

I guess I know it's the end of summer when friends bring me tomatoes from their gardens - I'm not complaining! These are a mixture of tomatoes from Aidan's mom's garden and my friend Liisa's garden. I especially like the look of the yellow pear tomatoes that Liisa gave us. They are very brain-ey and filled with the tomato seed mush (I love that part of a tomato!)

Tomatoes, originally uploaded by jordynnmackenzie.

This was also my first year as a container gardener. I was given a tomato plant from Aidan's mom and I re-potted it, pruned it (yes I pruned) and then ate the tomatoes as they came off the vine. Unfortunately some animal.. probably a raccoon or squirrel, found my plant and dined off of it a few times. But here it is before much had grown, right after it was potted and pruned:

My Tomato Plant, originally uploaded by jordynnmackenzie.

Quilting

2009-08-27T07:23:00.002-04:00

quilting fabric, originally uploaded by jordynnmackenzie.

I tagged along to Brockville, Ontario last weekend with Aidan. He was doing his job.. you know juggling fire, balancing things on his face. I was just there for moral support and because I wanted a road trip.

What I wasn't expecting to find was this cute little fabric store that specialized in quilting called Picket Fence Fabrics. I bought these very nice prints from their fat quarter and half-quarter bins. I'm not quite sure what I'm going to make with them yet, but I think that I'd like to make a quilt.

My grandmother was a quilter and I can remember always being in awe of the things she'd make for us. I wish I could have shared my sewing/crafting/making enthusiasm with her just a little more.

Does anyone have any quilt patterns or books I should check out? I think I'll hit up the library and see what's available before I decide on what size/shape/pattern to make.

Dress: Built By Wendy 3964

2009-08-26T10:38:00.006-04:00

I finally got around to making a dress from the Built By Wendy pattern #3964 and I love it!

This is my second attempt (here's the first) at the pattern and I am very pleased with the final result. I used a lovely blue cotton stretch jersey, which was interesting to sew with since I usually work with woven fabrics, but with my serger, it was pretty easy to finish.

I didn't really follow the instructions for the last half of the dress and I finished whatever I could with my serger. I finished the binding around the neck and sleeves with my serger, folded under and top stitched. I also left off the 'wing' sleeve which made me look ridiculous, and made the shoulders narrower. And I left off the tie on the back, which I found just got untied all the time and put in a hook/eye type closure. It really just pulls over the top of my head and I could have left out the closure all together.

I love love love to wear this dress, as shown by my posing above... but I hate modelling clothes for photographs. I don't even want to admit how many photos it took for me to get something I was happy with!

Covered Earbuds

2009-08-23T09:04:00.001-04:00

I got around to covering my earbuds in a nice red/orange cotton. It took forever! I relied on my past experiences with friendship bracelets in grade school to get me through it and I'm loving the end result... even the cat hairs knotted in between haha

I was inspired by Etsy user Chozin Designs, who makes beautifully wrapped headphones called earlaces. They're reasonably priced and come in a variety of colours.

Ambassador Bridge Freehand Machine Embroidery

2009-08-22T08:24:00.001-04:00

I made this 6"x8" picture of the Ambassador Bridge last week. I've always loved this bridge. It joins my hometown Windsor, ON with Detroit Michigan.

I sketched the basic lines of the bridge onto paper, then sketched those lines onto a wool/cashmere blend that I bought ages ago to cover a futon. Then I stitched back and forth, filling in the details as I went along.

I'd like to do another bridge portrait. Tacoma Narrows?

Lino Block Printing

2009-08-20T11:38:00.004-04:00

Lino Block Printing, originally uploaded by jordynnmackenzie.

I've been experimenting with a different method of printing fabric - Lino Block Printing.

I found a wonderful 3 part tutorial at an awesome blog Jezze:

Part one
Part two
Part three

I have to say - I absolutely am loving this medium. Carving the linoleum is so satisfying. Hopefully I will have some actual usable prints very soon. I'd really like to start printing more of my own fabrics.

Any other lino-nuts out there?

Ironing Board - Before + After

2009-08-16T07:46:00.001-04:00

I am almost embarrassed to show the state of my ironing board before... but here it is was:

and After!

I pretty much winged the recover.. turned the ironing board upside down to trace my two layers of wool felt (I ended up using that and the padding that originally came with the board too so it's extra padded) and fabric. I used a vintage cotton that I love so much I am keeping it all for myself. I serged the raw edges and made a casing in the fabric for the drawstring. I also reused the string that came with the old cover because it was perfectly good string and exactly the length I needed.

If I were to do it again I would maybe overestimate the amount of overhang I needed.. this cover is almost too small, but I am not redoing it! The two layers of felt are great though. It really added the extra padding I needed and gives it a smooth finish.

If you're thinking about doing the same thing, The Purl Bee has an excellent tutorial here

Now the hardest part... keeping the cats off!

PS: I did a Flickr photo search for "cat ironing board".
The results are fantastic!

Tutorial: Make Your Own Piping

2009-08-14T08:24:00.001-04:00

For all those who want to know the secrets of perfectly matching piping, I bring you the Make Your Own Piping tutorial.

In a few simple steps you can make beautiful piping from your favourite fabric to match whatever you're making.
(tutorial link)

Made in Windsor

2009-08-12T08:07:00.002-04:00

A friend sent me this link to an article about a few new shops opening up on Ottawa Street in my hometown, Windsor, Ontario.

It's really nice to see shops like this open up. I'll definitely have to visit the next time I am down.

New shops resist tide

PS: the thrifting in Windsor is amazing

Art Amidst Junk

2009-08-10T07:53:00.002-04:00

Upcycled posters as planters, originally uploaded by jordynnmackenzie.

Here in Torono, we have been dealing with a city-wide strike for weeks... actually it is now over, but we're still dealing with the pilled up garbage and stinky streets.

I saw an image of one of these awesome planters out of old posters that are still up on the light posts on the Make Magazine blog a while ago and noticed that they were popping up in my neighbourhood so a snapped this shot with my camera phone.

The plants don't survive for very long obviously, but it's a neat idea nonetheless!

Backyard Partying.. now with garden lights!

2009-08-08T08:00:00.003-04:00

Our Backyard, originally uploaded by jordynnmackenzie.

I've been a busy bee in the backyard! It is a wonderful space that is hidden behind our house and sadly rarely used. But I got back there and cut back the years of growth and cleaned up a LOT of garbage and compost that should have been taken away last year... but I ended up with some nice soil out of it so I'm not complaining... too much.

I was planning a party in our backyard/deck area for about month with a friend. The party was for Aidan's 30th Birthday and it was great.

Unfortunately I don't have many photos of the party itself - it was a long night

But you can find nighttime photos of my backyard here and photos of our golfing adventure and a couple cake pictures here.

Golfers note: We are not professionals... but I swear we didn't hold anybody up with our picture taking

Jordynn Mackenzie @ The Kid Icarus 2nd Birthday Show

2009-08-06T14:32:00.002-04:00

Jordynn Mackenzie @ The Kid Icarus 2nd Birthday Show, originally uploaded by jordynnmackenzie.

Not last weekend, but the weekend before I attended a Pedestrian Sunday in Kensington Market (Toronto) for Kid Icarus' 2nd Birthday Show. The weather was a little bit annoying, but we definitely had some sunny spots and I had a great time anyways.

Every outdoor show seems to at least be a learning experience for me.... as indicated by my umbrella-wrapped-in-plastic-so-it's-waterproof setup :)

Also that week (I am SO late posting this!) I was featured in an interview with The Sewing Business Blog, which you can read here

Upcoming Event - Kid Icarus 2nd Birthday Show

2009-07-20T11:32:00.001-04:00

KI_CraftSale2009, originally uploaded by jordynnmackenzie.

I am happy to announce that I will be attending a craft show at one of my favourite shops, Kid Icarus.

Here are the details:
This Sunday, July 26th from 12pm - 6pm
75 Nassau Street (map)

This is a craft show to celebrate Kid Icarus' 2nd Birthday. Hopefully the weather cooperates with us for another successful Pedestrian Sunday in Kensington Market!

Round Pocketbook... coming soon

2009-07-17T12:00:00.001-04:00

Round Pocketbook, originally uploaded by jordynnmackenzie.

I've been working on a new pattern - the Round Pocketbook.

Here it is in the smaller size.. it can be made larger too :)

The pattern is not ready yet, but I will post it as soon as it's finished.

Summer 2009: Lawn Bowling

2009-07-13T09:11:00.003-04:00

This summer Aidan and I tried a new sport (last winter we tried Fencing, but I have no photos which is a shame- those masks are cool). Our friend is the president of a Lawn Bowling club here in Toronto and invited us along to try it out.

And I have to say - it's a very nice way to spend an afternoon or summer evening. The rules are similar to that of curling, which I have only played once and would definitely play again. You throw the jack and then your team tries to get your bowls closest to it.

I'm still working on my technique, but I think I'm getting there.
Oh and did I mention that we break between jitneys (games) for tea and cookies?

You can find the rest of my summer lawn bowling pictures in my Summer 2009 Flickr album here: Good Bowling!

Reminder: Patterns on Sale until July 10 (tomorrow)

2009-07-09T16:42:00.002-04:00

Just a quick reminder that the first edition of Jordynn Mackenzie patterns are on sale for $5 until tomorrow evening:

Instant downloads at patterns.JordynnMackenzie.com
or buy through Etsy: jordynnmackenzie.etsy.com

Thank you to those who have purchased the pattern so far!

Tutorial: Market Tote Sewn From a Pillowcase

2009-07-07T12:00:00.000-04:00

I've just finished this tutorial on how to sew your own reusable shopping totes from pillowcases. They roll up and snap together for convenient storage and travel. They're also fully lined and machine washable.

All you need is a pretty pillowcase, a few tools and some time.
(tutorial link)

Fabric

2009-06-30T18:35:00.003-04:00

Just added Fabric to the esty shop.

The fabrics are hand screen printed by Kid Icarus in Toronto and designed by me :)

There are two patterns, each consisting of repeating silhouettes of my kitties.

Enjoy!

NEW: Jordynn Mackenzie Pouch Patterns

2009-06-29T17:40:00.003-04:00

I'm very excited to announce that I've just added three new patterns to my website and etsy shop.

I've listed the patterns on sale until July 10, 2009 for only $5 as an instant download (only instant via this page - etsy orders will be delivered via email ASAP within 48 hours of payment)

Each pattern includes illustrated instructions and computer-generated pattern pieces.

I'm also working on getting my new fabrics (seen in the patterns) to the etsy shop... stay tuned!

Favourite repice: Old-Fashioned Vanilla Ice Box Cake

2009-06-01T08:00:00.001-04:00

I really like Martha Stewart recipes. And I also really like desserts. So you can imagine how excited I was when I found this recipe for a vanilla ice box cake.

I make it in a bundt pan with icing sugar sprinkled on top and skip the candied lemon zest and frosting. I just have to bake it for longer. I can't remember exactly how long I baked this cake that I made for the party we had to watch Aidan on the Ellen Degeneres show.

The real vanilla is also what makes this cake taste awesome... Oh and the butter - it makes the best crust.

Aidan on Ellen

2009-05-29T08:00:00.002-04:00

So if you didn't get a chance to see Aidan's performance on the Ellen show, here's a video from her website:

(if that doesn't work you can see it here)

I love it!

getting back on track.. new job and an unexpected trip to LA

2009-05-24T15:22:00.008-04:00

Well I guess my last entry wasn't very cheery, but I didn't really intend on making that my last entry for a while.

In the past few weeks I've gotten a new job (full time) hibernated from the internet a little bit (mostly because of new job) and been to Hollywood, CA!

Aidan was invited to be on the Ellen show! So of course I had to tag along.. I've never been to LA or even anywhere near, so it was very very exciting to be able to make this trip!

We were only there to tape the show, sleep and then fly back to Toronto, so we didn't have a lot of time to do much else. We did make it down to Hollywood Boulevard to see Grauman's Chinese Theatre to see all the stars' handprints.

But the WB lot was pretty neat to see. Ellen tapes on the same stage as ER. They have little plaques on the sides of the buildings showing what had been filmed there.

I also really liked where they shot Gilmore Girls. I'm not really a fan of that show, but the set was cool. It looked like a typical nice neighbourhood, but very empty.

I'll post all of my Hollowood photos on my flickr this week. I even got to be a little part of the show - I got to be backstage during Aidan's trick to help with the timing of turing the mower on and off.. oh yeah - did i mention that he balanced a lawnmower on his chin while someone threw heads of lettuce into the spinning blades?

You can check out Aidan's performance on Ellen on today's (Tuesday's) episode (with the American Idol winner, Kris Allen and Mandy Moore)

I don't want the world to end, I just want to see movies and read books where that happens

2009-05-06T10:04:00.005-04:00

Post university degree, I am getting myself back into reading for pleasure. I love sci-fi and for some reason I'm really into postapocalyptic stories (or at least zombies!) as of late.

I read this entire book in the same afternoon that I got it out from the library. It was pretty creepy, but I'm obviously on an end-of-the-world kick so I loved it. I can't wait for the movie!

'The Shep' - Shepphard's Pie our way

2009-04-29T08:30:00.001-04:00

Aidan and I are mostly vegetarians. We started to eat fish/seafood in the past 8 months or so.

One of my favourite recipes lately is our version of Martha Stewart's shepherd's pie using ground beef substitute. Yum! We also used more tomato paste than the recipe suggested. It's a large portion too so it feeds us for a while.

The name The Shep comes from a Degrassi TNG episode.. I was going to explain the whole thing, but I found a Degrassi wiki: The Shep

Mario Cross Stitch: Still in Progress

2009-04-28T08:30:00.001-04:00

This is my Mario across the NES ages (from Sprite Stitch) cross stitch. It's for a friend and it is very very late for a great byoart (bring your own art) party . Of course, I had chosen to make something that took up a lot of time and patience and wasn't finished in time for the party. I'm terrible, I know.. but It will be worth it when it's finished.

I'm not sure how I'm going to finish it. A nice frame? maybe stretched over a canvas or as a pillow?

I don't know yet. But I can't wait to finish it!

The Model Railroad Club of Toronto

2009-04-27T18:55:00.001-04:00

I just uploaded some images of the Model Railroad Club of Toronto to my Flickr.

I went to the club with Aidan and a friend. They ended up going back and filming a bunch of things in there. It was so much fun to take pictures of their setup! I love miniature things and this is the ultimate. SO much work has gone into these little scenes. I think I could have stayed all afternoon taking photos of it.

Makes me want to make a diorama!

Jordy Bag Tutorial: Has anyone made one yet?

2009-04-26T13:59:00.011-04:00

Thanks to everyone who has viewed, linked or downloaded my Jordy bag pattern so far.

Has anyone made one yet? There are lots and lots of replies on the original craftster thread. But I'm excited to see what can be made with the template I put together.

If you have made one, please add it to the flickr group I've made for Jordy Bags

Sneak Peek: Jordynn Mackenzie Fabrics

2009-04-25T10:00:00.004-04:00

Here's a sneak peek at the fabric I recently designed. I had it screen printed by great a local shop, Kid Icarus. (They have a screen printing shop in the back called studio number nineteen)

If you look closely, you can see that both patterns are actually images of my kitties. *insert cat lady jokes here*

I hope to have it available on etsy soon. I'm working on some new patterns as well, so stay tuned.

The Jordy Bag - Free Pattern

2009-04-21T18:57:00.008-04:00

I've been working on an update to my original Jordy Bag pattern at craftster.org for quite some time now.. and it's finally finished!

The Jordy Bag illustrated tutorial takes you through all the steps to create your own fully lined, square bottomed tote bag.

Check it out!

Mini Owls - Just Added to the etsy shop!

2009-03-07T19:46:00.007-05:00

I've just added 4 mini owl pillows/plushies to the shop!

the Jordynn Mackenzie I Can't Wait for SPRING Sale!

2009-02-18T22:40:00.006-05:00

In honour of my longing for warmer springtime weather and everything that goes along with it, I'm having an online only sale.

Visit the etsy shop (jordynnmackenzie.etsy.com) for 40-50% off everything plus, $1 shipping for one or more items until March 1, 2009

ebay Win

2008-12-10T20:57:00.006-05:00

I'm so happy that Aidan and I have just won these Royal Doulton Kaleidoscope ramekins!

We've decided to put together a small set of these beautiful dishes as our Christmas presents to each other.

We bought the covered casserole dish too... and maybe the mugs too... and also some plates

I think I'm going to try making these empanada mini pot pies first. There are a few nice looking recipes in the LCBO Food & Drink magazine too.

The Kaleidoscope pattern was made from 1972 to 1978... and it's gorgeous. We first came across this pattern as a full set (!) at Value Village back around 2003 maybe. At the time I was still living 4 hours away from Aidan and we decided to just get five of the large plates and leave the rest... and we've regretted not purchasing the entire set ever since!

But we will be together again soon, Kaleidoscope!

Evening Show: Jordynn Mackenzie at the Sassy Little Craft Show this Saturday, December 6, 2008

2008-12-03T09:49:00.005-05:00

This Saturday, December 6 join Jordynn Mackenzie at the Sassy Little Craft show held upstairs at the Victory Cafe - 581 Markham Street - SW of Bloor & Bathurst (map)

Admission is free and the event runs from 7:00pm until 12:00am

I'll have a table full of Holiday ornaments and owls - big and small.

For more info on the show go here: www.christarowley.com/thesassylittlecraftshow

Hope to see you there!

Pouches at the Jordynn Mackenzie Etsy Shop!

2008-10-29T19:42:00.004-04:00

I've just launched the Jordynn Mackenzie Etsy Shop: jordynnmackenzie.etsy.com!

Flickr Overload

2008-10-15T16:42:00.007-04:00

I just made a big flickr update in an attempt to not do the work I have to get done.. oh boy.. (added later: I managed to get some work done --> www.aidanorange.com finally looks decent again)

But that's good news for anyone who wants to e-stalk my flickr page.. there's lots of new stuff!

This past weekend was Canadian Thanksgiving and Aidan and I drove his new car (no pictures of that yet!) to Windsor to visit my parents and my dear friend Hayley. Highlights of the trip include spending all of my money at thrift stores, Devon Sawa (Hayley's adorable cat), and golfing... I am like Tiger woods!!!

er... maybe not.. But it was a beautiful day and it was nice to hang out with Aidan and my parents. I even got to drive the golf cart (exciting for someone who doesn't drive.. trust me)

My Mom and Dad are definitely pros!

my dad and i (see my new haircut?)

I think we all really enjoyed ourselves that afternoon.

As for my thrift finds.. well I haven't posted photos of those yet. But I will tell you that it involves the cutest shoe tote you've ever seen!

Squids for Kitties

2008-09-28T15:01:00.008-04:00

So I guess it's officially fall! I've been taking it easy this week after deciding not to rush into an application for the One-of-a-Kind Christmas Show. I'd rather have time to properly prepare for a show like that. Rushing always turns into a bad scene..

But anyways, in my quest for relaxation, I've picked up my crochet hooks and tried again to make something. So far I've only ever made a few lumpy berets. So what's a girl to do but try to make another?

I've tried twice to crochet this hat. The first time it came out big enough to put my entire head into (Unfortunately I wasn't really going for that look). The second time I ran out of yarn halfway though... frustrating!

So to fulfill my need for some sort of finished product, I made the kitties a couple of crochet toys.

The pattern is an improvised mess of single crochet and maybe half crochet or something for the legs.. I based the pattern off of a toy they once stole from the cat downstiars. They only took about 15 minutes each too. It would probably be much faster if you are an experienced crocheter. But don't forget the bell!

I'll round this post off with a picture of the siblings that I took the other day in my sewing room. They are such top models, don't you think?

Come into my studio...

2008-09-19T19:18:00.014-04:00

My name is Jordy...

Welcome to the first post of my new blog :)

I've just launched my website: www.jordynnmackenzie.com
If you go there you can read my bio and find out where to buy Jordynn Mackenzie.

I'm finally not (too) embarrassed about my messy studio anymore and I took some photos of it.

Last year I moved my studio from a tiny pink room in the back of my house to the third floor attic/living room space.

Here's a couple pictures of my pink studio:

It was a pretty good sewing room in the summer months when I could keep the door to the deck open... and when I kept it clean. But really, it was just too small of a room to make any quantity of anything. When we got our kitties in September of last year, we needed a space for their litterbox and I needed more room. So We bought a new desk for the living room and moved Aidan's computer downstairs. That left a fairly large room with crazy slanted ceilings. A couple of Ikea shelves later, I had a sewing room:

(a panorama - click for larger version)

My machinery: Janome MyLock and Kenmore UltraStitch12

You can see more images of my studio on my Flickr

It took me a while to get the room organized - I have SO much fabric... probably too much. But, I've cleaned everything up and the room is in working order.

And I finally have a place to hang my degree :)