Well.

Hello there.

It's been a what.. 20 month hiatus?

A lot of things have changed in those twenty months. In fact, it's a bit strange to think about where we stood before them. How we identified. How we identify now. It's a fast world, kids. It just keeps spinning, and then 20 months later you write a blog post stating your intent to start making again. Just like that.


Soon. Soon. Stay tuned.

Hello, folks! I'm in Florida, on vacation for a few more days, but I wanted to quickly share that Etsy ran an article on Garth Johnson's 1000 Ideas for Creative Reuse- and here's what T&F contributed:

"thistledownandfinch: The best piece of advice I have for folks looking to creatively reuse is to open their minds. Wide, wiiiiide open. Think outside of the box. Literally anything can be reused — and (nearly as literally) anything can be made from that said-initial-anything. That's what makes Etsy so great. That's what makes art art and craft craft. (And art craft and craft art.) Reuse is as good for your brain as it is for your soul. And in this age of excessive consumption, it's better for the planet than most things I can think of.

My mantra for 2010 is "search for the bigger picture." There's enormous impact hidden behind everything that we consume, and it can be so simple to miss it — but it's so important to pay attention, because, often, I think, our intent can be nullified without our even knowing. People decide to buy organic to protect ecosystems and reduce greenhouse emissions, but their town only carries things flown the width of the country, wrapped in four layers of plastic, or someone wants to support sustainable clothing, but the mother-company is a conglomerate and the proceeds are in the hands of folks with abominable environmental records.

It merits enormous pats on the back for making that initial commitment, for leading by example and trying to effect real environmental change, but marketers are saaaaaaavvy these days. It is (almost) the future, after all, and so it's important to remember look behind things and to collect as many facts as you can to be sure that your resolve isn't in vain and that this happy little planet of ours has us all watching its back as well as we think we are."

Hope you're all well!

Um. So. Hello!

It's an understatement to say that this blog has been neglected; it's covered in dust, there's no hiding. Hopefully this winter we'll get a website up and running, which is so much more suited to my (well intentioned, but) non-committal writing.
In the meantime, sitting at my folks place willing the (recently rained away) snow to return, plotting road trips to the South, immersed in seeming lag time, I stumbled upon a couple of front page screen shots & images of some of my wallets in Garth Johnson's new 1000 Ideas For Creative Reuse. And so: a quick eye candy update while I dream of thickening accents, Southern food, and citrus.

I hope you're all well. (Really, I do!)
Kat.

I've been working on a new design for T&F today, which I'm really excited about- a sustainable lunch pail!

I've thought for a while that the vintage suits I have would be ideal for lunch bags because of the many layers which I cut through when I take them apart- in this case, those layers provide padding and insulation, which is perfect!

These are work-in-progress shots- this little guy still needs to be lined and ironed, and that strap is just pinned on, but I'm really happy with the way they've turned out and I can't wait to get a batch finished and into the shop!

Check in next week for the finished products!

Introducing Bella:

She can be found in the shop! Watch for more summery pouches (and wristlets!) coming soon!

I hope you're enjoying Spring as much as I am.

Lots of things have been happening lately around here, in the form of both wholesale orders (!) and new projects. Turns out that renewing your listings really is a good idea. Who knew. (I know, I know, everyone.)

I'm very excited about a few things I have coming up for the shop in the next week or so, so be sure to check back in!

Other than that, this is just a note to say hello, and that I'm still here, however neglectful I may be. Photos of things being worked on soon. In the meantime, I hope you're well.

K.

Dear lord, it's a shop update!

Two new designs are in the shop, as of tonight: The Chelsea Bag, and The Pencil Wallet (both of which have been accompanying me out as of late, in anticipation of the impending Spring)!

These photos are of mine. I make through doing, and the prototypes often come out with imperfect lines and evidence that I was more excited to sew than to press; yours will come ironed, with straight seams. :)

More in the days and weeks to come, now that we're home.

Working on a new design today. In the other room, D orders seeds for his CSA. Endless coffee and a late breakfast of pancakes and potatoes. Yum.

The vacation is over; T&F is back to work. New bags will be in the shop soon.

The Louisa Bag made an appearance on the front page of Etsy today. Fun!

Welcome to the future.

T&F continues to be on vacation, through early-March, with the exception of the two Louisa Bags listed in the shop. Look for a good, old-fashioned update once the air starts to smell of spring. In the meantime there is far too much sea and rain forest to bank in my memory for the time between our return and the next trip.

I hope you're well.
I hope you'll stay in touch.

I hope your 2009 is as good as they come.