Climbing with the Polka Dots!

Hurray! Let there be DOTS!

Guess what I found at my new supplier, today?

As you may know, I've made two different versions of the popular Polka Dots cycling cap. Of course, no longer available due to discontinued fabric from my supplier. It's difficult to obtain the red dot pattern fabric. I'm thinking most fabric designers are not in tune with the Tour de France.

Today, Richard and I was about to leave the fabric shop with our notions when I saw, from the corner of eyes, the familiar red dots on white. I immediately zoomed onto it and purchased as much as I could.

I love it, it was meant to happen since I didn't find what I first was looking for. Next, I will wash the fabric and rework the design because the fabric seems like a lighter cotton.

This will be fun project!

The Zesty Orangeman

Based on our Orangeman cycling cap.

It's hectic around here.

The Make It show maybe over, but our online business is humming along nicely. From time to time, I make custom cycling caps and here's one that I just completed.

It looks like Spring is back. The demand now is for winter caps, and whenever I have an order for a regular cap it's time to re-learn.

Here's a custom Orangeman with yellow stripe, bright and colorful!

The Flemish has landed

The Make It Show is over and done ...and it was fantastic!

With the addition of another day, the show was intense. Saturday being the most intense. They broke a record: 1000 customers passed through the gate in 1 hour. A grand total of 8400 in 3.5 days.

I don't know how I managed it, but I found the time to make a Bike sign that really made our booth stand out. People loved it and kept complimenting us all throughout the show. I used christmas lights.

We brought along a huge diverse inventory. The big star was our wallet, and we introduced our newest 100% winter cycling cap; The Flemish! I redesigned the pattern and modified the ear flap to fit even better. We realize our caps would fit better if we offered two sizes. A great success! We are planning to look at the way we size our caps in order to provide a better choice of sizing.

As you probably guess, Richard has many caps and now he has a 100% wool winter cap. After a week without a ride, Richard didn't waste time to jump on his Marinoni. The next morning after the show, he went out to test the new Flemish cap. It was a cold morning close to 0C, perfect conditions to test the Flemish cap. The picture below is Richard back from his cold weather ride. He was tired ...but warm!

Make It!

We've made it to our biggest show of the season... Make It!

Today starts four days of handmade love at the Croatian Center here in Vancouver. Richard and I are excited to have our Galstudio cycling caps/accessories on sale. 

I invite you all (if you can make it) to attend and come over and meet us. Our booth is located beside the bar in the main room!

Make It Big Time!

Roberts Creek, Sunshine Coast  BC

(image by Richard)

I took a blogging break...

You know when you're juggling so many balls and you lose site of everything else?

I'm sorry that I've neglected my blog but life got so crazy with work I've turned my attention to my sewing machine instead. 

In August, Richard and I decided to spend holiday time in the Sunshine Coast (Gibsons). But, work forced me to bring along my sewing machine to actually... work. Call it a work holiday. At least I did enjoy my evenings with the beautiful scenery and a glass of wine. Richard was able to squeeze in a few rides exploring unknown territory of the Sunshine Coast. To say that we both fell in love with the Sunshine Coast would be an understatement!

Galstudio is in growing mode. We just finished a huge wholesale order that left us completely exhausted but happy. It was a grueling tens days of production. 

Circle Craft Christmas show

The Christmas craft shows have started. Richard and I went to investigate one of the top three shows in Vancouver, called Circle Craft. They've been around for over 20 years. Our friend Graham was there and he's a mainstay doing this show for the past 15 years. I was excited to help him design his newest children's music CD cover. 

Circle Craft is top notch with quality merchants but the admission fee of $12.00 is too high and I didn't feel that this show is a good match for our products.

On the other hand, we are back at the Make It Show for our second year. We're very excited that they added another day totaling four days. We have a larger booth sharing with our friend Helene... I'm definitely feeling this show and we will have lots of fun.

So, I'm back to my sewing machine and need to produce a few more items for the Make It Show. I also started teaching a crochet workshop... I'll keep that for my next post!

Initiation à l'entrelac & Introductory Crochet.

As far as I can remember, I've embraced knitting. Most of my aunts including my mother were passionate knitters. So, knitting came naturally to me. Already by 15 years of age, I've knitted throws and sweaters.

I'm from a generation where knitting was not the hip thing to do. At that time, young women hid behind close doors to knit... we were closet knitters. By age 20, my knitting needles were collecting dust bunnies.

I took back my needles in the late eighties when one dear friend was looking for a special knitted above the knee socks. I answered that call and from then on never put down my needles... again.

Arbol from Malabrigo

I was so excited when Karen from Bird on a Wire Creations, first asked me to teach a knitting class. I suggested to teach a knitting class in French. So I can combine my two passions of speaking French and knitting!

I realize that this would present a challenge; to re-learn knitting in French. It's quite complex really. I know why I embrace the English pattern due to it's ease of understanding. 

I'm extremely happy to present the Entrelac pattern, I have adapted and translated, for the upcoming classes. 

Turner from Malabrigio.

I'm also teaching an introduction to Crochet in English using this wonderful green wool. I will use a pattern I have modified to make a beautiful Bruges lace scarf.

Please check this link  for details on all the classes and ...sign up.

Let's knit together!

MAMILS at the Whistler Farmer's Market

Check out Richard's old Mavic wheel!

I haven't been back to Whistler in over fifteen years and it has sure changed!

With the Winter Olympics, this resort town has grown up. I was there often working in the special events industry and it was small and quaint. The trade and convention centre was beautiful and quite new back then. Also, I was decorating in the Le Chateau Hotel when it first opened in Blackcomb.

Now I don't recognized the town anymore. Sunday, Richard and I was selling our Galstudio products at the Whistler Farmer's Market. It was beautiful and sunny... everything a market should be. Plus full of people and samples for all.

I had a chance to try sea asparagus. It doesn't look like asparagus it's actually a type of seaweed. It's green, crunchy and salty collected at low tide. Definitely good for salads and pasta.

Sea asparagus.

This vibrant market is on my list as must have markets to be in. So, next year we plan to be back.

Often in these shows, there is a tendency to have too much of one type of vendor. Not so here. There was a full array of different products to discover. The organizers did a very good job of curating the show. Our unique cycling accessories were appreciated by everyone. There were many outdoor types especially cyclists and their spouses that bought our products. Richard was doing so well selling cycling caps to middle age cyclist guys. These cyclists are the MAMILS; middle age men in lycra. Richard's part of this fast growing tribe. I still laugh when he mentions it.

The foam core display didn't survived our last market, it was destroyed. So I came up with a clever fix. Richard's Mavic wheel held up to nine of his cyclingart cards and he was so pleased to use it again. It works so much better.

Special thanks go to our partner, Helene for allowing us to share the tent with. It was a wonderful day with her!

Wish I had a dog...

beside our tent was a fabulous organic dog treats!

Thumbs Up at the MEC Bikefest!

Yesterday, Richard and I wondered if the weather was ever going to change from the grey rainy start of the MEC Bikefest. 

We set up with the rest of the vendors at 9:15AM dressed for the cool drizzle. It's June and even Richard was dressed in layers still shivering. I had three layers on and with the wind off the water, I wished I had my polar fleece.

I am so grateful that MEC Coordinator/Marketplace, Stephanie Ruane sent us an invitation for this fun event. It was indeed fun. I can imagine if the weather cooperated. By midday, the weather did clear up and the sun peeked through the clouds to help dry up the rain. Special thanks go out to the MEC staff/volunteers for putting on a fun show and so good to see so many people out enjoying themselves ...rain or shine.

We worked hard at presenting a good looking display. And it worked! This was only our second show and considering the weather, we can say it was extremely successful.

I met a french speaking woman, Agathe who works at MEC as a customer service representative. It was very refreshing to speak in French and I never knew MEC offer a bilingual customer service.

It was good for us to be among cycling interested folks. We had valuable feedback from cyclists. Our Galstudio brand is slowly starting to be recognize in  the cycling community.... we look forward to be back next year!

June Bike Month

Today is June 1st.

And the weather, is a beautiful 14 C Spring day and I feel there's hope yet, for Summer. June is Bike Month here in Vancouver. There's quite a few of bike activities for the month. Here's a just a few: Velopalooza, Car Free Day (June 19th), & MEC Bikefest (June 25th).

Yesterday, Richard and I helped Karen with the June Bike Month window display at Bird On A Wire Creations. Richard took the opportunity to use his retro fun 1984 Team Pinarello wool cycling jersey, looking very nice. Special thanks go to Nic & Jamie of Super Champion Cycle Shop for their beautiful bicycle. The window would not be the same without their bicycle. It's stunning. And, I would like to thank Karen (Endure Upcycled Designs) for the great 'I love Bikes' banner.

Richard has three cycling art framed prints for sale. And, we will be back as the Artists in the Window this Saturday (11-4) producing another handmade cycling cap. He will also have on hand his portfolio of cycling art prints for everyone to look at, too.

I'm not exactly sure which cap to make; the Ventoux or the Espress O. I'll have to decide very soon. Hooray for June Bike Month!

Epic Expo

Someone offered me free tickets to this weekend's Epic Expo. It's been so long, I almost forgot about them and this morning Richard and I set out.

The super electric Bug!

Epic is the sustainable consumer show & eco-marketplace. Overwhelming came to mind. The quality of the show is quite high, housed under the very green newish Vancouver Convention Centre.

As usual there was hybrid cars. But, the most interesting was a converted VW Beetle with electric battery cells. This unique Beetle is from an electric car club from the engineer students from the University of BC. They tested this car by driving across the country in 14 days. Two students and a dog made the trip.

I was excited to see the Canada Post electric van and I hope to see this out on the roads soon. There was interesting things to learn. We talked to a young guy about bees. I didn't know that the bee population was going down. In some parts of the United States, bees are actually trucked in to pollinate. Sure makes you think how important bees are to our food supply.

There was plenty of free stuff. This is the best show for free samples. Beer, chocolate and more beer and chocolate and natural products are in abundance. Free samples are everywhere. An enjoyable sustainable day!

The future of electric mail?

Recycled plastic toys...

...made us thirsty for good beer!

Mme. Bonbon meets the Bruges

I'm lost in my creativity. Where's time gone to? 

I have so many projects on the go that I wonder how I can ever get around to completing them. The good thing, yesterday I managed to finish two knitting projects.

The winter of 2009, I completed my first double knit project. When I purchased the bamboo yarn I thought it would be perfect. I love the way how double knit allows you to create a different pattern, on both sides, at the same time. Here, I kept it really simple with horizontal lines in the back and verticle lines in the front. It makes me think of one thing... a candy store!

I consider myself more of a knitter. The book, 'Crocheting Master Class', caught my attention because I wanted to know what the top crocheters of the world are doing. There's a fine line with crochet: either it's really good or tacky. No middle ground. This book represents the best and the worst of the crochet world.

I love the technique of Bruges Lace. I have seen it done before with fine cotton yarn. Then I saw it, in this book, with wool and I was inspired. I didn't follow the pattern exactly because I didn't have enough wool. Instead, I decided on modifying the pattern to make a nice long scarf.

It was so nice to crochet again. I'm planning my next crochet project, in fact, right now!

Artist's In The Window: The Return

Remember the first time I was the Artist in the Window? That was last January 29th.

Well, Richard and I was eagerly back and making our famous Polka Dots cycling cap. Yesterday, we were the Artist(s) in the Window at Bird on a Wire Creations. It's such a great idea that Karen welcomes different artists every Saturday to show their craft.

It's nothing liken to a handmade show where you feel like you have to perform to sell your artwork. Depending on the show, you don't always have enough time to share with clients. I like this hands on approach where the main emphasis is engaging with the public. Of course, sales are good too! This is where Richard shines. His fountain of cycling knowledge is advantageous. I believe with Richard, that he presents an non-threatening aspect. Cycling guys feel comfortable enough to enter into a crafty handmade store without their girlfriends! In fact, a father with baby girl stopped in to chat with Richard and to buy a cycling cap.

Richard is now selling his Cycling Art Cards at

Bird on a Wire Creations!

The sun was not there but plenty of people showed up. We learned from a bike mechanic of a newer bike store to check out around Hastings & Nanaimo in Vancouver. We also met a cycling couple from Bellingham, Washington who were amazed at how Main street was so vibrant. 

It's wonderful to meet the new employee at Bird on a Wire, Shelley. She has a beautiful welcoming smile to greet customers. 

A great day, it went flying by. It felt like working in an open studio!

A good sign...

June will be Bike Month in Vancouver and 

we will be both back as Artist in the Window!

Bloom-ing in Ft. Langley

Springing towards the Fort Langley Community Hall

Sunday was a perfect Spring day. Richard and I drove to Ft Langley to see the Bloom Market. A handmade market from 40 independent artists selling their one-of-a-kind items.

Ft. Langley is outside of Vancouver providing a mix of urban and rural eye candy on the banks of the Fraser River. This was the first time, for both of us, to visit Ft. Langley. It's an old village that is beautifully restored. We even saw a train go through the middle of the town adding to the quaintness.

We were eager to see our friend Helene and her husband Graham as vendors. Musician, Graham Walker makes and sells his own children's music CDs. Helene sells her fine handmade garments for: children, men & women.

It was fun and exciting but we're not convince if this is a market for us. There's so many artisan markets blooming everywhere that we have to take our time and pick the right one!

The kids are loving Grahams' music.

"Joong" Hay Fat Choy!

Today is the first day of the year of the Rabbit and I proudly made an authentic Chinese delicacy. It’s called Joong, sticky rice wrapped in banana leaves.

Richard was raised on this and his earliest recognition is eating it at Chinese New Year. With the popularity of Dim Sum, it can be enjoyed everyday. I love it and it’s a specialty and quite unique. Not one is exactly alike. It has all the elements of a comfort food that I find pleasing.

Because of Richard, my Chinese cooking is pretty good and I found it both fun and challenging. It’s not your regular grocery item. And, not every Asian store carries the ingredient. I’m a Quebecer and growing up I never knew of any restaurant to carry this dish. It’s quite the joy to discover it through Richard and rewarding to actually make it. It’s easy.

This is like Tourtier, a Quebec family delicacy of meat pie. Every Quebec family has their own recipe.

Heres my interpretation of the old Chinese dish called, Joong...

First you have to gather all the ingredients. I admit, I wanted to include preserved duck eggs. But, I bought the wrong type and it was stinky and I had to toss it out. Every ingredient has it’s own in this, mainly flavoring. Richard tells me he grew up seeing it incased in dirt and found in an obscure Chinese grocery store in Edmonton.

The main ingredients (found in Chinese stores).

This makes 14 Joong…

1.              (2 ½ lbs.)     Glutinous Rice

2.              (42)             Banana Leaves dry

3.              (1 C)            Raw Peanuts

4.              (1/2 C)         Dry Shrimp

5.              (10)             Dry Chinese mushrooms

6.              (4 )              Chinese Sausage

7.              Preserved Chestnut (optional)

8.              Preserved Duck Eggs (optional)

9.              Roll of White String (no dye it’s toxic)

10.          Soya Sauce

11.          Cooking Oil

The night before; soak your banana leaves in warm water and soak your rice in separate bowl. Best to use the bowl of soaked rice to add weight so the leaves don't float to the surface. Next day sterilize by immersing your leaves in a pot of hot water. Then separately soak your shrimp and mushrooms in hot water until soft. Best to buy the mushrooms sliced, they soak faster. And precook your peanuts by boiling in a pot for about 15 minutes.

Rinse your mushrooms & shrimp and saute them in cooking oil add a dash of soya sauce and set aside. Rinse the rice place in a bowl and mix in ¼ C of soya sauce and set aside. Slice your Chinese sausages and your ready to wrap.

Here’s the fun part. Start with two leaves that you roll the end to form a cone. Hold with your left hand and put in 3 T of rice. Then add the rest: a few sausages, peanuts, shrimp/mushroom mix. Place a third leaf to add height to your cone. Having fun yet?

If you really need to see it go online there’s plenty of video’s on how to roll your Joong.

Layer again with more rice and fold neatly into a compact shape. Don’t be scare it doesn’t have to be beautiful but importantly hold the rice. Tie it securely with the string.

Gather all the Joong’s together in a large pot of boiling water for 2 hours to finish the cooking. When ready, piping hot, unwrap and discard the leaves (or compost them) and enjoy your homemade Joong! Oh yeah, add a splash of soya sauce to taste.

They will keep in the fridge in an uncovered container up to seven days… if they last that long. However, if you have too many just freeze them. Make sure you re-boil them for 15 minutes before eating. Enjoy!

Artist's In The Window

After the fun Richard and I had on Saturday, as Artist's In The Window, I enjoyed creating the video on iMovie. The program is wonderful, since working with Bikes, Books & Beers Podcast on it. Playing with the hands on template was easy and proves again that Mac is very user friendly. Adding music completes the video. It's the first time I played with audio in the program. It's fun.

We were there from 11 to 4 PM, and it passed quickly. Likely due to the rain, we didn't see any cyclists. You can't blame them for not going out in the torrential rainfall. It was a fun experience and productive. We finished our newest cycling cap, due out in a few days. This will be the first of many new caps following in the next few weeks.

We're grateful to Karen of Bird On The Wire, for the opportunity. In fact, she has already spoken to us about appearing in another Artist In The Window, sometime this early Summer. We're so excited!

" I never thought I would do it... in the window!"

Our nice polka dot window display!

As you have read, from this previous post, Galstudio is available since December at Bird On A Wire.

Karen has this wonderful opportunity for artists that sell in her store to showcase how they do what they do. I was so excited when she asked me to be the artist in the window. A fun idea. Without asking Richard I booked ourselves for this Saturday January, 29th from 11-4 PM. He's as excited as I am.

We will be there with my lovely Singer Fashion mate 257 showing how we make our fine cycling caps. As far as I know, we'll be the first ones to make a cycling cap live to the public. How exciting is that? And, we will take this opportunity to launch our first new cycling cap for 2011. I 'll give you all a teaser, it's all about... LOVE!

So, I invite you to meet us and see how we make our cycling caps and to check out the wonderful, diverse, handmade products at Karen's store!

Big Chief Heating Pad

Hot nite with the Big Chief!

Once in awhile, all you need is to cuddle with your heating pad. I had a week from hell but to be able to go to bed with my heating pad is wonderful.

I discovered my heating pad years ago but I hardly use it. I don't know if it's due to the weather getting colder here in Vancouver, but I now use it every night. Now, I've ad-Dressed' it. Richard had an old shirt that was too large for him. I always love this shirt and I wasn't ready to let it go. 

So, I decided to recycle this wonderful design to wrap my naked heating pad!

Notice I kept the 'Indian' label!

Merry Christmas!...

The turkey is in the oven, the Christmas village is on and I'm listening to Christmas songs with Richard.

All we need to make it post card like is a little snow. 

Christmas is not stressful for us, we always make it a point to make it simple and to go with the flow. What is really important is to share it with your love ones. May your Christmas be cheery and bright!

Sometimes all you need is ... a Whack!

I'm a very creative person. I live by it. You have to stimulate it. It won't just happen by itself.

I bought this Whack Pack well before I attended art school. Brilliant, beautiful and wonderfully designed it captured my imagination. Still does. It's like giving gas to your creative engine. If you need a spark this will help you think outside the box.

Each card has a fun way to help flex your creativity muscle. And we all need that from time to time. I use it often when I'm taking a break. The artwork is fun and I enjoy reading the stories. I usually keep the pack close to my computer at the ready.

If your creativity needs a whack... this is the right tool for you!

Fun with Belts

The Pac Man Inner Tube Belt.

Bicycle inner tubes are so fun to work with. A short while ago I was approached to make a inner tube belt for a birthday present. I was supplied with a very fun Pac Man buckle (above). I've never attempted to make a belt before and I looked forward to the challenge.

It's always challenging to make something new. But, that's what is so fun about it. It showed me how versatile rubber is and that there's still plenty of room to learn & explore. It was fun sewing the overstitch and picking out the vibrant orange fabric. Very colorful & electric. I think it turned out very well and the customer was extremely happy.

As soon as this one was done, my old friend Joey wanted one made. Well as you can see it's more in a classic style. He hasn't seen it yet. I won't see him for a few weeks as he's on vacation. I think he'll be pleasantly surprised!

The Plaid Inner Tube Belt.